CHAPTER XII 



' ' He thought a trust so great, so good a cause, 

 Was only to be kept by guarding laws ; 

 For public blessings firmly to secure, 

 We must a lessening of the good endure. 

 The public waters are to none denied ; 

 All drink the stream, but only few must guide. 

 The Constitution was the ark that he 

 Join'd to support with zeal and sanctity." CBABBE. 



I KNOW no place more deserving of sporting notice than Heron 

 Court; and Lord Malmsbury combines in his person every 

 knowledge of what is due to a country life, as well as the more 

 refined attributes of London society. In this last year, 1852, 

 we have seen him leave his manors and rivers, his farms and his 

 gun, and, when called on to assist the Prime Minister, Lord 

 Derby, with a firm hand and thoroughly enlarged mind guide 

 the foreign policy of the United Kingdom; and leave the 

 interests of his country peaceably and honourably maintained, 

 his sovereign on the best of terms with every foreign power. 

 His more important duties over, and a change in the govern- 

 ment taking place, with honour he returns to his hospitable 

 hall, resumes the gun, and is as much of the country gentleman 

 and sportsman as ever. Lord Malmsbury is an excellent illustra- 

 tion of what a country gentleman and sportsman should be, as 

 recommended to the rising generation in the commencement of 

 this work. He has not permitted his love of field sports to 

 overwhelm the more important and refined duties and accom- 

 plishments of life; but in his leisure hours he can be a 



