where he kept up a ludicrous imitation of his past habits. At least
he got himself named consul at Caen; but he afterwards lost the appointment,
and eventually died insane, and in abject poverty, either at Boulogne
or Calais.


ROMEO COATES


This singular man, more than forty years ago, occupied a large portion
of public attention; his eccentricities were the theme of general wonder,
and great was the curiosity to catch a glance at as strange a being
as any that ever appeared in English society. This extraordinary individual
was a native of one of the West India Islands, and was represented as
a man of extraordinary wealth; to which, however, he had no claim.

About the year 1808 there arrived at the York Hotel, at Bath, a person
about the age of fifty, somewhat gentlemanlike, but so different from
the usual men of the day that considerable attention was directed to
him. He was of a good figure; but his face was sallow, seamed with
wrinkles, and more expressive of cunning than of any other quality.
His dress was remarkable: in the day-time he was covered at all seasons
with enormous quantities of fur; but the evening costume in which he
went to the balls made a great impression, from its gaudy appearance;
for his buttons as well as his knee-buckles were of diamonds. There
was of course great curiosity to know who this stranger was; and this
curiosity was heightened by an announcement that he proposed to appear
at the theatre in the character of Romeo. There was something so unlike
the impassioned lover in his appearance - so much that indicated a man
with few intellectual gifts - that everybody was prepared for a failure.