The Republican journal., 1888-03-22
NUMBER 70.
Glimpses of Byron.

The name of Byron seems invested with
sort of charm-and why? Is it the charm Of
novelty: Certainly he was a singular person;
singular in his mental endowment. singular in
his physical organism. singular in his educa-
ton, his life and his death.
! Few, among reading people, are Indifferent
to his works. The majority either ardenty
admire CT earnestly condemn them.
/ The writers of the letters recently published
in the journal, evidently belong to the former
class, although we fail to see wherein styling
TennySon'> verse ''doygere,' Wordsworth
''daddy." and decryius Milton, enhance the
fame of Byron. Because we enjoy the musical
rhythm of the first, the sweet pastoras of the
second aud the grand imagery of the third,
does it indicate that we do not appreciate
Byron: Is it necessary to tear down the
shrincs OF other acknowledged poets. to build
| "A temple for the lattcrf Far from it. His
grand creations are his fame: and when. after
three score years and four, the gifted Arnold
pronounces Byron the greatest English poet Of
the century, it is safe TO presume that temple
is founded on rock.
Among condemners-"By "Byron-haters," 500
cacd-have we not typical one in the fair
hostess who cNclaimetl Il do not consider
Byron suitable reading for any - and later
on, said: Il never read word from his pen."
Byron was not a lover of poetry: seldom
read verse, it is said. He knew his power: but
valued poctic:! talent lightly, both in himself
and others. The patriot, the statesman, or the
military genius he ranked far above the poet.
Perhaps the age in which he lived had much to
do with this estimate. Born at the close of
cur great American struggle for independence,
living through the thrilling days of the French
Empire and its downfall, the deeds and vaior
of Washington, Napoleon and Wellington were
>ucces>yely the cngro>sine topics of conversa.
tioh around linn.
In person. BY ron was endowed with great
beauty. grace and magnetism. In speaking Of
the various pictures shown of him IL tho
National Portrait Gallery in London, an Amer
lean writer says: Each one was more bcauti-
full than fancy ever painted hin,." Yet he was
a constant sufferer from dyspepsia. Pulutodlc
food seemed his natural enemy. With the eX.
ceptoH Of Two short periods in his life. when.
>tuiig to madn.> by untowar,l circumstances.
he plunged into the deepest dissipation, he was
always an ah>trmiOus liver. Ordinary table
diet induced paroNy sins Of terrible suffering
and Superabln,iance Of flesh with corresponds
Ing hosyine>s of brain. Jefferson tells us
Byron would suh>i>t for weeks on stale bread.
''rn>rd down with s0ia-watcr''
tnnoubteGIy hi, marriage was the most un-
fortunate event of his life. Happy had it been
fur him, had Miss Aihank refused his second.
he did hi first suit. He seems to have
been very much in love " ith her, and She, on
her We'hing-lay said ''if | am not happy it
will he my own fault Vet at the end of the
first year they separated, size refused all his
ovrlturcS toward reconciliation. declaring that
unless he We're insane, She would not live with
the man who had used such language to her az
he had. This was then her only charge against
hiin.
In his subs, quent life in Switzerland, Raven
ma and Nenre, there is much that i hlameable
but had Lady Il. right to complain while.
wrapped III mantle Of untorgvng codues>
>ho posed as IA uHch-njured wife: Was She tie
nhig injured one: Her husband, above most
men, uttiyi tie loving sympathy and restraint
nf wife and home.
EI ron lHiIits We're many and he Wore them
iih a coa!,-pal,nt 20 HE world; hut when he
c>tolt~td the cause OF suffering Greece. gave
lavi~hIy OF hi~ mtiit> for her a. travelled
through different coulitrie> and hy his power
tu arguments raised large sums fer her as
>>taucr, and then. sacrificing a personal
,r.nturt~, iplnc.i the Greek forces and II, mast
ertN powers of >tatt>at;tii> >lp united the d>yoi-
daat tac;uu>. ;.hd When they Were read, to
proclaim him hiii-. died in their midst. the
cloak had faiitr.
NJ thirt!-,i\ the read Lord Byron stood re
ycitlt't utIorc Tie World
:. {. SUMTER.