THE EIGHTH DUKE OF BEAUFORT 



importance, help to forge the strongest and most 

 enduring of social ties. To one whose position, 

 in a country like ours, marks him out as a leader 

 of men, it is of the greatest importance that he 

 should have the power to enjoy and excel in the 

 things that interest his fellows. Thus the Duke's 

 knowledge of horseflesh, his skill as a huntsman, 

 his marvellous power as a coachman, made his 

 country neighbours more willing to listen to him 

 when he spoke to them on such matters as politics, 

 or some local improvement in agriculture. For 

 men will brook counsel and advice from one to 

 whom they are bound by the love of a common 

 sport. The agricultural classes, too, have ever been 

 glad to have as a spokesman, one who by virtue 

 of his birth, can make himself heard in those regions 

 of court and government, that seem so far away to 

 the man with his eyes on the earth, and his hand 

 on the plough, who yet knows that he may be 

 affected by the action of a far-away lawmaker in 

 London. 



The late Duke of Beaufort moved in and out 

 among his own people, he met then in every 

 pursuit of life. He was a foremost figure in the 

 hunting-field and was at the head of the most 

 magnificent establishment of the kind that has 

 been seen in our day. He was the accepted leader 

 and adviser of many men in all ranks of life. But 

 most of all he was a prince in his own neighbour- 

 hood. In spite of all the changes that the last 



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