PASSING OF WREST PARK

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 64, 8 December 1917, Page 12

PASSING OF WREST PARK

ANOTHKR GREAT FAMILY GONE FROM ITS HOME.'

_ Tlio salo of tlic furniture and remaining pictures, books, and effects by the lieirs of Lord Lucas began at Wrest Park recently, completing the disposal of the house and estate there Thus, as the result of the war, one more close personal tie is to bo sundered. The old family, which has owned the estate since the days of Queen Elizabeth and before, has gone from the old place and its habitation will know it no more.

Wrest Park is one of the famous seats of Bedfordshire. The house is modern, built at the beginning of last century, replacing an older and more beautiful Elizabethan building which was tho seat of the haughty Dukes of Kent (created 1710). ;Tlio last owner, Lord Lucas, was a member of Mr. Asquitli's Government before the war. He was killed in November last flying in France and was a brilliant airman, though he had lost one of his legs. Many titles have been held by his forbears, the holders of Wrest Park and it is strange to think of the vicissitndos of time by which so many of them have lapsed. Dukes of Kent Marquises of Kent, Marquises Grey Earls do Gray, Earls Cowper, Baroiiß Grantham—they have all gone. Only tho title of Lucas remains, and that cannot well die out because it is inherited in tho female line—by tho female as well ns the male descendants of Mary, created Baroness Lucas in 1663.

None in tho future will tend tlio quaint little dogs , cemetery, which is one of the sights or" the place, or maintain the proud traditions of Wrest so ornately set forth in those forgotten Jacobean inscriptions at Flitton."