124 A Walk from 



genial manners, his delicate but dignified modesty, his 

 large intelligence and large-heartedness, gave the addi- 

 tional and crowning characteristic of a Christian gentle- 

 man. Many Americans have visited Babraham, and 

 enjoyed the hospitalities' which such a host could only 

 give and grace. They will remember the paintings 

 hung around the walls of that drawing-room, in which 

 his commanding form, in the strength and beauty of 

 meridian life, towers up in the rural landscape, sur- 

 rounded by cattle and sheep bearing the impress of his 

 skill and care. A little incident occurred a few years 

 ago, which may illustrate this personal aspect better 

 than any simile of description. On the occasion of one 

 of the great Agricultural Expositions in Paris, a depu- 

 tation or a company of gentlemen went over to repre- 

 sent the Agricultural Society of England. Mr. Webb 

 was one of the number; and some French nobleman 

 who had known him personally, as well as by reputa- 

 tion, was very desirous of making him a guest while in 

 Paris. To be sure of this pleasure, he sent a special 

 courier all the way to Folkestone, charged with a letter 

 which he was himself to put into the hands of Mr. 

 "Webb, before the steamer left the dock. "But how 

 am I to know the gentleman?" asked the courier; 

 "I never saw him in my life." " N'importe" was 

 the reply. " Put the letter in the hand of the noblest- 



