"With the truest esteem, "Your very obt. and humble servt.,
"
Bernard Barton.
"P. S.—I hope your Lordship will find no difficulty in making out this scrawl; but really, not being able to mend my pen, I am forced to write with it backwards. When I have the good luck to find my pen-knife, I will endeavour to furnish myself with a better tool."
[Detailed Contents of Appendices]
[Contents]
Part of the draft of Byron's answer to these two letters is in existence, and runs as follows:
"Albany, April 16th, 1814.
"Sir,—All offence is out of the question. My principal regret is that it is not in my power to be of service. My own plans are very unsettled, and at present, from a variety of circumstances, embarrassed, and, even were it otherwise, I should be both to offer anything like dependence to one, who, from education and acquirements, must doubly feel sensible of such a situation, however I might be disposed to render it tolerable.