. Clare certainly found few men in this remote situation that were capable
of participating in his ideas and amusements. It has not seldom been among the
weaknesses of great men to fly to solitude, and converse with woods and groves,
rather than with a circle of strong and comprehensive minds like their own. From
the moment of Mr. Falkland's arrival in the neighbourhood Mr. Clare
distinguished him in the most flattering manner. To so penetrating a genius
there was no need of long experience and patient observation to discover the
merits and defects of any character that presented itself. The materials of his
judgment had long since been accumulated, and at the close of so illustrious a
life he might almost be said to see through nature at a glance. What wonder that
he took some interest in a mind in a certain degree congenial with his own? But
to Mr. Tyrrel's diseased imagination every distinction bestowed on his neighbour
seemed to be expressly intended as an insult to him. On the other hand Mr.
Clare, though gentle and benevolent in his remonstrances to a degree that made
the taking offence impossible, was by no means parsimonious of praise, or slow
to make use of the deference that was paid him, for the purpose of procuring
justice to merit.
    It happened at one of those public meetings at which Mr. Falkland and Mr.
Tyrrel were present, that the conversation, in one of the most numerous sets
into which the company was broken, turned upon the poetical talents of the
former. A lady, who was present, and was distinguished for the acuteness of her
understanding, said, she had been favoured with the sight of a poem he had just
written, entitled, an Ode to the Genius of Chivalry, which appeared to her of
exquisite merit. The curiosity of the company was immediately excited, and the
lady added, she had a copy in her pocket, which was much at their service,
provided its being thus produced would not be disagreeable to the author. The
whole circle immediately intreated Mr. Falkland to comply with their wishes, and
Mr. Clare, who was one of the company, inforced their petition. Nothing gave
this gentleman so much pleasure as to have an opportunity of witnessing and
doing justice to the exhibition of intellectual excellence. Mr. Falkland had no
false modesty or affectation, and therefore readily yielded his consent.
    Mr. Tyrrel accidentally sat at the extremity of this circle. It cannot be
supposed that the turn the conversation had taken was by any means agreeable to
him. He appeared to wish to withdraw himself, but there seemed to be some
