Saturday, January 01, 2011

23Jan1876, Wonders About Wine and Childbirth

HOLKER, January 23rd-30th, 1876.
Eddies went to Althorp, Wednesday. I have Victor in their absence after Prayers for a little Catechism etc., and to say over any difficult lesson before he goes with Wm. and Fritz to Mr. Perowne, their odd little old-fashioned tutor. Victor is the most docile and painstaking and accurate little fellow I ever came across; I should think likely to turn out exactly like the Duke in character (tho' he does not yet show signs of as much ability). This is a real blessing with the increasing probability of his being the heir of all the enormous responsibilities, poor boy.

Another tragedy. The death of Lady Anne Buller, née Coke, in her 2nd confinement; only 30 years old. I wish doctors would investigate the causes of the terrible delicacy of "upper 10,000" women in childbirth: my own small list of experience makes me wonder if wine-drinking, which I don't think used to be so regular a thing among women formerly as it is now, has to do with it.

Mary (Frank) Lascelles has a little girl. Nora Balfour is to marry a Cambridge Moral Philosopher, Professor Sidgwick; a dau. of Ld. Claud Hamilton, Professor Tyndall!!!

[FN: Wife of Sir Frank Lascelles, many years Ambassador at Berlin. The "little girl" became the wife of Sir Cecil Spring Rice, Ambassador at Washington.]

09Jan1876, Alfred Visits While Fred Away

HOLKER, January 9th-15th, 1876.
—Darling King Alfred here thro' the week shooting and greatly enjoying his dear sunny self. He came of his own accord to read "Q. Mary" with me (Tennyson's) every evening while F. was away.

15Nov1875, Everything Vanishes Away

CHATSWORTH, November 151h-21st, 1875.
—Found the Cokes, Sir J. Lacaita, B., [FN: I.e. Beatrice Lascelles, sister of Lady Edward Cavendish, and afterwards wife of Archbishop Temple.] the Howards. In the course of the week came Ld. Laverton, Mr. Doyle, Mr. Henry Cowper. Emma, B., Di, and I read Dante with Lacaita, and I began at 6 "David Copperfield" in Aunt Fanny's room. Poor Ly. Laverton bad at Buxton with rheumatism. As people arrive, and the long dinners and smart clothes begin again, my heart grows heavy with thoughts of May, who came here just this time last year, full of her last happy Keble visit; and of dear Uncle Richard, whom this place always brings back to my mind. The changes and losses seem to thicken round one, and there is something strangely sad and pathetic in the sort of diligent way one closes up the ranks and goes on and on with the old ways, as if here we had an "abiding city"; while all the time we hear the clear voices within telling us that everything vanishes away.

01Nov1875, Grosvenor / Ormonde Engagement

CHATSWORTH, November 1st-7th, 1875.
—Drove one day with Lou to call at a very nice new house near Longstone (the Cravens) full of splendid Coxes and other water-colours; also some Rossettis, very clever and with wonderful colour, but rather hateful, I think, from self-consciousness and a sort of sensuousness; and I can't see why all his unfortunate damsels should be in such haggard and wasted ill-health...

Another marriage—lovely Lilah Grosvenor to Lord Ormonde a case of falling headlong in love on both sides. It sounds very nice and promising; but the poor D. of Westminster was away at the time, and complains much of his daughter of 19 getting engaged in a week's time to an Irishman behind his back! He ought, however, to be glad of her marrying happily, for she has been beset by lovers all the season; and poor young Stafford, her cousin over and over again, wanted to marry her, which would be a dreadful pity.

18Oct1875, Willy Gladstone Brings New Wife Home

HAWARDEN, October 18th-24th, 1875.
—I got up at daybreak on Tuesday and arrived at Hawarden in pouring rain about 12, in good time for the arrival of Mr. and Hon. Mrs. W. H. Gladstone! [FN: Mr. Gladstone's eldest son had just married Gertrude, daughter of the 12th Lord Blantyre.] Old Meriel also turned up; and she and Aunt Coque and I went to Mrs. Burnett's when the striking up of the dear old bells told us that the couple had arrived at Q.'s Ferry (they had been a little turn in N. Wales and came from Capel Curig). The weather was merciful, and held up just for the important hour or two. G. G.'s happy brown face peeped down upon us from Mrs. B.'s window, cheek by jowl with old Miss Scott! she is exactly Cinderella at this moment. The carriage, drawn by men from the top of the village, and surrounded and pursued by cheers, came opposite us in due course, and it would be hard to say which of the two beaming faces were most good to look at! I always did think Willy's face beautiful, especially with his bright embellishing smile ; and she! she's a fair noble creature that all Hawarden will be proud of. When they had passed, we took to our heels and came in for them again as they turned in at the Wynt Gate, and thence to receive them at the S. terrace wall, where they got out and mounted up it by temporary red-cloth'd steps. Uncle W. and Auntie P. met them at the big Lodge gates, and thence managed to get to the old Castle bridge to see them drive under—a pretty sight amid the autumn foliage —and so to the Terrace. Address, cheers, and a very nice speech from Willy, full of feeling.

04Oct18875, Jodrell, Lacaita, Doyle, Hill, Huxley, Cowper-Temple

LONDON, October 4th-10th, 1875.
—We dined with Mr. Jodrell, meeting Sir Jas. Lacaita, Sir F. Doyle, and that excellent wonderful woman, Miss Octavia Hill, who told us much about her poor London tenants.... We dined again at Jodrells', meeting the Huxleys; interesting. I fought the battle anti-Cowper-Temple clause: on the grounds that an old well-weighed Catechism is likely to be better than any schoolmaster's crude one.

27Sep1875, Girls' Endowment Clawed From Boys'

HOLKER, Thurs. September 27th–October 3rd, 1875.
—We went to Bradford, where I had to declare a Girls' Day Grammar-School open; the 1st of the sort, inasmuch as it has an endowment of £200 clawed from boys' education by the Endowed Sch. Commn. It has made a famous start, with over 160 pupils.

13Sep1875, Another Fall From a Horse

HOLKER, September 13th-19th, 1875.
—Rode with my Fred on Monday. Hawthorne put her foot into a hidden hole as we were cantering across the field to the Level Crossing, and came down on her nose, so as to send me over her head. It was a very mild tumble, yet it shook me. I think I have now been off in every possible way: having been kicked off, come off at a jump, come down with, and knocked over!

06Sep1875, Buying and Selling Cattle

HOLKER, September 6th-12th, 1875.
—Called on the Drewrys: found him complacent at having bought a precious calf for 1,000 gs. and sold it next day for 1,100 gs.! Also at the birth of a heifer yesterday worth £1,500.

30Aug1875, The Complicated Relations of Lady Clinton

BOLTON, August 30th–September 5th, 1875.
Spencers were expected Monday, but were prevented by the death of old Ly. Clinton, aged 80, who has long been very feeble and doting. Her head was always a little confused, but her involved relationships were enough to account for it. She was sister to one Lady Spencer, stepmother to another, and aunt to a third ; and she is Lord Spencer's own aunt, and likewise his step-mother's step-mother and his brother's grandmother.

23Aug1875, The Duke's Leg is Unwell

BOLTON ABBEY, August 23rd-29th, 1875.
—Shooting only moderate, but weather delightful, and all would be as it should be if the Duke's leg would only get well, but it is the slowest job. An old Professor Williamson, who, in spite of snow-white hair, has a young wife and a baby of 7 weeks old, dropt from the skies, and has been attending to the leg, which is a great blessing. Eddies went Tuesday. By dint of Cavendish offering to drive him, the Duke was at last induced to get into the Laycock phaeton with a dowdy slow pony, and go off on a toodle. It was so ridiculously unlike the manners of both Duke and Markiss as to be very funny; next day he let F. and me take him round by Storiths. Tues. evening, some Leeds infirmary nurses had their tea at the Rectory, and I took them afterwards into the garden all crowded with sweet flowers, and gave each 2 clove pinks and a bit of lavender. Wednesday evening, a school tea.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

26Jul1875, Spencer on World Tour

LONDON, July 26th–August 1st, 1875.
—One of these days we bade dear old Spencer good-bye, as he is going to Hagley, en route for Liverpool, New York, California, Australia, New Zealand, and India with Mr. Balfour. Oh dear !

10Jul1875, The Last Lyttelton Half at Eton


LONDON, Saturday, July 10th, 1875.
—Six brothers and 8 sisters and their husbands, Mazy, Helen, and G. G., all at Lord's for the rest of King Alfred's innings—his last match against Harrow, and this the last Lyttelton half at Eton. This, and the immense blank left by darling May, always such an element during these cricket times, made the day sadly unlike itself. Most of us stayed all day. The match was of course drawn—in favour of Eton, but only slightly: Harrow had to follow their innings. Alfred's total was 59—one more than any of them have made against Harrow. Spencer once got 58. Mr. Balfour had Papa and all of us to dinner, as poor Portland Place is being dismantled for its new owners.

09Jul1875, Eton and Harrow Match

LONDON, Friday, July 9th, 1875.
—The Eton and Harrow match began, but only 35 minutes' play could be had, because of the torrents of rain. Alfred and Harding went in, and Alf. got over 20 at a great rate, the state of the ground spoiling both bowling and fielding.

05Jul1875, Queen Sophia of the Netherlands

THE COPPICE, Wed. July 5th-11th, 1875.
—We had luncheon at Devonshire House, after which came the Queen of the Netherlands to see the house, and was great audience to the pictures, giving us the pedigree of the Pr. and Prss. of Orange and the Governess of the Netherlands. Settled Medes and Persians to pay Chatsworth a visit the end of October!

28Jun1875, King Alfred Got 102

LONDON, June 28th–July 4th, 1875.
—On Friday G. G., Mazy, and I went to Eton with Papa, Spencer, Charles, Bob, and Arthur for the Winchester match. Darling King Alfred got 102, but it was not very exciting owing to poor bowling; he made one fine straight drive for 5.

14Jun1875, First Literary Earnings

LONDON, June 14th-20th, 1875.
—MMurray has sent Sybella and me 8 guineas between us for our translation. Our 1st literary earnings.

08Jun1875, Giggles over Dr. Pusey and Miss Sellon

LONDON, June 8th-13th, 1875.
—Clever breakfast at No. 23 on Friday, when I was also well off between Mr. Murray, the publisher, and Archbishop Trench who, poor man, looks older and grimmer than ever after his thankless incessant toils over the miserable Irish Church legislation. It was quite a treat to see him giggle over Dr. Pusey having been told by candid friends that it was improper for him to entertain Miss Sellon!!! who must now be a very sour old saint verging on 60; while he is a saint indeed, getting on for 80.

16May1875, Translating for Uncle W.

CHATSWORTH, Sunday, May 16th-23rd, 1875.
Syb. and I had to grind hard at translating an anti-Papal pamphlet by Laveleye for Uncle W.