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AN ORDER FROM "THE COURT"

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the precaution of writing in so enigmatical a style in your next, as, bad as the woman is, she would not dare to open any letter addressed to me from

you.

(1805, August 10. Letter 32, to the Hon. Augusta Byron, Vol. I., p. 75.)

As might be supposed I like a College Life extremely, especially as I have escaped the Trammels or rather Fetters of my domestic Tyrant Mr Byron, who continued to plague me during my visit in July and September. I am afraid the specimens I have lately given her of my Spirit, and determination to submit to no more unreasonable demands (or the insults which follow a refusal to obey her implicitly whether right or wrong), have given high offence, as I had a most fiery Letter from the Court at Southwell on Tuesday, because I would not turn off my Servant (whom I had not the least reason to distrust, and who had an excellent character from his last Master) at her suggestion, from some caprice she had taken into her head. I sent back to the Epistle, which was couched in elegant terms, a severe answer, which so nettled her Ladyship, that after reading it, she returned it in a Cover without deigning a Syllable in return.

The Letter and my answer you shall behold when you next see me, that you may judge of the Comparative merits of Each. I shall let her go on in the Heroics, till she cools, without taking the least notice. Her Behaviour to me for the last two years neither merits my respect, nor deserves my affection. I am comfortable here, and having one of

the best allowances in College, go on Gaily, but not extravagantly. I need scarcely inform you that I am not the least obliged to M B. for it, as it comes off my property, and She refused to fit out a single thing for me from her own pocket; my Furniture is paid for, and she has moreover a handsome addition made to her own income, which I do not in the least regret, as I would wish her to be happy, but by no means to live with me in person. The sweets of her society I have already drunk to the last dregs, I hope we shall meet on more affectionate Terms, or meet no more.

But why do I say meet? her temper precludes every idea of happiness, and therefore in future I shall avoid her hospitable mansion, though she has the folly to suppose She is to be mistress of my house when I come of [age].

(1805, November 6. Letter 38, to the Hon.

Augusta Byron, Vol. I., p. 81.)

I have news for you which I bear with Christian Resignation and without any violent Transports of Grief. My Mother (whose diabolical Temper you well know) has taken it into her Sagacious Head to quarrel with me, her dutiful Son. She has such a Devil of a Disposition, that she cannot be quiet, though there are fourscore miles between us, which I wish were lengthened to 400. The Cause too frivolous to require taking up your time to read or mine to write. At last, in answer to a Furious Epistle, I returned a Sarcastick Answer, which so incensed the Amiable Dowager that my Letter was sent back without her deigning a Line in the cover.

MRS BYRON'S "GENEROSITY"

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When I next see you, you shall behold her Letter and my Answer, which will amuse you, as they both contain fiery Philippics.

(1805, November 12. Letter 39, to Har

greaves Hanson, Vol. I., p. 83.)

My Mother and I have quarrelled, which I bear with the patience of a Philosopher; custom reconciles me to everything.

(1805, November 23. Letter 40, to John Hanson, Vol. I., p. 86.)

Mr Byron and myself are now totally separated. You hinted a probability of her appearance at Trinity; the instant I hear of her arrival I quit Cambridge; though Rustication or Expulsion be the consequence. Many a weary week of torment have I passed with her, nor have I forgot the insulting Epithets with which myself, my Sister, my father and my Family have been repeatedly reviled.

(1805, November 30. Letter 41, to John Hanson, Vol. I., p. 87.)

I know Mr Byron too well to imagine that she would part with a Sous, and if by some Miracle she was prevailed upon, the Details of her Generosity in allowing me part of my own property would be continually thundered in my ears, or launched in the Lightening of her letters, so that I had rather encounter the Evils of Embarrassment than lie under an obligation to one who would continually reproach

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me with her Benevolence, as if her Charity had been extended to a Stranger, to the Detriment of her own Fortune. My opinion is perhaps harsh for a Son, but it is justified by experience, it is confirmed by Facts, it was generated by oppression, it has been nourished by Injury. I declare upon my honor that the Horror of entering Mr Byron's House has of late years been so implanted in my Soul, that I dreaded the approach of the Vacations as the Harbingers of Misery. My letters to my Sister, written during my residence at Southwell, would prove my Assertion.

(1805, December 4. Letter 42, to John

Hanson, Vol. I., p. 88.)

In your Extenuation of M" Byron's Conduct you use as a plea, that, by her being my Mother, greater allowance ought to be made for those little Traits in her Disposition, so much more energetic than elegant. I am afraid (however good your intention), that you have added to rather than diminished my Dislike, for independent of the moral Obligations she is under to protect, cherish, and instruct her offspring, what can be expected of that Man's heart and understanding who has continually (from Childhood to Maturity) beheld so pernicious an Example? His nearest relation is the first person he is taught to revere as his Guide and Instructor; the perversion of Temper before him leads to a corruption of his own, and when that is depraved, vice quickly becomes habitual, and, though timely Severity may sometimes be necessary and justifiable, surely a peevish harassing System of Torment is by no means commendable, & when

A QUARREL MADE UP

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that is interrupted by ridiculous Indulgence, the only purpose answered is to soften the feelings for a moment which are soon after to be doubly wounded by the recal of accustomed Harshness. I will now give this disagreeable Subject to the Winds. I conclude by observing that I am the more confirmed in my opinion of the Futility of Natural Ties, unless supported not only by Attachment but affectionate and prudent Behaviour.

(1805, December 13. Letter 43, to John Hanson, Vol. I., p. 89.)

The Dowager has thought proper to solicit a reconciliation which in some measure I have agreed to; still there is a coolness which I do not feel inclined to thaw, as terms of Civility are the only resource against her impertinent and unjust proceedings with which you are already acquainted.

(1805, December 26. Letter 44, to the Hon. Augusta Byron, Vol. I., p. 91.)

I find it inconvenient to remain at College, not for the expence, as I could live on my allowance (only I am naturally extravagant); however, the mode of going on does not suit my constitution. Improvement at an English University to a Man of Rank is, you know, impossible, and the very Idea ridiculous. Now I sincerely desire to finish my Education, and, having been sometime at Cambridge, the Credit of the University is as much attached to my Name, as if I had pursued my Studies there for a Century; but, believe me, it is nothing more than a Name,

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