ADARE GALLERY.
The rough-and-tumble work of the House of Commons would have been a far better school for him than the Upper House of Parliament, and had he not been a peer he would probably by this time have reached a far higher rung on the political ladder than he has done. Although nervous, he is a good speaker, and never misses his points. He seldom addresses the House without a thorough knowledge of his subject, and as a consequence is generally listened to and considered. Naturally quick, he soon masters his facts. He has great power of concentration, but, like most Irishmen, lacks application. Unlike his race, however, he is not impulsive, and seldom speaks without thinking. He has more the memory of a barrister than that of a permanent official, and should he forget the details, always remembers the line of argument. With a little more patience he would make a good judge, as he knows well how to sift evidence, and is just in dealing with the opinions of others. Thorough himself, he expects thoroughness in those about him. Cant and hypocrisy he will have none of. Nor does he believe in employing second-rate intellect. The best man and the best price is Lord Dunraven’s motto. There is no niggardliness 437 about him, yet at the same time he intends to get his money’s worth. Mistakes are not overlooked, but forgiven. As a result he is much liked by all who have any dealings with him.
The principal family estates are in Ireland and Wales. Adare Manor, the Irish home where the present peer was born, is situated in one of the prettiest parts of County Limerick. The house, which had fallen into decay during the last century, was entirely rebuilt by Lord Dunraven’s grandfather. It is of gray stone and in the style of the Tudor period. The most imposing apartment is the gallery, which is panelled in old oak and has a beautifully carved ceiling. This room is approached from the hall by means of a stone stair-case let into the wall, and is entered through richly carved double doors brought from an old church at Antwerp. It is one hundred and thirty-two feet long and twenty-one feet wide. Along the sides hang the family pictures, and a few choice paintings by old masters. The hall is lofty, and lighted by colored windows, which, together with the organ, hidden away in a recess, gives the place more the appearance of a cathedral than the entrance to a private house. The river Maigne flows past the manor on the south side, and, when at home, the subject of our sketch may often be seen fishing for a salmon or shooting a weir in his canoe, after the manner of Canadian log men down the rapids. Not far from the manor house, on the banks of the river, are the ruins of a Franciscan abbey, built in 1464 for the Observant Brothers by a former Earl of Kildare, while adjoining lie the ruins of Desmond Castle, so celebrated in Irish history.
RUINS OF DESMOND CASTLE.
Lord Dunraven is much attached to Ireland and the Irish. He devotes large sums of money annually towards improving and keeping up Adare, and spends all the income derived from the estate in giving employment to the people of the district. This fact alone, seeing that he has only a life interest in the place, shows his large-mindedness. His property is probably the only one in the south of Ireland on which no outrage has ever been committed, and it speaks well for his popularity that when he came amongst his own tenants a few months ago to deliver a speech against Mr. Gladstone’s Home Rule bill, not only was he listened to, but, for the time, received the support of many Home Rulers in the district. At Adare, Lord Dunraven entertained Lord Spencer and 438 the vice-regal court in state, and subsequently received Lord Londonderry and Lord Houghton.
Dunraven Castle, in Glamorganshire, is built on the edge of a cliff, and overlooks the Bristol Channel. The coast is very dangerous, and many a ship has struck and gone to pieces on the treacherous rocks in sight of the castle. There is no safe anchorage anywhere near, so Lord Dunraven is in the peculiar position of having a home by the sea, but is unable to approach it in his yacht. Lately the castle has been enlarged, and a new wing and courtyard added. During the last few years, owing probably to the unsettled state of Ireland, Lord and Lady Dunraven have done most of their entertaining here. Not long ago the Duke and Duchess of Teck and the Princess May (Duchess of York) made a long stay at the castle. The gardens are well kept, but the want of shelter prevents the shrubs and coverts from growing, and gives the more exposed part of the estate rather a barren appearance. The shooting is fairly good, and the park well stocked with deer.
Kenry House, in the vale of Putney, was until recently used as the town residence, but when Lord Dunraven’s daughters grew up it was necessary to take a house in London. Still Kenry is a favorite Saturday to Monday resort of Lord Dunraven during the parliamentary session.