Volume I Part 19 (1/2)

[Footnote 1: See page 104 [Letter 53], [Foot]note 2 [1].]

[Footnote 2: Thomas Moore (1779-1852) had already published 'Anacreon'

(1800), 'The Poetical Works of the late Thomas Little' (1801), and 'Odes, Epistles, and other Poems' (1806). In all, especially in the second, the poetry was of an erotic character.

”So heartily,” said Rogers ('Table-Talk, etc.', pp. 281, 282), ”has Moore repented of having published 'Little's Poems', that I have seen him shed tears--tears of deep contrition--when we were talking of them. Young ladies read his 'Lalla Rookh' without being aware (I presume) of the grossness of 'The Veiled Prophet'. These lines by Mr.

Sneyd are amusing enough--

”''Lalla Rookh'

Is a naughty book By Tommy Moore, Who has written four, Each warmer Than the former.

So the most recent Is the least decent.'”]

62.--To Captain John Leacroft. [1]

January 31, 1807.

Sir,--Upon serious reflection on the conversation we last night held, I am concerned to say, that the only effectual method to crash the animadversions of officious malevolence, is by my declining all future intercourse with those whom my acquaintance has unintentionally injured. At the same time I must observe that I do not form this resolution from any resentment at your representation, which was temperate and gentlemanly, but from a thorough conviction that the desirable end can be attained by no other line of conduct.

I beg leave to return my thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Leacroft, for the attention and hospitality I have always experienced, of which I shall ever retain a grateful remembrance.

So much to them; with your permission, I must add a few words for myself. You will be sensible, that a coolness between families, hitherto remarkable for their intimacy, cannot remain un.o.bserved in a town, whose inhabitants are notorious for officious curiosity; that the causes for our separation will be mis-represented I have little doubt; if, therefore, I discover that such misrepresentation does take place, I shall call upon you, to unite with myself in making a serious example of those _men_, be they _who_ they may, that dare to cast an aspersion on the character I am sacrificing my own comfort to protect.

If, on the other hand, they imagine, that my conduct is the consequence of intimidation, from my conference with you, I must require a further explanation of what pa.s.sed between us on the subject, as, however careful I am of your Sister's honour, I am equally tenacious of my own.

I do not wish this to be misconstrued into any desire to quarrel; it is what I shall endeavour to avoid; but, as a young man very lately entered into the world, I feel compelled to state, that I can permit no suspicion to be attached to my name with impunity.

I have the honour to remain,

Your very obedient Servant,

BYRON.

[Footnote 1: This and the two following letters refer to a quarrel between Byron and the Leacroft family, which arose from his attentions to Miss Julia Leacroft. Moore's statement, that Captain Leacroft, the lady's brother (see page 34 [Letter 12], [foot]note 3), sent a challenge to Byron, who was at first inclined to accept it, is inaccurate. But it is possible that Byron was acting on the advice of the Rev. J. T.

Becher, when he decided, in order to prevent misunderstanding, to break off his acquaintance with the Leacrofts absolutely.]

63.--To Captain John Leacroft.

February 4th, 1807.