304 MEMORIES OF MEN AND HORSES 



the late Lord Shrewsbury, whose introduction of im- 

 proved hansoms had much impressed me, and he was 

 being socially ostracised at that time for unfortunate 

 domestic events. I tried to reason with his sister that 

 he should be forgiven, but she would not admit such 

 a possibility. And yet, as I came to know in later 

 years, she was one of the kindest-hearted and best of 

 women, never weary in well-doing, and always keen on 

 blood-stock breeding. 



Year by year I used to get up mating competitions of 

 blood stock, and Lady Londonderry would judge them. 

 They were never for big prizes, but, I know well, were 

 always enjoyed by readers of The Sportsman in all parts 

 of the world. 



It was very pleasant to visit Wynyard in the later 

 days when the stud had assumed serious proportions 

 and Moss had important prospective winners to show. 

 Lady Londonderry herself delighted in the place, and 

 particularly, I think, in her old-world garden, which 

 was always beautiful. I remember so many landmarks 

 surrounding the house and grounds such, for instance, 

 as a tablet recording in graceful verse the death of a 

 little dog, the property of Lady Ilchester. I think 

 Lord Crewe was the author. 



It is indeed a delightful house, Wynyard, for when 

 you are there you can do just what you like, without 

 being worried by anyone trying to entertain you. For 

 instance, on the occasion I have in mind, which was a 

 Sunday morning, I set to anol" wrote an article about 

 the Sledmere yearlings while the family had gone off to 

 church. Of course I would have gladly gone too, but 

 it was necessary to get through with the work. 



Lady Londonderry was a very accomplished and well- 



