"
His 'Armata' was published by Murray in 1817. In society Erskine was
widely known for his brilliancy, his puns, and his extraordinary vanity.
His egotism gained him such titles as Counsellor Ego, Baron Ego of Eye,
and supplied Mathias ('Pursuits of Literature') with an illustration:
"A vain, pert prater, bred in Erskine's school."]
[Footnote 2: Miss Edgeworth's 'Patronage' was published in 1813-4. In
1813 she had been in London with her father and stepmother. The
following entries respecting the family are taken from Byron's 'Detached
Thoughts':
"Old Edgeworth, the fourth or fifth Mrs. Edgeworth, and 'the' Miss
Edgeworth were in London, 1813. Miss Edgeworth liked, Mrs. Edgeworth
not disliked, old Edgeworth a bore, the worst of bores--a boisterous
Bore. I met them in Society--once at a breakfast of Sir H.D.'s. Old
Edgeworth came in late, boasting that he had given 'Dr. Parr a
dressing the night before' (no such easy matter by the way). I thought
her pleasant. They all abused Anna Seward's memory. When on the road
they heard of her brother's--and his son's--death. What was to be
done? Their 'London' apparel was all ordered and made! so they sunk
his death for the six weeks of their sojourn, and went into mourning
on their way back to Ireland. 'Fact!'
"While the Colony were in London, there was a book with a subscription
for the 'recall of Mrs. Siddons to the Stage' going about for
signatures. Moore moved for a similar subscription for the 'recall of
'Mr.
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