Lady Byron Vindicated

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Lady Byron Vindicated

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Title: Lady Byron Vindicated
Author: Harriet Beecher Stowe
Release Date: November 16, 2004 [eBook #14061]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LADY BYRON VINDICATED***

This eBook was prepared by Les Bowler.

LADY BYRON VINDICATED BY HARRIET BEECHER STOWE.
A history of the Byron Controversy from its beginning in 1816 to the present time.

NOTE BY THE PUBLISHERS.
The subject of this volume is of such painful notoriety that any apology from the Publishers may seem unnecessary upon issuing the Author's reply to the counter statements which her narrative in Macmillan's Magazine has called forth. Nevertheless they consider it right to state that their strong regard for the Author, respect for her motives, and assurance of her truthfulness, would, even in the absence of all other considerations, be sufficient to induce them to place their imprint on the title-page.
The publication has been undertaken by them at the Author's request, 'as her friends,' and as the publishers of her former works, and from a feeling that whatever difference of opinion may be entertained respecting the Author's judiciousness in publishing 'The True Story,' she is entitled to defend it, having been treated with grave injustice, and often with much maliciousness, by her critics and opponents, and been charged with motives from which no person living is more free. An intense love of justice and hatred of oppression, with an utter disregard of her own interests, characterise Mrs. Stowe's conduct and writings, as all who know her well will testify; and the Publishers can unhesitatingly affirm their belief that neither fear for loss of her literary fame, nor hope of gain, has for one moment influenced her in the course she has taken.
LONDON: January 1870.

CONTENTS.

PART I.

CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER II.
THE ATTACK ON LADY BYRON
CHAPTER III.
RESUME OF THE CONSPIRACY
CHAPTER IV.
RESULTS AFTER LORD BYRON'S DEATH
CHAPTER V.
THE ATTACK ON LADY BYRON'S GRAVE

PART II.

CHAPTER I.
LADY BYRON AS I KNEW HER
CHAPTER II.
LADY BYRON'S STORY AS TOLD ME
CHAPTER III.
CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY OF EVENTS
CHAPTER IV.
THE CHARACTER OF THE TWO WITNESSES COMPARED
CHAPTER V.
THE DIRECT ARGUMENT TO PROVE THE CRIME
CHAPTER VI.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ARGUMENT
CHAPTER VII.
HOW COULD SHE LOVE HIM?
CHAPTER VIII.
CONCLUSION

PART III. MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS.
THE TRUE STORY OF LADY BYRON'S LIFE (AS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN 'THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY') LORD LINDSAY'S LETTER TO 'THE LONDON TIMES' DR. FORBES WINSLOW'S LETTER TO 'THE LONDON TIMES' EXTRACT FROM LORD BYRON'S EXPUNGED LETTER TO MURRAY EXTRACTS FROM 'BLACKWOOD'S MAGAZINE' LETTERS OF LADY BYRON TO H. C. ROBINSON DOMESTIC POEMS BY LORD BYRON


PART I.

CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION.
The interval since my publication of 'The True Story of Lady Byron's Life' has been one of stormy discussion and of much invective.
I have not thought it necessary to disturb my spirit and confuse my sense of right by even an attempt at reading the many abusive articles that both here and in England have followed that disclosure. Friends have undertaken the task for me, giving me from time to time the substance of anything really worthy of attention which came to view in the tumult.
It appeared to me essential that this first excitement should in a measure spend itself before there would be a possibility of speaking to any purpose. Now, when all would seem to have spoken who can speak, and, it is to be hoped, have said the utmost they can say, there seems a propriety in listening calmly, if that be possible, to what I have to say in reply.
And, first, why have I made this disclosure at all?
_To this I answer briefly, Because I considered it my duty to make it_.
I made it in defence of a beloved, revered friend, whose memory stood forth in the eyes of the civilised world charged with most repulsive crimes, of which I certainly knew her innocent.
I claim, and shall prove, that Lady Byron's reputation has been the victim of a concerted attack, begun by her husband during her lifetime, and coming to its climax over her grave. I claim, and shall prove, that it was not I who stirred up this controversy in this year 1869. I shall show who did do it, and who is responsible for bringing on me that hard duty of making these disclosures, which it appears to me ought to have been made by others.
I claim that these facts were given to me unguarded by any promise or seal of secrecy, expressed or implied; that they were lodged with me as one sister rests her story with another for sympathy, for counsel, for defence. Never did I suppose the day would come that I should