518 THE STORY OF MY LIFE [1859
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5C
I became most familiar with Brownlow,1 Le Strange, Edward Stanhope/ Stopford,4 Addie Hay/ and my second cousin, Victor Williamson.6 . A little later, at the house of Mrs. Cradock, I was introduced to " Charlie Wood." 7 I did not think that I should like him at first; but we became intimate over an excursion to Watlington and Sherborne Castle, and he has ever since been the best and dearest of my friends. Very soon in constant companionship, we drew together in the Bodleian and Christ Church libraries, we read together at home, and many were the delightful excursions we made in home scenes, forerunners of after excursions in more striking scenes abroad. We also often shared in the little feasts in Mrs. Cradock's8 garden, where we used to amuse ourselves and others by composing and reciting verses.
I frequently left Christ Church for a week or two upon exploring raids into the counties on which I was employed, and used to bring back materials to work up in Oxford, with the help of the Bodleian and other libraries. Very early, in this time of excursions, I received an invitation (often repeated) from Jane, Viscountess Barrington, a first cousin of my
1 John, 2nd Earl Brownlow.
2 Of Hunstanton, eldest son of Mrs. Wynne Finch. 8 Second son of the 5th Earl Stanhope.
4 Now Sackville of Drayton Manor.
6 Fourth son of Sir Adam Hay of King's Meadows.
6 Fourth son of Sir Hedworth Williamson of Whitbnrn, and of the Hon. Anne, 2nd daughter of the 1st Lord Ravens worth.
7 Eldest son of Sir Charles Wood, M.P., afterwards Viscount Halifax, and of Lady Mary, 5th daughter of the 2nd Earl Grey.
8 Hen. Mrs. Cradock, wife of the Principal of Brazenose — formerly Maid of Honour.