up so kindly in him, that you could not tell which pre-

ponderated." 2^

Less prejudiced judges than those above quoted ren- der a verdict which is still decidedly favorable. In his earlier career in the United States Senate Benjamin is said to have been generally popular, and to have en- deavored always to foster social relations ; and Sumner, his bitterest opponent, bore testimony to his kindness of manner and conformity to the proprieties of debate.^^ W. H. Russell speaks of his "brisk, lively, agreeable manner" and calls him the most open, frank, and cordial of the Confederates whom I have yet met." ^e Thomas F. Bayard, surely a connoisseur, says that Ben- jamin's "manner was most attractive — gentle, sympa- thetic, and absolutely unaffected," and that "he certainly shone in social life as a refined, genial, charming com- panion." 37 And the testimony of his English friends is equally decided. "A charming companion," writes Sir Frederick Pollock, " an accomplished brother lawyer, and a true friend, one I could not easily replace." ^s

In many of these social sketches of Benjamin there is a curious insistence on his smile, which seems to have been as perennial as Malvolio's, if a little more natural. says the acrid Pollard. And Jones, in his "Diary," recurs to it almost as a third-rate playwright does to a character tag, so much so that on one occasion he notes Mr. Ben- jamin's appearance without his smile as of inauspicious

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