262.--To Lord Holland.
Cheltenham, Oct. 14, 1812.
MY DEAR LORD,--I perceive that the papers, yea, even Perry"s [1], are somewhat ruffled at the injudicious preference of the Committee. My friend Perry has, indeed, "et tu, Brute"-d me rather scurvily, for which I will send him, for the "Morning Chronicle", the next epigram I scribble, as a token of my full forgiveness.
Do the Committee mean to enter into no explanation of their proceedings?
You must see there is a leaning towards a charge of partiality. You will, at least, acquit me of any great anxiety to push myself before so many elder and better anonymous, to whom the twenty guineas (which I take to be about two thousand pounds "Bank" currency) and the honour would have been equally welcome. "Honour," I see, "hath skill in paragraph-writing."
I wish to know how it went off at the second reading, and whether any one has had the grace to give it a glance of approbation. I have seen no paper but Perry"s and two Sunday ones. Perry is severe, and the others silent. If, however, you and your Committee are not now dissatisfied with your own judgments, I shall not much embarra.s.s myself about the brilliant remarks of the journals. My own opinion upon it is what it always was, perhaps pretty near that of the public.
Believe me, my dear Lord, etc., etc.
P.S.--My best respects to Lady H., whose smiles will be very consolatory, even at this distance.
[Footnote 1: James Perry (1756-1821) purchased, in 1789, the "Morning Chronicle", originally established by Woodfall in 1769. In Perry"s hands the paper became the leading organ of the Whigs. He was the first editor to introduce a succession of parliamentary reporters. He gathered round him a remarkable staff of contributors, including Ricardo, Sir James Mackintosh, Porson (who married his sister), Charles Lamb, Sheridan, Coleridge, Hazlitt, Lord Campbell, Moore, Campbell, Byron, and Burns.
The "Morning Chronicle" (October 12, 1812) says:
"Mr. Elliston then came forward and delivered the following "Prize"
Address. We cannot boast of the eloquence of the delivery. It was neither gracefully nor correctly recited. The merits of the production itself we submit to the criticism of our readers. We cannot suppose that it was selected as the most poetical composition of all the scores that were submitted to the Committee. But, perhaps by its tenor, by its allusions to the fire, to Garrick, to Siddons, and to Sheridan, it was thought most applicable to the occasion, notwithstanding its being in parts unmusical, and in general tame."
Again (October 14), in a notice of "Rejected Addresses", the "Morning Chronicle" returns to the subject:
"A wag has already published a small volume of "Addresses rejected", in which, with admirable wit, all the poets of the day are a.s.sembled, contesting for the Prize Address at Drury Lane. And certainly he has a.s.signed to the pen of Lord B. a superior "poem" to that which has gained the prize."
The Address was also severely handled in "A Critique on the Address written by Lord Byron, which was Spoken at the opening of the New Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, October" 10, 1812. By Lord--------(London, no date). The author is "astonished at the glaring faults and general insipidity" of the address, and, after a detailed criticism, concludes that "public indignation" will sympathize with the rejected poets, and "pursue the rival patrons and the rival bard."
Rogers, writing to Moore, October 22, 1812 ("Memoirs, etc., of Thomas Moore", vol. viii. p. 123), says,
"Poor Byron! what I hear and read of his prologue makes me very angry.
Of such value is public favour! So a man is to be tried by a copy of verses thrown off perhaps at hazard, and "invita Minerva!""]
263.--To John Hanson.
Cheltenham, Octr. 18th, 1812.
Dear Sir,--With perfect confidence in you I sign the note; but is not Claughton"s delay very strange? let us take care what we are about. I answered his letter, which I enclose to you, very _cautiously;_ the wines and China, etc., I will not demur much upon; but the _vase_ and cup (not the _skull cup_) and some little coffee things brought from the East, or made for the purpose of containing relics brought from thence, I will not part with, and if he refuses to ratify, I will take such steps as the Law will allow on the form of the contract for compelling him to ratify it.
Pray write. I am invited to Lord O."s and Lord H."s; but if you wish very much to meet me I can come to town.
I suppose the tythe purchase will be made in my name. What is to be done with Deardon? [1]
Mrs. M[a.s.singberd] [2] is dead, and I would wish something settled for the Daughter who is still responsible. Will you give a glance into that business, and if possible first settle something about the Annuities.
I shall perhaps draw within a 100 next week, but I will delay for your answer on C."s business.
Ever yours, sincerely and affectionately,
BYRON.
My love to all the family.
I wish to do something for young Rushton, if practicable at _Rochdale_; if not, think of some situation where he might occupy himself to avoid Idleness, in the mean time.
[Footnote 1: Deardon was the lessee of the Rochdale coal-pits.
"When Mr. France was here," writes Mrs. Byron to Hanson, July 13, 1811 (Kolbing"s "Englische Studien", vol. xxv. p. I53), "he told me there had been an injunction procured to prevent Deardin from working the Coal Pits that was in dispute between Lord Byron and him, but since France was here, there has been a Man from Lancashire who says they are worked by Deardin the same as ever. I also heard that the Person you sent down to take an account of the Coals was bribed by Deardin, and did not give an account of half of what was got."]
[Footnote 2: For Mrs. Ma.s.singberd, see "Letters", vol. i. p. 100, at end of "note" 3 [Footnote 1 of Letter 52]. Byron"s pecuniary transactions, though not unimportant in their influence on his career, are difficult to unravel. The following statement, in his own handwriting, with regard to the Annuities was apparently prepared for some legal proceedings, and is dated January 16, 1812:
"Lord Byron, to the best of his knowledge and recollection, in Dec., 1805--January, 1806 applied to King, in consequence of an advertis.e.m.e.nt in the papers, who acquainted Lord Byron that his minority prevented all money transactions without the security of competent persons. Through Mr. K. he became acquainted with Mr.
Dellevelly, another of the tribe of Israel, and subsequently with a Mr. Howard of Golden Square.
"After many delays, during which Lord B. had interviews with Howard, once, he thinks, in Golden Square, but more frequently in Piccadilly, Mrs. M[a.s.singberd] agreed to become security jointly with her daughter. Lord B. knows Howard"s person perfectly well, has not seen him subsequent to the transaction, but recollects Howard"s mentioning to him that he, Lord B., was acting imprudently, stating that he made it a rule to advise young men against such proceedings. Lord B.
recollects, on the day on which the money was paid, that he remained in the next room till the papers were signed, Mrs. M[a.s.singberd]
having stated that the parties wished him to be kept out of sight during the business, and wished to avoid even mentioning his name.
Mrs. M[a.s.singberd] deducted the interest for two years and a half, and 100 for Howard"s papers."
Two other Annuities were effected, in both of which Mrs. Ma.s.singberd figured as a security, and in one the manager of Dorant"s Hotel. It was the interest on these minority loans which crippled Byron. Two were still unpaid in 1817.]