12 INTRODUCTION TO THE LADY OF THE LAKE. I Byron has so called it) was marked by some instances of good-nature as well as patience. never refused a literary person of merit such services in smoothing his way to the public as were in my power; and I had the advantage, rather an uncommon one with our irritable race, to enjoy general favour, without incurring permanent ill-will, so far as is known to me, among any of my contemporaries. W. S. ABBOTSFORD, April, 1830. |