xv HOME LIFE AND TRAVELS 393 



power was great, and this was noticeable in his con- 

 versation. This power is nowhere more strikingly 

 shown than in his life of Charlotte Bronte, in which 

 the character of that wonderful woman is skilfully and 

 lovingly drawn. Sir Wemyss had a brave spirit. 

 Shortly before his last illness he told me that his 

 doctor had warned him of his rapidly approaching end. 

 " I came home," said Reid, " and set to work to write 

 my monthly contribution for the Nineteenth Century 

 Review, and I don't think anyone reading that article 

 would believe that two hours before I had received 

 sentence of death." Reid had seen life m many forms 

 and had been intimate with many distinguished people, 

 and his autobiography lately published gives an in- 

 teresting picture of a useful life. 



Of those younger friends who have passed away, 

 the loss of none is more deeply deplored than that 

 of Theodore Llewellyn Davies, the youngest son 

 of my dear cousin Mary. His was a bright and 

 brilliant nature which gave promise of a useful and 

 even of a great future, whilst his sweet disposition 

 and true-heartedness endeared him to a large circle 

 of friends, to each of whom his memory will ever 

 remain dear. 



Sometimes unexpected visitors presented them- 

 selves at our doors. One of these "surprise" calls 

 is worthy of mention. On a dark November evening, 

 some few years ago, we had just done dinner, when 

 a ring came to the door at Woodcote. I went myself 

 to open it, for this was an unprecedented occurrence. 

 A well-dressed man appeared and inquired whether 

 Sir Henry Roscoe was at home, and I invited him 

 in. "Very fine views about here, sir," was his first 

 remark. "Yes," I replied, "when you can see them. 

 How did you find your way up here in the 



