[Lady Byron Vindicated by Harriet Beecher Stowe]@TWC D-Link book
Lady Byron Vindicated

CHAPTER IV
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He certainly did make such on a great variety of other subjects.
By his own showing, he had a peculiar pleasure in falsifying language, and in misleading and betraying even his friends.
But, if Lady Byron gave false witness upon this subject, it was an exception to the whole course of her life.
The habits of her mind, the government of her conduct, her life-long reputation, all were those of a literal, exact truthfulness.
The accusation of her being untruthful was first brought forward by her husband in the 'Clytemnestra' poem, in the autumn of 1816; but it never was publicly circulated till after his death, and it was first formally made the basis of a published attack on Lady Byron in the July 'Blackwood' of 1869.

Up to that time, we look in vain through current literature for any indications that the world regarded Lady Byron otherwise than as a cold, careful, prudent woman, who made no assertions, and had no confidants.

When she spoke in 1830, it is perfectly evident that Christopher North and his circle believed what she said, though reproving her for saying it at all.
The 'Quarterly' goes on to heap up a number of vague assertions,--that Lady Byron, about the time of her separation, made a confidant of a young officer; that she told the clergyman of Ham of some trials with Lord Ockham; and that she told stories of different things at different times.
All this is not proof: it is mere assertion, and assertion made to produce prejudice.

It is like raising a whirlwind of sand to blind the eyes that are looking for landmarks.

It is quite probable Lady Byron told different stories about Lord Byron at various times.


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