He told very accurately, almost in the same words, his old stories, though, having a powerful memory, he was impatient of a friend who told him a twice-repeated tale.
His jests were very amusing.
At good things he would sit laughing away—laughter often interrupted by fits of sadness.
His absolute sincerity, or habit of saying all things to all kinds of persons.
He ought always to have lived among gentlemen only.
Of his early friends (after Arthur Hallam) FitzGerald, Spedding, Sir John Simeon, Lushington—A. T. was enthusiastic about them.
Spedding very gifted and single-minded. He spent his life in defending the character of Bacon.