upon him in secret, and instead of being the cheerful companion in society, enjoyed by all, which he might have been, he was soured into a captious and unpleasant satirist, loved by few.

Yet Lord Rochfort had some noble qualities. Though violent when opposed, he was easily appeased, could generously forgive, and never deserted or changed a friend. On the contrary, he was distinguished as a most kind patron, and often obtained advancement for his protegés, which he failed in achieving for himself. At the same time, his noblest, but (unchecked as it was by prudence) his most unfortunate propensity, a generosity, profuse even to madness, had brought his fortunes low, though he would not confess it, even to himself; for he had the soul of a prince, and thought himself and lived like one, reckless of consequences.

Every year added to his embarrassments, and told him a tale, which he would not believe, spite of his steward. Vehement in every thing, whether as to opinions or conduct, it was dreadful to see a man of his mind and parts so absolutely ruined, from the want of that common sense without which parts and mind only hasten destruction.

He was eaten up by numerous retainers, which, being the representative of many great feudal families, he thought it was a sort of duty to their memory to maintain in idleness. He had more than one castle, with all royalties attached; to keep up

which in almost pristine waste, he sacrificed uselessly one-half of his revenues. With nothing like their means, but with a view to popularity, he emulated the feasts and pageants of his ancestors; nor, though he was yearly poorer and poorer, would he reduce the scale of his magnificent benefactions and costly compliments to those he often feasted, from royalty down to his country neighbours.

His real charities, too, for which he had a hand open as day, his pensions to decayed families, support to relations, subscriptions to all great institutions, presents to artists, and gallantries to lady friends in jewels and ornaments-all these were, like Anthonio's losses,

Enough to press a royal merchant down." But the very suspicion of this neutralized all his sacrifices to obtain that consequence and power for which in part he made them; and to his mortification he found, that to ruin himself made no way with either the court or the people.

A magnificence which it was thought could not continue was slighted, though for a time its benefits were accepted. He was sometimes even thwarted, or not supported, by those whom his liberality had fed, or his attentions flattered; and he discovered in the language of Johnson, on the character of his prototype Timon, that he had scattered bounty, but conferred no benefit, and bought flattery, but not friendship.

All this had at last its usual effect-he thought himself ill-used by his fellow-men, and shewed strong symptoms of cynicism. He did not absolutely hate mankind, but he often shunned them, and suspecting everybody's motives, felt a canker at his heart, which, even under the show of hilarity, was detected in a moment.

No; the Marquess of Rochfort, any more than Lord Felix, was not happy.

These two noble persons engaged all my attention, as I have said, at the dinner I am recording at Lord Castleton's. For, as I had heard everywhere of Lord Felix's grandeur and luxury, surpassing all modern, and almost equalling all antient story, I expected something of superior mark in his physiognomy, manner, and conversation.

Nothing like it. A little, shrivelled old man, with a dead eye, which never could have been lively; an almost mean person, not at all relieved, but rather the contrary, by a broad red ribbon, characterized his outward man; and as to the inner, as far as it could be collected from conversation, to discuss the merits of the cookery, and the embossed plate, which he did Lord Castleton the honour of saying was next to his own in magnificence, was all we could gather of what his mind or opinions were upon any subject: for, except greedily to devour venison, and swallow repeated glasses of champagne, as if it was an elixir on

which his life depended, he scarcely opened his mouth. He chuckled a little, indeed, at some of Lord Rochfort's satirical sallies; which induced the latter to say (aside) to Lord Castleton, that if Felix had not the wit to say ill-natured things himself, he could, at least, enjoy them from others.

A discussion now commencing between Lord Rochfort and Granville, on some point of taste in gothic architecture, occasioned by a visit they had made that morning to Strawberry Hill,-after saying the house was a mere piece of lath and plaster frippery, not fit for a gentleman to live in, Lord Felix fell asleep.

"Peace to his manes!" said Lord Rochfort, who had no respect for him.

"Why, he is not dead," observed Granville.

"No; but he is buried, which is the next best thing," said his lordship.

The conversation, as it proceeded, afforded room for a little more of the marquess's spleen, in which he did not spare any one who was brought to his notice.

A late minister (Lord Heavitree) being named, who was little famous for his knowledge of state affairs, and who had lately resigned, Lord Rochfort proposed his health, adding, with ironical gravity, a wish for Lord Castleton's sake, that he had remained in the cabinet.

Lord Castleton looked grave, not liking the conversation; but Granville asking his reason for the

wish, he observed that a British minister ought, like Cæsar, to have about him none but fat colleagues, like Lord Heavitree,

"Sleek-headed men, and such as sleep o'nights;"

not those who, like Cassius, have

"A lean and hungry look, and think too much.
Such men are dangerous."

This sally produced a laugh, in which all joined but the noble host, who endeavoured to restrain his satirical guest, but without success. For being en verve, and not in good humour at Lord Heavitree's place being filled up by a young orator, who had given the highest promise of the consummate ability he afterwards displayed, and who was remarkably thin, he jestingly reproached Lord Castleton, for permitting such an appointment; and pursuing the comparison he had begun with in a sort of paraphrase, said to him,

"I do not know the man you should avoid

So much as that spare William.

He reads much,

He is a great observer, and he looks

Quite through the deeds of men; he loves no plays,
As thou dost, Granville. He hears no music.

Such a man as he be never at heart's ease,

And therefore are they very dangerous."

Lord Castleton himself could not help joining in the laugh which this produced.

A very dull speaker in the House being then mentioned, somebody wondered how it was that people could listen to him.