The last days of Lord Byron:

Front matter

THE

LAST DAYS

OF

Preface

The only object I have in view, in sittingdown to write a Preface, is to tell the reader why I have written a book. The great curiosity which is still, and must long be felt with regard to every part of the late Lord Byron's conduct, almost justifies any person coming before the public who can communicate any information concerning him. But although I was acquainted with him during the most ennobling, and perhaps the most humiliating period of his existence, when all the energies of his manly character were exerted in anexcellent cause, and when he was cut off from the common conveniences and common enjoyments of life, when he

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vl PREFACE.

was adored by the Greeks, admired by some and censured by others of his countrymen, for the sacrifice he was making ; and although I was his chief agent for carrying into execution all his plans for the benefit of Greece, and the confidant of his last wishes and intentions, I am so conscious of my inability adequately to describe what I witnessed, that the mere idea of gratifying public curiosity would not have influenced me to have appeared in the character of an author ; and I should not have stepped forward, had I not been also compelled in my own vindication, and in the vindication of him whose fame must be dear to every one of his countrymen. Lord Byron's conduct in Greece has been attacked, in the book which Colonel Stanhope published on that country ; it has also been attacked in the London Magazine, for October, 1824 ; and as I was with him at the time, or immediately afterwards, when the coolness existed betwixt him and Colonel

PREFACE. Vll

Stanhope, I may hope, by publishing an account of what I saw and know, not only to furnish the reader with some curious details relative to the latter days of Lord Byron, but also to vindicate his memory from some unjust aspersions.

During the last two months of his existence, there was no person in whom he placed more confidence than in me. I was employed by him to carry his designs into execution ; I was intrusted with the management of his funds, and made the depositary of his wishes. I lived under the same roof with him, was his confidential agent, and was honoured by being made his companion. As far as I have seen the accounts which have been published of his situation in Greece, there are some inaccuracies, and many omissions in them all. The people of Great Britain have never been told, as it appears to me, of the numerous privations, the great neg-

V1U TREFACE.

lect and the endless vexations to which Lord Byron fell a victim. Neither his physician, who should have guarded against many of these evils ; his personal friends, who should have shielded him from others ; nor that particular person, who was the cause of much of his perplexity, has described, or is ever likely to describe, all the circumstances of Lord Byron's situation in Greece. They fell under my observation, however, as well as under theirs ; the reasons for their silence do not apply to me, and I have therefore felt myself in some measure called on to write an accurate account of Lord Byron's situation and sufferings. There are so many motives operating on other persons, either to make them preserve silence, or misrepresent facts, that unless I state them correctly, it is probable the public will never hear of them from many other quarter.

The confidence Lord Byron honoured me

PREFACE. IX with, has made those persons who opposed him in Greece, and who have calumniated him since his death, also select me as an object of remark. Lord Byron has been attacked both in his own person, and through me. His exertions, and my exertions under his directions, have been cancelled, contrary to his declared wishes and commands made known through me, contrary also to the prayers and entreaties of Prince Mavrocordato, and contrary-, I believe, to the best interests of Greece. Most of the persons who are acquainted with all these circumstances have some motives, either of interest or partiality, which will for ever prevent them from doing justice to Lord Byron and to me. I must either sit still, therefore, under accusations injurious both to Lord Byron and myself, or, however unwillingly, bring the matter before the public. Though perfectly unaccustomed to writing, I have resolved on the latter, trusting to the indul-

PREFACE.

gence of the public to pardon a multitude of faults for the sake of him who is now more ; and for the sake of public justice. My fellow-countrymen are too generous, and too much interested for the Greeks, not to receive with more favour than it merits, a work which describes in what manner and under what circumstances Byron fell a victim to his zeal in the Greek cause, and which points out some circumstances arising from the conduct of its pretended friends which have retarded its final triumph.

The little interest which the work may possess, it derives solely from him whose untimely fate it describes. Even the anecdotes of other persons contained in the volume are of little value, but as throwing some light on his character, or from the comments and remarks he made on them. On the theme, destined as Lord Byron is to live " as long as his land's tongue,'' and not

PREFACE. XI

on the writer, must the work depend for. either popularity or dignity. I disclaim all merit except that of being a correct reporter of what I saw, and of what I know Lord Byron's opinions to have been. I aim at nothing but accuracy ; and I expect praise for no other quality.

It is right I should mention, that from the time of my leaving England till I left Greece, I kept a journal of our military operations. A few days also before Lord Byron's death, I drew up by his command a report of all our proceedings up to that period. These two documents, together with letters written to my friends, copies of which I have preserved; letters written to my employers the Greek Committee, and letters from various persons in Greece, form the basis of my narrative. None of Lord Byron's conversations with me, however, were recorded in any of these documents, which relate solely to mili-

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Xll PREFACE.

tary and financial matters. Neither were any of the incidents mentioned in the book as having occurred to Lord Byron in Greece, his manner of living, or his various occupations and opinions, recorded at the time. I did not, like some of Lord Byron s friends, speculate on his death ; nor, till I saw the demand there was for information, did it ever occur to me that such minute matters would be of any public interest. They made a powerful impression on me at the moment ; and though not written down, have been vividly and, I trust, accurately remembered. These I have, therefore, stated from recollection. Owing to these circumstances, the book consists in a manner of two parts ; the first is a narrative, in the form of a journal, and the other is Lord Byron's opinions, or circumstances connected with him, arranged under different heads. What the work may on this account want in uniformity of design, will I trust be more than compensated by the greater

PREFACE, X1U

authenticity it will derive from this arrangement. As I am on many accounts unable to give Lord Byron's words ; and as many of his conversations with me related to the same subjects in which he repeated the same opinions, I have also been able by this means to avoid repetition, and to present his remarks more condensed than they could have been, if given in the form of repeated and desultory conversations.

I have now, I think, said all which it is necessary for me to tell the reader in this place. I am sure the book must afford him some pleasure, if I have been able to convey into its pages only a very small part of that amusement and instruction Lord Byron knew how to extract from every topic. To me he was a kind friend, as well as a most instructive companion ; and I shall be perfectly satisfied, should the reader only receive from the book the tenth part of the pleasure I

XIV PREFACE.

derived from my brief acquaintance with Lord Byron. Knowing him was for me a source of satisfaction unmingled with one regret, except that my acquaintance with him began so late, and was terminated so soon and so fatally.

WILLIAM PARRY.

London, April 25th.

Chapter I

Voyage to Greece. — First Interview with Lord Byron.

Public Meeting in London in behalf of the Greeks — My services engaged by Mr. Gordon — His generous offer — Unaccountable delay of the Committee — Mr. Gordon retracts — Formation of a small Brigade — Terms of my agreement- Sail from the River — Arrival at Malta — Delay there, and at Corfu — Arrival at Dragomestri — Send the Stores to Missolonghi — Arrival there — Meeting with Colonel Stanhope — Take up my Quarters in Lord Byron's House — Introduction to Lord Byron — His kind manner, and warm reception of me — His appearance — Furniture of his room — Conversation. . Page 1

CHAPTER II. Lord Byron's Situation in Greece. — His First

Illness.

First labours in Greece — Lord Byron wholly occupied with the affairs of that country — Is surrounded with difficulties!

XVI CONTENTS.

— His complaints of delay and disappointment — Offended with Mr. Blaquiere's treatment — Has no friends in Greece — Supplies money for the Brigade — The arsenal is paved — Prince Mavrocordato asks money of Lord Byron — The Prince's treatment of me — Conduct of the foreign officers — Are a great burthen to Lord Byron— One of them resigns his commission — Lord Byron does not agree with Colonel Stanhope— His objections to establishing a newspaper— Complete the removal of the Stores — Immoderate expectations of the Greeks— Death of Sir Thomas Maitland — Opinions as to his government — Find some of the Stores damaged — Alterations necessary in the guns — Applications to Lord Byron for pecuniary assistance — His opinion of Mavrocordato — His Lordship's confidence in me increases— He becomes my pupil — Gives me the control over his expenditure — Weekly expense — Difficulty in obtaining money —Lord Byron's first illness — Treatment by the doctors. 22.

CHAPTER III. Death of Lieutenant Sass

Plan for fortifying Missolonghi — Lord Byron's method of paying the expense — Dissensions— Method of the Greeks to get money from Lord Byron — Source of the dispute between Byron and Stanhope — Hopes of capturing a Turkish brig of war — Lord Byron's humane orders and rewards as to the prisoners — The brig destroyed— Negligence of the Greeks in preparing for their defence — Proposal for having gun-boats — Lieutenant Sass enters the Hellenic Legion— Taken prisoner— His sufferings—

CONTENTS. Xvii

Is released by an English gentleman — Returns home — Sent out to Missolonghi by the Greek Committee — Appointed a Lieutenant in Lord Byron's Brigade — His death — Meeting of the Suliote chiefs at Lord Byron's — The mechanics frightened — Resolve to leave Greece — Receive money to return to England — Sum they cost the Greek Committee — Work they performed. .... ... ,47.

CHAPTER IV. Lord Byron as General and Commissioner

Mutiny among the Suliotes — The mechanics embark for Zante — Shock of an Earthquake — Superstitious custom of the Greeks — Mutiny amongst the Germans — Lord Byron's Corps disbanded — Is re-organized — Business of the Laboratory — Lord Byron's Suliote guard — His dog Lyon— His guard attend him in his rides — Specimen of the state of Missolonghi — Lord Byron's daily occupations — His food, and manner of living — His partiality to curious weapons — State of the weather — Requisitions by Ulysses and General Londa — Improper articles in Newspapers — Colonel Stanhope goes to Athens — His requisitions— Proceedings in March — An alarm of plague — Discipline of the Brigade — Must pay the Greeks for doing their own work — Divisions among the Greek chieftains — Lord Byron invited to quit Missolonghi — Colocotroni wishes to get him into the Morea— Opposing views of Mavrocordato — His hopes of effecting a union of the chiefs— Prospect of a Congress at Salona— Lord Byron obliged again to interfere about a Newspaper —

XVlll CONTENTS.

Receives the freedom of Missolonghi — Numerous applications to him for money — Further defence of Missolonghi — Desertions from Colocotroni's forces— News of the Greek loan — Plan for the campaign — Difficulties of Lord Byron's situation in Greece. . ...... 58.

CHAPTER V. Second Illness, and Death of Lord Byron

Weather in April — Attack on Missolonghi, by Cariascachi — Misconduct of our soldiers — Duels — A spy in Lord Byron's household — Endeavours to estrange Lord Byron from Mavrocordato — Conduct of some Englishmen — Rumour of breaking up the establishment at Missolonghi — Irritation of Lord Byron — Is prevented leaving Missolonghi — News of the loan — Lord Byron rides out for the last time — My opportunities of being with Lord Byron — Opportunities enjoyed by others — Count Gamba — Fletcher — Dr. Bruno — Deplorable state and confusion of Lord Byron's household — Proofs of the authenticity of the Narrative — Lord Byron seriously ill — Agrees to leave Missolonghi— Preparations for this purpose — Prevented by the Sirocco wind — Confined to his bed — Is delirious — The doctors think there is no danger — Sirocco continues — His forlorn condition — Is bled — Continued delirium — A consultation of physicians — Previous treatment of Lord Byron condemned — Bark administered to him — Is sensible for the last time — Lies in a stupor for twenty-four hours — His Death — Author's opinion as to the causes of his Death — Lord Byron's prodigious disappointment —

CONTENTS. XIX

Flattering manner in which he was invited to Greece — What he expected to perform — Remarks on the physician's statements —Other disasters in Greece — Its independence not promoted by our interference. . . . . . . 101.

CHAPTER VI, Occurrences after Lord Byron's Death

I am taken ill — Go to Zante — Grief in Greece at Lord Byron's Death — Great affliction at Missolonghi — Proclamation of Prince Mavrocordato — Lord Byron's Papers — Arrival of the Florida, and the Loan — Count Gamba's description of the Ceremonies at Missolonghi — Arrival of Colonel Stanhope at Zante — Lord Byron's Body conveyed to England — Its Arrival— The Funeral — Anecdote of a Sailor — Time and place of Interment. . ...... 135.

CHAPTER VII. Traits op Character in Lord Byron

Lord Byron's partiality for practical jokes — Mode of curing ill-timed gallantry— An artificial earthquake — His shooting amusements— Greek scolds— His motley regiment — His description of it — Punishment of polygamy — Lord Byron's frankness—Tells Prince Mavrocordato I had abused him— Adventure with the Turkish women— Anecdote of a Greek peasant woman. . • • • • w"

XX CONTENTS.

Chapter VIII

Lord Byron's Opinions and Intentions with respect to Greece.

His injunctions to speak the truth as to Greece — His anxiety not to he instrumental in deluding the people of England — Claims the cause of Greece has on our sympathy— Country and people of Greece — Disadvantage of their character as insurgents — No plan or system amongst them — What form of government they should adopt — A federation of states — People give energy to government — Presidents of the Greek government — Peasantry — Poverty and intelligence of the Greeks — Greece might spread a revolution to Hindostan — Character of the Greek chiefs- Lord Byron's final intentions as to Greece — Purity of his amhition. 167.

CHAPTER IX. Lord Byron's Opinions

Of the Greek Committee — Mr. Blaquiere — Honorary Secretary Bovvring — Colonel Stanhope — Mr. Gordon — Subjects for Don Juan — Opinion of Missolonghi — Sir Francis Burdett — Patriotic Committees — Mr. Bentham's Cruise — Author's Introduction to him — His breakfast and dinner hour — Source of amistake — Adventures with him — Byron a Carbonaro — A reverend opponent of Lord Byron — His detestation of hypocrites — Favourable opinion of mechanics— Mode of welcoming him at Anatolica — His opinions on religion — On forms of government

CONTENTS. XXI

— The United States of America — Belief in ghosts and presentiments— Anecdote of the late Queen — His opinion of marriage — Of Lady Byron — Mr. Southey — Sir Walter Scott — Mr. Cooke, the actor 186.

Chapter X

Lord Byron, Colonel Stanhope, and Mr. Bentham.

Reasons for noticing Colonel Stanhope's attack on Lord Byron — Nature of this attack — Probable reason why Lord Byron's Friends have not defended him — Circumstances of the case — Lord Byron's reasons for his conduct — His attacks on Mr. Bentham — Their amount — Colonel Stanhope anxious to obtain Mr. Bentham's favour — Source of the Greek Committee's want of confidence in Lord Byron — Unjustifiable time of Colonel Stanhope's attack — Criterion for deciding betwixt them — Colonel Stanhope's expenses in Greece — To what purpose directed—His unpleasant interference— Wants to rule in Greece — What he effected — Comparison between the consequences of his Departure and Lord Byron's Loss — Consistency of the two Gentlemen — Lord Byron only zealous for the Welfare of Greece— His faults traced to his birth and education — Apology for some of his Errors. ..... 225.

CHAPTER XL

Conduct op Colonel Stanhope and op the Greek Committee to the Greeks.

Important consequences of Colonel Stanhope's proceedings —

XXII CONTENTS.

His attacks on me — The Greek Committee invited to investigate them — He engages in opposition to the Greek government — Goes to Greece to regenerate it — His qualities for a legislator — Greece to be regenerated on Mr. Bentham's principles, and by force — Engages individuals to write against the British government, and implicates the Committee and the Greeks in the same hostility — Does what he can to involve them in disputes with the Holy Alliance — His favourable opinion of Mavrocordato — Attachment of the Greeks to the Prince — Change in Colonel Stanhope's opinion — Source of the change — His abuse of the prince — The prince opposes his whims — Former situation of Odysseus — An object of suspicion to the Government — Is favoured by Captain Trelawney and Colonel Stanhope — Sudden change in the opinion of the latter — Odysseus natters Colonel Stanhope — The Colonel wants to put power into his hands — Intrigues to break up the brigade — Suspicions entertained of Colonel Stanhope — Intercepted letter of Sophianopulo — Capt. Trelawney's recommendation to break up the brigade — Colonel Stanhope's order for this purpose — In what respect opposed to the wishes of Lord Byron— Letter of Mavrocordato — Colonel Stanhope sets up a new race of Pachas — Colonel Stanhope's right to break up the brigade questioned — Formed by Lord Byron, and placed by him and the Committee under Prince Mavrocordato — My instructions on this head — Insulting language of Colonel Stanhope — Source of our authority for being in Greece — Conclusion that Colonel Stanhope had no right to break up the brigade — His improper mode of transmitting orders for this purpose — Cessation of my services under the

CONTENTS. XXU1

Greek Committee — Charge against Colonel Stanhope of injuring the Greek cause, and insulting the memory of Lord Byron proved — His injudicious conduct as to the war — Anger of the Greeks — His encouragement to adventurers — In what manner the Committee are to hlame for approving Colonel Stanhope's proceedings — Vote of approhation — Conclusion. . 266.

Appendix and Illustrative Letters . t . . . p. 419,

DIRECTIONS TO THE BINDER.

Portrait of Lord Byron — Frontispiece.

Lord Byron's House at Missolonghi — To face page 68.

Lord Byron attended by his Suliote Guards — To face page 7o.

Lord Byron on his death bed — To face page 127.

UNIVERSITY

OF

THE

LAST DAYS OF LORD BYRON,

Chapter I. Voyage To Greece.— First Interview With Lord Byron

Public Meeting- in London in behalf of the Greeks — My services engaged by Mr. Gordon — His g-enerous ofl'er — Unaccountable delay of the Committee — Mr. Gordon retracts — Formation of a small Brigade— Terms of my agreement — Sail from the River — Arrival at Malta — Delay there, and at Corfu — Arrival at Drag-omestri — Send the Stores to Missolonghi — Arrival there — Meeting- with Colonel Stanhope — Take up my Quarters in Lord Byron's House — Introduction to Lord Byron — His kind manner, and warm reception of me — His appearance — Furniture of his room — Conversation.

lHE noble struggle of the Greeks to shake off the yoke of their Mahomedan tyrants having excited much interest in Great Britain, and produced a strong wish, among many enlightened persons, to contribute to the success of so good a cause, a Public Meeting was called at the Crown and Anchor Tavern, London, on the 15th day of May, in the year 1823. A subscription was entered into at the meeting, and a committee appointed to carry the intentions of those who sub-

B

MY SERVICES ENGAGED.

scribed their money into effect, by providing such supplies as were most likely to be of effectual service to the Greeks. Having been known to several members of the committee, by my services on another occasion, I was sent for by Mr. Hume, to ascertain if I were willing to be again employed. I accordingly waited on this gentleman, and met with him Mr. Blaquiere and Mr. Gordon. Nothing particular passed, except that the latter gentleman put several questions to me concerning the formation of a brigade of artillery. I gave him all the information in my power, at the moment, as to the number of men, the quantity of stores of different kinds, and the various species of ammunition which would be required to form a small brigade ; and I concluded by tendering an offer of my services to prepare one, under his auspices and direction.

Mr. Gordon being extremely anxious, and even enthusiastic, to promote the cause of the Greeks, readily accepted my offer, and engaged me immediately. I accompanied him to Scotland, at his request, and remained at Cairness, the place of his residence in that country, until the committee came to a determination as to the course of proceedings they would adopt. At length, it being ascertained that the subscriptions would enable the committee to pay the expenses incurred in England, and send some effectual mr. Gordon's plan. 3

assistance to the Greeks, Mr. Gordon ordered me to make out an estimate of the expense of a corps of artillery, consisting of mountain guns and howitzers, with all the necessary ammunition and stores. A small laboratory, foundry, and establishment for making and repairing gun-carriages, were also to be added. According to his directions, I immediately made out an estimate of all these matters, on the most economical plan, and the sum I concluded they would cost was 10,500/.

My employer approved of this statement, and, with that devotion to the good cause of Greece which has so long distinguished him, he immediately made an offer to the committee to pay the third of this expense from his private purse, if the committee would pay the remainder. He also offered to give up his own time, and proceed immediately to Greece with this most needed and necessary supply, could his wish for the formation of a brigade of artillery be accomplished. He thought no sacrifice, short of consistency and honour, too great to promote the cause of the Greeks. It was plain, in his opinion, that artillery was the arm of war in which they were most deficient, and which, if properly organized, might render them the most beneficial services.

To further his views, he immediately sent me to London to form a small brigade on his own account, and to stimulate the committee to pro-

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4 UNACCOUNTABLE DELAY.

ceedas fast as possible. From some causes, which I cannot explain, and which have never been explained, a delay of nearly four months took place. Every day did I attend on the committee, to give them every information in my power, and receive their orders, and during all this time I noticed little or no progress in the actual preparations for assisting Greece.

Mr. Gordon can, most probably, explain this matter far better than I can, and to him and the committee I willingly leave it, remarking merely, that the latter are responsible to the warmhearted people of our country who confided in them, and to the great interests of humanity, religion, and liberty, with which they were intrusted, for this injurious and fatal delay. The first consequence of it was, that Mr. Gordon retracted his offer, and notified his intention to relinquish his excellent plan. At the same time, he made a present to the committee, for the use of the Greeks, of the small brigade I had formed, together with all the carriages, limber and forge carts, complete ; exclusive of contributing a very handsome sum of money.

The same circumstance put me to much inconvenience, and to a considerable expence. Under the notion that Mr. Gordon's proposition would be promptly acted on, I went among some of my old acquaintance connected with the Artil-

EXPENSE IT CAUSES. 5

Icry, and selected upwards of fifty veterans, both artillery-men and artificers, all of excellent character, who would readily have engaged themselves in the service of Greece. Of course, I had to enter into an engagement with them, to make them promises, and point out to them the advantages they would obtain. Some of them not having a present means of subsistence in London, I was obliged to provide them with both food and lodging, and being also obliged to give the men something to whom I had held out hopes and made promises, I was put to an expense altogether of upwards of thirty pounds, not one farthing of which I was ever paid by the Greek committee, or by any other persons. But whatever I may have lost and suffered appears to me as nothing, compared to what the cause of Greece has lost and suffered by that sort of management which was so vexatious and injurious to me.

When Mr. Gordon withdrew, my connexion with him, in this official relation, of course, ceased, and very sorry I was to lose the stimulus of his advice and encouragement. I was, however, too far embarked in the business, to give it up, and the committee having engaged my services, I continued in attendance on them till the month of August. They then resolved to send out an expedition, or a quantity of supplies

6 SUPPLIES SENT OUT.

on a small scale. Taking wages, freight out, and every other expense, it was to cost about ,£4,500, and to consist of certain military stores, and a certain number of artificers and mechanics. I undertook to superintend the manufacture of the various pieces of artillery ordered ; and to carry the whole into execution. Contracts were accordingly entered into with several tradesmen, to supply the different species of stores ; the whole to be completed in ten weeks. For my services the Committee agreed to pay me four pounds sterling per week. The reader will find in the Appendix, A, a detailed account of the number of men, and quantity of stores, sent out to Greece under my orders.

These supplies were calculated to form a mountain brigade of artillery, with the munitions of war, materiel, tools, &c. necessary for a small establishment. With this as a foundation, it was calculated, should proper assistance be given in Greece, that an arsenal might gradually be formed, sufficient to manufacture all the minor implements of war, and most of the ammunition and stores which would be requisite for that country. It was also supposed, that it would be of great service to introduce among the Greeks some of those mechanic arts connected with war, in which they are most deficient. Sensible as I am of the great utility of every species of practical

DELAY IN THE PROCEEDINGS. /

mechanical skill, it did appear to me that this plan, which originated with Mr. Gordon, was one of the most effectual means which could be devised for assisting Greece.

The Greek committee agreed to pay me for my services, the sum of ,£400 for one year, from the time of my departure, I being to find my own passage back, after that period, if I thought proper to return. For this sum, stipulating for customary and proper usage, according to my rank and behaviour, I entered into a contract to perform certain specific services. Not to interrupt my narrative, I shall place this document also in the Appendix ; and the reader will find it marked B.

When the stores were prepared, and the men engaged, I represented to the committee the many advantages which would accrue from forwarding them by a fast-sailing vessel, having nothing else on board, and to touch only at one port for orders. My advice was not followed; and both stores and men were shipped on board a vessel, partly laden with government stores to be delivered at Malta and Corfu, at both which ports, of course, the vessel would have to stop, and must necessarily be detained a considerable time to unload. The utility of the advice which I gave was made very evident to me when we arrived at Greece, where there was, at that time, a great want of stores and ammunition of