And the call made on his
intelligence had not been made in vain. The merchants of Aux
Cayes, who had seen him tried in some 'counter-revolution' in 1845,
wrote to the consul of his 'able and decided measures,' 'his cool,
steady judgment and discernment' with admiration; and of himself,
as 'a credit and an ornament to H. M. Naval Service.' It is plain
he must have sunk in all his powers, during the years when he was
only a figure, and often a dumb figure, in his wife's drawing-room;
but with this new term of service, he brightened visibly. He
showed tact and even invention in managing his wife, guiding or
restraining her by the touch, holding family worship so arranged
that she could follow and take part in it. He took (to the world's
surprise) to reading - voyages, biographies, Blair's SERMONS, even
(for her letter's sake) a work of Vernon Lee's, which proved,
however, more than he was quite prepared for. He shone more, in
his remarkable way, in society; and twice he had a little holiday
to Glenmorven, where, as may be fancied, he was the delight of the
Highlanders.
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