104 — To Francis Hodgson
Newstead Abbey, Notts., Nov. 27, 1808.
My
Dear Sir, — Boatswain
is to be buried in a vault waiting for myself. I have also written an epitaph, which I would send, were it not for two reasons: one is, that it is too long for a letter; and the other, that I hope you will some day read it on the spot where it will be engraved.
You
discomfort me with the intelligence of the real orthodoxy of the Arch-fiend's name
, but alas! it must stand with me at present; if ever I have an opportunity of correcting, I shall liken him to Geoffrey of Monmouth, a noted liar in his way, and perhaps a more correct prototype than the Carnifex of James II.
I
do not think the composition of your poem "a sufficing reason" for not keeping your promise of a Christmas visit. Why not come? I will never disturb you in your moments of inspiration; and if you wish to collect any materials for the
scenery
?
, Hardwicke (where Mary was confined for several years) is not eight miles distant, and, independent of the interest you must take in it as her vindicator, is a most beautiful and venerable object of curiosity. I shall take it very ill if you do not come; my mansion is improving in comfort, and, when you require solitude, I shall have an apartment devoted to the purpose of receiving your poetical reveries.
I have heard from our Drury; he says little of the Row, which I regret: indeed I would have sacrificed much to have contributed in any way (as a schoolboy) to its consummation; but Butler survives, and thirteen boys have been expelled in vain. Davies is not here, but Hobhouse hunts as usual, and your humble servant "drags at each remove a lengthened chain."
I
have heard from his Grace of Portland
on the subject of my expedition: he talks of difficulties; by the gods! if he throws any in my way I will next session ring such a peal in his ears,
That he shall wish the fiery Dane
Had rather been his guest again
5
.
You do not tell me if Gifford is really my commentator: it is too good to be true, for I know nothing would gratify my vanity so much as the reality; even the idea is too precious to part with.
I shall expect you here; let me have no more excuses. Hobhouse desires his best remembrance. We are now lingering over our evening potations. I have extended my letter further than I ought, and beg you will excuse it;
on
the opposite page I send you some stanzas
I wrote off on being questioned by a former flame as to my motives for quitting this country. You are the first reader. Hobhouse hates everything of the kind, therefore I do not show them to him. Adieu!
Believe me, yours very sincerely,
Byron
.
Footnote 1:
Boatswain, the Newfoundland dog, died November 18, 1808. (For Byron's inscriptions in prose and verse, see
Poems
, vol. i p. 280.)
Footnote 2:
Byron at first thought that Jeffrey, the editor of the
Edinburgh Review
, spelt his name in the same way as the Judge Jeffreys of the Bloody Assizes. He probably writes "orthodoxy" for "orthography" as a joke. (See the lines quoted from
British Bards
in notes to
English. Bards, etc.
, line 439,
note
2.)
Footnote 3:
It is stated that Hodgson was writing a poem on Mary Queen of Scots (
Life of Rev. Francis Hodgson
, vol. i p. 107). No such poem was apparently ever published. In Hodgson's
Lady Jane Grey
, Queen Mary of England plays a part; hence, possibly, the mistake.
Footnote 4:
Byron asked the Duke of Portland to procure him "permission from the E. I. Directors to pass through their settlements." The duke replied, in effect, that Byron trespassed on his time and patience. So Byron at least took his answer (see
English Bards, and Scotch Reviewers,
line 1016 and
note
2).
Footnote 5:
Marmion
, Canto II. stanza xxxi.
Footnote 6:
See stanzas "To a Lady on being asked my Reason for Quitting England in the Spring" (
Poems
, vol. i. p. 282).
