VISITS TO DANEBURY. 215 



When at Broadlands, his seat in Hampshire, he 

 used to ride over to Danebury to see his horses, 

 mounted on a thoroughbred hack, and his groom on 

 another ; and starting from his own front-door, gallop 

 all the way until he reached his destination. Indeed, 

 on arriving at Danebury he would go round the 

 yard once or twice, gradually reducing the pace, until 

 he could pull up. This may seem ludicrous, but it is 

 no exaggeration, for I have seen him do so myself. 

 He used to wear dark trousers, and a dress-coat of 

 the same hue, the latter unbuttoned ; and of course 

 flying open, gave him a strange appearance in riding 

 so fast. I never knew him partake of any repast at 

 Danebury, not even a glass of sherry or a cup of tea ; 

 and doubt very much if he ever entered the house. 

 Immediately after seeing the horses, and chatting 

 matters over with my father, he would ride back just 

 as fast as he came. The reason he gave for riding so 

 furiously was that it was, as he said, ' such capital 

 exercise.' 



The story of my father meeting him in the House 

 of Commons has been so often and so erroneously 

 told, that it may be well to put it in its real shape. 

 This is its true form. My father, wishing to see his 

 lordship, would have gone into the House and called 

 him out, had he not been stopped by the policeman 

 on duty. Not exactly understanding the police 

 regulations, he felt annoyed in being interfered with, 

 and, on being asked for his card, replied : 



