he neither knew nor cared what was coming next.* This is the real inspiration of the poet. "Which is the finest of his works?— It is a question I have often heard discussed. I have been present when 'Childe Harold,'' Manfred,' Cain,' The Cor sair,' and even 'Don Juan,' were named; -a proof, at least, of the versatility of his powers, and that he succeeded in many styles of writing. But I do not mean to canvass the merits of these works, --a work on his poetical character and writings is already before the public.† "But, note or text, I never know the word which will come next." † I alluded to Sir E. Brydges' Letters. "Lord Byron's has been called the Satanic school of poetry. It is a name that never has stuck, and never will stick, but among a faction. "To superficial or prejudiced readers he appeared to confound virtue and vice; but if the shafts of his ridicule fell on mankind in general, they were only levelled against the hypocritical cant, the petty interests, and despicable cabals and intrigues of the age. No man respected more the liberty from which the social virtues emanate. No writings ever tended more to exalt and ennoble the dignity of man and of human nature. A generous action, the memory of patriotism, selfsacrifice, or disinterestedness, inspired him with the sublimest emotions, and the most glowing thoughts and images to express them; and his indignation of tyranny, vice, or corruption, fell like a bolt from Heaven on the guilty. We need look no further for the cause of the hate, private and political, with which he has been assailed. But in defiance of politics,-in defiance of personality, his strength rose with oppression; and, laughing his opponents to scorn, he forced the applause he disdained to solicit.' "That he was not perfect, who can deny? But how many men are better?how few have done more good, less evil, in their day? And on his tomb may be inscribed, as is on that of Raleigh • Reader! should you reflect on his errors, Remember his many virtues, And that he was a mortal!"" The high admiration in which Lord Byron was held in Germany may be appreciated by the following communication, and tribute to his memory, which I have just received from the illustrious and venerable Goethe, who, at the advanced age of seventy-five, retains all the warmth of his feelings, and fire of his immortal genius. 66 Weimar, 16th July, 1824. "It has been thought desirable to have some details relative to the communication that existed between Lord Noel Byron, alas! now no more! and Goethe: a few words will comprise the whole subject. "The German poet, who, up to his advanced age, has habituated himself to weigh with care and impartiality the merit of illustrious persons of his own time, as well as his immediate contemporaries, from a consideration that this knowledge would prove the surest means of advancing his own, might well fix his attention on Lord Byron; and, having watched the dawn of his great and early talents, could not fail to follow their progress through his important and uninterrupted career. "It was easy to observe that the public appreciation of his merit as a poet increased progressively with the increasing perfection of his works, one of which rapidly succeeded another. The interest which they excited had been productive of a more unmingled delight to his friends, |