Three generations

ANTHONY TROLLOPE 275
man drifted to her end of the table, she was heard to
echo in her milder woman's voice Trollope's senti-
ment, " It was the best thing he could do."
Here was an exemplary instance of conjugal
unanimity, but what did the couple mean ? Did they
approve of suicide in the abstract ? Did they think
the world and the man's relations were well quit of a
morbid fool ? Had the pair such sympathy with the
unhappy man's misery that they would have him deny
the laws of God or man, and end it in the shortest space
in the most tragic fashion ?
I heard Trollope lecture on Sir Walter Scott to an
Edinburgh Literary Society. Along with much high
praise, the lecturer ventured on some criticisms
directed against stilted lovers' talk and old-fashioned,
insipid heroines made to order.
What ! Find fault with the Wizard of the North in
his own romantic town ! One of the judges (I think
Lord Neave) who rose to propose a vote of thanks,
made a spirited protest, which was warmly applauded.