Diary – James Losh – 26 Sep 1823

I was detained in Newcastle until 6 o’clock by conferences with Ed. Swinburne, Mrs. Beaumont ec., respecting Mr. Beaumont’s strange conduct and unfortunate state of mind.   It is quite clear that he is deranged at present, but I much doubt whether by judicious treatment, that derangement might not be speedily removed.   I had a long conference with Mrs. Beaumont and never saw a more lively and convincing proof of the vanity of worldly prosperity than in her chearless and melancholy situation.   With almost boundless wealth, considerable powers of mind and a numerous family, she has wasted, indeed poisoned, all these advantages by her overweaning vanity and self-sufficiency.   She conducted herself  tolerably well during the interview, but humbled as she was by circumstances, she could not help perpetually alluding to her wealth and importance in the world, and to the high estimation in which she is held by her connections and friends, tho’, were she not blinded by prejudice and habit, she must see that she is deserted and laughed at by both the one and the other.

Had I not been really sorry for his misfortunes, I should have been much amused by the strange mixture which she exhibited of arrogance and dismay, of humiliation and self-conceit.