RIGHT HON. GEORGE GORDON NOEL BYRON, LORD BYRON; INCLUDING, IN ITS MOST EXTENSIVE BIOGRAPHY, ANECDOTES, AND MEMOIRS POLISHED AND ENLIGHTENED AGE AND COURT OF HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE THE FOURTH. COPIOUS RECOLLECTIONS OF THE LATELY DESTROYED MS. AND ENTITLED MEMOIRS OF MY OWN LIFE AND TIMES, BY THE RIGHT HON. LORD BYRON. "CREDE BYRON."-Motto of the Byron Family. "I have, in this rough work, shaped out a man "Halts not particularly, but moves itself "In a wide sea of wax; no levelled malice "Infects one comma in the course I hold, "But flies an eagle flight, bold and forth on, SHAKSPEARE.-Timon of Athens. BY AN ENGLISH GENTLEMAN, IN THE GREEK MILITARY SERVICE, AND Compiled from authentic Documents and from long personal Acquaintance. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. I. LONDON: MATTHEW ILEY, SOMERSET STREET, PORTMAN SQUARE. MDCCCXXV. 369 TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GEORGE CANNING, M.P. SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, &c. &c. &c. SIR: 66 'a The opinion, which the late Lord Byron publicly expressed, that you were genius, almost an universal one-an orator, a wit, a poet, and a statesman;" and that, "if ever man saved his country, CANNING can;" will sufficiently explain why this Biography of one of the greatest men that this, or any other country, ever gave birth to, is dedicated to you; particularly as his Lordship's judgment has been sanctioned by your ministry, and the country has been for some time past looking up to, and still continues to look up to, your talents and rectitude, to heal the wounds of a contest, unexampled in the history of the world. France, Russia, Germany, Italy, Greece, and the United States of North America, have paid homage to the genius of one of the brightest ornaments of this country; and it is scarcely deemed probable that his own native land will withhold a due tribute of respect to his memory. No one can know better than yourself, Sir, how to appreciate his merits; and, therefore, I trust, that no apology is necessary for this humble offering from one who admires, in you, the profound Scholar, the eloquent Orator, the brilliant Wit, and the enlightened States man. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient, Humble servant, The AUTHOR. June 1825. INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. WHEN the melancholy tidings of the death of the late and lamented Lord Byron reached this country, every heart felt and acknowledged that the brightest star of the literary firmament had set, to rise no more. His country had lost an ornament,-and the world at large had been deprived of a friend. To those who can feel for others, as well as for themselves, it was a mournful reflection that the Greek cause,-the cause of humanity,-had thus lost one of its most strenuous defenders and supporters ;— one, who devoted his genius,-his arm,- his fortune,and who finally sacrificed his life, by over-exertions in defence of a brave people, struggling against barbarian insolence and tyranny. Such conduct alone would have been sufficient to immortalize his fame, if his genius had not been, of itself, so pre-eminent as to secure him a grateful remembrance to the latest posterity. Combined together, they form a character, which leaves far in the background all others of the present day. To say that it had no faults, would be to say that it was more than human; the sun has its spots-but it is still the source of all light, heat, and the parent of vegetation the telescopic eye of envy may derive pleasure : |
