KINDNESS, AND SYMPATHIES 255 



From 'The REV. MURRAY MATTHEW. 



Author of the Birds of Somerset, etc. 



" It would be impossible for any one, who had for a 

 long time enjoyed the privilege of correspondence with 

 the late Lord Lilford, not to have formed a very 

 sincere regard for him, as his kindness and goodness were 

 as plainly revealed in his letters, as his high attain- 

 ments in the natural history subjects, with which they 

 were chiefly concerned. His consideration for his depend- 

 ants ; for the poor people upon his estates ; his anxiety 

 to administer his church patronage as a sacred trust ; 

 his impatience of modern politics ; his readiness and 

 courtesy to impart information ; his liberality in helping 

 students with specimens from his aviaries and large 

 collections ; his general sympathy in all that befell his 

 friends and correspondents : all these are matters which 

 were brought out in the course of his letters, which 

 may be truly stated to have been such clear exponents of 

 his character that his views beforehand on any question 

 brought before him could be surely anticipated. He was 

 so real and thorough himself that he had a hearty 

 impatience of all shams. I believe he only once addressed 

 the House of Lords, and that was to support a Bill for 

 the protection of his favourites during the nesting season,, 

 when he was gratified by receiving Lord Beaconsfield's 

 approval of the manner in which he had stated his case. 

 It must also be added that he possessed a great sense 

 of humour, and enjoyed nothing better than hearing or 



