No doubt the family vault is the most proper place for the
remains of Lord Byron. It is to be wished,
however, that nothing had been said publicly about Westminster Abbey before it
was known whether the remains could be received there. In the newspapers,
unfortunately, it has been proclaimed by somebody that the Abbey was to be the
spot, and, on the appearance of this article, I have been questioned as to the
truth of it from Oxford. My answer has been that the proposal has been made,
but civilly declined. I had also informed the members of the church at
Westminster (after your first letter) that I could not grant the favour asked.
I cannot, therefore, answer now that the case will not be mentioned (as it has
happened) by some person or other who knows it. The best thing to be done,
however, by the executors and relatives, is to carry away the body, and say as
little about it as possible. Unless
| BYRON’S FUNERAL. | 437 |
