cxvi MEMOIR 



farrago for a chapter : here is a world of interests and activities, 

 human, artistic, social, scientific, at each of which he sprang 

 with impetuous pleasure, on each of which he squandered 

 energy, the arrow drawn to the head, the whole intensity of his 

 spirit bent, for the moment, on the momentary purpose. It was 

 this that lent such unusual interest to his society, so that no 

 friend of his can forget that figure of Fleeming coming charged 

 with some new discovery : it is this that makes his character so 

 difficult to represent. Our fathers, upon some difficult theme, 

 would invoke the Muse ; I can but appeal to the imagination of 

 the reader. When I dwell upon some one thing, he must bear 

 in mind it was only one of a score ; that the unweariable brain 

 was teeming at the very time with other thoughts ; that the 

 good heart had left no kind duty forgotten. 



I. 



The In Edinburgh, for a considerable time, Fleeming's family, to 



circle" 7 three generations, was united : Mr. and Mrs. Austin at Hailes, 

 Captain and Mrs. Jenkin in the suburb of Merchiston, Fleeming 

 himself in the city. It is not every family that could risk with 

 safety such close interdomestic dealings ; but in this also 

 Fleeming was particularly favoured. Even the two extremes, 

 Mr. Austin and the Captain, drew together. It is pleasant 

 to find that each of the old gentlemen set a high value on the 

 good looks of the other, doubtless also on his own ; and a fine 

 picture they made as they walked the green terrace at Hailes, 

 conversing by the hour. What they talked of is still a mystery 

 to those who knew them ; but Mr. Austin always declared that 

 on these occasions he learned much. To both of these families 

 of elders, due service was paid of attention ; to both, Fleeming's 

 easy circumstances had brought joy ; and the eyes of all were on 

 the grandchildren. In Fleeming's scheme of duties, those of 

 the family stood first ; a man was first of all a child, nor did he 

 cease to be so, but only took on added obligations, when he 

 became in turn a father. The care of his parents was always 

 a first thought with him, and their gratification his delight. 



