brought out into full display? In the exhibition here made, the inexperienced, in future, may learn a memorable lesson, and be taught to shrink from opium, as they would from a scorpion ; which, before it destroys, invariably expels peace from the mind, and excites the worst species of conflict, that of setting a man at war with himself.

The most impressive and pungent of all Mr. Coleridge's self-upbraidings, is that, in which he thrills the inmost heart, by saying, with a sepulchral solemnity, "I have learned what a sin is against an infinite, imperishable being, such as is the soul of man!" And yet, is this, and such as this, to be devoted to forgetfulness, and all be sacrificed, lest some friend, disdaining utility, should prefer flattery to truth? A concession to such advice, would be treachery and pusillanimity combined, at which none would so exult as the spirits of darkness.

If some of the preceding language should be deemed too strong, by those who take but a contracted view of the subject, and who would wish to screen the dead, rather than to improve the living, let them judge what their impressions would be, in receiving, like myself, at this time,

the communications from Mr. C. which will subsequently appear, and then dispassionately ask themselves, whether such impressive lessons of instruction ought to be doomed to oblivion.

With these remarks, I shall proceed to notice Mr. Coleridge's re-appearance in Bristol, 1814, after an absence of seven years; and this, as usual, with an adherence to impartial representation.

Mr. C. had written from London in the year 1814, to a friend in Bristol, to announce that he was coming down to give a course of Lectures on Shakspeare, such as he had delivered at the Royal Institution, London, and expressing a hope that his friends would obtain for him, as many subscribers as they could. Great efforts were made to obtain these subscribers, and the Lectures were accordingly advertised, to commence at the time appointed by the lecturer, and the place specified with the day and hour; of the whole of which arrangement, Mr. C. had received due notice, and expressed his approval.

On the morning on which the lectures were to begin, a brother of Mr. George Cumberland, (a gentleman well known in the literary world, residing in Bristol,) arrived in this city from

London, on a visit to his brother Mr. G. C. when he casually said to him, "I came as far as Bath, with one of the most amusing men I ever met with. At the White Horse, Piccadilly, he entered the coach, when a Jew boy came up This "amusing gentleman

with pencils to sell. asked the boy a few questions, when the answers of the boy being what he thought, unusually acute, the gentleman said, "that boy is not where he ought to be. He has talent, and if I had not an important engagement at Bristol to morrow, I would not mind the loss of my fare, but would stay a day or two in London to provide some better condition for him." He then called the waiter wrote to a gentleman in the neighbourhood, with a pencil, urging him to patronize the bearer: gave the boy five shillings, and sent him, with the waiter, according to the address of the note.

This same gentleman, he said, talked incessantly for thirty miles out of London, in the most entertaining way, and afterwards, with little intermission, till they arrived about Marlborough, when he discovered that the lady who was in the coach with them, was the sister of a particular friend of his. "On our arrival at

Bath," said the brother, "this entertaining gentleman observed to me, "I must here quit you, as I am determined not to leave this lady, who is going into North Wales, till I have seen her safe at her brother's door;" so here the amusing gentleman left us.

26 Why" said Mr. Cumberland, "I should not be surprised if that were Coleridge,” and yet that cannot be, for he has an appointment this day in Bristol." "That is the very name," said his brother. Mr. G. C. remarked, "This Mr. Coleridge is coming to Bristol, to give us a course of lectures on Shakspeare, and this evening he has appointed for his first lecture, at the Great Room, White Lion." "Whatever the engagement may be," replied the brother, "rely upon it you will have no lecture this evening. Mr. C. at the present moment is posting hard towards North Wales!" The great business now was for those who had interested themselves in the sale of tickets for the course, to hasten round to the purchasers, to announce, that Mr. C. would be prevented from giving the lectures till further notice.

In two or three days, Mr. Coleridge presented himself in Bristol, after a right true journey into North Wales; and then, another day was ap

pointed to begin the course. The day arrived. His friends met in the afternoon, full of anxiety, lest a second disappointment should take place. Not one of them had seen Mr. C. in the course of that day, and they could not tell where he had dined. They then set off, to find out this intricate point, and having discovered him, after some difficulty, hurried him from the bottle, and the argument, to fulfil his less important, or, at least, his less pleasing engagement.

He arrived at the lecture room, just one hour after all the company had impatiently awaited him. Apologizing for an unavoidable interruption! Mr. C. commenced his lecture on Hamlet. The intention is not entertained of pursuing this subject, except to remark, that no other important delay arose, and that the lectures gave great satisfaction. I forbear to make further remarks, because these lectures will form part of the London narrative.

It may here be mentioned, that in the year 1814, when Buonaparte was captured and sent to Elba, the public expression of joy burst forth in a general illumination; when Mr. Josiah Wade, wishing to display a large transparency, applied to his friend Mr. Coleridge, (then residing with