JEarl of Stamford 607 



Cocks, the daughter of a livery-stable keeper, and 

 though she could not boast of blue blood, she showed 

 herself admirably fitted to rule the mtnage at Bradgate 

 Park and Enville Hall. She was a fine and bold 

 horsewoman. Much scandal was caused by a challenge 

 purporting to come from her ladyship, to ride against 

 any woman in England for 500, which appeared in 

 the sporting papers. Lord Stamford, however, wrote 

 indignantly denying that any such challenge had ever 

 emanated from the Countess, and offering a reward 

 for the discovery of the perpetrator of this malicious 

 libel upon Lady Stamford. I do not know that the 

 reward was ever claimed, or that the real issuer of the 

 challenge was ever discovered. 



The Countess took the deepest interest in her 

 husband's racing establishment at Newmarket The 

 stable-lads were her special care. She looked after 

 their morals and education with maternal solicitude 

 had them down to Bradgate in the winter, and did 

 all in her power to make them happy and comfortable. 

 At Groby, Enville, Dunham, Newmarket she made her 

 influence felt, and was beloved as an ideal " Lady 

 Bountiful." 



Lord Stamford himself was one of the most kind- 

 hearted of men, and though too shy and reserved ever 

 to be generally popular, he won the affection of all 

 with whom he was brought into close contact. He 

 tried to be a good steward of his magnificent fortune, 

 and on the whole he succeeded. He gave public parks 

 to the people of Ashton and Wolvcrhampton ; he 

 founded and endowed libraries and museums ; his purse 



