The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-22

From Memoir Of Thomas Moorer In American
edition OF bis worksl

From Memoir OF Thomas Mooren In American
edition OF his worKs.l r
II mad been Mo0re's design and q part of hia
Byron. 10 write some sort OF biography OF his friend
and the destruction OF the "Memolrs' did not alter
this purpose. A lew months after that event, IN
November, 1924, he caused his intention to be CON-
municated TO Lady Byron and to Mrs.. Leigh. sug-
gesting at the same time that the family must prefer
'that hand upon whose delcacy they coald rely
should undertake the task rather than have his
memory at the mercy OF scribolers who dlshonOr
alike the living and the dead" The execution OF
this work necessarily postponed until the SLife
OF Sheridan" should be completed Moore then went
to Hobhouse, whose countenance and aid, as Lord
Byron's executor II was OF the first importance to
secure informing him of his plan and soliciting his
cooperation. H0bhouse objected to any life OF
Byron beng written, ana particularly to one by the
author OF the life OF Sheridan having no high
opinion OF his talents for biography. LORD John
Russell also endeavored to dissuade him from the
undertaking. Moore professed to see all the objec-
tons 10 the meditated work, but his heavy account
with the Longmans made 1t extremely hard TO give
The embarrassments Of the case were Increased by
his having quarrelied with Murray, who was IN pos
session OF large quantity Of Byron's papers, ana
therefore by far the most eligible person Tor pub.
Usher, A good understanding, however, was 80 ob.
viOusly for the interest Of both parties that recon.
citation was easily brought about. Moore making
after the original difficulty had occurred. Neg0ta-
tons were forthwith commenced between the author
satisfactory arrangement could be made. The
"Epicurean' being finished in June, 1921, Moore had
no Work OF consequence on DIS nandS. FROM tuaC
time he devoted himself actively to the collection OF
materials for the biography visiting for this purpose
In the course OF the next months DR.. Gennle, with
whom Byron was at school: Dr. Drury. OF Harrow;
Mrs. shelley, Colonel Wildman, OF Newstead Abbey;
Mrs. Musters formerly Miss Chaw0rth) and others,
and taking notes OF their conversation.
At last, IN February, 1928, Murray came to terms.
He proposed to place all OF his Byron papers which
were proper for publication In MOores hands and TO
give gulneas for the life. This liberal offer was at
once accepted, with the condition that the large
sum owing to the L0ngmans amounting IL Is said
to f3 ,020l should be paid Immediately, and the next
month the work was actually begun. The whole
task Of gathering information composing the nara
tive and correcting the press occupied about three
years June 1S27-August, $780, The intended
limits Of single volume were found insufficient,
and two were required, Of which the first was Issued
in January, 1880 and the second in December OF the
same year. The critics gave the book kind recep-
ton, but the publisher lost money, the price OF two
quartOs and also the deep and perhaps unreasOn-
able sentiment of horror with which It's unhappy
hero was long regarded proving great check to It's
oeeded better Not long after the publication OF this
life Murray projected an edition Of Byr0n's works
and had some conferences with Moore to induce
him to take charge OF 1t. The plan was soon given
up, nor has the world any reason to regret its
failure. Surely nothing could be more supernuous
than what Moore designed to execute-a sort OF
running commentary on Byrons works, introducing
anecdotes, quotations and all such t0uch-and go
things the lormality of an essay" on the genius
Of the poet tMurray's wisn) 'wouid not admit Of"