to numbers of suitors, whom she could not have otherwise kept at a
distance. But this manner could have had no influence with Lord
Byron; for it vanishes on nearer acquaintance, and has no origin in
coldness. All her friends like her frankness the better for being
preceded by this reserve. This manner, however, though not the
slightest apology for Lord Byron, has been inimical to Lady Byron in
her misfortunes. It endears her to her friends; but it piques the
indifferent. Most odiously unjust, therefore, is Mr. Moore's
assertion, that she has had the advantage of Lord Byron in public
opinion. She is, comparatively speaking, unknown to the world; for
though she has many friends, that is, a friend in everyone who knows
her, yet her pride and purity and misfortunes naturally contract the
circle of her acquaintance.

'There is something exquisitely unjust in Mr. Moore comparing her
chance of popularity with Lord Byron's, the poet who can command men
of talents,--putting even Mr. Moore into the livery of his
service,--and who has suborned the favour of almost all women by the
beauty of his person and the voluptuousness of his verses. Lady Byron
has nothing to oppose to these fascinations but the truth and justice
of her cause.

'You said, Mr. Moore, that Lady Byron was unsuitable to her lord: the
word is cunningly insidious, and may mean as much or as little as may
suit your convenience. But, if she was unsuitable, I remark that it
tells all the worse against Lord Byron. I have not read it in your
book (for I hate to wade through it); but they tell me that you have
not only warily depreciated Lady Byron, but that you have described a
lady that would have suited him. If this be true, "it is the
unkindest cut of all,"--to hold up a florid description of a woman