A boy who, like young Macaulay, was admitted to the intimacy of politicians such as these, and was accustomed to hear matters of state discussed exclusively from a public point of view without any afterthought of ambition, or jealousy, or self-seeking, could hardly fail to grow up a patriotic and disinterested man.

"What is far better and more important than all is this, that I believe Macaulay to be incorruptible.

You might lay ribbons, stars, garters, wealth, titles before him in vain.

He has an honest genuine love of his country, and the world would not bribe him to neglect her interests." Thus said Sydney Smith, who of all his real friends was the least inclined to over-praise him.
The memory of Thornton and Babington, and the other worthies of their day and set, is growing dim, and their names already mean little in our ears.

Part of their work was so thoroughly done that the world, as its wont is, has long ago taken the credit of that work to itself.