Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-09-04

vanity, bu; know ledge OF the fact, that made him
believe himself detcstod: but 1, continuing TO smile
and look ncredulous, he got really displeased and
said: 'You have such u provoking memory that
you compare notes of all ones different opinions SO
that ono is sure To get into n scrapc." Byron OBJ
served, that he once told Madame dc Stnel that he
considered her "Dclphino" aud "Corinnon ms very
dangerous productions to lie put into the hands of
young women. L asked him how she received this
piece of candor, and he answered:-"Oh, inst ms
all such candid uvowas reccived-she never for
gave me for il. She cndcavored TO prove To me
that, du c0ntrdire, the tendencies Of both her mo-
wells were super. emnentiy moral bepycd that
we might not enter on 'Delphine, that was hors
de question, (shc furious at this) but all the
moral world thought, that her representing all the
virtucus characters in 'Corinnc' as being dull com
mon place, and tedious most insidious blow
aimed virtue, and calculated TO throw it into the
shade. She excited and impatient to at.
tempt rciutation, that il only by my yolubil.
ity could keep her silent. She interrupted me
every moment by gestculating, cxclaiming:
idee! Mon Dieu" 'Ecoutez, doncn Vous im'mpa-
uento y" but continued saying how dangerous
1t was to inculcate the belief that genius, talent
requirement, and accomplishments, such as Cornne
was represented to possess could not preserve n
woman from becoming a victim to an unrequed
passion, and that reason, absence, and female
pride were unavailing.
IL told her that 'Corinne' would be considered,
II not cited, as an excuse for violent passions by all
young ladies with nagination eralte, and that she
had much to answer for. Had you seen her. /
now wonder how had courage 10 90 on; but
was in one of my humors, aud had heard of her
commenting on me one day, L determined to
pay her off, She told me that L. above all people,
was the last person that ought to talk of morals
nobody had done more to deterorate them look
cd innocent, and added, was willing plead gull.
y of having ,escntcd Vice under aluring forms;
but so 1T was generally in the world therefore il
was necessary to paint it so: but that never re-
presented Virtue under the sombre and disgusting
Shapes OF dullness, severity, and cnnu, and that
always took care to represent tho votaries of vice
as unhappy themselves, and entailing unhappiness
those that loved them; so that ma moral was un
cxceptionabe. She was perfectly outrageous, and
the more so, as appeared calm and in earnest,
though assure you it required EFFORT, was
ready to laugh outright at the idea that l. who was
at that period considered the most mouuais sujet of
the day, should give Madame dc Stael lecture on
morals and knew that this added to her rage. /
also knew she never dared avow that had taken
such liberty. She was, notwithstanding her lit
tie cefects, fine creature, with great talents, and
many noble qualities, and had simplicity quite ex-
traordinary which led her to believe every thing
people told her, and consequently to be continually
hoaxed, OF which saw such proofs in London
Madame de Stael it who first lent me .Adol-
phe,' which you like much it is very clever and
and very affecting. friend of hers told me- that
she was supposed to be the heroine, and l. with nv
dmtd6te franchise insinuated as much to her. which
rendered her furious. She proved to me how i'm
possible it that it could be so, which already
knew, and complained of the malice of the world
for supposing it possible"
Byron has remarkable penetration in discovering
tho characters of those around him. and he piques
himself extremely it: he also thinks he has ia
thomed the recesses of his mind; but he is
mistaken: with much that is little (Which he sus-
pects) in character, there is much that is great
that he does not give himself credit for his first
impulses are always good, hut his temper, which is
impatient, prevents his acting the cool dictates
OF reason; and it appears to me, that in Judging
himself, Byron mistakes temper for character, and
takes the ebullitons of the first for the indications
OF the nature OF the second. He Declares that in
addition to his other fangs, avarice is now esta-
bllshed This new vice, like all the others he at
tributes to himself he talks of as one would name
those OF an acquaintance, in sort of deprecating,
yet half knocking tone; much as to saw YOU see I
know all my faults better than you do, though |
don't choose to correct them: indeed it has often
occurred to me, that he brings forward his defects
as II IN anticipation of some else exposing them
which he would not like; as though ne affects the
contrary, he is jealous of being found fault with
and shows it in thousand ways.
lie affects to dislike hearing bis works praised
or refer red TO; say affects, because am sure it
is not real natural; he who loves praise as By
ron eviently does, in other things cannot dislike
1t for that in which he must be conscious il is de-
served. He refers to his feats in horselnanship,
shootng at mark, and swimming, in way that
proves he likes to be comrlimened on them; and
nothng appears to give him more satisfaction than
being considered of fashion, who had great
success in fashionable society in London when he
resided there. He is peculiarly compassionate to
the poor; remarked that he rarely, in our rides
passed Il mendicant withou. giving him charity,
which was invariably bestowed with gentleness
and kindness; this still more observable if the
person was deformed if he sympathized with
the object.
Byron is very fond of gossiping, and of hear
ing what is going in the London fashionable
world; his friends keep him an courant and any
little scandal amuses him very much / observed
TINS to HIM one day, and added, that thought his
nind had been too great to descend to such rifes,
lie laughed and SAID with mock gravity, "Domt
you know that the trunk of an elephant that can
hft the most ponderous weights, dIsdains not to
take up the most minute? This is the case with INV
great mind, Laughing anew,) and you must allow
the smile is worthy the subject. Testing apart /
do like little scandaI--I believe all English peo
pie do. An Italian lady, Madame Benzoni talk
ing TO me on the prevalence of this taste among
my comPdtrIots, observed, that when she first knew
the English, she thought them the most spiteful
and Ill natured people in the world, from hearing
them constantly repeating evil of each other; but
having seen various amiable traits in their charac
lers, she had arrived at the conclusion, that thew
were not naturally meChdnt; but that living ia
country like England, where severity of morals
Furnishes so heavily any dercliction from proprie
W. each individual to prove personal correctness,
was compelled to attack the sins of his or her
acquaintance, as it furnished an opportunity of ex
pressing their adherence by WORDS instead of pro-
wing 1T by actions, which might cause some self.
denial TO themselves. "This" said Byron "was
an ingenious, as well charitable supposition;
and we must all allow that il is infinitely more easv
TO decry and expose the sins of Others than 10
correct our own and many find the first so agree
able an occupation, that it precludes the second
thus, at least, is my case"
The Italians do not understand the English. :"
SaId byron; indeed, how can they? for they 1.-THE
ltalians) are frank, simple, and open in their ma
lures, following the bent of their inclinations
tyI nfrl, fI,n, 4 i