Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-02

s The Earl of Carnarvon is said to be
one OF the most amiable, as well as
cultured and capable, of British patri-
clans. lie is popular landlord, evil
dencing real and unselfish interest in
his tenants. While astaunch member
of the Conservative party, which is
generally understood to be the party of
the landed aristocracy, and presumably
solicitous to maintain the privileges of
that class, in his relations with his
tenantry and neighbors he mani
tests great sympathy and libe-
rality Of feeling. Many American
readers are acquainted with the let
tiers appearing in the National Rerier,
above the signature Ruricola." These
are from the pen of Carnarvon, who
has emphasized their doctrines by as
sisting conspicuously to promote the
formation Of land company, with
the view to benefit thrifty agricultural
laborers and to increase the number of
people interested in the tenure Of land.
At recent meeting, before the change
of government, addressing cOngrcga-
ton of poor country folk, he made the
offer TO sell land comprised in his estate
in acre and half-acre lots. This offer
was made equally 20 all, quite inde-
pendent of political opinion or associa-
.tion," and Ito try in his own neigh
borhood the same experiment which
he had recently advocated for the coun-
try at large" The Earl inherited a
vast estate that, in his own words, he
neither 4" desired nor wished" which
he has improved, beginning first with
the cottages of the poor resident on it,
at cost rendering it financially of
scarcely shilliDg's worth of advantage
to him.
Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert,
fourth Earl Of Carnarvon, was born in
London in 1881. lie was educated at
Christ Church, oxford, where he was
first-class in classics in 1852. His
father died before his majority. Hence
he had no experience in the House Of
Commons, but acquired his first
knowledge of practical statesman
ship in the House of Lords, a
seat in which he inherited. In
1854 he received the appointment of
Governor of Carnarvon Castle. Four
years later he became Under-Secretary
of State for the Colonies. In 1859 he
received the degree of d. c. l.. from
the University Of Oxford, of which he
was elected High Steward. The same
year he resigned Office and started on
tour in the East. Having returned,
he published his book. 1.-The Druses Of
the Lebanon" opportunely because Of
the recent massacre Of Christians in
thatregion, and spent several years in the
study and exposition Of leading social
questions. In 1866 he was given seat
in the new Conservative Cabinet, Of
which the Earl of Derby was head. AS
Secretary Of the State for the Colonies
he censured the conduct Of the authori-
ties during the instruction in Jamaica,
and provided the measures which led
to the pacification of the island.
The Earl Of Carnarvon, moreover,
developed and favored the plan
for the confederation Of the Bri-
fish North American Colonies. Be-
fore the Queens signature had been
affixed to the bill providing for that
confederation, its author resigned his
seat in the Cabinet, because opposed to
the extension of the franchise then being
provided for by Government bill.
From 1874 to 1878 Carnarvon was again
Secretary Of State for the Colonies, but
resigned because Of difference with
Mr.. Disraeli, the Prime Minister. as to
the policy Of sending an English fleet
to the Dardanelles.
The Earl of Carparvon was married
in 1861 to the only daughter of the
sixth Earl Of Chesterfield. His estate
is situated in the northern part Of the
county Of Han,s. The Earl has spent
much Of his time in London, where he
has fine residence.
Besides the book already mentioned
and other publications Of less note, he
has written The Archaeology OF Berk-
shire" biography of Dean Mansel,
and translation of the "Agamem-
non" Of Eschylus. As a speaker the
Earl is more fluent than powerful but
he is listened to with pleasure.
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