ent authors, at different times during a century. There was, he
said, the individuality of an age, but not of a country. Morritt, a
zealous worshipper of the old bard, was incensed at a system which would
turn him into a polytheist, gave battle with keenness, and was joined by
Sotheby, our host. Mr. Coleridge behaved with the utmost complaisance
and temper, but relaxed not from his exertions. "Zounds! I was never so
bethumped with words." Morritt's impatience; must have cost him an extra
sixpence worth of snuff.[174]

We went to Lady Davy's in the evening, where there was a fashionable
party.

_April_ 23.--- Dined at Lady Davy's with Lord and Lady Lansdowne, and
several other fashionable folks. My keys were sent to Bramah's with my
desk, so I have not had the means of putting matters down regularly for
several days; but who cares for the whipp'd cream of London society? Our
poor little Johnnie is extremely ill. My fears have been uniform for
this engaging child. We are in God's hands. But the comfortable and
happy object of my journey is ended,--Seged, Emperor of Ethiopia,[175]
was right after all.

_April_ 24.--Spent the day in rectifying a road bill which drew a
turnpike road through all the Darnickers' cottages, and a good field of
my own. I got it put to rights. I was in some apprehension of being
obliged to address the Committee. I did not fear them, for I suppose
they are no wiser or better in their capacity of legislators than I find
them every day at dinner. But I feared for my reputation. They would
have expected something better than the occasion demanded, or the
individual could produce, and there would have been a failure.

_April_ 25.--Threatened to be carried down to vote at the election of a
Collector of the Cess.[176] Resolved if I did go to carry my son with
me, which would give me a double vote.

Had some disagreeable correspondence about this with Lord Minto and the
Sheriff.

We had one or two persons at home in great wretchedness to dinner.
Lockhart's looks showed the misery he felt. I was not able to make any
fight, and the evening went off as heavily as any I ever spent in the
course of my life.

Finished my Turnpike business by getting the exceptionable clauses
omitted, which would be good news to Darnick. Put all the _Mirror_ in
proof and corrected it. This is the contribution (part of it) to Mr.
Reynolds' and Heath's _Keepsake_. We dined at Richardson's with the two
chief Barons of Engl