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THE

BYRON CONTROVERSY.

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LONDON: PRINTED BY
SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE
AND PARLIAMENT STREET

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LADY BYRON VINDICATED.

A History

OF

THE BYRON CONTROVERSY

FROM ITS BEGINNING IN 1816 TO THE PRESENT TIME.

BY

HARRIET BEECHER STOWE.

LONDON:
SAMPSON LOW, SON, AND MARSTON
CROWN BUILDINGS, 188 FLEET STREET.
1870.

(All rights reserved.)

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NOTE

BY

THE PUBLISHERS.

The subject of this volume is of such painful notorietythat any apology from the Publishers may seemunnecessary upon issuing the Author's reply to thecounter statements which her narrative in Macmillan'sMagazine has called forth. Nevertheless they considerit right to state that their strong regard for theAuthor, respect for her motives, and assurance of hertruthfulness, would, even in the absence of all other considerations,be sufficient to induce them to place theirimprint on the title-page.

The publication has been undertaken by them at theAuthor's request, 'as her friends,' and as the publishersof her former works, and from a feeling that whateverdifference of opinion may be entertained respecting theAuthor's judiciousness in publishing 'The True Story,'she is entitled to defend it, having been treated withgrave injustice, and often with much maliciousness,[Pg vi]by her critics and opponents, and been charged withmotives from which no person living is more free. Anintense love of justice and hatred of oppression, with anutter disregard of her own interests, characterise Mrs.Stowe's conduct and writings, as all who know herwell will testify; and the Publishers can unhesitatinglyaffirm their belief that neither fear for lossof her literary fame, nor hope of gain, has for onemoment influenced her in the course she has taken.

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CONTENTS.