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younger productions-not dramatic ones, to be sure. But, as I said before, I am mortified that Gifford don't like them; but I see no remedy, our notions on the subject being so different. How is he? well, I hope: let me know. I regret his demur the more that he has been always my grand patron, and I know no praise which would compensate me in my own mind for his censure. I do not mind reviews, as I can work them at their own weapons.

Hobhouse, in his preface to "Rimini," will probably be better able to explain my dramatic system, than I could do, as he is well acquainted with the whole thing. It is more upon the Alfieri School than the English.

(1821, September 20. Letter 937, to John Murray, Vol. V., p. 371.)

CHAPTER VI

BYRON'S VALUATION OF HIS FRIENDS

Scrope Berdmore Davies

I Do not know how the dens-descended [i.e. the dentist's descendant] Davies came to mention his having received a copy of my epistle to you, but I addressed him and you on the same evening, and being much incensed at the account I had received from Wallace, I communicated the contents to the Birdmore, though without any of that malice wherewith you charge me. I shall leave my card at Batts, and hope to see you in your progress to the North. I have lately discovered Scrope's genealogy to be ennobled by a collateral tie with the Beardmore, Chirurgeon and Dentist to Royalty, and that the town of Southwell contains cousins of Scrope's, who disowned them (I grieve to speak it) on visiting that city in my society.

How I found this out I will disclose, the first time "we three meet again." But why did he conceal his lineage? "Ah, my dear H., it was cruel, it was insulting, it was unnecessary."

(1808, January 16. Letter 86, to John Cam Hobhouse, Vol. I., p. 163.)

We have seen every thing but the mosques, which we are to view with a firman on Tuesday next. But of these and other sundries let H[obhouse] relate, with this proviso, that I am to be referred to for authenticity; and I beg leave to contradict all those things whereon he lays particular stress. But if he soars at any time into wit, I give you leave to applaud, because that is necessarily stolen from his fellowpilgrim. Tell Davies that Hobhouse has made excellent use of his best jokes in many of his Majesty's ships of war; but add, also, that I always took care to restore them to the right owner; in consequence of which he (Davies) is no less famous by water than by land, and reigns unrivalled in the cabin as in the "Cocoa Tree."

(1810, June 17.
June 17. Letter 140, to Henry
Drury, Vol. I., p. 278.)

Davies has been here, and has invited me to Cambridge for a week in October, so that, peradventure, we may encounter glass to glass. His gaiety (death cannot mar it) has done me service; but, after all, ours was a hollow laughter.

(1811, August 22. Letter 168, to Francis Hodgson, Vol. I., p. 339.)

I don't know what Scrope Davies meant by telling you I liked Children, I abominate the sight of them so much that I have always had the greatest respect for the character of Herod. But, as my house here is large enough for us all, we should go on very

WITH VINE-LEAVES IN THEIR HAIR

313

well, and I need not tell you that I long to see

you.

(1811, August 30. Letter 173, to the Hon. Augusta Leigh, Vol. II., p. 11.)

Davies is a wit and man of the world, and feels [Matthews' death] as much as such a character can do; but not as Hobhouse has been affected. Davies, who is not a scribbler, has always beaten us all in the war of words, and by his colloquial powers at once delighted and kept us in order. Hobhouse and myself always had the worst of it with the other two; and even Matthews yielded to the dashing vivacity of Scrope Davies.

(1811, September 7. Letter 180, to R. C. Dallas, Vol. II., p. 29.)

I joined my friend Scrope about 8, and before eleven we had swallowed six bottles of his burgundy and Claret, which left him very unwell and me rather feverish; we were tête-à-tête. I remained with him next day.

(1813, September 15. Letter 331, to the

Hon. Augusta Leigh, Vol. II., p. 264.)

Yesterday, dined tête-à-tête at the Cocoa with Scrope Davies-sat from six till midnight - drank between us one bottle of champagne and six of claret, neither of which wines ever affect me. Offered to take Scrope home in my carriage; but he was tipsy and pious, and I was obliged to leave him on his

knees praying to I know not what purpose or pagod. No headach, nor sickness, that night nor to-day. Got up, if any thing, earlier than usual-sparred with Jackson [i.e. "Gentleman Jackson," the pugilist] ad sudorem, and have been much better in health than for many days. I have heard nothing more from Scrope. Yesterday paid him four thousand eight hundred pounds, a debt of some standing, and which I wished to have paid before. [The sum was borrowed in 1809, before Byron left England for his travels in Albania and Greece.] My mind is much relieved by the removal of that debit.

(1814, March 28. "Journal, 1813-14,” Vol. II., p. 407.)

I will send the pattern [i.e. the pattern of Byron's olive-green coat"] to-morrow, and since you don't go to our friend ("of the keeping part of the town") this evening, I shall e'en sulk at home over a solitary potation. My self-opinion rises much by your eulogy of my social qualities. As my friend Scrope is pleased to say, I believe I am very well for a "holiday drinker."

(1814, December 14. Letter 516, to Thomas Moore, Vol. III., p. 163.)

There are some things I wanted, and want, to know; viz., whether M' Davies, of inaccurate memory, had or had not delivered the MS. [of Childe Harold, canto 3] as delivered to him; because, if he has not, you will find that he will bountifully bestow extracts and transcriptions on all the curious of his acquaintance, in which case you may probably find your

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