The Works of Lord Byron: Letters and Journals Volume I Part 21

[Footnote 2: Dr. Butler, Head-master of Harrow. (See page 58 [Letter 22],[Foot]note 1.)]

[Footnote 3: "Thoughts suggested by a College Examination" ('Poems', vol. i. pp. 28-31); and "Granta, A Medley" ('Poems', vol. i. pp. 56-62).]

[Footnote 4: Alluding to 'Gil Blas', bk. vii. chap, iv., where Gil Blas ventures to criticize the Archbishop's work, and is dismissed for his candour.

"Adieu, monsieur Gil Blas; Je vous souhaite toutes sortes de prosperites, avec un peu plus de gout."]

[Footnote 5: The praise was worth having. Henry Mackenzie (1745-1831) was not only the author of the lackadaisical 'Man of Feeling', but in real life a shrewd, hard-headed man. As a novelist, he wrote 'The Man of Feeling' (1771), 'The Man of Honour' (1773), and 'Julia de Roubigne'

(1777). As a playwright, he produced four plays, none of which succeeded. As an essayist, he contributed to the 'Mirror' (1779-80) and the 'Lounger' (1785-86). As a political writer, he supported Pitt, and was rewarded by the comptrollers.h.i.+p of taxes. An original member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, many of his papers appear in its 'Transactions'. In Edinburgh society he was "the life of the company," a connecting link on the literary side between David Hume, Walter Scott, and Lord c.o.c.kburn, and in all matters of sport a fund of anecdotes and reminiscences.]

68.--To William Bankes. [1]

For my own part, I have suffered severely in the decease of my two greatest friends, the only beings I ever loved (females excepted); I am therefore a solitary animal, miserable enough, and so perfectly a citizen of the world, that whether I pa.s.s my days in Great Britain or Kamschatka, is to me a matter of perfect indifference. I cannot evince greater respect for your alteration than by immediately adopting it--this shall be done in the next edition. I am sorry your remarks are not more frequent, as I am certain they would be equally beneficial. Since my last, I have received two critical opinions from Edinburgh, both too flattering for me to detail. One is from Lord Woodhouselee, [2] at the head of the Scotch literati, and a most _voluminous_ writer (his last work is a _Life_ of Lord Kaimes); the other from Mackenzie, who sent his decision a second time, more at length. I am not personally acquainted with either of these gentlemen, nor ever requested their sentiments on the subject: their praise is voluntary, and transmitted through the medium of a friend, at whose house they read the productions.

Contrary to my former intention, I am now preparing a volume for the public at large: my amatory pieces will be exchanged, and others subst.i.tuted in their place. The whole will be considerably enlarged, and appear the latter end of May. This is a hazardous experiment; but want of better employment, the encouragement I have met with, and my own vanity, induce me to stand the test, though not without _sundry palpitations_. The book will circulate fast enough in this country from mere curiosity; what I prin----...

[letter incomplete]

[Footnote 1: This fragment refers, like the previous letter, to Byron's volume of verse, 'Poems on Various Occasions'.]

[Footnote 2: Alexander Fraser Tytler, Lord Woodhouselee, one of the Senators of the College of Justice in Scotland, and a friend of Robert Burns. Besides the 'Memoirs of the Life and Writings of the Hon. Henry Home of Kames' (1807), he published 'Elements of General History'

(1801), 'Essay on the Principles of Translation', etc. He died in 1813.

His 'Universal History', in six vols., appeared in 1834.]

69.--To----Falkner. [1]

Sir,--The volume of little pieces which accompanies this, would have been presented before, had I not been apprehensive that Miss Falkner's indisposition might render some trifles unwelcome. There are some errors of the printer which I have not had time to correct in the collection: you have it thus, with "all its imperfections on its head," a heavy weight, when joined with the faults of its author. Such _Juvenilia_, as they can claim no great degree of approbation, I may venture to hope, will also escape the severity of uncalled for, though perhaps _not_ undeserved, criticism.

They were written on many and various occasions, and are now published merely for the perusal of a friendly circle. Believe me, sir, if they afford the slightest amus.e.m.e.nt to yourself and the rest of my _social_ readers, I shall have gathered all the _bays_ I ever wish to adorn the head of yours very truly,

BYRON.

P.S.--I hope Miss F. is in a state of recovery.

[Footnote 1: Mrs. Byron's landlord at Burgage Manor.]

70.--To John Hanson.

[Farleigh House, Basingstoke, Hants.]

Southwell, April 2nd, 1807.

Dear Sir,--Before I proceed in Reply to the other parts of your Epistle, allow me to congratulate you on the _Accession_ of _Dignity_ and _profit_, which will doubtless accrue, from your official appointment.

You was fortunate in obtaining Possession at so critical a period; your Patrons "exeunt omnes." [1] I trust they will soon supersede the Cyphers, their successors. The Reestablishment of your Health is another happy event, and, though _secondary_ in my _Statement_, is by no means so in my _Wishes_. As to our Feuds, they are purely _official_, the natural consequence of our relative Situations, but as little connected with _personal animosity_, as the _Florid Declamations_ of _parliamentary_ Demagogues. I return you my thanks for your favorable opinion of my muse; I have lately been honoured with many very flattering literary critiques, from men of high Reputation in the Sciences, particularly Lord Woodhouselee and Henry Mackenzie, both _Scots_ and of great Eminence as Authors themselves. I have received also some most favorable Testimonies from _Cambridge_.

This you will _marvel_ at, as indeed I did myself. Encouraged by these and several other Encomiums, I am about to publish a Volume at large; this will be very different from the present; the amatory effusions, not to be wondered at from the _dissipated_ Life I have led, will be cut out, and others subst.i.tuted. I coincide with you in opinion that the _Poet_ yields to the _orator_; but as nothing can be done in the latter capacity till the Expiration of my _Minority_, the former occupies my present attention, and both _ancients_ and _moderns_ have declared that the two pursuits are so nearly similar as to require in a great measure the same Talents, and he who excels in the one, would on application succeed in the other. Lyttleton, Glover, and Young (who was a celebrated Preacher and a Bard) are instances of the kind.

_Sheridan & Fox_ also; _these_ are _great Names_. I may imitate, I can never equal them.

You speak of the _Charms_ of Southwell; the _Place_ I _abhor_. The Fact is I remain here because I can appear no where else, being _completely done_ up. _Wine_ and _Women_ have _dished_ your _humble Servant_, not a _Sou_ to be _had_; all _over_; condemned to exist (I cannot say live) at this _Crater_ of Dullness till my _Lease_ of _Infancy_ expires. To appear at Cambridge is impossible; no money even to pay my College expences. You will be surprized to hear I am grown _very thin_; however it is the _Fact_, so much so, that the people here think I am _going_. I have lost 18 LB in my weight, that is one Stone & 4 pounds since January, this was ascertained last Wednesday, on account of a _Bet_ with an acquaintance. However don't be alarmed; I have taken every means to accomplish the end, by violent exercise and Fasting, as I found myself too plump. I shall continue my Exertions, having no other amus.e.m.e.nt; I wear _seven_ Waistcoats and a great Coat, run, and play at cricket in this Dress, till quite exhausted by excessive perspiration, use the Hip Bath daily; eat only a quarter of a pound of Butcher's Meat in 24 hours, no Suppers or Breakfast, only one Meal a Day; drink no malt liquor, but a little Wine, and take Physic occasionally. By these means my _Ribs_ display Skin of no great Thickness, & my Clothes have been taken in nearly _half a yard_. Do you believe me now?

Adieu. Remembrance to Spouse and the Acorns.

Yours ever,

BYRON.

[Footnote 1: In March, 1807, George III demanded from the Coalition Ministry a written pledge that they would propose no further concessions to the Roman Catholics. They refused to give it, and the Tories, with the Duke of Portland as their nominal head, were recalled to the Government.]

71.--To John M. B. Pigot.

Southwell, April, 1807.

My Dear Pigot,--Allow me to congratulate you on the success of your first examination--"_Courage_, mon ami." The t.i.tle of Doctor will do wonders with the damsels. I shall most probably be in Ess.e.x or London when you arrive at this d.a.m.ned place, where I am detained by the publication of my _rhymes_.

Adieu.--Believe me,

Yours very truly,

BYRON.