The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-11
LADY BYRORs STONY

appendix Of his Life of Byron" The fol
lowing are the essential portions of this state
ment:-
have disregarded various publications in
which facts within my own knowledge have
been grossly misrepresented; but am called
upon TO notice some of the erroneous state
ments proceeding from one who claims to be
considered as Lord Byron's confidential and
authorized friend. Domestic details ought
not to be intruded on the public attention; if,
however, they are 80 intruded, the persons
affected by them have a right to refutel in
furious charges. Mr.. Moore has promulgated
his own impressions of private events in
which was most nearly concerned, as if he
possessed a competent knowledge of the sub
ject. Having survived Lord Byron, I feel
increased reluctance to advert to any cir
cumstances connected with the period of
my marriage; nor is it now my intention to
disclose them, further than may be indis-
pensably requisite for the end | have in view.
Standardization is not the motive which ac-
tuates me to make this appeal, and the spirit
of accusation is unmingled with it, but when
the conduct of my parents is brought forward
in disgraceful light, by the passages selected
from Lord Byron's letters, and by the re-
marks of his biographer, / feel bound to JUS
tify their characters from imputations which
kaOao to be false. The passages from Lord
The aspersion on my mothers character, p.
G4S, line As rt ~
my child is very well and hourishng, hear; but
must SEQ also feel no disposition to resign II to
the contdgfon Of its grdndfHOther's society,""
The assertion of her dshonorable conduct
in employing spy, p. 645, line z, etc.
"A Mrs. G. (now o kind OF housekeeper and spy Of
Lady k.'s) who, in her better days, was washer
woman, is supposed to be-by the learned-very
much the occult cause of our domestic discre-
pancies."
The seeming exculpation of myself in the
extract, p. GAG, with the words Immediately
following it,
"Her nearest relatives are a--;'
where the blank clearly implies something
too offensive for publication. 1.|fI
These passages tend to throw suspicion on
my parents, and give reason to ascribe the
separation either to their direct agency or
to that of ''oificious spies employed by them.
From the following part of the narrative
(p. G42) it must also be inferred that an
undue influence was exercised by them for
the accomplishment of this purpose
at was in a few weeks after the latter commpni-
cation between us GLord Byron and MIR. Moore, that
Lady Byron adopted the determination OF parting
from him. She had left London at the latter end of
January on visit to her IA ners house, in Leices
tershre and Lord Byron in a short time to fol-
low her. They had parted in the utmost kindness
she wrote him letter full of payfulness and aec-
tion on the road, and Immediately her arrival at
Kirkby Mallory her father wrote to acquant Lord
Byron that she would return to him no more"
In my observations upon this statement, 1
shall, as far as possible, avoid touching on
any matters relating personally to Lord Byron
and myself. The facts are:-I left London
for Kirkby Mallory, the residence of my father
and mother, on the 18th of January, 1916.
Lord Byron had signifed to me in writing
(January 6th) his absolute desire that should
leave London on the earliest day that could
conveniently fix. 1t was not safe for me to
undertake the fatigue of journey sooner
than the 18TH
Previously to my departure, it had been
strongly impressed on my mind that Lord
Byron was under the influence of insanity
This opinion was derived in great measure
from the communications made to me by his
nearest relatives and personal attendant, who
had more opportunities than myself of
observing him during the latter part of nv
stay in town. 1t was even represented to me
that he was in danger of destroying himself.
With the concurrence of his family, 1 had
consulted DIR. Baillie, as friend (January 81,
respecting this supposed malady. On ac
quaintipg him with the state of the case and
with Lord Byron's desire that / should leave
London, DIR. Bailie thought that my absence
might be advisable as an experiment, assuming
the fact of mental arrangement, for Dr.. Bail
lie, not having had access to Lord Byron
could not pronounce positive opinion on
that point He enjoined that in correspond
ence with Lord Byron, 1 should avoid all but
light and soothing topics. Under these in-
pressions, left London determined to follow
the advice given by DIR. Baillie. Whatever
might have been the nature of Lord Byron's
conduct towards me from the time of my
marriage, yet supposing him to be in state
OF mental alienation, it was not for me, nor
for any person of common humanity, to
manifest at that moment q sense of in
jury On the day of my departure, and
(Janury 16th), / wrote to Lord Byron
in a kind and cheerful tone, according to
these medical directions. The last letter was
circulated, and employed as pretext for the
charge of my having been subsequently, ilaAu-
encod to desert" my husband. 1t has been
argued that parted from Lord Byron in per-
feet harmony; that feelings incompatible with
any deep sense of injury had dictated the
letter which l addressed to him; and that nv
sentiments must have been changed By per-
suaslon and interference, when was under
the roof of my parents. These assertions
and inferences are wholly destitute of founda-
ton - Il.
When l arrived at Kirkby Mallory, my
parents were unacquainted with the existence
of any causes likely to destroy my prospects
OF happiness; and when / communicated to
them the opinion which had been formed con
cerning Lord Byron's state of mind, they were
most anxious to promote his restoration by
every means in their power. They assured
those relations who We're with him in London,
that they would devote their whole care
and attention to the alienation of his
malady, and hoped to make the best arrange
ments for his comfort if he could be induced
IN eft r. l.