Note 38 — THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE

To be sure, it was redeemed by a high respect and by some magnificent compliments. Once in particular, at his own table, after a good deal of badinage and cross-questioning about his being the author of the Reply to Judge Eyre’s Charge, on Mr. Godwin’s acknowledging that he was, Mr. Tooke said, ‘Come here then,’—and when his guest went round to his chair, he took his hand, and pressed it to his lips, saying—‘I can do no less for the hand that saved my life!‘