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35 the same freedom; and his addresses were sometimes so long and vehement as to require his removal from the house; an act to which he always submitted without opposition.

Persons, who were not acquainted with him, often deceived themselves by supposing him to be destitute of common understanding. In company he would often make observations and remarks, calculated to provoke argument, with a view to fathom the minds of those with whom he conversed; and the estimate of their characters was formed with astonishing facility and correctness. His replies were always pointed, and strictly adapted to the nature of the questions proposed; for he instantly discovered whether an inquiry was made with a desire to obtain information, or suggested to gratify mere curiosity, and produce ridicule. He was also scrupulously careful to respect the truth, in all his conversation, and would rebuke those who in the least degree departed from it, by the use of words and phrases,