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

Byron to Douglas Kinnaird, from Genoa, March 8th 1823:
(Source: text from NLS Ms.43454; not in 1922 II; BLJ X 117-19)
Byron further sabotages The Liberal by withholding The Island, the fair copy of which (now lost) he
encloses.
Genoa. March 8 th . 1823.
My dear Douglas /
You will have received by a late post two packets – one containing the Age of Bronze
(proof sheet) – the other the 13 th . Canto of D.J. the 14 th . will be sent when copied out fairly. – –
In the mean time I send another poem in four cantos called the “Island & c .” – it is about 1337 lines –
and 100 longer than Lara. – It is too long for “the Liberal” – and not in the same style with my former
stories – not good enough perhaps to publish alone – but too good to throw away – – it will make a
respectable figure in any future collection of my writings. – – Perhaps you can dispose of it thus –
firstly – the Age of B alone – and then in a volume with the addition of this story – which will make
together – upwards of 2100 lines. – As to terms or publisher I know what to say 138 – you will think and
arrange as you can – (subject to a reference to me) but the Age of Bronze should be published alone –
and immediately. – There is a translation from Pulci in H.’s hands for his Journal – which is quite
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as much as is requisite. – – – – –
With regard to paying Baxter or others it must be postponed – probably for a year. – Who pays me? –
Out of £6336 per annum of the Noel estate my moiety for 1822 has amounted to £900! – This has just
paid the Herald and Insurance offices. – It may be all right – and come right again – but “while the
Grass grows” 139 you know the proverb. – From literature – I have derived nothing – that is to say about
two thousand a year less than heretofore. – You will say this is not your fault – assuredly it is not – and
it may most likely be mine – but the diminution is not the less. – From my own income I have saved
about 3000 or better – but this must be kept in reserve to meet emergencies and usual expences. – –
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As soon as I have realized a sufficient sinking fund – I will pay the remaining Creditors – a great deal
has already been paid – as you know. – The rest must wait. – I do not choose to leave myself bare. –
Every sixpence which can be saved (after deducting my requisite credits with your bank) must be laid
out in Exchequer bills – or at other interest – and that interest again at Compound interest – we shall
then soon be able to cover the interest of Baxter’s bond. – – Indeed I can already – with the interest of
the Exchequer bills – and that of {about} 17000 Francs at 4. per cent in Messrs Webb’s bank – which I
remind you of {so frequently} – that it may be claimed in case of accidents to me. You most
unaccountably decline saying – whether you have or have not received my letter from Deardon and
answer – sent J y . 24 th .
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1823 – nearly two months ago – and insured as I was anxious to hear the result. –
Is nothing done – or can nothing be done in this business? – I am very anxious to get together a few
thousand pounds – to be at my own disposal – and to invest where I please – {in} America – Spain – or
any where but in your country. – Rochdale must produce Something – a few thousand pounds – the
expectations are not great – but in the mean time the lawsuit eats up money – and does no good – and
nothing is done to stop it. –
You will soon have the 14 th . Canto of D.J. which will make nine in your hands – to be published in
three parts or volumes. – –
As to the Noel arrears – I can make out nothing – for deducting the Ford and Manners and Lady Noel’s
executors & c . – there still remains upwards of four thousand pounds (between the Holders of the estate)
of which I have received 900 – and what became of the rest? – I am living as frugally as I can. –
y rs . ever. N. B.
Byron to Douglas Kinnaird, from Genoa, March 10th 1823:
(Source: Ms. NLS TD 3079, f.65; not in 1922 II; BLJ X 121)
138: B. means “I know not what to say”.
139: Shakespeare, Hamlet, III ii 334.
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