1829.] The Conversazione. 601 
friend, “ at any rate, it is evident the 6 has stung you.” What do you 
say to that, Doctor? ; 
Mr. G——I. (The gentleman with a cork hand, a wooden leg, and 
carrying twenty stone.\—The Doctor is silent, though I see the outward 
and visible sign, of an inward and struggling laugh. Let me try if I 
cannot draw it forth. I was in company some time since with George 
Colman, “the younger,” as the old fellow still styles himself. It was 
shortly after the death of Mrs. , the wife of a popular actor, and 
at that time an unpopular manager. Some one at table observed that 
« Mr. —_—— had suffered a loss in the death of his wife, which he 
would not soon be able to make up.”—“ I don’t know how that may be,’ 
replied George, drily, “ but to tell you the truth, I don’t think he has 
quarrelled with his loss yet.” 
Me > U——ns walked away, rubbing his chin and mouth, and joined 
the 
Tuirp Group. 
Sir Robert A t. Y’'ll tell you a remarkable circumstance connected 
with the death of the late Marquis of Londonderry, which I know to be a 
fact, and which seems to prove that the lamentable catastrophe of his 
decease was not the consequence of any sudden paroxysm of insanity. 
After his death there was found, among his papers, a letter addressed to 
Mr. Canning, recommending to his particular patronage, a young man in 
whose welfare the Marquis of Londonderry was warmly interested. 
He had been educated for a diplomatic life, and the Marquis had under- 
taken to promote his views. It would appear, therefore, the noble Mar- 
quis was well aware that Mr. Canning was the only individual likely to 
succeed him in his high office of Foreign Secretary. I know the young 
man in whose favour the letter was written; and I know that he was 
appointed, by Mr. Canning, Secretary of Legation to one of the South 
American Republics. 
Sir Benjamin H. Thatis a singular and interesting circumstance ; but 
quite consistent with the character of the late Marquis. He cared as 
little for life, as life, as any man I ever knew. He had a thorough dis- 
regard of personal danger. It is within my own knowledge, that indi- 
viduals would frequentiy request interviews with him, to communicate 
intelligence of plots, intended attacks, &c. His answer always used to 
be, “ If you have any thing to tell me which concerns the safety of the 
cabinet generally, or of any one of my colleagues, I'll hear you ; but if it 
is merely to announce that this or that person, or that two or three, have 
sworn to kill me, I wish to know nothing about it ; for I am well aware, 
_ if any one has determined to assassinate me, though I may frustrate him 
to-day, he will succeed to-morrow or next day. I do not say,” he 
would continue, “ that were I told a man will be lying in wait for me 
to-night, at a particular hour, and a particular place, I would purposely 
go to that place at that hour ; but I am determined not to trouble myself 
about general menaces.” 
Mr. T——-ss. There was much sound philosophy in that view of the 
uestion, circumstanced as the late Marquis was, being at no time, 
eisert perhaps immediately after the peace of Paris, in 1814) a popular 
minister. He was well aware that the life of any man is in the hands of 
him, who stakes his own in the taking of it. 
M.M. New Series.—Vou. VII. No. 42. 4H 
