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he original MS. of the First and Second Cantos of _Childe Harold_,consisting of ninety-one folios bound up with a single bluish-greycover, is in the possession of Mr. Murray.[1] A transcript from thisMS., in the handwriting of R. C. Dallas, with Byron's autographcorrections, is preserved in the British Museum (Egerton MSS., No.2027). The first edition (4to) was printed from the transcript asemended by the author. The "Addition to the Preface" was first publishedin the Fourth Edition. The following notes in Byron's handwriting are on the outside of thecover of the original MS.:-- "Byron--Joannina in AlbaniaBegun Oct. 31^st.^ 1809.Concluded, Canto 2^d, Smyrna,March 28^th^, 1810. BYRON. The marginal remarks pencilled occasionally were made by twofriends who saw the thing in MS. sometime previous to publication.1812." On the verso of the single bluish-grey cover, the lines, "Dear Object ofDefeated Care," have been inscribed. They are entitled, "Written beneaththe picture of J. U. D." They are dated, "Byron, Athens, 1811." The following notes and memoranda have been bound up with the MS.:-- "Henry Drury, Harrow. Given me by Lord Byron. Being his originalautograph MS. of the _first_ canto of _Childe Harold_, commenced atJoannina in Albania, proceeded with at Athens, and completed atSmyrna." "How strange that he did not seem to know that the volume containsCantos I., II., and so written by L^d.^ B.!" [_Note by J. Murray._] "Sir,--I desire that you will settle any account for _ChildeHarold_ with Mr. R. C. Dallas, to whom I have presented thecopyright. Y^r.^ obed^t.^ Serv^t.,^BYRON.To Mr. John Murray,Bookseller,32, Fleet Street,London, Mar. 17, 1812." * * * * * "Received, April 1st, 1812, of Mr. John Murray, the sum of onehundred pounds 15/8, being my entire half-share of the profits ofthe 1st Edition of _Childe Harold's Pilgrimage_ 4to.
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