Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-04-21

On the day Of my departure, and again on my ar
rival at Kirkby, January 10th. wrote to Lord
Byron in kind and cheerful tone, according
to those medical directions. The letter was
circulated, and employed as Pretext Ior 1he
charge of my having been subsequently "aau-
enced to -" DESERT my husband: -,
1t has been argued, that parted from Lord By
ron in perfect harmony; that feelings, incomPatl.
BILE with any deep sense of injury had dictated
the letter which / addressed to him; and that my
sentiments must have been changed by Persua-
sion and interference, when / was under the
roof of nv parents. These assertions and INFER
ences are wholly destitute Of foundation. when
| arrived at Kirkby Mallory, my parentswere, un-
ACQUAINTED with the existence of any causes ike.
ly to destroy my prospects of happiness; and
when communicated to them the opinion which
had been formsd concerning Lord byron's state
of mind, they were most anxious to promote MS
restoration by every means In their power
They assured those relations who were with HIM
in London, that sthey would devote their whole
care and attention to the alienation OF his mala-
dy,' 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 Kirk.
by Mallory. She had always treated him with
an affectionate consideration and indulgence,
which extended to every little peculiarly OF his
feelings. Never did an irritating word escape
her lips in her whole intercourse with hum
The accounts given me after left Lord Byron
by the persons in constant intercourse with HIN,
added to those doubts. which had before tran.
silently occurred to my mind, as to the reality OF
the aliedged disease; and the reports OF his med
zeal attendant were far from establishing the ex-
istence of any thing like lunacy. Under this un-
certainty, deemed ii right to communicate to
nv parents, that if were to consider Lord By
ron's past conduct as that Of person OF sound
mind, nothing could induce me to return to him.
it therefore appeared expedient both to them and
mvselfto consult the ablest advisers. For that
object, and also to obtain still further lnforma-
ton respecting the appearances which seemed to
indicate mental arrangement, my mother deter
mined to 60 to London.
s'she was empowered by me to take legal opinions
on written statement Of mine, though l had
then reasons for reserving 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 proceedings,
that the notion of insanity was an illusion, | no
longer hesitated to authorize such measures as
were necessary, in order to secure me from be-
ing ever again placed in his power Conforma-
bly, with this resolution, my father wrote to him
on the Cd of February, to propose an amlca6le
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
a deed of separation. Upon applying to DR..
Washington, who was intimately acquainted with
all the circumstances, 20 state in wssting what he
recolected upon this subject, received from him
the following letter, by which it will be manifest
that my mother cannot have been actuated by
any hostile or ungenerous motives towards Lord
Byron:
"'My dear Lady Byron,-I can relyupon the
accuracy of my memory for the following state.
ment. was originally consulted by Lady Noel
on your behalf, whilst you were in the country;
the circumstances detailed by her were such as
justified separation, but they were not Of that
aggravated description as to render such mea-
sure indispensable. On Lady Noel's represen-
tation, deemed reconciliation with Lord By
ron practicable, and felt most sincerely wish to
aid in effectingit. There was not on Lady Noel's
part any exaggeration of the facts; nor, far
could perceive, any determination to prevent re
turn to Lord Byron: certainly none was express.
ed when spoke of reconciliation. When you
came to town in about fortnight, or perhaps
more, after my first interview with Lady Noel,
was for the first time Informed by you of facts
utterly unknown, as have no doubt to Sir Ralph
and Lady Noel On receiving this additional
information my opinion was entirely changed:
considered reconciliation impossible. l de,
clared my opinion, and added, that if such an
idea should be entertained, | could not, either
professedly or otherwise take aEy part towards
efec;ing it, believe me, very faithfully yours,
sSTEPH. LUSHINGTON.
Great George Street, Jan, 81, 1880.
81 have only to observe, that if the state
ments on which my legal advisers the late Sir
Samuel Romilly and DR.. nushington) formed
their opinions, were false, the responsibility and
the odium should rest with ,ae only. trust that
the facts which have here briefly recapitulated
will absolve my father and mother from all accu.
sations with regard to the part they took in the
separation between Lord Byron and myself
They neither originated, instigated, nor advised,
that separation; and they cannot be condemned
for having afforded to their daughter the assist
ance and protection which she claimed. There
is no other near relative to wdicate their memory
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