nd standing on the borders of eternity, being, as appears by her
writings and conversation, of perfectly sound mind at the time, testifies
to me the facts before named, which exactly correspond to probabilities.

I publish the statement; and the solicitors who hold Lady Byron's private
papers do not deny the truth of the story. They try to cast discredit on
me for speaking; but they do not say that I have spoken falsely, or that
the story is not true. The lawyer who knew Lady Byron's story in 1816
does not now deny that this is the true one. Several persons in England
testify that, at various times, and for various purposes, the same story
has been told to them. Moreover, it appears from my last letter
addressed to Lady Byron on this subject, that I recommended her to leave
all necessary papers in the hands of some discreet persons, who, after
both had passed away, should see that justice was done. The solicitors
admit that Lady Byron has left sealed papers of great importance in the
hands of trustees, with discretionary power. I have been informed very
directly that the nature of these documents was such as to lead to the
suppression of Lady Byron's life and writings. This is all exactly as it
would be, if the story related by Lady Byron were the true one.

The evidence under this point of view is so strong, that a great effort
has been made to throw out Lady Byron's testimony.

This attempt has been made on two grounds. 1st, That she was under a
mental hallucination. This theory has been most ably refuted by the very
first authority in England upon the subject. He says,--

'No person practically acquainted with the true characteristics of
insanity would affirm, that, had this idea of "incest" been an insane
hallucination, Lady Byron could, from the lengthened period which
intervened between her unhappy marriage and death, have refrained from
exhibiting it, not only to legal advisers and trustees (assuming that
she revealed to them the fact), but to others, exacting no pledge of
secrecy from them as to her mental impressions. Lunatics do for a
time, and for some special purpose, most cunningly conceal their
delusions; but they have not the capacity to struggle for thirty-six
years, as Lady Byron must have done, with so frightful an
hallucination, without the insane state of mind becoming obvious to
those with whom they are daily associating. Neither is it consistent