in a similar vein about Hope-Scott,(66) where also his
feelings were deeply moved, is very different from his more formal manner,
and may claim high place among our literary portraits. It is penetrating
in analysis, admirable in diction, rich in experience of life and human
nature, and truly inspiring in those noble moralities that are the
lifeblood of style, and of greater things than mere style can ever be.
Then, in the autumn of 1861, both Graham and Sidney Herbert died; the
former the most esteemed and valued of all his counsellors; the latter, so
prematurely cut off, "that beautiful and sunny spirit," as he called him,
perhaps the best beloved of all his friends. "Called on Gladstone," says
Phillimore on this last occasion (Aug. 3); "found him at breakfast alone;
very glad to see me. His eyes filled with tears all the time he spoke to
me in a broken voice about his departed friend. The effect upon him has
been very striking, increased no doubt by recent political differences of
opinion." "It is difficult to speak of Herbert," Mr. Gladstone said later,
"because with that singular harmony and singular variety of gifts--every
gift of person, every gift of position, every gift of character with which
it pleased Providence to bless him--he was one of whom we may well recite
words that the great poet of this country has applied to a prince of our
early history, cut off by death earlier than his countrymen would have
desired:--
"A sweeter and a lovelier gentleman,
Framed in the prodigality of nature,
The spacious world cannot again afford."(67)
The void thus left was never filled. Of Graham he wrote to the Duchess of
Sutherland:--
_Oct. 26._--This most sad and unexpected news from Netherby rises
up between me and your letter, I have lost a friend whom I seem to
appreciate the more because the world appreciated him so
inadequately; his intellectual force could not be denied, but I
have never known a person who had such signal virtues that were so
little understood. The remainder of my political career be it what
it may (and I trust not over long) will be passed in the House of
Commons without one old friend who is _both_ political and
personal. This is the gradual withdrawal of the props preparing
for what is to follow. Let me not, however, seem to complain, for
never, I believe, was any one blessed so entirely beyond his
deserts in the especial and
|