CHAPTER VIII 

 The Eighth Duke 



WHEN the young Lord Worcester came of 

 age he was already prepared for the duties 

 and pleasures of his great position. In the same 

 year (1845), a few months after his twenty-first 

 birthday, he married Lady Georgiana Curzon, the 

 daughter of Richard, first Earl Howe. This was a 

 fortunate choice, for the eighth Duchess will long 

 be remembered at Badminton for her thoughtful 

 care of her poorer neighbours, and the gracious 

 kindliness with which she fulfilled the social duties 

 of her station. 



For a time the young heir was to lead a soldier's 

 life. Love of soldiering was in the blood, and it 

 had fired each successive heir to the family honours, 

 from the day when the first Earl had served his 

 country aboard ship or on land with equal eager- 

 ness. I have it on the authority of the Duchess 

 herself, that her husband was anxious to see active 

 service. This however was denied him, though all 

 who knew him will not doubt that he would have 

 greatly delighted in such an opportunity as has come 



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