Health to immortal Jeffrey 1! once, in name, His scribbling toils some recompense may meet, Health to great Jeffrey! Heaven preserve his life To flourish on the fertile shores of Fife, And guard it sacred in its future wars, Since authors sometimes seek the field of Mars! Can none remember that eventful day, 3 That ever glorious, almost fatal fray, When Little's leadless pistol met his eye, And Bow-street myrmidons stood laughing by ? 4 Oh, day disastrous! On her firm-set rock, Dunedin's castle felt a secret shock; Dark roll'd the sympathetic waves of Forth, Low groan'd the startled whirlwinds of the north; Tweed ruffled half his waves to form a tear, The other half pursued its calm career; Arthur's steep summit nodded to its base, The surly Tolbooth scarcely kept her place. [Mr. Jeffrey, who, after the first Number or two, suc ceeded the Rev. Sydney Smith in the editorship of the Edinburgh Review, retired from his critical post some little time before he was appointed Lord Advocate for Scotland: he is now (1836) a Lord of Session. "I have often, since my return to England," says Lord Byron, (Diary, 1814,) “heard Jeffrey most highly commended by those who knew him, for things independent of his talents. I admire him for thisnot because he has praised me, but because he is, perhaps, the only man who, under the relations in which he and I stand, or stood, with regard to each other, would have had the liberality to act thus: none but a great soul dared hazard it a little scribbler would have gone on cavilling to the end of the chapter."] 2 ["Too ferocious - this is mere insanity."- B. 1816.] 3 ["All this is bad, because personal." B. 1816] 4 In 1806, Messrs. Jeffrey and Moore met at Chalk-Farm. The duel was prevented by the interference of the magistracy; and, on examination, the balls of the pistols were found to have evaporated. This incident gave occasion to much waggery in the daily prints. [The above note was struck out of the fifth edition, and the following, after being submitted to Mr. Moore, substituted in its place: -" I am informed that Mr. Moore published at the time a disavowal of the state. ments in the newspapers, as far as regarded himself; and, in justice to him, I mention this circumstance. As I never heard of it before, I cannot state the particulars, and was only made acquainted with the fact very lately.-November 4. 1811.] 5 The Tweed here behaved with proper decorum; it would have been highly reprehensible in the English half of the river to have shown the smallest symptom of apprehension. 6 This display of sympathy on the part of the Tolbooth (the principal prison in Edinburgh), which truly seems to have been most affected on this occasion, is much to be com mended. It was to be apprehended, that the many unhappy The Tolbooth felt for marble sometimes can, Strew'd were the streets around with milk-white reams, Flow'd all the Canongate with inky streams; : "My son," she cried, " ne'er thirst for gore again, Boast of thy country, and Britannia's guide! criminals executed in the front might have rendered the edifice more callous. She is said to be of the softer sex, because her delicacy of feeling on this day was truly feminine, though, like most feminine impulses, perhaps a little selfish. 7 His lordship has been much abroad, is a member of the Athenian Society, and reviewer of Gell's Topography of Troy."[George Hamilton Gordon, fourth Earl of Aberdeen, K. T., F. R.S., and P.S.A. In 1822, his lordship published an " Inquiry into the Principles of Beauty in Grecian Architecture." 8 Mr. Herbert is a translator of Icelandic and other poetry. One of the principal pieces is a "Song on the Recovery of Thor's Hammer:" the translation is a pleasant chant in the vulgar tongue, and endeth thus: "Instead of money and rings, I wot, The hammer's bruises were her lot, [The Hon. William Herbert, brother to the Earl of Carnarvon. He also published, in 1811, "Helga," a poem in seven cantos.] 9 The Rev. Sydney Smith, the reputed author of Peter Plymley's Letters, and sundry criticisms. [Now (1836) one of the Canons Residentiary of St. Pauls, &c. "Dyson's Address to his Constituents on the Reform Bill," and many other pieces published anonymously or pseudonomously, are generally ascribed to this eminently witty person, who has put forth nothing, it is believed, in his own name, except a volume of Sermons.] 10 Mr. Hallam reviewed Payne Knight's" Taste," and was exceedingly severe on some Greek verses therein. It was not discovered that the lines were Pindar's till the press rendered it impossible to cancel the critique, which still stands an everlasting monument of Hallam's ingenuity. - Note added to second cdition. The said Hallam is incensed because he is falsely accused, seeing that he never dineth at Holland House. If this be true, I am sorry-not for having said so, but on Scott may perchance his name and influence lend, Illustrious Holland! hard would be his lot, Beware lest blundering Brougham 3 destroy the sale, And, grateful for the dainties on his plate, Turn beef to bannocks, cauliflowers to kail.' Thus having said, the kilted goddess kist Then prosper Jeffrey ! pertest of the train his account, as I understand his lordship's feasts are preferable to his compositions.. -If he did not review Lord Holland's performance, I am glad, because it must have been painful to read, and irksome to praise it. If Mr. Hallam will tell me who did review it, the real name shall find a place in the text; provided, nevertheless, the said name be of two orthodox musical syllables, and will come into the verse: till then, Hallam must stand for want of a better. [It cannot be necessary to vindicate the great author of the Middle Ages" and the "Constitutional History of England" from the insinuations of the juvenile poet.] 1 Pillans is a tutor at Eton.-[Mr. Pillans became afterwards Rector of the High School of Edinburgh, and has now been for some years Professor of Humanity in that University. There was not, it is believed, the slightest foundation for the charge in the text.] 2 The Hon. George Lambe reviewed" Beresford's Miseries," and is moreover, author of a farce enacted with much applause at the Priory, Stanmore; and damned with great expedition at the late theatre, Covent Garden. It was entitled, "Whistle for It."[Mr. Lambe was, in 1818, the successful candidate for the representation of Westminster, in opposition to Mr. Hobhouse; who, however, defeated him in the following year. In 1821, Mr. Lambe published a translation of Catullus. In 1832, he was appointed Under Secretary of State for the Home Department, his chief being his brother, Lord Melbourne. He died in 1833.] 3 Mr. Brougham, in No. xxv. of the Edinburgh Review, throughout the article concerning Don Pedro de Cevallos, has displayed more politics than policy; many of the worthy burgesses of Edinburgh being so incensed at the infamous principles it evinces, as to have withdrawn their subscriptions. [Here followed, in the first edition," The name of this personage is pronounced Broom in the south, but the truly northern and musical pronunciation is BROUGH-AM, in two syllables; " but for this Lord B. substituted in the second edition: "It seems that Mr. Brougham is not a Pict, as I supposed, but a Borderer, and his name is pronounced Broom, from Trent to Tay: - so be it."] 4 I ought to apologise to the worthy deities for introducing a new goddess with short petticoats to their notice: but, alas! what was to be done? I could not say Caledonia's genius, it being well known there is no such genius to be found from Clackmanan to Caithness; yet, without supernatural agency, how was Jeffrey to be saved? The national "kelpies" are too unpoetical, and the "brownies" and "gude neighbours " (spirits of a good disposition) refused to extricate him. goddess, therefore, has been called for the purpose; and great ought to be the gratitude of Jeffrey, seeing it is the only communication he ever held, or is likely to hold, with any thing heavenly. A 5 See the colour of the back binding of the Edinburgh Review. Declare his landlord can at least translate! 10 Now to the Drama turn-Oh! motley sight! 6 [In the tenth canto of Don Juan, Lord Byron pays the following pretty compliment to his quondam antagonist: "And all our little feuds at least all mine Dear Jeffrey, once my most redoubted foe, To make such puppets of us things below,) I do not know you, and may never know 7" Bad enough, and on mistaken grounds too."- B. 1816.] [Lord Henry Petty; now (1836) Marquess of Lansdowne.] 9 [In 1813, Lord Byron dedicated the Bride of Abydos to Lord Holland; and we find in his Journal (Nov. 17th) this passage:-" I have had a most kind letter from Lord Holland on the Bride of Abydos, which he likes, and so does Lady H. This is very good-natured in both, from whom I don't deserve any quarter. Yet I did think at the time, that my cause of enmity proceeded from Holland House, and am glad I was wrong, and wish I had not been in such a hurry with that confounded Satire, of which I would suppress even the memory; but people, now they can't get it, make a fuss, I verily believe out of contradiction."] 10 Lord Holland has translated some specimens of Lope de Vega, inserted in his life of the author. Both are bepraised by his disinterested guests. [We are not aware that Lord Holland has subsequently published any verses, except an universally admired version of the 28th canto of the Orlando Furioso, which is given by way of appendix to one of Mr. W. Stewart Rose's volumes.] 11 Certain it is, her ladyship is suspected of having displayed her matchless wit in the Edinburgh Review. However that may be, we know, from good authority, that the manuscripts are submitted to her perusal no doubt, for correction. 12 In the melo-drama of Tekeli, that heroic prince is clapt into a barrel on the stage; a new asylum for distressed heroes.- [In the original MS. the note stands thus:-" In the melo-drama of Tekeli, that heroic prince is clapt into a barrel on the stage, and Count Evrard in the fortress hides himself in a green-house built expressly for the occasion. 'Tis a pity that Theodore Hook, who is really a man of talent, should confine his genius to such paltry productions as the Fortress,' Music Mad,' &c. &c."-This extraordinary humourist, who was a mere boy at the date of Lord Byron's satire, has since distinguished himself by works more worthy of his abilities -nine volumes of highly popular novels, entitled "Sayings and Doings"-" Gilbert Gurney"-a world of political jour d'esprit, &c. &c.] Yet what avail their vain attempts to please, And common-place and common sense confounds? While Kenney's "World"—ah! where is Kenney's? wit? Tires the sad gallery, lulls the listless pit; Who but must mourn, while these are all the rage, Was 2 [Mr. Kenney has since written many successful dramas.] 3 Mr. Thomas Sheridan, the new manager of Drury Lane theatre, stripped the tragedy of Bonduca of the dialogue, and exhibited the scenes as the spectacle of Caractacus. this worthy of his sire? or of himself? [Thomas Sheridan, who united much of the convivial wit of his parent to many amiable qualities, received, after the termination of his theatrical management, the appointment of colonial paymaster at the Cape of Good Hope, where he died in September, 1817, leaving a widow, whose novel of "Carwell" has obtained much approbation, and several children; among others, the accomplished authoress of "Rosalie" and other poems, now the Honourable Mrs. Norton.] 4 [Lord Byron entertained a high opinion of George Colman's convivial powers." If I had," he says, "to choose, and could not have both at a time, I should say, Let me begin the evening with Sheridan, and finish it with Colman.' Sheridan for dinner, and Colman for supper; Sheridan for claret or port, but Colman for every thing. Sheridan was a grenadier company of life-guards, but Colman a whole regiment of light infantry, to be sure, but still a regiment. Mr. Colman died in October, 1836."] Richard Cumberland, the well-known author of the "West Indian," the " Observer," and one of the most interesting of autobiographies, died in 1811.] 6 [In all editions previous to the fifth, it was," Kemble lives to tread." Lord Byron used to say, that," of actors, Cooke was the most natural, Kemble the most supernatural, Kean the medium between the two; but that Mrs. Siddons was worth them all put together." Such effect, however, had Kean's acting on his mind, that once, on seeing him play Sir While poor John Bull, bewilder'd with the scene, Such are we now. Ah! wherefore should we turn To what our fathers were, unless to mourn? Degenerate Britons! are ye dead to shame, Or, kind to dulness, do you fear to blame? Well may the nobles of our present race Watch each distortion of a Naldi's face; Well may they smile on Italy's buffoons, And worship Catalani's pantaloons,10 Since their own drama yields no fairer trace Of wit than puns, of humour than grimace. 11 Then let Ausonia, skill'd in every art To sanction Vice, and hunt Decorum down: Wave the white arm, and point the pliant toe; Strain her fair neck, and charm the listening 9 Mr. [now Sir Lumley] Skeffington is the illustrious author of the Sleeping Beauty;" and some comedies, particularly" Maids and Bachelors:" Baccalaurii baculo magis quam lauro digni. 10 Naldi and Catalani require little notice; for the visage of the one and the salary of the other, will enable us long to recollect these amusing vagabonds. Besides, we are still black and blue from the squeeze on the first night of the lady's appearance in trousers. [The following twenty lines were struck off one night after Lord Byron's return from the Opera, and sent the next morning to the printer, with a request to have them placed where they now appear.] 12 To prevent any blunder, such as mistaking a street for a man, I beg leave to state, that it is the institution, and not the duke of that name, which is here alluded to. A gentleman, with whom I am slightly acquainted, lost in the Argyle Rooms several thousand pounds at back-gammon. It is but justice to the manager in this instance to say, that some degree of disapprobation was manifested: but why are the implements of gaming allowed in a place devoted to the society of both sexes? A pleasant thing for the wives and daughters of those who are blest or cursed with such connections, to hear * ["True. It was Billy Way who lost the money. I knew him, and was a subscriber to the Argyle at the time of the event."-Byron, 1816.] Where yon proud palace, Fashion's hallow'd fane, Champaign, dice, music, or your neighbour's spouse. With art the charms which nature could not spare ; Oh blest retreats of infamy and ease, While none but menials o'er the bed of death, the billiard-tables rattling in one room, and the dice in another! That this is the case myself can testify, as a late unworthy member of an institution which materially affects the morals of the higher orders, while the lower may not even move to the sound of a tabor and fiddle, without a chance of indictment for riotous behaviour. [Conceiving the fore. going note, together with the lines in the text, to convey a reflection upon his conduct, as manager of the Argyle institution, Colonel Greville demanded an explanation of Lord Byron. The matter was referred to Mr. Leckie (the author of a work on Sicilian affairs) on the part of Colonel Greville, and to Mr. Moore on the part of Lord Byron; by whom it was amicably settled.] 1 Petronius," Arbiter elegantiarum "to Nero," and a very pretty fellow in his day," as Mr. Congreve's " Old Bachelor saith of Hannibal. 2 [The original reading was, " a Paget for your wife."] 3 I knew the late Lord Falkland well. On Sunday night I beheld him presiding at his own table, in all the honest pride of hospitality; on Wednesday morning, at three o'clock, I saw stretched before me all that remained of courage, feeling, and a host of passions. He was a gallant and successful officer his faults were the faults of a sailor - as such, Britons will forgive them. He died like a brave man in a better cause: for had he fallen in like manner on the deck of the frigate to which he was just appointed, his last moments would have been held up by his countrymen as an example to succeeding heroes. - [Lord Falkland was killed in a duel by Mr. Powell, in 1809. It was not by words only that Lord Traduced by liars, and forgot by all, Truth! rouse some genuine bard, and guide his hand, To drive this pestilence from out the land. E'en I-least thinking of a thoughtless throng, Just skill'd to know the right and choose the wrong, Freed at that age when reason's shield is lost, To fight my course through passion's countless host, 4 No matter when some bard in virtue strong, As for the smaller fry, who swarm in shoals Or (since some men of fashion nobly dare No future laurels deck a noble head; Byron gave proof of sympathy on the melancholy occasion. Though his own difficulties pressed on him at the time, he contrived to administer relief to the widow and children of his friend.] 4 [" Yes; and a precious chase they led me."-B. 1816.] ["Fool enough, certainly, then, and no wiser since."B. 1816.] 6 What would be the sentiments of the Persian Anacreon, Hafiz, could he rise from his splendid sepulchre at Sheeraz, (where he reposes with Ferdousi and Sadi, the oriental Homer and Catullus,) and behold his name assumed by one Stott of Dromore, the most impudent and execrable of literary poachers for the daily prints? 7 [Miles Peter Andrews, many years M.P. for Bewdley, Colonel of the Prince of Wales's Volunteers, proprietor of a gunpowder manufactory at Dartford, author of numerous prologues, epilogues, and farces, and one of the heroes of the Baviad. He died in 1814.] [In the original manuscript we find these lines: - 9 [On being told that it was believed he alluded to Lord Carlisle's nervous disorder in this line, Lord Byron exclaimed, "I thank heaven I did not know it; and would not, could The puny schoolboy and his early lay Men pardon, if his follies pass away; But who forgives the senior's ceaseless verse, And hang a calf-skin on those recreant limbs." Shak. King John. Lord Carlisle's works, most resplendently bound, form a conspicuous ornament to his book-shelves: "The rest is all but leather and prunella." 3" Wrong also the provocation was not sufficient to justify the acerbity." B. 1816.]-[Lord Byron greatly regretted the sarcasms he had published against his noble relation, under the mistaken impression that Lord Carlisle had intentionally slighted him. In a letter to Mr. Rogers, written in 1814, he asks,-"Is there any chance or possibility of making it up with Lord Carlisle, as I feel disposed to do any thing reasonable or unreasonable to effect it." And in the third canto of Childe Harold, he thus adverts to the fate of the Hon. Frederick Howard, Lord Carlisle's youngest son, one of those who fell gloriously at Waterloo : "Their praise is hymn'd by loftier harps than mine; In the following extracts from two unpublished letters, But now at once your fleeting labours close, 4" Melville's Mantle," a parody on "Elijah's Mantle," a poem. This lovely little Jessica, the daughter of the noted Jew King, seems to be a follower of the Della Crusca school, and has published two volumes of very respectable absurdities in rhyme, as times go; besides sundry novels in the style of the first edition of the Monk." She since married the Morning Post an exceeding good match; and is now dead-which is better." B. 1816.] 6 These are the signatures of various worthies who figure in the poetical departments of the newspapers. 7 [Joseph Blackett, the shoemaker. He died at Seaham, în 1810. His poems were afterwards collected by Pratt; and, oddly enough, his principal patroness was Miss Milbank, then a perfect stranger to Lord Byron. In a letter written to Dallas, on board the Volage frigate, at sea, in June, 1811, he says, I see that yours and Pratt's protégé, Blackett the cobbler, is dead, in spite of his rhymes, and is probably one of the instances where death has saved a man from damnation. You were the ruin of that poor fellow amongst you: had it not been for his patrons, he might now have been in very good plight, shoe. (not verse-) making; but you have made him immortal with a vengeance : who would think that any body would be such a blockhead as to sin against an express proverb,- Ne sutor ultra crepidam !" But spare him, ye Critics, his follies are past, For the Cobbler is come, as he ought, to his last.' — Which two lines, with a scratch under last, to show where the joke lies, I beg that you will prevail on Miss Milbank to have inserted on the tomb of her departed Blackett."] "This was meant for poor Blackett, who was then patronized by A. J. B." (Lady Byron); " but that I did not know, or this would not have been written, at least I think not." B. 1816.] 9 Capel Lofft, Esq., the Mæcenas of shoemakers, and preface-writer-general to distressed versemen; a kind of gratis accoucheur to those who wish to be delivered of rhyme, but do not know how to bring forth.-[The poet Bloomfield owed his first celebrity to the notice of Capel Lofft and Thomas Hill, Esquires, who read his " Farmer's Boy," in manuscript, recommended it to a publisher, and by their influence in society and literature, soon drew general attention to its merits. It is distressing to remember that, after all that had been done by the zeal of a few friends, the public sympathy did not rest permanently on the amiable Bloomfield, who died in extreme poverty in 1823.] 10 Read Burns to-day. What would he have been if a patrician? We should have had more polish-less force — just as much verse, but no immortality—a divorce and a duel or two, the which had he survived, as his potations must have been less spirituous, he might have lived as long as Sheridan, and outlived as much as poor Brinsley."- Byron Journal, 1813.] |