In all this benevolence she has not overlooked
the animal creation. She has erected four hand-
some drinking fountains : one in Victoria Park, one
at the entrance to the Zoological Gardens in Re-
gent's Park, one near Columbia Market, and one in



BARONESS BURBETT-COUTTS, 329

the city of Manchester. At the opening of the lat-
ter, the citizens gave Lady Burdett-Coutts a most
enthusiastic reception. To the unique and interest-
ing home for lost dogs in London, she has con-
tributed very largely. If the poor animals could
speak, how would they thank her for a warm bed
to lie on, and proper food to eat !

Her private gifts to the poor have been number-
less. Her city house, 1 Stratton Street, Piccadilly,
and her country home at Holly Lodge, Highgate, are
both well known. When, in 1868, the great Reform
procession passed her house, and she was at the
window, though half out of sight, says a person
who was present, '' in one instant a shout was
raised. For upwards of two hours and a half the
air rang with the reiterated huzzas — huzzas unani-
mous and heart-felt, as if representing a national
sentiment."

At Holly Lodge, which one passes in visiting the
grave of George Eliot at Highgate Cemetery, the
Baroness makes thousands of persons happy year
by 3'ear. Now she invites two thousand Belgian
volunteers to meet the Prince and Princess of
Wales, with some five hundred royal and distin-
guished guests ; now she throws open her beautiful
gardens to hundreds of school-children, and lets
them play at will under the oak and chestnut trees ;
and now she entertains at tea all her tenants, num-
bering about a thousand. So genial and consider-
ate is she that all love her, both rich and poor. She
has fine manners and an open, pleasant face.
