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 Research Library, The Getty Research Institute 
 
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 A. 
 
 
 // 
 
 
 
SOUVENIR 
 
 OF 
 
 NEWSTEAD ABBEY, 
 
 FORMERLY THE 
 
 HOME OF LORD BYRON. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED. 
 
 PAS! 
 
 Newstead ! fast-falling, once resplendent dome! Hail to iliy pile! more honour'd in iliy fall 
 
 Religion's shrine! repentanl Henry's pride! Than modern mansions in their pillar'd state 
 
 Of warriors, monks, and dames, the cloister'd I ■ udly majestic frowns thy vaulted hall, 
 
 ■ glide fiance on the blasts of fate 
 
 PRES E N J 
 
 Haply thy sun, emerging, yet may shine, 
 Thee to irradiate with meridian ray . 
 
 Hours splendid as the past may '-till b<- thine. 
 And bless thy future as iliy former >i.'. 
 
 Elegy 
 
 B Y B IOHARD A L L E X 
 
 NOTTINGHAM: 
 
 BICHAED ALLEN & SON, CAXTON HOUSE. 
 
 I.ciMidN : E. W. ALLEN, 11, AVE MAHIA LANE. 
 
 DUBLIN: MCjGLASHAN AND BILL. EDINBURGH: A. ELLIOTT. GLASGOW: D. BHYCE AND SON 
 
 LEICESTER: M. 11. ALLEN. MANSFIELD: T. W. CLARKE. NEWSTEAD AHHEY: M. COOP1 I 
 
 MDCCCLXXIV 
 
ENTEUBU AT STATIOKERS HALL. 
 
 PHED ami PRINTED V,\ R. M LEU i\'N SON, NOTTINGHAM. 
 
THIS VOLUME 
 
 IS, 
 
 BY KIND PERMISSION, 
 
 Mos'l RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 
 
 TO 
 
 MES. WEBB, OF NEWSTEAD ABBEY. 
 
 AS A GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT. 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR, OF THE 
 
 UNRESTRICTED FACILITIES AFFORDED HIM, FOR ILLUSTRATING 
 
 PICTOF.IALLY AND OTHERWISE. 
 
 THE MANY OBJECTS OF INTEREST. WHICH. 
 
 ARE TO BE FOUND. IN AND ABOUT, 
 
 THE FORME!! HOME 
 
 OF 
 
 LOBD BYRON. 
 
Yl 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The introduction to this work, might, with propriety, be left to its title ; 
 "A souvenir of Newstead Abbey"— for the following reasons : — First : 
 because that venerable edifice lias been adjudged by one of America's 
 most pleasing and popular writers, to be, " one of the finest specimens, in 
 existence, of those quaint and romantic piles, half-castle, halt-convent, 
 which remain, as monuments of the oldeu times of England;" next: 
 because it was the cherished home of one of England's greatest pods, 
 and is illumined by his brilliant genius; and lastly; because it has, by 
 the liberality of successive owners, been visited by thousands of the most 
 elevated in rank and talent, in our own country; and by a countless 
 number of the most distinguished, in science, literature, and art, from all 
 parts of the world. Such a subject, forsooth, needs no other recom- 
 mendation ; and yet, a few explanatory words are necessary. The author 
 claims no originality for Ids work, beyond thai of attempting, for the first 
 time, lie believes, to illustrate, by Photography, the many objects of 
 interest, which externally and internally, are associated with this world- 
 renowned Abbey. The prose descriptions are, in a measure, com- 
 pilations, from a variety of sources, combined with a considerable 
 amount of interesting, and, hitherto unpublished, details ; and the poetry, 
 with the exception of a few lines, specially applicable to one subject, is 
 Byron's. The aim has been, to furnish those who have hitherto seen, 
 and may hereafter see, Newstead, with a pleasing, and truthful 
 " Souvenir" of their visit. How far this has been accomplished, others 
 will judge. The Dedication, stamps the work with authenticity, and 
 recognises the generous aid by which it has been accomplished. For 
 success, the book will depend upon the appreciation of those, who. admire 
 what is -beautiful in art;" and others, who, recognising the wonderful 
 intellectual power of Bvuon, can also enter, somewhat, into his feeling 
 of affection, for his " home at Newstead." 
 
 R. A. 
 Nottingham, t874. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Newstead Abbey Page 1 
 
 Lord Byron 
 The West Front - 
 
 The South From 6 
 
 The East Front ' 
 
 The Dog's Touil. ~ 
 
 Byron's Oak 1 1 
 
 The Fernery ] '- 
 
 Interior of the Abbey 1 ;, > 
 
 Byron's Bod Room 1 ' 
 
 Byron's Dressing Room ' ■ ' 
 
 The Great Dining Hall 1" 
 
 Byron's Dining Room ' s 
 
 The Library '•» 
 
 Charles the Second's Room "I • 
 
 Edward the Third's Room 21 
 The Duke of Sussex's Room 
 Eenry the Seventh's Lodging 
 
 The Small Drawing Room 23 
 
 The Grand Saloon - 4 
 
 Byron Relics - 2 1 
 
 Servants' Hall 28 
 
 The Entrance to the Cloi 29 
 
 The Chapel 30 
 
 The Quadrangle :il 
 
 Small Dining Room - 31 
 
 Livingstone's Room "^ 
 
 Annesley Hall •'"' 
 
 Hucknall Torkard Church ±1 
 
NEWSTEAD ABBEY, 
 
 • Through thy battlements, Newstead, the hollow winds whistle ; 
 Thou, the hall of my lathers, art gone to decay : 
 In thy once smiling garden, the hemlock and thistle 
 
 Have choked up the rose which late bloom'd in the way." 
 
 Byron. 
 
 |HERE is. perhaps, no place in England that has stronger claims to the 
 „J veneration of Englishmen than Newstead Abbey. As a relic of former 
 times, it is truly estimable; but its value is greatly enhanced when it becomes 
 associated with our remembrances of the noble bard, Byron, to whom it once 
 belonged. Those who have visited this beautiful spot, will require no description 
 of it, as the recollection of the scenery cannot fail to remain upon their minds in 
 all its vivid colours ; and to those who have not visited it, we fear that all attempts 
 to delineate it would fall far short of adequate justice. Newstead has, no doubt, 
 been the spot from whence many important events connected with English history 
 have emanated : and, certainly, though retired from the turmoils of the world . and 
 planted in the very spot that solitude would have selected as her own, yet, amidst 
 the seeming quiet that prevailed, ambitious churchmen might and did nurture here 
 schemes of grandeur that were to elevate the see of Rome above the nations of the 
 world, and cause all kingly diadems to bow before the influence and power of the 
 triple crown. 
 
 Newstead Abbey was founded about the year 1170, in the reign of Henry II. ; 
 and at the dissolution, in the time of Henry VIII. , was possessed of ample revenues, 
 nearly the whole of which were conferred on Sir John Byron, commonly known at 
 that time as " Little Sir John with the great beard." His monument and effigy in 
 
brass may be seen in Oolwict Church,* near Nottingham, where many of the Byron 
 family are interred, the estate of Colwick having formerly belonged to them. Sir 
 John was Governor of Sherwood Forest, and he fitted up part of the Ahhey, 
 including the south aisle of the church, as a residence; but the church itself 
 was suffered to fall into decay, and at present but little remains except the west 
 front, standing in majestic ruin, and evidencing the extent and grandeur of the 
 venerable structure. Soon after sunrise, and a little before sunset, are the periods 
 when a view of the Abbey is seen to the greatest advantage : more particularly the 
 latter, as then the gorgeous tints of the western sky are thrown, with all their 
 glowing warmth of colouring, on the dark grey and partially ivy-covered walls. The 
 improvements commenced by the late Colonel Thomas Wildman,t and more recently 
 carried on by the present proprietor, William Frederick Webb, Esq., are many and 
 judicious, and enable us to present another version of the lines wdiich head this 
 paper : — 
 
 O'er thy battlements, Newstead, whilst hollow winds whistle, 
 
 Hospitality's banner is proudly displayed ; 
 The rose has supplanted the hemlock and thistle, 
 
 And joy, peace, and love are in beauty arrayed. 
 
 Before proceeding to enumerate, and illustrate, some of the many objects of 
 interest which present themselves in and around the Abbey, we will first give a brief 
 sketch of the life of that remarkable man, to whom, of all others, Newstead owes so 
 much of its interest, and who has attracted pilgrims to it from all parts of the 
 world : and we are the more inclined to adopt this course from the fact that, though 
 'he Poet's fame is universal, two generations have passed away since he lived 
 amongst us, and there are probably thousands who know little of his early and 
 eventful life. 
 
 • lie is five feel live inches in length, arrayed in armour, but bare-headed, and his hands raised to 
 liis breast in prayer; there U «" beard. 
 
 t The Manor of Newstead comprises about 3,2-26 acres, and was purchased by the late Colonel 
 Wildman, in 1610, from Lord Byron, with whom lie had formerly been a school-fellow, and sat in the same 
 form at Harrow. Writing to the Colonel, after the purchase had been completed, bis Lordship says : 
 " I should regret to trouble you with any requests of mine, in regard to the preservation of any signs of 
 my family which may still exist at Newstead, and leave everything of that kind to ycur own feelings, 
 
 present or future, upon the subject I trust that Newstead will, being yours, remain so; 
 
 mil that ir may see you as happy, as I am very sure that you will make your dependents. With regard to 
 myself, you may be sure, that whether in the fourth, or fifth, or sixth form at Harrow, or in thefluel nations 
 of after life, I shall always remembi r with regard my old school-fellow — fellow monitor and friend." On 
 the restoration and decoration of the Abbey alone, Colonel Wildman is said to have expended £200,000; 
 nor can the present liberal possessor, W. 1. Webb, Esq., who purchased the estate of the Colonel's 
 I3xi cutors, in lsin, have spent less, in completing the work which bis predi cessor had so welt begun. 
 
LORD BYRON. 
 
 » When the fox's wife was impudent to the lion's, as to the number of their respective 
 families, she was requested to remember that a single lion was decidedly superior to a whole 
 litter of' foxes ; and, if Nottinghamshire is reproached as to the paucity of her Poets, she may 
 proudly answer that one of them is a Btboh."— S. Reynolds Hole, M.A. 
 
 Lord George Gordon Noel Byron, Gth Baron Byron, of Rochdale, in the county 
 of Lancaster, was born on the 22nd of January, 1788, in Holies Street, Cavendish 
 Square, London. His descent dates from the time of the Norman conquest of this 
 island. The Byrons, or Birons, who had been knights and baronets long before, 
 were first made lords during the reign of Charles I., whose cause they espoused in 
 opposition to that of the Commons of England. Notwithstanding his ancient 
 lineage, of which he was always proud, Byron, owing to the imprudence and vices 
 of his father (Captain Byron, nephew to the then lord), was bom and brought up 
 in what, considering the notions of his class, must be called poverty. Owing to an 
 accident attending his birth, one of his feet was distorted, a defect which was a 
 source of pain and mortification to him during the whole of his life. 
 
 In 1790, when he was only two years old, his mother, who had separated from 
 her husband, retired with her child to Scotland, her native country, and established 
 herself in humble lodgings in the town of Aberdeen. Proud, impetuous, and of a 
 most inflammable temper, this unfortunate woman was not at all fitted to correct 
 those hereditary vices which Byron, in after years, was accustomed to say were 
 strong within bun. The most important of all the parts of education is that for 
 which the child stands indebted to its mother, and nothing could well be worse 
 than the Poet's maternal tuition and example. As for his father, he took no charge 
 of him, but, withdrawing to the Continent, in order to escape his creditors, died 
 at Valenciennes, in 1791. When about five years old, Byron was sent to a day- 
 school at Aberdeen, kept by one Bowers, who received from the Poet's mother five 
 shillin gs a quarter for such instruction as he coidd give. After staying rather more 
 than a year at this school, he was placed under the tuition of a poor but well- 
 informed Scotch clergyman, called Ross, who taught him to read. From the care 
 of Mr. Ross his mother removed him to that of Mr. Paterson, the son of his 
 shoemaker, who taught him a little Latin, and attended him with much kindness, 
 until Mrs. Byron sent him to the Free Grammar School of Aberdeen, where he 
 was studying when the death of the lord, his grand-uncle, recalled him to England, 
 and to the enjoyment of such a provision as suited a peer of the realm in his 
 minority. This uncle, to whom he succeeded, was a man of turbulent passions, 
 
and a melancholy occurrence Lad thrown a gloom over the last thirty years of lii> 
 life. In a duel, which some people say was rather a chance scuffle arising out 
 nC the heat and intoxication of the moment, he killed Ins neighbour and relative, 
 Mr. Chaworth. The House of Peers, before whom he stood his trial, in 17<i."~>. 
 acquitted him, but his own conscience and his country neighbours never did. 
 He shut himself up in his patrimonial mansion, the old, and then melancholy, 
 Abbey of Newstead, and thenceforward led an unsocial and eccentric course of life, 
 lie took mi interest in his heir, who was destined to illustrate the proud name of 
 Byron. He never seems to have exercised any pecuniary generosity towards him ; 
 and it is said that, on the rare occasions when he mentioned him, it was always as 
 " the little boy who lives at Aberdeen." In 1798, when the Poet succeeded to his 
 mule's titles and estates, he was little more than ten years old. His mother, whose 
 weak head was turned by the sudden change in her fortunes, immediately removed 
 to Newstead Abbey, and took great pains to keep always before his eyes the fact 
 that, though only a boy, he was now a lord. To attend both to body and mind, 
 she employed one Lavender to straighten his unfortunate foot, and a Mr. Eogers 
 to instruct him in Latin. The former, who was an impudent quack", did him no 
 giind : but the latter, a respectable schoolmaster of Nottingham, improved him con- 
 siderably by reading passages from Virgil and Cicero with him. In less than a 
 year Byron's mother carried him to London, whence, after consulting more able 
 surgeons, who could no more cure a deformity than the empiric had been able to do, 
 she had him conveyed to Dulwich, and placed in a quiet boarding-school, under the 
 direction of the late Dr. Glennie. But for the indiscretions and constant inter- 
 ference of Mrs. Byron, Dr. Glennie might not only have made liim a better scholar 
 than lie ever became, but have checked, in the germ at least, some of those infirmities 
 n1' temper and those vices which embittered his after-years. He had not been two 
 years under charge of this excellent man when his mother removed him to Harrow, 
 where, with the exception of the usual long vacations, he remained till 1805, when 
 he was sent to Trinity College, Cambridge. 
 
 During his stay at Harrow he was somewhat irregular in his habits; but 
 frequently gave signs of a frank, noble, and generous spirit, which endeared him to 
 all around, and especially to his schoolmates. During his vacations his mother 
 continued to spoil him by alternate indulgence and harshness. She introduced him 
 to masquerades, and other exciting and fashionable entertainments, before he was 
 fifteen years of age ; and it was about this period of his life when he first became 
 acquainted with Miss Chaworth, the heiress of Annesley. to whom he afterwards 
 became warmly attached, but who treated his love as emanating from a clever, 
 warm-hearted, but capricious school-boy. She looked upon him as a friend, and 
 nothing more, and, about two years after her first acquaintance with him, gave 
 her hand to Mr. John Musters, a Nottinghamshire gentleman. When at 
 
Cambridge, Byron studied by fits and starts, but continued to cultivate that taste 
 for poetry which first showed itself when he was about ten years of age. At the 
 same time he indulged in many eccentricities, and caused great annoyance by 
 keeping a bear and several bulldogs.* In 1806, whilst yet at college, he printed a 
 very thin quarto volume of poems, for private circulation, which has become 
 exceedingly rare,t and in 1807 he published his "Hours of Idleness." At one 
 time, Byron thought of turning his attention to politics, and delivered two set 
 speeches in the House of Lords, after which his senatorial ardour ceased altogether. 
 In 1809, Lord Byron, in company with his friend, Mr. John Cam Hobhouse, left 
 England to travel in Portugal, Spain, Greece, Turkey, etc. 
 
 As we shall hereafter have occasion to introduce other episodes in the life of 
 Byron, in connection with particular parts of the Abbey, we proceed to consider 
 
 THE WEST FRONT, 
 
 Which is composed of some majestic relics of the former ecclesiastical edifice, with 
 a portion of the attached baronial mansion, modernised, enlarged, improved, and 
 embellished from a state of dilapidation. Notwithstanding the apparent incon- 
 gruities of mixed styles in the architecture, the whole presents an imposing and 
 picturesque object from several points of view. The splendid remains of the Abbey 
 Church, at the north-western end, is an exquisite remnant of the olden sanctuary, 
 and one of the finest specimens of the early English style of Anglo-Gothic 
 architecture to be foimd in the kingdom ; and unquestionably forrns the principal 
 and most attractive external feature of the whole edifice. Lord Byron thus 
 expresses his veneration for this portion of his home, and at the same time paints a 
 graphic word-picture of the edifice itself: — 
 
 " A glorious remnant of the Gothic pile 
 
 (While yet the Church was Rome's) stood halt apart 
 
 In a grand arch, which once screen'd many an aisle : 
 These last had disappear'd, a loss to art : 
 
 The first yet frown'd superbly o'er the soil, 
 And kindled feelings in the roughest heart, 
 
 Which mourn'd the power of time's or tempest's march, 
 
 In gazing on that venerable arch. 
 
 * The following is as an illustration of Lord Byron's fondness for animals, &c. : — Shelley, the poet, 
 a familiar acquaintance of his Lordship's, with whom he was travelling in Italy, thus wrote to one of his 
 friends, on August 21, 18'21 — " Lord B's. establishment consists, besides servants, of ten horses, eight 
 enormous dogs, three monkeys, five cats, an eagle, a crow, and a falcon ; and all these, except the horses, 
 walk about the house, which every now and then resounds with their unarbitrated quarrels, as if they were 
 the masters of it. . . . P.S. — After I have sealed my letter, I find that my enumeration of the animals 
 in this Circean palace was defective, and that in a material point. I have just met on the grand staircase 
 five peacocks, two guinea-hens, and an Egyptian crane. 
 
 t One of the tw o or three copies known to be in existence will be found amongst the Byron relics. 
 
Within a niche, nigh to its pinnacle, 
 
 Twelve saints had once stood sanctified in stone ; 
 But these had fallen, not when the friars fell, 
 
 But in the war which struck Charles from his throne, 
 When each house was a fortalice as tell 
 
 The annals of full many a line undone, — 
 The gallant cavaliers, who fought in vain 
 For those who knew not to resign or reign. 
 
 ' But in a higher niche, alone, but crown'd, 
 The Virgin Mother of the God-born child, 
 
 With her Son in her blessed arms, look'd round, 
 
 Spared by some chance when all beside was spoil'd ; 
 
 She made the earth below seem holy ground. 
 This may be superstition, weak or wild, 
 
 But even the faintest relies of a shrine 
 
 Of any worship make some thoughts divine. 
 
 ' A mighty window, hollow in the centre, 
 
 Shorn of its glass of thousand colourings, 
 
 Through which the deepened glories once conld enter. 
 Streaming from off the sun like seraph's wings, 
 
 Now yawns all desolate : now loud, now fainter, 
 The ga'e sweeps thro' its fretwork, and oft sings 
 
 The owl bis anthem, where the silenced (mire 
 
 Lie with their hallelujahs iruench'd like fire." 
 
 The Sussex Tower, at the south-west corner, so culled in honour of his late Royal 
 Highness the Duke of Sussex,* was built by Colonel Wildman, in the Norman 
 style. The large windows in the centre represent the great dining-hall, whilst the 
 two small bays, near to the ruins, are the rooms formerly occupied by Lord Byron. 
 
 THE SOUTH FRONT 
 
 Does not present any particular feature requiring comment, beyond the fact, that it 
 is in the Gothic style of architecture, in conformity with the Sussex Tower, has 
 a witle flagged terrace, interspersed with flower-beds, and bounded by massive 
 stone balustrades. The centre basement storey was formerly the Xenodochium, 
 which will be found illustrated elsewhere ; whilst above is the Grand Saloon. On 
 the right are the private apartments of the family. 
 
 The distant view of the Abbey which we have selected, with the lower lab 
 in the foreground, is picturesque, and gives a pleasing idea of the extensive 
 improvements which the Abbey has undergone, since it was occupied by the Poet, 
 and of the greal efforts which have been made, by the late and present owners, to 
 beautify and adorn it, as well externally as internally. 
 
 ii i Wildman «;i* Equerry to U.K. II. 
 
THE EAST FKONT, 
 
 As seen from the side of the Eagle Pond,* is, perhaps, to the ordinary observer, 
 the most pleasing view of all. Here the Abbey is seen clothed in " ivy green " 
 from one end to the other. On the left is an interesting relic of the old mansion, 
 which, in its architecture, appears to have no affinity with any other part of the 
 edifice. In the centre is the chapel, surmounted by the state-rooms formerly 
 occupied by regal guests ; and on the right the billiard-room, formerly the orangery, 
 but winch in its vicissitudes has also been a mere lumber-room ; whilst prominent 
 in the foreground is Boatswain's resting place, and in the distance, and above 
 all, a glimpse of the ruined arch is obtained. In no part of this extensive domain 
 is the fostering care of the present owner more evident, than in the beauty and order 
 witli which the grounds are laid out, and the shrubberies arranged. 
 
 The North Side, which completes the quadrilateral of the Abbey, forms a striking- 
 contrast with other portions of the venerable edifice, by the simplicity of its archi- 
 tectural details, and by its sombre appearance. It occupies the south side of what 
 was formerly the church, and, with the grove of trees opposite, marks out the inter- 
 vening space as " consecrated ground ;" at all events, such has been the refined 
 feelings of the owners of the Abbey, that not a flower or shrub of any kind, has 
 been permitted to rear its sacrilegious head on the smooth shorn turf, which covers 
 the entire space where the sacred edifice once stood. At the east end of the Church, 
 and within a few feet of the spot on which the high altar stood, i^ 
 
 THE DOG'S TOMB. 
 
 This is a marble monument, erected by Lord Byron, to commemoralo the death of 
 his favourite dog, Boatswain. This noble animal, we learn, after long and faithful 
 services, was seized with madness, and so little was his Lordship aware of the 
 fact, that at the commencement of the attack, he more than once, during the 
 paroxysms, wiped away the dreaded saliva from his mouth. The dog's death is thus 
 announced by Lord Byron to his friend, Mr. Hodgson : — " Boatswain is dead ! He 
 died in a state of madness on the 18th, after suffering much, yet retaining all the 
 gentleness of his nature to the last, never attempting to do the least injury to any 
 one near him. I have now lost everything excepting Old Murray." 
 
 * Formerly a Monkish fish-pool, hut now a fine sheet of water, about 100 yards in length by 50 in 
 breadth. It takes its name from the fact that, in the time of the 5th, or " Wicked Lord," a large brass 
 i agle was fished up from the bottom, with a massive pedestal attached, in which was afterwards found a 
 number of parchment deeds and grants, of the reigns of Edward III. and Henry VIII., chiefly relating; 
 to, or connected with, the rights and privileges of the Abbey, and which are now in Mr. Webb's possession. 
 The eagle may still be seen in Southwell Minster, where it does duty as a lectern; and, doubtless, it 
 performed a similar office formerly, as a stand for the missal in the Abbey church. 
 

 
 It was upon the death of this favourite dog that the following lines, which 
 appear upon the torah, were written : — 
 
 " EPITAPH. 
 
 " When some proud son of man returns to earth, 
 Unknown to glory, hut upheld by birth, 
 The sculptor's art exhaust's the pomp of woe, 
 And storied urns record who rests below ; 
 When all is done, upon the tomb is seen, 
 Not what he was, but what he should have been : 
 But the poor dog, in life the firmest friend, 
 The first to welcome, the foremost to defend, 
 Whose honest heart is still his master's own, 
 Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone, 
 Unhonour'd falls, unnoticed all his worth, 
 Denied in heaven the soul he held on earth : 
 While man, vain insect ! hopes to be forgiven, 
 And claims himself a sole exclusive heaven. 
 Oh man ! thou feeble tenant of an hour, 
 Debased by slavery, or corrupt by power, 
 Who knows thee well must quit thee with disgust, 
 Degraded mass of animated dust ! 
 Thy love is lust, thy friendship all a cheat, 
 Thy smiles hypocrisy, thy words deceit ! 
 By nature vile, ennobled but by name, 
 Each kindred brute might bid thee blush for shame. 
 Ye! who perchance behold this simple urn, 
 Pass on— it honours none you wish to mourn : 
 To mark a friend's remains these stones arise : 
 I never knew but one, — and here he lies." 
 
 By a will which his Lordship executed in 1811, he directed, that Ids own hody 
 should be buried in a vault in the garden, near his faithful follower. This feeling 
 of affection to his dumb and faithful friend, however commendable in itself, was 
 beyond the hounds of reason and propriety, and was, consequently, not carried out. 
 In fact, the sale of the Abbey, in 1813, quite put an end to the idea, as will be seen 
 by the following expression of his feelings : — " I have built myself a bath and a 
 vault, and now I sha'nt be buried in it. It is odd that one can't even be certain of 
 a grave, at least a particular one." 
 
 The monument is a plain, compact, four-sided structure, standing on a base of 
 six broad steps, the slabs of which are parted by fissures in a most singular manner, 
 said to be by an earthquake;* and the vault underneath is divided into three 
 
 * " One most singular circumstance strikes one at Newstead. There are numberless fissures in the 
 stone work. They do not descend in an irregular vertical line, like what we call settlements, but are 
 almost invariably horizontal. They are peculiarly conspicuous on the Southern Front, and in the Chapter- 
 house :mcl parts adjacent To those who have read of Lisbon, of Pompeii, and of Cataneo, it may appear 
 strange to be told that these fissures were the result of au earthquake, which occurred some years since. 
 Three sharp, distinct shocks, as if the ground was upheaved, took place one after the other, and the result 
 was the curious appearance presented throughout the building." — .1. Ashpitel. F.8.A. 
 
compartments, one, as we have before intimated, for Lord Byron himself, 
 another for his faithful Murray, and the third for Boatswain, whose virtues are thus 
 perpetuated : — 
 
 " Near this spot 
 
 Are deposited the Remains of one 
 
 Who possessed Beauty without Vanity, 
 
 Strength without Insolence, 
 
 Courage without Ferocity, 
 
 And all the Virtues of Man without his Vices. 
 
 This praise, which would be unmeaning Flattery 
 
 If inscribed over human ashes, 
 
 Is but a just tribute to the Memory of 
 
 BOATSWAIN, a Dog, 
 
 Who was born at Newfoundland, May, 1803, 
 
 And died at Newstead Abbey, Nov. 18, 180S." 
 
 Leaving Boatswain to his peaceful and solitary repose, we bend our steps to 
 the left, and, entering upon a broad terrace-walk^ forming three sides of a square, 
 — once the favourite resort of the Monks, but now exhibiting long and unbroken 
 lines of floral grandeur, such as art and nature alone could produce, — we enter a 
 dark grove of trees, the description of which we give in Washington Irving's own 
 language :— " This grove goes by the sinister name of " The Devil's Wood," and 
 enjoys but an equivocal character in the neighbourhood. It was planted by ' the 
 wicked Lord Byron,' during the early part of his residence at the Abbey, before 
 his fatal duel with Mr. Chaworth. Having something of a foreign and classical 
 taste, he set up leaden statues of satyrs or fawns at each end of the grove. The 
 statues, like everything else about the old Lord, fell under the suspicion and 
 obloquy that overshadowed him in the latter part of his life. The country people, 
 who knew nothing of heathen mythology and its sylvan deities, looked with horn ir 
 at idols invested with the diabolical attributes of horns and cloven feet. They 
 probably supposed them some object of secret worship of the gloomy and secluded 
 misanthrope and reputed murderer, and gave them the name of ' The old Lord's 
 Devils.' 
 
 " I penetrated the recesses of the mystic grove. There stood the ancient and 
 much-slandered statues, overshadowed by tall larches, and stained by dank green 
 mould. It is not a matter of surprise that strange figures, thus behoofed and 
 behorned, and set up in a gloomy grove, should perplex the minds of the simple 
 and superstitious yeomanry. There are many of the tastes and caprices of the 
 rich, that in the eyes of the uneducated must savour of insanity. 
 
 " I was attracted to this grove, however, by memorials of a more touching 
 character. It had been one of the favourite haunts of the late Lord Byron. In 
 his farewell visit to the Abbey, after he had parted with the possession of it, he 
 passed some time in this grove in company with his sister, and, as a last memento, 
 engraved their names on the bark of a tree. 
 
' The feelings that agitated his bosom during this farewell visit, when he 
 k'held around him objects dear to his pride, and dear to his juvenile recollections, 
 but of which the narrowness of his fortune would not permit him to retain posses- 
 sion, may be gathered from a passage in a poetical epistle, written to his sister in 
 after years : — 
 
 "I feel almost at times as I have felt 
 
 In happy childhood ; trees, and flowers, and brooks, 
 
 Which do remember me of where I dwelt 
 Ere my young mind was sacrificed to books, 
 
 Come as of yore upon me, and can melt 
 My heart with recognition of their looks ; 
 
 And even at moments I could think I see 
 
 Some living thing to love — but none like thee.' 
 
 " ' I did remind thee of our own dear lake, 
 
 By the old Hall which may be mine no more. 
 Leman's is fair ; but think not I forsake 
 
 The sweet remembrance of a dearer shore : 
 Sad havoc Time must with my memory make, 
 Ere thtit or tlimi can fade these eyes before ; 
 Though, like all things which I have loved, they are 
 Resign'd for ever, or divided far. 
 
 * * * * 
 
 •' ' The world is all before me ; I but ask 
 
 Of Nature that with which she will comply — 
 It is but in her summer's sun to bask, 
 
 To mingle with the quiet of her sky, 
 To see her gentle face without a mask, 
 
 And never gaze on it with apathy. 
 She was my early friend, and now shall be 
 
 My sister— till I look again on thee. 
 
 * * * * 
 
 " ' For thee, my own sweet sister, in thy heart 
 
 I know myself secure, as thou in mine ; 
 We were and are— I am, even as thou art — 
 
 Beings who ne'er each other can resign ; 
 It is the same, together or apart, 
 
 From life's commencement to its slow decline 
 We are entwined : let death come slow or fast, 
 
 The tie which bonnd the first endures the last ! ' 
 
 1 searched the grove for some time before I found the tree on which Lord 
 Byron had left his frail memorial. It was an elm of peculiar form, having two 
 trunks, which sprang from the same root, and. after growing side by side, mingled 
 then branches together. He had selected it. doubtless, as emblematical of his 
 sister and hhnself. The names of Byron and Augusta were still visible. They 
 had been deeply cut in the bark, but the natural growth of the tree was gradually 
 rendering them illegible."* 
 
 The portion of the tree on which the names are engraved, having shown symptoms of deeav, 
 was removed by Mr. Webb in 18G1, and placed in a glass case, in the South corridor of the Abbey. 
 
 in 
 
Leaving the grove on the opposite side, we continue our ramble on another 
 portion of the terrace, at the end of winch is the French Garden, with its stone 
 balustrades and eccentric flower-beds. At a short distance from this spot, on the 
 borders of the lawn, with the garden, or middle lake, glistening like silver, and the 
 soft valley of Newstead stretching beyond, stands, in all the health and vigour of 
 its species, 
 
 BYKON'S OAK. 
 
 This tree was planted by the Poet on his first arrival at Newstead, in 1798, and he 
 ever afterwards displayed the greatest regard for its prosperity. It is very probable, 
 — at least, so we are led to believe by some of Ms biographers, — that his Lordship's 
 mind was tainted with superstition ; and, if so, that would account for his linking 
 the fate of this tree with his own. "As it fares," said he, " so will fare my 
 fortunes." In 1807, when he again visited the Abbey, he found the oak choked up 
 with weeds, and well nigh destroyed ; which circumstance called forth the following 
 beautiful lines:— 
 
 " Young oak ! when I planted thee deep in the ground, 
 I hoped that thy days would be longer than mine ; 
 That thy dark waving branches would flourish around, 
 And ivy thy trunk with its mantle entwine. 
 
 " Such, such was my hope, when, in infancy's years, 
 On the land of my fathers I rear'd thee with pride : 
 They are past, and I water thy stem with my tears, — 
 Thy decay not the weeds that surround thee can hide. 
 
 " I left thee, my oak, and, since that fatal hour, 
 A stranger has dwelt in the hall of my sire ; « 
 Till manhood shall crown me, not mine is the power, 
 But his, whose neglect may have bade thee expire. 
 
 " Oh ! hardy thou wert— even now little care 
 
 Might revive thy young head, and thy wounds gently heal : 
 But thou wert not fated affection to share — 
 For who could suppose that a stranger would feel?" 
 
 In a note to Murray's edition of Byron's works it is stated, that shortly after 
 Colonel Wildman took possession, he one day noticed this tree, and said to the 
 servant who was with hhn, " Here is a fine young oak, but it must be cut down, as 
 it grows in an improper place." " I hope not, sir," replied the man ; " for it is the 
 one that my Lord was so fond of, because he set it himself." Since that time the 
 late Colonel Wildman, Mr. Webb, and all connected with them, have taken every 
 possible care of it, and strangers inquire for it, as the " Byron Oak," so that it now 
 shares in the celebrity of Shakspeare's mulberry, and Pope's willow. 
 
 * Lord Grey de Rutliyn then occupied the Abbey. 
 
 11 
 
Before leaving this locality, so linked as it is with the Poet's early life and after 
 fame, we must turn aside to notice the Monks' Stew Pond, a small sheet of water, 
 embowered in a grove of overhanging yews, of a date, in all probability, coeval with 
 the venerable Abbey itself. Its use was for the stowage of fish, for the delectation 
 of the " Friars of old," who have, doubtless, times and oft, told their beads, and 
 said their orisons, whilst reclining in its cool recesses. Close by the pond is a 
 crystal spring of the purest water, called St. Mary's Well, which bubbled and 
 boiled when the monkish fathers clipped their flagons into it ; as it did when 
 Lord Byron drank of it and praised its purity ; and as it does now to all who seek 
 a refreshing draught. One other object of attraction claims our notice, and, 
 though it has not the name of Byron to give it an interest, is still looked upon 
 with more than ordinary pleasure by visitors. 
 
 THE FEENEKT. 
 
 This exhibition of Femiculture, if we may so term it, — for it contains, to all 
 appearance, every known specimen of the genus cryptogramic, — was formed about 
 ten years since, under the immediate supervision of the estimable lady of' the 
 Abbey, Mrs. Webb, assisted by her intelligent and practical gardener, Mr. 
 Anderson. The entire conformation displays great knowledge of the nature, habits, 
 and character of the plants themselves ; an eye to the beautiful, in grouping ; and 
 a highly cultivated and classical taste in the conception of the grottoes. Here, 
 there is a rustic alcove, with a curiously carved figure from the Abbey church ; 
 there, two broken columns of Egyptian granite ; and, beyond, the carved head of a 
 column, which does duty as a table, for a sun dial, and bears the following 
 inscription : — 
 
 '• This piece of marble, the capitol of one of the smaller columns of the Temple of Venus, 
 at the Pira;us, Athens, was presented to Mrs. Webb* by F. W. Gore, 1856." 
 
 A mound in the centre is crowned with handsome broad-leaved spiral shrubs, whilst 
 the sides, which are of loose rough stones, and serve as an embankment for the 
 grove above, are entirely devoted to ferns. As a whole, we doubt if there is 
 a more interesting, well arranged, or complete fernery and rockery combined, in 
 England. 
 
 We shall now direct our attention to the mysteries which are to be found 
 within the Abbey, and which Byron himself thus graphically describes: — 
 
 Mother of" the present owner of the Abbey, to whom it was afterwards given. 
 
 12 
 
■ The mansion's self was vast and venerable, 
 With more of the monastic than has been 
 
 Elsewhere preserved : the cloisters still were stable, 
 The cells, too, and refectory, I ween : 
 
 An exquisite small chapel had been able, 
 Still unimpair'd, to decorate the scene ; 
 
 The rest had been reformed, replaced, or sunk, 
 
 And spoke more of the baron than the monk. 
 
 Huge halls, long galleries, spacious chambers, joined 
 By no quite lawful marriage of the arts, 
 
 Might shock a connoisseur ; but when combined, 
 Formed a whole, which, irregular in parts, 
 
 Yet left a grand impression on the mind, 
 
 At least of those whose eyes were in their hearts ; 
 
 We gaze upon a giant for his stature, 
 
 Nor judge at first if all be true to nature." 
 
 INTEEIOR OF THE ABBEY. 
 
 The principal entrance into the Abbey is on the west side, through a Gothic porch, 
 which leads into a large Hall, or Crypt, and thence to the Monks' Parlour ; 
 the former is somewhat below the level of the ground outside, and both are 
 of great antiquity. The roofs are low, groined, with pointed arches, springing 
 from plain octagon shafts, without imposts, and plain chamfered groin ribs, evidently 
 of the very early English type, and coeval in age with those under the bishop's house 
 at Chester. The hall is about 47 feet long by 23 feet wide, and has its sombre 
 appearance relieved by a number of stuffed animals, which were shot or captured 
 by Mr. Webb, whilst travelling in Africa. On the grand staircase, at the south 
 end of the Hall, are three paintings, one by Alfred Corbould, representing the 
 present owner of the Abbey, after he had shot the lion, the skin of which is in 
 the Entrance Hall ; a view of the Abbey, from the opposite side of the lake, by 
 J. Bell : and a copy of Raphael's Cartoons. Ascending three or four steps, we 
 find ourselves in the Monks' Parlour, a much smaller room, and the depository 
 for the visitors' book, in which are the names of some of the most notable men 
 and women, in science, literature, and art, that the world has ever known. 
 Thence we enter the West Corridor, along the walls of which are arranged, 
 in glass cases, a large number of African game birds, also lolled by Mr. Webb, 
 many of them very rare, and of the richest and most varied plumage ; valuable 
 collections of china, including gems from the principal works in England, France, 
 and Germany ; a particularly rich and rare carved oak cabinet, of fancifid Italian 
 workmanship ; and numerous other articles of antique furniture, all displaying 
 great taste and judgment in their selection. 
 
 From this corridor a spiral stone staircase leads to 
 
 13 
 
BYRON'S BED BOOM, 
 
 Formerly the Abbot's Lodgings, which is carefully preserved, as when occupied 
 by Ids Lordship. The room itself is without any pretension whatever to luxury, 
 and the furniture is of the simplest kind, unless we except the Elizabethan 
 bedstead, which is gilt, with coronets at each corner; the drapery is chintz, 
 and green, with the ornamental fringes of that period; and the toilet services, 
 for the information of those who are interested in such details, is of the 
 veritable old fashioned blue and white pattern. From the oriel window, in which 
 stands the writing table — on which the Poet, doubtless, committed to paper some of 
 those heart-stirring verses which have rendered all that belonged to him sacred as 
 " household gods," — a magnificent view of the surrounding country is obtained. 
 Conspicuous in the foreground is the Upper Lake, which is formed by obstructing 
 the waters of a small river (Leen), and is, probably, as old as the Abbey itself. 
 Originally it was " the old mill-dam" of the monks, by which their corn-mill was 
 worked, and it possesses as many traditions and fables as every other part of this 
 romance-haunted valley. These chiefly relate to the treasures which are supposed 
 to be in its depths, and to the pranks of the " wicked Lord," who built the mimic 
 fortifications winch are still to be seen on each side of it. The present rising 
 woods, which add so much to the beauty of the scenery, were planted under the 
 direction of the Poet, who thus describes the locality : — 
 
 It stood einbosom'd in a happy vale, 
 
 Crown'd by high woodlands,* where the Druid oak 
 Stood, like Caractacus, in act to rally 
 
 His Host, with broad arms 'gainst the thunder-stroke ; 
 And from beneath his boughs were seen to sally 
 
 The dappled foresters : as day awoke, 
 The branching stag swept down with all his herd. 
 
 To quaff a brook which inurmur'd like a bird. 
 
 Before the mansion lay a lucid lake, 
 
 Broad as transparent, deep, and freshly fed 
 
 By a river, which its soften'd way did take 
 In currents through the calmer water spread 
 
 Around : the wild fowl nestled in the brake 
 And sedges, brooding in their liquid bed : 
 
 The woods sloped downwards to its brink, and stood 
 
 With their green faces fix'd upon the flood. 
 
 * The " Wicked Old Lord," in his scheme of rural devastation, had rut down all the woods that 
 once fringed the lake. Lord Byron, on coming of age, endeavoured to restore them, and a beautiful young; 
 wood, planted by him, now sweeps up from the water's edge and clothes the hill-side opposite to the Abbey. 
 Washington Irving. 
 
 14 
 
" Its outlet dash'd into a deep cascade, 
 
 Sparkling with foam, until, again subsiding, 
 Its shriller echoes— like an infant made 
 
 Quiet— sank into softer ripples, gliding 
 Into a rivulet ; and thus allay'd, 
 
 Pursued its course, now gleaming, and now hiding 
 Its windings through the woods : now clear, now blue, 
 According as the skies their shadows threw." 
 
 Leaving a scene which, it can readily be imagined, was calculated to inspire 
 the enthusiasm of a poet, we enter 
 
 BYRON'S DRESSING ROOM, 
 
 In which, as in everything else connected with his domestic arrangements, we find 
 the greatest simplicity. Here is his dressing-table, looking-glass, bath, and toilet 
 requisites, just as he left them. On the walls are views of Oxford, Cambridge, and 
 Harrow, in water colours ; a portrait of Jackson, the pugilist,* and, conspicuous 
 above all, in the corner over the fire-place, is his faithful Joe MuuBAY.t in flaxen 
 wig, blue coat, and buff waistcoat, with a pipe in bis hand. J 
 
 Before leaving this, by its associations, enchanting part of the Abbey, we 
 must look into the Haunted Chamber, which, leading out of Byron's bed-room, 
 was formerly occupied by Ids page. It had the reputation, also, of being tenanted 
 by a less earthly visitant— none other, in fact, than the ghost of a Black Friar :— 
 
 " Beware, beware of the Black Friar, 
 
 Who sitteth by Norman stone, 
 For he mutters his prayer in the midnight air, 
 
 And his mass of the days that are gone. 
 When the Lord of the Hill, AmundeviUe, 
 
 Made Norman church his prey, 
 And expell'd the friars, one friar still 
 
 Would not be driven away. 
 
 ,„, ;/. L °\ d , Byl0n a . taste for b0XIQ g brou g I 't him acquainted, at an early period, with this distinguished, 
 and, it is not too much to say, respected professor of the art ; for whom, throughout life, he continued to 
 entertain a sincere regard. In a note to the 11th cauto of " Don Juan," he calls him " his old friend," 
 and corporeal pastor and master."— Murray'* Poetical Worlts of Lord Byron. 
 
 t Joe Murray died at the age of 86, seventy years of which had been passed as an honest, faithful 
 servant at the Abbey. He came, when a mere boy, in the train of the "old Lord," and, having been a 
 cabin-boy, fancied himself somewhat of a sailor, and had charge of all the pleasure boats on the lake He 
 was afterwards, however, advanced to the position of butler. In the latter davs of the old Lord, when he 
 excluded himself from the world, Joe and the housekeeper were his only servants. When the Abbey came 
 into the possession of Lord Byron, Joe Murray was taken to as a fixture, and reinstated at once in his 
 dignified position as butler, and high admiral on the lake. His bluff, sterling honesty, so won the affections 
 of his noble master, as to rival his Newfoundland dog in his estimation, and to gain for him an allotted 
 place in the proposed sepulchre with them. Often when his Lordship was dining, so says an informant 
 he would pour out a bumper of choice Madeira, and hand it to Joe, as he stood behind the chair. Joe was 
 always neat m his person, and made a respectable appearance, as will be seen by his portrait. 
 
 i It is said that, on Lord Byron asking Joe Murray, if he thought his (Murray's) a good likeness of 
 himself replied, Nay, my Lord ; not without my pipe ; " whereupon Lord Byron requested the artist to 
 add that article to the picture, and put it in Joe's band for the purpose. 
 
" Though he came in his might, with King Henry's rictlit, 
 
 To tnrn church lands to lay, 
 With sword in hand, and torch to light 
 
 Their walls if they said nay ; 
 A monk iemain'd, unchased, unchain'd, 
 
 And he did not seem form'd of clay, 
 For he's seen in the porch, and he's seen in the church. 
 
 Though he iB not seen by day. 
 
 " And whether for good, or whether for ill, 
 
 It is not mine to say : 
 But still with the house of Amundeville 
 
 He abideth night and day. 
 By the marriage-bed of their lords, 'tis sail. 
 
 He flits on the bridal eve : 
 And 'tis held as faith, to their bed of death 
 
 He comes — but not to grieve. 
 
 " When an heir is born, he's heard to mourn ; 
 
 And when aught is to befall 
 That ancient line, in the pale moonshine 
 
 He walks from hall to hall. 
 His form yon may trace, but not his face, 
 
 Tis shadow'd by his cowl, 
 But his eyes may be seen from the folds between. 
 
 And they seem of a parted soul. 
 
 " But beware, beware of the Black Friar, 
 
 He still retains his sway ; 
 For he is yet the church's heir, 
 
 Whoever may be the lay. 
 Amundeville is lord by day, 
 
 But the monk is lord by night ; 
 Nor wine nor wassail could raise a va 
 
 To question that friar's right." 
 
 The little room is dark and gloomy, having formerly been an Oratory, where the 
 monks, whom age or illness confined to the infir mary, performed their private 
 devotions. As the window looked into the church, the monies had the advan- 
 tage of joining in these services also. The furniture is the same as when 
 occupied in Lord Byron's time. On the walls are small portraits of Arundel and 
 Archbishop Chichely, Queen Catherine Parr, and Cardinal Pule. Byron, as we 
 before noticed, was said to he superstitious, and to have declared he had seen, 
 on more than one occasion, the ghostly father who assumed to he the guardian 
 monk, and whose spirit remained to keep possession of the Abbey. The Poet 
 thus alludes to the mysterious visitor, in the 16th canto, of Don Juan : — 
 
 " As Juan mused on mutability, 
 
 Or on his mistress — terms synonymous — 
 No sound except the echo of his sigh. 
 
 Or step, ran sadly through that antique hou 
 When suddenly he heard, or thought so, nigh, 
 
 A supernatural agent — or a mouse, 
 Whose little nibbling rustle will embarrass 
 Most people, as it plays along the arras. 
 
 
" It was no mouse ; but lo ! a monk, array'd, 
 
 In cowl and beads, and dusky garb, appear'd, 
 Now in the moonlight, and now lapsed in shade, 
 
 'With steps that trod as heavy, yet unheard : 
 His garments only a slight murmur made : 
 
 He moved as shadowy as the sisters weird, 
 But slowly ; and as he passed Juan by 
 
 Glanced, without pausing, on him a bright eye. 
 
 " Juan was petrified : he had heard a hint 
 
 Of such a spirit in these halls of old, 
 But thought, like most men, there was nothing in't 
 
 Beyond the rumour which such spots unfold, 
 Coin'd from surviving superstition's mint, 
 
 Which passes ghosts in currency like gold, 
 But rarely seen, like gold compared with paper : 
 And did he see this ? or was it a vapour '.' 
 
 " Once, twice, thrice, pass'd, repass'd, the thing of air, 
 
 Or earth beneath, or heaven, or t'other place ; 
 And Juan gazed upon it with a stare, 
 
 Yet could not speak or move ; but, on its basu 
 As stands a statue, stood : he felt his hair 
 
 Twine like a knot of snakes around his face : 
 He tax'd his tongue for words, which were not granted. 
 
 To ask the reverend person what he wanted." 
 
 It will be consolatory to believers in ghosts, and such like nonsensical super- 
 stitions, to learn, that the "Black Friar." and all other superhuman visit' 
 departed with the Byrons, and have not since been heard of. Sir Richard Phillip-, 
 in his pleasing account of a visit to the Abbey, specially mentions the indulgence 
 afforded him, by being permitted to sleep " in Byron's bed and Byron's room"— 
 "A stranger to personal fear and superstition, I enjoyed my berth, neither heard 
 nor saw anything, nor ever slept more sound]}.'' 
 
 Retracing our steps to the west corridor, a massive oak door admits into 
 
 THE GREAT DINING HALL, 
 
 Formerly the ancient refectory of the Abbey, and an apartment of noble propor- 
 tions, being 64 feet in length, including the gallery, by 36 feet in breadth, and 
 36 feet in 'height. A massive carved oak Gothic screen, in three compartments, 
 occupies the south end, over which there is a music gallery. The screen is elaborate 
 in design, and harmonizes well with the style and character of the edifice. The 
 following inscription, in raised church text, appears on the front of it :— 
 
 " Fundavit Hexricus Rex II. Anno Beg XX. concessit. Joanni Byrox. 
 
 Anno Dom. MDXL. Acquis Thomas Wildman, A.D. MDCCCXVIII ." 
 
 The ceiling, from which a number of banners are suspended, is of massive oak 
 
 framework, springing from shield corbels, richly decorated with armorial bearings. 
 
 17 
 
The walls, which are panelled to the height of twelve feet, with oak said to have 
 been cut from one tree which grew in Hardwick Park, are ornamented, with 
 
 excellent effect, with suits of ancient and modern armour, including one of Charles 
 I Is. lime, swords, spears, and battle-axes, stags' antlers, a rhinoceros's head (stuffed 
 whole), elands', giraffes', oryx', and other heads, &c. The room is lighted by three 
 large recessed windows, reaching up to the ceiling, in the upper compartments of 
 which are armorial bearings and devices, by WiUement, illustrative of incidents 
 in the history of the Abbey.* 
 
 On either side of the screen are two figures in complete suits of armour, one 
 die time of Edward III., and the other of Henry VIII. ; there is also an 
 antique, richly carved oak chair, bearing date 1G11 ; and a massive oak chest, with 
 the date 1637 carved upon it. The floor, which is of stone, carpeted, is strewn 
 with the skins of wild animals, all the victims of Mr. Webb's prowess, excepting 
 that of a very large white Polar bear, presented to that gentleman by James 
 Lament, Escp, author of " Days among the Sea Horses." 
 Leading out of the Dining Hall is 
 
 BYRON'S DINING- EOOM, 
 
 Fob as such it was used by his Lordship, when staying at the Abbey. It is now 
 the Breakfast Rooji for the family, and was in ancient times the Lord Abbot's 
 parlour, by which name it is still known. The ceiling of this room is deeply 
 panelled, and richly decorated in azure and gold; the walls are oak panelled, 
 and tlie mantel-piece is one of those beautifid productions, which will hereafter 
 lie more fully described, and which invariably rivets the attention of visitors. 
 In the centre of this one, in particular, are the armorial bearings of the Byrons, 
 on which may lie traced, in antique letters, "Sir John Byron, MDLVL," and 
 
 * One window contains armorial bearings relative to the founders and founding of the Abbey, 
 which the late owner laudably endeavoured to restore from the description given by Thoroton. it appears 
 that Henry VII. came to Newstead, to hunt with the Prior in his grounds at Blid worth. The King was 
 Accompanii d by .Sir W. Savage and his brother Thomas, the Archbishop of York, whose arms, with that of 
 the Priory, are in the window ; also six coats of arms of principal families in the county, \\h", no doubt, 
 were witii him to meet his Majesty. Another is a memorial window of beautiful design, containing three 
 compartmi nts, bearing the following inscriptions : — 
 
 (.. w. s. w. m. <;. 
 
 .... . Matris . . . 
 
 I raterni Anions Sororis Dilectissime 
 
 i >iitime et Charissime 
 
 In Memoriam. In Memoriam. In Memoriam. 
 
 In the third, or centre window, are three compartments, commemorative of the military achievements of 
 
 the late Colonel Wildman, when serving- in the 7th Hussars, and of his two brothers. The one relative to 
 himself records the following engagements in which he took part : — 
 
 Sabagun — Mayorga — Benevente — Corunna — Pampeluna — Nivelle — Orthes — Toulousi — 
 Qnatre Bras — Genappi — Waterloo. 
 
 is 
 
three projecting heads (two male and a female), commemorative of an incident 
 in the Crusades, when an ancestor of the Byrons is said to have rescued a Christian 
 maiden from a Moor. (Note, p. 22.) Most of the articles of furniture were used 1 ly 
 Lord Byron himself ; the chairs are covered with very fine old tapestry, illustrative 
 of some of Mst »p's fables. The pictures consist of a beautiful portrait of Reml irandt, 
 by himself, a copy from the celebrated picture at Clumber ; The Infant Saviour, by 
 John Van Eyck, supposed to be the finest specimen by this master in England, 
 painted on panel ; the wife of one of the Lord Byron's, by Sir Peter Lely : a 
 painting of a salmon, by Rolfe : Colonel Goodlake, Coldstream Guards, V.C. 
 (Mrs. Webb's brother), by Collins ; a picture of a child's head. 1 ly A [/red Oorbould, 
 and a horse in stable, by the same ; picture of fruit, by Lance, R.A. ; and an old 
 man's head, by an old Italian master. 
 
 Again crossing the west corridor we enter 
 
 THE LIBRARY, 
 
 Which occupies nearly the whole of the north side of the Abbey, and would, 
 originally, according to modern ideas of architecture, have formed the south a 
 of the adjoining church. It is a long, narrow room, panelled in light and dark 
 oak, and admirably adapted for the purpose to which it is applied. The Literary 
 treasures, carefully and .judiciously arranged upon shelves, or spread out upon 
 tables, comprise a valuable collection of ancient and modern books, including 
 many rare and choice specimens of the classics; some very fine works ou art ; 
 and others, containing rare and valuable old engravings. The art treasures consist 
 in part of, two portraits, by Sir Peter Lely 7 of Nell Gwynne and 3Irs. Hughes ; and 
 of portraits of the Earl and Countess of Rutland, by Caspar Netschin. There is, 
 also, a portrait of the first lay owner of Newstead, Sir John Byron, sometimes called 
 Longbeard (^tatis sute, 73, A.D. 159!)) ; a portrait of Colonel Wildman, the late 
 owner ; Windsor Castle, by Wright, of Derby ; and a good copy of the portrait of 
 The Cenci, at Rome. The stained glass windows, which look into the quadrangle, 
 are the remains of some of those formerly in the Abbey church, aud are much prized. 
 An ebony carved chair of Henry Mil's., presented by that monarch to Mr. John 
 Byron; several elaborately carved ebony and oak chairs, with a settee en mite, 
 given to the Abbey by Charles II; a number of antique chairs; and a richly 
 carved marble chimney-piece, are amongst the other objects of interest in this room. 
 On leaving the Library for the Eastern Corridor, a fine specimen of oak 
 carving presents itself, over the door of the former, representing an elephant and 
 warriors, surmounted by an Austrian eagle. This corridor, like the former one, is 
 resplendent with cases of richly plumaged stinted East Indian and African birds ; 
 engravings ; choice specimens of Wedgwood, Chelsea, and Derby chinas, &c. ; several 
 
 hi 
 
antique chairs of the time of the " Merry Monarch," probably from one of his palaces, 
 as they are decorated with the royal arms of that period ; and a beautifully carved 
 ebony chest. There is, also, in this corridor, an object of great interest and value, 
 viz.. the bronze wrought knocker, or Lbmbardian Porte-marteau, that was formerly 
 on the entrance door of the Abbey. This was lent to the South Kensington 
 Museum for some time, being considered a magnificent work of art of its genre* 
 
 Leading out of this corridor are the state bed chambers, a magnificent suite 
 of apartmentsf facing the east, from the windows of winch charming views are 
 obtained. These rooms are supposed to have been the " guest chambers" for great 
 personages, who visited this part of the country in olden days, for the purposes of 
 hunting in Sherwood Forest, and were usually accommodated in the Abbey. 
 The first of this series is 
 
 CHARLES THE SECOND'S ROOM, 
 
 Which is situated just over what was formerly the Orangery. The room itself 
 was occupied by this King when he visited the Abbey. % It is well proportioned, 
 and lofty, the lower part being panelled with oak. whilst the upper portion 
 
 * An engraving was made of this knocker before it was returned to Mr. Webb from the South Ken- 
 sington Museum. 
 
 t The ancient state apartments having, from neglect, fallen into decay, were in a very ruinous con- 
 dition when Lord Byron occupied the Abbe;. 
 
 { To show the connection of the Charles's with Newstead, it may be stated that the Abbey sustained 
 a siege between Charles I. and the Parliamentary forces, and is thus described by the Poet : — 
 •• An abbey once, a regal fortress now, 
 Encircled by insulting rebel powers, 
 War's dread machines o'erhang thy threatening brow, 
 And dart destruction in sulphureous showers. 
 " Ah ! vain defence ! the hostile traitor's siege, 
 
 Though oft repulsed, by guile o'ercomes the brave; 
 His thronging foes oppress the faithful liege, 
 Rebellion's reeking standards o'er him wave." 
 In the same elegy we find the following reference to the Restoration : — 
 " The legal ruler* now resumes the helm, 
 
 He guides through gentle seas the prow of state ; 
 Hope cheers, with wonted smiles, the peaceful realm, 
 And heals the bleeding wounds of wearied hate. 
 " The gloomy tenants, Newstead ! of thy cells, 
 Howling, resicn their violated nest ; 
 Again the master on his tenure dwells, 
 
 Knjoy'd, from absence, with enraptured zest. 
 " Vassals, within thy hospitable pale, 
 
 Loudly carousing, bless their lord's return ; 
 Culture again adorns the gladdening vale, 
 And matrons, once lamenting, cease to mourn." 
 
 Otarles n. 
 
 20 
 
is hung with Gobelin tapestry, rich in colours, and of marvellous workman- 
 ship, representing oriental hunting and bacchanalian scenes; two of the subjects 
 being from designs by Reubens. Over the chimney-piece there is a portrait 
 i if Charles ; over the door another of his mother, Queen Henrietta Maria ; and a 
 third of Mrs. Nott. The state bed is ample and lofty ; the hangings are of rich 
 and costly French needlework, which belonged to Prince Rupert ; with chairs to 
 match, probably two hundred and fifty years old ; whilst the embroidery on the 
 coverlet was worked by Mary, Queen of Scots. The ceiling is richly decorated 
 with various heraldic devices, conspicuous among which are those of the Byron 
 family. A richly inlaid marguetrie cabinet is also worthy of notice ; as is also the 
 old Venetian " character" point lace, which adorns the velvet cover of the dressing 
 table : and an old tapestry screen and sofa. 
 
 The Dressing Room adjoining, is hung with a beautiful series of panels, 
 representing the seasons, with Time, Ceres, and other mythological deities, which 
 are considered remarkably fine specimens of Gobelin tapestry. The portraits in 
 this room are Sarah (Jennings), Duchess of Marlborough, by Sir Peter Lely : 
 and one of the Child family. 
 
 In the lobby adjoining, is an unfinished stained glass window, the work of the 
 late Lady Gardener, sister of the late Colonel Wildman ; and a carved oak 
 cabinet. 
 
 EDWARD THE THIRD'S ROOM* 
 
 This is said to have been occupied by the before-mentioned King on his visit to the 
 Abbey.t Certainly, if we judge from its general appearance, and from the character 
 of its fittings, we shall have no hesitation in coming to the conclusion that this 
 room was occupied at that distant date. The walls are panelled throughout 
 with oak, whilst over the chimney-piece there is a curious relic of olden times, a 
 mantel-piece several feet square, carved in high relief, with compartments, in each 
 one of which is a human bust, protruding some distance from the w-all. Some 
 of the figures are in a Gothic garb, whilst the most prominent amongst them is 
 that of a female, who is earnestly regarded by a fierce Saracen from an adjoining 
 
 * It is more than' probable that Edward I., and not Edward III., used this room, inasmuch as the 
 former certainly visited the Abbey, and granted a charter to John De Annesley, dated at JVewstede, in 
 shin-wood, 4th October, in the eighth year of his reign. 
 
 t Two of the family of Byron are represented to have served with distinction in the siege of Calais, 
 under Edward III., and to have been amongst the knights who fell on the glorious field of Cressv. 
 
 21 
 
niche.* The bedstead is of massive oak, and bears date 1630, whilst the hangings 
 are of needlework, by a number of ladies of Nottinghamshire, whose names appear 
 upon the borders, and who presented them to Mrs. Wildman. The cabinets are 
 especially deserving attention, being remarkable specimens of ancient carving. The 
 paintings, on wood panels, are strictly in character with the room itself, and 
 consist of Kobert, Count DArtois (1338), Edward the Confessor, Henry IV., 
 Eichard III., Henry VIII., Queen Mary of England, Mary Queen of Scots, and 
 Edward VI. The old lace on the toilet table, and on the slab between the 
 windows, is worthy of a passing glance. 
 
 THE DUKE OF SUSSEX'S EOOM 
 
 Is remarkably rich in Gobelin tapestry,! which decorates three sides of the room. 
 The subjects are mythical, representing several Indian (life-size) figures, and some 
 extraordinary specimens of the fish and reptile tribes.]: The bed itself is of 
 modern construction, but there are some old chairs and chests, and another of 
 the mysterious mantel-pieces. The pictures in this room are, a portrait of one of 
 the Byrons, a Lady in mascmerade dress, and a portrait of the unfortunate Duke of 
 Monmouth, in armour. 
 
 HENEY THE SEVENTH'S LODGIN< 
 
 So named in commemoration of that monarch having visited at the Abbey. There 
 are two or three objects in this room which will attract especial attention, viz., 
 a beautifully carved black oak bedstead, said to have been the property of Oliver 
 Cromwell ; with curious white embroidered curtains of that period : a carved oak 
 
 * On referring to the Poet's " Lines on leaving Newstead Abbey," in Murray's Edition <>f ls. : t, n„\-. 
 Poetical Works, we find the following verse, with a foot note, explanatory of it- meaning : — 
 
 " Of the mail-covered barons, who proudly to battle 
 Led their vassals from Europe to Palestine's plain, 
 The escutcheon and shield, which with every blast rattle, 
 Are the only sad vestiges now that remain." 
 " Tin re being no record of any of Lord Byron's ancestors having been engaged in the Holy Wars, -Mr. 
 i bat the Poet may have bad no other authority for this notion, than the tradition which be 
 found connected with certain strange groups of heads, which are represented on the old panel-work in 
 
 some of the chambers at Newstead. In one of these group-. < isring of three heads, strongly carved, 
 
 and projecting from tin- panel, tin- centre figure evidently represents a Saracen or Moor, with an European 
 female on one side of him, and a Christian soldier on the other. In a second gToup, the female occupies 
 the rriitre, while on either side is the head of a Saracen, with the eyes fixed earnestly upon her. Of the 
 exact meaning of these figures there is nothing known, but the tradition is, that they refer to a love adven- 
 ture of the age of the Crusades." 
 
 * Brought by Colonel Wildman from a palace in Spain, after the Peninsular campaign, in which he 
 was engaged. 
 
 ; This tapestry is signed by Neilson. 
 
dressing glass, date 1G6C ; and a portrait of Lord Byron's faithful dog, " Boat- 
 swain," immortalized by the Poet in the famous epitaph. The other pictures are, 
 two Highland sporting scenes, by J. Bottomley, and a copy, in carved oak frame, of 
 Raphael's " Madonna del la Sedia." 
 
 Having completed our inspection of these rooms, and of the many objects of 
 interest which throng the corridor out of which they lead, we ascend a short and 
 broad flight of stairs, on either side of which are paintings of Judith and Holo- 
 fernes, by a /"< ronese ; two paintings by Bottomley, and the interior of the great 
 church at Amsterdam, by Vliet. Arrived on the landing, we have, on the one 
 hand, the private apartments, and on the other the Saloon. Before entering the 
 latter, we may. parenthetically, observe, that the former are fitted up in the most 
 exquisite style, and in the best taste, with carved and polished black oak ; every 
 appointment being en suite ; the Boudoir itself is especially chaste and beautiful, 
 and the beau ideal of a " lady's chamber,'' the walls, of old carved oak panels, being 
 filled in with mirrors ; and there is a wealth of similar material in the bedroom and 
 dressing-room. 
 
 THE SMALL DRAWING BOOM. 
 
 Which is, in fact, one of the family apartments, but which, by the kindness of the 
 owner, is shown to visitors (except on very special occasions), is luxuriously fmnished 
 in the modern style. A large bay window affords an expansive and pleasing view 
 of the country beyond : whilst the room itself is made additionally resplendent, by 
 large mirrors, which reflect the numerous drawings, paintings, and articles of 
 vertu, which hang upon the walls, or are arranged on tables. Amongst the 
 former are portraits in crayon of Mr. Webb, by Harrison ; of Mrs. Webb, by //. 
 Fanner ; of the late Dr. Livingstone, by Harrison ; of Lord Byron, the poet, in 
 water colours, by Gilchrist ;* and a pencil sketch of Napoleou L, when First 
 Consul taken from life, by Phillips, R..A, and by him presented to the late 
 Colonel Wildman. Conspicuous amongst the oil paintings are. Captain Martin's 
 ■ ■Is in a waterspout, by Reinagle; the original painting, by H. Barravd, of the 
 tlnee charity girls, entitled, " Lord have mercy upon us ;" and a replica of the 
 three charity hoys, a companion picture, by the same artist, entitled, " We praise 
 Thee, Lord ! " both well known from the engravings ; two sea pieces, by 
 Koekoek ; a landscape, by Williams; a white pony and retriever at a cottage 
 door, by A. Corboidd : a very old painting, on glass, of fruit, etc. ; a child, by Greuze ; 
 and a cabinet picture, by Haynes ; besides some good water colour dra wings. 
 
 * Representing Lord Byron in the gown worn by noblemen at Trinity College, Cambridge, on festive 
 occasions. It was long in the possession of the late Mr. Litchfield, of Cambridge, with whom Lord Byron 
 lodged, and to whom it was given on his lordship's leaving that university. The Duke of St. Albans 
 obtained it from Mr. Litchfield a few years since, and presented it to Mrs. Webb, by whom it is highly 
 valued. This picture has recently been engraved, and forms the frontispiece to "Carl Elze's Life of Lord 
 Bvron." 
 
 23 
 
Over the chimney-piece, there is a very ancient and peculiar mirror, gilt, in 
 compartments, with groups of hirds, &c, painted on the glass ; and on the opposite 
 side, a large cabinet, with glass doors, enclosing a very choice collection of old 
 Venetian glass. 
 
 THE GKAND SALOON. 
 
 The whole ah and style of this apartment partakes more of the palace than I lie 
 monastery, inasmuch as it forms a striking contrast to the quaint and sombre 
 apartments through which we have been passing.' It is elegantly upholstered, in 
 crimson satin and gold, and the walls are hung with paintings, which are not 
 unfittingly described by Byron himself in the following lines : — 
 
 " Steel barons, molten the next generation 
 
 To silken rows of gay and garter'd earls, 
 Glanced from the walls in goodly preservation ; 
 
 And Lady Marys, blooming into girls, 
 With fair long locks, had also kept their station ; 
 
 And countesses mature, in robes and pearls : 
 Also some beauties of Sir Peter Lely, 
 Whose drapery hints we may admire them freely. 
 
 " Judges in very formidable ermine 
 
 Were there, with brows that did not much invite 
 The accused to think their lordships would determine 
 
 His cause by leaning much from might to right; 
 Bishops, who had rot left a single sermon ; 
 
 Attorneys-General, awful to the sight, 
 As hinting more (unless our judgments warp nsl 
 Of the ' Star Chamber' than of ' Habeas Corpus.' * 
 
 " Generals, some all in armour, of the old 
 
 And iron time, ere lead had ta'en the lead : 
 Others in wigs of Marlborough's martial fold, 
 
 Huger than twelve of our degenerate breed : 
 Lordlings, with staves of white or keys of gold : 
 
 Nimrods, whose canvas scarce contained the steed ; 
 And here and there some stern high patriot stood, 
 Who could not get the place for which he sued. 
 
 " But, ever and anon, to soothe your vision, 
 
 Fatigued with these hereditary glories, 
 There rose a Carlo Dolce or a Titian, 
 
 Or wilder group of savage Salvatores : * 
 Here danced Albano's boys ; and here the sea shone 
 
 In Vemet's ocean-lights : and there the stories 
 Of martyrs awed, as Spagnoletto tainted 
 His brush with all the blood of all the sainted. 
 
 " Here sweetly spread a landscape of Lorraine ; 
 
 There Rembrandt made his darkness equal light. 
 Or gloomy Caravaggio's gloomier stain 
 
 Bronzed o'er some lean and stoic anchorite : 
 But, lo ! a Teniers woos, and not in vain, 
 
 Your eyes to revel in a livelier sight : 
 His bell-mouth'd goblet makes me feel quite Danish, 
 Or Dutch, with thirst— What, ho ! a flask of Rhenish." 
 
 2i 
 
The Saloou, or Large Drawing Eoom, as it is sometimes called, was formerly 
 the dormitory for the monks, and is of the same date as the lower part of the 
 cloisters. It is 75 feet in length by 35 feet in width,* and has a massive oak 
 framed ceiling, slightly curved and deeply panelled, the space between the timbers 
 being filled in with stucco and ornaments, apparently of the time of Charles I. 
 The chimney-piece, of white Italian marble, is a spirited and valuable specimen 
 of sculpture, and represents Androcoles talcing the thorn out of the lion's 
 foot, with two exquisite busts of Socrates and Demosthenes as jambs. Im- 
 mediately over the chimney-piece, and, occupying, as it were, the post of 
 honour, is the well-known original Portrait of Lord Byron-, by Phillips, 
 R.A.; the other paintings are, the late Duke of Sussex, by Lonsdale; the 
 Earl of Arundel and his son, by Vandyke; George III., by Ramsay; William 
 III., by Sir Godfrey KneUer; Mary, by Sir Godfrey KneUer ; George I., the 
 Princess of Wales (mother of George III.,) and George II. ; a Stag hunt, by 
 
 * The following letter from Charles Skinner Matthews, Esq., a friend and companion of Lord Byron', 
 draws a very fair picture of the condition of the Abbey when his Lordship succeeded to it, and of the kind' 
 of life he afterwards led there : — 
 
 « My dear > " London, May 22nd, 1800. 
 
 "I must begin with giving you a few particulars of the singular place which I have lately 
 quitted. J 
 
 " Newstead Abbey is situated 136 miles from London, and four miles on this side Mansfield * * 
 Though sadly fallen into decay, it is still completely an Abbey, and most part of it is still standing in the 
 same state as when it was first built. There are two tiers of cloisters, with a variety of cells and rooms 
 about them, which, though not inhabited, nor in an inhabitable state, might easily be made so- and many 
 of the original rooms, amongst which is a fine stone hall, are still in use. Of the Abbey church only one 
 end remains, and the old kitchen, with a long range of apartments, is reduced to a heap" of rubbish " 
 
 " Leading from the Abbey to the modern part of the habitation is a noble room, 70 feet in length 
 and 23 m breadth ; but every part of the house displays neglect and decay, save those which the present 
 Lord has lately fitted up. r 
 
 " But if the place itself appears rather strange to you, the ways of the inhabitants will not appear 
 much less so. Ascend then with me the hall steps, that I may introduce you to my Lord and his visitant. 
 But have a care how you proceed ; be mindful to go there in broad daylight, and with your eyes about vou ■' 
 lor, should you make any blunder-should you go to the right of the hall steps, you are laid hold of" by a 
 bear; and should you go to the left, your case is still worse, for you run full against a wolf Nor when 
 you have attained the door, is your danger over; for the hall being decayed, and therefore standing in 
 need of repair, a bevy of inmates are very probably banging at one end of it with their pistols ' so that if 
 you enter without giving loud notice of your approach, you have only escaped the wolf and the bear to 
 expire by the pistol-shots of the merry monks of Newstead. 
 
 " Our party consisted of Lord Byron and four others, and was now and then increased by the 
 presence of a neighbouring parson. As for our way of living, the order of the day was generally ibis • 
 for breakfast we had no set hour, but each suited his own convenience, everything remaining on the table 
 till the whole party had done— though, had one wished to breakfast at the early hour of ten one would 
 have been rather lucky to find any of the servants up. Our average hour of rising was one. I who 
 generally got up between eleven and twelve, was always, even when an invalid, the first of the party 
 and was esteemed a prodigy of early rising. It was frequently past two before the breakfast party broke 
 up. Then, for the amusement of the morning, there was reading, fencing, single-stick, or shuttle-cock in 
 the great room— practising with pistols in the hall— walking, riding, cricket— sailing on the lake— playing 
 with the bear or teasing the wolf. Between seven and eight we dined, and our evening lasted from that time 
 till one, two, or three in, the morning. The evening diversions may be easily conceived. 
 
 " I must not omit the custom of handing round after dinner, on the removal of the cloth a human 
 skull filled with Burgundy. 
 
 " After revelling on choice viands, and the finest wines of France, we adjourn to tea, where we 
 amused ourselves in reading or conversation, each according to his fancy; and, after sandwiches Sec. 
 retired to rest. A set of monkish dresses, which had been provided with all the proper apparatus of 
 crosses, beads, tonsures, &e., often gave a variety to our appearance and pursuits." 
 
 2.") 
 
Oudry (174,5); "The Two Sisters," a fine picture, by Vandyke; portraits of the 
 late Frederick Webb (father of the present owner of Newstead), by Sir William 
 Boss; Fanny Jennings, Duchess of Tyrconnel, — " loveliness personified," — (vide 
 ' ' Jesse's Court of England," by Sir Peter Lely ; and Lady Lambert (Mr. Webb's 
 sister), by a Belgian artist. Amongst the articles of veriu are several rare cabinets ; 
 one very old, richly gilt, and deeply carved, in alto-relievo, Italian workmanship ; 
 an ebony and tortoiseshell ; a tortoiseshell, inlaid with silver ; a carved black 
 ebony ; an ebony and ivory inlaid, of old Milanese work ; an old Venetian one, gilt ; 
 and an ebony, inlaid with Pietra dura. There are, also, several glass cabinets, 
 containing choice specimens of rare and valuable china, of different epochs. At 
 the west end of the room is a collection of Limoges enamels, by Jean Courtois, 
 Pierre Penicault, Jean Limousin, and Pierre Raymond, well worthy of close 
 examination. Under a glass case, is a large exquisitely carved ivory model 
 of a monument proposed to be erected to Leopold I., of Germany. In the 
 recess of the oriel window is a splendid and unique Etruscan vase, of white 
 alabaster, decorated with figmes and designs in red. There is, also, an ivory chair, 
 one of six, inlaid with gold, formerly the property of Warren Hastings, which 
 were received by him from Tippo Sahib. They afterwards went into the possession 
 of Queen Charlotte, and at her death the whole set were sold, and purchased 
 by Lord Radnor, the late Lord Henry Seymour, Lady Olivia Sparrow, and the late 
 Mr. Frederick Webb, father of Mr. Webb. The rarest and most valuable object hi 
 the whole room is a magnificent table,* of old Florentine Pietra dura work, mounted 
 in ebony and ormolu ; the groundwork is composed of valuable stones, lapis lazuli, 
 jasper, agate, &c, the whole design most faithfully and marvellously representing 
 birds and insects of many descriptions. This invaluable work of art was purchased 
 by Mr. Webb's father, out of one of the Italian palaces, when travelling in that 
 country, soon after the Peace, in the early part of the present century. 
 
 Before leaving the saloon we would especially notice the cabinet, which is 
 situate at the east end. It is gilt, and richly inlaid with tortoiseshell and silver, 
 and was formerly the depository for the Skull CuT,t which became celebrated in 
 consequence of the use which Byron made of it, and the lines which he had 
 engraved upon it. J 
 
 Leaving the saloon by the south door, we emerge into the South Corridor' 
 wherein we find a more than ordinarily rich and rare, collection of antique 
 
 * A very considerable sum was once offered to Mr. Webb, for tbis table, and declined. 
 
 t The skull, which was of an unusually large size, and presumed to have belonged to a friar or monk, 
 was dug up in the grounds of the Abbey. 
 
 X It may be well to state, that this cup was never used, after Lord Byron's departure from the Abbey. 
 It descended, with other goods and chattels, to the late Colonel Wildman, by whom it was carefully 
 treasured amongst the relics of his departed friend ; and from him to the present owner, by whom it 
 was some years since, reverentially, returned to the dust from wheuce it came. 
 
 •26 
 
furniture, including a complete boudoir suite, composed of ebony, and inlaid with 
 silvered glass, formerly the property of Queen Elizabeth ; cabinets and chairs ; 
 marble statues ; models of men in armour ; a pah- of rich Bohemian glass vases ; 
 engravings ; large cases of stuffed Indian birds ; and a number of Livingstone 
 relics. These are, the cap which the great traveller wore, up to the time of his 
 death, May 1, 1873 ; his consular sword; and several specimens of native spears, 
 daggers, anklets, &c, from Central Africa ; some of which were sent home by Dr. 
 Livingstone, to Mr. Webb, by Mr. H. M. Stanley; and others were presented 
 to that gentleman by Mr. T. S. Livingstone, Miss Livingstone, and other members 
 of the same family. There is, also, as mentioned, at page 10, the portion of the 
 tree on which Byron engraved the names of himself and his sister, Augusta, the 
 day before he left the Abbey for ever, which must be classified amongst the 
 
 BYRON EELICS. 
 
 These, as before intimated, have been collected and preserved by the late and 
 present owners of the Abbey, with an energy and zeal which is beyond all praise. 
 As everything, personally connected with the Poet, is looked upon with an 
 interest almost amounting to veneration, we describe the several articles in 
 detail. A plain circular library table, on which Byron wrote part of " Childe 
 Harold," and " English Bards and Scotch Eeviewers ;" portrait of his friend, Charles 
 James Fox ;* pair of spill cups ; cup and saucer, and plates ; pair of candlesticks ; 
 inkstand ; chess sword ; broad sword ; copy of his earliest poems (page 5) ; sword 
 stick, which he carried with him in Italy, and on his travels ; the rapier with which 
 the 5th Lord fought the duel, and killed Mr. Chaworth ;f the last cap he wore in 
 
 ,\°r n * h « deathof Mr - Fox > some ill-natured remarks, appeared in a moraine newspaper of that dav 
 to which Lord Byron replied, and from which we extract the following testimony to his friend's worth :— ' 
 " Shall dastard tongues essay to blast the name 
 Of him whose meed exists in endless fame ? 
 
 * * » * 
 
 Not one great people only raise his urn, 
 All Europe's far-extended regions mourn." 
 
 t The following is a brief narrative of this sad event :— Lord Byron and Mr. Chaworth, of Annesley 
 neighbours and relatives, were accustomed, with other gentlemen of the same county as themselves to 
 meet, once a month, at the Star and Garter tavern, in Pall Mall, at what was called the " Nottinghamshire 
 Club." The meeting, at which the misunderstanding took place, and which led to the duel, was on 
 January 26, 1765. The hour of dining was about four in the afternoon, and the rule of the club was to have 
 ' a bill and a bottle" brought at seven. John Hewitt, Esq., was in the chair, and several gentlemen, whose 
 names are still familiar in Nottinghamshire, were present. All was enjoyment, until about the hour for 
 separating, when the chairman started a conversation, on the subject of game, and the best means of legis- 
 lating for its preservation. The subject was taken up by Mr. Chaworth and Lord Byron, who differed in 
 opinions, the former insisting on severity, whilst the latter declared that, " the way to have most game, was 
 to take no care of it at all. " This brought out, very acrimonious expressions of feeling on both sides ; and 
 taunts from Mr. Chaworth as to the quantity of game Lord Byron had upon his estates. A bet of £100 
 was proposed by his Lordship, but treated only as a jest by those present, as it could not be decided. Mr. 
 Chaworth afterwards, with some heat, made some remarks, which were tantamount to a challenge. This 
 action on the part of that gentleman was, our informant says, " condemned by his friends," and the quarrel 
 would, but for a fortuitous circumstance, have ended here. Unfortunately, the two gentlemen, shortly 
 
 27 
 
Greece, given to the late Colonel Wildman, by Fletcher, Lord Byron's trusty valet, 
 who travelled home from Greece, in charge of his late master's body ; brass helmet 
 and sabretache, worn on liis last expedition in the same country ; " Boatswain's" 
 collar ; singlesticks, boxing gloves, and face guards ; two volumes of early poems ; 
 and three carved oak chairs, the seats of which were embroidered by his sister 
 Augusta, with Lord Byron's coat of arms. In addition to the foregoing, there is a 
 collection of very rare and valuable autograph letters, MSS., &c, by Lord Byron 
 and other literary celebrities, connected with him ; which have, from time to time, 
 been presented to Mrs. Webb, by Mrs. Wildman, the late Miss Elizabeth Pigot* of 
 Southwell, and others. These relics are most jealously guarded by the possessor, 
 as amongst her most cherished treasures, and are shown only, by herself, for obvious 
 reasons, to a privileged few. 
 
 To the initiated, a private staircase, would now lead to the cloisters, but 
 we prefer to reach them by another route, one which will not only afford an 
 insight into the Housekeeper's Room, which is coziness itself, but will give us an 
 opportunity of inspecting the intermediate storey, between the grand saloon and 
 the crypt below. We are, unfortunately, without any data as to how this suite of 
 rooms was occupied by the monks ; but we can bear testimony, to the courtesy and 
 attention, which we have at all times received, from the present occupant, Mrs. 
 Cooper. 
 
 Descending a flight of stone steps, we arrive at the 
 
 SERVANTS' HALL, 
 
 Formerly the Xenodochium, or guestern hall, of the Abbey ; where the charitable 
 monks received their poor and infirm neighbours, and doled out to them, with a 
 
 alter, met on the stairs, and it is doubtful whether Lord Byron called upon Mr. Chaworth, or vice versa ; 
 but, be that as it may, they both entered an empty room, and calling for a candle, closed the door. In a 
 few minutes the affair was decided : the bell was rung, but by whom is uncertain. The two combatants 
 were found standing close together ; Mr. Chaworth had his sword in his left hand, and Lord Byron his in 
 his right ; Lord Byron's left hand was round Mr. Chaworth, as Mr. Chaworth's right arm was round Lord 
 Byron's neck, and on his shoulders. Mr. Chaworth desired the landlord to take his sword, and Lord Byron 
 delivered his up at the same time. The account Mr. Chaworth then gave of the affair was, " that he could not 
 live many hours; that he forgave Lord Byron, and hoped the world would ; that the affair had passed in 
 the dark, only a small tallow candle burning in the room ; that Lord Byron asked him if he meant the con- 
 versation on the game, to apply to Sir Charles Sedley or to him ? To which he replied, ' If you have any- 
 I brag to say, we had better shut the door ;' that while he was doing this, Lord Byron bid him draw, and, in 
 turning, he saw his Lordship's sword half drawn, on which he whipped out his own, and made the first 
 pass, the sword being through his Lordship's waistcoat. He thought he had killed him, and, asking 
 whether he was not mortally wounded, Lord Byron, while he was speaking, shortened his sword and 
 stabbed him in the belly." Mr. Chaworth, notwithstanding he had every surgical assistance and advice that 
 could be obtained, from the most eminent medical men of the day, lingered a short time, and then died at 
 his house in Berkeley Row. Lord Byron afterwards surrendered himself to be tried by his peers, April 16, 
 1/o'u, when a verdict of " Guilty of manslaughter" was returned, which, he being a peer, was tantamount 
 to a dismissal, on paying the fines. 
 
 * This lady was the early friend of Lord Byron's youth, and at her death, most considerately and 
 kindly, bequeathed her invaluable collection, of Byronic letters, and a number of objects of interest, con- 
 nected with the Poet, to Mrs. Webb. 
 
 28 
 
generous hand, medicines and aims, according to their necessities. The room, if it 
 may be so called — but which has all the appearance of a Crypt — is 71 feet in length 
 by 35 feet in width. Its architectural details are precisely the same as those of the 
 entrance hall, but more extensive ; it is groined, with pointed arches, and plain 
 octagon shafts, and is evidently about the same age. The entire building, it is sug- 
 gested, was, in all probability, erected slowly and progressively, through four 
 successive reigns — Henry, Richard, John, and Henry II. Much surprise will 
 doubtless be felt by many, who, after reading the descriptions of these vaidted 
 rooms, and of their antiquity, shall afterwards find them in a comparatively new 
 state ;* but it must be borne in mind, that since Lord Byron's time, immense 
 sums have been expended (page 2), by the present and past owners — not in 
 rebuilding the ancient parts of the Abbey, but in restoring them to somewhat of 
 their former condition. What they were at that time 
 
 THE ENTRANCE TO THE CLOISTERS 
 
 Will demonstrate. Here we have, apparently, the oldest part of the Abbey, in its pris- 
 tine state, and to the archaeologist it has been, and will probably be, again and again, 
 the key to much interesting research. As to the date when it was first erected, 
 all we can glean on the subject, from the sources at our command, is conjectural. 
 The Cloisters are quadrangular, and exactly resemble those of Westminster 
 Abbey, only on a smaller scale. These were the cloisters of the ancient Abbey, 
 and many of its tenants, of that period, now lie, in silent repose, under its flagged 
 pavement. They were formerly two tiers of windows in height ; t but it is 
 alleged, and no doubt with truth, that the library, and south, east, and west corridors, 
 were erected by the Byrons, when they converted the building to domestic uses. 
 " There is," says an eminent writer on the subject, " something of great beauty in 
 these cloisters ; and, in point of utility, the design is unmatchable. Cloisters of 
 double height are rare in England." Within these hallowed walls, " which were 
 considered as sacred as a church, and where, under no circumstances, the monks 
 were allowed to converse," there are other interesting architectural specimens, viz., 
 the door leading from the Monks' Parlour into the cloisters, and the door leading 
 into the Prior's house, both of which have plain Norman heads ; so also has the 
 great arch, on the south side, which formerly covered the lavatory. All these are, 
 no doubt, coeval with the first erection of the Abbey itself. 
 
 * The Fifth Lord Byron, the immediate predecessor of the Poet, breathed his last under the only 
 roof, of all this vast pile, that kept out the wet. The old Xenodochium and Great Refectory were, at that 
 time, full of hay, and the Entrance Hall and Monks' Parlour were a stable for cattle. 
 
 t There are only three similar examples in England — at Westminster, as above stated; at Magdalen 
 College, Oxford ; and at the Cheetham Library, Manchester — but all are of Late Perpendicular. 
 
 2.) 
 
THE CHAPEL, 
 
 Formerly the Chapter House, is on the east side of the cloisters, and is an 
 exquisite, and, at the same time, singular specimen of Norman and Early English 
 architecture combined. It is 24 feet square, and has a groined roof, supported 1 ly 
 two clustered columns, with shafts round the centre pillar,* the foliage on the 
 capitols of which, as well as on the arch ever the entrance door, is very beautiful. 
 
 About ten years since, the Chapel was beautifully, and most effectively, 
 decorated throughout, by Mr. Webb's direction, in the Early English style, every 
 care being taken that the ornamentation shoidd be strictly in accordance with the 
 ecclesiastical taste of that period.f On the north side.J a raised gallery, serves 
 as the family pew, and is lighted by a stained glass window, allegorical of Solomon's 
 Temple, and bearing the following inscription : — 
 
 " To the memory of Colonel Thomas Wildman, who died September 20, 1* 
 Erected by William Frederick Webb, A.D. 18G4." 
 
 Three other memorial windows light the body of the sacred edifice. The centre 
 
 one represents Mary at the foot of the cross ; and, on a brass plate beneath, is 
 
 inscribed — 
 
 " Iii memory of Mary Webb, who departed this life August 28, I860, aged 64 years. 
 Erected by her son, William Frederick Webb." 
 
 The window to the left, represents the centurion coming to Jesus, and was erected 
 to the memory of Mr. Webb's only brother, Augustus Frederick Cavendish Webb, 
 Captain, 17th Lancers, who died at Scutari, of wounds received in the gallant 
 charge of the " Light Brigade " at Balaclava, October 25th, 1854. The remaining 
 window represents the children being brought to our Saviour, and is to the 
 memory of the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Webb, who died at Newstead, 1861. 
 To the left of the Chapel entrance is a high pointed arch, indicative that, at some 
 former period, another room adjoined the Chapel on that side. At present, the 
 space underneath is used as a means for warming the Chapel, and previous to that. 
 it was formed into a bath by Lord Byron ; but its original use was, doubtless, to 
 serve as the mortuary chamber for the Abbey. Before leaving these interesting 
 relics of the past, one other object attracts attention, viz. : — 
 
 * Most chapter houses in England are either polygonal, and supported by one central column, as at 
 Worcester, Salisbury, York, &c , or are oblong chambers, without columns, like those at Chester, Canter- 
 bury, &c. In this instance, we have a groined roof, supported by two columns, giving a very peculiar 
 character to this exquisite little building, which is 24 feet square. The foliage on the capitols vary in 
 character ; on one, it is absolute Early English ; on the other, as absolutely Late Norman. The arcade 
 against the wall is also extremely beautiful. ***** The entrance door to the Chapel is extremely 
 beautiful, and another worthy study ; the arch is circular, and was intersected by the floor of the upper 
 part of the cloisters, but was laid open to view by the late proprietor. — Arthur Ashpitel, F.S.A. 
 
 t Nearly all the designs were taken from missals of the time of Henry II., in whose reign the Abbey 
 was built ; others were discovered under the plaister, which formerly covered the roof, and were reproduced. 
 
 } A brass plate, inserted into the wall, has the following inscription, commemorative of the partial 
 restoration of the Abbey by the former owner : — " Has, cedes, vetustate, labendes restituit, ornavit, dilexit, 
 Thomas Wildman, obiit. Sep. 20, 1859." 
 
 30 
 
THE QUADRANGLE, 
 
 Or Cloister Court, in the centre of which is a singularly antique, four-sided 
 fountain,* which formerly stood in front of the Abbey, but which was afterwards 
 removed to its original and more suitable position. Lord Byron thus speaks of it :— 
 
 " Amidst the Court a Gothic fountain play'd, 
 
 Symmetrical, hut deck'd with carvings quaint 
 
 Strange faces, like to men in masquerade, 
 
 And here perhaps a monster, there a saint : 
 The spring gush'd through grim mouths of granite made, 
 
 And sparkled into basins, where it spent 
 Its little torrent in a thousand hubbies, 
 Like man's vain glory, and his vainer troubles." 
 
 The interior of this court— the silence of which is only broken by the fall of water 
 in the fountain— with its ivy-covered walls, speaking of former ages, and of men 
 and manners long since departed, impresses the mind with a feeling of awe and 
 admiration, which it is difficult to describe, and which can only be realised by those 
 who have seen it. 
 
 Betracing our steps a few yards, and we are permitted to look into the 
 
 SMALL DINING ROOM, 
 Which is the completion of the vaulted rooms, previously described, but which 
 differs from the entrance hall and Xenodochium, inasmuch as it is much higher, 
 and has a grander and more imposing appearance ; the roof is supported in the 
 centre by a stone column, from whence the arches spring. It was formerly the Prior's 
 Lodging, or, perhaps, used by Lay brothers ; and though, at the present time, it 
 appears somewhat disconnected from the general plan of the original building, there 
 is no doubt it is part of a "• grand whole." Two or three characteristic paintings 
 in this room are worthy of mention :— An ancient one of a Friar, or Monk, holding a 
 reliquary in his hand ;f and an old Puritan Lady, attributed to Denner. There are, 
 also, an old oak chest, and several black jacks, or leathern jugs, doubtless used by 
 the monks, when Sevres, Wedgwood, and other specimens of the potter's art, 
 which so freely bestrew this interesting residence, were unknown. 
 
 Adjoining this room, and leading out of it, is another small one, fitted up as a 
 vestry, in exquisite taste, and with every regard to the sacred calling of its occupant, 
 the Rev. Curtis Jackson, the much esteemed and amiable chaplain. Beyond it at 
 the extreme south-east corner of the building, is the apartment in which Byron 
 
 * Formerly used as a stew for fish. 
 
 + There is a Latin inscription on the painting, saying he was a poet. His appearance gives him 
 credit for having been fond of the good things of this world. 
 
 31 
 
wrote a portion of " Childe Harold's Pilgrimage,"* but which is now used as a 
 school-room for the younger branches of the family. The room itself is peculiar, the 
 ceiling being low and deeply recessed in panels, supported on six octagonal pillars. | 
 The prints and various scholastic objects, which hang upon the walls, or lie upon 
 the tables, will doubtless interest many of our young readers, and call forth more 
 pleasant remembrances, than would the greatest productions of the " old masters" 
 in the grand saloon. 
 
 Until recently, what has been written would have sufficed to describe all that 
 is specially interesting of the interior of this world-renowned Abbey ; but there is 
 still one room to be noticed — a room which has no claim to antiquity, and which is 
 not illumined by the brilliancy of a Byron's genius ; but which, by some fortuitous 
 circumstance, is placed apart from the rest, and will henceforth be hallowed as 
 
 LIVINGSTONE'S ROOM. 
 
 Here the great missionary and traveller — who, of all others, had, up to his untimely 
 death, done more to explore the hitherto unknown region of Eastern Africa, and to 
 discover the source of the river Nile — passed the time of his last sojourn in England, 
 about eight months (between 1864 and 1865). And here, too, he wrote his last 
 work, entitled, " The Zambesi and its Tributaries," which not only contributed 
 greatly to his literary fame, but enhanced all previous knowledge of African 
 geography. Of the affectionate intimacy which existed between the owner of 
 Newstead and Dr. Livingstone,! if will interest the reader to know that it was a 
 
 * The following' stanza, ami, doubtless, other portions of the canto, was written at Newstead, in 
 August, 1811 :— 
 
 " Albuera,* glorious field of grief! 
 As o'er thy plain the Pilgrim prick'd his steed, 
 Who could foresee thee, in a space so brief, 
 A scene where mingling foes should boast anil bleed. 
 Peace to the perish'd ! may the warrior's meed 
 And tears of triumph their reward prolong ! 
 Till others fall where other chieftains lead, 
 Thy name shall circle round the gaping throng, 
 And shiue in worthless lays, the theme of transient song." 
 * The battle of that name, 
 t The " Wicked Lord " is also said to have spent his days in this room. 
 
 J The Rev. David Livingstone, LL.D., D.C.L., missionary and traveller, was born of poor parents, 
 at lilantyre, Lanarkshire, in 1817. He worked, in his early years, at a cotton factory, but applied himself 
 closely to study in his leisure hours, and afterwards attended the medical lectures at Glasgow University. 
 In 1840, he became a medical missionary ; was sent out by the London Missionary Society, and in the same 
 year landed at Port Natal. Travelling much in pursuit of his missionary work, he discovered Lake Ngami, 
 in 1849, and crossed the continent of South Africa in 1853-54. In 1850, he returned to England, and in 
 the following year published an account of his " Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa," 
 and undertook the exploration of the river Zambesi, in the eastern part of that country. His wile joined 
 him there, and died of the too fatal African fever, at Shupanga, Eastern Africa, where her remains were 
 laid to rest, under a Baobab Tree, by her husband. Dr. Livingstone continued his labours until he 
 returned to England, in 1864, where he was received with much enthusiasm. During his stay in this 
 
 :;j 
 

friendship which "grew with its growth f it began in 1851, when the friends met 
 first, in South Africa, and ended only when the dust of that great and c, ood 
 man was, in grateful recognition of his valuable services to his country, lowered 
 into the vault in Westminster Abbey, there to mingle with that of the illustrious 
 dead who had gone before. 
 
 " He has perished where no aid was-not a kindred spirit near • 
 Not a word of friendly counsel to salute his dying ear I 
 Perished, with his hopes unsated, and his work still incomplete, 
 Afric s burning sky above him, and her deserts 'neath his feet 
 Who may say what tender longings, filled his lonely heart at last ? 
 Thoughts of home and well loved faces, visions of the sacred past." 
 
 _ Dr. Livingstone's room is situate in the Sussex Tower, and remains in pre- 
 cisely the same condition as when occupied by him. The furniture and appoint- 
 ments are of the simplest kind, and in strict accordance with bis wishes and tastes 
 Before a couch at the foot of the bed, is a table, on which He the identical writing 
 materials which were used to tell the world of his African wanderings, up to that 
 time There axe three oil paintings,-a landscape, attributed to Bergheim 
 a portrait of one of the Lords Burleigh, and a painting of Lord Byrons large 
 wolf-dog; and a cedar cabinet, or press, with figures, car red in bold relief 
 illustrating the more familiar scenes in the Biblical history of « The Prodigal 
 Son From the windows may be seen the Gigantea Wellington^ planted by 
 he lamented Doctor, in 1864, which promises to be as healthy, and henceforward 
 to be looked upon with as much veneration as " Byron's Oak." 
 
 " Never, in the blaze of battle, was a truer hero seen 
 
 Mid the swoop of hostile squadrons and the sabre's blinding sheen 
 
 E s^ , e b an 1 r h \ d6ath ' SW1 Wreathe a ^ ™ nd Mb X 
 inat shall brighten unborn ages, and illume the scroll of fame." 
 
 This sketch of Newstead, as it is at the present time, woidd be in- 
 complete, if lt did not include some notice of the additions and improvements 
 
 l^lZlf* ""l UP T ^ deme8ne itSelf lt haS *»*' beeQ stated > thai 
 
 Ivlhe fl m0neJ 7 Z eXrended UP ° n * hy the late and P reseDt — ; 
 by the former, principally, m the restoration of the Abbey, which was in a dilapi 
 
 dated and neglected state; and by the latter, in renting the pal and 1 
 
 St 6 ; aTbIv T° f ^ TT * enCl ° 8ed - ° f theS6 > the **"*■ ££ 
 called The Abbey Lodge, 1S the first to attract attention, as the visitor approaches 
 
 in Eastern Africa, and from that time untilhts death ne Z^^i^T* "? seIf - den y in g ™*, 
 many of its regions which were previously unknown". 1Z "navW w ^Z T, *?■ ge0graphy ° f 
 
 "*,, Ma/.h, 1S 73 . ^s reSste^LuKS^ ^X^d i,f V^^aC^ 
 
 3;; 
 
from the Mansfield road side.* It is Gothic in style, and cruciform in shape ; and 
 was erected hy Mr. Webb, about 12 years since, from designs by Mr. 0. A. Buckler, 
 of London. Large and massive iron gates, are flanked by semi-circular walls, so 
 arranged as to afford space for one of the largest, and handsomest, trees in the 
 kingdom, called the Pilgrim's OAK.f There are two other lodges, from designs by 
 the same architect ; one at the end of a fine avenue of trees, about three-quarters 
 of a mile in length, leading to Papplewick ; and the other on the approach leading 
 from the private radway station. Opposite the Abbey itself, are the Stables, a hand- 
 some Gothic structure, admirably arranged, capacious, and embodying every comfort 
 necessary for the occupants of the stalls, as well as for their attendants. They were 
 designed by Mr. M. E. Hadfield, of Sheffield, to harmonize with the Abbey, and 
 are budt of stone, as are all the new edifices, which have been erected under Mr. 
 Webb's direction. The roads, which, at various points, intersect the park, are 
 broad, and in excellent condition ; in some instances, passing between hanging- 
 woods and shrubberies ; and in others, bounded by stately avenues of trees. J The 
 Gardens and Pleasure Grounds have been greatly extended, from what they 
 originally were, and are in the highest state of cultivation. A commodious house 
 has been erected for the head gardener, and the conservatories, vineries, and 
 green-houses, are upon a scale commensurate with the requirements of a mansion, 
 where, during the residence of the family, the " hospitalities of old " are well 
 sustained at the present time. 
 
 In conclusion, be it understood, Newstead Abbey is not a casket, in which its 
 treasures are selfishly locked up. Its present proprietor, is most generous in his 
 permissions to view it, under certain restrictions, which every right thinking- 
 person wfil appreciate^ It is a family residence, in a private domain, and cannot, 
 therefore, be thrown open, for persons to visit it indiscriminately, from mere idle 
 curiosity. 
 
 * The Hut, formerly, a quaint, old fashioned, " road-side inn," stood in front of the park gates. 
 It was well known to travellers between Nottingham and Mansfield, and much frequented as a " house of 
 call." About 30 years since it was taken down, and rebuilt, by the late Colonel Wildman, in old English 
 style. It is not now, however, a hostelry, but the residence of the chaplain to the Abbey. 
 
 t The growth of this tree, which is perfectly sound and healthy, has been so beautiful, both as regards 
 shape and the spreading of its branches, as to have been, for many years, the admiration of all who have 
 seen it. It is a remnant of the old forest, and was preserved from destruction by the good taste and 
 liberality of several gentlemen of Mansfield, who purchased it of the 5th, or " Wicked," Lord Byron, 
 when, from pecuniary necessities, or, possibly, malignant motives, it was about to be felled, as hundreds of 
 its noble and majestie brethren had been previously, aud by them presented to the Poet, Lord Byron. 
 
 t It may be well to mention, as a historical fact, that in 1873, several attempts were made to establish 
 rights of road through various parts of the park. These were resisted, and led to legal proceedings, which 
 afterwards culminated in two actions for trespass. The trials took place at the Spring Assizes, in Notting- 
 ham, in 1874, when verdicts were returned in each case, to the effect, that " there never was a right of 
 road." The Judge, Baron Pollock, before whom they were heard, ruled, that the evidence showed the 
 disputed roads to be private, and that they had never been dedicated to the public. Great interest was 
 created at the time, throughout the country, in what was known as " The Newstead Road Case." 
 
 $ Parties desirous of seeing the Abbey, for its associations, or other commendable reasons, must, a 
 few days previously, address the Proprietor for permission. All such applications will be courteously re- 
 sponded to. 
 
 U 
 
ANNESLEY HALL. 
 
 " An early, innocent, and unfortunate passion, however fruitful of pain it may be to the 
 man, is a lasting advantage to the poet. It is a well of sweet and bitter fancies ; of refined 
 and gentle sentiments ; of elevated and ennobling thoughts ; shut up in the deep recesses of 
 the heart, keeping it green amidst the withering blights of the world, and, by its casual gushings 
 and overflowings, recalling at times all the freshness, and innocence, and enthusiasm of youthful 
 days. Lord Byron was conscious of this effect, and purposely cherished and brooded over the 
 remembrance of his early passion, and of all the scenes of Annesley Hall connected with it. 
 It was this remembrance that attuned his mind to some of its most elevated and virtuous 
 strains, and shed an inexpressible grace and pathos over his best productions." — Washington 
 Irving. 
 
 Annesley Hall is so intimately connected with the early life of Lord Byron, his 
 poetry, and his "home at Newstead," as to render some mention of it, in these pages, 
 almost a necessity. The Hall is about three miles from Newstead Abbey, and is 
 celebrated as the birthplace, and residence, of Miss Chaworth ;* the lady with whom 
 Lord Byron, whilst quite a boy, became deeply enamoured, or, in other words, the 
 " Mary of his poetry, and the maiden of his beautiful ' Dream.'" 
 
 According to one of his biographers, it would appear, that at first, their 
 attachment was mutual, and their meetings clandestine ; their trysting place, 
 being, according to an entry in his Lordship's journal, a gate, leading out of Mr. 
 Chaworth's estate into that of Newstead. This feeling of affection, so early 
 conceived, was fanned into a flame, during a six weeks' vacation from Harrow, 
 which he spent with his mother at Nottingham, f 
 
 The Newstead estate was, at that time, let to Lord Grey de Ruthyn, but its 
 youthful owner was at all times a welcome guest at the Abbey. It was at this 
 particular juncture, when enjoying Iris noble host's hospitality, that many and 
 frequent visits were paid to Annesley. These visits were encouraged by Mrs. 
 Chaworth, then a widow — not, as is stated by some writers, with a view to promote 
 an union between her daughter and Lord Byron, but from a praiseworthy desire, 
 by more intimate, and friendly intercourse between the families, to assuage those 
 differences, winch had for some time previous existed between them. The six 
 weeks ended, Byron returned to his school again, deeply enamoured of Miss 
 Chaworth, but without having made any sensible impression on her heart. 
 It may here be mentioned that the young lady was two years his Lordship's 
 senior ; of a light and volatile nature ; and no doubt highly nattered by the 
 attachment shown to her, which, as the sequel shows, she looked upon rather as 
 that of a younger brother than of an ardent lover. She was punctual to their 
 
 * Miss Chaworth was born in 1786 ; her father died in 1791 ; and she was married to Mr. Musters 
 in 1805. 
 
 t At the time of this visit, Lord Byron was fourteen years of age. 
 
 35 
 
appointments, and received his Lordship's letters, but " answered them with more 
 of the caution of coquetry than with feelings of warm affection." She gave him 
 her picture, but her hand she reserved for another. 
 
 It is a somewhat singular fact, that Lord Byron and Miss Chaworth were both 
 under the guardianship of a Mr. White.* This gentleman was most desirous thai 
 his wards should he united in marriage, but Miss Chaworth, as young ladies 
 frequently do in such circumstances, thought differently, and determined to pleasi 
 herself in the choice of a husband. It was in vain (says a wiiter on this subject), 
 that Mr. White took her from one watering place to another ; still the lover, Mr. 
 Musters, whom she afterwards married, like an evil spirit, followed ; and at last, 
 being somewhat more persuasive than the " child of song," he carried off the lady, 
 to the great grief of his youthful rival. 
 
 Such was the beginning, and ending, of Lord Byron's "love story;" to use 
 his own words, " the romance of the most romantic part of his life ; " but that it 
 had its effect upon his future existence there can be no doubt, as it constantly came 
 up " like some lurking theme, which runs through a complicated piece of music, 
 and links it all in a pervading chain of melody." 
 
 The following lines, not oidy depict the scene of the parting, between Byron 
 
 and Miss Chaworth, prior to her marriage, but they also afford an interesting picture 
 
 of him self and the object of his youthful idolatry : — 
 
 " I saw two beings in the hues of youth 
 Standing upon a hill, a gentle hill, 
 Green, and of mild declivity, the last 
 As 'twere the cape of a long ridge of such, 
 Save that there was no sea to lave its base, 
 But a most living landscape, and the wave 
 Of woods and cornfields, and the abodes of men 
 Scatter*d at intervals, and wreathing smoke 
 Arising from such rustic roofs ; — the hill 
 Was crown'd with a peculiar diadem 
 Of trees, in circular array, so fix'd, 
 Not by the sport of nature, but of man : 
 These two, a maiden and a youth, were there 
 Gazing — the one on all that was beneath, 
 Fail- as herself — but the boy gazed on her ; 
 And both were young, and one was beautiful : 
 And both were young — yet not alike in youth. 
 As the sweet moon on the horizon's verge, 
 The maid was on the eve of womanhood ; 
 The boy had fewer summers, but his heart 
 Had far outgrown his years, and to his eye 
 There was but one beloved face on earth, 
 And that was shining on him ; he had look'd 
 Upon it till it could not pass away." 
 
 * This singularity will possibly be explained, by the fact, that Lord Byron and Miss Chaworth, were 
 both wards in Chancery, and that Mr. White was appointed a guardian by the Court. The guardians, 
 appointed by Mr. Chaworth 's will, were, a Mr. Bettison, and Mr. Marriott, ol'Cropwell. Lord Carlisle was 
 also one of Lord Byron's guardians. Miss Chaworth lived with her mother and step-father, the Rev. Mr. 
 Clarke, incumbent of Annesley and Gonalston, both of whom were strongly opposed to her marriage witli 
 Mr. Musters, so much so, in fact, as to absent themselves from the wedding, which took place at Colwick. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Clarke were equally opposed to their daughter marrying Lord Byron. 
 
 30 
 
It has been sa ; d, that Miss Chaworth first fell in love with Mr. Mnsters as he 
 was „dmg m the chase past Annesley, and that she was struck by the spirit of his 
 appearance and his admirable horsemanship. Be that as it may, he did not 
 respect any feeling Ins fnture wife might have had for her yonthful lover, for in 
 after years, he not only altered the house at Annesley, but transformed the appear- 
 ance of the landscape, by felling old and planting new trees ; his object being it is 
 affirmed, to falsify Byron's description of the same. 
 
 Almost every room in the mansion is associated, more or less, with the name of 
 Miss Chaworth and the whole place is invested by Byron, with charms of a more 
 han ordinary character. Here is the apartment, in which he slept when visiting 
 there, and the favourite sitting room of Miss Chaworth, where her youthful 
 lover sat, and listened, as she played and sang, gazing upon her with a passionate 
 and almost painful devotion, which he thus gives expression to:— 
 
 " He had no breath, no being, but in hers ; 
 She was his voice ; he did not speak to her, 
 But trembled on her words; she was his sight, 
 For his eye follow'd hers, and saw with hers 
 Which eolour'd all his objects :-he had ceased 
 To live within himself ; she was his life, 
 The ocean to the river of his thoughts, 
 Which terminated all : upon a tone, 
 A touch of hers, his blood would ebb and flow, 
 And his cheek change tempestuously-his heart 
 Unknowing of its cause of agony. 
 But she in these fond feelings had no share : 
 Her sighs were not for him : to her he was 
 Even as a brother— but no more : 'twas much, 
 For brotherless she was, save in the name 
 Her infant friendship had bestow'd on him ; 
 Herself the solitary scion left 
 
 Of a time-honour'd race It was a name 
 
 Which pleased him, and yet pleased him not— and why ' 
 Time taught him a deep answer— when she loved 
 Another ; even now she loved another, 
 And on the summit of that hill she stood 
 Looking afar if yet her lover's steed 
 Kept pace with her expectancy, and flew. 
 
 Lord Byron's departure from Annesley, after learning that Mary Chaworth 
 was engaged to be married, is also vividly pourtrayed by himself in » The Dream " 
 Before quoting the lines, we would just remark, that the Oratory referred to is a 
 small room m the front of the mansion, just over the entrance hall :- 
 
 " A change came o'er the spirit of my dream. 
 There was an ancient mansion, and before 
 Its walls there was a steed caparison'd : 
 Within an antique Oratory stood 
 The Boy of whom I spake ;— he was alone, 
 And pale, and pacing to and fro : anon 
 He sate him down, and seized a pen, and traced 
 Words which I could not guess of; then he lean'd 
 His bow'd head on his hands, and shook as 'twere 
 With a convulsion—then arose again, 
 
 37 
 
And with his teeth and quivering hands did tear 
 
 What he had written, but he shed no tears, 
 
 And he did calm himself, and fix his brow 
 
 Into a kind of quiet : as he paused, 
 
 The Lady of his love re-enter'd there ; 
 
 She was serene and smiling then, and yet 
 
 She knew she was by him beloved, — she knew, 
 
 For quickly comes such knowledge, that his heart 
 
 Was darken'd with her shadow, and she saw 
 
 That he was wretched, but she saw not all. 
 
 He rose, and with a cold and gentle grasp 
 
 He took her hand ; a moment o'er his face 
 
 A tablet of unutterable thoughts 
 
 Was traced, and then it faded, as it came ; 
 
 He dropp'd the hand he held, and with slow steps 
 
 Retired, but not as bidding her adieu, 
 
 For they did part with mutual smiles ; he pass'd 
 
 From out the massy gate of that old Hall, 
 
 And mounting on his steed he went his way; 
 
 And ne'er repass'd that hoary threshold more." 
 
 Notwithstanding Ms declaration to the contrary, Lord Byron did visit Annesley 
 some years later. At the invitation of Mr. Musters, he dined at the Hall, when he 
 met the object of his former idolatry, who was then, not only a wife, but a mother. 
 The bringing into the room of the infant daughter of " one he had loved so well," 
 was, perhaps, the greatest trial he had ever been called upon to bear, and eventually 
 called forth the poem, commencing — 
 
 ' ' Well ! thou art happy, and I feel 
 That I should thus be happy too ; 
 For still my heart regards thy weal 
 Warmly, as it was wont to do. 
 " Thy husband's blest — and 'twill impart 
 Some pangs to view his happier lot : 
 But let them pass — Oh ! how my heart 
 Would hate him if he loved thee not ! 
 " When late I saw thy favourite child 
 
 I thought my jealous heart would break, 
 But when the unconscious infant smiled 
 I kiss'd it for its mother's sake. 
 " I kiss'd it, — and repiess'd my sighs 
 Its father in its face to see ; 
 But then it had its mother's eyes, 
 And they were all to love and me. 
 •' Mary, adieu ! I must away : 
 
 While thou art blest I'll not repine ; 
 But near thee I can never stay ; 
 
 My heart would soon again be thine. 
 " I deem'd that time, I deem'd that pride, 
 Had quench'd at last my boyish flame ; 
 Nor knew till seated by thy side, 
 My heart in all, — save hope, — the same. 
 " Yet was I calm : I knew the time 
 
 My breast would thrill before thy look ; 
 But now to tremble were a crime — 
 We met,— and not a nerve was shook. 
 
 38 
 
" I saw thee gaze upon my face, 
 
 Yet meet with no confusion there ; 
 One only feeling could'st thou trace ; 
 The sullen calmness of despair. 
 
 " Away ! away ! my early dream 
 
 Remembrance never must awake : 
 Oh ! where is Lethe's fabled stream ? 
 My foolish heart, be still, or break." 
 
 The married life of Mrs. Musters was full of grief and bitterness, and was the 
 
 constant source of comment at Annesley and Newstead. " It was disconnected 
 
 from all idea of Lord Byron, but attributed to the harsh and capricious conduct of 
 
 one, to whose kindness, and affection, she had a sacred claim.'"' The domestic 
 
 soriows, which had long preyed in secret on her heart, at length affected her 
 
 intellect, and the " bright morning star of Annesley" was eclipsed for ever. Mrs. 
 
 Musters died at Wiverton Hall, in 1832, her death being, doubtless, accelerated by 
 
 the fright she suffered, on a night in the previous October, which witnessed the 
 
 sacking of Colwick Hall, where she then resided, by a number of rioters from 
 
 Nottingham.* 
 
 " My dream is past ; it had no further change. 
 It was of a strange order, that the doom 
 Of these two creatures should be thus traced out 
 Almost like a reality — the one 
 To end in madness — both in misery." 
 
 Annesley Hall is, at the present time, the residence of John Chaworth Musters. 
 Esquire, than whom there is not a more thorough English country gentleman ; his 
 genial manners and manly pursuits having earned for him the greatest respect and 
 esteem of all classes, f The estate, together with those of Wiverton and Colwick, 
 descended to Mr. Musters from his paternal grandfather, the husband of Mary 
 Chaworth. The Hall is a place of great antiquity, and strikes the visitor, on first 
 seeing it, as a fine specimen of an old English baronial residence, to which 
 numerous additions and modern improvements have been made. It stands in a 
 park of about 600 acres, and is approached by avenues of stately trees, which lead 
 up to the entrance gateway. On passing the latter, a spacious court yard presents 
 itself. In the distance, is the principal front of the Hall, " a rambling, irregular 
 pile, patched and pieced at various times and in various tastes," covered with ever- 
 greens, and close by is the venerable church, J standing upon a broad and spaci> 
 
 * It is due to the memory of Mrs. Musters, who was devotedly attached to her husband, to the last 
 moment of her existence, to say, that, during her lifetime, she frequently spoke of her acquaintance with 
 Lord Byron, as having no more of affeetion in it, than might naturally exist between " a young girl and 
 her youngest brother ;" and that the feeling which afterwards exhibited itself in his Lordship's poetry, was 
 one, which had been wrought up by his marvellously fervid imagination. 
 
 t Mr. Musters was for two seasons Master of the " Quorn." He now hunts, the southern portion of 
 Nottinghamshire, with his own hounds. 
 
 X Until recently, when a new and more commoilious one was built by Mr. Musters, at the village 
 of Annesley, this was the parish church. 
 
 39 
 
terrace, several feet above the ordinary level of the ground. The court yard is 
 flanked on the north side by a long range of low, ivy-covered buildings, used as 
 stabling ; on the east by domestic offices, wluch have comparatively recently been 
 rebuilt, in Gothic style ; and on the south by tall trees and shrubs, and a broad 
 expanse of open country beyond. The centre of the court, is a neat, closely-shaven 
 lawn, with an antique basin fountain in the centre. The interior of the mansion is, 
 a combination of the antique, with all the modern comforts which wealth, and an 
 exquisite and refined taste, can devise. The vestibule, leading into the entrance 
 hall, affords unmistakeable proof of the character and tastes of its occupants — 
 riding whips, fishing tackle, fox's heads, and all the adjuncts of sport by " flood and 
 field," are hung about in profusion. The hall itself is a spacious and somewhat 
 gloomy apartment, evidently of great antiquity ; in the centre is a billiard table, 
 and the walls are hung around with family pictures, among which is one of a 
 former Mrs. Musters, who won the estate of West Bridgford, at a single game of 
 cards. A short staircase, apparently of the Elizabethan period, conducts to a 
 long corridor, panelled with oak. and himg with portraits of celebrities, all of 
 whom have, more or less, then- pleasant histories — and thence into the oak 
 drawing room. This is a noble apartment, with its deeply recessed windows, 
 massive polished oak panelling, and open fire-place. Occupied as it was, 
 when we last saw it, it presented a glowing picture of a happy English family, 
 of the present tune, disporting itself in the halls of its forefathers. A door 
 leads out of this room into the one designated by Lord Byron as, the Oratory. 
 It is now a boudoir, light and elegant, and furnished with such exquisite taste, 
 as to make the contrast with the dark room adjoining, a matter of grateful 
 surprise. Other rooms iu the house can boast of a profusion of artistic and literary 
 treasures, and articles of vertu, but not of antiquity. We cannot, however, do 
 justice to this subject in the space at our disposal ; we must, therefore, retrace our 
 steps to the west front, clown a short flight of time-worn steps, with a still more 
 antique sun-dial over head, telling as it did the Cavaliers of old, of the rapid 
 flight of time. Here we walk out upon a spacious lawn,* fi'oin the centre of which 
 rise two great flights of steps, leading to a long terraced walk, with heavy stone 
 balustrades, and sculptured urns. Ascending to the terrace, we find it carefully 
 planted, and, being flanked by a characteristic ivy-covered wall, the scene is one of 
 great beauty and picturesqueness. Beyond the terrace, and extending for some 
 distance, are gardens, shrubberies, cascades, charmingly arranged walks, and every 
 luxury, that skill and taste can devise, for the rustic enjoyment of those, whose 
 names are now, so worthily associated with Annesley Hall. 
 
 * Hire Lord Byron used to w'alk, and amuse himself in company with Jliss Cha worth. Between 
 the two nights of steps there is an entrance, to what was probably, at that time, a gardener's tool-house, 
 tin door of which has been carefully preserved. It was the target at which his Lordship practised pistol 
 shooting, the bullet holes being distinctly visible. 
 
 40 
 
HUCKNALL TORKARD CHURCH, 
 
 The final resting-place of Lord Byron, after a fitful and adventurous life, 
 chiefly spent away from the country of his birth, is situate in a village of the 
 same name, about eight miles from Nottingham, and three from Newstead Abbey. 
 The sacred edifice is of great antiquity, but has little of interest to boast of, beyond 
 the fact, that it is one of the burial places of the Byron family. 
 
 Until recently, it has been in the most time-worn and dilapidated condition — 
 so much so, as to have become a bye-word, amongst the many pilgrims to that 
 hallowed spot, and a matter of surprise, that Englishmen, should be content with 
 having one of their brightest gems, enclosed in so unworthy a receptacle. Happily, 
 this state of things has, during the past two years, been remedied, by the complete 
 restoration, internally and externally, of the entire edifice. It is now, to use 
 the words of the venerable and respected vicar, the Rev. G. Otter, " one of the 
 neatestand most commodious of the village churches in the county."* 
 
 Before relating the circumstances which led to Lord Byron's untimely death, 
 we woidd just enumerate a few facts, in continuation of the brief narrative of his 
 life, which appears in the early part of this work. In 1811, his mother, for whom 
 he entertained a warm affection, died, and, notwithstanding " her proud, impetuous, 
 and most inflammable temper,'' lie suffered greatly from her loss, and from the 
 
 * The following- description of the late condition of the church, of its internal arrangements, and 
 of the works effected for its restoration, have been courteously supplied by Messrs. Evans and Jolley, the 
 eminent architects, of Nottingham, to whose care they were judiciously entrusted : — 
 
 Early in 1872, the gentlemen referred to, were instructed to report on the condition of this 
 church, and to prepare plans for its restoration and enlargement, it being in a most dilapidated condition. 
 The church, consisting of a nave, with western tower, north aisle, and chancel, was fitted up with high 
 square pews, of the past century, and a gallery, extending across the west end of the nave and north 
 aisle ; plastered ceilings concealed the decayed roof. The tower, which is a massive structure of the 12th 
 and 14th century work, had its archway in the nave, blocked by the gallery, and a brick wall ; the ground 
 storey of the tower, being used as a coal store and general lumber room. In June, of the same year, the 
 work of restoration, and enlargement, commenced, with the following results: — The addition of a south 
 aisle, new roof to nave, north aisle and chancel, restoration of the perpendicular windows in north aisles, 
 the tracery of which was nearly gone, just sufficient remaining to guide the architects in restoring them 
 to their original form ; the removal of the galleries, and opening out the tower, exposing a fine 12th cen- 
 tury archway; laying new floors throughout, fitting up the church with open benches, (free and unappro- 
 priated ), restoring the old font, new oak screens, on the site of the original ones, the stumps of which were 
 discovered in the angles of the high pews ; a new pulpit, standing against the north-east pier of the nave ; 
 and fitting the chancel with oak stalls, for the choir. The vestry and organ chamber, are placed at the 
 east end of the north aisle. The chancel windows, which are good examples of plain, intersecting tracery, 
 have been repaired and re-glazed. Lord Byron's tablet, remains in its original position, on the south wall 
 of the chancel ; that to his daughter's memory, being over the doorway in the same wall. The Byron 
 family vault is under the floor, within the communion space, south of the centre ; the cover of which, in 
 laying the new floors, had to be repaired and refixed ; and it may interest some to know, that the vault, 
 containing the remains of the great Poet, is in excellent repair ; the velvet covered coffins of Lord Byron 
 and his daughter appearing comparatively uninjured by time. The old south porch, was carefully taken 
 down, and rebuilt against the new south aisle, the old woodwork being repaired and refixed. To complete 
 the restoration, there are further works to be done in the tower, which it is to be hoped ere long will be 
 accomplished. The principal donors towards the works done, were, His Grace the Duke of Portland, the 
 lay impropriator; the Rev. Luke Jackson, a former vicar ; Mr. John Godber, Mr. and Sirs. Ball, Mr. James 
 Widdowson, Mr. H. B. Paget, Mr. Ellis, and the Bloomhill Charity. 
 
 41 
 
disappointment of not seeing her before her death ; he having set off on a long and 
 tedious journey, immediately on hearing of her illness. 
 
 On the 2nd January. 1815, he was married, at Seaham, in the county of 
 Durham, to Anne Isabella, only daughter of Sir Ealph Milbanke (Noel), Bart. ; 
 and on the 10th December, in the same year, his only child, Ada, was born. Early 
 in the following year, for reasons which, up to the present time, have been involved 
 in mystery, a separation look place,* aud. a few months later, his Lordship quitted 
 England, to return to it no more. 
 
 fly in ls23. Lord Byron received flattering overtures to aid the Greeks in their 
 struggle for independence. On the 14th July, with his head full of warlike in- 
 tentions, he sailed from Genoa ; on the 19th. he put into Leghorn, to purchase the 
 necessary stores ; and on the 23rd December, he landed at Dragomestri, on the 
 coast of Greece. In sailing thence, towards Missolonghi, on the 3rd January. 
 1S24, he leapt into the sea. on a cold and rough night, and swam a long way. 
 thereby sowing the seeds of the malady which soon afterwards terminated his 
 existence. On the 10th of the same month, he arrived at Missolonghi, where he 
 found everything in a most perplexing, and almost hopeless, state of anarchy and 
 confusion ; nothing daunted, however, he set to work with a spirit and application, 
 which showed his great aptitude for the dispatcli of public 1 insiness. The place was 
 unhealthy, and the weather very bad. Early in Fel iruary, he got wet through, and 
 "ii the l")th was seized with a dreadful convulsive fit. which rendered him senseless. 
 On the 9th April, he again got wot through ; and on the 16th, at six o'clock in the 
 evening, expired, from inflammation on the brain, in the arms of his friend, 
 Prince Havrocordato.f Every honour was paid to the remains of the illustrious 
 dead. The body was embalmed, and the heart and brain placed in an urn, and 
 forwarded together to Zante. and thence, by the ship Florida, which arrived 
 
 .-.- might be expected, :i wonderful sensation was created in the public mind, at the time of this 
 separation, and all kinds of contradictory rumours were in circulation ; it was, however, reserved to a lady, 
 of considerable literary fame, very recently, to startle the whole civilised world, with a revelation on the 
 subject, so scandalous in its details, and so improbable in itself, as to call forth the indignant protest of 
 thousands who had formerly been amongst her greatest admirers. In a word, the only parallel to the 
 excitement, which this scandal created, is to be found in another, which was raised, still more recently, by 
 a member of the same lady's own family. 
 
 t The circumstances attending the last few hours of Lord Byrou's life, are thus related by his faithful 
 valet, and constant attendant, Mr. Fletcher: — 
 
 " After giving directions that another medical man, Dr. Fowler, should be sent for, he said, ' I now 
 begin to think I am seriously ill ; and in case I should be taken off suddenly, I wish to give you several 
 directions, which I hope you will be particular in seeing executed.' I answered, 1 would, in case such an 
 event came to pass ; but expressed a hope that he would live many years to execute them much better 
 himself than I could. To this my master replied, ' No ; it is now nearly over ; ' and then added, ' I most 
 tell you all without losing a moment." I then said, ' Shall I go, my Lord, and fetch pen, ink, and paper? ' 
 ' Oh, my God ! no ; you will lose too much time ; and I have it not to spare, for my time is now short,' 
 said his Lordship; and immediately after, ' Now, pay attention ! ' His Lordship commenced by saying, 
 ' You will be provided for.' I begged him, however, to proceed with things of more consequence. He 
 then continued, ' Oh, my poor dear child ! my dear Ada ! My God ! could I but have seen her '. Give 
 her my blessing; and my dear si-ter Augusta, and her children. Aud you will go to Lady Byron, and Bay — 
 tell her every thing — you are friends with her.' His Lordship seemed to be greatly affected at this moment. 
 Here my master's voice failed him, so that I could only catch a word at intervals ; but he kept muttering 
 Minietlung very seriously for some time, and would often raise his voice, aud said, ' Fletcher, now if you do 
 
 42 
 
in England on the 1st July. On the 9th and 10th, the body lay in state, at 
 the house of Sir Edward Knatchbull, in Great George Street, Westminster ; from 
 thence it was conveyed, in a hearse, to Nottingham, where it again lay in state, 
 at the Black's Head Hotel,* and was visited by thousands of sympathisers. 
 
 On Friday, the 16th, the funeral cortege, followed by the Corporation of 
 Nottingham, and a number of his Lordship's most intimate friends, and accom- 
 panied by a large concourse of persons, eager to show a last testimony of respect 
 to his memory, wended its slow way towards Hucknall, where, in the family vault, 
 in the chancel of the old village church, all that was mortal of the great Poet, was 
 placed beside the coffin of his mother ; he having expressed a wish, in one of his 
 earlier poems, that his dust might mingle with hers.f 
 
 On the southern wall of the chancel, is a plain Grecian tablet, commemorative 
 alike of the illustrious dead, and of a sister's love. On it is inscribed the following : — 
 
 ix tue vault beneath, 
 
 wheiie maxt of his axcestoks and his mothee 
 
 are buried, lie the remains oe 
 
 Geoege Gordon Noel Byrox, 
 
 Loed Byron of Eochdale, 
 
 ix mE County of Lancaster, 
 
 the author oe " Childe Harold's Pilgrimage." 
 
 He was boen in London, on the 
 
 22nd of January, 1 78S. 
 
 He died at Missolonghi, ix Westerx Greece, 
 
 on the 19th of April, 1824, 
 
 EXlrAl.ED IX THE ATTEMPT TO 
 
 restore that country to her ancient freedom 
 
 ami renown. 
 
 His Sisteb, the Honourable 
 
 Augusta Mary Leigh, 
 
 placed this tablet to his memory. 
 
 not execute every order which I have given you, I will torment you hereafter, if possible.' Here I told 
 his Lordship, in a state of the greatest perplexity, that I had not understood a word of what he said ; to 
 which he replied, ' Oh, my God ! then all is lost ; for it is now too late ! Can it be possible you have not 
 understood me ? ' ' No, my Lord,' said I ; ' but I pray you to try and inform me once more.' ' How can 
 I .' ' rejoined my master ; ' it is now too late, and all is over ! ' I said, ' Not our will, but God's be done ■ ' 
 and he answered, ' Yes, not mine be done ; but I will try.' His Lordship did, indeed, make several efforts 
 
 to speak, but could only speak two or three words at a time, such as, ' My wife ! my child ! my sister ! 
 
 you know all— you must say all— you know my wishes.' The rest was quite unintelligible. The last words 
 I heard my master utter were at six o'clock on the evening of the 18th, when he said, ' I must sleep now ;' 
 upon which he laid down, never to rise again ; for he did not move hand or foot during the following 
 twenty-four hours. His Lordship appeared, however, to be in a state of suffocation at intervals, and had 
 a frequent rattling in the throat ; on these occasions I called Tita to assist me in raising his head ; and I 
 thought he seemed to get quite stiff. The rattling and choking in the throat took place every half-hour ; 
 
 felt his pulse, and said, ' You are right ; he is gone ! ' 
 * The remains of this hotel constitute the pres 
 d some distance up Pelham street. 
 
 t The urn, containing the heart and brain, was enclosed in a box, and placed at the head of the 
 
 The remains of this hotel constitute the present east side of High Street, above the piazza, and 
 extend some distance up Pelham street. 
 
 coffin. 
 
 43 
 
On the 8th July, 1835, Ada Augusta, Lord Byron's only cliild, was united to 
 Lord King, who was afterwards, in 1838, created Earl of Lovelace. This lady 
 was "highly gifted, and endowed with a large share of her father's vivid tempera- 
 ment ; she delighted in intellectual, as well as benevolent and kindly pursuits ; one 
 of her most intimate and prized friends having been, for many years, that intelligent 
 judge of female character and excellence, Mrs. Jamieson." 
 
 On the 27th November, 1852, her Ladyship also died, at her London residence, 
 after a lingering and painful illness, from cancer.* On the 2nd December, her 
 remains were also conveyed to Nottingham, where they rested, for the night, at the 
 George Hotel. On the following morning, the funeral cortege took its departure for 
 Hucknall Torkard, every mark of respect being paid, by the inhabitants, along tin 
 route through which it passed. Arriving at the sacred edifice, the mournful pro- 
 cession was met by the Ecv. Curtis Jackson, who performed the solemn rites of the 
 Church, after which the remains of one, whom Lord Byron designated as, " sole 
 daughter of my house and heart," were placed in the vault near to those of her 
 illustrious father. The coffin was covered with rich puce silk velvet, the furniture 
 being of frosted silver. Upon the upper panel of the lid, were two raised shields. 
 one emblazoned with the family arms, and the other bearing the following 
 inscription : — 
 
 The Eight Honoueable Augusta Ada, 
 wife oe wllliau, evel of lovelace, 
 
 AND ONLY DAUGHTER OF GEOEGE GORDON NOEIi, 
 
 Lobd Byron, 
 
 Born 10th December, 1815, 
 
 Died 27th Novembeb, I s ">:_'. 
 
 A more fitting conclusion to this fragmentary history, of the life and death of 
 one of England's greatest bards, could not be selected, than the following lines from 
 the last canto of " Childe Harold's Pilgrimage," more especially as fifty years have 
 just elapsed, since the hand that wrote them was laid to rest : — 
 
 " Farewell ! a word that mnst be, and hath been — 
 A sound which makes us linger ; — yet — farewell ! 
 Ye ! who have traced the Pilgrim to the scene 
 Which is his last, if in your memories dwell 
 A thought which once was his, if on ye swell 
 A single recollection, not in vain 
 He wore his sandal shoon and scallop shell ; 
 Farewell ! with him alone may rest the pain, 
 If such there were — with you, the moral of his strain ! " 
 
 * Lord Byron and his daughter, were both of the same age, thirty-seven years, when they died. 
 
 NOTTINGHAM : R. ALLEN AM M'.N, HRINTERS, I 
 
SOUVENIR OF NEWSTEAD ABBE! : 
 
 FORMERLY THE HOME OF LORD BYRON. 
 
 This Work is Published in the following variety of styles:— 
 
 I. Handsomely bound in cloth, bevilled boards, gilt edges, and blocked ; with the 
 following Fourteen Photographs. Price One Guinea. 
 
 II. 
 
 Ill 
 
 The Abbey— West Front. 
 The Dog's Tomb. 
 Byron's Oak. 
 Byron's Bed Boom. 
 The Great Dining Hall. 
 Byron's Dining Room. 
 The Library. 
 
 8. The Grand Saloon. 
 
 9. Byron Relics. 
 in. The Chapel. 
 
 1 1 . The Quadrangle. 
 
 12. Livingstone's Boom. 
 
 13. Anneslev Hall. 
 
 14. Hucknall Torkard Church. 
 
 Richly bound in cloth, bevilled boards, gilt edges, and blocked ; with Thirty 
 Photographs. Price Two (inineas. 
 
 The Small Drawing Boom. 
 
 The Grand Saloon. 
 
 Byron Relics. 
 
 Servant's Hall. 
 
 The Entrance to the Cloisters. 
 
 The Chapel. 
 
 The Quadrangle. 
 
 Small Dining Room. 
 
 The School Room. 
 
 Dr. Livingstone's Boom. 
 
 Ditto Gigantea WeUingtonia. 
 Annesley Hall — East Front. 
 
 ,, Terrace. 
 
 Hucknall Torkard Church. 
 
 ,, Interior. 
 
 A Popular Edition, Price Half-a-Crown, printed on white paper, with ail 
 the descriptive Letter-press, and One Photograph of the West Front of 
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 Any of the Illustrations enumerated above, may be had in this Edition, at One 
 Shining each, extra, by order. 
 
 Subjects referred to in the text, and which may be had as scrap prints, at Sixpence 
 each : — The Monks' Stew Pond ; Portion of the Tree on which Lord Byron carved his 
 and his Sister's names ; The North Side of the Abbey ; The Old Abbey Knocker . 
 Housekeeper's Room ; Pilgrim's Oak ; Stables : Entrance Lodge : and Gardens. 
 
 1. 
 
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 16. 
 
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 17. 
 
 3. 
 
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 18. 
 
 4. 
 
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 19. 
 
 5. 
 
 Byron's Oak. 
 
 20. 
 
 6. 
 
 Tlie' Fernery. 
 
 21. 
 
 7. 
 
 Byron's Bed Room. 
 
 22. 
 
 8. 
 
 Byron's Dressing Room. 
 
 23. 
 
 9. 
 
 The Great Dining Hall. 
 
 24. 
 
 10. 
 
 Byron's Dining Room. 
 
 25. 
 
 11. 
 
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 26. 
 
 12. 
 
 Charles the Second's Room. 
 
 27. 
 
 13. 
 
 Edward the Third's Room. 
 
 28. 
 
 14. 
 
 The Duke of Sussex's Room. 
 
 29. 
 
 15. 
 
 Henrv the Seventh's Lodging. 
 
 30. 
 
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 .?/-. Priet 3s. >'<</. ; with Four Photographs, and extra Gilt. Prict 5s. 
 
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534*1 
 
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