with examples of heroic duty and helpfulness; on the other,
he touches us with pitiful instances of people needing help.
He knows how to make the heart beat at a brave story; to
inflame us with just resentment over the hunted slave; to
stop our mouths for shame when he tells of the drunken
prostitute. For all the afflicted, all the weak, all the
wicked, a good word is said in a spirit which I can only call
one of ultra-Christianity; and however wild, however
contradictory, it may be in parts, this at least may be said
for his book, as it may be said of the Christian Gospels,
that no one will read it, however respectable, but he gets a
knock upon his conscience; no one however fallen, but he
finds a kindly and supporting welcome.


IV.


Nor has he been content with merely blowing the trumpet for
the battle of well-doing; he has given to his precepts the
authority of his own brave example. Naturally a grave,
believing man, with little or no sense of humour, he has
succeeded as well in life as in his printed performances.
The spirit that was in him has come forth most eloquently in
his actions. Many who have only read his poetry have been
tempted to set him down as an ass, or even as a charlatan;
but I never met any one who had known him personally who did
not profess a solid affection and respect for the man's
character. He practises as he professes; he feels deeply
that Christian love for all men, that toleration, that