I am much delighted by your Lordship’s kind letter of the 16th of August, which allows me to hope that your rage against me [because of mistakes of the printer] has abated. The same post brings me a letter from Town, in answer to my constant inquiries after the bust: “The busts of Lord B. are arrived; the ship is now under quarantine; I enclose an order for their delivery for you to sign;” so that I expect to find them on my return. It is curious that, after waiting for this bust for years, it should at length arrive in the same week with one of Sir Walter Scott* (a very fine cast), which Chantrey has obligingly presented to me.
Don’t be offended with Holmes;† you were of great essential service in putting him in the way to make a livelihood; but it is very long before, in his profession, he can gain one. If you wanted me to come out to you it would be very different. Neither be afraid of our Funds‡ breaking. When they go, there will be so many on the highway that a noble freebooter will have a bad chance. I bet sixpence they will last our time. I will send your thanks to James Smith,§ who will be much pleased.
Many persons besides you have at first supposed that I was the person of the same name connected with the Constitutional Association, but without consideration; for on what occasion have I identified myself with a party? My connexions are, I believe, even more numerous amongst the Whigs than the Tories. Indeed the Whigs have nearly driven away the Tories from my house; and Jeffrey said, “If you wish to meet the most respectable of the Whigs, you must be introduced to Mr. Murray’s room.”
You hint that I am a little ungrateful to you, I think;
* Scott had been made a baronet in April, 1820. |
† The miniature-painter who had been summoned to Venice by Byron. |
‡ About this time Lord Byron was—or constantly professed himself to be—in great anxiety concerning the Public Funds, in which some of the proceeds of the sale of Newstead were invested. |
§ Joint author of the ‘Rejected Addresses.’ |
| BYRON’S DRAMAS. | 425 |
I forgot in my former letter to notice a hint in yours respecting an additional sum to Mr. Moore. The purchase which I have made of the ‘Memoirs’ is perfectly con amore. As a matter of mere business, if I placed the £2000 in the funds (supposing they did not break), in fourteen years (the least annuity value of the author’s life) it would become £4000. Moore should not show the ‘Memoirs’ to any one now, I think.
Gifford always mentions you with unabated regard, as do Scott, Rose, and many more. Heber (Richard) has succeeded in his long desired election for Oxford. The Jerseys have gone abroad to resuscitate. I have sent the ‘Blue Stockings’* to amuse Mr. G., and it shall be forwarded in proof on my return. If you had the local knowledge it would become an excellent work. Accept my very kindest compliments, and be assured that I always am, dearest Lord Byron,
