compound interest that Time and
Fame would accumulate on every precious scrap of the young bard which
she hoarded. On the whole, however, it is not unsatisfactory to be able
to state that, with the exception of a very small minority (only one of
whom is possessed of any papers of much importance), every distinguished
associate and intimate of the noble poet, from the very outset to the
close of his extraordinary career, have come forward cordially to
communicate whatever memorials they possessed of him,--trusting, as I am
willing to flatter myself, that they confided these treasures to one,
who, if not able to do full justice to the memory of their common
friend, would, at least, not willingly suffer it to be dishonoured in
his hands.]

* * * * *

LETTER 459. TO MR. MOORE.

"September 29. 1821.

"I send you two rough things, prose and verse, not much in
themselves, but which will show, one of them, the state of the
country, and the other, of your friend's mind, when they were
written. Neither of them were sent to the person concerned, but you
will see, by the style of them, that they were sincere, as I am in
signing myself

"Yours ever and truly,

"B."

* * * * *

Of the two enclosures, mentioned in the foregoing note, one was a letter
intended to be sent to Lady Byron relative to his money invested in the
funds, of which the following are extracts:--

"Ravenna, Marza 1mo, 1821.

"I have received your message, through my sister's letter, about
English security, &c. &c. It is considerate, (and true, even,) that
such is to be found--but not that I shall find it. Mr. * *, for his
own views and purposes, will thwart all such attempts till he has
accomplished his own, viz. to make me lend my fortune to some
client of his choosing.

"At this distance--after this absence, and with my utter ignorance
of affairs and business--with my temper and impatience, I have
neither the means nor the mind to resist. Thinking of the funds as
I do, and wishing to secure a reversion to my sister and her
children, I should jump at most expedients.

"What I told you is come to pass--the Neapolitan war is declared.
Your funds will fall, and I shall be in consequence ruined. That's
nothing--but my blood relations will be so. You and your child are