xxx MEMOIR 



amusingly characteristic of the man's consistent optimism. In 

 1846 the mother and son proceeded to Frankfort-on-the-Main, 

 where they were soon joined by the father, now reduced to 

 inaction and to play something like third fiddle in his narrow 

 household. The emancipation of the slaves had deprived them 

 of their last resource beyond the half-pay of a captain ; and life 

 abroad was not only desirable for the sake of Fleeming's educa- 

 tion, it was almost enforced by reasons of economy. But it 

 was, no doubt, somewhat hard upon the captain. Certainly 

 that perennial boy found a companion in his son ; they were 

 both active and eager, both willing to be amused, both young, 

 if not in years, then in character. They went out together on 

 excursions and sketched old castles, sitting side by side ; they 

 had an angry rivalry in walking, doubtless equally sincere upon 

 both sides ; and indeed we may say that Fleeming was excep- 

 tionally favoured, and that no boy had ever a companion more 

 innocent, engaging, gay and airy. But although in this case 

 it would be easy to exaggerate its import, yet, in the Jenkin 

 family also, the tragedy of the generations was proceeding, and 

 the child was growing out of his father's knowledge. His 

 artistic aptitude was of a different order. Already he had his 

 quick sight of many sides of life ; he already overflowed with 

 distinctions and generalisations, contrasting the dramatic art 

 and national character of England, Germany, Italy, and France. 

 If he were dull, he would write stories and poems. ( I have 

 written,' he says at thirteen, ' a very long story in heroic 

 measure, 300 lines, and another Scotch story and innumerable 

 bits of poetry ; ' and at the same age he had not only a keen 

 feeling for scenery, but could do something with his pen to call 

 it up. I feel I do always less than justice to the delightful 

 memory of Captain Jenkin ; but with a lad of this character, 

 cutting the teeth of his intelligence, he was sure to fall into the 

 background. 



Paris. The family removed in 1847 to Paris, where Fleeming was 



lution of put to school under one Deluc. There he learned French, and 

 (if the captain is right) first began to show a taste for mathe- 

 matics. But a far more important teacher than Deluc was at 



