OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER or LORD BYRON. EXTRACTED FROM THE BRITISH CRITIC FOR APRIL, 1831. вер I. Letters and Journals of Lord Byron, with Notices of his Life. II. By The National Library. Conducted by the Rev. G. R. Gleig, and assisted PREFACE OF THE EDITOR. THE Criticism upon the Life and Character of Lord Byron, which is now republished, first appeared in the British Critic. That Review treats chiefly of Theological works. Hence, though conducted with eminent ability, its circulation is confined pretty much to the Clergy. The above article appearing to the present Editor calculated to render a general service to literature and to morals, he obtained permission to put it forth in its present form. The works of Lord Byron are so much in the hands of almost every class of society, that it is highly important to point out his true principles and character. While his writings tend to render vice more attractive, by clothing it with gaiety and grace, it is well that the young should see it exhibited in himself, under its true features of wretchedness and deformity. If it were possible that licentiousness, unbridled by a regard to religion or decency, unchecked by scantiness of means, and enhanced by wit, rank, and fame, could confer happiness, then Lord Byron had been blessed above all men. And when he sought to tempt others to his own course, he might have been only inviting them to a career, in which he had himself found contentment. And thus, though his writings would have still tended to the debasement of all that is good in human nature, he |