256 TRIBUTES TO KNOWLEDGE, 



receiving a good story, and in repeating it. Anything 

 bearing upon folk-lore ; any quaint sayings of the 

 peasantry, especially from the west country, were very 

 dear to him ; as was also anything illustrating the doings 

 or history of the gypsies, in whom he had become 

 deeply interested while travelling in Spain. A spirit of 

 cheerfulness, with a determination to make the best of 

 everything, is also apparent in his letters. His long illness 

 and infirmity were patiently and bravely borne, and 

 while conscious of all that had been taken from him, 

 and not without natural regret for power to enjoy once 

 more the old days of sport and travel, he often expressed 

 his gratitude for the mercies that were still left." 



As is needless to say, Lord Lilford was ready to 

 throw his influence on the side of any cause having for 

 its motive the protection of the birds. But he did this 

 wisely, carefully and seriously, always with an eye, not 

 alone to what was possible, but to what was for the best. 

 He was statesman to the birds. No one knew better than 

 he that you may defend a good cause badly, as you may 

 defend a bad cause well. He knew that over-statement 

 was bad defence ; that to insist with the sentimentalists 

 that certain given birds, which do an immense amount of 

 good, do no harm, was as bad in policy as untrue in fact. 



How clear he was in his own mind that the Egg Act 

 was unwisely framed, and his reasons for thinking so, the 

 following remarks show ; 



