Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-06-23
NO. IL.

10 undertake the Idtgue oil Journey sooh-
er than the 9Th. Previously to my dcpar-
ture, it had been strongly impressed on
my mind that Lord Byron was under the
influence of insanity. This opinion was
derived in great measure from the com
muncations made to me by his nearest
relatives and personal attendant, who had
more opportunities than myself of observ-
ing him during the latter part Of my stay
in town. 1t was even represented to me
that he was in danger Of destroying HIM
self Wdh The concurrence Of his family,
| had consulted DIR. Baillie as friend,
! (Jan. eth respecting this supposed NAL
ady. On acquainting him with the state
ofthc case, and with Lord Byron's desire
that should leave London, DIR. Baillie
thought my absence might be advisable
as an experiment, assuming the fact Of
mental arrangement; for DIR. Baillie, not
having had access to Lord Byron, could
not pronounce positive opinion on that
point He enoincdth that in correspondence
with Lord Byron should avoid all but
light and soothing topics. Under these
impressions, left London determined to
follow the advice given by DIR. Baillie.
1 Whatever might have been the nature Of
Lord Byron's conduct towards me from
the time of marriage, yet supposing him
To be in a state OF mental alienation, 1t
was not for me, nor any person OF COM
mon humanity, to manifest at that mo-
ment, sense Of injury. On the day of
my departure, and again on my arrival at
Kirkby, January 10th, l wrote to Lord
III .,,l Oh 4
cording to those medical directions. The
last letter was circulated, and employed
as preteN for the charge of my having
been subsequently, influenced to 'deser't
my husband. 1t has been argued, that
! parted from Lord Byron in perfect har-
mony; that feelings, incompatible, with
any deep sense of injury had dictated
the letter which l addressed to him;
and that my sentiments must have been
changed by persuasion and interference
when was under the roof ofmy parents.
I These assertions and inferences ara
wholly destitute Of foundation. When |
arrived at kirkby Mallory, my parents
were unacquainted with the existence of
any causes likely to destroy my prospects
of happiness; and when communicated
to them the opinion which had been form
ed concerning Lord Byron's state Of
mind, they were most anxious to promote
his restoration by every means in their
| power. They assured those relations
who were with him in London, that
they would devote their whole care and
attention to the allcviation ofhis malady,
and hoped to make the best arrangements
for his comfort, if he could be induced to
visit them. With these intentions my
mother wrote on the 18th to Lord Byron
inviting him to Kirkby Mallory. She
had always treated him with an affection
ate consideration and indulgence, which
extended to every little peculiarly ofhis
feelings. Never did an irritating word
escape her lips in her whole intercourse
with him. The accounts given me after
left Lord Byron by the persons in con-
stant intercourse with him, added to those
doubts, which had before transiently oc-
Cured to my mind, as to the reality oftho
allcdged disease, and the reports Of his
medical attendant were far from establish
ing the existence of any thing like lunacy.
Under this uncertainty, deemed it right
y 10 W DulCutS, tndt ii l.
were to consider Lord Byron's past con-
duct as that of person of a sound
mind, nothing could induce me to return
to him. 1t therefore appeared expedient
both to them and myself to consult tho
ablest advisers. For that object, and
also to obtain still further information re-
spccting the appearances which seemed
to Indicate mental arrangement, my mo-
ther determined to go to London. She
was empowered by me to take legal opin-
ions on written statement Of mine,
though ! had then reasons for rescrving
part of the case from the knowledge
even of my father and mother. Being
convinced by the result of these inquiries,
and by the tenor of Lord Byron's pro-
ccedngs, that the notion Of insanity was
an illusion, | no longer hcsitatcd to au-
thorisc such measures as were necessa-
II nv, in order to secure me from being
even again placed in his power. Con-
I formally with this resolution, my father
wrote TO him on the Cd of Feb. to propose
an amicable separation. Lord Byron at
first rejected this proposal; but when it
was distinctly notified to him, that if he
persisted in his refusal, recourse must be
had to legal measures, he agreed to sign
deed OF separation. Upon applying to
DIR. Lushington, who was intimately ac-
quainted with all tho circumstances, to
state in writing what he recollccted upon
this subject, received from him the fol-
lowing letter, by which il will be manifest
that my mother could not have been actu-
ated by any hostile or ungenerous mo-
tivcs towards Lord Byron.