It is here necesȚ U SML 11 ce

reader may possess a dar moviela di ridge's case in the year 1814 man I resumed information, from a miettinet cours

me, Mr. C. had beg heg. THAT WIL
habit of taking from twe guare of Lan
week, to a pint a day; and on one versio
had been knows the in the wanted
a whole quart of avian.

quantity which Paalmanazar evE WOL
the race of opinn consumers UL
serious expenditure of moner, r
habit, was the last eri tuong tem
which must have absorbed al

Mr. C.'s lectures, and all the ra
friends. It is painful to record was

ces as the following, but the previe incomplete without it.

thing, it is feared, if not of quplenje v o deception) extole the all of bat

having gradually lessened us cousiglo, & we

VOL. 11

danum, it was understood, to twenty drops a day. With this diminution, the habit was considered as subdued, and at which result, no one appeared to rejoice more than Mr. Coleridge himself. The reader will be surprised to learn, that, notwithstanding this flattering exterior, Mr. C. while apparently submitting to the directions of his medical adviser, was secretly indulging in his usual overwhelming quantities of opium! Heedless of his health, and every honourable consideration, (to which, on other occasions, Mr. C. was as much alive as most men) he contrived to obtain, surreptitiously, the "fatal drug," and thus to baffle the hopes of his warmest friends!

This was a conduct not peculiar to Mr. C. but every thorough opium eater, in his craving for the forbidden poison, would break through any impediment, rather than submit to so urgent a privation; especially, as it is often the only antidote to the stings of the internal monitor. It is this subjection of the will to the passion, which invests opium with such terrific qualities.

Mr. Coleridge had resided, at this time, for several months, with his kind friend, Mr. Josiah Wade, of Bristol, who, in his solicitude for Mr. C.'s benefit, had procured for him, as long as it

was necessary, the professional assistance, stated above. The surgeon, on taking leave, after the cure had been effected, well knowing the expedients to which opium patients would often recur, to obtain their proscribed draughts; at least, till the habit of temperance was fully established, cautioned Mr. W. to prevent Mr. Coleridge, by all possible means, from obtaining that by stealth, from which he was openly debarred. It reflects great credit on Mr. Wade's humanity, that, to prevent all access to opium, and thus, if possible, to rescue his friend from destruction, he engaged a respectable old decayed tradesman, constantly to attend Mr. C. and, to make that which was sure, doubly certain, placed him even in his bedroom; and this man always accompanied him, whenever he went out. To such surveillance Mr. Coleridge cheerfully acceded, in order to show the promptitude with which he seconded the efforts of his friends. It has been stated, that every precaution was unavailing. By some unknown means and dexterous contrivances, Mr. C. still obtained his usual lulling potions! (which he afterward confessed.)

As an example, amongst many others of a similar nature, one ingenious expedient, to which he

resorted, to cheat the doctor, he thus disclosed to a friend, (from whom I received it.) He said, in passing along the quay, where the ships were moored, he noticed, by a side glance, a druggist's shop, probably an old resort, and standing near the door, he looked toward the ships, and, pointing to one, at some distance, he said to his attendant, "I think that's an American." "Oh, no, that I am sure it is not," said the man. "I think it is," replied Mr. C. "I wish you would step over and ask, and bring me the particulars." The man accordingly went; when, as soon as his back was turned, Mr. C. stepped into the shop, had his portly bottle filled with laudanum, (which he always carried in his pocket) and then expeditiously placed himself in the spot where he was left. The man now returned with the particulars, beginning, "I told you, Sir, it was not an American, but I have learned all about her." "As I am mistaken, never mind the rest," said Mr. C. and walked on.*

* This man must have been just the kind of vigilant superintendent Mr. C. desired; ready to fetch a book, or a box of snuff, &c. at command. The preceding occurrence would not have been introduced, but to illustrate the supreme ascendency which opium. exercises over its unhappy votaries.

Every bad course of conduct (happily for the good of social order) leads to perplexing, and generally, to disastrous results. The reader will soon have a practical illustration, that Mr. Coleridge was not exempt from the general law. But I must be pardoned in first making a slight reference to myself.

As far as recollection can be relied on, Mr. Coleridge left Bristol in August, 1814; prior to which time, my own imperfect state of health prevented me from seeing him. A general impression prevailed on the minds of his friends, that it was a desperate case, that paralyzed all their efforts that to assist Mr. C. with money, which, under favourable circumstances, would have been most promptly advanced, would now only enlarge his capacity to obtain the opium which was consuming him. We merely knew that Mr. Coleridge was gone to reside with his friend Mr. John Morgan, at Calne; (a worthy man, an only son, who had unfortunately lost nearly all his patrimonial property, the result of his father's many years' industrious toil, and on the wreck of which, he had now retired to a small house, at Calne, in Wiltshire.)*

* Mr. Morgan had resided for three years in Berner's-Street, London, during the whole of which time, Mr. Coleridge lived with his friend,