Year: 1869

Mr.. E. P. II. Thompson of Bombay, sends
to the Evening Aduertiser copy of letter
on this subject from a gentleman in India,
published in Madras paper The state
ments are not impossible, for strange things
hare happened; still we are inclined to re-
ceive the the narrative cum grano sails.


The true story of Lord Byron's separation
from his wife is very simple, though very Gu
rious. My father had it from one of his Lord
ships most intimate friends, and 1 propose to
give it in succinct form exactly as it was
told to me by my father, or as nearly as can
recollect it, just fifteen years ago.


On his wedding-day, as all the world knows
very well, Lord Byron was in an unnaturally
excited state of mind, and his brides some
what prudish behavior towards him tended
to increase his perturbation. When the pair
started together for the place where they had
resolved to pass the honeymoon, they had an
alteration which did not augur well for their
future happiness, and after receiving some
slight provocation, Lord Byron was betrayed
into bursting out into one of his ungovern-
able fits of passion, in the course of which
he foolishly, not to say wickedly, told his wife
that to. .she had been idotic enough to marry
acould find it out" These startling words,
as might be expected, frightened very much
for the moment the young and not over brave
girl to whom they were addressed; but the
impression produced by them was wiped out
shortly afterwards by a kind and judicious
speech, and nothing further occurred ON that
memorable day. But after the honeymoon
had come to an end, one of Lady Byron's
nearest relations learned from her the fact
that the commencement of her welded life
had been productive of much misery, both
to her and to her husband; and that, even so
soon, there was too much reason to fear lest
separation should become necessary.


For Lord Byron's monatory words had, it
appeared, contained far greater proportion
of truth than could have been supposed pos
sible by any person who heard them whilst


looking. on the noble head and features and
form of the speaker. AS he had angrily de-
clared, Lord Byron was, in sense, a devil.
Incredible as the thing may seem to the
thoughtless, the handsomest man in England
had small tail, pair of rudimentary horns,


and short, squad feet, divided forwards from
the instep into two parts instead of being fur
| niShed with toes. Before he was born his
| mother had once been greatly terrified by see
ing, when in very delicate state of health,
the celebrated picture of Satan spurned, in
| the gallery at La Haye; and the result had
| tent after the monstrous form of which the
| sight caused her alarm, and of which the


continuous recollection could not be effaced
| by any means known to her physicians. At


the time of her confinement, it was at first
| suggested that the monstrOsity should not he
suffered to live, but the child's body as whole


was so perfectly shaped, and his face SO won
| drously beautiful, that the suggestion was


forthwith put aside, and England was not


deprived of what in due time became one of


its chiefest ornaments.


| Poor Lady Byron never recovered wholly


from the shock caused by her discovery OF


what her husband really was; ana paruy


through excess of imagination, partly IN con-


sequence of bad advice from persons who


shall be pameIess, she felt it to be her duty to
insist upon her husband subjecting himself to
| certain painful operations. But this Lord


Rvron obstinately refused to do, He urged,


and with considerable force, that the peculiar


manner in which he wore his abundant curls


effectually hid from view the rudimentary


horns; and that as he never appeared in pub


lie without his boots and trousers, none


would ever suspect the existence of his other


defects, with the exception of his valet in


whom he placed implicit confidence. And il


must be remembered, in justice to his memo