An eccentric aristocrat and his unusual dinners (6 photos)

“Pompous men and simpering women... They pretend to be who knows what. Yes, this game of celestial beings also needs to be supported. Enough!" This is what Francis Henry Egerton, 8th Earl of Bridgewater (1756 – 1829) once said to himself. And I remade everything for myself.





The young man received an excellent education and became a priest. That did not stop Francis from remaining a talented scientist and passionate naturalist. Moreover, the duties of the priest in the parishes were performed by a trusted person, and a solid inheritance made it possible to lead a pleasant lifestyle.



Francis Henry Edgerton

And somewhere his passion for nature crossed the line. Edgerton began to prefer dog society and organized dinner parties for his four-legged friends.





Francis ordered leather shoes especially for the dogs so that they would not hurt their paws while walking in the forest. Every evening the count loaded half a dozen tailed comrades into a carriage and went with them to the promenade.

And by the time he returned, the servants had already set the table for 12 people and, one by one, brought in the dogs, whose necks were tied with crisply starched napkins. Each was dressed in a special costume and portrayed a gentleman or lady.

The dishes were served on plates from the family set. And while the pets were devouring food, the owner entertained them with high-society conversation. If the dogs' manners at the table left much to be desired, the count would force the offenders to leave the room. Servants were already waiting outside the door for the guilty ones, who were supposed to dress the pranksters in improvised clothes of lackeys. By order of the owner, the outrageous people were not to come into his sight for a week. Then the punishment was considered completed, and everything returned to normal.



Coat of arms of the Earls of Bridgewater

The Count lived in Paris for a long time in the company of four-legged friends, who replaced his family. And he pretty much annoyed his neighbors with his specific lifestyle. To all complaints, he calmly replied that dogs behave better than other gentlemen.



Memorial to Francis Egerton, 8th Earl of Bridgewater in Bridgewater Chapel at the Church of St Peter and St Paul

The title and earldom ceased to exist after Edgerton's death. But the count became famous not only for his strange habits. He left a substantial library to the British Museum and established a fund, from which more than 3,800 ancient manuscripts and books were acquired.



Painting by Cassius Coolidge