The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1866-04-24 00:00:00

I

ate late 11. C. Slurt, of eritcbilt.
The folio. ing memoir of the good " old
s7nglish gentleman" whom remains were
buried yesterday, appeared in the Telegram
last week.
It is, in some measure, uncongenial to me,
that, in obedience to the wishes of an old
friend, and an energetic member of the
"Press," I pen • few linos, mitt"
amidst the din of workmen repairing my
house for my successor. and the noise of the
removal of my things from Rushton to
my new residence at Okeford Fitzpaine.
combined with the sorrow of losing my valued
friend, and also the sorrow of parting with my
excellent parishioners of Rushton and RA/r-
-oom I say it is in some sort uncongenial tome,
at these junctures, to attempt such • thing as
• brief (and very imperfect) memoir of my
beloved and valued friend, the late Mr. Sturt.
whose memory and kindness, as well as that
of Lady Charlotte Start, will always be
endeared to me by every recollection.
We all bow to the expressed wishes of the
"Press." I need make no apology; but if
one is needed, the following request of the
editor will be amply sufficient. "Mr. Gerard
Rtart has kindly conveyed to me the melan-
choly intelligence of his father's death. Ido
not know any that could write • more genial
memoir of the late Mr. Start than yourself;
and if you can oblige me with ever so brief a
one by next post, in time for the Telegram. I
am sure you will feel that it is only what is
doe t , the fine old English gentleman."
I must here observe that some little diffi-
culty meets me. Some time sines "8.C.,"
of 9, Queen's Gardens. London, wrote to me
for information with the view of a memoir of
Mr. Stork I supplied him with what infor-
mation I was possessed of; and I read his
letter, which is now before me, mad of which
I can, of worse. make no use, though i
would greatly help this impromptu memoir,
written in double grief, and under disadvan-
tageous circumstances.
I believe Mr Sturt vu born about the
year 1796 I had only one interview with
him during his illness, about three weeks or a
month ago. I was surprised to see his
emaciation, and expressed my sorrow at
seeing his reduction. He said with much
firmness and composure, "I am now 70, and
must expect it" After • little brief conver-
sation. I gave his dear kind hand a kiss, and
bade him fere welL After that, he was never
able to see me.
He was in early life schooled at Harrow,
my sohnol, and the school of Lords Shaftes-
bury, Dishy, and Rivers, of whom Ole two
last wets my co-t.seporarse. I am not cer-
tain, but I fancy Mr. Blurt WM at Harrow
with " peer—at any rate, he was • great
admirer and a staunch supporter of Peel. I
have always heard him speak of Peel as one of
earth's most unselfish and noble politicians.
After leaving Harrow he went to ("twist-
church, Oxford. In due time he succeeded to
the palelal residence of Oritchill, and the
Doreetehirs and Devonshire estates, and also
property in London, (fiorton) i which is
worth, probably, far more than his landed
estate.. Ido not venture to guess at the
ad ealorem of the estates, but I can say, that
from- the "stable." to the "soll" room—in
fact, in every deportment—magnifiospos and
liberality might be seen wlthout being at all
displayed.
Mr. Blurt was we of the late C. Shirt,
Esq., and Lady Mary Ann Start, Etter of
the late Earl of Shafterbary. C-itchill
descended to him through the Neplers. In
due time Mr. Start married Lady Charlotte
Brudenell, • lady of the greatest excellence
In every respect, and for those sincerely
mourned loss, we cannot but feel the deepest'
sympathy. Their mutual affection is well
known to on, and their love for their dear
children was one of the tender/A kind, and
their excellent example has been attended
by moms& and will be attended by in-
creasing success. The Woe of the marriage
tas four daughters—Mrs. Barrington Mills,
Visomortees 011r1011. the Honourable Mrs. G.
T. Baring, and the Honourable Mrs Foley.
wife of Colonel Foley, lot military attachi
at Viet/re--such was his judgment. his un-
selfishness, and firmness of character, that,
though dearly beloved by him, in her
"situation," he would not allow her to come
home, and say "farewell." The male issue
of the happy marriage were Gerard Start.,
Esq., M.P. for the county; Ashley Stark
Esq , (dec./Lied) ; and Colon/91 Napier Stu,*
of the Grenadier Guards, sad M.P. for Dor-
chester, but dill better known for his gallantry
at Alma and Inkeritlan. *bare he received a
severe wound in the thigh, the bullet only
just missing the femoral artery. ?b. pre-
sent Mr. Sturt married lAdy Augusta Bing-
ham, daughter of the Earl and Countess of
Lucan, and they have issue • noble son and a
sweet little daughter. Of the late Mr. Start, as
a politician. I can truly say he was guided by
what he believed to be the interest of the
Public at large. When he could not con-
scientiously vote awarding to the wishes of
his supporters like so honourable man be
resigned. The present earl of Shaftesbury
did the same, and get an example thereby
worthy of Fnglaod's Nobility. Electors I
each are the clam of men to elect from.
It is tell known that I have received greet
and unredeemable favours and kindnesses
from the late Mr. Sturt and his family;
but this would not tempt me to say
one word of so verscions a man
that was not veracious. The remembrance/ of
his strict veracity would reprove me. He was
the most friendly, faithful, and veracious man
, hat I ever met with. His word was his bond.
No fan*, proper for him to retain, would ever
be divulged. If an amiable thing was to be
dune, he knew ho* to do it, and with the beet
taste—l mean with a Christian pirit—the only
good spirit in the world. I used hardly
remind the county of his cottage halal/lea,
church buildings, and parsonage building'.
"Si monamentum quarts. curoumapiee."
Long before the present philanthropy, this
rood and just man—not less so IM Leidy
Charlotte Sturt—" naturally oared for the
poor." I may say of oust/ton, especially,
that there is not an bows of the Iste Ift.
Start's that I should not be glad to life in.
He has built a moat beautiful pattern
school-room bees, and has just finished repott-
ing every house. It is no wonder that the
" Wettings of the poor dessend upon his
revered memory 1"
We all, of course, lament his Ines, but sub-
mit to the will of One who is "Too wise to
err, and too good to be unkind."
May his worthy successor emulate him in
all things, and be allured by the example of
his most exemplary parents; and above all,
may the blaming of Christ rest on MI branches
of the family. W. F. RADCLYFFE,
Rushton, Tuesday.