COMPANIONS 93 



very much in the estimation of the whole community, 

 and he lonix held a commandins: influence in the town ; 

 for he could at all times raise or control the vox ijopidi, 

 whether at a political meeting, or any other public 

 occasion — such as a day set aside for rural sports and 

 rejoicings, in which all classes would join, and of which 

 he always took the direction. 



I have been thus prolix in a tribute of respect to one 

 of my early friends, as I consider his merits and qualifica- 

 tions would have done honour to a higher sphere than 

 that in which his lot was cast. He still lives in the 

 author's friendship and esteem, and maybe seen in London, 

 after a long, toilsome, but to him not weary pilgrimage, 

 Avending his way with a slow, somewhat altered, but not 

 yet crippled gait, towards the British Museum ; or seated 

 in the splendid library of that magnificent establishment ; 

 as upright in his stature as in his mind, waiting with the 

 same undaunted spirit — and, it is to be ho23ed, with that 

 humble reliance on the merits and mediation of One who 

 took our nature upon Him, and died for us all — that fiat 

 that must shortly remove him " to another and a better 

 world." 



With this friend was I associated in everything that 

 was worthy of observation, and with every occurrence of 

 importance, in the naval and military departments. Was 

 there a ship-launch in the dockyard, we were there ; was 

 a line-of-battle ship — a first-rate — going out of or coming 

 into harbour, we were on the platform to witness the 

 magnificent spectacle ; was there a regiment of the line 

 about to march down the High Street to the Sallyport, 

 to embark for forei2:n service, we were sure to meet them 



