a friend tied to the halberts, was requested to flog high, he did to flog low, he did-to flog in the middle, he did -high, low, down the middle, and up again, but all in vain, the patient continued his complaints with the most provoking pertinacity, until the drummer, exhausted and angry, flung down his scourge, exclaiming, "the devil burn you, there's no pleasing you, flog where one will!" Thus it is, you have flogged the Catholic, high, low, here, there, and every where, and then you wonder he is not pleased. It is true, that time, experience, and that weariness which attends even the exercise of barbarity, have taught you to flog a little more gently, but still you continue to lay on the lash, and will so continue, till perhaps the rod may be wrested from your hands, and applied to the backs of yourselves and your posterity. it is true he is not a Catholic; had he been so, we shouɑ have been deprived of his exertions; but I presume no one will assert that his religion would have impaired his talents or diminished his patriotism, though in that case he must have conquered in the ranks, for he never coula have commanded an army. But while he is fighting the battles of the Catholics abroad, his noble brother has this night advocated their cause, with an eloquence which I shall not depreciate by the humble tribute of my panegyric, whilst a third of his kindred, as unlike as unequal, has been combating against his Catholic brethren in Dublin, with circular letters, edicts, proclamations, arrests, and dispersions-all the vexatious implements of petty warfare that could be wielded by the mercenary guerillas of government, clad It was said by somebody in a former debate, (I forget in the rusty armour of their obsolete statutes. Your by whom, and am no. very anxious to remember,) if the lordships will, doubtless, divide new honours between the Catholics are emancipated, why not the Jews? If this saviour of Portugal, and the dispenser of delegates. It sentiment was dictated by compassion for the Jews, it is singular, indeed, to observe the difference between our might deserve attention, but as a sneer against the Catho- foreign and domestic policy; if Catholic Spain, faithful lic, what is it but the language of Shylock transferred Portugal, or the no less Catholic and faithful king of the from his daughter's marriage to Catholic emancipation-one Sicily, (of which, by the by, you have lately deprived "Would any of the tribe of Barrabbas Should have it rather than a Christian." I presume a Catholic is a Christian, even in the opinion of him whose taste only can be called in question for his preference of the Jews. him,) stand in need of succour, away goes a fleet and an army, an ambassador and a subsidy, sometimes to fight pretty hardly, generally to negotiate very badly, and always to pay very dearly for our Popish allies. But let four millions of fellow-subjects pray for relief, who It is a remark often quoted of Dr. Johnson, (whom I fight and pay and labour in your behalf, they must be take to be almost as good authority as the gentle apostle treated as aliens, and although their "father's house has of intolerance, Dr. Duigenan,) that he who could enter- many mansions," there is no resting-place for them. tain serious apprehensions of danger to the Church in Allow me to ask, are you not fighting for the emancipathese times, would have "cried fire in the deluge." This tion of Ferdinand the Seventh, who certainly is a fool, is more than a metaphor, for a remnant of these ante- and consequently, in all probability, a bigot; and have diluvians appear actually to have come down to us, with you more regard for a foreign sovereign than your own fire in their mouths and water in their brains, to disturb fellow-subjects, who are not fools, for they know your and perplex mankind with their whimsical outcries interest better than you know your own; who are nʊ: And as it is an infallible symptom of that distressing bigots, for they return you good for evil; but who are in malady with which I conceive them to be afflicted, (so worse durance than the prison of an usurper, inasmuch as the fetters of the mind are more galling than those of any doctor will inform your lordships,) for the unhappy the body. invalids to perceive a flame perpetually flashing before their eyes, particularly when their eyes are shut, (as those of the persons to whom I allude have long been,) it is impossible to convince these poor creatures, that the fire against which they are perpetually warning us and themselves, is nothing but an ignis fatuus of their own drivelling imaginations. What rhubarb, senna, or "what purgative drug can scour that fancy thence?"-It is impossible, they are given over, theirs is the true "Caput insanabile tribus Anticyris." Upon the consequences of your not acceding to the know claims of the petitioners, I shall no: expatiate; you them, you will feel them, and your children's children when you are passed away. Adieu to that Union so called, as "Lucus a non lucendo," a Union from never uniting, which, in its first operation, gave a death-blow to the independence of Ireland, and in its last may be the cause of her eternal separation from this country. If it must be called a Union, it is the union of the shark with his prey; the spoiler swallows up his victim, and These are your true Protestants. Like Bayle, who pro- thus they become one and indivisible. Thus has Great tested against all sects whatsoever, so do they protest Britain swallowed up the parliament, the constitution, against Catholic petitions, Protestant petitions, all re-the independence of Ireland, and refuses to disgorge even dress, all that reason, humanity, policy, justice, and com- a single privilege, although for the relief of her swollen mon sense, can urge against the delusions of their absurd and distempered body politic. delirium. These are the persons who reverse the fable of the mountain that brought forth a mouse; they are the mice who conceive themselves in labour with mountains. To return to the Catholics, suppose the Irish were actually contented under their disabilities, suppose them capable of such a bull as not to desire deliverance, ought we not to wish it for ourselves? Have we nothing to gain by their emancipation? What resources have been wasted! What talents have been lost by the selfish system of exclusion! You already know the value of What portion of popularity may have fallen to the Irish aid; at this moment the defence of England is share of my noble friends, (if such I may presume to call intrusted to the Irish militia: at this moment, while the them.) I shall not pretend to ascertain but that of his starving people are rising in the fierceness of despair, majesty's ministers it were vain to deny. It is, to be sure, the Irish are faithful to their trust. But till equal energy a little like the wind, "no one knows whence it cometh is imparted throughout by the extension of freedom, you or whither it goeth," but they feel it, they enjoy it, they cannot enjoy the full benefit of the strength which you boast of it. Indeed, modest and unostentatious as they are glad to interpose between you and destruction. Ire-are, to what part of the kingdom, even the most remote, land has done much, but will do more. At this moment can they flee to void the triumph which pursues them? the only triumph obtained through long years of con- If they plunge into the midland counties, there they wil tinental disaster has been achieved by an Irish general; be greeted by the manufacturers, with spurned petitions And now, my lords, before I sit down, will his majesty's ministers permit me to say a few words, not on their merits, for that would be superfluous, but on the degree of estimation in which they are held by the people of these realms. The esteem in which they are held has been boasted of in a triumphant tone on a late occasion within these walls, and a comparison instituted between their conduct, and that of noble lords on this side of the house. in their hands, and these halters round their necks recent- imaginary. It is not his own only, for it has been, and ly voted in their behalf, imploring blessings on the heads is still felt by numbers. No one without these walls, nor of those who so simply, yet ingeniously contrived to re-indeed within, but may to-morrow be made liable to the move them from their miseries in this to a better world. same insult and obstruction, in the discharge of an inIf they journey on to Scotland, from Glasgow to Johnny perious duty for the restoration of the true constitution Groat's, every where will they receive similar marks of of these realms by petitioning for reform in parliament. approbation. If they take a trip from Portpatrick to The petitioner, my Lords, is a man whose long life has Donaghadee, there will they rush at once into the em-been spent in one unceasing struggle for the liberty of braces of four Catholic millions, to whom their vote of the subject, against that undue influence which "has inthis night is about to endear them for ever. When they creased, is increasing, and ought to be diminished;" and, return to the metropolis, if they can pass under Temple whatever difference of opinion may exist as to his politiBar without unpleasant sensations at the sight of the cal tenets, few will be found to question the integrity of greedy niches over that ominous gateway, they cannot his intentions. Even now, oppressed with years, and escape the acclamations of the livery, and the more tre- not exempt from the infirmities attendant on his age, mulous, but not less sincere, applause, the blessings "not but still unimpaired in talent, and unshaken in spiritloud but deep" of bankrupt merchants and doubting stock-"frangas non flectes"—he has received many a wound in holders. If they look to the army, what wreaths, not of the combat against corruption; and the new grievance, laurel, but of nightshade, are preparing for the heroes of the fresh insult of which he complains, may inflict another Walcheren! It is true there are few living deponents scar, but no dishonour. The petition is signed by John left to testify to their merits on that occasion; but a Cartwright, and it was in behalf of the people and par cloud of witnesses" are gone above from that gallant liament, in the lawful pursuit of that reform in the army which they so generously and piously despatched, representation which is the best service to be rendered to recruit the "noble army of martyrs." both to parliament and people, that he encountered the What if, in the course of this triumphal career, (in wanton outrage which forms the subject matter of his which they will gather as many pebbles as Caligula's petition to your lordships. It is couched in firm, yet army did on a similar triumph, the prototype of their respectful language-in the language of a man, not re own,) they do not perceive any of those memorials whichgardless of what is due to himself, but at the same time a grateful people erect in honour of their benefactors; I trust, equally mindful of the deference to be paid to what although not even a signpost will condescend to this House. The petitioner states, among other mat depose the Saracen's head in favour of the likeness of the ter of equal, if not greater importance, to all who are conquerors of Walcheren, they will not want a picture British in their feelings, as well as blood and birth, that who can always have a caricature; or regret the omission on the 21st January, 1813, at Huddersfieid, himself and of a statue who will so often see themselves exalted in six other persons, who, on hearing of his arrival, had effigy. But their popularity is not limited to the narrow waited on him merely as a testimony of respect, were bounds of an island, there are other countries where seized by a military and civil force, and kept in close their measures, and, above all, their conduct to the Ca-custody for several hours, subjected to gross and abusive tholics, must render them pre-eminently popular. If they insinuations from the commanding officer relative to the are beloved here, in France they must be adored. There character of the petitioner; that he (the petitioner) was is no measure more repugnant to the designs and feelings finally carried before a magistrate; and not released till of Buonaparte than Catholic emancipation; no line of an examination of his papers proved that there was not conduct more propitious to his projects, than that which only no just, but not even statutable charge against him; has been pursued, is pursuing, and, I fear, will be pursued, and that, notwithstanding the promise and order from the towards Ireland. What is England without Ireland, and presiding magistrates of a copy of the warrant against what is Ireland without the Catholics? It is on the basis your petitioner, it was afterwards withheld on divers preof your tyranny Napoleon hopes to build his own. So texts, and has never until this hour been granted. The grateful must oppression of the Catholics be to his mind, names and condition of the parties will be found in the that doubtless (as he has lately permitted some renewal petition. To the other topics touched upon in the peti of intercourse) the next cartel will convey to this country tion, I shall not now advert, from a wish not to encroach cargoes of Sèvres china and blue ribands, (things in great upon the time of the House; but I do most sincerely request, and of equal value at this moment,) blue ribands call the attention of your lordships to its general conof the legion of honour for Dr. Duigenan and his minis-tents-it is in the cause of the parliament and people terial disciples. Such is that well-earned popularity, the result of those extraordinary expeditions, so expensive to ourselves, and so useless to our allies; of those singular inquiries, so exculpatory to the accused and so dissatisfactory to the people; of those paradoxical victories, so honourable, as we are told, to the British name, and so destructive to the best interests of the British nation; above all, such is the reward of a conduct pursued by ministers towards the Catholics. I have to apologize to the House, who will, I trust, pardon one, not often in the habit of intruding upon their indulgence, for so long attempting to engage their attention. My most decided opinion is, as my vote will be, in favour of the motion. DEBATE ON MAJOR CARTWRIGHT'S PETITION, JUNE 1, 1813. that the rights of this venerable freeman have been violated, and it is, in my opinion, the highest mark of respect that could be paid to the House, that to your justice, rather than by appeal to any inferior court, he now commits himself. Whatever may be the fate of his remonstrance, it is some satisfaction to me, though mixed with regret for the occasion, that I have this opportunity of publicly stating the obstruction to which the subject is liable, in the prosecution of the most lawful and imperious of his duties, the obtaining by petition reform in parlia ment. I have shortly stated his complaint; the petitioner has more fully expressed it. Your lordships will, I hope, adopt some measure fully to protect and redress him, and not him alone, but the whole body of the people insulted and aggrieved in his person by the interposition of an abused civil, and unlawful military force, between them and their right of petition to their own representatives. MY LORDS-The Petition which I now hold for the purpose of presenting to the House, is one which I His lordship then presented the petition from Major humbly conceive requires the particular attention of your Cartwright, which was read, complaining of the circumlordships, inasmuch as, though signed but by a single stances at Huddersfield, and of interruptions given to the individual, it contains statements which (if not disproved) right of petitioning, in several places in the northern demaud most serious investigation. The grievance of parts of the kingdom, and which his lordship moved which the petitioner complains is neither selfish nor should be laid on the table. Several Lords having spoken on the question, their lordships could not expect that any man should LORD BYRON replied, that he had, from motives of pray to others. He had only to say that the petition, duty, presented this petition to their lordships' considera- though in some parts expressed strongly perhaps, did not ion. The noble Earl had contended that it was not a contain any improper mode of address, but was couched petition but a speech; and that, as it contained no prayer, in respectful language towards their lordships; he should it should not be received. What was the necessity of a therefore trust their lordships would allow the petition to wrayer? If that word were to be used in its proper sense, be received. A FRAGMENT. June 17, 1816. In the year 17-, having for some time determined on a journey through countries not hitherto much frequented by travellers, I set out, accompanied by a friend whom I shall designate by the name of Augustus Darvell. He was a few years my elder, and a man of considerable fortune and ancient family-advantages which an extensive capacity prevented him alike from undervaluing or overrating. Some peculiar circumstances in his private his tory had rendered him to me an object of attention, of interest, and even of regard, which neither the reserve of his manners, nor occasional indications of an inquietude at times nearly approaching to alienation of mind, could extinguish. [moderate confidence of common and every-day concerns created and cemented by similarity of pursuit and fre quency of meeting, which is called intimacy, or friendship according to the ideas of him who uses those words to express them. Darvell had already travelled extensively, and to him 1 had applied for information with regard to the conduct of my intended journey. It was my secret wish that he might be prevailed on to accompany me: it was also a probable hope, founded upon the shadowy restlessness which I had observed in him, and to which the animation which he appeared to feel on such subjects, and his apparent indifference to all by which he was more immediately surrounded, gave fresh strength. This wish I first hinted, I was yet young in life, which I had begun. early; but and then expressed: his answer, though I had partly exmy intimacy with him was of a recent date: we had been pected it, gave me all the pleasure of surprise-he coneducated at the same schools and university; but his pro-sented; and, after the requisite arrangements, we comgress through these had preceded mine, and he had been menced our voyages. After journeying through various deeply initiated into what is called the world, while I was countries of the south of Europe, our attention was turned yet in my noviciate. While thus engaged, I had heard towards the east, according to our original destination; much both of his past and present life; and, although in and it was in my progress through those regions that the these accounts there were many and irreconcilable con- incident occurred upon which will turn what I may have to tradictions, I could still gather from the whole that he was relate. a being of no common order, and one who, whatever pains The constitution of Darvell, which must, from his ap he might take to avoid remark, would still be remarkable. pearance, have been in early life more than usually robust, I had cultivated his acquaintance subsequently, and en- had been for some time gradually giving way, without the deavoured to obtain his friendship, but this last appeared intervention of any apparent disease: he had neither to be unattainable; whatever affections he might have cough nor hectic, yet he became daily more enfeebled; possessed seemed now, some to have been extinguished, his habits were temperate, and he neither declined nor and others to be concentred: that his feelings were acute, complained of fatigue, yet he was evidently wasting away; I had sufficient opportunities of observing; for, although he became more and more silent and sleepless, and at he could control, he could not altogether disguise them: length so seriously altered, that my alarm grew proportion still he had a power of giving to one passion the appear-ate to what I conceived to be his danger. ance of another in such a manner that it was difficult to We had determined, on our arrival at Smyrna, on ar define the nature of what was working within him; and excursion to the ruins of Ephesus and Sardis, from which the expressions of his features would vary so rapidly, though I endeavoured to dissuade him, in his present state of inslightly, that it was useless to trace thein to their sources. disposition-but in vain: there appeared to be an oppresIt was evident that he was a prey to some cureless dis- sion on his mind, and a solemnity in his manner, which ill quiet; but whether it arose from ambition, love, remorse, corresponded with his eagerness to proceed on what I grief, from one or all of these, or merely from a morbid tem- regarded as a mere party of pleasure, little suited to a perament akin to disease, I could not discover: there were valetudinarian; but I opposed him no longer and in a few circumstances alleged which might have justified the ap- days we set off together, accompanied only by a serrugee plication to each of these causes; but, as I have before and a single janizary. said, these were so contradictory and contradicted, that We had passed half-way towards the remains of Ephe none could be fixed upon with accuracy. Where there sus, leaving behind us the more fertile environs of Smyrna, is mystery, it is generally supposed that there must also and were entering upon that wild and tenantless track be evil: I know not how this may be, but in him there through the marshes and defiles which lead to the few huts certainly was the one, though I could not ascertain the yet lingering over the broken columns of Diana-the roofextent of the other-and felt loth, as far as regarded him- less walls of expelled Christianity, and the still more recent self, to believe in its existence. My advances were re-but complete desolation of abandoned mosques-when the ceived with sufficient coldness; but I was young, and not sudden and rapid illness of my companion obliged us to easily discouraged, and at length succeeded in obtaining, halt at a Turkish cemetery, the turbaned tombstones of to a certain degree, that commonplace intercourse and which were the sole indication that human life had ever A FRAGMENT. boer a sojourner in this wilderness. The only caravansera we had seen was left some hours behind us; not a vestige of a town or even cottage, was within sight or nope, and this "city of the dead" appeared to be the sole refuge for my unfortunate friend, who seemed on the verge of becoming the last of its inhabitants. "On the ninth day of the month, at noon precisely, (what "You will see." "The ninth day of the month, you say?" out devouring her prey, appeared to be steadfastly regard In this situation, I looked round for a place where he might most conveniently repose:-contrary to the usual aspect of Mahometan burial-grounds, the cypresses were As I observed that the present was the ninth day of the in this few in number, and these thinly scattered over its extent: the tombstones were mostly fallen, and worn with age: upon one of the most considerable of these, and be-month, his countenance changed, and he paused. As he neath one of the most spreading trees, Darvell supported sate, evidently becoming more feeble, a stork, with a snake himself, in a half-reclining posture, with great difficulty. in her beak, perched upon a tombstone near us; and, with He asked for water. I had some doubts of our being able to find any, and prepared to go in search of it with hesitating despondency-but he desired me to remain; and, turning to Suleiman, our janizary, who stood by us smoking with great tranquillity, he said, "Suleiman, verbana su," (i. e. bring some water,) and went on describing the spot where it was to be found with great minuteness, at a small well for camels, a few hundred yards to the right: the said to Darvell, "How did you know janizary obeyed. this?"-He replied, "From our situation; you must perceive that this place was once inhabited, and could not have been so without springs: I have also been here before." "You have been here before!-How came you never to mention this to me? and what could you be doing in a place where no one would remain a moment longer than they could help it?" "No matter: you must bury me here this evening, and exactly where that bird is now perched. You know the rest of my injunctions." He then proceeded to give me several directions as to the manner in which his death might be best concealed. After these were finished, he exclaimed, "You perceive that bird ?" "Certainly." "And the serpent writhing in her beak?" To this question I received no answer. In the mean time, Suleiman returned with the water, leaving the ser-her natural prey. rugee and the horses at the fountain. The quenching of devour it." his thirst had the appearance of reviving him for a moment; and I conceived hopes of his being able to proceed, or at least to return, and I urged the attempt. He was silent and appeared to be collecting his spirits for an effort to speak. He began. "This is the end of my journey, and of my life-I came here to die: but I have a request to make, a commandfor such my last words must be.-You will observe it?" "Most certainly; but have better hopes." "I have no hopes, nor wishes, but this-conceal my death from every human being." He smiled in a ghastly manner and said, faintly, "It is I was shocked with the sudden certainty which could "I hope there will be no occasion; that you will recover, and-" "Peace! it must be so: promise this." Swear it by all that" great solemnity. hometan tenant. We dug as deeply as the time per "There is no occasion for this-I will observe your re-mitted us, and throwing the dry earth upon all that "It cannot be helped, you must swear." remained of the singular being so lately departed, we cut 1 took the oath: it appeared to relieve him. He re-jaround us, and laid them upon his sepulchre. moved a seal-ring from his finger, on which were some Between astonishment and grief, I was tearless. DEAR SIR, Ravenna, February 7th, 1821. some of his good-natured friends had come to him and exclaimed, "Eh! Bowles! how came you to make the In the different pamphlets which you have had the Woods of Madeira," etc. etc. and that he had been at goodness to send me, on the Pope and Bowles' contro- some pains and pulling down of the poem to convince versy, I perceive that my name is occasionally introduced them that he had never made "the Woods" do any thing by both parties. Mr. Bowles refers more than once to of the kind. He was right, and I was wrong, and have what he is pleased to consider "a remarkable circum-been wrong still up to this acknowledgment; for I ought to stance," not only in his letter to Mr. Campbell, but in his have looked twice before I wrote that which involved an reply to the Quarterly. The Quarterly also and Mr. inaccuracy capable of giving pain. The fact was, that Gilchrist have conferred on me the dangerous honour of although I had certainly before read "the Spirit of Disa quotation; and Mr. Bowles indirectly makes a kind of covery," I took the quotation from the review. But the appeal to me personally, by saying, "Lord Byron, if he mistake was mine, and not the review's, which quoted the remembers the circumstance, will witness-(witness IN passage correctly enough, I believe. I blundered-God ITALIC, an ominous character for a testimony at pre-knows how-into attributing the tremors of the lovers to sent.)* the "Woods of Madeira," by which they were sur A kina Stole on the list'ning silence, etc. etc. I shall not avail myself of a "non mi ricordo" even rounded. And I hereby do fully and freely declare and after so long a residence in Italy ;—I do " remember the asseverate, that the Woods did not tremble to a kiss, and circumstance"-and have no reluctance to relate it (since that the lovers did. I quote from memory— called upon so to do) as correctly as the distance of time and the impression of intervening events will permit me. In the year 1812, more than three years after the publica- They (the lovers) trembled, even as if the power, etc. tion of "English Bards and Scotch Reviewers," I had the honour of meeting Mr. Bowles in the house of our vene-been in the smallest degree satisfactory to Mr. Bowles, I And if I had been aware that this declaration would have rable host of "Human Life, etc." the last Argonaut of Classic English poetry, and the Nestor of our inferior should not have waited nine years to make it, notwithrace of living poets. Mr. Bowles calls this "soon after" standing that "English Bards and Scotch Reviewers" the publication; but to me three years appear a consi-had been suppressed some time previously to my meeting derable segment of the immortality of a modern poem. have told him as much, as it was at his representation him at Mr. Rogers's. Our worthy host might indeed I recollect nothing of "the rest of the company going into that I suppressed it. A new edition of that lampoon was another room"-nor though I well remember the topogra- preparing for the press, when Mr. Rogers represented to phy of our host's elegant and classically-furnished mansion, could I swear to the very room where the conversa-me, that "I was now acquainted with many of the persons mentioned in it, and with some on terms of intition occurred, though the "taking down the poem" seems to fix it in the library. Had it been "taken up," it would macy" and that he knew "one family in particular to probably have been in the drawing-room. I presume hesitate one moment; it was cancelled instantly; and it whom its suppression would give pleasure." I did not also that the "remarkable circumstance" took place after is no fault of mine that it has ever been republished dinner, as I conceive that neither Mr. Bowles's politeness When I left England, in April, 1816, with no very violent nor appetite would have allowed him to detain " the rest intentions of troubling that country again, and amidst of the company" standing round their chairs in the "other scenes of various kinds to distract my attention-almost room" while we were discussing "the Woods of Madeira" instead of circulating its vintage. Of Mr. Bowles's my last act, I believe, was to sign a power of attorney, to "good-humour" I have a full and not ungrateful recollec-yourself, to prevent or suppress any attempts (of which tion; as also of his gentlemanly manners and agreeable several had been made in Ireland) at a republication. It conversation. I speak of the whole, and not of particu- I was subsequently acquainted, whose names had occur. is proper that I should state, that the persons with whom lars; for whether he did or did not use the precise words red in that publication, were made my acquaintances at printed in the pamphlet, I cannot say, nor could he with accuracy. Of "the tone of seriousness" I certainly their own desire, or through the unsought intervention of recollect nothing: on the contrary, I thought Mr. Bowles others. I never, to the best of my knowledge, sought a rather disposed to treat the subject lightly; for he said (I nave no objection to be contradicted if incorrect) that He alludes to Majocchi, and the other Italian witnesses on the trial of the Queen. personal introduction to any. Some of them to this day I know only by correspondence; and with one of those it was begun by myself, in consequence, however, of a polite verbal communication from a third person. I have dwelt for an instant on these circumstances |