A Letter To the Hon, Augusta Byron

TO THE HON. AUGUSTA BYRON Southwell, March 26th, 1804



I received your affectionate letter, my ever Dear Sister, yesterday and I now hasten to comply with your injunction by answering it as soon as possible . . .
I am as you may imagine a little dull here; not being on terms of intimacy with Lord Grey I avoid Newstead, and my resources of amusement are Books, and writing to my Augusta, which wherever I am, will always constitute my Greatest pleasure. I am not reconciled to Lord Grey, and I never will. He was once my Greatest Friend, my reasons for ceasing that Friendship are such as I cannot explain, not even to you, my Dear Sister, (although were they to be made known to any body, you would be the first,) but they will ever remain hidden in my own breast.
They are Good ones, however, for although I am violent I am not capricious in my attachments. My mother disapproves of my quarrelling with him, but if she knew the cause (which she never will know,) She would reproach me no more. He Has forfeited all title to my esteem, but I hold him in too much contempt ever to hate him . . .





George Gordon, also known as Lord Byron, wrote many letters to people in his life at the time. His letters illustrate a form of communication before phones and technology. The concept of corresponding was the exlcusive way of communicating during the Romantic period. Therefore many brillant writers emerged in this time. The letter I chose to review, was a letter from Lord Byron to his sister, Augusta Byron. March 26th 1804, was the date, Southwell was the location. Writing letters was the only opition for Byron. Hence writing letters to his "dearest sister" was an imporant part of his life; and was also his greatest form of enjoyment. Briefly, Byron exlpains his curious lost of friendship with Lord Grey; but does not go into any detail about the sitution. "Not being on terms of intimacy with Lord Grey I avoid Newstead, and my resources of amusement are Books, and writing to my Augusta, which wherever I am, will always constitute my Greatest pleasure". Byron exclaims "my reasons for ceasing that Friendship are such as I cannot explain, not even to you". Although, if he were to tell anyone it would be his sister; Lord Bryon insures her. However, later explains, "My mother disapproves of my quarrelling with him, but if she knew the cause (which she never will know,) She would reproach me no more." This news only brings a source of multiple questions. What happened between Lord Bryon and Lord Grey? Bryon, describes himself as "violent" however "not capricious in his attachments". He does not have a likely of changing frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly. Therefore something horrific happened to end their friendship forever. "He Has forfeited all title to my esteem, but I hold him in too much contempt ever to hate him . . . " Closing his letter with sharing his feelings toward Lord Grey; Lord Byron has no respect for his formal friend, Lord Grey. Having no urge to even waste another thought on him.