This was an interesting find for me. In first year of college, we had to do some group work, and in our groups we spent a semester producing a magazine from a certain period. We chose the romantic period, and if I remember correctly, the magazine turned out quite well, I must dig it out. Anyway, on finding it, I had to laugh and blog it because its my only sample of writing from the late 1800s, back when I was a budding journalist. In women's Romantic magazines, or periodicals as they were called, there was often a gossip section, and this was my part of the magazine. Naturally I went for celebrity gossip. Enjoy!
There appears to be nothing more enjoyable and gratifying to us, the fairer sex, than to heed any bit of news that is shared. To be called a gossip in this world, is to be branded a shameful, discreditable character, taking great pleasure and enjoyment in accounts of the sufferings of others. However, what has a lady got, if nothing to speculate on? There is nothing more thought-provoking to a lady than the reading of a scandal or humiliation in a magazine, and here it is, placed in this magazine for all to perceive - for all to speak of and revel in. These stories allow us ladies to engage in more intriguing conversations - to contemplate whether or not there is some truth in these frightfully interesting scandals. It is, indeed ruthless and vindictive to insult the faults of those who are unfortunate enough to fall victim to the public gossip and humiliation - especially us middle class ladies. To be ridiculed by the upper class is a truly horrifying experience. However, it sets a standard for the rest of us - for those of us who have not made the mistake of falling victim to the harsh scandals that are revealed by others. Indeed, every soul has some scandal going on in their lives. This is why we should look upon the sorrows of our fellow middle class individuals with pity for their misfortune, rather than joy at the thought of relishing a good scandal. Here, in these very pages, you shall read of the misfortunes of the upper class, and all the mistakes they make, in their glamour and elegance. Here you shall read that beneath all the elegant clothing and posh facades, are normal human beings - faces like yours or mine - people who, despite their arrogant, condescending manner, make mistakes, cause scandals that are, in fact, far more intriguing and mystifying than any scandal that could be caused by one of us. It is here, in this magazine, that you shall hear it first.
LORD BYRON, a poet we all know for his numerous writings, has, indeed, caused some preposterous scandals that are sure to keep him in the eye and thoughts of the public for years to come. As I already mentioned, he is well known for his writings, but, perhaps, he is to become even more well known for his numerous love affairs. One of his more daring affairs was with Lady Caroline Lamb, a married woman, who should not have been available for him to pursue to begin with. However, Lord Byron was daring enough to risk the wrath of William Lamb, and seduce his wife, Lady Caroline, without difficulty. What attracted him to this young, married woman, with boyish features, remains unknown. It is not only the affair that was a horrendous scandal, but the way he treated her after. Poor Lady Lamb became infatuated with this dashing, charming poet. It really is quite a shame that he was not quite so infatuated with her. After leaving her, she became a pitiful state. Her state is quite the scandal in itself. She seems to strive to be a writer, but how many of us can honestly take her seriously? Byron moved on from the broken Lady Caroline, and created more and more scandals wherever he set foot. His relationship with his half-sister, Augusta Leigh is, perhaps, something to speculate. Their closeness is very intense for siblings and there have been rumours of a love affair between the two. Augusta even had a baby that could, perhaps have been fathered by her half-brother. The next of Byron’s scandals was with Annabella Milbanke. It Is said that she had rejected his first proposal, but, later, decided to marry him after all. However, it seems that Byron’s treatment of his wife was not as she had expected. He became very moody and erratic, apparently, formed a liaison with an actress, Susan Boyce, whom he began to visit at the theatre every night. His wife, and their daughter, named, very strangely, Augusta - perhaps after his half-sister? - left to visit Lady Byron’s parents. She never came back, and so Byron and his wife signed a deed for separation. It was at this point that our beloved poet left his home country - fled from the gossip and ridicule - escaped the shame. His next affair was with the step-sister of Mary Shelley - Clair Clairmont. The pair met at Lake Geneva and had a relationship. However, Byron, as always, grew tired of her and left her to raise their daughter, Allegra Biron. His next affair occurred in Milan when he fell in love with Marianna Segati. However, it was she who ended this when she found out about his infatuation with the wife of the baker, Margarita Cogni. And so we come to his most recent affair, with the beautiful, young Countess Teresa Guiccioli. This nineteen year old, young woman had already married a count who, at fifty, was many years her senior. She fell in love with Lord Byron. She fell very ill and sadly suffered a miscarriage. Soon after, she fell ill again, and Byron offered to escort her back to Venice, where they spent two months together in his house in Mira. Naturally, they could not appear, very often, in public, as their very open affair caused great scandal in Venice - much like it would here in our beloved England. Teresa’s father, who, naturally, opposed of the affair, asked her to return to her husband. He, later asked Byron to return to her, as she was unhappy without him. Her love for Byron caused a separation in her marriage. This gives us a lot to speculate on. Perhaps Lord Byron has, at last, found true love.
KING GEORGE III has been a very interesting character in the past few years. As we all know, he was declared permanently insane in 1810, but perhaps there are serious reasons that caused his insanity. Certainly, we must speak of the dead with great respect, which means, of course, that this is a story to be pitied, not ridiculed. Of course, he did have many tragedies in his life. Family life for this king was not easy. There was a rift between the Prince and Princess of Wales, which caused much embarrassment, especially when rumours of the Princesses illegitimate son were spread. Surely, this aspect of his family life was a great burden on his mind. Then, of course, his favourite daughter, Princess Amelia, fell ill, which ,must have caused him a great deal of stress. In May of 1810, his son, the Duke of Cumberland, was found, covered in blood, with Selis dead near him. That same Summer, it was clear that Amelia was dying. His last public appearance was at a reception at Windsor, in October, celebrating the anniversary of his succession. He was very excited and flustered and by the end of the night, regretfully, he was in a strait-jacket. His daughter, princess Amelia, died in November. The Act of Regency declared that the care of the King would be handed to the Queen. Many people expected a speedy recovery, but he only got worse. His eyesight and hearing deteriorated. We are told that he appeared to be living in another world, deprived of communication or real human contact. One of his remaining pleasures in life was to bang on an old harpsichord, which once belonged to Handel, in an attempt to hear something, but he never did. He died at Windsor last January and was buried in St. George’s chapel in February.
12 Oct 2011
by Jessica Thompson
Jess this article is amazing! Did my FYP on Byron so enjoyed a nerd out :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Roisy! Byron's a great fella - a legend of a man!!!! :D
ReplyDelete