I
answered that his observation reminded me of the story of a lady offering
her condolence to a poor Irishwoman on the death of her child, who stated
that she had never been more affected than on the event; the poor woman,
knowing the hollowness of the compliment, answered with all the quickness
of her country, "Sure, then, Ma'am, that is saying a great deal, for you
were always affected." Lord Byron laughed, and said my _apropos_ was very
wicked--but I maintained it was very just. He spoke much more warmly of
Moore's social attractions as a companion, which he said were unrivalled,
than of his merits as a poet.

When Lord Byron came to dine with us on Thursday, he arrived an hour
before the usual time, and appeared in good spirits. He said that he found
the passages and stairs filled with people, who stared at him very much;
but he did not seem vexed at this homage, for so it certainly was meant,
as the Albergo della Ville, where we resided, being filled with English,
all were curious to see their distinguished countryman. He was very gay at
dinner, ate of most of the dishes, expressed pleasure at partaking of a
plum pudding, _a l'Anglaise_, made by one of our English servants; was
helped twice, and observed, that he hoped he should not shock us by eating
so much: "But," added he, "the truth is, that for several months I have
been following a most abstemious _regime_, living almost entirely on
vegetables; and now that I see a good dinner, I cannot resist temptation,
though to-morrow I shall suffer for my gormandize, as I always do when I
indulge in luxuries." He drank three glasses of champagne, saying, that as
he considered it a _jour de fete_, he would eat, drink, and be merry.

He talked of Mr. ----, who was then our Minister at Genoa. "H----," said
he, "is a thorough good-natured and hospitable man, keeps an excellent
table, and is as fond of good things as I am, but has not my forbearance.
I received, some time ago, a _Pate de Perigord_, and finding it excellent,
I determined on sharing it with H----; but here my natural selfishness
suggested that it would be wiser for me, who had so few dainties, to keep
this for myself, than to give it to H----, who had so many. After half an
hour's debate between selfishness and generosity, which do you think"
(turning to me) "carried the point?"--I answered, "Generosity, of
course."--"No, by Jove!" said he, "no such thing; selfishness in this case,
as in most others, triumphe