142 LIFE OF MYTTON. 



wise good name, he would perhaps have passed even 

 an earthly tribunal. But how fortunate is it, O man, 

 and especially for you who may be the loudest to 

 condemn him, that we have reason to hope there is 

 more mercy in heaven than in this often too reproach- 

 ful world. 



But is it possible, it will still be asked, that Mr. 

 Mytton could have really loved either, or both of 

 his amiable wives ? Indeed, reader, he did, and, 

 woman-like, despite of his conduct, they both loved 

 him. Neither did they reproach him. He could 

 not comjjlain with the noble bard — 



'• Though my many faults defac'd me. 

 Could no other arm be found. 

 Than Uie one which once embrac'd me, 

 To inflict a cureless wound ?" 



But he might have joined his brother exile in his 

 plaintive song — 



"All my faults, perhaps, thou knowest ; 

 All my madness, none can know ; 

 All my hopes, where'er thou goest. 

 Whither, yet with thee they go." 



And I speak from experience on these points. In the 

 fatal illness of his first wife, I obeyed the call of 

 friendship, and went to him at Clifton Hot Wells, 

 where she died, and I can vouch for his sufferings on 

 that occasion. Who that has ever seen him look 



