On the left hand as we entered the house, a small streamlet glided
away, grapes, oranges and limes were clustering together on its
borders, and under the shade of two large myrtle bushes, a marble seat
with an ornamental wooden back was placed, on which we were told, the
lord passed many of his evenings and nights till twelve o'clock,
reading, writing, and talking to himself. "I suppose," said the old
man, "praying" for he was very devout, "and always attended our church
twice a week, besides Sundays." The view from this seat was what may be termed "a bird's-eye view." A line of rich vineyards led the eye to Mount Calcla, covered with
olive and myrtle trees in bloom, and on the summit of which an ancient
Greek temple appeared in majestic decay. A small stream issuing from
the ruins descended in broken cascades, until it was lost in the woods
near the mountain's base. The sea smooth as glass, and an horizon
unshadowed by a single cloud, terminates the view in front; and a
little on the left, through a vista of lofty chesnut and palm-trees,
several small islands were distinctly observed, studding the light
blue wave with spots of emerald green. I seldom enjoyed a view more
than I did this; but our enquiries were fruitless as to the name of
the person who had resided in this romantic solitude: none knew his
name but Dominick, his banker, who had gone to Candia. "The Armenian,"
said our conductor, "could tell, but I am sure he will not,"--"And
cannot you tell, old friend?" said I--"If I can," said he, "I dare
not." We had not time to visit the Armenian, but on our return to the
town we learnt several particulars of the isolated lord. He had
portioned eight young girls when he was last upon the island, and even
danced with them at the nuptial feast. He gave a cow to one man,
horses to others, and cotton and silk to the girls who live by weaving
these articles. He also bought a new boat for a fisherman who had lost
his own in a gale, and he often gave Greek Testaments to the poor
children. In short, he appeared to us, from all we collected, to have
been a very eccentric and benevolent character. One circumstance we
learnt, which our old friend at the cottage thought proper not to
disclose. He had a most beautiful daughter, with whom the lord was
often seen walking on the sea-shore, and he had bought her a
piano-forte, and taught her himself the use of it. Such was the information with which we departed from the peaceful isle
of Mitylene; our imaginations all on the rack, guessing who this
rambler in Greece could be. He had money it was evident: he had
philanthropy of disposition, and all those eccentricities which mark
peculiar genius. Arrived at Palermo, all our doubts were dispelled. Falling in company with Mr. FOSTER, the architect, a pupil of WYATT'S,
who had been travelling in Egypt and Greece, "The individual," said
he, "about whom you are so anxious, is Lord Byron; I met him in my
travels on the island of Tenedos, and I also visited him at Mitylene." We had never then heard of his lordship's fame, as we had been some
years from home; but "Childe Harolde" being put into our hands we
recognized the recluse of Calcla in every page. Deeply did we regret
not having been more curious in our researches at the cottage, but we
consoled ourselves with the idea of returning to Mitylene on some
future day; but to me that day will never return. I make this
statement, believing it not quite uninteresting, and in justice to his
lordship's good name, which has been grossly slandered. He has been
described as of an unfeeling disposition, averse to associating with
human nature, or contributing in any way to sooth its sorrows, or add
to its pleasures. The fact is directly the reverse, as may be plainly
gathered from these little anecdotes. All the finer feelings of the
heart, so elegantly depicted in his lordship's poems, seem to have
their seat in his bosom. Tenderness, sympathy, and charity appear to
guide all his actions: and his courting the repose of solitude is an
additional reason for marking him as a being on whose heart Religion
hath set her seal, and over whose head Benevolence hath thrown her
mantle. No man can read the preceding pleasing "traits" without
feeling proud of him as a countryman. With respect to his loves or
pleasures, I do not assume a right to give an opinion. Reports are
ever to be received with caution, particularly when directed against
man's moral integrity; and he who dares justify himself before that
awful tribunal where all must appear, alone may censure the errors of
a fellow-mortal. Lord Byron's character is worthy of his genius. To do
good in secret, and shun the world's applause, is the surest testimony
of a virtuous heart and self-approving conscience. THE END
                        ____________________

             Gillet, Printer, Crown-court, Fleet-street.