GOSSIP. 99 



I must confess myself to have been 

 very much entertained at times with 

 this sort of conversation, which would 

 lay open family secrets, intended family 

 alliances, friendships, liaisons, disagree- 

 ments and disputes in very high quar- 

 ters in one of which I remember the 

 character of a cabinet minister, or his 

 brother, was very seriously attacked. 

 Such gossip, I say, amused me, and 

 through a long career has been chiefly 

 instrumental in rendering tolerable the 

 daily drudgery of the employment, by 

 relieving its monotony. 



The only two companions of the for- 

 mer description I was honoured with 

 during the short time I performed on 

 that stage, that I can recollect, was the 

 hero of Navarino,* but then just returned 

 to England in command of the " Blake," 

 74, in consequence of his promotion ; 



* Vice- Admiral Sir William Codrington, Bart. 



H 2 



