The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-05
a Scandal in 1924.
from the London News. Sent. %

From the London News, Sept 22l
correspondent forwards us copy OF the E1.
dn,taer OF June T. 1924, 'prlnted by John Hunt In
Broad street, sheet Of the ordinary letter paper
size, the leading article OF which may DO worth re-
printing IL has its moral now. At the date OF It's
appearance Byron had not been two months dead
LORD BYRON.
Several London journals, who love gossip better
than trutn, and who care not how absurd and nper-
tinent story Is, provided 1t administers to rage
OF tattlina about eminent persons have copied from
Dublin paper pretended statement OF the cause OF
the separation between Lord and Lady Byron, with
very minute particulars The writer OF this fabrca-
ton rejects, with considerable ostenat0n of liberal
ity, the filthy scandals With which this country
Mrs. Mardyn tths acress) the heroine OF mis-
tale lie relates how that lady once called on Lord
Byron on theatrical affairs; how she was shown into
his library; how a shower OF rain came on and
detained her there; how Lord Byron would have sent
her home In MS carriage but was batned by orders
given 10 the servants by Lady Byron, who by this
time had worked herself into Jealous passion; how
dinner time came aud Lord Byron introduced Mrs
Mardgn into the dining room; what mutual
reproaches were uttered-and how the affair ended
by her ladyshps being whired from the house 'for
ever in the very carriage which had been prepared
Tor Mrs. Mardyn.
All this has 90 much the air offs domestic tale,
from the Minerva press that IL could hardly gain
credit except rom the eager retailers Of tatte 1t
might however, be easily supposed by others to have
some Foundation in truth-to be loose or emnel-
ished version OF real occurrence; the more as II
would seem to lie liberal and moderate account OF
an affair which some years ago was the subject OF
general ruinor ana we are ashamed to adj Of very
extended credit.
For these reasons il may be as well to state that
this pretended narrative is, from beginning TO end
a pure lcton. We take iris opportunity TO add,
upon the authority OF the iustr1ous poets nearest
frends, that Lord Byron far from being ac4ualnt-
ed with Mrs. Aardyn, neyerspoke 10 her Ia his whole
lie.
TINS Is one OF the most curious and instructive
examples OF the operation OF scandal that
we ever heard Of no sooner was 1t known
that LORD and Lady Byron had separated
than the town rung with reports respecting the
cause. Conalderng the suddenness OF the event the
nigh rank OF bis iordshp Doth IN society and IA liter
ature aGd the excessive fondness OF 1.-THE grcatp for
managing each others characters, this was natural
enough But then the particulars invented The
could connect VITA the unhappy affair lady who
had 10 more 10 do with II than the Queen OF the
saa9 n5Sa sapaso, and Of 1e sgates; &C.
author there was not the shadow OF
evidence. YET never was rumor more
general-neyer was one connected with more dis
gusttng particulars. differing, indeed, from each
other, but oil alike odous and improbable. The SEN
sltiye poet Disguised with the readiness with which
the public swallowed this nauseous trasn would not
condeseend TO refute II. Mrs. Nardyn, whose pro.
fesslona hopes were on the point OF being blasted
forever, explicitly contradicted 1t In the Journals
and declared wat NO just now repeated-vz., thai
she had never seen Lord Byron except In public and
had never once spoken 10 him. The scandal .m0ngers,
however, would not part with their precious moisel;
ana the political bgots and corruptionists-whO
then began TO perceive that the distinguished and
versatile genius concerned was foe 70 their DARK
ana dirty proceedings drowned the voice OF truth
by the din Of their abuse. The illustIious bard
going abroad they had the field clear 10
themselves. Tbs caumny has continued cur.
rent ever since among that numerous body
who take things on trust, and 1t now dies
only with It's object Wehave heard persons in decent
gociety-persons otherwise wei informed and well
disposed-repeat this baseless SANDER as II IL was
acknowledged matter OF fact. This little history
may teach us two thlngs-1rst, not TO put faith in
reports, however positive and general OF alleged
transactions In private farnie3 secondly, not to be-
iieye man gully because he does not Contradict a
gross imputaion on his character, but 70 recolect
that no may feel too great scorn for the iliberal
ana ecandal-loving weakness or those who can
credit things 80 odious against him.
Nov we are dealing with rumors, we shall give
the coup De grace TO another or n very shabby
description. loud whisper Is going about that
Lady Byron had great dlfilcuy In getting paid her
portion OF the income which was divided between
Lord and Lady Byron, according TO the arrangement
OF mutual friends. The fact Is, tdat the periodical
payments were made 10 her Lady ship the same day
on which they were received In behalf OF her bus
band.