“Mr. Grenville’s compliments to Mr. Jerdan, and thanks
that dubious honour, and somewhat upheld by the coquetting with the question by that individual, and the mystifying reminiscences of his widow. The following amusing anecdote illustrates the topic. One summer day, at a dinner party at Holland House, the guests, among whom were Francis and Rogers, were, previous to the dinner-bell, sauntering in the open conservatory and terrace below, and in one of the promenades the Junius secret became the subject of conversation, and Lord H. suggested to the bold banker that it would be an excellent opportunity to put the interrogatory flatly to the suspected man. But Francis happened to overhear the plot; and a few minutes after as Rogers was sidling towards him, he threw himself into an attitude of violent defiance, and exclaimed, “By Heaven, sir, if you dare to ask me any questions, regardless of where we are I will fell you to the earth!” The little poet quickly enough shrank back appalled; but when playfully asked after dinner (in the absence of Francis) if he had discovered the author, replied “I cannot say whether or not Francis is Junius; but he has quite convinced me he is Brutus!” |
| BIOGRAPHICAL WRITING: LORD ELDON. | 307 |
