LIFE OF MYTTON. l8l 



mity that scathe and scorch the soul, that penetrate 

 the vital seat of happiness, and blast it, never again 

 to put forth bud or blossom ; " and this we could per- 

 ceive was his case. He was writhing under one of 

 them, the madness of wounded affection, and though 

 vanquished he would not yield. " I'll have my wife 

 back again, by G — d," said he. " Look at these marksl' 

 pointing to a wound on each wrist, which it appeared 

 he had purposely kept from healing ; " they hajid- 

 ciffed me;''' but, so help me G — d, I'll have her 

 yet." Here a violent hysteric affection put an end to 

 the scene ; but it was evident that not only had the 

 " iron entered into his soul," but that the foundation 

 of his happiness was sapped, and that, in his then 

 course of life, either his reason or his health must 

 give way. 



One week's experience of his proceedings — for he 

 was never sober throughout the day — confirmed me in 



* He alluded to a desperate attempt he had made to regain possession 

 of his wife, after she had returned to her family at Chillington Hall ; 

 when it was found absolutely necessary for the constables to handcutt 

 him, before they could make themselves secure of his person. It has 

 been staled that he knocked down eij,'ht persons in the rencontre. No 

 doubt he went "big witli d.iring determinations," but he was foiled by 

 a good look-out. 



