DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70302#0425
ACCOUNT OF LORD ROKEBY,
381
•was much visited on account of the singularity of his
manners, and the shrewdness of his remarks. He was a
great friend to agriculture, and in him his tenants found
a most excellent landlord. As to himself, he banished
deer from his park as an unprofitable luxury, and sup-
plied its place with black cattle and sheep, of which
great numbers were always to be seen in his domain.
For his oddities, those visitors who knew him well, made
a due allowance, but in strangers who saw him for the
first time, the uncouth appearance of his person, and the
singularity of his manners never failed to excite uncommon
sensations.
It was probably about this time that Mr. Robinson
first permitted his beard to grow. Beards were once con-
sidered as marks of respectability, particularly among
the ancients. With regard to this article, however,
opinion is now reversed, and it is, at least regarded as an
indubitable token of eccentricity. Why it was adopted by
his Lordship is not known ; reasons for such a conduct
are not easily discovered ; it bids defiance to conjecture,
and baffles all sagacity. So much is certain, that he was
for many years remarkable for this appendage, whose
length, for it reached nearly to his waist, proclaimed it of
no recent date.
Imagining that sea-bathing was good for a disease of
the intestines with which he was afflicted, he erected a
little hut on the beach at Hythe, about three miles from
his own house, to enjoy the advantages resulting from it.
In this medicine, it is, however, probable, that he in-
dulged to excess, as he frequently remained in the water
until he fainted. To this place he was accustomed to
walk, and was generally accompanied in his excursions
by a carriage, and a favourite servant, who got up behind
when he was tired. Mr. Robinson, with his hat under
his arm, proceeded slowly on foot towards Hythe, and
381
•was much visited on account of the singularity of his
manners, and the shrewdness of his remarks. He was a
great friend to agriculture, and in him his tenants found
a most excellent landlord. As to himself, he banished
deer from his park as an unprofitable luxury, and sup-
plied its place with black cattle and sheep, of which
great numbers were always to be seen in his domain.
For his oddities, those visitors who knew him well, made
a due allowance, but in strangers who saw him for the
first time, the uncouth appearance of his person, and the
singularity of his manners never failed to excite uncommon
sensations.
It was probably about this time that Mr. Robinson
first permitted his beard to grow. Beards were once con-
sidered as marks of respectability, particularly among
the ancients. With regard to this article, however,
opinion is now reversed, and it is, at least regarded as an
indubitable token of eccentricity. Why it was adopted by
his Lordship is not known ; reasons for such a conduct
are not easily discovered ; it bids defiance to conjecture,
and baffles all sagacity. So much is certain, that he was
for many years remarkable for this appendage, whose
length, for it reached nearly to his waist, proclaimed it of
no recent date.
Imagining that sea-bathing was good for a disease of
the intestines with which he was afflicted, he erected a
little hut on the beach at Hythe, about three miles from
his own house, to enjoy the advantages resulting from it.
In this medicine, it is, however, probable, that he in-
dulged to excess, as he frequently remained in the water
until he fainted. To this place he was accustomed to
walk, and was generally accompanied in his excursions
by a carriage, and a favourite servant, who got up behind
when he was tired. Mr. Robinson, with his hat under
his arm, proceeded slowly on foot towards Hythe, and