daughter's domestic happiness. As might be expected, Mrs. Mimms bears
the warmest testimony to the noble and lovable qualities of her
departed mistress. She also declares that Lady Byron was by no means
of a cold temperament, but that the affectionate impulses of her
nature were checked by the unkind treatment she experienced from her
husband.'

We have already shown that Lord Byron had been, ever since his
separation, engaged in a systematic attempt to reverse the judgment of
the world against himself, by making converts of all his friends to a
most odious view of his wife's character, and inspiring them with the
zeal of propagandists to spread these views through society. We have
seen how he prepared partisans to interpret the Fourth Canto of 'Childe
Harold.'

This plan of solemn and heroic accusation was the first public attack on
his wife. Next we see him commencing a scurrilous attempt to turn her to
ridicule in the First Canto of 'Don Juan.'

It is to our point now to show how carefully and cautiously this Don Juan
campaign was planned.

Vol. IV. p.138, we find Letter 325 to Mr. Murray:--

'Venice: January 25, 1819.

'You will do me the favour to _print privately, for private
distribution, fifty copies of "Don Juan."_ The list of the men to
whom I wish it presented I will send hereafter.'