Hssbeton Sinttb io7 



been paid to Mr Smith, for whom he always entertained 

 a sincere regard, took this significant mode of reproving 

 his testy humour. At another time he complained of 

 the scarcity of muffins, upon which the servants received 

 orders, when next the guests assembled at the breakfast 

 table, to pour in upon him a perpetual stream of muffins. 

 Each footman, in turn, accordingly presented to the 

 bewildered squire an unceasing succession of hot plates, 

 the chorus being, ' Muffins, Mr Smith.' 



But with all his faults of temper Thomas Assheton 

 Smith was a warm, generous, faithful friend. If he 

 disliked a man, he let him see it plainly. If he liked a 

 man, he grappled him to his heart with hooks of steel. 

 He was honest and thorough in every phase of his life. 

 His good sense, his courage, his utter contempt for 

 danger, his splendid horsemanship, his passionate love 

 of sport — these are qualities which I am proud to think 

 you might search the world over and never find combined 

 in any but an Englishman. 



