ST. GEORGE'S HILL, July 2nd-8th, 1877.
—Wednesday, 4th. Smart Chiswick garden-party, went off beautifully, but the garden, alas ! doesn't look half as pretty with all the vistas crowded up as with just 100 poor people. Had to arrive late, as P.D.S. [FN: Public Day School.] meeting came off at 4, whereat I made a neat speech ! ! quite 4 minutes long. To Speaker's drum after dinner.
—Thurs., 5th. Another batch of Hospital nurses had a day out at the Barclays' at Woodford: thundery showers. Last P.M.W. meeting this season....
—Saturday, 7th. Went to see Ld. Stratford de Redcliffe, who was sitting in a warm dressing-gown in his arm-chair, with a fine tabby-cat to keep him company; he was very cheerful and clear-headed; hardly even deaf, at 90. Lateish we went off to Brocket; joined at the station by Ly. Ripon and finding Mr. Leveson here. Intensely still place, looking like a clearing in an old forest; too much betreed, but with some glades stretching away, with bracken and rabbits. Rested deliciously, mooning over Palgrave's pretty little volume of Herrick's poems.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
18Jun1877, "The Priest in Absolution" Scandal
LONDON, June 18th-24th, 1877.
—Had a talk with Mr. Majendie about an unspeakably shocking book called "The Priest in Absolution," which has somehow got out, tho' it must be said it was only intended for the use of certain clergy. It is put forth by a body called "The Soc. of the Holy Cross," to which many distinguished "advanced" High Churchmen have given their names; but Mr. Majendie, who is intimate with many Ritualists, and a very High Churchman himself, knew nothing of it till it was called attention to in the H. of Lords the other day; and is greatly scandalized and dismayed. If private Confession makes it necessary to print such things, it certainly is a fatal objection to it as in any sense a system. But I have long felt that, inasmuch as it is impossible to prevent people going to confession, or clergy from hearing them, the only possible security against folly, rashness, and all evil results, is for Bishops to forbid clergy acting as confessors until they have reached a certain age, and can properly be depended on for wisdom and calmness and self-control....
Wed., 20th. Went to see dear Augusta Noel [FN: Daughter of the 6th Earl of Albemarle, wife of Ernest Noel, M.P.] ; she is laid up on her sofa, and has a new story on hand. I shot Dizzy in a brougham, looking more horribly like a fiend than ever; poor old wretch—green, with a glare in his eye.
—Had a talk with Mr. Majendie about an unspeakably shocking book called "The Priest in Absolution," which has somehow got out, tho' it must be said it was only intended for the use of certain clergy. It is put forth by a body called "The Soc. of the Holy Cross," to which many distinguished "advanced" High Churchmen have given their names; but Mr. Majendie, who is intimate with many Ritualists, and a very High Churchman himself, knew nothing of it till it was called attention to in the H. of Lords the other day; and is greatly scandalized and dismayed. If private Confession makes it necessary to print such things, it certainly is a fatal objection to it as in any sense a system. But I have long felt that, inasmuch as it is impossible to prevent people going to confession, or clergy from hearing them, the only possible security against folly, rashness, and all evil results, is for Bishops to forbid clergy acting as confessors until they have reached a certain age, and can properly be depended on for wisdom and calmness and self-control....
Wed., 20th. Went to see dear Augusta Noel [FN: Daughter of the 6th Earl of Albemarle, wife of Ernest Noel, M.P.] ; she is laid up on her sofa, and has a new story on hand. I shot Dizzy in a brougham, looking more horribly like a fiend than ever; poor old wretch—green, with a glare in his eye.
11Jun1877, Women's Party at Chiswick
LONDON, June 11th-17th, 1877.
—Oh, on Fri. we had a most successful afternoon at Chiswick, which the Duke let us have for a Limehouse party — Ishbel Marjoribanks's [FN: Now wife of the 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair.] first supplemental work. She and I and Helen and two Talbot girls drove down, and the intense enjoyment of the mothers was delightful to see-100 of them in the lovely garden. It brought our honeymoon vividly back to me to see it in peace in June.
—Oh, on Fri. we had a most successful afternoon at Chiswick, which the Duke let us have for a Limehouse party — Ishbel Marjoribanks's [FN: Now wife of the 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair.] first supplemental work. She and I and Helen and two Talbot girls drove down, and the intense enjoyment of the mothers was delightful to see-100 of them in the lovely garden. It brought our honeymoon vividly back to me to see it in peace in June.
04Jun1877, Uncle W. in Famous Force
LONDON, June 4th-10th, 1877.
—Pleasant dinner in Harley Street, meeting Sybella, Stephy, Dr. Clark, Sir James Lacaita. Uncle W. in famous force; held forth like a brilliant book upon a notion he laid down that persecution was never taken up by the Church as such until the Papal pretensions arose. Sir J. and Dr. Clark demurred a little, but we badly wanted some one to stand up to him, and so make a good argument of it.
—Pleasant dinner in Harley Street, meeting Sybella, Stephy, Dr. Clark, Sir James Lacaita. Uncle W. in famous force; held forth like a brilliant book upon a notion he laid down that persecution was never taken up by the Church as such until the Papal pretensions arose. Sir J. and Dr. Clark demurred a little, but we badly wanted some one to stand up to him, and so make a good argument of it.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
28May1877, Praise for Gladstone
CHATSWORTH, May 28th–June 3rd, 1877.
—Growing loveliness and warmth, tho' fires are still grateful. Rode to Haddon one day, D. of Rutland's moors another, Laugh Ghyll (shot at the spelling) a third. Forget-me-nots and the little faintly-sweet white flower that spangles New Piece, lovely; blue-bells only beginning.
—Tues. F. and I escorted Mazy and Spencer to Hardwick, driving with ducal horses to Chesterfield and posting thence. Very glorious day, in spite of many showers. Hardwick inside and out, and on its roof, enchanting.
—Wed. Spencer went.
—Fri. Howling stormy day. At Hagley a very odd party received us, viz., Auntie P., Mr. Balfour, Albert, and Mr. Otley the young Keble man lately started as Curate at Hawarden. He was one of the happy Abendberg party, and Albert said was deeply interested in seeing Hagley because of May. Albert had taken him to see the graves and the painted window. Charles turned up after a long day's farm inspection.
—Sat. came Uncle W. from Birmingham, as hoarse as a crow, having made an hour's speech on Thurs., in an enormous hall quite unfit for the purpose, to 25,000 people. He was only imperfectly heard of course, tho' he shouted at the top of his voice. The "demonstration," however, was the grand thing: the whole town turning out to receive him, and no end of people from elsewhere: it was more like a Royal progress than anything else. He confined himself entirely to the E.Q., but Mr. Chamberlain (whom he stayed with) is getting up some big Liberal organization for political purposes and I only hope won't involve Uncle W. in it before he is aware! Birmingham politics, all Secularism and that figment "Religious Equality," aggravate me!...
Crowds of artisans, etc., from the Black Country to see Uncle W.; church quite crammed and behaviour very good. Uncle B. walked with one of the working men who said, "Ah, Sir, you must have composed that sermon for Mr. Gladstone—faith, hope, and charity, that's what he's got!" (N.B. the sermon was an old one, written years ago). Uncle B. said he hoped some of them were Church-goers, not only going out of mere curiosity. "Curiosity, sir! it wasn't curiosity; it was love of the man, sir." A great break this for Auntie P. We all went to Wychbury Wood, and walked along the Roman encampment under the yews: my Fred said he went there last when I took him to see it Whitsuntide 1864: it was new to Uncle W. Unspeakably beautiful was everything.
—Growing loveliness and warmth, tho' fires are still grateful. Rode to Haddon one day, D. of Rutland's moors another, Laugh Ghyll (shot at the spelling) a third. Forget-me-nots and the little faintly-sweet white flower that spangles New Piece, lovely; blue-bells only beginning.
—Tues. F. and I escorted Mazy and Spencer to Hardwick, driving with ducal horses to Chesterfield and posting thence. Very glorious day, in spite of many showers. Hardwick inside and out, and on its roof, enchanting.
—Wed. Spencer went.
—Fri. Howling stormy day. At Hagley a very odd party received us, viz., Auntie P., Mr. Balfour, Albert, and Mr. Otley the young Keble man lately started as Curate at Hawarden. He was one of the happy Abendberg party, and Albert said was deeply interested in seeing Hagley because of May. Albert had taken him to see the graves and the painted window. Charles turned up after a long day's farm inspection.
—Sat. came Uncle W. from Birmingham, as hoarse as a crow, having made an hour's speech on Thurs., in an enormous hall quite unfit for the purpose, to 25,000 people. He was only imperfectly heard of course, tho' he shouted at the top of his voice. The "demonstration," however, was the grand thing: the whole town turning out to receive him, and no end of people from elsewhere: it was more like a Royal progress than anything else. He confined himself entirely to the E.Q., but Mr. Chamberlain (whom he stayed with) is getting up some big Liberal organization for political purposes and I only hope won't involve Uncle W. in it before he is aware! Birmingham politics, all Secularism and that figment "Religious Equality," aggravate me!...
Crowds of artisans, etc., from the Black Country to see Uncle W.; church quite crammed and behaviour very good. Uncle B. walked with one of the working men who said, "Ah, Sir, you must have composed that sermon for Mr. Gladstone—faith, hope, and charity, that's what he's got!" (N.B. the sermon was an old one, written years ago). Uncle B. said he hoped some of them were Church-goers, not only going out of mere curiosity. "Curiosity, sir! it wasn't curiosity; it was love of the man, sir." A great break this for Auntie P. We all went to Wychbury Wood, and walked along the Roman encampment under the yews: my Fred said he went there last when I took him to see it Whitsuntide 1864: it was new to Uncle W. Unspeakably beautiful was everything.
20May1877, Sunshine Bits of Time
CHATSWORTH, May 20th-27th, 1877.
—A week of pleasant, pleasant leisure and enjoyment, to be thankful for. 0, how I do love and appreciate the sunshine bits of time, all the more for the growing and deepening sense of their insecurity. Rides every day, nice readings with F. and with Mazy likewise (she has brought fine sermons by Mr. Illingworth, and "Through Nature to Christ" by Abbott), famous spirited l. tennis. Weather growing kinder, young beech and larch most lovely and promise of blossom. We have ridden about Calton and New Piece and Stand Wood, and along the Rabbit Warren and green ride, escorting F. towards and from Chesterfield: the poor dear having had to go and hold forth at Brighouse on politics and at Bradford on Political Econ. Tues. and Wed. Called on Mrs. Cottingham Sat.; she showed me a Sheffield paper in which F.'s part in bringing about the arrangement on the Resolutions was sniffed out, and he patted on the back as a person of highly agreeable and conciliatory manners and very popular.
—A week of pleasant, pleasant leisure and enjoyment, to be thankful for. 0, how I do love and appreciate the sunshine bits of time, all the more for the growing and deepening sense of their insecurity. Rides every day, nice readings with F. and with Mazy likewise (she has brought fine sermons by Mr. Illingworth, and "Through Nature to Christ" by Abbott), famous spirited l. tennis. Weather growing kinder, young beech and larch most lovely and promise of blossom. We have ridden about Calton and New Piece and Stand Wood, and along the Rabbit Warren and green ride, escorting F. towards and from Chesterfield: the poor dear having had to go and hold forth at Brighouse on politics and at Bradford on Political Econ. Tues. and Wed. Called on Mrs. Cottingham Sat.; she showed me a Sheffield paper in which F.'s part in bringing about the arrangement on the Resolutions was sniffed out, and he patted on the back as a person of highly agreeable and conciliatory manners and very popular.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
14May1877, Dissatisfaction With Turkey
HOLMBURY, May 14th-20th, 1877.
—The debate ended in a division on the 1st resolution, which merely expressed dissatisfaction with Turkey's disregard of Ld. Derby's first despatch. Government has said as much over and over again; but they met it with an amendment objecting to "embarrass" the Government, and of course their party voted almost to a man for the amendment; tho' I know many of them are thoroughly anti-Turkish. The Liberals all voted together, except the Irish, who have the Pope to please, and whose support is no compliment.
Cavendish made a perfectly admirable speech, leaving nothing to be desired: he is come on enormously in readiness and delivery, and not only argued excellently but did good cut-and-thrust work and was effective and humorous. I didn't quite approve of Uncle W.'s concluding speech: thought he trotted out the dear departed Resolutions unnecessarily (having made it already as clear as day that his own opinion of them is unchanged). But he made some very telling points. The division was, of course, a penance to one's feeling; Government getting "a clear majority of the whole House."
Mr. Chaplin was one of those who badgered Uncle W. on the 7th, but the great speech absolutely overcame him (he, a regular man of the world), and he was heard to say, "Certainly this is a marvellous man!" And in a fine elaborate speech last Monday, tho' of course taking the strong Government line, he paid a famous tribute to Uncle W., especially to his earnest convictions. Old Ly. Lothian is dead in Rome, of a pleurisy caught while entertaining pilgrims at a reception (such a funny view of pilgrims !)....
The "Ridsdale Judgement" is out: it forbids vestments, but I don't see how that is to be accepted while the "Ornaments Rubric" remains unchanged and stares one in the face; and it allows the Eastward position, provided the priest does not wilfully prevent Communicants seeing him break the bread and take the cup into his hands. I am afraid it will be universally considered an "expediency" judgment.
—The debate ended in a division on the 1st resolution, which merely expressed dissatisfaction with Turkey's disregard of Ld. Derby's first despatch. Government has said as much over and over again; but they met it with an amendment objecting to "embarrass" the Government, and of course their party voted almost to a man for the amendment; tho' I know many of them are thoroughly anti-Turkish. The Liberals all voted together, except the Irish, who have the Pope to please, and whose support is no compliment.
Cavendish made a perfectly admirable speech, leaving nothing to be desired: he is come on enormously in readiness and delivery, and not only argued excellently but did good cut-and-thrust work and was effective and humorous. I didn't quite approve of Uncle W.'s concluding speech: thought he trotted out the dear departed Resolutions unnecessarily (having made it already as clear as day that his own opinion of them is unchanged). But he made some very telling points. The division was, of course, a penance to one's feeling; Government getting "a clear majority of the whole House."
Mr. Chaplin was one of those who badgered Uncle W. on the 7th, but the great speech absolutely overcame him (he, a regular man of the world), and he was heard to say, "Certainly this is a marvellous man!" And in a fine elaborate speech last Monday, tho' of course taking the strong Government line, he paid a famous tribute to Uncle W., especially to his earnest convictions. Old Ly. Lothian is dead in Rome, of a pleurisy caught while entertaining pilgrims at a reception (such a funny view of pilgrims !)....
The "Ridsdale Judgement" is out: it forbids vestments, but I don't see how that is to be accepted while the "Ornaments Rubric" remains unchanged and stares one in the face; and it allows the Eastward position, provided the priest does not wilfully prevent Communicants seeing him break the bread and take the cup into his hands. I am afraid it will be universally considered an "expediency" judgment.
08May1877, The Wortley-Talbot Wedding
LONDON, Tuesday, May 8th, 1877.
—Regd. Talbot [FN: Major-General the Hon. Sir Reginald Talbot, K.C.B.] married Margaret Wortley in St. James's Church: her 4 sisters [FN: The youngest of the four sisters, Katharine, afterwards married Lady Frederick's brother Nevill.] the only bridesmaids. Seldom were seen more tall and beautiful people assembled together: bride and bridegroom, Lady Brownlow, Lady Pembroke, the Shrewsbury daughters (all unmarried), etc.: not to speak of the three 6 feet 2 in. Clergy who officiated, Stephen Lawley, Mr. Arthur Talbot, and Edwarden [FN: Edward, Warden of Keble.].
It was like the London world for my next sight of Uncle W. to be in the church struggling with a favour and begging for a pin! He talked a little to me: seemed harassed to death for fear the country should have misunderstood his course of action, and utterly oblivious, as he always is, of the great effect of his speech.... All he said of the speech was: "To make matters worse I had no spectacles. I could not read!" I am sure I never discovered the fact, but he had, I believe, to omit some quotations from Govt. speeches and writings with which he was crashing down upon them.
—Regd. Talbot [FN: Major-General the Hon. Sir Reginald Talbot, K.C.B.] married Margaret Wortley in St. James's Church: her 4 sisters [FN: The youngest of the four sisters, Katharine, afterwards married Lady Frederick's brother Nevill.] the only bridesmaids. Seldom were seen more tall and beautiful people assembled together: bride and bridegroom, Lady Brownlow, Lady Pembroke, the Shrewsbury daughters (all unmarried), etc.: not to speak of the three 6 feet 2 in. Clergy who officiated, Stephen Lawley, Mr. Arthur Talbot, and Edwarden [FN: Edward, Warden of Keble.].
It was like the London world for my next sight of Uncle W. to be in the church struggling with a favour and begging for a pin! He talked a little to me: seemed harassed to death for fear the country should have misunderstood his course of action, and utterly oblivious, as he always is, of the great effect of his speech.... All he said of the speech was: "To make matters worse I had no spectacles. I could not read!" I am sure I never discovered the fact, but he had, I believe, to omit some quotations from Govt. speeches and writings with which he was crashing down upon them.
06May1877, Gladstone Speech after Pandemonium
WELLINGTON COLLEGE AND LONDON, May 6th-13th,1877.
—Pleasant cold day. F. appeared at 10.30 very tired but happy and satisfied. I can't but be proud of what he has done. The gentlemen and I all walked to Eversley; Charles and I being much agog to see Kingsley's Church and home, after reading his noble life. It was a 9-miles business there and back, and I was proud of my legs....
—Monday. For once Auntie P. and I sacrificed L. Hospital bodily, having places at the House for the Great Speech. I was with Gerty in the Ballot box. After the altered mode of procedure was announced there were 2 hours of pandemonium. The Tories received Mr. Trevelyan's amendment and Uncle W.'s acceptance of it with shouts of laughter, and of course from their side came many taunts. But the horrid part was the disorder of the extreme Radicals who had meant to support the whole of the Resolutions. As they profess the most thorough belief in Uncle W. they might, however perplexed and mortified they were—quite allowably—have had sufficient trust in him to hold their tongues, knowing he would not sacrifice principle, and waiting to hear his own explanation. Instead of which one after another got up to badger him with impossible questions, till one was ready to scream. But I kept saying to myself, "The speech—the speech will set all right!" and so indeed it did. After the 2 hours' baiting, at 7 o'clock, members pouring out to dinner, and when one would have supposed him exhausted in spirits and strength, up he got and delivered a magnificent 3 hrs' speech, admirable in argument, in irony, in frank explanation, in uncompromising principle, in detail; but perhaps unequalled by any of his former great speeches in intense feeling and force of conviction: his voice and delivery gaining as he went on, and the peroration a glorious burst of eloquence which moved people to tears. It was wonderful to see the effect as he went on. The House filling by degrees—the half-hearted cheers warming up—the silent and disgusted Radicals gradually joining—and at last, united enthusiasm. The Willy's, Charles, F., and I went home straight to dinner (at 10!)
—Pleasant cold day. F. appeared at 10.30 very tired but happy and satisfied. I can't but be proud of what he has done. The gentlemen and I all walked to Eversley; Charles and I being much agog to see Kingsley's Church and home, after reading his noble life. It was a 9-miles business there and back, and I was proud of my legs....
—Monday. For once Auntie P. and I sacrificed L. Hospital bodily, having places at the House for the Great Speech. I was with Gerty in the Ballot box. After the altered mode of procedure was announced there were 2 hours of pandemonium. The Tories received Mr. Trevelyan's amendment and Uncle W.'s acceptance of it with shouts of laughter, and of course from their side came many taunts. But the horrid part was the disorder of the extreme Radicals who had meant to support the whole of the Resolutions. As they profess the most thorough belief in Uncle W. they might, however perplexed and mortified they were—quite allowably—have had sufficient trust in him to hold their tongues, knowing he would not sacrifice principle, and waiting to hear his own explanation. Instead of which one after another got up to badger him with impossible questions, till one was ready to scream. But I kept saying to myself, "The speech—the speech will set all right!" and so indeed it did. After the 2 hours' baiting, at 7 o'clock, members pouring out to dinner, and when one would have supposed him exhausted in spirits and strength, up he got and delivered a magnificent 3 hrs' speech, admirable in argument, in irony, in frank explanation, in uncompromising principle, in detail; but perhaps unequalled by any of his former great speeches in intense feeling and force of conviction: his voice and delivery gaining as he went on, and the peroration a glorious burst of eloquence which moved people to tears. It was wonderful to see the effect as he went on. The House filling by degrees—the half-hearted cheers warming up—the silent and disgusted Radicals gradually joining—and at last, united enthusiasm. The Willy's, Charles, F., and I went home straight to dinner (at 10!)
Sunday, January 16, 2011
30Apr1877, War Between Russia and Turkey
LONDON, Monday, April 30th–May 6th, 1877.
—Dined with Bob at Meriel's and went with him to a Philharmonic, where the music was soothingly easy. Overture to "Midsummer Night's Dream" the chief delight.
War is declared between Russia and Turkey; the beginning, I should hope, of a great and decisive drama. It is a blessing that dread of war has reached to such a height as it has in England nowadays; but I do think people ought to see how there are deep-rooted iniquities which can only be got rid of through suffering and struggle and sacrifice, in which the innocent must bear their part as well as the guilty. It seems as if the divine words "Without shedding of blood there is no remission" had a wide human application, along with their more sacred meaning.
—Tuesday, May Day. A frightful crisis in politics is gathering up. Hitherto the Liberal leaders, though they have from time to time made speeches more or less hostile to the Government's Eastern policy, have never come to a direct vote upon it. The outbreak of war, coupled with the increased and ever-increasing pro-Turkism of Government utterances, has poked up Uncle W. to a conviction that it is the duty of the Opposition to protest distinctly against Turkey's utter disregard of all Ld. Derby's threats and expostulations, to declare that she has forfeited all claim upon English support, either material or moral, and to pronounce in favour of European concert to coerce her. He justifies this by the serious danger we are in of Ld. Beaconsfield entangling us, or letting some diplomatic turn of the wheel entangle us, in war on behalf of Turkey. Dizzy's real heart (for once!) seems to be in the matter; at all events for months past the Government tone has been steadily growing milder towards Turkey, while their organs in the press are diligent in fanning the panic-distrust and hatred of Russia to the utmost. One knows that neutrality is always a position full of anxiety, at a time of war about which one's country is deeply excited, and though there is a strong desire in this country to keep out of it, it hardly wants all Dizzy's great gifts of craft and party-management to get us involved, with his big and most submissive majority at his back. On the other hand, Hartington and the rest of the ex-Cabinet do not consider it right at this time to tie the hands of the Government, or embarrass them by an attack. Their view is that as long as strict neutrality is observed we have no business to take so serious a responsibility at such a moment, on mere vague grounds of possible machinations in favour of Turkey; that to do so would split the Liberal party and thereby directly strengthen Dizzy's hands and encourage the Porte; whereas if we waited until a real proposal of going to war for Turkey was before the House, the party would unite as one man against it, with far greater effect. The upshot is that Uncle W., after much discussion with Lord Granville, and finding that Hartington can't conscientiously support him, is going to move certain Resolutions conveying all he wished, independent of the front Opposition Bench; Sir John Lubbock will move the "previous question," and dreadful confusion and ruin of the party accordingly stares us in the face....
To Harley St. after dinner; poor Auntie P. looked worried to death, and F. is nearly wild. How can he leave Cavendish in the lurch, and yet to be driven to vote against Uncle W. seems almost inconceivable to him.
—Thursday, 3rd. Agnes went to the drawing-room with Auntie P. and they looked a beautiful couple.
—Friday, May 4th. Went to see Alice Egerton and Gertrude Pennant. Gertrude and I talked politics, my only wish about her in that line being to keep up her faith in Uncle W. being an honest man, for the Toryissimus Toryism in the midst of which she now lives has a bitter hatred of him and disbelief in his public, and private ! ! morality, as its centre. Dined with Mr. Balfour, Ly. Rayleigh entertaining.
—Saturday, 5th. Poor distracted F. has taken up a notion (of Mr. Dodson's) as to altering the Resolutions, which gives a ray of hope. He was busy scribbling down an amended 2nd Resolution all breakfast time, being off afterwards to breakfast at Grillion's, whence he went on to Harley St. I augured well from his not turning up again till luncheon time, and sure enough Uncle W. was very willing to do all in his power, short of giving up his attack, to keep the party together: influenced by loyal feeling to Hartington, and the horror of giving Turkey the triumph of seeing the party split by an anti-Turkey motion. The main principle is clearly laid down in the 2nd Resolution as it is to be amended, viz., "that the Porte has sacrificed all claim to either moral or material support from England." This amended form is to be proposed by Mr. Trevelyan, and Uncle W. will not press the remaining Resolutions. F. was busy all the morning between Harley Street and Devonshire House, and Ld. Granville and others confabulated also with Hartington. All was arranged, and Charles and I went off to Wellington College immensely relieved ; F. settling not to come till Sunday morning in case he might be wanted.
—Dined with Bob at Meriel's and went with him to a Philharmonic, where the music was soothingly easy. Overture to "Midsummer Night's Dream" the chief delight.
War is declared between Russia and Turkey; the beginning, I should hope, of a great and decisive drama. It is a blessing that dread of war has reached to such a height as it has in England nowadays; but I do think people ought to see how there are deep-rooted iniquities which can only be got rid of through suffering and struggle and sacrifice, in which the innocent must bear their part as well as the guilty. It seems as if the divine words "Without shedding of blood there is no remission" had a wide human application, along with their more sacred meaning.
—Tuesday, May Day. A frightful crisis in politics is gathering up. Hitherto the Liberal leaders, though they have from time to time made speeches more or less hostile to the Government's Eastern policy, have never come to a direct vote upon it. The outbreak of war, coupled with the increased and ever-increasing pro-Turkism of Government utterances, has poked up Uncle W. to a conviction that it is the duty of the Opposition to protest distinctly against Turkey's utter disregard of all Ld. Derby's threats and expostulations, to declare that she has forfeited all claim upon English support, either material or moral, and to pronounce in favour of European concert to coerce her. He justifies this by the serious danger we are in of Ld. Beaconsfield entangling us, or letting some diplomatic turn of the wheel entangle us, in war on behalf of Turkey. Dizzy's real heart (for once!) seems to be in the matter; at all events for months past the Government tone has been steadily growing milder towards Turkey, while their organs in the press are diligent in fanning the panic-distrust and hatred of Russia to the utmost. One knows that neutrality is always a position full of anxiety, at a time of war about which one's country is deeply excited, and though there is a strong desire in this country to keep out of it, it hardly wants all Dizzy's great gifts of craft and party-management to get us involved, with his big and most submissive majority at his back. On the other hand, Hartington and the rest of the ex-Cabinet do not consider it right at this time to tie the hands of the Government, or embarrass them by an attack. Their view is that as long as strict neutrality is observed we have no business to take so serious a responsibility at such a moment, on mere vague grounds of possible machinations in favour of Turkey; that to do so would split the Liberal party and thereby directly strengthen Dizzy's hands and encourage the Porte; whereas if we waited until a real proposal of going to war for Turkey was before the House, the party would unite as one man against it, with far greater effect. The upshot is that Uncle W., after much discussion with Lord Granville, and finding that Hartington can't conscientiously support him, is going to move certain Resolutions conveying all he wished, independent of the front Opposition Bench; Sir John Lubbock will move the "previous question," and dreadful confusion and ruin of the party accordingly stares us in the face....
To Harley St. after dinner; poor Auntie P. looked worried to death, and F. is nearly wild. How can he leave Cavendish in the lurch, and yet to be driven to vote against Uncle W. seems almost inconceivable to him.
—Thursday, 3rd. Agnes went to the drawing-room with Auntie P. and they looked a beautiful couple.
—Friday, May 4th. Went to see Alice Egerton and Gertrude Pennant. Gertrude and I talked politics, my only wish about her in that line being to keep up her faith in Uncle W. being an honest man, for the Toryissimus Toryism in the midst of which she now lives has a bitter hatred of him and disbelief in his public, and private ! ! morality, as its centre. Dined with Mr. Balfour, Ly. Rayleigh entertaining.
—Saturday, 5th. Poor distracted F. has taken up a notion (of Mr. Dodson's) as to altering the Resolutions, which gives a ray of hope. He was busy scribbling down an amended 2nd Resolution all breakfast time, being off afterwards to breakfast at Grillion's, whence he went on to Harley St. I augured well from his not turning up again till luncheon time, and sure enough Uncle W. was very willing to do all in his power, short of giving up his attack, to keep the party together: influenced by loyal feeling to Hartington, and the horror of giving Turkey the triumph of seeing the party split by an anti-Turkey motion. The main principle is clearly laid down in the 2nd Resolution as it is to be amended, viz., "that the Porte has sacrificed all claim to either moral or material support from England." This amended form is to be proposed by Mr. Trevelyan, and Uncle W. will not press the remaining Resolutions. F. was busy all the morning between Harley Street and Devonshire House, and Ld. Granville and others confabulated also with Hartington. All was arranged, and Charles and I went off to Wellington College immensely relieved ; F. settling not to come till Sunday morning in case he might be wanted.
27Apr1877, A Reading a Mrs. Loyd Lindsay's
LONDON, April 27th, 1877.
—Delightful reading at Mrs. Loyd Lindsay's by a first-rate Mr. Brandram of "Midsummer Night's Dream."
—Delightful reading at Mrs. Loyd Lindsay's by a first-rate Mr. Brandram of "Midsummer Night's Dream."
21Apr1877, Figure of Papa by Forsyth
LONDON, Saturday, April 21st, 1877.
—Our golden day. A prosaic treat for it, going together to hear Mr. Bartley lecture a roomful of P.M.W. [FN: Parochial Mission Women] and their ladies on Provident Knowledge. Afterwards we both with M. went to see the recumbent figure of Papa by Forsyth for Worcester Cathedral. It is a fine thing, and has much likeness, tho' Forsyth never saw him. To tea with the Wortleys, high gee Margaret's engagement to Reginald Talbot; a handsome couple; also Constance Lawley's to Eustace Vesey, after some years' attachment, he in India, lately returned. Dined with the G. O. Trevelyans, meeting the Secularist Education firebrand Mr. Morley [FN: John Morley, afterwards Viscount Morley of Blackburn], who, however, was as gentle as a sucking dove to talk to.
—Our golden day. A prosaic treat for it, going together to hear Mr. Bartley lecture a roomful of P.M.W. [FN: Parochial Mission Women] and their ladies on Provident Knowledge. Afterwards we both with M. went to see the recumbent figure of Papa by Forsyth for Worcester Cathedral. It is a fine thing, and has much likeness, tho' Forsyth never saw him. To tea with the Wortleys, high gee Margaret's engagement to Reginald Talbot; a handsome couple; also Constance Lawley's to Eustace Vesey, after some years' attachment, he in India, lately returned. Dined with the G. O. Trevelyans, meeting the Secularist Education firebrand Mr. Morley [FN: John Morley, afterwards Viscount Morley of Blackburn], who, however, was as gentle as a sucking dove to talk to.
17Apr1877, The Unfortunate Nobleman at Dartmoor
LONDON, Tuesday, April 17th, 1877.
—The idiotic lovers of the "Unfortunate Nobleman at Dartmoor" (i.e., Orton the swindler) tried to get up a "Demonstration" to besiege the H. of Commons with some crazy petition. It ended, in true British style, by policemen preventing more than the orthodox ten men marching into the lobby, Mr. Cross receiving a deputation and snubbing them all round with perfect civility, and Whalley inviting the leading donkey, one De Morgan, to a cup of tea in the tea-room of the H. of Commons; a delightful bathos. "De Morgan" being a bankrupt hatter, Punch has a nice picture founded on the Mad Tea-Party in "Alice in Wonderland."
—The idiotic lovers of the "Unfortunate Nobleman at Dartmoor" (i.e., Orton the swindler) tried to get up a "Demonstration" to besiege the H. of Commons with some crazy petition. It ended, in true British style, by policemen preventing more than the orthodox ten men marching into the lobby, Mr. Cross receiving a deputation and snubbing them all round with perfect civility, and Whalley inviting the leading donkey, one De Morgan, to a cup of tea in the tea-room of the H. of Commons; a delightful bathos. "De Morgan" being a bankrupt hatter, Punch has a nice picture founded on the Mad Tea-Party in "Alice in Wonderland."
19Mar1877, Uncle Wm. Wouldn't Rise
CAMBRIDGE, LONDON, March 19th-25th, 1877.
— King's Coll. Chapel at 8. Came back to London Hospital. Dined in Harley Street to see the last of Stephy and Herbert. Uncle W. did not put his best leg forward; I wanted him either to talk over his sons and the Cape; or Cambridge with me; or Eastern Question; or Newnham College and Helen: but he wouldn't rise much to anything, and went off into trolls about wine (than which! — all men are subject to attacks of it) and old jokes. After dinner I believe he was eloquent about the Montenegrins and their wonderful courage.
— King's Coll. Chapel at 8. Came back to London Hospital. Dined in Harley Street to see the last of Stephy and Herbert. Uncle W. did not put his best leg forward; I wanted him either to talk over his sons and the Cape; or Cambridge with me; or Eastern Question; or Newnham College and Helen: but he wouldn't rise much to anything, and went off into trolls about wine (than which! — all men are subject to attacks of it) and old jokes. After dinner I believe he was eloquent about the Montenegrins and their wonderful courage.
18Mar1877, Visiting Alfred at Cambridge
CAMBRIDGE, Sunday, March 18th, 1877.
—Walked about with F. afterwards and ended at Alfred's rooms for luncheon. Enjoyed the sight of his beautiful books — presents and prizes, with such loving head-turning inscriptions within! He and we thence to S. Mary's, where F. and I had to stand all thro' a gorgeous rhetorical sermon by Dr. Farrar in aid of schools: there was not much in it, however; but what there was, good. A mighty mass of undergraduates. He caused a good deal of stir last Sunday by a great onslaught on Drink. After this, we went straightway to Newnham Coll., where they left me and I had a delightful troll with the nice old Principal (Miss Clough) and sight of the girls' rooms. It seems doing admirably; and the tone of the girls feminine and unaffected. They attend lectures in Cambridge and hear some in their College. Some go in for the whole University course, but the most part are content with the Higher Local Examination. Mazy, who was here last week (staying with the Sidgwicks), is hot upon the brilliant idea of Helen going up there for a few years. F. and Alfred returned for me, and were shown all over the Coll., bedrooms and all ! by one of the students, to their great amusement; but Alfred looked so academic in his cap and gown that it seemed quite the right thing. There seems to be all proper care and chaperonage, and regular hours, but no stupid primness or unnecessary constraint. Went round by the Backs to call on Nora Sidgwick: then paid a visit to Mrs. Thompson. The Master came up, and was most kind and cordial; delighted us beyond by saying that he would have given the Hulsean Essay Prize to Arthur, who was so nearly successful as to be printed full length as "prox accessit" or whatever the sayin' is. Likewise said the Master that he greatly regretted Arthur's not getting the Fellowship, for which he was better suited, in every respect but pure learning, than the man who got it. Oh, how my mind turned at once to darling daddy! it seems as if I must tell him.
—Walked about with F. afterwards and ended at Alfred's rooms for luncheon. Enjoyed the sight of his beautiful books — presents and prizes, with such loving head-turning inscriptions within! He and we thence to S. Mary's, where F. and I had to stand all thro' a gorgeous rhetorical sermon by Dr. Farrar in aid of schools: there was not much in it, however; but what there was, good. A mighty mass of undergraduates. He caused a good deal of stir last Sunday by a great onslaught on Drink. After this, we went straightway to Newnham Coll., where they left me and I had a delightful troll with the nice old Principal (Miss Clough) and sight of the girls' rooms. It seems doing admirably; and the tone of the girls feminine and unaffected. They attend lectures in Cambridge and hear some in their College. Some go in for the whole University course, but the most part are content with the Higher Local Examination. Mazy, who was here last week (staying with the Sidgwicks), is hot upon the brilliant idea of Helen going up there for a few years. F. and Alfred returned for me, and were shown all over the Coll., bedrooms and all ! by one of the students, to their great amusement; but Alfred looked so academic in his cap and gown that it seemed quite the right thing. There seems to be all proper care and chaperonage, and regular hours, but no stupid primness or unnecessary constraint. Went round by the Backs to call on Nora Sidgwick: then paid a visit to Mrs. Thompson. The Master came up, and was most kind and cordial; delighted us beyond by saying that he would have given the Hulsean Essay Prize to Arthur, who was so nearly successful as to be printed full length as "prox accessit" or whatever the sayin' is. Likewise said the Master that he greatly regretted Arthur's not getting the Fellowship, for which he was better suited, in every respect but pure learning, than the man who got it. Oh, how my mind turned at once to darling daddy! it seems as if I must tell him.
19Feb1877, Dear Hon. and Rev. Arthur
LONDON, February 19 th-25th, 1877.
—Stopt at Reading on my way to London, F. being obliged to go on for the House. Dear Hon. and Rev. Arthur [FN: Her brother Arthur was a curate at Reading at this time] met me on the platform, walked me about the town (mem. quite the finest new town-hall I have ever seen), gave me an excellent luncheon in his snug lodgings all be-booked and be-pictured (I buttered his good ugly landlady for making him so comfortable), and then took me to see his new church, and his mission-room, etc. He is very happy, and the parish most beautifully organized and full of flourishing good works: services and schools crowded, young men's guilds, and what not; and a galaxy of what he calls "holy spinsters" ready to fly to the rescue on all occasions. Being a supernumerary, he is not over-worked, but has time for reading, just as Papa would have wished.
—Stopt at Reading on my way to London, F. being obliged to go on for the House. Dear Hon. and Rev. Arthur [FN: Her brother Arthur was a curate at Reading at this time] met me on the platform, walked me about the town (mem. quite the finest new town-hall I have ever seen), gave me an excellent luncheon in his snug lodgings all be-booked and be-pictured (I buttered his good ugly landlady for making him so comfortable), and then took me to see his new church, and his mission-room, etc. He is very happy, and the parish most beautifully organized and full of flourishing good works: services and schools crowded, young men's guilds, and what not; and a galaxy of what he calls "holy spinsters" ready to fly to the rescue on all occasions. Being a supernumerary, he is not over-worked, but has time for reading, just as Papa would have wished.
11Dec1876, Comments on Gladstone
HAWARDEN, December 11th-17th, 1876.
—Uncle W., in spite of hankering after his tree-cutting, was inveigled into walks. He goes at his old pace and is as well as possible. I don't know anyone who strikes one as happier; sorrows don't take the spring out of him, and he finds constant delight in all his work and interests; his strong steadfast religion (like Papa's) underlying and shining thro' his whole character.
—Uncle W., in spite of hankering after his tree-cutting, was inveigled into walks. He goes at his old pace and is as well as possible. I don't know anyone who strikes one as happier; sorrows don't take the spring out of him, and he finds constant delight in all his work and interests; his strong steadfast religion (like Papa's) underlying and shining thro' his whole character.
04Dec1876, An Odd Trio of Books
HOLKER, December 4th-10th, 1876.
—Tallee the greatest of breaks and helps to me—the more that F. was busy Mon. and Tues. We read and greatly enjoy the odd trio of books—Butler's "Analogy," the "Faery Queen," and Carlyle's "French Revolution." Good heart for 5 days. In the evening with F. "The Abbot."
—Tallee the greatest of breaks and helps to me—the more that F. was busy Mon. and Tues. We read and greatly enjoy the odd trio of books—Butler's "Analogy," the "Faery Queen," and Carlyle's "French Revolution." Good heart for 5 days. In the evening with F. "The Abbot."
30Oct1876, Cavendish and the Eastern Question
CHATSWORTH, October 30th–November 5th, 1876.
—Cavendish came, and on Friday he and F. went off to Keighley for the opening of a Liberal Club, and Cavendish made an excellent straightforward speech on the Eastern Question, which must do good: it was the more weighty against Government for its sober moderation of tone.
—Cavendish came, and on Friday he and F. went off to Keighley for the opening of a Liberal Club, and Cavendish made an excellent straightforward speech on the Eastern Question, which must do good: it was the more weighty against Government for its sober moderation of tone.
16Oct1876, Cavendish Meets with the Turks
HOLKER, October 16th-22nd, 1876.
—Cavendish writes from Constantinople to the Duke, full of contempt for Turkish truth or capacity for reform, yet speaking of the impossibility of securing other good government for the Provinces (which, left to themselves, would fall into civil war or anarchy) without foreign occupation agreed on by all the Powers—which agreement he sees little hope of securing. A nice kettle of fish altogether. Meanwhile Uncle W. is aghast at Cavendish having dined with certain representative Turks, and wrote to F. that they were "symbols of iniquity"; but how was he to have any intercourse with them, such as seemed necessary for forming opinions about the future, and yet refuse hospitality? especially in the East.
—Cavendish writes from Constantinople to the Duke, full of contempt for Turkish truth or capacity for reform, yet speaking of the impossibility of securing other good government for the Provinces (which, left to themselves, would fall into civil war or anarchy) without foreign occupation agreed on by all the Powers—which agreement he sees little hope of securing. A nice kettle of fish altogether. Meanwhile Uncle W. is aghast at Cavendish having dined with certain representative Turks, and wrote to F. that they were "symbols of iniquity"; but how was he to have any intercourse with them, such as seemed necessary for forming opinions about the future, and yet refuse hospitality? especially in the East.
02Oct1876, Gladstone and the Eastern Matter
CASTLE HOWARD, October 2nd-8th, 1876.
—The most magnificent rainbow I ever saw on Saturday just before sunset, bending over the mausoleum right across the whole sky; the colours fairly dazzling, which I never saw before in a rainbow. While we were gazing at it, we became gradually aware of cheers, and at last took it into our heads to guess what was up; rushed to the N. front, and sure enough, there was the omnibus containing the W.E.G.s being dragged up to the door by a multitude of men; with Aunt Lizzy and dear old Bob (kindly asked over from Escrick) sharing the honours, and no doubt sadly conscious of their extra weight. The W. E. G.s have been paying various visits in the N. and undergoing many receptions and addresses, in spite of efforts to dodge them. . . .
Morning Church at Welborne; walked back with F. and Uncle W. If I was but a Boswell, my journal might be worth reading! but I can never trust my memory. He has the most absolute disbelief in the Government upon the Eastern matter, considering Dizzy to be Dizzy, and Ld. Derby, from his hatred of responsibility, Dizzy's mere tool. Much of the press is open-mouthed against. Uncle W. for impatient and factious action; but he thinks that he gave Government all imaginable rope and hoped against hope to the last moment; this being Oct. and their course having been obstructive and pro-Turk and neutral and shilly-shally for many months. I don't think he weighs the great difficulties ahead as to bringing about local self-government in these partially (and only partially) Christian provinces; he is absorbed in the one strong feeling that the Turkish Government is so execrable and hopelessly vile and bad, that it must be put a stop to in the oppressed provinces at all hazards—just as slavery had to be abolished. "Only," says he, "the present case is so far worse than slavery that it is no inferior race which is being abused."
I said something of the Pall Mall and the World's supreme contempt for the national indignation, warning statesmen against "mob rule," and this set him off upon a grand burst of "When did the Upper Ten Thousand ever lead the attack in the cause of humanity? Their heads are always full of class interests and the main chance"; or words to that effect. Of one thing I am as certain as I have been all my life —that there is no personal ambition or any motive but love of justice and mercy (and utter disbelief in Dizzy, I allow) in his present course.
—The most magnificent rainbow I ever saw on Saturday just before sunset, bending over the mausoleum right across the whole sky; the colours fairly dazzling, which I never saw before in a rainbow. While we were gazing at it, we became gradually aware of cheers, and at last took it into our heads to guess what was up; rushed to the N. front, and sure enough, there was the omnibus containing the W.E.G.s being dragged up to the door by a multitude of men; with Aunt Lizzy and dear old Bob (kindly asked over from Escrick) sharing the honours, and no doubt sadly conscious of their extra weight. The W. E. G.s have been paying various visits in the N. and undergoing many receptions and addresses, in spite of efforts to dodge them. . . .
Morning Church at Welborne; walked back with F. and Uncle W. If I was but a Boswell, my journal might be worth reading! but I can never trust my memory. He has the most absolute disbelief in the Government upon the Eastern matter, considering Dizzy to be Dizzy, and Ld. Derby, from his hatred of responsibility, Dizzy's mere tool. Much of the press is open-mouthed against. Uncle W. for impatient and factious action; but he thinks that he gave Government all imaginable rope and hoped against hope to the last moment; this being Oct. and their course having been obstructive and pro-Turk and neutral and shilly-shally for many months. I don't think he weighs the great difficulties ahead as to bringing about local self-government in these partially (and only partially) Christian provinces; he is absorbed in the one strong feeling that the Turkish Government is so execrable and hopelessly vile and bad, that it must be put a stop to in the oppressed provinces at all hazards—just as slavery had to be abolished. "Only," says he, "the present case is so far worse than slavery that it is no inferior race which is being abused."
I said something of the Pall Mall and the World's supreme contempt for the national indignation, warning statesmen against "mob rule," and this set him off upon a grand burst of "When did the Upper Ten Thousand ever lead the attack in the cause of humanity? Their heads are always full of class interests and the main chance"; or words to that effect. Of one thing I am as certain as I have been all my life —that there is no personal ambition or any motive but love of justice and mercy (and utter disbelief in Dizzy, I allow) in his present course.
28Aug1876, A Shooting Machine
BOLTON, August 28th–September 3rd, 1876.
—N.B. Speaker and Harry Brands (sic) and Ld. De Grey came this week. Ld. de Grey [FN: The last Marquess of Ripon, a very famous shot.] a curious mixture of both parents to look at. He can be pretty nearly summed up as a shooting machine; kills double anybody else.
—N.B. Speaker and Harry Brands (sic) and Ld. De Grey came this week. Ld. de Grey [FN: The last Marquess of Ripon, a very famous shot.] a curious mixture of both parents to look at. He can be pretty nearly summed up as a shooting machine; kills double anybody else.
21Aug1876, Lady of the House
BOLTON, August 21st-27th, 1876.
—Frank and Lou and their little company came on Tues. to my great refreshment; the having to be lady of the house and bother my head over muffins and bedrooms is quite absurdly trying to me now I am so down on the springs; but besides, Lou is the greatest dear to me and rests my spirit.
—Frank and Lou and their little company came on Tues. to my great refreshment; the having to be lady of the house and bother my head over muffins and bedrooms is quite absurdly trying to me now I am so down on the springs; but besides, Lou is the greatest dear to me and rests my spirit.
Monday, January 03, 2011
31Jul1876, Improvements to Althorp Estate
LONDON, July 31st—August 6th, 1876.
—A capital piece of matrimonial news after all the twopenny ones: B. and the Bishop of Exeter!! [FN: Beatrice Lascelles, cousin of Lord Frederick, married Dr. Temple, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury.] She is in great happiness. I have always thought highly of him, knowing Papa and Uncle B.'s high opinion of him. Folk say he is undoubtedly much in love. I had tea at No. 62 on Friday and found him there; liked much his simple, quiet manner, manly and unconstrained. They are to be married the end of August, and after September he will be hard at work. B.'s episcopal experience will begin at the Land's End where he holds Confirmations in October....
We went to Harleston, where the Spencers are staying, while Althorp is to be turned over to builders for improvements. I have never been there since a happy visit before I married with Papa, in 1863, when he hunted with great enjoyment on a famous hunter of Spencer's called Pale-Ale, and affronted Spencer by blaming the horse for refusing a brook. "My dear George, you rode him at it with a loose rein—you never put his head at it!" "Well, all I know is, my old hunter would have gone over it if I had put his tail at it!" How well I remember this! We all went over to Althorp, Sunday afternoon, and in spite of its being all in curl-papers I revived old old recollections, going back to New Year '54, and Uncle Fritz calling me Topsy. They have laid out a garden on one side which is an immense improvement.
—A capital piece of matrimonial news after all the twopenny ones: B. and the Bishop of Exeter!! [FN: Beatrice Lascelles, cousin of Lord Frederick, married Dr. Temple, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury.] She is in great happiness. I have always thought highly of him, knowing Papa and Uncle B.'s high opinion of him. Folk say he is undoubtedly much in love. I had tea at No. 62 on Friday and found him there; liked much his simple, quiet manner, manly and unconstrained. They are to be married the end of August, and after September he will be hard at work. B.'s episcopal experience will begin at the Land's End where he holds Confirmations in October....
We went to Harleston, where the Spencers are staying, while Althorp is to be turned over to builders for improvements. I have never been there since a happy visit before I married with Papa, in 1863, when he hunted with great enjoyment on a famous hunter of Spencer's called Pale-Ale, and affronted Spencer by blaming the horse for refusing a brook. "My dear George, you rode him at it with a loose rein—you never put his head at it!" "Well, all I know is, my old hunter would have gone over it if I had put his tail at it!" How well I remember this! We all went over to Althorp, Sunday afternoon, and in spite of its being all in curl-papers I revived old old recollections, going back to New Year '54, and Uncle Fritz calling me Topsy. They have laid out a garden on one side which is an immense improvement.
Sunday, January 02, 2011
24Jul1876, Painting Wellington's Forehead
LONDON, July 24th-30th, 1876.
—Ld. and Ly. Robartes. He and Uncle W. were good company at breakfast. He told me an anecdote of the D. of Wellington's always insisting on having his forehead represented in painting or sculpture wider than it was, and Chantrey telling Lucas, to whom the Duke was sitting. Uncle W. (so exactly like him!) took the story desperately to heart as being unworthy of the Duke's high sense of truth; and it was impossible to make him see how the story might be quite consistent with his truth of intention: he might have honestly supposed his forehead wider and Chantrey may have humoured him.
—Ld. and Ly. Robartes. He and Uncle W. were good company at breakfast. He told me an anecdote of the D. of Wellington's always insisting on having his forehead represented in painting or sculpture wider than it was, and Chantrey telling Lucas, to whom the Duke was sitting. Uncle W. (so exactly like him!) took the story desperately to heart as being unworthy of the Duke's high sense of truth; and it was impossible to make him see how the story might be quite consistent with his truth of intention: he might have honestly supposed his forehead wider and Chantrey may have humoured him.
24Apr1876, Thoughts of Papa
HAGLEY, April 24th-30th, 1876.
—F. and I stayed on at Hagley. Sybella most touching in the absolute unselfishness and patience with which she bears her great grief: she has constant tears to relieve her, and clings to his children, and turns to the religious thoughts and words which were the "strength of his life," to comfort her in his death. She told me that though she could never get him to teach her by precept, yet by degrees, as she learnt more and more of his character and its motive power, she grew into sympathy with his religion; and that learning to feel with him "doubled and trebled" her love for him. Many beautiful lessons has his life taught us all—such as courage, trust, generosity, truth, wide sympathies, and kind judgments coupled with hatred of evil and the highest standard of right ; but the chief lesson of all is, how to blend the Love of God and the golden thread of religion with common daily life in the world—with all duty, with dry detail, with pleasures and enjoyments and mirth; with sorrow, trial, and disappointment; and so to do this as to produce, not scrupulosity or gloom, but the joyful spirit of a loving son, the glad service of willing obedience. Nobody showed more by every day of his active life that God's service is perfect freedom, and His ways the way of pleasantness and peace. All our lives through, accordingly, his beautiful example has taught us that the Church's life of religion is the happy and complete life, and that seeking first the Kingdom of God all other things are added to us. Nevy once said to me, "The governor always showed us that duty must come first of all." Letters pour in upon us, and are very helpful and soothing in showing how deeply and widely all that was best in him was known and loved. Hardly one but calls it a "noble life"; and in the light of it the awful darkness at the end seems to shrink to a point.
—F. and I stayed on at Hagley. Sybella most touching in the absolute unselfishness and patience with which she bears her great grief: she has constant tears to relieve her, and clings to his children, and turns to the religious thoughts and words which were the "strength of his life," to comfort her in his death. She told me that though she could never get him to teach her by precept, yet by degrees, as she learnt more and more of his character and its motive power, she grew into sympathy with his religion; and that learning to feel with him "doubled and trebled" her love for him. Many beautiful lessons has his life taught us all—such as courage, trust, generosity, truth, wide sympathies, and kind judgments coupled with hatred of evil and the highest standard of right ; but the chief lesson of all is, how to blend the Love of God and the golden thread of religion with common daily life in the world—with all duty, with dry detail, with pleasures and enjoyments and mirth; with sorrow, trial, and disappointment; and so to do this as to produce, not scrupulosity or gloom, but the joyful spirit of a loving son, the glad service of willing obedience. Nobody showed more by every day of his active life that God's service is perfect freedom, and His ways the way of pleasantness and peace. All our lives through, accordingly, his beautiful example has taught us that the Church's life of religion is the happy and complete life, and that seeking first the Kingdom of God all other things are added to us. Nevy once said to me, "The governor always showed us that duty must come first of all." Letters pour in upon us, and are very helpful and soothing in showing how deeply and widely all that was best in him was known and loved. Hardly one but calls it a "noble life"; and in the light of it the awful darkness at the end seems to shrink to a point.
19Apr1876, Papa Ends His Life
LISMORE, April 17th-23rd, 1876.
—It has been God's will to send us a terrible anguish. On Monday morning came from Aunt Coque a sadly disheartening account of dear Papa. The latter days of the week before last we all saw hopeful symptoms, especially in his looks and also in his diminished restlessness, and power of occupying himself for longer times together. (Tho' all along as always during former attacks he has done whatever work he had to do.) If he had been younger, no doubt this would have been the beginning of recovery as formerly. But from Aunt C.'s letter it seemed that he had entered upon a different and darker stage : utter lassitude and hopeless distress, with occasional paroxysms of misery. Never any delusion or altered feeling towards any of us, but true perplexities all exaggerated....
God only knows what his anguish has been these many weeks past, deepening and deepening upon him ; yet through all what gentleness and uncomplaining patience and affection! and what faith in God! We never thought of anything worse than a longer trial than usual. Hitherto his vigorous health, both mental and physical, has always thrown off the attacks, and he has recovered absolutely; they have rolled away like clouds....
On Easter Monday he wrote kindly and sympathetically to Archdeacon Horn, on hearing of his daughter's death, ending his letter with a few words about being detained in London by "some sort of nervous complaint" and a word or two on business. The very morning after came upon him what we do indeed believe was a messenger of release (God seeing that His true and loving servant could no longer bear the anguish), a momentary and over-mastering paroxysm. Not knowing what he did, he rushed away from the man who was always with him in his room, and fell over the banisters: we shall never know if it was in any degree accidental or not, but we do know he was as unaccountable as if a lightning-stroke had fallen on him....
And at a little past midnight God took him to His Eternal Peace.
—It has been God's will to send us a terrible anguish. On Monday morning came from Aunt Coque a sadly disheartening account of dear Papa. The latter days of the week before last we all saw hopeful symptoms, especially in his looks and also in his diminished restlessness, and power of occupying himself for longer times together. (Tho' all along as always during former attacks he has done whatever work he had to do.) If he had been younger, no doubt this would have been the beginning of recovery as formerly. But from Aunt C.'s letter it seemed that he had entered upon a different and darker stage : utter lassitude and hopeless distress, with occasional paroxysms of misery. Never any delusion or altered feeling towards any of us, but true perplexities all exaggerated....
God only knows what his anguish has been these many weeks past, deepening and deepening upon him ; yet through all what gentleness and uncomplaining patience and affection! and what faith in God! We never thought of anything worse than a longer trial than usual. Hitherto his vigorous health, both mental and physical, has always thrown off the attacks, and he has recovered absolutely; they have rolled away like clouds....
On Easter Monday he wrote kindly and sympathetically to Archdeacon Horn, on hearing of his daughter's death, ending his letter with a few words about being detained in London by "some sort of nervous complaint" and a word or two on business. The very morning after came upon him what we do indeed believe was a messenger of release (God seeing that His true and loving servant could no longer bear the anguish), a momentary and over-mastering paroxysm. Not knowing what he did, he rushed away from the man who was always with him in his room, and fell over the banisters: we shall never know if it was in any degree accidental or not, but we do know he was as unaccountable as if a lightning-stroke had fallen on him....
And at a little past midnight God took him to His Eternal Peace.
06Mar1876, The Queen Opens a Grocers' Wing
LONDON, Tues. March 6th-12th, 1876.
—With Ly. Robartes and At. Coque to L. Hospital to see the Queen open the "Grocers' Co. wing." The whole way up Whitechapel gaily decorated, be-mottoed, and thronged with loyal people. Bright cold weather. The Q. very punctual : stood rather grim and glum on her platform, but at the right moments, when she did bow and smile and make those incomparable curtseys of hers, was, in spite of her little dowdy black bonnet, as Queen-like and gracious as ever.
—With Ly. Robartes and At. Coque to L. Hospital to see the Queen open the "Grocers' Co. wing." The whole way up Whitechapel gaily decorated, be-mottoed, and thronged with loyal people. Bright cold weather. The Q. very punctual : stood rather grim and glum on her platform, but at the right moments, when she did bow and smile and make those incomparable curtseys of hers, was, in spite of her little dowdy black bonnet, as Queen-like and gracious as ever.
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.]
—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
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.
—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.
—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.
—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.
—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.
—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!
—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.
—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.
—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.
—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 !
—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.
—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!
—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!
14Jun1875, First 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.
—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.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
15May1875, Wales Children Like Anybody Else
CHATSWORTH, Saturday, May 15th, 1875.
—Saturday the 15th I came to Chatsworth with Papa and Sybella; F. having gone down Friday, when I stayed on to go with M., Mrs. T., Gertrude, and Willy to hear "S. Paul" at Exeter Hall, which was glorious. Endless dawdling journey. At S. Pancras were all the little Wales children, knocking about with tutor and nurses like anybody else on the platform. The 2 boys in Scotch dress; the eldest very pretty and noble-looking, like his mother; and so slim and well-made as to look a fair height; Prince George a gig: little girls fair and like the Queen, I think. F. was at Bradford all day; turned up at midnight.
—Saturday the 15th I came to Chatsworth with Papa and Sybella; F. having gone down Friday, when I stayed on to go with M., Mrs. T., Gertrude, and Willy to hear "S. Paul" at Exeter Hall, which was glorious. Endless dawdling journey. At S. Pancras were all the little Wales children, knocking about with tutor and nurses like anybody else on the platform. The 2 boys in Scotch dress; the eldest very pretty and noble-looking, like his mother; and so slim and well-made as to look a fair height; Prince George a gig: little girls fair and like the Queen, I think. F. was at Bradford all day; turned up at midnight.
Saturday, December 04, 2010
21Mar1875, Her Sister Mary Dies
HAGLEY, Palm Sunday, March 21st, 1875.
—Edward Talbot (who with Lavinia was at the Rectory) [FN: Her sister May had been very ill for some weeks, at Hagley Rectory.] came down at 8, and came to our room. The night had been profoundly quiet: nothing swallowed; no pain. Except Newmany's name, which has all along been oftenest on her lips, I believe she did not speak. It was a bright, clear morning, with shining sun. F. and I walked up together about 9 o'clock, and he went upstairs with me. We knelt together by the bed; he saw her last at Chatsworth in her beauty and brightness. She lay a little propped up, breathing gently; her look was a little troubled. Auntie P. was on the bed at her right side, stroking the wavy hair; Newmany holding her left hand, close to me; poor Edward also near me, watching her earnestly. Auntie P. said, "It's all right, darling; God is taking such care of you," and she told me to say some verses. I repeated, as slowly and clearly as I could, only 2 or 4 lines at a time, parts of Keble's Evening Hymn. The morning must have been streaming in; but the words fitted the awful, still approach of death. The troubled expression passed from the darling's face, and she stretched her hand out to me. When I paused she would look at me, and then turn her pretty head and look up at Auntie P. as if appealing for more words of comfort. I kissed her hand, and we went away. Dr. Wade could not tell how long it might last, so we went down again to be with poor Papa and Sybella. They were setting off to go up the Hill and I was sitting in the Library, looking out other hymns which I thought I might repeat to our darling, and I had chosen "There is a green hill far away," which she so loved to hear Spencer sing — Alfred was playing soft, solemn music, and the pathos of it was bringing floods of tears — when Meriel came down and gently told us the end had come. Not a sound, not a pang: the breathing died away imperceptibly as Uncle B. read the last prayer.
—Edward Talbot (who with Lavinia was at the Rectory) [FN: Her sister May had been very ill for some weeks, at Hagley Rectory.] came down at 8, and came to our room. The night had been profoundly quiet: nothing swallowed; no pain. Except Newmany's name, which has all along been oftenest on her lips, I believe she did not speak. It was a bright, clear morning, with shining sun. F. and I walked up together about 9 o'clock, and he went upstairs with me. We knelt together by the bed; he saw her last at Chatsworth in her beauty and brightness. She lay a little propped up, breathing gently; her look was a little troubled. Auntie P. was on the bed at her right side, stroking the wavy hair; Newmany holding her left hand, close to me; poor Edward also near me, watching her earnestly. Auntie P. said, "It's all right, darling; God is taking such care of you," and she told me to say some verses. I repeated, as slowly and clearly as I could, only 2 or 4 lines at a time, parts of Keble's Evening Hymn. The morning must have been streaming in; but the words fitted the awful, still approach of death. The troubled expression passed from the darling's face, and she stretched her hand out to me. When I paused she would look at me, and then turn her pretty head and look up at Auntie P. as if appealing for more words of comfort. I kissed her hand, and we went away. Dr. Wade could not tell how long it might last, so we went down again to be with poor Papa and Sybella. They were setting off to go up the Hill and I was sitting in the Library, looking out other hymns which I thought I might repeat to our darling, and I had chosen "There is a green hill far away," which she so loved to hear Spencer sing — Alfred was playing soft, solemn music, and the pathos of it was bringing floods of tears — when Meriel came down and gently told us the end had come. Not a sound, not a pang: the breathing died away imperceptibly as Uncle B. read the last prayer.
11Feb1875, Cavendish Elected to Liberal Leadership
HAGLEY, February 8th-11th, 1875.
—Oh dear, not a word have I said of the public and private event of Cavendish's unanimous election to the Liberal Leadership a week or so ago. There would have been great conflict of opinion between him and Mr. Forster, if Mr. F. had not generously refused to be put forward. I believe he would have been the right man; but neither the frantic League dissenters (fools that they are!) nor the old Whigs would follow him. Cavendish seems to be very generally respected and trusted, and he has plenty of abilities, besides great accuracy and good judgment; the worst of him is that I can't imagine him ever strongly zealous or earnest about anything; and he may be lazy; but this I don't expect, as the sense of responsibility will weigh much with him.
—Oh dear, not a word have I said of the public and private event of Cavendish's unanimous election to the Liberal Leadership a week or so ago. There would have been great conflict of opinion between him and Mr. Forster, if Mr. F. had not generously refused to be put forward. I believe he would have been the right man; but neither the frantic League dissenters (fools that they are!) nor the old Whigs would follow him. Cavendish seems to be very generally respected and trusted, and he has plenty of abilities, besides great accuracy and good judgment; the worst of him is that I can't imagine him ever strongly zealous or earnest about anything; and he may be lazy; but this I don't expect, as the sense of responsibility will weigh much with him.
18Jan1875, Gladstone May Retire
HOLKER, Monday, January 18th, 1875.
—To-day the blow that has so long been dreaded falls on the unhappy divided Liberal party. Uncle W. writes to Ld. Granville resigning the Leadership, in a short letter. He says he feels he may fairly retire, after 40 years of public life and at the age of 65, when there is nothing in the state of politics to justify him in hoping his leadership will serve the party, and when his hands are full of other important matters—by which no doubt he means the Papal controversy. We somehow hoped he was willing to come to a compromise, such as being in London thro' the Session, tho' with slight attendance at the House, but so as to be at hand whenever he might be wanted as leader, and thus avoiding the difficulties that came last year of his absence from town, colleagues, and newspapers; (for he never will take in any but the Echo!! when out of Office).
—To-day the blow that has so long been dreaded falls on the unhappy divided Liberal party. Uncle W. writes to Ld. Granville resigning the Leadership, in a short letter. He says he feels he may fairly retire, after 40 years of public life and at the age of 65, when there is nothing in the state of politics to justify him in hoping his leadership will serve the party, and when his hands are full of other important matters—by which no doubt he means the Papal controversy. We somehow hoped he was willing to come to a compromise, such as being in London thro' the Session, tho' with slight attendance at the House, but so as to be at hand whenever he might be wanted as leader, and thus avoiding the difficulties that came last year of his absence from town, colleagues, and newspapers; (for he never will take in any but the Echo!! when out of Office).
01Jan1875, The Skating Was Grand
HOLKER, Friday, New Year's Day, 1875.
—Yesterday should have changed places with to-day for weather; it was dismal, black, and raw. Nevertheless we set out stoutly for Windermere along with Drewry sons and daughter. Began to snow halfway there, and went on till dark with hail, sleet, and rain modifications at last. The skating, however, was grand, the wind blowing much of the snow off the ice, which was splendid, black, and hard, the lake frozen quite round, right across, and nearly up to Bowness.
—Yesterday should have changed places with to-day for weather; it was dismal, black, and raw. Nevertheless we set out stoutly for Windermere along with Drewry sons and daughter. Began to snow halfway there, and went on till dark with hail, sleet, and rain modifications at last. The skating, however, was grand, the wind blowing much of the snow off the ice, which was splendid, black, and hard, the lake frozen quite round, right across, and nearly up to Bowness.
10Dec1874, The Hunting Proved Fragment
CHATSWORTH, Thursday, December 10th, 1874.
—Fairly fine again. L. tennis; Charlotte very eager. It froze sharp, in spite of which Spencer, like his uncle before him ("Uncle Jack"), arose before the dawn on the chance of hunting being possible in S. Derbyshire, and departed with the hapless Mr. Coke and brothers Buller, all en route for various destinations. The hunting proved fragment, as was to be expected. Scarsdales came. [FN: "Uncle Jack" is the Lord Althorp of the great Reform Bill, who was afterwards 3rd Earl Spencer. Spencer in the text means Lord Spencer, not her brother] [FN: Lord and Lady Scarsdale, father and mother of Lord Curzon of Kedleston, the statesman.]
—Fairly fine again. L. tennis; Charlotte very eager. It froze sharp, in spite of which Spencer, like his uncle before him ("Uncle Jack"), arose before the dawn on the chance of hunting being possible in S. Derbyshire, and departed with the hapless Mr. Coke and brothers Buller, all en route for various destinations. The hunting proved fragment, as was to be expected. Scarsdales came. [FN: "Uncle Jack" is the Lord Althorp of the great Reform Bill, who was afterwards 3rd Earl Spencer. Spencer in the text means Lord Spencer, not her brother] [FN: Lord and Lady Scarsdale, father and mother of Lord Curzon of Kedleston, the statesman.]
09Dec1874, Prince George and the Greville Memoirs
CHATSWORTH, Wednesday, December 9th, 1874.
—H.R.H. is very good-natured and jovial, nudging and patting his neighbours, and putting his nose in their ears: he looks 70, which is a pity, at 55. He declaims about Bismarck and the Pope, and lets fly at the "Greville Memoirs" which are just out. No wonder! I have not read it yet, but everyone is open-mouthed about its unkind and trivial gossip, and absence of praise of anyone. To be sure the Regency and late reign must have been thoroughly evil times; and one good the book must do by showing one the present times in bright contrast. What are the Queen's retirement and over-weening love of Scotland, or even the P. of Wales' bad habits, in comparison with the vile Court of Geo. IV, the debts and scandals of the Royal Dukes, and the horrid Queen Caroline chapter!—Thick mist and rain on the top of half-melted snow all day: an appropriate reminiscence of the P. of Wales' visit. We took H.R.H. and the guests over the house.
—H.R.H. is very good-natured and jovial, nudging and patting his neighbours, and putting his nose in their ears: he looks 70, which is a pity, at 55. He declaims about Bismarck and the Pope, and lets fly at the "Greville Memoirs" which are just out. No wonder! I have not read it yet, but everyone is open-mouthed about its unkind and trivial gossip, and absence of praise of anyone. To be sure the Regency and late reign must have been thoroughly evil times; and one good the book must do by showing one the present times in bright contrast. What are the Queen's retirement and over-weening love of Scotland, or even the P. of Wales' bad habits, in comparison with the vile Court of Geo. IV, the debts and scandals of the Royal Dukes, and the horrid Queen Caroline chapter!—Thick mist and rain on the top of half-melted snow all day: an appropriate reminiscence of the P. of Wales' visit. We took H.R.H. and the guests over the house.
08Dec1874, The Chatsworth Magic Lantern
CHATSWORTH, Tuesday, December 8th, 1874.
—We are come to the last slide of the Chatsworth magic lantern: the Duke of Cambridge and his equerry, a funny little man called Tyrwhitt, of no particular age, in a grey wig; Lord Carlingford and Ly. Waldegrave, the Spencers, Mr. Leveson, Cavendish.
—We are come to the last slide of the Chatsworth magic lantern: the Duke of Cambridge and his equerry, a funny little man called Tyrwhitt, of no particular age, in a grey wig; Lord Carlingford and Ly. Waldegrave, the Spencers, Mr. Leveson, Cavendish.
01Dec1874, Pope Calls Uncle W. a Viper
CHATSWORTH, Tuesday, December 1st, 1874.
—Manning has thundered out a circular letter, informing the world that whoever does not accept and believe Immaculate Conception and Papal Infallibility is no Catholic. The Pope has made a funny metaphor in an angry speech calling Uncle W.. a viper attacking the bark of S. Peter!!
—Manning has thundered out a circular letter, informing the world that whoever does not accept and believe Immaculate Conception and Papal Infallibility is no Catholic. The Pope has made a funny metaphor in an angry speech calling Uncle W.. a viper attacking the bark of S. Peter!!
24Nov1874, Cavendish and Flo?
CHATSWORTH, Tuesday, November 24th, 1874.
— Florence [FN: Lady Florence Leveson-Gower, daughter of the Duke of Sutherland.] is a most winning creature, and we can't help a little exciting hope that Cavendish thinks of her. He certainly likes her better than other girls; and at his age one almost feels it is now or never. One evening he even condescended to billiard-battle when she was in the room, and he talks a good deal to her, and what's more watches her. Some people think her like her mother; I don't, thank goodness, see this in the least either in looks or ways. First and foremost, she is extremely natural and genuine.
— Florence [FN: Lady Florence Leveson-Gower, daughter of the Duke of Sutherland.] is a most winning creature, and we can't help a little exciting hope that Cavendish thinks of her. He certainly likes her better than other girls; and at his age one almost feels it is now or never. One evening he even condescended to billiard-battle when she was in the room, and he talks a good deal to her, and what's more watches her. Some people think her like her mother; I don't, thank goodness, see this in the least either in looks or ways. First and foremost, she is extremely natural and genuine.
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
22Nov1874, Letters From R.C.s Keep Appearing
CHATSWORTH, Sunday, November 22nd, 1874.
—Hoarfrost, hardly visible for fog. Georgiana Cavendish played, and Spencer sang delightfully, in church between services; the new organ being lately put up. Various other remarkable letters from R.C.s keep appearing in the papers; Mr. Shee, Mr. Petre, Lord Camoys, and others, disavowing the Decree in very plain language; Sir Geo. Bowyer, etc., taking Manning's view. The whole thing reveals deep and wide differences among R.C.s; and, if Ld. Ripon reads the controversy, he surely must feel a little uncomfortable. Manning, by the bye, pronounces Ld. Camoys a heretic, if he sticks to what he says.
—Hoarfrost, hardly visible for fog. Georgiana Cavendish played, and Spencer sang delightfully, in church between services; the new organ being lately put up. Various other remarkable letters from R.C.s keep appearing in the papers; Mr. Shee, Mr. Petre, Lord Camoys, and others, disavowing the Decree in very plain language; Sir Geo. Bowyer, etc., taking Manning's view. The whole thing reveals deep and wide differences among R.C.s; and, if Ld. Ripon reads the controversy, he surely must feel a little uncomfortable. Manning, by the bye, pronounces Ld. Camoys a heretic, if he sticks to what he says.
13Nov1874, Manning Answers the Pamphlet
CHATSWORTH, Friday, November 13th, 1874.
—Manning has answered the pamphlet in the out-and-out Ultra-montane style, arguing as if submission to Papal Infallibility was identical with obedience to God and conscience, and stoutly maintaining his own loyalty. Ld. Acton, on the same page of The Times, takes the very different line of assuring the world that the Papal pretensions are no worse than they ever were; that R.C.s have been loyal in spite of them before, and will be loyal in spite of them now!!
—Manning has answered the pamphlet in the out-and-out Ultra-montane style, arguing as if submission to Papal Infallibility was identical with obedience to God and conscience, and stoutly maintaining his own loyalty. Ld. Acton, on the same page of The Times, takes the very different line of assuring the world that the Papal pretensions are no worse than they ever were; that R.C.s have been loyal in spite of them before, and will be loyal in spite of them now!!
11Nov1874, Gladstone Pamphlet on Catholocism
CHATSWORTH, Wednesday, November 11th, 1874.
—Uncle William has sent F. a pamphlet just brought out on the Vatican decrees. It is a "Remonstrance," elicited by an outcry which has been raised by one sentence in his article on Ritualism. This is the sentence: "Rome has substituted for the proud boast of 'semper eadem' a policy of violence and change in faith; she has refurbished and paraded anew every rusty tool she was fondly thought to have disused;... no one can become her convert without renouncing his moral and mental freedom, and placing his civil loyalty at the mercy of another;... she has equally repudiated modern thought and ancient history." The Irish and other R.C.s are frantic over this. I can't imagine why. They have always been in the habit of giving hard knocks, and should take return ones philosophically. It almost looks as if they had been imagining Uncle W. a sneaking Romanist, and are now disappointed. This pamphlet defends and substantiates his accusations, and is a powerful and telling show-up of the new and intolerable position in which the Infallibility decree has placed R.C.s who accept it, with regard to their national allegiance. He gives them full credit for practical loyalty; but in face of the demand now made upon them to be absolutely governed by the personal will of the Pope, he calls upon them to declare their allegiance as English subjects. The whole pamphlet is in better and clearer style than anything of his I ever read, has some eloquent passages, and ends with all the fire and dignity of one of his great speech perorations. G. G. and I rode.
—Uncle William has sent F. a pamphlet just brought out on the Vatican decrees. It is a "Remonstrance," elicited by an outcry which has been raised by one sentence in his article on Ritualism. This is the sentence: "Rome has substituted for the proud boast of 'semper eadem' a policy of violence and change in faith; she has refurbished and paraded anew every rusty tool she was fondly thought to have disused;... no one can become her convert without renouncing his moral and mental freedom, and placing his civil loyalty at the mercy of another;... she has equally repudiated modern thought and ancient history." The Irish and other R.C.s are frantic over this. I can't imagine why. They have always been in the habit of giving hard knocks, and should take return ones philosophically. It almost looks as if they had been imagining Uncle W. a sneaking Romanist, and are now disappointed. This pamphlet defends and substantiates his accusations, and is a powerful and telling show-up of the new and intolerable position in which the Infallibility decree has placed R.C.s who accept it, with regard to their national allegiance. He gives them full credit for practical loyalty; but in face of the demand now made upon them to be absolutely governed by the personal will of the Pope, he calls upon them to declare their allegiance as English subjects. The whole pamphlet is in better and clearer style than anything of his I ever read, has some eloquent passages, and ends with all the fire and dignity of one of his great speech perorations. G. G. and I rode.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
19Oct1874, Deep But Cheerful Mourning
RABY, Monday, October 19th, 1874.
—We 3 went on to Raby, where we found the Duchess of Cleveland, in deep but cheerful mourning for her sister-in-law Ly. Augusta Milbanke who died last month; entertaining Foresters, Carpenters (Talbots), and Miss Mundy, a Mr. Crofton and Mr. Williamson. Whist with the gracious old Duke.
—We 3 went on to Raby, where we found the Duchess of Cleveland, in deep but cheerful mourning for her sister-in-law Ly. Augusta Milbanke who died last month; entertaining Foresters, Carpenters (Talbots), and Miss Mundy, a Mr. Crofton and Mr. Williamson. Whist with the gracious old Duke.
09Oct1874, Walked With Florence
DUNROBIN, Friday, October 9th, 1874.
—Yesterday at noon- the beauty of things was intense. It was radiant, cloudless S. Luke's summer weather, and I went down to the sea—blue, blue sea, with the glowing woods sloping down to it, and the kingly white pinnacles of the castle towering up into the heavenly sky. Muggy to-day. Lawn-tennis. I walked with Florence, [FN: Lady Florence Leveson-Gower. She married Henry Chaplin afterwards 1st Viscount Chaplin.] whom I greatly like. She is very pretty, without real beauty; very high-bred and with a delightful figure: coming in from tennis in a big Rubens hat, she looked enchanting.
—Yesterday at noon- the beauty of things was intense. It was radiant, cloudless S. Luke's summer weather, and I went down to the sea—blue, blue sea, with the glowing woods sloping down to it, and the kingly white pinnacles of the castle towering up into the heavenly sky. Muggy to-day. Lawn-tennis. I walked with Florence, [FN: Lady Florence Leveson-Gower. She married Henry Chaplin afterwards 1st Viscount Chaplin.] whom I greatly like. She is very pretty, without real beauty; very high-bred and with a delightful figure: coming in from tennis in a big Rubens hat, she looked enchanting.
23Sep1874, Hardly Any Royal Proprieties
INVERARAY, Wednesday, September 23rd, 1874.
—We have hardly any Royal proprieties with H.R.H.—an occasional "Mum" from us visitors, and a very feeble pretence at getting up when she comes in late for breakfast, is about all. She seems very much devoted to her husband: jumped up from the floor where she was playing with the little Percys when he came in from shooting, saying, "Oh, I must go and see about his clothes or he will never change!"... I had a lovely walk. The giant beech avenues and other glorious trees are a great delight.
—We have hardly any Royal proprieties with H.R.H.—an occasional "Mum" from us visitors, and a very feeble pretence at getting up when she comes in late for breakfast, is about all. She seems very much devoted to her husband: jumped up from the floor where she was playing with the little Percys when he came in from shooting, saying, "Oh, I must go and see about his clothes or he will never change!"... I had a lovely walk. The giant beech avenues and other glorious trees are a great delight.
21Sep1874, Driving With the Duchess and Edith Percy
INVERARAY, September 21st, 1874.
—Much rain. F., however, had an enchanting day's shooting: black game; the grouse are more destroyed here than in Yorkshire. I drove with the Duchess and Edith, and darling Lord Warkworth [FN: Afterwards Earl Percy and Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs.] who loves my catspaw seal being stamped on his little white arm. He is Percy-ish and not pretty, but has a dear smile: Josceline, a fat two-year-old, is the only beauty, being like his mother; the twin girls are like demure damsels in stiff long frocks out of a Vandyck picture, and there is a baby called Margaret with the D. of Argyll's red-gold hair. We drove in the woods amid magnificent trees, and ended along the loch to see the yacht appear, which brought home the Lornes and Ld. Percy. Princess Louise very pleasant and easy; seems comfortable with them all.
—Much rain. F., however, had an enchanting day's shooting: black game; the grouse are more destroyed here than in Yorkshire. I drove with the Duchess and Edith, and darling Lord Warkworth [FN: Afterwards Earl Percy and Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs.] who loves my catspaw seal being stamped on his little white arm. He is Percy-ish and not pretty, but has a dear smile: Josceline, a fat two-year-old, is the only beauty, being like his mother; the twin girls are like demure damsels in stiff long frocks out of a Vandyck picture, and there is a baby called Margaret with the D. of Argyll's red-gold hair. We drove in the woods amid magnificent trees, and ended along the loch to see the yacht appear, which brought home the Lornes and Ld. Percy. Princess Louise very pleasant and easy; seems comfortable with them all.
20Sep1874, In a Scotch Kirk
INVERARAY, Sunday, September 20th, 1874.
—I had my first experience of a Scotch kirk. Lifeless and dull and dead—a very frame of dry-bones it was to me! and I can't get over my amazement at such services being the food of so much religious life, as no doubt they are in this country. Two chapters in the Bible, and the fine old rolling tunes to which they sang the rough metrical Psalms, and "Sun of my soul," with which we ended (at noon!) were the only comforts.
—I had my first experience of a Scotch kirk. Lifeless and dull and dead—a very frame of dry-bones it was to me! and I can't get over my amazement at such services being the food of so much religious life, as no doubt they are in this country. Two chapters in the Bible, and the fine old rolling tunes to which they sang the rough metrical Psalms, and "Sun of my soul," with which we ended (at noon!) were the only comforts.
19Sep1874, Touring Scotland, Visting the Argylls
GLASGOW, Saturday, September 19th, 1874.
—Did Glasgow; viz., the quay, where F. had to acknowledge Barrow immensely outdone, tho' Barrow has some better appliances; some shopping, and the noble cathedral, whose Presbyterian arrangements nearly gave me a fit: the crowning object being of course the pulpit. As soon as we were clear of the town, about 11, rain set in, and lasted without intermission all up Lake Lomond, all thro' our 24 miles' posting by Glencroe and Loch Long, and so up to the castle door of Inveraray. We made the most we could of the bases of the mountains, and the innumerable torrents, and were much refreshed by a nap in the midst of the grandest part of the posting! In the blur of the mist and rain we both took a cluster of tree-tops above the town of Inveraray for the castle!! and as the effect of lofty, hoary towers and pinnacles quite out-Hardwicked Hardwick, we wondered at what we had heard of the ugliness thereof. But the real article, seen in the gloomy twilight, looked dismal enough: rather like Milbank Penitentiary. Warm and kind and comfortable within, however: Duke and Duchess, Edith Percy and her 5 children, Colin, a very beautiful youth, Libbie, Victoria, Evelyn, Mary, and lovely little Constance. [FN: are children of the Duke of Argyll, not of his daughter Lady Percy.]
—Did Glasgow; viz., the quay, where F. had to acknowledge Barrow immensely outdone, tho' Barrow has some better appliances; some shopping, and the noble cathedral, whose Presbyterian arrangements nearly gave me a fit: the crowning object being of course the pulpit. As soon as we were clear of the town, about 11, rain set in, and lasted without intermission all up Lake Lomond, all thro' our 24 miles' posting by Glencroe and Loch Long, and so up to the castle door of Inveraray. We made the most we could of the bases of the mountains, and the innumerable torrents, and were much refreshed by a nap in the midst of the grandest part of the posting! In the blur of the mist and rain we both took a cluster of tree-tops above the town of Inveraray for the castle!! and as the effect of lofty, hoary towers and pinnacles quite out-Hardwicked Hardwick, we wondered at what we had heard of the ugliness thereof. But the real article, seen in the gloomy twilight, looked dismal enough: rather like Milbank Penitentiary. Warm and kind and comfortable within, however: Duke and Duchess, Edith Percy and her 5 children, Colin, a very beautiful youth, Libbie, Victoria, Evelyn, Mary, and lovely little Constance. [FN: are children of the Duke of Argyll, not of his daughter Lady Percy.]
18Sep1874, Crossing the Border for the 1st Time
GLASGOW, Friday, September 18th, 1874.
—The great event came off of my crossing the Border for the 1st time. We reached Glasgow about 6 and went to the Queen's Hotel. It is great fun for me; so little do I see of new places in Great Britain. We are rather dingy, but comfortable.
—The great event came off of my crossing the Border for the 1st time. We reached Glasgow about 6 and went to the Queen's Hotel. It is great fun for me; so little do I see of new places in Great Britain. We are rather dingy, but comfortable.
17Sep1874, Lawn-Tennis Prevailed
HOLKER, Monday, September 7th, 1874.—Lawn-tennis prevailed.
HOLKER, Thursday, September 17th, 1874.—Lawn-tennis.
HOLKER, Thursday, September 17th, 1874.—Lawn-tennis.
05Sep1874, Lord Ripon Gone Over to Church of Rome
HOLKER, Saturday, September 5th, 1874.
—One horrid thing signalized my birthday: the news in the paper of Ld. Ripon of all people in the world having gone over to Rome. I knew months ago that it was brewing: in March. How any sensible, straightforward, middle-aged Englishman can bring himself to believe the Infallibility of the Pope and the Immaculate Conception, as he believes the Apostles' Creed! or can in conscience accept these doctrines without believing them, beats me. Even if (which God forbid) I saw no alternative between this and infidelity, I had far rather "wait in the darkness" patiently, and be as illogical as possible, than so force my conscience.
—One horrid thing signalized my birthday: the news in the paper of Ld. Ripon of all people in the world having gone over to Rome. I knew months ago that it was brewing: in March. How any sensible, straightforward, middle-aged Englishman can bring himself to believe the Infallibility of the Pope and the Immaculate Conception, as he believes the Apostles' Creed! or can in conscience accept these doctrines without believing them, beats me. Even if (which God forbid) I saw no alternative between this and infidelity, I had far rather "wait in the darkness" patiently, and be as illogical as possible, than so force my conscience.
03Sep1874, Potentate Impressed With the Duke
HOLKER, September 3rd, 1874.
—Gentlemen perdus as before. A very funny Belgian potentate named d'Andrimont is here, and makes himself agreeable to us on their return after dinner: he is greatly impressed with "l'activité du Duc, qu'on dirait un jeune homme de 17 ans: il saute, il danse, comme un chevreuil." (looks like a young man of 17 years: he jumps, he dances like a deer) Not quite one's idea of His Grace!
—Gentlemen perdus as before. A very funny Belgian potentate named d'Andrimont is here, and makes himself agreeable to us on their return after dinner: he is greatly impressed with "l'activité du Duc, qu'on dirait un jeune homme de 17 ans: il saute, il danse, comme un chevreuil." (looks like a young man of 17 years: he jumps, he dances like a deer) Not quite one's idea of His Grace!
06Aug1874, Floods of Butter Over Dizzy
HOLKER, Thursday, August 6th, 1874.
—We stuck up lawn-tennis just outside the garden-gate, on a bit of grass Eddy had been cutting and rolling....
The H. of Lords has kicked out the "appeal" to the Archbishops, and the Commons have had the sense to submit, and so the Bill [FN: The Public Worship Regulation Bill.] is passed, decidedly improved. It is a triumph for Uncle W. to have gained this point about the Archbishop appeal, in spite of his small and disorganized party. But indeed parties have been mixed up in an odd confusion upon the question. At the 3rd reading, Sir W. Harcourt was so insufferably insolent to his late chief, that he, at last, after long patience on the part of Uncle W., caught it uncommonly hot from him! and the House seems to have been delighted thereat. To make his speech still nicer, Sir W. poured floods of butter over Dizzy, while Dizzy, on his part, made savage tho' sly cuts at Lord Salisbury; so it was a surprising and peculiar scene altogether.
—We stuck up lawn-tennis just outside the garden-gate, on a bit of grass Eddy had been cutting and rolling....
The H. of Lords has kicked out the "appeal" to the Archbishops, and the Commons have had the sense to submit, and so the Bill [FN: The Public Worship Regulation Bill.] is passed, decidedly improved. It is a triumph for Uncle W. to have gained this point about the Archbishop appeal, in spite of his small and disorganized party. But indeed parties have been mixed up in an odd confusion upon the question. At the 3rd reading, Sir W. Harcourt was so insufferably insolent to his late chief, that he, at last, after long patience on the part of Uncle W., caught it uncommonly hot from him! and the House seems to have been delighted thereat. To make his speech still nicer, Sir W. poured floods of butter over Dizzy, while Dizzy, on his part, made savage tho' sly cuts at Lord Salisbury; so it was a surprising and peculiar scene altogether.
23Jul1874, Fancy Dress Ball at Marlborough House
LONDON, Wednesday, July 23rd, 1874.
—We dined with the Granvilles, meeting Cowpers, Cavendish, Ld. Mandeville [FN: Afterwards 8th Duke of Manchester.] (an ugly youth, but rather taking), De Vescis and daughter, Bertie, Duke of Sutherland, and certain Americans, etc., one of whom got drunk. Conversation turned much on the fancy ball at Marlboro' House, which came off t'other night, and for which I saw Cavendish arrayed in Tudor costume. He looked famously well and handsome—very like one's idea of Henry VIII [FN: I think he again appeared as Henry VIII at the famous fancy-dress ball given at Devonshire House after he had succeeded to the Dukedom.] in his youth, before he was fat. Lord Cowper was in Venetian dress, and, quoth Ly. Cowper, "looked beautiful," as I can believe. Among the ladies (who clearly produced less effect) Ly. Hardwick seems to have been preeminent; Ly. Granville very striking in Vandyck dress, with great shady hat. The whole thing was arranged and set in order by Leighton the artist.
—We dined with the Granvilles, meeting Cowpers, Cavendish, Ld. Mandeville [FN: Afterwards 8th Duke of Manchester.] (an ugly youth, but rather taking), De Vescis and daughter, Bertie, Duke of Sutherland, and certain Americans, etc., one of whom got drunk. Conversation turned much on the fancy ball at Marlboro' House, which came off t'other night, and for which I saw Cavendish arrayed in Tudor costume. He looked famously well and handsome—very like one's idea of Henry VIII [FN: I think he again appeared as Henry VIII at the famous fancy-dress ball given at Devonshire House after he had succeeded to the Dukedom.] in his youth, before he was fat. Lord Cowper was in Venetian dress, and, quoth Ly. Cowper, "looked beautiful," as I can believe. Among the ladies (who clearly produced less effect) Ly. Hardwick seems to have been preeminent; Ly. Granville very striking in Vandyck dress, with great shady hat. The whole thing was arranged and set in order by Leighton the artist.
07Jul1874, Old Sir Anthony Panizzi
LONDON, Tuesday, July 7th, 1874.
—We dined with Uncle W. at old Sir Anthony Panizzi's [FN: An Italian patriot and refugee who became Principal Librarian of the British Museum and a K.C.B.]: he is chair-ridden and very helpless, but amazing good company. Flew at Uncle W. for having too much to say to "priests"; and would not be pacified by his rejoinder of "How comes it, then, that no man is so hated as I am by the Roman Curia?" or by his announcement that it was orders from Rome that shipwrecked the Irish Universities Bill. Capital good dinner for us four. The old fellow kept breaking out with his objurgations against "priests" at odd moments all the evening through.
—We dined with Uncle W. at old Sir Anthony Panizzi's [FN: An Italian patriot and refugee who became Principal Librarian of the British Museum and a K.C.B.]: he is chair-ridden and very helpless, but amazing good company. Flew at Uncle W. for having too much to say to "priests"; and would not be pacified by his rejoinder of "How comes it, then, that no man is so hated as I am by the Roman Curia?" or by his announcement that it was orders from Rome that shipwrecked the Irish Universities Bill. Capital good dinner for us four. The old fellow kept breaking out with his objurgations against "priests" at odd moments all the evening through.
11Jun1874, Thoughts on The Archbishop's Bill
LONDON, Thursday, June 11th, 1874.
—The Archbishop's Bill for facilitating legal proceedings against supposed law-breaking clergy is passing thro' the House of Lords. Some of the Ritualist proceedings are nearly unbearable. The enforcement of Fasting Communion as a sort of 11th Commandment is one common practice. I mean it is made next to impossible for people to Communicate at mid-day; so that the mid-day Celebration (generally the musical and "High" one) is fast becoming a Service to "assist at" instead of a Communion to receive. Urging habitual confession on all, instead of recommending it in extreme cases to some, is another. Invocations to the B. Virgin and the Saints, imploring their prayers, is another; and along with this one cannot but be suspicious of side-altars which one sees now and then in ordinary-sized churches where they cannot be required for duplicate services. These things are distinct disloyalties to the Prayer Book; and therefore I think show more than anything else that distaste for our Church as Anglican which leads people to Rome. They fix their whole affections on Catholicity, and cease to be watchful against its medieval and modern corruptions, and drop altogether all interest in the English Church.
—The Archbishop's Bill for facilitating legal proceedings against supposed law-breaking clergy is passing thro' the House of Lords. Some of the Ritualist proceedings are nearly unbearable. The enforcement of Fasting Communion as a sort of 11th Commandment is one common practice. I mean it is made next to impossible for people to Communicate at mid-day; so that the mid-day Celebration (generally the musical and "High" one) is fast becoming a Service to "assist at" instead of a Communion to receive. Urging habitual confession on all, instead of recommending it in extreme cases to some, is another. Invocations to the B. Virgin and the Saints, imploring their prayers, is another; and along with this one cannot but be suspicious of side-altars which one sees now and then in ordinary-sized churches where they cannot be required for duplicate services. These things are distinct disloyalties to the Prayer Book; and therefore I think show more than anything else that distaste for our Church as Anglican which leads people to Rome. They fix their whole affections on Catholicity, and cease to be watchful against its medieval and modern corruptions, and drop altogether all interest in the English Church.
20May1874, A Meeting of Supplemental Ladies
LONDON, Wednesday, May 20th, 1874.
—Went with Lady Granville to a little meeting of Supplemental ladies at the Oldfields', to discuss a little "Steppingstone" Home for little would-be servant gals of low degree. Charlotte Spencer, Mrs. Loyd Lindsay, Ly. Marion Alford, Aunt Yaddy, and other great dames were there.
—Went with Lady Granville to a little meeting of Supplemental ladies at the Oldfields', to discuss a little "Steppingstone" Home for little would-be servant gals of low degree. Charlotte Spencer, Mrs. Loyd Lindsay, Ly. Marion Alford, Aunt Yaddy, and other great dames were there.
19May1874, The Queen and Nicholas I of Russia
LONDON, Tuesday, May 19th, 1874.
—One of these days came off a fine ball at Stafford House, where the Czar, [FN: Alexander II] who has just come over to see his daughter, was entertained. He is a dignified, well-looking man, but must be immeasurably inferior in appearance to his splendid gigantic father, of whom the Queen must often have thought as she received this one with the same honours. Well do I remember Granny's description of the grand parting of the Queen and the Emperor Nicholas; when, encircled by the whole Court in the great hall, the Queen bade him farewell with a magnificent curtsey, and he made a magnificent bow.
—One of these days came off a fine ball at Stafford House, where the Czar, [FN: Alexander II] who has just come over to see his daughter, was entertained. He is a dignified, well-looking man, but must be immeasurably inferior in appearance to his splendid gigantic father, of whom the Queen must often have thought as she received this one with the same honours. Well do I remember Granny's description of the grand parting of the Queen and the Emperor Nicholas; when, encircled by the whole Court in the great hall, the Queen bade him farewell with a magnificent curtsey, and he made a magnificent bow.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
29Apr1874, Sir Ch. Trevelyan Remembers
LONDON, Wednesday, April 29th, 1874.
—Visited Aunt Caroline, and Mrs. Dugdale, who seems to be keeping house for poor widowed Sir Ch. Trevelyan. He was there, and enjoyed our visit, and showing off a beautiful Dugdale baby. Went off into reminiscences of his youth, a propos of the great increase of religious earnestness: said he used to be sent as a boy to see the "promenade" in the Park on Sundays of all the beauty and fashion driving and gossiping. Those who didn't were called Saints. And he said he remembered boys at school going up for Confirmation again and again for the sake of the day's outing!! Likewise, he remembers seeing a wretched boy tossed at a bull-baiting.
—Visited Aunt Caroline, and Mrs. Dugdale, who seems to be keeping house for poor widowed Sir Ch. Trevelyan. He was there, and enjoyed our visit, and showing off a beautiful Dugdale baby. Went off into reminiscences of his youth, a propos of the great increase of religious earnestness: said he used to be sent as a boy to see the "promenade" in the Park on Sundays of all the beauty and fashion driving and gossiping. Those who didn't were called Saints. And he said he remembered boys at school going up for Confirmation again and again for the sake of the day's outing!! Likewise, he remembers seeing a wretched boy tossed at a bull-baiting.
25Mar1874, The Lion: Sir Garnet Wolseley
LONDON, Wednesday, March 25th, 1874.
—Dined at No. 11, meeting no less a lion than Sir Garnet Wolseley [FN: Afterwards Viscount Wolseley. He had just returned from the Ashantee War.] with all his laurels fresh. A little, spare, brown man, only 40, with nothing about him to show his power except his very bright steady eyes. His wife pretty and nice, and proud of him. He was quite simple in manner, and told one straightforwardly all one wanted to know.
—Dined at No. 11, meeting no less a lion than Sir Garnet Wolseley [FN: Afterwards Viscount Wolseley. He had just returned from the Ashantee War.] with all his laurels fresh. A little, spare, brown man, only 40, with nothing about him to show his power except his very bright steady eyes. His wife pretty and nice, and proud of him. He was quite simple in manner, and told one straightforwardly all one wanted to know.
23Mar1874, As Jolly as a Sand-boy
LONDON, Monday, March 23rd, 1874.
—Eastward! Dear Miss Lilley turned up at the Hospital, having been to see a sick Limehouse body (who arose up in bed and kissed her!). At 5.30 tea turned up Uncle W., as jolly as a sand-boy at having shirked the House; and made himself highly agreeable to Lady Ripon who also turned up.
—Eastward! Dear Miss Lilley turned up at the Hospital, having been to see a sick Limehouse body (who arose up in bed and kissed her!). At 5.30 tea turned up Uncle W., as jolly as a sand-boy at having shirked the House; and made himself highly agreeable to Lady Ripon who also turned up.
21Mar1874, Beautiful Quartet Fiddling
LONDON, Saturday, March 21st, 1874.
—After dinner had the great treat of beautiful quartet fiddling at Mr. Balfour's, along with a select circle almost entirely composed of Lytteltons and Gladstones.
—After dinner had the great treat of beautiful quartet fiddling at Mr. Balfour's, along with a select circle almost entirely composed of Lytteltons and Gladstones.
19Mar1874, Gladstone House To Let
LONDON, Thursday, March 19th, 1874.
—Poor old Auntie more composed and cheery, tho' hating the thought of No. 11 [FN: The Gladstones' house in Carlton House Terrace] being let for the season. To the great relief of all his unfortunate party, Uncle W. has consented to lead when he is wanted! and sure enough yesterday he spoke very well upon the Address, and to-day as brilliantly as ever in explanation of his late course, demolishing the impertinent "Harry Chaplin," who thought fit to give him a blowing-up for his past Irish policy.
—Poor old Auntie more composed and cheery, tho' hating the thought of No. 11 [FN: The Gladstones' house in Carlton House Terrace] being let for the season. To the great relief of all his unfortunate party, Uncle W. has consented to lead when he is wanted! and sure enough yesterday he spoke very well upon the Address, and to-day as brilliantly as ever in explanation of his late course, demolishing the impertinent "Harry Chaplin," who thought fit to give him a blowing-up for his past Irish policy.
08Mar1874, Yonge's Life of Bishop Patteson
HOLKER, Sunday, March 8th, 1874.
—Finished this evening a book that has taken great hold upon me, and that one ought to thank God for, Miss Yonge's Life of Bishop Patteson. It is a glorious shining proof from beginning to end of what our own dear Church can bring forth. His life was given in single-minded, pure devotion to God's work in the Melanesian Islands; and without sensational results though it might be, the seed sown went deep down and he lived to see it take root downward and bear fruit upward. Oh, what it is to see the Divine Life and Power as fresh and prevailing as ever, when once the Love of Christ is shining! What but that could produce in the heathen converts the blessed gifts of joy and hope and true penitence: their very words the same as of old, speaking of "all things being made new" to them. And then the Bishop's own shining character! Thro' toil and anxiety and loss of home and friends, loneliness, and, latterly, weakness and suffering, what blessedness and peace! what humility, faith, and love!
—Finished this evening a book that has taken great hold upon me, and that one ought to thank God for, Miss Yonge's Life of Bishop Patteson. It is a glorious shining proof from beginning to end of what our own dear Church can bring forth. His life was given in single-minded, pure devotion to God's work in the Melanesian Islands; and without sensational results though it might be, the seed sown went deep down and he lived to see it take root downward and bear fruit upward. Oh, what it is to see the Divine Life and Power as fresh and prevailing as ever, when once the Love of Christ is shining! What but that could produce in the heathen converts the blessed gifts of joy and hope and true penitence: their very words the same as of old, speaking of "all things being made new" to them. And then the Bishop's own shining character! Thro' toil and anxiety and loss of home and friends, loneliness, and, latterly, weakness and suffering, what blessedness and peace! what humility, faith, and love!
07Mar8174, Gladstone: No Active Lead in House
HOLKER, Saturday, March 7th, 1874.
—Grim news of Uncle W.'s determination, on deliberate grounds of what he thinks right, to take no active lead in the House this year. It will have to be Cavendish.
—Grim news of Uncle W.'s determination, on deliberate grounds of what he thinks right, to take no active lead in the House this year. It will have to be Cavendish.
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