Letters and Journals of Lord Byron
Lord Byron to Mrs. Byron, 7 October 1808
“Newstead Abbey, Notts, October 7th, 1808.
“DEAR MADAM,
“I have no beds for the H * * s, or any body else at present. The H * *
s sleep at Mansfield. I do not know that I resemble Jean Jacques
* Thus addressed always by Lord Byron, but without any right to
the distinction. |
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| A. D. 1808. | LIFE OF LORD BYRON. | 151 |
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Rousseau. I have no ambition to be like so
illustrious a madman—but this I know, that I shall live in my own manner, and as much
alone as possible. When my rooms are ready I shall be glad to see you; at present it
would be improper, and uncomfortable to both parties. You can hardly object to my
rendering my mansion habitable, notwithstanding my departure for Persia in March (or May
at farthest), since you will be tenant
till my return; and in case of any accident (for I have already arranged my will to be
drawn up the moment I am twenty-one), I have taken care you shall
have the house and manor for life, besides a sufficient income.
So you see my improvements are not entirely selfish. As I have a friend here, we will go
to the Infirmary Ball on the 12th; we will drink tea with Mrs.
Byron at eight o’clock, and expect to see you at the ball. If that
lady will allow us a couple rooms to dress in, we shall be highly obliged:—if we are at
the ball by ten or eleven it will be time enough, and we shall return to Newstead about
three or four.
“Adieu. Believe me,
“Yours very truly,
“Byron.”
John Hanson (1755-1841)
Byron's solicitor and business agent.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)
Swiss-born man of letters; author of, among others,
Julie ou la
Nouvelle Heloïse (1761),
Émile (1762) and
Les Confessions (1782).
