Eccentricities and Absence of Mind. 193 



ligious and political opinions. Sir Charles 

 Knightley revelled in " The Druid's " rich 

 store of anecdotes and varied lore, confer- 

 ring upon him the rare privilege of being 

 admitted to the Baronet's own sanctum at 

 Fawsley Park in Northamptonshire, at all 

 hours of the day and night. 



During his many travels, mostly on foot, 

 he carried a heavy, rough cudgel, for which 

 he sometimes found good use. 



Passing one day through Brighton he en- 

 countered a fierce bull dog, long the terror of 

 the residents in that part of the town through 

 which he was walking towards the Station. 

 Something aroused the animal's wrath, and 

 he sprang at "The Druid's" throat. A terrible 

 battle ensued, which was eagerly watched by 

 an excited crowd. The struggle terminated 

 eventually in the death of the dog, though 

 not till many vigorous blows had been dealt 

 with the formidable bludgeon which, fortu- 

 nately, he carried in his hand. His wife still 

 preserves it among other precious relics. 

 Only a week or two before his end came, 

 when he was too feeble to cross the room, 

 even with the assistance of his trusty stick, 

 13 



