The Confessions of Lord Byron Book

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1905 Excerpt: ...minds which is power in itself and in its consequences,) and now from habit and from avarice; so that the effect may probably be as different as the inspiration. I have the same facility, and indeed necessity, of composition, to avoid idleness (though idleness in a hot country is a pleasure), but a much greater indifference to what is to become of it, after it has served my immediate purpose. (1818, July 17. Letter 709, to John Murray, VoL IV, p. 248.) I told you long ago that the new Cantos i.e. 3rd and 4th of Don Juan were not good, and I also told you a reason: recollect, I do not oblige you to publish them; you may suppress them, if you like, but I can alter nothing.... I can neither recast, nor replace; but I give you leave to put it all into the fire, if you like, or not to publish, and I think that's sufficient. I told you that I wrote on with no good will--that I had been, not frightened, but hurt by the outcry, and, besides that, when I wrote last November, I was ill in body, and in very great distress of mind about some private things of my own; but you would have it: so I sent it to you, and to make it lighter, cut it in two--but I can't piece it together again. I can't cobble: I must "either make a spoon or spoil a horn,"--and there's an end; for there's no remeid: but I leave you free will to suppress the whole, if you like it. (1820, April 23. Letter 794, to John Murray, Vol. V., p. 16.) Your first note was queer enough; but your two other letters, with Moore's and Gifford's opinions, set all right again. I told you before that I can never recast any thing. I am like the Tiger: if I miss the first spring, I go growling back to my Jungle again; but if I do hit, it is crushing. (1821, November 3. Letter 954, to John Murray, Vol. V, p. ...