more than
overflowing. Clare and Delawarre, who were there on the same
speculation, were less fortunate. I saw them by accident,--we were
not together. I wished for you, to gratify your love of Shakspeare
and of fine acting to its fullest extent. Last week I saw an
exhibition of a different kind in a Mr. Coates, at the Haymarket,
who performed Lothario in a _damned_ and damnable manner.

"I told you the fate of B. and H. in my last. So much for these
sentimentalists, who console themselves in their stews for the
loss--the never to be recovered loss--the despair of the refined
attachment of a couple of drabs! You censure _my_ life,
Harness,--when I compare myself with these men, my elders and my
betters, I really begin to conceive myself a monument of
prudence--a walking statue--without feeling or failing; and yet the
world in general hath given me a proud pre-eminence over them in
profligacy. Yet I like the men, and, God knows, ought not to
condemn their aberrations. But I own I feel provoked when they
dignify all this by the name of _love_--romantic attachments for
things marketable for a dollar!

"Dec. 16th.--I have just received your letter;--I feel your
kindness very deeply. The foregoing part of my letter, written
yesterday, will, I hope, account for the tone of the former, though
it cannot excuse it. I do _like_ to hear from you--more than
_like_. Next to seeing you, I have no greater satisfaction. But you
have other duties, and greater pleasures, and I should regret to
take a moment from either. H * * was to call to-day, but I have not
seen him. The circumstances you mention at the close of your letter
is another proof in favour of my opinion of mankind. Such you will
always find them--selfish and distrustful. I except none. The
cause of this is the state of society. In the world, every one is
to stir for himself--it is useless, perhaps selfish, to expect any
thing from his neighbour. But I do not think we are born of this
disposition; for you find _friendship_ as a schoolboy, and _love_
enough before twenty.

"I went to see * *; he keeps me in town, where I don't wish to be
at present. He is a good man, but totally without conduct. And now,
my dearest William, I must wish you good morrow, and remain ever,
most sincerely and af