A Narrative of Lord Byron's Last Journey to Greece

by Pietro Gamba

Overview

Count Pietro Gamba (1801–27) was the brother of Teresa Guiccioli, Lord Byron's mistress, and a member of the Italian revolutionaries known as the Carbonari. He accompanied Byron on his mission to Greece in 1823, and was described by the poet as 'one of the most amiable, brave, and excellent young men' he had ever encountered, 'with a thirst for knowledge, and a disinterestedness rarely to be met with'. This account of the mission, and of Byron's death and the subsequent controversies over its cause and the disposal of the body, was published in 1825, and dedicated to Byron's close friend, John Cam Hobhouse. It was based on Gamba's diary, 'containing a minute account of all the events of the day … My only object is to give a simple narrative of what Lord Byron did in Greece'. Gamba died of typhoid in 1827, still working for Greek independence.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781108076128
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/17/2014
Series:	Cambridge Library Collection - European History
Pages:	330
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.46(h) x 0.91(d)

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER II. Arrival of Colonel Stanhope The Pacha of Scutari retires from the siege of Anatolico Dissensions amongst the Greeks of the Morea Lord Byron addresses a public letter to the legislative body, and a private letter to Prince Mavrocordato Arrival of the Greek fleet and of Mavrocordato Lord Byron sends a message to the Prince Arrival of two Greek vessels off the harbour of Argostoli, with letters from the Prince and the Greek government to Lord Byron Lord Byron embarks, and sails from Cephalonia Arrives at Zante Sails for Missolonghi Is separated from Count Gamba The latter, with part of Lord Byron's household, taken by a Turkish frigate, and conveyed to the Castle of the Morea His release and arrival at Missolonghi, where Lord Byron also arrives His joyful reception Account of his dangerous voyage there Departure of the Hydriote fleet State of Greece Lord Byron's political conduct in that country His intended enterprise against Lepanto He takes five hundred Suliotes into his pay Forms an artillery brigade Establishes a Greek newspaper. About this same time, the middle of November, the Honourable Colonel L. Stanhope arrived, in company with two envoys of the German committees. He came from Ancona, deputed by the London committee to act with Lord Byron: he was the bearer of the best news from Europe. The interest in favour of the Greeks had risen to enthusiasm, particularly in England: every exertion was making for a loan, and, apparently, only the Greek deputies were wanting to conclude it. News from Greece now informed us that the Pacha of Scutari had abandoned Anatolico, and that the Turkish army had fled precipitately ; whether through fear of the approachingwinter, through want of provisions, or on account of divisions amongst the commanders, was not known: ...

Table of Contents

Dedication; 1. Lord Byron's departure for Greece; 2. Arrival of Colonel Stanhope; 3. Communication from the legislative body with Lord Byron; 4. Lord Byron's visit to Anatolico; 5. News from the Morea; 6. Affray between one of Lord Byron's guard and a citizen of Missolonghi; Notes.