“TO THE LORD BYRON, &c. &c.

“Harrow on the Hill, July 28. 1805.

“Since you have been so unusually unkind to me, in calling me names whenever you meet me, of late, I must beg an explanation, wishing to know whether you choose to be as good friends with me as ever.  I must own that, for this last month, you have entirely cut me,—­for, I suppose, your new cronies.  But think not that I will (because you choose to take into your head some whim or other) be always going up to you, nor do, as I observe certain other fellows doing, to regain your friendship; nor think that I am your friend either through interest, or because you are bigger and older than I am.  No,—­it never was so, nor ever shall be so.  I was only your friend, and am so still,—­unless you go on in this way, calling me names whenever you see me.  I am sure you may easily perceive I do not like it; therefore, why should you do it, unless you wish that I should no longer be your friend?  And why should I be so, if you treat me unkindly?  I have no interest in being so.  Though you do not let the boys bully me, yet if you treat me unkindly, that is to me a great deal worse.

“I am no hypocrite, Byron, nor will I, for your pleasure, ever suffer you to call me names, if you wish me to be your friend.  If not, I cannot help it.  I am sure no one can say that I will cringe to regain a friendship that you have rejected.  Why should I do so?  Am I not your equal?  Therefore, what interest can I have in doing so?  When we meet again in the world, (that is, if you choose it,) you cannot advance or promote me, nor I you.  Therefore I beg and entreat of you, if you value my friendship,—­which, by your conduct, I am sure I cannot think you do,—­not to call me the names you do, nor abuse me.  Till that time, it will be out of my power to call you friend.  I shall be obliged for an answer as soon as it is convenient; till then

I remain yours,

——­

“I cannot say your friend.”

Endorsed on this letter, in the handwriting of Lord Byron, is the following:—­

“This and another letter were written at Harrow, by my then, and I hope ever, beloved friend, Lord ——­, when we were both school-boys, and sent to my study in consequence of some childish misunderstanding,—­the only one which ever arose between us.  It was of short duration, and I retain this note solely for the purpose of submitting it to his perusal, that we may smile over the recollection of the insignificance of our first and last quarrel.

“BYRON.”

In a letter, dated two years afterwards, from the same boy,[33] there occurs the following characteristic trait:—­“I think, by your last letter, that you are very much piqued with most of your friends; and, if I am not much mistaken, you are a little piqued with me.  In one part you say, ’There is little or no doubt a few years, or months, will render us as politely indifferent to each other as if we had never passed a portion of our time together.’  Indeed, Byron, you wrong me, and I have no doubt—­at least, I hope—­you wrong yourself.”