I am reading the Arabian History in the most methodical way, too laborious to continue. I read Marigny, and refer to Ockley, the Universal History, and Gibbon. The latter I shall read when I have finished the others, because to read Gibbon one must understand the history he writes of à fond—at least so from his summary way of describing one should infer he thought it necessary for his readers.
Sunday, we had a very pleasant party, Hare, Fitzpatrick, Ld. Robert, Mackintosh, Mr. Scarlett, Smiths, Dumont. Mackintosh talked very pleasantly: his efforts to please were guided by good taste. His memory is very correct and retentive; he illustrated literary criticisms with lively quotations, particularly from Burke and Gibbon. Mr. Scarlett[49] is a rising man at the Bar; his profits are more upon the circuit than in the King’s Bench, but when Erskine and some few of the monopolists are removed he will distinguish himself there. He has an uncommonly benevolent countenance; his heart seems full of mild virtues; tho’ very unassuming, he yet is agreeable in a mixed conversation. Smith’s boisterous yet superior intellect did not dominate; Hare’s keen wit and the General’s discerning taste subdued his usual propensity to overpower with clamour and dispute for victory alone. He was temperate and entertaining.
Hare was in full glee; they had all dined at the Lord Mayor’s Feast the day before. Combe[50] is an Opposition man, and the patriots were received with acclamations in the City; Fox was dragged by the populace, so was the Duke of Bedford. The whole civic festival went off with triumph to the party.
Whitbread, the arch-seceder, is disposed to return to his duty in Parliament, and measures are to be taken to persuade Mr. Fox to do the same. God knows whether they will succeed. It is a matter of very little consequence whether they do nor not, as the prejudice in the country is too strong to be conquered even by the misconduct and failure of Ministers. The General stayed all night.
DUMONT
This morning, Monday, 11th, Dumont left. I was sorry to lose him, as he is facile à vivre and full of amusement to me. He is very universally liked by all who have the least relish for literature and good conversation. We had rather a motley mixture at dinner: Hare, Fitzpatrick, General Dalrymple,[51] Capt. Murray, and the Duke of Bedford. The latter is in very bad health; his spirits are visibly affected. On ye 12th the General left us to make some alterations at Sunning Hill; Hare, only, to dinner. On Wednesday Ld. H. went out for the first time. Lewis dined: he repeated some verses he wrote this last summer in Scotland, ‘Reflections in a Royal Burying-ground.’ They are the best of his, quite in a grand style; there are parts full of philosophy and feeling. In the evening a very comfortable gossiping coze with Hare.
The price of porter is raised; the augmentation has been admitted without clamour. Every article of first necessity is alarmingly dear.
14th Nov., ’99.—I continue reading the Arabian history with interest, especially in Ockley, whose style is plain and manly, tho’ criticism might be busy detecting vulgarisms. A comical observation of Gibbon’s upon himself in his Memoirs just occurs. He says, ‘Ye year 1770 was particularly favourable to the growth of my intellectual stature.’ The expressions are uncommonly ludicrous, combining it with the recollection of his misshapen, grotesque figure; for he was a monster, and so filthy withal that one could not endure being close to him.
On Thursday, Tierney, Dumont, Sr. Lionel, and Hare to dine; very lively and pleasant. Tierney bore a very equal share in the task of amusing with Hare, who is unique in excellence.
Friday alone. Saturday Mr. Morrice came to stay. Went to the play, where I gained a violent migraine and additional cold; brought the Smiths home.