CHAPTER XXXIII 



LORD AVEBURY (1900) 



(Age 66) 



Many people expressed regrets that the name 

 and " style " of "Sir John Lubbock," known 

 throughout the world, should be merged in the 

 novel designation of " Lord Avebury." It does 

 not seem, however, to have occurred to him to 

 decline the honour. " Of course, it is a compli- 

 ment, the offer of a peerage," as he said to me, 

 and as such, without further thought, he accepted 

 it. If he were to take a title other than his own 

 name (and " Lord Lubbock " would have carried 

 little suggestion of the " Sir John Lubbock " 

 whom he had made famous) it is obvious that 

 none could well be found as suitable as that of 

 " Avebury." It symbolised his interest in ancient 

 things, especially ancient religions and civilisa- 

 tions, and he had for a long while been associated 

 with this site and this remnant of what seems to 

 have been the greatest Druidical place of worship 

 in Great Britain, and perhaps in the world. 



His diary of January 23 says : " Went and 

 cleared out my locker at the House of Commons. 

 It s sad to feel that my career there is over. 



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