This, stated barely, leaves one of two impressions on the mind, or perhaps the two together,--that this cynicism was natural to his character and came out in his life, or that it is the characteristic of his writings.

Of the nature of his writings generally, I will speak in the last chapter of this little book.

As to his personal character as a cynic, I must find room to quote the following first stanzas of the little poem which appeared to his memory in _Punch_, from the pen of Shirley Brooks; He was a cynic! By his life all wrought Of generous acts, mild words, and gentle ways; His heart wide open to all kindly thought, His hand so quick to give, his tongue to praise! He was a cynic! You might read it writ In that broad brow, crowned with its silver hair; In those blue eyes, with childlike candour lit, In that sweet smile his lips were wont to wear! He was a cynic! By the love that clung About him from his children, friends, and kin; By the sharp pain light pen and gossip tongue Wrought in him, chafing the soft heart within! The spirit and nature of the man have been caught here with absolute truth.

A public man should of course be judged from his public work.

If he wrote as a cynic,--a point which I will not discuss here,--it may be fair that he who is to be known as a writer should be so called.