120 REMINISCENCES. 



unwell enough to make even this little ceremony an exertion, 

 but I think he never failed to meet them. 



He was also treasurer of the Coal Club, which gave him 

 some work, and he acted for some years as a County Magis- 

 trate. 



With regard to my father's interest in the affairs of the 

 village, Mr. Brodie Innes has been so good as to give me his 

 recollections : — 



"On my becoming Vicar of Down in 1846, we became 

 friends, and so continued till his death. His conduct towards 

 me and my family was one of unvarying kindness, and we 

 repaid it by warm affection. 



" In all parish matters he was an active assistant ; in 

 matters connected with the schools, charities, and other busi- 

 ness, his liberal contribution was ever ready, and in the 

 differences which at times occurred in that, as in other 

 parishes, I was always sure of his support. He held that 

 where there was really no important objection, his assistance 

 should be given to the clergyman, who ought to know the 

 circumstances best, and was chiefly responsible." 



His intercourse with strangers was marked with scrupulous 

 and rather formal politeness, but in fact he had few oppor- 

 tunities of meeting strangers. 



Dr. Lane has described* how, on the rare occasion of 

 my father attending a lecture (Dr. Sanderson's) at the Royal 

 Institution, " the whole assembly . . . rose to their feet to 

 welcome him," while he seemed " scarcely conscious that 

 such an outburst of applause could possibly be intended for 

 himself." The quiet life he led at Down made him feel con- 

 fused in a large society ; for instance, at the Royal Society's 

 soirees he felt oppressed by the numbers. The feeling that he 

 ought to know people, and the difficulty he had in remember- 

 ing faces in his latter years, also added to his discomfort on 



* Lecture by Dr. B. W. Richardson, in St. George's Hall, Oct. 22, 1882. 



