e--if that
is the case, she will win. When they once discover their power, _finita
e la musica_.

"Sleepy, and must go to bed.

"Tuesday, March 15.

"Dined yesterday with R., Mackintosh, and Sharpe. Sheridan could not
come. Sharpe told several very amusing anecdotes of Henderson, the
actor. Stayed till late, and came home, having drank so much _tea_, that
I did not get to sleep till six this morning. R. says I am to be in
_this_ Quarterly--cut up, I presume, as they 'hate us youth.'
_N'importe_. As Sharpe was passing by the doors of some debating
society (the Westminster Forum), in his way to dinner, he saw rubricked
on the walls _Scott_'s name and _mine_--'Which the best poet?' being the
question of the evening; and I suppose all the Templars and _would bes_
took our rhymes in vain, in the course of the controversy. Which had the
greater show of hands, I neither know nor care; but I feel the coupling
of the names as a compliment,--though I think Scott deserves better
company.

"W.W. called--Lord Erskine, Lord Holland, &c. &c. Wrote to * * the
Corsair report. She says she don't wonder, since 'Conrad is so _like_.'
It is odd that one, who knows me so thoroughly, should tell me this to
my face. However, if she don't know, nobody can.

"Mackintosh is, it seems, the writer of the defensive letter in the
Morning Chronicle. If so, it is very kind, and more than I did for
myself.

"Told Murray to secure for me Bandello's Italian Novels at the sale
to-morrow. To me they will be _nuts_. Redde a satire on myself, called
'Anti-Byron,' and told Murray to publish it if he liked. The object of
the author is to prove me an atheist and a systematic conspirator
against law and government. Some of the verse is good; the prose I don't
quite understand. He asserts that my 'deleterious works' have had 'an
effect upon civil society, which requires,' &c. &c. &c. and his own
poetry. It is a lengthy poem, and a long preface, with a harmonious
title-page. Like the fly in the fable, I seem to have got upon a wheel
which makes much dust; but, unlike the said fly, I do not take it all
for my own raising.

"A letter from _Bella_, which I answered. I shall be in love with her
again, if I don't take care.

"I shall begin a more regular system of reading soon.

"Thursday, March 17.

"I have been sparring with Jackson for exercise this morning; and mean
to continue and renew my acquaintance with the muffles. My chest, and
arms, and wi