ij:berty hall. 49 



well furnished with guests, the house being generally 

 full of company, in addition to the neighbouring 

 families, many of whom received a carte blanche 

 for dinner invitations, to fill up as they pleased, 

 the dining-table being of such ample dimensions 

 as to admit unexpected guests. In this respect, 

 and with regard to his guests. Sir Francis was a 

 personal example of the liberal opinions he then 

 held, and his house most truly called Liberty Hall. 

 The breakfast- table stood prepared from eight 

 o'clock in the morning mitil eleven a.m., to suit the 

 convenience of early and late risers ; after w^hich, 

 each person pursued his own course of action, 

 without restrictions or interruptions from their host 

 or hostess, in reading, riding, driving, hunting, 

 shooting, or fishing, according to their several tastes 

 and the season of the year, until the dinner hour, 

 and as the clock struck six, the portly old butler 

 made his entree into the saloon, when those who 

 were present immediately obeyed the summons, not 

 a moment being allowed to tardy toilet makers or 

 late comers ; and this bemg an established rule, 

 ensured the punctual attendance of those who cared 

 for either fish or soup. 



The mention of fish calls to my recollection a 

 boyish adventure of my brother and self, to supply 

 Lady Burdett's table, when the skill of the most 



E 



