| 94 | MEMOIR OF REV. F. HODGSON |
Early in 1808 Hodgson commenced his residence at Cambridge as a fellow and tutor of King’s College. This residence continued until his marriage in 1814, and, during this period, besides his duties and studies at the university itself, he went each year to Rugby as classical examiner, passed many of his vacations in London, and was continually engaged in literary pursuits; constantly contributing to the ‘Critical’ and ‘Monthly’ Reviews, of which last periodical he was for some time an editor, and publishing several volumes of poetry.
| LONSDALE. BYRON. | 95 |
It was at this time that two young men of remarkable talent were added to the number of his intimate friends, to each of whom Hodgson felt himself to be placed more or less in the position of Mentor. One of them was John Lonsdale, afterwards a rival candidate for the provostship of Eton, and Bishop of Lichfield. The other was that brilliant, wayward young poet who was destined to add undying lustre to the literature of his country, and to achieve for himself an endless fame.
The intimacy with Lord Byron, now firmly
cemented, had doubtless been formed previously during Hodgson’s visits to London and Cambridge and to the
Drurys at Harrow. The tone of the first remaining letters denotes
a degree of friendship which must evidently have existed for some time before they were
written. But it is equally evident that the two could not have been much thrown together
without becoming intimate. There were many points of resemblance in their characters, and
enough of difference to produce harmony. An early familiarity with and earnest admiration
for the inspired writings of the Bible, and especially of the Psalms, a love of history, of
philosophy and, above all, of poetry, were common to both, and were enough in themselves to
provide endless subjects of mutual interest for discus-
| 96 | MEMOIR OF REV. F. HODGSON. |
In March 1808 Byron came to Cambridge for
the purpose of availing himself of his privilege as a nobleman and taking his M.A. degree,
although he had only matriculated in 1805. From this time, until early in 1816, the friends
constantly met, and, when absent, as constantly corresponded. On this occasion of meeting
there was one especial circumstance which doubtless greatly contributed to mutual sympathy.
Both had been recently subjected to the fiery ordeal of criticism in the ‘Edinburgh Review.’ Hodgson, as we have seen, had already answered his critics
in a satire of no ordinary spirit and
power. Byron’s still more caustic and comprehensive reply was
now in process of concoction. Much must have passed
| ADMIRATION OF DRYDEN AND POPE. | 97 |
Their early tastes in poetry were, moreover, much alike. Both were zealous disciples of Dryden, both entertained the deepest reverence for the genius of Pope. Hodgson’s allegiance to the muse of Dryden was founded upon admiration for the intensity of its power and vigour, while Byron’s veneration for Pope’s style amounted almost to idolatry, and he strove to emulate with slavish exactness that correctness of form which distinguished the ‘Bard of the Thames.’ But in spite of what he conceived to be his better judgment, his native force and genius quickly carried him beyond the limits thus assigned, and, although in theory he ever remained loyal to his early faith, in practice he was more revolutionary than most of his predecessors and contemporaries, and soon created a style which was essentially his own.
Some fragmentary opinions which Byron jotted down as they occurred to him at this time, although wholly without method or connection, may be found interesting if inserted here.
In Ruffhead’s ‘Life of Pope,’ a book bearing the
autograph inscription ‘Byron—Cambridge, A.D., 1808,’
| 98 | MEMOIR OF REV. F. HODGSON. |
Of Pope’s pithy conciseness of style Swift—no diffuse writer himself—has so emphatically said—
For Pope can in one couplet fix More sense than I can do in six. |
Imitators of Horace and Juvenal were Boileau and Pope—of one as well as of the other of whom it may be said—
Meme en imitant toujours original. |
At the commencement of the biography Pope’s personal characteristics are summarily disposed of by a short quotation scrawled in the margin.
Mr. Rawlinson of Sarsden House was a friend and correspondent of Pope. Mr. R. said that Pope was a troublesome friend and an implacable enemy—who sometimes forgot favours, but never forgave injuries.
Again, as a foot-note to the preface, and à
propos
| BYRON S NOTES ON POPE. | 99 |
Pope’s Nymph of the Grot bears so striking a resemblance to the delicacy of thought expressed in the following lines that one is almost tempted to suspect him of plagiarism.
Ad imaginem Nymphæ dormientis. Hujus nympha loci, sacri custodia fontis, Dormio—dum blandæ sentio murmur aquas; Parce meum, quisquis tangis cava marmora, Somnum Rumpere, sive bibas sive lavere, tace. |
This was formerly in the Villa Julia at Rome, and is copied from the ‘Variorum in Europâ itinerum deliciæ,’ edit. secund., 1599, by Nathan Chytiæus; the book is very scarce.
On Mr. Ruffhead’s favourable criticisms of the ‘Rape of the Lock’ Byron succinctly remarks:—
In the ‘Rape of the
Lock’ Pope was indebted for his
idea of the machinery to the ‘Comte
de Gabalis’ of the Abbé
Villars, and for the account of their various employments to Shakspeare’s ‘Tempest,’ and ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ The
description of the ‘game of ombre’ is imitated from the ‘Scacchia’ of Victor. In other parts of the poem he has
| 100 | MEMOIR OF REV. F. HODGSON. |
Le lachrime, e i sospiri de gli amanti, &c. &c.
Orlando
Furioso, canto 34. |
Further on in the biography Mr. Ruffhead writes:—
Our author having, by his translation of Homer and other works, placed himself in circumstances of affluence, he was now at liberty to follow the true bent of his genius. The independence of his fortune did not make him negligent of his fame, nor unmindful in the duty which he owed to society, in the application of those talents which nature had so bountifully bestowed upon him. His natural benevolence suggested to him that he could not better serve the interest of society, than, as himself expresses it, by writing a book to bring mankind to look upon this life with comfort and pleasure, and put morality in good humour.
In this passage Byron underlines the word
mankind, and writes in the margin, ‘A malignant race
| BYRON’S RELIGIOUS PREPOSSESSIONS | 101 |
But there was another subject of discussion which was still more interesting
to the friends, and which excited greater differences of opinion. Byron’s acquaintance with Charles Skinner
Matthews, a young man of consummate ability and of brilliant promise, whose
sentiments on religious subjects were avowedly sceptical, had, in the previous year,
ripened into intimacy, and had, doubtless, assisted considerably in confirming those doubts
and difficulties respecting revealed religion which Byron entertained,
and of which the seeds had been sown in early boyhood by the rigid doctrines of Calvinism.
These doctrines had been instilled into his infant mind with uncompromising firmness, and
as soon as his reasoning powers had full scope for their future development they revolted
from the tyranny under which they had previously been held in check, and rejected as
illogical so narrow-minded and bigoted a system. That the reaction had set in some years
before is proved by the religious poems contained in the boyish
| 102 | MEMOIR OF REV. F. HODGSON. |
Hodgson, as we have seen, had recently renewed his
interest in the study of metaphysics; but so sound had been the religious training of his
youth, so deep and sincere was his natural piety, that he was neither at this time nor at
any other period of his life in any danger of making shipwreck of the faith. Not that his
eyes were ever closed to the manifold difficulties which beset the most perfect creed of an
imperfect race. But being fully persuaded in his own mind of the validity of the main and
vital truths of revealed
| HODGSON’S FRIENDLY COUNSEL. | 103 |
How different might have been the short sad story of Byron’s life if only the wise and affectionate counsel of his friend had received the attention and consideration which it deserved! That it had more weight than its recipient cared to admit is proved by the tone of some letters on religion which were written in 1811 in answer to Hodgson’s arguments in conversation and correspondence. Underneath the reckless statements which these letters contain there runs a current of deep religious conviction, and belief in the goodness and mercy of God, which at several subsequent periods came to the surface in acts of really Christian forbearance and charity, and which, towards the end of his life, found a vent in constant perusal of the Scriptures and, at the last, in submissive acquiescence in the Divine Will.
That Byron was his own worst enemy has
often been noticed by his biographers. His extraordinary love of a bad reputation, of
exhibiting himself in the
| 104 | MEMOIR OF REV. F. HODGSON. |
In the autumn of 1808, Byron having partially repaired Newstead, was anxious to assemble his friends around him with as little delay as possible. With this intent he wrote many pressing invitations to Hodgson, which do not appear to have been accepted until some months later. In the meantime several letters passed between them, the first which remains from Byron being dated Newstead Abbey, Nov. 3, 1808.
| LETTER FROM BYRON. | 105 |
My dear Hodgson,—I expected to have
heard ere this the event of your interview with the mysterious Mr.
Hayne, my volunteer correspondent; however, as I had no business
to trouble you with the adjustment of my concerns with that illustrious
stranger, I have no right to complain of your silence. Hobhouse and your humble are still here.
Hobhouse hunts, &c., and I do nothing. We dined
the other day with a neighbouring esquire (not Collet of
Staines), and regretted your absence, as the banquet of
Staines was scarcely to be compared to our last
‘feast of Reason.’ You know laughing is the sign of a rational
animal, so says Dr. Smollett; I think so
too, but unluckily my spirits don’t always keep pace with my opinions. I
had not so much scope for risibility the other day as I could have wished, for
I was seated near a woman, to whom, when a boy, I was as much attached as boys
generally are, and more than a man should be. I knew this before I went, and
was determined to be valiant, and converse with sang froid, but, instead, I forgot my valour and my
nonchalance, and never opened my lips even to laugh, far less to speak, and the
lady was almost as absurd as myself, which made both the objects of more
observation than if we had conducted our-
| 106 | MEMOIR OF REV. F. HODGSON. |
I have tried for Gifford’s Epistle to Pindar, and the bookseller says the copies were cut up for waste paper: if you can procure me a copy I shall be much obliged. Adieu!
It was about the middle of this month that the faithful favourite ‘Boatswain’ died, a dog whose name is almost as famous as his master’s. This sad event was at once announced to Hodgson in a characteristically tragic letter, of which Moore quotes the most important sentence.
Boatswain is dead! he expired in a state of madness on the 18th, after suffering much, yet retaining all the gentleness of his nature to the last, never attempting to do the least injury to anyone near him. I have now lost everything except old Murray.
The next letter begins in the same melancholy strain.
| INVITATION TO NEWSTEAD. | 107 |
My dear Sir,—Boatswain is to be buried in a vault waiting for myself. I have also written an epitaph, which I would send, were it not for two reasons: one is, that it is too long for a letter; and the other, that I hope you will some day read it on the spot where it will be engraved.
You discomfit me with the intelligence of the real orthodoxy of the ‘Arch-fiend’s’ name, but alas! it must stand with me at present; if ever I have an opportunity of correcting, I shall liken him to Geoffrey of Monmouth, a noted liar in his way, and perhaps a more correct prototype than the Carnifex of James II.
I do not think the composition of your poem ‘a sufficing reason’ for not keeping your promise of a Christmas visit. Why not come? I will never disturb you in your moments of inspiration; and if you wish to collect any materials for the scenery, Hardwicke (where Mary was confined for several years) is not eight miles distant, and, independent of the interest you must take in it as her vindicator,1 is a most beautiful and venerable object of curiosity. I shall take it very ill if you do not come;
1 Hodgson was writing a poem at this time on Mary Queen of Scots. |
| 108 | MEMOIR OF REV. F. HODGSON. |
I have heard from our Drury; he says little of the Row, which I regret: indeed I would have sacrificed much to have contributed in any way (as a schoolboy) to its consummation; but Butler survives, and thirteen boys have been expelled in vain. Davies is not here, but Hobhouse hunts as usual, and your humble servant ‘drags at each remove a lengthened chain.’ I have heard from his Grace of Portland on the subject of my expedition: he talks of difficulties; by the gods! if he throws any in my way I will next session ring such a peal in his ears,
That he shall wish the fiery Dane Had rather been his guest again. |
You do not tell me if Gifford is really my commentator: it is too good to be true, for I know nothing would gratify my vanity so much as the reality; even the idea is too precious to part with.
I still expect you here; let me have no more excuses.
Hobhouse desires his best
remembrance. We are now lingering over our evening potations. BYRON’S LAMENESS. 109
Moore gives extracts from other letters written about the same time as the preceding. In one of his answers Hodgson had remarked, jestingly, that some of the verses in ‘Hours of Idleness’ were calculated to make schoolboys rebellious. This suggested a comparison with Tyrtæus, and an allusion to that lameness of which the sensitive poet so often spoke with a sort of good-humoured sarcasm.
If my songs have produced the glorious effects you mention, I shall be a complete Tyrtæus; though I am sorry to say that I resemble that interesting harper more in his person than in his poesy.
Hodgson remembered an occasion, also mentioned by
Moore, when, in a large and mixed company, a
vulgar person asked Byron aloud, ‘Pray, my Lord,
| 110 | MEMOIR OF REV. F. HODGSON. |
The next letter is written in so light and playful a strain, and is such a remarkable contrast to the melancholy style of those which precede it, that the fragmentary form in which it appears in Moore’s Life can only be accounted for by supposing that some of its allusions were considered likely to wound living sensibilities. However this may have been, there can be no possible reason for suppressing any of it, after the lapse of nearly seventy years.
My dear Hodgson,—I have just received your letter, and one from B. Drury, which I would send, were it not too bulky to despatch within a sheet of paper; but I must impart the contents and consign the answer to your care. In the first place, I cannot address the answer to him, because the epistle is without date or direction; and in the next, the contents are so singular that I can scarce believe my optics, ‘which are made the fools of the other senses, or else worth all the rest.’
A few weeks ago, I wrote to our friend Harry Drury of facetious memory, to request he
would LETTER FROM BYRON. 111
| 112 | MEMOIR OF REV. F. HODGSON. |
To you, my dear Hodgson, I have not much to say. If you can make it convenient or pleasant to trust yourself here, be assured it will be both to me.
Before this year (1808) came to an end Hodgson went to Newstead; but there is no record of this first visit, except a copy, which he took at the time when they were composed, of the celebrated lines inscribed by Byron on the cup formed from a skull, together with a rough sketch of the cup itself.
Early in the following year we find Hodgson in correspondence with Gifford on literary subjects, and actively engaged in writing for Reviews. On April 25, 1809, Gifford writes from James Street:—
My dear Sir,—Business and illness have conspired to prevent me from noticing your obliging note before. I have just been with Murray, and discovered that your conjecture is well founded. I therefore, with great pleasure, entrust the ‘Four Slaves’1 to your
1 The ‘Four Slaves of Cythera,’ by the Rev. Robert Bland, editor of the celebrated ‘Anthology,’ and author of ‘Edwy and Elgiva,’ and other poems. |
| GIFFORD ON BLAND. | 113 |
The translation of
Hesiod, if you have leisure and inclination, is very much at your
service. I have just looked into it. The poetry, I suppose, is well enough for
the subject, which is neither very amusing nor very interesting. The notes are
stuffed out with corrections of Cooke;
about as wise a process, as if we had employed ourselves in the correction of
Rhodes. There is also a vast deal taken from Jacob Bryant’s ‘Mythology,’ which, I thought, no
one at present ever looked at without
| 114 | MEMOIR OF REV. F. HODGSON. |
P.S. You are right. I have no northern coadjutor but Scott;2 at least, at present.
My dear Sir,—I have been so busy in forwarding our 2nd No.3 that I have not been able to look to the right hand or the left. It is now out, and I am running away for a short time to the seaside to refresh my eyes and do nothing. I do not wonder that some objectionable passages are found in the first No. I see too many myself, but the allusion to the holy-water of the Mexican converts is an historical fact. But, in truth, there is vast room for
1 Dean Ireland. 2 Sir Walter. 3 The allusions to a Review in these two letters refer to the Quarterly, which had only just come into existence under Gifford’s auspices, and to the early numbers of which Hodgson contributed. |
| GIFFORD ON CRITICISM. | 115 |
Lord Byron’s poem1 sales well I understand. I have an angry review of it, which I shall not use; for though it is well written, it is manifestly unjust. Unless works can be made to amuse or instruct the reader, it is loss of time to dwell long on them or
1 ‘English Bards.’ |
| 116 | MEMOIR OF REV. F. HODGSON. |
If success be a proof of merit (which it certainly is not) we might be vain; for our second number is nearly out of print in the first three days. Yet we must look forward to something better.
P.S. I leave town this morning for Ryde, in the Isle of Wight, where I shall remain for about six weeks, and where, as well as in every other place, I shall be glad to hear from you.
In the autumn of this year (1809) the public oratorship at Cambridge fell vacant, and Hodgson unsuccessfully contested it. His residence at Cambridge had hardly been long enough to entitle him to success, and Mr. Tatham, of St. John’s, the successful candidate, had anticipated him in obtaining the votes of the most influential members of the Senate. Nevertheless, that Hodgson’s claims were fully recognised
1 John Hodgson. Esq., a barrister at Lincoln’s Inn. |
| PUBLIC ORATORSHIP. DR. GOODALL. | 117 |
After this disappointment Hodgson again turned his thoughts to private tuition as an employment for his vacations. The following letter from Dr. Goodall, then head-master of Eton, is in answer to an application on this subject, and is written with the easy elegance which characterised that most dilettante of Dominies, who probably had slight suspicion that the young man whom he now addressed with such condescending kindliness, was destined to be his next successor in that provostship of Eton to which he himself was shortly to succeed.
My dear Sir,—While half a hundred unwilling poets are
labouring with all their might to draw off the
| 118 | MEMOIR OF REV. F. HODGSON. |
Many thanks for your kind greetings. My Brethren must fully share with me whatever praise accrues from the present order of things at Eton. Believe me to be with the truest regard,
Considering the state of stagnation then prevailing at Eton Dr. Goodall’s compliment to his colleagues must be regarded as of doubtful value.
|
1 This, of course, refers to the public oratorship. |
| POLITICAL ALLUSIONS. BONAPARTE. | 119 |
Among Hodgson’s letters relating to this period there is one addressed to his father by an old friend, dated December 29, 1809, part of which is not without interest as throwing the light of contemporary opinion upon the state of public feeling on the war and its great instigator Bonaparte:—
I hope that this mild winter has been propitious to your health, as well
as Mrs. Hodgson’s. In this part of the
world we have hitherto had nothing that deserves the name of winter. I wish I could say
that the political season was as mild as the natural; this, however, is by no means the
case; the political almanack makers prognosticate great changes: I fear that some of
the Cabinet will fall victims to the Walcheren typhus; but I am
not yet convinced that it will kill the whole Cabinet: I presume there must be an
inquiry, and perhaps the result of it may prove that our commanders adopted the most
prudent, though not the most glorious, line of conduct. All sorts of changes are of
course rumoured, but my opinion is that the Government will meet the question fairly.
There is one difficulty, however (I think the principal one), which will unavoidably
embarrass any administration, even a new one: the war has spun out
into great length, and the expenses of it bear heavily on most 120 MEMOIR OF REV. F. HODGSON.
people. I had flattered myself that somehow or other matters would have
jumbled into something like peace, but in this expectation I have indeed been
disappointed. Bonaparte seems, however, disposed
to enter on a more peaceable career, and, after having so long been the universal
destroyer of mankind, to endeavour to make amends for the ravages of his sword by a
life of matrimonial usefulness. Of course he is to do great things in thirty years, but
I sincerely trust that, at any rate, he may be disappointed in his wishes to preserve
the crown of France to the Corsican Dynasty, and that if he ever should have a son, it
may be taken from him as he took away the unfortunate Duke
d’Enghien. The sister of the Emperor of Russia, who has already
refused him twice, is again the object of his choice.
In May of this year Byron invited his most
intimate friends to Newstead for a last visit before his departure from England, of which
visit Charles Skinner Matthews has given a graphic
account; and in June he addressed a farewell letter to Hodgson from Falmouth with a spirited copy of verses quoted by Moore, some of which, however, might have been well
omitted, as the vivacity and verve with which they are written hardly compensate for their
coarse-
| BYRON’S LOVE OF MISCHIEF. | 121 |
For the two years of Byron’s first absence from England he corresponded constantly with Hodgson; and some of this correspondence, hitherto unpublished, but full of interest, will be found in the following pages.
At the beginning of the present chapter reference was made to John Lonsdale, as being a contemporary
| 122 | MEMOIR OF REV. F. HODGSON. |
|
Multa fides Plectri Sociis, et cara Sorori
Multa Venus.
Let warlike chiefs with envious eye
Behold a brother’s fame;
Let close-leagued statesmen fairly vie
To win the noblest name.
But, Lonsdale! let not
gentler minds
Renounce their native pride,
That chain of love which firmly binds
Our rival to our side.
Oh, thou hast loved the high-soul’d youth,
Whose song transcended thine,
Nor heaved one sigh, to wrong the Truth
That praised his glowing line.
Thy heart has beat, when friends around
Rehearsed his rapturous lays,
True echoes to the noble sound
That spoke thy rival’s praise.
Thus oft on David’s heav’nly lyre
Hung Saul’s enchanted son;
Thus kindled, as the thrilling wire
Their tuneful contest won.
|
| FRIENDSHIP OF RIVALS. | 123 |
|
Thus oft in Ovid’s
wondering ear
Propertius’ music flow’d;
Thus o’er Tibullus’
youthful bier
Their mutual pity glow’d.
Thus, different far in mind,
Far humbler bards, in heart the same,
Still love the tuneful kind.
The Muse with a magnetic force
Attracts her genuine sons,
And each upon his crowded course
With blameless ardour runs.
I dream not of the vulgar crew
Who damn’d to deathless fame,
Their native dirt on Dryden
threw,
Or envied Pope his name.
Dumb scorn be theirs! The faintest ray
That Virtue darts within
Drives Envy’s gathering clouds away,
And banishes the sin.
How to his Gray’s
exalted height
Did conscious Mason bend,
And, buried in that blaze of light,
Still feel the bard his friend.
Yes, Lonsdale, yes, the friendly glow
Is sweeter far than fame;
Not only tuneful breasts below
That generous feeling claim:
Oft have I seen the beauteous maid
Admire a sister’s grace,
And mark well-pleased the homage paid
To her triumphant face.
|
| 124 | MEMOIR OF REV. F. HODGSON. |
|
And thus, methought, in realms above
Rejoicing saints may see
Some tribute of angelic love
To brighter purity.
Such thoughts be thine, my manly friend!
Reject unworthy fear:
Some generous rival shall attend,
And urge thy own career.
But haste to Life! no glorious scope
Can in these walls be found; *
The grave of disappointed Hope
Ambition’s early bound.
Here Indolence with baneful frost
Shall nip the vernal bloom;
Here Shame shall mourn o’er glory lost,
And Vice await its doom.
Haste, haste to Life! Thy heart be zeal,
Discretion be thy tongue;
Grow old in honour quick, but feel
In friendship ever young.
|
Dear Lonsdale,—The jolting of the Bury coach must palliate the roughness of the above. Think of what I say. But do not only think—act! act!
Dum res, et astas, et Sororum Fila trium patiuntur atra. |
If I am not at home (but I intend to be so at present) by 9 o’clock to-morrow night, say there will be no lectures on Tuesday.
|
1 King’s College. |
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