Lovers of Byron's fame may be glad, at least, that the
worst has now been said and calumny can not touch the great
poet further. Ever since his death more than eighty years ago,
the hyenas of scandal have wrangled over his grave, shock-
ing the world in their hunt for uncleanness. All the name-
less things that delight to see greatness brought low, genius
disgraced, the sanctuary of honor defiled and the virtue of
humanity trampled in the dirt, were bidden to the feast.
Those obscene orgies have lasted a long time : they are now
at an end. The unclean have taken away the uncleanness, if
such there was, and are dispersed with their foul kindred
in the wilderness. The clean remains and all that was truly
vital and imperishable of Byron — the legacy of his genius,
the inspiration of his example in the cause of liberty, the
deathless testimony of his spirit for that supreme cause, and
his flame-hearted protest against the enthroned Sham, Mean-
ness and Oppression which still rule the world. These
precious bequests of Byron we have immortal and secure. As
for the rest — -

Glory without end

Scattered the clouds away, and on that name attend

The tears and praises of all time !



Lafcadio Ream.
