possessors, Mr. Bunbury did not gain my good-will. His serious
manner is supercilious and haughty, and his easy conversation
wants rectitude in its principles. For the rest, he is
entertaining and gay, full of talk, sociable, willing to enjoy
what is going forward, and ready to speak his opinion with
perfect unreserve.

Plays and players seem his darling theme; he can rave about them
from morning to night, and yet be ready to rave again when
morning returns, He acts as he talks, spouts as

Page 61

he recollects, and seems to give his whole soul to dramatic
feeling and expression. This is not, however, his only subject
Love and romance are equally clear to his discourse, though they
cannot be introduced with equal frequency. Upon these topics he
loses himself wholly--he runs into rhapsodies that discredit him
at once as a father, a husband, and a moral man. He asserts that
love Is the first principle of life, and should take place of
every other; holds all bonds and obligations as nugatory that
would claim a preference; and advances such doctrines of exalted
sensations in the tender passion as made me tremble while I heard
them.

He adores Werter, and would scarce believe I had not read it-
-still less that I had begun It and left it off, from distaste at
its evident tendency. I saw myself sink instantly in his
estimation, though till this little avowal I had appeared to
Stand in it very honourably.