ERZA cannot entertain a higher respect than I do for the memory of Lady Flora Hastings; but I am sure no member of her family would countenance any attempt to exalt her reputation at the expense of another's; and I fear ERZA, however unintentionally, has fallen into this error. The stanzas she attributed to Lady Flora, as L. H. K. stated (Vol. iii., p. 522.), were published as Miss M. A. S. Barber's in _The Christian Lady's Magazine_ for September, 1839, only two months after Lady Flora's death. In the preceding number, as L. H. K. also correctly stated, is a brief memoir of Lady Flora, in which it is said, that shortly before her death she "delivered to her fond brother a little Bible, the gift of her mother, requesting him to restore it to that beloved parent," &c. ERZA may be unacquainted with that publication, but I can assure her that Lady Flora's brother, my esteemed and lamented patron, was not; for shortly after the number appeared, I found it lying on his table, in his own private room at Donington Park, and, while waiting to see him, partly read it there myself for the first time. I know not whether he ever read the lines in question in the succeeding number, but I know the _Magazine_ was regularly taken by some of Lady Flora's intimate friends, and I cannot suppose they would allow any poem of hers to pass unnoticed for twelve years, with the signature of Miss Barber attached to it. Indeed the stanzas bear internal evidence of being written after Lady Flora's death, and founded on the account given by _Charlotte Elizabeth_ in the preceding number. If, however, ERZA still persists in attributing them to Lady Flora Hastings, she is in duty bound to give her authority, and not bring such a heavy accusation against Miss Barber on the bare assertion of an anonymous correspondent. If Miss Barber really composed the stanzas, as I believe she did, she was doubtless actuated with a desire to honour the memory and character of Lady Flora; and in such case nothing could be more cruel and unjust than the conduct imputed to her by ERZA. Unfortunately I do not know Miss Barber's address, or whether she is still living; but if any of your readers do, I hope they will name this case to her, or her friends, that her reputation may be cleared from the imputation thus rashly cast on it. If the case cannot thus be satisfactorily settled, I will obtain the desired information from another quarter; but I hope ERZA will also offer the assistance in her power towards this desirable object; and to set the example of candour and openness, I will subscribe my real name.
Environment Review
Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 92, August 2, 1851 — Part 24
2026-11-15 04:58:59 · The Daily Ledger
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