not my
mamma,)--and they thrust me into an old room, with a nauseous
picture over the chimney, which I should suppose my papa regarded
with due respect, and which, inheriting the family taste, I looked
upon with great satisfaction. I stayed a week with the family, and
behaved very well--though the lady of the house is young, and
religious, and pretty, and the master is my particular friend. I
felt no wish for any thing but a poodle dog, which they kindly gave
me. Now, for a man of my courses not even to have _coveted_, is a
sign of great amendment. Pray pardon all this nonsense, and don't
'snub me when I'm in spirits.'

"Ever, yours, BN.

"Here's an impromptu for you by a 'person of quality,' written last
week, on being reproached for low spirits.

"When from the heart where Sorrow sits[84],
Her dusky shadow mounts too high,
And o'er the changing aspect flits,
And clouds the brow, or fills the eye:
Heed not that gloom, which soon shall sink;
My Thoughts their dungeon know too well--
Back to my breast the wanderers shrink,
And bleed within their silent cell."

[Footnote 84: Now printed in his Works.]

* * * * *

LETTER 140. TO MR. MOORE.

"October 2. 1813.

"You have not answered some six letters of mine. This, therefore,
is my penultimate. I will write to you once more, but, after
that--I swear by all the saints--I am silent and supercilious. I
have met Curran at Holland House--he beats every body;--his
imagination is beyond human, and his humour (it is difficult to
define what is wit) perfect. Then he has fifty faces, and twice as
many voices, when he mimics--I never met his equal. Now, were I a
woman, and eke a virgin, that is the man I should make my
Scamander. He is quite fascinating. Remember, I have met him but
once; and you, who have known him long, may probably deduct from
my panegyric. I almost fear to meet him again, lest the impression
should be lowered. He talked a great deal about you--a theme never
tiresome to me, nor any body else that I know. What a variety of
expression he conjures into that naturally not very fine
countenance of his! He absolutely changes it entirely. I have
done--for I can't describe him, and you know him. On Sunday I