ad probably observed; the relationship not being near enough to
constitute any claim. But Mr. Knight was most serious in his intentions,
for in his will he left the estates in remainder to Edward's brothers in
succession in case of the failure of his issue, and Mrs. Knight always
showed the kindest interest in all the family. Edward was now more and
more at Godmersham and less and less at home. Under the Knights'
auspices, he was sent, not to the University, but on a 'grand tour,'
which included Dresden and Rome. He was probably away on this tour at
the date which we have now reached.

Jane's favourite brother, Henry, was nearly four years younger than
Edward, and was no doubt still profiting by his father's instructions.
By 1789 he was not only at Oxford but was contributing to _The Loiterer_
a paper on the sentimental school of Rousseau, and considering 'how far
the indulgence of the above-named sentiments affects the immediate
happiness or misery of human life.' Henry, whose course in life was
marked by sharper curves than that of any of his brothers, was no doubt
a very attractive personality. His niece, Mrs. Lefroy, says of him:--

He was the handsomest of his family and, in the
opinion of his own father, also the most talented.
There were others who formed a different estimate,
and considered his abilities greater in show than
in reality; but for the most part he was greatly
admired. Brilliant in conversation he was, and,
like his father, blessed with a hopefulness of
temper which in adapting itself to all
circumstances, even the most adverse, seemed to
create a perpetual sunshine. The race, however, is
not all to the swift, it never has been, and,
though so highly gifted by nature, my uncle was
not prosperous in life.

There can be no doubt that by his bright and lovable nature he
contributed greatly to the happiness of his sister Jane. She tells us
that he could not help being amusing, and she was so good a judge of
that quality that we accept her opinion of Henry's humour without demur;
but he became so grandiloquent when wishing to be serious that he
certainly must have wanted that last and rarest gift of a humorist--the
art of laughing at himself.

Very different again was the self-contained and steadfast Francis--the
future Admiral of the Fleet; who was born in April 1774, an