THE EIGHTH DUKE 



Duke was an admirable host and never happy unless 

 his guests had everything they could desire. The 

 Duchess, and as she grew up Lady Blanche 

 Somerset, cared for the poor and interested them- 

 selves in all the good works of the neighbourhood. 



This was a golden period in the history of 

 Badminton, the clouds that overshadowed later 

 years being scarcely yet above the horizon. No 

 doubt there were troubles and cares, but they were 

 not allowed to disturb the general aspect of well- 

 being. The Duke and Duchess both had a genuine 

 wish to make others happy, and with whatever 

 faults and mistakes, probably no one was ever more 

 genuinely kind and unselfish than the Duke. Ten- 

 ants, servants, friends and guests, high and low, 

 loved him. 



Thus the seasons came and went, bringing with 

 them a succession of sport with the hounds. All this 

 time Clark was hunting the pack with fair success, 

 and Lord Worcester was learning the science of 

 woodcraft and hunting, which was to make him one 

 of the best huntsmen of his day. 



But this is anticipating. Soon after the Duke 

 engaged Clark, as huntsman, Mr. Horlock appeared 

 again upon the scene. The dispute this time was 

 a trivial one, and Mr. Horlock was certainly in the 

 wrong, as the following letter from the Duke will show. 



" Sir, — My attention has been called to a para- 

 graph in a letter written by Scrutator in this day's 



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