No tactics could have been more successful in England than his native gift of radiant good-humour and enthusiasm.

He got to know not only all the actors and actresses, but the chief patrons and frequenters of the theatre: Lord Lytton, Lady Shrewsbury, Lady Dorothy Nevill, Lady de Grey and Mrs.Jeune; and, on the other hand, Hardy, Meredith, Browning, Swinburne, and Matthew Arnold--all Bohemia, in fact, and all that part of Mayfair which cares for the things of the intellect.
But though he went out a great deal and met a great many distinguished people, and won a certain popularity, his social success put no money in his purse.

It even forced him to spend money; for the constant applause of his hearers gave him self-confidence.

He began to talk more and write less, and cabs and gloves and flowers cost money.

He was soon compelled to mortgage his little property in Ireland.
At the same time it must be admitted he was still indefatigably intent on bettering his mind, and in London he found more original teachers than in Oxford, notably Morris and Whistler.