February 28.—On coming down, an hour back, to the drawing-room, The Times was lying on my writing-desk; I lighted on the death of the poet Moore. It has struck me home; I did not think I should ever shed tears again; but I have. The funeral attended only by strangers, to the neighbouring churchyard! Surely they will do something to honour his memory in Ireland! I will write on the subject to Saunders’ News Letter and other papers.
March.—I have written to Mr. M’Garel, sending my contribution to the fund for the benefit of the school of poor Irish children; and I took the opportunity of suggesting that some monumental testimony to Moore, Ireland’s greatest poet, should be raised in St. Patrick’s cathedral, Dublin; and that no occasion for proposing it could be more aptly made than the celebration of the festival of St. Patrick.
