The things we do!

He, who was one of the most hospitable men
alive, loved to have his friends around him; and it must be confessed
that the evening parties now occasionally given in Fitzroy Square were of
the oddest assemblage of people. The correct East India gentlemen from
Hanover Square: the artists, Clive's friends, gentlemen of all ages with
all sorts of beards, in every variety of costume. Now and again a stray
schoolfellow from Grey Friars, who stared, as well he might, at the
company in which he found himself. Sometimes a few ladies were brought to
these entertainments. The immense politeness of the good host compensated
some of them for the strangeness of his company. They had never seen such
odd-looking hairy men as those young artists, nor such wonderful women as
Colonel Newcome assembled together. He was good to all old maids and poor
widows. Retired captains with large families of daughters found in him
their best friend. He sent carriages to fetch them and bring them back
from the suburbs where they dwelt.


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