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Rh cultured enjoyment — somewhat cold in manner to the outer world, but endeared to the inner circle of his associates by geniality, taste and humour. He devoted himself to the studies of the place, and in 1831 won the College prize for a Latin poem on 'Caractacus,' which he recited, standing beneath his fathers portrait, in the great Hall of Christ Church.

'It was a remarkable scene,' writes Sir R. Phillimore. 'In that magnificent banquetting-room are hung portraits of students who have reflected honour upon the House, which reared them, by the distinctions which they have won in after life. Underneath the portrait of George Canning — the recollection of whose brilliant career and untimely end was still fresh in the memory of men — stood the son, still in the prime of youth, recalling in his eminently handsome countenance the noble features of the portrait, while repeating the prize poem which would have gladdened his father's heart .'

'Canning,' writes Earl Granville, 'was like Hoffner's picture of his father as a young man — a great gentleman in character and demeanour. He was handsome, with singularly fine eyes. He was fond of sport — hunting, shooting, and especially fishing. ... He had extraordinary powers of continuous work for months and years, when the occasion arose, together with a faculty for being perfectly idle for long periods.'

In 1827 Mr. Canning had died. His widow was