He was a linguist of rare attainments, specializing in the polyglot of southeastern Europe.

He came and went like cloud shadow.
His foresight was so keen he was seldom ordered to go here or there; he was generally on the spot when the orders arrived.
He was interested in socialism and its bewildering ramifications, but only as an analytical student.

He could fit himself into any environment, interview a prime minister in the afternoon and take potluck that night with the anarchist who was planning to blow up the prime minister.
Burlingame, an intimate, often exposed for Kitty's delectation the amazing and colourful facets of Cutty's diamond-brilliant mind.

Cutty wrote authoritatively on famous gems and collected drums.

He had one of the finest collections of chrysoprase in the world.