Volume I Part 12 (1/2)
[Footnote 1: See page 27, note 1.]
[Footnote 2: Edward Noel Long, son of E. B. Long of Hampton Lodge, Surrey, the ”Cleon” of ”Childish Recollections” ('Poems', vol. i. pp.
101, 102), entered Harrow in April, 1801. He went with Byron to Trinity College, Cambridge, and till the end of the summer of 1806 was his most intimate friend.
”We were,” says Byron, in his Diary ('Life', p. 31), ”rival swimmers, fond of riding, reading, and of conviviality. Our evenings we pa.s.sed in music (he was musical, and played on more than one instrument--flute and violoncello), in which I was audience; and I think that our chief beverage was soda-water. In the day we rode, bathed, and lounged, reading occasionally. I remember our buying, with vast alacrity, Moore's new quarto (in 1806), and reading it together in the evenings. ... _His_ friends.h.i.+p, and a violent though pure pa.s.sion--which held me at the same period--were the then romance of the most romantic period of my life.”
Long was Byron's companion at Littlehampton in August, 1806. In 1807 he entered the Guards, served with distinction in the expedition to Copenhagen, and was drowned early in 1809, ”on his pa.s.sage to Lisbon with his regiment in the 'St. George' transport, which was run foul of in the night by another transport” ('Life', p. 31. See also Byron's lines ”To Edward Noel Long, Esq.,” 'Poems', vol. i. pp. 184-188).]
[Footnote 3: Thomas Farrer entered Harrow in April, 1801. He played in Byron's XI. against Eton, on the ground in Dorset Square, on August 2, 1805.]
CHAPTER II.
1805-1808.
CAMBRIDGE AND JUVENILE POEMS.
32.--To the Hon. Augusta Byron.
[Castle Howard, Malton, Yorks.h.i.+re.] Burgage Manor, August 10th, 1805.
I have at last succeeded, my dearest Augusta, in pacifying the dowager, and mollifying that _piece_ of _flint_ which the good Lady denominates her heart. She now has condescended to send you her _love_, although with many comments on the occasion, and many compliments to herself. But to me she still continues to be a torment, and I doubt not would continue so till the end of my life. However this is the last time she ever will have an opportunity, as, when I go to college, I shall employ my vacations either in town; or during the summer I intend making a tour through the Highlands, and to Visit the Hebrides with a party of my friends, whom I have engaged for the purpose. This my old preceptor Drury recommended as the most improving way of employing my Summer Vacation, and I have now an additional reason for following his advice, as I by that means will avoid the society of this woman, whose detestable temper destroys every Idea of domestic comfort. It is a happy thing that she is my mother and not my wife, so that I can rid myself of her when I please, and indeed, if she goes on in the style that she has done for this last week that I have been with her, I shall quit her before the month I was to drag out in her company, is expired, and place myself any where, rather than remain with such a vixen. As I am to have a very handsome allowance,[1] which does not deprive her of a sixpence, since there is an addition made from my fortune by the Chancellor for the purpose, I shall be perfectly independent of her, and, as she has long since trampled upon, and harrowed up every affectionate tie, It is my serious determination never again to visit, or be upon any friendly terms with her. This I owe to myself, and to my own comfort, as well as Justice to the memory of my nearest relations, who have been most shamefully libelled by this female 'Tisiphom', a name which your 'Ladys.h.i.+p' will recollect to have belonged to one of the Furies.
You need not take the precaution of writing in so enigmatical a style in your next, as, bad as the woman is, she would not dare to open any letter addressed to me from you. Whenever you can find time to write, believe me, your epistles will be productive of the greatest pleasure, to your
Affectionate Brother,
BYRON.
[Footnote 1: During Byron's schooldays, Mrs. Byron received 500 a year from the Court of Chancery for his education. When he went to Cambridge, she gave up this allowance to her son, and the expenditure of a certain sum was sanctioned by Chancery for furniture, clothes, plate, etc. At the same time, Mrs. Byron applied for an allowance of 200 a year, but in 1807 the allowance had not been granted. Her pension, it may be added, most irregularly paid at all times, was reduced to 200 a year.