I put it into Murray's hands, and mentioned the ideas that had occurred to myself and Luttrel with respect to its destruction; the injustice we thought it would be to Byron's memory to condemn the work wholly, and without even opening it, as if it were a pest bag; that every object might be gained by our perusing it and examining it together (he on the part of Mrs. Leigh, Frank Doyle on the part of Lady Byron, and any one else whom the family might think proper to select), and, rejecting all that could wound the feelings of a single individual, but preserving what was innoxious and creditable to Lord Byron, of which I assured him there was a considerable proportion. Was glad to find that Mr. Wilmot Horton completely agreed with these views: it was even, he said, what he meant to propose himself. He undertook also to see Mrs. Leigh on the subject, proposing that we should meet at Murray's (instead of Mrs. Leigh's), to-morrow, at eleven o'clock, and that then, after the payment of the money by me to Murray, the MS. should be placed in some banker's hands till it was decided among us what should be done with

it."

Lord John Russell, editor of the work in notice, sums up the matter thus:

"I have omitted in this place a long account of the destruction of Lord Byron's MS. Memoir of his Life. The reason for my doing so may be easily stated. Mr. Moore had consented, with too much ease and want of reflection, to become the depository of Lord Byron's Memoir, and had obtained from Mr. Murray 2,000 guineas on the credit of this work. He speaks of this act of his, a few pages onward, as the greatest error I had committed, in putting such a document out of my power.' He afterwards endeavored to repair this error by repaying the money to Mr. Murray, and securing the manuscript to be dealt with as should be thought most advisable by himself in concert with the representatives of Lord Byron. He believed this purpose was secured by a clause which Mr. Luttrel had advised should be inserted in a new agreement with Mr. Murray, by which Mr. Moore was to have the power of redeeming the MS. for three months after Lord Byron's death. But neither Mr. Murray nor Mr. Turner, his solicitor, seem to have understood Mr. Moore's wish and intention in this respect. Mr. Murray, on his side, had confided the manuscript to Mr. Gifford, who, on perusal, declared it too gross for publication. This opinion had become known to Lord Byron's friends and relations. Hence, when the news of Lord Byron's unexpected death arrived, all parties, with the most honorable wishes and consist ent views, were thrown into perplexity and apparent discord. Mr. Moore wished to redeem the manuscript, and submit it to Mrs.

73

Leigh, Lord Byron's sister, to be destroyed
or published with erasures and omissions.
Sir John Hobhouse wished it to be immedi-
ately destroyed, and the representatives of
Mrs. Leigh expressed the same wish. Mr.
Murray was willing at once to give up the
The result was, that
manuscript, on repayment of his 2,000 gui-
neas with interest.
after a very unpleasant scene at Mr. Murray's,
the manuscript was destroyed by Mr. Wilmot
Horton and Col. Doyle as the representatives
of Mrs. Leigh, with the full consent of Mr.
Moore, who repaid to Mr. Murray the sum he
had advanced, with the interest then due.
After the whole had been burnt, the agree-
ment was found, and it appeared that Mr.
Moore's interest in the MS. had entirely
ceased on the death of Lord Byron, by which
event the property became absolutely vested
in Mr. Murray. The details of this scene
have been recorded both by Mr. Moore and
Lord Broughton, and perhaps by others.
Lord Broughton having kindly permitted me
to read his narrative, I can say, that the
leading facts related by him and Mr. Moore
agree. Both narratives retain marks of the
irritation which the circumstances of the
moment produced; but as they both (Mr.
Moore and Sir John Hobhouse) desired to do
what was most honorable to Lord Byron's
memory, and as they lived in terms of friend-
ship afterwards, I have omitted details which
recall a painful scene, and would excite pain-
As to the manuscript itself,
ful feelings.
having read the greater part of it, if not the
whole, I should say that three or four pages
of it were too gross and indelicate for publi-
cation; that the rest, with few exceptions,
contained little traces of Lord Byron's genius,
and no interesting details of his life.
early youth in Greece, and his sensibility to
the scenes around him, when resting on a rock
in the swimming excursions he took from the
Piræus, were strikingly described. But, on
the whole, the world is no loser by the sacri-
fice made of the Memoirs of this great poet.
THE MOTHER AND HER OFFSPRING.

His

The Harpers have just published a book with this title, emanating from the pen of Stephen Tracy, M. D., a gentleman who has had no little experience as a practitioner at home and abroad. Dr. Tracy dedicates his book to the young mothers of the United States; and its pages contain much, very much, that it is valuable for them to know. He advocates no "new or old theory, -ism, or -pathy;" nor does he seek to teach his readers to become self-dosers, but he does seek to lay out a plan or system which shall enable them to avoid many of the "ills that flesh is heir to." The doctor thinks the necessity for a work of this kind has increased of late, by the introduction of physiology and anatomy into schools, and by the frequent occurrence

of popular lectures on the subject of both, all for some days, collecting the requisite informof which have their evil as well as their good ation.

66 nounces a Child's History of England, by Miss Corner." This is an attempt to Corner Dickens. Will it not prove an attempt, merely?

products. We leave his book with this out-- Mr. Henry F. Anners, of this city, anline statement of its character. It may be productive of great good; while it also may create the very evil to which, in certain points, it takes exception. We have little confidence in universal guides to health; little confidence, too, in books professing to pre-- Mrs. Stowe created an unusual excitement scribe a cure for all diseases. The best method of keeping well is to live as naturally as possible; that is, plainly, temperately, and with abundance of exercise. If these do not conduce to health, then we advise the consultation of a good physician. Books are great inventions to give one general knowledge, whether it be of science, art, or literature; but you can no more write one which shall be an unfailing reliance in avoiding or curing disease, than you can make a coat or a pair of boots which shall fit everybody.

CHAMBER'S REPOSITORY.

-J. W. Moore has sent us the second vo

lume of this delightful melange of amusement and instruction. It is printed from the Edinburgh plates, and got up, altogether, in very attractive style, with its pretty pink blue-lettered cover, its handsomely designed and executed embellishments, and its neat typography.

SIMON KENTON.

We alluded to this historical novel when it was passing through the press of Messrs. Lippincott, Grambo & Co., and predicted for it a favorable reception. It is from the pen of Mr. James Weir, and, we believe, is his first-we cannot say maiden, when speaking of a pantaloons wearer-effort as an author. That it contains very stirring passages, is certain; that it promises brilliant things for the future of its author is equally clear. We hope he will persevere in the field he has selected. There can be no doubt of his ultimately achieving the most brilliant results. His ability for characterization is excellent; he also has no little skill in arranging dramatic positions and effects.

Literary and Scientific Gossip.

The Home Journal states that Mr. Henry T. Tuckerman is engaged in collecting and preparing for publication the writings of the lamented Horatio Greenough. Mr. Greenough, besides being an eminent artist, was an original and fluent writer, and he left many papers of great interest and value. The contemplated edition of his works will be accompanied by a memoir from the pen of the editor, who is well fitted, by his interest in art and his literary talents, to do justice to so attractive a theme. Mr. Tuckerman has been in Boston

at " Edinboro' town." Gaping people fol-
lowed her along the streets, and nearly upset
the carriage in which she rode. A banquet
was given in her honor, and for the promotion
of the anti-slavery cause, when about 1500
persons were present. The Lord Provost
(Mayor) occupied the chair, supported by a
band of clergymen, mostly "dissenters." The
"Uncle Tom Penny Offering" was, in the
course of the entertainment, handed to Mrs.
Stowe in the shape of £1000 sterling, with a
request that she would expend it in whatever
way she might consider best to advance the
abolitionist cause. The money was presented
upon a silver salver, a gift to Mrs. Stowe per-
Sonally from the Edinburgh ladies.
further instalment of Judas money, was, of
course, gratefully accepted, and will be ap-
'poor negro"
propriated for the benefit of the “
-over the left.

This

-Among other articles of antiquity lately sold in London, was a silver watch, presented to the Whalley family by Oliver Cromwell; £5 10s. An episcopal ring, of the tenth century, found at Armagh, engraved and ornamented, which was purchased for £17. A piece of ring money, ornamented. £4. A silver book-case or cover, very finely worked, £17. A Persian seal, inscribed, "Joseph begs the grace of the most high and mighty God for everlasting happiness," and three others, in onyx, 12s. A stone "celt" from the county of Meath, Ireland: 10s. 6d. A pair of ancient spurs, £2 7s. Eight flint arrow heads, found at Clough, 10s. An ancient Irish drinking cup of wood, from Cavan, Ireland, 12s.

-The Gazette Musicale states that Mdlle. Marie Lablache, daughter of the incomparable basso, has made her first appearance at the Court Theatre of St. Petersburgh, in “La Figlia del Reggimento." with great success.

It is stated that Mr. James H. Hackett, the comedian, has at last closed an engagement with Grisi and Mario, at the tune of $2500 the night, and that they will visit us early in the autumn. Immense price-altogether too much.

The Lantern states that the Messrs. Harper are about publishing a “ History of Benedict Arnold," by John S. C. Abbott, author of "History of Napoleon Bonaparte." It adds, "Mr. Abbott, we understand, takes an original view of the character of Arnold,—a view

the thickness six lines. The Empress Cathe- the Presidency there was no district of Spring rine II, purchased it in the year 1772, from Garden, and consequently no Spring Garden Amsterdam, and for it was paid £75,000 and butchers, and as to the butchers of Philadelan annuity of £650. Diamonds weighing an phia city and county in general, they were alounce exist also in the French and Austrian most to a man members of the Republican regalia. One of the most perfect is the French, party, as every old citizen of Philadelphia known as the Pitt or Regent diamond. It knows. There is not a word of truth in the was bought for Louis XV., from an English- statement that the Aurora office was attacked man named Pitt, for the sum of £135,000 by any one, in consequence of the provocation sterling, but has been valued at half million. referred to respecting President Washington's One of the stones most renowned in the East, retirement from the Presidency. It is a piece is the Koh-i-noor, or mountain of Light, now of pure fiction. An attack was threatened at in possession of the Queen of England. It another time, but Benjamin Franklin Bache, came from Golconda to Persia, and while un-editor of that time, armed all the hands in cut weighed more than five ounces. It is his office, and the attack was indefinitely valued at more than £2,000,000 sterling. If we look only to the common mode of estimating the value, a perfect brilliant weighing half a pound, would be worth £20,000,000. Some have stated that such a diamond exists among the royal treasures of Portugal, as large as a hen's egg; according to others this is only a topas. By the way, late foreign papers state that a quantity of diamonds of the value of 20,000 florins, was stolen a short time

ago from the Boudoir of the Countess Clary,

in her residence at Vienna. There was no trace of violence, and the robbery was committed in the day-time. Although it was evident that the thief was well acquainted with the house, no suspicion fell on any of the domestics on account of their high character. But the police, after making an investigation, ployed as a nurse in the family, and the diamonds were fonnd in her possession.

discovered that the thief was a woman em

NEW MUSIC.

-Mr. Gould, successor to A. Fiot, Swaim's Buildings, sends us the following new music, which we particularly recommend to our lady readers: I cannot live without thee," a ballad adapted to a favorite air, by Paganini, and dedicated to Mrs. Harvey Smith, by Chas. Jarvis,-"First Rate Schottische," by Fred. Winter, dedicated to Mrs. Mary Jane Smith, -"Heed not the idle Tales," a ballad, sung by Madam Thillon, composed by Thomas Baker," For love of Thee," a ballad sung by Frazer, written and composed by Geo. Linley, -The Vocal beauties of Flowtow's new Opera of Martha, translated and arranged for the English stage by Chevalier Bochsa-since the publication of Madam Bishop's Travels in the land of Montezeuma, one of the heroes of Mexico! We find also in the budget Gottschelk's famous "Dance Ossianique.”

THE OLD "AURORA' AGAIN,

-A correspondent has called out attention to the paragragh copied from a New York Jourjournal into the last number of Bizarre, (p. 61) in relation to the Philadelphia Aurora, and desires to have some errors therein noted.At the time of Wasington's retirement from

postponed.

The piece "Now let thy ser

vant depart," &c., which was in very bad taste, was written by Dr. Michael Leib.— Philadelphia has enough riots to answer for, without the addition of imaginary ones.

CRAWFISH, TO THE EDITOR.

- We received, a day or two since, the following letter, with inclosures which are appended. Write again, good Christopher.

world who have an invincible propensity for MR. EDITOR-There are some people in this punning, and it is not a little remarkable that such persons seem to enjoy bad puns quite as much as good ones. Your humble servant has a taste for such things, and sometimes ventures to perpetrate something desperate pious old lady, for reading your paper on Sunin this way. Being recently reproved, by a day, he replied that he thought it no harm to read a paper that had so recently come from Church. You may imagine the sensation which this effort caused.

I send you enclosed some of our most recent attempts: should they prove acceptable, we may feel encouraged to make more energetic essays in future.

Respectfully yours,

CHRISTOFER CRAWFISH. If Louis Napoleon knows which side of his bread is buttered he will not be too greedy for Sandwiches.

General Lane, it appears, has placed himself in an awkward attitude. If we may believe Æsop or La Fontaine, it is not the first time that L'ane (the ass) has done so.

A hundred years ago Boston would not have patronised Sunday (Sontag) operas.

The Duchess of Sutherland has recently received two magnificent presents; viz., a lock of Mrs. Stowe's hair and the key to Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Poly Gamy is Brigham Young's wife.

The longest fishing-line we have yet heard of is the Heron line, from Philadelphia to Savannah.

A black tragedian has recently caused a great sensation in Hungary. The literati and