LORD  BYRON  and  his  TIMES
Byron
Documents Biography Criticism
Fifty Years’ Recollections, Literary and Personal
INTRODUCTION & INDEXES
DOCUMENT INFORMATION
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Preface
Vol. I Contents
Chapter I.
Chapter II.
Chapter III.
Chapter IV.
Chapter V.
Chapter VI.
Chapter VII.
Chapter VIII.
Chapter IX.
Chapter X.
Vol. II Contents
Chapter I.
Chapter II.
Chapter III.
Chapter IV.
Chapter V.
Chapter VI.
Chapter VII.
Chapter VIII.
Vol. III Contents
Chapter I.
Chapter II.
Chapter III.
Chapter IV.
Chapter V.
Chapter VI.
Chapter VII.
Chapter VIII.
Chapter IX.
Chapter X.
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“Dear Sir,

“What may be the result of the unhappy rencontre which is to take place in the morning between Mr. Barton and myself, cannot of course be predicted by me. In the supposition that it will be fatal, I bid you farewell, in the only language that is now left to me, I am perfectly indifferent as to myself, but I trust most earnestly that Mr. Barton (toward whom I have not the faintest enmity of any kind) may escape. I admit that I am in the wrong—that by giving him a blow, I have forced him into the position of a challenger; and that by not doing what he has, he would have blasted his character as a gentleman for ever. In common justice I am bound thus to absolve him from all suspicion of unbecoming conduct respecting the challenge. The provocation, though slight, was still a provocation, which I could not overlook. It is out of the question for me to explain, retract, or apologize. I will not hear of any settlement short of some abject and craven submission from him. Mr. Barton is a talking man, who dwells very complacently on his own skill as a marksman; on his experience as a duellist, and on his accuracy as a person of ton. I pretend to none of those things, and therefore must oppose the most inflexible obstinacy.
238FIFTY YEARS’ RECOLLECTIONS,  
After he is perfectly satisfied, I may, perhaps, apologize—that is, in case I am fatally wounded. It is needless for me to say, I heartily detest and despise this absurd mode of settling disputes, and salving wounds of honour. But what can a poor devil do, except bow to the supremacy of custom?

“God bless you.
“W. G. Graham.”