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Blessington, Countess of (Margaret) : Conversations of Lord Byron with the Countess of Blessington

R Bentley for Henry Colburn, London, 1834

412 pages (complete). FIRST edition of Lady Blessington's revealing memories of her conversations with Lord Byron. The Lady was a famous literary hostess and these 'revelations' are as if Ann Fleming had reproduced the conversation of her luncheon tables. Lady Blessington was astute enough to know that there was an insatiable appetite for knowledge of the dangerously romantic poet. They reveal the man with all of his beauty spots and blemishes. A review, in the Monthly Review, on publication can be ably quoted thus: " With such various forms of pleasing as rarely fall to the lot of man. Byron possessed the counterbalance to an extraordinary degree; as he could disenchant his admirers almost as quickly as he had won their admiration. He was too observant not to discover, at a glance, the falling off in the admiration of those around him, and resented as an injury the decrease in their esteem, which a little consideration for their feelings, and some restraint in the expression of his own, would have prevented. Sensitive, jealous, and exigent himself, he had no sympathy or forbearance for those weaknesses in others. He claimed admiration not only for his genius, but for his defects, as a sort of right that appertained solely to him. He was conscious of this foiblesse, but wanted either power or inclination to correct it, and was deeply offended if others appeared to have made the discovery.??p. 403. The volume really affords many interesting materials for useful meditation; and those who wish to see the results on the moral nature of one who has judgment, joined with good sense, and more than all, a thorough knowledge of busy life, will not fail to peruse these Conversations." Juicy stuff indeed! This copy has been much owned and ignorantly stored. Boards are much worn all about. They are scuffed, marked, resolute. The leather spine too, is much worn and cracked. It is also defiant in its security. Within, the front pages are much worn as is the binding. They, and the binding, are secure and assured. The papertrims are marked from handling and storage. However, the pages, despite occasional marking and foxing, are benign, very clear and confident, well-spaced and well-placed, competent and certain, agreeable and most amenable. The book may be read and owned with the comfort of pleasure. fk. Book Condition: Fair. Binding: Hardcover. Jacket: No Jacket

First Edition.

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