* To do something to instract, but more to undeceive, the timid and admiring student;- Fragment on Government. Monthly Repository. No, CCXXIX.] JANUARY, 1825. [Vol. XX. Dr. Evans on Lord Byron's Infidelity. Islington, his inind to overcome them. ResentSIR, December 20, 1824. ment, anger and hatred held full sway CANY “ An Attempt to account for at that time was in overcharging his the Infidelity of EDWARD GIBBON, pen with gall , which flowed in every diEsq.”. Looking over its pages, I am rection-against individuals, his counsurprised to find that the causes there try, the world, the universe, creation assigned are applicable to the infidel- an: the Creator! He might have beity of Lord Byron. The Historian come--he ought to have been-a difand the Poet were in many respects ferent creature; and he but too well similarly circumstanced. They lost accounts for the unfortunate bias of either one or both their parents at an his disposition in the following lines : early period; they came in contact “E'en I, least thinking of a thoughtless with fanaticism; and, passing much throng, of their time on the Continent, wit- Just skill'd to know the right and choose nessed the disgusting inummeries of the wrong, Popery. Add also their thirst for Freed at that age when Reason's shield is lost, fame, which was absolutely inextinguishable. It absorbed every other To fight my course through Passion's countless host, passion; and, by running counter to Whom every path of Pleasure's flowery what they deemed the religious pre way jndices of civilized society, they adopt- Has lured in turn, and all have led ed a never-failing means of wafting astray.'” their names to the ends of the earth. But justice demands that I should of the first-rate talents, moving in the What a deplorable picture of a man mention, one trait in Lord Byron is highest ranks of society! not to be found in EDWARD GIBBON -a love of dissipation and profligacy. between GIBBON and Byron in the Another similarity, may be traced The Historian was a learned recluse, whilst the Poet was immersed in all attempts made to recover them from the licentiousness of the fashionable volence of our natures must excite their infidelity. The common beneworld. “At this period of his life, (1809,)” ings of that compassion which is the pity for their state, besides the work. says his friend Dallas, “ his mind was peculiar offspring of our holy religion. full of bitter discontent. Already sa. tiated with pleasure, and disgusted with * LORD BYRON at this time having those companions who have no other published his maiden piece, entitled Hours resource, he had resolved on master- of Idleness, which was roughly handled ing his appetites. He broke up his by the Edinburgh Reviewers, amply reharams, and he reduced his palate to sented it by his satire, English Bards a diet the most simple and 'abstemic and Scotch Reviewers. He, however, now ous. But the passions of the heart went abroad - returned, and published were too mighty; nor did it ever enter his. Childe Harold, with the success of which he was intoxicated. Soon after, he contracted his unfortunate marriage; * LORD BYRON was born at Dover, lest the country for Italy, whence he his mother being on the way from France never meant to come back; and, finally, 10 England; and, losing his father soon migrated to Greece, where he died last after, she took her son with her to Aber. Easter, in the 37th year of his age. deen, in Scotland. Here he passed his He was on the eve of achieving deeds boyish days — going thence to Harrow, of glory by assisting the noble-minded whence he withdrew to Cambridge, where Greeks, engaged in throwing off the gallcommenced his scepticism-and, coming ing and degrading yoke of the Turks, of age, he plunged into every species of who for centuries past have proved the gratification, even to satiety. disgrace of the Eastern world, VOL. XX. B |