*

time it was written; not so the present, since the ap- last bantling would coincide with mine, but it was impearance of a note from the illustrious cause of my sud- possible to give it any other garb, being founded on facts, den decampment has driven the 'natural ruby from my My stay at Worthing will not exceed three weeks, and cheeks,' and completely blanched my wo-begone counte- you may possibly behold me again at Southwell the midnance. This gunpowder intimation of her arrival, (con- dle of September. found her activity!) breathes less of terror and dismay * than you will probably imagine from the volcanic tem- "Will you desire Ridge to suspend the printing of n. perame of her ladyship, and concludes with the com-poems till he hears further from me, as I have deter fortable assurance of all present motion being prevented mined to give them a new form entirely. This prohibi by the fatigue of her journey, for which my blessings are tion does not extend to the last two pieces I have sent due to the rough roads and restive quadrupeds of his ma- with my letters to you. You will excuse the dull vanity jesty's highways. As I have not the smallest inclination of this epistle, as my brain is a chaos of absurd images to be chased round the country, I shall e'en make a merit and full of business, preparations, and projects. of necessity, and since, like Macbeth, 'They've tied me to the stake, I cannot fly,' I shall imitate that valorous tyrant, and 'bear-like fight the course,' all escape being precluded. I can now engage with less disadvantage, having drawn the enemy from her intrenchments, though, like the prototype to whom I have compared myself, with an excellent chance of being knocked on the head. However, 'lay on, Macduff, and dd be he who first eries, hold, enough.'

"I shall remain in town for, at least, a week, and expect to hear from you before its expiration. I presume the printer has brought you the offspring of my poetic mania. Remember, in the first line, to read 'loud the wirds whistle, instead of 'round,' which that blockhead Ridge has inserted by mistake, and makes nonsense of the whole stanza. Addio!-Now to encounter my Hydra. Yours ever."

LETTER IV.

TO MR. PIGOT.

"London, Sunday, midnight, August 10th, 1806. "DEAR PIGOT,

"This astonishing packet will, doubtless, amaze you, but having an idie hour this evening, I wrote the enclosed stanzas, which I request you to deliver to Ridge, to be printed separate from my other compositions, as you will perceive them to be improper for the perusal of ladies; of course, none of the females of your family must see them. I offer a thousand apologies for the trouble I have given you in this and other instances. Yours truly."

LETTER V.

гo MR. PIGOT.

"I shall expect an answer with impatience;-believe me, there is nothing at this moment could give me greater delight than your letter."

LETTER VI.

TO MR. PIGOT.

"London, August, 18th, 1806. write merely to request you will send that idle scoundre "I am just on the point of setting off for Worthing, and Charles, [his groom,] with my horses immediately; tell him I am excessively provoked he has not made his appearance before, or written to inform me of the cause of his delay, particularly as I supplied him with money for his journey. On no pretext is he to postpone his march one day longer, and if, in obedience to the caprices of Mrs. B. (who, I presume, is again spreading desolation through her little monarchy,) he thinks proper to disregard my positive orders, I shall not, in future, consider him as my servant. He must bring the surgeon's bill with him, which I will discharge immediately on receiving it. Nor can I conceive the reason of his not acquainting Frank, [his valet,] with the state of my unfortunate quadrupeds. Dear Pigot, forgive this petulant effusion, and attribute it to the idle conduct of that precious rascal, who, instead of obeying my injunctions, is sauntering through the streets of that political Pandemonium, Nottingham. Present my remembrances to your family and the Leacrofts, and believe me, &c.

"P.S. I delegate to you the unpleasant task of de spatching him on his journey-Mrs. B.'s orders to the contrary are not to be attended to; he is to proceed first to London, and then to Worthing, without delay. Every thing I have left must be sent to London. My Poetics you will pack up for the same place, and not even reserve a copy for yourself and sister, as I am about to give them an entire new form: when they are complete, you shall have the first fruits. Mrs. B. on no account is to see or touch them. Adieu."

LETTER VII.

TO MR. PIGOT.

"Piccadilly, August 16th, 1806. "I cannot exactly say with Cæsar, 'Veni, vidi, vici:' however, the most important part of his laconic account of success applies to my present situation; for, though Mrs. Byron took the trouble of 'coming' and 'seeing,' yet your humble servant proved the victor. After an obstinate engagement of some hours, in which we suffered considerable damage, from the quickness of the enemy's fire, they at length retired in confusion, leaving behind the artillery, field equipage, and some prisoners: their defeat "Little Hampton, August 26th, 180€. is decisive of the present campaign. To speak more in- "I this morning received your epistle, which I was telligibly, Mrs. B. returns immediately, but I proceed, obliged to send for to Worthing, whence I have removed with all my laurels, to Worthing, on the Sussex coast; to this place, on the same coasi, about eight miles distant to which place you will address (to be left at the post- from the former. You will probably not be displeased office) your next epistle. By the enclosure of a 21 with this letter, when it informs you that I am 30,000?. Ängle of rhyme, you will probably conceive my muse to be vastly prolific; her inserted production was brought forth a few years ago, and found by accident on Thursday among some old papers. I have recopied it, and, adding the proper date, request it may be printed with the rest of the family. I thought your sentiments on the

• See Hours of Idleness, page 383.

richer than I was at our parting, having just received intelligence from my lawyer that a cause has been gained at Lancaster assizes, which will be worth that sum by the time I come of age. Mrs. B. is doubtless acquainted of this acquisition, though not apprized of its exact value, of which she had better be ignorant, for her behaviour

In a suit undertaken for the recovery of the Rochdale property.

affair must end. Whether we renew our intim.cy of not is of very trivial consequence.

on any sudden piece of favourable inteligence is, if possible, more ridiculous than her detestable conduct on the most trifling circumstance of an unpleasant nature. "My time has lately been much occupied with very You may give my compliments to her, and say that her different pursuits. I have been transporting a servant, detaining my servant's things shall only lengthen my ab-who cheated me,-rather a disagreeable event persence; for unless they are immediately despatched to forming in private theatricals; publishing a volume of 16 Piccadilly, together with those which have been so poems, (at the request of my friends, for their perusal :) long delayed belonging to myself, she shall never again making love, and taking physic. The last two amusebehold my radiant countenance illuminating her gloomy ments have not had the best effect in the world; for my mansion. If they are sent, I may probably appear in attentions have been divided among so many fair damsels, less than two years from the date of my present epistle. and the drugs I swallow are of such variety in their com "Metrical compliment is an ample reward for my position, that between Venus and Esculapius I am strains; you are one of the few votaries of Apollo who harassed to death. However, I have still leisure to deunite the sciences over which that deity presides. I vote some hours to the recollections of past, regretted wish you to send my poems to my lodgings in London | friendship, and in the interval to take the advantage of immediately, as I have several alterations and some ad- the moment, to assure you how much I am, and ever will ditions to make; every copy must be sent, as I am about be, my dearest Clare, to amend them, and you shall soon behold them in all their glory. I hope you have kept them from that Upas tree, that antidote to the arts, Mrs. B. may expect to see me soon. Adieu.

Entre nous,-you
Yours ever."

"Your truly attached and sincere

LETTER X.

"BYRON"

LETTER VIII.

TO MISS PIGOT.

"MY DEAR ERIDGET,

TO MR. PIGOT.

"Southwell, Jan. 13, 1807.

"I ought to begin with sundry apologies, for my own negligence, but the variety of my avocations in prose and verse must plead my excuse. With this epistle you will I have only just dismounted from my Pegasus, which receive a volume of all my Juvenilia published since your has prevented me from descending to plain prose in an departure: it is of considerably greater size than the copy epistle of greater length to your fair self. You regretted in your possession, which I beg you will destroy, as the in a former letter, that my poems were not more exten- present is much more complete. That unlucky poem to sive; I now for your satisfaction announce that I have my poor Mary has been the cause of some animadver nearly doubled them, partly by the discovery of some Ision from ladies in years. I have not printed it in this conceived to be lost, and partly by some new productions.collection, in consequence of my being pronounced a We shall meet on Wednesday next; till then, believe most profligate sinner, in short, a 'young Moore,' by me yours affectionately,

"BYRON.

*P. S. Your brother John is seized with a poetic mania, and is now rhyming away at the rate of three lines per hour-so much for inspiration! Adieu!"

LETTER IX.

TO THE EARL OF CLARE.

"Southwell, Notts, February 6th, 1807.

"MY DEAREST CLARE,

* -, your * friend. I believe in general they have been favourably received, and surely the age of their author will preclude severe criticism. The adventures of my life from sixteen to nineteen, and the dissipation into which I have been thrown in London, have given a voluptuous tint to my ideas; but the occasions, which called forth my muse could hardly admit any other colouring. This volume is vastly correct and miraculously chaste. Apropos, talking of love, * *

"If you can find leisure to answer this farrago of unconnected nonsense, you need not doubt what gratification will accrue from your reply to yours ever, &c."

LETTER XI.

TO MR. WILLIAM BANKES.

"Southwell, March 6, 1807.

"Were I to make all the apologies necessary to atone for my late negligence, you would justly say you had received a petition instead of a letter, as it would be filled with prayers for forgiveness; but instead of this, I will acknowledge my sins at once, and I trust to your friendship and generosity rather than to my own excuses. Though my health is not perfectly re-established, I am out of all danger, and have recovered every thing but my "DEAR BANKES, spirits, which are subject to depression. You will be as- "Your critique is valuable for many reasons: in the tonished to hear I have lately written to Delawarre, for first place, it is the only one in which flattery has borne the purpose of explaining (as far as possible, without in- so slight a part; in the next, I am cloyed with insipid volving some old friends of mine in the business) the compliments. I have a better opinion of your judgment cause of my behaviour to him during my last residence at and ability than your feelings. Accept my most sincere Harrow, (nearly two years ago,) which you will recollect thanks for your kind decision, not less welcome, because was rather 'en cavalier! Since that period I have dis-totally unexpected. With regard to a more exact esti covered he was treated with injustice, both by those who mate, I need not remind you how few of the best poems, misrepresented his conduct, and by me in consequence of in our language, will stand the test of minute or verbal their suggestions. I have therefore made all the repara- criticism: it can therefore hardly be expected the effu tion in my power, by apologizing for my mistake, though sions of a boy, (and most of these pieces have been pro. with very faint hopes of success; indeed I never expected duced at an early period,) can derive much merit either any answer, but desired one for form's sake; that has from the subject or composition. Many of them were not yet arrived, and most probably never will. However, written under great depression of spirits, and during se I have eased my own conscience by the atonement, which is humiliating enough to one of my disposition, yet I could not have slept satisfied with the reflection of having, en unintentionally, injured any individual. I have done all that could be done to repair the injury, and there the

the

His valet Frank.

†The Mary" here mentioned was not the heiress of Annestay, not Mary of Aberdeen. The verses in the Hours of Idleness, en titled To Mary on receiving her picture," were addressed te ber On the "Hours of Idleness"

vere indisposition; hence the gloomy turn of the ideas. be exchanged, and others substituted in their place. We coincide in opinion that the 'poesies érotiques' are the most exceptionable; they were, however, grateful to the deities, on whose altars they were offered-more I seek

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—”

*

"SIR,

*

LETTER XIII.

TO MR. FALKNER.

"The portrait of Pomposus* was drawn at Harrow, after a long sitting; this accounts for the resemblance, or rather the caricatura. He is your friend, he never was mine-for both our sakes I shall be silent on this head. The collegiate rhymes are not personal; one of the notes may appear so, but could not be omitted. I have little doubt they will be deservedly abused; a just punishment for my unfilial treatment of so excellent an Alma Mater. I sent you no copy, lest we should be placed in the situation of Gil Blas and the Archbishop of Grenada: though running some hazard from the experiment, I wished your "The volume of little pieces which accompanies verdict to be unbiassed. Had my 'Libellus' been pre- this, would have been presented before, had I not been sented previous to your letter, it would have appeared a apprehensive that Miss Falkner's indisposition might species of bribe to purchase compliment. I feel no hesi-render such trifles unwelcome. There are some errors tation in saying, I was more anxious to hear your cique, of the printer which I have not had time to correct in the however severe, than the praises of the million. On the collection: you have it thus, with 'all its imperfections same day I was honoured with the encomiums of Mac on its head,' a heavy weight, when joined with the faults kenzie, the celebrated author of the 'Man of Feeling.' of its author. Such 'Juvenilia,' as they can claim no Whether his approbation or yours elated me most, I can- great degree of approbation, I may venture to hope, will also escape the severity of uncalled for, though perhaps "You will receive my Juvenilia, at least all yet pub-not undeserved, criticism. fished. I have a large volume in manuscript, which "They were written on many and various occasions, may in part appear hereafter; at present I have neither and are now published merely for the perusal of a ume nor inclination to prepare it for the press. In the friendly circle. Believe me, sir, if they afford the

not decide.

"Yours, very truly,
"BYRON.

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

spring I shall return to Trinity, to dismantle my rooms, slightest amusement to yourself and the rest of my social and bid you a final adieu. The Cam will not be much readers, I shall have gathered all the bays I ever wish to increased by my tears on the occasion. Your farther re-adorn the head of marks, however caustic or bitter to a palate vitiated with the sweets of adulation, will be of service. Johnson has shown us that no poetry is perfect; but to correct mine would be an Herculean labour. In fact I never looked beyond the moment of composition, and published merely at the request of my friends. Notwithstanding so much has been said concerning the 'Genus irritabile vatum,' we shall never quarrel on the subject. Poetic fame is by no means the 'acme' of my wishes. Adieu. "Yours ever, "BYRON."

LETTER XII.

LETTER XIV.

TO MR. PIGOT.

MY DEAR PIGOT,

"Southwell, April, 1807.

"Allow me to congratulate you on the success of your first examination-Courage, mon ami.' The title of Dr. will do wonders with the damsels. I shall most proba bly be in Essex or London when you arrive at this d-d place, where I am detained by the publication of my "Adieu.-Believe me yours very truly,

"BYRON.

"P. S. Since we met, I have reduced myself by violent exercise, much physic, and hot bathing, from 14 stone 6 lb. to 12 stone 7 lb. In all I have lost 27 pounds. Bravo!-what say you?"

TO MR. WILLIAM BANKES.-[FRAGMENT.] "For my own part, I have suffered severely in the de-rhymes. cease 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 pass 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 Woodhouslee, at the head of the Scotch literati, and a most voluminous writer, (his last work is a life of Lord Kaimes;) the other from Mackensie, 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

Doctor Butler, Head Master of Harrow School. See "Hours of Idler 2, page 409, &c.

speech, and conclude it with 1 2 3 4 5 6 7.* I am out of forget and be forgotten by the people of Southwell is all I practice, so deputize you as Legate,-ambassador would aspire to." not do in a matter concerning the Pope, which I presume this must, as the whole turns upon a Bull. Yours,

"P. S. I write in bed."

"BYRON.

LETTER XVII.

LETTER XVI.

TO MISS PIGOT.

TO MISS PIGOT.

"Trin. Coll. Camb. July 5th, 1807. "Since my last letter I have determined to reside another year at Granta, as my rooms, &c. &c. are finished in great style, several old friends come up again, and many new acquaintances made; consequently, my incli "Cambridge, June 30th, 1807. nation leads me forward, and I shall return to college in "Better late than never, Pal,' is a saying of which you October, if still alive. My life here has been one conknow the origin, and as it is applicable on the present oc- tinued routine of dissipation-out at different places every casion, you will excuse its conspicuous place in the front day, engaged to more dinners, &c. &c. than my stay of my epistle. I am almost superannuated here. My would permit me to fulfil. At this moment I write with a old friends, (with the exception of a very few,) all de-bottle of claret in my head, and tears in my eyes; for I have parted, and I am preparing to follow them, but remain till just parted with my Cornelian,' who spent the evening Monday to be present at three Oratorios, two Concerts, a with me. As it was our last interview, I postponed my Fair, and a Ball. I find I am not only thinner but taller engagement to devote the hours of the Sabbath to friendby an inch since my last visit. I was obliged to tell every ship:-Edleston and I have separated for the present, body my name, nobody having the least recollection of and my mind is a chaos of hope and sorrow, To-mormy visage or person. Even the hero of my Cornelian,† row I set out for London: you will address your answer (who is now sitting vis-à-vis, reading a volume of my to 'Gordon's Hotel, Albemarle-street,' where I sojourn Poetics,) passed me in Trinity walks without recognising during my visit to the metropolis. me in the least, and was thunderstruck at the alteration "I rejoice to hear you are interested in my protege: he which had taken place in my countenance, &c. &c. has been my almost constant associate since October, Some say I look better, others worse, but all agree I am 1805, when I entered Trinity College. His voice first atthanner-more I do not require. I have lost 2 lb. in my tracted my attention, his countenance fixed it, and his weight since I left our cursed, detestable, and abhorred manners attached me to him for ever. He departs for abode of scandal, where, excepting yourself and John a mercantile house in town in October, and we shall proBecher, I care not if the whole race were consigned to bably not meet till the expiration of my minority, when I the Pit of Acheron, which I would visit in person rather shall leave to his decision either entering as a partner than contaminate my sandals with the polluted dust of through my interest, or residing with me altogether. Of Southwell. Seriously, unless obliged by the emptiness of course he would in his present frame of mind prefer the my purse to revisit Mrs. B., you will see me no more. latter, but he may alter his opinion previous to that period; On Monday I depart for London. I quit Cambridge-however, he shall have his choice. I certainly love with little regret, because our set are vanished, and my him more than any human being, and neither time nor musical protegé before mentioned has left the choir, and is distance have had the least effect on my (in general) stationed in a mercantile house of considerable eminence changeable disposition. In short, we shall put Lady E. in the metropolis. You may have heard me observe he Butler and Miss Ponsonby to the blush, Pylades and is exactly, to an hour, two years younger than myself. I Orestes out of countenance, and want nothing but a cafound him grown considerably, and, as you will suppose, tastrophe like Nisus and Euryalus, to give Jonathan and very glad to see his former Patron. He is nearly my David the go by.' He certainly is perhaps more atheight, very thin, very fair complexion, dark eyes, and tached to me than even I am in return. During the light locks. My opinion of his mind you already know; whole of my residence at Cambridge we met every day, -I hope I shall never have occasion to change it. Every summer and winter, without passing one tiresome mobody here conceives me to be an invalid. The university ment, and separated each time with increasing reluc at present is very gay, from the fêtes of divers kinds. I tance. I hope you will one day see us together, he is supped out last night, but cat (or ate) nothing, sipped a the only being I esteem, though I like many." bottle of claret, went to bed at 2 and rose at 9. I have "The Marquis of Tavistock was down the other day; commenced early rising, and find it agrees with me. I supped with him at his tutor's-entirely a whig party. The Masters and the Fellows all very polite, but look a The opposition muster strong here now, and Lord little askance don't much admire lampoons-truth al- Huntingdon, the Duke of Leinster, &c. &c. are to join us ways disagreeable. in October, so every thing will be splendid. The music "Write, and tell me how the inhabitants of your mena- is all over at present. Met with another 'accidency— gerie go on, and if my publication goes off well: do the upset a butter-boat in the lap of a lady-look'd very blue quadrupeds growl? Apropos, my bull-dog is deceased--spectators grinned-'curse 'em! Apropos, sorry to 'Flesh both of cur and man is grass.' Address your answer to Cambridge. If I am gone, it will be forwarded. Sad news just arrived-Russians beat-a bad set, eat nothing but oil, consequently must melt before a hard fire. I get awkward in my academic habiliments for want of practice. Got up in a window to hear the oratorio at St. Mary's, popped down in the middle of the Messiah, tore demur? What ladies have bought? * a waful rent in the back of my best black silk gown, and "Saw a girl at St. Mary's the image of Anne * damaged an egregious pair of breeches. Mem.-never thought it was her-all in the wrong-the lady stared, so tumble from a church window during service. Adieu, did I-I blushed, so did not the lady-sad thing-wish dear * * * * ! do not remember me to any body:-to women had more modesty. Talking of women, puts me in mind of my terrier Fanny-how is she? Got a headache, must go to bed, up early in the morning to travel.

• He here alludes to an odd fancy or trick of his own; whenever he was at a loss for something to say, he used to gabble over 1234567."

† Mr. Edleston. See the lines "to E." Hours of Idleness, page 384; and "The Cornelian " Hours of Idleness, page 386.

say, been drunk every day, and not quite sober yet-however, touch no meat, nothing but fish, soup, and vegetables, consequently it does me no harm-sad dogs all the Cantabs. Mem.-we mean to reform next January. This place is a monotony of endless variety-like it--hate Southwell. Has Ridge sold well? or do the ancients

• Edleston. See Letter 101.

*

My protegé breakfasts with me; parting spoils my appetite excepting from Southwell. Mem.-I hate Southwell Yours, &c."

LETTER XVIII.

TO MISS PIGOT.

LETTER XIX.

TO MISS PIGOT.

"August 2d, 1807. "London begins to disgorge its contents-town is empty-consequently I can scribble at leisure, as occu pations are less numerous. In a fortnight I shall de part to fulfil a country engagement; but expect two "Gordon's Hotel, July 13th, 1807. epistles from you previous to that period. Ridge does "You write most excellent epistles-a fig for other not proceed rapidly in Notts-very possible. In town correspondents with their nonsensical apologies for things wear a more promising aspect, and a man whose 'knowing nought about it,'-you send me a delightful works are praised by reviewers, admired by dutchesses budget. I am here in a perpetual vortex of dissipation, and sold by every bookseller of the metropolis, does not (very pleasant for all that,) and, strange to tell, I get dedicate nuch consideration to rustic readers. I have thinner, being now below eleven stone considerably. now a review before me, entitled 'Literary Recreations, Stay in town a month, perhaps six weeks, trip into Essex, where my bardship is applauded far beyond my deserts. and then, as a favour, irradiate Southwell for three days I know nothing of the critic, but think him a very diswith the light of my countenance; but nothing shall cerning gentleman, and myself a devilish clever fellow. ever make me reside there again. I positively return to His critique pleases me particularly because it is of Cambridge in October; we are to be uncommonly gay, great length, and a proper quantum of censure is admior in truth I should cut the University. An extraordinary nistered, just to give an agreeable relish to the praise. circumstance occurred to me at Cambridge, a girl so You know I hate insipid, unqualified, commonplace very like *** made her appearance, that nothing but compliment. If you would wish to see it, order the 13t the most minute inspection could have undeceived me. number of 'Literary Recreations' for the last month. wish I had asked if she had ever been at H***. I assure you I have not the most distant idea of the

* * *

* * * * *

"What the devil would Ridge have? is not fifty in a writer of the article-it is printed in a periodica! publi fortnight, before the advertisements, a sufficient sale? I cation-and though I have written a paper, (a review of near many of the London booksellers have them, and Wordsworth,*) which appears in the same work, I am Crosby has sent copies to the principal watering-places. ignorant of every other person concerned in it—even Are they liked or not in Southwell? the editor, whose name I have not heard. My cousin I wish Boatswain had swallowed Damon! How is Lord Alexander Gordon, who resided in the same hotel, Bran? by the immortal gods, Bran ought to be a Count told me his mother, her Grace of Gordon, requested he of the Holy Roman Empire. would introduce my poetical Lordship to her Highness, "The intelligence of London cannot be interesting to as she had bought my volume, admired it exceedingly in you, who have rusticated all your life-the annals of common with the rest of the fashionable world, and routs, riots, balls, and boxing-matches, cards and crim. wished to claim her relationship with the author. I cons., parliamentary discussion, political details, mas-was unluckily engaged on an excursion for some days querades, mechanics, Argyle-street Institution and afterward, and as the dutchess was on the eve of de aquatic races, love and lotteries, Brooks's and Buona- parting for Scotland, I have postponed my introduction parte, opera-singers and oratorios, wine, women, wax-till the winter, when I shall favour the lady, whose taste I works, and weathercocks, can't accord with your insu- shall not dispute, with my most sublime and edifying conlated ideas of decorum and other silly expressions not in-versation. She is now in the Highlands, and Alexander serted in our vocabulary. took his departure a few days ago, for the same blessed seat of 'dark rolling winds.

"Oh! Southwell, Southwell, how I rejoice to have left thee, and how I curse the heavy hours I dragged along, "Crosby, my London publisher, has disposed of his for so many months, among the Mohawks who inhabit second importation, and has sent to Ridge for a thirdyour kraals!—However, one thing I do not regret, which at least so he says. In every bookseller's window I see is having pared off a sufficient quantity of flesh to enable my own name and say nothing, but enjoy my fame in seme to slip into 'an eel skin,' and vie with the slim beaux cret. My last reviewer kindly requests me to alter my of modern times; though, I am sorry to say, it seems to determination of writing no more, and a Friend to the be the mode among gentlemen to grow fat, and I am told Cause of Literature' begs I will gratify the public with I am at least 14lb. below the fashion. However, I de- some new work at no very distant period.' Who crease instead of enlarging, which is extraordinary, as would not be a bard ?—that is to say, if all critics would violent exercise in London is impracticable; but I attri-be so polite. However, the others will pay me off, I doubt bute the phenomenon to our evening squeezes at public and not, for this gentle encouragement. If so, have at 'em! private parties. I heard from Ridge this morning, (the By-the-by, I have written at my intervals of leisure, 14th, my letter was begun yesterday:) he says the after two in the morning, three hundred and eighty lines Poems go on as well as can be wished, the seventy-five in blank verse, of Bosworth Field. I have luckily got sent to town are circulated, and a demand for fifty more Hutton's account. I shali extend the Poem to eight or complied with, the day he dated his epistle, though the ten books, and shall have finished it in a year. Whether advertisements are not yet half published. Adieu. it will be published or not must depend on circumstances. "P. S. Lord Carlisle, on receiving my Poems, sent, So much for egotism! My laurels have turned my brain, before he opened the book, a tolerably handsome letter: but the cooling acids of forthcoming criticisms will pro-I have not heard from him since. His opinions Ibably restore me to modesty. neither know nor care about; if he is the least insolen! I shall enroll him with Butler* and the other worthies. He is in Yorkshire, poor man! and very ill! He said he twice afterward, tried his hand at this least poetical of employments,) This first attempt of Lord Byron at reviewing, (for he, once or nad not time to read the contents, but thought it neces-is remarkable only as showing how plausibly he could assume the esta sary to acknowledge the receipt of the volume immedi-blished tone and phraseology of these minor judgment-seats of criticism, utely. Perhaps the earl 'bears no brother near the throne-if so, I will make his sceptre totter in his hands.

-Adieu

Dr. Butler. See Letter XI.

"Southwell is a damned place--I have done with it

For instance - The volumes before us are by the Author of Lyrical Ballads, a collection which has not undeservedly met with consider able share of public applause. The characteristics of Mr. Wordsworth'

muse are simple and flowing, though occasione.'ly inharmonious, verse -strong and sometimes irresistible appea's to he feelings, with unex ceptionable sentiments Though the present work inay not equal his former efforts, many of the poems possess a naive elegance," &c. &c.Moore