Dog that broke Byron’s heart
QUESTION
What is the story of Lord Byron’s dog, which died from rabies? What breed was it? in 1803, when Byron was 15, he acquired a newfoundland dog called Boatswain. newfoundlands, or newfies as they’re affectionately called, are large, shaggy, working, semi-aquatic dogs bred to assist newfoundland fishermen.
Byron was intensely fond of Boatswain, and taking note of this, his friend Elizabeth Pigot created a parody of Old Mother Hubbard And Her Dog, entitled The Wonderful History Of Lord Byron And His Dog ( 1807). it was a comic text illustrated with ten ink sketches that gently mocked Byron’s fondness for his favourite companion.
Pigot was like an older sister to Byron while he was growing up in nottinghamshire, encouraging him in the writing of his early poetry. in one episode we find Boatswain turned vicar, after Byron visits the house of Rev Thomas Beecher: ‘ He went to the Cottage to chat with Ann Beecher, & when he came back, Found Bo’sen’ turn’d Preacher.’
Boatswain is pictured preaching to Byron from the pulpit, saying: ‘Repent ye wicked, resist temptations.’
Byron later acquired a ferocious bull mastiff called nelson with whom he amused himself by ‘ throwing the room into disorder’, and also had a bulldog called Savage.
Pigot tells us that: ‘ in his great and manifold kindness he [nelson] has already bitten my fingers, and disturbed the gravity of old Boatswain, which is grievously discomposed.’
in 1808, Boatswain was bitten by a rabid dog while accompanying the post boy into Mansfield. Rabies at that time was widespread. An effective anti-rabies vaccine wasn’t developed until the 1880s, and this, with the introduction of quarantine, eradicated the disease in Britain by 1902.
it is uncertain whether Byron recognised the condition, but in his biography of the poet, Andre Maurois wrote: ‘Byron nursed him like a friend, and with his own bare hands sponged the froth that ran from his gaping jaws.’
The dog’s death was a severe blow. Byron wrote to his close friend Francis Hodgson on november 18, 1808: ‘Boatswain is dead! He expired in a state of madness on the 10th after suffering much, yet retaining all the gentleness of his nature to the last, never attempting to do the least injury to anyone near him. i have now lost everything except Old Murray [his servant].’
Though deep in debt, Byron commissioned an impressive marble monument for his newstead Abbey home, inscribing it with this Epitaph To A Dog: Near this Spot Are deposited the Remains of one Who possessed Beauty without Vanity Strength without Insolence Courage without Ferocity And all the virtues of Man without his Vices This praise which would be
unmeaning Flattery if inscribed over human Ashes is but a just tribute to the Memory of BoATSWAIN a DoG, Who was born in Newfoundland
May 1803 And died at Newstead Nov. 18, 1808.
Angie Brookward, Nottingham.
QUESTION
Is it true that Jose Maria Vargas was made the first civilian Venezuelan president against his will? JOSE MARiA VARgAS was born in La guaira, Vargas state, Venezuela, on March 10, 1786. At 12, he entered the Royal and Pontifical University of Caracas, graduating as bachelor in philosophy in 1803.
Five years later, he qualified as a doctor and moved to practise in Cumana, where he became a republican member of the Supreme Legislature (1811).
At the time, Venezuela was part of gran Colombia. internal dissension led to civil wars between the various rivals for the leadership of gran Colombia’s territories, and the state broke up in 1830.
During the upheaval, Vargas was imprisoned in 1812 following an attempted royalist coup. After his release the following year, he sailed to Europe, to hone his surgical knowledge in Edinburgh. He was incorporated in London as a member of the Royal College of Surgeons. in 1825, after working in Puerto Rico, Vargas joined the University of Caracas as professor of anatomy.
in 1827 the university was reorganised along republican lines by liberator Simon Bolivar and Vargas became rector. His excellent administration saw his cachet rise dramatically in political circles.
in 1834, when candidates for the presidential 1835- 1839 term were put forward, Vargas was championed by the civilian sector, which was concerned about the lead role the military had taken in the government.
When no candidate secured the required majority of electoral votes, Congress chose Vargas as president, much to his chagrin, — as well as that of the military — and he took up the duties with great reluctance. When Congress passed a bill over his veto, he resigned the presidency. Congress declined to accept it.
in July 1835, an insurrection led by general Santiago Marino deposed Vargas and sent him into exile. Tradition records that when a revolutionist peremptorily asked Vargas to renounce the presidency, exclaiming that ‘ the world was for the valiant man’, Vargas responded that ‘the world was for the just and honourable’.
Upon the eve of his departure Vargas appointed as commander of the government’s forces general Paez, the previous president and a confidant of Bolivar, who quashed Marino’s uprising. Vargas resumed office in 1836, only to resign shortly afterwards.
He devoted the rest of his life to education as President of the general Directorate of Public instruction. in August 1853 he travelled to new York where he fell ill and died on July 13, 1854.
Mrs A. Cohen, Salisbury, Wilts.
QUESTION
Further to the question regarding the most Oscar winners in one film, which film featured the most knights and lords? FURTHER to the earlier answer, the same question might be asked of acting dames, of whom there are fewer than acting knights. Tea With Mussolini ( 1999) featured the talents of Dames Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Joan Plowright.
Directed by Franco Zefferelli, it is a wonderful film that cleverly captures the dark charisma of Mussolini. Dench and Smith are close friends and also appeared together in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2012), Ladies in Lavender (2004) and A Room With A View (1986).
Mrs J. Thomas, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland.
IS THERE a question to which you have always wanted to know the answer? Or do you know the answer to a question raised here? Send your questions and answers to: Charles Legge, Answers To Correspondents, Daily Mail, 2 Derry Street, London, W8 5TT. You can also fax them to 01952 780111 or you can email them to charles. legge@dailymail.co.uk. A selection will be published but we are not able to enter into individual correspondence.