The Works of Lord Byron: Letters and Journals Volume I Part 8

"Castle Howard, Nov. 18, 1804.

My Dear Sir,--I am afraid you will think I presume almost too much upon the kind permission you have so often given me of applying to you about my Brother's concerns. The reason that induces me now to do so is his having lately written me several Letters containing the most extraordinary accounts of his Mother's conduct towards him and complaints of the uncomfortable Situation he is in during the Holidays when with her. All this you will easily imagine has more _vexed_ than _surprized_ me. I am quite unhappy about him, and wish I could in any way remedy the grievances he confides to me. I wished, as the most likely means of doing this, to mention the subject to Lord Carlisle, who has always expressed the greatest interest about Byron and also shewn me the greatest Kindness. Finding that he did _not object_ to it, I yesterday had some conversation with Lord C. on the subject, and it is partly by his advice and wishes that I trouble you with this Letter. He authorized me to tell you that, if you would allow my Brother to spend the next vacation with you (which _he_ seems _strongly_ to wish), that it would put it into his power to see more of him and shew him more attention than he has. .h.i.therto, being withheld from doing so from the dread of having any concern whatever with Mrs. Byron.

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 friends.h.i.+p 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 friends.h.i.+p 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 wis.h.i.+ng 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, Yorks.h.i.+re.]

Harrow-on-the-Hill, Novr., Sat.u.r.day, 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 friends.h.i.+p_ for his L'ds.h.i.+p. 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 a.s.sist 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 pa.s.sions so outrageous, that the evil quite overbalances her _agreeable qualities._ Amongst other things I forgot to mention a most _ungovernable appet.i.te_ 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 Grat.i.tude, 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, Yorks.h.i.+re.] 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 circ.u.mstances which I have before detailed at full length.

To Lord Carlisle make my warmest acknowledgements. I feel more grat.i.tude, 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. .h.i.therto 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 masters.h.i.+p 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 a.s.sociate 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].

Sat.u.r.day, 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 a.s.sociates 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 Lords.h.i.+p, 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 Lords.h.i.+p 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 pa.s.sed 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 G.o.d, 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 Sat.u.r.day dined with Lord Carlisle, and on further acquaintance I like them all very much. Amongst other circ.u.mstances, 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 circ.u.mstance, 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 _friends.h.i.+p_, I shall think you a _very discerning little Gentlewoman_. His Lords.h.i.+p too improves upon further acquaintance, Her Ladys.h.i.+p 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 pa.s.s 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 pa.s.s 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 grat.i.tude, 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 amus.e.m.e.nt. 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.