personal friends of Macready who were invited to the supper at
Talfourd's rooms. After the fall of the curtain, Browning, Forster, and
other friends sought the tragedian and congratulated him upon the
success both of the play and of his impersonation of the chief
character. They then adjourned to the house of the author of "Ion." To
his surprise and gratification Browning found himself placed next but
one to his host, and immediately opposite Macready, who sat between two
gentlemen, one calm as a summer evening, and the other with a
tempestuous youth dominating his sixty years, whom the young poet at
once recognised as Wordsworth and Walter Savage Landor. Every one was in
good spirits: the host perhaps most of all, who was celebrating his
birthday as well as the success of "Ion." Possibly Macready was the only
person who felt at all bored--unless it was Landor--for Wordsworth was
not, at such a function, an entertaining conversationalist. There is
much significance in the succinct entry in Macready's journal concerning
the Lake-poet--"Wordsworth, who pinned me." ... When Talfourd rose to
propose the toast of "The Poets of England" every one probably expected
that Wordsworth would be named to respond. But with a kindly grace the
host, after flattering remarks upon the two great men then honouring him
by sitting at his table, coupled his toast with the name of the youngest
of the poets of England--"Mr. Robert Browning, the author of
'Paracelsus.'" It was a very proud moment for Browning, singled out
among that brilliant company: and it is pleasant to know, on the
authority of Miss Mitford, who was present, that "he performed his task
with grace and modesty," looking, the amiable lady adds, even younger
than he was. Perhaps, however, he was prouder still when Wordsworth
leaned across the table, and with stately affability said, "I am proud
to drink your health, Mr. Browning:" when Landor, also, with a superbly
indifferent and yet kindly smile, also raised his glass to his lips in
courteous greeting.