ASHRIDGE
Ashridge is one of the finest parks in England, rich in magnificent timber trees, more especially tall and stately beech, which are the glory of the surrounding country. The estate originally belonged to the Duke of Bridgwater, and was brought into the possession of the Cust family by the paternal grandmother of the present owner, the daughter and heiress of Sir Abraham Home. It was nearly passing out of the family some years ago, when a complicated lawsuit took place, and would almost inevitably have done so, had it not been for the untiring zeal, clear head and sound judgment of the young Earl’s mother,[[102]] who supplied all the leading lawyers of the day with the requisite information in a most puzzling and entangled case.
[102]. Lady Marian Alford, eldest daughter of the second Marquis of Northampton.
It was on the occasion of her brother’s[[103]] marriage with the beautiful Theodosia Vyner,[[104]] that Lady Marian, who presided as hostess during her son’s minority, threw open the gardens, pleasure-grounds and park to a large and numerous assemblage of friends and acquaintance, consisting for the most part of the élite of London society. It was a beautiful summer’s day, and at the two then equi-distant stations of Berkhampstead and Tring innumerable conveyances were in waiting to convey the guests to the scene of festivity. My brother Cavendish[[105]] and I chose Tring as our halting-place, and were fortunate in so doing, as the entrance from that side is perhaps the more picturesque of the two.
[103]. Charles, third Marquis of Northampton; born 1816; died 1859.
[104]. He married Theodosia Vyner, daughter of Henry Vyner, Esq., and Lady Mary de Gray. She died in 1864.
[105]. Cavendish Spencer Boyle; born 1814; died 1868.
ASHRIDGE.