Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-10-28

pretty much as Mr. iIobhouse did, I could
not do otherwise than civilly assent. especially
as his lordship's comfort al this moment, seemed
in some degree dependent on being confirmed IN
the good opinion he was DESTROYS to entertain OF
his own courtesy From that night evidently
rose in his good grace; and, as he was most
agreeable and interesting when familiar, 1t
was worth ms while to advance, but by cautious
circumvallations, into his intimacy; for his un-
certain temperament made ms favor preca,ious.
The next morning, either owing to the relaxa-
ton of his.abstnence. which he could not prob
ably we'll avoid among the good things OF the am
bassadorial table, or, what was, perhaps, less
questionable, some regret for his petuance to-
wards his friend. he was indisposcd, and did not
make his appearance till late III the evening.
rather suspect, though there was no evidence OF
the fact, that Hobhouse received any concession
which he may have made with indulgence; Tor he
remarked to ire, in tone that implied both tor
bearance aud generosity OF regard, that IL was
necessary to humor him like child. But, III
whatever manner the reconciliation was accom-
plished, the passengers partook ot the blessings
of the peace. Byron. durus the following day,
as we were sailing along the picturesquesshores
of Sicily. was in the highest spirits; oyerliowlng
with glee, and sparkling with quaint sentences.
| The champaign was uncorked aud IN the hpest
condition.
Having landed tie mail at Girgent,we stretch
ed over 10 Malta where we arrived about noon,
next day-al'the passengers, except Orestes and
Pylades, being carer to land, went on shore with
the captain. They remained behind for a reason
which an accidental expression of Byron let
out much to my secret amusement; for was
aware they would be disappointed, and the anti
cipa:ion was reliShing. They expected-at least
lie did--a salute from the batteries, and sent
ashore notice to Sir Alexander Ball. the govern
or, of his arrival; but the guns were sulky, and
evinced no respect of persons. SO that late IN the
afternoon, about the heel of evening, the two
| magnates were obliged to come on shore, and slip
in the city unnoticed and unknown.
! At this time Malta was in great prosperity -
Her commerce was Furnishing; and the soodly
clusters of its profits hung ripe and rich at every
door. The merchants were truly hospltab'e. and
few more so than Mr.. Chabot. As had letters
to him. he invited me to dinner, along with Sc
yeral other friends previously engaged. In the
cool OF the evening. as we were sitting at our
wine, Lord Byron and MIR. liobhouse were an
nounced His Lordship was i'll better spirits
than | have ever seen him. His appearance
showed. as he entered the room, that ihey had
met with some adventure, and he chuck!ed with
an inward sense of enjoyment, not altogether
without splecn--a kind of malicious satisfaction
AS his companion recounted with all becoming
gravity their woes and sufferings, as an apology
for begging bed and morsel for the night God
forbid me. but partook of Byron's leyity at the
idea of personages so consequential wandering
destitute in the streets, seeking for lodgings, as ii
were, from door to door, and rejected at all.
Next day, however, they were accommodated
by the Governor with an agreeable house IN the
upper part OF Valetta: and his Lordship. as soon
as they were domicliled, began to take lessons IN
Arabic from monk-I believe one Of the libra
rians of the public library. His whole time was
not, however, devoted "a study; fer he formed an
acquaintance with Mrs. Spencer Smith. the lady
of the gentleman Of that name, who had been our
| resident minister at Constantinople: he affected
! passion for her, but it was only Platonic. She,
however, beguiled him of his valuable diamond
| ring She is the Florence of Childe Harold, and
merited the poetical embalmment, or rather the
amber naturalization she possesses there-be-
| ing herself a heroine. There was no exaggera-
ton in saying that many incidents of her life
| would appear Improbable in fiction. Her adven-
| lures with the Marquis de SaIvo form one of the
prettiest romances in the Italian language; every
| thing in her destiny was touched with adventure.
nor was it the last of her claims to sympa-
thy. that she had incurred the special cnmity of
Napoleon.
| After remaining about three weeks at Malta,
Byron embarked with his friend in brig of war,
appointed to CONVOY fleet of small merchant
men to Preyesa. had, about fortnight before,
passed over with the packet on her return from
Messina to Girgenti. and did not fall in with
them again till the following spring, when we
met at Athens. In the mean time, besides his
Platonic dailiance with Mrs. Spencer Smith, BY.
ron had involved himself in quarrel with an Of
ficer; but it was satisfactorily settled.
His residence at Malta did not greatly interest
him. The story of its chvairous masters made
no impression on his imagination; none that APP
pears in his works; but ii is not the less probable
that the remembrance Of the place itself Occu-
pied deep niche in lis bosom; for have re-
marked, that he had voluntary power of forget
fuIness, which, on more than one occasion, struck
me as singular; and am led in consequence to
think, that something unpleasant, connected with