That nation may be considered to possess the
most virtue, where it is the most highly appreciated; and that the least,
where it is so little understood, that the semblance is not even assumed.
Byron is, I believe, sincere in his belief in supernatural appearances; he
assumes a grave and mysterious air when he talks on the subject, which he
is fond of doing, and has told me some extraordinary stories relative to
Mr. Shelley, who, he assures me, had an implicit belief in ghosts. He also
told me that Mr. Shelley's spectre had appeared to a lady, walking in a
garden, and he seemed to lay great stress on this. Though some of the
wisest of mankind, as witness Johnson, shared this weakness in common with
Byron; still there is something so unusual in our matter-of-fact days in
giving way to it, that I was at first doubtful that Byron was serious in
his belief. He is also superstitious about days, and other trifling
things,--believes in lucky and unlucky days,--dislikes undertaking any
thing on a Friday, helping or being helped to salt at table, spilling salt
or oil, letting bread fall, and breaking mirrors; in short, he gives way
to a thousand fantastical notions, that prove that even _l'esprit le plus
fort_ has its weak side.
[1] Rouchefoucault.
* * * * *
ODE TO THE GERMANS.
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