LONDON, WELLINGTON COLLEGE, April 26th-May 2nd, 1880.
—Filling up of offices and trying to fit square men into round holes went on thro' the week; and Uncle W. looks as if a little more of it would send him into his grave! Of course Lord Granville and Hartington had their choice of the leading places; and it is excellent Ld. G. being at the F.O. and Cavendish Indian Secretary. Everyone steps into a hash of difficulties; but I should think there was nothing to equal India, with the Afghan war dragging on and costing mountains of money every month, the country taxed to death and deeply discontented, and to crown all, a monstrous miscalculation of ______ millions in the Estimates, which will have to be made up somehow. The Radical element to be introduced into the Cabinet has been rather a knotty question; Sir Charles Dilke everybody thought would be the best man, but (a dead secret) the Queen drew the line there ! and one can't wonder at her, as some years ago he publicly made an onslaught on the Monarchy. The alternative is the Birmingham demagogue, Mr. Chamberlain, a conceited man, but clever and honest, I believe; and just the sort who will have his teeth drawn by office and position. Sir Charles is Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs and will probably be very useful: not much fear of his Republican principles being ever heard of again!
Saturday we went to Wellington College and our political gossip was highly appreciated by the Wickhams and Edward (brother). Said brother is doing stop-gap master's work, and intensely enjoying it: delightful to hear Edward Wickham's strong approval of him. At this moment things are indeed most well and prosperous with the dear old 8. Mr. Childers (War Secretary) has appointed Nevy his private 1st secretary — a really perfect thing for him, and he for it, methinks; and Spencer is one of Ld. G.'s under-secretaries — he was getting very sick of his dilettante life, and it is a capital thing!
Oh dear! I have never mentioned how excellently Herbert Gladstone fought thro' his Middlesex campaign, speaking capitally and winning all hearts, notably Mr. Lowe's ! ! who fell regularly in love with him.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
19Apr1880, Gladstone Prime Minister Again
LONDON, April 19th-25th, 1880.
—A week of great incidents. Final Tory Cabinet on Tuesday. On Thursday Hartington was sent for. He and Ld. Granville and Uncle William have, of course, come to an understanding about the leadership among themselves, but Uncle W. had to be dragged up by force on Monday the 12th from Hawarden for the purpose by a letter from Ld. Granville. His wish was to be perfectly passive, recognizing the other two as undeniably before the country as leaders but ready to accept responsibility if it should be their wish and the Queen's.
It was strange of the Queen to send for Hartington rather than for Ld. Granville, who of course has been the recognized leader ever since Uncle W. resigned in January '75. Some say she took specially amiss Ld. G.'s action at the time of the Royal Titles Bill. Hartington came back in the evening, nothing having been settled; and on Friday he and Ld. Granville went to Windsor together; a very good thing. That same evening the Queen sent for Uncle William; and he kissed hands on his appointment as First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer. And so I lose my bet of £2 (with Major Bourke) last Nov., when I bet that he would not take office again. At that time I did not wish it or expect it; and up to quite lately I have been in great perplexity. Of course it was impossible to foresee — no one did — the immense victory, brought about so mainly by his means. Even the autumn Midlothian campaign only made one hope that the tide was beginning to turn; and when we set off on our election travels, all we talked of was at first the likelihood of reducing the Conservative majority, then the possibility of the Liberals having a majority of 15, 20, or 30. I could not help thinking that for the ticklish job of working things under such circumstances, Hartington or Ld. G. might be better hands than Uncle W. One knew also that Uncle W. had undertaken to fight Midlothian, (and that only with the expressed approval of Ld. G.), for no personal object or with any desire to resume the lead, but simply and solely because he was told on good authority that his winning that seat would best promote the cause which to him was the cause of right and morality, viz., the turning out of Dizzy's Government. I heard later that he did tell Ld. G. that if he won Midlothian it would bring him to the fore again.
But the march of events this spring has brought one irresistibly to see what a dilemma the question has come to be. His victory has carried with it the victory of nearly the whole of Scotland, not to speak of England and Wales; and his magnificent speeches have, more than any other influence, united the party and raised them to a noble pitch of enthusiasm, beyond what anybody could have dreamed. He is in full vigour of mind and body, to a degree he certainly little imagined could be his case at 70 when he resigned the leadership 5 years ago. What position could it be right for him to take now, when the battle has been fought and won so mainly under his name? Can the responsibility be rightly vested in one man when the power and influence has been so largely exercised by another? I put aside as quite absurd any notion of his occupying some subordinate or extra post in the Cabinet. No good can ever be done by people in a false position towards each other and towards the Queen and country. The only workable alternative to his taking the reins would be his absolute retirement into country life, or silent membership ; and how could that be right after his strong expressions of political views and aims, and with no excuse of broken health? and how could he avoid all possibility of matters arising upon which it would be his duty to bestir himself? All these considerations weighed more and more with one; and yet there was much on the other side too. After that never-to-be-forgotten scene in the drill-hall at Halifax, a regular vision possessed me of the grandeur of his retiring, on the very top of the wave of triumph, leaving it manifest to the whole world that he had fought and won with absolutely unselfish aims, and stopping evil tongues at once and for ever. All we had seen in our Riding too of loyal enthusiasm for Hartington made me think the Radicals would follow him stoutly, while it did not seem by any means so clear that the Whigs, and the timid section generally, would follow Uncle W. Then there was the certainty, much strengthened by his own excellent election speeches, that Hartington was "up to the job"; and last, but hardly least, the knowledge that the Queen would far prefer either of the existing leaders to Uncle W., whom Dizzy has bamboozled her into dreading above all things. But the arguments on the other side could not, when it came to the point, be gainsaid; and after the last few days of intense anxiety (there being one awful moment of difficulty with H.M.), our grand old ship of State has, as always, swung safely and soundly round to the wind, and we are in smooth waters. From the very outset, at the time of the Bulgarian horrors, it has been a great drama that has been enacted; and while all the ruck of cynics and Philistines have been throwing their mud of base imputations and slanders, we who believe in a God above us, and who know Uncle W.'s noble and true motives, can see and believe that the whole bit of history, "the forse non morrà," has been guided to its present crisis by the Hand of God. Nothing, however, could have come right but for the perfect conduct of the 3 leaders towards each other and to the Queen and country. It did my heart good to hear Ld. Wolverton say this, almost with tears in his eyes; and he has had every opportunity of judging, as he has gone much to and fro between them. He said they had all acted with perfect truth and honour and unselfishness ; and with entire confidence in each other.
We were dining with the Henry Grenfells on Friday, and Arthur Godley was there, to whom arrived in the middle of dinner the most graceful little letter in the world from Ld. Granville, releasing him from his secretary duties, and setting him free for his old post as Uncle W.'s secretary. Arthur Godley much moved. The announcement was what first announced to us who was Prime Minister. We went up to Harley St. afterwards. Saw Cavendish, the Roseberys, Algy West, etc. Uncle W. lost no time in asking F. to be Financial Secretary in the most kind and delightful way; and Auntie P. told me he said he could not undertake the Exchequer without someone like him to help him. She is proud and happy, of course, but by no means tête-montée; on the contrary, grave and rather awestruck. When the Queen sent for him and he told Auntie P., she said, as he was setting out, "Is there anything I can do for you?" "Pray for me," he answered.—Sunday, 25th. We went to church at Putney, and lunched and dined with the Hugh Smiths at Roehampton: lovely blossoming spring. It looks as if we were to have fine seasons as well as other good fortune N.B. The Queen was quite gracious to Uncle W.
—A week of great incidents. Final Tory Cabinet on Tuesday. On Thursday Hartington was sent for. He and Ld. Granville and Uncle William have, of course, come to an understanding about the leadership among themselves, but Uncle W. had to be dragged up by force on Monday the 12th from Hawarden for the purpose by a letter from Ld. Granville. His wish was to be perfectly passive, recognizing the other two as undeniably before the country as leaders but ready to accept responsibility if it should be their wish and the Queen's.
It was strange of the Queen to send for Hartington rather than for Ld. Granville, who of course has been the recognized leader ever since Uncle W. resigned in January '75. Some say she took specially amiss Ld. G.'s action at the time of the Royal Titles Bill. Hartington came back in the evening, nothing having been settled; and on Friday he and Ld. Granville went to Windsor together; a very good thing. That same evening the Queen sent for Uncle William; and he kissed hands on his appointment as First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer. And so I lose my bet of £2 (with Major Bourke) last Nov., when I bet that he would not take office again. At that time I did not wish it or expect it; and up to quite lately I have been in great perplexity. Of course it was impossible to foresee — no one did — the immense victory, brought about so mainly by his means. Even the autumn Midlothian campaign only made one hope that the tide was beginning to turn; and when we set off on our election travels, all we talked of was at first the likelihood of reducing the Conservative majority, then the possibility of the Liberals having a majority of 15, 20, or 30. I could not help thinking that for the ticklish job of working things under such circumstances, Hartington or Ld. G. might be better hands than Uncle W. One knew also that Uncle W. had undertaken to fight Midlothian, (and that only with the expressed approval of Ld. G.), for no personal object or with any desire to resume the lead, but simply and solely because he was told on good authority that his winning that seat would best promote the cause which to him was the cause of right and morality, viz., the turning out of Dizzy's Government. I heard later that he did tell Ld. G. that if he won Midlothian it would bring him to the fore again.
But the march of events this spring has brought one irresistibly to see what a dilemma the question has come to be. His victory has carried with it the victory of nearly the whole of Scotland, not to speak of England and Wales; and his magnificent speeches have, more than any other influence, united the party and raised them to a noble pitch of enthusiasm, beyond what anybody could have dreamed. He is in full vigour of mind and body, to a degree he certainly little imagined could be his case at 70 when he resigned the leadership 5 years ago. What position could it be right for him to take now, when the battle has been fought and won so mainly under his name? Can the responsibility be rightly vested in one man when the power and influence has been so largely exercised by another? I put aside as quite absurd any notion of his occupying some subordinate or extra post in the Cabinet. No good can ever be done by people in a false position towards each other and towards the Queen and country. The only workable alternative to his taking the reins would be his absolute retirement into country life, or silent membership ; and how could that be right after his strong expressions of political views and aims, and with no excuse of broken health? and how could he avoid all possibility of matters arising upon which it would be his duty to bestir himself? All these considerations weighed more and more with one; and yet there was much on the other side too. After that never-to-be-forgotten scene in the drill-hall at Halifax, a regular vision possessed me of the grandeur of his retiring, on the very top of the wave of triumph, leaving it manifest to the whole world that he had fought and won with absolutely unselfish aims, and stopping evil tongues at once and for ever. All we had seen in our Riding too of loyal enthusiasm for Hartington made me think the Radicals would follow him stoutly, while it did not seem by any means so clear that the Whigs, and the timid section generally, would follow Uncle W. Then there was the certainty, much strengthened by his own excellent election speeches, that Hartington was "up to the job"; and last, but hardly least, the knowledge that the Queen would far prefer either of the existing leaders to Uncle W., whom Dizzy has bamboozled her into dreading above all things. But the arguments on the other side could not, when it came to the point, be gainsaid; and after the last few days of intense anxiety (there being one awful moment of difficulty with H.M.), our grand old ship of State has, as always, swung safely and soundly round to the wind, and we are in smooth waters. From the very outset, at the time of the Bulgarian horrors, it has been a great drama that has been enacted; and while all the ruck of cynics and Philistines have been throwing their mud of base imputations and slanders, we who believe in a God above us, and who know Uncle W.'s noble and true motives, can see and believe that the whole bit of history, "the forse non morrà," has been guided to its present crisis by the Hand of God. Nothing, however, could have come right but for the perfect conduct of the 3 leaders towards each other and to the Queen and country. It did my heart good to hear Ld. Wolverton say this, almost with tears in his eyes; and he has had every opportunity of judging, as he has gone much to and fro between them. He said they had all acted with perfect truth and honour and unselfishness ; and with entire confidence in each other.
We were dining with the Henry Grenfells on Friday, and Arthur Godley was there, to whom arrived in the middle of dinner the most graceful little letter in the world from Ld. Granville, releasing him from his secretary duties, and setting him free for his old post as Uncle W.'s secretary. Arthur Godley much moved. The announcement was what first announced to us who was Prime Minister. We went up to Harley St. afterwards. Saw Cavendish, the Roseberys, Algy West, etc. Uncle W. lost no time in asking F. to be Financial Secretary in the most kind and delightful way; and Auntie P. told me he said he could not undertake the Exchequer without someone like him to help him. She is proud and happy, of course, but by no means tête-montée; on the contrary, grave and rather awestruck. When the Queen sent for him and he told Auntie P., she said, as he was setting out, "Is there anything I can do for you?" "Pray for me," he answered.—Sunday, 25th. We went to church at Putney, and lunched and dined with the Hugh Smiths at Roehampton: lovely blossoming spring. It looks as if we were to have fine seasons as well as other good fortune N.B. The Queen was quite gracious to Uncle W.
12Apr1880, Queen Angry at Dizzy
LONDON, April 12th-18th, 1880.
—Old Willy and his colleague won the day in E. Worcestershire, and I am now in the splendid position of having 8 relations (Liberals) in for counties: F., Hartington, Eddy, Uncle W., Willy, Charles Robartes, Bobby Spencer (the youngest M.P., I think, in the new House), Frank Egerton....
The Queen didn't return from Baden till Saturday evening: the grub is that she is very angry with Dizzy for having misled her as to the result of the dissolution and has been wigging poor innocent Sir Hicks Beach, who has been in attendance on her! Sunday morning Dizzy went down to Windsor; it is presumed to resign.
—Old Willy and his colleague won the day in E. Worcestershire, and I am now in the splendid position of having 8 relations (Liberals) in for counties: F., Hartington, Eddy, Uncle W., Willy, Charles Robartes, Bobby Spencer (the youngest M.P., I think, in the new House), Frank Egerton....
The Queen didn't return from Baden till Saturday evening: the grub is that she is very angry with Dizzy for having misled her as to the result of the dissolution and has been wigging poor innocent Sir Hicks Beach, who has been in attendance on her! Sunday morning Dizzy went down to Windsor; it is presumed to resign.
05Apr1880, Our Most Triumphant Campaign
BOLTON, HALIFAX, April 5th–11th, 1880.
—Each day has brought fresh tides of conquests—counties began going right this week, tho', alack ! at Bradford Liberal Committee room on Monday on our way to Halifax, we heard of Herbert's sound beating in Middlesex, as was doubtless to be expected; the time being very short, and as we have since heard, the Liberal registration in a sad state. He has won no end of praise, and polled a fine number of votes considering.
We left Bolton betimes for F. to vote at Ilkley for Sir John Ramsden and Sir Andrew Fairbairn (they both won, tho' neither is very popular!). Met Mr. Fison, our opponent of last election, in subdued spirits. Poor man, he said, "If our promises are kept, you ought not to win by 1,000." "Well," said I, "we will put up with 2,000" — knowing that the whole Liberal vote was going for us in one undivided rush. We had a splendid spread at a Mr. Booth's, then a meeting at Ovenden, then a never-to-be-forgotten final meeting in the drill-hall at Halifax; the whole area packed with men standing and two galleries filled besides. F. made a fine speech, and Sir Matthew was in the midst of his, pegging away with his usual spirit, when I became aware of an ecstatic whisper going round the platform "Gladstone's in! Gladstone's in!" By some magic, the multitude found out in a minute, and there uprose an immense cheer like a roar of many waters. It was minutes before they could stop to hear the number, and the short telegram was interrupted again and again by renewed outbursts. In the midst of the shouting, I wrote off a telegram in F.'s name, dictated by Mr. Stansfeld "6,000 Yorkshiremen at Halifax Liberal meeting have received news of your victory with enthusiasm such as no living man has ever seen the like." Before we left the platform Titus Salt said to me, "They will have Herbert Gladstone for Leeds!"
Tuesd. I spent in peace under the hospitable roof of the Louis Crossleys, F. going to vote in Derbyshire and returning in time to dine with the Edward Crossleys. I went with Mrs. Crossley all over the noble old church. Wednesday, our polling day, we spent in blissful repose at Bolton, poor F. sleeping a good part of the time, I ploughing thro' heavy arrears of newspapers.
Wednesday the 7th, Declaration of the Poll at Bradford : F.'s majority 3,700 — rather more than the highest expectations; and the total poll 100 more than the utmost stretch of imagination. Our poor opponents vanished into thin air. F. and Sir Matthew made their thank-you speeches out of the window of the Liberal Club (where Ly. Wilson and I were admitted) to a great throng of joyful people wedged in the open space below, and so ends our most triumphant campaign, with floods of enthusiasm. One gentleman in the club was seen with tears running down his face! We were cheered all the way to the station, and coming in for a crowd at Leeds waiting for another successful candidate (a townsman just elected for Newport), were ovation-ed there too, insomuch that F. had, in spite of himself, to spout his thanks in a "positively last speech" out of the railway-carriage. Got to Chatsworth at tea-time, driving from Chesterfield, resting on its laurels after the victory of Frank and his colleague. Thurs. was Eddy and Mr. Cheetham's polling-day; F. had to go off to vote in Lancashire after voting at Bakewell; Uncle George, Aunt Lou, and Jinny here.
Friday. Emma and I and the boys drove and rode into Bakewell for the declaration of the poll: triumphant return of both Eddy and his colleague, and warm enthusiasm. Eddy made a perfect little speech. Next came news of Cavendish and his colleague's victory. Such a tide of triumphs never was!
—Each day has brought fresh tides of conquests—counties began going right this week, tho', alack ! at Bradford Liberal Committee room on Monday on our way to Halifax, we heard of Herbert's sound beating in Middlesex, as was doubtless to be expected; the time being very short, and as we have since heard, the Liberal registration in a sad state. He has won no end of praise, and polled a fine number of votes considering.
We left Bolton betimes for F. to vote at Ilkley for Sir John Ramsden and Sir Andrew Fairbairn (they both won, tho' neither is very popular!). Met Mr. Fison, our opponent of last election, in subdued spirits. Poor man, he said, "If our promises are kept, you ought not to win by 1,000." "Well," said I, "we will put up with 2,000" — knowing that the whole Liberal vote was going for us in one undivided rush. We had a splendid spread at a Mr. Booth's, then a meeting at Ovenden, then a never-to-be-forgotten final meeting in the drill-hall at Halifax; the whole area packed with men standing and two galleries filled besides. F. made a fine speech, and Sir Matthew was in the midst of his, pegging away with his usual spirit, when I became aware of an ecstatic whisper going round the platform "Gladstone's in! Gladstone's in!" By some magic, the multitude found out in a minute, and there uprose an immense cheer like a roar of many waters. It was minutes before they could stop to hear the number, and the short telegram was interrupted again and again by renewed outbursts. In the midst of the shouting, I wrote off a telegram in F.'s name, dictated by Mr. Stansfeld "6,000 Yorkshiremen at Halifax Liberal meeting have received news of your victory with enthusiasm such as no living man has ever seen the like." Before we left the platform Titus Salt said to me, "They will have Herbert Gladstone for Leeds!"
Tuesd. I spent in peace under the hospitable roof of the Louis Crossleys, F. going to vote in Derbyshire and returning in time to dine with the Edward Crossleys. I went with Mrs. Crossley all over the noble old church. Wednesday, our polling day, we spent in blissful repose at Bolton, poor F. sleeping a good part of the time, I ploughing thro' heavy arrears of newspapers.
Wednesday the 7th, Declaration of the Poll at Bradford : F.'s majority 3,700 — rather more than the highest expectations; and the total poll 100 more than the utmost stretch of imagination. Our poor opponents vanished into thin air. F. and Sir Matthew made their thank-you speeches out of the window of the Liberal Club (where Ly. Wilson and I were admitted) to a great throng of joyful people wedged in the open space below, and so ends our most triumphant campaign, with floods of enthusiasm. One gentleman in the club was seen with tears running down his face! We were cheered all the way to the station, and coming in for a crowd at Leeds waiting for another successful candidate (a townsman just elected for Newport), were ovation-ed there too, insomuch that F. had, in spite of himself, to spout his thanks in a "positively last speech" out of the railway-carriage. Got to Chatsworth at tea-time, driving from Chesterfield, resting on its laurels after the victory of Frank and his colleague. Thurs. was Eddy and Mr. Cheetham's polling-day; F. had to go off to vote in Lancashire after voting at Bakewell; Uncle George, Aunt Lou, and Jinny here.
Friday. Emma and I and the boys drove and rode into Bakewell for the declaration of the poll: triumphant return of both Eddy and his colleague, and warm enthusiasm. Eddy made a perfect little speech. Next came news of Cavendish and his colleague's victory. Such a tide of triumphs never was!
29Mar1880, Borough Elections
BOLTON ABBEY, March 29th–April 4th, 1880.
—A great and notable week for England! the Borough elections came off thick and fast, and revealed a mighty reaction; the week-end finds us with a gain of 55 Liberal seats. The greatest events have been Leeds, which puts Uncle W. at the head of the poll, majority 10,000, and a 2nd Liberal who polls _____ more than the Tory next in order. Bradford, Halifax, Manchester, and many more are great victories too; manifest causes of true repentance for the wretched splits and confusions of the past. York kicks out "Jimmy Lowther." The same thing is going on S., E., and W. as well as N. As for F. and Sir Matthew Wilson, they have been making a regular triumphant "progress," and great fun it has been for me. Farming districts, big colliery villages, and manufacturing towns — it's all the same; close-packed meetings, roars of applause, all but unanimous shows of hands, and frantic enthusiasm of man, woman, and child. We dined Friday at Mr. Shaw's gorgeous house at Allangate, and, driving down in an open carriage to Sowerby Bridge, the whole population turned out to meet us. And all this the more delightful from being Yorkshire: such keen, strong intelligent faces listening intently and seizing upon the points of the speeches. As to the hospitality !—splendid banquets of every degree await us at every turn, to the sore perplexity of unaccustomed stomachs; wine and salmon and sweetbreads and feather-beds abound; and all sorts and conditions of men are working like horses day and night at the canvassing, "all for love and nothing for reward." The party seems absolutely united; many questions are sometimes asked as to drink, disestablishment, etc., but there seems no fear of losing any votes by these differences, and we fly into the arms of rabid Dissenters and teetotallers, all as gentle as sucking-doves. Mr. Illingworth (just elected with Mr. Forster for Bradford), who would not work for F. last election, turns up on our platforms and speaks for him; and he and I go hooking about together.
—Monday. We led off with the excellent Dewhursts of Aireville, Skipton (who had 2 cooks from Manchester to do us honour !), and did 3 meetings to which they drove us. Barnoldswick the most interesting; an immense gathering. F. went off Tues. Todmorden way, and I staid the night at Aireville, going with him and the Wilsons Wednesday to Bentham. Sumptuous luncheon at Mrs. Rice's. Thence Ly. Wilson and I went on to the B. Briggs at Keighley, missing 2 meetings, but coming in for splendid evening ones at Keighley. Here vaccination has been a perfect red-rag, but beyond a question or two we heard nothing of it. Harriet Briggs inveigled me to see Mr. Longsdon's chapel with my text in it. Likewise to a Confirmation on April 1st, after which we drove to call on Mrs. Craven and at Oakworth, Mr. Holden's gorgeous house, with miles of hot-house, and a most homely body of a Missus to do the honours. Said Isaac Holden a frantic anti-Church man, but now working tooth and nail for us! I ought to have mentioned Settle on Tues., where F. is well known from his chairmanship of Giggleswick Grammar-school, and where consequently there were delightful things said of him. Unlucky Messrs. Powell and Lister here first met my sight, winding up a poor meeting, at one side of the market¬place, while we were high-gee at the other.
—Thurs. Ly. Wilson and I took it easy, while the hapless candidates stumped to Ripponden, West Vale, and Elland, and ended at a delightful old Mrs. Ormerod's at Brighouse, where we turned up to dinner. Two hot-and-hot meetings afterwards, where telegrams came in with the 1st series of triumphs — Halifax led off. Friday was the splendid Sowerby Bridge day. At Buttershaw we had the usual splendid spread under the auspices of an excellent old couple of the name of Bottomley; the lady in the most marvellous cap over her round red face: they killed us with kindness. Rattling good meeting afterwards in a spacious Independent School. We slept near Sowerby Bridge at a Mr. Morris's; a most uncommon fidget, with a fine-lady wife, but nice sons; and every luxury under the sun.
Saturday there was no time to eat, the result of which was that we had 7 meals!! Six meetings, but the gentlemen were pitied and allowed to divide forces: Ly. W. and I stuck to Sir Matthew and had tea and supper and what-not at Mr. Craven's of Thornton: great meeting there. Got back to the Happy Valley [FN: I.e. Bolton.] in pouring rain at 12.30. At Addingham a maukin tore after the carriage to ask "what Liberal gains," and when we told him, went madly cheering into the darkness. Sunday most lovely and delicious and heart-refreshing. Walk to the Valley of Desolation and the Strid. Tea with the Bellairs; he means to plump for F., tho' in a sad fright about the Church, but believing he won't pull it down, and much encouraged by the thought of getting rid of Lord Cairns and his vile Church appointments.
—A great and notable week for England! the Borough elections came off thick and fast, and revealed a mighty reaction; the week-end finds us with a gain of 55 Liberal seats. The greatest events have been Leeds, which puts Uncle W. at the head of the poll, majority 10,000, and a 2nd Liberal who polls _____ more than the Tory next in order. Bradford, Halifax, Manchester, and many more are great victories too; manifest causes of true repentance for the wretched splits and confusions of the past. York kicks out "Jimmy Lowther." The same thing is going on S., E., and W. as well as N. As for F. and Sir Matthew Wilson, they have been making a regular triumphant "progress," and great fun it has been for me. Farming districts, big colliery villages, and manufacturing towns — it's all the same; close-packed meetings, roars of applause, all but unanimous shows of hands, and frantic enthusiasm of man, woman, and child. We dined Friday at Mr. Shaw's gorgeous house at Allangate, and, driving down in an open carriage to Sowerby Bridge, the whole population turned out to meet us. And all this the more delightful from being Yorkshire: such keen, strong intelligent faces listening intently and seizing upon the points of the speeches. As to the hospitality !—splendid banquets of every degree await us at every turn, to the sore perplexity of unaccustomed stomachs; wine and salmon and sweetbreads and feather-beds abound; and all sorts and conditions of men are working like horses day and night at the canvassing, "all for love and nothing for reward." The party seems absolutely united; many questions are sometimes asked as to drink, disestablishment, etc., but there seems no fear of losing any votes by these differences, and we fly into the arms of rabid Dissenters and teetotallers, all as gentle as sucking-doves. Mr. Illingworth (just elected with Mr. Forster for Bradford), who would not work for F. last election, turns up on our platforms and speaks for him; and he and I go hooking about together.
—Monday. We led off with the excellent Dewhursts of Aireville, Skipton (who had 2 cooks from Manchester to do us honour !), and did 3 meetings to which they drove us. Barnoldswick the most interesting; an immense gathering. F. went off Tues. Todmorden way, and I staid the night at Aireville, going with him and the Wilsons Wednesday to Bentham. Sumptuous luncheon at Mrs. Rice's. Thence Ly. Wilson and I went on to the B. Briggs at Keighley, missing 2 meetings, but coming in for splendid evening ones at Keighley. Here vaccination has been a perfect red-rag, but beyond a question or two we heard nothing of it. Harriet Briggs inveigled me to see Mr. Longsdon's chapel with my text in it. Likewise to a Confirmation on April 1st, after which we drove to call on Mrs. Craven and at Oakworth, Mr. Holden's gorgeous house, with miles of hot-house, and a most homely body of a Missus to do the honours. Said Isaac Holden a frantic anti-Church man, but now working tooth and nail for us! I ought to have mentioned Settle on Tues., where F. is well known from his chairmanship of Giggleswick Grammar-school, and where consequently there were delightful things said of him. Unlucky Messrs. Powell and Lister here first met my sight, winding up a poor meeting, at one side of the market¬place, while we were high-gee at the other.
—Thurs. Ly. Wilson and I took it easy, while the hapless candidates stumped to Ripponden, West Vale, and Elland, and ended at a delightful old Mrs. Ormerod's at Brighouse, where we turned up to dinner. Two hot-and-hot meetings afterwards, where telegrams came in with the 1st series of triumphs — Halifax led off. Friday was the splendid Sowerby Bridge day. At Buttershaw we had the usual splendid spread under the auspices of an excellent old couple of the name of Bottomley; the lady in the most marvellous cap over her round red face: they killed us with kindness. Rattling good meeting afterwards in a spacious Independent School. We slept near Sowerby Bridge at a Mr. Morris's; a most uncommon fidget, with a fine-lady wife, but nice sons; and every luxury under the sun.
Saturday there was no time to eat, the result of which was that we had 7 meals!! Six meetings, but the gentlemen were pitied and allowed to divide forces: Ly. W. and I stuck to Sir Matthew and had tea and supper and what-not at Mr. Craven's of Thornton: great meeting there. Got back to the Happy Valley [FN: I.e. Bolton.] in pouring rain at 12.30. At Addingham a maukin tore after the carriage to ask "what Liberal gains," and when we told him, went madly cheering into the darkness. Sunday most lovely and delicious and heart-refreshing. Walk to the Valley of Desolation and the Strid. Tea with the Bellairs; he means to plump for F., tho' in a sad fright about the Church, but believing he won't pull it down, and much encouraged by the thought of getting rid of Lord Cairns and his vile Church appointments.
15Mar1880, H. Gladstone Contests Middlesex
LONDON, March 15th-2st, 1880.
—We went on Palm Sunday with Alfred, who came to breakfast, to great S. Paul's for the glorious full service. Mr. Balfour came to luncheon and tea. Evensong at S. Margaret's. Canon Farrar preacht a fine sermon on Jonah.
Herbert Gladstone has been pounced upon to contest Middlesex !—all his expenses paid. It is a bold thing, Ld. Geo. Hamilton and Mr. Coope being supposed to be as strong as may be; but the Liberal spirit seems growing every day. Lavinia, Mazy, Sybella, and I went to hear him speak at a meeting at Acton Saturday: he did famously well, and Alfred made a capital little speech at the end, backing him: so like Papa he looked ! only so young and buoyant.
—We went on Palm Sunday with Alfred, who came to breakfast, to great S. Paul's for the glorious full service. Mr. Balfour came to luncheon and tea. Evensong at S. Margaret's. Canon Farrar preacht a fine sermon on Jonah.
Herbert Gladstone has been pounced upon to contest Middlesex !—all his expenses paid. It is a bold thing, Ld. Geo. Hamilton and Mr. Coope being supposed to be as strong as may be; but the Liberal spirit seems growing every day. Lavinia, Mazy, Sybella, and I went to hear him speak at a meeting at Acton Saturday: he did famously well, and Alfred made a capital little speech at the end, backing him: so like Papa he looked ! only so young and buoyant.
08Mar1880, Owdacious Flings at the Opposition
LONDON, March 8th-14th, 1880.
—F. turned up from the House in the small hours, with the thunderclap news of a DISSOLUTION!...
We dined Wednesday at D. House, where were Frank and Lou, and Cavendish looking rather ill and tired with a cold. His address to N. E. Lancashire, which he is going to fight, quite excellent, and a famous contrast to a sort of Peer's Address which Dizzy has put forth in the shape of a letter to the D. of Marlboro'. It's such a piece of bombast and Owdacious yet mysterious flings at the Opposition, that it will be worth thousands of pounds to the Liberals as a bone to be gnawed.
—F. turned up from the House in the small hours, with the thunderclap news of a DISSOLUTION!...
We dined Wednesday at D. House, where were Frank and Lou, and Cavendish looking rather ill and tired with a cold. His address to N. E. Lancashire, which he is going to fight, quite excellent, and a famous contrast to a sort of Peer's Address which Dizzy has put forth in the shape of a letter to the D. of Marlboro'. It's such a piece of bombast and Owdacious yet mysterious flings at the Opposition, that it will be worth thousands of pounds to the Liberals as a bone to be gnawed.
01Mar1880, Ellice Hopkins and Friendless Girls
LONDON, March 1st-7th, 1880.
—Went to a small meeting at the Stuart Wortleys of married ladies, to hear that wonderful woman Miss Ellice Hopkins speak of a most dreadful state of things hitherto ignored by the land—little girls from 10 to 13 years old entrapped into bad houses and sent upon the streets: sometimes brought up to it all by their own mothers. She is trying to bring about getting these poor little creatures under the protection of the Industrial Schools Act, which gets hold of destitute and begging children, and those who harbour with thieves, but takes no notice of these far-more-to-be-pitied children. The horror of the whole thing made me quite shaky.
—Went to a small meeting at the Stuart Wortleys of married ladies, to hear that wonderful woman Miss Ellice Hopkins speak of a most dreadful state of things hitherto ignored by the land—little girls from 10 to 13 years old entrapped into bad houses and sent upon the streets: sometimes brought up to it all by their own mothers. She is trying to bring about getting these poor little creatures under the protection of the Industrial Schools Act, which gets hold of destitute and begging children, and those who harbour with thieves, but takes no notice of these far-more-to-be-pitied children. The horror of the whole thing made me quite shaky.
23Feb1880, Burne-Jones and Matthew Arnold
LONDON, February 23rd-29th, 1880.
—D. at Ly. Stanley of Alderley's, and had a P.B. [FN: I.e. Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.] neighbour in the shape of Burne-Jones the painter. He was interesting, but desperately self-conscious. Rather maundered about Mazy, of whom he has made a marvellously clever, idealized sketch. After d. much talk with Matthew Arnold, who was interested about Alfred, whom he has lately met. He talked of his coming as Marshal to Hagley with his father-in-law Judge Whiteman [FN: The judge's name was Wightman.] and old Baron Alderson: I vividly remember it, and the dislike I took to him!
—D. at Ly. Stanley of Alderley's, and had a P.B. [FN: I.e. Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.] neighbour in the shape of Burne-Jones the painter. He was interesting, but desperately self-conscious. Rather maundered about Mazy, of whom he has made a marvellously clever, idealized sketch. After d. much talk with Matthew Arnold, who was interested about Alfred, whom he has lately met. He talked of his coming as Marshal to Hagley with his father-in-law Judge Whiteman [FN: The judge's name was Wightman.] and old Baron Alderson: I vividly remember it, and the dislike I took to him!
23Feb1880, Transvaal and Sister Dora
LONDON, February 23rd-29th, 1880.
—Mr. Gurdon was at dinner, just back from S. Africa, and confirming a most grubous letter lately had from Col. Lanyon who is administering the Transvaal. According to him, whether the annexation of the Transvaal was right or wrong, we have put all the fat in the fire now, by leaving it for nearly 3 years (regardless of promises) minus any constitution whatever; and the whole country is now full of discontent and fury, fanned by lying agitators. Both he and Mr. Gurdon stand up for Sir Bartle and think the arrival of Sir Garnet to supersede everybody a great mistake. Uncle W. had hardly breath to bestow on politics, being clean possessed by a wonderful "Life" just published, "Sister Dora." [FN: "Sister Dora" was a sister of Mark Pattison, the famous Rector of Lincoln, who was not much pleased at the fuss made about her.] He sent a copy to the D. of Argyll, and they both talked of it 19 to the dozen. When Southwark was lost, he wrote to somebody, "I should be very unhappy about Southwark, if it wasn't for Sister Dora!"
—Mr. Gurdon was at dinner, just back from S. Africa, and confirming a most grubous letter lately had from Col. Lanyon who is administering the Transvaal. According to him, whether the annexation of the Transvaal was right or wrong, we have put all the fat in the fire now, by leaving it for nearly 3 years (regardless of promises) minus any constitution whatever; and the whole country is now full of discontent and fury, fanned by lying agitators. Both he and Mr. Gurdon stand up for Sir Bartle and think the arrival of Sir Garnet to supersede everybody a great mistake. Uncle W. had hardly breath to bestow on politics, being clean possessed by a wonderful "Life" just published, "Sister Dora." [FN: "Sister Dora" was a sister of Mark Pattison, the famous Rector of Lincoln, who was not much pleased at the fuss made about her.] He sent a copy to the D. of Argyll, and they both talked of it 19 to the dozen. When Southwark was lost, he wrote to somebody, "I should be very unhappy about Southwark, if it wasn't for Sister Dora!"
08Dec1879, Gladstone a Little Elated
HAWARDEN, December 8th-14th, 1879.
—I went to Hawarden Tuesday, arriving there the day after the Gladstones, who were received with frantic enthusiasm at Chester, after the memorable Midlothian campaign. It has been one long outburst of welcome and one long triumph; yet the Conservatives still talk of winning. Uncle W. has poured out 6 magnificent speeches, besides a very noble Rectorial address at Glasgow ! and endless little addresses delivered bare-headed in the keen frosty weather; and here he is as fresh as paint. Not so poor auntie; she had to take to her bed Wednesday with a bad chill, which developed into erysipelas in her face; it reminded me of her similar attack during darling May's illness. F. came Wednesday. Frost hardly gave at all, and folks skated. Sidgwicks (she née Balfour) came, and Ld. Wolverton, besides which Lavinia is here with her little May and Neville, and "William of Wickham" [FN: Son of Dr. and Mrs. Wickham.] and my godchild Christian and brother Edward; so that one is wishing oneself in 4 places at once and possessed of 10 pairs of ears every minute. Packt in much church-going, one long sit with Stephy, another with Albert, another with Gerty, likewise luncheon at the Rectory and tea with Molly; not to speak of village visits and trolls in Auntie P.'s bedroom; the Great Man all the while interesting and delightful beyond. For the 1st time, I deliberately believe, in my recollection, he seems a little personally elated! It has always hitherto been the cause, or the moment, or the circumstances, or something, that he thinks he is the mere mouthpiece of; but this unheard-of enthusiasm for his name, in his own country (for he is a pure-bred Scotchman), and after the long time of abuse and loss of influence, has deeply moved him. On Saturday the neighbours came to see all the presents which were showered upon him in Scotland — plaids, wraps, table-linen, and all sorts of native products: a box of soap from Preston, rather a doubtful compliment! One evening he begged F. and Ld. Wolverton to come and have a talk about commercial matters, a propos of the vamped-up "protection" craze that is on just now; the Sidgwicks and I and Edward crept in to the Temple of Peace to listen, and it was grand to hear Uncle W.'s brilliant disquisition on the whole subject, which sounded as if he had thought of nothing else for months !
—I went to Hawarden Tuesday, arriving there the day after the Gladstones, who were received with frantic enthusiasm at Chester, after the memorable Midlothian campaign. It has been one long outburst of welcome and one long triumph; yet the Conservatives still talk of winning. Uncle W. has poured out 6 magnificent speeches, besides a very noble Rectorial address at Glasgow ! and endless little addresses delivered bare-headed in the keen frosty weather; and here he is as fresh as paint. Not so poor auntie; she had to take to her bed Wednesday with a bad chill, which developed into erysipelas in her face; it reminded me of her similar attack during darling May's illness. F. came Wednesday. Frost hardly gave at all, and folks skated. Sidgwicks (she née Balfour) came, and Ld. Wolverton, besides which Lavinia is here with her little May and Neville, and "William of Wickham" [FN: Son of Dr. and Mrs. Wickham.] and my godchild Christian and brother Edward; so that one is wishing oneself in 4 places at once and possessed of 10 pairs of ears every minute. Packt in much church-going, one long sit with Stephy, another with Albert, another with Gerty, likewise luncheon at the Rectory and tea with Molly; not to speak of village visits and trolls in Auntie P.'s bedroom; the Great Man all the while interesting and delightful beyond. For the 1st time, I deliberately believe, in my recollection, he seems a little personally elated! It has always hitherto been the cause, or the moment, or the circumstances, or something, that he thinks he is the mere mouthpiece of; but this unheard-of enthusiasm for his name, in his own country (for he is a pure-bred Scotchman), and after the long time of abuse and loss of influence, has deeply moved him. On Saturday the neighbours came to see all the presents which were showered upon him in Scotland — plaids, wraps, table-linen, and all sorts of native products: a box of soap from Preston, rather a doubtful compliment! One evening he begged F. and Ld. Wolverton to come and have a talk about commercial matters, a propos of the vamped-up "protection" craze that is on just now; the Sidgwicks and I and Edward crept in to the Temple of Peace to listen, and it was grand to hear Uncle W.'s brilliant disquisition on the whole subject, which sounded as if he had thought of nothing else for months !
01Dec1879, No End of Luxury
WENTWORTH, [FN: Lord Fitzwilliam's house] December 1st - 7th, 1879.
—To a political do-ment at Shipley on Monday, the hospitable Titus Salts putting us up at Milner Field, amid no end of luxury.
—Tuesday. To Wentworth, where we met Thompson Hankeys, agreeable old birds, Ly. Gwendolen Ramsden, a die-away dull woman, like an old Indian, and her very handsome niece Hilda Graham. Pleasant little visit. Netty and Katie are here. The nice creatures Alice and Alby Fitzwilliam, and Katie, befriended my lame leg and carried me about ladies' cushion; likewise I was taken round in a go-cart to see the pictures. Noble, noble Vandycks; and such historical subjects — Strafford, Laud, Charles II at 14 especially. Was audience, too, to fine old Bible of the stout-hearted Countess of Derby, with her notes and lamentations about Charles I's execution, etc. Meant to try and skate, but aggravated my leg afresh by a slip on the stairs.
—To a political do-ment at Shipley on Monday, the hospitable Titus Salts putting us up at Milner Field, amid no end of luxury.
—Tuesday. To Wentworth, where we met Thompson Hankeys, agreeable old birds, Ly. Gwendolen Ramsden, a die-away dull woman, like an old Indian, and her very handsome niece Hilda Graham. Pleasant little visit. Netty and Katie are here. The nice creatures Alice and Alby Fitzwilliam, and Katie, befriended my lame leg and carried me about ladies' cushion; likewise I was taken round in a go-cart to see the pictures. Noble, noble Vandycks; and such historical subjects — Strafford, Laud, Charles II at 14 especially. Was audience, too, to fine old Bible of the stout-hearted Countess of Derby, with her notes and lamentations about Charles I's execution, etc. Meant to try and skate, but aggravated my leg afresh by a slip on the stairs.
24Nov1879, Short Supply of Young Ladies
CHATSWORTH, November 24th-30th, 1879.
—A very lively, pleasant week; its only weak point a short supply of young ladies: poor Edith Howard, a daughter of Sir John and Ly. Elizabeth St. Aubyn, and Lena Grenfell formed the staple. Major Burke (Edw.) and his bewitching wife (née Hatch, in India), Ld. Northbrook and daughter, Shannons, St. Aubyns and daughter, Trevelyans, Seymour Hadens [FN: Sir Seymour Haden, the etcher, advocated a particular method of burial.] and daughter—he the great etcher and wicker-coffin man, and very agreeable, girl clever. Frost and snow. My Fred 43 on the 30th; he is very well and up to things; but alas ! still given to aches in the back. Uncle W. is on his Midlothian campaign, making one grand speech after another, the finest, most brilliant, and most unanswerable one on Saturday, pitching into the Government finance. The old wasp Roebuck is dead.
—A very lively, pleasant week; its only weak point a short supply of young ladies: poor Edith Howard, a daughter of Sir John and Ly. Elizabeth St. Aubyn, and Lena Grenfell formed the staple. Major Burke (Edw.) and his bewitching wife (née Hatch, in India), Ld. Northbrook and daughter, Shannons, St. Aubyns and daughter, Trevelyans, Seymour Hadens [FN: Sir Seymour Haden, the etcher, advocated a particular method of burial.] and daughter—he the great etcher and wicker-coffin man, and very agreeable, girl clever. Frost and snow. My Fred 43 on the 30th; he is very well and up to things; but alas ! still given to aches in the back. Uncle W. is on his Midlothian campaign, making one grand speech after another, the finest, most brilliant, and most unanswerable one on Saturday, pitching into the Government finance. The old wasp Roebuck is dead.
10Nov1879, Crack Went Some Small Tendon
CHATSWORTH, November 10th-16th, 1879.
—F. went to Leeds to hear a fine onslaught of the D. of Argyll's at a monster Liberal meeting. Friday and Saturday bright sharp frosts. Saturday we had a good lawn-t. campaign on the new concrete ground, at the end of which, without any provocation, crack went some small tendon in the calf of my left leg, and I shall hobble for days to come.
—F. went to Leeds to hear a fine onslaught of the D. of Argyll's at a monster Liberal meeting. Friday and Saturday bright sharp frosts. Saturday we had a good lawn-t. campaign on the new concrete ground, at the end of which, without any provocation, crack went some small tendon in the calf of my left leg, and I shall hobble for days to come.
03Nov1879, Socially Disappointing
OXFORD, November 3rd-9th, 1879.
—Canon Farrar is socially disappointing: not conversible on any subject except Temperance which he has hotly taken up. When I spoke of school-mastering being exhausting work, he wouldn't agree, and said his work at Marlboro' was "child's play" compared with S. Margaret's, Westminster; the constant intercourse with fresh young life so refreshing, compared with work among all that is old in vice. Sad departure on Friday, and curious contrast of Chatsworth with Keble! No company here yet but Ly. Albert Gower and her little white mouse of a boy.
—Canon Farrar is socially disappointing: not conversible on any subject except Temperance which he has hotly taken up. When I spoke of school-mastering being exhausting work, he wouldn't agree, and said his work at Marlboro' was "child's play" compared with S. Margaret's, Westminster; the constant intercourse with fresh young life so refreshing, compared with work among all that is old in vice. Sad departure on Friday, and curious contrast of Chatsworth with Keble! No company here yet but Ly. Albert Gower and her little white mouse of a boy.
Friday, February 25, 2011
03Nov1879, Long Talk With Cardinal Newman
KEBLE COLLEGE, November 3rd-9th, 1879.
—Came Monday afternoon to Keble College, and for the 1st time managed to spend as much as 4 nights there. All beautifully prosperous; even the dear Warden has not his usual term-look of tire, and darling Lavinia as brisk and strong as if she had nothing to do with the thumping fellow of 10 weeks old, by name Neville Stuart,[FN: Now Bishop of Pretoria.] who kicks and crows upstairs. Nevertheless she is nursing him 5 times a day; but whips about the town and does all manner of jobs between whiles. The most notable event of the week was the arrival on a morning call of no less a personage than Cardinal Newman! An historical event it was, to see him sitting in the house of the Warden of Keble College. About 2 years ago he was made honorary Fellow of his old College, Trinity, which deeply gratified him; and since that he has occasionally come to Oxford, which he had not done before since he forsook the English Church. Oh dear ! the sight of this flourishing College, with all that it represents of English Churchmanship striking deep roots and spreading far and wide, must, one would think, prove to him that there is some Divine life in the Church of his Baptism. He has said that he considers the Church of England a main bulwark against infidelity, which is something! Very soon I saw how it was that he was such a master of men's hearts, so winning, noble, and simple was his manner; his voice still flexible and musical, and such keen blue eyes, and eagle nose rather like Uncle W.'s. He is infirm and looks very old (he is about 79, I believe), but seems quite unchanged in mind. His business was to bring Edwarden some letters of Keble, which he didn't like to trust thro' the post; and he had to explain certain erasures he had made in them. This he did by word of mouth, Edward being at home; but there was also a most touching and interesting mem. to the same effect in his hand-writing along with the letters. He said the erasures were only of passages expressing such vehement self-depreciation as would certainly be misunderstood, and which Newman said he "could not" leave standing. He called him his "dearly, deeply beloved friend," and attributed the strong self-blame to the way his tender heart had been tried and wrung beyond what it could bear; enumerating the long list of public and private agonies which he, in common with all the great High Church pioneers, had had to undergo in the course of their noble fight. Amongst other unwarrantable self-accusations, said Dr. N., "he used to say that my 'becoming a Catholic' was his fault," which it certainly was not: "he had nothing to do with it." We asked him the date of the letters, and when he went back to those old heart-stirring dates —1822-1845—such a mournful, far-away look came into his eyes, and he fell into a muse while we all sate silent. He spoke of Dr. Pusey, and of his wonderful way of reading up vast quantities of matter and bringing them all to bear upon one proposition. Edward heartily agreed, and cited as an instance Pusey's book on The Real Presence. But Dr. N. wouldn't pursue that topic; he merely acquiesced, and there was a pause, which he broke by giving Edward the packet, with a most courteous, kind manner. He was drest in a very long coat (perhaps it was a cassock), and wore a red skull-cap under his shovel-hat.
One evening we had Dr. Acland and Dr. Liddon and Miss Wordsworth (the Head of the infant "Lady Margaret Hall" for women) to dinner. Very pleasant, tho' Dr. Acland rather monopolized the talk; but it was interesting, as he is just back from the United States. Dr. L. said he was in favour of a sensible "Home Rule," viz., one applying to England and Scotland as well as Ireland, and merely providing that each of the 3 kingdoms should have special Committees for the settling of their own matters. A mighty comfort it would be, for instance, not to have Scotch Presbyterians and Irish Romanists legislating on Church concerns!
Lavinia took me to see Ly. Margaret Hall [FN: The recently founded first Women's College in Oxford.] (I wish it didn't sound like a lady who has made a dowdy marriage), which is full already, and will flourish finely when once they have paid off the debt on the house and the starting expenses. Miss Wordsworth is delightful. We also called at "Somerville Hall," which is the same thing, only colourless in religion, but the Head, Miss Lefevre, (one of the daughters of old Sir John, who is lately dead), was out. Likewise visited Miss Bishop, late of Chelsea High School, now at the High School here ; and Lavinia so took to her that she there and then nearly settled to send little May there some day. Said little May most quaint and charming but alas ! entering the inevitable phase of self-consciousness. Warden minor [FN: E. K. Talbot, now Superior of the Anglican Community of the Resurrection.] a jolly, darling ugly-mug with red curls, very like Bob ; F. took to him much the most of the two!
—Came Monday afternoon to Keble College, and for the 1st time managed to spend as much as 4 nights there. All beautifully prosperous; even the dear Warden has not his usual term-look of tire, and darling Lavinia as brisk and strong as if she had nothing to do with the thumping fellow of 10 weeks old, by name Neville Stuart,[FN: Now Bishop of Pretoria.] who kicks and crows upstairs. Nevertheless she is nursing him 5 times a day; but whips about the town and does all manner of jobs between whiles. The most notable event of the week was the arrival on a morning call of no less a personage than Cardinal Newman! An historical event it was, to see him sitting in the house of the Warden of Keble College. About 2 years ago he was made honorary Fellow of his old College, Trinity, which deeply gratified him; and since that he has occasionally come to Oxford, which he had not done before since he forsook the English Church. Oh dear ! the sight of this flourishing College, with all that it represents of English Churchmanship striking deep roots and spreading far and wide, must, one would think, prove to him that there is some Divine life in the Church of his Baptism. He has said that he considers the Church of England a main bulwark against infidelity, which is something! Very soon I saw how it was that he was such a master of men's hearts, so winning, noble, and simple was his manner; his voice still flexible and musical, and such keen blue eyes, and eagle nose rather like Uncle W.'s. He is infirm and looks very old (he is about 79, I believe), but seems quite unchanged in mind. His business was to bring Edwarden some letters of Keble, which he didn't like to trust thro' the post; and he had to explain certain erasures he had made in them. This he did by word of mouth, Edward being at home; but there was also a most touching and interesting mem. to the same effect in his hand-writing along with the letters. He said the erasures were only of passages expressing such vehement self-depreciation as would certainly be misunderstood, and which Newman said he "could not" leave standing. He called him his "dearly, deeply beloved friend," and attributed the strong self-blame to the way his tender heart had been tried and wrung beyond what it could bear; enumerating the long list of public and private agonies which he, in common with all the great High Church pioneers, had had to undergo in the course of their noble fight. Amongst other unwarrantable self-accusations, said Dr. N., "he used to say that my 'becoming a Catholic' was his fault," which it certainly was not: "he had nothing to do with it." We asked him the date of the letters, and when he went back to those old heart-stirring dates —1822-1845—such a mournful, far-away look came into his eyes, and he fell into a muse while we all sate silent. He spoke of Dr. Pusey, and of his wonderful way of reading up vast quantities of matter and bringing them all to bear upon one proposition. Edward heartily agreed, and cited as an instance Pusey's book on The Real Presence. But Dr. N. wouldn't pursue that topic; he merely acquiesced, and there was a pause, which he broke by giving Edward the packet, with a most courteous, kind manner. He was drest in a very long coat (perhaps it was a cassock), and wore a red skull-cap under his shovel-hat.
One evening we had Dr. Acland and Dr. Liddon and Miss Wordsworth (the Head of the infant "Lady Margaret Hall" for women) to dinner. Very pleasant, tho' Dr. Acland rather monopolized the talk; but it was interesting, as he is just back from the United States. Dr. L. said he was in favour of a sensible "Home Rule," viz., one applying to England and Scotland as well as Ireland, and merely providing that each of the 3 kingdoms should have special Committees for the settling of their own matters. A mighty comfort it would be, for instance, not to have Scotch Presbyterians and Irish Romanists legislating on Church concerns!
Lavinia took me to see Ly. Margaret Hall [FN: The recently founded first Women's College in Oxford.] (I wish it didn't sound like a lady who has made a dowdy marriage), which is full already, and will flourish finely when once they have paid off the debt on the house and the starting expenses. Miss Wordsworth is delightful. We also called at "Somerville Hall," which is the same thing, only colourless in religion, but the Head, Miss Lefevre, (one of the daughters of old Sir John, who is lately dead), was out. Likewise visited Miss Bishop, late of Chelsea High School, now at the High School here ; and Lavinia so took to her that she there and then nearly settled to send little May there some day. Said little May most quaint and charming but alas ! entering the inevitable phase of self-consciousness. Warden minor [FN: E. K. Talbot, now Superior of the Anglican Community of the Resurrection.] a jolly, darling ugly-mug with red curls, very like Bob ; F. took to him much the most of the two!
27Oct1879, Special Train to Hardwick
HARDWICK, October 27th–November 2nd, 1879.
—We all broke up into a vast déménagement. Special train with all and sundry. Children and Co. went to Chatsworth. Duke, F., and I parted with them at Chesterfield and came to Hardwick, where we have not stayed since the New Year 1874, before any of the dark days had come upon me. I was glad to be in the dear old house of ancient associations again. Our host [FN: Lord Hartington, to whom the Duke had made over Hardwick.] only arrived from London on Thursday with a bad cold, which he said he vainly hoped would stop his speaking at Manchester. He is delightful as host, even coming down in time for dinner! I had long talks with good Mrs. Marriage, and visited in the stables and old house Mrs. Page, the new keeper's wife (who had grievous poacher-stories to tell), Mrs. Leslie, Mrs. Wilson, and Mrs. Miles; at Astwith the poor Blanksbys, who had a son killed by a fall from a cart; at Rowthorne, Mrs. Hibbart; at Stainsby, the old gardener's widow, Mrs. Holmes.
—We all broke up into a vast déménagement. Special train with all and sundry. Children and Co. went to Chatsworth. Duke, F., and I parted with them at Chesterfield and came to Hardwick, where we have not stayed since the New Year 1874, before any of the dark days had come upon me. I was glad to be in the dear old house of ancient associations again. Our host [FN: Lord Hartington, to whom the Duke had made over Hardwick.] only arrived from London on Thursday with a bad cold, which he said he vainly hoped would stop his speaking at Manchester. He is delightful as host, even coming down in time for dinner! I had long talks with good Mrs. Marriage, and visited in the stables and old house Mrs. Page, the new keeper's wife (who had grievous poacher-stories to tell), Mrs. Leslie, Mrs. Wilson, and Mrs. Miles; at Astwith the poor Blanksbys, who had a son killed by a fall from a cart; at Rowthorne, Mrs. Hibbart; at Stainsby, the old gardener's widow, Mrs. Holmes.
20Oct1879, Five Children Playing Whist
HOLKER, October 20th-26th, 1879.
—The 5 children all insist upon playing whist!! Dick and Blanche have a very good notion of it, and John can preside over a hand and follow suit with great accuracy, looking like Solomon. Christian seats herself by one of the players and shouts "Tump it!" on all occasions.
—The 5 children all insist upon playing whist!! Dick and Blanche have a very good notion of it, and John can preside over a hand and follow suit with great accuracy, looking like Solomon. Christian seats herself by one of the players and shouts "Tump it!" on all occasions.
29Jul1879, Choate Over the Moon
LONDON, July 29th–August 3rd, 1879.
—Had a famous successful dinner last week, of W. E. G.'s, Eddys, Mr. Herschell [FN: Afterwards Lord Chancellor Herschell.], Bright and his daughter, to meet certain agreeable Yankee Choates,[FN: No doubt the same Mr. Choate who was afterwards American Ambassador.] who were over the moon.
—Had a famous successful dinner last week, of W. E. G.'s, Eddys, Mr. Herschell [FN: Afterwards Lord Chancellor Herschell.], Bright and his daughter, to meet certain agreeable Yankee Choates,[FN: No doubt the same Mr. Choate who was afterwards American Ambassador.] who were over the moon.
22Jul1879, Comments Around Gladstone Portrait
CASTLE GORING, July 22nd-28th, 1879.
—Tues., came off an excellent P.M.W. [FN: Parochial Mission Women.] treat at Ashridge — the entertainers, Ly. Lothian (Constance), Ly. Brownlow, Ly. Pembroke, and Margaret Talbot, [age 9 1/2 months] a glorious sight to see, among all the good homely bodies....
Wednesday, July 24th.—A ball at Spencer House on the ground-floor. I wonder when I last went to a ball! Felt sadly old and wizzy. F. in speechless amazement at seeing some middle-aged society birds still at it diligently, as they were 20 years ago. Charlotte is grown fat, but is still lovely. Althorp so taken out of at the death of an ex-aide-de-camp of his, Capt. Wyatt-Edgell, at a great slaughter of the Zulus, that he would have put off the ball, if he had heard of it in time....
F. at last accomplished R. Academy on Saturday; doesn't rave of Millais' noble picture of Uncle W. as much as I do. A Tory lady was looking at it, and said, "Why, it makes the old scoundrel look quite respectable!" when a voice behind her said, "Madam, I heard you call Mr. G. a scoundrel. Allow me to tell you I have known him from boyhood—at school, at college, and up to the present time: and I can only assure you that there is no one of more thorough religious principle and conduct." The speaker is said to have been Sir Thos. Acland. Sunday we spent in London: S. Margaret's and S. James, where they have put up a fine new reredos. Afternoon to Kew — my 1st sight of it: very pretty, and fragrant with lime blossom. Really a mild day. Met Ld. Alington in Piccadilly: when we told him we had been to Kew he looked scandalized and vowed that going to church afterwards was mere "hedging."
—Tues., came off an excellent P.M.W. [FN: Parochial Mission Women.] treat at Ashridge — the entertainers, Ly. Lothian (Constance), Ly. Brownlow, Ly. Pembroke, and Margaret Talbot, [age 9 1/2 months] a glorious sight to see, among all the good homely bodies....
Wednesday, July 24th.—A ball at Spencer House on the ground-floor. I wonder when I last went to a ball! Felt sadly old and wizzy. F. in speechless amazement at seeing some middle-aged society birds still at it diligently, as they were 20 years ago. Charlotte is grown fat, but is still lovely. Althorp so taken out of at the death of an ex-aide-de-camp of his, Capt. Wyatt-Edgell, at a great slaughter of the Zulus, that he would have put off the ball, if he had heard of it in time....
F. at last accomplished R. Academy on Saturday; doesn't rave of Millais' noble picture of Uncle W. as much as I do. A Tory lady was looking at it, and said, "Why, it makes the old scoundrel look quite respectable!" when a voice behind her said, "Madam, I heard you call Mr. G. a scoundrel. Allow me to tell you I have known him from boyhood—at school, at college, and up to the present time: and I can only assure you that there is no one of more thorough religious principle and conduct." The speaker is said to have been Sir Thos. Acland. Sunday we spent in London: S. Margaret's and S. James, where they have put up a fine new reredos. Afternoon to Kew — my 1st sight of it: very pretty, and fragrant with lime blossom. Really a mild day. Met Ld. Alington in Piccadilly: when we told him we had been to Kew he looked scandalized and vowed that going to church afterwards was mere "hedging."
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