But,  about  six  weeks  after  her  visit,  he  surprised  her
a  little  by  writing  of  his  own  accord,  and  asking  her  for
a  formal  introduction  to  Sir  Charles  Bassett,  and  begging
her  to  back  a  request  that  Sir  Charles  would  devote  a
leisure  hour  or  two  to  correspondence  with  him,  "  Not,"
said  he,  "  on  his  private  affairs,  but  on  a  matter  of  gen-
eral interest.  I  want  a  few  of  his  experiences  and  obser-
vations in  that  place.  I  have  the  less  scruple  in  asking
it,  that  whatever  takes  him  out  of  himself  will  be  salutary."

Lady  Bassett  sent  him  the  required  introduction  in
such  terms  that  Sir  Charles  at  once  consented  to  oblige
his  wife  by  obliging  Mr.  Rolfe.
Mt  deab  Sm,  —  In  compliance  with  your  wish  and  Lady
Bassett's,  I  send  you  a  few  desultory  remarks  on  what  I  see  here.
First.    The  Ihies,

"  Great  wits  to  madness  nearly  are  allied,
And  thin  partitions  do  their  honds  divide,"

are  in  my  opinion  exaggerated  and  imtrue.  Taking  the  peo-
ple here  as  a  guide,  the  insane  in  general  appear  to  be  people
with  very  little  brains  and  enormous  egotism.
248  A  TEREIBLB  TEMPTATION.
