cH.xxx.v KINGSGATE CASTLE 133 



of these writings. There are various modes of 

 estimating the worth of hterary achievement, but 

 assuredly it is not justly to be measured by the 

 labour involved in its production. A more 

 correct mode might be by the gratification of 

 readers, and on this test Lord Avebury might 

 stand justified of his works above almost any 

 other writer. Nor in estimating the facility and 

 absence of strain with which he accomplished so 

 immense a mass of work must we forget the 

 remarkable ease with which he could pass from one 

 to another subject of study and attention, the 

 entire freedom from all unnecessary nerve wear 

 such as most men experience owing to involuntary 

 worry, and the perfectly serene atmosphere in which 

 all was accomplished — equally without haste as 

 without waste. All these invaluable assets are 

 to be attributed to the singularly complete control 

 and self-command into which he had schooled him- 

 self at a very early age. In fact the facility with 

 which he accomplished his intellectual tasks is to 

 be credited to the strength of his moral character 

 as much as to his purely mental power. 



In the early part of this year the Empire was 

 thrown in a mourning as profound and heartfelt 

 as it is possible that a national grief can be by the 

 death of Queen Victoria. Lord Avebury took his 

 official part in the obsequies. He notes that on 

 June 25 he " went up for the vote of condolence 

 and congratulation. Salisbury did it very well, 

 Kimberley and the Archbishop with much good 

 feeling. The gallery was crowded with ladies in 

 black which gave it a very gloomy appearance." 

 And on February 2 : " Went down to Windsor for 



