D'Israeli's dogs

Benjamin D'israeli, arguably Queen Victoria's favourite Prime Minister, had an estate on the outskirts of High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire. Hughenden Manor and the gardens, park and woodlands that surround it, are now owned by the National Trust. The park and woodlands are open for all to use and it's a favourite spot for dog walkers and picnickers in the Summer. 

There's also a beautiful clear chalk stream that runs through it with a pond and a horseshoe-shaped island in the middle. My kids used to sail an inflatable dinghy over to the island when they were young and would happily spend all day there with their mates. Sadly, the drought has left the river bed completely dry, the pond has vanished, and the lush green grass that usually sustains the Hughenden herd (yes, you often have to negotiate cows in the park) is now brown and straw-like. 

Here it is in happier, moister times.

Hughenden Church, incidentally, is the building you see in the opening credits of Gerry Anderson's strangest TV series - The Secret Service.

However, what I want to focus on today can be found at the very top of the hill, where the manor stands. If you walk into the woods you come across a tiny graveyard. This is where D'Israeli's pet dogs were buried.

I find it a bit odd that he chose to lay his pets to rest in such a public place (and, sure enough, one headstone was broken off recently - you can see the repair). 

But then, I guess it wasn't public when D'Israeli lived there and before the National Trust had the place.

It's interesting to see that one was a fox terrier - an uncommon breed today. But it was the dog that sparked some controversy in the world of science writing.

I'll tell you that story tomorow.