" The romances and changes one sees in a lifetime
are startling," said Talfourd ; " they follow like the
transformation scenes upon the stage. Look around
upon our very friends and associates. Look at Byron's
great popularity and success, and see him now, an out-
cast and wanderer. Look at Coleridge's great promise
and scanty results, at Bonaparte's rise and fall, and now
at the sudden snuffing out of this undoubted genius."

" Startling changes and unexpected results we must
and ever shall find ; " said Hazlitt, " but a close ob-
server can foretell much that will happen. It is no
blind chance that makes or mars men's lives. The
germs of all that overtakes them lie within themselves.
Even Bonaparte's downfall could be predicted, when
all Europe combined against him ; his indomitable will
challenged the world, and he dared his own fate."

" C-c-could you have foretold p-p-poor Shelley's
death ? " asked Lamb.
" I did prophecy his end many a time. His blind



A PROPHECY FULFILLED. 335

recklessness in all things, and his passionate love of
boating needed no seer to foretell his doom," replied
Hazlitt.
" Perchance you would t-t-tell my h-h-horoscope,
since you are so s-s-sure of your powers ? " said Lamb.
