LETTER VL 



WILLIAM JOHN CHUTE, ESQ., OF THE VINE, M.P. 



T is with much diffidence that I attempt a 

 description of the person and character of 

 Mr. Chute himself. FamiHar as I was with 

 him from my earliest childhood, I have my- 

 self a distinct image of him before my eyes; but I can 

 present to others only a faint and vague reflection of 

 that image ; and indeed few now remain, after a lapse 

 of forty years, who could judge of the likeness, or 

 take any interest in the picture. It might be easy to 

 hit off some of the broader features of his character ; 

 but it contained also some more delicate traits, without 

 which the sketch would be a mere caricature ; and how 

 am I to describe the singular mixture of shrewdness 

 and weakness, original humour, high animal spirits, 

 and perfect temper, all combined with the manners 

 and good taste of a true gentleman, which made 

 Mr. Chute exactly what he was, and entirely unlike 

 any other person .^ 



Mr. Chute had a fair, round face, with a most agree- 

 able countenance, expressive of good humour and 

 intelligence. He was rather short, but remarkably 

 well-made, with full, well-rounded limbs, indicating 



