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as the history of the period.
I passed three days at Lord Wharncliffe's,— one day longer than I intended to stay.
If I had not passed this day at Wortley Hall, I should have met Lady Francis, the widow of Sir Philip, at Wentworth.
As ever, affectionately yours,
To George S. Hillard.
Fairfield Lodge, near York, Oct. 27, 1838.
my dear Hillard,—It was only last night that I wrote you from Wentworth House.
I failed, doubtless, to give you an idea of that immense establishment, where you find persons of every trade,—a baker, with his rooms and apparatus; a confectioner; a butcher; a brewer; and, of course, his majesty the cook.
In the stables you find farriers, carpenters, joiners, and the like.
Then there are conservatories and hot-houses, by the side of which those of our Botanical Garden and of Mr. Cushing1—the two together—are quite small things; and, more than this, there is an aviary, where you may see more strange birds than I have ever seen together in any collection in America: in one place you may see the eagle in his spacious cage, and in another that rarity of antiquity, the black swan, sailing on an artificial lake, while sea-gulls and other aquatic birds are splashing about him. Somewhat used, as I have now become, to the country-life of this wonderful island, I am astonished at the extent of all that I have seen at Wentworth.
I would gladly have stayed longer, according to his Lordship's kind invitation; but my other engagements would not permit.
I however indulge the hope of being able to visit him at his other seat,—Milton,— during the hunting-season, that I may not leave England without seeing one of her great national sports.
I am now the guest of a sportsman,—Mr. Thompson, whose acquaintance I made at Wentworth,—at his pretty place in the neighborhood of York, where I have come simply to see the Minster.
I should tell you that I had a good opportunity at Wentworth to observe the way in which the wealthy sons of the aristocracy pass their time.
The young Lord Milton had invited some of his friends, of about his own age, and keen in their love of horses, to visit him, and have some private races.
Milton offered, among various prizes, a gold cup and a dessert set. Among the young men were the future Lord Scarborough and Lord De Mauley.
They were all dressed as jockeys, with the cap, the close blue or red or yellow silk jacket, the leather breeches, and the white-top boots.
I observed a 