Page:Charles von Hügel (1903 memoir).djvu/60



If the rare gifts of such a man fascinate the mind, so does his noble personality completely captivate the heart. Everyone who knew Hügel personally speaks of his kindness, of his gentleness, his winning manner, and his consideration—a quality which he shewed in his demeanour even to the least. As he loved the world of flowers, so he loved budding humanity: after arduous labour he found refreshment in the child's world; and the little ones would cling lovingly and admiringly to one who delighted them by planning games, or telling fanciful fairy stories.

Reumont in his description of Hügel's diplomatic career, gives a picture of him as he was when they were both at Florence. He says: "Hügel's bearing is always conciliatory, his behaviour considerate, his judgment just, and his personal charm was in harmony with these qualities. He was a man of thoroughly noble mind, of hearty benevolence, of wide knowledge of the world, of rich, many-sided culture, of social gifts, of winning exterior—a thorough 'gentleman'."

Dependence upon religion is a characteristic of the Hügel family. In Charles, deep religious feeling blended with charity of heart and purity of mind, to form the basis from which sprang his unswerving sense of duty, his unselfishness and his love of his fellow-creatures.

But through this tender, kindly and lovable nature, there ran a strong vein of manly fidelity, and dauntless determination when a noble cause or a law of humanity was in question. His relations towards Prince Metternich had not been untroubled, and a deep sorrow of which the powerful Chancellor was the occasion had caused him to hasten his journey and to absent himself from Europe for