some lovely lake, — ^he was c^tiite ready, and went with tte 

 same - unkurried air that raarked all bis, actions. Like 

 . Sir Walter Scatt, he was producing results implying close 

 apphcatibp. and laborj hut without any apparent expense 

 of time or means. His' step' was so leisurely, his manner 

 .80 composed, therfe was always such total absence of wea- 

 riness in ,al[' he said and did, that it ,-vsras impossible to be- 

 lieve he was so diligent , a worke,r. 



But this composure, this^ reticence,, this leisurely air, 

 were all imposed upon his manner by his regal will.. He 

 was under 'the inost supreme self-control. It was so abso- 

 lute, as t6,deprive him of spontaneity and enthusiasm. In 

 social intercourse he was ,Hke two persons ; the one con- 

 versed with you ■ pleasantly upon every topic, the other 

 .watched you from behind that pleasant talk, like a senti- 

 nel. , The delicate dhlldy left much to himself by his 

 parents, naturally grew wayw;ard and imperious. > But the 

 man of shrewd common sense, with iis way to niake'in the 

 world, saw clearly that, that waywardness mjist be sternly 

 subjuga,ted.;. It' was so, and at. the usual expense. What 

 the friend of Downing most desired in him was a frank and 

 ■■jiBjeserved flow of feeling, which should drown out that 

 curioTlsi critical self-con'sciousness; He felt this want' as 

 mjiohias any one, and often playfully e^ideavored to ■supply, 

 it. It doubtless arose, in great part, from too fine a ner- 

 vous organization. Under the mask of the finished man 

 of the wotld he! concealed the most feminine feelings, which 

 j,rffcen expressed themselves with pathetic intensity to the 

 only one in whom he unreservedly confided; 



This critical reserve behind the cordial manner invested 

 his, whole , character with mystery. 'The long dark hair, 

 the firm 'dairk eyes, the slightly defiant brow, the Sp'anish 

 mien,' that welcomed us that May morning, seemed to 



