LORD BYRON. 175 



Among them was a man habited as a 

 sailor, and a regular tar he was (a rara avis 

 in that latitude), who evinced his delight 

 by rubbing his hands, and laughing aloud 

 at some of the incidents, so graphically 

 depicted in that rare, but not very chaste, 

 production; this caused my friend to stop 

 and look round, and then to pursue his 

 task with additional zest. When he had 

 finished, and all had thanked him for 

 the great treat he had given us, he told 

 me he was in treaty for Drury-Lane 

 Theatre, and had written to Lord Byron 

 to prepare him a tragedy, intimating the 

 existence of a compact between him and 

 the noble poet; "and now, my dear sir," 

 he added, " do you do the same. I am 

 sure it is in you ; therefore, pray turn 

 your mind to it." I took my leave of 

 him that morning, thanking him for his 

 company ; but thinking little of his 

 knowledge of my understanding. 



