For the last few years Mr. Buxton had generally resided in the spring and summer, near the House of Commons, spending, however, much of his time at Ham House, Mr. Gurney's seat in Essex, and with Mr. S. Hoare, at Hampstead. Amid the turmoil of his parliamentary life, these country visits were of great advantage to him; as affording him quiet hours for study, and the opportunity of taking those solitary rambles which were the times of his deepest reflection.

In 1825 he took a house in Devonshire Street, Portland Place; but as long as he remained in Parliament, a day of leisure generally found him either at Hampstead or at Ham House. Mr. and Mrs. Hoare, also, regularly passed the months of September and October at Cromer, and for several years Cromer Hall was held in common by the two families.

After the busy summer in London, Mr. Buxton highly relished the retirement and recreation which this place afforded. He never lost his taste for shooting, and had the reputation of being a first-rate shot.

Great pains were taken by him in the management of his game, especially in rearing his pheasants, which used to feed in very large numbers on the lawn, immediately under the drawing-room windows; yet he was scarcely ever annoyed by poachers. On one occasion, however, while riding along the road, he saw a young man in an adjoining field, fire at a partridge and kill it.