Thomas Hodgkin

“ In July 1885, during the short administration of Lord Salisbury, Fowler was created a baronet. Many years before this (in 1862) he had removed from Tottenham to Gastard, near Corsham in Wiltshire, an old property of his family, and there the rest of his life was spent, except for the periods of residence in London which were necessitated by his attendance in parliament, and for many long journeys to the Cape of Good Hope, to India, Japan, and the United States, which were the favourite pastime of his later years. He was a keen huntsman, but practised no other form of sport. ”

“ As all men knew the intensity of his opposition to Gladstone's policy, there was a good deal of curiosity to see how he would fare in proposing his health; but happily the love of Homer, which was a common possession of host and guest, saved the situation. ”

“ He was educated chiefly at home, but was for a short time at Grove House school, Tottenham, under the head-mastership of Thomas Binns, a denominational school for the sons of the wealthier members of the Society of Friends, to which religious body Fowler's parents belonged. As a boy his chief characteristics were his fondness for the study of history, his keen interest in politics, and his extraordinary memory. Through life he was a perfect storehouse of quotations from orators and poets, Greek, Roman, and English, In 1846 he proceeded to University College, London. ”