LIFE OF MYTTON. 



demn him when going down ; but neither errors nor 

 crimes (if such, reader, j'ou will have them), nor adver- 

 sity, could chill the grateful recollection of the splen- 

 dour that had once illumined Halston, and of the 

 many, otherwise, perhaps sad hearts which had been 

 warmed by its genial rays. But even independent of 

 this, there was a tenderness and compassion of nature 

 in both the sayings and doings of poor John Mytton, 

 which had fixed him firmly in the hearts and affec- 

 tions of the people within many miles of his house, 

 and there he remained fixed to the last. In proof of 

 this, his funeral excited very general, indeed, I might 

 say almost unequalled sympathy. The amazing 

 number of three thousand persons were present at it, 

 several appearing unable to stiile their feelings, and 

 only obtaining relief by their tears. And what 

 brought together this assemblage of persons of all con- 

 ditions, even to the poorest .-* Not, as Shakespeare 

 says, to 



-tender down 



Their services to Lord Timon ; his large fortune, 

 Upon his good and gracious nature hanging." 



No ; but to shed a tear on the bier of a man whose 

 " laree fortune" and whose "gracious nature" were 

 no more ; of a man who had died in a gaol ; of one 



