utions wax faint, and I again find myself buying
fresh animals, entering into fresh speculations, and just as
deeply engaged as ever. It is the force of habit, a still
unconquered propensity to the sport, and a nervous apprehension
that if I do give it up, I may find no subject of equal interest.

November 14th, 1837 {p.023}

[Page Head: CHARACTER OF LORD EGREMONT.]

Yesterday morning I heard of the death of Lord Egremont, who died
after a week's illness of his old complaint, an inflammation in
the trachea, being within a month of eighty-six years old.[10] He
was a remarkable man, and his death will be more felt within the
sphere of his influence (and that extended over the whole county
of Sussex) than any individual's ever was. He was immensely rich
and his munificence was equal to his wealth. No man probably ever
gave away so much money in promoting charitable institutions or
useful undertakings, and in pensioning, assisting, and supporting
his numerous relations and dependants. His understanding was
excellent, his mind highly cultivated, and he retained all his
faculties, even his memory, unimpaired to the last. He was
remarkably acute, shrewd, and observant, and in his manner blunt
without rudeness, and caustic without bitterness. Though he had
for some years withdrawn himself from the world, he took an eager
interest and curiosity in all that was passing in it, and though
not mixed up in politics, and sedulously keeping aloof from all
party conflicts, he did not fail to think deeply and express
himself strongly upon the important questions and events of the
times. In his political principles and opinions he was anti-
Liberal, and latterly an alarmist as well as a Conservative. He
had always opposed Catholic Emancipation, which it is difficult
to account for in a man so sagacious and benevolent, except from
the force of prejudices early instilled into a mind of tenacious
grasp which was not exposed to the changeful influence of worldly
commerce and communication. It is probable that Lord Egremont
might have acted a conspicuous part in politics if he had chosen
to embark on that stormy sea, and upon the rare occasions when he
spoke in the House of Lords, he delivered himself with great
energy and effect; but his temper, disposition, and tastes were
altogether incompatible with the trammels of office or the
restraints of party connexions, and he preferred to revel
unshackled in all the enjoyments of private lif