CHAP. VI. DEATH AND OHABACTEB. 83 



physical danger on the part of the commander-in-chief 

 than was constantly encountered by Smeaton during the 

 greater part of those years in which the lighthouse was 

 in course of erection. In all works of danger he himself 

 led the way was the first to spring upon the rock and 

 the last to leave it ; and by his own example he inspired 

 with courage the humble workmen engaged in carrying 

 out his plans, who, like himself, were unaccustomed to 

 the special terrors of the scene. 



The portrait prefixed to this volume gives a good 

 representation of Mr. Smeaton' s countenance, the ex- 

 pression of which was gentle, yet shrewd. In person 

 he was of a middle stature, broad and strong made, and 

 possessed originally of a vigorous constitution. In his 

 manners he was simple, plain, and unassuming. He 

 had the bluntness and straightforwardness of speech 

 which usually mark the north-countryman, and never 

 acquired that suavity and polish which are more com- 

 mon amongst educated men in our southern districts. 

 He spoke in the dialect of his native county, and 

 was not ashamed to admit it. 1 Yet he mixed in good 

 society when in town, though his diffidence, as well as 

 his reluctance to bestow too much time on social enjoy- 

 ment, caused him to contract his circle as his professional 

 engagements increased. His daughter has related the 

 anecdote of his meeting on one occasion with the Duke 

 and Duchess of Queensberry, which led to a pleasant 

 intercourse with that family. Mr. Smeaton was walking 

 with his wife in Ranelagh Gardens the fashionable 

 place of resort at that time when he observed an 

 elderly lady and gentleman fix their marked attention 

 upon him. At length they came up, and the lady, who 

 proved to be the eccentric Duchess of Queensberry, said 



1 In the Preface to Iris Eddystone to my friends in the country for 



Narrative he says : " As I speak and perusing and abundantly correcting 



write a provincial language, and was j my manuscript." 



not bred to letters, I am greatly obliged j 



