The Works Of Lord Byron, Letters and Journals, Vol. 1 by Lord Byron, Edited by Rowland E. Prothero

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It is possible that the "paralytic puling" may have been suggested by
the "placid purring" of previous satirists. In March, 1814, his sister
Augusta was trying hard to persuade Byron, as he notes in his Diary,

"to make it up with Carlisle. I have refused 'every' body else, but I
can't deny her anything, though I had as leif 'drink up Eisel--eat a
crocodile.'"

Lord Carlisle had three daughters: the eldest, Lady Caroline Isabella
Howard, married, in 1789, John, first Lord Cawdor, and died in 1848; the
second, Lady Elizabeth, married, in 1799, John Henry, fifth Duke of
Rutland, and died in 1825; the third, Lady Gertrude, married, in 1806,
William Sloane Stanley, of Paultons, Hants, and died in 1870.]

[Footnote 4: No "Aunt Sophia" appears in the pedigree; but his
grandmother was Sophia Trevanion, who married, in 1748, the Hon. John
Byron, afterwards Admiral Byron. Mrs. Byron knew Dr. Johnson well, and
she and Miss Burney were the only two friends who, as Mrs. Piozzi (then
Mrs. Thrale) thought, might regret her departure from Streatham in 1782
('Life and Writings of Mrs. Piozzi', vol. i. p. 171). "Mrs. Byron, who
really loves me," says Mrs. Piozzi ('ibid.', p. 125), "was disgusted at
Miss Burney's carriage to me." In August, 1820, Mrs. Piozzi writes to a
Miss Willoughby, to tell her

"what wonders Lord Byron is come home to do, for I see his arrival in
the paper. His grandmother was my intimate friend, a Cornish lady,
Sophia Trevanion, wife to the Admiral, 'pour ses péchés', and we
called her Mrs. B_i_ron always, after the French fashion"

('Life and Writings, etc.', vol. ii. pp. 456, 457)' Mrs. Byron
died at Bath in 1790.]

[Footnote 5: Lady Delawarr, widow of John Richard, fourth Earl Delawarr,
whom she married in 1783, died in 1826. Her only son, George John, fifth
earl, succeeded his father in 1795. He went from Harrow to Brasenose
College, Oxford; married, in 1813, Lady Elizabeth Sackville; was Lord
Chamberlain 1858-9; and died in 1869. He was the "Euryalus" of "Childish
Recollections" (see 'Poems', vol. i. p. 100; and lines "To George, Earl
of Delawarr," 'ibid.', p. 126).]

14.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron.

Friday, November 2d, 1804.

This morning, my dear Augusta, I received your affectionate letter,
and it reached me at a time when I wanted consolation, not however of
your kind for I am not yet old enough or Goose enough to be in love;
no, my sorrows are of a different nature, though more calculated to
provoke risibility than excite compassion. You must know, Sister of
mine, that I am the most unlucky wight in Harrow, perhaps in
Christendom, and am no sooner out of one scrape than into another. And
to day, this very morning, I had a thundering Jobation from our Good
Doctor, [1] which deranged my _nervous system_, for at least five
minutes. But notwithstanding He and I now and then disagree, yet upon
the whole we are very good friends, for there is so much of the
Gentleman, so much mildness, and nothing of pedantry in his character,
that I cannot help liking him, and will remember his instructions with
gratitude as long as I live. He leaves Harrow soon, _apropos_, so do
I. This quitting will be a considerable loss to the school. He is the
best master we ever had, and at the same time respected and feared;
greatly will he be regretted by all who know him. You tell me you
don't know my friend L'd Delawarr; he is considerably younger than me,
but the most good tempered, amiable, clever fellow in the universe. To
all which he adds the quality (a good one in the eyes of women) of
being remarkably handsome, almost too much so for a boy. He is at
present very low in the school, not owing to his want of ability, but
to his years. I am nearly at the top of it; by the rules of our
Seminary he is under my power, but he is too goodnatured ever to
offend me, and I like him too well ever to exert my authority over
him. If ever you should meet, and chance to know him, take notice of
him on my account.

You say that you shall write to the Dowager Soon; her address is at
Southwell, _that_ I need hardly inform you. Now, Augusta, I am going
to tell you a secret, perhaps I shall appear undutiful to you, but,
believe me, my affection for you is founded on a more firm basis. My
mother has lately behaved to me in such an eccentric manner, that so
far from feeling the affection of a Son, it is with difficulty I can
restrain my dislike. Not that I can complain of want of liberality;
no, She always supplies me with as much money as I can spend, and more
than most boys hope for or desire. But with all this she is so hasty,
so impatient, that I dread the approach of the holidays, more than
most boys do their return from them. In former days she spoilt me; now
she is altered to the contrary; for the most trifling thing, she
upbraids me in a most outrageous manner, and all our disputes have
been lately heightened by my one with that object of my cordial,
deliberate detestation, Lord Grey de Ruthyn. She wishes me to explain
my reasons for disliking him, which I will never do; would I do it to
any one, be assured you, my dear Augusta, would be the first who would
know them. She also insists on my being reconciled to him, and once
she let drop such an odd expression that I was half inclined to
believe the dowager was in love with him. But I hope not, for he is
the most disagreeable person (in my opinion) that exists. He called
once during my last vacation; she threatened, stormed, begged me to
make it up, "he himself loved me, and wished it;" but my reason was so
excellent--that neither had effect, nor would I speak or stay in the
same room, till he took his departure. No doubt this appears odd; but
was my reason known, which it never will be if I can help it, I should
be justified in my conduct. Now if I am to be tormented with her and
him in this style, I cannot submit to it. You, Augusta, are the only
relation I have who treats me as a friend; if you too desert me, I
have nobody I can love but Delawarr. If it was not for his sake,
Harrow would be a desert, and I should dislike staying at it. You
desire me to burn your epistles; indeed I cannot do that, but I will
take care that They shall be invisible. If you burn any of mine, I
shall be _monstrous angry_; take care of them till we meet.

Delawarr [2] and myself are in a manner connected, for one of our
forefathers in Charles the 1st's time married into their family.
Hartington, [3] whom you enquire after, is on very good terms with me,
nothing more, he is of a soft milky disposition, and of a happy apathy
of temper which defies the softer emotions, and is insensible of ill
treatment; so much for him. Don't betray me to the Dowager. I should
like to know your Lady Gertrude, as you and her are so great Friends.
Adieu, my Sister, write. From

[Signature, etc., cut out.]

[Footnote 1: The Rev. Joseph Drury, D.D. (1750-1834), educated at
Westminster and Trinity College, Cambridge, was appointed an
Assistant-master at Harrow before he was one and twenty. He was
Head-master from 1784 to 1805. In that year he retired, and till his
death in 1834 lived at Cockwood, in Devonshire, where he devoted himself
to farming. The following statement by Dr. Drury illustrates Byron's
respect for his Head-master ('Life', p. 20):--

"After my retreat from Harrow, I received from him two very affectionate
letters. In my occasional visits subsequently to London, when he had
fascinated the public with his productions, I demanded of him, why, as
in 'duty bound', he had sent none to me? 'Because,' said he, 'you are
the only man I never wish to read them;' but in a few moments, he added,
'What do you think of the 'Corsair'?'"

Dr. Drury married Louisa Heath, sister of the Rev. Benjamin Heath, his
predecessor in the Head-mastership. They had four children, all of whom
have some connection with Byron's life. (1) Henry Joseph Drury
(1778-1841), educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge (Fellow),
Assistant-master at Harrow School, married (December 20, 1808) Ann
Caroline Tayler, and had a numerous family. Mrs. Drury's sister married
the Rev. F. Hodgson (see page 195 [Letter 102], [Foot]note 1). (2)
Benjamin Heath Drury (1782-1835), educated at Eton and King's College,
Cambridge (Fellow), Assistant-master at Eton. (3) Charles Drury
(1788-1869), educated at Harrow and Queen's College, Oxford (Fellow).
(4) Louisa Heath Drury (1787-1873) married John Herman Merivale.

Dr. Drury's brother, Mark Drury, the Lower Master at Harrow, was the
candidate whom Byron supported for the Head-mastership.]

[Footnote 2: Thomas, third Lord Delawarr, Captain-general of all the
Colonies planted or to be planted in Virginia, died in 1618. His fourth
daughter, Cecilie, widow of Sir Francis Bindlose, married Sir John
Byron, created Lord Byron by Charles I. His fifth daughter, Lucy,
married Sir Robert Byron, brother to Lord Byron. But the first Lord
Byron left no heirs, and the title descended to his brother, Richard
Byron, from whom the poet was descended.]

[Footnote 3: William Spencer, Marquis of Hartington (1790-1858),
succeeded his father as sixth Duke of Devonshire in 1811, and died
unmarried. His sister, Georgiana Dorothy, married, in 1801, Lord
Carlisle's eldest son.]

15.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron.

Harrow, Saturday, 11th Novr, 1804.

I thought, my dear Augusta, [1] that your opinion of my _meek mamma_
would coincide with mine; Her temper is so variable, and, when
inflamed, so furious, that I dread our meeting; not but I dare say,
that I am troublesome enough, but I always endeavour to be as dutiful
as possible. She is so very strenuous, and so tormenting in her
entreaties and commands, with regard to my reconciliation, with that
detestable Lord G. [2] that I suppose she has a penchant for his
Lordship; but I am confident that he does not return it, for he rather
dislikes her than otherwise, at least as far as I can judge. But she
has an excellent opinion of her personal attractions, sinks her age a
good six years, avers that when I was born she was only eighteen, when
you, my dear Sister, know as well as I know that she was of age when
she married my father, and that I was not born for three years
afterwards. But vanity is the weakness of _your sex_,--and these are
mere foibles that I have related to you, and, provided she never
molested me, I should look upon them as follies very excusable in a
woman.

But I am now coming to what must shock you, as much as it does me,
when she has occasion to lecture me (not very seldom you will think no
doubt) she does not do it in a manner that commands respect, and in an
impressive style. No! did she do that, I should amend my faults with
pleasure, and dread to offend a kind though just mother. But she flies
into a fit of phrenzy, upbraids me as if I was the most undutiful
wretch in existence, rakes up the ashes of my _father_, abuses him,
says I shall be a true Byrrone, which is the worst epithet she can
invent. Am I to call this woman mother? Because by nature's law she
has authority over me, am I to be trampled upon in this manner? am I
to be goaded with insult, loaded with obloquy, and suffer my feelings
to be outraged on the most trivial occasions? I owe her respect as a
Son, But I renounce her as a Friend. What an example does she shew me!
I hope in God I shall never follow it. I have not told you all, nor
can I; I respect you as a female, nor, although I ought to confide in
you as a Sister, will I shock you with the repetition of Scenes, which
you may judge of by the Sample I have given you, and which to all but
you are buried in oblivion. Would they were so in my mind! I am afraid
they never will. And can I, my dear Sister, look up to this mother,
with that respect, that affection I ought? Am I to be eternally
subjected to her caprice? I hope not--; indeed a few short years will
emancipate me from the Shackles I now wear, and then perhaps she will
govern her passion better than at present.

You mistake me, if you think I dislike Lord Carlisle; I respect him,
and might like him did I know him better. For him too my mother has an
antipathy, why I know not. I am afraid he could be but of little use
to me, in separating me from her, which she would oppose with all her
might; but I dare say he would assist me if he could, so I take the
will for the Deed, and am obliged to him in exactly the same manner as
if he succeeded in his efforts.

I am in great hopes, that at Christmas I shall be with Mr. Hanson
during the vacation, I shall do all I can to avoid a visit to my
mother wherever she is. It is the first duty of a parent, to impress
precepts of obedience in their children, but her method is so violent,
so capricious, that the patience of Job, the versatility of a member
of the House of Commons could not support it. I revere Dr. Drury much
more than I do her, yet he is never violent, never outrageous: I dread
offending him, not however through fear, but the respect I bear him
makes me unhappy when I am under his displeasure. My mother's
precepts, never convey instruction, never fix upon my mind; to be sure
they are calculated, to inculcate obedience, so are chains, and
tortures, but though they may restrain for a time, the mind revolts
from such treatment. Not that Mrs. Byron ever injures my _sacred_
person. I am rather too old for that, but her words are of that rough
texture, which offend more than personal ill usage. "A talkative woman
is like an Adder's tongue," so says one of the prophets, but which I
can't tell, and very likely you don't wish to know, but he was a true
one whoever he was.

The postage of your letters, My dear Augusta, don't fall upon me; but
if they did, it would make no difference, for I am Generally in cash,
and should think the trifle I paid for your epistles the best laid out
I ever spent in my life. Write Soon. Remember me to Lord Carlisle,
and, believe me, I ever am

Your affectionate Brother and Friend,

BYRONE.

[Footnote 1: In consequence of this letter, Augusta Byron wrote as
follows to Hanson, and Byron spent the Christmas holidays of 1804 with
his solicitor:--

"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 hitherto, 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 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.

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