FARMING AT TORTWORTH 63 



devoted a great part of his time to agricultural pursuits, 

 and became not less celebrated as a breeder of short- 

 horns, than he had been previously as a breeder of fox- 

 hounds, which was sufficiently manifested by the high 

 prices obtained for his stock of cattle after his lamented 

 death. His model farm, near Tortworth, in Gloucester- 

 shire, gave evidence of what could be effected by science 

 and judgment combined, setting an example to farmers 

 that root-growing ought to be the precursor to all cereal 

 crops ; and his system has since been very generally 

 adopted by all who have the sense to appreciate the 

 proper cultivation of the soil. 



Although by first-rate abilities fully qualified to shine 

 as a statesman, and possessing, not professing merely, 

 most liberal and philanthropic views. Lord Ducie wisely 

 preferred the occupations of a country life, where he 

 rendered himself most useful in his generation, to taking 

 a very active part in almost endless political warfare. 



" Self-love but serves the virtuous mind to wake, 

 As the small pebble stirs the peaceful lake ; 

 The centre moved, a circle straight succeeds, 

 Another still, and still another spreads ; 

 Friend, parent, neighbour, first it will embrace ; 

 His country next ; and next all human race ; 

 Wide and more wide, th' o'erflowings of the mind 

 Take ev'ry creature in, of ev'ry kind. 

 Earth smiles around, with boundless bounty blest, 

 And Heaven beholds its image in his breast." 



William (more generally known as old) Codrington, 

 although, poor fellow, he never arrived at the age of 

 man, was the eldest of four brother fox-hunters, John, 

 Robert, and Oliver, all first-rate sportsmen, who took 

 an interest in the working of hounds. He commenced 

 his career as Master of fox-hounds in the old Berkshire 



