LETTER LXXXVI.

TO THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL, ETC.

Sir,

Downs, on board the Florida, 29th June, 1824.

On my arrival at Zante, on the 12th May, 1824, from the Peloponnesus, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir F. Stoven put into my hands a letter from the Deputy-Adjutant-General, of the 19th of March last. By this communication it appeared that the King of England had cancelled the leave of absence granted to me; and that His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief had commanded me to proceed home by way of Corfu without delay, under pain of His Majesty's severest displeasure.

After perusing the Deputy-Adjutant-General's letter, Sir F. Stoven recommended me to go home in the Florida. I reminded him that my order was to proceed by way of Corfu. He overruled the objection, saying that I should act up to the spirit of the order, and he would take upon him

self the responsibility. I thought his advice good. Two days after my arrival at Zante I reported myself ready to start in the Florida. I then did all in my power to hasten her departure, and embarked before she was ready to sail.

On the 25th of May last the Florida got under weigh for England, and I have the honour to acquaint you, for the information of His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief, that I reached the Downs this night.

This explanation will, I hope, prove to the Duke of York how eager I was to obey the King's mandate, and how painful was to me the threat of His Majesty's severe displeasure.

However badly I may have been represented, permit me to assure you that the first desire of my heart has ever been, in Greece as elsewhere, to deserve the esteem of mankind, my country, and my king.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your most humble servant,

L. S.

[Vide Appendix, No. XXX.]

LETTER LXXXVII.

TO J. BOWRING, ESQ.

My dear B.

On board the Florida, 29th June, 1824.

THE under-written letter is addressed to

Lord Byron's executors. I pray you to send copies of it to the Hon. Douglas Kinnaird and to Mr. J. C. Hobhouse.

66

TO THE LATE LORD BYRON'S EXECUTORS.

"Downs, off Deal, Florida, 29th June, 1824. "Dear Sirs,

"THE death of your friend Byron occasioned a shock that was felt by every heart in Greece. There, moved by early recollections, and surrounded by classic scenery, the poet's faculties expanded, his genius glowed, and he wrote like one impassioned and inspired; there, too, with electric sparks, he had roused the dormant spirit of free

dom, and had sacrificed to her his comforts, his fortune, and his life.

"After so glorious a course had terminated in death, it was good—it was just for Greece to mourn for Byron, and to confer honours on his memory. All this took place. Funeral rites and orations were pronounced, and Athens and Missolonghi contended for the honour of having his remains deposited in the land where he had flourished and sunk. Many, even of Lord Byron's countrymen, thought that his body should be placed in the Temple of Theseus. Ulysses was also of this opinion, and desired me to forward a letter, by express, to Missolonghi, soliciting his ashes. I did so; but the body had then reached Zante, and it was determined that it should be sent to England for public burial, either in Westminster-Abbey or in St. Paul's. "On my arrival at Zante, I was requested, by the and others, to take under governor care my remains of Lord Byron and his papers, and to accompany them in the Florida, to England. I accepted the charge, and have reached the Downs.

the

"The executors of Lord Byron will now be pleased to make arrangements for the interment of his body, and for the reception and examination of his papers.

"With respect to the funeral ceremony, I am

of opinion that Lord Byron's family should be immediately consulted; that sanction should be obtained for the public burial of his body, either in the great Abbey or Cathedral of London; that the state barges should be sent down the river to receive the corpse, the principal mourners, and bands for the performance of sacred music; and that the aquatic procession should pass on to Westminster-Bridge. There a hearse should be in readiness to convey the body to its last place of repose.

"Britons, who cherish genius and who love liberty, will, I doubt not, crowd to the banks of the Thames, and to her majestic bridges, to behold the passing scene, and to sigh for the mighty dead.

"I am,

"Most faithfully, yours,

"L. S."

A coffin of lead and one of wood will be required to put the body into. I think the funeral apparatus cannot be too plain, or the crowd too great. This, to my taste, would constitute true grandeur. The late Lord Byron's physician, his maître d'hôtel, valet, groom, and courier, are on board the Florida.

Should you have any remittance of the loan to