GARDENS OF CELEBRITIES 
Lord Holland was the good genius of Holland House. “I 
would not go to Heaven with Lady Holland, but I would go to 
Hell with Lord Holland,” says Ugo Foscolo. 
““Lord Holland,” wrote Macaulay to his sister, “is extremely 
kind. But that is of course, for he is kindness itself. Her Lady- 
ship, too, which is by no means of course, is all graciousness and 
civility.” These remarks expressed the general opinion of society ; 
but despite her despotism and her whims, those who knew Lady 
Holland best and longest, testify to her real kindness of heart. 
Lord Holland was a victim to gout, and during the greater part 
of his life he was a confirmed invalid, and a cripple; but his 
patience and invariable sweetness of temper, were phenomenal. 
If unable to appear at dinner he would be wheeled in afterwards ; 
and he always came down to. breakfast, said Samuel Rogers, 
his friend for forty years—‘‘ like a man on whom some sudden 
good fortune had just fallen.” Thomas Moore describes him in 
1818 as being “‘ full of sunshine, as usual;”’ and in 1832 Macaulay 
wrote that ‘“‘ the sight of him spreads good humour over the face 
of every one who comes near him.” 
When not suffering, Lord Holland was the most delightful 
companion ; cheerful, intellectual, and well read; and he was 
sometimes “‘ extravagantly entertaining,” for he enhanced his 
delightful gift of story-telling with the drollest mimicry. 
‘Macaulay once spent a Saturday and Sunday at Kensington, 
when:‘‘ my Lord was ill, and my Lady thought herself so” .. . 
She had ‘‘ fretted herself into being ill, could eat nothing but the 
breast of a partridge, and thought the howling of a dog portended’ 
her own death, or Lord Holland’s.”’ They dined at four instead 
of six.or seven, and the company was “‘ scant ’’—for “‘ Allen, like 
the poor, we have always with us ’—Macaulay says he did his best 
to keep the house alive, but he found the day dull, for Lord Holland 
was in bed ; but since he had the library and the delightful gardens 
all to himself, I cannot extend much compassion to him. 
Dr. Allen was the factotum, and useful friend, practically resident 
at Holland House. The poet Rogers was its ‘‘ Oracle,” and 
persona grata, with both master and mistress. He delighted in 
healing quarrels, was fond of children, and staunch in friendship ; 
to him the dying Sheridan turned for help, when there was an 
execution in his house, and almost everybody else had deserted him. 
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