Washington sentinel., 1899-05-06
The Duke OF Beaufort.
British Realm.

VeTV widespread interest. only
lew years back the Duke himself
was one of the most famous and
popular Of British noblemen. Lat
terly he has retired somewhat from
public view owing to falling health,
but his name is still one to conjure
with--especially in sporting cir
cles.
The present holder Of the duke
dom was born in 1924. His grand
father and his father being both
alive, he was at first known by the
third title OF the family as Lord
GIamorgan. When he was eleven
years old his grandfather died, his
father succeeded to the dukedom,
he himselfexchanged the courtesy
title Of Lord Glamorgan for that
OF Marquis Of Worcester, and it
was in this style and in great state
that he went to Eton, where he
soon found himself in a set Of boys
who represented the leading fami-
lies, and among whom he found
many companions who were des-
tined to be his stanch friends and
fellow sportsmen through life.
Being a big youth, Of commanding
presence, the heir to one Of the
proudest mobiles OF the land, and,
moreover, already a keen sports
man, whose taste for riding across
country had been we'll developed
from an early age in the Badmin-
ton country, it was natural that
he should complete his apprentice
ship by entering the army, and
equally a matter oI course the reg
iment which was not only first on
the list of the British army, but at
that time boasted itself to be the
most "crack" and exclusive OF all,
to which only men OF rank were by
favor admitted-that is, the Ist
Life Guards Cr84s). Those were
not DAYS OF competitive exams.
When he succeeded to the duke
dom he inherited about $4,000
acres, a large personally, four great
country seats, of which Badmin-
ton, near Chippenham, is tar the
finest and largest, and a great ter
ritorial influence, which, in the
then state OF the franchise, implied
very considerable political power.
He was, therefore, a very impor-
tant adherent to the Conservative
leaders, and it is not surprising,
considering this fact and his per-
sonal Parliamentary services, that
Lord Derby gave him the very
dignlfied and essentially appro
pirate. if not very important, Office
OF Master OF the Horse, during the
brief periods when that nobleman
held the reIns OF power in 1858. 50,
and 1866 68. When Lord Derby
resigned. in the latter year, the
Duke followed him, and from that
date, though he has exercised his
vote and influence (now consider
ably diminished, owing to modern
legislation) on behalf OF his party
his career as a public politician
Except for local purposes) came
TO an end. Between the years
I87I-8o, however, he was repre-
sented in the House Of Commons
by his second SON, Lord Henry
Somerset.
The Duke ofBeauiort may claim
the distinction of being the typical
English sportsman. Though noted
chiefly as a grand whip and an ex-
cellent game shot. the Duke has
at one time or another turned his
hand to most forms Of outdoor
sport. He has been a very keen
angler, and in search oi good SAL
mon fishing has travelled many
thousands OF miles. His exper-
fences include the pursuit of that
noble fish in Norway and North
America. Itwss natural, therefore,
when it was decided to bring out
a regular SPORTING library, in which
each form OF sport should be
treated by specialists, that the
series should be styled the Bad
mlnton Library. and that the Duke
should be the principal editor. It
was equally natural that a good
portion Of the volume OF Coach
ing" should be by his pen. In for
mer years the Duke used to take
a deep interest in matters con-
nected with the drama. He is a
member ofthe Garrick Club, which
is the leading theatrical club, and
- famous tor its collection OF old
theatrical plates, and also tor its
suppers. He actually founded the
Beefsteak Club. an even more
sociable and Bohemian c0key1e,
which until recent years occupied
rooms in the vicinity Of the Ly
ceum, and now has a house OF its
own opp osite the Gsrrick Theatre.
The Duke has suffered great dis
tress OF peculiarly sad kind. The
climax OF all was the death OF his
favorite daughter, the late Lady
Waterford, to whom he vas pas
sionatelY attached. Since that
melancholy event he has seemed
to grow older. 1t is. no doubt, a
source Of regret to him that the
marriage Of his eldest son and heir,
the Marquis Of Worcester, has not
vet resulted in a young Lord
Glamorgan. Since that marriage
the Duke has made over Badmin-
ton to Lord Worcester in order
that the latter may escape the
enormous death duties which he
would have to pay if he acquired
it by inheritance. The Duke and
the Duchess (who is daughter OF
the first Earl Howe) now live, in
consequence, at Troy House, in
Monmouthshire an old seat of the