The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-24
THE LATE DUKE OF WESTMINSTER.
but il their returns are larger their risks

but II their returns are larger their risks
are greater.
As the largest proprietor OF real estate
not In area but In value-the Duke OF
Westminster has been a favorite example
sIted by Henry George and his disciples
to prove the Justice of the single tax.
There was no man in the world who bene-
ited more by what Mr.. George calls ''un-
earned increment than the duke. The
origin Of the great fortune IL this: In the
sixteenth century one Of his ancestors
bought an immense farm for an insignif
cant price, No one dreamed in those days
that London would have nearly 5000, 900
people, but during the last $50 years the
city has grown up all around this farm.
The family has retained most Of this
ground With the increase Of population
1t has become enormously valuable and
Is covered with buildings. AL Of his an
cestors have been thrifty. None Of them
has sauandered his money in riotous
living, and not a marriage has been made
In the entire line that has not added to
the family wealth.
Popularity Of the Duke.
Yet, in spite of his wealth. the duke was
popular. There are few men in England
who enjoyed greater favor with the
masses. He was a truly democratic peer,
making the distinction between democracy
and the vulgarity and viciousness of Ayles-
ford, Queensbery and other notorious aris-
tocrats, dead and alive. His tenantry
loved him. and people of all classes had
the highest admiration for him.
HIS popularity was not gained In politics
or diplomacy, but in association. His hos
pitality was unbounded, and his many an
cestral seats We're always filed with
guests. The fire was alight all the year
around. 1t was in the hunting field that
the duke found the greatest joy. He was
md No vbat bar
his companions in the chase were princes
or farmers. 1t was the game he sought,
not society He was the best Judge of
horsefiesh in the United Kingdom, and was
not wholly theoretical in his informal ton.
He could fit racing shoe to a horses foot
with the skill of a master smith. His
horses were the pride of his life, and he
had a magnificent stud farm on the estate
on which his principal country seat, Eaton
Hail. is situated. This is in Chester, near
Hawarden, famous as the home of Glad
stone The lords Of the stud are the great
Bend dor and Ormonde. The Grosvenor
stables-Grosvcnor Is the dukes family
name-have a celebrity that has existed
for century. The colors were carried by
a Derby winner in 1890. Touchstone win
ming the great prize He was thirty years
In the stud and the result has been a long
line of prize winners. Three other Derby
winners from the Grosvenor stables were
RhadamantnuS, Benu QOf ana ShOtOVcr.
The Oaks stakes the second in Importance
Of English racing events, have been won
by the Grosvenor colors no less than nine
times The duke took kindly to trotting,
as originated In America. and favored the
introduction of trotting meets in England.
He bred trotters. some Of which are quite
fast.
strong Sense OF Duty.
Yet, in spite Of the powers OF his stable,
Il Is said that he took his racing honors
coolly. He supported racing because 1t
was the national English sport. and he be-
lieved It the duty of a duke TO support It,
When one Of his horses won he took the
victory quite calmly, while the rest OF the
vast audience were shouting themselves
hoarse with excitement.
This sense OF duty was one of the dukes
strong characteristics. Indeed II might al
most be said to have been ruling passion
with him. In limited degree he consid-
cred that he held his property in trust for
the nation--though of course he was the
cole trustee. In consequence the great
Rubens room at Grosvenor house became
identified with meetings OF many kinds
chiefly of an ecclesiastical, humanitarian.
charitable or public Improvement charac-
II. st which tn 6uka PRESIDED MhsR.