II 



KEW IN FAVOUR 



THE chief memories of Kew are associated 

 with its royal master who, by his doings here, 

 earned the nickname of "Farmer George," 

 in his unpopular days also belittled as the 

 " Buttonmaker," a sneer at his turning -lathe, 

 and the taste for other mechanical pursuits 

 which he shared with Louis XVI. The 

 " Squire of Kew " is a title that would have 

 suited him better ; and he might have lived 

 more happily and usefully had his station been 

 no higher than that which he here affected. 

 When he could get away from State functions 

 and cares, not indeed neglected by him, he liked 

 to live at Kew as a simple country gentleman, 

 keeping a pack of hounds, superintending a 

 model farm, improving his grounds, looking 

 after his children, walking out with his wife, 



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