[56] There is a very interesting, but by no means flattered, account of Lady Blessington and of her dinners and receptions in Greville’s Journal of the Reign of Queen Victoria, chapter iv., p. 167, vol. i.
[57] Edward L. Bulwer (Lord Lytton), b. 1803; d. 1873; Pelham, 1828; Rienzi, 1835; Caxton Novels, 1849-53; Richelieu, 1839; his Biography (never fully completed) has been written by his son, the second Lord Lytton. It is doubtful, however, if its developments, and inevitable counter-developments, have brought any access of honor to the elder Bulwer.
[58] Benjamin Disraeli (Lord Beaconsfield), b. 1804; d. 1881. Vivian Grey, 1826-27; Contarini Fleming, 1832; Coningsby, 1844; Lothair, 1870. Was Premier, 1867, 1874-80. Created Earl of Beaconsfield, 1876.
[59] Vaurien, 1797; Flim-Flams, 1805; Despotism, or Fall of the Jesuits, 1811.
[60] A. E. Chalon, an artist much in vogue in the days of “Tokens,”—who also painted Lady Blessington,—but of no lasting reputation.
[61] In illustration of his comparatively humble position early, Greville in his later Journal, Chapter XXIV., speaks of Disraeli’s once proposing to Moxon, the publisher, to take him (Disraeli) into partnership; Greville says Moxon told him this.
[62] George Noel Gordon (Lord Byron), b. (London) 1788; d. (Greece) 1824. Hours of Idleness, 1807; English Bards, etc., 1809; Childe Harold (2 cantos), 1812; Don Juan, 1819-24; Moore’s Life, 1830; Trelawney, Recollections, etc., 1858. The first volume (Macmillan, 1897) has appeared of a new edition of Byron’s works, with voluminous notes (in over-fine print) by William Ernest Henley. The editorial stand-point may be judged by this averment from the preface,—“the sole English poet bred since Milton to live a master-influence in the world at large.”
Another full edition of works, with editing by Earl of Lovelace (grandson of Byron), is announced as shortly to appear from the press of Murray in London, and of Scribners in New York.
[63] Byron’s Narrative, published in the first volume of Hawkesworth’s Collection. Hon. John Byron, Admiral, etc., was at one time Governor of Newfoundland; b. 1723; d. 1786.
[64] The short line is not enough. We must give the burden of that apostrophe to the land of Hellas, though only in a note: