ters, his feelings became about this time diverted into a widely different channel. He became in love. Sensitive as the national temperament is said to be to the attractions of the softer sex, he allowed it to influence and colour the whole tenor of his future life. Scarcely anything could expunge the fair object of it from recollection.
Chetwood, as we have seen in a former letter, jests upon his susceptibility of heart toward the lady of the “thick legs.” Who this damsel may have been is now unknown. But that either she or some new love exercised the very strongest sway over his heart and conduct we have his own testimony. By reference to dates, this attachment appears to have commenced in 1769. Why it was not gratified in the usual way—whether from humble birth, deficient fortune, family dislikes, or some unhappy flaw in character—does not appear. But matrimony was deemed inexpedient. He however shall tell his own story.
Lord Charlemont, in a letter to him in London in December 1781, thus writes:—“I will not trouble you with our politics, as I know you are not much addicted to that science, and as you probably have constant accounts of all that passes here.” The reply in the following month quite undeceives his noble friend. It is ample confession of weakness, yet loses him none of our respect, and forms almost a literal fulfilment of his master Shakspeare’s description.
Like a worm in the bud, prey on his damask cheek.”
