A YORKSHIRE NATURALIST 167 



to Bolton in Wharfedale ; this time, however, we lived 

 in a farmhouse. During our stay we had large 

 opportunity of experiencing the genial and gracious 

 kindness of the late Duke of Devonshire. The Duke 

 and his party were staying at the Abbey for shooting, 

 consequently all surrounding tenants were requisi- 

 tioned by the steward to supply poultry, eggs, 

 butter, trout, in fact everything ; and as we were 

 seven miles from any shop, our table might have 

 been uncomfortable, but the Duke, knowing we were 

 in the neighbourhood, gave orders that some 

 addition of game, poultry, or fish should be sent to 

 us every day. 



One day the Duke happened to show me a small 

 wound on the front of the shin-bone. Every ex- 

 perienced surgeon knows that few accidents are 

 more likely, if neglected, to cause trouble than this. 

 The Duke's sore was beginning to look fiery and 

 threatening, but by persuading my patient to rest 

 for a few days, and applying the tepid water-dressing, 

 the value of which I had learnt in my hospital days 

 from its great master, Liston, an improvement 

 quickly took place. 



One sad incident marred the pleasure of this 

 holiday. My second daughter, Minnie, had for some 

 time past been far from well, and it now began 

 to be apparent that mischief more serious and 

 more deeply organic than I had hitherto supposed 

 was the cause. The subsequent year showed that 

 we had but too much reason for our anxieties. 



