Il8 REMINISCENCES. 



could not pronounce w, and that sixpence was offered him if 

 he could say "white wine," which he pronounced "rite rine." 

 Possibly he may have inherited this tendency from Erasmus 

 Darwin, who stammered.* 



He sometimes combined his metaphors in a curious way, 

 using such a phrase as "holding on like life," — a mixture of 

 "holding on for his life," and "holding on like grim death." 

 It came from his eager way of putting emphasis into what he 

 was saying. This sometimes gave an air of exaggeration 

 where it was not intended; but it gave, too, a noble air of 

 strong and generous conviction ; as, for instance, when he 

 gave his evidence before the Royal Commission on vivisection 

 and came out with his words about cruelty, " It deserves 

 detestation and abhorrence." When he felt strongly about 

 any similar question, he could hardly trust himself to speak, 

 as he then easily became angry, a thing which he disliked 

 excessively. He was conscious that his anger had a tendency 

 to multiply itself in the utterance, and for this reason dreaded 

 (for example) having to scold a servant. 



It was a great proof of the modesty of his style of talking, 

 that, when, for instance, a number of visitors came over from 

 Sir John Lubbock's for a Sunday afternoon call he never 

 seemed to be preaching or lecturing, although he had so much 

 of the talk to himself. He was particularly charming when 

 "chaffing" any one, and in high spirits over it. His manner 

 at such times was light-hearted and boyish, and his refine- 

 ment of nature came out most strongly. So, when he was 

 talking to a lady who pleased and amused him, the combina- 

 tion of raillery and deference in his manner was delightful 

 to see. 



When my father had several guests he managed them well, 

 getting a talk with each, or bringing two or three together 



* My father related a Johnsonian answer of Erasmus Darwin's : " Don't 

 you find it very inconvenient stammering, Dr. Darwin ? " " No, sir, be- 

 cause I have time to think before I speak, and don't ask impertinent ques- 

 tions." 



