- In keeping his balance on the swaying
slack-rope between the judicious and the injudicious. In his
own line, however, he is, to my taste, the most scholarly,
the most refined, and the most suggestive, of our recent
essayists. The man himself in manner and in appearance was
in perfect keeping with these attractive qualities.
While speaking of Moor Park and its kind owner I may avail
myself of this opportunity to mention an early reminiscence
of Lord Ebury's concerning the Grosvenor estate in London.
Mr. Gladstone was wont to amuse himself with speculations as
to the future dimensions of London; what had been its growth
within his memory; what causes might arise to cheek its
increase. After listening to his remarks on the subject one
day at dinner, I observed that I had heard Lord Ebury talk of
shooting over ground which is now Eaton Square. Mr.
Gladstone of course did not doubt it; but some of the young
men smiled incredulously. I afterwards wrote to Lord Ebury
to make sure that I had not erred. Here is his reply:
'Moor Park, Rickmansworth:
