"Both he and Colman were, as usual, very good; but I carried away much wine, and the wine had previously carried away my memory; so that all was hiccup and happiness for the last hour or so, and I am not impregnated with any of the conversation. Perhaps you heard of a late answer of Sheridan to the watchman who found him bereft of that 'divine particle of air,' called reason, * * *. He, the watchman, who found Sherry in the street, fuddled and bewildered, and almost insensible. 'Who are _you_, sir? '--no answer. 'What's your name?'--a hiccup. 'What's your name?'--Answer, in a slow, deliberate and impassive tone--'Wilberforce!!!' Is not that Sherry all over?--and, to my mind, excellent. Poor fellow, _his_ very dregs are better than the 'first sprightly runnings' of others. "My paper is full, and I have a grievous headach. "P.S. Lady B. is in full progress. Next month will bring to light (with the aid of 'Juno Lucina, _fer opem_,' or rather _opes_, for the last are most wanted,) the tenth wonder of the world--Gil Blas being the eighth, and he (my son's father) the ninth." * * * * * LETTER 229. TO MR. MOORE. "November 4. 1815. "Had you not bewildered my head with the 'stocks,' your letter would have been answered directly. Hadn't I to go to the city? and hadn't I to remember what to ask when I got there? and hadn't I forgotten it? "I should be undoubtedly delighted to see you; but I don't like to urge against your reasons my own inclinations. Come you must soon, for stay you _won't_. I know you of old;--you have been too much leavened with London to keep long out of it. "Lewis is going to Jamaica to suck his sugar canes. He sails in two days; I enclose you his farewell note. I saw him last night at D.L.T. for the last time previous to his voyage. Poor fellow! he is really a good man--an excellent man--he left me his walking-stick and a pot of preserved ginger. I shall never eat the last without tears in my eyes, it is so _hot_. We have had a devil of a row among our ballerinas. Miss Smith has been wronged about a hornpipe. The Committee have interfered; but Byrne, the d----d ballet master, won't budge a step, _I_ am furious, so is George Lamb. Kinnaird is very glad, because--he don't know why; and I am very sorry, for the same reason. To-day I dine with Kd.--we are to have Sheridan and Colman again; and to-morrow, once more, at Sir Gilbert Heathcote's.