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


on this occasion, Byron and his Pyrades dressed
themselves as Aids-de-camp-a circumstance
which, at the time, did not tend to improve my
estimation of the solidity of the character of Ell
ther But such is the force of habit; it appear
ed less exceptionable affection in the young peer
than in the oommoner.
Had we parted at Cagliari, it is probable that
should have retained much more favorable recO'-
lection of M. Hobhouse than of Lord Byron;
for he was a cheerful companion, full OF ode anu
droll stories, which he told extremely well; he
was also good humored and gent-atogeth-
err All advantageous specimen Of welleducated
English gentleman. Moreover, | was, at the
time, afflicted with nervous detection, which
the occasional exhiliration produced by his anec-
dutes and college tales often materially dissipat-
e,l, though, for the most part, they were more az
ter the manner and matter of Swift than of Ad-
Olson.
Byron was, during the passage, IN delicate
health, and upon abstemiOus regimen. He
rarely tasted wine, nor more than half glass,
mingled with water, when he did, lie ate little;
no animal food, but only bread aud vegetables
He reminded me of the gow that picked rice
with kneedc; for il was manifest that he had
not acquired his knowledge of the world bv al
ways dining so sparely. If my remembrance is
cabin with us-the one before we came TO
Choir at Cagiari; for when the lights were plac-
ed. he made himself man forbid, took Ills sta
ton on the railing between the pegs on which the
sheets are behaved and the shrouds, and there.
for hours, sat in silence. enamored, it may be, of
the moon. All these peculiarites, with his ca
prices, and something in the cast OF his meta
physics, while they serve to awaken interest,
contributed little TO concliate esteem-he was
often strangely rapt--it may have been from his
genius; and had its grandeur and darkness been
| then divulged, susceptible of explanation; but, at
| the time. 1t threw, as it were, around him, the
sackcloth of penitence. Sitting amidst the
shrouds and ratings, in the tranquility OF the
moonlight. chanting an inarticulate melody, he
seemed almost apparitional, suggesting dim re-
miniscences of him who shot the albatross. He
was as a mystery in winding sheet. crowned
| with halo.
The influence of the incomprchcnslble phan-
tasma which lowered about Lord Byron has been
more or less felt by all who ever approached him.
That he sometimes came out OF the cloud. and
was familiar and earthly, is true; but his dwell
ling was amid the murk and the mist, and the
home of his spirit in the abysm of the storm, and
the hiding place Of guilt. He was. at the time
of which am speaking. scarcely two and twenty.
and could claim no higher praise than having writ
ten clever worldly minded satire; and vet it
wac impossible, even then. to reflect on the bias
of his mind, as it was revealed by the casualties
of conversation, without expressing PRESENT.
| ment, that he was destined to execute some SIN
gular and ominous purpose. The description he
ha. given ofManfred in his youth. was ofhimsef.
| MY spirit walked not with the souls Of men,
! Nor Iooh ed upon the earth with human eyes,
The thirst OF their ambition was not nine;
The aim Of their existence not mine!
My joys. NV griefs, M passions, and my powers,
Made me stranger Though were the iorm
| ] had no sympathy with breathing flesh
Mv JOY WAS in the Wild ,rness 10 bre athe
The difficult air Of the iced mountains top,
Where the birds dare not build nor insects wing
Fit ov r the berbless granite, or TO plunge
Into the torrent, and 10 roll along
On the swift w'irl of the new breaking wave
0friver, stream, or ocean, IN their flow
! In these my early strength eSultel:
! To follow through the night the moving moon;
! The stars, and their development; catch
The dazzling hghtnings till my eyes grew dim;
or TO look listening on the scattered leaves,
While autumn winds at their evening SONG.
! These were my pastimes and to be alone
| For f the beings, of whom was one
| Hating TO BE crossed me i'll my path,
! I fet ny self degraded back to them,
And al! ella, again.
| shall always remember Cagiari with particu-
lar PicdsuIe, iui IL Sp udrPeheu tia' ioi"eu
there three Of the most agreeable acquaintance
Of my life, and one of them was withLord Byron:
for although we had been eight days together,
yet could not have previously accounted myself
| acquainted with his Lordship.
After dinner we all went to the theatre, which
was that evening, on account of some court fes-
uval, brilliantly illuminated. The royal family
we're present, and the opera was performed with
more taste and execution than had expected to
meet with in So remote place, and under the
restrictions which rendered the intercourse with
the continent then so difficult. Among other
remarkable characters pointed out to us, was
nobleman in the pit, under the ban of outlawry
| for murder. have often wondered if the incl
dent had any effect on the creation of Lara; for
we know not in what small germs the concep-
tons of genius originate.
But the most important occurrence of that
evening arose from delicate observance of eti-
quette on the part of the ambassador. After car
rying US to his box, which was close to that of
tho roya family in order that ,ye mjoht coo the