LONDON, July 12th-18th, 1880.
—Ly. Granville's 2nd son born prosperously on Sun. the 11th, a great blessing, the last poor little thing having died with water on the brain.
—Tuesday. Garden party at Marlborough House; the Queen there, looking her very best, walking round and very gracious. Still with perfectly perfect Royal dignity and grace, the more wonderful in a stout little great-grandmother drest in rather dowdy black.
Prince Edward of Wales very fair, noble-looking and handsome, and of tolerable height, but he doesn't look as well in a regular grown-up get-up, and has rather a weak face. Prince George a little fellow, with an ugly waggish mug. I believe he is a good deal the sharpest. The little Princesses are less scraggy than last year and are pretty chicks. Three good-looking Teck boys, the youngest a very jolly dark fellow: the only Royal creature not fair and blue-eyed. The Queen sent for Lucia Bagot and talked some time to her with a very sad, kind face about poor Constance Westminster, who is in terribly precarious health with heart attacks....
Pleasant afternoon (after a tremendous thunderstorm) at Wimbledon, taking Edith; Ly. Stanhope entertaining. Introduced to Mr. Lewis Morris, author of "The Epic of Hades"; not like a poet to look at or talk to. Dined in Great George St., meeting Farrars and Davidsons [FN: The present Archbishop of Canterbury and Mrs. Davidson.] (she one of the Archbishop of Canterbury's daughters). He told me the Sun. Sch. Centenary splash at Lambeth was splendidly managed, and would have been a mighty success but for an hour's downpour, which drove 1,500 children home, and prevented the poor little creatures from sitting down. Also about 1,000 missed seeing the Royalties, who would not stay it out. But not a single accident or misadventure in getting the 20,000 children in and out of the gardens and home has been reported.
The unlucky Irish Bill staggering thro' the Committee; to-day's incident was that villain Eddy, not content with not voting at the outset, spoke in favour of dropping it ! Et tu, Brute !
Sunday, February 27, 2011
28Jun1880, Gladstone Rests at a Villa
LONDON, June 28th–July 4th, 1880.
—Poor Government labouring hard thro' obstruction English and Irish, and bespattered with death's-head-and-bloody-bones accusations; House sitting till 2, 3, and 4 and making no progress. The incoherent Irish as often as not obstruct their own measures, and fortunately quarrel among themselves. Saturday the 3rd the House sat till Sunday morning, but Uncle W. got off in the evening, and drove down with Auntie P. to a villa Ld. Aberdeen has taken for the summer — Littleburys, Mill Hill, beyond Barnet. F. and I joined them there, driving down deliciously to church on Sunday morning; and found Uncle W. casting care to the wind in the excitement of finding it was a villa built by Charles II for Nell Gwynne! A most elegant little white-and-gold drawing-room has Charles and Nell's medallions in plaster-work set round the cornice; and there is a quaint little succession of grassy terraces, one below the other, ending in a gazebo summer-house, also most prettily decorated with medallions, 2 different ladies occurring here! In the drawing-room a portrait of the contemporary Duke of Richmond as a child (odd taste, as I don't think he was Nell Gwynne's son); and an inaccurate copy of our dear old Neptune and Cybele by Rubens at Hagley, which Papa sold for £500, to my grief. Nep. and Cyb. were rather horrid, but Cupids playing on the beach, among shells at the bottom, and a sea-god trumpeting through a conch-shell, were delightful. Church twice, with Uncle W.; Auntie P. and F. "drew the line"; but Uncle W. was as fresh as paint, picked strawberries, went a good quick walk with us to a Roman college, and enjoyed himself hugely.
—Poor Government labouring hard thro' obstruction English and Irish, and bespattered with death's-head-and-bloody-bones accusations; House sitting till 2, 3, and 4 and making no progress. The incoherent Irish as often as not obstruct their own measures, and fortunately quarrel among themselves. Saturday the 3rd the House sat till Sunday morning, but Uncle W. got off in the evening, and drove down with Auntie P. to a villa Ld. Aberdeen has taken for the summer — Littleburys, Mill Hill, beyond Barnet. F. and I joined them there, driving down deliciously to church on Sunday morning; and found Uncle W. casting care to the wind in the excitement of finding it was a villa built by Charles II for Nell Gwynne! A most elegant little white-and-gold drawing-room has Charles and Nell's medallions in plaster-work set round the cornice; and there is a quaint little succession of grassy terraces, one below the other, ending in a gazebo summer-house, also most prettily decorated with medallions, 2 different ladies occurring here! In the drawing-room a portrait of the contemporary Duke of Richmond as a child (odd taste, as I don't think he was Nell Gwynne's son); and an inaccurate copy of our dear old Neptune and Cybele by Rubens at Hagley, which Papa sold for £500, to my grief. Nep. and Cyb. were rather horrid, but Cupids playing on the beach, among shells at the bottom, and a sea-god trumpeting through a conch-shell, were delightful. Church twice, with Uncle W.; Auntie P. and F. "drew the line"; but Uncle W. was as fresh as paint, picked strawberries, went a good quick walk with us to a Roman college, and enjoyed himself hugely.
03May1880, Gladstone's Austria Attack
LONDON, May 3rd-9th, 1880.
—Sir W. Harcourt (Home Secretary) defeated at Oxford on his taking office! It looks bad, but is, I believe, purely a personal matter; his overbearing ways are not popular there, the Church party owe him a well-deserved grudge for his doings anent the effete "Public Worship Bill" when he came the glorious Protestant over everybody.
The new Government has certainly had an awkward throw-off. There has been a general kick-up over a letter Uncle W. has just published to Count Karolyi, the Austrian Ambassador. In one of his Midlothian speeches he attacked Austria for having never done any good in the world, and for intriguing after part of the Christian provinces in the Balkan peninsula. At the time I thought, "Why this onslaught on a country we are at peace with?" and it was made capital of by the Tories. Perhaps he had better not have thus gone out of his way. But he had strong authority for his belief about Austria's hankering after the country down towards Salonica; and as his strongest conviction on the E.Q. is that the Provinces should be independent, and no Anti-Porte steps taken by any power except in concert with the rest of Europe, he perhaps "did well to be angry." Also he took occasion afterwards to say that, if proof could be afforded him that no such intrigue was afoot, he would withdraw his words. Since taking office, Count Karolyi has satisfied him that Austria won't make the snatch in question; and he has accordingly lost no time in publicly accepting the disavowal and withdrawing his previous imputations. The world swears this is an abject apology, whereas it is really an acceptance of Austria's explanation, due from one gentleman to another; and Uncle W. doesn't trouble his head much about John Bull's offended pride, inasmuch as he knows well enough (behind the scenes) that what he has said has led to Austria's abandoning the ambitious designs, which were really entertained; and which Ld. Salisbury implied were to be expected.
—Sir W. Harcourt (Home Secretary) defeated at Oxford on his taking office! It looks bad, but is, I believe, purely a personal matter; his overbearing ways are not popular there, the Church party owe him a well-deserved grudge for his doings anent the effete "Public Worship Bill" when he came the glorious Protestant over everybody.
The new Government has certainly had an awkward throw-off. There has been a general kick-up over a letter Uncle W. has just published to Count Karolyi, the Austrian Ambassador. In one of his Midlothian speeches he attacked Austria for having never done any good in the world, and for intriguing after part of the Christian provinces in the Balkan peninsula. At the time I thought, "Why this onslaught on a country we are at peace with?" and it was made capital of by the Tories. Perhaps he had better not have thus gone out of his way. But he had strong authority for his belief about Austria's hankering after the country down towards Salonica; and as his strongest conviction on the E.Q. is that the Provinces should be independent, and no Anti-Porte steps taken by any power except in concert with the rest of Europe, he perhaps "did well to be angry." Also he took occasion afterwards to say that, if proof could be afforded him that no such intrigue was afoot, he would withdraw his words. Since taking office, Count Karolyi has satisfied him that Austria won't make the snatch in question; and he has accordingly lost no time in publicly accepting the disavowal and withdrawing his previous imputations. The world swears this is an abject apology, whereas it is really an acceptance of Austria's explanation, due from one gentleman to another; and Uncle W. doesn't trouble his head much about John Bull's offended pride, inasmuch as he knows well enough (behind the scenes) that what he has said has led to Austria's abandoning the ambitious designs, which were really entertained; and which Ld. Salisbury implied were to be expected.
26Apr1880, Filling Up Of Offices
LONDON, WELLINGTON COLLEGE, April 26th-May 2nd, 1880.
—Filling up of offices and trying to fit square men into round holes went on thro' the week; and Uncle W. looks as if a little more of it would send him into his grave! Of course Lord Granville and Hartington had their choice of the leading places; and it is excellent Ld. G. being at the F.O. and Cavendish Indian Secretary. Everyone steps into a hash of difficulties; but I should think there was nothing to equal India, with the Afghan war dragging on and costing mountains of money every month, the country taxed to death and deeply discontented, and to crown all, a monstrous miscalculation of ______ millions in the Estimates, which will have to be made up somehow. The Radical element to be introduced into the Cabinet has been rather a knotty question; Sir Charles Dilke everybody thought would be the best man, but (a dead secret) the Queen drew the line there ! and one can't wonder at her, as some years ago he publicly made an onslaught on the Monarchy. The alternative is the Birmingham demagogue, Mr. Chamberlain, a conceited man, but clever and honest, I believe; and just the sort who will have his teeth drawn by office and position. Sir Charles is Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs and will probably be very useful: not much fear of his Republican principles being ever heard of again!
Saturday we went to Wellington College and our political gossip was highly appreciated by the Wickhams and Edward (brother). Said brother is doing stop-gap master's work, and intensely enjoying it: delightful to hear Edward Wickham's strong approval of him. At this moment things are indeed most well and prosperous with the dear old 8. Mr. Childers (War Secretary) has appointed Nevy his private 1st secretary — a really perfect thing for him, and he for it, methinks; and Spencer is one of Ld. G.'s under-secretaries — he was getting very sick of his dilettante life, and it is a capital thing!
Oh dear! I have never mentioned how excellently Herbert Gladstone fought thro' his Middlesex campaign, speaking capitally and winning all hearts, notably Mr. Lowe's ! ! who fell regularly in love with him.
—Filling up of offices and trying to fit square men into round holes went on thro' the week; and Uncle W. looks as if a little more of it would send him into his grave! Of course Lord Granville and Hartington had their choice of the leading places; and it is excellent Ld. G. being at the F.O. and Cavendish Indian Secretary. Everyone steps into a hash of difficulties; but I should think there was nothing to equal India, with the Afghan war dragging on and costing mountains of money every month, the country taxed to death and deeply discontented, and to crown all, a monstrous miscalculation of ______ millions in the Estimates, which will have to be made up somehow. The Radical element to be introduced into the Cabinet has been rather a knotty question; Sir Charles Dilke everybody thought would be the best man, but (a dead secret) the Queen drew the line there ! and one can't wonder at her, as some years ago he publicly made an onslaught on the Monarchy. The alternative is the Birmingham demagogue, Mr. Chamberlain, a conceited man, but clever and honest, I believe; and just the sort who will have his teeth drawn by office and position. Sir Charles is Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs and will probably be very useful: not much fear of his Republican principles being ever heard of again!
Saturday we went to Wellington College and our political gossip was highly appreciated by the Wickhams and Edward (brother). Said brother is doing stop-gap master's work, and intensely enjoying it: delightful to hear Edward Wickham's strong approval of him. At this moment things are indeed most well and prosperous with the dear old 8. Mr. Childers (War Secretary) has appointed Nevy his private 1st secretary — a really perfect thing for him, and he for it, methinks; and Spencer is one of Ld. G.'s under-secretaries — he was getting very sick of his dilettante life, and it is a capital thing!
Oh dear! I have never mentioned how excellently Herbert Gladstone fought thro' his Middlesex campaign, speaking capitally and winning all hearts, notably Mr. Lowe's ! ! who fell regularly in love with him.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
19Apr1880, Gladstone Prime Minister Again
LONDON, April 19th-25th, 1880.
—A week of great incidents. Final Tory Cabinet on Tuesday. On Thursday Hartington was sent for. He and Ld. Granville and Uncle William have, of course, come to an understanding about the leadership among themselves, but Uncle W. had to be dragged up by force on Monday the 12th from Hawarden for the purpose by a letter from Ld. Granville. His wish was to be perfectly passive, recognizing the other two as undeniably before the country as leaders but ready to accept responsibility if it should be their wish and the Queen's.
It was strange of the Queen to send for Hartington rather than for Ld. Granville, who of course has been the recognized leader ever since Uncle W. resigned in January '75. Some say she took specially amiss Ld. G.'s action at the time of the Royal Titles Bill. Hartington came back in the evening, nothing having been settled; and on Friday he and Ld. Granville went to Windsor together; a very good thing. That same evening the Queen sent for Uncle William; and he kissed hands on his appointment as First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer. And so I lose my bet of £2 (with Major Bourke) last Nov., when I bet that he would not take office again. At that time I did not wish it or expect it; and up to quite lately I have been in great perplexity. Of course it was impossible to foresee — no one did — the immense victory, brought about so mainly by his means. Even the autumn Midlothian campaign only made one hope that the tide was beginning to turn; and when we set off on our election travels, all we talked of was at first the likelihood of reducing the Conservative majority, then the possibility of the Liberals having a majority of 15, 20, or 30. I could not help thinking that for the ticklish job of working things under such circumstances, Hartington or Ld. G. might be better hands than Uncle W. One knew also that Uncle W. had undertaken to fight Midlothian, (and that only with the expressed approval of Ld. G.), for no personal object or with any desire to resume the lead, but simply and solely because he was told on good authority that his winning that seat would best promote the cause which to him was the cause of right and morality, viz., the turning out of Dizzy's Government. I heard later that he did tell Ld. G. that if he won Midlothian it would bring him to the fore again.
But the march of events this spring has brought one irresistibly to see what a dilemma the question has come to be. His victory has carried with it the victory of nearly the whole of Scotland, not to speak of England and Wales; and his magnificent speeches have, more than any other influence, united the party and raised them to a noble pitch of enthusiasm, beyond what anybody could have dreamed. He is in full vigour of mind and body, to a degree he certainly little imagined could be his case at 70 when he resigned the leadership 5 years ago. What position could it be right for him to take now, when the battle has been fought and won so mainly under his name? Can the responsibility be rightly vested in one man when the power and influence has been so largely exercised by another? I put aside as quite absurd any notion of his occupying some subordinate or extra post in the Cabinet. No good can ever be done by people in a false position towards each other and towards the Queen and country. The only workable alternative to his taking the reins would be his absolute retirement into country life, or silent membership ; and how could that be right after his strong expressions of political views and aims, and with no excuse of broken health? and how could he avoid all possibility of matters arising upon which it would be his duty to bestir himself? All these considerations weighed more and more with one; and yet there was much on the other side too. After that never-to-be-forgotten scene in the drill-hall at Halifax, a regular vision possessed me of the grandeur of his retiring, on the very top of the wave of triumph, leaving it manifest to the whole world that he had fought and won with absolutely unselfish aims, and stopping evil tongues at once and for ever. All we had seen in our Riding too of loyal enthusiasm for Hartington made me think the Radicals would follow him stoutly, while it did not seem by any means so clear that the Whigs, and the timid section generally, would follow Uncle W. Then there was the certainty, much strengthened by his own excellent election speeches, that Hartington was "up to the job"; and last, but hardly least, the knowledge that the Queen would far prefer either of the existing leaders to Uncle W., whom Dizzy has bamboozled her into dreading above all things. But the arguments on the other side could not, when it came to the point, be gainsaid; and after the last few days of intense anxiety (there being one awful moment of difficulty with H.M.), our grand old ship of State has, as always, swung safely and soundly round to the wind, and we are in smooth waters. From the very outset, at the time of the Bulgarian horrors, it has been a great drama that has been enacted; and while all the ruck of cynics and Philistines have been throwing their mud of base imputations and slanders, we who believe in a God above us, and who know Uncle W.'s noble and true motives, can see and believe that the whole bit of history, "the forse non morrà ," has been guided to its present crisis by the Hand of God. Nothing, however, could have come right but for the perfect conduct of the 3 leaders towards each other and to the Queen and country. It did my heart good to hear Ld. Wolverton say this, almost with tears in his eyes; and he has had every opportunity of judging, as he has gone much to and fro between them. He said they had all acted with perfect truth and honour and unselfishness ; and with entire confidence in each other.
We were dining with the Henry Grenfells on Friday, and Arthur Godley was there, to whom arrived in the middle of dinner the most graceful little letter in the world from Ld. Granville, releasing him from his secretary duties, and setting him free for his old post as Uncle W.'s secretary. Arthur Godley much moved. The announcement was what first announced to us who was Prime Minister. We went up to Harley St. afterwards. Saw Cavendish, the Roseberys, Algy West, etc. Uncle W. lost no time in asking F. to be Financial Secretary in the most kind and delightful way; and Auntie P. told me he said he could not undertake the Exchequer without someone like him to help him. She is proud and happy, of course, but by no means tête-montée; on the contrary, grave and rather awestruck. When the Queen sent for him and he told Auntie P., she said, as he was setting out, "Is there anything I can do for you?" "Pray for me," he answered.—Sunday, 25th. We went to church at Putney, and lunched and dined with the Hugh Smiths at Roehampton: lovely blossoming spring. It looks as if we were to have fine seasons as well as other good fortune N.B. The Queen was quite gracious to Uncle W.
—A week of great incidents. Final Tory Cabinet on Tuesday. On Thursday Hartington was sent for. He and Ld. Granville and Uncle William have, of course, come to an understanding about the leadership among themselves, but Uncle W. had to be dragged up by force on Monday the 12th from Hawarden for the purpose by a letter from Ld. Granville. His wish was to be perfectly passive, recognizing the other two as undeniably before the country as leaders but ready to accept responsibility if it should be their wish and the Queen's.
It was strange of the Queen to send for Hartington rather than for Ld. Granville, who of course has been the recognized leader ever since Uncle W. resigned in January '75. Some say she took specially amiss Ld. G.'s action at the time of the Royal Titles Bill. Hartington came back in the evening, nothing having been settled; and on Friday he and Ld. Granville went to Windsor together; a very good thing. That same evening the Queen sent for Uncle William; and he kissed hands on his appointment as First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer. And so I lose my bet of £2 (with Major Bourke) last Nov., when I bet that he would not take office again. At that time I did not wish it or expect it; and up to quite lately I have been in great perplexity. Of course it was impossible to foresee — no one did — the immense victory, brought about so mainly by his means. Even the autumn Midlothian campaign only made one hope that the tide was beginning to turn; and when we set off on our election travels, all we talked of was at first the likelihood of reducing the Conservative majority, then the possibility of the Liberals having a majority of 15, 20, or 30. I could not help thinking that for the ticklish job of working things under such circumstances, Hartington or Ld. G. might be better hands than Uncle W. One knew also that Uncle W. had undertaken to fight Midlothian, (and that only with the expressed approval of Ld. G.), for no personal object or with any desire to resume the lead, but simply and solely because he was told on good authority that his winning that seat would best promote the cause which to him was the cause of right and morality, viz., the turning out of Dizzy's Government. I heard later that he did tell Ld. G. that if he won Midlothian it would bring him to the fore again.
But the march of events this spring has brought one irresistibly to see what a dilemma the question has come to be. His victory has carried with it the victory of nearly the whole of Scotland, not to speak of England and Wales; and his magnificent speeches have, more than any other influence, united the party and raised them to a noble pitch of enthusiasm, beyond what anybody could have dreamed. He is in full vigour of mind and body, to a degree he certainly little imagined could be his case at 70 when he resigned the leadership 5 years ago. What position could it be right for him to take now, when the battle has been fought and won so mainly under his name? Can the responsibility be rightly vested in one man when the power and influence has been so largely exercised by another? I put aside as quite absurd any notion of his occupying some subordinate or extra post in the Cabinet. No good can ever be done by people in a false position towards each other and towards the Queen and country. The only workable alternative to his taking the reins would be his absolute retirement into country life, or silent membership ; and how could that be right after his strong expressions of political views and aims, and with no excuse of broken health? and how could he avoid all possibility of matters arising upon which it would be his duty to bestir himself? All these considerations weighed more and more with one; and yet there was much on the other side too. After that never-to-be-forgotten scene in the drill-hall at Halifax, a regular vision possessed me of the grandeur of his retiring, on the very top of the wave of triumph, leaving it manifest to the whole world that he had fought and won with absolutely unselfish aims, and stopping evil tongues at once and for ever. All we had seen in our Riding too of loyal enthusiasm for Hartington made me think the Radicals would follow him stoutly, while it did not seem by any means so clear that the Whigs, and the timid section generally, would follow Uncle W. Then there was the certainty, much strengthened by his own excellent election speeches, that Hartington was "up to the job"; and last, but hardly least, the knowledge that the Queen would far prefer either of the existing leaders to Uncle W., whom Dizzy has bamboozled her into dreading above all things. But the arguments on the other side could not, when it came to the point, be gainsaid; and after the last few days of intense anxiety (there being one awful moment of difficulty with H.M.), our grand old ship of State has, as always, swung safely and soundly round to the wind, and we are in smooth waters. From the very outset, at the time of the Bulgarian horrors, it has been a great drama that has been enacted; and while all the ruck of cynics and Philistines have been throwing their mud of base imputations and slanders, we who believe in a God above us, and who know Uncle W.'s noble and true motives, can see and believe that the whole bit of history, "the forse non morrà ," has been guided to its present crisis by the Hand of God. Nothing, however, could have come right but for the perfect conduct of the 3 leaders towards each other and to the Queen and country. It did my heart good to hear Ld. Wolverton say this, almost with tears in his eyes; and he has had every opportunity of judging, as he has gone much to and fro between them. He said they had all acted with perfect truth and honour and unselfishness ; and with entire confidence in each other.
We were dining with the Henry Grenfells on Friday, and Arthur Godley was there, to whom arrived in the middle of dinner the most graceful little letter in the world from Ld. Granville, releasing him from his secretary duties, and setting him free for his old post as Uncle W.'s secretary. Arthur Godley much moved. The announcement was what first announced to us who was Prime Minister. We went up to Harley St. afterwards. Saw Cavendish, the Roseberys, Algy West, etc. Uncle W. lost no time in asking F. to be Financial Secretary in the most kind and delightful way; and Auntie P. told me he said he could not undertake the Exchequer without someone like him to help him. She is proud and happy, of course, but by no means tête-montée; on the contrary, grave and rather awestruck. When the Queen sent for him and he told Auntie P., she said, as he was setting out, "Is there anything I can do for you?" "Pray for me," he answered.—Sunday, 25th. We went to church at Putney, and lunched and dined with the Hugh Smiths at Roehampton: lovely blossoming spring. It looks as if we were to have fine seasons as well as other good fortune N.B. The Queen was quite gracious to Uncle W.
12Apr1880, Queen Angry at Dizzy
LONDON, April 12th-18th, 1880.
—Old Willy and his colleague won the day in E. Worcestershire, and I am now in the splendid position of having 8 relations (Liberals) in for counties: F., Hartington, Eddy, Uncle W., Willy, Charles Robartes, Bobby Spencer (the youngest M.P., I think, in the new House), Frank Egerton....
The Queen didn't return from Baden till Saturday evening: the grub is that she is very angry with Dizzy for having misled her as to the result of the dissolution and has been wigging poor innocent Sir Hicks Beach, who has been in attendance on her! Sunday morning Dizzy went down to Windsor; it is presumed to resign.
—Old Willy and his colleague won the day in E. Worcestershire, and I am now in the splendid position of having 8 relations (Liberals) in for counties: F., Hartington, Eddy, Uncle W., Willy, Charles Robartes, Bobby Spencer (the youngest M.P., I think, in the new House), Frank Egerton....
The Queen didn't return from Baden till Saturday evening: the grub is that she is very angry with Dizzy for having misled her as to the result of the dissolution and has been wigging poor innocent Sir Hicks Beach, who has been in attendance on her! Sunday morning Dizzy went down to Windsor; it is presumed to resign.
05Apr1880, Our Most Triumphant Campaign
BOLTON, HALIFAX, April 5th–11th, 1880.
—Each day has brought fresh tides of conquests—counties began going right this week, tho', alack ! at Bradford Liberal Committee room on Monday on our way to Halifax, we heard of Herbert's sound beating in Middlesex, as was doubtless to be expected; the time being very short, and as we have since heard, the Liberal registration in a sad state. He has won no end of praise, and polled a fine number of votes considering.
We left Bolton betimes for F. to vote at Ilkley for Sir John Ramsden and Sir Andrew Fairbairn (they both won, tho' neither is very popular!). Met Mr. Fison, our opponent of last election, in subdued spirits. Poor man, he said, "If our promises are kept, you ought not to win by 1,000." "Well," said I, "we will put up with 2,000" — knowing that the whole Liberal vote was going for us in one undivided rush. We had a splendid spread at a Mr. Booth's, then a meeting at Ovenden, then a never-to-be-forgotten final meeting in the drill-hall at Halifax; the whole area packed with men standing and two galleries filled besides. F. made a fine speech, and Sir Matthew was in the midst of his, pegging away with his usual spirit, when I became aware of an ecstatic whisper going round the platform "Gladstone's in! Gladstone's in!" By some magic, the multitude found out in a minute, and there uprose an immense cheer like a roar of many waters. It was minutes before they could stop to hear the number, and the short telegram was interrupted again and again by renewed outbursts. In the midst of the shouting, I wrote off a telegram in F.'s name, dictated by Mr. Stansfeld "6,000 Yorkshiremen at Halifax Liberal meeting have received news of your victory with enthusiasm such as no living man has ever seen the like." Before we left the platform Titus Salt said to me, "They will have Herbert Gladstone for Leeds!"
Tuesd. I spent in peace under the hospitable roof of the Louis Crossleys, F. going to vote in Derbyshire and returning in time to dine with the Edward Crossleys. I went with Mrs. Crossley all over the noble old church. Wednesday, our polling day, we spent in blissful repose at Bolton, poor F. sleeping a good part of the time, I ploughing thro' heavy arrears of newspapers.
Wednesday the 7th, Declaration of the Poll at Bradford : F.'s majority 3,700 — rather more than the highest expectations; and the total poll 100 more than the utmost stretch of imagination. Our poor opponents vanished into thin air. F. and Sir Matthew made their thank-you speeches out of the window of the Liberal Club (where Ly. Wilson and I were admitted) to a great throng of joyful people wedged in the open space below, and so ends our most triumphant campaign, with floods of enthusiasm. One gentleman in the club was seen with tears running down his face! We were cheered all the way to the station, and coming in for a crowd at Leeds waiting for another successful candidate (a townsman just elected for Newport), were ovation-ed there too, insomuch that F. had, in spite of himself, to spout his thanks in a "positively last speech" out of the railway-carriage. Got to Chatsworth at tea-time, driving from Chesterfield, resting on its laurels after the victory of Frank and his colleague. Thurs. was Eddy and Mr. Cheetham's polling-day; F. had to go off to vote in Lancashire after voting at Bakewell; Uncle George, Aunt Lou, and Jinny here.
Friday. Emma and I and the boys drove and rode into Bakewell for the declaration of the poll: triumphant return of both Eddy and his colleague, and warm enthusiasm. Eddy made a perfect little speech. Next came news of Cavendish and his colleague's victory. Such a tide of triumphs never was!
—Each day has brought fresh tides of conquests—counties began going right this week, tho', alack ! at Bradford Liberal Committee room on Monday on our way to Halifax, we heard of Herbert's sound beating in Middlesex, as was doubtless to be expected; the time being very short, and as we have since heard, the Liberal registration in a sad state. He has won no end of praise, and polled a fine number of votes considering.
We left Bolton betimes for F. to vote at Ilkley for Sir John Ramsden and Sir Andrew Fairbairn (they both won, tho' neither is very popular!). Met Mr. Fison, our opponent of last election, in subdued spirits. Poor man, he said, "If our promises are kept, you ought not to win by 1,000." "Well," said I, "we will put up with 2,000" — knowing that the whole Liberal vote was going for us in one undivided rush. We had a splendid spread at a Mr. Booth's, then a meeting at Ovenden, then a never-to-be-forgotten final meeting in the drill-hall at Halifax; the whole area packed with men standing and two galleries filled besides. F. made a fine speech, and Sir Matthew was in the midst of his, pegging away with his usual spirit, when I became aware of an ecstatic whisper going round the platform "Gladstone's in! Gladstone's in!" By some magic, the multitude found out in a minute, and there uprose an immense cheer like a roar of many waters. It was minutes before they could stop to hear the number, and the short telegram was interrupted again and again by renewed outbursts. In the midst of the shouting, I wrote off a telegram in F.'s name, dictated by Mr. Stansfeld "6,000 Yorkshiremen at Halifax Liberal meeting have received news of your victory with enthusiasm such as no living man has ever seen the like." Before we left the platform Titus Salt said to me, "They will have Herbert Gladstone for Leeds!"
Tuesd. I spent in peace under the hospitable roof of the Louis Crossleys, F. going to vote in Derbyshire and returning in time to dine with the Edward Crossleys. I went with Mrs. Crossley all over the noble old church. Wednesday, our polling day, we spent in blissful repose at Bolton, poor F. sleeping a good part of the time, I ploughing thro' heavy arrears of newspapers.
Wednesday the 7th, Declaration of the Poll at Bradford : F.'s majority 3,700 — rather more than the highest expectations; and the total poll 100 more than the utmost stretch of imagination. Our poor opponents vanished into thin air. F. and Sir Matthew made their thank-you speeches out of the window of the Liberal Club (where Ly. Wilson and I were admitted) to a great throng of joyful people wedged in the open space below, and so ends our most triumphant campaign, with floods of enthusiasm. One gentleman in the club was seen with tears running down his face! We were cheered all the way to the station, and coming in for a crowd at Leeds waiting for another successful candidate (a townsman just elected for Newport), were ovation-ed there too, insomuch that F. had, in spite of himself, to spout his thanks in a "positively last speech" out of the railway-carriage. Got to Chatsworth at tea-time, driving from Chesterfield, resting on its laurels after the victory of Frank and his colleague. Thurs. was Eddy and Mr. Cheetham's polling-day; F. had to go off to vote in Lancashire after voting at Bakewell; Uncle George, Aunt Lou, and Jinny here.
Friday. Emma and I and the boys drove and rode into Bakewell for the declaration of the poll: triumphant return of both Eddy and his colleague, and warm enthusiasm. Eddy made a perfect little speech. Next came news of Cavendish and his colleague's victory. Such a tide of triumphs never was!
29Mar1880, Borough Elections
BOLTON ABBEY, March 29th–April 4th, 1880.
—A great and notable week for England! the Borough elections came off thick and fast, and revealed a mighty reaction; the week-end finds us with a gain of 55 Liberal seats. The greatest events have been Leeds, which puts Uncle W. at the head of the poll, majority 10,000, and a 2nd Liberal who polls _____ more than the Tory next in order. Bradford, Halifax, Manchester, and many more are great victories too; manifest causes of true repentance for the wretched splits and confusions of the past. York kicks out "Jimmy Lowther." The same thing is going on S., E., and W. as well as N. As for F. and Sir Matthew Wilson, they have been making a regular triumphant "progress," and great fun it has been for me. Farming districts, big colliery villages, and manufacturing towns — it's all the same; close-packed meetings, roars of applause, all but unanimous shows of hands, and frantic enthusiasm of man, woman, and child. We dined Friday at Mr. Shaw's gorgeous house at Allangate, and, driving down in an open carriage to Sowerby Bridge, the whole population turned out to meet us. And all this the more delightful from being Yorkshire: such keen, strong intelligent faces listening intently and seizing upon the points of the speeches. As to the hospitality !—splendid banquets of every degree await us at every turn, to the sore perplexity of unaccustomed stomachs; wine and salmon and sweetbreads and feather-beds abound; and all sorts and conditions of men are working like horses day and night at the canvassing, "all for love and nothing for reward." The party seems absolutely united; many questions are sometimes asked as to drink, disestablishment, etc., but there seems no fear of losing any votes by these differences, and we fly into the arms of rabid Dissenters and teetotallers, all as gentle as sucking-doves. Mr. Illingworth (just elected with Mr. Forster for Bradford), who would not work for F. last election, turns up on our platforms and speaks for him; and he and I go hooking about together.
—Monday. We led off with the excellent Dewhursts of Aireville, Skipton (who had 2 cooks from Manchester to do us honour !), and did 3 meetings to which they drove us. Barnoldswick the most interesting; an immense gathering. F. went off Tues. Todmorden way, and I staid the night at Aireville, going with him and the Wilsons Wednesday to Bentham. Sumptuous luncheon at Mrs. Rice's. Thence Ly. Wilson and I went on to the B. Briggs at Keighley, missing 2 meetings, but coming in for splendid evening ones at Keighley. Here vaccination has been a perfect red-rag, but beyond a question or two we heard nothing of it. Harriet Briggs inveigled me to see Mr. Longsdon's chapel with my text in it. Likewise to a Confirmation on April 1st, after which we drove to call on Mrs. Craven and at Oakworth, Mr. Holden's gorgeous house, with miles of hot-house, and a most homely body of a Missus to do the honours. Said Isaac Holden a frantic anti-Church man, but now working tooth and nail for us! I ought to have mentioned Settle on Tues., where F. is well known from his chairmanship of Giggleswick Grammar-school, and where consequently there were delightful things said of him. Unlucky Messrs. Powell and Lister here first met my sight, winding up a poor meeting, at one side of the market¬place, while we were high-gee at the other.
—Thurs. Ly. Wilson and I took it easy, while the hapless candidates stumped to Ripponden, West Vale, and Elland, and ended at a delightful old Mrs. Ormerod's at Brighouse, where we turned up to dinner. Two hot-and-hot meetings afterwards, where telegrams came in with the 1st series of triumphs — Halifax led off. Friday was the splendid Sowerby Bridge day. At Buttershaw we had the usual splendid spread under the auspices of an excellent old couple of the name of Bottomley; the lady in the most marvellous cap over her round red face: they killed us with kindness. Rattling good meeting afterwards in a spacious Independent School. We slept near Sowerby Bridge at a Mr. Morris's; a most uncommon fidget, with a fine-lady wife, but nice sons; and every luxury under the sun.
Saturday there was no time to eat, the result of which was that we had 7 meals!! Six meetings, but the gentlemen were pitied and allowed to divide forces: Ly. W. and I stuck to Sir Matthew and had tea and supper and what-not at Mr. Craven's of Thornton: great meeting there. Got back to the Happy Valley [FN: I.e. Bolton.] in pouring rain at 12.30. At Addingham a maukin tore after the carriage to ask "what Liberal gains," and when we told him, went madly cheering into the darkness. Sunday most lovely and delicious and heart-refreshing. Walk to the Valley of Desolation and the Strid. Tea with the Bellairs; he means to plump for F., tho' in a sad fright about the Church, but believing he won't pull it down, and much encouraged by the thought of getting rid of Lord Cairns and his vile Church appointments.
—A great and notable week for England! the Borough elections came off thick and fast, and revealed a mighty reaction; the week-end finds us with a gain of 55 Liberal seats. The greatest events have been Leeds, which puts Uncle W. at the head of the poll, majority 10,000, and a 2nd Liberal who polls _____ more than the Tory next in order. Bradford, Halifax, Manchester, and many more are great victories too; manifest causes of true repentance for the wretched splits and confusions of the past. York kicks out "Jimmy Lowther." The same thing is going on S., E., and W. as well as N. As for F. and Sir Matthew Wilson, they have been making a regular triumphant "progress," and great fun it has been for me. Farming districts, big colliery villages, and manufacturing towns — it's all the same; close-packed meetings, roars of applause, all but unanimous shows of hands, and frantic enthusiasm of man, woman, and child. We dined Friday at Mr. Shaw's gorgeous house at Allangate, and, driving down in an open carriage to Sowerby Bridge, the whole population turned out to meet us. And all this the more delightful from being Yorkshire: such keen, strong intelligent faces listening intently and seizing upon the points of the speeches. As to the hospitality !—splendid banquets of every degree await us at every turn, to the sore perplexity of unaccustomed stomachs; wine and salmon and sweetbreads and feather-beds abound; and all sorts and conditions of men are working like horses day and night at the canvassing, "all for love and nothing for reward." The party seems absolutely united; many questions are sometimes asked as to drink, disestablishment, etc., but there seems no fear of losing any votes by these differences, and we fly into the arms of rabid Dissenters and teetotallers, all as gentle as sucking-doves. Mr. Illingworth (just elected with Mr. Forster for Bradford), who would not work for F. last election, turns up on our platforms and speaks for him; and he and I go hooking about together.
—Monday. We led off with the excellent Dewhursts of Aireville, Skipton (who had 2 cooks from Manchester to do us honour !), and did 3 meetings to which they drove us. Barnoldswick the most interesting; an immense gathering. F. went off Tues. Todmorden way, and I staid the night at Aireville, going with him and the Wilsons Wednesday to Bentham. Sumptuous luncheon at Mrs. Rice's. Thence Ly. Wilson and I went on to the B. Briggs at Keighley, missing 2 meetings, but coming in for splendid evening ones at Keighley. Here vaccination has been a perfect red-rag, but beyond a question or two we heard nothing of it. Harriet Briggs inveigled me to see Mr. Longsdon's chapel with my text in it. Likewise to a Confirmation on April 1st, after which we drove to call on Mrs. Craven and at Oakworth, Mr. Holden's gorgeous house, with miles of hot-house, and a most homely body of a Missus to do the honours. Said Isaac Holden a frantic anti-Church man, but now working tooth and nail for us! I ought to have mentioned Settle on Tues., where F. is well known from his chairmanship of Giggleswick Grammar-school, and where consequently there were delightful things said of him. Unlucky Messrs. Powell and Lister here first met my sight, winding up a poor meeting, at one side of the market¬place, while we were high-gee at the other.
—Thurs. Ly. Wilson and I took it easy, while the hapless candidates stumped to Ripponden, West Vale, and Elland, and ended at a delightful old Mrs. Ormerod's at Brighouse, where we turned up to dinner. Two hot-and-hot meetings afterwards, where telegrams came in with the 1st series of triumphs — Halifax led off. Friday was the splendid Sowerby Bridge day. At Buttershaw we had the usual splendid spread under the auspices of an excellent old couple of the name of Bottomley; the lady in the most marvellous cap over her round red face: they killed us with kindness. Rattling good meeting afterwards in a spacious Independent School. We slept near Sowerby Bridge at a Mr. Morris's; a most uncommon fidget, with a fine-lady wife, but nice sons; and every luxury under the sun.
Saturday there was no time to eat, the result of which was that we had 7 meals!! Six meetings, but the gentlemen were pitied and allowed to divide forces: Ly. W. and I stuck to Sir Matthew and had tea and supper and what-not at Mr. Craven's of Thornton: great meeting there. Got back to the Happy Valley [FN: I.e. Bolton.] in pouring rain at 12.30. At Addingham a maukin tore after the carriage to ask "what Liberal gains," and when we told him, went madly cheering into the darkness. Sunday most lovely and delicious and heart-refreshing. Walk to the Valley of Desolation and the Strid. Tea with the Bellairs; he means to plump for F., tho' in a sad fright about the Church, but believing he won't pull it down, and much encouraged by the thought of getting rid of Lord Cairns and his vile Church appointments.
15Mar1880, H. Gladstone Contests Middlesex
LONDON, March 15th-2st, 1880.
—We went on Palm Sunday with Alfred, who came to breakfast, to great S. Paul's for the glorious full service. Mr. Balfour came to luncheon and tea. Evensong at S. Margaret's. Canon Farrar preacht a fine sermon on Jonah.
Herbert Gladstone has been pounced upon to contest Middlesex !—all his expenses paid. It is a bold thing, Ld. Geo. Hamilton and Mr. Coope being supposed to be as strong as may be; but the Liberal spirit seems growing every day. Lavinia, Mazy, Sybella, and I went to hear him speak at a meeting at Acton Saturday: he did famously well, and Alfred made a capital little speech at the end, backing him: so like Papa he looked ! only so young and buoyant.
—We went on Palm Sunday with Alfred, who came to breakfast, to great S. Paul's for the glorious full service. Mr. Balfour came to luncheon and tea. Evensong at S. Margaret's. Canon Farrar preacht a fine sermon on Jonah.
Herbert Gladstone has been pounced upon to contest Middlesex !—all his expenses paid. It is a bold thing, Ld. Geo. Hamilton and Mr. Coope being supposed to be as strong as may be; but the Liberal spirit seems growing every day. Lavinia, Mazy, Sybella, and I went to hear him speak at a meeting at Acton Saturday: he did famously well, and Alfred made a capital little speech at the end, backing him: so like Papa he looked ! only so young and buoyant.
08Mar1880, Owdacious Flings at the Opposition
LONDON, March 8th-14th, 1880.
—F. turned up from the House in the small hours, with the thunderclap news of a DISSOLUTION!...
We dined Wednesday at D. House, where were Frank and Lou, and Cavendish looking rather ill and tired with a cold. His address to N. E. Lancashire, which he is going to fight, quite excellent, and a famous contrast to a sort of Peer's Address which Dizzy has put forth in the shape of a letter to the D. of Marlboro'. It's such a piece of bombast and Owdacious yet mysterious flings at the Opposition, that it will be worth thousands of pounds to the Liberals as a bone to be gnawed.
—F. turned up from the House in the small hours, with the thunderclap news of a DISSOLUTION!...
We dined Wednesday at D. House, where were Frank and Lou, and Cavendish looking rather ill and tired with a cold. His address to N. E. Lancashire, which he is going to fight, quite excellent, and a famous contrast to a sort of Peer's Address which Dizzy has put forth in the shape of a letter to the D. of Marlboro'. It's such a piece of bombast and Owdacious yet mysterious flings at the Opposition, that it will be worth thousands of pounds to the Liberals as a bone to be gnawed.
01Mar1880, Ellice Hopkins and Friendless Girls
LONDON, March 1st-7th, 1880.
—Went to a small meeting at the Stuart Wortleys of married ladies, to hear that wonderful woman Miss Ellice Hopkins speak of a most dreadful state of things hitherto ignored by the land—little girls from 10 to 13 years old entrapped into bad houses and sent upon the streets: sometimes brought up to it all by their own mothers. She is trying to bring about getting these poor little creatures under the protection of the Industrial Schools Act, which gets hold of destitute and begging children, and those who harbour with thieves, but takes no notice of these far-more-to-be-pitied children. The horror of the whole thing made me quite shaky.
—Went to a small meeting at the Stuart Wortleys of married ladies, to hear that wonderful woman Miss Ellice Hopkins speak of a most dreadful state of things hitherto ignored by the land—little girls from 10 to 13 years old entrapped into bad houses and sent upon the streets: sometimes brought up to it all by their own mothers. She is trying to bring about getting these poor little creatures under the protection of the Industrial Schools Act, which gets hold of destitute and begging children, and those who harbour with thieves, but takes no notice of these far-more-to-be-pitied children. The horror of the whole thing made me quite shaky.
23Feb1880, Burne-Jones and Matthew Arnold
LONDON, February 23rd-29th, 1880.
—D. at Ly. Stanley of Alderley's, and had a P.B. [FN: I.e. Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.] neighbour in the shape of Burne-Jones the painter. He was interesting, but desperately self-conscious. Rather maundered about Mazy, of whom he has made a marvellously clever, idealized sketch. After d. much talk with Matthew Arnold, who was interested about Alfred, whom he has lately met. He talked of his coming as Marshal to Hagley with his father-in-law Judge Whiteman [FN: The judge's name was Wightman.] and old Baron Alderson: I vividly remember it, and the dislike I took to him!
—D. at Ly. Stanley of Alderley's, and had a P.B. [FN: I.e. Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood.] neighbour in the shape of Burne-Jones the painter. He was interesting, but desperately self-conscious. Rather maundered about Mazy, of whom he has made a marvellously clever, idealized sketch. After d. much talk with Matthew Arnold, who was interested about Alfred, whom he has lately met. He talked of his coming as Marshal to Hagley with his father-in-law Judge Whiteman [FN: The judge's name was Wightman.] and old Baron Alderson: I vividly remember it, and the dislike I took to him!
23Feb1880, Transvaal and Sister Dora
LONDON, February 23rd-29th, 1880.
—Mr. Gurdon was at dinner, just back from S. Africa, and confirming a most grubous letter lately had from Col. Lanyon who is administering the Transvaal. According to him, whether the annexation of the Transvaal was right or wrong, we have put all the fat in the fire now, by leaving it for nearly 3 years (regardless of promises) minus any constitution whatever; and the whole country is now full of discontent and fury, fanned by lying agitators. Both he and Mr. Gurdon stand up for Sir Bartle and think the arrival of Sir Garnet to supersede everybody a great mistake. Uncle W. had hardly breath to bestow on politics, being clean possessed by a wonderful "Life" just published, "Sister Dora." [FN: "Sister Dora" was a sister of Mark Pattison, the famous Rector of Lincoln, who was not much pleased at the fuss made about her.] He sent a copy to the D. of Argyll, and they both talked of it 19 to the dozen. When Southwark was lost, he wrote to somebody, "I should be very unhappy about Southwark, if it wasn't for Sister Dora!"
—Mr. Gurdon was at dinner, just back from S. Africa, and confirming a most grubous letter lately had from Col. Lanyon who is administering the Transvaal. According to him, whether the annexation of the Transvaal was right or wrong, we have put all the fat in the fire now, by leaving it for nearly 3 years (regardless of promises) minus any constitution whatever; and the whole country is now full of discontent and fury, fanned by lying agitators. Both he and Mr. Gurdon stand up for Sir Bartle and think the arrival of Sir Garnet to supersede everybody a great mistake. Uncle W. had hardly breath to bestow on politics, being clean possessed by a wonderful "Life" just published, "Sister Dora." [FN: "Sister Dora" was a sister of Mark Pattison, the famous Rector of Lincoln, who was not much pleased at the fuss made about her.] He sent a copy to the D. of Argyll, and they both talked of it 19 to the dozen. When Southwark was lost, he wrote to somebody, "I should be very unhappy about Southwark, if it wasn't for Sister Dora!"
08Dec1879, Gladstone a Little Elated
HAWARDEN, December 8th-14th, 1879.
—I went to Hawarden Tuesday, arriving there the day after the Gladstones, who were received with frantic enthusiasm at Chester, after the memorable Midlothian campaign. It has been one long outburst of welcome and one long triumph; yet the Conservatives still talk of winning. Uncle W. has poured out 6 magnificent speeches, besides a very noble Rectorial address at Glasgow ! and endless little addresses delivered bare-headed in the keen frosty weather; and here he is as fresh as paint. Not so poor auntie; she had to take to her bed Wednesday with a bad chill, which developed into erysipelas in her face; it reminded me of her similar attack during darling May's illness. F. came Wednesday. Frost hardly gave at all, and folks skated. Sidgwicks (she née Balfour) came, and Ld. Wolverton, besides which Lavinia is here with her little May and Neville, and "William of Wickham" [FN: Son of Dr. and Mrs. Wickham.] and my godchild Christian and brother Edward; so that one is wishing oneself in 4 places at once and possessed of 10 pairs of ears every minute. Packt in much church-going, one long sit with Stephy, another with Albert, another with Gerty, likewise luncheon at the Rectory and tea with Molly; not to speak of village visits and trolls in Auntie P.'s bedroom; the Great Man all the while interesting and delightful beyond. For the 1st time, I deliberately believe, in my recollection, he seems a little personally elated! It has always hitherto been the cause, or the moment, or the circumstances, or something, that he thinks he is the mere mouthpiece of; but this unheard-of enthusiasm for his name, in his own country (for he is a pure-bred Scotchman), and after the long time of abuse and loss of influence, has deeply moved him. On Saturday the neighbours came to see all the presents which were showered upon him in Scotland — plaids, wraps, table-linen, and all sorts of native products: a box of soap from Preston, rather a doubtful compliment! One evening he begged F. and Ld. Wolverton to come and have a talk about commercial matters, a propos of the vamped-up "protection" craze that is on just now; the Sidgwicks and I and Edward crept in to the Temple of Peace to listen, and it was grand to hear Uncle W.'s brilliant disquisition on the whole subject, which sounded as if he had thought of nothing else for months !
—I went to Hawarden Tuesday, arriving there the day after the Gladstones, who were received with frantic enthusiasm at Chester, after the memorable Midlothian campaign. It has been one long outburst of welcome and one long triumph; yet the Conservatives still talk of winning. Uncle W. has poured out 6 magnificent speeches, besides a very noble Rectorial address at Glasgow ! and endless little addresses delivered bare-headed in the keen frosty weather; and here he is as fresh as paint. Not so poor auntie; she had to take to her bed Wednesday with a bad chill, which developed into erysipelas in her face; it reminded me of her similar attack during darling May's illness. F. came Wednesday. Frost hardly gave at all, and folks skated. Sidgwicks (she née Balfour) came, and Ld. Wolverton, besides which Lavinia is here with her little May and Neville, and "William of Wickham" [FN: Son of Dr. and Mrs. Wickham.] and my godchild Christian and brother Edward; so that one is wishing oneself in 4 places at once and possessed of 10 pairs of ears every minute. Packt in much church-going, one long sit with Stephy, another with Albert, another with Gerty, likewise luncheon at the Rectory and tea with Molly; not to speak of village visits and trolls in Auntie P.'s bedroom; the Great Man all the while interesting and delightful beyond. For the 1st time, I deliberately believe, in my recollection, he seems a little personally elated! It has always hitherto been the cause, or the moment, or the circumstances, or something, that he thinks he is the mere mouthpiece of; but this unheard-of enthusiasm for his name, in his own country (for he is a pure-bred Scotchman), and after the long time of abuse and loss of influence, has deeply moved him. On Saturday the neighbours came to see all the presents which were showered upon him in Scotland — plaids, wraps, table-linen, and all sorts of native products: a box of soap from Preston, rather a doubtful compliment! One evening he begged F. and Ld. Wolverton to come and have a talk about commercial matters, a propos of the vamped-up "protection" craze that is on just now; the Sidgwicks and I and Edward crept in to the Temple of Peace to listen, and it was grand to hear Uncle W.'s brilliant disquisition on the whole subject, which sounded as if he had thought of nothing else for months !
01Dec1879, No End of Luxury
WENTWORTH, [FN: Lord Fitzwilliam's house] December 1st - 7th, 1879.
—To a political do-ment at Shipley on Monday, the hospitable Titus Salts putting us up at Milner Field, amid no end of luxury.
—Tuesday. To Wentworth, where we met Thompson Hankeys, agreeable old birds, Ly. Gwendolen Ramsden, a die-away dull woman, like an old Indian, and her very handsome niece Hilda Graham. Pleasant little visit. Netty and Katie are here. The nice creatures Alice and Alby Fitzwilliam, and Katie, befriended my lame leg and carried me about ladies' cushion; likewise I was taken round in a go-cart to see the pictures. Noble, noble Vandycks; and such historical subjects — Strafford, Laud, Charles II at 14 especially. Was audience, too, to fine old Bible of the stout-hearted Countess of Derby, with her notes and lamentations about Charles I's execution, etc. Meant to try and skate, but aggravated my leg afresh by a slip on the stairs.
—To a political do-ment at Shipley on Monday, the hospitable Titus Salts putting us up at Milner Field, amid no end of luxury.
—Tuesday. To Wentworth, where we met Thompson Hankeys, agreeable old birds, Ly. Gwendolen Ramsden, a die-away dull woman, like an old Indian, and her very handsome niece Hilda Graham. Pleasant little visit. Netty and Katie are here. The nice creatures Alice and Alby Fitzwilliam, and Katie, befriended my lame leg and carried me about ladies' cushion; likewise I was taken round in a go-cart to see the pictures. Noble, noble Vandycks; and such historical subjects — Strafford, Laud, Charles II at 14 especially. Was audience, too, to fine old Bible of the stout-hearted Countess of Derby, with her notes and lamentations about Charles I's execution, etc. Meant to try and skate, but aggravated my leg afresh by a slip on the stairs.
24Nov1879, Short Supply of Young Ladies
CHATSWORTH, November 24th-30th, 1879.
—A very lively, pleasant week; its only weak point a short supply of young ladies: poor Edith Howard, a daughter of Sir John and Ly. Elizabeth St. Aubyn, and Lena Grenfell formed the staple. Major Burke (Edw.) and his bewitching wife (née Hatch, in India), Ld. Northbrook and daughter, Shannons, St. Aubyns and daughter, Trevelyans, Seymour Hadens [FN: Sir Seymour Haden, the etcher, advocated a particular method of burial.] and daughter—he the great etcher and wicker-coffin man, and very agreeable, girl clever. Frost and snow. My Fred 43 on the 30th; he is very well and up to things; but alas ! still given to aches in the back. Uncle W. is on his Midlothian campaign, making one grand speech after another, the finest, most brilliant, and most unanswerable one on Saturday, pitching into the Government finance. The old wasp Roebuck is dead.
—A very lively, pleasant week; its only weak point a short supply of young ladies: poor Edith Howard, a daughter of Sir John and Ly. Elizabeth St. Aubyn, and Lena Grenfell formed the staple. Major Burke (Edw.) and his bewitching wife (née Hatch, in India), Ld. Northbrook and daughter, Shannons, St. Aubyns and daughter, Trevelyans, Seymour Hadens [FN: Sir Seymour Haden, the etcher, advocated a particular method of burial.] and daughter—he the great etcher and wicker-coffin man, and very agreeable, girl clever. Frost and snow. My Fred 43 on the 30th; he is very well and up to things; but alas ! still given to aches in the back. Uncle W. is on his Midlothian campaign, making one grand speech after another, the finest, most brilliant, and most unanswerable one on Saturday, pitching into the Government finance. The old wasp Roebuck is dead.
10Nov1879, Crack Went Some Small Tendon
CHATSWORTH, November 10th-16th, 1879.
—F. went to Leeds to hear a fine onslaught of the D. of Argyll's at a monster Liberal meeting. Friday and Saturday bright sharp frosts. Saturday we had a good lawn-t. campaign on the new concrete ground, at the end of which, without any provocation, crack went some small tendon in the calf of my left leg, and I shall hobble for days to come.
—F. went to Leeds to hear a fine onslaught of the D. of Argyll's at a monster Liberal meeting. Friday and Saturday bright sharp frosts. Saturday we had a good lawn-t. campaign on the new concrete ground, at the end of which, without any provocation, crack went some small tendon in the calf of my left leg, and I shall hobble for days to come.
03Nov1879, Socially Disappointing
OXFORD, November 3rd-9th, 1879.
—Canon Farrar is socially disappointing: not conversible on any subject except Temperance which he has hotly taken up. When I spoke of school-mastering being exhausting work, he wouldn't agree, and said his work at Marlboro' was "child's play" compared with S. Margaret's, Westminster; the constant intercourse with fresh young life so refreshing, compared with work among all that is old in vice. Sad departure on Friday, and curious contrast of Chatsworth with Keble! No company here yet but Ly. Albert Gower and her little white mouse of a boy.
—Canon Farrar is socially disappointing: not conversible on any subject except Temperance which he has hotly taken up. When I spoke of school-mastering being exhausting work, he wouldn't agree, and said his work at Marlboro' was "child's play" compared with S. Margaret's, Westminster; the constant intercourse with fresh young life so refreshing, compared with work among all that is old in vice. Sad departure on Friday, and curious contrast of Chatsworth with Keble! No company here yet but Ly. Albert Gower and her little white mouse of a boy.
Friday, February 25, 2011
03Nov1879, Long Talk With Cardinal Newman
KEBLE COLLEGE, November 3rd-9th, 1879.
—Came Monday afternoon to Keble College, and for the 1st time managed to spend as much as 4 nights there. All beautifully prosperous; even the dear Warden has not his usual term-look of tire, and darling Lavinia as brisk and strong as if she had nothing to do with the thumping fellow of 10 weeks old, by name Neville Stuart,[FN: Now Bishop of Pretoria.] who kicks and crows upstairs. Nevertheless she is nursing him 5 times a day; but whips about the town and does all manner of jobs between whiles. The most notable event of the week was the arrival on a morning call of no less a personage than Cardinal Newman! An historical event it was, to see him sitting in the house of the Warden of Keble College. About 2 years ago he was made honorary Fellow of his old College, Trinity, which deeply gratified him; and since that he has occasionally come to Oxford, which he had not done before since he forsook the English Church. Oh dear ! the sight of this flourishing College, with all that it represents of English Churchmanship striking deep roots and spreading far and wide, must, one would think, prove to him that there is some Divine life in the Church of his Baptism. He has said that he considers the Church of England a main bulwark against infidelity, which is something! Very soon I saw how it was that he was such a master of men's hearts, so winning, noble, and simple was his manner; his voice still flexible and musical, and such keen blue eyes, and eagle nose rather like Uncle W.'s. He is infirm and looks very old (he is about 79, I believe), but seems quite unchanged in mind. His business was to bring Edwarden some letters of Keble, which he didn't like to trust thro' the post; and he had to explain certain erasures he had made in them. This he did by word of mouth, Edward being at home; but there was also a most touching and interesting mem. to the same effect in his hand-writing along with the letters. He said the erasures were only of passages expressing such vehement self-depreciation as would certainly be misunderstood, and which Newman said he "could not" leave standing. He called him his "dearly, deeply beloved friend," and attributed the strong self-blame to the way his tender heart had been tried and wrung beyond what it could bear; enumerating the long list of public and private agonies which he, in common with all the great High Church pioneers, had had to undergo in the course of their noble fight. Amongst other unwarrantable self-accusations, said Dr. N., "he used to say that my 'becoming a Catholic' was his fault," which it certainly was not: "he had nothing to do with it." We asked him the date of the letters, and when he went back to those old heart-stirring dates —1822-1845—such a mournful, far-away look came into his eyes, and he fell into a muse while we all sate silent. He spoke of Dr. Pusey, and of his wonderful way of reading up vast quantities of matter and bringing them all to bear upon one proposition. Edward heartily agreed, and cited as an instance Pusey's book on The Real Presence. But Dr. N. wouldn't pursue that topic; he merely acquiesced, and there was a pause, which he broke by giving Edward the packet, with a most courteous, kind manner. He was drest in a very long coat (perhaps it was a cassock), and wore a red skull-cap under his shovel-hat.
One evening we had Dr. Acland and Dr. Liddon and Miss Wordsworth (the Head of the infant "Lady Margaret Hall" for women) to dinner. Very pleasant, tho' Dr. Acland rather monopolized the talk; but it was interesting, as he is just back from the United States. Dr. L. said he was in favour of a sensible "Home Rule," viz., one applying to England and Scotland as well as Ireland, and merely providing that each of the 3 kingdoms should have special Committees for the settling of their own matters. A mighty comfort it would be, for instance, not to have Scotch Presbyterians and Irish Romanists legislating on Church concerns!
Lavinia took me to see Ly. Margaret Hall [FN: The recently founded first Women's College in Oxford.] (I wish it didn't sound like a lady who has made a dowdy marriage), which is full already, and will flourish finely when once they have paid off the debt on the house and the starting expenses. Miss Wordsworth is delightful. We also called at "Somerville Hall," which is the same thing, only colourless in religion, but the Head, Miss Lefevre, (one of the daughters of old Sir John, who is lately dead), was out. Likewise visited Miss Bishop, late of Chelsea High School, now at the High School here ; and Lavinia so took to her that she there and then nearly settled to send little May there some day. Said little May most quaint and charming but alas ! entering the inevitable phase of self-consciousness. Warden minor [FN: E. K. Talbot, now Superior of the Anglican Community of the Resurrection.] a jolly, darling ugly-mug with red curls, very like Bob ; F. took to him much the most of the two!
—Came Monday afternoon to Keble College, and for the 1st time managed to spend as much as 4 nights there. All beautifully prosperous; even the dear Warden has not his usual term-look of tire, and darling Lavinia as brisk and strong as if she had nothing to do with the thumping fellow of 10 weeks old, by name Neville Stuart,[FN: Now Bishop of Pretoria.] who kicks and crows upstairs. Nevertheless she is nursing him 5 times a day; but whips about the town and does all manner of jobs between whiles. The most notable event of the week was the arrival on a morning call of no less a personage than Cardinal Newman! An historical event it was, to see him sitting in the house of the Warden of Keble College. About 2 years ago he was made honorary Fellow of his old College, Trinity, which deeply gratified him; and since that he has occasionally come to Oxford, which he had not done before since he forsook the English Church. Oh dear ! the sight of this flourishing College, with all that it represents of English Churchmanship striking deep roots and spreading far and wide, must, one would think, prove to him that there is some Divine life in the Church of his Baptism. He has said that he considers the Church of England a main bulwark against infidelity, which is something! Very soon I saw how it was that he was such a master of men's hearts, so winning, noble, and simple was his manner; his voice still flexible and musical, and such keen blue eyes, and eagle nose rather like Uncle W.'s. He is infirm and looks very old (he is about 79, I believe), but seems quite unchanged in mind. His business was to bring Edwarden some letters of Keble, which he didn't like to trust thro' the post; and he had to explain certain erasures he had made in them. This he did by word of mouth, Edward being at home; but there was also a most touching and interesting mem. to the same effect in his hand-writing along with the letters. He said the erasures were only of passages expressing such vehement self-depreciation as would certainly be misunderstood, and which Newman said he "could not" leave standing. He called him his "dearly, deeply beloved friend," and attributed the strong self-blame to the way his tender heart had been tried and wrung beyond what it could bear; enumerating the long list of public and private agonies which he, in common with all the great High Church pioneers, had had to undergo in the course of their noble fight. Amongst other unwarrantable self-accusations, said Dr. N., "he used to say that my 'becoming a Catholic' was his fault," which it certainly was not: "he had nothing to do with it." We asked him the date of the letters, and when he went back to those old heart-stirring dates —1822-1845—such a mournful, far-away look came into his eyes, and he fell into a muse while we all sate silent. He spoke of Dr. Pusey, and of his wonderful way of reading up vast quantities of matter and bringing them all to bear upon one proposition. Edward heartily agreed, and cited as an instance Pusey's book on The Real Presence. But Dr. N. wouldn't pursue that topic; he merely acquiesced, and there was a pause, which he broke by giving Edward the packet, with a most courteous, kind manner. He was drest in a very long coat (perhaps it was a cassock), and wore a red skull-cap under his shovel-hat.
One evening we had Dr. Acland and Dr. Liddon and Miss Wordsworth (the Head of the infant "Lady Margaret Hall" for women) to dinner. Very pleasant, tho' Dr. Acland rather monopolized the talk; but it was interesting, as he is just back from the United States. Dr. L. said he was in favour of a sensible "Home Rule," viz., one applying to England and Scotland as well as Ireland, and merely providing that each of the 3 kingdoms should have special Committees for the settling of their own matters. A mighty comfort it would be, for instance, not to have Scotch Presbyterians and Irish Romanists legislating on Church concerns!
Lavinia took me to see Ly. Margaret Hall [FN: The recently founded first Women's College in Oxford.] (I wish it didn't sound like a lady who has made a dowdy marriage), which is full already, and will flourish finely when once they have paid off the debt on the house and the starting expenses. Miss Wordsworth is delightful. We also called at "Somerville Hall," which is the same thing, only colourless in religion, but the Head, Miss Lefevre, (one of the daughters of old Sir John, who is lately dead), was out. Likewise visited Miss Bishop, late of Chelsea High School, now at the High School here ; and Lavinia so took to her that she there and then nearly settled to send little May there some day. Said little May most quaint and charming but alas ! entering the inevitable phase of self-consciousness. Warden minor [FN: E. K. Talbot, now Superior of the Anglican Community of the Resurrection.] a jolly, darling ugly-mug with red curls, very like Bob ; F. took to him much the most of the two!
27Oct1879, Special Train to Hardwick
HARDWICK, October 27th–November 2nd, 1879.
—We all broke up into a vast déménagement. Special train with all and sundry. Children and Co. went to Chatsworth. Duke, F., and I parted with them at Chesterfield and came to Hardwick, where we have not stayed since the New Year 1874, before any of the dark days had come upon me. I was glad to be in the dear old house of ancient associations again. Our host [FN: Lord Hartington, to whom the Duke had made over Hardwick.] only arrived from London on Thursday with a bad cold, which he said he vainly hoped would stop his speaking at Manchester. He is delightful as host, even coming down in time for dinner! I had long talks with good Mrs. Marriage, and visited in the stables and old house Mrs. Page, the new keeper's wife (who had grievous poacher-stories to tell), Mrs. Leslie, Mrs. Wilson, and Mrs. Miles; at Astwith the poor Blanksbys, who had a son killed by a fall from a cart; at Rowthorne, Mrs. Hibbart; at Stainsby, the old gardener's widow, Mrs. Holmes.
—We all broke up into a vast déménagement. Special train with all and sundry. Children and Co. went to Chatsworth. Duke, F., and I parted with them at Chesterfield and came to Hardwick, where we have not stayed since the New Year 1874, before any of the dark days had come upon me. I was glad to be in the dear old house of ancient associations again. Our host [FN: Lord Hartington, to whom the Duke had made over Hardwick.] only arrived from London on Thursday with a bad cold, which he said he vainly hoped would stop his speaking at Manchester. He is delightful as host, even coming down in time for dinner! I had long talks with good Mrs. Marriage, and visited in the stables and old house Mrs. Page, the new keeper's wife (who had grievous poacher-stories to tell), Mrs. Leslie, Mrs. Wilson, and Mrs. Miles; at Astwith the poor Blanksbys, who had a son killed by a fall from a cart; at Rowthorne, Mrs. Hibbart; at Stainsby, the old gardener's widow, Mrs. Holmes.
20Oct1879, Five Children Playing Whist
HOLKER, October 20th-26th, 1879.
—The 5 children all insist upon playing whist!! Dick and Blanche have a very good notion of it, and John can preside over a hand and follow suit with great accuracy, looking like Solomon. Christian seats herself by one of the players and shouts "Tump it!" on all occasions.
—The 5 children all insist upon playing whist!! Dick and Blanche have a very good notion of it, and John can preside over a hand and follow suit with great accuracy, looking like Solomon. Christian seats herself by one of the players and shouts "Tump it!" on all occasions.
29Jul1879, Choate Over the Moon
LONDON, July 29th–August 3rd, 1879.
—Had a famous successful dinner last week, of W. E. G.'s, Eddys, Mr. Herschell [FN: Afterwards Lord Chancellor Herschell.], Bright and his daughter, to meet certain agreeable Yankee Choates,[FN: No doubt the same Mr. Choate who was afterwards American Ambassador.] who were over the moon.
—Had a famous successful dinner last week, of W. E. G.'s, Eddys, Mr. Herschell [FN: Afterwards Lord Chancellor Herschell.], Bright and his daughter, to meet certain agreeable Yankee Choates,[FN: No doubt the same Mr. Choate who was afterwards American Ambassador.] who were over the moon.
22Jul1879, Comments Around Gladstone Portrait
CASTLE GORING, July 22nd-28th, 1879.
—Tues., came off an excellent P.M.W. [FN: Parochial Mission Women.] treat at Ashridge — the entertainers, Ly. Lothian (Constance), Ly. Brownlow, Ly. Pembroke, and Margaret Talbot, [age 9 1/2 months] a glorious sight to see, among all the good homely bodies....
Wednesday, July 24th.—A ball at Spencer House on the ground-floor. I wonder when I last went to a ball! Felt sadly old and wizzy. F. in speechless amazement at seeing some middle-aged society birds still at it diligently, as they were 20 years ago. Charlotte is grown fat, but is still lovely. Althorp so taken out of at the death of an ex-aide-de-camp of his, Capt. Wyatt-Edgell, at a great slaughter of the Zulus, that he would have put off the ball, if he had heard of it in time....
F. at last accomplished R. Academy on Saturday; doesn't rave of Millais' noble picture of Uncle W. as much as I do. A Tory lady was looking at it, and said, "Why, it makes the old scoundrel look quite respectable!" when a voice behind her said, "Madam, I heard you call Mr. G. a scoundrel. Allow me to tell you I have known him from boyhood—at school, at college, and up to the present time: and I can only assure you that there is no one of more thorough religious principle and conduct." The speaker is said to have been Sir Thos. Acland. Sunday we spent in London: S. Margaret's and S. James, where they have put up a fine new reredos. Afternoon to Kew — my 1st sight of it: very pretty, and fragrant with lime blossom. Really a mild day. Met Ld. Alington in Piccadilly: when we told him we had been to Kew he looked scandalized and vowed that going to church afterwards was mere "hedging."
—Tues., came off an excellent P.M.W. [FN: Parochial Mission Women.] treat at Ashridge — the entertainers, Ly. Lothian (Constance), Ly. Brownlow, Ly. Pembroke, and Margaret Talbot, [age 9 1/2 months] a glorious sight to see, among all the good homely bodies....
Wednesday, July 24th.—A ball at Spencer House on the ground-floor. I wonder when I last went to a ball! Felt sadly old and wizzy. F. in speechless amazement at seeing some middle-aged society birds still at it diligently, as they were 20 years ago. Charlotte is grown fat, but is still lovely. Althorp so taken out of at the death of an ex-aide-de-camp of his, Capt. Wyatt-Edgell, at a great slaughter of the Zulus, that he would have put off the ball, if he had heard of it in time....
F. at last accomplished R. Academy on Saturday; doesn't rave of Millais' noble picture of Uncle W. as much as I do. A Tory lady was looking at it, and said, "Why, it makes the old scoundrel look quite respectable!" when a voice behind her said, "Madam, I heard you call Mr. G. a scoundrel. Allow me to tell you I have known him from boyhood—at school, at college, and up to the present time: and I can only assure you that there is no one of more thorough religious principle and conduct." The speaker is said to have been Sir Thos. Acland. Sunday we spent in London: S. Margaret's and S. James, where they have put up a fine new reredos. Afternoon to Kew — my 1st sight of it: very pretty, and fragrant with lime blossom. Really a mild day. Met Ld. Alington in Piccadilly: when we told him we had been to Kew he looked scandalized and vowed that going to church afterwards was mere "hedging."
Monday, February 21, 2011
08Jul1879, Without the Notorious Woman
LONDON, July 7th-14th, 1879.
—We dined at the Archbishop of York's, meeting a very pleasing young Crown Prince of Sweden. Curious to see a Bernadotte still firm in Royal position, when the Napoleons are so overthrown...
Had the delight of my one and only Comédie Française at the Gaiety; N.B. without the notorious woman. It was Molière's "Etourdi," and "Philiberte"; and profoundly Mrs. Byng and I enjoyed it.
—We dined at the Archbishop of York's, meeting a very pleasing young Crown Prince of Sweden. Curious to see a Bernadotte still firm in Royal position, when the Napoleons are so overthrown...
Had the delight of my one and only Comédie Française at the Gaiety; N.B. without the notorious woman. It was Molière's "Etourdi," and "Philiberte"; and profoundly Mrs. Byng and I enjoyed it.
30Jun1879, Sarah Bernhardt — Outrageous Scandal!
LONDON, June 30th–July 6th, 1879.
—London has gone mad over the principal actress in the Comédic Française who are here: Sarah Bernhardt — a woman of notorious, shameless character.... Not content with being run after on the stage, this woman is asked to respectable people's houses to act, and even to luncheon and dinner; and all the world goes. It is an outrageous scandal!
—London has gone mad over the principal actress in the Comédic Française who are here: Sarah Bernhardt — a woman of notorious, shameless character.... Not content with being run after on the stage, this woman is asked to respectable people's houses to act, and even to luncheon and dinner; and all the world goes. It is an outrageous scandal!
15Jun1879, Farewell to Aix
BRIDES-LES-BAINS, June 15th-22nd, 1879.
—Final swim, tubbings, etc., and so farewell to Aix, and the inimitable Mme. Bernascon, who has stuck nearly all the time, night and day, to a fearful green plaid gown. Train to Chamousset, whence we posted about 40 miles up the course of the Isère, baiting at Albertville. The last 20 miles beautiful, up a mountain road. So to Brides-les-Bains, which we reached in melancholy rain. Maison Laissus, a boarding-housey primitive sort of hotel, rather depressing to our feelings at first after our Aix splendours: an ingenious paucity of views, no sitting-room, and 2 torrents roaring thro' the village at first maddened me with their noise. But we got a bedroom with a squint at a noble snow-rapt mountain; and after some pushing about of furniture it wasn't amiss.
Friday, 20th.—We rode on mules, for about 3 1/2 hours, past Les Alines to a sort of table-land mountain-top called "Le plan des Danses." Here we sat down and had luncheon at the edge of a fir-wood, in presence of Mont Blanc, no less!—looking far grander than from Chamounix, being isolated and far-towering. I left F. (very tired and head-achy) resting, being anxious to get up to where the snow was still lying, and after 1/4 of an hour's gentle slope, becoming aware of a naked fine peak surging up on my right, I saw I had a chance of looking over the ridge of the mountain we were on, into the valley below. In a few more minutes, sure enough there I was, in the presence of most glorious things! A wide valley far below, with a torrent rushing at the bottom, and many tumbling into it from the opposite mountain: lovely woods, valleys, and snowy peaks, a great far-stretching middle-distance of purple hill-sides like a Claude Lorraine, the whole dominated by Mont Blanc in all his glory. To prevent the awful melancholy of mountain-scenery this perfect landscape was all enlivened with villages (I counted 20) and bright with running water—so far below, however, that I could barely hear it rushing; and the deep stillness was one intense charm. I sat on a knoll for an hour, surrounded by gentians and heartsease, and fairly cried for joy! Then could not resist fetching F., who greatly admired, in spite of horrid headache. We picked white crocuses, springing by hundreds where the snow had melted; and coming down the mountain got lilies-of-the-valley and the sweet-smelling tall white orchis.
—Final swim, tubbings, etc., and so farewell to Aix, and the inimitable Mme. Bernascon, who has stuck nearly all the time, night and day, to a fearful green plaid gown. Train to Chamousset, whence we posted about 40 miles up the course of the Isère, baiting at Albertville. The last 20 miles beautiful, up a mountain road. So to Brides-les-Bains, which we reached in melancholy rain. Maison Laissus, a boarding-housey primitive sort of hotel, rather depressing to our feelings at first after our Aix splendours: an ingenious paucity of views, no sitting-room, and 2 torrents roaring thro' the village at first maddened me with their noise. But we got a bedroom with a squint at a noble snow-rapt mountain; and after some pushing about of furniture it wasn't amiss.
Friday, 20th.—We rode on mules, for about 3 1/2 hours, past Les Alines to a sort of table-land mountain-top called "Le plan des Danses." Here we sat down and had luncheon at the edge of a fir-wood, in presence of Mont Blanc, no less!—looking far grander than from Chamounix, being isolated and far-towering. I left F. (very tired and head-achy) resting, being anxious to get up to where the snow was still lying, and after 1/4 of an hour's gentle slope, becoming aware of a naked fine peak surging up on my right, I saw I had a chance of looking over the ridge of the mountain we were on, into the valley below. In a few more minutes, sure enough there I was, in the presence of most glorious things! A wide valley far below, with a torrent rushing at the bottom, and many tumbling into it from the opposite mountain: lovely woods, valleys, and snowy peaks, a great far-stretching middle-distance of purple hill-sides like a Claude Lorraine, the whole dominated by Mont Blanc in all his glory. To prevent the awful melancholy of mountain-scenery this perfect landscape was all enlivened with villages (I counted 20) and bright with running water—so far below, however, that I could barely hear it rushing; and the deep stillness was one intense charm. I sat on a knoll for an hour, surrounded by gentians and heartsease, and fairly cried for joy! Then could not resist fetching F., who greatly admired, in spite of horrid headache. We picked white crocuses, springing by hundreds where the snow had melted; and coming down the mountain got lilies-of-the-valley and the sweet-smelling tall white orchis.
08Jun1879, Wretched Little Chapel
AIX-LES-BAINS, June 8th-14th, 1879.
—Would be hot but for delightful light air. Pleasant little Sunday walk towards Marlioz; threats of thunder sent us home. Wretched little chapel so crammed we could only get places in the morning by going early. The Chaplain (Mr. Phelps) having a voice like holystoning decks, and accordingly thinking fit to shout, I wrote him a polite anonymous note, intimating that there was an echo, and that he was much better heard when he spoke low! Grieved I am very, when abroad, at the efforts of the English chapel arrangements to give as far as possible the impression that we neither believe in, nor belong to, the Holy Catholic Church; in spite of the Apostles' Creed, which, I am thankful to say, even the Colonial and Continental don't omit from the services.
—Would be hot but for delightful light air. Pleasant little Sunday walk towards Marlioz; threats of thunder sent us home. Wretched little chapel so crammed we could only get places in the morning by going early. The Chaplain (Mr. Phelps) having a voice like holystoning decks, and accordingly thinking fit to shout, I wrote him a polite anonymous note, intimating that there was an echo, and that he was much better heard when he spoke low! Grieved I am very, when abroad, at the efforts of the English chapel arrangements to give as far as possible the impression that we neither believe in, nor belong to, the Holy Catholic Church; in spite of the Apostles' Creed, which, I am thankful to say, even the Colonial and Continental don't omit from the services.
05Jun1879, An Agricultural Show
AIX-LES-BAINS, June 5th, 1879.
—Went to Chambéry to see an Agricultural Show—wonderfully like an English one, with thrashing machines and other steam implements, tho' how they employ them in this land of tiny properties is hard to imagine. The cattle charming little creatures, like Alderneys. An official in his glory issuing commands to people to bring out their "animaux" at the top of his voice, and every particular hair on his bristly moustache standing on end.
—Went to Chambéry to see an Agricultural Show—wonderfully like an English one, with thrashing machines and other steam implements, tho' how they employ them in this land of tiny properties is hard to imagine. The cattle charming little creatures, like Alderneys. An official in his glory issuing commands to people to bring out their "animaux" at the top of his voice, and every particular hair on his bristly moustache standing on end.
20May1879, Empress of Germany
LONDON, May 20th, 1879.
—Party at Ly. Salisbury's to meet the Empress of Germany, a wizzy old lady, who was just curtseying and complimenting herself out of the house when we arrived.
—Party at Ly. Salisbury's to meet the Empress of Germany, a wizzy old lady, who was just curtseying and complimenting herself out of the house when we arrived.
05May1879, Queen Called Over the Coals
LONDON, May 5th-11th, 1879.
—A horrid debate in the H. of Commons brought on by Mr. Dillwyn, who gave notice of a motion blaming the Queen herself for certain letters and telegrams she has sent (in one Lady Frere was supposed to be aimed at). This scandalous way of putting the Queen as it were on the floor of the House of Commons, to be called over the coals, is a pleasing feature of our Dizzian régime. It is much believed that she has used undue influence in support of Sir Bartle and Ld. Chelmsford; but if she has, who is to blame? Dizzy and nobody else; for so long giving her her head and coaxing up in her ideas of prerogative which she would never have dreamt of but for him. Constitutionally, and every way, therefore, he ought to be hung, and nobody else, for any freaks H.M. plays d'après his guidance. However, Mr. Dillwyn seems to have taken fright at his own coup d'état, and turned the motion without notice into what was virtually one of want of confidence in the Government.
—A horrid debate in the H. of Commons brought on by Mr. Dillwyn, who gave notice of a motion blaming the Queen herself for certain letters and telegrams she has sent (in one Lady Frere was supposed to be aimed at). This scandalous way of putting the Queen as it were on the floor of the House of Commons, to be called over the coals, is a pleasing feature of our Dizzian régime. It is much believed that she has used undue influence in support of Sir Bartle and Ld. Chelmsford; but if she has, who is to blame? Dizzy and nobody else; for so long giving her her head and coaxing up in her ideas of prerogative which she would never have dreamt of but for him. Constitutionally, and every way, therefore, he ought to be hung, and nobody else, for any freaks H.M. plays d'après his guidance. However, Mr. Dillwyn seems to have taken fright at his own coup d'état, and turned the motion without notice into what was virtually one of want of confidence in the Government.
28Apr1879, The Monster Wingless Bird
MOUNT CLARE* AND LONDON, April 28th–May 4th, 1879.
—We visited old Pro. Owen and his pretty, older sister: he delighted me with an account of the monster N.Z. wingless antediluvian bird, whose leg-bone made Owen's fame.
—Mon. Heard a fine speech of Uncle W.'s on the Budget, making mince-meat of it.
*[FN: The house of the Hugh Smiths near Richmond Park]
—We visited old Pro. Owen and his pretty, older sister: he delighted me with an account of the monster N.Z. wingless antediluvian bird, whose leg-bone made Owen's fame.
—Mon. Heard a fine speech of Uncle W.'s on the Budget, making mince-meat of it.
*[FN: The house of the Hugh Smiths near Richmond Park]
21Apr1879, Campbell Engagments
LONDON, April 21st-27th, 1879.
—Saturday. Went to Campden Hill to see the D. of Argyll, who has just come back from Cannes. Curious strong friendship and affection has sprung up between him and Amelia Anson; out of their two great griefs, no doubt, yet it sets one wondering. He talked of little else; except inquiries about Uncle Charles [FN: Charles Howard, (brother of Lord F.'s mother), M.P. for East Cumberland, father of the 9th Earl of Carlisle.] The girls were very dear to me, especially Victoria, who especially attracts me: they spoke most warmly of Uncle Charles, who will be a great loss to them.
The 2 engaged couples were in the drawing-room — Frances (Campbell) and Eustace Balfour, and George and his pretty little lady, Sybil ______ [FN: The name is blank. Lady George Campbell was Miss Sybil Alexander.]; the Duchess knew and liked both Eustace and Sybil. Strange to see the new blossoming happiness in that house so full of a haunting memory.
—Saturday. Went to Campden Hill to see the D. of Argyll, who has just come back from Cannes. Curious strong friendship and affection has sprung up between him and Amelia Anson; out of their two great griefs, no doubt, yet it sets one wondering. He talked of little else; except inquiries about Uncle Charles [FN: Charles Howard, (brother of Lord F.'s mother), M.P. for East Cumberland, father of the 9th Earl of Carlisle.] The girls were very dear to me, especially Victoria, who especially attracts me: they spoke most warmly of Uncle Charles, who will be a great loss to them.
The 2 engaged couples were in the drawing-room — Frances (Campbell) and Eustace Balfour, and George and his pretty little lady, Sybil ______ [FN: The name is blank. Lady George Campbell was Miss Sybil Alexander.]; the Duchess knew and liked both Eustace and Sybil. Strange to see the new blossoming happiness in that house so full of a haunting memory.
07Apr1879, Litany at S. Paul's
LONDON, April 7th-13th, 1879.
—Went East straight from Cannon St., joined Mazy in S. Paul's Cathedral, and attended the solemn 1 o'clock Litany, hymn and sermon. Edward Talbot's Mr. Holland preached—a great, original, fervent sermon; so severely compressed into a quarter of an hour as to keep one longing at every weighty burning sentence to say "0 stop, stop!—let us think that over." It was on the Power of Sin and the Power of Sacrifice.
—Went East straight from Cannon St., joined Mazy in S. Paul's Cathedral, and attended the solemn 1 o'clock Litany, hymn and sermon. Edward Talbot's Mr. Holland preached—a great, original, fervent sermon; so severely compressed into a quarter of an hour as to keep one longing at every weighty burning sentence to say "0 stop, stop!—let us think that over." It was on the Power of Sin and the Power of Sacrifice.
03Mar1879, Algernon Howard's Secession to Rome
LONDON, March 3st–April 6th, 1879.
—Fri. Lucia Bagot, Adine Murray, and Gussy Noel dined and went to S. Anne's with me. In the middle of dinner in marched Rosalind Howard to see me, in excellent looks and high force; she rubbed me up the wrong way by talking in a cheerful airy way about her brother Algernon's secession to Rome, which has been a grief to me. It does not mend matters to hear his justification of himself according to Rosalind; viz., that he has given the Church of England "a fair trial" (having been 12 years in Orders) and finds he can't be happy. Who but a Stanley of tender years would thus composedly weigh himself in the balances against a Church 1,000 years old, and settle that she must be renounced because he is uncomfortable!!
—Fri. Lucia Bagot, Adine Murray, and Gussy Noel dined and went to S. Anne's with me. In the middle of dinner in marched Rosalind Howard to see me, in excellent looks and high force; she rubbed me up the wrong way by talking in a cheerful airy way about her brother Algernon's secession to Rome, which has been a grief to me. It does not mend matters to hear his justification of himself according to Rosalind; viz., that he has given the Church of England "a fair trial" (having been 12 years in Orders) and finds he can't be happy. Who but a Stanley of tender years would thus composedly weigh himself in the balances against a Church 1,000 years old, and settle that she must be renounced because he is uncomfortable!!
17Mar1879, The Queen at a Wedding
LONDON, March 17th-23rd, 1879.
—To think of my never having mentioned March 13th, when Mrs. Byng bore me off with her to see the Duke of Connaught's marriage, in the nave of S. George's, Windsor, just as I saw the Prince of Wales's. Lord Weymouth, [FN: Now 5th Marquess of Bath.] a very nice and very handsome boy, was a good deal with us. It was a most stately and beautiful sight: a day of floods of sunshine, old Windsor looking as Granny used to delight to describe it. The bride has a very winning countenance, full of character, yet youthful and innocent-looking: nice dark eyes. The historical sights were her father the redoubtable "Red Prince," a commanding-looking man (they say a ruffian in his home), and a much more noble and great man, the Crown Prince of Germany in his white uniform. Our dear Princess Royal was in good looks, being thinner; their eldest son,[FN: Afterwards German Emperor.] an ugly fellow, was with them; and there was a funny little brother of the Duchess of Connaught, about 9 years old, just like her in face, and as set-up and grave as a commander-in-chief in his little military uniform. The Princess of Wales looked lovely, Prince George at her side with his waggish round face, and the 3 pretty little Princesses marching in front of her. They are at a trying age for the skimp fashionable smart frocks, out of which their poor thin little elbows and legs peeped rather disconsolately, and their noses are too long! Prince Eddy is a beautiful boy, nearly as tall as Princess Beatrice, beside whom he walked, supporting the Queen, who took her full part in the ceremonial, and walked as grandly as ever, looking her best in long sweeping black and white, and a diamond coronet; tho' I do think H.M. has grown down and is a shorter woman than ever. Martial music, trumpets, grand organ marches—all stately. We saw them drive off to Claremont.
19th. Very successful concert at Grosvenor House, in aid of Hawarden orphanage. Joachim played 2 things for love. Thence I drove off to Brompton Consumption Hospital to see a young widow in whom Tallee is interested, quite dying, and aware of it, but very cheerful. Such are the magic-lantern slides of one's London life.
—Thurs., 20th. P.M.W. at No. 21. Dined with Ly. James, meeting W. E. G.s.
—21st. F. and I walked behind Dizzy on his way to the House; it was curious to see how every passer-by turned to look at him. A grisly sight he is, with his blue-grey colour and sham old black curls; he was drest like a well-to-do Old Clo' man, in a long light grey coat and loud trousers, and walked very infirmly.
—To think of my never having mentioned March 13th, when Mrs. Byng bore me off with her to see the Duke of Connaught's marriage, in the nave of S. George's, Windsor, just as I saw the Prince of Wales's. Lord Weymouth, [FN: Now 5th Marquess of Bath.] a very nice and very handsome boy, was a good deal with us. It was a most stately and beautiful sight: a day of floods of sunshine, old Windsor looking as Granny used to delight to describe it. The bride has a very winning countenance, full of character, yet youthful and innocent-looking: nice dark eyes. The historical sights were her father the redoubtable "Red Prince," a commanding-looking man (they say a ruffian in his home), and a much more noble and great man, the Crown Prince of Germany in his white uniform. Our dear Princess Royal was in good looks, being thinner; their eldest son,[FN: Afterwards German Emperor.] an ugly fellow, was with them; and there was a funny little brother of the Duchess of Connaught, about 9 years old, just like her in face, and as set-up and grave as a commander-in-chief in his little military uniform. The Princess of Wales looked lovely, Prince George at her side with his waggish round face, and the 3 pretty little Princesses marching in front of her. They are at a trying age for the skimp fashionable smart frocks, out of which their poor thin little elbows and legs peeped rather disconsolately, and their noses are too long! Prince Eddy is a beautiful boy, nearly as tall as Princess Beatrice, beside whom he walked, supporting the Queen, who took her full part in the ceremonial, and walked as grandly as ever, looking her best in long sweeping black and white, and a diamond coronet; tho' I do think H.M. has grown down and is a shorter woman than ever. Martial music, trumpets, grand organ marches—all stately. We saw them drive off to Claremont.
19th. Very successful concert at Grosvenor House, in aid of Hawarden orphanage. Joachim played 2 things for love. Thence I drove off to Brompton Consumption Hospital to see a young widow in whom Tallee is interested, quite dying, and aware of it, but very cheerful. Such are the magic-lantern slides of one's London life.
—Thurs., 20th. P.M.W. at No. 21. Dined with Ly. James, meeting W. E. G.s.
—21st. F. and I walked behind Dizzy on his way to the House; it was curious to see how every passer-by turned to look at him. A grisly sight he is, with his blue-grey colour and sham old black curls; he was drest like a well-to-do Old Clo' man, in a long light grey coat and loud trousers, and walked very infirmly.
10Mar1879, Fire at Granville's
OXFORD, AND LONDON, March 10th-16th, 1879.
—Lavinia busy in Committee, sending out circulars about the Ladies' Hall, so Mary and I went off to luncheon with Willy Grenfell [FN: Now Lord Desborough.]. Poor fellow, he has overstrained his heart rowing, and has had to give up both it and reading for honours. How one would grudge the latter! especially as he is clever....
Back to London refreshed in spirit. Heard on Monday that the poor Lord Granvilles, while out driving to see Ly. Russell with their children Sunday, had the attic floor of their house burnt! 15 fire-engines put it out and sadly ruined the walls and the rest of the house, but everything moveable was saved, except poor Ly. G.'s best gowns and lace. I hoped she would send the children to us, or that they would come themselves; but other folks carried them off, and we only put up 6 maids and no end of pictures, etc.
—Wednesday. Cavendish's 2nd drum.
—Lavinia busy in Committee, sending out circulars about the Ladies' Hall, so Mary and I went off to luncheon with Willy Grenfell [FN: Now Lord Desborough.]. Poor fellow, he has overstrained his heart rowing, and has had to give up both it and reading for honours. How one would grudge the latter! especially as he is clever....
Back to London refreshed in spirit. Heard on Monday that the poor Lord Granvilles, while out driving to see Ly. Russell with their children Sunday, had the attic floor of their house burnt! 15 fire-engines put it out and sadly ruined the walls and the rest of the house, but everything moveable was saved, except poor Ly. G.'s best gowns and lace. I hoped she would send the children to us, or that they would come themselves; but other folks carried them off, and we only put up 6 maids and no end of pictures, etc.
—Wednesday. Cavendish's 2nd drum.
05Feb1879, Bright Reads Whittier
27Jan1879, Arthur to be First Master at Selwyn
HAWARDEN, January 27th—F ebruary 2nd, 1879.
—A blessing to come to dear Hawarden at so bright and peaceful and prosperous a time as to all nears and dears. I had the grand excitement of being the first to tell them of a great piece of news just sent me by Arthur himself, viz., of his having been offered the headship of the new "Selwyn College" at Cambridge, which is to be opened in about 2 years. Canon Lightfoot, Bp. Abraham, and Prof. Westcott have all agreed in their choice; and he has accepted, in such a noble, modest, earnest spirit. 0 what it is not to have Papa, May, or Mrs. Talbot, or At. Emy, to tell! The anxiety of course is lest the experiment should fail at Cambridge, or be anyhow far less successful than at Oxford; they have raised much less money, and propose to begin building with £20,000, with the view of putting up 50 men, and only opening with 20, just the scale upon which Keble began. Uncle W. looked grubous major at the prospect! thinking the Keble success most unique, and that even it has serious rocks ahead as to tutors, etc. But nothing can take from the great honour and compliment it is to "little pig Arthur" as Papa used to call him of old. He is only just 27.
On Wednesday came Bright and his daughter, and we did want a Boswell. Endless and delightful was the talk; chiefly on religious matters about which the stout old fellow seems specially alive—perhaps the more from the recent death of his wife. An uncompromising old nonconformist puritan is he. I believe he generally monopolizes talk, but that can't be done with Uncle W. by! He announced that he disliked all clergy (and ministers) as a rule, and, poor man, he had 5 administered to him in 3 days
—A blessing to come to dear Hawarden at so bright and peaceful and prosperous a time as to all nears and dears. I had the grand excitement of being the first to tell them of a great piece of news just sent me by Arthur himself, viz., of his having been offered the headship of the new "Selwyn College" at Cambridge, which is to be opened in about 2 years. Canon Lightfoot, Bp. Abraham, and Prof. Westcott have all agreed in their choice; and he has accepted, in such a noble, modest, earnest spirit. 0 what it is not to have Papa, May, or Mrs. Talbot, or At. Emy, to tell! The anxiety of course is lest the experiment should fail at Cambridge, or be anyhow far less successful than at Oxford; they have raised much less money, and propose to begin building with £20,000, with the view of putting up 50 men, and only opening with 20, just the scale upon which Keble began. Uncle W. looked grubous major at the prospect! thinking the Keble success most unique, and that even it has serious rocks ahead as to tutors, etc. But nothing can take from the great honour and compliment it is to "little pig Arthur" as Papa used to call him of old. He is only just 27.
On Wednesday came Bright and his daughter, and we did want a Boswell. Endless and delightful was the talk; chiefly on religious matters about which the stout old fellow seems specially alive—perhaps the more from the recent death of his wife. An uncompromising old nonconformist puritan is he. I believe he generally monopolizes talk, but that can't be done with Uncle W. by! He announced that he disliked all clergy (and ministers) as a rule, and, poor man, he had 5 administered to him in 3 days
13Jan1879, A Brilliant Attack
HOLKER, January 13th-19th, 1879.
—Sir W. Harcourt has made a brilliant attack on the Government's Eastern policy at Oxford; the pity is one can't believe in him: he has neither principles nor convictions.
—Sir W. Harcourt has made a brilliant attack on the Government's Eastern policy at Oxford; the pity is one can't believe in him: he has neither principles nor convictions.
09Dec1878, Little Mary Talbot and the E.Q.
FALCONHURST, December 9th-15th, 1878.
—Little Mary [FN: Mary Talbot, afterwards wife of Winfrid Burrows, now Bishop of Chichester.] (a clever creature she is, tho' so quiet and unself-asserting) takes no end of interest in politics, and said to me, "I should like to hear the Government side* well put. Papa, you know, does not get up foreign politics; indeed, I have beaten him myself about them!" We did not, however, go much into the matter—the thing is rather too serious with Mr. Balfour, viewing the imputations, from which we cannot think his uncle Ld. Salisbury has cleared himself, of want of truth. Mr. Balfour, meanwhile, is as delightful as usual.
*(of the E.Q. [FN: I.e. Eastern Question.])
—Little Mary [FN: Mary Talbot, afterwards wife of Winfrid Burrows, now Bishop of Chichester.] (a clever creature she is, tho' so quiet and unself-asserting) takes no end of interest in politics, and said to me, "I should like to hear the Government side* well put. Papa, you know, does not get up foreign politics; indeed, I have beaten him myself about them!" We did not, however, go much into the matter—the thing is rather too serious with Mr. Balfour, viewing the imputations, from which we cannot think his uncle Ld. Salisbury has cleared himself, of want of truth. Mr. Balfour, meanwhile, is as delightful as usual.
*(of the E.Q. [FN: I.e. Eastern Question.])
26Nov1878, Guests at Chatsworth
CHATSWORTH, November 26th–December st, 1878.
—Much raw cold, nevertheless, to my joy, my Fred mended decidedly. He doesn't shoot, however. Very pleasant week; arrived Georgy Grenfell, and daughters: Lena is a dear little chum of mine, and Constance, just grown up, a very attractive, handsome creature, a little like Gerty, but far softer and more graceful: Mintos with their very taking son Arthur (wooden leg) [FN: Hon. Arthur Elliot, afterwards a well-known politician, and Editor of the Edinburgh Review; a man of great charm and distinction.]; old Richmond, excellent company always. He and "Dicky Doyle" very good fun going over the Sketches together, going into poetic raptures over legs and arms, and other more interesting things, and poking fun at each other about which should have first choice for War Exhibitions. Dufferins: a great break to see them: excellent company both of them. The Lorries have just arrived in Canada, after a hideous passage. They seem to have consulted the Dufferins much, as well they might, for the Dufferin reign has been a grand success.
—Much raw cold, nevertheless, to my joy, my Fred mended decidedly. He doesn't shoot, however. Very pleasant week; arrived Georgy Grenfell, and daughters: Lena is a dear little chum of mine, and Constance, just grown up, a very attractive, handsome creature, a little like Gerty, but far softer and more graceful: Mintos with their very taking son Arthur (wooden leg) [FN: Hon. Arthur Elliot, afterwards a well-known politician, and Editor of the Edinburgh Review; a man of great charm and distinction.]; old Richmond, excellent company always. He and "Dicky Doyle" very good fun going over the Sketches together, going into poetic raptures over legs and arms, and other more interesting things, and poking fun at each other about which should have first choice for War Exhibitions. Dufferins: a great break to see them: excellent company both of them. The Lorries have just arrived in Canada, after a hideous passage. They seem to have consulted the Dufferins much, as well they might, for the Dufferin reign has been a grand success.
18Nov1878, A Reading List
CHATSWORTH, November 18th-24th, 1878.
—Having just about exhausted Bath and the "little valleys thereof" and the fine hillsides, we left it on Saturday, and came nothing loth to Chatsworth—a great rise in life from our lodging. F. less lame and much better and stronger, but his arm much the same: he has clapt an Alcock's Porous Plaster on the shoulder. Our reading has been tolerably extensive: Lecky, Quinet's "French Revolution," Geikie's "Life of Christ," Church's Essays, "The Antiquary," "Scenes of Clerical Life," "Mill on the Floss," "The Three Brides," "The Newcomes," "My Young Alcides": most of these are my repertory. Last Friday we had the High School mistress to dinner and this Friday I gave away certificates and School of Art prizes at the School. It flourishes well....
At Chatsworth we find Lansdownes, Powerscourts, Gerald Howard, a son of Col. Cavendish's, Mr. Ross, Mr. Doyle, etc., and last, not least, the G. Pennants.[FN: The George Pennants, afterwards Lord and Lady Penrhyn. She had been Gertrude Glynne, Lady Frederick's 1st cousin.] She very thin and in small health, but most bright and prosperous.
—Sunday. I had rather have spent in Bath! It poured, no, it was chiefly raw fog. War is declared.
—Having just about exhausted Bath and the "little valleys thereof" and the fine hillsides, we left it on Saturday, and came nothing loth to Chatsworth—a great rise in life from our lodging. F. less lame and much better and stronger, but his arm much the same: he has clapt an Alcock's Porous Plaster on the shoulder. Our reading has been tolerably extensive: Lecky, Quinet's "French Revolution," Geikie's "Life of Christ," Church's Essays, "The Antiquary," "Scenes of Clerical Life," "Mill on the Floss," "The Three Brides," "The Newcomes," "My Young Alcides": most of these are my repertory. Last Friday we had the High School mistress to dinner and this Friday I gave away certificates and School of Art prizes at the School. It flourishes well....
At Chatsworth we find Lansdownes, Powerscourts, Gerald Howard, a son of Col. Cavendish's, Mr. Ross, Mr. Doyle, etc., and last, not least, the G. Pennants.[FN: The George Pennants, afterwards Lord and Lady Penrhyn. She had been Gertrude Glynne, Lady Frederick's 1st cousin.] She very thin and in small health, but most bright and prosperous.
—Sunday. I had rather have spent in Bath! It poured, no, it was chiefly raw fog. War is declared.
04Nov1878, Sunday Out to Longleat
BATH, November 4th-10th, 1878.
—Saturday we had the break of going to Longleat for a "Sunday out." Drove from Warminster; woods lovely. Find Count Nesselrode, and Mr. Horner who knew all my brothers at school. I delight in the noble hall.
Sun.—Rained with little intermission. Morning service in a most gaunt and hideous chapel in the house; drove in the afternoon to Church where a missioner with a clever, noble face, Mr. Bates, preached strikingly. The 3 girls and darling boykin of 7 are here: the 2 elder girls very pretty, especially the 2nd; the boy Alexander very like my recollection of Lord Herbert. Count Nesselrode a very agreeable old gig, with a great round stomach; slips about from English to French in the oddest style, but talks alike political scandal and gossip in both.
—Saturday we had the break of going to Longleat for a "Sunday out." Drove from Warminster; woods lovely. Find Count Nesselrode, and Mr. Horner who knew all my brothers at school. I delight in the noble hall.
Sun.—Rained with little intermission. Morning service in a most gaunt and hideous chapel in the house; drove in the afternoon to Church where a missioner with a clever, noble face, Mr. Bates, preached strikingly. The 3 girls and darling boykin of 7 are here: the 2 elder girls very pretty, especially the 2nd; the boy Alexander very like my recollection of Lord Herbert. Count Nesselrode a very agreeable old gig, with a great round stomach; slips about from English to French in the oddest style, but talks alike political scandal and gossip in both.
28Oct1878, Tales of Learning
HIGHCLERE, October 28th—LONGLEAT, November 3rd, 1878.
—Went early on Mon. morning to hear Miss Graves teach little Margaret Herbert [FN: Now Lady Margaret Duckworth.] arithmetic by the new "Sonnenschein" system. It wonderfully familiarizes a child with all the simple rules, including fractions, at once ! and without the learning of any "tables." I retain a prejudice in favour of the Multiplication Table, viewing the ease with which most children learn by rote. Ended a delightful visit, and came away in company with Mr. Lowe, who was highly agreeable. He showed off the spectacles (?) he wears, made of silver, with literal single pin-pricks to see thro' —thus minimizing the light for his poor pink-onyx albino eyes. F. has absolutely almost had enough of tirades against Dizzy ! At breakfast Lord Carnavon told us his brother Alan in his young days, wishing to learn to swim, was dropped overboard in deep water; went to the bottom, was fished up, and immediately said he would try again; and so proceeded till he learnt to swim. This extraordinary anecdote was capped by Mr. Lowe, who said his father (or was it his grandfather ?) as a powerful young man, being capsized in the River Trent, held his breath and walked along the bottom to the shore!! [FN: Authorities say this could not be. (Lady Frederick's note.)] Wonderful to have two such undeniable instances of courage in water related by 2 people next each other.
—Went early on Mon. morning to hear Miss Graves teach little Margaret Herbert [FN: Now Lady Margaret Duckworth.] arithmetic by the new "Sonnenschein" system. It wonderfully familiarizes a child with all the simple rules, including fractions, at once ! and without the learning of any "tables." I retain a prejudice in favour of the Multiplication Table, viewing the ease with which most children learn by rote. Ended a delightful visit, and came away in company with Mr. Lowe, who was highly agreeable. He showed off the spectacles (?) he wears, made of silver, with literal single pin-pricks to see thro' —thus minimizing the light for his poor pink-onyx albino eyes. F. has absolutely almost had enough of tirades against Dizzy ! At breakfast Lord Carnavon told us his brother Alan in his young days, wishing to learn to swim, was dropped overboard in deep water; went to the bottom, was fished up, and immediately said he would try again; and so proceeded till he learnt to swim. This extraordinary anecdote was capped by Mr. Lowe, who said his father (or was it his grandfather ?) as a powerful young man, being capsized in the River Trent, held his breath and walked along the bottom to the shore!! [FN: Authorities say this could not be. (Lady Frederick's note.)] Wonderful to have two such undeniable instances of courage in water related by 2 people next each other.
20Oct1878, A War With Afghanistan
HIGHCLERE, October 20th-27th, 1878.
—At Highclere found Ld. Carnavon and a little sickly, gentle, faded, old-maid sister, Ly. Gwendolen, Ld. Bath, Mr. Watson, and Mr. Rowsell of the Admiralty. A nice little daughter [FN: Now Lady Burghclere] of 15, with intelligent brown eyes and arched eyebrows, came down shyly to pour out the tea. There is a boy just gone to school, and 2 other damsels; the youngest, at whose birth Ly. Carnarvon died, only 31/2. The hall is fine and makes a pleasant reception-room when one arrives; but the castle disappoints me, having gone through the usual fate of castles, gingerbreading and gimcracking; with a late outbreak of Morris. The view from the S. windows enchanting.
The Bp. of Oxford and Mrs. Mackarness, Mr. Lowe, Mr. and Mrs. Hutton arrived. Much politics prevail, and Dizzy's left ear ought to burn continuously! Ld. Bath and Ld. Carnarvon are desperately down upon him. We are on the verge of a war with Afghanistan, upon a squabble with the Ameer for which we have ourselves to thank; it would be a horrid calamity, and the jingo notion that our Indian frontier wants advancing is shown by Lord Lawrence to be utterly wrong: it could only weaken us.
—Sunday. Morning church at the nice little new church, with a beautiful memorial window to Lady Carnarvon. Bishop preacht excellently on Charity, the spirit that, without imagining good that does not exist, finds it out wherever it is. I hope Mr. Lowe will lay it to heart! absolute cynic that he is.
Beautiful walk to the Roman (no, British) camp. I cuddled with Miss Graves the governess, who has been teacher at both Notting Hill and S. John's Wood High Schools, and only gave up on account of eyesight. Evening service in the hall after dinner—rather a horrid plan.
—At Highclere found Ld. Carnavon and a little sickly, gentle, faded, old-maid sister, Ly. Gwendolen, Ld. Bath, Mr. Watson, and Mr. Rowsell of the Admiralty. A nice little daughter [FN: Now Lady Burghclere] of 15, with intelligent brown eyes and arched eyebrows, came down shyly to pour out the tea. There is a boy just gone to school, and 2 other damsels; the youngest, at whose birth Ly. Carnarvon died, only 31/2. The hall is fine and makes a pleasant reception-room when one arrives; but the castle disappoints me, having gone through the usual fate of castles, gingerbreading and gimcracking; with a late outbreak of Morris. The view from the S. windows enchanting.
The Bp. of Oxford and Mrs. Mackarness, Mr. Lowe, Mr. and Mrs. Hutton arrived. Much politics prevail, and Dizzy's left ear ought to burn continuously! Ld. Bath and Ld. Carnarvon are desperately down upon him. We are on the verge of a war with Afghanistan, upon a squabble with the Ameer for which we have ourselves to thank; it would be a horrid calamity, and the jingo notion that our Indian frontier wants advancing is shown by Lord Lawrence to be utterly wrong: it could only weaken us.
—Sunday. Morning church at the nice little new church, with a beautiful memorial window to Lady Carnarvon. Bishop preacht excellently on Charity, the spirit that, without imagining good that does not exist, finds it out wherever it is. I hope Mr. Lowe will lay it to heart! absolute cynic that he is.
Beautiful walk to the Roman (no, British) camp. I cuddled with Miss Graves the governess, who has been teacher at both Notting Hill and S. John's Wood High Schools, and only gave up on account of eyesight. Evening service in the hall after dinner—rather a horrid plan.
19Oct1878, Charles Gets Married
LONDON, Saturday, October 19th, 1878.
—Charles's wedding-day a golden day within and without! Thank God for this great happiness that has come to him, and thro' him to us all, after the heavy sorrows of the last 2 years. The Keble couple, Sybella and Sal, Auntie P. and Mazy, went to Latimer Friday. Nevy, who is best man, escorted Charles down from Hagley on Thursday, and went thro' the various duties of his office with military spirit all his own! All the rest of us, with Uncle W., At. Coque, Stephy, Uncle B., arrived early on Saturday in a great army. Very plucky of old Meriel under the circumstances. She and I, Bob, Edward, Spencer, etc., drove up together in a bus and had ridiculous jokes: behind us came a trap piled with the Rev. gentlemen, who appeared to be equally jovial. Latimer looked lovely: the walk to church all of a glow with golden sunshine and autumn tints. Katie Cavendish [FN: Sister of the bride, afterwards 2nd wife of the 1st Duke of Westminster.] and Ly. Susan Byng, Lena Grenfell and Mazy, Mary Talbot and little Sal were bridesmaids. Miss Grosvenor played beautifully in church, and the hymns went to one's heart. The little bride looked her very best, her face so softened with deep feeling and joy; Charles glorious! At breakfast afterwards Uncle W. made a most faultless little speech, and Charles answered very perfectly: his face a sight to see, as he looked down at his little wife with that smile of his that is like both Papa's and Mamma's smile. They drove off to Cliveden in the glowing afternoon, and Netty [FN: Lady Chesham, the bride's mother. She was Henrietta, daughter of Rt. Hon. W. S. Lascelles and Lady Caroline Lascelles, who was Lord Frederick's aunt.] took me a walk by the river and warmed my heart with her love and appreciation of Charles and indeed of all the brothers.
Dear Sybella [FN: Sybella, Lady Lyttelton, Lady Frederick's stepmother. Lord Lyttelton had died in April 1876.] most brave and unselfish; only broke down a little after the service. Of course there was the inevitable tract of ages to get thro', but all was nicely managed. There were many departures. We ought to have had the old 8 photographed together again: the many great blanks make one thank God the more for this dear unbroken number. There were many more relations on our side than on the Cavendish.
At dinner we still mustered strong: Gladstones and Sybella, Spencer, and Bob, Nevy, Georgiana Leicester, Lena, Mr. Balfour, the Compton Cavendishes, and Ly. Susan Byng.
Went to Syb.'s room late, and heard the extraordinary Sal read French with perfect fluency and no end of spirit and emphasis, and sing a German song, her Fräulein having only been with her 2 or 3 months. Katie came in too: she is a dear pretty little body: not little neither.
—Charles's wedding-day a golden day within and without! Thank God for this great happiness that has come to him, and thro' him to us all, after the heavy sorrows of the last 2 years. The Keble couple, Sybella and Sal, Auntie P. and Mazy, went to Latimer Friday. Nevy, who is best man, escorted Charles down from Hagley on Thursday, and went thro' the various duties of his office with military spirit all his own! All the rest of us, with Uncle W., At. Coque, Stephy, Uncle B., arrived early on Saturday in a great army. Very plucky of old Meriel under the circumstances. She and I, Bob, Edward, Spencer, etc., drove up together in a bus and had ridiculous jokes: behind us came a trap piled with the Rev. gentlemen, who appeared to be equally jovial. Latimer looked lovely: the walk to church all of a glow with golden sunshine and autumn tints. Katie Cavendish [FN: Sister of the bride, afterwards 2nd wife of the 1st Duke of Westminster.] and Ly. Susan Byng, Lena Grenfell and Mazy, Mary Talbot and little Sal were bridesmaids. Miss Grosvenor played beautifully in church, and the hymns went to one's heart. The little bride looked her very best, her face so softened with deep feeling and joy; Charles glorious! At breakfast afterwards Uncle W. made a most faultless little speech, and Charles answered very perfectly: his face a sight to see, as he looked down at his little wife with that smile of his that is like both Papa's and Mamma's smile. They drove off to Cliveden in the glowing afternoon, and Netty [FN: Lady Chesham, the bride's mother. She was Henrietta, daughter of Rt. Hon. W. S. Lascelles and Lady Caroline Lascelles, who was Lord Frederick's aunt.] took me a walk by the river and warmed my heart with her love and appreciation of Charles and indeed of all the brothers.
Dear Sybella [FN: Sybella, Lady Lyttelton, Lady Frederick's stepmother. Lord Lyttelton had died in April 1876.] most brave and unselfish; only broke down a little after the service. Of course there was the inevitable tract of ages to get thro', but all was nicely managed. There were many departures. We ought to have had the old 8 photographed together again: the many great blanks make one thank God the more for this dear unbroken number. There were many more relations on our side than on the Cavendish.
At dinner we still mustered strong: Gladstones and Sybella, Spencer, and Bob, Nevy, Georgiana Leicester, Lena, Mr. Balfour, the Compton Cavendishes, and Ly. Susan Byng.
Went to Syb.'s room late, and heard the extraordinary Sal read French with perfect fluency and no end of spirit and emphasis, and sing a German song, her Fräulein having only been with her 2 or 3 months. Katie came in too: she is a dear pretty little body: not little neither.
30Sep1878, A Visit to Saltaire
MILNER FIELD, September 30th–October 6th, 1878.
—Next day, in spite of pitiless rain, Titus took us and Ld. Carnavon over the magnificent Saltaire schools. I never dreamt of anything on such a scale. He is especially proud of the Board Schools, which consist of Kindergarten and a great Mixed School; both departments ruled by women, without pupil-teachers, the plan being the class-room one throughout. The big central hall is only used for the religious lesson and for drilling, marching, and games. Of course there is an Admirable Crichton of a Head Mistress of each school, on whom the whole thing depends, and who has the fullest possible freedom of action and control, She had mighty difficulty at first in getting the rough factory boys into order; but now the beautiful gentleness, discipline, and tone strikes one at once, and the happy faces. The recitals of poetry, even by the infants, a miracle of refinement and intelligence. The scrap of Kindergarten teaching which was all we had time for delighted me.
—Next day, in spite of pitiless rain, Titus took us and Ld. Carnavon over the magnificent Saltaire schools. I never dreamt of anything on such a scale. He is especially proud of the Board Schools, which consist of Kindergarten and a great Mixed School; both departments ruled by women, without pupil-teachers, the plan being the class-room one throughout. The big central hall is only used for the religious lesson and for drilling, marching, and games. Of course there is an Admirable Crichton of a Head Mistress of each school, on whom the whole thing depends, and who has the fullest possible freedom of action and control, She had mighty difficulty at first in getting the rough factory boys into order; but now the beautiful gentleness, discipline, and tone strikes one at once, and the happy faces. The recitals of poetry, even by the infants, a miracle of refinement and intelligence. The scrap of Kindergarten teaching which was all we had time for delighted me.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
16Sep1878, Beasts and Boys
HOLKER, September 16th-22nd, 1878.
—A wonderful sale of shorthorns came off on Wednesday, which has been absorbing Mr. Drewry for many a month. Lds. Calthorpe, Moreton, Skelmersdale, and Ellesmere, Sir W. Lawson, Sir Curtis Lampson, Col. Kingscote, "Peck" Hamilton, etc., all turned up for it. Ly. Ellesmere was the only lady: a very good-natured little plump lady is she. Thirty beasts were sold for £19,922 14s. —a glorious result: average £664 1s. 10d. The highest cow, £2,793; the highest bull, £1,732 10s. Eddy went off with Victor to school, Thurs. night. Frank with his two Friday morning. A black Friday !—poor little boys crying bitterly, and their elders not much better; didn't I see the Duke hastily wiping his eyes as he turned back into the house! William is a regular little chum to him!
—A wonderful sale of shorthorns came off on Wednesday, which has been absorbing Mr. Drewry for many a month. Lds. Calthorpe, Moreton, Skelmersdale, and Ellesmere, Sir W. Lawson, Sir Curtis Lampson, Col. Kingscote, "Peck" Hamilton, etc., all turned up for it. Ly. Ellesmere was the only lady: a very good-natured little plump lady is she. Thirty beasts were sold for £19,922 14s. —a glorious result: average £664 1s. 10d. The highest cow, £2,793; the highest bull, £1,732 10s. Eddy went off with Victor to school, Thurs. night. Frank with his two Friday morning. A black Friday !—poor little boys crying bitterly, and their elders not much better; didn't I see the Duke hastily wiping his eyes as he turned back into the house! William is a regular little chum to him!
09Sep1878, Colin Campbell for Argyleshire
HOLKER, September 9th-15th, 1878.
—I have not mentioned a pleasant event—the return of Colin Campbell for Argyleshire, Lorne having been appointed Gov.-Gen. of Canadaan excellent coup of Dizzy's. It is as good as a gain of a seat, Lorne having pursued a tolerably consistent course of voting against his party.
—I have not mentioned a pleasant event—the return of Colin Campbell for Argyleshire, Lorne having been appointed Gov.-Gen. of Canadaan excellent coup of Dizzy's. It is as good as a gain of a seat, Lorne having pursued a tolerably consistent course of voting against his party.
28Aug1878, Little Mary Cavendish
BOLTON, August 28th, 1878.
—Mazy wrote me a dear letter full of little Mary Cavendish's excellencies. [FN: Her eldest brother Lord Lyttelton, who became 8th Viscount Cobham in 1889, had just become engaged to Mary Cavendish, daughter of the 2nd Baron Chesham.]
—Mazy wrote me a dear letter full of little Mary Cavendish's excellencies. [FN: Her eldest brother Lord Lyttelton, who became 8th Viscount Cobham in 1889, had just become engaged to Mary Cavendish, daughter of the 2nd Baron Chesham.]
12Aug1878, Mixed Marriages with R.C.
BOLTON, August 12th-18th, 1878.
—He [FN: A friend who had married a Roman Catholic.] and his wife have at last come to an open row about the children's religion. He declares that he only gave the promise before marriage that they should be brought up Roman on the strength of some words of hers implying that she wouldn't hold him to the promise. But they certainly put no confidence in each other about it—he refusing to have any R.C.s in the house, she taking them to confession, etc., secretly. They have now been to law, with the astounding result of the judge laying down that whatever engagement a man may make before marriage as to his children's religion, he may break with perfect (legal) impunity. If this is clearly understood, I hope it will put an end to "mixed marriages" — R.C.s will no longer venture to risk them.
—He [FN: A friend who had married a Roman Catholic.] and his wife have at last come to an open row about the children's religion. He declares that he only gave the promise before marriage that they should be brought up Roman on the strength of some words of hers implying that she wouldn't hold him to the promise. But they certainly put no confidence in each other about it—he refusing to have any R.C.s in the house, she taking them to confession, etc., secretly. They have now been to law, with the astounding result of the judge laying down that whatever engagement a man may make before marriage as to his children's religion, he may break with perfect (legal) impunity. If this is clearly understood, I hope it will put an end to "mixed marriages" — R.C.s will no longer venture to risk them.
23Jul1878, More Derby-Salisbury Business
LONDON, July 23rd – 28th, 1878.
—Went on Tues. "by sea" to S. George's E. Workhouse to see my poor paralysed lad Stephen Perkins: found he had died in the spring: such a blessed instance of "Loose him, and let him go." Coming back, who should be on the Thames-tunnel landing-place but Ly. Granville!!! I wonder how many chances there were against our meeting on a penny boat. She had a brother with her, and had been to Ratclyffe Highway to buy a paroqueet. We talked of the horrid Derby-Salisbury business; Ld. Derby has found his mem. written at the time of his resignation, and fully bearing out what he has said, and has shown it to Ld. Granville. Whether he would have re-opened the personal matter, and crushed Lord Salisbury with the mem, I don't know; but he has been requested by the Queen to let the subject alone. Of course this is under pressure from Dizzy — the Queen could not be responsible—and most base it is of him. One can't give the reason, and I can see Johnny [FN: I.e. her brother-in-law J. G. Talbot, then at the Board of Trade.] and his colleagues conclude that the mem. is a figment, and that Ld. Derby had delirium tremens or something of the sort when he resigned.
—Went on Tues. "by sea" to S. George's E. Workhouse to see my poor paralysed lad Stephen Perkins: found he had died in the spring: such a blessed instance of "Loose him, and let him go." Coming back, who should be on the Thames-tunnel landing-place but Ly. Granville!!! I wonder how many chances there were against our meeting on a penny boat. She had a brother with her, and had been to Ratclyffe Highway to buy a paroqueet. We talked of the horrid Derby-Salisbury business; Ld. Derby has found his mem. written at the time of his resignation, and fully bearing out what he has said, and has shown it to Ld. Granville. Whether he would have re-opened the personal matter, and crushed Lord Salisbury with the mem, I don't know; but he has been requested by the Queen to let the subject alone. Of course this is under pressure from Dizzy — the Queen could not be responsible—and most base it is of him. One can't give the reason, and I can see Johnny [FN: I.e. her brother-in-law J. G. Talbot, then at the Board of Trade.] and his colleagues conclude that the mem. is a figment, and that Ld. Derby had delirium tremens or something of the sort when he resigned.
15Jul1878, Parliament and Princesses
LONDON, Monday, July 15th – 22nd, 1878.
—Dizzy has returned high-gee his horrid Anglo-Turkish Convention which he has signed and ratified without the knowledge, much less the consent of Parliament.
—Tuesday. Dizzy returned, with colours flying, from Berlin, Ld. Salisbury with him (the captive, says the Spectator, of his sword and of his bow). A triumphal entry was his into Charing Cross; red cloth, thrilling ladies, cheering crowd, and a fine bouquet handed to him in Downing Street from the Queen. I wouldn't go within earshot! Friends and foes alike will have it he is to be made a Duke; by all means, say I, if they will make him Duke of Jericho, and send him to administer his duchy.
—Friday. In the House of Lords came off a horrid scene. Ld. Derby explicitly stated that a main cause of his resignation was its being said in the Cabinet that Cyprus would have to be taken, with or without the consent of Italy, our ally. Hereupon Ld. Cranbrook was heard to exclaim, "That's the biggest lie I ever heard"; and Lord Salisbury deliberately (for Ld. Derby's speech lasted a good while after this statement) denies the fact; introducing into his denial, however, the words "the Cabinet came to a resolution," which Ld. D. had never said. Of course he modified this giving of the lie into Parliamentary language; but he was immeasurably bitter, comparing Ld. Derby to Titus Oates for revealing secrets. Ld. D. says he has a memorandum, made at the time, giving his reasons. We dined with the Selbornes, meeting the usual episcopal element. Bps. of Rupertstown, Long Island, and Nova Scotia. F. made great friends with Rupertstown, whose diocese he hunted buffalo in 20 years ago, but which is now a great thriving populous region, lately divided into 3 dioceses....
—Sat. Early to Compton Place. [FN: . The Duke's house at Eastbourne] Old Church in the morning. In front of us sat 3 very good little fair girls and one very good little knickerbocker boy, who turned out to be Princess Royal's younger children: very ugly though nice little phizzes. Edith and I in the evening to the new chapel of ease close to Compton Place, where were a whole bevy of Princesses, the number being swelled by 3 Hesse girls [FN: One of these girls became the unfortunate Empress of Russia, murdered by the Bolshevists.], who are pretty, slim, and distinguished-looking. Should have liked to have talked to them of their mother and Uncle Billy, who have made tremendous friends at Darmstadt: she is in England now.
—Dizzy has returned high-gee his horrid Anglo-Turkish Convention which he has signed and ratified without the knowledge, much less the consent of Parliament.
—Tuesday. Dizzy returned, with colours flying, from Berlin, Ld. Salisbury with him (the captive, says the Spectator, of his sword and of his bow). A triumphal entry was his into Charing Cross; red cloth, thrilling ladies, cheering crowd, and a fine bouquet handed to him in Downing Street from the Queen. I wouldn't go within earshot! Friends and foes alike will have it he is to be made a Duke; by all means, say I, if they will make him Duke of Jericho, and send him to administer his duchy.
—Friday. In the House of Lords came off a horrid scene. Ld. Derby explicitly stated that a main cause of his resignation was its being said in the Cabinet that Cyprus would have to be taken, with or without the consent of Italy, our ally. Hereupon Ld. Cranbrook was heard to exclaim, "That's the biggest lie I ever heard"; and Lord Salisbury deliberately (for Ld. Derby's speech lasted a good while after this statement) denies the fact; introducing into his denial, however, the words "the Cabinet came to a resolution," which Ld. D. had never said. Of course he modified this giving of the lie into Parliamentary language; but he was immeasurably bitter, comparing Ld. Derby to Titus Oates for revealing secrets. Ld. D. says he has a memorandum, made at the time, giving his reasons. We dined with the Selbornes, meeting the usual episcopal element. Bps. of Rupertstown, Long Island, and Nova Scotia. F. made great friends with Rupertstown, whose diocese he hunted buffalo in 20 years ago, but which is now a great thriving populous region, lately divided into 3 dioceses....
—Sat. Early to Compton Place. [FN: . The Duke's house at Eastbourne] Old Church in the morning. In front of us sat 3 very good little fair girls and one very good little knickerbocker boy, who turned out to be Princess Royal's younger children: very ugly though nice little phizzes. Edith and I in the evening to the new chapel of ease close to Compton Place, where were a whole bevy of Princesses, the number being swelled by 3 Hesse girls [FN: One of these girls became the unfortunate Empress of Russia, murdered by the Bolshevists.], who are pretty, slim, and distinguished-looking. Should have liked to have talked to them of their mother and Uncle Billy, who have made tremendous friends at Darmstadt: she is in England now.
09Jul1878, Ireland and its Improvement
WELLINGTON COLLEGE, July 9th-14th, 1878.
—Dined at Louisa Lady Ashburton's who had miscounted her guests so that poor Ly. Belper was puss in the corner for a time. Sat between Ld. Melgund [FN: Afterwards 4th Earl of Minto and Viceroy of India.] and a very pleasant old Bishop of Limerick who stuck up for Ireland and its improvement, said wages had doubled in his diocese in 22 years, that the Church has learnt no end of good in the salutary school of adversity, and that there had been little or no secession to Dissent.
—Dined at Louisa Lady Ashburton's who had miscounted her guests so that poor Ly. Belper was puss in the corner for a time. Sat between Ld. Melgund [FN: Afterwards 4th Earl of Minto and Viceroy of India.] and a very pleasant old Bishop of Limerick who stuck up for Ireland and its improvement, said wages had doubled in his diocese in 22 years, that the Church has learnt no end of good in the salutary school of adversity, and that there had been little or no secession to Dissent.
01Jul1878, All 8 Brothers in London
LONDON, July 1st – 8th, 1878.
—University match; as I couldn't go in the morning I missed a grand innings of Edward's, and wouldn't go in the afternoon. B. Temple came to see me, looking pretty brisk. Old Albert came to sleep, and to-night all 8 brothers are in London: all but Nevy, Spencer, and Bob dined with us. Tues. to Lord's; Alfred made a grand long innings of 63, and Oxford was pitifully smashed—only making 32 in the 2nd innings—I should think an unrivalled fiasco.
—Wednesday. Devonshire House drum: good and pretty.
—University match; as I couldn't go in the morning I missed a grand innings of Edward's, and wouldn't go in the afternoon. B. Temple came to see me, looking pretty brisk. Old Albert came to sleep, and to-night all 8 brothers are in London: all but Nevy, Spencer, and Bob dined with us. Tues. to Lord's; Alfred made a grand long innings of 63, and Oxford was pitifully smashed—only making 32 in the 2nd innings—I should think an unrivalled fiasco.
—Wednesday. Devonshire House drum: good and pretty.
01Jun1878, Old Lord Russell Has Died
MOUNT CLARE, Saturday, June 1st, 1878.
—We walked with Hugh Smith to inquire at Pembroke Lodge, where old Lord Russell has lately died, his last illness having come on just after the 50th anniversary of the Tests Repeal Act. He was not able to receive the deputation, but Lady Russell, I believe, read the Address to him and made him understand something about it. The Amberley boy [FN: The present Earl Russell.] who succeeds is about 11: said to be very quick and sharp—an out-and-out Stanley.
[FN: Earl Russell had, as Lord John Russell, carried the Tests Repeal Act in 1828. It abolished the law requiring members of corporations to receive the Sacrament in Church.]
—We walked with Hugh Smith to inquire at Pembroke Lodge, where old Lord Russell has lately died, his last illness having come on just after the 50th anniversary of the Tests Repeal Act. He was not able to receive the deputation, but Lady Russell, I believe, read the Address to him and made him understand something about it. The Amberley boy [FN: The present Earl Russell.] who succeeds is about 11: said to be very quick and sharp—an out-and-out Stanley.
[FN: Earl Russell had, as Lord John Russell, carried the Tests Repeal Act in 1828. It abolished the law requiring members of corporations to receive the Sacrament in Church.]
27May1878, Coffin Moved to the Abbey
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