Walter Scott

As Playful as a Kitten

[23 Nov 1825.] On comparing notes with Moore I was confirmed in one or two points which I had always laid down in considering poor Byron’s [peculiarities]. One was that like Rousseau he was apt to be very suspicious, and a plain downright steadiness of manner was the true mode to maintain his good opinion. Will Rose1 told me that once while sitting with Byron he fixed insensibly his eyes on his feet, one of which it must be remembered was deformed. Looking up suddenly he saw Byron regarding him with a look of concentrated and deep displeasure which wore off when he observed no consciousness or embarrassment in the countenance of Rose. Murray2 afterwards explained this by telling Rose that Lord Byron was very jealous of having this personal imperfection noticed or attended to. In another point Moore confirmed my previous opinion. Namely that Byron loved mischiefmaking. Moore had written to him cautioning him against the project of establishing the paper called the Liheral3 in communion with such men as P. B. Shelley and Hunt on whom he said the World had set its mark. Byron showed this to the parties. Shelley wrote a modest and rather affecting expostulation to Moore.