This eBook was prepared by Les Bowler.
A history of the Byron Controversy from its beginning in 1816 tothe present time.
The subject of this volume is of such painful notoriety that anyapology from the Publishers may seem unnecessary upon issuing the Author’sreply to the counter statements which her narrative in Macmillan’sMagazine has called forth. Nevertheless they consider it rightto state that their strong regard for the Author, respect for her motives,and assurance of her truthfulness, would, even in the absence of allother considerations, be sufficient to induce them to place their imprinton the title-page.
The publication has been undertaken by them at the Author’srequest, ‘as her friends,’ and as the publishers of herformer works, and from a feeling that whatever difference of opinionmay be entertained respecting the Author’s judiciousness in publishing‘The True Story,’ she is entitled to defend it, having beentreated with grave injustice, and often with much maliciousness, byher critics and opponents, and been charged with motives from whichno person living is more free. An intense love of justice andhatred of oppression, with an utter disregard of her own interests,characterise Mrs. Stowe’s conduct and writings, as all who knowher well will testify; and the Publishers can unhesitatingly affirmtheir belief that neither fear for loss of her literary fame, nor hopeof gain, has for one moment influenced her in the course she has taken.
LONDON:January 1870.
PART I.
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER II. THE ATTACK ON LADY BYRON
CHAPTER III. RÉSUMÉ OF THE CONSPIRACY
CHAPTER IV. RESULTS AFTER LORD BYRON’S DEATH
CHAPTER V. THE ATTACK ON LADY BYRON’S GRAVE
PART II.
CHAPTER I. LADY BYRON AS I KNEW HER
CHAPTER II. LADY BYRON’S STORY AS TOLD ME
CHAPTER III. CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY OF EVENTS
CHAPTER IV. THE CHARACTER OF THE TWO WITNESSES COMPARED
CHAPTER V. THE DIRECT ARGUMENT TO PROVE THE CRIME
CHAPTER VI. PHYSIOLOGICAL ARGUMENT
CHAPTER VII. HOW COULD SHE LOVE HIM?
CHAPTER VIII. CONCLUSION
PART III. MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS.
THE TRUE STORY OF LADY BYRON’S LIFE (AS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHEDIN ‘THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY’)
LORD LINDSAY’S LETTER TO ‘THE LONDON TIMES’
DR. FORBES WINSLOW’S LETTER TO ‘THE LONDON TIMES’
EXTRACT FROM LORD BYRON’S EXPUNGED LETTER TO MURRAY
EXTRACTS FROM ‘BLACKWOOD’S MAGAZINE’
LETTERS OF LADY BYRON TO H. C. ROBINSON
DOMESTIC POEMS BY LORD BYRON
The interval since my publication of ‘The True Story of LadyByron’s Life’ has been one of stormy discussion and of muchinvective.
I have not thought it necessary to disturb my spirit and confusemy sense of right by even an attempt at reading the many abusive articlesthat both here and in England have followed that disclosure. Friendshave undertaken the task for me, giving me from time to time the substanceof anything really worthy of attention which came to view in the tumult.
It appeared to me essential that this first excitement should ina measure spend itself before there would be a possibility of speakingto any purpose. Now, when all would seem to have spoken who canspeak, and, it is to be hoped, have said the utmost they can say, thereseems a propriety in listening calmly, if that be possible, to whatI have to say in reply.
And, first, why have I made this disclosure at all?
To this I answer briefly, Because I considered it my duty to makeit.
I made it in defence of a beloved, revered friend, whose memory s