Reminiscences of the Late Thomas Assheton Smith, Esq; Or the Pursuits of an English Country Gentleman (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1862. Excerpt: ... LAST MOMENTS--CHARACTER. 123 u About nine o'clock on Thursday evening, Mrs. Smith left him to lie down for an hour, leaving her sister to watch by his side, and exacting a promise that she would not take her eyes from his face. A faithful and kind watcher she proved, for in less than an hour she fancied she perceived a slight change in his countenance, and called her sister, who immediately came to his bedside; but before his valet and the doctors could be summoned, he had breathed his last in a gentle sigh. Thus departed, in an enviably peaceful death the spirit of him who for eighty-two years had led a most stirring and energetic life. His virtues were many; possessing a noble, generous, kind heart, always prompt to hear the tale of woe, and only too ready to relieve it: his numberless acts of liberality known to few: but his chequebook bearing testimony to munificent deeds. His faults were those to be expected from his education: his father was a very stern man, and yet over-indulgent in some things; and his mother a weak, vain, selfish woman, little caring for her children, and leaving them early to their own devices. He therefore too early became 'lord of himself, that heritage of woe."' His character, however, merits a more ample and minute description, and this we shall reserve for the following chapters. CHAPTER VII. HIS CHARACTER.--PERSONAL APPEARANCE AND HABITS.--IMPETUOSITY OP TEMPBK.--GENEROSITY OF DISPOSITION.--SKILL IN GAMES AND SPORTS.--KINDNESS TO ANIMALS AND LIBERALITY TO HIS SERVANTS.--HIS STRONG SENSE OF JUSTICE.--HIGH CHARACTER AS A MASTER OF HOUNDS, AND AS A DARING HORSEMAN.--TESTIMONY OF HIS CONTEMPORARIES. His saltern accurnulem donis, et fungar inani Munere.--Virg. The chief points in the character of Mr. Assheton Smith have alread...