learnt that the whole was a method he had adopted to sport with our fears. »

The regiment, or rather the brigade, we formed, can be described only as Byron himself describes it. There was a Greek tailor, who had been in the British service in the Ionian Islands, where he had married an Italian woman. This lady, knowing something of the military service, petitioned Lord Byron to appoint her husband master-tailor of the brigade. The suggestion was useful, and this part of her petition was immediately granted. At the same time, however, she solicited that she might be permitted to raise a corps of women, to be placed under her orders, to accompany the regiment. She stipulated for free quarters and rations for them, but rejected all claim for pay. They were to be free of all

interrupting the single speaker. I also admired the rapid manner in which the interpreter explained every thing they said, so as to make it almost appear that there was but one speaker.After a short time, it was evident that what Lord Byron was hearing affected his feelings-his countenance changed, his colour went and came, and I thought he was ready to weep. But he had on all occasions a ready and peculiar knack in turning conversation from any disagreeable or unpleasant subject; and he had recourse to this expedient. He rose up suddenly, and turning round on his heel, as was his wont, he said something quickly to his interpreter, who immediately repeated it to the women. All eyes were instantly fixed on me, and one of the party, a young and beautiful woman, spoke very warmly. Lord Byron seemed satisfied, and said they might | incumbrances, and were to wash, sew, cook, and retire. The women all slipped off their shoes in an instant, and going up to his lordship, each in succession, accompanied by their children, kissed his hand fervently, invoked, in the Turkish manner, a blessing both on his head and heart, and then quitted the room. This was too much for Lord Byron, and he turned his face away to conceal his emotion. »

otherwise provide for the men. The proposition pleased Lord Byron, and, stating the matter to me, he said he hoped I should have no objection. I had been accustomed to see women accompany the English army, and I knew that, though sometimes an incumbrance, they were on the whole more beneficial than otherwise. In Greece there were many circumstances which would make their services extremely valuable, and I gave my consent to the measure. The tailor's wife did accordingly recruit a considerable number of unincumbered women, of almost all nations, but principally Greeks, Italians, Maltese, and Ne

« One of Lord Byron's household had several times involved himself and his master in perplexity and trouble, by his unrestrained attachment to women. In Greece this had been very annoying, and induced Lord Byron to think of a means of curing it. A young Suliote of the guardresses. 'I was afraid,' said Lord Byron, when was accordingly dressed up like a woman, and I mentioned this matter to you, you would be instructed to place himself in the way of the crusty, and oppose it,-it is the very thing. Let amorous swain. The bait took, and after some me see, my corps outdoes Falstaff's: there are communication, but rather by signs than by Faglish, Germans, French, Maltese, Ragusians, words, for the pair did not understand each Italians, Neapolitans, Transylvanians, Russians, other's language, the sham lady was carefully Suliotes, Moreotes, and Western Greeks in front, conducted by the gallant to one of Lord Byron's and, to bring up the rear, the tailor's wife and apartments. Here the couple were surprised by her troop. Glorious Apollo! no general had ever an enraged Suliote, a husband provided for the before such an army,'» occasion, accompanied by half a dozen of his comrades, whose presence and threats terrified the poor lacquey almost out of his senses. The noise of course brought Lord Byron to the spot, to laugh at the tricked serving-maan, and rescue him from the effects of his terror.»

« Lord Byron had a black groom with him in Greece, an American by birth, to whom he was very partial. He always insisted on this man's calling him Massa, whenever he spoke to him. On one occasion, the groom met with two women of his own complexion, who had been slaves to the Turks and liberated, but had been left al

« A few days after the earthquake, which took place on the 21st of February, as we were all sit-most to starve when the Greeks had risen on ting at table in the evening, we were suddenly alarmed by a noise and a shaking of the house, somewhat similar to that which we had experienced when the earthquake occurred. Of course all started from their places, and there was the same kind of confusion as on the former evening, at which Byron, who was present, laughed immoderately; we were re-assured by this, and soon

their tyrants. Being of the same colour was a bond of sympathy between them and the groom, and he applied to me to give both these women quarters in the Seraglio. Igranted the application, and mentioned it to Lord Byron, who Laughed at the gallantry of his groom, and ordered that he should be brought before him at ten o'clock the next day, to answer for his pre

sumption in making such an application. At ten not, however, prevent him from taking a ride in o'clock, accordingly, he attended his master with the afternoon, which, I grieve to say, was his great trembling and fear, but stuttered so when last. On his return, my master said that the he attempted to speak, that he could not make saddle was not perfectly dry, from being so wet himself understood; Lord Byron endeavouring, the day before, and observed that he thought it ¡ almost in vain, to preserve his gravity, reproved had made him worse. His lordship was again him severely for his presumption. Blacky stut-visited by the same slow fever, and I was sorry tered a thousand excuses, and was ready to do any thing to appease his massa's anger. His great | yellow eyes wide open, he trembling from head to foot, his wandering and stuttering excuses, his | visible dread—all tended to provoke laughter; and Lord Byron, fearing his own dignity would be hove overboard, told him to hold his tongue, and listen to his sentence. I was commanded to enter it in his memorandum-book, and then he pronounced in a solemn tone of voice, while Blacky stood aghast, expecting some severe puBishment, the following doom: My determination is, that the children born of these black women, of which you may be the father, shall be my property, and I will maintain them. What say you? 'Go-Go-God bless you, massa, Hay you live great while,' stuttered out the groom, and sallied forth to tell the good news to the two distressed women.»

The luxury of Lord Byron's living at this time may be seen from the following order, which he gave his superintendant of the household, for the daily expenses of his own table. It amounts to no more than one piastre.

Paras.

Bread, a pound and a half... 15
Wine

Fish
Olives

7

15

40

This was his dinner; his breakfast consisted of a single dish of tea, without milk or sugar.

to perceive, ou the next morning, that his illness
appeared to be increasing. He was very low, and
complained of not having had any sleep dur-
ing the night. His lordship's appetite was also
quite gone. I prepared a little arrow-root, of
which he took three or four spoonfuls, saying it
was very good, but he could take no more.
was not till the third day, the 12th, that I began
to be alarmed for my master. In all his former
colds he always slept well, and was never affected
by this slow fever. I therefore went to Dr Bruno
and Mr Millingen, the two medical attendants,
and inquired minutely into every circumstance
connected with my master's present illness: both
replied that there was no danger, and I might
make myself perfectly easy on the subject, for all
would be well in a few days. This was on the
13th. On the following day, I found my master
in such a state, that I could not feel happy
without supplicating that he would send to
Zante for Dr Thomas.

After expressing my

fears lest his lordship should get worse, he desired me to consult the doctors, which I did, and was told there was no occasion for calling in any person, as they hoped all would be well in a few days. Here I should remark, that his lordship repeatedly said, in the course of the day, he was sure the doctors did not understand his disease; to which I answered, 'Then, my lord, have other advice by all means.' They tell me,' said his lordship, that it is only a common cold, which, you know, I have had a thousand times.' 'I am sure, my lord,' said I, that you never had one of so serious a nature.' I think I never had,' was his lordship's answer. I repeated my supplications that Dr Thomas should be sent for, on the 15th, and was again assured that my master would be better in two or three days. After these confident assurances, I did not renew my continued My master, says Mr Fletcher, entreaties until it was too late. With respect to his usual custom of riding daily when the wea- the medicines that were given to my master, I ther would permit, until the 9th of April. But could not persuade myself that those of a strong on that ill-fated day he got very wet, and on his purgative nature were the best adapted for his return home his lordship changed the whole of complaint, concluding that, as he had nothing ou his dress; but he had been too long in his wet his stomach, the only effect would be to create clothes, and the cold, of which he had complain-pain; indeed, this must have been the case with ed more or less ever since we left Cephalonia, a person in perfect health. The whole nourishmade this attack be more severely felt. Though ment takep by my master, for the last eight days, rather feverish during the night, his lordship slept pretty well, but complained in the morning of a pain in his bones, and a head-ache: this did

The circumstances that attended the death of this illustrious and noble-minded man, are described in the following plain and simple statement by his faithful valet and constant follower, Mr Fletcher:

consisted of a small quantity of broth, at two or three different times, and two spoonfuls of arrowroot on the 18th, the day before his death. The

e

first time I heard of there being any intention of did not let you do so before, as I am sure they bleeding his lordship was on the 15th, when it have mistaken my disease. Write yourself, for was proposed by Dr Bruno, but objected to at I know they would not like to see other doctors first by my master, who asked Mr Millingen if here.' I did not lose a moment in obeying my there was any great reason for taking blood? master's orders; and on informing Dr Bruno The latter replied that it might be of service, and Mr Millingen of it, they said it was very but added it might be deferred till the next day; right, as they now began to be afraid themselves. and accordingly, my master was bled in the right On returning to my master's room, his first arm on the evening of the 16th, and a pound of words were have you sent? I have, my blood was taken. I observed, at the time, that it lord,' was my answer; upon which he said, ‘ you had a most inflamed appearance. Dr Bruno now have done right, for I should like to know what began to say, that he had frequently urged my is the matter with me.' Although his lordship master to be bled, but that he always refused. did not appear to think his dissolution was so A long dispute now arose about the time that near, I could perceive he was getting weaker had been lost, and the necessity of sending for every hour, and he even began to have occasional medical aid to Zante; upon which I was in- fits of delirium. He afterwards said, 'I now formed, for the first time, that it would be of no begin to think I am seriously ill, and in case I use, as my master would be better or no more should be taken off suddenly, I wish to give you before the arrival of Dr Thomas. His lordship several directions, which I hope you will be parcontinued to get worse, but Dr Bruno said, he ticular in seeing executed.' I answered I would thought letting blood again would save his life; in case such an event came to pass, but expressed and I lost no time in telling my master how ne- a hope that he would live many years to execute cessary it was to comply with the doctor's wishes. them much better himself than I could. To this he replied by saying, he feared they this my master replied, No, it is now nearly knew nothing about his disorder; and then, over and then added, I must tell you all stretching out his arm, said, Here, take my arm without losing a moment! I then said, 'Shall I and do whatever you like.' His lordship con- go, my lord, and fetch pen, ink and paper?'tinued to get weaker, and on the 17th he was‘Oh, my God! no; you will lose too much bled twice in the morning, and at two o'clock in the afternoon; the bleeding at both times was followed by fainting fits, and he would have fallen down more than once had I not caught him in my arms. In order to prevent such an accident, I took care not to permit his lordship to stir without supporting him. On this day my master said to me twice, I cannot sleep, and you well know I have not been able to sleep for more than a week; I know,' added his lordship, ‘that a man can only be a certain time without sleep, and then he must go mad without any one being able to save him; and I would ten times sooner shoot myself than be mad, for I am not afraid of dying-I am more fit to die than people

think!'

had

Το

time, and I have it not to spare, for my time is now short,' said his lordship, and immediately after, 'Now pay attention!' His lordship commenced by saying, 'You will be provided for.' I begged him, however, to proceed with things of more consequence. He then continued, "oh, my poor dear child! my dear Ada! my God! could I but have seen her! Give her my blessing-aud my dear sister Augusta and her children; and you will go to Lady Byron, and say - tell her every thing,—you are friends with her.' His lordship seemed to be greatly affected at this moment. him, so that I could only catch a word at inHere my master's voice failed tervals; but he kept muttering something very seriously for some time, and would often raise his voice, and said, 'Fletcher, now if you do not execute every order which I have given you, I will torment you hereafter if possible.' Here I told his lordship in a state of the greatest perplexity, that I had not understood a word of what he said; to which he replied, 'Oh, my God! then all is lost, for it is now too late! Can it be possible you have not understood me?'

I do not, however, believe that his lordship any apprehension of his fate till the day after the 18th, when he said, 'I fear you and Tita will be ill by sitting continually night and day.' I answered, We shall never leave your lordship till you are better.' As my master had a slight fit of delirium on the 16th, I took care to remove the pistol and stiletto, which had hi- | therto been kept at his bedside in the night. No, my lord,' said I, 'but I pray you to try On the 18th his lordship addressed me fre- and inform me once more.' How can I?' requently, and seemed to be very much dissatisfied joined my master, it is now too late, and all is with his medical treatment. I then said, 'Do over!' I said, 'Not our will, but God's be allow me to send for Dr Thomas?' to which he done?'-and he answered, 'Yes, not mine be answered, 'Do so, but be quick; I am sorry I done!--but I will try.' His lordship did indeed

make several efforts to speak, but could only placed it in a chest lined with tin, as there were speak two or three words at a time, -such as, no means of procuring a leaden coffin capable of My wife my child! my sister!-you know holding the spirits necessary for its preservation all-you must say all-you know my wishes' on the voyage. Dr Bruno drew up an account the rest was quite unintelligible. A consultation of the examination of the body, by which it apwas now held (about noon), when it was deter-peared his lordship's death had been caused by mined to administer some Peruvian bark and an inflammatory fever. Dr Meyer, a Swiss phywine. My master had now been nine days sician, who was present, and had accidentally without any sustenance whatever, except what I seen Madame de Stael after her death, stated that have already mentioned. With the exception of the formation of the brain in both these illusa few words, which can only interest those to trious persons was extremely similar, but that whom they were addressed, and which if re- Lord Byron had a much greater quantity. quired I shall communicate to themselves, it was On the 22d of April, 1824, in the midst of impossible to understand any thing his lordship his own brigade, the troops of the government, said after taking the bark. He expressed a wish and the whole population, the most precious to sleep. I at one time asked whether I should portion of his honoured remains was carried call Mr Parry, to which he replied, 'Yes, you to the church, where lie the bodies of Marco may call him. Mr Parry desired him to com- Botzaris and of General Normann. The coffin pose himself. He shed tears, and apparently was a rude, ill-constructed chest of wood; a black sunk into a slumber. Mr Parry went away ex-mantle served for a pall, and over it were placed |pecting to find him refreshed on his return,- a helmet, a sword, and a crown of laurel. But no but it was the commencement of the lethargy funeral pomp could have left the impression, preceding his death. The last words I heard my nor spoken the feelings, of this simple ceremony. master utter were at six o'clock on the evening The wretchedness and desolation of the place of the 18th, when he said, 'I must sleep now; itself, the wild and half-civilized warriors present, upon which he laid down never to rise again!- their deep-felt, unaffected grief, the fond recolfor he did not move hand or foot during the lections, the disappointed hopes, the anxieties and following twenty-four hours. His lordship ap- | sad presentiments which might be read on every peared, however, to be in a state of suffocation countenance-all contributed to form a scene more at intervals, and had a frequent rattling in the threat; on these occasions I called Tita to assist me in raising his head, and I thought he seemed to get quite stiff. The rattling and choking in the throat took place every half-hour, and we continued to raise his head whenever the fit came on, till six o'clock in the evening of the 19th, when I saw my master open his eyes and then shut them, but without showing any symptom of pain, or moving hand or foot. Oh! my God!' I exclaimed, I fear his lordship is gone! the doctors then felt his pulse, and said, 'You are right-he is gone!'»

truly affecting than perhaps was ever before witnessed round the grave of a great man. When the funeral service was over, the bier was left in the middle of the church, where it remained until the evening of the next day, guarded by a detachment of his own brigade, when it was privately carried back by his officers to his own house. The coffin was not closed till the 29th of the month.

On the ad of May the remains of Lord Byron were embarked, under a salute from the guns of the fortress. How different, exclaims Count Gamba, from that which had welcomed the arriOn the day of this melancholy event, Prince val of Byron only four months ago! After a pasMavrocordato issued a proclamation expressive sage of three days, the vessel reached Zante, and of the deep and unfeigned grief felt by all classes, the precious deposit was placed in the quarantine and ordering every public demonstration of re- house. Here some additional precautions were spect and sorrow to be paid to the memory of the taken to ensure its safe arrival in England, by illustrious deceased, by firing minute-guns, clos-providing another case for the body. On the ing all the public-offices and shops, suspending roth May, Colonel Stanhope arrived at Zante, the usual Easter festivities, and by a general from the Morea, and, as he was on his way back mourning and funeral prayers in all the churches. to England, he took charge of Lord Byron's reIt was resolved that the body should be em- mains, and embarked with them on board the balmed, and after the suitable funeral honours Florida. On the 25th of May she sailed from had been performed, should be embarked for Zante, on the 29th of June entered the Downs, Zante, - thence to be conveyed to England. Ac- and from thence proceeded to Stangate Creek, to cordingly the medical men opened the body and perform quarantine, where she arrived on Thursembalmed it, and having enclosed the heart, and day, July 1. brain, aud intestines in separate vessels, they

John Cam Hobhouse, Esq. and John Hanson,