THIRD MARQUESS OF SALISBURY 303
that they " never saw a more perfect host." The Bishop also gives a glimpse of the house and its inmates : "I particularly enjoyed my Hatfield visit," he writes. 1 " The house is perfect, and the park very striking of its kind. But the great pleasure was the inmates, as hearty and kind as possible, and he full of high patriotic views." He was much impressed by his host's lofty ideals " so fair, so kind, so simple and high-minded."
An extremely shy man, Lord Salisbury went little into society, and though he and his wife did their duty nobly, and successfully, at all the great gatherings and entertainments necessitated by his position, they both hated functions of all kinds. Both of them, too, despised appearances, and cared nothing for such things as fine clothes or smart carriages, though they could assume pomp when necessary, and on occasions Lady Salisbury might be seen driving about the county in a chariot with four horses and outriders. Lord Salisbury's reserve and silence made him, at times, a most embarrassing neighbour at a public dinner or other function, for he had no small-talk, and made no effort to maintain any general conversa- tion. Yet, when he was at ease among friends, his conversational powers were considerable. " His qualities as a talker are not familiarly known," wrote Mr. G. W. E. Russell. 3 " He is
��1 To Sir C. Anderson, November 26th, 1868.
- Life of Wilberforce, July i6th, 1872.
3 Collections and Recollections, ist Series.
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