74 RECORDS OF OLD TIMES 



led him into many extravagances, while his trustino-, 

 benevolent disposition made him the easy prey of 

 the designing members of the fraternity, who did 

 not hesitate to invade his household for weeks 

 together, whilst the branch societies and offshoots 

 obtained many a cheque under pretence of ' advanc- 

 ing the cause,' but to whom the funds went was only 

 known to the recipient. The learned doctor also 

 became a patron of ' vegetarianism ' and ' anti- 

 vaccination.' Notwithstanding his admiration of, 

 and intimacy with Mr. Robert Ceely, the eminent 

 authority, since Jenner, on vaccination, these ' fads ' 

 found a powerful supporter in him. As an anti- 

 Church-rate man he figured prominently, and after 

 passing for some years as a Tory country gentleman, 

 he suddenly turned his coat, and became a venomous 

 Radical, if it were possible that his truly charitable 

 mind was capable of expressing the violent 

 animosities fostered by this political party. The 

 doctor's person was as eccentric in appearance as 

 his costume. He was slightly above the middle 

 height, with a thin, haggard face, and sparse strag- 

 gling locks worn rather long. This singular figure 

 was generally clothed in a long blue coat with plain 

 brass buttons, a full white cravat, and a frilled shirt, 

 dark trousers, low shoes, tied with black ribbon, 

 and his head was surmounted with a tall chimney- 

 pot hat, often scant of nap. With all his loudly 

 expressed democratic opinions, he was every inch 

 an aristocrat, and proud of his lineage from the 

 Lees of Quarrendon and of Ditchley. His mother 



