Mr.Cunningham, the clergyman of Harrow, wrote in answer to Mr.Murray: _Rev.J.W.Cunningham to John Murray_.
_August_ 20, 1822.
Sir, Mr.Henry Drury was so good as to communicate to me a request conveyed to you by Lord Byron respecting the burial of a child in this church.
Mr.H.Drury will probably have also stated to you my willingness to comply with the wish of Lord Byron.

Will you forgive me, however, for so far trespassing upon you (though a stranger) as to suggest an inquiry whether it might not be practicable and desirable to fulfil for the _present_ only a _part_ of his Lordship's wish--by burying the child, and putting up a tablet with simply its name upon the tablet; and thus leaving Lord B.more leisure to reflect upon the character of the inscription he may wish to be added.

It does seem to me that whatever he may wish in the moment of his distress about the loss of this child, he will afterwards regret that he should have taken pains to proclaim to the world what he will not, I am sure, consider as honourable to his name.

And if this be probable, then it appears to me the office of a true friend not to suffer him to commit himself but to allow his mind an opportunity of calm deliberation.

I feel constrained to say that the inscription he proposed will be felt by every man of refined taste, to say nothing of sound morals, to be an offence against taste and propriety.