Chapter I (3)

I need hardly add that it is almost MY first wish that this should be
accomplished. I am sure you are of my opinion that it is now of the
greatest consequence to Byron to secure the friendship of Lord C., the
only relation he has who possesses the _Will_ and _power_ to be of use
to him. I think the Letters he writes me _quite perfect_ and he does
not express one sentiment or idea I should wish different; he tells me
he is soon to leave Harrow, but does not say where he is to go. I
conclude to Oxford or Cambridge. Pray be so good as to write me a few
lines on this subject.

I trust entirely to the interest and friendship you have ever so
kindly expressed for my Brother, for _my Forgiveness_. Of course you
will not mention to Mrs. B. having heard from me, as she would only
accuse me of wishing to estrange her Son from her, which would be very
far from being the case further than his Happiness and comfort are
concerned in it. My opinion is that _as_ they cannot agree, they had
better be separated, for such eternal Scenes of wrangling are enough
to spoil the very best temper and Disposition in the universe. I shall
hope to hear from you soon, my dear sir, and remain, Most sincerely
yours, AUGUSTA BYRON."]

[Footnote 2: Lord Grey de Ruthyn. (See p. 23, note 1.)]

16.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron.

[Castle Howard, Malton, Yorkshire.]

Harrow-on-the-Hill, Novr., Saturday, 17th, 1804.

I am glad to hear, My dear Sister, that you like Castle Howard so
well, I have no doubt what you say is true and that Lord C. is much
more amiable than he has been represented to me. Never having been
much with him and always hearing him reviled, it was hardly possible I
should have conceived a very _great friendship_ for his L'dship. My
mother, you inform me, commends my _amiable disposition_ and _good
understanding;_ if she does this to you, it is a great deal more than
I ever hear myself, for the one or the other is always found fault
with, and I am told to copy the _excellent pattern_ which I see before
me in _herself._ You have got an invitation too, you may accept it if
you please, but if you value your own comfort, and like a pleasant
situation, I advise you to avoid Southwell.--I thank you, My dear
Augusta, for your readiness to assist me, and will in some manner
avail myself of it; I do not however wish to be separated from _her_
entirely, but not to be so much with her as I hitherto have been, for
I do believe she likes me; she manifests that in many instances,
particularly with regard to money, which I never want, and have as
much as I desire. But her conduct is so strange, her caprices so
impossible to be complied with, her passions so outrageous, that the
evil quite overbalances her _agreeable qualities._ Amongst other
things I forgot to mention a most _ungovernable appetite_ for Scandal,
which she never can govern, and employs most of her time abroad, in
displaying the faults, and censuring the foibles, of her acquaintance;
therefore I do not wonder, that my precious Aunt, comes in for her
share of encomiums; This however is nothing to what happens when my
conduct admits of animadversion; "then comes the tug of war." My whole
family from the conquest are upbraided! myself abused, and I am told
that what little accomplishments I possess either in mind or body are
derived from her and _her alone._

When I leave Harrow I know not; that depends on her nod; I like it
very well. The master Dr. Drury, is the most amiable _clergyman_ I
ever knew; he unites the Gentleman with the Scholar, without
affectation or pedantry, what little I have learnt I owe to him alone,
nor is it his fault that it was not more. I shall always remember his
instructions with Gratitude, and cherish a hope that it may one day be
in my power to repay the numerous obligations, I am under; to him or
some of his family.

Our holidays come on in about a fortnight. I however have not
mentioned that to my mother, nor do I intend it; but if I can, I shall
contrive to evade going to Southwell. Depend upon it I will not
approach her for some time to come if It is in my power to avoid it,
but she must not know, that it is my wish to be absent. I hope you
will excuse my sending so short a letter, but the Bell has just rung
to summon us together. Write Soon, and believe me, Ever your
affectionate Brother, BYRON.

I am afraid you will have some difficulty in decyphering my epistles,
but _that_ I know you will excuse. Adieu. Remember me to Lord
Carlisle.

17.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron.

[Castle Howard, Malton, Yorkshire.] Harrow-on-the-Hill, Novr. 21st,
1804.

MY DEAREST AUGUSTA,--This morning I received your by no means
unwelcome epistle, and thinking it demands an immediate answer, once
more take up my pen to employ it in your service. There is no
necessity for my mother to know anything of my intentions, till the
time approaches; and when it does come, Mr. H. has only to write her a
note saying, that, as I could not accept the invitation he gave me
last holidays, he imagined I might do it now; to this she surely can
make no objections; but, if she entertained the slightest idea of my
making any complaint of her very _lenient_ treatment, the scene that
would ensue beggars all power of description. You may have some little
idea of it, from what I have told you, and what you yourself know.

I wrote to you the other day; but you make no mention of receiving my
letter in yours of the 18th inst. It is however of little importance,
containing merely a recapitulation of circumstances which I have
before detailed at full length.

To Lord Carlisle make my warmest acknowledgements. I feel more
gratitude, than my feelings can well express; I am truly obliged to
him for his endeavours, and am perfectly satisfied with your
explanation of his reserve, though I was hitherto afraid it might
proceed from personal dislike. I have some idea that I leave Harrow
these holidays. The Dr., whose character I gave you in my last, leaves
the mastership at Easter. Who his successor may be I know not, but he
will not be a better I am confident. You inform me that you intend to
visit my mother, then you will have an opportunity of seeing what I
have described, and hearing a great _deal of Scandal_. She does not
trouble me much with epistolary communications; when I do receive
them, they are very concise, and much to the purpose. However I will
do her the justice to say that she behaves, or rather means, well, and
is in some respects very kind, though her manners are not the most
conciliating. She likewise expresses a great deal of affection for
you, but disapproves your marriage, wishes to know my opinion of it,
and complains that you are negligent and do not write to her or care
about her. How far her opinion of your love for her is well grounded,
you best know. I again request you will return my sincere thanks to
Lord Carlisle, and for the future I shall consider him as more my
friend than I have hitherto been taught to think. I have more reasons
than one, to wish to avoid going to Notts, for there I should be
obliged to associate with Lord G. whom I detest, his manners being
unlike those of a Gentleman, and the information to be derived from
him but little except about shooting, which I do not intend to devote
my life to. Besides, I have a particular reason for not liking him.
Pray write to me soon. Adieu, my Dear Augusta.

I remain, your affectionate Brother, BYRON.

18.-To John Hanson [1].

Saturday, Dec. 1st, 1804.

MY DEAR SIR,--Our vacation commences on the 5th of this Month, when I
propose to myself the pleasure of spending the Holidays at your House,
if it is not too great an Inconvenience. I tell you fairly, that at
Southwell I should have nothing in the World to do, but play at cards
and listen to the edifying Conversation of old Maids, two things which
do not at all suit my inclinations. In my Mother's last Letter I find
that my poney and pointers are not yet procured, and that Lord Grey is
still at Newstead. The former I should be very dull at such a place as
Southwell without; the latter is still more disagreeable to be with. I
presume he goes on in the old way,--quarrelling with the farmers, and
stretching his judicial powers (he being now in the commission) to the
utmost, becoming a torment to himself, and a pest to all around
him.--I am glad you approve of my Gun, feeling myself happy, that it
has been tried by so _distinguished_ a _Sportsman_.

I hope your Campaigns against the Partridges and the rest of the
feathered Tribe have been attended with no serious
Consequences--_trifling accidents_ such as the top of a few fingers
and a Thumb, you _Gentlemen_ of the _city_ being used to, of course
occasion no interruption to your field sports.

Your Accommodation I have no doubt I shall be perfectly satisfied
with, only do exterminate that _vile Generation_ of _Bugs_ which
nearly ate me up the last Time I _sojourned_ at your House. After
undergoing the Purgatory of Harrow _board_ and _Lodging_ for three
Months I shall not be _particular_ or exorbitant in my demands.

Pray give my best Compliments to Mrs. Hanson and the now
_quilldriving_ Hargreaves [2]. Till I see you, I remain, Yours, etc.,
BYRON.

[Footnote 1: Byron spent the Christmas holidays of 1804-5 with the Hansons. He gave Hanson to understand that it was his wish to leave the school, and that Dr. Drury agreed with him in the decision. Hanson, after consulting Lord Carlisle, wrote to Drury, urging that Byron was too young to leave the school. Drury's reply, dated December 29, 1804, gave a different colour to the matter.

"Your letter," he writes, "supposes that Lord Byron was desirous to
leave school, and that I acquiesced in his Wish: but I must do him the
Justice to observe that _the wish originated with me._ During his last
residence at Harrow his conduct gave me much trouble and uneasiness;
and as two of his Associates were to leave me at Christmas, I
certainly suggested to him _my wish_ that he might be placed under the
care of some private Tutor previously to his admission to either of
the Universities. This I did no less with a view to the forming of his
mind and manners, than to my own comfort; and I am fully convinced
that if such a situation can be procured for his Lordship, it will be
much more advantageous for him than a longer residence at school,
where his animal spirits and want of judgment may induce him to do
wrong, whilst his age and person must prevent his Instructors from
treating him in some respects as a schoolboy. If we part now, we may
entertain affectionate dispositions towards each other, and his
Lordship will have left the school with credit; as my dissatisfactions
were expressed to him only privately, and in such a manner as not to
affect his public situation in the school."

Finally, however, Dr. Drury, yielding to the appeal of Lord Carlisle and Hanson, allowed the boy to return to Harrow, and Byron remained at the school till July, 1805, the last three months being passed under the rule of Dr. Butler.]

[Footnote 2: Hargreaves Hanson, second son of John Hanson, had just left Harrow, and was articled as a pupil in his father's business. He died in 1811, at the age of 23.]

19.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron.

6, Chancery Lane, Wednesday, 30th Jany., 1805.

I have delayed writing to you so long, My dearest Augusta, from
ignorance of your residence, not knowing whether you _graced_ Castle
Howard, or Kireton with your _presence._ The instant Mr. H[anson]
informed me where you was, I prepared to address you, and you have but
just forestalled my intention. And now, I scarcely know what to begin
with; I have so many things, to tell you. I wish to God, that we were
together, for It is impossible that I can confine all I have got to
say in an epistle, without I was to follow your example, and fill
eleven pages, as I was informed, by my _proficiency_ in _the art of
magic,_ that you sometimes send that _number_ to _Lady Gertrude._

To begin with an article of _grand importance;_ I on Saturday dined
with Lord Carlisle, and on further acquaintance I like them all very
much. Amongst other circumstances, I heard of your _boldness_ as a
_Rider,_ especially one anecdote about your horse carrying you into
the stable _perforce._ I should have admired amazingly to have seen
your progress, provided you met with no accident. I hope you recollect
the circumstance, and know what I allude to; else, you may think that
I am _soaring_ into the _Regions of Romance._ I wish you to
corroborate my account in your next, and inform me whether my
information was correct.

I think your friend Lady G. is a sweet girl. If your taste in _love_,
is as good as it is in _friendship_, I shall think you a _very
discerning little Gentlewoman_. His Lordship too improves upon further
acquaintance, Her Ladyship I always liked, but of the Junior part of
the family Frederick [1] is my favourite. I believe with regard to my
future destination, that I return to Harrow until June, and then I'm
off for the university. Could I have found Room there, I was to have
gone immediately.

I have contrived to pass the holidays with Mr. and Mrs. Hanson, to
whom I am greatly obliged for their hospitality. You are now within a
days journey of my _amiable Mama_. If you wish your spirits _raised_,
or rather _roused_, I would recommend you to pass a week or two with
her. However I daresay she would behave very well to _you_, for you do
not know her disposition so well as I do. I return you, my dear Girl,
a thousand thanks for hinting to Mr. H. and Lord C. my uncomfortable
situation, I shall always remember it with gratitude, as a most
_essential service_. I rather think that, if you were any time with my
mother, she would bore you about your marriage which she _disapproves_
of, as much for the sake of finding fault as any thing, for that is
her favourite amusement. At any rate she would be very inquisitive,
for she was always tormenting me about it, and, if you told her any
thing, she might very possibly divulge it; I therefore advise you,
_when you see her_ to say nothing, or as little, about it, as you can
help. If you make haste, you can answer this _well written_ epistle by
return of post, for I wish again to hear from you immediately; you
need not fill _eleven pages, nine_ will be sufficient; but whether it
contains nine pages or nine lines, it will always be most welcome, my
beloved Sister, to Your affectionate Brother and Friend, BYRON.

[Footnote 1: The Hon. Frederick Howard, third son of Lord Carlisle, the "young, gallant Howard" of _Childe Harold_ (Canto III. stanzas xxix, xxx; see Byron's note), was killed at Waterloo. "The best of his race," says Byron, in a letter to Moore, July 7, 1815.]

20.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron.

[London], Thursday, 4th April, 1805.

MY DEAREST AUGUSTA,--You certainly have excellent reasons for
complaint against my want of punctuality in our correspondence; but,
as it does not proceed from want of affection, but an idle
disposition, you will, I hope, accept my excuses. I am afraid,
however, that when I shall take up my pen, you will not be greatly
_edified_ or _amused_, especially at present, since, I sit down in
very bad spirits, out of humour with myself, and all the world, except
_you_. I left Harrow yesterday, and am now at Mr. Hanson's till Sunday
morning, when I depart for Nottinghamshire, to pay a visit to my
_mother_, with whom I shall remain for a week or two, when I return to
town, and from thence to Harrow, until July, when I take my departure
for the university, but which I am as yet undecided. Mr. H. Recommends
Cambridge; Ld. Carlisle allows me to chuse for myself, and I must own
I prefer Oxford. But, I am not violently bent upon it, and whichever
is determined upon will meet with my concurrence.--This is the outline
of my plans for the next 6 months.

I am Glad that you are Going to pay his _Lordship_ a visit, as I shall
have an opportunity of seeing you on my return to town, a pleasure,
which, as I have been long debarred of it, will be doubly felt after
so long a separation. My visit to the Dowager does not promise me all
the happiness I could wish; however, it must be gone through, as it is
some time since I have seen her. It shall be as short as possible. I
shall expect to find a letter from you, when I come down, as I wish to
know when you go to town, and how long you remain there. If you stay
till The middle of next month, you may have an opportunity of hearing
me speak, as the first day of our _Harrow orations_ occurs in May. My
friend Delawarr [1], (as you observed) danced with the little
Princess, nor did I in the least _envy_ him the honour. I presume you
have heard That Dr. Drury leaves Harrow this Easter, and That, as a
memorial of our Gratitude for his long services, The scholars
presented him with plate to the amount of 330 Guineas.

I hope you will excuse this _Hypocondriac_ epistle, as I never was in
such low spirits in my life. Adieu, my Dearest Sister, and believe me,

Your ever affectionate though negligent Brother, BYRON.

[Footnote 1: On February 25, 1805, their Majesties gave a magnificent "house-warming" at Windsor Castle.

"The expenditure," says the 'Gentleman's Magazine' for 1805 (part
i. pp. 262-264), "cannot have cost less than £50,000. The floor of the
ball-room, instead of being chalked, was painted with most fanciful
and appropriate devices by an eminent artist." The "little Princess"
Charlotte of Wales, we are told, left the Castle at half-past nine.]

21.--To Hargreaves Hanson.

Burgage Manor, Southwell, Notts, 15 April, 1805.

DEAR HARGREAVES,--As I have been unable to return to Town with your
father, I must request, that you will take care of my Books, and a
parcel which I expect from my Taylor's, and, as I understand you are
going to pay Farleigh a visit, I would be obliged to you to leave them
under the care of one of the Clerks, or a Servant, who may inform me
where to find them. I shall be in Town on Wednesday the 24th at
furthest, when I shall not hope to see you, or wish it; not but what I
should be glad of your _entertaining and loquacious Society_, but as I
think you will be more amused at Farleigh, it would be selfish in me
to wish that you should forego the pleasures of contemplating _pigs_,
_poultry_, _pork_, _pease_, and _potatoes_ together, with other Rural
Delights, for my Company. Much pleasure may you find in your excursion
and I dare say, when you have exchanged _pleadings_ for _ploughshares_
and _fleecing clients_ for _feeding flocks_, you will be in no hurry
to resume your Law Functions.

Remember me to your Father and Mother and the Juniors, and if you
should find it convenient to dispatch a note in answer to this
epistle, it will afford great pleasure to

Yours very sincerely and affectionately,

BYRON.

P.S.--It is hardly necessary to inform you that I am heartily tired of
Southwell, for I am at this minute experiencing those delights which I
have recapitulated to you and which are more entertaining to be
_talked_ of at a distance than enjoyed at Home. I allude to the
Eloquence of a _near relation_ of mine, which is as remarkable as your
_taciturnity_.

22.--To Hargreaves Hanson.

Burgage Manor, April 20, 1805.

Dear Hargreaves,--Dr. Butler, [1] our new Master, has thought proper
to postpone our Meeting till the 8th of May, which obliges me to delay
my return to Town for one week, so that instead of Wednesday the 24th
I shall not arrive in London till the 1st of May, on which Day (If I
live) I shall certainly be in town, where I hope to have the pleasure
of seeing you. I shall remain with you only a week, as we are all to
return to the very day, on account of the prolongation of our
Holidays. However, if you shall previous to that period take a _jaunt_
into Hants, I beg you will leave my _valuables_, etc., etc., in the
care of one of the _Gentlemen_ of your office, as that _Razor faced
Villain_, James, might perhaps take the Liberty of walking off with a
suit. I have heard several times from Tattersall [2] and it is very
probable we may see him on my return. I beg you will excuse this short
epistle as my time is at present rather taken up, and Believe Me,

Yours very sincerely,

BYRON.

[Footnote 1: The Rev. George Butler (1774-1853), who was Senior Wrangler (1794), succeeded Dr. Drury as Head-master of Harrow School in April, 1805. He was then Fellow, tutor, and classical lecturer at Sydney Sussex College, Cambridge. From affection to Dr. Drury, Byron supported the candidature of his brother, Mark Drury, and avenged himself on Butler for the defeat of his candidate by the lines on "Pomposus" (see 'Poems', vol. i. pp. 16, 17, "On a Change of Masters," etc.; and pp. 84-106, "Childish Recollections"). At a later period he became reconciled to Butler, who knew the Continent well, was an excellent linguist, and gave him valuable advice for his foreign tour in 1809-11. Butler resigned the Head-mastership of Harrow in April, 1824, and retired to a country living. In 1842 he was appointed to the Deanery of Peterborough, where he died in 1853.]

[Footnote 2: John Cecil Tattersall entered Harrow in May, 1801. He was the "Davus" of "Childish Recollections" ('Poems', vol. i. pp. 97, 98, and notes). He went from Harrow to Christ Church, Oxford, took orders, and died December 8, 1812.]

23.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron.

[The Earl of Carlisle's, Grosvenor Place, London.] Burgage Manor,
April 23d, 1805.

MY DEAREST AUGUSTA,--I presume by this time, that you are safely
arrived at the Earl's, at least I _hope_ so; nor shall I feel myself
perfectly easy, till I have the pleasure of hearing from yourself of
your safety. I myself shall set out for town this day (Tuesday) week,
and intend waiting upon you on Thursday at farthest; in the mean time
I must console myself as well as I can; and I am sure, no unhappy
mortal ever required much more consolation than I do at present. You
as well as myself know the _sweet_ and _amiable_ temper of a certain
personage to whom I am nearly related; of _course_, the pleasure I
have enjoyed during my vacation, (although it has been greater than I
expected) yet has not been so _superabundant_ as to make me wish to
stay a day longer than I can avoid. However, notwithstanding the
dullness of the place, and certain _unpleasant things_ that occur In a
family not a hundred miles distant from Southwell, I contrived to pass
my time in peace, till to day, when unhappily, In a most inadvertent
manner, I said that Southwell was not _peculiarly_ to my taste; but
however, I merely expressed this in common conversation, without
speaking disrespectfully of the _sweet_ town; (which, between you and
I, I wish was swallowed up by an earthquake, provided my _Eloquent
mother_ was not in it). No sooner had the unlucky sentence, which I
believe was prompted by my evil Genius, escaped my lips, than I was
treated with an Oration in the _ancient style_, which I have often so
_pathetically_ described to you, unequalled by any thing of _modern_
or _antique_ date; nay the _Philippics_ against Lord Melville [1] were
nothing to it; one would really Imagine, to have heard the _Good
Lady_, that I was a most _treasonable culprit_, but thank St. Peter,
after undergoing this _Purgatory_ for the last hour, it is at length
blown over, and I have sat down under these _pleasing impressions_ to
address you, so that I am afraid my epistle will not be the most
entertaining. I assure you upon my _honour_, jesting apart, I have
never been so _scurrilously_, and _violently_ abused by any person, as
by that woman, whom I think I am to call mother, by that being who
gave me birth, to whom I ought to look up with veneration and respect,
but whom I am sorry I cannot love or admire. Within one little hour, I
have not only heard myself, but have heard my _whole family_, by the
father's side, _stigmatized_ in terms that the _blackest malevolence_
would perhaps shrink from, and that too in words you would be shocked
to hear. Such, Augusta, such is my mother; _my mother!_ I disclaim her
from this time, and although I cannot help treating her with respect,
I cannot reverence, as I ought to do, that parent who by her
outrageous conduct forfeits all title to filial affection. To you,
Augusta, I must look up, as my nearest relation, to you I must confide
what I cannot mention to others, and I am sure you will pity me; but I
entreat you to keep this a secret, nor expose that unhappy failing of
this woman, which I must bear with patience. I would be very sorry to
have it discovered, as I have only one week more, for the present. In
the mean time you may write to me with the greatest safety, as she
would not open any of my letters, even from you. I entreat then that
you will favour me with an answer to this. I hope however to have the
pleasure of seeing you on the day appointed, but If you could contrive
any way that I may avoid being asked to dinner by L'd C. I would be
obliged to you, as I hate strangers. Adieu, my Beloved Sister,

I remain ever yours,

BYRON.

[Footnote 1: Henry Dundas (1742-1811), created Viscount Melville in 1802, Lord Advocate (1775-83), made himself useful to Lord North's Government as a shrewd, hard-working man of business, a ready speaker--in broad Scotch, and a consummate election agent. For twenty years he was the right-hand man of Pitt--

"Too proud from pilfered greatness to descend,
Too humble not to call Dundas his friend."

Not only was he Pitt's political colleague, but in private life his boon companion. A well-known epigram commemorates in a dialogue their convivial habits--

'Pitt'. "I cannot see the Speaker, Hal; can you?"
'Dundas'. "Not see the Speaker, Billy? I see two."

Melville, for a long series of years, held important political posts. He was Treasurer of the Navy (1782-1800); member of the Board of Control for India (1784-1802) and President (1790-1802); Home Secretary (1791-94); Secretary of War (1794-1801); First Lord of the Admiralty (1804-5). In 1802 a Commission had been appointed to examine into the accounts of the naval department for the past twenty years, and, in consequence of their tenth report, a series of resolutions were moved in the House of Commons (April, 1805) against Melville. The voting was even--216 for and 216 against; the resolutions were carried by the casting vote of Speaker Abbott.

"Pitt was overcome; his friend was ruined. At the sound of the
Speaker's voice, the Prime Minister crushed his hat over his brows to
hide the tears that poured over his cheeks: he pushed in haste out of
the House. Some of his opponents, I am ashamed to say, thrust
themselves near, 'to see how Billy took it.'"

(Mark Boyd's 'Reminiscences of Fifty Years', p. 404.) Melville, who was heard at the bar of the House of Commons in his own defence, was impeached before the House of Lords (June 26, 1805) of high crimes and misdemeanours. At the close of the proceedings, which began in Westminster Hall on April 29, 1806, Melville was acquitted on all the charges. Whitbread took the leading part in the impeachment. See 'All the Talents: a Satirical Poem', by Polypus (E. S. Barrett)--

"Rough as his porter, bitter as his barm,
He sacrificed his fame to M--lv--lle's harm."

Dialogue ii.]

24.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron.

[The Earl of Carlisle's, Grosvenor Place, London.] Burgage Manor,
Southwell, Friday, April 25th, 1805.

My dearest Augusta,--Thank God, I believe I shall be in town on
Wednesday next, and at last relieved from those _agreeable
amusements_, I described to you in my last. I return you and Lady G.
many thanks for your _benediction_, nor do I doubt its efficacy as it
is bestowed by _two such Angelic beings_; but as I am afraid my
_profane blessing_ would but expedite your road to _Purgatory_,
instead of _Salvation_, you must be content with my best wishes in
return, since the _unhallowed adjurations_ of a mere mortal would be
of no effect. You say, you are sick of the Installation; [1] and that
L'd C. was not present; I however saw his name in the _Morning Post_,
as one of the Knights Companions. I indeed expected that _you_ would
have been present at the Ceremony.

I have seen this young Roscius [2] several times at the hazard of my
life, from the _affectionate squeezes_ of the surrounding crowd. I
think him tolerable in some characters, but by no means equal to the
ridiculous praises showered upon him by _John Bull_.

I am afraid that my stay in town ceases after the 10th. I should not
continue it so long, as we meet on the 8th at Harrow, But, I remain on
purpose to hear our _Sapient_ and _noble Legislators_ of Both Houses
debate on the Catholic Question, [3] as I have no doubt there will be
many _nonsensical_, and some _Clever_ things said on the occasion. I
am extremely glad that you _sport_ an audience Chamber for the Benefit
of your _modest_ visitors, amongst whom I have the _honour_ to reckon
myself: I shall certainly be most happy again to see you,
notwithstanding my _wise_ and _Good_ mother (who is at this minute
thundering against Somebody or other below in the Dining Room), has
interdicted my visiting at his _Lordship's_ house, with the threat of
her malediction, in case of disobedience, as she says he has behaved
very ill to her; the truth of this I much doubt, nor should the orders
of all the mothers (especially such mothers) in the world, prevent me
from seeing my Beloved Sister after so long an Absence. I beg you will
forgive this _well written epistle_, for I write in a great Hurry,
and, believe me, with the greatest impatience again to behold you,
your

Attached Brother and [Friend,

BYRON].

P.S.--By the bye Lady G. ought not to complain of your writing a
_decent_ long letter to me, since I remember your _11 Pages_ to her,
at which I did not make the least complaint, but submitted like a
_meek Lamb_ to the innovation of my privileges, for nobody _ought_ to
have had so long an epistle but my _most excellent Self_.

[Footnote 1: On St. George's Day, April 23, 1805, seven Knights were installed at Windsor as Knights of the Garter, each in turn being invested with the surcoat, girdle, and sword. The new Knights were the Dukes of Rutland and Beaufort; the Marquis of Abercorn; the Earls of Chesterfield, Pembroke, and Winchilsea; and, by proxy, the Earl of Hardwicke.

Lady Louisa Strangways, writing to her sister, Lady Harriet Frampton, on April 24, 1805 ('Journal of Mary Frampton', p. 129), says, "I was full dressed for seventeen hours yesterday, and sat in one spot for seven, which is enough to tire any one who enjoyed what was going on, which I did not. I saw them walk to St. George's Chapel, which was the best part, as it did not last long ... Their dresses were very magnificent. The Knights, before they were installed, were in white and silver, like the old pictures of Henry VIII., and afterwards they had a purple mantle put on. They had immense plumes of ostrich feathers, with a heron's feather in the middle."]

[Footnote 2: William Henry West Betty (1791-1874), the "Young Roscius," made his first appearance on the stage at Belfast, in 1803, in the part of "Osman," in Hill's 'Zara;' and on December 1, 1804, at Covent Garden, as "Selim" disguised as "Achmet," in Browne's 'Barbarossa'. In the winter season of 1804-5, when he appeared at Covent Garden and Drury Lane, such crowds collected to see him, that the military were called out to preserve order. Leslie ('Autobiographical Recollections', vol. i. p. 218) speaks of him as a boy "of handsome features and graceful manners, with a charming voice." Fox, who saw him in 'Hamlet', said, "This is finer than Garrick" ('Table-Talk of Samuel Rogers', p. 88). Northcote ('Conversations', p. 23) spoke of his acting as "a beautiful effusion of natural sensibility; and then that graceful play of the limbs in youth gave such an advantage over every one about him." "Young Roscius's premature powers," writes Mrs. Piozzi, February 21, 1805, "attract universal attention, and I suppose that if less than an angel had told 'his' parents that a bulletin of that child's health should be necessary to quiet the anxiety of a metropolis for his safety, they would not have believed the prediction" ('Life and Writings of Mrs. Piozzi', vol. ii. p. 263). In society he was the universal topic of conversation, and he commanded a salary of £50 a night, at a time when John Kemble was paid £37 16's'. a week ('Life of Frederick Reynolds', vol. ii. p. 364).

"When," writes Mrs. Byron of her son to Hanson (December 8, 1804), "he
goes to see the Young Roscius, I hope he will take care of himself in
the crowd, and not go alone."

Betty lost his attractiveness with the growth of his beard. Byron's opinion of the merits of the youthful prodigy became that of the general public; but not till the actor had made a large fortune. He retired from the stage in 1824.]

[Footnote 3: On March 25, 1805, petitions were presented by Lord Grenville in the House of Lords, and Fox in the House of Commons, calling the attention of the country to the claims of the Roman Catholics, and praying their relief from their disabilities, civil, naval, and military. On Friday, May 10, Lord Grenville moved, in the Upper House, for a committee of the whole House to consider the petition. At six o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, May 14, the motion was negatived by a division of 178 against 49. On Monday, May 13, Fox, in the Lower House, made a similar motion, which was negatived, at five o'clock on the morning of Wednesday, May 15, by a division of 336 against 126. Byron, on April 21, 1812, in the second of his three Parliamentary speeches, supported the relief of the Roman Catholics.]

25.--To John Hanson.

Harrow-on-the-Hill, 11 May, 1805.

Dear Sir,--As you promised to cash my Draft on the Day that I left
your house, and as you was only prevented by the Bankers being shut
up, I will be very much obliged to you to _give the ready_ to this old
Girl, Mother Barnard, [1] who will either present herself or send a
Messenger, as she demurs on its being not payable till the 25th of
June. Believe me, Sir, by doing this you will greatly oblige

Yours very truly,

BYRON.

[Footnote: 1. Mother Barnard was the keeper of the "tuck-shop" at Harrow.]

26.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron.

[The Earl of Carlisle's, Grosvenor Place, London.]

[Harrow, Wednesday, June 5, 1805.]

My Dearest Augusta,--At last you have a _decent_ specimen of the
dowager's talents for epistles in the _furioso_ style. You are now
freed from the _shackles_ of her correspondence, and when I revisit
her, I shall be bored with long stories of your _ingratitude_, etc.,
etc. She is as I have before declared certainly mad (to say she was in
her senses, would be condemning her as a Criminal), her conduct is a
_happy_ compound of derangement and Folly. I had the other day an
epistle from her; not a word was mentioned about you, but I had some
of the usual _compliments_ on my own account. I am now about to answer
her letter, though I shall scarcely have patience, to treat her with
civility, far less with affection, that was almost over before, and
this has given the finishing stroke to _filial_, which now gives way
to _fraternal_ duty. Believe me, dearest Augusta, not ten thousand
_such_ mothers, or indeed any mothers, Could induce me to give you
up.--No, No, as the dowager says in that rare epistle which now lies
before me, "the time has been, but that is past long since," and
nothing now can influence your _pretty_ _sort of_ a _brother_ (bad as
he is) to forget that he is your _Brother_. Our first Speech day will
be over ere this reaches you, but against the 2d you shall have timely
notice.--I am glad to hear your illness is not of a Serious nature;
_young Ladies_ ought not to throw themselves in to the fidgets about a
trifling delay of 9 or 10 years; age brings experience and when you in
the flower of youth, between 40 and 50, shall then marry, you will no
doubt say that I am a _wise man_, and that the later one makes one's
self miserable with the matrimonial clog, the better. Adieu, my
dearest Augusta, I bestow my _patriarchal blessing_ on you and Lady G.
and remain,

[Signature cut out.]

27.--To John Hanson.

Harrow-on-the-Hill, 27 June, 1805.

Dear Sir,--I will be in Town on Saturday Morning, but it is absolutely
necessary for me to return to Harrow on Tuesday or Wednesday, as
Thursday is our 2d Speechday and Butler says he cannot dispense with my
Presence on that Day. I thank you for your Compliment in the Beginning
of your Letter, and with the Hope of seeing you and Hargreaves well on
Saturday,

I remain, yours, etc., etc.,

BYRON.

28.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron.

[Address cut out], Tuesday, July 2d, 1805.

My dearest Augusta,--I am just returned from Cambridge, where I have
been to enter myself at Trinity College.--Thursday is our Speechday at
Harrow, and as I forgot to remind you of its approach, previous to our
first declamation, [1] I have given you _timely_ notice this time. If
you intend doing me the _honour_ of attending, I would recommend you
not to come without a Gentleman, as I shall be too much engaged all
the morning to take care of you, and I should not imagine you would
admire _stalking_ about by yourself. You had better be there by 12
o'clock as we begin at 1, and I should like to procure you a good
place; Harrow is 11 miles from town, it will just make a _comfortable_
mornings drive for you. I don't know how you are to come, but for
_Godsake_ bring as few women with you as possible. I would wish you to
Write me an answer immediately, that I may know on Thursday morning,
whether you will drive over or not, and I will arrange my other
engagements accordingly. I _beg_, _Madam_, you may make your
appearance in one of his Lordships most _dashing_ carriages, as our
Harrow _etiquette_, admits of nothing but the most _superb_ vehicles,
on our Grand _Festivals_. In the mean time, believe me, dearest
Augusta,

Your affectionate Brother,

BYRON.

[Footnote 1: Mrs. Byron, writing to Hanson (June 25, 1805), says, "The fame of Byron's oratory has reached Southwell" (see page 27, note 1).]

29.--To John Hanson.

Harrow, 8 July, 1805.

My dear Sir,--I have just received a Letter from my Mother, in which
she talks of coming to Town about the _commencement_ of our Holidays.
If she does, it will be impossible for me to call on _my Sister_,
previous to my leaving it, and at the same time I cannot conceive what
the Deuce she can want at this season in London. I have written to
tell her that my Holidays commence on the 6th of August, but however,
July the 1st is the proper day.--I beg that if you cannot find some
means to keep her in the Country that you at least will connive at
this deception which I can palliate, and then I shall be down in the
country before she knows where I am. My reasons for this are, that I
do _not wish_ to be detained in Town so uncomfortably as I know I
shall be if I remain with her; that _I do wish_ to see my Sister; and
in the next place she can just as well come to Town after my return to
Notts, as I don't desire to be dragged about according to her caprice,
and there are some other causes I think unnecessary to be now
mentioned. If you will only contrive by settling this business (if it
is in your power), or if that is impossible, not mention anything
about the day our Holidays commence, of which you can be easily
supposed not to be informed. If, I repeat, you can by any means
prevent this Mother from executing her purposes, believe me, you will
greatly oblige

Yours truly,

BYRON.

30.--To Charles O. Gordon. [1]

Burgage Manor, Southwell, Notts, August 4, 1805.

Although I am greatly afraid, my Dearest Gordon, that you will not
receive this epistle till you return from Abergeldie, (as your letter
stated that you would be at Ledbury on Thursday next) yet, that is not
my fault, for I have not deferred answering yours a moment, and, as I
have just now concluded my Journey, my first, and, I trust you will
believe me when I say, most pleasing occupation will be to write to
you.

We have played the Eton and were most confoundedly beat; [2] however
it was some comfort to me that I got 11 notches the 1st Innings and 7
the 2nd, which was more than any of our side except Brockman & Ipswich
could contrive to hit. After the match we dined together, and were
extremely friendly, not a single discordant word was uttered by either
party. To be sure, we were most of us rather drunk and went together
to the Haymarket Theatre, where we kicked up a row, As you may
suppose, when so many Harrovians & Etonians met at one place; I was
one of seven in a single hackney, 4 Eton and 3 Harrow, and then we all
got into the same box, and the consequence was that such a devil of a
noise arose that none of our neighbours could hear a word of the
drama, at which, not being _highly delighted_, they began to quarrel
with us, and we nearly came to a _battle royal_. How I got home after
the play God knows. I hardly recollect, as my brain was so much
confused by the heat, the row, and the wine I drank, that I could not
remember in the morning how I found my way to bed.

The rain was so incessant in the evening that we could hardly get our
Jarveys, which was the cause of so many being stowed into one. I saw
young Twilt, your brother, with Malet, and saw also an old
schoolfellow of mine whom I had not beheld for six years, but he was
not the one whom you were so good as to enquire after for me, and for
which I return you my sincere thanks. I set off last night at eight
o'clock to my mother's, and am just arrived this afternoon, and have
not delayed a second in thanking you for so soon fulfilling my request
that you would correspond with me. My address at Cambridge will be
Trinity College, but I shall not go there till the 20th of October.
You may continue to direct your letters here, when I go to Hampshire
which will not be till you have returned to Harrow. I will send my
address previous to my departure from my mother's. I agree with you in
the hope that we shall continue our correspondence for a long time. I
trust, my dearest friend, that it will only be interrupted by our
being some time or other in the same place or under the same roof, as,
when I have finished my _Classical Labour_, and my minority is
expired, I shall expect you to be a frequent visitor to Newstead
Abbey, my seat in this county which is about 12 miles from my mother's
house where I now am. There I can show you plenty of hunting, shooting
and fishing, and be assured no one ever will be more welcome guest
than yourself--nor is there any one whose correspondence can give me
more pleasure, or whose friendship yield me greater delight than
yours, sweet, dearest Charles, believe me, will always be the
sentiments of

Yours most affectionately,

BYRON.

[Footnote 1: This and Letter 33 are written to Byron's Harrow friend, Charles Gordon, one of his "juniors and favourites," whom he "spoilt by indulgence." Gordon, who was the son of David Gordon of Abergeldie, died in 1829.]

[Footnote 2: Byron's reputation as a cricketer rests on this match between Eton and Harrow. It was played on the old cricket ground in Dorset Square, August 2, 1805, and ended in a victory for Eton by an innings and two runs. The score is thus given by Lillywhite, in his _Cricket Scores and Biographies of Celebrated Cricketers from 1745 to 1826_ (vol. i. pp. 319, 320)--

HARROW.

First Innings. Second Innings. -------------------------------------------------------- Lord Ipswich, b Carter --10 b Heaton --21 T. Farrer, Esq., b Carter -- 7 c Bradley-- 3 T. Drury, Esq., b Carter -- 0 st Heaton-- 6 --Bolton, Esq., run out -- 2 b Heaton -- 0 C. Lloyd, Esq., b Carter -- 0 b Carter -- 0 A. Shakespeare, Esq., st Heaton-- 8 runout -- 5 Lord Byron, c Barnard-- 7 b Carter -- 2 Hon. T. Erskine, b Carter -- 4 b Heaton -- 8 W. Brockman, Esq., b Heaton -- 9 b Heaton --10 E. Stanley, Esq., not out -- 3 c Canning-- 7 --Asheton, Esq., b Carter -- 3 not out -- 0 Byes -- 2 Byes -- 3 -- -- 55 65

ETON. -------------------------------------------------------- --Heaton, Esq., b Lloyd -- 0 --Slingsby, Esq., b Shakespeare--29 --Carter, Esq., b Shakespeare-- 3 --Farhill, Esq., c Lloyd -- 6 --Canning, Esq., c Farrer --12 --Camplin, Esq., b Ipswich --42 --Bradley, Esq., b Lloyd --16 --Barnard, Esq., b Shakespeare-- 0 --Barnard, Esq., not out -- 3 --Kaye, Esq., b Byron -- 7 --Dover, Esq., c Bolton -- 4 Byes -- 0 -- 122

At this match Lord Stratford de Redcliffe remembers seeing a "moody-looking boy" dismissed for a small score. The boy was Byron. But the moment is not favourable to expression of countenance.

31.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron.

[Castle Howard, Malton, Yorkshire.] Burgage Manor, August 6th, 1805.

Well, my dearest Augusta, here I am, once more situated at my mother's
house, which together with its _inmate_ is as _agreeable_ as ever. I
am at this moment _vis à vis_ and Téte à téte with that amiable
personage, who is, whilst I am writing, pouring forth complaints
against your _ingratitude_, giving me many oblique hints that I ought
not to correspond with you, and concluding with an interdiction that
if you ever after the expiration of my minority are invited to my
residence, _she_ will no longer condescend to grace it with her
_Imperial_ presence. You may figure to yourself, for your amusement,
my solemn countenance on the occasion, and the _meek Lamblike_
demeanour of her Ladyship, which, contrasted with my _Saintlike
visage_, forms a _striking family painting_, whilst in the back
ground, the portraits of my Great Grandfather and Grandmother,
suspended in their frames, seem to look with an eye of pity on their
_unfortunate descendant_, whose _worth_ and _accomplishments_ deserve
a milder fate.

I am to remain in this _Garden_ of _Eden_ one month, I do not indeed
reside at Cambridge till October, but I set out for Hampshire in
September where I shall be on a visit till the commencement of the
term. In the mean time, Augusta, your _sympathetic_ correspondence
must be some alleviation to my sorrows, which however are too
ludicrous for me to regard them very seriously; but they are _really_
more _uncomfortable_ than _amusing_.

I presume you were rather surprised not to see my _consequential_ name
in the papers [1] amongst the orators of our 2nd speech day, but
unfortunately some wit who had formerly been at Harrow, suppressed the
merits of Long [2], Farrer [3] and myself, who were always supposed to
take the Lead in Harrow eloquence, and by way of a _hoax_ thought
proper to insert a panegyric on those speakers who were really and
truly allowed to have rather disgraced than distinguished themselves,
of course for the _wit_ of the thing, the best were left out and the
worst inserted, which accounts for the _Gothic omission_ of my
_superior talents._ Perhaps it was done with a view to weaken our
vanity, which might be too much raised by the flattering paragraphs
bestowed on our performance the 1st speechday; be that as it may, we
were omitted in the account of the 2nd, to the astonishment of all
Harrow. These are _disappointments_ we _great men_ are liable to, and
we must learn to bear them with philosophy, especially when they arise
from attempts at wit. I was indeed very ill at that time, and after I
had finished my speech was so overcome by the exertion that I was
obliged to quit the room. I had caught cold by sleeping in damp sheets
which was the cause of my indisposition. However I am now perfectly
recovered, and live in hopes of being emancipated from the slavery of
Burgage manor. But Believe me, Dearest Augusta, whether well or ill,

I always am your affect. Brother,

BYRON.

[Footnote 1: See page 27, note 1.]

[Footnote 2: Edward Noel Long, son of E. B. Long of Hampton Lodge, Surrey, the "Cleon" of "Childish Recollections" ('Poems', vol. i. pp. 101, 102), entered Harrow in April, 1801. He went with Byron to Trinity College, Cambridge, and till the end of the summer of 1806 was his most intimate friend.

"We were," says Byron, in his Diary ('Life', p. 31), "rival swimmers,
fond of riding, reading, and of conviviality. Our evenings we passed
in music (he was musical, and played on more than one
instrument--flute and violoncello), in which I was audience; and I
think that our chief beverage was soda-water. In the day we rode,
bathed, and lounged, reading occasionally. I remember our buying, with
vast alacrity, Moore's new quarto (in 1806), and reading it together
in the evenings. ... _His_ friendship, and a violent though pure
passion--which held me at the same period--were the then romance of
the most romantic period of my life."

Long was Byron's companion at Littlehampton in August, 1806. In 1807 he entered the Guards, served with distinction in the expedition to Copenhagen, and was drowned early in 1809, "on his passage to Lisbon with his regiment in the 'St. George' transport, which was run foul of in the night by another transport" ('Life', p. 31. See also Byron's lines "To Edward Noel Long, Esq.," 'Poems', vol. i. pp. 184-188).]

[Footnote 3: Thomas Farrer entered Harrow in April, 1801. He played in Byron's XI. against Eton, on the ground in Dorset Square, on August 2, 1805.]