PRELIMINARY. IX 



had learnt from her on the day he had called at his 

 cottage to reengage him. My father immediately 

 requested the apothecary to place his charge for 

 medicine and attendance to his own account, and 

 gave the same direction to the undertaker ; but this 

 only served to remove the surprise my father had felt 

 at their reduced circumstances. Every farthing had 

 heen paid, and that in a manner leading them to 

 believe that Gregory was well off. So strictly honest 

 and just were both he and his wife, considering no- 

 thing their own if owing any one a penny. 



I have no wish to make him appear in any other 

 than his true colours ; he had his faults, like all men, 

 and entertained some violent prejudices, the effects of 

 a very limited education ; but he was a faithful ser- 

 vant, and withal very modest ; for it was his saying, 

 " There were plenty of better men than he, but they 

 hadn't the masters to fetch 'em out, as he had/' My 

 father had not merely a respect for him, but a sincere 

 regard, which his many years' faithful services had 

 strengthened, until he occupied the place of a humble 

 friend. 



Towards the conclusion of my parent's life, when 

 increasing infirmities prevented his usual walk to an 

 elevated part of the grounds, where for years, when 

 in the country, he had been accustomed to watch the 

 setting sun decline below the horizon, Gregory was his 

 attendant, drawing him to the spot in an easy-chair 

 when the weather permitted. The last time my 

 father was ever abroad in that manner I joined them, 

 when, as usual, Gregory withdrew to a short distance ; 



