48 RECORDS AND REMINISCENCES OF GOODWOOD 



six years, and was very popular. His absence from 

 Goodwood was greatly regretted by all upon the 

 estate and in the immediate neighbourhood. 



The sports which the previous Duke indulged in 

 with so much zest, viz. hunting, shooting, and racing, 

 were now prosecuted upon a greatly reduced scale. 

 His Grace's popularity was so great that, although he 

 was absent from Goodwood when his son the Earl of 

 March came of age, on the 3rd of August, 1812, the 

 tenants, tradesmen, and friends held a fete-champetre 

 in the park to celebrate the occasion. 



Upon drinking the health of the noble Earl, the 

 following lines, penned by a gentleman present, were 



read — 



" I have not seen the ingenuous youth 

 For whom the cup of Bacchus flows ; 

 But may the meed of love and truth 

 Attend him wheresoe'er he goes. 

 May honour (guard of noble souls) 

 Around him throw her sevenfold shield ; 

 And as his much-lov'd country calls, 

 Begird him in the tented field. 

 May patriot ardour fire his breast ; 

 Be his the statesman's steady zeal ; 

 By Albion, and by Erin blest, 

 As safeguard to the common weal. 

 Thus may his moments glide along ; 

 His country's boast, his father's pride ; 

 His actions live in deathless song. 

 And England claim him as her guide." 



Upon his Grace's return from Ireland, in 1813, he 



