Letters and Journals of Lord Byron
Lord Byron to Elizabeth Bridget Pigot, 2 August 1807
“London begins to disgorge its contents—town is
empty—consequently I can scribble at leisure, as occupations are less numerous. In a
fortnight I shall depart to fulfil a country engagement; but expect epistles from you
previous to that period. Ridge does not proceed
rapidly in Notts—very possible. In town things wear a more promising aspect, and a man
whose works are praised by reviewers, admired by duchesses, and sold by every bookseller of the metropolis, does
not dedicate much consideration to rustic readers. I have now a
review before me, entitled
* In the Collection of his Poems printed for private circulation, he had
inserted some severe verges on Doctor
Butler, which he omitted in the subsequent publication,—at the same
time explaining why he did so in a note little less severe than the verses. |
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| A. D. 1807. | LIFE OF LORD BYRON. | 117 |
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‘Literary
Recreations,’ where my bardship is applauded far
beyond my deserts. I know nothing of the critic, but think him a very discerning
gentleman, and myself a devilish clever
fellow. His critique pleases me particularly, because it is of great length, and a
proper quantum of censure is administered, just to give an agreeable relish to the praise. You know I hate insipid, unqualified, common-place
compliment. If you would wish to see it, order the 13th Number of ‘Literary Recreations’ for the last month. I assure you I
have not the most distant idea of the writer of the article—it is printed in a
periodical publication—and though I have written a paper (a review of Wordsworth*), which appears in the same work, I am
ignorant of every other person concerned in it—even the editor, whose name I have not
heard. My cousin, Lord Alexander Gordon, who
resided in the same hotel, told me his mother, her Grace of
Gordon, requested he would introduce my Poetical
Lordship to her Highness, as she had bought my volume, admired it
exceedingly in common with the rest of the fashionable world, and wished to claim her
relationship with the author. I was unluckily engaged on an excursion for some days
afterwards, and as the duchess was on the eve of departing for Scotland, I have
postponed my introduction till the winter, when I shall favour the lady, whose taste I shall not dispute, with my most sublime and edifying
conversation. She is now in the Highlands, and Alexander took his
departure a few days ago, for the same blessed seat of ‘dark rolling winds.’
“Crosby, my London
publisher, has disposed of his second importation, and has sent to Ridge for a third—at least so he
says. In every bookseller’s window I see my own name and
say nothing, but enjoy my
* This first attempt of Lord Byron at
reviewing (for it will be seen that he, once or twice afterwards, tried his hand
at this least poetical of employments) is remarkable only as showing how plausibly
he could assume the established tone and phraseology of these minor judgment-seats
of criticism. For instance:—“The volumes before us are by the Author of Lyrical Ballads, a collection
which has not undeservedly met with a considerable share of public applause.
The characteristics of Mr.
Wordsworth’s muse are simple and flowing, though
occasionally inharmonious, verse,—strong and sometimes irresistible appeals to
the feelings, with unexceptionable sentiments. Though the present work may not
equal his former efforts, many of the poems possess a native
elegance,” &c. &c. &c. If Mr.
Wordsworth ever chanced to cast his eye over this article, how
little could he have suspected that under that dull prosaic mask lurked one who,
in five short years from thence, would rival even him in
poetry. |
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| 118 | NOTICES OF THE | A. D. 1807. |
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fame in secret. My last reviewer kindly requests me to
alter my determination of writing no more, and ‘a Friend to the Cause of
Literature’ begs I will gratify the public with some new
work ‘at no very distant period.’ Who would not be a bard?—that is to say,
if all critics would be so polite. However, the others will pay me off, I doubt not, for
this gentle encouragement. If so, have at ’em! By the by, I have written at my
intervals of leisure, after in the morning, 380 lines in blank verse, of Bosworth Field.
I have luckily got Hutton’s
account. I shall extend the Poem to
8 or 10 books, and shall have finished it in a year. Whether it will be published or not
must depend on circumstances. So much for egotism! My laurels have turned my brain, but the cooling
acids of forthcoming criticisms will probably restore me to modesty.
“Southwell is a damned place—I have done with it—at least in
all probability: excepting yourself, I esteem no one within its precincts. You were my
only rational companion; and in plain truth, I had more respect
for you than the whole bevy, with whose foibles I amused myself
in compliance with their prevailing propensities. You gave yourself more trouble with me
and my manuscripts than a thousand dolls would have done. Believe
me, I have not forgotten your good-nature in this circle of sin,
and one day I trust I shall be able to evince my gratitude. Adieu, yours, &c.
“P.S. Remember me to Dr.
P.”
George Butler (1774-1853)
Educated at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, he succeeded Joseph Drury as headmaster at
Harrow after a contentious election (1805) and was dean of Peterborough (1842-1853).
Ben Crosby (d. 1815)
London bookseller and publisher of
Monthly Literary Recreations;
he was the London agent for John Ridge who published Byron's
Fugitive
Pieces in Newark. He was paralysed in 1814; the following year was succeeded by
Baldwin, Cradock & Joy.
Lord Alexander Gordon (1785-1808)
The son of the fourth duke of Gordon; he served in the army and died unmarried.
Jane Gordon, duchess of Gordon [née Maxwell] (1748-1812)
One of London's most prominent hostesses; in 1767 she married Alexander Gordon, fourth
duke of Gordon. She was active in Tory politics and married three of her daughters to
dukes.
William Hutton (1723-1815)
Derby-born autodidact, antiquary, historian, poet, nonagenarian, and friend of Joseph
Priestly.
Bridget Elizabeth Pigot (1783-1866)
Byron's early friend who lived with her mother and brothers at Southwell Green where
Byron visited his mother at Burgage Manor.
John M. B. Pigot (1785 c.-1871)
Byron's early correspondent who lived with his sister Elizabeth at Southwell Green before
pursuing medical studies in Edinburgh.
John Ridge (1828 fl.)
Byron's original printer, at Newark near Newstead Abbey in Nottinghamshire; trade records
indicate that he worked as a bookseller, stationer, and printer from 1788 to 1828. He
married a Miss Hilton, 18 July 1805.
William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
With Coleridge, author of
Lyrical Ballads (1798), Wordsworth
survived his early unpopularity to succeed Robert Southey as poet laureate in 1843.
