Lady Byron Vindicated

he London Times'

Lady Byron's own. We are given the impression made on Mrs. Stowe's mind by Lady Byron's statements; but it would have been more sa

ommunications; and I think it must be quite evident to the world that the main fact on which the story turns was

at at this day, word for word. But if I had reproduced them at first, as 'The Times' suggests, word for word, the public horror and

words, certain incidents that yet remain untold. To me, who know the whole history, the revelations in Lady Anne's account, and the

ve the testimony of a sister who accompanied me on this visi

on the subject

the time spoken of in your published article. We arrived at her house in the morning; an

the story given in your published account, though with many mor

ns which induced her to think so. You appeared at that time quite disposed to think that justice required this step, and asked my opinion. We passed most of th

verse to its being done by Lady Byron herself during her own lifetime, when she personally would be s

r si

. PER

r, and as especial pains have been taken to destroy the belief in this story by representing it to be the wanderings of a broken-down mind in a state of dotag

ca, where, from Maine to California, her character has been discussed and traduced, it is of impo

Byron in his Journal, after her

ight, an only child, and a savante, who has always had her own way. She is a poetess, a mathematician, a metaphysician; yet, withal, very kind

in the year 1853, during my first visit in England. I met

y Byron. She was at this time sixty-one years of age, but still had, to a remarkable degree

rvation. Her silvery-white hair seemed to lend a grace to the transparent purity of her complexion, and her small hands had a pearly whiteness. I recoll

her, I felt in a moment t

in the homage

emed as seate

of the world's affairs, than an actor involved in its trials; yet the sweetness of her smile,

ments we were speaking on what every one in those days w

iginality, and the evidence they gave that she was as well informed on all our matters as the best American statesman could be. I had no wearisome course to go over with her as to the difference between the General Government and State Governments, nor explanations of the United States Co

et current of speculative enquiry, doubt, and dissent; but I had met, as yet, with no person among my various acquaintances in England who seemed either aware of this fact, or able to guide my mind respecting it. The moment I mentioned the subject to Lady Byron, I received an answer which showed me that the whole ground was familiar to her, and that she was capable of giving me full information. She had studied with careful thoughtfulness all the

and expressed a wish that she would finish giving me her views of the religious state of England. A por

trange, because the clergy have improved, morally and intellectually, in the last twenty years. Then wh

and, in consequence, they are habitually pretending either to believe or to disbelieve. The sta

church, when the most palpable facts must show him that no such church exists; the "Low" Churchman professing to believe in exceptional interpositions which his philosophy secretly quest

if all would speak out. There would be more unanimity too, because they would all agre

regret it; for I think the differences of mind are analogous to those differences

r worse chains than those you would break,-as the causes of much hypocrisy and infidelity. I hold it to be a sin to make a child say, "I believe." Lead it to utter that belief spontaneously. I

esent: perhaps I need your pardon, connected as

and I must therefore leave it to others to correct the conclusions I have now formed from my life's experience. I should

NOEL

, that peculiar reverence for truth and sincerity which was a leading characteristic of her moral nature. {139} It also shows her views of the probable shortness of her stay on earth, derived from the opinion of physicians about her d

her in that I had found one more pear

England to obtain a copyright fo

journey. I found London quite deserted; but, hearing that Lady Byron was still in town, I sent to her,

o leave my room. It is not a time for small personalities, if they could ever exi

very

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nt from the chamber of ordinary invalids. Her sick-room seemed only a tel

the topics of the day, gave to the conversations of her retired room a peculiar charm. You forgot that she was an invalid; for she rarely had a word of her own personalities, and the charm of her conversation carried you invariably from herself to the subjects of which she was thinking. All the new books, the literature of the hour, were lighted up by her keen, searching, yet always kindly criticism; and it was charming to get her fresh, genuine

lish papers were daily filled with the thrilling particulars of that d

e, is on this subject. It was while

E TERRACE

sen. There is always in England a floating fund of sympathy for what is above the everyday sordid cares of life; and these better feelings, so nobly invested for the last two years in Florence Nightingale's career, are just

e acquaintance of your daughters. In case you wish to consult H. Martineau's pamphlets, I se

affecti

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had been reproved by some excellent people for representing too faithfully the prof

And yet I can hardly conceive so much power without immediate and sensible effects: only there will be a strong disposition to resist on

their belief, you will do great good by showing how spiritual food is ofte

itiques I have seen, the best is in "The Examiner." I find an obtuseness as to the spirit and aim of the book, as if you had designed to make the best novel of the season, or

gony of fear; but a faith still stronger arose, and I became courageous from trust in God, and felt calm. Did you do this? It is very insignificant among the many things you cert

affecti

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me I saw her, alluded to it, and remarked upon the peculiar qualities of h

many things of his singular character and genius, more penetrat

t. 'I know all that,' she said: 'I heard it all from Mrs. ---; and it was one of the things that made me wish to know you. I think you could understand him.' We talked for some time of him then; she, with her pale face slightly flushed, speaking, as any other great man's widow might, only of what was purest and best in his works, and what were

her, she chose a day when she could be out of her room, and invited our fam

one separately, and to make them all feel at ease, so that they were able to talk with her. She seemed interested to point out to them what they should see and study in London; and the charm of her conversation left on their minds an impr

erself to show them attention. Her state of health would have been an all-sufficient reason why she should not do it; and her

st, I went, with my husband and so

now,-a Miss Goldsmid, daughter of Baron Goldsmid, and Lord Ockham, her grands

of the Farnese Hercules,-a wonderful development of physical and muscular strength. His hands were those of a blacksmith. He was broadly and squarely made

, who were talking together, she looked at me, and smiled. I immediately expressed my admiration of his fine eyes a

e scope for, and this had often led him to seek it in what the world calls low society; that he had been to sea as a sailor, and was now working as a mechan

ind very fine about this, even though i

king-classes, so as to feel for them properly; and Ockham is now going through an experience which may yet fit him to do great good when he comes to the peerage. I am trying to influence him to do g

opefulness was something very singular; and in this respect she was so different from the rest of the world, that it would be difficult to make her understood. Her tolerance of wrong-doing would have seemed to many quite latitud

d looked on only as eccentricities; {147} and she incessantly devoted herself to the task of guarding those whom the wor

the son mentioned in the foregoing account. At the time of this sorrow, Lady Byron was too unwell to write to me. The letter given alludes to this event, and

, Feb.

ve uttered at one time were like drops of blood from my heart. Now I sympathise with the calmness you have gained, and can speak of your loss as I do of my own. Lo

ve achieved a benefit to their coloured people. She had a mission which her burning soul has worked out,

will again find purchasers enough to raise its value. Not that way is the iniquity to be overthrown. A deeper moral earthquake is needed. {148} We English had ours in India; and though the cases are far from being alike, yet a cons

s to be thought that "association" will "cover a multitude of sins;" as if "and Co." could enter heaven. A firm may be described as a partnership for l

ands from perishing or suffering must be applied to raise the Gothic edifice where their last prayer may be uttered. Charity may be dead, while Art has glorified her. This is worse than Catholicism, which cultivates heart and eye toget

biography from your pen bring forth again some great, half-obscured soul to act o

the bearer, of whose meeting with you I shall

affect

I. N

dy Byron I give,-the la

, May

he first impulse, all had evaporated. Your letter came by 'The Niagara,' which brought F

soul-loss to me also; and your remarks are most appropriate to my feelings. I have been tau

self attempting to foresee the future of the love-story; being, for the moment, quite persuaded that James is at sea, and the minister about to ruin himself. We think that Mary will labour to be in love with

ostensibly, for I can neither go out, nor give parties: but I am the confidential friend to whom she likes to bring her social gatherings, as she can see something of the world with others. Age and infirmit

friend yet, though she is less sad than she will be. Mrs. F---- may like to hear of her

wait them. She would not succeed here as well as where she was a novelty. The character of our

o have conversed on spiritualism. {150} Harris is l

n ceremony; and upon all these is written, "Thou shalt not believe." At least, if this be faith, happier the

un

e. The best flowers sent me have been placed in your little vases, givi

r yo

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ts of love and service, with a generosity that often reduced her to utter exhaustion. But none who knew or loved her ever misinterpreted the coldness of those seasons of exhaustion. We knew that it was not the spirit that was chilled, but only the frail mortal tabernacle. When I called on her at this time, she could not see me at first; and when, at last, she came, it was evident that she was in a state of utter prostration. Her hands were like ice; her face was deadly pale; and she conversed with a restraint a

or me to leave, she took me in her carriage to the station. As we were almost there, I

so natural to her in doing a kindness, she drew off

e, and I said, 'Oh, yes! thanks.' That was the last earthly word of love between us. But,