The Works of Lord Byron: Letters and Journals Volume I Part 13

My Dear Hargeaves,--I would be obliged to you, if you would write to your father, and enquire--what time it will be most convenient for him to receive my visit, and I will come to Town immediately to the time appointed and accompany you to the _Rural Shades_ and _Fertile Fields_ of Hants. You must excuse the laconic Style of my Epistle as this place is d.a.m.ned dull and I have nothing to relate, but believe me,

Yours truly,

BYRON.

36.--To Hargreaves Hanson.

Trinity Coll., October 25, 1805.

Dear Hargreaves,--I presume your father has by this time informed you of our safe Arrival here. [1] I can as yet hardly form an Opinion in favour, or against the College, but as soon as I am settled you shall have an account. I wish you to pack up carefully--& send immediately the remainder of my books, and also my _Stocks_ which were left in Chancery Lane. _Mon Chapeau de Bras_ take care of till Winter extends his Icy Reign and I shall visit the Metropolis. Tell your father that I am getting in the furniture he spoke of, but shall defer papering and painting till the Recess. The sooner you execute my _commands_ the better. Beware of Mr. Terry,

And believe me, yours faithfully,

BYRON.

The Bills for Furniture I shall send to Mr. H., your worthy papa, according to his _particular Desire_. The Cambridge Coach sets off from the White Horse, Fetter Lane.

[Footnote 1: Byron entered Trinity on July 1, 1805; but he did not go into residence till the following October. His tutors were the Rev.

Thomas Jones (1756-1807), who was Senior Tutor from 1787 till his death in 1807, and the Rev. George Frederick Tavell (B.A., 1792; M.A., 1795), to whom Byron alludes in 'Hints from Horace', lines 228-230:--

"Unlucky Tavell! doom'd to daily cares By pugilistic pupils, and by bears!"]

37.--To John Hanson.

Trinity Coll., Oct. 26, 1805.

Dear Sir,--I will be obliged to you to order me down 4 Dozen of Wine--Port, Sherry, Claret, and Madeira, one dozen of each. I have got part of my furniture in, and begin to admire a College life. Yesterday my appearance in the Hall in my State Robes was _Superb_, but uncomfortable to my _Diffidence_. You may order the Saddle, etc., etc., for "Oateater" as soon as you please and I will pay for them.

I remain, Sir, yours truly,

BYRON.

P.S.--Give Hargreaves a hint to be expeditious in his sending my _Valuables_ which I begin to want. Your Cook had the Impudence to charge my Servant 15 s.h.i.+llings for 5 Days provision which I think is exorbitant; but I hear that in _Town_ it is but reasonable. Pray is it the custom to allow your Servants 3/6 per Diem, in London? I will thank you for Information on the Subject.

38.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron.

[Castle Howard, near Malton, Yorks.h.i.+re.]

Trin. Coll. [Wednesday], Novr. 6th, 1805.

My dear Augusta,--As might be supposed I like a College Life extremely, especially as I have escaped the Trammels or rather _Fetters_ of my domestic Tyrant Mrs. Byron, who continued to plague me during my visit in July and September. I am now most pleasantly situated in _Super_excellent Rooms, flanked on one side by my Tutor, on the other by an old Fellow, both of whom are rather checks upon my _vivacity_. I am allowed 500 a year, a Servant and Horse, so Feel as independent as a German Prince who coins his own Cash, or a Cherokee Chief who coins no Cash at all, but enjoys what is more precious, Liberty. I talk in raptures of that _G.o.ddess_ because my amiable Mama was so despotic. I am afraid the Specimens I have lately given her of my Spirit, and determination to submit to no more unreasonable demands, (or the insults which follow a refusal to obey her implicitly whether right or wrong,) have given high offence, as I had a most _fiery_ Letter from the _Court_ at _Southwell_ on Tuesday, because I would not turn off my Servant, (whom I had not the least reason to distrust, and who had an excellent Character from his last Master) at her suggestion, from some caprice she had taken into her head. [1] I sent back to the Epistle, which was couched in _elegant_ terms, a severe answer, which so nettled her Ladys.h.i.+p, that after reading it, she returned it in a Cover without deigning a Syllable in return.

The Letter and my answer you shall behold when you next see me, that you may judge of the Comparative merits of Each. I shall let her go on in the _Heroics_, till she cools, without taking the least notice. Her Behaviour to me for the last two Years neither merits my respect, nor deserves my affection. I am comfortable here, and having one of the best allowances in College, go on Gaily, but not extravagantly. I need scarcely inform you that I am not the least obliged to Mrs. B. for it, as it comes off my property, and She refused to fit out a single thing for me from her own pocket; [2] my Furniture is paid for, & she has moreover a handsome addition made to her own income, which I do not in the least regret, as I would wish her to be happy, but by _no means_ to live with me in _person_. The sweets of her society I have already drunk to the last dregs, I hope we shall meet on more affectionate Terms, or meet no more.

But why do I say _meet?_ her temper precludes every idea of happiness, and therefore in future I shall avoid her _hospitable_ mansion, though she has the folly to suppose She is to be mistress of my house when I come of [age]. I must apologize to you for the [dullness?] of this letter, but to tell you the [truth] [the effects] of last nights Claret have no[t gone] out of my head, as I supped with a large party.

I suppose that Fool Hanson in his _vulgar_ Idiom, by the word Jolly did not mean Fat, but High Spirits, for so far from increasing I have lost one pound in a fortnight as I find by being regularly weighed.

Adieu, Dearest Augusta.

[Signature cut out.]

[NB: Words in square brackets were cut and torn out with the seal.]

[Footnote 1: The servant, Byron's valet Frank, was accused of obtaining money on false pretences from a Nottingham tradesman, and Mrs.

Byron informed her son of the charge. Frank was afterwards transported.

(See letter to Lord Clare, February 6, 1807; and letter to Hanson, April 19, 1807.)]

[Footnote 2: See page 76, note 1.]

39.--To Hargreaves Hanson.

Trinity Coll., Novr. 12th, 1805.

DEAR HARGREAVES,--Return my Thanks to your father for the _Expedition_ he has used in filling my _Cellar_.

He deserves commendation for the _Attention_ he paid to my Request.

The Time of "Oateater's" Journey approaches; I presume he means to repair his Neglect by Punctuality in this Respect. However, no _Trinity Ale_ will be forthcoming, till I have broached the promised _Falernum._

College improves in every thing but Learning. n.o.body here seems to look into an Author, ancient or modern, if they can avoid it. The Muses, poor Devils, are totally neglected, except by a few Musty old _Sophs_ and _Fellows_, who, however agreeable they may be to _Minerva_, are perfect Antidotes to the _Graces._ Even I (great as is my _inclination_ for Knowledge) am carried away by the Tide, having only supped at Home twice since I saw your father, and have more engagements on my Hands for a week to come. Still my Tutor and I go on extremely well and for the first three weeks of my life I have not involved myself in any Sc.r.a.pe of Consequence.

I have News for you which I bear with _Christian_ Resignation and without any _violent Transports_ of _Grief._ My Mother (whose diabolical Temper you well know) has taken it into her _Sagacious_ Head to quarrel with me her _dutiful Son._ She has such a Devil of a Disposition, that she cannot be quiet, though there are fourscore miles between us, which I wish were lengthened to 400. The Cause too frivolous to require taking up your time to read or mine to write. At last in answer to a _Furious Epistle_ I returned a _Sarcastick_ Answer, which so incensed the _Amiable Dowager_ that my Letter was sent back without her deigning a Line in the cover. When I next see you, you shall behold her Letter and my Answer, which will amuse you as they both contain fiery Philippics. I must request you will write immediately, that I may be informed when my Servant shall convey "Oateater" from London; the 20th was the appointed; but I wish to hear further from your father. I hope all the family are in a convalescent State. I shall see you at Christmas (if I live) as I propose pa.s.sing the Vacation, which is only a Month, in London.