He described Mr. Jacobi as "mild-mannered, lovely and not starry at all," generous and complimentary, unfailingly vigorous and committed.
But the conclusion he drew, as he looked back on what was, by any standards, a vigorous and committed life, was rather too grandly knowing.
The four-event festival began on Saturday evening at Merkin Concert Hall with an engaging concert by the stellar Jack Quartet, whose young members are vigorous and committed purveyors of new fare.
Beatrice Serota, Stanley's wife, was a committed and vigorous politician, whose service on various local government councils led, in 1967, to her being named to the House of Lords, with the title of Baroness Serota.
Eleanor was a caring wife and mother, a committed and vigorous volunteer to the Girl Scouts, community churches and soup kitchens, and a companion to her husband's extensive charitable and fundraising efforts.
It is hard to take seriously Mr. Ashcroft's assertion that the Bush administration remains committed to the vigorous defense and enforcement of all federal gun laws.
The committed are already committed.
"While the latest TiP report did not recognise our vigorous, government-wide efforts that yielded unprecedented progress and concrete results, Thailand remains committed to combating human trafficking.
If they are truly committed to equality of opportunity, then they will have to demand vigorous measures to reduce the drastic levels of inequality that now divide the nation.
Some suggested that vigorous physical exercise might cure men of their yearnings for the family hearth; others put faith in the idea that once they faced battle, men would feel more committed to the cause and less tied to home.
