Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 September 1869 — Hyenaism. [ARTICLE]

Hyenaism.

Mrs. Harriet Beeciikr Stowe han published in the September number,of the Atlantic Monthly an article of about nineteen pages which she calls “The true story of Lady Byron’s life,” the ostensible purpose ot which is to defend that lady's character from the aspersions cast by the Countess of Guicctroi.i, at one time Lord Byron’s mistress, in a book she has just published. Just what benefit such articles, are to the public, or how they improve the morals of society we are too obtuse to sec. In fact wC fail to understand just what interest or business, even, the American people have in the private scandal of European aristocracy. That milords and mi-ladies have their family troubles and are profligate, cruel, and wicked th<! people of this country know, and that they wore so in the preceding generation can bo learned from the writings of their contemporaries without prostituting the brilliant pens and periodicals of our day to make it known. Such articles as those from Miss Olive Lohan against the Nude Drama and the one under consideration, are but the panderings of talent to a prurient taste. While professing to condemn vice they show it in its most seductive colors and cite the rich, the powerful, the learned, the famous, and, often, the religious, as votaries. Admitting that Lord Byron’s Italian mistress lies about Lady Byron (and the presumption is strong she does), admitting, (which is very doubtful,) that hi* was even guilty ot the revolting crime Lady Byron mistrusted and charged him with, wherein is the world or any individual benefited by the exposure? Mrs. Stowe says Lady Byron was too gentle and good to make public her suspicions during his life or even after his death, but that she died in the firm belief that he had repented, been forgiven and was of the host of justified spirits singing anthems of holiness around the throne of Jehovah! Then why must she emulate the'fiendish hyena and tear away the clods of the grave that foul Scandal may gorge to repletion upon the putrid carcass!