The Works of Lord Byron: Letters and Journals Volume II Part 75

Stilton, Oct. 3, 1813.

Dear Sir,--I have just recollected an alteration you may make in the proof to be sent to Aston.--Among the lines on Ha.s.san's Serai, not far from the beginning, is this:

Unmeet for Solitude to share.

Now to share implies more than _one_, and Solitude is a single gentlewoman; it must be thus:

For many a gilded chamber's there, Which Solitude might well forbear;

and so on.--My address is Aston Hall, Rotherham. Will you adopt this correction? and pray accept a cheese from me for your trouble. Ever yours, B.

P.S.--I leave this to your discretion; if any body thinks the old line a good one or the cheese a bad one, don't accept either. But, in that case, the word _share_ is repeated soon after in the line:

To share the Master's "bread and salt;"

and must be altered to:

To break the Master's bread and salt.

This is not so well, though--confound it! If the old line stands, let the other run thus:

Nor there will weary traveller halt, To bless the sacred "bread and salt."

_Note_.--To partake of food--to break bread and taste salt with your host--ensures the safety of the guest; even though an enemy, his person from that moment becomes sacred.

There is another additional note sent yesterday--on the Priest in the Confessional.

341.--To John Hanson.

Nottingham, Octr. 10th, 1813.

Dear Sir,--I am disposed to advance a loan of 1000 to James Webster Wedderburne Webster, Esqre., of Aston Hall, York County, and request you will address to me _there a bond_ and _judgement_ to be signed by the said as soon as possible. Of Claughton's payments I know nothing further, and the demands on myself I know also; but W. is a very old friend of mine, and a man of property, and, as I can command the money, he shall have it. I do not at all wish to inconvenience you, and I also know that, when we balance accounts, it will be much in your favour; but if you could replace the sum at h.o.a.re's from my advance of two thousand eight hundred in July, it would be a favour; or, still better, if C.

makes further payments, which will render it unnecessary. Don't let the first part of the last sentence embarra.s.s you at all; the last part about Claughton I would wish you to attend to. I have written this day--about his opening the cellar.

Pray send the bond and judgement to Aston as directed.

Ever, dear Sir,

B.

P.S.--Many, many thanks for your kind invitation; but it was too late. I was in this county before it arrived. My best remembrances to Mrs. H.

and all the family.

342.--To the Hon. Augusta Leigh.

[Sunday], October 10th, 1813.

My dearest Augusta,--I have only time to say that I am not in the least angry, and that my silence has merely arisen from several circ.u.mstances which I cannot now detail. I trust you are better, and will continue _best_. Ever, my dearest,

Yours,

B.

343.--To John Murray.

Oct. 12, 1813.

Dear Sir,--You must look 'The Giaour' again over carefully; there are a few lapses, particularly in the last page,--"I _know_ 'twas false; she could not die;" it was, and ought to be--"_knew_." Pray observe this and similar mistakes.

I have received and read the 'British Review' [1].