Lord Lilford's Life ¹

Abstract

THE scientific aspect of the late Lord Lilford's career is, we are informed in the preface to the present volume, to be written by another hand. The task of his sister has been, in the main, to set before the world the character and every-day life of her brother. And a noble theme, admirably carried out, the author has had before her. To a man fond of field sports and an enthusiastic observer of nature, scarcely any more terrible affliction, save loss of sight, can be conceived than to be stricken down in the prime of life by a malady which rendered him for the rest of his days a helpless cripple dependent for every want upon the attention of others. And yet how nobly and how patiently was this affliction borne by the subject of this pathetic memoir! Of course, every alleviation that money could purchase or affection suggest was at his command, but even so the trial of existence under such distressing circumstances must have been a heavy burden. How much was done by the late peer to advance the science he loved so well, and to ameliorate the lot of his fellow sufferers in humbler walks of life, those who knew him intimately can alone tell. The story of such a life is a lesson and a bright example to us all, and it should thus attract many readers besides personal friends and those interested in ornithology.