At one thing only he was strikingly good, and that was at grumbling.

Although not unkind, he had a temper that boiled over at small provocation, and even in his most placid mood he took very little satisfaction in the world.

He reversed the proverb, looking for the sable lining of every silver cloud.

In the conditions of his life he found plenty of food for his pessimism, and merry hearts were very rare among his neighbors.

Still a certain amount of gloom appears to have been inherent in the man.