New-York tribune., 1878-12-18

II cann0t trTtfe, Thank t1cy
likely to be realized In short there seems 70 be en
one dra wback all felicity, aud that alas 10 the
eaST desreed S TeeeVed the fatal
from Lady b. ten days and will own TO you that IL
was not only grief. but disappointment for had nat
tered myself such a sacrifice would not be made
In closing letter describes sort OF domestic
masquerade which has just taken place. In which Byron
playfuy snatched Lady Milbanke's wig from her head
and dressed himself up in dresslnggown turned inside
out while Lady Byron staked about in his travelling cap
and cloak with sham whiskes, and mustachios 10 match
This was eleven months after marriage. One month
later the storm came. Mrs. Leigh wrote Hodgson, en-
treating him to to London. He took the first mail
coach, but found Byron In such a nervous condition
that he would see nobody. But his love Tor
HOdgsoH soon oyercame him. and the fdend was
admitted. The result of the interview was that Hodgson
Immediately addressed TO Lady Byron "a very
courteous measured and judicial letter Of remonstrance
every word OF which, coming from such man, al
such time, is worthy Of careful study" In 1t he said
am convinced that the deep and rooted feeling OF
his ByrOns heart Is regret and sorrow Tor the occur
most unmxed admiration Of yOur conduct in all its par
ticulars and the warmest affection. But may l
be allowed TO state TO Lady Byron that Lord b.
after his general acknowledgment Of having frequently
been very wrong and from various causes in painful
state of Irritation yet declares himself Ignorant OF the
sDec thngs TsiGh have given t1e e9
Saf or be posbe endeayor 70 make some
reply, at all events may understand the funess OF
taken.
To this appeal Lady Byron replied vaguely and In
cohereny. and with dark illusions 10 revenge and to
her husbands efforts to undermine her religious convio
tions. She also accused him OF unkindness. but
made no allusion to Grievous moral offences
Of any kind. The letter in itself is enough
in The Ahen@um's opinion, "to destroy the
whole fabric of her later inventions" As to
Mrs Leigh, any suspicions Of her having "any share
in the Of this unhappy family must" that paper
% 1o,t1 aoI
impulsiye creature. with an anxious love for, and
delicate sympathy with all around her, that ex-
Quisitey engaging"
The memoirs are rich In much other information re-
lating TO "the celebrated Englshmsn OF the nine
teenth century" 1t 10 well known that he was very
proud OF having swan the Hellespont. On July 1910
he wrote from COnsantinope; 81 shall begin by tell
ing you having only told 1t you twice before, that
swan from SestOs to Abydos. do this that you may
be impressed with proper respect for me- the peformer
for plume myself on this achievement more than
could possibly do any kind Of glory political poet
cal or rhetorical" or how his poor foot wounded his
pride the world also knows In of the letters on
religion he says: "And csrcasses, which are to
rise again. they worth rasingi 1 hope, If
mine is that shall have q better pair OF legs
than have moved on these twosndtwenty years, or
shall be sadly behind in the squeeze into Paradise"
few days before the first two canos OF" Chide Harold
we're published, he wrote indiferently: "My poesy
comes out on saturday" Ana q year later: nave
no intention OF continuing Chide Harold" When the
first insialment of " Don Juan" came out It caused
great distress his sister, who thus audes to it
assure you am very low about him. This new poem,
persisted in, will be the ruin OF him. from what can
learn" In his copy Of Rufheads Life Of Pope" the
word mankind is underlined aDdin the margin he wrote
malignant race with Christianity in their mouths
ana Molochism in their hearts"
In 1912 HOdgson's money matters were in bad way.
He In debt the extent Of $1,000 Tho mother OF
o young lady to whom he was attached refused her
consent to the marriage unless all his debts paid
Byron at once, though not himself rcb offered to dis
charge his frienCs debts but the offer several times
refused. At last Hodgson accepted it, and when ex-
pressing his gratitude Lord Byron replied him. with
the strongest marks Of feeling and dsinclination to
have the subject mentioned: &" Don't speak OF IT. i
always intended TO do it," Bonds and promissOry
notes were repeatedly offered him, but always refused.
" What" he said. "is the OF bondi l should
only destroy cancel it, or leave you the same by wi
Hodgson at time proposed to write Byrons life.
Following the Of his death Mrs. Leigh sent him
very full and succnct account Of the burning Of the
poets memoirs in Mr.. Murray's paror. Upon this
Hodgson made bis suggestion, but Moore came in VITA
prior claim or Byron he appeared at Venice In 1878
Hodgson says he "looking very we'll, but .Iat,
Immensely large and bis hair long"