52 THE NEW FOREST 



pletely altered his tone and bearing, and for the 

 greater part of two sessions worked cordially and 

 in a friendly manner with all those connected 

 with the Office of Woods who could give him 

 any information to make a complete and thorough 

 investigation into the whole management of the 

 land revenue ; and in all this he met with the 

 heartiest support from all concerned. 



Naturally the report of the Committee gave 

 the Department of Woods no cause for complaint. 



I always recollect with pleasure and amuse- 

 ment Mr. Culley's kindly old-fashioned peculi- 

 arities. He never would come from London to 

 visit me without bringing with him a present 

 of a little parcel of the best and freshest fish to 

 be had that day from Groves*, whether we wanted 

 it or not. 



He had made it a standing rule that he 

 always desired to have an interview with me in 

 London on the Monday in Derby week, just in 

 case we might have anything to discuss or 

 arrange ! And on those occasions he invariably 

 gave me the number of the box he had taken 

 in the Grand Stand at Ascot on the occasion 

 of that great summer festival, held annually on 

 the lands under the charge of the Office of 

 Woods ; and he was disappointed if I did not 

 pay him my respects there. Lastly he never 



