The Works of Lord Byron: Letters and Journals Volume II Part 80

"I received the books, and, among them, 'The Bride of Abydos'. It is very, very beautiful. Lord Byron (when I met him, one day, at dinner at Mr. Ward's) was so kind as to promise to give me a copy of it. I mention this, not to save my purchase, but because I should be really flattered by the present. I can now say that I have read enough of Mad. de Stael to be highly pleased and instructed by her. The second volume delights me particularly. I have not yet finished the third, but am taking it with me on my journey to Liverpool."]

357.--To John Murray.

November 24, 1813.

You must pardon me once more, as it is all for your good: it must be thus:

He makes a Solitude, and calls it Peace.

"_Makes_" is closer to the pa.s.sage of Tacitus [1], from which the line is taken, and is, besides, a stronger word than "_leaves_."

Mark where his carnage and his conquests cease-- He makes a Solitude, and calls it--peace.

You will perceive that the sense is now clearer, the "_He_" refers to "_Man_" in the preceding couplet.

Yours ever,

B.

[Footnote 1:

"Solitudinem faciunt--pacem appellant."

Tacitus, 'Agricola', 30.]

358.--To John Murray.

November 27, 1813.

Dear Sir,--If you look over this carefully by the _last proof_ with my corrections, it is probably right; this _you_ can _do_ as well or better;--I have not now time. The copies I mentioned to be sent to different friends last night, I should wish to be made up with the new Giaours, if it also is ready. If not, send 'The Giaour' afterwards.

The 'Morning Post' says _I_ am the author of 'Nourjahad' [1]!!

This comes of lending the drawings for their dresses; but it is not worth a _formal contradiction_. Besides, the criticisms on the _supposition_ will, some of them, be quite amusing and furious. The _Orientalism_--which I hear is very splendid--of the Melodrame (whosever it is, and I am sure I don't know) is as good as an Advertis.e.m.e.nt for your Eastern Stories, by filling their heads with glitter. Yours ever, B.

P.S.--You will of course _say_ the truth, that I am _not_ the Melo-dramatist--if any one charges me in your presence with the performance.

[Footnote 1: The same charge is made in the 'Satirist' (vol. xiii. p.

508). 'Illusion, or the Trances of Nourjahad', was acted at Drury Lane, November 25, 1813. It is described by Genest ('The English Stage', vol.

viii. p. 403) as "a Melo-dramatic spectacle in three acts by an anonymous author." "Nourjahad" was acted by Elliston; "Mandane," his wife, by Mrs. Horn.]

359.--To John Murray.

November 28, 1813.

Dear Sir,--Send another copy (if not too much of a request) to Lady Holland of the _Journal_ [1], in my name, when you receive this; it is for _Earl Grey_--and I will relinquish my own. Also to Mr. Sharpe, Lady Holland, and Lady Caroline Lamb, copies of _The Bride_, as soon as convenient. Ever yours, BIRON.

P.S.--Mr. W. and myself still continue our purpose; but I shall not trouble you on any arrangement on the score of _The Giaour_ and _The Bride_ till our return,--or, at any rate, before _May_, 1814,--that is, six months from hence: and before that time you will be able to ascertain how far your offer may be a losing one: if so, you can deduct proportionably; and if not, I shall not at any rate allow you to go higher than your present proposal, which is very handsome, and more than fair.

I have had--but this must be _entre nous_--a very kind note, on the subject of _The Bride_, from Sir James Mackintosh, and an invitation to go there this evening, which it is now too late to accept [2].

[Footnote 1: The Rev. John Eagles (1783-1855), scholar, artist, and contributor (1831-55) to 'Blackwood's Magazine', edited 'The Journal of Llewellin Penrose, a Seaman', which Murray published in 1815.]

[Footnote 2:

"Lord Byron is the author of the day; six thousand of his 'Bride of Abydos' have been sold within a month."