cacy and forbearance in their manner, and that air of perfect equality
which is so indicative of the accomplished gentleman and scholar. COLMAN
was a very frequent guest at these dinners, and was, with the exception
perhaps of LORD ALVANLEY, one of the most brilliant diners-out in London.'
This testimony, let us remark in passing, in favor of the ease and
simplicity of the really high-born gentlemen of England, is confirmed by
all Americans who have been well received in English society. The reader
will especially remember the tribute paid on this point by Mr. SANDERSON,
the accomplished 'American in Paris,' in his 'Familiar Letters from
London,' in these pages. But we are standing before Mr. ABBOTT. In
Edinburgh 'there lies the scene:'

'I AGAIN visited Edinburgh at the close of the Covent-Garden
season, and received the same undiminished hospitality as on a
former occasion. I established an intimacy with the BALLANTINES of
celebrated SCOTT memory. MATTHEWS was indebted to JOHN BALLANTINE
for his famous old Scotch woman, and he certainly rivalled his
preceptor in the quaint and dry humor with which he narrated that
most amusing story. The management of the Edinburgh Theatre rested
in the hands of Mr. MURRAY. He was the only son of the MURRAY
formerly of Covent-Garden Theatre, who was one of the most chaste
and impressive actors I ever saw. His Adam, in 'As you Like it,'
was really the perfection of the art. Mrs. HENRY SIDDONS, in whom
the property was vested at the death of her husband, was,
fortunately for me, residing with her charming family in
Edinburgh, and I was a constant guest at her table. Her manners
were fascinating in the extreme, and a greater compliment could
not well be paid than in having the entree to a family so
intellectual in their resources, and so perfectly amiable in
disposition. A very amusing and agreeable club was got up by a
party of young advocates. Delightful it was, from its very
absurdity; in fact the nonsense of men of sense is an admirable
couch to repose upon. Our numbers were limited, and embraced some
of that powerful intellect which the modern Athens possesses in so
eminent degree. Mr. MILES ANGUS FLETCHER, Mr. ANDERSON, Sir
WILLIAM HAMILTON, and a son of the late and brother of the present
Lord MEADOWBANK, were among those I knew intimately, and whose
varied talents gave life an