(Lord Byron) George Gordon Byron - Life of Lord Byron, With His Letters And Journals, Vol. 5 (of 6)

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"I am afraid that this sounds flippant, but I don't mean it to be
so; only my turn of mind is so given to taking things in the absurd
point of view, that it breaks out in spite of me every now and
then. Still, I do assure you that I am a very good Christian.
Whether you will believe me in this, I do not know; but I trust you
will take my word for being

"Very truly and affectionately yours, &c.

"P.S. Do tell Murray that one of the conditions of peace is, that
he publisheth (or obtaineth a publisher for) * * *'s Commentary on
Dante, against which there appears in the trade an unaccountable
repugnance. It will make the man so exuberantly happy. He dines
with me and half-a-dozen English to-day; and I have not the heart
to tell him how the bibliopolar world shrink from his
Commentary;--and yet it is full of the most orthodox religion and
morality. In short, I make it a point that he shall be in print. He
is such a good-natured, heavy-* * Christian, that we must give him
a shove through the press. He naturally thirsts to be an author,
and has been the happiest of men for these two months, printing,
correcting, collating, dating, anticipating, and adding to his
treasures of learning. Besides, he has had another fall from his
horse into a ditch the other day, while riding out with me into the
country."

* * * * *

LETTER 486. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Pisa, March 15. 1822.

"I am glad that you and your friends approve of my letter of the
8th ultimo. You may give it what publicity you think proper in the
circumstances. I have since written to you twice or thrice.

"As to 'a Poem in the old way,' I shall attempt of that kind
nothing further. I follow the bias of my own mind, without
considering whether women or men are or are not to be pleased; but
this is nothing to my publisher, who must judge and act according
to popularity.

"Therefore let the things take their chance: if _they pay,_ you
will pay me in proportion; and if they don't, I must.

"The Noel affairs, I hope, will not take me to England. I have no
desire to revisit that country, unless it be to keep you out of a
prison (if this can be effected by my taking your place), or
perhaps to get myself into one, by exacting satisfaction from one
or two persons who take advantage of my absence to abuse me.
Further than this, I have no business nor connection with England,
nor desire to have, _out_ of my own family and friends, to whom I
wish all prosperity. Indeed, I have lived upon the whole so little
in England (about five years since I was one-and-twenty), that my
habits are too continental, and your climate would please me as
little as the society.

"I saw the Chancellor's Report in a French paper. Pray, why don't
they prosecute the translation of _Lucretius_? or the original with
its

"'Primus in orbe Deos fecit Timor,'

or

"'Tantum Religio potuit suadere malorum?'

"You must really get something done for Mr. * *'s Commentary: what
can I say to him?

"Yours," &c.

* * * * *

LETTER 487. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Pisa, April 13. 1822.

"Mr. Kinnaird writes that there has been an 'excellent Defence' of
'Cain,' against 'Oxoniensis;' you have sent me nothing but a not
very excellent _of_-fence of the same poem. If there be such a
'Defender of the Faith,' you may send me his thirty-nine articles,
as a counterbalance to some of your late communications.

"Are you to publish, or not, what Moore and Mr. Kinnaird have in
hand, and the 'Vision of Judgment?' If you publish the latter in a
very cheap edition, so as to baffle the pirates by a low price, you
will find that it will do. The 'Mystery' I look upon as good, and
'Werner' too, and I expect that you will publish them speedily. You
need not put your name to _Quevedo,_ but publish it as a foreign
edition, and let it make its way. Douglas Kinnaird has it still,
with the preface, I believe.

"I refer you to him for documents on the late row here. I sent them
a week ago.

"Yours," &c.

* * * * *

LETTER 488. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Pisa, April 18. 1822.

"I have received the Defence of 'Cain.' Who is my Warburton?--for
he has done for me what the bishop did for the poet against
Crousaz. His reply seems to me conclusive; and if you understood
your own interest, you would print it together with the poem.

"It is very odd that I do not hear from you. I have forwarded to
Mr. Douglas Kinnaird the documents on a squabble here, which
occurred about a month ago. The affair is still going on; but they
make nothing of it hitherto. I think, what with home and abroad,
there has been hot water enough for one while. Mr. Dawkins, the
English minister, has behaved in the handsomest and most
gentlemanly manner throughout the whole business.

"Yours ever, &c.

"P.S. I have got Lord Glenbervie's book, which is very amusing and
able upon the topics which he touches upon, and part of the preface
pathetic. Write soon."

* * * * *

LETTER 489. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Pisa, April 22. 1822.

"You will regret to hear that I have received intelligence of the
death of my daughter Allegra of a fever in the convent of Bagna
Cavallo, where she was placed for the last year, to commence her
education. It is a heavy blow for many reasons, but must be borne,
with time.

"It is my present intention to send her remains to England for
sepulture in Harrow church (where I once hoped to have laid my
own), and this is my reason for troubling you with this notice. I
wish the funeral to be very private. The body is embalmed, and in
lead. It will be embarked from Leghorn. Would you have any
objection to give the proper directions on its arrival?

"I am yours, &c. N.B.

"P.S. You are aware that Protestants are not allowed holy ground in
Catholic countries."

* * * * *

LETTER 490. TO MR. SHELLEY.

"April 23. 1822.

"The blow was stunning and unexpected; for I thought the danger
over, by the long interval between her stated amelioration and the
arrival of the express. But I have borne up against it as I best
can, and so far successfully, that I can go about the usual
business of life with the same appearance of composure, and even
greater. There is nothing to prevent your coming to-morrow; but,
perhaps, to-day, and yester-evening, it was better not to have met.
I do not know that I have any thing to reproach in my conduct, and
certainly nothing in my feelings and intentions towards the dead.
But it is a moment when we are apt to think that, if this or that
had been done, such event might have been prevented,--though every
day and hour shows us that they are the most natural and
inevitable. I suppose that Time will do his usual work--Death has
done his.

"Yours ever, N.B."

* * * * *

LETTER 491. TO SIR WALTER SCOTT.

"Pisa, May 4. 1822.

"My dear Sir Walter,

"Your account of your family is very pleasing: would that I 'could
answer this comfort with the like!' but I have just lost my natural
daughter, Allegra, by a fever. The only consolation, save time, is
the reflection, that she is either at rest or happy; for her few
years (only five) prevented her from having incurred any sin,
except what we inherit from Adam.

"'Whom the gods love, die young.'"

"I need not say that your letters are particularly welcome, when
they do not tax your time and patience; and now that our
correspondence is resumed, I trust it will continue.

"I have lately had some anxiety, rather than trouble, about an
awkward affair here, which you may perhaps have heard of; but our
minister has behaved very handsomely, and the Tuscan Government as
well as it is possible for such a government to behave, which is
not saying much for the latter. Some other English, and Scots, and
myself, had a brawl with a dragoon, who insulted one of the party,
and whom we mistook for an officer, as he was medalled and well
mounted, &c. but he turned out to be a sergeant-major. He called
out the guard at the gates to arrest us (we being unarmed); upon
which I and another (an Italian) rode through the said guard; but
they succeeded in detaining others of the party. I rode to my
house and sent my secretary to give an account of the attempted and
illegal arrest to the authorities, and then, without dismounting,
rode back towards the gates, which are near my present mansion.
Half-way I met my man vapouring away and threatening to draw upon
me (who had a cane in my hand, and no other arms). I, still
believing him an officer, demanded his name and address, and gave
him my hand and glove thereupon. A servant of mine thrust in
between us (totally without orders), but let him go on my command.
He then rode off at full speed; but about forty paces further was
stabbed, and very dangerously (so as to be in peril), by some
_Callum Beg_ or other of my people (for I have some rough-handed
folks about me), I need hardly say without my direction or
approval. The said dragoon had been sabring our unarmed countrymen,
however, at the _gate, after they were in arrest,_ and held by the
guards, and wounded one, Captain Hay, very severely. However, he
got his paiks--having acted like an assassin, and being treated
like one. _Who_ wounded him, though it was done before thousands of
people, they have never been able to ascertain, or prove, nor even
the _weapon_; some said a _pistol_, an _air-gun_, a stiletto, a
sword, a lance, a pitchfork, and what not. They have arrested and
examined servants and people of all descriptions, but can make out
nothing. Mr. Dawkins, our minister, assures me, that no suspicion
is entertained of the man who wounded him having been instigated by
me, or any of the party. I enclose you copies of the depositions of
those with us, and Dr. Craufurd, a canny Scot (_not_ an
acquaintance), who saw the latter part of the affair. They are in
Italian.

"These are the only literary matters in which I have been engaged
since the publication and row about 'Cain;'--but Mr. Murray has
several things of mine in his obstetrical hands. Another Mystery--a
Vision--a Drama--and the like. But _you won't_ tell me what _you_
are doing--however, I shall find you out, write what you will. You
say that I should like your son-in-law--it would be very difficult
for me to dislike any one connected with you; but I have no doubt
that his own qualities are all that you describe.

"I am sorry you don't like Lord Orford's new work. My aristocracy,
which is very fierce, makes him a favourite of mine. Recollect that
those 'little factions' comprised Lord Chatham and Fox, the father,
and that _we_ live in gigantic and exaggerated times, which make
all under Gog and Magog appear pigmean. After having seen Napoleon
begin like Tamerlane and end like Bajazet in our own time, we have
not the same interest in what would otherwise have appeared
important history. But I must conclude.

"Believe me ever and most truly yours,

"NOEL BYRON."

* * * * *

LETTER 492. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Pisa, May 17. 1822.

"I hear that the Edinburgh has attacked the three dramas, which is
a bad business for _you_; and I don't wonder that it discourages
you. However, _that_ volume may be trusted to _time_,--depend upon
it. I read it over with some attention since it was published, and
I think the time will come when it will be preferred to my other
writings, though not immediately. I say this without irritation
against the critics or criticism, whatever they may be (for I have
not seen them); and nothing that has or may appear in Jeffrey's
Review can make me forget that he stood by me for ten good years
without any motive to do so but his own good-will.

"I hear Moore is in town; remember me to him, and believe me

"Yours truly, N.B.

"P.S. If you think it necessary, you may send me the Edinburgh.
Should there be any thing that requires an answer, I will reply,
but _temperately_ and _technically_; that is to say, merely with
respect to the _principles_ of the criticism, and not personally or
offensively as to its literary merits."

* * * * *

LETTER 493. TO MR. MOORE.

"Pisa, May 17. 1822.

"I hear you are in London. You will have heard from Douglas
Kinnaird (who tells me you have dined with him) as much as you
desire to know of my affairs at home and abroad. I have lately lost
my little girl Allegra by a fever, which has been a serious blow to
me.

"I did not write to you lately (except one letter to Murray's), not
knowing exactly your 'where-abouts.' Douglas K. refused to forward
my message to Mr. Southey--_why_, he himself can explain.

"You will have seen the statement of a squabble, &c.&c.[79] What
are you about? Let me hear from you at your leisure, and believe me
ever yours,

"N.B."

[Footnote 79: Here follows a repetition of the details given on this
subject to Sir Walter Scott and others.]

* * * * *

LETTER 494. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Montenero[80], May 26. 1822.

"Near Leghorn.

"The body is embarked, in what ship I know not, neither could I
enter into the details; but the Countess G.G. has had the goodness
to give the necessary orders to Mr. Dunn, who superintends the
embarkation, and will write to you. I wish it to be buried in
Harrow church.

"There is a spot in the church_yard_, near the footpath, on the
brow of the hill looking towards Windsor, and a tomb under a large
tree, (bearing the name of Peachie, or Peachey,) where I used to
sit for hours and hours when a boy. This was my favourite spot;
but, as I wish to erect a tablet to her memory, the body had better
be deposited in the church. Near the door, on the left hand as you
enter, there is a monument with a tablet containing these words:--

"'When Sorrow weeps o'er Virtue's sacred dust,
Our tears become us, and our grief is just:
Such were the tears she shed, who grateful pays
This last sad tribute of her love and praise.'

I recollect them (after seventeen years), not from any thing
remarkable in them, but because from my seat in the gallery I had
generally my eyes turned towards that monument. As near it as
convenient I could wish Allegra to be buried, and on the wall a
marble tablet placed, with these words:--

In Memory of
Allegra,
Daughter of G.G. Lord Byron,
who died at Bagna Cavallo,
in Italy, April 20th, 1822,
aged five years and three months.

'I shall go to her, but she shall not return to me.'
2d Samuel, xii. 23.

"The funeral I wish to be as private as is consistent with decency;
and I could hope that Henry Drury will, perhaps, read the service
over her. If he should decline it, it can be done by the usual
minister for the time being. I do not know that I need add more
just now.

"Since I came here, I have been invited by the Americans on board
their squadron, where I was received with all the kindness which I
could wish, and with _more ceremony_ than I am fond of. I found
them finer ships than your own of the same class, well manned and
officered. A number of American gentlemen also were on board at the
time, and some ladies. As I was taking leave, an American lady
asked me for a _rose_ which I wore, for the purpose, she said, of
sending to America something which I had about me, as a memorial. I
need not add that I felt the compliment properly. Captain Chauncey
showed me an American and very pretty edition of my poems, and
offered me a passage to the United States, if I would go there.
Commodore Jones was also not less kind and attentive. I have since
received the enclosed letter, desiring me to sit for my picture for
some Americans. It is singular that, in the same year that Lady
Noel leaves by will an interdiction for my daughter to see her
father's portrait for many years, the individuals of a nation, not
remarkable for their liking to the English in particular, nor for
flattering men in general, request me to sit for my
'pourtraicture,' as Baron Bradwardine calls it. I am also told of
considerable literary honours in Germany. Goethe, I am told, is my
professed patron and protector. At Leipsic, this year, the highest
prize was proposed for a translation of two cantos of Childe
Harold. I am not sure that this was at _Leipsic_, but Mr. Rowcroft
was my authority--a good German scholar (a young American), and an
acquaintance of Goethe's.

"Goethe and the Germans are particularly fond of Don Juan, which
they judge of as a work of art. I had heard something of this
before through Baron Lutzerode. The translations have been very
frequent of several of the works, and Goethe made a comparison
between Faust and Manfred.

"All this is some compensation for your English native brutality,
so fully displayed this year to its highest extent.

"I forgot to mention a little anecdote of a different kind. I went
over the Constitution (the Commodore's flag-ship), and saw, among
other things worthy of remark, a little boy _born_ on board of her
by a sailor's wife. They had christened him 'Constitution Jones.'
I, of course, approved the name; and the woman added, 'Ah, sir, if
he turns out but half as good as his name!'

"Yours ever," &c.

[Footnote 80: A hill, three or four miles from Leghorn, much resorted
to, as a place of residence during the summer months.]

* * * * *

LETTER. 495. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Montenero, near Leghorn, May 29. 1822.

"I return you the proofs revised. Your printer has made one odd
mistake:--'poor as a _mouse_,' instead of 'poor as a _miser_.' The
expression may seem strange, but it is only a translation of
'semper avarus eget.' You will add the Mystery, and publish as soon
as you can. I care nothing for your 'season,' nor the _blue_
approbations or disapprobations. All that is to be considered by
you on the subject is as a matter of _business_; and if I square
that to your notions (even to the running the risk entirely
myself), you may permit me to choose my own time and mode of
publication. With regard to the late volume, the present run
against _it_ or _me_ may impede it for a time, but it has the vital
principle of permanency within it, as you may perhaps one day
discover. I wrote to you on another subject a few days ago.

Yours, N.B.

"P.S. Please to send me the Dedication of Sardanapalus to Goethe. I
shall prefix it to Werner, unless you prefer my putting another,
stating that the former had been omitted by the publisher.

"On the title-page of the present volume, put 'Published for the
Author by J.M.'"

* * * * *

LETTER 496. TO MR. MURRAY.

"Montenero, Leghorn, June 6. 1822.

"I return you the revise of Werner, and expect the rest. With
regard to the Lines to the Po, perhaps you had better put them
quietly in a second edition (if you reach one, that is to say) than
in the first; because, though they have been reckoned fine, and I
wish them to be preserved, I do not wish them to attract IMMEDIATE
observation, on account of the relationship of the lady to whom
they are addressed with the first families in Romagna and the
Marches.

"The defender of 'Cain' may or may not be, as you term him, 'a tyro
in literature:' however I think both you and I are under great
obligation to him. I have read the Edinburgh review in Galignani's
Magazine, and have not yet decided whether to answer them or not;
for, if I do, it will be difficult for me not 'to make sport for
the Philistines' by pulling down a house or two; since, when I once
take pen in hand, I _must_ say what comes uppermost, or fling it
away. I have not the hypocrisy to pretend impartiality, nor the
temper (as it is called) to keep always from saying what may not be
pleasing to the hearer or reader. What do they mean by
'_elaborate_?' Why, _you_ know that they were written as fast as I
could put pen to paper, and printed from the _original_ MSS., and
never revised but in the proofs: _look_ at the _dates_ and the MSS.
themselves. Whatever faults they have must spring from
carelessness, and not from labour. They said the same of 'Lara,'
which I wrote while undressing after coming home from balls and
masquerades, in the year of revelry 1814. Yours."

"June 8. 1822.

"You give me no explanation of your intention as to the 'Vision of
Quevedo Redivivus,' one of my best things: indeed, you are
altogether so abstruse and undecided lately, that I suppose you
mean me to write 'John Murray, Esq., a Mystery,'--a composition
which would not displease the clergy nor the trade. I by no means
wish you to do what you don't like, but merely to say what you will
do. The Vision _must_ be published by some one. As to 'clamours,'
the die is cast: and 'come one, come all,' we will fight it out--at
least one of us."

* * * * *

LETTER 497. TO MR. MOORE.

"Montenero, Villa Dupoy, near Leghorn, June 8. 1822.

"I have written to you twice through the medium of Murray, and on
one subject, _trite_ enough,--the loss of poor little Allegra by a
fever; on which topic I shall say no more--there is nothing but
time.

"A few days ago, my earliest and dearest friend, Lord Clare, came
over from Geneva on purpose to see me before he returned to
England. As I have always loved him (since I was thirteen, at
Harrow,) better than any (_male_) thing in the world, I need hardly
say what a melancholy pleasure it was to see him for a _day_ only;
for he was obliged to resume his journey immediately. * * * Do you
recollect, in the year of revelry 1814, the pleasantest parties and
balls all over London? and not the least so at * *'s. Do you
recollect your singing duets with Lady * *, and my flirtation with
Lady * *, and all the other fooleries of the time? while * * was
sighing, and Lady * * ogling him with her clear hazel eyes. _But_
eight years have passed, and, since that time, * * has * * * * *
*;--has run away with * * * * *; and _mysen_ (as my Nottinghamshire
friends call themselves) might as well have thrown myself out of
the window while you were singing, as intermarried where I did. You
and * * * * have come off the best of us. I speak merely of my
marriage, and its consequences, distresses, and calumnies; for I
have been much more happy, on the whole, _since_, than I ever could
have been with * *.

"I have read the recent article of Jeffrey in a faithful
transcription of the impartial Galignani. I suppose the long and
short of it is, that he wishes to provoke me to reply. But I won't,
for I owe him a good turn still for his kindness by-gone. Indeed, I
presume that the present opportunity of attacking me again was
irresistible; and I can't blame him, knowing what human nature is.
I shall make but one remark:--what does he mean by elaborate? The
whole volume was written with the greatest rapidity, in the midst
of evolutions, and revolutions, and persecutions, and proscriptions
of all who interested me in Italy. They said the same of 'Lara,'
which, _you_ know, was written amidst balls and fooleries, and
after coming home from masquerades and routs, in the summer of the
sovereigns. Of all I have ever written, they are perhaps the most
carelessly composed; and their faults, whatever they may be, are
those of negligence, and not of labour. I do not think this a
merit, but it is a fact.

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