BYRON'S LETTERS TO DOUGLAS KINNAIRD ... - Get a Free Blog

As I have {not} limited him to any terms – but leave that discussion till we can ascertain how far the
things succeed – I can neither permit nor excuse any evasions on his part. – I have read the defence of
“Cain” which is very good – who can be the author? – – –
As to the “Vision” – Murray has been directed to print it so cheaply as to evade the pirates by the
lowness of the price – and (if the row about “Cain” has disturbed him) to put either another name – or
no name – as publisher – or to publish it as a foreign edition. –
As to myself – I shall not be deterred by any outcry – they hate me – and I detest them – I mean your
{present} Public – but they shall not interrupt the march of my mind nor {prevent me} from telling
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the tyrants who are attempting to trample upon all thought – that their thrones will yet be rocked to
their foundation. It is Madame de Stael who says that “all Talent has a propensity to attack the
Strong” 27 – I have never flattered them – I am sure – whether it [Ms. tear: “be tal”]ent or no. – – But
these for[Ms. tear] only strong for the moment – [Ms. tear: “I”] think {that} they will soon be
overthrown. – By the way – I answered you about the mortgage in exchange for the funds – and expect
to hear that you have liberated at least a part of my money from that species of security. – – – –
Will you remember me to Hobhouse (to whom I sent a duplicate of the documents before alluded to)
and also to Sir Francis – believe me
ever & truly
y rs . N. B.
1:4 [below address:] P.S. M r . Rogers passed the other day. –
I received and treated him with all attention in my power – in return for which he will probably abuse
me – as he does every body – he does not look younger nor better humoured for his Journey.
Byron to Douglas Kinnaird, from Pisa, May 3rd 1822:
(Source: text from NLS Ms.43453; not in 1922 II; BLJ IX 152-3)
[To, The Hon ble / Douglas Kinnaird / Messrs Ransom & C o . Bankers. / Pall Mall. / London. /
Angleterre. // Inghilterra.]
Pisa. May 3 d . 1822.
My dear Douglas,
I wrote to you by the last post. – As there appear several confusions & contradictions in
the papers – occasioned by their confounding Lady Noel’s personal property – with the Wentworth
Estates – had you not better state the fact? – viz – that the reference and arbitration related to those
estates only under the will of the late Lord Wentworth. – It is not pleasant to be the subject of such
discussions – when a word of truth can put an end to them. –
I have written to you twice – (yesterday and before) to thank Sir F s . Burdett and Lord Dacre for their
decision – and to express my contentment with their manner of conducting the reference. – –
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I expected a line of acknowledgement for some documents sent on the 4 th . of April – relative to a
quarrel with a dragoon – & c . – all of which you have I trust safely received – and will employ – if
necessary – to contradict any false statements – for it is now a long time – since a word of truth has
been allowed to appear in the journals on any subject – literary – or personal – in which I am
concerned. – – –
Duplicates of the same were also afterwards forwarded to M r . Hobhouse. – – –
I need not repeat to you my satisfaction that the Insurance has been effected – I wish you had been as
lucky with the funds. –
My poor little daughter Allegra – died lately of a fever, 28 and altogether I have had my share of sorrow
this winter. – –
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27: de Staël, De la Littérature, II iii : « La force de l’esprit ne se` développe toute entière qu’en attaquant la
puissance ».
28: B. had not visited Allegra for fourteen months when she died.
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