170 LIFE OF Sm JOHN LUBBOCK ch. 



request to fill such functions. He was absolutely 

 to be relied on. He had a natural dislike of 

 oratory or tall-talking, and could be trusted 

 not to bore by too long a speech. He had 

 little appreciation of, or temptation to, epigram, 

 and his tact made it as impossible for him to 

 make a blunder in a matter of taste as his 

 courtesy made it impossible for him intentionally 

 to wound. The quality of his remarks could 

 be foretold, though his information was so wide 

 and so ready to his use that his speech was apt 

 to have the good sauce of unexpectedness in 

 the varied directions whither the suggestions 

 given by its chief subject might lead him. 



Within a day or two of taking the chair on 

 this historical occasion at the Athenaeum, he 

 was fulfilling the same office for the old Etonians 

 who were giving a dinner to Sir Joseph Dimsdale, 

 himself an old Etonian, who was the Lord Mayor. 



Earlier in the same month he had been with 

 Lady Avebury and Eric, for a few days, to 

 Wales, first to Llangollen and then to Bala, 

 where he notes " the Bala ' fault ' is supposed 

 to be still going on. Rumblings are said to be 

 heard sometimes." From Bala they went to 

 Arthog and up Cader Idris. 



Among their guests at High Elms towards 

 the end of the month was the Aga Khan, of 

 whom Lord Avebury writes laconically that " He 

 played golf " ; but the quality of his game, 

 unfortunately, he does not mention. 



On the 9th of August took place the Coronation 

 of King Edward VII., deferred, by reason of his 

 grave illness and operation, from its original 



