Edward Cary 



is best in our country." The phrase 

 is instinct with his gay veracity of 

 paradox. He was himself a blend 

 of varied qualities and gifts, that 

 were not always ready to keep the 

 peace one with another, but the col- 

 lective manifestation of which was to 

 his fellows a constant joy. The talk 

 he made or evoked may be equalled 

 by those who are to come after ; it 

 can never be matched. Its range 

 was literally incalculable. It was 

 impossible to foresee at what point 

 his tangential fancy would change its 

 course. From the true rhythm of 

 Creole gumbo to the verse of Theoc- 

 ritus, from the origin of the latest 

 mot to the age of the globe, from 

 the soar or slump of the day's market 

 to the method of Lippo Lippi, from 

 the lightest play on words to the 

 subtlest philosophy, he passed with 

 buoyant step and head erect, some- 

 times with audacity that invited 

 235 



