Parties, political and sectarian, were not then so irreconcilable as they are now.

In the whole county there was no one so respected as this eminent person, and yet he possessed no shining talents, though a laborious and energetic man of business.

It was solely and wholly the force of moral character which gave him his position in society.

He felt this; he was sensitively proud of it; he was painfully anxious not to lose an atom of a distinction that required to be vigilantly secured.

He was a very _remarkable_, yet not (perhaps could we penetrate all hearts), a very _uncommon_ character--this banker! He had risen from, comparatively speaking, a low origin and humble fortunes, and entirely by the scrupulous and sedate propriety of his outward conduct.