BYRON, A SELF PORTRAIT

This collection of letters and journals of Byron, including fifty-five letters hitherto unpublished and thirty-six not published before in full, should be of great interest to the student of literature inasfar as the personal writings cast light on the poet himself and the literary scene of the day. The letters and diaries from 1798-1824 are a joy to read for their forthrightness, vigor and touches of sardonic and rather boyish humor. The material is absorbing and entertaining and the foreword and brief biographical notes are happily subordinated in length and importance to the letters and journals, allowing the vigorous, passionate personality of Hyron to reveal itself through his writing. An important addition to biographical work about the great English Romanticist. Quennell has contributed introductory notes -- biographical and appreciative, with commentary on the sources of the new material.