"December 27. 1813.
"Lord Holland is laid up with the gout, and would feel very much
obliged if you could obtain, and send as soon as possible, Madame
d'Arblay's (or even Miss Edgeworth's) new work. I know they are not
out; but it is perhaps possible for your _Majesty_ to command what
we cannot with much suing purchase, as yet. I need not say that
when you are able or willing to confer the same favour on me, I
shall be obliged. I would almost fall sick myself to get at Madame
d'Arblay's writings.
"P.S. You were talking to-day of the American edition of a certain
unquenchable memorial of my younger days. As it can't be helped
now, I own I have some curiosity to see a copy of trans-Atlantic
typography. This you will perhaps obtain, and one for yourself; but
I must beg that you will not _import more_, because, _seriously_, I
_do wish_ to have that thing forgotten as much as it has been
forgiven.
"If you send to the Globe editor, say that I want neither excuse
nor contradiction, but merely a discontinuance of a most
ill-grounded charge. I never was consistent in any thing but my
politics; and as my redemption depends on that solitary virtue, it
is murder to carry away my last anchor."
* * * * *
Of these hasty and characteristic missives with which he despatched off
his "still-breeding thoughts," there yet remain a few more that might be
presented to the reader; but enough has here been given to show the
fastidiousness of his self-criticism, as well as the restless and
unsatisfied ardour with which he pressed on in pursuit of
perfection,--still seeing, according to the usual doom of genius, much
farther than he could reach.
An appeal was, about this time, made to his generosity, which the
reputation of the person from whom it proceeded would, in the minds of
most people, have justified him in treating with disregard, but which a
more enlarged feeling of humanity led him to view in a very different
light; for, when expostulated with by Mr. Murray on his generous
intentions towards one "whom nobody else would give a single farthing
to," he answered, "it is for that very reason _I_ give it, because
nobody else will." The person in question was Mr. Thomas Ashe, author of
a certain notorious publication called "The Book," which, from the
delicate mysteries discussed in its pages, attracted far more notice
than its talent, or even mischief, deserved. In a fit, it is to be
hoped, of sincere penitence, this man wrote to Lord Byron, alleging
poverty as his excuse for the vile uses to which he had hitherto
prostituted his pen, and soliciting his Lordship's aid towards enabling
him to exist, in future, more reputably. To this application the
following answer, marked, in the highest degree, by good sense,
humanity, and honourable sentiment, was returned by Lord Byron:--