BOYHOOD OF THE EIGHTH DUKE 



complishments, with the rare virtues of a favourite 

 old mare ! " 



The horses belonging to the Duchess of Beaufort 

 naturally come in for attention from the visitor. A 

 pair of clever iron-grey galloways were driven by 

 the mistress of the establishment in her phaeton. 

 Then there were " four particularly clever Welsh 

 ponies," which have " been forced into the highest 

 form their natural good points were capable of, by 

 good keep and good bitting," and consequently con- 

 vey the idea of " perfect Lilliputian coach- horses." 

 Of the harness used for this pony team, Nimrod 

 declares : " I never saw anything so complete of its 

 sort, combining ornaments intended for display — 

 such an imitation of precious stones in the bridle 

 fronts — with all the essentials to road work. 

 Who but a coachman," he demands, " would have 

 turned out his lady in such truly classical style ? " 



The disposition of the young heir towards hunt- 

 ing naturally arises before this stable interview is 

 over, " Will the Marquis do ? " asked Nimrod, 

 alluding to his riding to hounds. " That he will," 

 was the reply, " if they don't spoil him." The 

 meaning of the implied dread of interference is, we 

 are told, founded on the not improbable contingency 

 of Lord Worcester being sent to "foreign parts" 

 before his education was completed. 



And through all the flummery of Nimrod's little 

 affectations and exaggerations we see the stately 

 home, with its kindly master and mistress, the well- 



145 



