Volume I Part 16 (1/2)
48.--To John Hanson.
16, Piccadilly, March 3, 1806.
Sir,--I called at your House in Chancery Lane yesterday Evening, as I expected you would have been in Town, but was disappointed. If convenient, I should be glad to see you on Wednesday Morning about one o'Clock, as I wish for your advice on some Business. On Sat.u.r.day one of my Horses threw me; I was stunned for a short time, but soon recovered and suffered no material _Injury_; the accident happened on the Harrow Road. I have paid Jones's Bill amounting to 231.4.5 of which I expect to be reimbursed 75 for Furniture. I have got his Bankers' receipt and the account ready for your Inspection. I now owe nothing at Cambridge; but shall not return this Term, [1] as I have been extremely _unwell_, and at the same time can stay where I am at much less Expence and _equal Improvement_. I wish to consult you on several Subjects and expect you will pay me a visit on Wednesday; in the mean time,
I remain, yours, etc., BYRON.
[Footnote 1: Lectures began on February 5, 1806, as is stated on the College bills, sent in by Mr. Jones, the Senior Tutor of Trinity. But Byron preferred to remain in London. Augusta Byron writes to Hanson (March 7, 1806)----
”I trouble you again in consequence of some conversation I had last night with Lord Carlisle about my Brother. He expressed himself to me as kindly on that subject as on all others, and though he says it may not be productive of any good, and that he may be only _able to join his lamentations_ with yours, he should like to talk to you and try if anything can be done. I was much surprized and vexed to see my Brother a week ago at the Play, as I think he ought to be employing his time more profitably at Cambridge.”]
49.--To John Hanson.
16, Piccadilly, near Park Lane, 10th March, 1806.
SIR,--As in all probability you will not make your appearance tomorrow I must disclose by Letter the Business I intended to have discussed at our interview.--We know each other sufficiently to render Apology unnecessary. I shall therefore without further Prelude proceed to the Subject in Question. You are not ignorant, that I have lately lived at considerable Expence, to support which my allotted Income by the 'sapient' Court of Chancery is inadequate.--I confess I have borrowed a trifling sum and now wish to raise 500 to discharge some Debts I have contracted; my approaching Quarter will bring me 200 due from my Allowance, and if you can procure me the other 300 at a moderate Interest, it will save 100 per cent I must pay my _Israelite_ for the same purpose.--You see by this I have an _excellent_ Idea of Oeconomy even in my Extravagance by being willing to pay as little Money as possible, for the Cash must be disbursed _somewhere_ or _somehow_, and if you decline (as in prudence I tell you fairly you ought), the _Tribe_ of _Levi_ will be my _dernier resort_. However I thought proper to make this Experiment with very slender hopes of success indeed, since Recourse to the _Law_ is at best a _desperate_ effort. I have now laid open my affairs to you without Disguise and Stated the Facts as they appear, declining all Comments, or the use of any Sophistry to palliate my application, or urge my request. All I desire is a speedy Answer, whether successful or not.
Believe me, yours truly, BYRON.
50.--To John Hanson.
16, Piccadilly, 25th March, 1806.
SIR,--Your last Letter, as I expected, contained much advice, but no Money. I could have excused the former unaccompanied by the latter, since any one thinks himself capable of giving that, but very few chuse to own themselves competent to the other. I do not now write to urge a 2nd Request, one Denial is sufficient. I only require what is my right. This is Lady Day. 125 is due for my last Quarter, and 75 for my expenditure in Furniture at Cambridge and I will thank you to remit.
The Court of Chancery may perhaps put in Force your Threat. I have always understood it formed a Sanction for legal plunderers to protract the Decision of Justice from year to year, till weary of spoil it at length condescended to give Sentence, but I never yet understood even its unhallowed Hands preyed upon the Orphan it was bound to protect. Be it so, only let me have your answer.
I remain, etc., etc., BYRON.
51.--To Henry Angelo. [1]
Trinity College, Cambridge, May 16, 1806.
SIR,--You cannot be more indignant, at the insolent and unmerited conduct of Mr. Mortlock, [2] than those who authorised you to request his permission. However we do not yet despair of gaining our point, and every effort shall be made to remove the obstacles, which at present prevent the execution of our project. I yesterday waited on the Master of this College, [3] who, having a personal dispute with the Mayor, declined interfering, but recommended an application to the Vice Chancellor, whose authority is paramount in the University. I shall communicate this to Lord Altamount,[4] and we will endeavour to bend the obstinacy of the _upstart_ magistrate, who seems to be equally deficient in justice and common civility. On my arrival in town, which will take place in a few days, you will see me at Albany Buildings, when we will discuss the subject further. Present my remembrance to the Messrs. Angelo, junior, and believe me, we will yet _humble_ this _impertinent bourgeois_.