The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-06-25

That Mr.. Thackeray was sometimes given
to the "melting mood" may be shown by lit
tie incident, in the relation ofswhich 1 trust
shall violate no confidence, or throw myself
open to the charge of ascribing to the great
author larger share Of the milk of human
Kindness than often falls TO the lot of ordina-
ry mortals.
One morning l was making my way to SO
Onslow Square, at an earlier hour than usual.
when, to my great surprise, L met Thackerav
pacing up and down the footway in q state of
great mental uneasiness. 1t was so entirely
contrary to his custom-at least as far as nv
experience told me-to leave his house at 50
early an hour, and was so much concerned
at seeing him in such depression, that was
naturally induced to say that 1 hoped nothing
very serious had happened TO his household.
He answered, Poor Marochetti's child is dy-
ing" Having said this, tears came to his re-
lief, and he speedily returned home. He was
on terms of close friendship with the Baron
Marochettl This next-door neghbor), and he
sympathized with that well-knOwn sculptori in
the deep love he bore for his diving child. He
was in cheerless mood for the remainder of
the day, and in the course of his work revert
ed many times 20 the calamity which he so
much deplored.
Again, on the morning of his departure for
America. He was to start by an carly train,
and when l arrived forit had been previous
ly arranged that should see him before he
left) found him in his study, and his two
daughters in the dining room-all in very
| fearful condition; and do not think / am
far wrong in saying that if everm mans strength
was overpowered by woman's weakness it was
so upon this occasion; for Mr.. Thackeray
could not look at his daughters without be-
trayng a moisture in his eyes, which he i'm
vain strove TO conceal. Nevertheless he was
enabled to attend to several money transac.
tions which was necessary he should arrange
before leaving; and to give me certain instruc-
tions about the four volumes of his "Mis.
cellanes," then in course of publication. and
which he begged me to watch in their passage
through the press, with a view TO few foot
notes that might be thought desirable. Then
came the hour for partingi A cab was at the
door, the luggage had all been properly dis
posed Of, and the servants stood in the hall.
to notify, by their looks, how much they re-
gretted their masters departure. "This is
the moment have dreadedp said Tbackerav
as he entered the dining-room to embrace his
daughters; and when he hastily descended
the steps of the door he kneiv that they
would be at the door TO
"Cast one longing, lingering look behind"
"Good-by," he murmured in n sunnressed
voice, as L followed him to the cab. "keep
close behind me, and let me try to jump iu
unseen"
The instant the door of the vehicle was
closed behind him he threw himself back in
to corner and buried his face in his hands,
ms was the last / saw OF Mr.. Thackeray be-
fore he left London on his second visit to the
United States; and l think have given
sufficient proof that, great as was his power
of pointing the shafts of ridicule at the fol-
lies and vices of the day. and coldy reserved
as he sometimes was in his demeanor, he was
full of that gentleness of heart to which his
writings constantly bear testimony; and it
it was his instinct to be actuated by the kind
liest impulses which do honor to our common
nattre.-George Holder Harper's Mdgd-
zine for july.