Volume II Part 20 (1/2)

[Footnote 4: Hannibal, in exile at Ephesus, was taken to hear a lecture by a peripatetic philosopher named Phormio. The lecturer ('h.o.m.o copiosus') discoursed for some hours on the duties of a general, and military subjects generally. The delighted audience asked Hannibal his opinion of the lecture. He replied in Greek,

”I have seen many old fools often, but such an old fool as Phormio, never

('Multos se deliros senes spe vidisse; sed qui magis, quam Phormio, deliraret, vidisse neminem')”

(Cicero, 'De Oratore', ii. 18).]

211.--To James Wedderburn Webster.

8, St. James's St., Dec. 7th, 1811.

My Dear W.,--I was out of town during the arrival of your letters, but forwarded all on my return.

I hope you are going on to your satisfaction, and that her Ladys.h.i.+p is about to produce an heir with all his mother's Graces and all his Sire's good qualities. You know I am to be a G.o.dfather. Byron Webster! a most heroic name, say what you please.

Don't be alarmed; my ”_caprice_” won't lead me in to Dorset. No, _Bachelors_ for me! I consider you as dead to us, and all my future _devoirs_ are but tributes of respect to your _Memory_. Poor fellow! he was a facetious companion and well respected by all who knew him; but he is gone. Sooner or later we must all come to it.

I see nothing of you in the _papers_, the only place where I don't wish to see you; but you will be in town in the Winter. What dost thou do?

shoot, hunt, and ”wind up y'e Clock” as Caleb Quotem says? [1]

That thou art vastly happy, I doubt not.

I see your brother in law at times, and like him much; but we miss you much; I shall leave town in a fortnight to pa.s.s my Xmas in Notts.

Good afternoon, Dear W.

Believe me, Yours ever most truly, B.

[Footnote 1: Byron alludes to Caleb Quotem's song in 'The Review, or Wags of Windsor' (act ii. sc. 2), by George Colman the Younger:

”I'm parish clerk and s.e.xton here, My name is Caleb Quotem, I'm painter, glazier, auctioneer, In short, I am factotum.”

”At night by the fire, like a good, jolly c.o.c.k, When my day's work is done and all over, I tipple, I smoke, and I wind up the clock, With my sweet Mrs. Quotem in clover.”]

212.--To William Harness.