On the rare occasions when visitors were admitted, an unfinished landscape in oils was always on the easel, in a prominent place in his sitting room.

He would invariably refer to it, telling one in his humorously unconvincing way that 'he had just put in the butterfly.' Those of us who had seen his work in the drawing class presided over by 'Bully' Wakeman at Portora were not likely to be deceived in the matter....
"His college life was mainly one of study; in addition to working for his classical examinations, he devoured with voracity all the best English writers.
"He was an intense admirer of Swinburne and constantly reading his poems; John Addington Symond's works too, on the Greek authors, were perpetually in his hands.

He never entertained any pronounced views on social, religious or political questions while in College; he seemed to be altogether devoted to literary matters.
"He mixed freely at the same time in Dublin society functions of all kinds, and was always a very vivacious and welcome guest at any house he cared to visit.

All through his Dublin University days he was one of the purest minded men that could be met with.
"He was not a card player, but would on occasions join in a game of limited loo at some man's rooms.

He was also an extremely moderate drinker.