CHAPTER XXXVIII 



ANGLO-GERMAN FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY (1905) 



Age 71 



During the previous year Lord Avebury had 

 been tolerably free from gout, but had developed 

 a new propensity to catch rather severe colds, 

 which had given much uneasiness to Lady 

 Avebury, who was always his most devoted 

 nurse in illness, as she was his constant com- 

 panion in health. But generally speaking in 

 1905 he seems to have thrown off the disposition 

 to take chills, and except for one rather sharp 

 and short attack of something like influenza, 

 towards the end of November, he enjoyed perfect 

 health, and made his usual vigorous use of it, 

 playing golf, taking his children to dances, and 

 going to many social functions besides pursuing 

 his political work, business, and various studies. 

 They did no very extensive touring, as in some 

 former years, and more and more we find visits 

 to the now thoroughly comfortable Kingsgate 

 Castle, taking the place of these longer outings. 

 He contrived to give his breakfast parties through- 

 out the season. At one of them the distinguished 



2oa 



