Volume II Part 10 (1/2)

If you have any communication to make, I shall be here at least a week or ten days longer. I am, Sir, etc., etc.,

BYRON.

188--To R. C. Dallas.

Newstead Abbey, Sept. 16, 1811.

DEAR SIR,--I send you a 'motto':

”L'univers est une espece de livre, dont on n'a lu que la premiere page quand on n'a vu que son pays. J'en ai feuillete un a.s.sez grand nombre, que j'ai trouve egalement mauvaises. Cet examen ne m'a point ete infructueux. Je ha.s.sais ma patrie. Toutes les impertinences des peuples divers, parmi lesquels j'ai vecu, m'ont reconcilie avec elle.

Quand je n'aurais tire d'autre benefice de mes voyages que celui-la, je n'en regretterais ni les frais, ni les fatigues.”

”Le Cosmopolite.” [1]

If not too long, I think it will suit the book. The pa.s.sage is from a little French volume, a great favourite with me, which I picked up in the Archipelago. I don't think it is well known in England; Monbron is the author; but it is a work sixty years old.

Good morning! I won't take up your time.

Yours ever, BYRON.

[Footnote 1: Fougeret de Monbron, born at Peronne, served in the 'Gardes du Corps', but abandoned the sword for the pen, and published 'Henriade Travestie' (1745); 'Preservatif Centre l'Anglomanie' (1787); and 'Le Cosmopolite' (1750). His novels, 'Margot la Ravaudeuse, Therlse Philosophe', and others, appeared under the name of Fougeret. He died in 1761. In that year was published in London an edition of 'Le Cosmopolite, ou le Citoyen du Monde', par Mr. de Monbron, with the motto, ”Patria est ubicunque est bene” (Cic. 5, Tusc. 37).

Byron's quotation is the opening paragraph of the book. The author, who had travelled in England, returns to France a complete ”Jacques Rot-de-Bif.” He then visits Holland, the Low Countries, Constantinople, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and England a second time. He finds that the charm has vanished, and that the English are no better than their neighbours. It is a cynical little book, abounding in such sayings as.

”Make acquaintances, not friends; intimacy breeds disgust;” ”The best fruit of travelling is the justification of instinctive dislikes.”

Monbron, like Byron, ridicules the traveller's pa.s.sion for collecting broken statues and antiques.]

189.--To R. C. Dallas.