436 
‘His spirits were less elastic, and 
he was more subject to absence or 
indifference in general society. 
But his mind had lost none of its 
vigour ; and he never failed, when 
he exerted himself, to display his 
peculiar powers. His remarks 
were original ; and his knowledge, 
assisted by a most retentive me- 
mory, afforded a perpetual sup- 
ply of ingenious and well-applied 
illustrations. But the quality for 
which his: conversation was most 
remarkable, and from- which it 
derived one of its peculiar charms, 
was a singular cast of humour, 
which, as it was of a gentle, equa< 
ble kind, and had nothing very 
pointed or prominent, is hardly 
capable of being exemplified or 
described. It seldom appeared in 
the direct shape of what may be 
called pure humour, but was so 
much blended either with wit, 
fancy, or his own peculiar cha- 
racter, as to be in many respects 
entirely original. It did- not con- 
sist in epigrammatic points, or 
brilliant and lively sallies; but 
was rather displayed in fanciful 
trains of imagery, in natural, but 
ingenious and unexpected, turns 
of thought and expression, and in 
amusing anecdotes, slightly ting- 
ed with the ludicrous. 
of these was much heightened by 
a perfect gravity of countenance, 
a quiet familiar manner, and a 
characteristic beauty and simpli- 
city of language. ‘This unassuming 
tone of easy pleasantry gave a very 
peculiar and characteristic colour- 
ing to the whole of his conversa- 
tion. It mingled itself with his 
casual remarks, and even with his 
graver discussions. It had little 
reference to the ordinary topics 
of the day, and was wholly un- 
The effect - 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1815. 
tinctured by personality or sar- 
casm. 
It should be mentioned, among 
the peculiarities of Mr. Tennant’s 
literary taste, that in common 
perhaps with most other original — 
thinkers, he bestowed little atten- 
tion on books of opinion or theo- 
ry; but chiefly confined himself 
to. such as abound in facts,-and 
afford the materials for specula- 
tion. His reading for many years 
had been principally directed to 
accounts of voyages and travels, 
especially those relating to Orien- 
tal nations; and there was no book 
of this description, possessing even 
tolerable merit, with which he 
was not familiarly conversant.—> 
His acquaintance with such works 
had supplied him with a great 
fund of original and. curious in- 
formation, which he employed 
with much judgment and ingenui- 
ty, in exemplifying many of his 
particular opinions, and illustrating 
the most important doctrines in 
the philosophy of commerce and 
government. 
Of his leading practical opinions, 
sufficient intimations have been 
given in the course of the preced- 
ing narrative. They were of a 
liberal and enlightened cast, and 
such as might be expected from 
the character of his genius and 
understanding. Among them must 
be particularly mentioned an ar- 
dent, but rational, zeal for civil 
liberty; which was not, in him, a 
mere effusion of generous feeling, 
but the result of deep veflection 
and enlarged philosophic views. 
His attachment to the general 
principles of freedom originated 
from his strong conviction of their 
influence in promoting the wealth 
and happiness of nations. A due 
regard 
