lf amicable state of
their mutual relations, to their 'noble friendship,' and real
enmity, and to bring matters to a crisis, otherwise he might have
had some indulgence for his old friend and colleague, have made
allowance for the workings of deep disappointment and
mortification on his excitable temperament, and have treated him
with forbearance out of reverence for his rare acquirements and
capacity. But the fact is, that Brougham has ostentatiously
proclaimed the dissolution of all his former ties, and has
declared war against all his ancient connexions; he has abandoned
his friends and his principles together, and has enrolled himself
in a Radical fellowship which would have been the object of his
scorn and detestation in his calmer moods and in more prosperous
days.

Le Marchant, who was his secretary for four years, and knows him
well, told me that no man was a greater aristocrat in his heart
than Brougham, from conviction attached to aristocracy, from
taste desirous of being one of its members. He said that Dugald
Stewart, when talking of his pupils, had said though he envied
most the understanding of Horner (whom he loved with peculiar
affection), he considered Brougham the ablest man he had ever
known, but that even then (forty years ago) he considered his to
be a mind that was continually oscillating on the verge of
insanity. Le Marchant said that Brougham's powers of application
exceeded what he had believed possible of any human being. He had
known him work incessantly from nine in the morning till one at
night, and at the end be as fresh apparently as when he began. He
could turn from one subject to another with surprising facility
and promptitude, in the same day travelling through the details
of a Chancery cause, writing a philosophical or mathematical
treatise, correcting articles for the 'Library of Useful
Knowledge,' and preparing a great speech for the House of Lords.
When one thinks of the greatness of his genius and the depth of
his fall, from the loftiest summit of influence, power, and fame
to the lowest abyss of political degradation, in spite of the
faults and the follies of his character and conduct, one cannot
help feeling regret and compassion at the sight of such a noble
wreck and of so much glory obscured.

December 24th, 1837 {p.034}

[Page Head: THE INSURRECTION IN CANADA.]

News of the insurrection in Canada arrived the day before
yesterday, and produced a debate of some animat