IN presenting a portrait of the late Mrs. MUSTERS, it is no departure from our general plan of selecting for this work likenesses exclusively of our nobility, for Mrs. MUSTERS, though herself without title, was, in the strictest sense of the term, of noble blood, being the immediate descendant of the Lords CHAWORTH, a family claimed by antiquity as amongst the oldest of these islands :

"Herself the solitary scion left

Of a time-honoured race."

Byron's Dream.

The descent of the Chaworths may be traced from the latter part of William the Conqueror's reign, when PATRICK DE CADURCIS, vulgarly called Chaworth, a native of Little Britany, made a grant of certain mills in Gloucestershire to the monks of St. Peter's abbey in Gloucester. He was succeeded by his son, Patrick de Chaworth, who, in the 33rd Henry II. upon the collection of the scutage of Galway, accounted six pounds for the knights' fees belonging to the honour of Striguil. The numerous successors of this feudal lord long flourished in the counties of Derby and Nottingham, and we find that about the year 1500, John Brabazon, one of the ancestors of the Earl of Meath, married a daughter of Chaworth, and that the fifth Earl of Meath, somewhere in advance of the year 1700, married Juliana, the only daughter of Viscount Chaworth. On the ground of nobility, therefore, well may Mrs. Musters claim a place among ladies of exalted rank. But there

VOL. II.NO. V.

are other reasons why she must ever be an object of peculiar interest; she was Lord Byron's first and only love-the Mary of his poetry.

It is well known that on the part of Miss Chaworth there was never any attachment towards Lord Byron:

"She had loved him not, Nor given him cause to deem himself beloved." The Dream.

He was indeed but a "clownish boy," comparatively speaking, at the period when his passion first awoke towards her. Undoubtedly, however, at one time, Lord Byron possessed the hope, if not the belief, so naturally born of his wishes, that his affection was returned. But the "death-blow of this hope," by which his memory immortal grew," (to use his own phrases) was very early inflicted; too late, however, for his happiness, he found" her sighs were not for him," too late discovered, that, even when standing with her on the “gentle hill,”

"even then she loved another, And on the summit of that hill she stood, Looking afar if yet her lover's steed Kept pace with her expectancy and flew."* The Dream.

Inquiry was once made of Mrs. Musters respecting this incident. Her reply perhaps it may be profane to name, since it makes sorry prose of the poetical images. At the same time, since it also evidences the power of the alchemy of genius in converting rubbish into gold, I shall risk the profanity of naming it. The reply of Mrs. Musters was that the passage must refer to the circumstance of Lord Byron having walked to "the hill" for the purpose of watching the return of Mr. Musters from the Nottingham races! GG

In what manner he made this discovery is not probably known, but the following anecdote, which has never before been published, contains the actual circumstances under which he was separated from her as a lover. They were related by one of the individuals whom I shall have occasion to name in the course of this article.

Lord Byron and his rival in Mary Chaworth's affections, Mr. Musters, were, notwithstanding their rivalry, juvenile companions. The latter frequently invited his friend to Colwick Hall, the family residence of the Musters', not many miles distant from Newstead Abbey. On one of these occasions Lord Byron and young Musters had been bathing in the river Trent, which sweeps round the pleasure grounds of Colwick very invitingly for such a purpose. Whilst they were dressing themselves on the bank, Mr. Musters observed a ring among the clothes of his friend, and recognised it as having very recently belonged to Miss Chaworth. Accordingly he took possession of it, significantly remarking to Lord Byron, "I know the owner of this ring, and shall keep it." Vain was remonstrance on the part of Lord Byron; nevertheless he did remonstrate, saying that it was given to him by Miss Chaworth; the ring, however, was withheld. After much fruitless altercation, which may be easily imagined, mutual silence succeeded during the remainder of the time they were dressing.

On their way home Lord Byron, as if more surely to convince himself of Mr. Musters' determination respecting the ring, observed, "you will of course return it to me," the answer to which was, a decided negative. At last they arrived at the house, the ring not returned, and the companions still at strife.

Mr. Musters now, unknown to his parents or to any party, flew to Annesley, and entering its "antique oratory," was very soon in the presence of her who was the innocent cause of this juvenile quarrel. The occasion of his abrupt visit was quickly stated, the ring produced, and a lover's inquiries made concerning it. Mary Chaworth confessed that she knew it to be in Lord Byron's possession, that it became so with her permission, or rather sufferance; and that he had taken it from one of the tables, declaring, in a playful manner, his intention to keep it. Thus obtained, her's was a very careless and easy acquiescence in the loss of that which love had made so dear to Byron.

The explanation concerning the ring was

soon over, but Mr. Musters had something more at heart which he had determined to divulge. He had felt it was no longer proper that the fair object of his affections should seem to have "two strings to her bow," and, therefore, before he again parted from her, he intimated his wish that Lord Byron should be made sensible she coveted no such distinction. . Mr. Musters further requested that if he (Mr. Musters) was the accepted lover (which in spite of her parents' hostility he knew himself to be) it should be forthwith made known to all parties. The request was complied with, and Lord Byron soon given to understand that he was the discarded one, though by what mode of communication I am ignorant.

And thus, as the poet expresses it, were the "bonds of loving" broken! Thus his heart was stricken, and from henceforth became eloquent with grief; whilst

more than tears of blood can tell, When wrung from Guilt's expiring eye, Were in his word-farewell !-farewell !” Mr. Musters returned to Colwick, his absence having been neither discovered nor suspected. Dinner was announced; the parents of Mr. Musters were seated, their son, and also his friend. The seniors perceived an unusual strangeness of manner between the juniors, more particularly on the part of Lord Byron, but they knew not the cause, nor did they make any inquiry. The two friends were silent, yet looked unutterable things. Dinner proceeded, but the gloom of Byron increased, and at last he abruptly turned his back towards the table. Such an unaccountable climax to conduct, which had previously caused surprise, excited not a little the further astonishment of both host and hostess. It being their custom, however, in the summer-time, (which it then was,) to ride out after dinner, and thinking that their absence would afford the young people an opportunity for mutual explanation, they left them together.

Young Musters took prompt advantage of his father's and mother's absence. He began by expressing his regret, that he should have invited any person to insult his parents at their own table, adding, that, in consequence of such behaviour, the sooner Lord Byron ordered his horse, and hastened his departure to Newstead, the better. He intimated, moreover, that if he had not been his guest at home, less provocation would have ensured him a good thrashing! This latter remark roused the ire of the future poet, which he ill repressed. It escaped, however, only in

the indignation that flashed from his eyes, and in the significant and sarcastic retort :— “So, had I not been your guest, you would have thrashed me-would you?" Saying this, he retired to his chamber, and remained there a considerable time, occupied, it was supposed, in preparing to leave Colwick that very evening. Instead, however, of abruptly departing for Newstead in passion and in pride, after a while he made his appearance as usual in the drawing-room; when what was the surprise of his successful rival in love, who had so recently threatened him with personal chastisement, to hear Byron apologise for his rudeness, and candidly acknowledge with regret, that it was the result of over-excited feelings. The following morning, however, he left Colwick, and, I understand, from that moment quietly surrendered the fair conquest to the victor.

In what manner he took his leave of her, after the occurrences just related, may be gathered from "The Dream."

Although, however, young Musters and Lord Byron thus parted, let it now be remarked, that in the same spirit of magnanimity with which the future bard relinquished every pretension to Miss Chaworth, as her lover, he continued his friendship, not only to her, but also to his rival, with whom, on various occasions afterwards, he was accustomed to associate. Having mentioned this fact, I may now be pardoned for adding how ill the poet's friendship, which outlived that period, and a defeat so signal, could brook the following much more trivial transgression on the part of his friend.

It was usual for Lord Byron, with " gay companions round the bowl," to enjoy himself with his associates, at Newstead, long after midnight-the celebrated skull being the goblet which passed round amongst the revellers. Mr. Musters had never fancied this goblet, however he might have occasionally drunk from it. He expressed his disgust at last on its being again presented to him, by politely declining the proffered compliment. In consequence of this Lord Byron rang for the servant, and ordered "A bottle of Burgundy and a glass for Mr. Musters," specially, in a manner not to be

misunderstood. Perhaps Lord Byron was stricken from the height of joyous and social hilarity too unexpectedly.

"The scathing thought of execrated years had, probably, been too abruptly, (however innocently,) evoked, and, like the spectre of Macbeth's banquet, remained a most unwelcome guest, sickening the host with agitation. Whether it was so or not, Mr. Musters seemed never to have been forgiven, nor were either mutually social over any other cup afterwards.

To return to the subject of this sketch. It has been said, that towards Mrs. Musters Lord Byron also continued friendly, notwithstanding the bitterest of those disappointments which she inflicted upon him. The verses he addressed to her, in which he mentions her favourite child," will show how true and fervent was this feeling; but, nevertheless, how dangerous to his own peace, he felt her presence might still become

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"near thee I can never stay, My heart would soon again be thine." From all indeed he has himself written on the subject, it would seem that by this early disappointment of his love, he was stricken into that eccentric and wretched career of which his own "star condemned," shook from its original orbit, and which thenceforward

« became

A wandering mass of shapeless flame,
A pathless comet and a curse,"

was an appropriate emblem".

But to conclude. Mrs. Musters died about two years ago, in consequence of the effects of fright, occasioned by the brutal sacking and burning of Colwick Hall. No one has lived more deservedly respected, few have died more regretted, and, to close with the words of Byron, in “The Lament of Tasso,” she shall have

"One half the laurel that o'ershades his grave."

As some proof that this remark is not mere con

jecture, Moore, in his "Life, &c.," quotes part of a suppressed letter from Byron, in which the latter confesses, with reference to Miss Chaworth's marriage, that "his head was never right " afterwards.