New-York tribune., 1870-01-04
THE BYRON MYSTERY.
MRS. sTOWEs "yINpIcATIoN.o

papers OF Lady Byron should be gwen to the world
The title of her volume which is to issue from the
press of Fields, Osgood & Co., tomorrow, is
Lady Byron INDICATED: a History OF
the Byron Controversy from its beginning
in 1916 TO the present time' With the persistence
which comes of settled convictions-and perhaps
with some of the Characteristic stubbornness Of her
family-Mrs Stowe adheres not only to the truth of
all the material statements she has already made
upon the subject, but to her Judgment of the pro-
priety of making them. Into the discussion of this
point shall not stop to enter Let us first see
whether she has made out her case
The new "Vindication" is moro skillfully drawn
up than the old "T~r tory" bat is still cumber-
some and verbose. living aside the examination
of numerous minor questions upon which Mrs
Stoves accuracy has been impughed its salient points
are these:
!. Lady Byron did tell Mrs. Stowe that Lord Byron
committed incest with his sister.
2. Lord Byron confessed the crime, and Lady
Byron declared that she had letters and other docu-
ments proving it, though Mrs. Stowe did not sec
them.
8. The letters from Lady Byron to Mrs. Leigh, at
the time Of the separation. written IN the be-
lief that ByTon's crime had gone no further than
guilty purpose and attempt to which his sister had
not consented Fuller revelations came later
A. OF the supposed child of this incestuOus cOnnec-
ton, Mrs. Stowe learned but little what she tells
accOrds with the story of Medora Leigh,
which we published on Saturday.
Here we have the case cleared of great deal OF
rubbish. The arguments drawn from ByrOns
poetry are Of little worth on either side. His re-
peated statements that he ignorant of the cause
of separation, of course, are worthless; he was an
incorrigible liar, even when he had no good motive
IL h.r ho had pnnf yUh
crime that led his wife to demand q separation.
His declaration that he courted investigation is of
no worth for he never made that declaration pub
lcly and it was only tho threat Of public action for
divorce that drove him to submit to separation
The statement of Lord Wentworth that Lady ByrOn's
papers contain mention Of any such crime Is not
conclusive because he probably has not seen all her
papers, which by her will were left TO the custody OF
trustees Lord Wentworth not being one of theml
with strict injunctons that no ono else, however
nearly connected with her, should on any pretense
he allowed 70 see them Finally the statement, made
we know not upon what authority by The Quarterly
Rerec that Mr.. Robert Wmot Horton, In Lady
Byron's name. explicitly repudated the charge OF
incest when discussing with Mr.. John Cam Hobhouse
the possibility of reconciliation, ls answered by
the fact that on the theory of Mrs Stowe Mr. Robert
Wilmot Horton probably did not suspect the whole
truth ho had been told only so much as was neces-
sarv TO Justify the separaton-and certainly there
was no lack of justification. We may confine our
selves therefore to these questions Il. Did Lady
Byron make tho chargef O. Had she evidence TO
srppor.itY g. How can her belief in 1t be recon
ciled with the letters to Mrs Leighi A. Was she in
her right mindl We have read the whole argument
with care, and it seems to us that Mrs Stowe has
very nearly made out her case.
The circumstances under which the disclosure was
made to Mrs Stowe we must let her tell far as our
space permits in her own words She first met
Lady Byron in 1853 and feeling of mutual attach
ment seems speedily TO have followed the acquaint-
ance. She met her again in 1866. Lord Byron was
one day the subject Of conversation bet ween them
"I told her. says Mrs. stowe:
"that I had been from childhood powerfully In
fuenced by hun aud began to tell her now muen, as
child had been aft cted by the news OF his desthgV-
ing up all my plays, and gong on TO lonely hluslde'
where spent the afternoon t9nHng Oh t h nne
pulsye movement know oil that,, she SAD ond
Gf"ih ~ the things thai that made me wish to k,iolo
you. ! think yOu could understand nun;
We talked for some time Of HIN then; she, with
great mans widow might only Of what was purest and
best in his works and what his undenaOe virtues
and good traits, especially in cary me she toIu 9e
many pleasant little speeches made by him TO heTsel
aud though there running through all TINS shade
there We're mRdef ali any deeper Tecoectons than the
circumstances Of an ordinary separation might BRING
Some time afterward Mrs. Stowe and her sister
were invited to make Lady Byron visit at her
Summer residence on Ham Common, near Richmond,
Lady Byron intimating that she wished to converse
with Mrs Stowe privately on a subject Of Importance.
After lunch retired with Lady Byron and my sister
remained with her friends. should here remark that
the chief subject Of the conversation wch ensued was
not entirely new In the interval between my nrst
and second visits 20 England lady who for many years
had enjoyed Lady Byrons friendship ana commence
,.ith l.rcn an e.,
giving Of the Incidents: 50 that was IN manner
prepared for what followed.
Those who accuse Lady Byron OF being person fond
Of talking upon this subject and apt to make unCohsih.
cred condolences. have known very little OF her OF
speaking on subjects nearest her heart
Her habitat calmness and composure OF manner hef
collected dignity all occasions, are oiten mentioned
by her husband, sometimes win bitterness, sodne1 %
ByIon OF an excess OF selfrespect 1 must in candOr
admit, that, If person had excuse ior an extra
ordinary portion Of IT, she has; as IN all her thougn
words and deeds she is the most decorous woman that
ever existed and must appear What Iew fancy co1lJ
perfectly refined gentlewoman even 10 her Femme 20
This camness and dignity were never more manifested
than IN this interview. IN recalling the AZ AZ
This distance OF time cannot remember all language
used particular words and forms OF eSpresSI"n
do s1d m h those OF what was sad
There something awful TO me 10 the Intensity o re-
pressed emotion which she showed as she pr0eeeueu.
he great fact upon which aturned was stated III WORDS
Me- Stove he was guilty Of incest with his siser
She here became deathly pale that feared she
would faint and FASTENED to say NY dear lrlenI pave
heard that" She asked quickly, From whom T. ana
answered, "FrOm Mrs. - when she rephed' oh'
yeslr as II recOlleoting herself ,, =,
then asked her some questions, In reply 10 winch she
said, 81 will tell you" 49,, -,
Ryron from which gathered that she, an only child.
brought up In retirement and lyng much WITHIN herse,
had been as deep natures often intensely stirred
by his poetry aud had felt deep interest In him person
ay as enc that had the of all that glorious aud
noble a., -, ..-..,.,. /. ~.
When she was introduced 10 him, and perceived bis
aduiration OF herself and at last received his oner
athou gh deeply moved. she doubted her own power 10
he 10 him all that . wife should be- She declined his
Offer therefore, but desired TO retain s his friendship
On moral and literary SUBJECTS and, by this correspond
ence, her interest IN HIM was constantly Increased
tlast she said, ho sent her very beautiful letter,
lI.... LIZ A IL