Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-05-28
Extracts from New Books.
LORD BYRON.

LORD BYRON.
From RecoRections of The Last Days of Shelley and B.ron"
Byron formed his opinion of the inhabitants of this
planet from books; personally he knew little about
them as II he belonged to some other From reading
Rochefcucauld Machiavel and other soured cyncs he
learned to dstrust people general he could do moth
ing without them, and did not know how to manage
them he was always complaining of being overreached
and never getting what he wanted don't think he
ever knew what he did want
! To resume my log on board the good ship Hercu-
les" On the I'd of August, the islands of Cophalona
and Zante were in sight and shortly after Byron point
ing out the Morea said, don't know why it is but
feel if the eleven long years Of bitterness which
have passed through since was here, were taken off
my shoulders, and | was scuddng through the Greek
Archipelago with old Bathurst in his frigate The
captain gave the latest from the seat of war;
and said Baquere had gone to England, at which Byron
was sorely vexed The truth flashed across his mind
that he had been merely used as decoy by the Com
mitee. low they have got me thus far they think
must 60 on, and they nothing as to the result
They are deceived; won't bulge foot farther until
see my way; will stay here if that is objected to-
will buy an island from the Greeks or Turks there
must be plenty of them in market The morning after
our arrival flock of Zuiote refugees alghted
deck, attracted by Byrons dollars. Lega, the
steward thorough miser coed himself on the money
chest like viper Our sturdy skipper for driving
them overheard with hand dpikes Byron came on deck
in exubcrant spirits pleased with their savage aspect
and wild attire, and, his won't promised great
deal than he should have DONE day and night they
cung to his heels like pack of jackals till he stood at
bay like hunted lion, and was glad to buy them off, by
shipping them to Morea. On Colonel Napiers return
to the island he warmly urged Byron and indeed all Of
u.s. to take up quarters at his house from first to
last all the English the island the military well
the civilians We'd with each other in friendly and hosp
able acts. Byron preferred staying on board every
afternoon he and | crossed the harbor in boat and
landed on rock to bahe on one of these occasions he
held out his right leg to me, saying,
I" bope this accursed limb will be knocked off in the
war"
" It won't improve your swimming" answered {" I
will exchange legs if you will give portion of your
brains"
You would repent your bargain" he said at times
feel my brains boiling, Shey's did whilst you were
griling him."
After bathing, landed in an olive grove eating our
frugal supper under the trees Our Greek passengers
during the voyage said that the Greeks generally
in favor of monarchial government the Greeks on
the island confirmed this saying it the only way of
getting rid of the robber chiefs who tyrranzed
and kept the country state of anarchy and they
must have foreigner for king, they could not do bet
ter than to elect Byron The Poet treated this sug-
gestion lightly saying, If they make me the offer
may not refuse it. | shall take care of my own sma
peculiar for, if it don't suit my humor SHALL like
Sancho, abdicate" Byron several times alluded to
this, in bantering vein; it left impression his
mind. Had he lived to reach the congress of Saona
yer crowns would have been offered a golden one.
Our party made an excursion to the neghborng is
land of Ithaca cOntrasted with the arid wastes and bar
red hills of Cephaonia, the verdant valleys spark
ling streams and high land clothed in evergreen shrubs
were strikingly beautiful After landing, it propo-
Sed to Byron to visit of the localities that antigua
res have dubbed with the titles of Homers school
Ulysses stronghold etc. he turned peevhly away, say
ing to me- Do look like Of these emasculated 70
eies? Let's have swim. [ detest antiquarian twad
die. Do people think have no lucid intervals that
came to Greece to scribbe nonsense? will show
them that do something better wish had nev-
er written ne to have it cast in my teeth at every
turn" Brown and Gambia went to look for place
: where we might pass the night, as we could not get
mules to go on until the next day.
After long swim, Byron clambered up the rocks,
and, exhausted by his days work. fell asleep under the
shade of wild fg-tree at the mouth Of cavern Gam
ed him from pleasant dream for which the Poet cursed
him. We fed on figs and olives, and passed our night
at goatherds cottage"
In the morning we rode through the pleasant little
valley to Nathy, the capital The Resident Capt
Knox his lady, and every one else who had house.
opened their doors to welcome u.s. and the Pilgrim was
received if he had been prince On the summit OF
high mountain in the island there is ancient mon
astery from which there is magnificent view of the
L0nian Sea, Greece, and many islands. The day after
our arrival we ascended it, party amounting to ten
twelve, including servants and mueteers. AS usual
it was late when started there not breath OF
air and the heat intense. Following zig
gag path between rocks and precipces in sins gle e
our mules crept upwards our difficulty increased, until
the path became stone steps, by time and travel in
the solid limestone We all dsmounted but Byron he
aded and irritable as he generally was when deprived
of his accustomed midday siesa, it dusk before we
reached the summit of the mountain. The Abbot had
been apprised by the Resident of visit and when
neared the monastery files of men stood each side
q of our path, bearing pine torches On coming up tC
the walls we saw the monks in their grey gowns ranged
along the terrace they chaunted hymn Of gorifica
ton and welcome to the great Lord saying Christ has
risen to elevate the cross and trampe the crescent
in our beloved Greece The Abbot clad in his sacred
robes received Byron in the porch and conducted hin
into the great hail. illuminated for the occasion ht
monks and others clustered round the honored guest
boys swung cenrers with frankncense under the Poets
nose The Abbot, after performing variety of cere
monies in a very dgn6ed manner, took from the folds
of his ample garments roll of paper and commenced
intoning through his nasal organs urgid and ntermin
& able euOgium on my Lordo Inglese, in polyglO
of divers tongues while the eyes of the silent monks
anxious to observe the effect of the holy fathers eO
r quence, glanced from the Abbot to the Lord.
Byron had not spoken word from the time enter
/ ed the monkery; thought he resolved to set
:. example of proper behavior No surprs
ed than was when suddenly he burst into paroxysn
of rage and vented his ire in torrent of Italian
tons the holy Abbot and all his brotherhood. Ther
l. turning US with flashing eyes, he vehemently exclam
Is ed
n "Wl no one release me from the presence of thes
pestiental idiots they drive mad - Selling
U lamp, he left the room.
The CONSERVATION of the monks at this explosion o
d wrath may be imagined. The amazed Abbot remained
for some time motionles his eyes and mouth wide open
holding the paper he had been reading in the same posi-
1t ton he looked at the vacant place left by Byron ant
then at the door through which he had disappeared
e last he thought he had solved the mystery and in low
trpmnIous voice said-sipncantly Duttng his fore fin