ined the reason of our
sitting to-day. At three this morning I left the House. At two this
afternoon I have returned to it, with the thermometer at boiling heat,
and four hundred and fifty people stowed together like negroes in the
John Newton's slaveship. I have accordingly left Sir Francis Burdett
on his legs, and repaired to the smoking-room; a large, wainscoted,
uncarpeted place, with tables covered with green baize and writing
materials. On a full night it is generally thronged towards twelve
o'clock with smokers. It is then a perfect cloud of fume. There have I
seen, (tell it not to the West Indians,) Buxton blowing fire out of his
mouth. My father will not believe it. At present, however, all the doors
and windows are open, and the room is pure enough from tobacco to suit
my father himself.

Get Blackwood's new number. There is a description of me in it. What do
you think he says that I am? "A little, splay-footed, ugly, dumpling of
a fellow, with a mouth from ear to ear." Conceive how such a charge must
affect a man so enamoured of his own beauty as I am.

I said a few words the other night. They were merely in reply, and quite
unpremeditated, and were not ill received. I feel that much practice
will be necessary to make me a good debater on points of detail; but my
friends tell me that I have raised my reputation by showing that I was
quite equal to the work of extemporaneous reply. My manner, they say, is
cold and wants care. I feel this myself. Nothing but strong excitement,
and a great occasion, overcomes a certain reserve and mauvaise honte
which I have in public speaking; not a mauvaise honte which in the least
confuses me, or makes me hesitate for a word, but which keeps me from
putting any fervour into my tone or my action. This is perhaps in some
respects an advantage; for, when I do warm, I am the most vehement
speaker in the House, and nothing strikes an audience so much as the
animation of an orator who is generally cold.

I ought to tell you that Peel was very civil, and cheered me loudly; and
that impudent leering Croker congratulated the House on the proof which
I had given of my readiness. He was afraid, he said, that I had been
silent so long on account of the many allusions which had been made
to Calne. Now that I had risen again he hoped that they should hear me
often. See whether I do not dust that varlet's jacket for him in the
next number of the Blue and Yellow. I detest him more than col