This gift of enthusiastic admiration was not only his most engaging characteristic, but also, perhaps, the chief proof of his extraordinary ability.

It was certainly, too, the quality which served him best all through his life.

He went about declaring that Mrs.Langtry was more beautiful than the "Venus of Milo," and Lady Archie Campbell more charming than Rosalind and Mr.Whistler an incomparable artist.

Such enthusiasm in a young and brilliant man was unexpected and delightful and doors were thrown open to him in all sets.

Those who praise passionately are generally welcome guests and if Oscar could not praise he shrugged his shoulders and kept silent; scarcely a bitter word ever fell from those smiling lips.