Chapter 11

TO MR. WILLIAM BANKES.

"Southwell, March 6. 1807.

"Dear Bankes,

"Your critique is valuable for many reasons: in the first place, it is the only one in which flattery has borne so slight a part; in the _next_, I am _cloyed_ with insipid compliments. I have a better opinion of your judgment and ability than your _feelings_. Accept my most sincere thanks for your kind decision, not less welcome, because totally unexpected. With regard to a more exact estimate, I need not remind you how few of the _best poems_, in our language, will stand the test of _minute_ or _verbal_ criticism: it can, therefore, hardly be expected the effusions of a boy (and most of these pieces have been produced at an early period) can derive much merit either from the subject or composition. Many of them were written under great depression of spirits, and during severe indisposition:--hence the gloomy turn of the ideas. We coincide in opinion that the '_poësies érotiques_' are the most exceptionable; they were, however, grateful to the _deities_, on whose altars they were offered--more I seek not.

"The portrait of Pomposus was drawn at Harrow, after a _long sitting_; this accounts for the resemblance, or rather the _caricatura_. He is _your_ friend, he _never was mine_--for both our sakes I shall be silent on this head. _The collegiate_ rhymes are not personal--one of the notes may appear so, but could not be omitted. I have little doubt they will be deservedly abused--a just punishment for my unfilial treatment of so excellent an Alma Mater. I sent you no copy, lest _we_ should be placed in the situation of _Gil Blas_ and the _Archbishop_ of Grenada; though running some hazard from the experiment, I wished your _verdict_ to be unbiassed. Had my '_Libellus_' been presented previous to your letter, it would have appeared a species of bribe to purchase compliment. I feel no hesitation in saying, I was more anxious to hear your critique, however severe, than the praises of the _million_. On the same day I was honoured with the encomiums of _Mackenzie_, the celebrated author of the 'Man of Feeling.' Whether _his_ approbation or _yours_ elated me most, I cannot decide.

"You will receive my _Juvenilia_,--at least all yet published. I have a large volume in manuscript, which may in part appear hereafter; at present I have neither time nor inclination to prepare it for the press. In the spring I shall return to Trinity, to dismantle my rooms, and bid you a final adieu. The _Cam_ will not be much increased by my _tears_ on the occasion. Your further remarks, however _caustic_ or bitter, to a palate vitiated with the _sweets of adulation_, will be of service. Johnson has shown us that _no poetry_ is perfect; but to correct mine would be an Herculean labour. In fact I never looked beyond the moment of composition, and published merely at the request of my friends. Notwithstanding so much has been said concerning the 'Genus irritabile vatum,' we shall never quarrel on the subject--poetic fame is by no means the 'acme' of my wishes. Adieu.

"Yours ever,

"BYRON."

This letter was followed by another, on the same subject, to Mr. Bankes, of which, unluckily, only the annexed fragment remains:--

* * * * *

"For my own part, I have suffered severely in the decease of my two greatest friends, the only beings I ever loved (females excepted); I am therefore a solitary animal, miserable enough, and so perfectly a citizen of the world, that whether I pass my days in Great Britain or Kamschatka, is to me a matter of perfect indifference. I cannot evince greater respect for your alteration than by immediately adopting it--this shall be done in the next edition. I am sorry your remarks are not more frequent, as I am certain they would be equally beneficial. Since my last, I have received two critical opinions from Edinburgh, both too flattering for me to detail. One is from Lord Woodhouselee, at the head of the Scotch literati, and a most _voluminous_ writer (his last work is a life of Lord Kaimes); the other from Mackenzie, who sent his decision a second time, more at length. I am not personally acquainted with either of these gentlemen, nor ever requested their sentiments on the subject: their praise is voluntary, and transmitted through the medium of a friend, at whose house they read the productions.

"Contrary to my former intention, I am now preparing a volume for the public at large: my amatory pieces will be exchanged, and others substituted in their place. The whole will be considerably enlarged, and appear the latter end of May. This is a hazardous experiment; but want of better employment, the encouragement I have met with, and my own vanity, induce me to stand the test, though not without _sundry palpitations_. The book will circulate fast enough in this country, from mere curiosity, what I prin--"[58]

* * * * *

The following modest letter accompanied a copy which he presented to Mr. Falkner, his mother's landlord:--