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IN MEMORIAM
57

in that line to the Austrian Empire. As to Baron Charles von Hügel in whatever capacity he acted, or whatever position he occupied, devotion to the Sovereign and the country he loved, and a constant desire to promote everything that could tend to benefit humanity, were the ruling motives and objects of his life. One little trait deserves to be recorded as illustrating the extreme tenderness and delicacy of his manly and vigorous nature. He had a special love for little children, who were on their side irresistibly attracted towards him, and seemed to feel an instinctive confidence under his powerful, tender protection. His greatest delight was to plan little pleasures for them, and he could command the lively, unflagging interest of children for hours together, with the most graceful tales of fairies and flowers, under the imagery of which were veiled the beautiful, deep, and mystic thoughts with which his great and eminently poetic mind was full.

The great modesty and utter absence of all self-consciousness in one who was certainly eminent for his great and profound erudition was very remarkable. No stranger would ever guess from his conversation, either the extent of his vast learning or the very important part he had played in scientific research. The idea of shewing off his talents, or drawing attention to himself and his own achievements, never seemed to cross his mind. Occasionally some superficial talker would discourse before him on subjects which had been the study of his life without his uttering a word, yet this reluctance to speak only concerned himself: he lent the most ready sympathy to the interests of everyone around him, and it is extraordinary that, notwithstanding his extreme modesty and reserve, he left an impression on those who came in contact with him which time and circumstances never effaced. Casual acquaintances, whom he met