"They are not," he said, "for publication during my life, but when I am cold you may do what you please." In a subsequent letter to Mr.Murray, Lord Byron said: "As you say my _prose_ is good, why don't you treat with Moore for the reversion of my Memoirs ?--conditionally recollect; not to be published before decease.
He has the permission to dispose of them, and I advised him to do so." Moore thus mentions the subject in his Memoirs: "_May_ 28, 1820 .-- Received a letter at last from Lord Byron, through Murray, telling me he had informed Lady B.of his having given me his Memoirs for the purpose of their being published after his death, and offering her the perusal of them in case she might wish to confute any of his statements.

Her note in answer to this offer (the original of which he enclosed me) is as follows": KIRKBY MALLORY, _March_ 10, 1820.
I received your letter of January 1st, offering for my perusal a Memoir of part of my life.

I decline to inspect it.

I consider the publication or circulation of such a composition at any time is prejudicial to Ada's future happiness.

For my own sake I have no reason to shrink from publication; but notwithstanding the injuries which I have suffered, I should lament more of the _consequences._ A.BYRON.
To LORD BYRON.