"Indeed, my dear Mrs. Byron, you have given me a very great treat in sending me English Bards to look at; you know how very highly I thought of the first edition, and this is certainly much improved; indeed, I do not think anybody but Lord Byron could (in these our days) have produced such a work, for it has all the fire of ancient genius. I have always been accustomed to tell you my thoughts most sincerely, and I cannot say that I like that addition to the part where Bowles is mentioned; it wants that brilliant spirit which almost invariably accompanies Lord B.'s writings. Maurice, too, and his granite weight of leaves, is in truth a heavy comparison. But I turn with pleasure from these specks in the sun to notice 'Vice and folly, Greville and Argyle;' it is most admirable: the same pen may equal, but I think it is not in the power of human abilities to exceed it. As to Lord Carlisle, I think he well deserves the Note Lord B. has put in; I am very much pleased with it, and the little word Amen at the end, gives a point indescribably good. The whole of the conclusion is excellent, and the Postscript I think must entertain everybody except Jeffrey. I hope the poor Bear is well; I wish you could make him understand that he is immortalized, for, if four-leg'd Bears have any vanity, it would certainly delight him. Walter Scott, too (I really do not mean to call him a Bear), will be highly gratified: the compliment to him is very elegant: in short, I look upon it as a most highly finished work, and Lord Byron has certainly taken the Palm from all our Poets ... A good account of yourself I assure you will always give the most sincere pleasure to my dear Mrs. Byron's very affectionate friend, Margt. Pigot. Elizabeth begs her compts."
[cross-reference: return to Footnote 1 of Letter 52]
Henry Pigot. (See p. 33 [above],
1.)
Miss Julia Leacroft, daughter of a neighbour, Mr. John Leacroft. (See lines "To Lesbia,"