of many at fashionable adventure that fed the clubs with ever acceptable
scandal. How could it be otherwise, when husbands spent their days in
the hunting-field, or were entirely occupied with politics, and always
away from home during the day; whilst the dinner-party, commencing at
seven or eight, frequently did not break up before one in the morning.
There were then four-, and even five-bottle men; and the only thing
that saved them was drinking very slowly, and out of very small glasses.
The learned head of the law, Lord Eldon, and his brother, Lord Stowell,
used to say that they had drunk more bad port than any two men in England;
indeed, the former was rather apt to be overtaken, and to speak occasionally
somewhat thicker than natural, after long and heavy potations. The
late Lords Panmure, Dufferin, and Blayney, wonderful to relate, were
six-bottle men at this time; and I really think that if the good society
of 1815 could appear before their more moderate descendants in the state
they were generally reduced to after dinner, the moderns would pronounce
their ancestors fit for nothing but bed.


THE ITALIAN OPERA. - CATALANI


The greatest vocalist of whom I have a recollection, is Madame Catalani.
In her youth, she was the finest singer in Europe, and she was much
sought after by all the great people during her sejour in London. She
was extremely handsome, and was considered a model as wife and mother.
Catalani was very fond of money, and would never sing unless paid beforehand.
She was invited, with her husband, to pass some time at Stowe, where
a numerous but select party had been invited; and Madame Catalani, being
asked to sing soon after dinner, willingly complied. When the day of
her departure came, her husband placed in the hands of the Marquis of