JST. 16.] HOME LIFE AND CHARACTER. 21 



as his "Den." When at home he was usually to be 

 found in it at work amongst his minerals, acids, &c. 

 Here he manufactured the laughing-gas which he 

 administered to his companions (and he had always 

 a following), with occasionally alarming effects ; here 

 he blew glass and set himself to make philosophical 

 instruments. The five young sisters hung upon his 

 words, and looked up with admiration at their clever 

 elder brother, sharing in the delight and often in the 

 danger of some of the experiments. Frequently in 

 later years he urged that every boy and girl should 

 be taught at least the elements of chemistry. 



In appearance the thin tall stripling, now 5 feet 

 10 inches in height, resembled his mother's family. 

 He had strongly marked features, a clear fresh com- 

 plexion, a thick crop of hair which was nearly black, 

 and an unusually fine forehead. But his eyes were 

 the great feature of his face, luminous hazel eyes 

 which mirrored every emotion, now liquid, yet always 

 with a light in them, or when indignant or angry (and 

 he could be both) flashing fire. Naturally he was 

 quick in temper, and on one occasion when his anger 

 lasted, and when reminded that this was possibly the 

 temper of his ancestor, the old knight-banneret, crop- 

 ping out, he burst into laughter, and the anger, like a 

 lightning - flash, went as it came. Nothing stirred 

 his indignation so much as when he met what was 

 false, or a sham, or underhand, and then he spoke 

 out his mind. He could not conscientiously join in 

 repeating the Athanasian Creed, so he made no feint 

 of an open prayer-book, but deliberately shut it, whereas 

 when the " Benedicite omnia opera" was sung, no one 

 in the congregation joined with greater fervour. He 

 delighted in that song of praise. 



