326—to James Wedderburn Webster

September 2nd, 1813.

My dear Webster,—

You are just the same generous and I fear careless gentleman of the years of

indifferent memory 1806—but I must not burthen you with my entire household. Joe 1 is, I believe, necessary for the present as a fixture, to keep possession till every thing is arranged; and were it otherwise, you don't know what a perplexity he would prove—honest and faithful, but fearfully superannuated: now this I ought and do bear, but as he has not been fifty years in your family, it would be rather hard to convert your mansion into a hospital for decayed domestics. Rushton is, or may be made useful, and I am less compunctious on his account.

"Will I be Godfather?" 2

Yea, verily! I believe it is the only species of parentage I shall ever encounter, for all my acquaintance, Powerscourt, Jocelyn, yourself, Delawarr, Stanhope, with a long list of happy etceteras, are married; most of them my juniors too, and I as single and likely to remain so as, nay more than, if I were seventy.

If it is a girl why not also? Georgina, or even Byron will make a classical name for a spinster, if Mr. Richardson's Sir Charles Grandison is any authority in your estimation.

My ship is not settled. My passage in the Boyne was only for one Servant, and would not do, of course. You ask after the expense, a question no less interesting to the married than the single. Unless things are much altered, no establishment in the Mediterranean Countries could amount to the quarter of the expenditure requisite in England for the same or an inferior household.

I am interrupted, and have only time to offer my best thanks for all your good wishes and intentions, and to beg you will believe me,

Equally yours ever,

B.

P.S.—Rushton shall be sent on Saturday next.

Footnote 1:

  Joseph Murray

Footnote 2:

  Webster's eldest son was christened "Byron Wedderburn." He died young, and when his father told Byron of the child's death, the godfather

"almost chuckled with joy or irony," and said, "Well, I cautioned you,
and told you that my name would almost damn any thing or creature."

(MS. note by Wedderburn Webster.)