y inclined, undertook the so-called 'conversion' of the poet. Gamba tells us that their disputes on religious matters sometimes l

ter from which we

r he says that the priesthood of the Church of England are no more Christians than "Mahound or Termagant" are.... I like what I have seen of him. He says that

cere. The intensity of their faith had its limitations. They did not agree, and never could have agreed, in their views of religion. They moved on parallel lines that might have been extended indefinitely, but could never meet. Kennedy discouraged the unlimited use of reason, and preferred an absolute reliance on the traditional teaching of his Church. To Byron the exercise of reason was an absolute necessity. He would not admit that God had given us mind

t better angel of his life,' his beloved sister, was among the books which Byron always ke

is awful v

ery of M

st they of

r God has

read, to f

latch, and f

had he ne'e

oubt, or reads

tained that prayer was necessary in order to understand its message. Byron said that, in his opinion, prayer does not con

esty of Heaven; and when I experience the delights of life, health, and happ

ion Byron had not sufficient humility to understand the truths of the Gospel. At this time, certainly, Byron was not prepared

having investigated it. Quite the contrary; I wish to believe, because I f

rs have before and since-and wit

uth of any mystery, but have merely stated that, so long as the testimony of it

o grope in atheism, but, on the contrary, that it was his earnest wish to increase his belief, as half-convictions made him wretched. He declared that, with the best will in the world, he could not understand the Scriptures. Ken

pocrisies and superstitions, deeply respected those who believed conscientiously, whatever th

ask a few more proofs to profess them sincerely. I do not believ

f the Trinity, the doctrine of predestination, and kindred mysteries-and to study Christianity by the light of the

so much discussion? One Council has pronounced against another; Popes have belied their predecessors, books have been written against other books, and sects have risen to replace other sects. The Pope has opposed the Protestants, and the Protestants the Pope. We have heard of Arianism, Socinianism, Methodism, Quakerism, and numberless other sects. Why have these existed? It is a puzzle for the brain; and does it not, after all, seem safer to say: "Let us be neutral: let those fight who will, and when they have se

at this, but pleaded indulgence for those sects which do not attack the fundamental doctrines of Chris

s he not also found his belief upon the Bible? It is a religion which gains ground daily. Lady Byron is much in favour with its followers. We were wont to di

y be seen from a letter which Lady Byron wrote to Mr.

his own deepest feeling) has righteousness beyond that of the self-satisfied sinner; or, perhaps, of the half awakened. It was impossible for me to doubt, that, could he have been at once assured of pardon, his living faith in a moral duty and love of virtue ("I love the virtues which I cannot claim") would have conquered every temptation. Judge, then, how I must hate the Creed which made him see God as an Avenger, not a Father. My own impressions were just the reverse, but could have little weight, and i

Lady Byron's view of so miserable a state of mind. But there is reason to hope-nay, we might say to believe-that, in the last years of his life, Byron began to realize that a merciful God would be wholly incapable of such manifest injustice as to condemn His creatures to suffer for crimes which they were powerless to r

mind never seriously doubted. Matthews in his Cambridge days, and Shelley towards the close of life, moved him not at all. Between the commencement of Byron's career and its close,

though occasionally influenced by lofty sentiments to the performance of great actions. Fortunately for his fame, he possessed another quality

us that Byron died fearless and resigned. Could there be a better pro

; but the numerous teachers who are eternally worrying mankind with their denunciations and their doctrines are the greatest enemies of religion. I have read, with more attention than half of them, the Book of Christianity, and I

emo, one of the most estimable men in the island, who lived in that village. He had been first physician to Ali Pac

on's favourite reading consisted of Greek history, of memoirs, and of romances. Never a day passed without his reading some pages of Scott's novels. His admiration of Walter Scott, both as a writer and as a companion, was unbounded. Speakin

ng had, in excavating a high bank, fallen under a landslide and were in danger of their lives. There were at least a dozen persons entombed. Colonel Napier happened to be passing a

place, and it was thought that there were still some other workmen under the fallen mass of earth, no one would make any further efforts. The Greeks stood looking on without moving, as if totally indifferent to the catastrophe, and despaired of doing any good. This enraged Lord Byron; he seized a spade, and began to work as hard as he could; but it was not until the peasants had been threatened with the horsewhip that they followed his example. Some shoes and hats w

Mavrocordato was received with enthusiasm. He was given full powers to organize W

Missolonghi and confer with him. Mavrocordato and Colonel Leicester Stanhope wrote to beg Byron to come as soon as possible to Missolonghi, where his presence would be of great service to the cause. I

ake sail for Spezia. All are eager to see you. They calculate on your aiding them with resources for their expedition against Lepanto, and hope that you will take about 1,500 Suliotes into your pay for two or three months. Missolonghi is sw

the baggage; a mistico, or light fast-sailing vessel, for himself and his suite; and a larger vessel for the horses, baggage, and munitions of war. The weather was unfavourable and squally, the vessels could not get und

arles Hancock wrote to Dr. Muir on June 1, 1824. During Byron's residence at Metaxata, Dr. Muir was the principal medical officer at Cephalo

hut himself in his room, and, in his eagerness to indulge in it, refused to dine with the officers of the 8th Regiment at their mess, or even to join us at table, but merely came out once or twice to say how much he was entertained, returning to his chamber with a plate of figs in his hand. He was exceedingly delighted with "Quentin D

t conveyed him to Zante and Missolonghi. He mentioned the poetic feeling with which the sea always inspired him, rallied you on your grave and thoughtful looks, me on my bad steering; quizzed Dr. Bruno, but added in English (which the doctor did not understand), "He is the most sincere Italian I ever met with"; and lau

with Mr. Barff and shipping a considerable sum of money. Byron declined the Commandant's invitation to his residence, as his time was fully occupied with the business in hand. At about six in the evening they sailed for Miss

, but to persons in our situation extremely touching. We were all, Lord Byron particularly, in excellent spirits. His vessel sailed the fastest. Then the waves par

spirit, we sailed along. At

ppearance it seemed superior to a Turkish man-of-war. But as Gamba's vessel hoisted the Ionian flag, to their dismay the stranger hoisted the Ottoman ensign. The Turkish commander ordered Gamba's captain to come on board,

hi on January 5, 1824,

n attitude as if to cut his head off, and at the same time asked him where he was bound. The frightened Greek said, to Missolonghi. They gazed at each other, and all at once the Turk recognized in his prisoner one who, on a former occasion, had saved his life. They embraced.

Missolonghi. He was received with m

house prepared for him-the same in which Colonel Stanhope resided. The Colonel and Prince Mavrocordato, with a long suite of Greek and European officers, received him at the door. I cannot describe

small town on the coast of Acarnania. On his arrival there, Byron was visited by the Primates and officers of the place, who offered him their good offices. From this place Byron sent messengers both to Zante and Missolonghi. On receipt of Byron's letter, Mavrocordato sent five gunboats and a brig-of-war to escort him to Missolonghi. On January 4, the flotilla was caught in a violent storm, which threw Byron's vessel in dangerous proximity to the rocks on that inhospitable coast. The sailors at first behaved remarkably well, and got the vessel off

appropriately so-for it was h