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before the repast was concluded, the politician of Wimbledon, of his own accord, started the subject, and, to my great sorrow, declared, "the Spaniards were so degenerate a people, that every change must be for the better; even conquest and subjugation themselves, horrible as they doubtless were, ought to be contemplated as a melioration of their condition. What, but the sword of a foreign and more enlightened nation, could dispel such an odious superstition? such gross and horrid ignorance? so despicable and perfidious a reliance on popery and priesteraft? Had we not heard that the sacred tribunal was protected, supported, and encouraged by the new government? that the banners of the holy office were to be unfolded on the side of liberty? and that the inquisition was to raise a regiment to combat in its behalf?-a regiment of inquisitors combating for the freedom of a brave nation!-foolish!-ridiculous!-execrable!"

It is almost unnecessary after this to observe, that the proposition alluded to above was not made. I lamented exceedingly, however, that a man, who had always been considered as the apostle of liberty in his own country, should have reasoned in this manner upon the present occasion. As to the policy of our direct intervention, the propriety of our becoming principals

instead of allies, and the prudence of endangering our own system of finance to rescue another nation from the iron gripe of oppression; these are all questions totally unconnected with the origin of the dispute.

If any cause was ever so sanctified by its motives as to be deemed holy, assuredly the Spaniards possess that claim in a peculiar degree; and, if finally victorious, it is to be hoped, they will make a noble use of their independence. On the other hand, even if at length subjected, they will at least possess the consolation to think, that they have been most zealously supported by their allies in this gallant struggle for the liberties and the independence. of their native country.

Happening to ride over to Wimbledon one morning during the spring of 1809, Mr. Tooke showed me a large bundle of manuscripts, which was supposed would prove sufficient to form a third volume of his great philological work. As he was in some doubts as to this circumstance, he desired me to guess; and, to enable me to approximate the truth, I began by taking the number of the pages. The next step was, to ascertain the lines and the words in a single page, and, after multiplying these together, and making a comparative estimate with the printed

copy, I pronounced, without hesitation, that there was enough to make one volume and a half, at which he seemed much pleased.

During his last illness he formed the resolution of destroying all his manuscripts and every other paper, or writing, title-deeds and accountbooks only excepted. The operation was performed in an apartment above stairs, and lasted during a whole month! An incessant fire was kept up for that purpose, and one of the young ladies, who was obliged reluctantly to assist in the conflagration, has since very appositely compared it" to the burning of the Alexandrian library." On this occasion, the manuscript alluded to above was wholly consumed; a most valuable correspondence was at the same time committed to the flames, together with a treatise on Moral Philosophy, in express opposition, as I understand, to the principles laid down by Mr. archdeacon Paley. It is not a little remarkable that the life of the author had nearly been sacrificed at the same time with his works; for the combustion became so violent as to extend to his clothes, and actually scorched his great coat to such a degree as to render it utterly unfit to be worn again.

I have been informed, by a gentleman who has been praised by him, in vol. 11, and is no

mean judge of every thing appertaining to language, that the first word in vol. III, thus unrelentingly destroyed, was, "BELIEF;" and that a large portion of the manuscript consisted of a critical examination of the credibility of human testimony.

In the autumn of 1809, I beheld at Wimbledon, the two letters O, P, finely embroidered in silver on a blue ground. On inquiring into the meaning, I was told that the late Mr. Clifford, the counsel, having been presented with this emblem of his successful opposition to the new prices at Covent Garden theatre, had immediately carried it thither, and placed it in the parlour exactly between two caricatures of Mr. Tooke and his friends.

I now discovered that our host, while stretched on his couch, and racked with pain, had been one of the most zealous of the O. P's.; and he himself took that opportunity to inform me, "that he was not only the friend to old prices, but also to old players!"

He also seized that occasion to praise the conduct of Mr. Clifford and all those who supported him. The Theatre, he observed, was a great national concern, connected with the morals, and even with the liberties of the people, and when any thing improper occurred on the part

of the managers, or those interested from mercenary motives in its success, this ought to be abated exactly in the same form and manner with any other public nuisance.

I was, on this occasion, astonished at his memory, which did not seem to have been impaired with years; and in fine, I saw nothing of senility but gouty limbs and the praise of times past. His conversation reminded me of the Greek * mentioned by Pliny, who could repeat the contents of a library; but I doubt whether he possessed the powers of selection and criticism, so admirably evinced by Mr. Tooke. His opinions on religion were now developed to a certain degree for the first time. He admired and respected the word () said to have been engraved on the front of the temple of Apollo at Delphi; and he affixed to it the same signification (s, v) as Plutarch, who, according to appearance, was not a polytheist.

On the name of Mr. Pitt being mentioned, he repeated several anecdotes respecting that celebrated senator, who was still alive, and revelling in the plenitude of unbounded power. He condemned his former scheme for raising a million by way of sinking fund, to buy up the rotten

* Charmidas, Hist. Nat. lib. vii, cap. 24.

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