166 — To the Hon. Augusta Leigh
Newstead Abbey, August 21st, 1811.
My Dear Sister, — I ought to have answered your letter before, but when did I ever do any-thing that I ought?
I am losing my relatives & you are adding to the number of yours; but which is best, God knows; — besides poor Mrs. Byron, I have been deprived by death of two most particular friends within little more than a month; but as all observations on such subjects are superfluous and unavailing, I leave the dead to their rest, and return to the dull business of life, which however presents nothing very pleasant to me either in prospect or retrospection.
I hear you have been increasing his Majesty's Subjects, which in these times of War and tribulation is really patriotic.
Notwithstanding
Malthus
tells us that, were it not for Battle, Murder, and Sudden death, we should be overstocked, I think we have latterly had a redundance of these national benefits, and therefore I give you all credit for your matronly behaviour.
I believe you know that for upwards of two years I have been rambling round the Archipelago, and am returned just in time to know that I might as well have staid away for any good I ever have done, or am likely to do at home, and so, as soon as I have somewhat
repaired
my
irreparable
affairs I shall een go abroad again, for I am heartily sick of your climate and every thing it
rains
upon, always save and except
yourself
as in
duty bound
.
I should be glad to see you here (as I think you have never seen the place) if you could make it convenient. Murray is still like a Rock, and will probably outlast some six Lords Byron, though in his 75th Autumn. I took him with me to Portugal & sent him round by sea to Gibraltar whilst I rode through the Interior of Spain, which was then (1809) accessible.
You say you have much to communicate to me, let us have it by all means, as I am utterly at a loss to guess; whatever it may be it will meet with due attention.
Your
trusty and well beloved cousin F. Howard
is married to a Miss Somebody, I wish him joy on your account, and on his own, though speaking generally I do not affect that Brood.
By the bye, I shall marry, if I can find any thing inclined to barter money for rank within six months; after which I shall return to my friends the Turks.
In the interim I am, Dear Madam,
[Signature cut out.]
Footnote 1:
The Rev. T. R. Malthus (1766-1834) published, in 1798, his
Essay on the Principle of Population
.
Footnote 2:
The Hon. Frederick Howard (see page 55,
1) married, August 6, 1811, Frances Susan Lambton, only daughter of William Lambton, formerly M.P. for Durham.
