“Since my last letter I have determined to reside another year at Granta, as my rooms, &c. &c. are finished
in great style, several old friends come up again, and many new acquaintances made;
consequently my inclination leads me forward, and I shall return to college in October,
if still alive. My life here has been one continued routine of
dissipation—out at different places every day, engaged to more dinners, &c. &c.
than
| A. D. 1807. | LIFE OF LORD BYRON. | 113 |
“I rejoice to hear you are interested in my protegé: he has been my almost constant associate since October, 1805, when I entered Trinity College. His voice first attracted my attention, his countenance fixed it, and his manners attached me to him for ever. He departs for a mercantile house in town in October, and we shall probably not meet till the expiration of my minority, when I shall leave to his decision either entering as a partner through my interest, or residing with me altogether. Of course he would in his present frame of mind prefer the latter, but he may alter his opinion previous to that period;—however, he shall have his choice. I certainly love him more than any human being, and neither time or distance have had the least effect on my (in general) changeable disposition. In short, we shall put Lady E. Butler and Miss Ponsonby to the blush, Pylades and Orestes out of countenance, and want nothing but a catastrophe like Nisus and Euryalus, to give Jonathan and David the ‘go by.’ He certainly is perhaps more attached to me than even I am in return. During the whole of my residence at Cambridge we met every day, summer and winter, without passing one tiresome moment, and separated each time with increasing reluctance. I hope you will one day see us together, he in the only being I esteem, though I like many*.
|
* It may be as well to mention hare the sequel of this enthusiastic attachment. In the year 1811 young Edleston died of a consumption, and the following letter, addressed by Lord Byron to the mother of his fair Southwell correspondent, will show with what melancholy faithfulness, among the many his heart had then to mourn for, he still dwelt on the memory of his young college friend.
“Cambridge, Oct 28th, 1811,
“DEAR MADAM,
“I am about to write to you on a silly subject, and yet I cannot well do otherwise. You may remember a cornelian, which some years ago I consigned to Miss * * * *, indeed gave to |
| 114 | NOTICES OF THE | A. D. 1807. |
“The Marquis of Tavistock was down the other day; I supped with him at his tutor’s—entirely a whig party. The opposition muster strong here now, and Lord Huntingdon, the Duke of Leinster, &c. &c. are to join us in October, so every thing will be splendid. The music is all over at present. Met with another ‘accidency’—upset a butter-boat in the lap of a lady—look’d very blue—spectators grinned—‘curse ’em!’ Apropos, sorry to say, been drunk every day, and not quite sober yet—however, touch no meat, nothing but fish, soup, and vegetables, consequently it does me no harm—sad dogs all the Cantabs. Mem.—we mean to reform next January. This place is a monotony of endless variety—like it—hate Southwell. Has Ridge sold well? or do the ancients demur? What ladies have bought? * * * * *
“Saw a girl at St. Mary’s the image of Anne * * *, thought it was her—all in the wrong—the lady stared, so did I—I blushed, so did not the lady—sad thing—wish women had more modesty. Talking of women. puts me in mind of my terrier Fanny—how is she? Got a headache, must go to bed, up early in the morning to travel. My protegé breakfasts with me; parting spoils my appetite—excepting from Southwell. Mem. I hate Southwell. Yours, &c.”
