I have met him in all places and
parties--at Whitehall with the Melbournes, at the Marquis of
Tavistock's, at Robins's the auctioneer's, at Sir Humphry Davy's, at
Sam Rogers's,--in short, in most kinds of company, and always found
him very convivial and delightful.
"I have seen Sheridan weep two or three times. It may be that he was
maudlin; but this only renders it more impressive, for who would see
'From Marlborough's eyes the tears of dotage flow,
And Swift expire a driveller and a show'?
"Once I saw him cry at Robins's the auctioneer's, after a splendid
dinner, full of great names and high spirits. I had the honour of
sitting next to Sheridan. The occasion of his tears was some
observation or other upon the subject of the sturdiness of the Whigs
in resisting office and keeping to their principles: Sheridan turned
round: 'Sir, it is easy for my Lord G. or Earl G. or Marquis B. or
Lord H. with thousands upon thousands a year, some of it either
'presently' derived, or 'inherited' in sinecure or acquisitions from
the public money, to boast of their patriotism and keep aloof from
temptation; but they do not know from what temptation those have kept
aloof who had equal pride, at least equal talents, and not unequal
passions, and nevertheless knew not in the course of their lives what
it was to have a shilling of their own.' And in saying this he wept.
"There was something odd about Sheridan.
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