satisfaction in knowing a result, to know also its why and how; and in
so far as every character is likely to be modified by the particular
experience, sad or joyous, through which the life has traveled, it is
a good contribution toward the knowledge of that resulting character
as a whole to have a sketch of that particular experience. What trials
did it impose? What energies did it task? What temptations did it
unfold? These calls upon the moral powers, which in music so stormy
many a life is doomed to hear--how were they faced? The character in a
capital degree molds often-times the life, but the life always in a
subordinate degree molds the character. And the character being in
this case of Lamb so much of a key to the writings, it becomes
important that the life should be traced, however briefly, as a key to
the character.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 26: From the "Confessions of an English Opium Eater."]

[Footnote 27: From the volume entitled "Biographical and Historical
Essays."]

[Footnote 28: From the volume entitled "Literary Reminiscences."]

LORD BYRON

Born in 1788, died in 1824; inherited the title and the
estate of Newstead Abbey in 1798; educated at Harrow and
Cambridge; published "Hours of Idleness" in 1807; traveled
on the Continent in 1809-11; published the first two cantos
of "Childe Harold" in 1812; married Miss Milbanke in 1815;
separated from her in 1816, and abandoned England; met the
Countess Guiccioli at Venice in 1819; lived subsequently at
Ravenna, Pisa and Genoa; joined the Greek insurgents in
1823; died of a fever at Missolonghi, Greece.

I

OF HIS MOTHER'S TREATMENT OF HIM[29]

I thought, my dear Augusta, that your opinion of my meek mama would
coincide with mine; her temper is so variable, and, when inflamed, so
furious, that I dread our meeting; not but I dare say that I am
troublesome enough, but I always endeavor to be as dutiful as
possible. She is very strenuous, and so tormenting in her entreaties
and commands, with regard to my reconciliation with that detestable
Lord G. that I suppose she has a penchant for his Lordship; but I am
confident that he does not return it, for he rather dislikes her than
otherwise, at least as far as I can judge. But she has an excellent
opinion of her personal attractions, sinks her age a good six years,
avers that when I was born she was only eighteen, when you, my dear
sister, know