Sketches of Life and Manners, From the Autobiography of an English Opium-Eater [March 1838]

This chapter sketches the life and manners of de Quincey, from the autobiography of an English Opium-Eater. The most brilliant complexion that could be imagined, the features of an Antinous, and perfect symmetry of figure at that period of his life (afterwards he lost it) made him the subject of never-ending admiration to the whole female population, gentle and simple, who passed him in the streets. In after days, he had the grace to regret his own perverse and scornful coyness – what Roman poets would have called his protervitas. There is an essay by Mr Coleridge, in his revised edition of ‘The Friend,’ which contains elements of a deep philosophy, and which he himself regarded as the profoundest effort of thought he had published to the world, illustrating principles pretty similar to those, but with a reference not to the art of biography so much (not at all, perhaps) as to the art of narration.