{36} The last entry in his note-book was made by Labouchere in the seclusion of this little inn at Quotla di Amalpas, and it ends abruptly. Perhaps it was interrupted by the arrival of the Mentor, after his receipt of the letter, the draft of which is given further on. "In my inn at Quotla di Amalpas I determined on reaching the States to entirely give up gambling. A gambler requires to possess the greatest command over himself, in which I entirely failed. To be very reserved--a reserved person is always supposed to be wiser than his neighbours. To be engaged in as many intrigues as is possible with ladies--nothing forms character so much as intrigues of this description--_probatum est_. To learn with a good countenance to pay delicate compliments and to...." In the flap of his note-book is the draft of the letter to his tutor, referred to above, which must be quoted, as it is so extremely characteristic of the man whose letters were ever, to the very end of his life, the most frankly illuminative documents as to the state of mind through which he might be passing. Incidentally, also, it cannot fail to suggest to the reader a gleam of compassion for the problems and trials which must have been the lot of its recipient. Here it is: QUOTLA DI AMALPAS. DEAR SIR,--I have just come back from Cuernava, where I rode over the worst road even in Mexico. Pray do not trouble yourself to exercise your forbearance, or make excuses, as I can assure you they are not wanted. If you find the slightest pleasure or amusement in writing to innkeepers not to give me money, write to every one in the country, but do not give yourself the trouble to tell me you have done so, as it is a matter of unimportance to me. My stopping in Mexico cannot now be helped, as I certainly shall not leave before getting some money, and I must then go to England to pay it. I had intended not to gamble in America, because of having to pay a double interest--but man proposes and God disposes. As R---- says, I made up a {37} story to avoid paying him. I could not at present leave my gambling debts unpaid, or he would be believed. I shall borrow some money here, and send to England (not to my father) for some to pay it, and then go to England to pay it when it becomes due. It is a pity having to go back as I should have liked to see a little more of America, but what is done is done, and cannot be helped.--Yours truly, HENRY Du PRE LABOUCHERE. _P.S._--I have been offered a place as croupier at a Monté bank, so I shall not starve. [1] Born Aug. 14, 1799; died Jan. 29, 1863. [2] Died April 29, 1874. [3] I am indebted to Mrs. Hillyer, Mr. Labouchere's eldest sister, for the above anecdote. [4] _Truth_, May 28, 1885. [5] I am indebted to Lord Welby for the above anecdote. He heard it from the late Lord Bristol, who was Labouchere's fag at Eton, and also from the late Mr. Anthony Hammond. [6] _Truth_, Aug. 8, 1877. [7] _Truth_, Jan. 31, 1889.