that species of man which is formed by exclusive habitudes with the very highest ranks of society, operating upon a mind very moderately qualified by nature. He is, as Shakspeare expresses it, “a man of most soft society,” and might be well administered as a sedative to irritable nerves, without anything of those angular manners and ungraceful abruptnesses that give me the sensation of jolting at every step. Compared to his host, Mr. Metcalf, he was as a well-hung, double-springed coach to the wheel part of a jaunting car without springs. We were placed together at table, and had a great deal of intercourse. I think I have a sort of advantage from taking all manner of things in their own way, not wilfully excluding all pleasure but such as comes in such a particular shape.
The day before yesterday Mr. Courtenay and Mr. Windham dined here, or rather, the latter came in after dinner and drank wine. He brought an account of Bonaparte’s arrival at Vienna, the probable death of the archduke, and seemed really depressed upon public affairs. He would hardly allow me to state Trafalgar as a good set off, according to the legal phrase.
Were not you diverted, dearest, to see me making a figure in the fashionable intelligence of a London newspaper? Who informed the public of so important an event as my visit to Mr. Malone, I cannot guess; but there I was, to my own great surprise and amusement. I feel extremely obliged to Miss C. Malone for her good-nature to me, and still more for her kindness to you. She rates much too highly my attempt to be of use to the best and most affectionate of friends; but that overrating is a further cause of gratitude on my part, which I most sincerely feel.
Mr. M. begins to talk rather peremptorily of sending me away during the next light nights. I shall not at this moment directly oppose him, but certainly shall not leave him till I am quite convinced that he really wishes it. S. S.[1] is a great deal better. A Miss Legard, a friend of hers, saw her the day before yesterday, and says that she thinks her quite- ↑ The lady who had been placed at Hoxton.
