In the summer of 1821, not long after the meteoric appearance at Helpstone of a minor poet, who presented CLARE with a sonnet and a one-pound note in a glorious burst of bounty and condescension, Mr. John Taylor passed a few hours in the little Northamptonshire village. Under the guidance of CLARE he reviewed many of the spots which the poet had celebrated in song, and, in some cases, he was amazed to find how CLARE had compelled dull localities to yield strains both abundant and beautiful. But to gather roses in a desert is child’s play for a genius. Upon taking leave, Mr. Taylor invited CLARE to spend a few weeks in Fleet Street. Luckily the poet decided to avail himself of this offer, for about this time he was far too frequent a visitor at the “Blue Bell,” where he had his corner reserved, and passed for the chief of the assembly. This meant more than sufficient exercise for the gullet. The bad habit contracted at Burghley Hall was strengthened at these sittings, and CLARE, deplorably unstable in some mental particulars, approached nearer and nearer to that abyss which has engulfed so many great wits. The winter being over, CLARE departed for London. He was something of a bolt from the blue to Mr. Taylor, but that gentleman was not slow in welcoming his client, though he looked askance at the gay pocket handkerchief in which was contained the whole of his friend’s luggage. As the publisher was very busy, he delivered CLARE into the keeping of Thomas Hood, who, in turn, handed him over to the head porter of the firm. The poet was not long in finding his way to the house of Mrs. Emmerson, whose hospitality was as frank and unstinted as ever. Here CLARE met Mr. Rippingille, a young artist with a dash of Dick Swiveller in him, who had a strong appetite for noisy pranks. In company with this unreflective spirit the peasant from the Midlands attended some very dubious functions, penetrating to quarters of the Metropolis which were famous for the topmost achievements of rascality, where he ran riot among various intoxicants. After besieging a certain beauteous actress with all the languishing glances at their command, these foolish comrades would pledge her in pale ale till, like Byron, they seemed to walk upon the ceiling. Thus were buttresses added to CLARE’S unfortunate predilection. Those who revel by gaslight are not fond of returning home before midnight, and CLARE was no exception to the rule. But the hours of his choice were not grateful to Mr. Taylor, whose sense of the fitness of things was offended by his visitor’s conduct. Therefore, Thomas Hood was deputed to inform CLARE that he was vexing his host, an intimation which resulted in the poet carrying his handkerchief full of belongings to Mrs. Emmerson’s house, where his manners did not improve. Under the accomplished tuition of Mr. Rippingille he found how easy the descent of Avernus was. His next move was to Chiswick, where the Rev. H. T. Cary entertained him.