at Haydon's I looked over a Book of Prints taken from the fresco of the Church at Milan, the name of which I forget--in it are comprised Specimens of the first and second age of art in Italy. I do not think I ever had a greater treat out of Shakspeare. Full of Romance and the most tender feeling--magnificence of draperies beyond any I ever saw, not excepting Raphael's. But Grotesque to a curious pitch--yet still making up a fine whole--even finer to me than more accomplish'd works--as there was left so much room for Imagination. I have not heard one of this last course of Hazlitt's lectures. They were upon 'Wit and Humour,' 'the English comic writers.' Saturday, Jan{y.} 2nd [1819]. Yesterday Mr. and Mrs. D. and myself dined at Mrs. Brawne's--nothing particular passed. I never intend hereafter to spend any time with Ladies unless they are handsome--you lose time to no purpose. For that reason I shall beg leave to decline going again to Redall's or Butler's or any Squad where a fine feature cannot be mustered among them all--and where all the evening's amusement consists in saying 'your good health, _your_ good health, and YOUR good health--and (O I beg your pardon) yours, Miss ----,' and such thing not even dull enough to keep one awake--With respect to amiable speaking I can read--let my eyes be fed or I'll never go out to dinner anywhere. Perhaps you may have heard of the dinner given to Thos. Moore in Dublin, because I have the account here by me in the Philadelphia democratic paper. The most pleasant thing that occurred was the speech Mr. Tom made on his Father's health being drank. I am afraid a great part of my Letters are filled up with promises and what I will do rather than any great deal written--but here I say once for all--that circumstances prevented me from keeping my promise in my last, but now I affirm that as there will be nothing to hinder me I will keep a journal for you. That I have not yet done so you would forgive if you knew how many hours I have been repenting of my neglect. For I have no thought pervading me so constantly and frequently as that of you--my Poem cannot frequently drive it away--you will retard it much more than you could by taking up my time if you were in England. I never forget you except after seeing now and then some beautiful woman--but that is a fever--the thought of you both is a passion with me, but for the most part a calm one. I asked Dilke for a few lines for you--he has promised them--I shall send what I have written to Haslam on Monday Morning--what I can get into another sheet to-morrow I will--There are one or two little poems you might like. I have given up snuff very nearly quite--Dilke has promised to sit with me this evening, I wish he would come this minute for I want a pinch of snuff very much just now--I have none though in my own snuff box. My sore throat is much better to-day--I think I might venture on a pinch. Here are the Poems--they will