who, with their children, must starve if not protected by your fostering
care."

Although the cause of the disaster was never ascertained, a general
impression prevailed that the Theatre had not been set on fire by
accident, and the mysterious message left at the house of the unhappy
manager seemed to confirm this suspicion. A report was also current that
the Prince of Wales had some time previously received an anonymous letter
telling him that all the principal public buildings should be burnt down
one after the other. Innumerable fires, indeed, occurred, and many people
were afraid of attending the Opera, since it was rumoured that a train of
gunpowder had been found under it. Hence, doubtless, the "good-humoured"
request of Mr Knox for a seat at the post of danger; and shortly
afterwards another mention of him occurs. He had attended a Drawing-room
held by the Queen, which had proved unusually crowded, owing to the
sympathy that all were anxious to show for the Royal family on the
acquittal of the Duke of York.


GROSVENOR SQUARE, _March, 1809._

Knox was presented yesterday, and his Mamma takes him to introduce to
all her acquaintances, which he does not like. Her last ball was much
too full, she might have opened her whole house, therefore, there was
no good dancing till just before supper, when the Musick was sent
away, to the sore annoyance of Anne, who was just beginning the dance
with Mr Fraser. The Knoxs say that Charlotte Bouverie is a painted
thing, but Archy was charmed with her, and her dancing. He has given
up talking of home, both he and Lord James dine here again, the 11th,
with the Primroses and Mr Knox, Lady Milton, Lord Euston, and some