Though the harsh custom of our youthful ban E'en now a name illustrious is thine own, had been my frequent companion in some rambles through the neighbouring country however, he never saw the lines, and most probably never will. As, on a re-perusal, I found them not worse than some other pieces in the collection, I have now published them, for the first time, after a slight revision. [George-John-Frederick, fourth Duke of Dorset, born November 15. 1793. This amiable nobleman was killed by a fall from his horse, while hunting near Dublin, February 22. 1815, being on a visit at the time to his mother, the duchess-dowager, and her second husband, Charles Earl of Whitworth, then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. -E] (1) At every public school the junior boys are completely subservient to the upper forms till they attain a seat in the higher classes. From this state of probation, very properly, no rank is exempt; but after a certain period, they command in turn those who succeed. (2) Allow me to disclaim any personal allusions, even the most distant I merely mention generally what is too often the weakness of preceptors. That books were only meant for drudging fools, Whose souls disdain not to condemn the wrong; None dare to raise the sterner voice of truth, Yes! I have mark'd thee many a passing day, - 'Tis not enough, with other sons of power, To gleam the lambent meteor of an hour; To swell some peerage page in feeble pride, With long-drawn names that grace no page beside; Then share with titled crowds the common lot In life just gazed at, in the grave forgot; While nought divides thee from the vulgar dead, Except the dull cold stone that hides thy head, The mouldering 'scutcheon, or the herald's roll, That well-emblazon'd but ncglected scroll, Where lords, unhonour'd, in the tomb may find One spot, to leave a worthless name behind. There sleep, unnoticed as the gloomy vaults In records destined never to be read. Fain would I view thee, with prophetic eyes, Bright are the deeds thine earlier sires display. The hour draws nigh, a few brief days will close, (1)" Thomas Sackville, Lord Buckhurst, created Earl of Dorset by James I., was one of the earliest and brightest ornaments to the poetry of his country, and the first who produced a regular drama.”—Anderson's Poets. (2)" Charles Sackville, Earl of Dorset, esteemed the most accomplished man of his day, was alike distinguished in the voluptuous court of Charles II. and the gloomy one of William III. He behaved with great gallantry in the sea-fight with the Dutch in 1665; on the day previous to which he composed his celebrated song,' To all you Ladies now at Land.' His character has been drawn in the highest colours by Dryden, Pope, Prior, and Congreve."- Anderson's Poets. Each knell of Time now warns me to resign Shades where Hope, Peace, and Friendship all were mine: Hope, that could vary like the rainbow's hue Dorset, farewell! I will not ask one part Since chance has thrown us in the self-same sphere, Since the same senate, nay, the same debate, To veil those feelings which perchance it ought, If these, but let me cease the lengthen'd strain, 1805. FRAGMENT. WRITTEN SHORTLY AFTER THE MARRIAGE OF MISS CHAWORTH. HILLS of Annesley, bleak and barren, Where my thoughtless childhood stray'd, Now no more, the hours beguiling, Now no more my Mary smiling 1805. (1) I have just been, or rather ought to be, very much shocked by the death of the Duke of Dorset. We were at school together, and there I was passionately attached to him. Since, we have never met, but once, I think, since 1805- and it would be a paltry affectation to pretend that I had any feeling for him worth the name. But there was a time in my life when this event would have broken my heart; and all I can say for it now is, that it is not worth breaking. The recollection of what I once felt, and ought to have felt now, but could not, set me pondering, and finally into the train of thought which you have in your hands. — Byron's Letters, 1815.-(The verses referred to were those melancholy ones, beginning, "There's not a joy the world can give, like those it takes away."- E) (2) The circumstances which lent so peculiar an interest to Lord Byron's introduction to the family of Chaworth are sufficiently explained in the "Notices of his Life," vol. i. p. 84. "The young lady herself combined," says the writer, "with the many worldly advantages that en |