Byron's Letters and Journals, Volume V: 'So Late Into the Night', 1816-1817 Book

Byron's letters are hilarious. This is generally pretty obvious, but reading several volumes of these letters, even from a really difficult period in Byron's life - my god. The letter where he talks about the "league of incest" he's accused of creating with Shelley is hysterical. And in his letters to Lady Melbourne, Byron creates this campy, totally over the top persona - like your gay best friend, only he's sleeping with every woman in sight (including his sister). And I hate to laugh at Caroline Lamb's expense, but when Byron's writing about her in his letters... well, let the hilarity ensue.

Examples:

From November 11, 1818, to John Cam Hobhouse, on the "bitter" dedication of Don Juan to Robert Southey:
"The Son of a Bitch [Bob Southey] on his return from Switzerland two years ago--said that Shelley and I "had formed a League of Incest and practiced our precepts with &c."--he lied like a rascal--for they were not Sisters--one being Godwin's daughter by Mary Wollstonecraft--and the other the daughter of the present Mrs. G[odwin] by a former husband."

From October 28, 1816, to Augusta Leigh, regarding Annabella Milbanke (his now ex-wife):
"Miss Milbanke appears in all respects to have been formed for my destruction..."

And so on.

On a more professional note, Leslie Marchand has done an incredible job collecting, referencing, and publishing these letters. This eleven-volume set is an resource beyond all value.