128 A Walk from 



them, or the eminence he attained, ever made him an 

 enemy. When we consider the eager ambitions and 

 excited sensibilities that enter into these competitions, 

 this fact in itself shows what manner of man he was 

 in his disposition and deportment. Referring to this 

 aspect of his character, the French writer, already cited, 

 M. De La Trehonnais, says of him, while still living : 



" There exists no person who has gained the esteem 

 and goodwill of his cotemporaries to a higher degree 

 than Mr. Webb. His probity, his scrupulous good 

 faith, his generosity, and the affable equality of his 

 character, have gained for him the respect and affection 

 of every one. Since I have had the honor of knowing 

 him, which is already many years, I have never known 

 of his having a single enemy ; and in my constant 

 intercourse with the agricultural classes of England, I 

 have never heard of a single malevolent insinuation 

 respecting him. When we consider how much those 

 who raise themselves in the world above others, are 

 made the butt for the attacks of envy in proportion 

 with their elevation, we may conclude that there are 

 in the character of this wealthy man very solid virtues, 

 well fixed principles, transcendant merit, to have passed 

 through his long career of success and triumphs with- 

 out having drawn upon himself the ill-will of a single 

 enemy, or the calumnious shaft of envy." 



