212 iRinss of tbe IRofc, TOfle, ant> (Bun 



for the manure than the meat." Devons and South- 

 downs were the breeds he favoured in cattle and sheep. 

 During the sixty-six years of his reign at Holkham he 

 spent 536,992 in building and repairs, besides the cost 

 of planting the woods, which are now the great beauty 

 of the park. The annual fall of timber brought him in 

 2,700, which was considerably more than the whole 

 rental of the estates when he first succeeded to them. 

 In commemoration of his great achievements as an 

 agriculturist an imposing monument was erected in the 

 park by public subscription. It was commenced in 

 1845 and completed in 1848, six years after his death. 

 The subscribers were nine hundred in number, and 

 the amount subscribed was 4,995 us. 6d, including 

 donations from five shillings to fifty pounds. The 

 monument consists of a fluted column surmounted by a 

 wheatsheaf, and rising to a height of 125 feet. The 

 pedestal is embellished with three bas-reliefs representing 

 the sheep-shearing, granting a lease, and irrigation, all 

 containing portraits of noted agriculturists, whilst the 

 fourth side is occupied by an elaborate inscription setting 

 forth the many claims of Thomas William Coke upon 

 the respect and admiration of his countrymen. At each 

 corner of the pedestal is a symbolic figure a Devon ox, 

 a Southdown sheep, a plough, and a drill, with appro- 

 priate mottos beneath. 



So much for " Coke of Norfolk " as an agriculturist, 

 the character in which no doubt he has the largest 

 claim to fame. Let me now look at him in his character 

 as sportsman. 



Coke was without doubt the best game-shot of his 



