The Eighth General Meeting. 231 



He watched his career at Harrow and at Oriel College. He 

 recollected, also, when Lord Herbert first came forward to take a part 

 in public life, that he expressed his earnest desire to make himself 

 useful to his country and his fellow men. He possessed the advan- 

 tages of birth and family ; he inherited a noble, an historic name ; 

 he had ample means, a charming presence, most graceful manners ; 

 and all these good gifts, from the earliest period of his life, he 

 devoted to the service of his country. In his (the Chairman's) 

 earlier days it is true that many modes of improvement were 

 suggested, but he trusted they would permit him to say that thirty 

 years ago the task of improvement was more difficult than it is now. 

 There were, however, no methods of improvement, no plans for 

 the benefit of the country, for the promotion of the welfare of the 

 Church, for the enlightenment of his fellow men, and for the spread 

 of education — there was nothing of a good and philanthropic 

 character to which Lord Herbert did not lend a helping hand. In 

 all these matters his only thought was how he could best discharge 

 his duties to God and man. Besides what he had done for the 

 churches and schools in this county, they all knew what a glorious 

 Church he had erected as it were at his own door, in place of the 

 one that had gone to decay ; and last year he was present at the 

 opening of a Church at Bemerton, in memory of the good George 

 Herbert, to the erection of which he had contributed most liberally. 

 Besides those charities that w^ere known, much more was done in a 

 secret manner, and in the purest spirit, without being known or 

 appreciated by the world. As an old acquaintance he (Mr. Estcourt) 

 could personally testify to the individual character of Lord Herbert. 

 He did not believe there ever existed more refined and charming 

 society, or a more truly Christian family, than that which be had 

 met at Wilton House. The venerable Countess — his mother, was then 

 the centre of a family circle, every member of which vied in their 

 attention to her. It was impossible to conceive a more charming 

 circle, impossible to witness a more attractive spectacle than was 

 there present, with all the play of fascinating conversation, and 

 with all that was pleasing and agreeable in manners. And when a 



z2 



