An overflow of bookshelves, a huge kitchen, a cellar, music, dogs, hens, donkeys children . . . all the ingredients for civilised life

In the later 1850s, Palmerston was Prime Minister: Gladstone, his Chancellor. It was a successful partnership between two very different characters. As Roy Jenkins used to say, Palmerston’s willingness to put up with Gladstone — never an easy subordinate — proves that he was more that a bombastic Regency rake.

Already a subscriber? Log in

Subscribe for just $2 a week

Try a month of The Spectator Australia absolutely free and without commitment. Not only that but – if you choose to continue – you’ll pay just $2 a week for your first year.

Unlimited access to spectator.com.au and app
The weekly edition on the Spectator Australia app
Spectator podcasts and newsletters
Full access to spectator.co.uk

Unlock this article

TaggedBarsac, Forts de Latour, haute-couture, hobbit, Hospitality, moleskin, rabbitskin, Sarget de Gruaud-Larose, Tolkein, Wine

Comments

Don't miss out

Join the conversation with other Spectator Australia readers. Subscribe to leave a comment.

Already a subscriber? Log in

An overflow of bookshelves, a huge kitchen, a cellar, music, dogs, hens, donkeys children . . . all the ingredients for civilised life

Trenchering in western England, where one local vicar, a notorious naturist, has taken to wearing a green collar

Subscribe for just $2 a week