All that she said was always worth hearing ; a
greater compliment could not be paid her. She was
a most conscientious listener, giving 3'ou her mind
and heart, as well as her magnetic eyes. Persons
were never her theme, unless public characters were
under discussion, or friends were to be praised. One
never dreamed of frivolities in Mrs. Browning's



ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING. 209

presence, and gossip felt itself out of place. Your-
self, not herself, was always a pleasant subject to
her, calling out all her best sympathies in joy, and
3et more in sorrow. Books and humanity, great
deeds, arid above all, politics, which include all the
grand questions of the day, were foremost in her
thoughts, and therefore oftenest on her lips. I
speak not of religion, for with her everything was
religion.
"Thoughtful in the smallest things for others, she
seemed to give little thought to herself. The first to
see merit, she was the last to censure faults, and
gave the praise that she felt with a generous hand.
