AUTUMN DAYS 



social life. All classes of his fellow-countrymen 

 loved him, and looked to him as a leader in their 

 sports and as an adviser in difficult cases, for his 

 judgment could be depended on, and his kindness 

 was unfailing. 



What was the secret of the popularity and in- 

 fluence that were his ? That he was liked and 

 looked up to at first because of his great position 

 is true. But later the man himself, apart from 

 his rank, was esteemed and obeyed. The Duke 

 was, as we have seen, a many-sided man, and 

 his energies and abilities were diffused rather than 

 concentrated ; but that they were remarkable no 

 one who has read the previous pages will deny. 

 His head was clear, and was directed by a heart 

 that was full of genuine kindness and liking for 

 his fellows. 



There have been" many men who for a time 

 have held a larger place in affairs than the eighth 

 Duke of Beaufort. Yet their memory will live 

 no longer than his. Public men, like actors, are 

 soon forgotten when they leave the stage. But 

 men like the late Duke of Beaufort, whose life 

 influenced so many of the most interesting of our 

 occupations, who ruled and guided for good our 

 two great national sports, racing and hunting, will 

 live on in the records of social history. 



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