LIFE OF MYTTON. 1S9 



it is harrowing to the feelings of others to behold it. 

 My prediction respecting Mr. Mytton was fulfilled ; 

 he became, to a certain extent, deranged in about a 

 fortnight after the burning, and it was quite evident 

 he would very shortly become a maniac. Symptoms 

 at length gave apprehension of his becoming at times 

 dangerous ; the strait waistcoat was ordered, and 

 the men were in readiness in the house to apply it. 

 "Wait," said I, "and let me try, once more, if I 

 can arouse him to a sense of his situation;" and, 

 entering his chamber alone, the following conversation 

 passed : — 



" Mytton," said I, "I come to tell you that your 

 doctors assure me you will be a corpse in three days, 

 unless you give up drinking brandy." " So much 

 the better," he replied ; " I wish to die." " That is 

 not the speech of a man of your good understanding," 

 I observed ; " you may yet see happy days, if you will 

 give up drinking brandy. Will you promise me you 

 will give it up ? " He said he would not ; but on 

 my telling him there were men in the house ready 

 to put his person under restraint, he said he would 

 promise to drink only what his doctors might allow 

 him ; and this was all I wanted. The keepers and 

 the waistcoat were dismissed. 



