It was this that lent such unusual interest to
his society, so that no friend of his can forget that figure of
Fleeming coming charged with some new discovery: it is this that
makes his character so difficult to represent. Our fathers, upon
some difficult theme, would invoke the Muse; I can but appeal to
the imagination of the reader. When I dwell upon some one thing,
he must bear in mind it was only one of a score; that the
unweariable brain was teeming at the very time with other thoughts;
that the good heart had left no kind duty forgotten.
I.
In Edinburgh, for a considerable time, Fleeming's family, to three
generations, was united: Mr. and Mrs. Austin at Hailes, Captain
and Mrs. Jenkin in the suburb of Merchiston, Fleeming himself in
the city. It is not every family that could risk with safety such
close interdomestic dealings; but in this also Fleeming was
particularly favoured. Even the two extremes, Mr. Austin and the
Captain, drew together. It is pleasant to find that each of the
old gentlemen set a high value on the good looks of the other,
doubtless also on his own; and a fine picture they made as they
walked the green terrace at Hailes, conversing by the hour.
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