To one department of activity, especially, that of gardening, he devoted his whole powers.

His parks can vie with the finest pleasure-grounds of all countries.
At the time I first met him he was sixty-nine years old, but looked much younger, except when he sometimes appeared with his hair powdered until it was snow-white.

His figure was tall and finely proportioned, and though a sarcastic smile sometimes hovered around his lips, the expression of his face was very kindly.

His eyes, which I remember as blue, were somewhat peculiar.

When he wished to please, they sparkled with a warm--I might almost say tender-light, which must have made many a young heart throb faster.