lieve popular opinion than any decided opinion of at last, many years after, when I was sixteen, she my own. For, to me, some of Moore's last Erin told ine one day, 'Oh, Byron, I have had a letter sparks- As a beam o'er the face of the waters '-- from Edinburgh, from Miss Abercromby, and your When he who adores thee'-' Oh blame not '-and old sweetheart Mary Duff is married to a Mr. Co 'Oh breathe not his name '-are worth all the Epics And what was my answer? I really cannot explain that ever were composed. or account for my feelings at that moment; but "** thinks the Quarterly will attack me next. they nearly threw me into convulsions, and alarmed Let them. I have been peppered so highly in my my mother so much, that, after I grew better, she time, both ways, that it must be cayenne or aloes to generally avoided the subject-to me-and conmake me taste. I can sincerely say that I am not tented herself with telling it to all her acquaintvery much alive now to criticism. But-in tracing ance. Now, what could this be? I had never seen this-I rather believe that it proceeds from my not her since her mother's faux-pas at Aberdeen had attaching that importance to authorship which many been the cause of her removal to her grandmother's do, and which, when young, I did also. 'One gets at Banff; we were both the merest children. I had tired of every thing, my angel,' says Valmont. The and have been attached fifty times since that period; 'angels' are the only things of which I am not a yet I recollect all we said to each other, all our calittle sick-but I do think the preference of writers resses, her featuros, my restlessness, sleeplessness, to agents-the mighty stir made about scribbling and my tormenting my mother's maid to write for me to scribes, by themselves and others-a sign of effemi- her, which she at last did, to quiet me. Poor Nancy nacy, degeneracy, and weakness. Who would write, thought I was wild, and, as I could not write for who had any thing better to do? Action-ac myself, became my secretary. I remember, too, our tion-action-said Demosthenes: Actions-ac- walks, and the happiness of sitting by Mary, in the tions,' I say, and not writing.-least of all rhyme. children's apartment, at their house not far from Look at the querulous and monotonous lives of the the Plainstones at Aberdeen, while her less sister 'genus; except Cervantes, Tasso, Dante, Ari- Helen played with the doll, and we sat gravely osto, Kleist, (who were brave and active citizens,) making love, in our way. Eschylus, Sophocles, and some other of the an tiques also-what a worthless, idle brood it is! "12, Mezza notte. "How the deuce did all this occur so early?' where could it originate? I certainly had no sexual ideas for years afterward; and yet my misery, my love for that girl were so violent, that I sometimes "Just returned from dinner with Jackson (the doubt if I have ever been really attached since. Be emperor of pugilism) and another of the select, at that as it may, hearing of her marriage several years Cribb's the champion's. I drank more than I like, after, was like a thunder-stroke-it nearly choked and have brought away some three bottles of very me-to the horror of my mother and the astonishfair claret-for I have no headache. We had Tom ment and almost incredulity of every body. And it Cribb up after dinner ;-very facetious, though is a phenomenon in my existence (for I was not somewhat prolix. He don't like his situation-eight years old) which has puzzled, and will puzzle wants to fight again-pray Pollux (or Castor, if he me to to the latest hour of it; and lately, I know was the miller) he may! Tom has been a sailor-a not why, the recollection (not the attachment) has coal-heaver-and some other genteel professions, recurred as forcibly as ever. I wonder if she can before he took to the cestus. Tom has been in ac- have the least remembrance of it or me? or rememtion at sea, and is now only three-and-thirty. Aber her pitying sister Heien for not having an adgreat man! has a wife and a mistress, and conver-mirer too? How very pretty is the perfect image of sations well-bating some sad omissions and mis- her in my memory-her brown dark hair, and hazel applications of the aspirate. Tom is an old friend eyes-her very dress! I should be quite grieved to of mine; I have seen some of his best battles in see her now, the reality, however beautiful, would my nonage. He is now a publican, and, I fear, a destroy, or at least confuse, the features of the sinner; for Mrs. is on alimony, and 's lovely Peri which then existed in her, and still lives daughter lives with the champion. This told in my imagination, at the distance of more than me,-Tom having an opinion of my morals, passed sixteen years. I am now twenty-five and odd her off as a legal spouse. Talking of her, he said, months....... 'she was the truest of women '-from which I immediately inferred she could not be his wife, and so it turned out. "These panegyrics don't belong to matrimony; for if true,' a man don't think it necessary to say so; and if not, the less he says the better. is the only man, except ****, I ever heard harangue upon his wife's virtue; and I listened to both with great credence and patience, and stuffed my handkerchief into my mouth, when I found yawning irresistible. By-the-by, I am yawning now-so, good-night to thee, Nwaipov. "I think my mother told the circumstances (on my hearing of her marriage) to the Parkynsies, and certainly to the Pigot family, and probably mentioned it in her answer to Miss A., who was well acquainted with my childish penchant, and had sent the news on purpose for me,—and, thanks to her! "Next to the beginning, the conclusion has often occupied my reflections, in the way of investigation. That the facts are thus, others know as well as I, and my memory yet tells me so, in more than a whisper. But, the more I reflect, the more I am bewildered to assign any cause for this precocity of "Thursday, 26th November. affection. "Awoke a little feverish, but no headache-no "Lord Holland invited me to dinner to-day; but dreams neither-thanks to stupor! Two letters, three days' dining would destroy me. So, without one from * the other from Lady Melbourne eating at all since yesterday, I went to my box at -both excellent in their respective styles. 's Covent Garden. contained also a very pretty lyric on concealed griefs if not her own, yet very like her. Why looking very pretty, though quite a did she not say that the stanzas were, or were not, different style of beauty from the other two. She of her composition?-I do not know whether to has the finest eyes in the world, out of which she wish them hers or not. I have no great esteem for pretends not to see, and the longest eyelashes I ever poetical persons, particularly women-they have saw, since Leila's and Phannio's Moslem curtains so much of the ideal in practics, as well as ethics. of the light. She has much beauty,-just enough, "I have been thinking lately a good deal of Mary-but is I think, méchante. Duff. How very odd that I should have been so "Saw utterly, devotedly fond of that girl, at an age when "I have been pondering on the miseries of sepa I could neither feel passion, nor know the meaning ration, that-oh how seldom we see those we love! of the word. And the effect!-My mother used yet we live ages in moments, when met. The only always to rally me about this childish amour; and, thing that consoles me during absence is the refer tion that no mental or personal estrangement, from I have no conception of any existence which duraennui or disagreement, can take place;-and when tion would render tiresome. How else fell the people meet hereafter, even though many changes angels,' even according to your creed! They were may have taken place in the mean time, still-unless immortal, heavenly, and happy as their apostate they are tired of each other-they are ready to re- Abdiel is now by his treachery. Time must decide; unite, and do not blame each other for the circumstances that severed them. "Saturday, 27th, (1 believe-or rather am in doubt, and eternity won't be the less agreeable or more horrible because one did not expect it. In the mean time, I am grateful for some good, and tolerably patient under certain evils-grace à Dieu et mon bon tempérament. "Sunday, 28th. "Tuesday 30th. which is the ne plus ultra of mental faith). "I have missed a day; and, as the Irishman said, or Joe Miller says for him, 'have gained a loss,' or by the loss. Every thing is settled for Holland, and nothing but a cough, or a caprice of my fellow-traveller's, can stop us. Carriage ordered -funds prepared-and, probably, a gale of wind into the bargain. N'importe-I believe, with Clym "Two days missed in my log-book; hiatus haud o' the Clow, or Robin Hood, By our Mary (dear deflendus. They were as little worth recollection name!) that art both Mother and May, I think it as the rest, and, luckily, laziness or society pre never was a man's lot to die before his day.' Heigh vented me from notching them. for Helvoetsluys, and so forth! "Sunday, I dined with Lord Holland in St. "To-night I went with young Henry Fox to see James's Square. Large party-among them Sir S. Nourjahad'a drama, which the Morning Post Romily and Lady Ry.; General Sir Somebody hath laid to my charge, but of which I cannot even Bentham, a man of science and talent, I am told; guess the author. I wonder what they will next Horner-the Horner, an Edinburgh Reviewer, an inflict upon me. They cannot well sink below a excellent speaker in the 'Honorable House,' very melodrama; but that is better than a satire, (at pleasing, too, and gentlemanly in company, as far least, a personal one,) with which I stand truly ar- as I have seen-Sharpe-Phillips of Lancashireraigned, and in atonement of which I am resolved Lord John Russell, and others, 'good men and to bear silently all criticisms, abuses, and even true.' Holland's society is very good; you always praises for bad pantomimes never composed by me, see some one or other in it worth knowing. Stuffed -without even a contradictory aspect. I suppose myself with sturgeon, and exceeded in champagne the root of this report is my loan to the manager of and wine in general, but no confusion of head. my Turkish drawings for his dresses, to which he When I do dine, I gorge like an Arab or a boa was more welcome than to my name. I suppose the snake, on fish and vegetables, but no meat. I am real author will soon own it, as it has succeeded; if always better, however, on my tea and biscuit than not, Job be my model, and Lethe my beverage. any other regimen,-and even that sparingly. **** has received the portrait safe; and, in "Why does Lady H. always have that dammed answer, the only remark she makes upon it is, in-screen between the whole room and the fire? I. deed it is like '—and again,.' indeed it is like.' who bear cold no better than an antelope, and neve With her the likenesscovered a multitude of sins;' yet found a sun quite done to my taste, was absofor I happen to know that this portrait was not a lutely petrified, and could not even shiver. All the flatterer, but dark and stern,-even black as the rest, too, looked as if they were just unpacked, like mood in which my mind was scorching last July salmon in an ice-basket, and set down to table for when I sate for it. All the others of me-like most that day only. When she retired, I watched their portraits whatsoever-are, of course, more agreea- looks as I dismissed the screen, and every cheek ble than nature. thawed and every nose reddened with the antici "Redde the Ed. Review of Rogers. He is pated glow. ranked highly-but where he should be. There is a 'Saturday, I went with Harry Fox to see Noursummary view of us all-Moore and me among the jahad; and, I believe, convinced him, by incessant rest; and both (the first justly) praised; though, by yawning, that it was mine. I wish the precious implication (justly again) placed beneath our mem- author would own it and release me from his fame. orable friend. Mackintosh is the writer, and also The dresses are pretty, but not in costume-Mrs. of the critic on the Staël. His grand essay on Horne's, all but the turban, and the want of a Burke, I hear, is for the next number. But I know small dagger, (if she is a Sultana,) perfect. I never nothing of the Edinburgh, or of any other Review, saw a Turkish woman with a turban in my life-nor but from rumor; and have long ceased-indeed, I did any one else. The Sultanas have a small could not, in justice, complain of any, even though poniard at the waist. The dialogue is drowsy-the I were to rate poetry in general, and my rhymes in action heavy-the scenery fine-the actors tolerable. particular, more highly than I really do. To with- I can't say much for their seraglio; Teresa, Phan draw myself from myself (oh that cursed selfish- nio, or **** worth them all. ness!) has ever been my sole, my entire, my sincere "Sunday, a very handsome note from Mackinmotive in scribbling at all; and publishing is also tosh, who is a rare instance of the union of very the continuance of the same object, by the action it transcendent talent and great good-nature. Toaffords to the mind, which else recoils upon itself. day, (Tuesday,) a very pretty billet from M. la BaIf I valued fame, I should flatter received opinions, ronne de Stael Holstein. She is pleased to be much which have gathered strength by time, and will yet pleased with my mention of her and her last work wear longer than any living works to the contrary. in my notes. I spoke as I thought. Her works But, for the soul of me, I cannot and will not give are my delight, and so is she herself, for-half an the lie to my own thoughts and doubts, come what hour. I don't like her politics-at least, her having may. If I am a fool, it is, at least, a doubting changed them; had she been qualis ab incepto, it one; and I envy no one the certainty of his self-were nothing. But she is a woman by herself, and approved wisdom. has done more than all the rest of them together, "All are inclined to believe what they covet, from intellectually, she ought to have been a man. She a lottery-ticket up to a passport to Paradise; in flatters me very prettily in her note;-but I know it. which, from description, I see nothing very tempt-The reason that adulation is not displeasing is, that, ing. My restlessness tells me that I have some- though untrue, it shows one to be of consequence thing within that 'passeth show.' It is for Him, enough, in one way or other, to induce people to who made it, to prolong that spark of celestial fire lie, to make us their friend :-that is their concern. which illuminates, yet burns, this frail tenement; is, I hear, thriving on the repute of a pun but I see no such horror in a dreamless sleep,' and (which was mine at Mackintosh's dinner some time back) on Ward, who was asking how much it and I wish he had not. He is a good fellow, and I would take to re-whig him?' I answered that, obliged myself ten times more by being of use that probably, he must first, before he was re-whigged. I did him; and there's an end on't. be re-warded.' This foolish quibble, before the Staël "Baldwin is boring me to present their King's and Mackintosh and a number of conversationers, Bench petition. I presented Cartwright's last year, has been mouthed about, and at last settled on the and Stanhope and I stood against the whole House, head of, where long may it remain ! and mouthed it valiantly-and had some fun and a "George is returned from afloat to get a new little abuse for our opposition. But I am not i' ship. He looks thin, but better than I expected. I the vein' for this business. Now, had been like George much more than most people like their here, she would have made me do it. There is a heirs. He is a fine fellow, and every inch a sailor. woman, who, amid all her fascination, always urged I would do any thing, but apostatize, to get him on a man to usefulness or glory. Had she remained, in his profession. she had been my tutelar genius. *** "Lewis called. It is a good and good-humored "Baldwin is very importunate-but, poor fellow, I man, but pestilently prolix, and paradoxical, and can't get out, I can't get out-said the starling.' Ah, personal. If he would but talk half, and reduce his I am as bad as that dog Sterne, who preferred whining visits to an hour he would add to his popularity. over a dead ass to relieving a living mother-villain As an author, he is very good, and his vanity is -hypocrite-slave-sycophant! but I am no better. ouverte, like Erskine's, and yet not offending. Here I cannot stimulate myself to a speech for Yesterday, a very pretty letter from Annabella,† the sake of these unfortunates, and three words and which I answered. What an odd situation and half a smile of **, had she been here to urge it, friendship is ours! without one spark of love on (and urge it she infallibly would-at least, she aleither side, and produced by circumstances which ways pressed me on senatorial duties, and particu in general lead to coldness on one side, and aversion larly in the cause of weakness,) would have made on the other. She is a very superior woman, and me an advocate, if not an orator. Curse on Rochevery little spoiled, which is strange in an heiress-a foucault for being always right! In him a lie were girl of twenty-a peeress that is to be, in her own virtue, or, at least, a comfort to his readers. right-an only child, and a savante, who has al- "George Byron has not called to-day; I hope he ways had her own way. She is a poetessa mathe-will be an admiral, and, perhaps, Lord Byrea into matician-a metaphysician; and yet, withal, very the bargain. If he would but marry, I would enkind, generous, and gentle, with very little preten-gage never to marry, myself, or cut him out of the sion. Any other head would be turned with half heirship. He would be happier, and I should like her acquisitions, and a tenth of her advantages. nephews better than sons. "Wednesday, December 1, 1813. I shall soon be six-and-twenty, (January 22d, 1814.) Is there any thing in the future that can possibly console us for not being always twenty-five! Ob Gioventu ! Oh Primavers! Gioventa dell' anno. "Sunday, Dec. 5. "To-day responded to La Baronne de Staël Holstein, and sent to Leigh Hunt (an acquisition to my acquaintance-through Moore-of last summer) a copy of the two Turkish tales. Hunt is an extraordinary character and not exactly of the present age. He reminds me more of the Pym and Hamplen times-much talent, great independence of "Dallas's nephew (son to the American Attorney. spirit, and an austere, yet not repulsive, aspect. If General) is arrived in this country, and tells Dallas he goes on qualis ab incepto, I know few men who that my rhymes are very popular in the United will deserve more praise or obtain it. I must go and States. These are the first tidings that have ever see him again; the rapid succession of adventure sounded like fame to my ears-to be redde on the since last summer, added to some serious uneasiness banks of the Ohio! The greatest pleasure I ever and business, have interrupted our acquaintance; derived, of this kind, was from an extract, in Cooke but he is a man worth knowing; and though, for the actor's life, from his journal, stating, that in nis own sake, I wish him out of prison, I like to the reading-room of Albany, near Washington, he study character in such situations. He has been perused English Bards and Scotch Reviewers. To unshaken, and will continue so. I don't think him be popular in a rising and far country has a kind of deeply versed in life;-he is the bigot of virtue, posthumous feel, very different from the ephemeral (not religion,) and enamored of the beauty of eclat and fete-ing, buzzing and party-ing compli that empty name, as the last breath of Brutus pro-ments of the well-dressed multitude. I can safely nounced, and every day proves it. He is, perhaps, say that, during my reign in the spring of 1812, I a little opinionated, as all men who are the centre of regretted nothing but its duration of six weeks in circles, wide or narrow-the Sir Oracles, in whose stead of a fortnight, and was heartily glad to re name two or three are gathered together-must be, sign. and as even Johnson was; but, withal, a valuable "Last night I supped with Lewis ;-and, as usual, man, and less vain than success and even the though I neither exceeded in solids nor fluids, have consciousness of preferring the right to the expe- been half dead ever since. My stomach is entirely dient' might excuse. destroyed by long abstinence, and the rest will "To-morrow there is a party of purple at the probably follow. Let it-I only wish the pain over. 'blue' Miss***'s. Shall I go? um! I don't The leap in the dark' is the least to be dreaded. much affect your blue-bottles; but one ought to be "The Duke of called. I have told them civil. There will be, I guess now,' (as the Amer- forty times that, except to half-a-dozen old and icans say,) the Staels and Mackintoshes-good-specified acquaintances, I am invisible. His grace thes and ***s-not so good-the * s, is a good, noble, ducal person; but I am content to &c., &c.-good for nothing. Perhaps that blue-think so at a distance, and so-I was not at home. winged-Kashmirian butterfly of book-learning, "Galt called.-Mem.-to ask some one to speak Lady *, will be there. I hope so; it is a pleas- to Raymond in favor of his play. We are old fel ure to look upon that most beautiful of faces. low travellers, and, with all his eccentricities, be "Wrote to Hodgson; he has been telling that has much strong sense, experience of the world, I, I am sure, at least, I did not mention it, and is, as far as I have seen, a good-natured philo • His cousin, afterward Lord Byron. sophical fellow. I showed him Sligo's letters on the report of the Turkish girl's aventure at Athens Two or three words are here scratched out in the manuscript, but the Lewis, and Moore, and Rogers, and Lady Melbour soon after it happened. He and Lord Holland, † Misa Milbanke, afterward Lady Byron. import of the sentence evidently is, that Mr. Hodgson (to whom the passage refers) had been revealing to some friends the secret of Lord Byron's kindness have seen it. Murray has a copy. I thought Thad been unknown, and wish it were; but Sligo ar to him.-Moore. rived only some days after, and the rumors are the of judges. I reverence and admire him; but I won't subject of his letter. That I shall preserve-it is as give up my opinion-why should I? I read her again well. Lewis and Galt were both horrified; and L. and again, and there can be no affectation in this. I wondered I did not introduce the situation into cannot be mistaken (except in taste) in a book 1 'the Giaour.' He may wonder-he might wonder read and lay down, and take up again; and no book more at that production's being written at all. But can be totally bad, which finds one, even one reader, to describe the feelings of that situation were im- who can say as much sincerely. possible-it is icy even to recollect them. "Campbell talks of lecturing next spring; his "The Bride of Abydos was published on Thurs- last lectures were eminently successful. Moore day the second of December; but how it is liked or thought of it, but gave it up, I don't know why. disliked, I know not. Whether it succeeds or not** had been prating dignity to him, and such stuff; is no fault of the public, against whom I can have as if a man disgraced himself by instructing and no complaint. But I am much more indebted to pleasing at the same time. the tale than I can ever be to the most partial "Introduced to Marquis Buckingham-saw Lord reader; as it wrung my thoughts from reality to im- Gower-he is going to Holland; Sir J. and Lady agination-from selfish regrets to vivid recollections Mackintosh and Horner, G. Lamb, with, I know and recalled me to a country replete with the not how many, (R. Wellesley, one-a clever man,) brightest and darkest, but always most lively colors grouped about the room. Little Henry Fox, a fine of my memory. Sharpe called, but was not let in, boy, and very promising in mind and manner,-he which I regret. went away to bed, before I had time to talk to him. I am sure I had rather hear him than all the savans. "Monday, Dec. 6. "Saw yesterday. I have not kept my appointment at Middleton, which has not pleased nim, perhaps; and my projected voyage with ** "Murray tells me that Croker asked him why the will, perhaps, please him less. But I wish to keep thing was called the Bride of Abydos? It is a well with both. They are instruments that don't cursed awkward question, being unanswerable. She do, in concert; but, surely, their separate tones is not a bride, only about to be one; but for, &c., are very musical, and I won't give up either. &c., &c. "I don't wonder at his finding out the bull; but the detection * is too late to do any good. I was a great fool to make it, and am ashamed of not being an Irishman. * "It is well if I don't jar between these great discords. At present, I stand tolerably well with all, out I cannot adopt their dislikes, so many sets. Holland's is the first-every thing distingué is welcome there, and certainly the ton of his society "Campbell last night seemed a little nettled at is the best.-Then there is Mde, de Staël's-there I something or other-I know not what. We were never go, though I might, had I courted it. It is standing in the ante-saloon, when Lord H. brought composed of the **s and the * family, with a out of the other room a vessel of some composition strange sprinkling,-orators, dandies, and all kinds similar to that which is used in Catholic churches, of blue, from the regular Grub street uniform, and, seeing us, he exclaimed, Here is some incense down to the azure jacket of the Literateur. To for you.' Campbell answered-Carry it to Lord see ** and ** sitting together, at dinner, always Byron-he is used to it.' reminds me of the grave, where all distinctions of 66 Now, this comes of 'bearing no brother near the friend and foe are levelled; and they-the Reviewer throne.' I, who have no throne, nor wish to have and Reviewée, the rhinoceros and elephant, the one now-whatever I may have done-am at perfect mammoth and Megalonyx-all will lie quietly to- peace with all the poetical fraternity;-or, at least, gether. They now sit together, as silent, but not if I dislike any, it is not poetically, but personally. so quiet, as if they were already immured." * "I did not go to the Berry's the other night. The elder is a woman of much talent, and both are handsome, and must have been beautiful. To-night asked to Lord H.'s-shall I go? um! perhaps. Surely, the field of thought is infinite;-what does it signify who is before or behind in a race where there is no goal? The temple of Fame is like that of the Persians, the Universe;-our altar, the tops of mountains. I should be equally content with Mount Caucasus or Mount Anything; and those who like it may have Mont Blanc or Chimborazo, without my envy of their elevation. "Morning, two o'clock. "Went to Lord H.'s-party numerous-milady "I think I may now speak thus; for I have just in perfect good humor, and consequently perfect. published a poem, and am quite ignorant whether it No one more agreeable, or perhaps so much so, is likely to be liked or not. I have hitherto heard when she will. Asked for Wednesday to dine and little in its commendation, and no one can downmeet the Staël ;-asked particularly, I believe, out right abuse it to one's face, except in print. It can't of mischief, to see the first interview after the note, be good, or I should not have stumbled over the with which Corinne professes herself to be so much threshold, and blundered in my very title. But I taken. I don't much like it ;-she always talks of begun it with heart full of ***, and my head of myself or herself, and I am not (except in solilo- orientialities, (I can't call them isms,) and wrote on quy, as now) much enamored of either subject-rapidly. especially one's works. What the devil shall I say This journal is a relief. When I am tired-as about De l'Allemagne?' I like it prodigiously; I generally am-out comes this, and down goes every but unless I can twist my admiration into some fan- thing. But I can't read it over;-and God knows tastical expression, she won't believe me; and I what contradictions it may contain. If I am sincere know, by experience, I shall be overwhelmed with with myself, (but I fear one lies more to one's self fine things about rhyme, &c., &c. The lover, Mr. than to any one else,) every page should confute, Rocia, was there to-night, and Campbell said, 'it refute, and utterly abjure its predecessor. was the only proof he had seen of her good taste.' Monsieur L'Amant is remarkably handsome; but I don't think more so than her book. "Another scribble from Martin Baldwin the petitioner: I have neither head nor nerves to present it. That confounded supper at Lewis's has spoiled my digestion and my philanthropy. I have no more charity than a cruet of vinegar. Would I were an ostrich, and dieted on fire-irons-or any thing that my gizzards could get the better of. "Campbell looks well-seemed pleased, and dressed to sprucery. A blue coat becomes him, so does his new wig. He really looked as if Apollo had sent him a birth-day suit, or a wedding-garment, and was witty and lively. He abused Corinne's book, "To-day saw W. His uncle is dying, and W. which I regret; because, firstly, he understands don't much affect our Dutch determinations. I dine German, and is, consequently, a fair judge; and, with him on Thursday, provided l'oncle is not dined secondly, he is first-rate, and, consequently, the best upon, or peremptorily bespoke by the posthumour picures, before that day. I wish he may recover-, the note annexed to the Bride.' This is to be ac not for our dinner's sake, but to disappoint the un-counted for in several ways:-firstly, all women like dertaker, and the rascally reptiles that may well all, or any praise; secondly, this was unexpected, wait, since they will dine at last. because I have never courted her; and, thirdly, as "Gell called-he of Troy-after I was out. Mem. Scrub says, those who have been all their lives regu-to return his visit. But my Mems. are the very larly praised, by regular critics, like a little variety, landmarks of forgetfulness :-something like a light- and are glad when any one goes out of his way to house, with a ship wrecked under the nose of its say a civil thing; and, fourthly, she is a very goodlantern. I never look at a Mem. without seeing that natured creature, which is the best reason, after all, I have remembered to forget. Mem.-I have for- and, perhaps, the only one. gotten to pay Pitt's taxes, and suppose I shall be surcharged. An' I do not turn rebel when thou art king-oons! I believe my very biscuit is leavened with that impostor's imposts. "L. M. returns from Jersey's to-morrow;-I must call. A Mr. Thomson has sent a song, which I must applaud. I hate annoying them with censure or silence, and yet I hate lettering. "A knock-knocks single and double. Bland called. He says Dutch society (he has been in Holland) is second-hand. French; but the women are like women every where else. This is a bore; I should like to see them a little unlike; but that can't be expected. "Went out-came home-this, that, and the other-and all is vanity, saith the preacher,' and "Saw Lord Glenbervie and his prospectus, at so say I, as part of his congregation. Talking of Murray's, of a new Treatise on Timber. Now here vanity-whose praise do I prefer? Why, Mrs. is a man more useful than all the historians and Inchbald's, and that of the Americans. The first, rhymers ever planted. For, by preserving our because her Simple Story' and 'Nature and Art' woods and forests, he furnishes materials for all the are, to me, true to their titles; and consequently, history of Britain worth reading, and all the odes her short note to Rogers about the Giaour' deworth nothing. lighted me more than any thing, except the Edin "Redde a good deal, but desultorily. My head burgh Review. I like the Americans, because 1 is crammed with the most useless lumber. It is happened to be in Asia, while the English Bards odd that when I do read, I can only bear the chicken- and Scotch Reviewers were redde in America. If I broth of any thing but novels. It is many a year could have had a speech against the Slave Trade, since I have looked into one, (though they are some- in Africa, and an epitaph on a dog, in Europe, (i. times ordered, by way of experiment, but never e. in the Morning Post,) my vertex sublimis would taken,) till I looked yesterday at the worst parts of certainly have displaced stars enough to overthrow the Monk. These descriptions ought to have been the Newtonian system. written by Tiberias at Caprea-they are forced "Friday, Dec. 10, 1813. the philtred ideas of a jaded voluptuary. It is to "I am ennuy beyond my usual tense of that me inconceivable how they could have been com- yawning verb, which I am always conjugating; and posed by a man of only twenty-his age when he I don't find that society much mends the matter. wrote them. They have no nature-all the sour I am too lazy to shoot myself-and it would annoy cream of cantharides. I should have suspected Augusta, and perhaps **; but it would be a good Buffon of writing them on the death-bed of his de- thing for George, on the other side, and no bad one testable dotage. I had never redde this edition, and for me; but I won't be tempted. merely looked at them from curiosity and recollec- "I have had the kindest letter from Moore. tion of the noise they made, and the name they do think that man is the best-hearted, the only have left to Lewis. But they could do no harm hearted being I ever encountered; and then, his except *** talents are equal to his feelings. "Called this evening on my agent-my business as usual. Our strange adventures are the only inheritances of our family that have not diminished. "Dined on Wednesday at Lord H.'s-the Staffords, Staëls, Cowpers, Ossulstones, Melbournes, Mackintoshes, &c., &c.,-and was introduced to the Marquis and Marchioness of Stafford,-an un"I shall now smoke two cigars, and get me to expected event. My quarrel with Lord Carlisle bed. The cigars don't keep well here. They get (their or his brother-in-law) having rendered it haas old as a donna di quaranti anni in the sun of proper, I suppose, brought it about. But, if it was Africa. The Havana are the best ;-but neither are to happen at all, I wonder it did not occur before. so pleasant as a hooka or chibouque. The Turkish She is handsome, and must have been beautifultobacco is mild, and their horses entire-two things and her manners are princessly. as they should be. I am so far obliged to this jour- "The Staël was at the other end of the table, and nal, that it preserves me from verse,-at least from less loquacious than heretofore. We are now very keeping it. I have just thrown a poem into the good friends; though she asked Lady Melbourne fire (which it has relighted to my great comfort), whether I had really any bonhommie. She might as and have smoked out of my head the plan of an- well have asked that question before she told C. L. other. I wish I could as easily get rid of thinking,c'est un démon.' True enough, but rather prema or, at least, the confusion of thought. ture, for she could not have found it out, and soshe wants me to dine there next Sunday. 66 "Tuesday, Dec. 7. 'Murray prospers, as far as circulation. For my "Went to bed, and slept dreamlessly, but not part, I adhere (in liking) to my Fragment. It is no refreshingly. Awoke and up an hour before being wonder that I wrote one-my mind is a fragment. called; but dawdled three hours in dressing. When. "Saw Lord Gower, Tierney, &c., in the square. one subtracts from life infancy (which is vegetation) Took leave of Lord Gr., who is going to Holland -sleep, eating, and swilling-buttoning and unbut- and Germany. He tells me, that he carries with toning-how much remains of downright existence? him a parcel of Harolds' and Giaours,' tc., for The summer of a dormouse. the readers of Berlin, who, it seems, read English, "Redde the papers and tea-ed, and soda-watered, and have taken a caprice for mine. Um-have I and found out that the fire was badly lighted. Ld. been German all this time, when I thought myself Glenbervie wants me to go to Brighton-um! oriental? "This morning a very pretty billet from the Staël "Lent Tierney my box for to-morrow; and reabout meeting her at Ld. H.'s to-morrow. She has ceived a new comedy sent by Lady C. A.-but not written, I dare say, twenty such this morning to hers. I must read it, and endeavor not to displease different people, all equally flattering to each. So the author. I hate annoying them with cavil; tat much the better for her and those who believe all a comedy I take to be the most difficult of compo she wishes them, or they wish to believe. She has sitions, more so than tragedy. been pleased to be pleased with my slight eulogy in "Galt says there is a coincidence between the |