Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1869-11-19
The Byron story.

The October number of the Qudrter-
ly Revie0 has very able article on the
Byron controversy. In it are published
for the first time the following letters
from Lady Byron to Mrs. Leigh, which,
as far as negative evidence can do il,
completely disposes of the accusation
against the latter:
The first, not dated, was evidently
written by Lady Byron in January. 1917
shortly before she left for Kirby Mallory,
her sister-in-law being then under the
same roof with her. Mrs. Leigh re-
NAMED with Lord Byron in Riccadily
for several weeks after the departure Of
Lady Byron, and only left him when
she found she could be of no further use
to either party.
/" You may think me very foolish, but
I have tried two or three times and can
not talk to you of your departure with
decent visage-so let me say one word
in this way, to spare my philosophy
With the expectations which have,ss Fl
never can or will ask you to stay one
moment longer than you are inclined to
do. 1t would be the worst return for
all ever received from you But in
this ct least, | am truth ITSELF when |
say that whatever the situation may be,
there is no ono whose society is dearer
to me, or can contribute more to nv hap
piness. These feelings will not change
under any circumstances. Should you
hereafter condemn me, shall love you
none the less. / will say no more
Judge for Yourself about going or stay
ing. l wish you to consider yourself,
if you could be wise enough to do that
for the first time in your life,
Thine, A. I. B.
Addressed on the cover Z" To the
Hon. Mrs. Leigh"
KIRBY MALLORY, Jan. 16. Isle
(The day after she left London.)
Ny DEAREST Alt is my great
comfort that you are in Piccadilly.
KIRBY MALLORY, Jan. %, 1916.
DEAREST Al know you feel for me
as do for you, and perhaps am bet
ter understood than l think. You have
been, ever since / knew yor, my best
comforter, and will so remain, unless
you grow tired Of the Office, which may
we'll be.
Jan. 25, 1916.
My DEAREST AUGUsrA.-ShalI l be
still your sister! l must resign my rights
to be so considered; out | don't think
that will make any difference in the kind
ness have SO uniformly received from
you.
KIRBY MALLORY, Feb. 8, 1916.
Ny DEAREST AUGUSTA. You are
desired by your brother to ask if my
father has acted with my concurrence in
proposing separation. He has. 1t
cannot be supposed that, in my present
distressed condition, l am capable OF
stating in detailed manner the reasons
which will not only justify this measure,
but compel me to take it; and it never
can be my wish to remember unnecessar-
lily [sicl those injuries for which, howev.
er deep, l feel no resentment. l will
now OILY recall to Lord Byron's mind
his avowed and insurmountabIe aversion
to the married state, and the desire and
determination he has expressed ever since
its commencement to free himself from
that bondage, as finding it insupport-
able, though candidly acknowledging
that no Office or duty or affection has
been wanting on..ny part. He has too
painfully convinced me that all these at
tempts to contribute towards his happi
ness were wholly useless, and most un-
welcome to him. | enclose this letter to
my father, wishing it to receive his sane.
ton. Ever yours most affect onatey.
A. l. BYRON.
February 4. 1916.
l hope my dear A, that you would on
no account Withhold from your brother
the letter which | sent yesterday, in n
swer to yours written by his desire; par
tcu!arly rs one l have received from
himself to- day renders it still more i'm
portant that he should know the con-
tents of that addressed to you. | am,
in haste, and not very well, yours most
affectionately, A. l. BYRON.
KIRBY MALLORY, Feb. IA. 1916.
The present sutferings of all may yet
be repaid in blessings. Do moi despair
absolutely, dearest; and leave bit enough
of your interest to afford you any con-
ISOLATION by partaking of that sorrow
which am most unhappy to cause thus
unintentionally You will be of my opin-
ion hereafter, and at present your bitter
est reproach would be forgiven; though
Heaven knows you have considered me
more than thousand would have done
more than anything but my affection
for B, one most dear to you, could de-
serve. | must not remember these feel.
ings. Farewell! God bless you from
the bottom of my heart. A. B.