C. Dallas.
Newstead Abbey, Sept. 16, 1811.
DEAR SIR,--I send you a 'motto':
"L'univers est une espece de livre, dont on n'a lu que la premiere
page quand on n'a vu que son pays. J'en ai feuillete un assez grand
nombre, que j'ai trouve egalement mauvaises. Cet examen ne m'a point
ete infructueux. Je haissais ma patrie. Toutes les impertinences des
peuples divers, parmi lesquels j'ai vecu, m'ont reconcilie avec elle.
Quand je n'aurais tire d'autre benefice de mes voyages que celui-la,
je n'en regretterais ni les frais, ni les fatigues."
"Le Cosmopolite." [1]
If not too long, I think it will suit the book. The passage is from a
little French volume, a great favourite with me, which I picked up in
the Archipelago. I don't think it is well known in England; Monbron is
the author; but it is a work sixty years old.
Good morning! I won't take up your time.
Yours ever,
BYRON.
[Footnote 1: Fougeret de Monbron, born at Peronne, served in the 'Gardes
du Corps', but abandoned the sword for the pen, and published 'Henriade
Travestie' (1745); 'Preservatif Centre l'Anglomanie' (1787); and 'Le
Cosmopolite' (1750). His novels, 'Margot la Ravaudeuse, Therlse
Philosophe', and others, appeared under the name of Fougeret. He died in
1761. In that year was published in London an edition of 'Le
Cosmopolite, ou le Citoyen du Monde', par Mr. de Monbron, with the
motto, "Patria est ubicunque est bene" (Cic. 5, Tusc. 37).
Byron's quotation is the opening paragraph of the book.
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