S.H.1825

RECOLLECTIONS

OF THE

LIFE OF LORD BYRON,

FROM THE YEAR

1808 TO THE END OF 1814;

EXHIBITING

HIS EARLY CHARACTER AND OPINIONS, DETAILING THE PROGRESS OF HIS
LITERARY CAREER, AND INCLUDING VARIOUS UNPUBLISHED
PASSAGES OF HIS WORKS.

TAKEN FROM AUTHENTIC DOCUMENTS,

IN THE POSSESSION OF THE AUTHOR.

BY THE LATE

R. C. DALLAS, Esa.

TO WHICH IS PREFIXED,

AN ACCOUNT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO THE SUPPRESSION

OF LORD BYRON'S CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE AUTHOR,

AND HIS LETTERS TO HIS MOTHER, LATELY
ANNOUNCED FOR PUBLICATION.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR CHARLES KNIGHT, PALL-MALL-EAST.

MDCCCXXIV.

536.

CONTENTS.

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT of the circumstances lead-

ing to the suppression of Lord Byron's Correspondence

with the Author, and of his Letters to his Mother—p. i

to cxvii.

NOTE as to the birth place of Lord Byron-cxix.

CHAP. I. p. 1-18.

Family connexions of Lord Byron-Juvenile Poems-

"Hours of Idleness"-Letter of Mr. Dallas-agreeable

communication from his Lordship-second Letter of 21st

July, 1808, and reply to it-first interview with Lord

Byron-pleasing impressions excited by the Poem

strengthened by personal acquaintance" engrafted" reli-

gious opinions-visit on his 21st birth-day-his indigna

tion at Lord Carlisle's behaviour estranges him from

his family connexions-attack upon the Edinburgh

Reviewers.

CHAP. II. p. 19-47.

The Satire" British Bard and Scotch Reviewers"-
originally printed in the country-considerably altered in
preparing for publication-Letters of 24th Jan., 1809—
variation of the title suggested-notices of Southey-

5

2

Little-Lord Carlisle-progress through the press-pub-
lication offered to Longman and Co. and declined-
published by Cawthorn-ideas suggested on reading the
Poem-extracts from the original manuscript, with the
printed variations-Lord Byron's sensibility respecting
his personal defect-Jeffery-Letter of the 6th of Fe-
bruary, 1809-arrangement with the publisher of the
Satire-Letter of the 7th of February, 1809--further
alterations suggested-intercourse with Lord Byron during
the publication-additions-argument originally intended
to precede the Satire.

CHAP. III. p. 48—67.

The death of Lord Falkland suggests some new pas-
sages in the Satire-Lord Byron naturally benevolent—
effect of his feelings upon his countenance-publication
of the Satire-takes his seat in the House of Lords-neg-
lect of his relative Lord Carlisle-reception by the Lord
Chancellor repulsive coolness of Lord Byron-his rea-
sons-leaves town for Newstead Abbey-Mr. Dallas's
Letter of the 17th of April, 1809-public notices of the
Satire-additions and alterations in the Second Edition-
his misanthropic feelings-he leaves England-presents
Mr. Dallas with his Letters to his Mother.

CHAP. IV. p. 68-90.

Letters to his Mother-influence of his literary repu-

6

tation upon his mind-original intention of travelling-

arrangements in his first will-rejects a proposal for the

sale of Newstead Abbey-state of his affairs on quitting

England-his travelling suite-route-Library of the

convent at Mafra-adventure at Seville-Mr. Hobhouse

-his propensity to noting. Entertainment at Yanina

—Ali Pacha-palaces at Telapeen-introduction to Ali

-his attention to Lord Byron-voyage from Previsa to

Patras-hospitality of a Suliote-return to Yanina-

grand children of Ali Pacha-swims across the Helles-

pont-determines to pass the summer of 1810 in

the Morea-return of Mr. Hobhouse to England-ad-

vantages derived by Lord Byron from his travels-satis-

faction at being alone, his mind reverting to its natural

activity—intentions to be put in practice on his return to

England-determination to appear no more as an author

-the sale of Newstead again proposed to him-his ob-

jections-determination in the event of the sale being un-

avoidable—his return to England on the 2nd of July,

1811.

CHAP. V. p. 91-126.

Announcement to Mr. Dallas of his return-Blackett, a
poetical shoemaker—his patrons-death-his works pub-
lished by Mr. Pratt-general observations on genius-
Lord Byron's remarks on Blackett and others-his
arrival and interview with Mr. Dallas-intention respect-