Torrijos, who had now in 1829 been here some four or five years, having come over in 1824, had from the first enjoyed a superior reception in England. Possessing not only a language to speak, which few of the others did, but manifold experiences courtly, military, diplomatic, with fine natural faculties¹, and high Spanish manners tempered into cosmopolitan², he had been welcomed in various circles of society; and found, perhaps he alone of those Spaniards, a certain human companionship among persons of some standing³ in this country. With the elder Sterlings, among others, he had made acquaintance; became familiar in the social circle at South Place, and was much esteemed⁵ there. With Madam Torrijos, who also was a person of amiable⁶ and distinguished⁷ qualities, an affectionate friendship grew up on the part of Mrs. Sterling⁴, which ended only with the death of these two ladies. John Sterling, on arriving in London from his University work, naturally inherited what he liked to take up of this relation: and in the lodgings⁸ in Regent Street, and the democratico-literary element there, Torrijos became a very prominent, and at length almost the central object.