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The Continuing Story of "Mad Jack" Mytton

2012-01-31T02:41:00.000-05:00

From Famous Racing Men by Willmott-Dixon Thormanby (1882):

The incidents of Mytton's romantic and eventful life have been narrated with tolerable fidelity but questionable taste by his friend, C. J. Apperley (the famous "Nimrod") . . . . John Mytton was born on the 30th of September, 1796, at the family seat of Halston, in Shropshire, three miles from Oswestry, and was left fatherless at two years of age. His mother spoiled him, and by the time he was ten years of age the young heir was what is called a regular pickle. He was expelled from Westminster and Harrow in succession. At the former school he spent £800 a-year, exactly double his allowance, and wrote, when he was only fourteen years of age, to Lord Eldon, the then Lord Chancellor, requesting an increase of income, as he was going to be married. The Lord Chancellor replied—" Sir, if you cannot live on your income you may starve, and if you marry I will commit you to prison." At the age of nineteen he entered, as a cornet, the 7th Hussars, and joined that regiment in France with the army of occupation. But as there was no more fighting, Cornet Mytton was at leisure to enter into all kinds of youthful mischief. One of his feats was borrowing £3,000 of a banker at St. Omer one day and losing half of it at an E. 0. table in Calais the next.

John Scott, 1st Lord Eldon

He also lost 16,000 napoleons to a certain captain at billiards, which sum he was unable to pay at the moment. But this score was wiped off in a more agreeable manner. The colonel of Mytton's regiment, the then Earl of Uxbridge, forbade his paying the money, and the captain in question was afterwards implicated in a transaction which went far to prove that Lord Uxbridge was morally right. When Mytton came of age he found himself possessed of an estate of about £10,000 a-year and £60,000 of accumulated cash, but a large portion of the latter had to go towards liquidating his already numerous debts. Quitting the army, he married, at the age of twenty-three, Harriet, the eldest daughter of the then lately deceased Sir Tyrrwhitt Jones, Bart., of Stanley Hall, Shropshire. The bridegroom was attended by the Earl of Uxbridge and the Earl of Denbigh, K.G., and the wedding was one of the events of the season. The issue of their union was only one daughter. Mrs. Mytton died a few years after her marriage, and there can be no doubt that her death was accelerated, if not actually caused, by her husband's insane conduct and cruel neglect.

Henry Paget, Lord Uxbridge

John Mytton was physically a fine animal: in height about 5ft. 9in., in weight 12st., with magnificent shoulders, a splendid chest, and an arm the biceps muscle of which was larger than that of Jackson's, the celebrated pugilist, who was believed to be the most powerful man of his time in England. He was fond of displaying his strength, but it was perhaps fortunate that he steadily refused to learn boxing.

In dress Mytton was peculiar, not to say eccentric. He never wore any but the thinnest and finest silk stockings, with very thin boots or shoes, so that in winter he very rarely had dry feet. To flannel he was a stranger from the time he left off petticoats. Even his hunting-breeches were without lining; he wore one small waistcoat, always open in the front from the second of the lower buttons, and about home he was as often without a hat as with one. His winter shooting gear was a light jacket, white linen trousers without lining or drawers; and in frost and snow he waded through all water that came in his way. These, however, are not exceptional marks of hardihood, we know men of the present day who go as lightly clad through all the seasons. But Mytton went further than this. He would sometimes strip to his shirt to follow wildfowl in hard weather, and once actually laid himself down in the snow with absolutely not a stitch on him but his shirt to await the arrival of the ducks at dusk.

Curiously enough, extravagant though he was in other respects, Mr. Mytton made no great show in his establishment at Halston. There was every comfort but no display, and had he conducted all his affairs with the same regularity and simplicity as his menage at his ancestral seat he would never have run through upwards of half-amillion of money in less than fifteen years as he did. But it was not difficult to find where the screw was loose in his expenditure. His foxhounds were kept by himself and upon a very extensive scale, with the additional expenses of hunting two countries. His racing establishment was on a still larger scale, for he often had from fifteen to twenty horses in training at the same time, and seldom less than eight. His average number, indeed, of thoroughbred stock at home and from home, including brood mares and yearlings, was about thirty-six, which probably cost him something like £6,000 a-year. His game preserves, too, were a severe drain upon his income; for besides such items as £1,500 in one bill to a London dealer for pheasants and foxes alone, there was the formation of miles of plantations which this game went in part to stock, and which he employed a staff of fifty labourers to keep in order. He was a great friend, too, to the tailors, having frequently in his wardrobes as many as a hundred and fifty pairs of breeches and trousers, with a proportionate number of coats and waistcoats. In his cellars there were "hogsheads of ale, standing like soldiers in close column, and wine enough in wood and bottle for a Roman emperor." He made his own malt, and "John Mytton, Licensed Maltster," was painted in large letters over the malt house door. How much he spent on post horses it is impossible to guess; but almost every post boy in England knew "Squire Mytton" and lamented his fall. He never stayed at an inn without giving the waiter a guinea, and he would never pay a tradesman's bill until he had received a writ. A strange unaccountable creature he was, who though always making a great pretence of "enjoying life," seems really never to have derived enjoyment from anything.

A summary of Mr. Mytton's actual racing career may be comprised in a few words. He had too many horses in the first place, and too many of them not good enough to pay their way. It isevident he was anxious to have good ones from the prices he paid; but he bought several of that sort after their day had gone by; for example, Comte d'Artois, Banker, Longwaist, &c. He had, however, several good winners, old Euphrates at their head, and Whittington, Oswestry and Halston were esteemed very "smart" horses in the racing world. Indeed, it is believed that in some hands they would have proved trump cards. As for himself as a racing man he was too severe upon his horses: they rarely came out fresh after Chester and one or two other places. He seldom backed his horses to any serious amount, generally not at all. His stables were upon Delamere Forest, in Cheshire; his home-stud groom, Tinkler, was a careful nurser of young racing stock, but do what he would, Mr. Mytton was never able to breed a good racehorse.

It would be out of place to discuss here Mr. Mytton's conduct towards his wives, of whom the second fared no better than the first. His brutality was inexcusable, and the most charitable supposition is that it was the result of a morbid insanity. For the last twelve years of his life it may safely be stated that he was never sober. His daily quantum of port wine was from four to six bottles; but even in spite of this excess he would probably have lived far longer than he did had he not in an evil hour discarded port for brandy. Even his adamantine constitution, "perhaps the hardiest ever bestowed upon man," as " Nimrod" says, was not proof against that. He went from bad to worse, till in the year 1830 the world heard without surprise that "it was all up with Jack Mytton." Everything that could be sold was sold, and he retired to Calais with just a small pittance sufficient to keep body and soul together. There he completed the wreck of his magnificent physique by drinking brandy till he really was a raving lunatic. On partially recovering his senses, he came over to England, when he was arrested and thrown into the King's Bench Prison, beyond the gates of which he was destined never to pass alive. For there he died in misery and squalor in the thirtyeighth year of his age. And so ended the mournfullest, the maddest, the most utterly wasted career of which the annals of the turf contain any record.

The (very sad) End

The Story of "Mad Jack" Mytton

2012-01-29T03:47:00.001-05:00

A true Regency eccentric, John 'Mad Jack' Mytton was born at Halston in 1796. He inherited a fortune worth about £500,000 a year by today’s standards, but died in 1828 at the King's Bench debtors' prison in Southwark at the age of just thirty-seven. Alas, we are getting ahead of ourselves . . . .

Young Squire Mytton, expelled from both Westminster and Harrow, arrived for studies at Cambridge University with “2,000 bottles of port to sustain him during his studies.” You will not be surrpised to learn that he failed to graduate. Mytton went on to drink six bottles of port a day, although he was known to drink eau de cologne when brandy was not readily available. Mytton enjoyed country pursuits such as racing, driving and hunting, but he was also civic minded - he 'invested' £10,000 to become MP for Shrewsbury by paying ten pounds each for votes, but once elected he spent less that half an hour in the House of Commons.

Madcap pranks made Mytton a legend in his own lifetime and it was said that as a whole, Mytton's life amounted to a "series of suicide attempts." A drunken friend was put to bed with two bulldogs and a bear. Mytton went duck shooting by moonlight on Halston's frozen lake, dressed in only his nightshirt. Disguised as a highwayman, complete with his blazing pistols, he ambushed departing guests on the Oswestry road. In 1826, after winning a bet, he rode his horse into the Bedford Hotel in Leamington Spa, up the grand staircase and onto the balcony, from which he jumped, still seated on his horse, over the diners in the restaurant below, and out through the window onto the Parade. During a visit to France, Mytton set fire to his night shirt in an effort to cure himself of the hiccups. The drastic step did end the hiccups, but left Mytton with serious burns to his upper body.

One biographer notes that Mytton once rode a bear into his drawing room in full hunting costume. "The bear carried him very quietly for a time; but on being pricked by the spur he bit his rider through the calf of his leg." Mytton owned thousands of dogs and cats during his lifetime, some of which he had dressed in costumes. Perhaps his favorite pet was a horse named Baronet, who had full run of the Hall and who often lay down and napped before the fire.

Halston Hall, Shropshire - More info on their website

'Mad Jack' lost his money, but not his friends. Three thousand people attended his funeral. He is buried in the Chapel at Halston, but his ghost is said to appear annually on Mytton's birthday, September 30th, at theMytton & Mermaid Hotel at Atcham. His funeral procession stopped at the Mytton, then a coaching inn, on the way to Halston Chapel. Mad Jack also lives on today in Mad Jack Mytton Way, a seventy mile route through some of rural England's most unspoilt and beautiful countryside. The route starts near Highley and ends at the bridge over the River Terne in Llanfair Waterdine on the Welsh border and is regularly used by riders, cyclists and walkers.

Next time, more Mytton anecdotes from Famous Racing Men by Willmott-Dixon Thormanby (1882)

In Residence at Ickworth, Suffolk

2012-01-27T04:00:00.002-05:00

Yes, dear readers, I have indeed lived at Ickworth -- that is, I've stayed at the hotel in one wing of the estate -- for a few days. Victoria here, with a few words about this amazing National Trust property which houses a family hotel as well as the handsomely maintained State Rooms in the Rotunda and a fine park. And there are some fascinating characters and family stories (even scandals) to go along with your tour.

The National Trust has a lovely slide show of Ickworth here. They are in the process of developing more insights into the individuals both above and below stairs who occupied this unique spot for several centuries.

I admit that while I think I can appreciate life long ago, I do enjoy the mod cons of our contemporary lives.

This east wing of Ickworth houses the hotel, which has a website here. I wish we could have stayed longer because the amenities were excellent, the food delicious, and for ambiance, it excelled! I should point out that my photo was taken from behind the buildings. The other wing, the West Wing, has been developed for conferences, weddings and other events. The east wing was first used as the Hervey family residence. The west wing was empty, built only for the symmetry of the architecture. For a time, it was used as a conservatory.

This is the entrance to the rotunda, the galleries and rooms housing the NT collections. The Hervey family lived at the Ickworth estate for centuries, though this building was not completed until the 19th century.

Not far from this lonely sheep there is a walled garden, now a vineyard. Here is more information on their output. It is very tasty.

Ickworth as it stands today was the creation of an eccentric and passionate collector, the Earl Bishop, as he is popularly known. Frederick Augustus Hervey (1739-1803) was a younger son but succeeded to the title of 4th Earl of Bristol, following two of his brothers. Though he had originally chosen a legal career, he took orders and was eventually named Bishop of Cloyne (1767) and of Derry (1768) in Ireland. He grew rich on the proceeds of this and other offices and built a great house in Ballyscullion, which he had designed by Mario Aspucci, an Italian architect, for throughout his life the Earl Bishop traveled and collected in Italy, hoping to furnish his magnificent houses with the finest art and furnishings. He was partial to the rotunda style of building in the great Roman tradition.

Above is a drawing of the house at Ballyscullion. It did not last long, for it was demolished in the early 19th century, never completely finished and already deteriorating. However, the handsome portico was saved and can be seen today as part of St.George's Church, Belfast. Notice how it resembles the portico of the rotunda, above.

The Bishop succeeded his brother in 1779 as 4th Earl of Bristol and became known as the Earl-Bishop. He also inherited the properties at Ickworth, an old manor which had a relatively small lodge to house the family. The Earl Bishop used something very similar to the plans for his Ballyscullion house to build Ickworth. The project began in 1795.

Ickworth from the Park

However, his extraordinary life ran into some bad karma. In 1798, the invading Napoleonic troops in Italy overran and confiscated his collection, destined for the new house at Ickworth. He himself died in 1803 and was succeeded by the youngest of his sons, another Frederick (1769-1859), who spend his lifetime trying to complete the great mansion at Ickworth. It was finished in 1841, though the Pompeiian Room was not decorated until 1879. In the Rotunda, operated as a museum by the NT, the Earl Bishop's surviving collections are exhibited, including a few pieces purchased much later from the stolen cache.

Bess Foster by Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun

The Earl Bishop's most famous, perhaps notorious, child was his daughter Elizabeth Christiana Hervey (1758-1824) who married John Thomas Foster in 1776 and left her husband and two sons a few years later. Though she was probably mistreated, she had no recourse. She met Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, and they became bosom buds, in an infamous menage a trois with the Duke. During the period 1782 to Georgiana's death in 1806, she bore the duke two children, a son and a daughter, who were raised with his legitimate offspring at Devonshire House and Chatsworth. Bess married the Duke of Devonshire in 1809, only two years before his death.

A Lounge at the Ickworth Hotel

Above, two views of our lovely bedchamber in the hotel.

Although it was October, the roses were still in bloom.

St. Mary's Ickworth

When we visited, this historic church, the burial place for Hervey Family members, was still in disrepair and unopen to visitors. I hope they restore it soon.

As eccentric as it appears, a little slice of ancient Italy in Suffolk, it is a beautiful place to visit. It has everything for family entertainment plus the great museum, the park and nearby is the picturesque town of Bury St. Edmunds, not to mention the Newmarket racetrack. All are highly recommended!!!

Birthday of Robert Burns, January 25, 1759

2012-01-25T04:00:00.005-05:00

Did you notice around last New Year's Eve all the coverage of Auld Lang Syne -- and how we all sang it at midnight to welcome the new year, but few of us actually knew the words -- or where the song originated? I think I saw or heard similar stories on all of the major networks and news channels.

Why, I wondered, when this song had been a tradition for so long, was everyone talking about it this year? The answer is that the Morgan Library in New York City has an exhibition about Auld Lang Syne and its author, Scottish poet Robert Burns (1759-1796), whose birthday we celebrate on the 25th of January. For more information about the exhibition, soon to conclude at the Morgan Library, click here.

Of course, we remember Burns for much more than just this one song, however often we sing it on New Year's Eve.

Burns Nights, on January 25, are celebrated all over the world. If you have one in the planning, you can find some guidance here. I have attended only one Burns Night Supper, which I enjoyed very much, though I admit I ate sparingly of the Haggis. It generally tastes delicious, until you remember what the ingredients are.

Like tartans, bagpipes, golf, scotch whisky and oatmeal, Burns is part of the essential Scottish tradition. We remember his many poems -- probably in truth just fragments of them --

My Love is Like a Red Red Rose...

To a Mouse...

The list is endless. How did the man accomplish anything but his writing? There is more than one person can absorb...

Above, Burns in Central Park, New York City. Above that is a statue in Dumfries,Scotland. It is said that there are more public statues of Burns in places around the world than anyone else in history. I have no idea if this is true, but I've seen a lot. Below, Burns Commons in Milwaukee, WI, that bastion of Scottish heritage (not).

And just in case you haven't made your Haggis for tonight, here are the ingredients:

stomach of a sheep
sheep's heart,lungs, kidney and liver
onions, beef suet, oatmeal
salt and pepper, stock --- beef or chicken

Okay. That's as far as I can go. I suggest that if you want to assemble these ingredients, you Google a recipe. I'll have a ham sandwich.

But I will definitely raise a glass of Scotch Whisky in Burns's honor!!!

Above, The Burns birthplace and museum in Alloyway, Ayshire, Scotland. Happy birthday, Rabbie!!

The Wellington Connection: Theme Parks

2012-01-24T02:57:00.002-05:00

There are plans afoot to build "Napoleonland" in France. And, no, before you ask . . . I'm not kidding.

Funding is as yet unsecured, but preliminary plans are for the theme park to be built at the site where Napoleon defeated the Austrians in the Battle of Montereau in 1814 in Montereau-Fault-Yonne just south of Paris. The six-day battle was the nation's last military victory over the Austrians.

Having apparently not gotten the memo telling the organizers of the park that Napoleon lost at Waterloo, they plan to re-create the Battle of Waterloo on a daily basis and visitors may even be able to take part in the reenactments. They will also be able to take in a water show recreating the Battle of Trafalgar, a la the entertainments once staged at London's Vauxhall Gardens.

A museum, a hotel, shops, restaurants and a congress are all expected to be built at the theme park. French politician Yves Jego, who is backing the project, hopes that construction work can get underway in 2014 and that the park will open its doors in 2017. One has to assume that Jego will not be seeking re-election, as things go from bad to worse in the bad taste department with further plans to include a re-creation of the killing of Louis XVI, France's last King, who died after being guillotined during the Revolution and. . . . . . . yet another attraction which will allow visitors to ski around the bodies of soldiers and horses frozen on the battlefield.

Why are there no plans to build Artie World instead?

Byron's Birthday, January 22, 1788

2012-01-22T04:00:00.004-05:00

Byron by Richard Westall

To celebrate the birthday of George Gordon, Lord Byron, the renowned poet, we present an account of him by Captain Gronow, from his Reminiscences, published in 1862, written long after the events he describes. Rees Howell Gronow (1794-1865) was a captain in the Welsh Grenadier Guards.

From Gronow's Reminiscences:

I knew very little of Lord Byron personally, but lived much with two of his intimate friends, Scrope Davis and Wedderburn Webster; from whom I frequently heard many anecdotes of him. I regret that I remember so few; and wish that I had written down those told me by poor Scrope Davis, one of the most agreeable men I ever met.

When Byron was at Cambridge, he was introduced to Scrope Davis by their mutual friend, Matthews, who was afterwards drowned in the river Cam. After Matthews's death, Davis became Byron's particular friend, and was admitted to his rooms at all hours. Upon one occasion he found the poet in bed with his hair en papillote, upon which Scrope cried, "Ha, ha! Byron, I have at last caught you acting the part of the Sleeping Beauty."

Byron by Thomas Philipps (1770-1845)

Byron, in a rage, exclaimed, "No, Scrope; the part of a d----d fool, you should have said."

"Well, then, anything you please; but you have succeeded admirably in deceiving your friends, for it was my conviction that your hair curled naturally."

"Yes, naturally, every night," returned the poet; "but do not, my dear Scrope, let the cat out of the bag, for I am as vain of my curls as a girl of sixteen."

When in London, Byron used to go to Manton's shooting-gallery, in Davis street, to try his hand, as he said, at a wafer. Wedderburn Webster was present when the poet, intensely delighted with his own skill, boasted to Joe Manton that he considered himself the best shot in London. "No, my lord," replied Manton, "not the best; but your shooting, to-day, was respectable;" upon which Byron waxed wroth, and left the shop in a violent passion.

Newstead Abbey, Byron's estate, 12 miles north of Nottingham

Lords Byron, Yarmouth, Pollington, Mountjoy, Walliscourt, Blandford, Captain Burges, Jack Bouverie, and myself, were in 1814, and for several years afterwards, amongst the chief and most constant frequenters of this well-known shooting-gallery, and frequently shot at the wafer for considerable sums of money. Manton was allowed to enter the betting list, and he generally backed me. On one occasion, I hit the wafer nineteen times out of twenty.

Byron lived a great deal at Brighton, his house being opposite the Pavilion. He was fond of boating, and was generally accompanied by a lad, who was said to be a girl in boy's clothes. This report was confirmed to me by Webster, who was then living at Brighton. The vivid description of the page in Lara, no doubt, gave some plausibility to this often-told tale. I myself witnessed the dexterous manner in which Byron used to get into his boat; for, while standing on the beach, I once saw him vault into it with the agility of a harlequin, in spite of his lame foot.

On one occasion, whilst his lordship was dining with a few of his friends in Charles Street, Pall Mall, a letter was delivered to Scrope Davis, which required an immediate answer. Scrope, after reading its contents, handed it to Lord Byron. It was thus worded:--

"MY DEAR SCROPE,--Lend me 500L. for a few days; the funds are shut for the dividends, or I would not have made this request. "G. BRUMMELL."

The reply was:--

"My DEAR BRUMMELL,--All my money is locked up in the funds. "SCROPE DAVIS."

This was just before Brummell's escape to the Continent.

Dining Room Fireplace, Newstead Abbey

I have frequently asked Scrope Davis his private opinion of Lord Byron, and invariably received the same answer--that he considered Lord Byron very agreeable and clever, but vain, overbearing, conceited, suspicious, and jealous. Byron hated Palmerston, but liked Peel, and thought that the whole world ought to be constantly employed in admiring his poetry and himself: he never could write a poem or a drama without making himself its hero, and he was always the subject of his own conversation.

Bust of Byron, Newstead Abbey

During one of Henry Hobhouse's visits to Byron, at his villa near Genoa, and whilst they were walking in the garden, his lordship suddenly turned upon his guest, and, apropos of nothing, exclaimed, "Now, I know, Hobhouse, you are looking at my foot." Upon which Hobhouse kindly replied, "My dear Byron, nobody thinks of or looks at anything but your head."

Abbey Ruins, Newstead Abbey

For a two-part filmed tour of Newstead Abbey, click here. Look for the Guided Tour on the right.

Happy Birthday, Lord Byron...

The Death of King George V, January 20, 1936

2012-01-20T04:00:00.003-05:00

King George V

King George V died 76 years ago of lung disease. Grandson of Queen Victoria and grandfather to Queen Elizabeth II, his death was expected (he had been a heavy smoker and ill for some time). However, controversy surrounding his death surfaced a few decades ago when the diary of his lead attending physician, Lord Dawson of Penn, was revealed. In his notes after the death, Dawson wrote he administered to the king a lethal dose of drugs, morphine and cocaine, ensuring that George V would die before midnight. Dawson was motivated by a desire to preserve the King's dignity, protect the family (and realm) from a long period of confusion, and probably to allow the announcement of the King's death to be made in the morning newspapers instead of the afternoon press, the latter considered less authoritative and more sensational.

Prince George, age 5, 1870

George Frederick Ernest Albert was born in 1865, the second son of Albert, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII, 1841-1910), and Princess Alexandra (1844-1925). Throughout his early life, he did not expect to inherit the throne, but in 1892, his elder brother, Prince Albert Victor, died of pneumonia and George became second in line to the throne, after his father, and was named Duke of York. Albert had recently become engaged to Princess Mary of Teck (1867-1953), known as May, and after a suitable period of mourning for him, May and George became engaged with the approval of Queen Victoria. The wedding took place in 1893.

After the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, her son Edward VII ruled for just over nine years before he suffered fatal heart disease. George, during his father's reign, was Prince of Wales. When he took the throne as George V, the troubles in Europe which led to World War I were already well underway. George V was a first cousin of both German Kaiser Wilhelm and Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. Family ties, sadly, did not prevent the catastrophe to come.

The war and its aftermath occasioned many changes in Great Britain and the Empire. The family name of the royals was changed from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor. Stirrings in Ireland and other territories had long-reaching consequences, not to mention the rush of technological change. George V was the first King to address his people by radio, as recently portrayed in the film The King's Speech, the story of George V's son, George VI. Below, King George V as portrayed in the film by famed British actor Michael Gambon.

Michael Gambon as George V

In the film, George V is portrayed as a stern father, intolerant of the shortcomings of his sons. His eldest son, known as David, succeeded him as Edward VIII, but reigned for less than a year, abdicating to marry the American divorcee Wallis Simpson. In turn, George V's second son became King George VI. In many stories about George V's life, we learn he expressed his hope that David would never marry and have children, because he (Geroge V) wanted nothing to come between the throne and his granddaughter Elizabeth, the present Queen, called Lilibet.

Elizabeth II is about to observe her Diamond Jubilee, sixty years as Queen. George V reigned for just over 25 years. Upon the celebration of his Silver Jubilee in 1935, he was touched at the affection expressed for him by the people of the nation and the empire. The occasion was marked by many tributes and a wide variety of souvenirs, including china, medals and stamps, the latter reflecting the King's hobby of collecting.

When I first began to write about George V's death, I had no idea of the controversy that arose about fifty years after the event. Though the existence of Lord Dawson's diary and its revelation of how the death was hastened had been known to a few, it was not made public until 1986, fifty years after the death. A few hours before he administered the final drugs, Dawson told the nation, "The King's life is moving peacefully towards its close."

Lord Dawson of Penn, ©National Portrait Gallery

According to the New York Times of November 28, 1986, a biographer of George V, Kenneth Rose, said he now considered that Dawson had murdered the King. But there was no official statement from Buckingham Palace, just the remark that it all happened a very long time ago and all those involved were now dead. Whether or not members of the King's family were consulted or knew of the injections is not known.

After the tumultuous years of his reign -- world war, the first Labour government, influenza epidemics, extension of women's rights to vote, general strike, the great depression -- perhaps a case of euthanasia is not so shattering. But it was a surprise to me.

To quote Dawson's diary, for January 20, 1936: "At about 11 o'clock it was evident that the last stage might endure for many hours, unknown to the patient but little comporting with the dignity and serenity which he so richly merited and which demanded a brief final scene. Hours of waiting just for the mechanical end when all that is really life has departed only exhausts the onlookers and keeps them so strained that they cannot avail themselves of the solace of thought, communion or prayer. I therefore decided to determine the end and injected (myself) morphia gr. 3/4 and shortly afterwards cocaine gr. 1 into the distended jugular vein."

George V died before midnight. Below, the funeral cortege moves through Windsor.

Queen Mary lived on until 1953. She is buried beside her husband in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Captain Cook Reaches Hawaii

2012-01-18T04:00:00.006-05:00

On the 18th of January, 1778, Captain James Cook (1728-1779), leading an expedition on HMS Resolution and HMS Discovery, became the first European to discover the territory of what we now know as the Hawaiian Islands. Victoria here, now resident in her own little paradise in Florida, writing about a place she has never been!

Captain Cook, c. 1775

Cook led several voyages of discovery to Newfoundland, Australia, New Zealand and throughout the Pacific Islands. After his career in the British Navy in North America, the famed cartographer and navigator sailed through vast uncharted territories. On his ships, he carried scientists such as Joseph Banks and others who collected specimens of unusual plants, insects, animals and fossils which greatly expanded contemporary knowledge of natural history. The tales of resident peoples and their customs fascinated Europe.

Hawaiian Beaches, a touch of paradise

Cook named the "new" cluster of islands the Sandwich Islands, after John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich (1718-1792), who was a sponsor of the voyage.

4th Earl of Sandwich

The 4th Earl of Sandwich is, perhaps, even more famous for his invention of the meat and bread combination named after him. It is said that he wanted his meat wrapped in bread so that he could munch while staying in place at the gambling table; if that legend is not the truth, I sincerely doubt that it will ever be disproved.

The Hawaiian Islands are the northern-most islands of Polynesia, formed eons ago of volcanoes erupting through the Pacific waters. After Cook's first visit, he explored further northward, looking for that fabled northwest passge from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Unsuccessful, the ships returned to the "Sandwich Islands" in 1779. While their first visit had been peaceful, the second soon descended into trouble, ending with the death of some of the natives and Europeans, including Cook.

More pretty pictures

Following publications of the journals of Cook's voyage and other accounts of the islands, more European explorers, whalers, and traders arrived, bringing with them the germs of deadly diseases such as influenza, measles and smallpox, and causing a precipitous decline in the native population.

I will not attept to catalogue all the events in Hawaiian history. Suffice it to say that after a period of consolidation, the islands became a kingdom and eventually were annexed to the United States as a territory in 1898. In 1959, Hawaii became the 50th (and last) state of the union. The role of the British in the development of the islands is commemorated in the Hawaiian flag, with the design of the Union Jack in the upper left corner.

I admit I have always wanted to visit the Hawaiian Islands, but every time I consider the amount of time it would take to fly there, I realize that in the same number of hours, I could be back in England. Guess where I go! But someday -- I'll make it. If you have been to Hawaii, please share your impressions of the islands and convince me to book it!!

Or maybe I should just go to see George Clooney in The Descendants????

Visiting Belton House

2012-01-16T04:00:00.003-05:00

Victoria, here, inviting you to come along on a visit to Belton House, sometimes chosen as the penultimate example of the perfect English Country House.

Belton House in Lincolnshire (south front, above) was built in the late 17th century for Sir John Brownlow (1659-97); although the house was once attributed to Sir Christopher Wren, the architect was probably William Winde (d. 1722). The house resembles the now-demolished Clarendon House, Piccadilly, built by Sir Roger Pratt for the Lord Chancellor a decade or so before Belton was designed.

Clarendon House (drawing above) was very influential in Restoration architecture; but it lasted just a few decades before it was pulled down for the creation of several Mayfair streets.

In various remodelings during the centuries, Belton lost its first cupola, but it was replaced in the 1870's when the 3rd Earl Brownlow restored the house to its original appearance.

©National Trust

Belton remained in the Brownlow-Cust family for three hundred years before Edward John
Peregrine Cust, 7th Baron Brownlow, gave the house to the National Trust in 1985. Above is the charming conversation piece portrait of the family by Philippe Mercier, c. 1725, showing the family in the park with the house in the background.

For more information in Belton House, click here. For more about the collections and interiors, click here. The park and gardens at Belton are beautifully laid out and maintained.

The Orangery, above and below, was designed by Sir Jeffry Wyatttville in 1811-19. Wyattville is probably best known as the architect for the George IV's remodeling of Windsor Castle.

Below, Adelaide, Countess Brownlow (1844-1917), and her husband, the 3rd Earl Brownlow, restored Belton to its original appearance. She was painted by the brilliant Victorian artist Sir Frederick Leighton.

In the 1995 film version of Pride and Prejudice, Belton House played the role of Rosings, the estate of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Quite a few important scenes were shot here, during which Darcy deepened his regard for Elizabeth. Below, he stands on the staircase, observing his beloved.

In this view of the staircase, the portrait of Adelaide, Countess Brownlow, can be seen at the top.

Above, the North Front of Belton House; below, the view of the garden from the steps.

Doesn't this beckon you to explore? I am sure that, like Elizabeth Bennet, if I just ambled down this path, I might find my own Darcy waiting in the shrubbery. Well, we all can dream...

Hester and the Queen

2012-01-14T04:12:00.003-05:00

As many of our loyal readers will know, we have had a link to the new Windsor and Royal Borough in our sidebar for some time now. Our dear friend and frequent blog post contributor, Hester Davenport, was a moving force in making the Museum a reality and on Friday, December 9th, the Queen officially opened the museum, located in the Berkshire town guildhall where Prince Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005. The £300,000 museum is housed in the Maidenhead room of the 17th Century Grade I listed Windsor Guildhall.

After the official ceremony, the Queen was shown a selection of displays and was introduced to our Hester, who actually got to touch the Royal Glove, above.

The foundation stone of the Guildhall was laid on 5 September 1687 and the extension in which the museum is housed was completed in 1830. Markets were held there until 1901 when the ground floor was enclosed. Sixty years ago, in 1951 the Queen, who was then Princess Elizabeth, opened the refurbished Windsor Guildhall.

You may recall that it was Hester who acted as our guide during the visit Vicky and I made to Windsor, but if not, you can read our blog post about the day here. It was due to Hester's Royal knowledge that Vicky and I were able to see the Queen up close as her procession left Windsor Castle for the Ascot Races. Vicky and I are dead chuffed that Hester was able to top herself and to get thisclose to the Queen, who Hester told us confidentially seemed very nice as well as very interested in the Museum. As Hester keeps one upping herself in the Royal stakes, Vicky and I can only imagine what she'll have in store for us on our next visit - tea at the Palace, perhaps?

Victoria here -- just checking the mail for the invitation to that tea. Not here yet! I had another wonderful day with Hester last June, 2011, at the Museum. All the details are here. Hester and I had a wonderful time discussing, in addition to the museum, the Queen and many other topics, our favorite authors Fanny Burney, Jane Austen, and Perdita aka Mary Robinson.

Happy 2012 to Hester and all of our readers!

Fashions of 1812

2012-01-12T03:00:00.001-05:00

Victoria here, looking through my collection of regency-era fashion plates to see what was worn 200 years ago. I find I have five plates from 1812, two framed on the wall of my office, the others filed away in notebooks. So here, in case you want to be entirely up to date two centuries ago:

Fashions of 1812

Ackermann's Repository of Arts Half Dress, January 1812

A Roman round robe of stone colour or pale olive cloth embroidered in a variegated chenille border; long sleeves finished at the wrist to correspond and lined with pink sarsnet. Pomeranian mantle of silk, the colour of the robe and finished with deep Chinese silk fringe. Cap of black or colored velvet, ornamented with a rich silk tassel, and curled ostrich feathers placed towards the left side. High standing collar of muslin or net, edged with lace or needle work, rising above the robe at the throat. Pink embroidered ridicule. Gloves a pale lemon colour, and half boots of pink kid, trimmed with narrow sable fur.

Ladies Magazine January 1812 London Morning and Evening Dresses

Morning dress. – Pelisse of maroon silk, lined throughout with fur, which when buttoned, forms a sort of lappel: standing collar, to turn over; and very deep cuffs. – A hat of the same silk, trimmed with ribbon and feathers.

Evening dress, of green satin, with epaulettes of lace.– Cap of the same, trimmed with lace and a flower.

Ackermann's Repository of Arts Morning Dress, May 1812

A French frock of fine plain India muslin, with demi-train, and long full bishop's sleeves. Waggoners' cuffs, with gaged front, and shoulders to correspond. Tucker of double-rolled muslin, which also finishes the cuffs round the hands.

A Parisian mob cap of fine lace, confined round the head, and terminating on one side with a celestial blue or silver grey ribbon. Sash of the same, tied in small bows and ends in front. Hair in waved curls, divided in the center of the forehead. Spanish slippers of lemon-colored kid, and gloves of the same material.

The peculiar taste and elegant simplicity of these habiliments are further specimens of the graceful invention of the celebrated Mrs. Gill, of Cork-streeet, Burlington-gardens, from whom we have obtained them.

Ackermann's Repository of Arts November 1812 Evening Dress

A white crape or mull muslin petticoat, worn over white satin, finished round the bottom with a ball fringe of gold; a crimson velvet or satin bodice, formed so as partially to expose the bosom and shoulders. A short bishop's sleeve, edged with ball fringe, and ornamented with the same round the bosom, and shoulders. A short sash of shaded ribband, to correspond with the colour of the bodice, tied in short bows and ends in front of the figure.

A shepherdess's hat, composed of crimson velvet and white satin; a curled ostrich feather placed entirely on one side, and waving towards the back of the neck. The hair divided on the forehead, and curled on each side, rather lower than of late. Treble neck-chain, and amulet of wrought gold; short drop ear rings, and bracelets en suite. Crimson velvet or satin slippers trimmed with gold rosettes or fringe. White kid gloves, just avoiding the elbow. Fan of white and silver embossed crape or carved ivory. Occasional scarf of white French silk, with embroidered ends and border.

La Belle Assemblee February, 1812 --A Winter Walking Dress

A scarlet Merino cloth pelisse, lined with straw coloured sarsnet, trimmed with light coloured spotted fur, and attached with loops of black silk cordon and rich frog tassels; the broad fur in front, forming a tippet, pointed at the back. A narrow fur passes from the top of the sleeve, is brought down the side seams, and relieved by fastenings of black silk cordon; four loops with frogs ornament the shoulders and cuffs; plain standing up collar tied with cordon: a fine cashemire shawl, with brown ground, and richly variegated border, is generally thrown over the dress, in which is united both comfort and elegance. A Swedish hat of the same material as the pelisse, lined with straw colour, and fastened up one side; the crown trimmed with two rows of narrow spotted fur, and one still narrower at the edge of the hat; a bunch of the Christmas holly in front, and two tassels falling from the summit of the crown, of black, to answer the pelisse, with is worn over a white round dress, either of plain or corded cambric. Beaver gloves, and demi-broquins of scarlet Morocco, laced with black, and lined with fur, complete the dress.

Of all the outfits pictured here, I think I'd choose the evening dress with the shepherdess hat! Just the thing for the next ball I attend. Though since I am still in Wisconsin, I suppose I'd be wise to choose that fur-trimmed winter walking dress, which looks like it would be comfy on a windy, chilly day.

The Wellington Connection: War Horse

2012-01-10T02:54:00.003-05:00

I went to see War Horse in the movies recently and got a few surprises. Firstly, I was under the impression that no one recognizable was in the cast. Imagine my surprise when I saw Benedict Cumberbatch on screen as Major Jamie Stewart who, by the way, is the antithesis of the Duke of Wellington as far as military strategy is concerned.

Tom Hiddleston, who first came to my notice in the 2001 version of Nicholas Nickleby, played Captain Nicholls in War Horse. He is the officer who first takes possession of Joey, or the War Horse, when he's intially sold to the Army. He vows to keep the horse safe and to return him at the end of the war.

Worth an honourable mention is Eddie Marsan as Sgt. Fry.

Another surprising thing about War Horse - I found myself crying at odd moments when no one else did. My first tear was shed at the opening when they showed wide shots of the hedgerows and fields of the English countryside. Next, I choked up when I saw the village in the scene where Joey is led away with the Army.

It was so iconically English. Turns out that the scene was shot in Water Street, Castle Combe, Wiltshire, below.

Then there was the scene where Cumberbatch and Hiddleston race for the gold ring during a practice charge. The entire regiment draws their swords and gallops forward, the ground thundering beneath them as thousands of hooves tear up the turf. It was so reminiscent of Waterloo that I couldn't help tearing up. Not that I was actually at Waterloo, mind you. Well, I was at Waterloo, but not during the battle. Well, okay, I was at Waterloo during a battle, but not during the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.

And then Benedict Cumberbatch, as Major Stewart, leads the regiment in their first battle charge in France, telling his men that their initial charge must at all costs be decisive, as it was at Waterloo, et al. And then, they begin their charge in a field of wheat, a la Waterloo.

Oh, the humanity! As I choked out a sob, my husband said, "What are you crying for? Nothing's happened yet." Little did he know that it had happened. In 1815. In Belgium. In my mind. But the Wellington Connection was other than simply in my mind - it turns out that portions of War Horse were actually filmed at the Duke of Welllington's country home, Stratfield Saye, a fact pointed out to me by Jo Manning, who apparently sat through all the credits and noted that the producers thanked Lord and Lady Douro for their cooperation in filming. Wikipedia tells us that "Filming of War Horse began with the cavalry scenes being filmed at Stratfield Saye House in north Hampshire, the estate of the Duke of Wellington, where incidentally Wellington's war horse "Copenhagen" is buried. Here a cavalry charge involving 130 extras was filmed."

So, there you have the Wellington Connection. For anything and everything else about War Horse, check Wikipedia here.

Catching Up on 2011

2012-01-08T04:00:00.005-05:00

Victoria, here. In the early days of 2012, I find myself sorting some books I acquired in the last year and some I still have to find, many of them concerned with Jane Austen. Gee, isn't that a shock!

Two are short story collections.

I enjoyed many of the stories in these two collections and admired the creative ways in which Jane
Austen inspired these writers. I recommend both.

My friend and consummate author, Carrie Bebris, published Deception at Lyme, or The Peril of Persuasion, the sixth in her Mr and Mrs. Darcy mystery series. See her website here. Elizabeth and Darcy have solved a number of puzzles since their first outing in 2004's Pride and Prescience (or, A Truth Universally Acknowledged). And more are in the works.

Here is a book I haven't read yet, and have receive conflicting reports about: P.D. James version of Carrie's idea of having the Darcys investigate murder: Death Comes to Pemberley.

Of course, Baroness James gets a great deal of attention from the media, and no one can say she has not had a distinguished career. I have had many hours of delight from her books. But this one? Somehow, it smacks of jumping on the Austen bandwagon unnecessarily, but that could be unfair. I would love to hear from readers who have tried it out. I have a copy waiting for me next month, I think, when I get to the sunny south of Florida. I'll report back. (Note from Kristine: Yes, it's here waiting for you. I love James and so gave it a shot when Jo sent it to me. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it past Chapter Two).

Another book I will read soon is The Mysterious Death of Miss Austen by Lindsay Ashford. I met Ms. Ashford at the JASNA-AGM in Fort Worth TX in October 2011, but I must have been extremely distracted since her authorship of this book, talked of widely at the AGM, escaped me when we met.

This book reportedly attributes the death of Jane Austen to arsenic poisoning. In one of those coincidences that seem to happen every so often, shortly after meeting Ms. Ashford, I attended a talk on poisons by Deborah Blum, a Pulitzer-Prize-winning science reporter who teaches journalism at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is the author of The Poisoner's Handbook, actually a catchy title for a history of forensic science in crime investigation.

Ms. Blum commented on reviews of the Ashford book and the report that a lock of Jane Austen's hair showed evidence of arsenic when tested. Arsenic, in Austen's day, was a common ingredient of many lotions and potions used to whiten complexion and for dozens of other uses. It did not surprise Blum to learn of the possibility of Austen having arsenic in her system as she probably used arsenic-laced skin products.

I have heard several people say they enjoyed Mysterious Death, so I will read it soon. (Note from Kristine - this, too, is here waiting for you. Haven't read it yet - too distracted by Thirkell).

I haven't kept track of all the Austen sequels and continuations that came out recently -- and there are lots of them. I know some of the authors and they are all hard-working, devoted people -- success to all of you! For more information, take a look at the website of Austen Authors.

Two quite different but related genres to the sequels are the modern restructures of the novels and the JA-experience novels. I read two of those this year, perhaps not quite on top of their publication dates.

The Three Weissmanns of Westport came out in paperback, and I found it an engaging read, based loosely on the plot of Sense & Sensibility. It is well done.

Beth Pattillo's Jane Austen Ruined My Life is also worth your time and energy. I resisted, because JA has done ANYTHING but ruined my life! She has provided great pleasure and stimulation, great companionship and friends, and a lifetime of interesting research topics related to her life and times. But a very well-respected friend loved it, and so did I. (Note from Kristine - I loved it, too!)

Finally, Stella Tillyard, author of The Aristocrats, Caroline, Emily, Louisa and Sarah Lennox, 1740-1832, published a novel of the Peninsular War this year, another entry on my TBR list.

This is anything but an exhaustive list, but it looks like I'd better stop blogging and get reading if I am ever to catch up. Here's to a 2012 filled with wonderful books!

First Transatlantic Telephone Call

2012-01-06T04:01:00.001-05:00

It took 50 years from the invention of the telephone to make transatlantic phone calls possible, as there was much more than the mere laying of a cable to achieve the feat, since the voltages involved in telephone calls were too low to be passed though such a long cable and there was no known technology for underwater repeater amplifiers. It wasn't until the wireless was invented that across the pond communication became possible. Bell System engineers achieved the first voice transmission across the Atlantic, connecting Virginia and Paris briefly in 1915. A year later they held the first two-way conversation with a ship at sea. However, these were just experimental demonstrations and it wasn't until 7 March 1926 that the first transatlantic telephone call, from London to New York, was completed. The first commercial telephone service, using radio, began on January 7, 1927, between New York and London. The initial capacity was one call at a time at a cost of $75 for the first three minutes.

Harlaxton Manor

2012-01-04T03:49:00.003-05:00

From The Greville Memoirs

January 4 1838

"To-day we went to see the house Mr. Gregory is building, five miles from here. He is a gentleman of about 12,000 pounds. a year, who has a fancy to build a magnificent house in the Elizabethan style, and he is now in the middle of his work, all the shell being finished except one wing. Nothing can be more perfect than it is, both as to the architecture and the ornaments; but it stands on the slope of a hill upon a deep clay soil, with no park around it, very little wood, and scarcely any fine trees. Many years ago, when he first conceived this design, he began to amass money and lived for no other object. He travelled into all parts of Europe collecting objects of curiosity, useful or ornamental, for his projected palace, and he did not begin to build until he had accumulated money enough to complete his design. The grandeur of it is such, and such the tardiness of its progress, that it is about as much as he will do to live till its completion; and as he is not married, has no children, and dislikes the heir on whom his property is entailed, it is the means and not the end to which he looks for gratification. He says that it is his amusement, as hunting or shooting or feasting may be the objects of other people; and as the pursuit leads him into all parts of the world, and to mix with every variety of nation and character, besides engendering tastes pregnant with instruction and curious research, it is not irrational, although he should never inhabit his house, and may be toiling and saving for the benefit of persons he cares nothing about. The cottages round Harlaxton are worth seeing. It has been his fancy to build a whole village in all sorts of strange fantastic styles. There are Dutch and Swiss cottages, every variety of old English, and heaps of nondescript things, which appear only to have been built for variety's sake. The effect is extremely pretty. Close to the village is an old manor house, the most perfect specimen I ever saw of such a building, the habitation of an English country gentleman of former times, and there were a buff jerkin and a pair of jack boots hanging up in the hall, which the stout old Cavalier of the seventeenth century (and one feels sure that the owner of that house was a Cavalier) had very likely worn at Marston Moor or Naseby."

Delignes Gregory of Harlaxton Manor
Copyright Wiki Gallery

To read more about the Harlaxton cottages and gardens, click here.

Coutts Bank, a London Institution

2012-01-02T04:00:00.003-05:00

Victoria, here, dreaming about my weeks in England last spring. Here are my photos of Coutts Bank, The Strand, London, taken in June 2011. The bank's website is here.

It looks like an important place, though the architecture is about as 1970's Mundane as one could imagine. The only reason I actually noticed it was that I was often across the street, sitting in McDonald's where I could use their free wi-fi to power my iPad.* I was particularly amused that this great London institution, the bank that holds accounts for Her Majesty the Queen, had a glass curtain wall that clearly reflected that notable American institution on the other side!

[*Why is is that really inexpensive hotels have free wi-fi service while the better establishments charge outrageous amounts for the same thing? ]

As I walked closer to get this picture of the reflection of McDonald's, I think that guard inside picked up the phone to call for assistance to deal with the clearly deranged photographer on the pavement! I didn't wait around to see what happened! I'll bet the bank's directors did not consider what might happen to the glass during major demonstrations moving towards the adjacent Trafalgar Square. You can clearly see the McDonald's sign reflected above and to the right of his head.

So, fully knowing I was edging into Wellington Connection territory, I decided to see what more I could learn about Coutts Bank. Angela Coutts (1814-1906) was a dear friend of the 1st Duke of Wellington, one of those younger women so attracted to the Great Hero (*like many of us???). But there must be much more. The bank's website has a nice timeline and lots of information, but other than the widely known fact that QEII banks there, the list of clients is a well-protected secret.

It is said that checks written by (for?) the Queen are often saved as souvenirs, making it difficult to balance her accounts.

Here is an account of a famous period in the existence of the bank, excerpted from Tales of the Bank of England, with anecdotes of London bankers, an anonymous book from 1882:

"The house of Coutts & Co. has a very interesting history. A very great banking heiress is the Baroness Burdett-Coutts, whose recent marriage with Mr. Ashmead Coutts-Bartlett excited so much attention. The kindly and popular Baroness is—or was until recently—the head of the great banking firm of Coutts & Co., and was popularly supposed to draw a hundred thousand a year from the business. Mr. Coutts married, for his second wife, Miss Mellon, the actress, to whom he left his entire fortune—about a million of money. Mrs. Coutts, left a widow, married the Duke of St. Albans; but, in her marriage settlement, this vast fortune was left entirely in her own power. She thought that she would best carry out the wishes of her husband, who had made the money, by bequeathing it to his favourite granddaughter, Miss Angela Burdett, the daughter of the famous Sir Francis. An infinite amount of this money "has wandered Heaven-directed, to the poor." Child's Bank was once represented by a lady, who became Countess of Westmoreland, and afterwards by her daughter, who became Countess of Jersey. On certain state occasions Lady Jersey dined with the bank officials, and took the head of the table.

The history of Coutt's Bank shows how much may be done by a discriminating liberality. Old Coutts heard, one day at a dinner-party, from the manager of a city bank, that a nobleman had applied to his house for the loan of thirty thousand pounds, and had been refused. At ten o'clock at night he started for the peer's house, and saw his steward. He explained his business, and said that if the nobleman would call upon him the next morning, he might have whatever he wanted. On the next morning, when the noble lord called at the bank, Mr. Coutts handed him thirty notes of a thousand pounds each. "What security do you want?" asked the peer. "I shall be satisfied with your note-of hand," was the reply. This was given; and the nobleman said, " I shall only want for the present ten thousand pounds of the money; so I will leave twenty thousand pounds with you, and open an account." Some time afterwards the nobleman sold an estate for two hundred thousand pounds, which he deposited with Coutts's. Nor was this all. He told the anecdote to his friends, and also to George III. The King was so impressed with the story that he himself deposited a large sum with Mr. Coutts. The King withdrew his patronage, however, when Coutts supported Sir Francis Burdett in his contest for Middlesex with immense sums, and transferred his account to another banker, who failed; and we cannot help thinking that in this instance his Majesty was served quite right."

Angela Burdett-Coutts, portrait by an unknown artist, from the National Portrait Gallery

Another old excerpt about the bank appears in Walter Thornbury's 1865 volume Haunted London (this obviously refers to the old headquarters of the bank on The Strand, not the present building pictured above):

"No. 59 is Coutts's Bank. It was built by the Adam brothers—to whom we are indebted for the Adelphi—for Mr. Coutts, in 1768. The old house of the firm, of the date of Queen Anne, was situated in St. Martin's-lane. No. 59 contains some fine marble chimney-pieces of the Cipriani and Bacon school. The dining-room is hung with quaint Chinese subjects on paper, sent to Coutts by Lord Macartney, while on his embassy to China, in 1792-95. In another room hang portraits of some early friends of this son of Mammon, including Dr. Armstrong, the poet and physician, Fuseli's friend, by Reynolds. Mr. Coutts was the son of a Dundee merchant. His first wife was a servant, a Lancashire labourer's offspring. He had three daughters, one of whom became the wife of Sir Francis Burdett, a second Countess of Guilford, and a third Marchioness of Bute. On becoming acquainted with Miss Mellon, and inducing her to leave the stage to avoid perpetual insults, Mr. Coutts bought for her a small villa of Sir W. Vane Tempest, called Holly Lodge, at the foot of Highgate Hill, for which he gave 25,000/. His banking-house strong rooms alone cost 10,000/. building. The first deposit in the enlarged house was the diamond aigrette that the Grand Signor had placed in Sir Horatio Nelson's hat. Mr. Coutts, though very charitable, was precise and exact. On one occasion, there being a deficit of 2s. li)d. in the day's accounts, the clerks were detained for hours, or, as I believe, all night. One of Coutts's clerks, who took the western walk, was discovered to be missing with 17,000/.* Rewards were offered, and the town placarded, but all in vain. The next day, however, the note-case arrived from Southampton. The clerk's story was, that on his way through Piccadilly, being seized with a stupor, he had got into a coach in order to secure the money. He had remained insensible the whole journey, and had awoke at Southampton. Mr. Coutts gave him a handsome sum from his private purse, but dismissed him.

Coutts's Bank stands on nearly the centre of the site of the New Exchange. When the Adelphi was built in Durham Gardens, Mr. Coutts purchased a vista to prevent his view being interrupted, stipulating that the new street leading to the entrance should face this opening; and on this space, up to the level of the Strand, he built his strong rooms. Some years after, wishing to enlarge them, he erected over the office a counting-house and set of offices, extending from William-street to Robert-street, and threw a stone bridge over William-street to connect the front and back premises.

Mr. Coutts, a few years before his death, married Harriet Mellon, who, after his death, became the wife of the Duke of St. Albans, a descendant of Nell Gwynn, that light-hearted wanton, whom nobody could hate. "Miss Mellon," says Leigh Hunt, "was arch and agreeable on the stage; she had no genius; but then she had fine eyes and a goodhumoured mouth." The same gay writer describes her when young as bustling about at sea-ports, selling tickets for her benefit-night; but then, says the kindly apologist for everybody, she had been left with a mother to support."

I wish that old building was still the headquarters. And I suspect that you will hear more about Angela Burdett-Coutts in this space in the future.

In 1969 Coutt's Bank, with origins in the late 17th century, was bought by National Westminster Bank (NatWest), and in 2000, NatWest was purchased by the Royal Bank of Scotland. Coutt's is now the wealth division of the conglomerate, engaged in private banking, with branches and offices worldwide. To become their client, I assume you would have to rob your piggy bank. And a few others as well.

The Strand, c. 1824

Speaking of Bridget Jones . . . .

2011-12-31T03:49:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year! We can't think of anything more fitting than watching this video as we ring in the New Year. If you'll be spending the New Year with friends, it'll get you into the party spirit and if you'll be celebrating alone, it will give you hope - things eventually turned out well for Bridget . . . didn't they? Watch the video here.

Prepare for The Year of Dickens

2011-12-30T04:00:00.014-05:00

2012 brings the 200th Birthday of Charles Dickens (1812-1870), the man who shaped our perception of Victorian England in his thousands of pages of delicious stories -- not to mention his reporting and essays.

Dickens in 1858

Charles Dickens was born in 1812. His somewhat feckless parents caused him to have an alternately comfortable and difficult life as a child, including a stint working in a London blacking factory, where he experienced first hand the travails of the poor working class he so vividly portrayed in his stories.

Santa favored me with a copy of Claire Tomalin's biography of Dickens, a book that was on many "best" lists for 2011 and which received many glowing reviews. Tomalin had already done considerable work on Dickens and his secret life. Her book, Invisible Woman, was published in 1991, telling of his 13-year affair with Ellen Ternan at the end of his life. He had previously married the boss's daughter (or one of his bosses), Catherine Hogarth, whose father was the editor of the Evening Chronicle, for which Dickens wrote. They had ten children, but grew apart.

Claire Tomalin is an excellent biographer. She has published the life stories of many famous writers, such as Katherine Mansfield (1989), Pepys (2003), and Thomas Hardy (2007). She has written about others, as well, particularly - from my bookshelf -- Mrs. Jordan's Profession (1994) -- the story of London actress Dorothea Jordan (1761-1816) and her long affair with Prince William, Duke of Clarence (1765-1837), with whom Dora had ten children. He later succeeded his brother to become William IV, King of England 1830-1837.

Claire Tomalin

I suppose it will come as no surprise to occasional readers of this blog to learn that my favorite biography of Tomalin's is her Jane Austen: A Life, an excellent study of the artist whose work is the source-point for all my interests in the long 18th Century, the Regency, the Georgians, the Victorians, and all things English/British.

But I digress... you will find no shortage of biographies and studies of the work of Charles Dickens in the upcoming months. Plays, movies, television programs -- he will be everywhere. We have just had, in many US cities and elsewhere, the traditional holiday season performances of A Christmas Carol, which one cannot see too many times, or so it seems to me.

Ebenezer Scrooge is only one of the hundreds of characters Dickens create which stay in our memories forever. Who could ever forget the Artful Dodger? Or Miss Havisham? Or Mr. Micawber or Uriah Heep? You can name dozens more, no doubt.

David Copperfield illustration

David Copperfield is said to be somewhat biographical.

Dickens began publishing stories in 1833 when he was just 21 years old. He generally published his stories in magazines, in serial form, meaning that every few pages, there is a suspenseful moment, designed to bring the reader back next month to buy the next installment. This method enhances the page-turner quality of all of his novels. He was immensely popular in his day, engaging in many public readings around Britain as well as during two trips to the U.S.

Charles Dickens by Ary Scheffer, 1855; NPG, London

So in the next 12 months (and beyond), be self-indulgent, and read some of the long and enjoyable works of Charles Dickens. It is a pleasure you owe yourself!

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012

2011-12-28T04:00:00.004-05:00

Great Britain and the world will celebrate Queen Elizabeth's sixty-year reign in 2012. We can't wait!

The logo was chosen from 35,000 entries in a contest sponsored by the BBC. Katherine Dewar, of Chester, age ten, is the talented artist.

The Queen's Silver Jubilee was celebrated in 1977.

The Golden Jubilee, marking Queen Elizabeth's fifty years on the throne, was celebrated in 2002. One of the fun events was a grand concert in the Garden of Buckingham Palace -- broadcast all over the world. I imagine we will see some of the same kind of spectacles next summer around the official weekend on June, 2012.

Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 1897. Above is her official picture from the celebration. She became Queen of England on the death of her uncle, William IV, in 1837, when she was age 18. She died in January, 1901, after a reign of 63 years and 7 months, longest ever for an English monarch.

Victoria's 1897 Diamond Jubilee was marked by nationwide celebrations, a gathering of the world's reigning monarchs and local festivities, setting the precedents for 2012.

Above is a commemorative plate, just one of many souvenirs available. For the very finest quality items, I suggest contacting the Royal collection gift shop here. Think of how valuable it might become, though a quick google search for commemoratives from Victoria's Jubilee turns up several examples for less than $200, as below.

If you aren't in a collecting mood so soon after Christmas, you could spend hours surfing the sites devoted to the 2012 jubilee.

Here is the official site, soon to be updated. Above is the jubilee barge, to be used on the Thames during the official weekend of celebrations, beginning June 3, 2012. For more info on the barge, go to the BBC News.

Longer runs will be held for the exhibitions at royal residences. More Information is here. Special exhibitions will be on view at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, as well as special showings of the Royal Collections's drawings by Leonardo da Vinci in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Below, Head of Leda, from the Royal Collection, by Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1505-06, probably acquired by Charles II.

Lest we forget what the Diamond Jubilee is celebrating, here are a few pictures of the Queen during her reign.

above, 1952; below, 1977.

Above, Andy Warhol's take on her Majesty. Below, Elizabeth II's "Golden Jubilee" in 2002.

Here are some more recent photos of the the Queen in 2011:

My choice for the prettiest hat ever is the pink one, worn last June at Ascot. May she reign on (and keep the hatmakers happy)!! Stay tuned for more Diamond Jubilee stories.

Boxing Day

2011-12-26T04:01:00.032-05:00

From The book of Christmas: descriptive of the customs, ceremonies, traditions ... By Thomas Kibble Hervey (1845)

This day—which, in our calendar, is still dedicated to the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen (for John the Baptist perished in the same cause, before the consummation of the old law, and the full introduction of the Christian dispensation),—is more popularly known by the title of Boxing-day; and its importance, amongst the Christmas festivities, is derived from the practice whence that title comes.

We have already mentioned that the custom of bestowing gifts, at seasons of joyous commemoration, has been a form of thankfulness at most periods;—and that it may have been directly borrowed, by the Christian worshippers, from the Polytheists of Rome, along with those other modes of celebration which descended to the Christmas festival, from that source,—introduced, however, amongst our own observances, under scripture sanctions, drawn both from the Old and New Testaments. The particular form of that practice, whose donations are known by the title of Christmas-boxes (and which appear to differ from New-year's gifts in this,—that the former, passing from the rich to the poor, and from the master to his dependants, are not reciprocal in their distribution,—whereas the latter are those gifts, for the mutual expression of good-will and congratulation, which are exchanged between friends and acquaintances), was, perhaps, originally one of the observances of Christmas-day, and made a portion of its charities. The multiplied business of that festival, however, probably caused it to be postponed till the day following,—and thereby placed the Christmas-boxes under the patronage of St. Stephen.

The title itself has been derived, by some, from the box which was kept on board of every vessel that sailed upon a distant voyage, for the reception of donations to the priest; who, in return, was expected to offer masses for the safety of the expedition, to the particular saint having charge of the ship—and, above all, of the box. This box was not to be opened till the return of the vessel; and we can conceive that, in cases where the mariners had had a perilous time of it, this casket would be found to enclose a tolerable offering. Probably the state of the box might be as good an evidence as the log-book, of the character of the voyage which had been achieved. The mass was, at that time, called Christmass;—and the boxes kept to pay for it were, of course, called Christmass-boxes. The poor, amongst those who had an interest in the fate of these ships,—or of those who sailed in them,—were in the habit of begging money from the rich, that they might contribute to the mass boxes; and hence the title which has descended to our day:—giving to the anniversary of St. Stephen's martyrdom the title of Christmas-boxing day— and, by corruption, its present popular one of Boxing-day. A relic of these ancient boxes yet exists, in the earthen or wooden box, with a slit in it, which still bears the same name; and is carried, by servants and children, for the purpose of gathering money, at this season—being broken only when the period of collection is supposed to be over.

Most of our readers know that it was the practice, not many years ago (and in some places is so still), for families to keep lists of the servants of tradesmen and others, who were considered to have a claim upon them for a Christmas-box at this time. The practice,—besides opening a door to great extortion,—is one, in every way, of considerable annoyance,—and is on the decline. There is, however,—as they who are exposed to it know,—some danger in setting it at defiance, where it is yet in force. One of the most amusing circumstances, arising out of this determination to evade the annoyances of Boxing-day, is related by Sandys. A person in trade had imprudently given directions that he should be denied, on this day, to all applicants for money; and amongst those who presented themselves at his door, on this errand, was, unfortunately, a rather importunate creditor. In the height of his indignation, at being somewhat uncourteously repulsed, he immediately consulted his lawyer; and, having done that, we need scarcely relate the catastrophe. It follows, as a matter of course. A docket was struck against the unsuspecting victim of Christmas-boxophobia.

Boxing-day, however, is still a great day, in London. Upon this anniversary, every street resounds with the clang of hall-door knockers. Rap follows rap, in rapid succession,—the harsh and discordant tones of iron mingling with those of rich and sonorous brass, and giving a degenerate imitation of the brazen clangor of the trumpet which formed the summons to the gate, in days of old,—and which, together with the martial music of the drum, appears to have been adopted, at a later period, by the Christmasboxers, on St. Stephen's-day. Pepys, in his diary (1668), records his having been "called up by drums and trumpets;—these things and boxes," he adds, "have cost me much money, this Christmas, and will do more." Which passage seems to have been in the memory of our facetious publisher, when he made the following entry in his journal of last year,—from whence we have taken the liberty of transcribing it.—"Called out," says Spooner (1834), "by the parish beadle, dustmen, and charity-boys. The postman, street-sweepers, chimney-sweepers, lamp-lighters, and waits, will all be sure to wait upon me. These fellows have cost me much money this Christmas,—and will do more, the next."

There is an amusing account, given by a writer of the querulous class, of a boxing-day, in London, a century ago. "By the time I was up," says he, "my servants could do nothing but run to the door. Inquiring the meaning, I was answered, the people were come for their Christmas-box; this was logic to me; but I found at last that, because I had laid out a great deal of ready-money with my brewer, baker, and other tradesmen, they kindly thought it my duty to present their servants with some money, for the favor of having their goods. This provoked me a little; but being told it was the 'custom,' I complied. These were followed by the watch, beadles, dustmen, and an innumerable tribe; but what vexed me the most was the clerk, who has an extraordinary place, and makes as good an appearance as most tradesmen in the parish; to see him come a-boxing, alias a-begging, I thought was intolerable: however I found it was 'the cus.torn too,' so I gave him half-a-crown; as I was likewise obliged to do the bellman, for breaking my rest for many nights together."

The manner in which the beadle approaches his "good masters and mistresses," for a Christmas-box,—particularly in the villages near the British metropolis,—is, as we have before said, by the presentation of a copy of printed verses, ornamented with wood engravings. These broadsides are usually termed "Bellman's verses;" and we quite agree with Mr. Leigh Hunt in his opinion, that "good bellman's verses will not do at all. There have been," he remarks, "some such things of late ' most tolerable and not to be endured.' We have seen them witty,—which is a great mistake. Warton and Cowper unthinkingly set the way." "The very absurdity of the bellman's verses is only pleasant, nay, only bearable, when we suppose them written by some actual doggrel-poet, in good faith. Mere mediocrity hardly allows us to give our Christmas-box, or to believe it now-a-days in earnest; and the smartness of your cleverest worldly-wise men is felt to be wholly out of place. No, no! give us the good old decrepit bellman's verses, hobbling as their bringer, and taking themselves for something respectable, like his cocked-hat,—or give us none at all."

Upon the bellman's verses which were last year circulated by the beadles of Putney, Chiswick, and other parishes on the west side of London, it was recorded, that they were "first printed in the year 1735;"—and our curiosity induced us to inquire of the printer the number annually consumed. "We used, sir," said he, "not many years ago, to print ten thousand copies, and even more; but now I suppose we don't print above three thousand." Whether the trade of this particular dealer in bellman's verses has passed into other hands,—or whether the encouragement given to the circulation of these broadsides has declined,—the statement of an individual will not of course enable us to determine. But we are inclined to think that,—like other old Christmas customs, —the popularity of bellman's verses is passing away; and that, before many years have elapsed, penny magazines and unstamped newspapers will have completely superseded these relics of the rude, but sincere, piety of our ancestors.

The claims of dustmen to be remembered, upon " Boxing day," were formerly urged, without literary pretensions; but now, "the march of intellect" has rendered it necessary for them to issue their addresses in print. One of these, which lies before us, represents that "the United Association of Dustmen and Scavengers, of the Parish of , have the honor to pay their humble duty and respects to the good [Master or Mistress] of this house, and to solicit a Christmas mark of approbation of their unwearied exertions, which they flatter themselves conduce so eminently to the comfort and salubrity of the greatest metropolitan city of civilized Europe." Here, however, is another,—in which the spirit of St. Stephen's day is embittered by the rivalries of business; and the harmony of those two respectable bodies, the Scavengers and Dustmen, appears to have been disturbed. The dustmen, it will be seen, repudiate the scavengers,—and appeal to St. Stephen, on a separate interest.

"TO THE WORTHY INHABITANTS OF THE SOUTHAMPTON ESTATE.

"Ladies and Gentlemen,—At this season, when you are pleased to give to laboring men, employed in collecting your dust, a donation, called Christmas-box, advantage of which is often taken by persons assuming the name of Dustmen, obtaining, under false pretences, your bounty, we humbly submit to your consideration, to prevent such imposition, to bestow no gift on any not producing a brass figure of the following description—A Scotch Fifer, french horn, &c., between his legs.—James Dee and Jerry Cane.— Southampton Paving Act—on the bell.—Contractor—Thomas Salisbury. "No connexion with scavengers—Please not to return this bill to any one."

The principal Wait, also, leaves a notice of a more imposing description,—stating a regular appointment to the office, by warrant, and admission,—with all the ancient forms of the City and Liberty of Westminster; and bears a silver-badge and chain, with the arms of that city. We cannot dismiss the various modes of collecting Christmasboxes, without a few words upon the pieces of writing carried about by parish boys; and which, once, presented the only evidence that the schoolmaster was abroad. It appears formerly tohave been the practice, at this season, to hang up in our churches, the work of the most skilful penman in the parish, after it had been generally exhibited; the subject of which was the life of some saint, or other religious legend. Pepys thus mentions the custom :—" 26 December, 1665. Saw some fine writing work and flourishing of Mr. Hore, with one that I knew long ago, an acquaintance of Mr. Tomson's at Westminster, that is this man's clerk. It is the story of the several Archbishops of Canterbury, engrossed on vellum, to hang up in Canterbury cathedral, in tables, in lieu of the old ones, which are almost worn out."

To this usage—which was no doubt of monkish origin,—we are inclined to refer the specimens of caligraphy, upon gaudily ornamented sheets of paper, brought round, on St. Stephen's-day, by parish boys and charity school children, and displayed for admiration and reward. The walls of school-rooms, and of the houses of the children's parents, are afterwards decorated with these "Christmas pieces,"—in the same manner as were anciently the walls of churches.

The Wellington Connection: Christmas

2011-12-25T03:45:00.055-05:00

Kristine here, sharing my ornaments with you . . .

We have lots of bears . . . .

Some birds, calling and otherwise . . .

a few souveniers of our travels

But the majority are British themed baubles, including several Big Bens

several soldiers . . . .

a few Royal personages

some London icons . . . . .

and some thrones for good measure . . . .

So where, you rightly ask, is the Wellington Connection? Did you think we'd forget the Duke at Christmas!?

Not a bit of it! The Duke's halls have been decked, and lit, as well.

Merry Christmas!

Raising a Toast to Christmas

2011-12-24T04:00:00.002-05:00

The grocery store Trader Joe's recomends egg nog for Christmas in its Holiday Guide 2011. We all love the rich mix, whether or not it is laced with whiskey or rum. The Guide notes that there are some things among our food and drink traditions that are closely associated with the holidays every year. One version of eggnog's origin is from the English area of East Anglia where a noggin is a small mug. There are other explanations, but this one is probably as good as any. Yum.

The picture above accompanies Rachel Ray's recipe(s) for EggNog. Try one of them here. Ray suggests rum to add a touch of cheer to the traditional egg, cream and nutmeg ingredients.

I remember my parrents serving Tom and Jerrys many years ago at the holidays. I thought they meant the cat and mouse cartoon characters, but the drink was invented by Pierce Egan (1772-1849), creator of the regency era ne-er-do-wells Tom and Jerry, whose Life in London ran to many editions in the 19th century. The cat and mouse were named after them too. Egan was a journalist and sportswriter, and his silly characters had many adventures. Above, they manage to enter Almack's, where they probably would not find any alcohol, unless it was smuggled in by a regency rake. Though there are many variations, a Tom and Jerry resembles eggnog.

For a recipe, click this link.

As long as I was looking into Christmas cheer, I looked up wassail. I've sung about going wassailing for years in the well-known carol -- and never stopped to wonder what in the world it meant.

Here is an recipe based on fruit juices and without alcohol.

Appropriately, there are many recipes for wassail or wassail punch, though all seem to have a apple cider base. According to several sources, wassailing was a group activity involving singing and saluting the health of the apple trees to encourage a good harvest in the future. Wouldn't this just be a good excuse for a party? Wassailing could be done at harvest time in the fall, particularly in the south of England where the apple orchards prevail, and at Christmas time, though the roots of the custom seem to go back to pre-Christian days in England. For ale-based and wine-laced recipes and more, click here.

Another popular warm drink for the holidays is the Hot Toddy, usually made with a lemon-juice base. As in all of the above, alcohol is optional. I note than many examples carry a cinnamon stick as a stir. To repeat, yum. Some sources say the Scottish version is usually made with whisky and the English version with strong black tea. For recipes, click here.

There are many more Christmas drinks, both traditional and cutting-edge. Think hot buttered rum, mulled wine and/or cider, hot chocolate, or Irish Coffee. Or try Bishop, a warm wine-based drink mixed by Scrooge in Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol.

So here's to you, a virtual cup of good cheer for the holidays!!

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

2011-12-22T03:24:00.000-05:00

In this sequel, Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson join forces to outwit and bring down their fiercest adversary, Professor Moriarty, played by Jared Harris, below.

Stephen Fry is Mycroft Holmes, elder brother of Sherlock.

And then, of course, there are Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law -

This cast alone should be more than enough encouragement to see the film, but should you be the odd man out and need even more incentive, Wikipedia offers this plot synopsis: "Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) has always been the smartest man in the room…until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large—Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris)—and not only is he Holmes’ intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may actually give him an advantage over the renowned detective. When the Crown Prince of Austria is found dead, the evidence, as construed by Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan), points to suicide. But Sherlock Holmes deduces that the prince has been the victim of murder—a murder that is only one piece of a larger and much more portentous puzzle, designed by one Professor Moriarty. Mixing business with pleasure, Holmes tracks the clues to an underground gentlemen’s club, where he and his brother, Mycroft Holmes (Stephen Fry) are toasting Dr. Watson (Jude Law) on his last night of bachelorhood. It is there that Holmes encounters Sim (Noomi Rapace), a Gypsy fortune teller, who sees more than she is telling and whose unwitting involvement in the prince’s murder makes her the killer’s next target. Holmes barely manages to save her life and, in return, she reluctantly agrees to help him. The investigation becomes ever more dangerous as it leads Holmes, Watson and Sim across the continent, from England to France to Germany and finally to Switzerland. But the cunning Moriarty is always one step ahead as he spins a web of death and destruction—all part of a greater plan that, if he succeeds, will change the course of history." Yowza!

Watch the trailer here.

The Origins of the Christmas Card

2011-12-20T04:18:00.014-05:00

From Christmas Cards & Their Chief Designers By Gleeson White (1894)

The origin of the Christmas card is, fortunately for its future historians, not lost in the mists of antiquitv, that popular hiding place for all sorts of origins; but as clearly fixed as Archbishop Usher's date of Creation- B.c. 4004, October 26, 4-30 p.m.,—with more trustworthy evidence to support it. In 1846, Sir Henry Cole (then plain Mr) suggested the idea of a specially designed form of greeting to send to friends at Christmas. Mr J. C. Hor.«!ey, R.A., acting on the hint, produced a design of a trellis of rustic-work, in the Germanesque style, divided into a centre and two side panels. In the panels are figures representing two of the acts of charity, "feeding the hungry" and "clothing the naked;" in the centre is a picture of a merry family party, including three generations, grandparents to grandchildren, quaffing draughts of wine.

It was evident that some such individual, whether called buyer or commercial traveller, comes between the manufacturer and the retailer in almost every instance. Not only has this personage to reckon with the taste of shop-keepers, which varies from the best to the worst, with a tendency to the latter, but he has also his own standard to defend. Hence he sells most readily not only those goods the average retail trader is most likely to choose for himself, but a great many others which, since they approve themselves to the vendor, he can recommend with sincerity.

It is strange that this needle's eye, through which so much Applied Art has to pass ere it reaches the public, is not more often recognised as the chief obstacle to its progress. The public should not be held responsible for declining to purchase goods which never came under its eyes; the manufacturer should not be held blameworthy for the poor level of the Art he offers, when, possibly, he has tried and tried in vain to induce his travellers and the trade buyers to support his efforts to produce good designs.

Although 1846 has been so far accepted as the undisputed date of the first card, just before going to press, Mr Jonathan King, the owner of the largest collection, has called my attention to a paragraph in a journal'of some standing, where a Mr Thomas Shorrock, of Leith, is said to be the real inventor of the Christmas card, seeing that a year or two before the above date he issued one, with a laughing face, and the motto "A Gude New Year to Ye." Whether this be the card which is elsewhere said to have been engraved on a copper- plate by a workman, Daniel Aikman, in 1840 or 1841 and published with a Scotch motto, I am unable to prove. Should either of these statements be accurate, although one might, without special pleading, claim that a New Year secular greeting is not quite the same as one marking a religious festival, it would be best to give later inventors equal credit, and assume, what would be probably correct, that neither knew of the doings of the others. So, too, the statement that engravers' apprentices of Northumberland or Yorkshire (the stories differ, and one questions if such a class of artists exists in either place in sufficient numbers to found a custom), are in the habit of sending specimens of their own work to friends at Christmas, and have done so for a long period, may or may not be true, but is hardly likely to have been the source whence the card was derived. Equally difficult is it to obtain any details of Messrs Goodall's cards in 1862 (or 1864, authorities vary,) which were probably the first issued to the ordinary trade. Despite a former sentence crediting Messrs Goodall with the honour of being the first publishers of Christmas cards, (always excepting the Sir Henry Cole card of 1846,) and, notwithstanding the fact that several of their cards, issued in 1864 and 1865, from designs by C. H. Bennett, are reproduced here, it is possible that other candidates might put forward reasonable claims. It seems probable that ornamented note paper and envelopes appeared just before the cards, that the designs in relief, identical with those on the stationery named, were either simultaneously or very shortly after stamped in the centre of a card, which had its edges coloured or embossed. Certain it is that T. Sulman was very early in the field with relief-decorated paper and cards, and with lithographed designs. Leighton, of Fleet Street, and Mansell, of Red Lion Square, are also amongst the first, while R. Canton, (who started Valentine and Birthday card production in 1840,) and Dean & Sons issued many of their publications with special Christmas mottoes. The innovation of stamping reliefs in two or more colours is dated to 1858. The introduction of foreign "chromo-lithograph pictures," to replace those hitherto coloured by hand, or by stencil, is traced to Elliott, of Bucklesbury, in 1850, and to Scheffer and Scheiper, (I have but the phonetic spelling of these names,) in 1851. This item in the preparation of "made-up" Birthday Cards and Valentines had hitherto been very rudely prepared by colouring plain embossed relief with a brush, or stencilling lithographs, afterwards embossed and cut out.

An improvement in these devices is traced to a man whose professional occupation was to colour designs upon linen bands for the Irish trade. These cut out devices were prepared at a cost of 4d. per 1,000, the hands earning about 15s. a week, until Germany sent over more cheaply produced imitations at one-sixteenth of the cost. Thierry, of Fleet Street, known as the father of the Christmas card trade, was, doubtless, the first to introduce the elaborately embossed reliefs which afterwards came over in cart loads. Then they cost 8os. per 100 sheets, now their price has fallen to is. the 100 for large quantities. When one remembers that at first—and for many years after- a large majority of the cards, (which, however little they interest us here, helped to spread the fashion), were made up from foreign chromo-lithographs, even by firms of the high standing of Marcus Ward, we find that this importation of foreign embossed relief takes its place as an important commercial factor in the rise of the industry.

A Greenaway Christmas Card

With Messrs Marcus Ward & Co., who started the production of Christmas cards as early as 1867, coincidentally with the opening of their London house, however, we come to a very different class of manufacturers. Here is a house, one of the earliest in production, with a record that reaches the highest level of decorative excellence ever touched by the Christmas card. This firm for awhile monopolised the whole of the better-class trade. Beginning with the use of German " chromos," usually mounted on card with lithographed borders in gold and colours, of home manufacture, they soon issued reproductions of original designs by artists of repute, and gained a position where they stood without rivals. It was, I believe, owing to the *acute perception of one of the partners of this firm, Mr. William H. Ward, that Miss Kate Greenaway was "discovered" as a designer. At the earliest "Black and White" Exhibition at the Dudley Gallery Mr. Ward's attention was drawn to Miss Greenaway's work; and recognising that her special talent was in the direction of costume figures and dainty colours, he induced her to design for the firm.

It is this characteristic which must be reckoned to the honour of Marcus Ward's cards; not because they employed celebrated artists more freely than other firms—capable designers indeed were commissioned, but their list of well-known painters will not compare in mere numbers for a moment with those of several of their near rivals—but because they saw that an architectural, not a pictorial, aim was the correct one. To talk of architecture in connection with so ephemeral an object as a Christmas card may sound absurd, but, nevertheless, I think all students of decoration must admit that its treatment should be more nearly allied to the surface decoration of buildings than to transcripts of nature, which are, in theory, attempts to imitate the out-look from a window of the building. This latter, usually held to be the aim of the pictorial artist, cannot be employed without degradation upon mechanically-produced reproductions in colour; but the artificial convention — the idea of decorative as distinguished from pictorial art— wherever you find it for stained glass, mosaic, enamel, inlay or colour printing, has another purpose to fulfil, which is more admirably achieved when the limitations of the material are duly observed.

On The Shelf: Annie Groves

2011-12-18T01:27:00.002-05:00

Recently, I was given that which every avid reader covets - the gift of discovering a new author. Annie Groves, who also writes as Penny Jordan. Her writing style is reminiscent of Catherine Cookson and Groves also writes family sagas, most of them being set around World War II London, rather than 19th century Tyne and Wear. Her latest series begins with London Belles, a tale of four very different young women thrown together by war. Finding freedom and independence – as well as love, passion and heartbreak – for the very first time, a unique bond is formed as the hostilities take their toll on Britain.

United by chance, bound together in times of need When tragedy strikes, Olive is forced to seek lodgers. Three girls come knocking at her door, each in need of a roof over their heads. Sally has left Liverpool to work as a nurse in London and when she arrives she is a shell of her former self. Where once stood a vivacious, sociable girl, now stands one plagued by homesickness and a betrayal that is devastatingly fresh in her mind. Dulcie is living the high life in the West End, a world away from her home in Stepney. Working at Selfridges gives her access to the most fashionable clothes and makeup, but at home she is the black sheep of the family; always second to her sister. So she decides it's time to make a bid for freedom. Agnes grew up in an orphanage, having been left on the steps as a new-born baby. But with war looming, and the orphanage relocating to the country, she must now seek out a job and lodgings. But with change comes exciting new opportunities, worlds away from the life she's known… As the women prepare for war, all of their futures hang in the balance. Soon their lives will change irrevocably and the home that binds the London Belles is no longer the sanctuary they once sought.

Imagine my delight when, upon finishing London Belles, I rushed to the Barnes and Noble site only to find that there's already a sequel, Home for Christmas, which picks up the tale exactly where it left off.

There's nothing new or shocking in Groves's storytelling, but that's a good thing. She uses a gentle voice to relay the wants, desires and motivations of four 1940's girls, each of whom has their own distinct personality. Like Cookson, Groves charms the reader with good, old fashioned storytelling that left me wanting more. Best of all, Groves has a couple of previous WWII series in her backlist, so I'll have a title of hers in my TBR pile for a while to come. You can visit Annie Groves' website here.

Jane Austen's 236th Birthday December 16, 2011

2011-12-16T04:00:00.107-05:00

On Saturday, December 10, the Wisconsin region of JASNA celebrated Jane Austen's birthday with a gala luncheon.

Marylee Richmond and Susan Flaherty at the registration table.

Suan and Diane Judd made individual souvenirs for all participants, a series of stunning silhouettes (as below). What an acomplishment!

We dined on individual Beef Wellingtons or Quiches, followed by delicious desserts not to be believed. (Remember, desserts is stressed spelled backwards.)

Below, Sara Bowen and Jane Glaser have a chat before the luncheon.

Above, our Chicago colleague, William Phillips, gave the annual toast to our favorite author's birthday.
Below, Jeff Nigro, Regional Coordinator for the neighboring Chicago group, as he presented his talk on "Austen and the Beauty of Place."

Jane Austen did not write a great many long descriptions of locations in her fiction. Sometimes, Nigro said, when characters spoke rhapsodically, their fawning images illustrated the superficial nature of the speaker, such as Mr. Collins talking of Rosings (Lady Catherine’s estate) or Mrs. Elton in Emma with her inflated images of Maple Grove.

Above, Chawton House and Church, by an unknown artist

Austen favors descriptions, such as that Edward gives in Sense & Sensibility, of a landscape that unites beauty and utility. An excellent example would be the view of Wivenhoe Park by John Constable, 1816, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D. C., below.

Among the best known of Austen’s landscape descriptions comes from Emma: “It was a sweet view -- sweet to the eye and the mind. English verdure, English culture, English comfort, seen under a sun bright, without being oppressive.”

Nigro went on to compare such images from Austen to sets and locations used in various movie and television series based on the novels, sometimes finding the film version less than accurate.

Instead of trying to define a universal standard of beauty, he concluded, Austen raises queries about what constitutes true beauty; more than just a nice view, she finds perfection is based on a complex web of emotions that we bring to our personal images -- of home. Thank you, Jeff, for your stimulating talk!

Above, Sue Zimmerman and Victoria Hinshaw

Liz Cooper with Beverly Levin

The Wisconsin Region invites you to its website, here.

The renowned calendar prepared by Liz Philosophos Cooper and Kim Wilson has even more entries on the activities of Jane Austen, her family, and her characters to fill almost every day. This year's pictures are all on color, some of everyone's favorites from the Brock Brothers. To order, contact Liz Cooper at

liz.p.cooper@gmail.com

or click Merchandise on the website.

Below, a sample page (October 2012)

Christmas Turkeys

2011-12-15T03:53:00.001-05:00

From The Book of Christmas: Descriptive of the customs, ceremonies, traditions ... By Thomas Kibble Hervey (1845)

Amongst the signs of the time that are conspicuous upon the roads, the traveller whose journeyings bring him towards those which lead into the metropolis, will be struck by the droves of cattle that are making their painful way up to the great mart, for this great festival. But a still more striking, though less noisy, Christmas symptom forms a very amusing object, to him who leaves London by such of its highways as lead eastward. Many a time have we seen a Norfolk coach, with its hampers piled on the roof and swung from beneath the body, and its birds depending, by every possible contrivance, from every part from which a bird could be made to hang. Nay, we believe it is not unusual with the proprietors, at this season, to refuse inside passengers of the human species, in favor of these oriental gentry, who "paybetter;" and, on such occasions, of course, they set at defiance the restriction which limits them to carrying "four insides." Within and without, the coaches are crammed with the bird of Turkey;—and a gentleman town-ward bound, who presented himself at a Norwich coach-office, at such a time, to inquire the "fare to London," was pertly answered by the book-keeper, "Turkeys." Our readers will acquit us of exaggeration, when we tell them that Mr. Hone, in his Every Day Book, quotes, from an historical account of Norwich, an authentic statement of the amount of turkeys which were transmitted from that city to London, between a Saturday morning and the night of Sunday, in the December of 1793;—which statement gives the number as one thousand seven hundred, the weight as nine tons, two cwt., and two lbs., and the value as £680. It is added that, in the two following days, these were followed by half as many more. We are unable to furnish the present statistics of the matter; but, in forty years which have elapsed since that time, the demand, and, of course, the supply must have greatly increased; and it is probable that the coach proprietors find it convenient to put extra carriages on the road, for these occasions.

Norfolk must be a noisy county. There must be a " pretty considerable deal" of gabble, towards the month of November, in that English Turkistan. But what a silence must have fallen upon its farm-yards, since Christmas has come round! Turkeys are indisputably born to be killed. That is an axiom. It is the end of their training,—as it ought to be (and, in one sense, certainly is) of their desires. And, such being the destiny of this bird, it may probably be an object of ambition with a respectable turkey, to fulfil its fate, at the period of this high festival. Certain it is that, at no other time, can it attain to such dignities as belong to the turkey who smokes on the well stored table of a Christmas dinner, the most honored dish of all the feast.

A Day in the Life of a Queen

2011-12-14T03:14:00.001-05:00

Creevey Papers 1838

December 15th.—Went on Wednesday to a Council at Windsor, and after the Council was invited to stay that night; rode with the Queen, and after riding Melbourne came to me and said Her Majesty wished me to stay the next day also. This was very gracious and very considerate, because it was done for the express purpose of showing that she was not displeased at my not staying when asked on a former occasion, and as she can have no object whatever in being civil to me, it was a proof of her good-nature and thoughtfulness about other people's little vanities, even those of the most insignificant. Accordingly I remained till Friday morning, when I went with the rest of her suite to see the hounds throw off, which she herself saw for the first time.

The Court is certainly not gay, but it is perhaps impossible that any Court should be gay where there is no social equality; where some ceremony, and a continual air of deference and respect must be observed, there can be no ease, and without ease there can be no real pleasure. The Queen is natural, good-humoured, and cheerful, but still she is Queen, and by her must the social habits and the tone of conversation be regulated, and for this she is too young and inexperienced. She sits at a large round table, her guests around it, and Melbourne always in a chair beside her, where two mortal hours are consumed in such conversation as can be found, which appears to be, and really is, very up-hill work. This, however, is the only bad part of the whole; the rest of the day is passed without the slightest constraint, trouble, or annoyance to anybody; each person is at liberty to employ himself or herself as best pleases them, though very little is done in common, and in this respect Windsor is totally unlike any other place. There is none of the sociability which makes the agreeableness of an English country house; there is no room in which the guests assemble, sit, lounge, and talk as they please and when they please; there is a billiard table, but in such a remote corner of the Castle that it might as well be in the town of Windsor; and there is a library well stocked with books, but hardly accessible, imperfectly warmed, and only tenanted by the librarian: it is a mere library, too, unfurnished, and offering none of the comforts and luxuries of a habitable room.

There are two breakfast rooms, one for the ladies and the guests, and the other for the equerries, but when the meal is over everybody disperses, and nothing but another meal reunites the company, so that, in fact, there is no society whatever, little trouble, little etiquette, but very little resource or amusement. The life which the Queen leads is this: she gets up soon after eight o'clock, breakfasts in her own room, and is employed the whole morning in transacting business; she reads all the despatches, and has every matter of interest and importance in every department laid before her. At eleven or twelve Melbourne comes to her and stays an hour, more or less, according to the business he may have to transact At two she rides with a large suite (and she likes to have it numerous); Melbourne always rides on her left hand, and the equerry in waiting generally on her right; she rides for two hours along the road, and the greater part of the time at a full gallop; after riding she amuses herself for the rest of the afternoon with music and singing, playing, romping with children, if there are any in the Castle (and she is so fond of them that she generally contrives to have some there), or in any other way she fancies.

The hour of dinner is nominally half-past seven o'clock, soon after which time the guests assemble, but she seldom appears till near eight. The lord in waiting comes into the drawing-room and instructs each gentleman which lady he is to take in to dinner. When the guests are all assembled the Queen comes in, preceded by the gentlemen of her household, and followed by the Duchess of Kent and all her ladies; she speaks to each lady, bows to the men, and goes immediately into the diningroom. She generally takes the arm of the man of the highest rank, but on this occasion she went with Mr. Stephenson, the American Minister (though he has no rank), which was very wisely done. Melbourne invariably sits on her left, no matter who may be there; she remains at table the usual time, but does not suffer the men to sit long after her, and we were summoned to coffee in less than a quarter of an hour. In the drawing-room she never sits down till the men make their appearance. Coffee is served to them in the adjoining room, and then they go into the drawing-room, when she goes round and says a few words to each, of the most trivial nature, all however very civil and cordial in manner and expression.

When this little ceremony is over the Duchess of Kent's whist table is arranged, and then the round table is marshalled, Melbourne invariably sitting on the left hand of the Queen and remaining there without moving till the evening is at an end. At about half-past eleven she goes to bed, or whenever the Duchess has played her usual number of rubbers, and the band have performed all the pieces on their list for the night. This is the whole history of her day: she orders and regulates every detail herself, she knows where everybody is lodged in the Castle, settles about the riding or driving, and enters into every particular with minute attention. But while she personally gives her orders to her various attendants, and does everything that is civil to all the inmates of the Castle, she really has nothing to do with anybody but Melbourne, and with him she passes (if not in tete-a-tete yet in intimate communication) more hours than any two people, in any relation of life, perhaps ever do pass together besides (1) He is at her side for at least six hours every day— an hour in the morning, two on horseback, one at dinner, and two in the evening. This monopoly is certainly not judicious; it is not altogether consistent with social usage, and it leads to an infraction of those rules of etiquette which it is better to observe with regularity at Court. But it is more peculiarly inexpedient with reference to her own future enjoyment, for if Melbourne should be compelled to resign, her privation will be the more bitter on account of the exclusiveness of her intimacy with him. Accordingly, her terror when any danger menaces the Government, her nervous apprehension at any appearance of change, affect her health, and upon one occasion during the last session she actually fretted herself into an illness at the notion of their going out. It must be owned that her feelings are not unnatural, any more than those which Melbourne entertains towards her. His manner to her is perfect, always respectful, and never presuming upon the extraordinary distinction he enjoys; hers to him is simple and natural, indicative of the confidence she reposes in him, and of her lively taste for his society, but not marked by any unbecoming familiarity.

Interesting as his position is, and flattered, gratified, and touched as he must be by the confiding devotion with which she places herself in his hands, it is still marvellous that he should be able to overcome the force of habit so completely as to endure the life he leads. Month after month he remains at the Castle, submitting to this daily routine: of all men he appeared to be the last to be broken in to the trammels of a Court, and never was such a revolution seen in anybody's occupations and habits. Instead of indolently sprawling in all the attitudes of luxurious ease, he is always sitting bolt upright; his free and easy language interlarded with 'damns' is carefully guarded and regulated with the strictest propriety, and he has exchanged the good talk of Holland House for the trivial, laboured, and wearisome inanities of the Royal circle.

1 The Duke of Wellington says that Melbourne is quite right to go and stay at the Castle as much he does, and that it is very fit he should instruct the young Queen in the business of government, but he disapproves of his being always at her side, even contrary to the rules of etiquette; for ae a Prime Minister has no precedence, he ought not to be placed in the post of honour to the exclusion of those of higher rank than himself.

JASNA Birthday Tea in Chicago

2011-12-12T05:00:00.002-05:00

The Greater Chicago Chapter of JASNA celebrated Jane Austen's 236th birthday with toasts to Jane and tea at the Fortnightly on Saturday, December 3, 2011. The Club was festive with Christmas lights and set a perfect atmosphere for our afternoon.

The speaker for the program was Mona Scheuermann, a professor at Oakton Community College in Illinois, whose topic was "Jane Austen and Making Do." Of particular interest to her was the morality of the choice of plays chosen to be performed by the young people in the novel Mansfield Park. The choice of "Lover's Vows," an adaptation by Elizabeth Inchbald of a German play by von Koetzbue, defined each character and gave us a strong insight into their views.

Jane Austen, according to Scheuermann, did not believe that this play, with its theme of redemption after a illicit affair, was a proper vehicle for the young, unmarried participants in the Mansfield Park dramatic effort. Fanny Price, of course, refused to participate, and Edmund also balked, placing them in the forefront of good behavior, always a value to Jane Austen.

The Club's lovely silver urns for our tea. Our favorite winter beverage was accompanied by an assortment of savory sandwiches and sweets, as shown.

Above, the required watercress and cucumber sandwiches. Once we are all served and reassembled, it was time for the annual birthday toast to our Jane. Leading us in extolling our favorite author was Karen Doornebos, author of the new novel, Definitely Not, Mr. Darcy. Look for more information on Karen here.

After we raised our champagne glasses to the memory of Austen, Karen posed with JASNA GCR regional coordinator Jeff Nigro.

Another debut author showing off her new work was Elizabeth Lenckos of the University of Chicago, who is a contributor to the volume entitled Wooing Mr. Wickham, a collection of stories inspired by Jane Austen's heroes and villains, from the Jane Austen Short Story Award 2011 entries, sponsored by the Chawton House Library. A total of 20 authors are included in a wide variety of formats and approaches.

Elizabeth's story is based on the wartime experiences of her family in Berlin at the end of World War II. It is a poignant story that shows just how deeply the love of Jane Austen can dwell within our hearts, even at the worst moments of existence.

Above, Elizabeth Lenckos speaks to the JASNA AGM in Ft. Worth, TX, in October 2011.

So now you have two books to add to your list for Santa this year. And I have another Jane Austen Birthday Celebration to attend soon. Hurrah!! Regardless of various kerfluffles about murder charges and newly-discovered portraits of somebody or other, our essential love of and admiration of Jane Austen remains indiminished.

My Father's 100th Birthday

2011-12-10T05:00:00.006-05:00

Victoria, here, wishing Happy Birthday to Gerald Malcolm Biggers (1911-1979), my esteemed father, long gone to his Great Reward. He would have been 100 years old today.

Gerald M. "Jerry" Biggers, 1964

I have occasionally tried to trace the stories of our ancestors and, as you will see, I have had some successes. But I have been unable to link the earliest Biggers I can claim --in Maysville, Kentucky, in the early decades of the 19th century -- to his father or grandfathers who came originally from England and/or Scotland before 1776. There were several men with the surname Biggers (or something very similar) in the Virginia Militia before the American Revolution, but I lack the link to the Maysville Biggers, specifically to Harvey Poindexter Biggers, born April 3, 1819 in Kentucky and died August 3, 1879 in Albion, IL.

Gerald and Leone Lagerstrom Biggers, June, 1935

However, my cousin Shera Biggers Thompson (1939-2009) and I did find our connections to another branch of the family, the wife of our great grandfather John Biggers, Ellen Metcalfe. Her grandfather, Edward Barnard Metcalfe, was a map maker who traveled with the British Army in the Peninsular war, up to and including the Battle of Waterloo. After the war, he worked for the Ordnance Survey and taught at the Royal Engineers College. About a dozen of his exquisitely drawn maps are in the UK's National Archives at Kew, where Shera and I were privileged to see them a few years ago. The second son, Arthur, came to the US to farm in the 1820's. I assume Arthur was named in honor of Arthur Wellesley, first Duke of Wellington, for whom Edward Barnard Metcalfe had made most of his maps.

I have lots more research to do if I am to complete the picture of this family -- other names that figure into my ancestry are Poindexter (familiar to many Virignians), Heck, and Stanley (supposedly shirt-tail relatives of the earls of Derby, but more likely just some poor Yorkshiremen who took the name of the local bigwigs).

Brothers Gerald and Hayward Biggers, c. 1916

One of my father's grandfathers was George Washington Stanley, who was the sheriff of Edwards County, IL, before the turn of the 19th to the 20th century. Below, the Albion, IL, county courthouse of Edwards County and the location of this tiny county in southern Illinois, due east of St Louis on the Wabash River, the eastern boundary of Illinois with Indiana.

I think the greatest hero to my dad's thinking was Winston Churchill, the man who saved civilization, in his opinion, with the assistance of the forces of the Commonwealth and the U.S. for sure. I still have several volumes of Churchill's series The Second World War that belonged to my father.

Jerry Biggers, Sr., my father, had a successful business career as a Chevrolet Dealer in Elgin, IL. He was, in my estimation, a perfect father. He was devoted to his wife, to me and to my brother, Jerry Jr. He loved our spouses and our children. He was a member of many civic improvement organizations in Elgin and later in his life, in Key Colony Beach, FL, where he lived in retirement. As his friends and colleagues knew, if you wanted a job done, Jerry would accomplish it.

Though he had a great interest in all things British, he and Mother traveled to Europe only once, visiting England, Scotland and Sweden, where my mother's parents came from. I particularly remember him talking about his visit to the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey as well as the town of Biggar in Scotland, from which he believed some of his ancestors had emigrated.

Biggar, Scotland

My father was a great devotee of classical music and loved to listen to his recordings in the evening with his bourbon and a detective novel. We always wondered of the author Earl Derr Biggers, creator of Charlie Chan, was related to us somehow. Probably his favorite writer was Erle Stanley Gardner, creator of Perry Mason, and perhaps another distant - really distant -- Stanley relation.

To my darling daddy, Happy 100th Birthday!

Speaking of Bridget Jones . . . .

2011-12-08T03:45:00.001-05:00

Okay, holiday season is upon us and by now you've most likely already watched Bridget Jones's Diary a few times (haven't you?) It's time now to move on to Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. Go on, dust off your dvd and start watching, but before you do, watch the movie trailer here first.

National Trust Holiday Lets

2011-12-06T03:27:00.002-05:00

If one can't be home for Christmas, the next best place is an historic property let through the National Trust. At the National Trust Holiday Cottages website, you'll find a unique collection of over 370 properties in outstanding locations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, available for short breaks, weekends away and holiday lets. Here are just a few:

On the sandy coast between Barmouth and Harlech in Wales, Egryn is a stunning Grade II listed medieval hall house dating from 1510, with 17th century alterations and a mid 19th-century front which looks across farmland to Cardigan Bay. At the heart of the house is the medieval hall with exposed, partially-aisled roof structure and a grand 17th-century fireplace. It has been faithfully restored by the National Trust using traditional building techniques: admire the skill and beauty of this work, providing a rare opportunity to stay in a Welsh hall house of this calibre. It is furnished in keeping with each period of its development. Commissioned by the National Trust, a replica of the original Egryn table dating from the early 1700's has been made from local wind blown oak and the Trust's Ganllywd Estate, and now has pride of place in the grand medieval dining room. Egryn is a working farm, through which there is a public footpath which leads past a profusion of Scheduled Ancient Monuments and stretches from the seashore to the uplands of the Rhinogydd Range. It has a wealth of archaeological and historic interest. There is a large private garden with nature trees, shrubbery and patio area. With its grand medieval hall sitting and dining rooms, Victorian parlour, skilled craftsmanship, beautiful furnishings and large private garden, Egryn is the perfect choice for that special occasion, family holidays and get togethers.

An exceptionally pretty cottage lying in the idyllic surroundings of the walled garden on the Florence Court estate, just eight miles from the town of Enniskillen. Rose Cottage is furnished to a high standard with views over the peaceful garden.

Godolphin House - Cornwall -This hugely atmospheric house sits in beautiful gardens and in great walking country. It is also only a short drive to lovely sandy beaches on both the north and south Cornish coasts, so makes a fabulous base for a great seaside holiday with a wonderful house to retreat to, away from the hustle and bustle of the resorts on busy days. The main entrance is via an imposing pillared portico running along the front of the house. There is a rear private garden area specifically for holiday cottage guests, but the main gardens are also available for use when not open to the public.

Housesteads - Northumberland - This Victorian farmhouse, built in the 19th century, was home to the Thompson's who farmed the area and also played a role as custodians of the Wall. The sitting room in the cottage was used by John Clayton when he was working on the excavation of Housesteads Fort. Clayton was the Town Clerk in Newcastle and was involved in the development of the city in the 1800's. He is renowned for his interest in preserving Hadrian's Wall and is credited with being the first person in the world to use his own wealth to buy sites of archaelogical interest. He bought land along the wall to stop the quarrying and removal of stones being taken to be used elsewhere. John Clayton was involved in excavations through out most of his life and was said to be still excavating up to the age of 94. The cottage is located just 100yrds from the ruins of Housesteads Fort and has outstanding views towards the North Pennines and Hadrian's Wall.

Ho, ho, ho, indeed.

Downton Abbey… Upstairs, Downstairs and/or Brideshead Revisited Redux? A Personal Opinion

2011-12-04T03:00:00.001-05:00

It's Ba-a-a-aa-aack!

PBS is re-running the first episodes of Downton Abbey in

December 2011, as a prelude to showing the latest season, seen in the UK last fall. I expect a big fuss on many loops and blogs as again we re-hash our opinions -- both positive and negative -- on the show.

Our frequent guest blogger, Jo Manning, was in England to see season two -- and here is her view of the new episodes.

Downton Abbey… Upstairs, Downstairs and/or Brideshead Revisited Redux? A Personal Opinion

by Jo Manning

As I put fingers to computer keyboard, I am reminded of that line in the vice-presidential debate in 1988 between Texas Senator Lloyd Bentsen and Indiana Senator Dan Quayle, where Quayle kept making references to himself as a new Jack Kennedy. Bentsen delivered the scathing putdown:

“Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy, I knew Jack Kennedy, Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy.”

In relation to this 2011 ITV mini-series, Downton Abbey, I am moved to paraphrase that excoriating putdown:

“ITV, writer Julian Fellowes, the cast of Downton Abbey, I watched Upstairs, Downstairs and Brideshead Revisited devotedly, and many, many times. Gentlemen, ladies, you are neither of those truly wonderful productions, not by a very long shot.” I would add, “You are absurd and unrealistic, for starters!”

I saw the second episode of this series – which had begun with the repercussions of the sinking of the Titanic upon the fortunes of a wealthy earl – the Earl of Grantham -- and his family – an American-born heiress wife and three daughters – with my daughter in West London. She’d warned me, “You have to see this to believe it.” She was correct. We could not stop laughing at the terribly clichéd plot, the wooden acting, the stereotyped characters, and the overall, well, yes, the overall silliness of this production. And I’m not talking de gustibus...here; this is more than a mere matter of taste.

But the amazing – and, truly, unbelievable aspect – of this venture is that most people – especially those Anglophiles in the United States – ADORE IT! It has received awards, including prestigious US Emmys for outstanding t.v. mini-series/movie, for writing, for directing, and for the incomparable Maggie Smith in the supporting actress category. Smith is the only palpable reason for watching this awful production; her chewing up and spitting out the scenery is a highly seasoned tour de force, simply delicious. (The mini-series also won for cinematography and costumes at the Creative Arts Emmys.)

How did it happen that it beat out Pillars Of The Earth, for heaven’s sake, a magnificently produced mini-series with outstanding acting that was based on Ken Follett’s popular novel? It has to be Anglophilia, simply that.

And the awards did not stop there. Downton Abbey entered the Guinness Book of World Record as “the most critically acclaimed television show” of the year. (Brideshead Revisited garnered this honor in 1981 for the original t.v. series.) Well, no one was polling a certain family in West London, for sure!

To compound this unbelievable love-fest, ITV confirmed in November that a third series has been commissioned and will air beginning in September 2012. Truly, I am gobsmacked L

Where do I start, not wanting to give away what happens in the second series… Well, there’s Hugh Bonneville – never the most accomplished of actors -- as the Earl of Grantham, who acts as if he has an iron rod up his bum and whose monologues to the servants and others are stunningly stupid; Lady Mary, his eldest daughter, played by Michelle Dockery – whose acting gamut runs from A to D, arrogance to disdain -- gives us no reason whatsoever to sympathize with her plight as the eldest-daughter-who-has-to-marry-well. She has obviously matriculated from the same acting school as Mr Bonneville. Chemistry between Lady Mary and anyone simply does not exist. She is a cold fish, with nothing lovable about her; the idea that she would fall into bed with a young handsome Turk she has only just met is totally off the wall. And, too, chemistry is also sadly lacking between the youngest (and wannabe social activist daughter) and the Irish chauffeur. Their “attraction” is excruciating, painful, non-existent.

Poor, still beautiful Elizabeth McGovern is the Earl’s rich American wife... She used to be a pretty good actress – remember how exquisite she was when only a teenager, in Ordinary People? -- but the dialogue coming out of her mouth lays her low. How does she not choke on it?

The servants also have their share of pretty awful characters. The butler, played by veteran character actor Jim Carter, has the same rod up his bum that the Earl of Grantham and Lady Mary strut around with, and don’t get me started on the whiny, sycophantic valet! His performance…oh, gag me with a spoon!

A major element of the first series was the problem with Lady Mary unable to inherit the earldom, since she is a woman, and male primogeniture prevails in England. (Recent events with the children of Prince William and Kate Middleton notwithstanding, as Downton Abbey is set in the first decades of the 20^th century and the Earl and Countess of Grantham are not royals.) Fellowes has the aristos try to get this changed. Well – and Fellowes should be well aware of this, coming from the class he does – you cannot do this, the conditions of inherited titles being what they are. Everyone, then, would know it!

It is patently absurd that the earl and his family should try to buck this, but take a look at this link to an article by A.N. Wilson for a possible clue as to why this storyline might have so interested Julian Fellowes: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2037077/Downton-Abbeys-creator-Julian-Fellowes-biggest-snob-Britain.html It is all about how Fellowes is enraged that his wife cannot inherit a title.

The piece is scorching. As well it should be. Do note this comment of A.N. Wilson, too, which echoes exactly what I have been saying:

“Fellowes is an absurd, rather than malign, figure in our public life, so one would not wish to respond to this latest bid for publicity with too much of a po-face. I acknowledge I’m in a minority when it comes to Downton Abbey, and that most of the nation will be gripped by the new series of this unrealistic depiction of upper-class life in the old days.”

For those who’ve not come across this expression, po-faced translates as humorless or disapproving. A.N. Wilson is an outspoken journalist and commentator and a prolific writer of fictional and biographical works. Look him up in WorldCat: http://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n77-3675.

Will not go into the editing problems, the telephone poles in the village, etc. That is sloppy film editing, nothing to do with the problems with Fellowes’ writing and the lousy acting that prevails. (Still cannot believe he got an Oscar for Gosford Park, an entertaining film with several great moments… It could be his one shining moment, though; so much else that he has done is so bad.)

When Anglophiles who love good English drama of the sort carried by PBS’s Masterpiece Theatre can anticipate with so very little difficulty the next line coming out of a character’s mouth, that’s…not good. As a comedy, Downton Abbey succeeds beautifully; as a drama, it is embarrassing. Drama should surprise us, enlighten us, and make us ponder possibilities, not bore us to death, in my opinion.

Really, need anyone say more?

Well, yes. From a Daily Mail article – and, spoiler alert! – don’t click on this link unless you desperately do want to know – despite my caveats -- what happens in Series Two:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2058390/Downton-Abbey-The-plots-barmy-weve-loved-minute.html#ixzz1duEueO1v:

“ ‘I know it’s a cliché,’ he cried at one point, shouting to be hear over the thundering ‘background’ music and Lady Mary doing her special blinking vole look.

“Cliché? That hasn’t stopped Fellowes before, we bellowed back.

“Oh dear. It’s terrible. It’s wonderful. It’s a disaster. It’s terrific. And without our Downton fix, what are we going to do to amuse ourselves on Sunday nights now?”

[Oh, be still my heart… “Lady Mary doing her special blinking vole look.” Perfect, just perfect! Could not have put it more perfectly myself J]

Well, here’s a thought… Go out and rent the wonderful film of the Isabel Colegate book, The Shooting Party. The book was published in 1980; the film was released in 1985. It is the real thing…English aristocrats seeing the ebbing of the world they knew, on the eve of the First World War, and they are both works of art, the book and the movie. Yes, really, they are genuinely works of art, not trumped up absurdities.

But did you know he was an actor before turning to writing? Not a terribly successful actor. Probably his most memorable role was as the overweight, annoying neighbor who tries to win the widowed Susan Hampshire’s heart in the television sitcom Monarch Of The Glen. Yes, that was Fellowes: Kilwillie!

From the IMDB website, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088111/ :

“Autumn, 1913: on the eve of the Great War, a small party of lords and ladies gather at the Hertfordshire estate of Sir Randolph Nettleby. A code of propriety governs all: dress, breakfast, relations with the estate's peasants, courtship, shooting, adultery. Lionel Stephens, who is courting Sir Randolph's daughter, gets into a shooting competition with Lord Gilbert Hartlip; Lord Gilbert's wife carries on discreet affairs; a pamphleteer circles the estate calling for no more killing, and Sir Robert's grandson hopes to protect a wild duck he's befriended. A way of life is ending: Lord Gilbert's violation of the gentlemen's code suggests internal rot as the real world presses in.”

James Mason gives the performance of his acting career as Sir Randolph Nettleby, who hosts what will probably be the last gathering of his aristocratic family and friends as the world prepares to blow asunder. The cast of The Shooting Party is superb, absolutely first-rate – John Gielgud, James Fox, Robert Hardy, Cheryl Crawford, Gordon Jackson, Dorothy Tutin, to name only a few -- and the story bittersweet and memorable. No posturing, no bombast, no nonsensical plotting, and, best of all, that Julian Fellowes fellow had nothing whatsoever to do with it.

Thanks, Jo, for your uninhibited opinions and your suggestion of The Shooting Party. We invite our readers' opinons too -- please comment on your views of Downtown Abbey. Do you love it -- or were you disappointed? Come one, come all! We want to hear from you.

Florizel and Perdita met on December 3, 1779

2011-12-02T04:00:00.021-05:00

George Prince of Wales was only 17 years old when he attended a performance of Florizel and Perdita, a play adapted from Shakespeare's A Winter's Tale. In the words of actress Mary Robinson's biographer, Hester Davenport, the Prince "was looking for a woman to worship," perhaps HAD been looking already, when he sat in his box at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and "fell in love."

As Ms. Davenport points out, this was not Shakespeare’s Winter’s Tale but an adaptation by David Garrick, known as Florizel and Perdita, in which Perdita is a sweet and charming maiden. The Prince sent Mary notes addressed to Perdita and signed Florizel, as though they were the characters in the play. So began his first publicly known affair, the first of many. MANY.

Mary was born Mary Darby in Bristol in November of 1757or perhaps 1758, which made her about a few years older than the prince (b. 1762). Her "disastrous" marriage at age 16 to Thomas Robinson brought her a daughter, Maria Elizabeth (b. 1774), but little financial or emotional support. Eventually she began to perform on the London stage, often in "trouser roles," playing young men and displaying her fine figure for all to admire.

Though Prince Geroge did not remain faithful to her for long, she was known as Perdita all her life. While she enjoyed his attentions, she was the toast of London, extoled and excoriated in the newspapers, the object of considerable gossip in noble salons, especially by the males.

By the time this fanciful caricature was published in 1783, the relationship was "quite out of date." When the Prince quite publically took up with other females, Mary refused to send back all his letters and other tokens of his fickle adoration. Later she received a not-so-secret payment for returning some of them.

In 1781, Mary sat for a portrait by Thomas Gainsborough, commissioned by the Prince. In this version of the painting in the Wallace Collection (another is in the Royal Collection), Mary holds a miniature of the Prince in her right hand.

Mary had only a brief time in the limelight of the London demi-monde. Only a few year later, she was reported to be "desperately ill." Various explanations for her condition have been suggested, but the causes of her maladies remain mysterious. In May of 1791, she published a book of poems, "a small but handsomely bound volume with marbeled end paers," made possible by 600 subscribers, including the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Duke of Clarence and many other luminaries.

In 2010, Kristine and Victoria, along with Kristine's daughter Brooke, visited with Hester Davenport in Windsior, here at the Castle.

Hester Davenport chronicles the reception Mary's book received. Readers seems to ask, "How was it possible to connect the frivolous woman of 1780s gossip with a writer of pensive odes, elegies and sonnets?...that she acquired the title 'The English Sappho', possibly at her own instigation, may have added to the this (seductive) sense of being wooed."

Hester took us to visit the burial site of Mary Robinson in Old Windsor.

Mary lived only a few more years, dying in 1800 never having recovered her health. She had, however, continued to write poetry as well as her memoirs, several novels, plays and feminst essays.

As an endorsement of the value of her literary work, the painting of Mary Robinson by Hopper was acquired for the Chawton House Library where it is displayed prominently. Many works by Mary Robinson are available from their website. Her biography is here.

We all hope that future scholars will pay attention to this fascinating woman and her body of work. In the epilogue of her biography, Hester Davnport writes, "Mary Robinson was dead: the talented actress, spectacular Cyprian, accomplished and industrious author, committed feminist and radical, charming and witty hostess, spendthrift, devoted daughter and mother, compassionate, sensitive and sometimes spikily difficult woman. A genius? Perhaps only in her extraordinary versatility, but not undeserving of the ‘One little laurel wreath,’ she craved."

Mary Darby Robinson (1758? - 1800)

That Woman is Coming to the US

2011-11-30T04:00:00.002-05:00

I wonder how many of us can add a guilty fascination with Wallis Simpson to our list of insignificant transgressions? Admire her or hate her, she remains one of those figures who continues to fascinate. Last summer, Wiedenfeld & Nicolson published That Woman by Anne Sebba in the UK -- and it will be out in March 2012 in the US from St. Martin's. The New York Times recently carried an article about the book, which is here.

Above, Anne Sebba, author of That Woman. Sebba is a lecturer and tv presenter as well as the author of a number of books. According to her website (here), she particularly likes to write about strong women. Other subjects she has written of include such disparate personages as Jennie Jerome Churchill, Mother Teresa, and Laura Ashley. Of course, the most scandalous aspect of the Duchess of Windsor book was eagerly received by newspapers. Here is an article from the Daily Mail.

Above, the wedding, in 1937, in France. Bessie Wallis Warfield was born in Pennsylvania in 1896. The story of how she became the woman who made a king abdicate, one of the most hated women ever, yet a style trend setter and source of endless public attention has been told over and over. Nevertheless, it will be told many more times I am sure.

In many ways, I think the Duke and Duchess led a lonely life of wandering, early in their marriage accused (with some justification it seems) of being Nazi sympathizers, and later of being only too eager to accept whatever largesse came their way from social climbers, publicity seeking hangs-on, and celebrity wannabes.

The Duke had a lifelong obsession with the fact his wife could not be correctly addressed as Her
Royal Highness, and he insisted on everyone calling her by that title -- which to me would only have made it worse, as every time she heard it, the phrase must have grated. She was known for some witty phrases -- "a woman can never be too rich or too thin." Her clothing and jewels were much admired.

The famous jeweled flamingo clip, above in an auction promotional shot, was sold for a record price. It was made by Cartier in 1940 -- costume jewelry replicas are not hard to find.

Madonna's film about That Woman -- titled W.E. -- is set to open in February in the U.S. It got some good reviews from film festivals. And the trailer, below, looks interesting.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1536048/

In the meantime, while we wait for the book That Woman and the movie W.E., you might take a look at the 1978 television series Edward and Mrs. Simpson, which I recall with pleasure. Though just how guilty a pleasure it was, I shall have to reassess!

It originally ran in seven parts, and it starred Edward Fox as Edward and Cynthia Harris as Wallis. Just the thing for an evening when the snow begins to fall and you have a nice bowl of popcorn on hand. Or make that a couple of evenings!

Like the topic of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, the story has everything -- romance, scandal, royalty, and a dysfunctional family. What more could we ask?

Save The Cleveland Street Workhouse - An Update

2011-11-28T03:07:00.000-05:00

You may recall that we ran a post a few months back asking for your support in saving the Cleveland Street Workhouse in London, which has connections to Charles Dickens.
The Cleveland Street workhouse was originally built in 1775 and it is the best preserved Georgian era workhouse in Central London, one of only three remaining in the Capital. Here is the latest update on the status of the project:

Thank you for continuing to support our campaign to save the Cleveland Street
Workhouse. Your signature, together with nearly 6000 others, was vital in our
effort of obtaining listed status for the workhouse. As you will hopefully be
aware, the workhouse was granted Grade II listed status by the Secretary of
State in March 2011, however it has come to our attention that the building may
again be under threat. We are therefore asking for your help once again.

University College London NHS Foundation Trust recently decided to evict the
current guardians of the site, leaving the building exposed to possible further
decay, speeding up its demise. With the recent spate of squatting in the area,
our group is also concerned that squatters may take over the building and damage
it, further exacerbating the situation.

The Cleveland Street Workhouse has served as short term accommodation for young
professionals for more than 3 years. The inhabitants have been placed within the
building through a “Protection by Occupation” scheme, which forbids squatters
from occupying the premises and helps prevent decay. Without constant monitoring
and heating during the winter months, the elements will take their toll.

In light of these potentially disastrous developments, we would like to call
upon UCLH NHS Foundation Trust to reconsider this decision.

If you could take a moment of your time to write to the University College
London Hospital Trust expressing your concern about recent developments, you
would once again provide invaluable help to preserve the building. Due to the
urgent nature of the situation, please address your correspondence direct to
UCLH NHS Foundation Trust's CEO:

Sir Robert Naylor
Chief Executive
UCLH NHS Foundation Trust
235 Euston Road
London NW1 2BU

e-mail: robert.naylor@uclh.nhs.uk

For more information, please visit The Cleveland Street Workhouse website.

A Letter From the Duke of Rutland

2011-11-26T03:18:00.042-05:00

John Henry Manners, 5th Duke of Rutland

From the Duke of Rutland to Lady Shelley

Belvoir Castle, November 26, 1825.

My Dear Lady Shelley,

"So, at length you have deigned to notice me, and to remember that you had such a friend in existence! I know not how many months it is since I wrote my last letter to you; and I was trying to recollect whether it contained aught which could have affronted you, when your letter arrived to dispel all sombre suppositions from my mind, and to revivify me again with the cheering ray of your kind friendship, on which, believe me, I place a value of high (I may say highest) degree. At one time I thought you was treating me as you did at Burlington House, completely as a faute de mieux fellow; and that you was engaged in a more agreeable correspondence, perhaps with the very Duke who, on the occasion alluded to, drove me to the wall. Several times have I nearly been writing to you; but I have restrained myself, from the practice which I have of writing to you, Mrs. Fox, and a few other such highflown dames of fashion, only when I have received a letter from you. 1 do this from the idea that, till you write, you do not wish to hear from me. . . . You will hear from Shelley of all that passed during October. We were very merry at Cheveley. But to myself it was a most disastrous month, as far as gambling was concerned. I lost nothing terrifick on the turf; but the whist table really persecuted me! I shall be like Shelley, and give it up; at least all future high play. I mean to reduce my stake one-half, and my resolution is so fixed that I feel confident that it will not give way. ... It is a sin that you should have Mazeppa (a horse) in your possession, and not bring him here to show his perfections to an admiring field! But Mazeppa goes out to a disadvantage under you, since he gets robbed of a considerable part of the admiration he would, under other circumstances (Jest a dire, under another person's pressure) attract. It is a case in which 'the horse and is rider' must share by tallies, in admiration and applause. I have an admirable set of horses if I had nerves and head to ride them. Yet I entertain no doubt that Mazeppa would show a brilliant gem among them. Charles Thornton was asking after him last night. He has a monstrous opinion of him.

Belvoir Castle

"We are living entirely alone here; the Duchess has not been very well lately, and she wishes an interval of quiet, in order to recruit before the bustling time, a large society of Christmas, summon her to a re-exertion of strength. There is almost as much labour in directing the household concerns of a large party in a country house, as in guiding a hunter across a stony country in a mist. We have not yet allowed my two brothers (who are at Melton) to come to us. On December (?) I go to Beaudesert for a couple of days woodcock shooting, and when there I shall probably press forward for two nights to Willey. So you heard of the Anklet! We all agreed it was a beautiful, as well as a novel custom, and credit was given to the Columbus of it. It will very likely be the fashion next year in London, but there must be a curtailment of the flounces and furbelows, or it will be like the flower which springs to blush unseen. . . .

"You have my best wishes for your success in the important object relative to the diversion of the turnpike road. I can easily understand how great an improvement it will make to the comfort, the privacy, and the actual appearance of Maresfield. Nothing will give me greater pleasure than to visit you there; but I do not look so much to the pleasure of seeing the place, as of seeing its owner, and I beg that the success of your turnpike road diversion may not be the sine qua non of our visit to Maresfield! I trust that I shall also be able to congratulate you on the realisation of your golden dreams respecting the union of the Medway and the Ouse, and the consequent improvement in value of your property. Besides being an important object to you it would be a most important one to the country, for the causes which you ave detailed. Our lake here is just completed, and the water turned into it for a perpetuity a fortnight ago. It has all the effect which we wished, and expected, and does the Duchess's conception and planning the highest credit. We are busily engaged in fitting up the large drawing-room, which I really think will be the handsomest room in the kingdom, as well as unique in its design. Twenty gilders are at this instant busily occupied at Knipton Lodge in preparing the parquets from Madame de Maintenon's apartment in the Trianon, which are to form the fittings of the room, and they are superb. Our object was to have the room completed by New Year's Day; but it is impossible.

Ever truly and affectionately yours,

Rutland

Christmas Ideas from the National Trust

2011-11-24T05:00:00.002-05:00

When you are making up your Christmas list for yourself or for lucky giftees, you might want to take a look at the National Trust's gift shop.

The historic Blewcoat School on Caxton Street in London is a to-die-for shop you won't want to miss next time you are in London. But if you can't quite make it to London this holiday season, shop on line here. There is something for everyone.

If you live in the US and travel to Britain, you should join the Royal Oak, the US support group for the National Trust. It will give you free admission to Trust properties, newsletters and magazines from both organizations, discounts on purchases, and a great deal of satisfaction. I have often shown my Royal Oak membership card at a Trust stately home and received a big cheer from the volunteers. "We love our Royal Oak members," they always say. Additional perks are invitations to special programs in major US cities by traveling lecturers and authors sponsored by the Trust and the Royal Oak -- and some travel tours that sound brilliant. Or if you are in Britain or elsewhere, join the Trust. And memberships make great gifts too.

As you will see on their website, the Trust's shops have a wide variety of books. The Christmas recipe collection above is on my list, for sure.

A few more selections... of 100's.

Or you could choose a photo album and fill it with your own snapshots.

As seen in the examples above, the Trust sells magnificent prints, many by renowned photographers, suitable for framing.

The National Trust runs many shops both in cities and on their properties. They are always good for a browse.

Many popular items such as ceramic mugs and pieces of china compete with wonderful lotions and soaps, silk scarves and shawls, umbrellas and even hiking shoes. Here are two more books I covet:

Could someone please contact Santa and give him my list?

Photos from the National Trust.

London Advent Calendar

2011-11-22T04:00:00.003-05:00

I am devoted to Jacquie Lawson animated e-cards, for almost any occasion. Jacquie (I feel like she is my friend!) has created two advent calendars to mark the 25 days leading up to Christmas 2011.

The panorama changes according to the time of day; London's night lights are particularly lovely. Each day there is a new scene or story to enchant you and kiddies of all ages. Also available is a Village Advent Calendar.

Colorful and musical, these calendars are as charming as the Jacquie Lawson cards. You really need to see the animations to get the full effect. See the website here.

Joining the website is not expensive and you will have many choices of Christmas, birthday, Easter, Valentine and other holiday cards -- British, Canadian and American. All are accompanied by delightful sound tracks.

It is certainly not too late to send Thanksgiving cards, such as the above Turkey created from bunches of vegetables. Most of the cards can be sent almost instantaneously once you are registered, but obviously you have to take traffic into consideration for popular holidays.

Jacquie Lawson, above, lives in the village of Lurgashall in West Sussex. She is a lady of a 'certain age' but has about the most youthful and creative mind I can imagine. According to the story -- nearly a legend by now -- she created an animated Christmas card and sent it to 30 friends about a dozen years ago. She got back thousands of responses -- for everyone had forwarded it to their entire e-address book. From this modest beginning, her business has become wildly successful, sending millions of cards each year on behalf of members.

Among her most requested cards are those with her dog Chudleigh, a black lab, and his canine and feline friends. Some of the cards are done as Pelmanism puzzles, favorites of many in the younger set. You match pairs (as in the game Memory) and when you make a match, another section of the card is revealed.

Another favorite recurring figure is Teddy, who has many adventures indeed, and will bring greetings for almost any purpose -- or none but a cheery hello.

Returning to the holidays fast approaching, check out Jacquie's wonderful e-cards, screen-savers and note cards, just in case you still like to send actual paper cards, as I often do -- though not often enough.

And as the days darken ever earlier -- until the most welcome day of the year, the winter solstice -- keep your days bright and merry with Jacquie's creations.

Just so you know, this blog post is done unsolicited, without the knowledge of Jacqui Lawson -- just a hint about something we enjoy and you might too. Cheerio!

London Calling...

2011-11-20T05:00:00.005-05:00

The New York Times book Review of Sunday, November 13, 2011, carried a review of a new book I need to add to my library: London Under: The Secret History Beneath the Streets by Peter Ackroyd.
To read the review, click here.

The book begins with a warning to tread carefully in the streets of London, for one is walking over the remains of tens of thousands over many centuries. It is no surprise to think of cities buried beneath us; that is true of many cities. But for London junkies like Kristine and Victoria, all other locations pale in comparison.

Author Peter Ackroyd (above, from The Guardian in 2008) has written dozens of books, many about London and its residents. One of my favorites is London: The Biography, published in 2000. Beginning with pre-history, Ackroyd brings London's story up to the Greater London of almost today, a metropolis that sprawls over a vast region. London Under tells about what is below, from the earliest races of human habitation along the river Thames to the constant expansion of the Underground, or as it is more affectionately known, the Tube. The chapter headings begin with "Darkness Visible" and run to "Deep Fantasies."

Ackroyd's biographies include such subjects as Chaucer, Shakespeare, William Blake, J.M.W. Turner, Charles Lamb, Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, T.S. Eliot, and Ezra Pound. Don't you wonder what he does in his spare time?

I seem to have missed Ackroyd's 2007 book Thames: Sacred River, a situation I will have to remedy soon. He has also written fiction, some sounding like fictional biography, a genre that has become increasingly popular lately.

Above, the story of Charles Lamb, written as a novel, published in 2004. From what little I recall about Charles and his sister Mary, the truth is actually stranger than fiction. But the story of the pair no doubt makes for a dramatic account of interesting aspects of the regency era.

I guess I have set us up for a lot of reading in the near future. But as long as the topic is London, it is a labor of love. Thanks, Mr. Ackroyd!

Above, my photos: Seven Dials, 2010; The London Eye from Parliament, also 2010.

In Praise of Alan Rickman

2011-11-16T05:00:00.004-05:00

Here in the US, Masterpiece on PBS recently presented The Song of Lunch starring Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson. A BBC dramatization of Christopher Reid's poem, the program was unique, in my (Victoria, here) view. Poetry. On tv. Brilliant acting. Emma. And Alan. Sigh.

I consider myself a charter member of the Alan-Rickman-can-do-no-wrong Club. Though he has been cast in some unsavory roles, to me he is always a hero. As "he" in The Song of Lunch, Rickman portrays a self-pitying character who meets a former lover (Thompson) in an unsuccessful encounter for which he had some unrealistic expectations.

By the way, Alan, I am available for lunch in Soho almost any time -- just e-mail me right here. And figure in enough time for me to fly across the pond -- and have my hair done.

Sad to say, I haven't kept up with the character development of Severus Snape, the role that most young people will associate most with Rickman. He was a villain early on, but I believe he evolved into a very good guy in Harry Potter's world.

Villain-wise, however, I choose the Sheriff of Nottingham in the 1991 film Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. There's a dastardly fellow we can all love. If we can stop laughing long enough.

And just about my favorite of Rickman's many film roles is that of Col. Brandon in the 1996 version of Sense & Sensibility, a role that forever altered my view of Jane Austen's first published novel. Until I saw -- and heard -- Rickman wooing Marianne and confessing to Elinor, I had felt only moderate interest in and compassion for Brandon. But now I can never think of Brandon without seeing and hearing Alan Rickman. Which makes Marianne's obsession with the shallow Willoughby even more foolish -- and her reluctance to immediately adore Brandon almost impossible to accept. That's one of the drawbacks to watching filmed versdions of favorite novels, isn't it? Can anyone think of Darcy again without seeing Colin Firth?

I think I read that Rickman is bound for Broadway soon -- so Alan, maybe we could have that luncheon in New York? Just name that date!!

I am expecting to have to arm-wrestle a few of our regular readers to win this encounter. I'm ready!!

But wait, there's more! Gambit will be coming out soon (?). A remake of the 1966 Michael Caine/Shirley MacLaine caper film, this new version stars Alan Rickman, Colin Firth, Stanley Tucci and Cameron Diaz, among others. The Coen Brothers are involved -- but I couldn't find a set release date. 2012 is all I found. Let's hope it is as soon as possible!!

On The Shelf - High Rising

2011-11-14T03:58:00.025-05:00

I've just re-read Angela Thirkell's High Rising and realized that I'd made a huge mistake - I read it without having any more of the Barsetshire novels on hand to read next. I then spent a good hour online, ordering six more titles in the series. Honestly, these novels, and the characters therein, are pure joy. Another thing I only recently realized - penned in the 1930's, these stories are now eighty years old, but they still read as funny and the characters are just as amusing as any 21st century counterparts. Like E.F. Benson and P.G. Wodehouse, Thirkell takes us back to an England where conversation is witty and entertaining, where plots are relatively simple (yet infinitely engaging) and where villians, if there are any, are really rather harmless, except to themselves. Everyone gets their comeuppance, everything comes right in the end and we, the readers, are thoroughly entertained throughout.

Oft compared to our own Jane Austen, Ms. Thirkell is a genius at setting place, crafting a plot and at writing sometimes over-the-top yet wholly believable dialogue. After reading any of the Barsetshire novels, who wouldn't want to spend a few weeks in the English countryside?

From the Powell's Books website: "In High Rising, Mrs. Morland, a widowed author, must attend to the deeper problems of country life while her son Tony drives everyone to distraction with his amazing combination of toy trains. Here Mrs. Thirkell demonstrates the characteristic style for which she is known and for which readers love her. This is fiction replete with gentle irony, grave absurdity, and urbane understatement. This novel introduces one of Angela Thirkell's most beloved characters--Laura Morland, a novel-writing widow and mother of four who strongly resembles Thirkell herself. In High Rising, Laura receives a marriage proposal from her publisher, who really loves Sibyl, the daughter of Laura's neighbor; Dr. Ford has feelings for Laura's secretary, Anne; and attractive but neurotic Una is determined to marry her employer. And in Tony, Laura's youngest son, Thirkell has created one of the most exasperating small boys in fiction. This is the first of the Barsetshire novels."

If you haven't yet read Thirkell (above), do. If you have, read them again. Oh, Barsetshire is sheer bliss. You can learn more about Angela Thirkell at the Thirkell Society's website here.

Grosvenor Prints

2011-11-12T03:48:00.000-05:00

Once again, Grosvenor Prints, London, has some eclectic and interesting new stock. Grosvenor Prints, in Seven Dials, is one stop I always make when in London. When there last, Vicky and I spent a few enjoyable hours pouring over their stock - she looking at fashion prints, whilst I combed through their Wellington files. Samples of their latest acquisitions for sale can be seen below. Click here to see all of their new listings.

Sketch of Bonaparte. As laid out on his Austerlitz Camp Bed, taken by Capt.n Marryatt R.N., 14 hours after his Decease, at the request of Sir Hudson Lowe, Governor of St Helena & with the permission of Count Montholon & General Bertrand. C. Hullmandel's Lithography. London Published by S. & J. Fuller, 34 Rathbone Place, July 16 1821. Lithograph, fine, sheet Printed area 265 x 300mm, 10½ x 11¾". Full uncut sheet bearing the embossed stamp for "S & J Fuller". Napoleon died, reportedly of stomach cancer, on 5 May 1821 after six years in exile on St Helena. His body was buried first in the grounds of Longwood, his St Helena residence, before being brought back to France in 1840 to be ceremoniously reburied in Les Invalides. Marryat was a naval officer, and later the author of ‘Peter Simple, Mr Midshipman Easy’, and other popular seafaring novels, and later children’s books. At the time of Napoleon’s death he commanded the sloop ‘Beaver’, guardship at St Helena. When the ex-emperor died he carried the dispatches announcing the death back to England. The fact that Marryat visited and sketched Napoleon so soon after his death illustrates the continued fascination and emotion Napoleon evoked back in Britain, even after six years in remote exile away from the public glare. See NMM: PAF3523. {f: 21864] £280.00

To the Viscountess Canning This Portrait of The Right Honble. George Canning, M.P. Painted by Sir Thomas Lawrence, P.R.A. Principal Painter in Ordinary to His Majesty, Engraved by Charles Turner, A.R.A. Mezzotinto Engraver in Ordinary to His Majesty, Pall Mall East, London, Published April 9, 1829, by Messrs. Colnaghi Son & Co, Printsellers to the King. Mezzotint, final state, image 580 x 355mm. 22¾ x 14". Some mould spots and foxing. Tatty and chipped margins.
Fine full-length portrait of statesman George Canning (1770 - 1827), Foreign Secretary, Prime Minister for 119 days, the shortest term ever. After Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769 - 1830).
Whitman 95, v of v. [Ref: 21797] £280.00

A Cockatoo - Henry Rayner [signed in plate and in pencil to margin.] [n.d., c.1940.] Drypoint etching printed in colours, 170 x 125mm. 6¾ x 5". A fine impression. A cockatoo is any of the 20 bird species belonging to the family Cacatuidae. Along with the Psittacidae family (the true parrots), they make up the order Psittaciformes. Cockatoos have a much more restricted range than the true parrots, occurring naturally only in Australia and nearby islands. Eleven of the 21 species exist in the wild only in Australia, while seven species occur in Indonesia, New Guinea, and other south Pacific islands. Henry Hewitt Redstone Rayner (1902 - 1957). Australian-born, he worked in the Antipodes before studying at the Royal Academy. He was a friend of Sickert. [Ref: 22521] £75.00

Viscountess Duncannon. Painted by Sir J. Reynolds P.R.A. Engraved by J. Grozer. Wm. Austin excudit. Published as the Act directs March 31st 1786 by Wm Austin Drawing Master, Engraver & Print Merchant No.195 Piccadily near St Jamess Church London. Mezzotint, final state with altered publication line, 390 x 275mm. 15¼ x 7". A fine impression with full margins. Portrait of Henrietta Frances ('Harriet') Ponsonby (née Spencer), Countess of Bessborough (1761 - 1821), an amateur etcher; standing in a landscape, looking to the right, with flowers attached to the front of her shawl. After Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723 - 1792). Hamilton p.96, III of III. CS: 8, iii/iii. [Ref: 22388] £280.00

Mary Isabella, Duchess of Rutland. Painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds, & Engraved by the late J.K.Sherwin, Historical Engraver to his Majesty, & his royal highness the Prince of Wales, finish'd since his decease. London Published June 4th. 1791 by Robt. Wilkinson No. 58 Cornhill.

Engraving, very fine published state, 510 x 380mm. 20 x 15" Mary Isabella Manners (née Somerset), Duchess of Rutland (1756 - 1831), politician and society hostess; seated to right with her head in profile, resting on her left hand, a book in her right; seascape through window behind. After Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723 - 1792). Hamilton p.129. NPG D39956. [Ref: 21779] £320.00

A View of the Grand Fête on Parker's Piece, Cambridge, To celebrate the Coronation of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, June 28th 1838. Number of Persons seated to Dinner 15,000, supposed number of Spectators 17,000, _ Total number present 32,000. [& Admission ticket] A Dinner Given to 12000 Persons on Parker's Piece, Cambridge, June 28, 1838. In Commemoration of the Coronation of Her Most Gracious Majesty Victoria Queen. Drawn on the Spot & Lith.d by G Scharf. Metcalfe & Palmer, Lithog. Cambridge. [&] Rog. sculp.t. Cambridge. [n.d., c.1838.] Coloured lithograph. Printed area 185 x 270mm, 7¼ x 10½". & engraved admission ticket on card very scarce, 115 x 150mm, 4½ x 6". Binding folds, one split, tears in edges.

A formal dinner on Parker's Piece, a 25-acre common near the centre of Cambridge, England, named after a college cook, Edward Parker, who obtained the rights to farm on it. [Ref: 22318] £160.00

For Sale: Ayton Castle

2011-11-10T03:30:00.002-05:00

Castle, houses, lodges, cottages and fishing in the Scottish Borders

Yes, yes, I've been at it again - property browsing on a grand scale. But you must admit, the sale of Ayton Castle is the perfect opportunity for anyone with dreams of playing Monarch of the Glen to own their very own family pile.

Ayton Castle comes complete with aself-contained flat and grounds extending to 159 acres, 4 houses/cottages, 2 lodges, stable yard with 2 flats and various outbuildings. Fishing on The Eye Water, private garden and extensive policies with good grazing.

As property agents Knight Frank tell us, Ayton Castle has 7 main reception rooms, 17 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, kitchen/breakfast room, billiards room, extensive domestic offices and a self-contained house keeper's flat. There are 2 lodges and 4 estate houses/cottages. There is a traditional stone-built stable yard with 2 flats.

Ayton Castle is widely regarded as one of Scotland's finest baronial style buildings and was designed by James Gillespie Graham, Scotland's leading Gothic revival architect of the early 19th century. The Castle is a magnificent example of a Scots baronial house, primarily over two storeys, with a five storey 'Great Tower.'

There is an array of secondary accommodation at the lower ground floor and basement/courtyard levels including the former servants hall and various store rooms and adjacent accommodation arranged around the service courtyard. Approximately half the policies are grazing and half are woodland, all of which are in hand.

As the Berwickshire News reported on Sunday: "The Liddell-Grainger family has continued to own the castle throughout the 20th century, but with the death of David Liddell-Grainger in 2007, the estate and the family seem to have encountered turbulent times, resulting in the castle being put on the property market.

"The private life of David Liddell-Grainger has been colourful and an affair with Christine de la Rue, wife of Sir Eric de la Rue, resulted in him divorcing his wife in 1981 and Christine moving into the castle along with her elderly husband who by this time required nursing care. David Liddell Grainger and Christine de la Rue had two children together, one of whom died of cancer as a child.

"They married in 1996 and when he died 11 years later it is believed that David Liddell-Grainger left his 6000 acre estate to his son by Christine de la Rue rather than his eldest son by his first marriage.

"Last month a Private Rented Housing Panel issued an enforcement notice which ordered Henry Liddell-Grainger and Lady Christine de la Rue to carry out immediate repairs on two cottages on Ayton Castle estate. Tenants had complained of leaking roofs, damp and a two page catalogue of essential repairs that were needed to bring the properties up to a habitable standard."

Tenant issues aside, Ayton Castle would make the perfect backdrop for a life of baronial splendour. Never mind the massive heating bills - that's what fireplaces are for.

You can watch a video of the stunning Castle grounds here.

Offers Over £2,200,000 - Knight Frank

Speaking of Bridget Jones . . . .

2011-11-08T03:36:00.001-05:00

Bridget Jones meets Pride and Prejudice. Click here to watch the video.

The Death of Princess Charlotte, 6 November 1817

2011-11-06T05:00:00.004-05:00

Princess Charlotte Augusta of Wales lived a short and largely unhappy life. But she was always popular with the people and the outpouring of public grief following her sad demise was immense. Some have compared it to an early 19th century version of the widespread mourning over the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997.

Above, Princess Charlotte by artist George Davis, c. 1817, in the royal collection.

Last year on this date, we posted an extensive story about Princess Charlotte -- click here to read the whole story.

While researching my recent talk "The Sensible Regency Wedding" for the 2011 JASNA AGM in Ft. Worth, I found the account Princess Charlotte wrote to her friend Margaret Mercer Elphinstone about reading Sense & Sensibility, Jane Austen's first published novel, which came out on October 31, 1811.

In her letter of January 22, 1812, the Princess wrote: " 'Sence and Sencibility' I have just finished reading; it certainly is interesting, & you feel quite one of the company. I think Maryanne & me are very like in disposition, that certainly I am not so good, the same imprudence, &c, however remain very like. I must say it interested me much."

Engraving of Charlotte and Leopold at their 1816 wedding

As can be deduced from the quotation above, the Princess, who had just turned age 16, was not yet completely at ease with grammar or spelling! Her life was difficult, a pawn between her waring parents, George, Prince of Wales, the Prince Regent (later George IV) and Caroline of Brunswick, Princess of Wales.

my photo of an engraving of Margaret Mercer Elphinstone at Bowood, after a portrait by Hoppner

Mercer, as Charlotte called her, was herself an heiress and well-connected in London society. Her father was Admiral Lord Keith of the British Navy. The correspondence between Princess Charlotte and Meg Mercer lasted from 1811 until just before Charlotte's death in 1817. Although requested to return the letters to the Prince Regent, Mercer kept them in her possession. Through her daughter, who became the Marchioness of Lansdowne, the letters were held at Bowood House in Wiltshire. They were published in 1949, in a volume edited by Professor Arthur Aspinall (1901-72).

Princess Charlotte's wedding gown, 1816

The letters reveal a lively mind, if somewhat flighty, and a great interest in affairs of government on Charlotte's part. The last 18 months of her life, after her marriage to Leopold of Saxe Coburg in 1816, were generally happy, we are pleased to say. RIP, Charlotte.

Report from Ft. Worth, The Book Launch

2011-11-04T05:00:00.007-04:00

On Friday, October 14, 2011, many of the JASNA AGM attendees and other book lovers got together for a book launch at a nearby Barnes & Noble Bookstore in downtown Fort Worth. Three novels were introduced to the eager audience.

Carrie Bebris introduced the latest in her series of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mysteries, The Deception at Lyme. Take a look at her website here. Below, Carrie autographs her books for her fans.

In this story, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy meet Captain Wentworth and his new wife, the former Anne Elliott in the seaside town of Lyme. When murder raises its ugly head, Darcy and Elizabeth identify the culprit, as they have in Pride and Prescience, Suspense and Sensibility, North by Northanger, The Matters at Mansfield, and The Intrigue at Highbury. In each novel, the Darcys encounter other characters created
by Jane Austen.

Janet Mullany's Jane Austen: Blood Persuasion brings the Damned to the village of Chawton. Janet's website is here. The story is a sequel to her 2010 novel Jane and the Damned. Janet's voyages into Jane Austen and the paranormal follow other "straight" regencies she has written for several publishers. Born in England, Janet now lives in the Washington DC vicinity.

Though Jane is hoping to make progress on her latest novel, the arrival of the Damned brings her a whole host of problems -- including conflict with a former lover.

Laurel Ann Nattress is the editor and creator of a recently published antholodgy of original stories inspired by Jane Austen. Both Carrie Bebris and Janet Mullany are among the 24 authors who contributed to Jane Austen Made Me Do It.
For more information, click here. Below, Laurel meets fans. In the red bonnet behind her is Syrie James.

Below, Margaret Sullivan, Stephanie Barron, and Syrie's big red bonnet!

Book Launches are always fun, especialy when they are attended by so many fans -- and BUYERS!!

Excerpts from The Court Journal

2011-11-02T03:25:00.005-04:00

Gazette of Fashionable Life

Saturday, November 2, 1833

COURT AND FASHIONABLE LIFE

— The King and Queen arrived at the Pavilion at Brighton on Saturday afternoon in a travelling chariot, preceded by outriders. On their Majesties' arrival a Royal salute was fired from the battery, and a peal was rung on the bells of St Nicholas' tower. In the evening the town was enlivened with a brilliant display of fire-works, which was seen by their Majesties and suite from the windows of the Palace.

— Their Majesties have appeared in public every day since their arrival. On Wednesday the Queen, accompanied by the Earl and Countess Howe, Miss Mitchel (Maid of Honour), Lord Elphinston, and Lieut.-Colonel Horace Seymour (Equerry in Waiting), walked for some time on the Old Steyne; from thence the Royal party proceeded to the chain pier, and after passing over that part lately damaged, went on to the extremity, where her Majesty embarked on board Captain Brown's boat, which was rowed by Lieut. Colonel Seymour and the Gallant Captain, eastward, passing Kemp Town, to near Rottingdean, and back to the pier head, where her Majesty landed, and returned to the Palace, with her suite, after one o'clock.

Queen Adelaide

--- Her Majesty enjoyed a very delightful aquatic excursion on Thursday, in company with Lady Howe, Lord Errol, and Capt. Browne. The Royal party were at sea for more than two hours, and ventured, in consequence of the serenity of the day, upwards of four miles from the Chain Pier.

— We are happy to state that a letter has been received from his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, which holds out some prospect of the restoration of the sight of Prince George. His medical attendant had reported to his Royal Highness that the applications he had made to the eyes of the young Prince were operating to the extent of his most favourable expectations, and he was far from being without hope that eventually a cure might be effected. The Royal Duke has, we believe, in consequence, engaged his house at Berlin for two years longer.

— The apartments of the Duchess of Kent and the Princess Victoria in Kensington Palace, are preparing for the reception of their Royal Highnesses, who are expected in town in the course of the ensuing week.

Compton Place

— The Earl and Countess of Burlington are expected to arrive at Burlington House, Piccadilly, in the ensuing week, where it is expected they will remain during the winter. The Earl and Countess are at present at his Lordship's beautiful seat, Compton Place, Eastbourne.

— Lord Lansdowne comes to town shortly, from Bowood, Wilts; and Lord Grey is expected in a few days, from the North. The Minister's presence is looked for in the Grand Civic Banquet at Guildhall, to attend which several other Members of the Administration will visit the metropolis.

— Lady Georgiana Curzon, daughter of the Earl and Countess Howe, is a great favourite with their Majesties, and very frequently accompanies the King in his carriage drives. Lady Georgiana, who is the only daughter of the Earl and Countess, is now in her eighth year.

— Lord Holland is again indisposed by an attack of gout. His Lordship is in treaty for the mansion of the Countess of Sandwich, in Dover street, as a temporary residence for the ensuing season.

Princess Sophia by Lawrence

— A paragraph has gone the round of the papers, stating that her Royal Highness the Princess Sophia, and Sir Henry Halford, her physician, are to be married, if the Parliament will consent to an act, authorizing her Royal Highness to espouse a Commoner. The long and intimate friendship subsisting between the Princess and Sir Henry, seems to have given rise to this extraordinary story.

Haigh Hall

— Lord Lindsay, eldest son of the Earl of Balcarras, became of age on the 16th instant,when the event was celebrated at Haigh Hall, the seat of the Noble Earl, in Lancashire, and at Eastferry Abbey, in Fifeshire. Lord and Lady Balcarras and family have recenntly returned from a short Continental tour.

— Sir John Cam Hobhouse has taken the mansion and estate of Basildon Park, near Reading, where the Right Hon. Baronet, with his lady (a sister of the Marquis of Tweedale) and family, will reside until the commencement of the next season.

— The Marquis and Marchioness of Ailesbury have taken their departure for the Continent. They proceed on a visit, in the first instance, to the Count and Countess Daniskiold at Stockholm. The stay of the Noble Marquis abroad is expected to be of some duration, his Lordship having much diminished his establishments, both at Tottenham Park, in Wiltshire, and in Grosvenor-squarc. The Marquis and Marchioness have been paying a farewell visit during the last week to the venerable Countess of Dysart (grandmother of her Ladyship), at Ham House, Richmond, where there was a party of the Tollcmache family assembled to meet them. Count and Countess Daniskiold (Lady Elizabeth Bruce) took their departure for Denmark some weeks ago. The Count is nearly allied to the reigning Royal Family of that country.

— Lord Ranelagh and Lord Lowther are on the Rhine with a very numerous circle of English fashionables. The Dowager Lady Ranelagh and the Lady Emily are also there.

— Lord Saye and Sele has been in town some days with his son, the Hon. Fynes Twisleton. His Lordship has quitted his late residence in Bruton-street for one more suitable in Lower Grosvenor-street.

Marchioness of Londonderry

— The Marquis and Marchioness of Londonderry will entertain a large party of the Nobility, now in the North, at their magnificent seat, Wynyard House, in the ensuing month. The mansion has recently received a valuable acquisition in the splendid stained glass window, formerly the property of the Hon. Mrs Beaumont. French plays, in which the young daughters of the Marchioness (the Lady Seaham) are to sustain characters, will form part of the amusements.

— Lieut-General Sir Hussey Vivian and his bride have arrived in town from Dublin. The gallant General's locum lenens, during his absence on leave, as Commandcr-in Chief of the Forces in Ireland, is Major-General Sir Edward Blakeney, K.C. B., of the Leinster district. Captain Charles Vivian, of the 7th Hussars, eldest son of Sir Hussey, is the new Military Secretary to his father, in the room of Colonel Lord Templemore, resigned. The duties, however, of this office are chiefly executed by the Assistant Secretary, Lieut. Siborn. The object of the gallant General's journey to the metropolis is understood to relate to military arrangements connected with the Irish Coercion Act, the five Lieutenant-Colonels employed under the provisions of that statute having been withdrawn.

— The distinguished party assembled at the Duke of Grafton's, at Euston Hall, have broken up and taken their departure for the Newmarket Houghton Meeting which will close the racing season for the present year.

Sudbourne Hall

— Prince Esterhazy and his son have left Chandos House for Sudbourne Hall, the magnificent seat of the Marquis of Hertford, in Suffolk, which, since the departure of his Lordship for Italy, has been entitled ' Paradise Lost.' The Prince from his long residence here is on the closest terms of intimacy with the Noble Marquis,who has accorded permission to his Highness and other persons of note to shoot over his preserves, which swarm with game from Sudbourne. The Prince proceeds to the Duke of Grafton's, at Euston, for a week.

— The venerable Earl of Arran is seriously indisposed at Arran Lodge, Bognor.

— Sir Augustus Clifford, the Usher of the Black Rod, and his lady, the daughter of the late Lord John Townshend, are on their annual visit to his Grace the Duke of Devonshire, at Chatsworth, where a party of the Cavendish family are assembled. Sir Augustus Clifford, we believe, has not yet taken possession of the pleasant residence appended to his office, which is situated on the verge of the Thames, immediately behind the House of Lords. The house is, however, in a dilapidated condition, and will require substantial repairs before it can be fit for the reception of his family.

Court Carriages. — At the Congress of Vienna, the Emperor of Austria wishing that none of the Sovereigns or persons of their suite should use any carriages but his, ordered three hundred to be prepared all alike. At every hour of the day ai:d night, these carriages were at the service of his illustrious visitors—some of them with four horses, others with two, were to be met with in every direction.

Hornby Castle

— The Duke and Duchess of Leeds have been entertaining their relatives and friends at his Grace's splendid establishment, Hornby Castle. Mr and Lady Charlotte Lane Pox have been staying during the last week at Gwydyr House, the magnificent mansion purchased by the Duke from Lord Willoughby d'Eresby. They return to Yorkshire in a few days.

— On Wednesday week, Earl Grey gave a Ball to his domestics, and their friends and acquaintances, at Howick Hall, amounting to nearly 200. Dancing commenced about nine o'clock, and was kept up with great spirit until five o'clock in the morning, when the company separated highly gratified. In the course of the evening, the Noble Earl and his amiable Countess, Viscount and Viscountess Howick, the Honourable Colonel and John Grey, Lady Georgiana Grey, Sir Henry and Lady Grey, of Falloden, the Hon. Mr, Mrs and Miss Ponsonhy, Lord Russell, and the Hon. H. T. Liddell, honoured the company with their presence, and part of them joined in the dance. It was held in the great entrance hall, and refreshments were served up to the company in the true style of old English hospitality.