"Shortly before my father's death he asked that 'a message of greeting be sent to all the 77's.' As you were one of those who joined him at the gathering he always remembered with such pleasure, I am sending you this, his message.
"Believe me,
"Yours sincerely,
"A. BOYD-CARPENTER."
More recently we lost another honoured friend in that remarkable and distinguished man, Dr. Wace, the Dean of Canterbury. When we had a home by Folkestone he was often our guest, while we have enjoyed the hospitality of himself and Mrs. Wace at the Deanery. Their kindness at all times to my wife is a happy remembrance. The Dean loved a good story: he told many and was an appreciative listener.
I always read the powerful letters which he wrote to The Times, and could not but admire the strenuous blows he dealt with dauntless courage on matters which were too profound for the likes of me. Shortly before his lamented death I met the Dean at the Athenæum and, during our talk, had more than one proof of the undiminished power of his great memory.
A disreputable trio
As an end to this chapter I quote the most startling words I ever heard from a pulpit, uttered by a prominent dignitary of the Church, in referring to the first chapter of Genesis, which had been the lesson of the day: "Adam was a cad; Eve, I am afraid, was no better than she should be; and for my part, I have long since regarded the silent serpent as the most respectable of a disreputable trio."
IV
THE LAW
"For pity is the virtue of the law,
And none but tyrants use it cruelly."