CHAPTER I 



MEMOIR 



BEFORE entering upon an account of his early life and 

 subsequent career, I will endeavour to bring before my 

 readers what manner of man Victor Brooke appeared 

 to those who met him when still in the flush and pride 

 of a singularly gifted manhood. 



Nature had endowed him with a great charm of 

 presence. Refined features, most expressive eyes, and 

 well - shaped head, fair hair and beard, beautifully 

 proportioned, 6 feet in height, and 45 inches round 

 the chest made him one of the handsomest men 

 I have ever seen. Coupled with this he had a most 

 winning manner that seemed to make even a casual 

 acquaintanceship assume the guise of friendship, so 

 genial, so bright, was his greeting. The open-hearted 

 Irish nature appeared to reach its embodiment in him, 

 and many a one has felt as if a breeze from the sea or 

 the tonic air of the mountain had braced him, after a 

 few minutes' conversation with his healthy unworldly 

 nature. You could not be long in his company 

 without feeling you were speaking to a man of great 

 strength of character, and one who did with all his 

 might whatever he put his hand to. It may be that 

 sometimes he devoted himself to matters scarcely 



