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

62
eat up a whole year? as well as a half year? – She died in January and supposing her Appetite to last till
August there ought still to be 1500 in January – for the remaining half year – this would make added to
the former
Kirkby 3168.
My own 2715.
From Murray 2100.
Supposed Surplus}
of my own of this }
year} 2000
Half year not
devoured by the
defunct 1500
11483.
Indeed by rights – Murray ought to pay more than 2000 g s . it ought to be three – or two {thousand}
five hundred – but as this may depend upon a
[Horizontally, next to the calculations:] What has been done with Claughton’s and with the Rochdale
Money! and if I mistake not a four hundred pounds (to keep down interest or otherwise) at the time of
your remitting to me in the beginning of the year. Is Hanson nearly liquidated – you said yes before –
but is it so? – [calculations intersect, at right angles:] You also kept up 81.. pounds for sundries with
which please to balance accounts for books & c . with Murray – as I want no more of his long bills – at
the end of three or four years. – – – –
2:2 [above address:] mere caprice of the public or the bookseller – and the other upon Lady B’s life – it
would be idle to calculate upon either. – –
Suppose I were to sell to them or others [below address:] my interest in the moiety of the Kirkby
estates? what would they give me? – it would at least pay my 122 debts – I presume – but let
me know what you think of these matters – & believe me
y rs . ever
N. B. –
Address to me at Genoa –
Villa Saluzzo. I wish to have these things
settled as I think of going to Greece perhaps to America.
3:1 [Ms. NLS TD 3079 f.51 continues:]
P.S. Will you just say if you have received the Rochdale Market deed & c . and the 7 th . (i.e. 12 th . from
the first inclusive) Canto of D. J. – You do not positively say that you have – though the Context
indicates about as much. –
I should be glad to know if (supposing I could now save a few thousand more or less within the year) I
could not invest in land & good security for an annuity on my own and Sister’s life – (she to have it if
the Survivor) and would like to know how much per Cent we might expect – I am nearly thirty five –
she about two or three years ahead – though I suppose that she don’t own so much. – Or perhaps it
would be better to retain any surplus principle and invest it on safe and readily convertible security at a
reasonable interest.
P.S. –
I have stated in all my letters that I am willing to invest in a mortgage on good security at four
per cent if better cannot be had. – –
With regard to the R. business you will recollect that Farebrother told you what sum was offered (a
pretty good one) of “bona fide” bidding at his former auction for even the unlitigated part of the Manor.
– – The various contradictory statements so entirely opposite of even indifferent persons – shows that
there is something uninvestigated and odd about the whole thing. – As for D.’s statement – however he
may really believe it fair – it must naturally be partial, and mine the same. – Two Surveyors of Skill
and integrity should go over the
122: This is what the word looks like – if so, it is its only use in Byron’s writing.