The third Marquess of Salisbury became Tory Prime Minister for first time in 1885; he retired from public life in 1902, having spent all but four years of the intervening period at the head of the government, serving for a long time as Foreign Secretary as well. In a letter published in The Daily Telegraph on 20 December, Alistair Lexden recalled his endearing enthusiasm for riding a tricycle in old age.
SIR--The paths of asphalt and red gravel that displeased the Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury when she took charge of the gardens of Hatfield House (Obituary, 14 December) had been created at great expense to accommodate an immense Humber tricycle (with a platform at the back for a footman).
This was acquired in 1898 by the third Marquess, the longest-serving Tory prime minister of modern times. Weighing over 20 stone, he felt in urgent need of exercise. Few pounds, however, were shed as he pedalled sedately often clad in a purple velvet poncho. According to a young Tory MP who visited Hatfield “cuttings [had] been made in order to reduce even the smallest hills to tolerably level tracks” involving the removal of some 500 tons of gravel. Peril lurked.
“He is always in terror lest he be ambushed by some of his numerous grandchildren who all think him fair game”. A pair of them were once discovered “with two huge jugs of water” on a wall under which he was due to pass.
Lord Lexden
London SW1