Speaking, or rather writing of presents reminds me that in a cabinet where I keep my many treasures and presents collected during my travels, there rests in one corner a much used and much mended hunting crop bearing the inscription, “From Bill, Xmas 1889.” It likewise has seen its last day’s hunting, for it is tender with age and use, and too much valued to run any risks. I feel as if I could write for weeks of all his kindness and loyal friendship, and then not exhaust my memories of them. There is one more charming trait I should like to mention, namely his great consideration and kindness to his servants; when there had been a house full with many ladies’ maids and valets he always asked if they had had a good time, and his orders were that all the servants should have everything they wanted, nothing was too good for them. One who had served him said to me once, “It is a pleasure to do anything for him; he is the kindest master and friend any servant ever had.” On January 23rd, 1901, Lord William’s horses were sold at Newmarket, and it makes me sad to write of the break up of his stable; his horses had been such a pleasure to him all his life and now they were all to be scattered far and wide. Had he lived, many of them would have changed hands at times, no doubt, in the ordinary course of events, but he would have voiced the orders. Now even at the sale there was a gloom, a sadness for the cheery voice that was gone. It seems rather hard that we should be brought into this world without our wishes being consulted, and hurried out of it without our wishes being consulted, and as Emerson says, “We seem to be whipped through the world hacks of invisible riders.” My readers may be interested to know who bought the horses and the prices they fetched, so I give the list. See pages 322-3. Fifth on the list is good old Democrat, who still has quite a history attached to him. Mr. Joel bought him for 910 guineas, and while his property he ran his last race, at Kempton Park on May 11th, 1901, ridden by Wood, but was not placed, after this he was kept in peace and plenty until the autumn, when he again renewed his acquaintance with Mr. Tattersall’s hammer on October 13th, then Mr. Marsh, the trainer of the King’s horses, gave 290 guineas for him; chiefly I fancy for old association’s sake; so the horse went to Egerton House at Newmarket. One day the late Lord Kitchener was going round the stable, and I think I am right in saying King Edward VII was there at the time; when they came to Democrat Lord Kitchener remarked on his good looks, and that he was the size and make for a man like himself with long legs. “Yes, my lord,” said Mr. Marsh, “he would suit you to take out to India as a charger if you will accept him as a gift.”