Copy 1

Passages from the diary of a late physician / [Samuel Warren].

  • Samuel Warren
Date:
1844
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Passages from the diary of a late physician / [Samuel Warren]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    revive in his bosom the half-extinguished embers of his love for play! There are documents now in existence to show that Sir Edward and his companions had made the most exact calcula¬ tions of poor Beauchamp’s property, and even arranged the pro¬ portions in which the expected spoils were to be shared among the complotters ! The whole conduct of the affair was entrusted, at his own instance, to Sir Edward ; who, with a smile, de¬ clared that he “ knew all the crooks and crannies of young Beauchamp’s heart; ” and that he had already settled his scheme of operations. He was himself to keep for some time in the background, and on no occasion to come forward till he was sure of his prey. At the appointed hour, Beauchamp, though not without hav¬ ing experienced some misgivings in the course of the day, found himself seated at the elegant and luxurious table of Sir Edward, in company with two of the baronet’s “ choicest spirits.” It would be superfluous to pause over the exquisite wines and luscious cookery which were placed in requisition for the occa¬ sion, or the various and brilliant conversation that flashed around the table. Sir Edward was a man of talent and observation; and, foul as were the scenes in which he had latterly passed his life, was full of rapid and brilliant repartee, and piquant sketches of men and manners without end. Like the poor animal whose ■ palate is for a moment tickled with the bait alluring it to destruc¬ tion, Beauchamp was in ecstasies! There was, besides, such a flattering deference paid to every thing that fell from his lips— so much eager curiosity excited by the accounts he gave of one or two of his foreign adventures—such an interest taken in the arrangements he contemplated for augmenting his estates in -shire, &c. &c., that Beauchamp never felt better pleased with himself, nor with his companions. About eleven o’clock, one of Sir Edward’s friends proposed a rubber at whist, “ think¬ ing they had all of them talked one another hoarse,” but Sir Ed¬ ward promptly negatived it. The proposer insisted, but Sir Edward coldly repeated his refusal. “ I am not tired of my friends’ conversation, though they may be of mine! And I fancy, Beauchamp,” he continued, shaking his head with a seri-
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