PREFAC E. THIS MEMOIR has been compiled from a heterogeneous mass of letters and papers left, altogether without arrangement, by my father at his death in 1852. A wish had for many years been entertained that some account should be placed on record of a life which, though devoid of stirring incident, was yet, from its connections and sympathies, full of varied interest. It was thought that enough of genius and culture were displayed by Francis Hodgson to entitle him to some biographical memoir, while his friendship with Lord Byron seemed to demand a more detailed description than any which could be derived from fragmentary allusions in the numerous notices of that most interesting life. It is hoped that a perusal of these pages may tend to remove several misconceptions, to clear away many clouds, which have hitherto prevented a just appreciation of the character of Byron. At the outset of my undertaking I was met by two unusual deficiencies. Modern biography depends in the main upon one or other of two sources of information, personal recollections or original letters. Neither of these advantages could I command, and I have therefore been obliged to depart considerably from the method usually adopted. Acting on the principle that a man may more accurately be known by his friendships than in any other way, I have endeavoured to make the letters of friends, as far as possible, illustrative of the life and character of their correspondent; while, by indicating mutual opinions on matters of contemporary interest, I might contribute to the development of some aspect of the period social, political, or literary. That such a novel mode of procedure is liable to much adverse criticism I am well aware: whether the end has in any measure justified the means must be left to the consideration of the reader. Commencement of friendship with Lonsdale and Lord Byron-Notes of the latter on Pope- His religious im- pressions-Letters from Byron and Gifford-Institution Letters from his father-Political allusions-Imprisonment |