AUTUMN DAYS 



landed families, which yet survive the disasters 

 which have overtaken them. To compare small 

 thinofs to great, the continued existence of our rul- 

 ing families is historically a parallel to one of the 

 causes of the survival of the Church of Rome, viz., 

 the coherence and unity of its members. 



These thoughts, which come almost unbidden at 

 this point of our story, prepare us for the shadows 

 that fell across the closing years of the eighth Duke's 

 life. The story of adversity shows him at his best — 

 always strong, cheery, and full of thought for the 

 pleasures of others, and ever anxious that his own 

 cares should cast no gloom over the joy of those 

 about him. He showed that fine courage that does 

 not think the whole world should be in tears because 

 it is sad, or grudge to others a joy impossible to 

 itself. 



Yet the full weight of agricultural depression was 

 not felt at once, though already there were signs of 

 the times. The Duke was himself a good farmer 

 and an experienced landlord, and was in touch with 

 the practical farmers among his tenants. What has 

 since happened did not then take him altogether by 

 surprise. His life at this period had so many in- 

 terests and occupations that time passed swiftly, 

 bringing with it the changes that approach with 

 footsteps so light and soft that they startle us when 

 at last we realise their presence. 



The Duke of Beaufort occupied a peculiar posi- 

 tion. He was looked up to as a man whose advice 



255 P 



