reading that poem, I found to contain such singular coincidences with it, not only in locality and costume, but in plot and characters, that I immediately gave up my story altogether, and began another on an entirely new subject, the Fire-worshippers.  To this circumstance, which I immediately communicated to him, Lord Byron alludes in this letter.  In my hero (to whom I had even given the name of “Zelim,” and who was a descendant of Ali, outlawed, with all his followers, by the reigning Caliph) it was my intention to shadow out, as I did afterwards in another form, the national cause of Ireland.  To quote the words of my letter to Lord Byron on the subject:—­“I chose this story because one writes best about what one feels most, and I thought the parallel with Ireland would enable me to infuse some vigour into my hero’s character.  But to aim at vigour and strong feeling after you is hopeless;—­that region ’was made for Caesar.’”]

* * * * *

At this time Lord Byron commenced a Journal, or Diary, from the pages of which I have already selected a few extracts, and of which I shall now lay as much more as is producible before the reader.  Employed chiefly,—­as such a record, from its nature, must be,—­about persons still living, and occurrences still recent, it would be impossible, of course, to submit it to the public eye, without the omission of some portion of its contents, and unluckily, too, of that very portion which, from its reference to the secret pursuits and feelings of the writer, would the most livelily pique and gratify the curiosity of the reader.  Enough, however, will, I trust, still remain, even after all this necessary winnowing, to enlarge still further the view we have here opened into the interior of the poet’s life and habits, and to indulge harmlessly that taste, as general as it is natural, which leads us to contemplate with pleasure a great mind in its undress, and to rejoice in the discovery, so consoling to human pride, that even the mightiest, in their moments of ease and weakness, resemble ourselves.[88]

[Footnote 88:  “C’est surtout aux hommes qui sont hors de toute comparaison par le genie qu’on aime a ressembler au moins par les foiblesses.”—­GINGUENE.]

“JOURNAL, BEGUN NOVEMBER 14. 1813.

“If this had been begun ten years ago, and faithfully kept!!!—­heigho! there are too many things I wish never to have remembered, as it is.  Well,—­have had my share of what are called the pleasures of this life, and have seen more of the European and Asiatic world than I have made a good use of.  They say ’Virtue is its own reward,’—­it certainly should be paid well for its trouble.  At five-and-twenty, when the better part of life is over, one should be something;—­and what am I? nothing but five-and-twenty—­and the odd months.  What have I seen? the same man all over the world,—­ay, and woman too.  Give me a Mussulman who never asks questions,