Pray write. I am invited to Lord O.'s and Lord H.'s; but if you wish
very much to meet me I can come to town.
I suppose the tythe purchase will be made in my name. What is to be done
with Deardon? [1]
Mrs. M[assingberd] [2] is dead, and I would wish something settled for
the Daughter who is still responsible. Will you give a glance into that
business, and if possible first settle something about the Annuities.
I shall perhaps draw within a L100 next week, but I will delay for your
answer on C.'s business.
Ever yours, sincerely and affectionately,
BYRON.
My love to all the family.
I wish to do something for young Rushton, if practicable at _Rochdale_;
if not, think of some situation where he might occupy himself to avoid
Idleness, in the mean time.
[Footnote 1: Deardon was the lessee of the Rochdale coal-pits.
"When Mr. France was here," writes Mrs. Byron to Hanson, July 13, 1811
(Koelbing's 'Englische Studien', vol. xxv. p. I53), "he told me there
had been an injunction procured to prevent Deardin from working the
Coal Pits that was in dispute between Lord Byron and him, but since
France was here, there has been a Man from Lancashire who says they
are worked by Deardin the same as ever. I also heard that the Person
you sent down to take an account of the Coals was bribed by Deardin,
and did not give an account of half of what was got."]
[Footnote 2: For Mrs. Massingberd, see 'Letters', vol. i. p.
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