A SPOETSMAX OF THE OLD SCHOOL. 3.5 



decided proofs, and tliat very recently, that there are 

 men whose features display rather mildness and are 

 somewhat prepossessing, but whose atrocious crimes, 

 for which they suffered the utmost rigour of the law, 

 gave full proofs of the blackness and wickedness of 

 their hearts.* Energy and determination of the mind, 

 courage and calmness in danger, may, I think be well 

 expressed by the eyes, and more especially by the 

 formation of the mouth, but in these qualities infalli- 

 bility is not always experienced. On leaving Mr. 

 Grirdlestone I invited him to take luncheon at our resi- 

 dence in the village of Billingford, distant about half a 

 mile. In an hour or two he arrived, made a hearty 

 luncheon, and relished much the ale, sound sherry, and 

 old port. We parted on most friendly terms, and he in- 

 vited me to pay him a visit in September, assuring me 

 that he could give me some very good partridge shooting 

 on his estate, which I readily promised to do. \Mien 

 September arrived I had almost forgotten Mr. Grirdle- 

 stone's invitation, when one morning I received a letter 

 reminding me of my promise to pay him a visit in the 

 shooting season, and also stating that he had plenty of 

 birds which had not been much shot at. The next morn- 

 ing I was off in my dog-cart, taking with me one of my 

 best pointers, for I like to be independent when shooting 

 •sdth strange dogs ; the only objection to this is, the 



* Palmer, who was Irnng for poisoning his friend Cook, and tliere 

 can be little doubt had previously poisoned his wife and his brother ; 

 Eedanies, a soldier in the Foreign Legion, who murdered a young 

 girl, his sweetheart, and her sister. It was remarked in the coiu-t, that 

 there was no expression in the countenances of these men to indicate to 

 a close observer of their featiu-es that they could be guilty of such 

 great crimes. 



D 2 



