The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-01-11
BUTLER AS A COUNTRY SQUIRE.

BUTLER AS A COUNTRY SQUIRE.
The General is not only Il soldier, but
a country conference.-the Squire of
Downes in DeVonshire-and the repre-
sentative of a family which has lived in
the west of England since the early part
of the sixteenth century. When he WIS.,
its his Devonshire home he at once
falls into the groove of the country
gentleman, taking an interest in things
rural, fraternizing with neighboring
landowners, looking after the welfare
of his tenants, and participating in such
county and parochial work os comes in
his way. Downes, the Generals resld
ence lis situated close to Creditor and
anly a few miles from the cathedral
city of Exeter Here the Buffers have
lived for generations, but it is safe to
remark that none has been more popu-
lar than the present occupant. Driving
along the country roads, behind
smart tandem, Gen Butler looks every
inch a soldier but he is more. His
neighbors realize that he is a landlord
whom his tenants more than respect and
he is a citizen whom his fellow-citizens
love.
1t matters not whether Sir Redvers
is presiding over the local School Board
meeting or taking part in some more
pretentious assembly, his frankness
makes him a favorite. When, untram-
meled by sword and cabretache, he
mounts the staircase of Creditor Town
Hall to preside over gatherings, not al
ways together free from party politics,
he speaks with the bluntness of sol (
der, carrying conviction with his words.
General Buffers love for the country Is
inherited. His father, the late Mr.
James wentworth Butler, was typical
fine old English gentleman, who sat as
NJ. P. for Exeter, and afterwards for.
North Devon. He died nearly five and
thirty years ago when Sir Redyers was
twenty-eix years of age.
If Sir Redvers had not been soldier,
he would have been an ideal country
squire. Military duties are exacting,
and he can devote little time to his /
country home. Consequently he has not
been free to indulge his taste for cattle
breeding to the extent he would have
liked and his name is missing from this
years Smithhed catalogue. But, once
free from his official duties it is his
pleasure to be whirled into the country
of junkets and cream to take up the role
of squire. He realizes that property has
its responsibilities as well as its privi-
leges He makes himself personally ac-
quainted with the desires of his tenants,
and nothing delights him more than to
meet those connected with his estate
who are descendants of men who for
have rented under the Bull
ers of Downes. He is magistrate for
i,yio pf tho pollntV and
in connection with this story has been
lately going the rounds. An over-zeal-
Gus policeman arrested man for
On being brought before
the General. the constable was sharply
told: Your duty was to see this man
home not to lock him up. have seen
4 good deal more of this sort Of thing
than you have
General Butler rejoices in being Lord
If the Court of Cannon Fee" and of the
Manor of Creditor. The ancient Court
-.eet is still held yearly, at which port
'eeve, ale conner constable. lighting ,
nan, and belman are appointed. A ,
stern disciplinaran in the army, Sir !
2edvers has kind heart, and whatever ,
rood and useful work may be originated !
n Creditor or indeed in the county, {
hat work has the cordial support of ,
he Squire of Crediton-or should 1t be ,
Oownes and Lady Audrey Butler, II 6
lot their personal assistance. He has a
ately given a valuable site in a suburb 4
f Exeter upon which handsome
hurch has been erected, and he was al 4
% a liberal subscriber to the building
und, while at the time Of the Queens
diamond Jubilee Sir Redvers gave
ite upon which a commemorative r
Thinking fountain has been erected. He .
g generous as well as stern and just.
london Telegraph.