38 — To the Hon. Augusta Byron
[Castle Howard, near Malton, Yorkshire.]
Trin. Coll. [Wednesday], Novr. 6th, 1805.
My dear Augusta, — As might be supposed I like a College Life extremely, especially as I have escaped the Trammels or rather
Fetters
of my domestic Tyrant Mrs. Byron, who continued to plague me during my visit in July and September. I am now most pleasantly situated in
Super
excellent Rooms, flanked on one side by my Tutor, on the other by an old Fellow, both of whom are rather checks upon my
vivacity
. I am allowed 500 a year, a Servant and Horse, so Feel as independent as a German Prince who coins his own Cash, or a Cherokee Chief who coins no Cash at all, but enjoys what is more precious, Liberty. I talk in raptures of that
Goddess
because my amiable Mama was so despotic. 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 Mrs. 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, & 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
. I must apologize to you for the
dullness?
of this letter, but to tell you the
truth the effects
of last nights Claret have no
t gone
out of my head, as I supped with a large party. I suppose that Fool Hanson in his
vulgar
Idiom, by the word Jolly did not mean Fat, but High Spirits, for so far from increasing I have lost one pound in a fortnight as I find by being regularly weighed.
Adieu, Dearest Augusta.
[Signature cut out.]
Footnote 1:
The servant, Byron's valet Frank, was accused of obtaining money on false pretences from a Nottingham tradesman, and Mrs. Byron informed her son of the charge. Frank was afterwards transported. (See
to Lord Clare, February 6, 1807; and
to Hanson, April 19, 1807.)
cross-reference: return to Footnote 3 of Letter 65
Footnote 2:
See page 76,
1.
Footnote 3:
Words in
grey
were cut out of the text with the seal.
