52 BRINGING MADEIRA TO ENGLAND 



as she could not sit down at the same table with " those 

 low people/* 



" Then yon must starve," was the housekeeper's 

 reply ; " for I should lose my situation immediately if 

 I dared infringe on Mr. Smith's orders." 



I could relate many more stories and anecdotes of 

 the late Assheton Smith, as told to me, which have prob- 

 ably been told to hundreds of others, but I have deemed 

 it best to confine myself chiefly to those which have 

 come under my own observation. I will, however, give 

 one more of private life. 



At one time, Mrs. Smith being in rather a delicate 

 state of health, a change to a warmer climate, during 

 the winter months, was suggested by their medical 

 adviser, to which the Squire, from his well-known avoca- 

 tions, was rather averse ; but he immediately replied, 

 ''As we cannot well go to Madeira, Madeira must come 

 to us ! " 



This led to the construction of a most magnificent 

 conservatory, or winter garden, in which the choicest 

 plants and exotics were placed, and which was connected 

 with the house by a long covered walk, one side being 

 entirely of glass, extending again through the conserva- 

 tory to the stables. 



