It was at this time that I bought the Fulcombe property.
It cost me about L120,000 of my capital, or with alterations, repairs, etc., say L150,000, on which sum it may pay a net two and a half per cent, not more.
This L3,700 odd I have always devoted to the upkeep of the place, which is therefore in first-rate order.

The rest I live on, or save.
These arrangements, with the beautifying and furnishing of the house and the restoration of the church in memory of my father, occupied and amused me for a year or so, but when they were finished time began to hang heavy on my hands.

What was the use of possessing about L20,000 a year when there was nothing upon which it could be spent?
For after all my own wants were few and simple and the acquisition of valuable pictures and costly furniture is limited by space.

Oh! in my small way I was like the weary King Ecclesiast.

For I too made me great works and had possessions of great and small cattle (I tried farming and lost money over it!) and gathered me silver and gold and the peculiar treasure of kings, which I presume means whatever a man in authority chiefly desires, and so forth.