The Works of Lord Byron: Letters and Journals Volume II Part 4

Hodgson's tale is one of the best efforts of his Muse, and Mr. H.'s approbation must be of more consequence, before any body will reduce it to a "Scale," or be much affected by "the place" he "a.s.signs" to the productions of a man like Hodgson.

But I have said more than I intended and only beg you never to allow yourself to be imposed upon by such "common place" as the 6th form letter you sent me. Judge for yourself.

I know the Mr. Bankes [2] you mention though not to that "extreme" you seem to think, but I am flattered by his "boasting" on such a subject (as you say), for I never thought him likely to "boast" of any thing which was not his own. I am not "'melancholish'"--pray what "'folk'"

dare to say any such thing? I must contradict them by being 'merry' at their expence.

I shall invade you in the course of the winter, out of envy, as Lucifer looked at Adam and Eve.

Pray be as happy as you can, and write to me that I may catch the infection.

Yours ever, BYRON.

[Footnote 1: Webster had sent Byron a letter from Naylor Hare, in which the latter criticized Hodgson's poems, 'Lady Jane Grey, a Tale; and other Poems (1809)' (see 'Letters', vol. i. p. 195, 'note 1' [Footnote 1 of Letter 102]).

In the volume (pp. 56-77) was printed his "Gentle Alterative prepared for the Reviewers," which Hare apparently compared to 'The Pursuits of Literature (1794-97)', by T. J. Mathias.

To this criticism Byron objected, saying that the "Alterative" might be more fairly compared to Gifford's 'Baviad' (1794).]

[Footnote 2: For William John Bankes, see 'Letters', vol. i. p. 120, 'note' 1. [Footnote 1 of Letter 67]]

176.---To the Hon. Augusta Leigh. [1]

Newstead Abbey, Sept. 2d, 1811.

My dear Augusta,--I wrote you a vastly dutiful letter since my answer to your second epistle, and I now write you a third, for which you have to thank Silence and Solitude. Mr. Hanson [2] comes. .h.i.ther on the 14th, and I am going to Rochdale on business, but that need not prevent you from coming here, you will find Joe, and the house and the cellar and all therein very much at your Service.

As to Lady B., when I discover one rich enough to suit me and foolish enough to have me, I will give her leave to make me miserable if she can. Money is the magnet; as to Women, one is as well as another, the older the better, we have then a chance of getting her to Heaven. So, your Spouse does not like brats better than myself; now those who beget them have no right to find fault, but _I_ may rail with great propriety.

My "Satire!"--I am glad it made you laugh for Somebody told me in Greece that you was angry, and I was sorry, as you were perhaps the only person whom I did _not_ want to _make angry_.

But how you will make _me laugh_ I don't know, for it is a vastly _serious_ subject to me I a.s.sure you; therefore take care, or I shall hitch _you_ into the next Edition to make up our family party. Nothing so fretful, so despicable as a Scribbler, see what _I_ am, and what a parcel of Scoundrels I have brought about my ears, and what language I have been obliged to treat them with to deal with them in their own way;--all this comes of Authorship, but now I am in for it, and shall be at war with Grubstreet, till I find some better amus.e.m.e.nt.

You will write to me your Intentions and may almost depend on my being at Cambridge in October. You say you mean to be etc. in the _Autumn_; I should be glad to know what you call this present Season, it would be Winter in every other Country which I have seen. If we meet in October we will travel in my _Vis_. and can have a cage for the children and a cart for the Nurse. Or perhaps we can forward them by the Ca.n.a.l. Do let us know all about it, your "_bright thought_" is a little clouded, like the Moon in this preposterous climate.

Good even, Child.

Yours ever, B.

[Footnote 1: The following is Mrs. Leigh's letter, to which the above is an answer:

"6 Mile Bottom, Sat.u.r.day, 31 Aug.

"My dearest brother,--I hope you don't dislike receiving letters so much as writing them, for you would in that case p.r.o.nounce me a great torment. But as I prepared you in my last for its being followed very soon by another, I hope you will have reconciled your mind to the impending toil. I really wrote in such a hurry that I did not say half I wished; but I did not like to delay telling you how happy you made me by writing. I have been dwelling constantly upon the idea of going to Newstead ever since I had your wish to see me there. At last a _bright thought_ struck me.

"We intend, I believe, to go to Yorkshire in the autumn. Now, if I could contrive to pay you a visit _en pa.s.sant_, it would be delightful, and give me the greatest pleasure. But I fear you would be obliged to make up your mind to receive my _Brats_ too. As for my husband, he prefers the _outside of the Mail_ to _the inside of a Post-Chaise_, particularly when partly occupied by Nurse and Children, so that we always travel _independent_ of each other.

"So much for this, my dear B. I can only say I should _much_ like to see you at Newstead. The former I hope I shall at all events, as you must not be shabby, but come to Cambridge as you promised. Are you staying at Newstead now for any time? I saw George Byron in Town for one day, and he promised to call or write again, but has not done either, so I begin to think he has gone back to Lisbon. I think it is impossible not to like him; he is so good-natured and natural. We talked much of you; he told me you were grown very thin; as you don't complain, I hope you are not the worse for being so, and I remember you used to wish it. Don't you think _it a great shame_ that George B.

is not promoted? I wish there was any possibility of a.s.sisting him about it; but all I know who _could_ do any good with you _present_ Ministers, I don't for many reasons like to ask. Perhaps there may be a change bye and bye.

"Fred Howard is married to Miss _Lambton_. I saw them in town in their way to Castle Howard. I hope he will be happy with all my heart; his kindness and friendship to us last year, when Col. _Leigh_ was placed in one of the most perplexing situations that I think anybody could be in, is never to be forgotten. I think he used to be a greater favourite with you than some others of his family. _Mrs. F.H._ is very pretty, _very_ young (not quite 17), and appears gentle and pleasing, which is all one can expect [to discover from] a very slight acquaintance.

"Now, my dearest Byron, pray let me hear from you. I shall be daily expecting to hear of a _Lady Byron_, since you have confided to me your determination of marrying, in which I really hope you are serious, being convinced such an event would contribute greatly to your happiness, PROVIDED _her Ladyship_ was the sort of person that would suit you; and you won't be angry with me for saying that it is not EVERY _one_ who would; therefore don't be too _precipitate_. You will _wish me hanged_, I fear, for boring you so unmercifully, so G.o.d bless you, my dearest Bro.; and, when you have time, do write. Are you going to amuse us with any more _Satires_? Oh, _English Bards!_ I shall make you laugh (when we meet) about it.

"Ever your most affectionate Sis. and Friend,

"A. L."]

[Footnote 2: For John Hanson, see Letters, vol. i. p. 8, note 2.

[Footnote 1 of Letter 3]]

177.--To Francis Hodgson.

Newstead Abbey, Sept. 3, 1811.

MY DEAR HODGSON,--I will have nothing to do with your immortality; [1]

we are miserable enough in this life, without the absurdity of speculating upon another. If men are to live, why die at all? and if they die, why disturb the sweet and sound sleep that "knows no waking"?

"Post Mortem nihil est, ipsaque Mors nihil ... quaeris quo jaceas post obitum loco? Quo _non_ Nata jacent." [2]