Page:Life of Edmond Malone.djvu/324

304 fearless spirit exhibited through life. While assisting to rescue valuables from the house of a friend on fire, he sustained injury eventually requiring a surgical operation, under which he sank; but with characteristic consideration for the feelings of his wife, the operation was performed during her absence from town. And in the same Christian spirit, he received the sacrament previously in a private room from the Rev. Dr. Fisher, of the Charter House.

Equally frank and generous; graceful in address and high in principle; chivalrous and resolute; the patron and promoter of manly pastimes and character, he seems to have been cut out by nature for a favourite of the people. But he would not yield to their prejudices or errors. Hence he was occasionally unpopular; but the courage displayed in opposing their wishes often made him nearly as much a favourite as those who gave way to them.

His career in the State, open and uncompromising, left no doubt as to his opinions. In Parliament, his abilities commanded the greatest respect. Often eloquent and logical, he was sometimes too refined—sometimes too sincere and unreserved for a working statesman. In quitting office he took nothing for himself or his friends. As Secretary at War he was too low in the scale of office, though a seat in the Cabinet partially remedied the defect. But it was not known even to Malone till a year or two afterward, that he declined the Seals as Secretary of State by deferring to the Duke of Portland; and twice the title of viscount in the peerage. He conscientiously filled public places—not by playing