The defects and advantages of such a training were obvious in
Fleeming throughout life. His thoroughness was not that of the
patient scholar, but of an untrained woman with fits of passionate
study; he had learned too much from dogma, given indeed by
cherished lips; and precocious as he was in the use of the tools of
the mind, he was truly backward in knowledge of life and of
himself. Such as it was at least, his home and school training was
now complete; and you are to conceive the lad as being formed in a
household of meagre revenue, among foreign surroundings, and under
the influence of an imperious drawing-room queen; from whom he
learned a great refinement of morals, a strong sense of duty, much
forwardness of bearing, all manner of studious and artistic
interests, and many ready-made opinions which he embraced with a
son's and a disciple's loyalty.
CHAPTER III. 1851-1858.
Return to England - Fleeming at Fairbairn's - Experience in a
Strike - Dr. Bell and Greek Architecture - The Gaskells - Fleeming
at Greenwich - The Austins - Fleeming and the Austins - His
Engagement - Fleeming and Sir W.
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