LAST DAYS. 277 



said : He was not a ' pipe for Fortune's fingers to sound 

 what stop she pleases.' He never would allow any- 

 one to open the front-door but himself when at home, 

 and this he would do fifty times a day or more. His 

 object in this, I imagine, was that he did not want 

 anyone to know but himself who came ; and then, as 

 he used to say, ' they ' (meaning his servants) ' could 

 not tell anyone.' 



His custom was to breakfast at ten, and dine at 

 half-past six o'clock, seldom taking anything between 

 meals. He was a hearty eater, and drank moderately 

 of wine, especially port, though never to excess. But 

 he paid the penalty of even moderate indulgence, and 

 had to undergo a serious illness and painful operation, 

 and to be content with the more wholesome if less 

 palatable old Scotch whisky. The last time I saw 

 him was at Brighton, on the Esplanade, in a cold 

 wind, without a great-coat. We chatted matters over; 

 but he felt his time for leavino' this world was at 

 hand, and said he did not think he should live long 

 — nor did he. lie left his wife well provided for, and 

 several annuities to different persons ; and the re- 

 mainder of his great fortune, .€140,000, he left to his 

 son. But, on very good authority, I am told he left 

 £100,000 more. Whether this remainder was con- 

 cealed to save succession duty or not I don't know, 

 but should think it very likely. 



