On February 8th, we were actively employed through the whole day in landing the stores, and making arrangements for our future operations. A drag-cart was constructed out of two Turkish lumber-carriages, but we were obliged to use the drag-ropes of the three pounders, brought out from England, as we could not find an inch of rope for this purpose; nor could carts, or any

OUR FIRST LABOURS IN GREECE.

23

other instrument or material we required, be procured in the town. Colonel Stanhope and others held a meeting, and took an account of the stores I had brought out. Some discussion also took place, as to the manner of appropriating them for the expedition which was then preparing against Lepanto. To this, of course, I was not a party, being, both by my situation and recent arrival, scarcely qualified to give an opinion. After the labours of the day were over, on retiring to my quarters for the night, I had again the honour of seeing Lord Byron, and of having a long conversation with him. His Lordship’s thoughts seemed exclusively occupied with his own situation, and with Greece; and I thought he appeared far from satisfied with the former, and almost to despair of the latter.

I must here observe, that I make no pretensions to report his Lordship’s exact words; they were so well put together, that it would be impossible for me to imitate them; but his sentiments I cannot forget, for they made on me a deep and lasting impression. I felt, from the moment I first saw him, a very great respect for him, mingled with something like pity. There was a restlessness about him which I could not comprehend, and he seemed, at times, weary both of himself and others. It was plain, that his wishes

24

LORD BYRON COMPLAINS OF DELAY.

for the welfare of Greece went beyond his means of serving her; and he appeared surrounded with difficulties, without a steady friend near him capable of giving him a judicious opinion. On no other principle could I account for the confidence he immediately placed in me. I knew he was a man of commanding talents, and I saw him obliged to confide in a stranger, who had no claim whatever to such an honour, but his years, and zeal in that cause in which Lord Byron’s whole soul was engaged. The respect I had for him, with his condescension and kindness to me, gave him immediately something of that power over my mind which the late emperor Napoleon is said to have had over his soldiers. I listened attentively to every thing he said, and though I have not recorded his words, his sentiments will long be fresh in my recollection.

Almost the first thing his Lordship said to me this day was, that he was very much surprised at the delay which had occurred in sending out the supplies. Mr. Blaquiere had informed him, when in Italy, that all these things would be forwarded with the utmost despatch; he had relied on this information, and been induced by it to leave that country before all his preparations were completed, and sooner than he otherwise would. He had waited a considerable time at Cephalonia, with anxious expectation;

HIS DISAPPOINTMENTS.

25

he had been there disappointed, and even more disappointed since his arrival in Greece. He had, on one occasion, hired a boat, and despatched her to Zante and Cephalonia, in search of me and the stores; or to get information concerning us. How had it happened, he inquired emphatically, that so much time had been lost? “And now,” he continued, “when you are arrived, you have not brought with you all the things which were promised us. Where are the Congreve rockets, of which the Greeks, who delight in that sort of weapon, have been told so much, and have formed such high expectations? Why are their hopes, and the promises of the English nation, to be both falsified? He had expected, also,” he said, “to have found more supplies at Missolonghi, and persons in whom he could confide. Printing-presses and lithographic presses were now come; adventurers and horns he had before found; but could the Turks be conquered by such weapons? He felt much relieved by at last finding a practical man near him, in whom he could confide.” Of course, I assured his Lordship his confidence in me should not be misplaced, and that he might rely on my doing zealously and cheerfully whatever lay in my power, that could promote the cause of the Greeks. His Lordship then insisted that I should explain to him, at least, the cause of the delay.

26

LORD BYRON’S ENTHUSIASM.

I accordingly told his Lordship what I have already stated to the reader, as to the delay in London, and the refusal of the committee to follow my advice, by which a month might have been saved. I told him, too, of the noble offer made by Mr. Gordon; but I could not explain to him why that offer had no other consequences than those I have already mentioned. His countenance changed very much at hearing this; he seemed both animated and angry, and poured out a tide of praise on Mr. Gordon, mingled with some reproaches and sarcasms on other persons. “Would,” he said, “that he had known of that offer! The gentleman should at least have found one person as ardent as himself in the cause of Greece; he would have met his views, and would gladly have joined him in completing that corps of artillery which was so much wanted. He was afraid,” he added, “that some selfish interests stood in the way, or that gentleman’s liberal offer would have been joyfully accepted.” His Lordship then mentioned, that Mr. Blaquiere had quitted Missolonghi without waiting to see him, and had only left a note for him, which he seemed to regard as a great slight, and at which he

THE DIFFICULTIES OF HIS SITUATION.

27

expressed himself much hurt. It was like other parts, he said, of the conduct of those who had obtruded themselves into the office of managers for both the Greek and the English nations.

I soon perceived, not only that Lord Byron had no friend in Greece, but that he was surrounded by persons whom he neither loved nor trusted. Beyond the walls of his own apartment, where he seemed to derive amusement from his books, and from his dog, Lion; and pleasure from the attachment of his servants, particularly from the attentions of Tita, he had neither security nor repose. He had the ungovernable Suliotes both to appease and control. Against the intrigues of the very persons he came to help and benefit he was obliged to be constantly on his guard; and while he necessarily opened his purse for their service, he was exposed to be made their prey. His confidence even in Prince Mavrocordato was not always unshaken. His youthful friend Count Gamba was destitute of experience, and was rather an additional burthen on him, than a means of lightening his load. The foreign officers, and English adventurers, were all dissatisfied, and either appealed to him to improve their condition, or wearied him with their complaints. Whether he had actually received promises of greater succour from England than had ever been sent,

28

FINDS HIMSELF DECEIVED.

or whether he had only formed an idea that supplies would be transmitted abundantly, I know not; but it was evident to me, from the very commencement of our acquaintance, that he felt himself deceived and abandoned, I had almost said betrayed. He might put a good face on the matter to others, because he would not be thought Quixotic or enthusiastic; he might even be, as in fact he sometimes was, the first to laugh at his own difficulties, to prevent others laughing at his folly; but in his heart, he felt that he was forlorn and forsaken. His conversation with me was generally serious, and when it related to Greece, almost despairing. The reader will find the Lord Byron whom I knew, a very different man from the Lord Byron of Captain Medwin; of the writer who signs himself N. R. in the London Magazine for October; or of those gay associates of his, who have reported his conversations in the hours of festivity, or of unreflecting mirth. I speak of him as I found him, not as he has been represented; but the manly reality will not, I think, turn out to his Lordship’s disadvantage.

February 9th. I was employed, as the day before, in getting the stores all carried up to the arsenal. I had some difficulty in obtaining food for the men; but by contributing something from my own stock, I enabled them to get sup-

LABOURS IN THE ARSENAL.

29

plies. Afterwards, however, Lord Byron gave me fifty dollars; and having met with a Greek who had served in the British navy, and spoke both our language and his own, I was in a better condition to carry forward our operations. Some persons were set to work to pave the arsenal-yard, which was a complete puddle. Some rooms were arranged for storehouses, others were appropriated for a laboratory and workshops, and others again were made somewhat more suitable for habitations.

Prince Mavrocordato visited his Lordship this day, and they had a long conversation in my presence, relative, as I was informed by his Lordship, to Greece. The principal object of the Prince’s visit was to get more pecuniary assistance, but Lord Byron saw it was impossible for him to supply every want. “He had come to assist the Greeks,” he said, “and he would do that,

30

WANTS OF THE GREEK GOVERNMENT.

as far as his means went; but to render his efforts of any value, it was necessary that the different authorities in Greece should bury their mutual dislikes and animosities; until that took place, there could be no national union, and success was impossible.” The Prince said, “that all his endeavours had been directed to promote so desirable an object; but he was much afraid that considerable time would elapse before it could be accomplished.” To me, the Prince behaved very condescendingly, and lamented the inability of the Greek government to give me any assistance, either in money or materials. I had previously understood from Lord Byron, that I must not hope for either of these from the government, for it was in want of both. Promises, he said, I might expect, in abundance, but when the time for performance came, some excuse would be found, and nothing would be done.

February 10th. Our occupations were the same this day as the day before; but I remarked, that the German officers who had been sent out from England to assist, did nothing but quarrel about their rank. They were without money, or the means of subsistence, and had nothing but what they received from the generosity of Lord Byron. They added to the heap of troubles which already overwhelmed him. He felt angry,

FOREIGN OFFICERS IN GREECE.

31

also, at the fatuity of those who had sent persons to Greece, who expected to be provided for as in a regular army, and seemed to know nothing but etiquette. They were stickling for the ceremonies and regulations observed among the troops of their own despotic sovereigns,—as if a code adapted only to repress individual ambition, to keep down talent, and check emulous enterprise, that all ranks and classes maybe more securely kept in obedience, was proper for Greece. As far as the little which these officers did allowed me to judge, I should say, also, they were ignorant, as well as proud. At least, they knew nothing of the practical arts which were required in Greece; and Lord Byron, as well as every other man of sane judgment, might well condemn, as most unwise, sending such persons to such a country. It might be a suitable means of providing for the discomfited partizans of revolution who had emigrated from their own country; but they were an incumbrance, not a help to Greece. To Lord Byron they were a double annoyance, as he might have obtained the services of four useful Suliotes for the sum each of these officers cost him, to provide for his subsistence. Lord Byron, feeling already disposed to place great confidence in me, proposed to appoint me commander of his artillery brigade; and I am quite sure, though I say it, that there was no-

32

DISSENSIONS AMONG THE FOREIGNERS.

body else on the spot so well acquainted with this branch of the service as I was, or who more deserved the appointment. But I had only held the rank of fire-master in the regular army, and, therefore, some of the German officers thought it beneath their dignity to serve under me. Mr. Kinderman, a Prussian officer, who had, probably, shared both in the strict discipline and the defeats of the Prussian armies, accordingly gave up his commission. While such persons swagger and command, and find others to execute, they are very great men, but once ask them to be really useful, to put their hand to the labouring oar, and their want of skill, and defective education, become immediately apparent. Then their wounded vanity seeks an excuse in some antiquated regulations, and they say “their dignity won’t allow them to be useful.”

In the course of the day, I also observed, that Lord Byron, in addition to his other difficulties, did not agree very cordially with Colonel Stanhope. The Colonel was anxious to establish schools, erect printing-presses, and secure liberty, by promulgating theories concerning it. Lord Byron seemed willing to leave the form of the government to be settled by circumstances hereafter. He wanted the Greeks first to conquer their national independence, and then enter into a compact for the security of individual

NEWSPAPERS IN GREECE.

33

rights. Colonel Stanhope, I understood, had been very active in establishing a newspaper at Missolonghi, and Lord Byron said, had his will been uncontrolled, it should not have been done. He would have had no objection, if the Greeks themselves had chosen to do it; but he thought foreigners who came to serve Greece, should not begin by promoting discussion that must lead to discord. “The press, in Greece,” he said, “must be in the hands of foreign visionaries and enthusiasts. Practical men had other occupations; and it was therefore placing the power of working mischief in the hands of adventurers. Prince Mavrocordato wished to establish one at the seat of government, where it would have been more under control, and could have been made instrumental in promoting unity of views, and in contributing to general concord. Now it was a power different from that of the government, and would thwart its views whenever they were opposed to its own ambition. It was not like the free press of Great Britain, where one journal was a check on another; it was a single journal, established by foreign assistance, and destined only to promote the views of the theorists who established it. The conduct of Stanhope resembled the conduct of the King of France, who was said to expend large sums of money in bribing some English journals, which were, consequently, the agents of his

34

UNFOUNDED EXPECTATIONS OF THE GREEKS.

policy. If the Greeks wished to have newspapers they would establish them; now, they would be looked on as the work of foreigners, and intended to promote their views. They must be a means of sowing jealousy and mistrust. They might attack private individuals, and might give umbrage to foreign powers. There was no practice to regulate the mode of conducting them, and laws could not be immediately formed to check all their excesses. He who was attacked, and could not wield the pen, would reply with his sword, and bloodshed and anarchy would be the consequence of discussing theories of government before independence was obtained. There were a great number of factious designing men in Greece; and in the present state of the country, a press set up by foreign assistance was only likely to afford them a means of disturbing public tranquillity.”

On February 11th, we were employed as on the two former days, and completed the removal of the stores to the arsenal. I again met his Lordship in the evening, when he urged me to make use of every means in my power to promote the service. I had by this time formed a more correct notion of what Lord Byron and the Greeks had expected from the expedition; and I pointed out the impossibility of realizing, with our present resources, or with any we were likely

DEATH OF SIR THOMAS MAITLAND.

35

to obtain, the hopes and expectations of the Greeks. Circular letters had been sent by Colonel Stanhope, the produce, probably, of the lithographic press, that occupied so many of his thoughts, which had led the Greeks to believe, now the expedition was arrived, that every want would be supplied. I pointed out to Lord Byron the very unpleasant situation this placed me in, for it was thought I had the means of supply in my own power, and would not allow them to be used. But his Lordship, with his usual kindness, told me not to mind this; the truth would speedily be known, and if I only evinced the same determination hereafter, as I had done since my arrival in Greece, he would stand by me, both with his person and his purse.

We heard, this day, of the death of Sir Thomas Maitland; and the news certainly caused considerable satisfaction among the Greeks, and among some of the English. He was generally looked on by them, as the great enemy of their cause; but the manner in which our vessel was allowed to remain unmolested at Malta and Corfu did not seem a proof of this. I know that his government has been very much censured in England, and far be it from me to approve of the arbitrary or despotic measures of any man; but those who know any thing of the people he had

36

FIND THE STORES DAMAGED.

to deal with, will find, in their character, an excuse for his conduct. I believe, in general, his government was well calculated for his subjects.

The people of England, who have been amused by the records of some trifling peculiarities of Lord Byron, little know to what privations and sacrifices he submitted, to promote the cause of the Greeks. He cheered us on in all these operations; and what is more, he advanced all the money necessary for us to execute

BYRON’S OPINION OF MAVROCORDATO.

37

them. He was anxious to attack Lepanto, and while he was urging forward this measure, we need not wonder that he complained of the other drains which were constantly diminishing his financial resources. His Lordship told me to-day, that the applications for money were numerous beyond conception, and he had been so harrassed by different persons, that he should be obliged, if this continued, to refuse any one an interview who came on this business.

I took an opportunity, in the evening, of asking Lord Byron what he thought of Prince Mavrocordato. He replied, he considered him an honest man, and a man of talent. He had shewn his devotion to his country’s service, by expending his private property in its cause, and was, probably, the most capable and trust-worthy of all the Greek chieftains. His Lordship said he agreed with him, that Missolonghi and its dependencies were of the greatest importance to Greece; and, as long as the Prince acted as he had done, he would give him all the support in his power. His Lordship seemed, at the same time, to suppose, that a little more energy and industry in the Prince, with a disposition to make fewer promises, would tend much to his advantage.

February 13th. We were actively employed all this day, as yesterday, refitting our shot, and

38

LORD BYRON MY PUPIL.

altering our guns. Having two stop-watches in my possession, the property of the Greek committee, I requested Lord Byron to receive them into his charge, to which he kindly consented; and at the same time proffered his readiness to do every thing I could point out for the good of the service.

I was glad to observe, that his Lordship’s confidence in me continued progressively to increase. He had found out that I was well versed in all the mechanical arts connected with war, and he asked me to give him some instruction in them. Fortunately, I had one or two mathematical books with me, and a variety of useful tables, relative to the formation and equipment of an army, particularly of artillery; and having replied to his Lordship, that I should be very willing to give him every information in my power, he immediately became my pupil. He told me he had lately turned his attention to every thing connected with military service, both by sea and land, and as I, notwithstanding the employments I had taken up at a subsequent period, had been brought up a shipwright, I was able to give his Lordship a good deal of mechanical and practical information;—in fact, I became of great use to him. I contributed, more than any other person about him, to promote the single object he had at heart, the success of the Greeks; and on this account he bore with my

UNFOUNDED ASPERSIONS OF MR. BOWRING.

39

peculiarities. He had none of that fastidious delicacy, which makes some great men regard with dread the energies necessary to their own success. The passions of which Mr. Bowring had written and spoken, carried him on to his object; and, like his own Corsair, “He loved that roughness for the speed it gave.*”

On February 14th, I received an additional and important proof of his Lordship’s confidence in

Henry Southern, Charaacter of Lord Byron * The accusations of Lord Byron’s pretended friends, and my enemies, fortunately destroy each other. Mr. Bowring, who is, I am told, an occasional writer in the London Magazine, warns Lord Byron, in his letter to him, to beware of me, because “I am a man of uncontrollable passions;” and the writer of a sketch of Lord Byron’s life, in that same Magazine for last October, who signs N. R., and one of whose objects is to white-wash the Greek committee, as he finds a justification, even, for that committee sending out bugle horns and trumpets to the Greeks, as weapons of war, says “I obtained power over Lord Byron by dint of being his butt.” That a man of fierce and fiery passions, Lord Byron’s senior by twenty years, should have been a butt to him, is so palpable a contradiction, that it needs only to be mentioned, to refute one or the other of these assertions; and will, perhaps, shew that both are merely the dictates of the imagination of these poetical writers, if indeed they are not both one and the same person. The manner in which I was a butt to Lord Byron will be seen in the subsequent pages. In fact, his Lordship was tired with the frivolity and unmeaningness of pretended wits, and would-be distinguished men, and was glad to meet with a plain practical man.

40

Byron’s Expenses.—Greece.

me. He could not himself look minutely after the accounts of the money he meant to apply to the service of the Greeks, nor even dispose of it in the most advantageous manner; he therefore requested me to take the charge, and direct the disposal, of all the money he intended for this purpose. I foresaw that this would be a tiresome and invidious occupation; but I consented, on condition that his Lordship should inspect the accounts daily, it being quite impossible for me, with my other occupations, to answer for their correctness, or be able to explain apparent discrepancies, if the books were to be only balanced and audited at distant periods. His Lordship agreed to my proposal, and appointed the hour, between eleven and twelve every day for this purpose. He also commanded me to attend him every evening in his own room, between seven and ten o’clock, to consult and arrange for the work of the following day. Thus was I established in a situation that gave me an opportunity of knowing Lord Byron’s intentions, plans, and thoughts, as well, or better, than any person then in Greece.

At this time, the expenses of Lord Byron in the cause of the Greeks, did not amount to less than two thousand dollars per week, in rations alone. At the same time, there was a great difficulty in obtaining money. Bills could not

MUTINY AMONG THE SULIOTES.

41

be cashed on any terms, and it had cost Lord Byron nearly one thousand dollars to procure money from the Ionian Islands.

February 15th. There was a sort of mutiny among the Suliotes; at least they grumbled very much that their arrears were not paid up. The inhabitants of the town were afraid of being plundered, and great confusion ensued. I knew nothing of their language, and could not interfere, but several negotiations took place between them and Lord Byron, and it was at length agreed, that six hundred of them should be taken into his Lordship’s pay, and act under his immediate orders. This matter caused very great vexation to Lord Byron; it fretted and teased him, and, added to the other sources of vexation already mentioned, seemed absolutely to worry him. He was accustomed, also, to take a great deal of hard exercise on horseback, and his irritability was at this time much increased by wanting this exercise. For several days, he had been prevented from going abroad by heavy rains; and he complained in the course of the day, more than usual, of his increasing vexations.

His Lordship’s quarters were on the second floor of the house; and Colonel Stanhope lived on the first floor. In the evening, about eight o’clock, he came down stairs into the Colonel’s

42

SUDDEN ILLNESS OF LORD BYRON.

room, where I was. He seated himself on a cane settee, and began talking with me on various subjects. Colonel Stanhope, who was employed in a neighbouring apartment, fitting up printing-presses, and Count Gamba, both came into the room for a short time, and some conversation ensued about the newspaper, which was never, to Lord Byron, a pleasant topic, as he disagreed with his friends concerning it. After a little time, they went their several ways, and more agreeable matter of conversation was introduced.

His Lordship began joking with me about Colonel Stanhope’s occupations, and said, he thought the author would have his brigade of artillery ready before the soldier got his printing-press fixed. There was then nobody in the room but his Lordship, Mr. Hesketh, and myself. There was evidently a constrained manner about him, and he complained of thirst; he ordered his servant to bring him some cider, which I entreated him not to drink in that state. There was a flush in his countenance, which seemed to indicate great nervous agitation; and as I thought his Lordship had been much harassed for several days past, I recommended him, at least, to qualify his cider with some brandy. He said, he had frequently drank cider, and felt no bad consequences from it, and he accordingly drank it off.

SUDDEN ILLNESS OF LORD BYRON.

43

Lord Byron had scarcely drunk the cider, when he complained of a very strange sensation, and I noticed a great change in his countenance. He rose from his seat, but could not walk, staggered a step or two, and fell into my arms. I had no other stimulant than brandy at hand, and having before seen it administered in similar cases, with considerable benefit, I called for some of that liquor, which was brought by Mr. Hesketh, and we succeeded in making him swallow a small quantity. In another minute his teeth were closed, his speech and senses gone, and he was in strong convulsions. I laid him down on the settee, and with the assistance of his servant kept him quiet.

When he fell into my arms, his countenance was very much distorted, his mouth being drawn on one side. After a short time, his medical attendants came, and he speedily recovered his senses and his speech. His first care was to call for Colonel Stanhope, as he had something particular to say to him, should there be a probability of his not recovering. Colonel Stanhope was accordingly sent for, and came from the adjoining room. On recovering his senses, Lord Byron’s countenance assumed its ordinary appearance, except that it was pale and haggard; and no other effect remained from his illness, than a great degree of weakness. His Lordship was then carried up-

44

RECOVERY.-HIS FOOD.

stairs, and put to bed; and we left him in charge of his servants and medical attendants.

On the following day, February 16th, Lord Byron was better, but his countenance was much changed; it was very pale, and he was very weak. He felt a sort of gratitude and kindness towards me, for the assistance I had given him, and he told me I was henceforth to consider myself as at home in his apartment. Thus did I ever find him disposed to add to the happiness of all who came about him. He inquired of me, what I thought his disorder was;—I did not pretend to decide as to what the doctors might call it, but I told him I was sure it arose from the great irritation he had suffered, and from his not taking sufficient food and stimulant drinks. His Lordship had not eaten any thing but cheese, fish, vegetables, and bread, for several days; and, as I have said, he had been worried both out of his patience and his sleep. I told him, however, that I thought his disorder was an epileptic attack, arising from weakness, and that it was nothing which ought to alarm him, provided he took care of himself, and used a more nourishing and generous diet. His Lordship was of a different opinion; “He felt,” he said, “a weight on the fore part of his head, and he was quite sure he ought to live low.” “Not too low, my Lord, for

UNSKILFULNESS OF THE PHYSICIAN.

45

in this swampy place some stimulus is necessary; but your physician should know best.” “Yes, Parry,” was his reply, “he is an excellent young man, and well acquainted with his profession; I shall therefore be guided entirely by him.” To this I could not object, but begged him to consider that there was, probably, some difference between his constitution and those of the persons whom Dr. Bruno had been accustomed to treat.

Unfortunately, I think, my advice was rejected. Low, and weak, and half starved as Lord Byron was, and debilitated beyond measure by this attack, his physician resolved to bleed him, and eight leeches were applied to his temples. The blood flowed copiously, but when the leeches were removed, the doctors were so unskilful that they could not stop the blood. It continued to flow on, and Lord Byron fainted. Mr. Milligan was present, as well as Dr. Bruno; the latter I almost disregarded, but the former I scolded aloud for his mismanagement. When I saw them helpless, beside themselves, at it were, while the blood was flowing, and Lord Byron lay pale and senseless, the very image of death, I could have sacrificed their comparatively valueless lives for the one more valuable, of which I thought they had deprived us for ever. I tore off the strings and bands from a part of my dress,

46

BYRON COURTS HIS FATE.

cut them into pieces, and made Lord Byron’s Italian servant burn them under his Lordship’s nose. I rubbed his temples and lips with brandy, and did what I could to save and restore him. At length the blood was staunched, and Lord Byron recovered. He often joked about his weakness, as if he had fainted at the sight of his own blood, like a fine lady; and reproved me for my violence, as soon as he was informed of the little respect I had shewn for the doctors. Thus did he, by his kindness, in a manner, court his own fate. Had he turned them out of doors, and returned to the habits of an English gentleman, as to his diet, he would, probably, have survived many years, to have vindicated with his sword the wrongs of his beloved Greece, and to have heaped contempt on those pretended friends, who, since his death, have vilified his glorious nature, because he could or would not believe that a lithographic-press, Mr. Bentham’s minute legislation, and conning over the alphabet, were the proper and most efficacious means of giving freedom and independence to that suffering and oppressed country.