Extracts from “From a Great-Grandmother’s Armchair” by the Countess of Radnor

Extracts from the Countess of Radnor’s book: “From a Great-Grandmother’s Armchair.”

The book has a handwritten dedication as follows:

To My Dear Nell (Helen Newcome) From her very loving grannie, Helen Radnor Christmas 1927

KEY: Wilma Bootle-Wilbraham (neé Pleydell-Bouverie) is known in the Earl of Radnor’s family as “Queenie” or “Q.” 1st Earl of Lathom and 2nd Baron , is occasionally known as “Skelmy” by the Earl of Radnor’s family. 2nd Earl of Lathom and 3rd Baron Skelmersdale, is know as “Eddy” by the Earl of Radnor’s family. B.I or B.I.W.F. - British Israel World Federation believes that the Lost Ten Tribes of the Northern House of Israel’s descendants are to be found in the Anglo-Saxon-Celtic and kindred peoples of today. As the Federation believes in the whole Bible it therefore believes the Covenants made between God and Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel) are everlasting and the British nation plays an important part of God’s plan.

Extracts: Page 105 – Years 1879 to 1896 In February of this year (1881) my daughter Wilma took part in a choir concert at Shrivenham. It was, I believe, her first public appearance. She was then eleven years old, and her execution on the violin astonished everyone, for she had only been taking violin lessons for about twelve months.

Page 119 – Years All my children I am glad to say, inherited my love of music. As I have already said, Wilma (“Q.”) played the violin, and even when she was quite young, was a great help to me in concerts. She was excellent as a leader, and I never remember her making a false entry. She seemed to understand exactly the effect I wanted to get, without even having to look at her: and she continued to “lead” my band even after she was married, although she was not always able to play at the concerts. Jac, also, who had a fine baritone voice was a great help to me in my earlier concerts, and his voice was rightly, very much admired.

Page 127 - Years 1885 to 1889 On December 7th the Salisbury Ball was held – my daughter Wilma’s first public ball – and a dance was given for her by her grandfather at Longford Castle - two days later. This was most successful and dancing did not cease until 3 a.m.

Page 130 – Year 1885 to 1889 We were in our house at Folkestone (which at that time was 31, Augusta Gardens), during August and September, and a great many small dances were given in various localities, which my daughter enjoyed very much.

Page 1 Extracts from “From a Great-Grandmother’s Armchair” by the Countess of Radnor

Very little of importance occurred that summer, although my daughter and I continued to have a busy time. In September I was able to have a few days in Paris with “F,” which I much enjoyed. Towards the end of October I went with “Q.” to , and realised when there (and not without a pang), that I was in danger of soon losing my daughter, and that “Eddy” Skelmersdale was likely to become my son-in-law.

Page 134 - Years 1889 to 1895 On July 9th we were summoned to Windsor Castle, and as my impressions of that visit are given in the letter which I wrote to my aunt, Lady Jane Ellice, from the Castle, I give it here, as it may be of interest to my grandchildren.

Windsor Castle July 9th 1889 MY DARLING LITTLE AUNTIE, I have nothing much to do before dinner, so I will begin a letter to you, as I think it will interest your dear loyal heart to get a letter written by me from Her Majesty’s Home! We were summoned by telegram this morning to dine and to sleep here, so I suppose Her Majesty wants to hear all about Queenie’s forthcoming wedding. Sir Francis and Lady Seymour, and a Prince Hohenlohe (German Embassy) are the only guests besides ourselves, Princess Beatrice and the suite. I have never stayed here before, and what I have seen is lovely. We have a beautiful sitting room with three windows looking out different ways over the park and town, all done up in gold brocade and plush; and our bedrooms, which Sir John ‘thinks we shall find comfortable,’ as they are those generally used by the Prince and Princess of Wales (!) are beautifully done up with crimson and gold. What a sad come down to go back to the chintz of everyday life! (though in my heart of hearts, I fear I still prefer white dimity to anything else). I wish so much I could talk to you and tell you of all our doings: going to see the Gala Fete at the Opera for the Shah, accompanied by my boy Jac, for the first time in uniform. (He has just joined the Wiltshire Yeomanry and his father’s old uniform fits him perfectly without alteration!) He was quite dazzled by the site of all the diamonds, etc., never having seen anything like it. And then I took Connie (Lady Constance P. Bowerie) to the Albert Hall for the Shah’s concert, and that was a splendid sight too, and she and Bert who has been in Grosvenor Street for ten days, have been very happy and contented to be with us, and altogether I have been very busy and tired, and pining to be quiet in the country. Lord Lathom had a long talk with me, and has begged us not to postpone the wedding beyond the 23rd whatever happens, though poor Randle is still very ill, and the possibility of his dying at any moment hangs over us like a black cloud. I do trust that he won’t pass away, for it will sadden the whole thing so terribly. We went to have Queenie’s dress tried on this morning. She looked lovely in a long perfectly plain, dark green velvet gown, with a bit of old Alencon lace tumbling out in front, but I am not giving her a great quantity of gowns, only very good of their kind. Presents still arrive from unexpected quarters, and at present they have close on two hundred, and we know of many more to come. The old servants have given her a beautiful set of silver backed brushes (hair and clothes), mirror and comb, and we have settled to give her a diamond ornament, which will make either necklace, tiara, or brooches, with pearls in the centre of each. I fancy Lathom will give her a big star, so the monkey will be well set up in finery. I hope it won’t share the same fate as yours (Lady Jane

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Ellice was very unfortunate when she married, for as she came back from the station, after her honeymoon, with her luggage on the back of a cab, it was stolen. All her jewellery was gone, and amongst it the “Order” which she had given her as one of Queen Victoria’s bridesmaids. There is a sequel to this story. Not very long ago our present Queen (Mary) wrote and asked if I could tell her anything about one of Queen Victoria’s bridesmaid’s brooches, which she had found in a shop, and which she had bought. I was then able to write back and tell how, at any rate, how one of the brooches had been lost). Now I won’t finish this till I have seen the Queen, in case I have anything of interest to add.. London, Wednesday We have returned here after a really charming little visit. The Queen was most kind and gracious, and talked to me for about half-an-hour after dinner, about Queenie, Eddy , Randle, myself and the Duke of Sutherland, and when I told her I was writing to you, asked all about you and what you did, and said how very long it was since she had seen you, and Aunt Lou etc. (Louisa, Marchionesse of Waterford) . She was most nice, and this morning we went around the Castle, seeing treasures innumerable, and I could hardly tear myself away from the Library. Darling mine, I must stop. Kiss my “Tweets” for me. Your loving child H.M.R.

Page 136 - Years 1889 to 1895

…present me and was looking forward to this event, as I had never been presented to the Queen herself. Just before the Drawing Room, however, Lord Lathom got a note from the Queen, saying that, as I had already been staying at Windsor Castle, and she knew me quite well, there was no necessity for my being “presented” at the next Drawing Room. This was a great disappointment to me, as I had been looking forward to being kissed by Her Majesty: however, when the time came for me to pass before the Queen (who had been sitting down all the time) she rose from her chair, and, advancing two or three steps gave me a warm shake of the hand as I made my curtsey. This was really a most unusual thing for Her Majesty to do, and I felt it to be a great honour.

The next event of interest this year was the wedding of our beloved daughter, Wilma (“Q.”) to Lord Skelmersdale, which took place from Longford Castle on August 15th at Britford, our parish church, Mr Joseph Barnby (then the organist at St. Paul’s Cathedral) came down from London to preside at the organ. It was a very pretty wedding but having to give up my only daughter and playmate was a terrible trial to me. I think that few mothers and daughters have been so absolutely happy together as we have been (and always are, whenever we meet). A curious thing happened at the wedding, which came to my notice after the ceremony. Our great friends Katie Wingfield, said to me, “Who was that good looking fellow in naval uniform, with a beard, who walked up into the chancel with Queenie and Eddy? I suppose he was the best man. He looked so delighted at being there.” My answer was, “No one went up into the chancel with them but you are describing Eddy’s brother Randle, who passed away last month.”

Page 139 – Years 1889 to 1895 I presented my daughter at a Drawing Room on March 14th, and on the 19th she and Eddy Skelmersdale, were commanded to go to Windsor Castle to “dine and sleep.”

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This was a great event for “Q.” as can be seen from the following letter, which she wrote to me from the Castle on this occasion:- Windsor Castle, March 19th 1890 My Darling Mother, Here we are, and I am sitting on one of Her Majesty’s chairs, and using Her Majesty’s paper (gold edged paper!) and ink – (the ink is dull!) We came down by the 5.10 train, and were met at the station by a carriage, and I didn’t know if I should say ‘thank you’ to the footman for bringing our bags, or if I should look as if I thought they were dirt. So I murmured a small ‘thank you’ and I think I saw a small smile upon his face, so I feel that I have started by doing quite the wrong thing, and that I ought to have looked haughty! I will next time. Well we have most gorgeous rooms, all sorts of plushes and silks, and candles, and oh! dear! I feel that if I speak above a whisper the Queen will send up to ask why I am making so much noise. We had some tea; then Colonel Carrington came up to see that we had everything we wanted, and then there came a tremendous knock at the door, and there entered a man – dead silence. I got hot – and then he said, I have brought you the dinner list to see, my Lord. I at once thought of ordering dinner at an hotel; but as I daresay you know, it was only a list of the guests who are here. These include Lady Downe, cousins Minn and Victor Van De Weyer, Lord Bridport, Sir George Harman, Uncle Harry (joy!), and Sir Fleetwood Edwards, so perhaps I shan’t feel quite so bad as if they were all new people, but I shall feel quite bad enough! How lovely the Court Yard is, isn’t it? Our sitting room looks down the long walk, and I can just fancy how lovely it must look in the summer. They were all wonderfully excited in Portland Place at our coming here, and when one thinks of it, it is a great honour that ‘one so young’ (I mean two so young) should be asked, isn’t it? Now I haven’t anymore to write at present, but I will go on tomorrow, when I daresay, I shall have to tell you that I tumbled over the Queen, or something dreadful! 52, Grosvenor Street, March 29th. Its all over and I didn’t do anything awful, and Her Majesty was most kind and gracious. I dressed so as to be in good time, and wore my wedding dress with the star in my hair, and the three tiara brooches on the dress (the whole thing and not the buttons), and Uncle Harry’s pendant. That was all, and enough too – and we strutted along the long corridor, and found we were in good time; but thank goodness, not the first. Uncle Harry was very sweet to me – and so was Lady Downe, who sent all sorts of messages to you. Then the Queen came and shook hands with us, and then we went in to dinner arm in arm. Cousin Victor took me in, and I had Uncle Hal on the other side, so I was quite happy. After dinner, the Queen came and talked to me for quite a long time, and was most kind. She was full of enquiries about you, etc., and lots of other people, but I must tell you more about that when I see you. She also spoke to Eddy and said that, ‘she was glad to have lady Skelmersdale there,’ and said pretty things to uncle Harry about me, and afterwards he told me he should give you a very good account of me, and that I behaved very nicely. So that was alright! After she left, we went into the drawing room , and I wrote my name in the Queen’s birthday book, and we sat talking a little time, and then went to bed. I found out that our rooms were in Henry the 3rd’s Tower, or the ‘Devil’s Tower.’ I think they were the rooms you had. The bedroom was done up in red with pale blue walls, and the sitting room with yellow. This morning we had

Page 4 Extracts from “From a Great-Grandmother’s Armchair” by the Countess of Radnor breakfast with the Ladies in Waiting, etc., which I thought was the most dreadful part of the whole thing, as Lady Downe was upstairs with a bad cold, and uncle Harry wasn’t there, and the Van De Weyers were not staying at the Castle. However, it didn’t last long, and then Mr. Alec Yorke came to fetch us, and took us all over the Castle – lovely, but rather tiring! We went and saw the kitchens, the gold plate, the drawing rooms, the Jubilee presents – everything, and ended up with the Library. But of course, we hadn’t a quarter enough time to see anything, and the Librarian said he should look forward to showing us more whenever we liked to go in, which will be delightful. And we came away by the 12 o’clock train. I think that is all, and now it is over, I feel that I enjoyed it very much, but I am in no hurry to go back again. Now I will end this long letter, and send my birthday letter in another envelope. Fondest love to my darling Daddy, and you, my sweet Mother. Your own loving daughter, Queenie

At this time we were looking forward to another event of interest. We went down to Longford at the end of July (1890),where my daughter came to us, and on August 12, her eldest daughter (Helen) was born, Dr. Brodie having come down from London to attend her.

Page 156 - Years 1889 to 1895 My dear daughter’s son Ned (Edward William, now Lord Lathom), was born on May 16th, to our great joy

Page 163 – Years 1889 to 1895

On the 23rd we went to stay with the Lathoms, but alas! It proved to be a very sad visit. The men of the party went out shooting one day and some of the ladies joined them at luncheon, but I remained at home with my daughter. Lady Lathom was driving Lady Leitrim home, and dear Alice, while talking to her friend, did not notice that the rein had got under the horses tail. The horses began to plunge about, the carriage was upset, and Alice Lathom was thrown underneath it into the water in the ditch. Alas, Alas! the accident killed her – a most tragic event. The party, of course, dispersed as soon as possible, and we left Lathom the next day.

During August there had been another election and my daughter’s husband, (Skelmersdale) was adopted as candidate for . Their member George Curzon (later 1st Marquis Curzon of Kedleston), having been appointed Viceroy of India. But Skelmersdale failed to beat Winston Churchill, who won the election by about 2,000 votes.

On November 18th, dear “Skelmy” (Lord Lathom) passed away quite suddenly. He had never recovered from the shock of his dearly loved wife’s death, under such tragic circumstances in the previous year, and his death was a great blow to us all. My husband and “Jac” went to the funeral at Lathom the following week. Lord Lathom was unquestionably and ideal “Lord Chamberlain,” and when he and my husband and Lord Arthur Hill (the “Treasurer” and the “Controller” of the Household), all over 6 ft. in height, were attending court functions, one could not help being proud of them.

Page 166 – Years1889 to 1895

Page 5 Extracts from “From a Great-Grandmother’s Armchair” by the Countess of Radnor

That reminds me of another story showing the difference in temperament between my two eldest grandsons - Folkestone and Lathom.

When little boys, they were playing together one day with a lot of wooden animals, trees, houses, a Noah’s Ark and bricks which were all kept in a large Norwegian wooden box together. The big box lay empty on the floor, and Ned – being rather bored with the game – said, “Now Willie we will play another game. This (pointing the box) is your ‘barf,’ and this (holding up the lid of the box on which were the toys) is the hot water!” – and he proceeded to pour all the animals and bricks into the box. An indignant voice was immediately heard, saying, “That is not my ‘barf,’ and I want my ‘baa-lambs’!”

In a different way another pair of cousins were walking together in the old gardens at Longford and Nell (Lathom’s eldest child), who was rather romantic, was inventing a story about the “blue-bells” for Jeanie’s (Folkestone’s eldest daughter’s) benefit, and explaining to her that, “If you were here in the Old Garden at night, you would see the fairies come out, and hear them ring all the little bells in the flowers!” “Oh really” was Jeanie’s only answer. It was almost with tears in her eyes, that Nell confided to me afterwards, that, “It is no use my trying to tell fairy stories to Jeanie!” The latter, however, has changed very much since then, for she quite appreciates imagination and is as well, a real artist, among musical amateurs!

We were at Longford the greater part of that winter, and for the Christmas holidays. I only came up to London in early February, when my son Tobye was to sing at a Concert in town. The day after the concert my daughter’s third child was born - a very dear little girl, who, alas! passed away when quite a child.

F. went yachting with Lathom, on June 7th, my daughter remaining at Longford with me. He returned home on the 30th, when “Q.” rejoined her husband; and on July 3rd, we had a house party for the Bibury races.

Page 185 – Years 1900 to 1905 In August 1900, I went to Marienbad with my daughter, where I spent a very quiet time; indeed I was so tired, physically and mentally, that I do not remember much about the visit. From thence we went on to Innsbruck, staying also at one or two other places on our way to Venice, where we had taken rooms at the Hotel Britannia. In those days Venice was a comparatively quiet place. There were no Hotels on the Lido, which was not then the resort of cosmopolitan bathers and photographers. We spent much time in the gondola, going to see the many pictures in the churches, and the picture galleries. Horatio Brown was away from Venice on this occasion, and I was fortunate in having the services of his gondolier, Antonio Salin, who took the greatest possible care of us. He was a perfect servant – absolutely trustworthy, and devoted to his master, who looked upon him almost as a brother; and in time, I also looked upon him as a real friend. When Venetians are dependable, they are delightful people to deal with. A great deal of time was passed on the lagoons, and when my daughter left, Edith Hulse came and joined me there. Before I left Venice that year, I made arrangements to take a small house on the Grand Canal for the following spring.

Page 6 Extracts from “From a Great-Grandmother’s Armchair” by the Countess of Radnor

I returned to London in October and remained quietly there, at 12, Upper Brook Street (which my husband had left to me), until just before Christmas, when I went up to stay with my daughter at Lathom. After Christmas I was laid up there, and was very unwell for some days. Dr. Pendlebury, who lived at was called in to see me. He was very kind and most efficient – indeed he was one of the few doctors I have met who have given me remedies which really proved efficacious. In future it became a joke in the family that, what ever was the matter with me, I used to say that I would take some of “Little Pendle’s” medicines – quite regardless of what they had been given me for! There was a New Year’s party, composed of the Lathoms and their four children, Albert and Edith Vickers, (with Billy and Izme) Willie and Mabel Leslie, Johnnie Wingfield and otherfriends; and on New Year’s Eve, the Lathom children (all under ten years old) dined downstairs.

Page 194 – 1901

We got home (from Venice) on the 22nd and on November 25 both Bertha and I rushed off to Lathom for private theatricals in which Queenie, Clare Knowles, Muriel Alston, Mrs. Gordon Clark, Mr. E. Norwood, Mr. A (“Bobbie”) Ellis and Mr. Pilkington were taking part. On this occasion I remember one of the pieces played was “Barbara,” a very touching story in which it was impossible to prevent the tears from coming - even the old cello player in the orchestra was obliged to use his handkerchief more than once – and turning to my grandson Ned (aged six) who was sitting next to me I said, “It’s dreadfully touching isn’t it Ned? “Yes Granny,” was his reply, “But I knew what I had to bear!” (Bless his heart! – he had been to the rehearsals.)

Page 201 – 1902 About two years after this (1904?), however, he (John Singer Sargent) was prevailed upon to paint my daughter’s portrait, and a very beautiful portrait it is. I went to his studio several times while the picture was being painted, and they were delightful mornings. There was a piano in the room, and often Mr. Sargent would put down his paint brush, and sit down at the piano, and play something that he had heard or perhaps had been discussing with us. Occasionally, I would sing to them, and then my daughter would forget that she was having her portrait painted. The picture was really beautiful when finished, and has since been shown at various exhibitions. It was in the Royal Academy that summer, and another portrait by Mr, Sargent, of a very different type was also exhibited at the same time, being that of a well-known, somewhat “undraped” ultra-modern Society lady; a great Art Critic, after seeing the two pictures, suggested to me that they were good examples of “Sacred and Profane love!” Needless to say this criticism was not published.

Page 203 - 1903 The “weekend” after my return (After 6th November 1903) I went to stay at Hall Barn with Sir Edward Lawson. I found my daughter and Lord Skelmersdale of the party, also Ladies Granby, Lord Ribblesdale, Mr. & Mrs., Arthur Reggie Lucas, and Mr. Ernley Blackwell. It was a very pleasant visit.

Page 206 - 1903

Page 7 Extracts from “From a Great-Grandmother’s Armchair” by the Countess of Radnor

Queenie was the next on my “visiting list” and I went to Lathom on September 5th. While there I had my first experience of a motor car, and thought it, “a most useful and restful mode of conveyance.” It is certainly useful but one would hardly call motoring a restful mode of travelling today. But this was 24 years ago, and the roads were very different then from what they are now. On October 2nd another grand- daughter (Rosemary) was born at Lathom. I remained there until the 12th, when I went to London, and left for Venice three days later.

Page 232 – 1908 I went down to Cookham a day or two later, my daughter came down to see me on July 17th, and as my diary says “I heard all about it,” for she had had a very busy season with her daughter Nell including 25 balls!

I went to Lathom on September 11th and remained there until the 23rd, finding Queenie very unwell, but she was better before I left her.

Page 234 – 1908 My daughter came out to me at the end of October. She had been very unwell for some time, and I was so thankful to have her with me. She stayed for a month, and we had a lovely time together, and she really went home wonderfully better.

Page 243 – 1909 “Squirrel” left me there and returned to London after lunch the next day, September 9th. I think he enjoyed his fortnight, and was certainly better for the trip. After he left me I went on alone to Lathom – very happy to be with my “Q.” again – and we had a really good “tell-up” the next morning. After lunch I took Eddy and Rosie Wilbraham in the car for a run; there were real cobblestone roads coming back, but the car went beautifully. I left Lathom the following week on the 17th, and started for Buxton.

Page 247 – 1910 (January 21s at Longford) Queenie arrived at 5.30, and I found brother Erny also there, looking fairly well after his trying illness.

The following day (February 20th) Nell and Jeanie (the two cousins) went with me to the Albert Hall to hear “Lady Radnor’s Suite” which Hubert Parry wrote for my Band in 1892. It was played by Landon Ronald’s Band, but so poorly rehearsed that I hardly recognised it! To dinner that night came Jac, Julian, Jeanie, Queenie, Nell, Harry, Florrie, and Emma Eames – the latter as the artistic pinch of spice to the “lovely family pie!” A week later I went with Queenie to hear Strauss’ opera “Electra” – wonderful music, parts of it lovely, and the whole keeping one at fever heat all the time!

Queenie gave a dance for daughter on March 10th, and I went, as my diary says:- to look at all the young people - some very pretty, but none prettier than Nell! But the dresses I though were hideous!

On March 16th, we were very shocked to here that Lathom had been taken ill at sea, and a little later, another message came to say that he had passed away. This was a terrible blow to us all. Three days later my dear daughter and her son Ned went to

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Lathom, and, on the Sunday, I took Nell and Barbara to a beautiful Memorial service for their father, at St. Paul’s, Knightsbridge, one of the hymns being my setting of “God of the living,” which the choir sang very sweetly. This was my 64th birthday – a very sad one. Johnnie Wingfield, who had been travelling with Eddy, came to see me the next day, to tell me about Eddy’s illness and of his “very peaceful” end. On Easter Sunday, “Q.” and Nell went with me to St. Martin’s, Ludgate Hill, for the beautiful service there; and the next day I went with “Q.” to Hall Barn, returning to London two days later. On April 7 I left London and went down to Cliff House, Folkestone, which was lent to me for a time by Jac, taking Ned Lathom and his siter Barbara with me. Two days later “Q.” who was badly in need of a change, came down with Rosemary and their two dogs, one an enormous Dane, and the other a tiny Pekinese! We had a quiet peaceful time together there, sitting out a good deal in the sunshine, and the children and the dogs simply loved playing about in the garden. April 18th was the fortieth anniversary of Fairweather’s service with me as “lady’s maid,” and to celebrate this event, we had a tea party in the nursery for her, to the delight of the children who were all there. Queenie also “came to tea,” and “Nannie” Hotson, and I carried in a cake for “Fair” with forty lighted candles on it. We were quite a happy party. I took the children to see Canterbury Cathedral one day, and afterwards drove round by Wingham, where the first Viscount Folkestone lived in 1730, returning via Dover – a very interesting drive. We all left Folkestone on May 2, “Q.” and Ned going back to London, while I started for Venice, with Nell and Barbara. We had a smooth crossing, and an excellent journey in the “train de luxe.” Atr Lausanne we awoke and had a series of lovely views from there onwards. I had never seen the country looking more beautiful with all the tender green things of Spring, the blue sky, and the snow mountains. Barbara especially was quite delighted with her first experience of “abroad.” We were met at the station by Ball and Giovanni, and found all well at Palazzo da Mula, where we were soon after joined by Fred Benson.

(Mention here of selling her garden in Venice and seeing “the Comet” – “a very poor thing compared with the one I saw fifty-two years previously – in 1858, which was stupendous, with a tail reaching right across the heavens!”)

Page 260 – 1911 On the 26th “Q.” and her children arrived at the Hotel, at Bath, having been for a week’s motor tour in Devonshire, which they had thoroughly enjoyed. They stayed with me for two days, and then went on to Coleshill, to see Aunt May (Pleydell- Bouverie), and then to Rosehill near Reading, to see Aunt Margie (Crichton- Maitland)

I returned to Cookham the following day (June 1st) , and on June 10th Nell came to stay with me. On the 14th we went over to Ascot, to see the start for the “Hunt Cup,” which we saw beautifully.

The great item of interest this year was the Coronation of King George the fifth, which took place on June 22, and Ned Lathom came with me in my car to Westminster Abbey. We started out about 7.20 a.m., and got into the Abbey by 8.10.

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There I saw many old friends in the Annexe: among others, “Garter” (Sir Alfred Scott-Gatty). As we walked to our seats, with our trains down, and our heads held high, feeling very important, I suddenly heard small voices shouting out, “Granny! granny!” and, on looking round, saw two of my grandchildren in the raised seats who were very excited at seeing us walking up the Nave! The time of waiting did not seem at all long, for there was always something going on, nor did I get either tired or hungry. The King and Queen arrived at 11 punctually, both looking superb! The Archbishop of York preached a beautiful little sermon, and I shall never forget the Queen’s graceful curtsey to the King at the foot of the Throne, after the Crown had been placed on Her Majesty’s head! The ceremony was over at 2.30 and we got away about an hour later. I have always been thankful that I was able to be present. I had all my children there too. Tobye was a Gold Staff-in-Waiting close to me, and Julian was sitting next to me. Ned (Lathom) and Willie (Folkestone) were both there, and “Q.” looked splendid. In the evening all who could went out to see the illuminations, which, I was told, were quite wonderful.

Page 262 – 1911 London I found in a ferment, with 100,000 men on strike, upsetting vans, and causing trouble generally. Petrol was getting exhausted, and was costing 5s. instead of 9d. per gallon. (The newspapers even declared it was costing £1.) “Bronzo” joined me as arranged, and we left London the following morning at 10 o’clock, and had a lovely run to Grantham (110 miles) getting there at 2.45. The next day we started about 10. a.m. for Doncaster, passing Lord and Lady Listowle on the way, and lunched together with them at the Hotel at Doncaster, and had a pleasant talk over old days. After lunch, Bronzo and I went on to York, stopped to see Selby Abbey, and the magnificent Church; had tea at the Station Hotel, and then came to the Grand Hotel, Harrogate, where we found “Q.” and her Ned, as well as several people whom I knew, which was delightful. It ws then for the first time, thatr I met my future son-in-law, Sir Henry Lawson.

At Kendal I lunched and reached Harrogate before evening, where “Q.” and Ned still were, both of them looking very well.

In the evening “Q.” sang to our circle, and I played for her, and sang duets with her as well.

Page 264 – 1911 On August 28th I left Harrogate with “Q.” and Ned in my car, and Dale my maid following in their car. We lunched at Bolton Abbey, saw the Abbey, and came by Clitheroe and Preston to Blythe where we found Rose Wilbraham, Nell, Bar and Rosemary. Unfortunately I was laid up there for a day or two, with a very bad cold and had to stay until September 1. “Q.” remained too, and on leaving, came with me to Liverpool, and took me to see the Lady Chapel and the Cathedral there. “Q.” left me there after lunch at the “Adelphi,” and I crossed the ferry in the car, driving on by Chester and Whitchurch to Church Stretton, through the most lovely country.

Page 266 - 1911

Page 10 Extracts from “From a Great-Grandmother’s Armchair” by the Countess of Radnor

I enjoyed the Johnstone’s visit very much, and one day while they were with me I took them with “Q.” to the Queen’s Hall – where Kreisler, Casals and Bauer played three trios quite splendidly.

“Q.” and Jac joined me as my guests on November 9 and a week later I went up to London for the remainder of the year.

One day in November “Q.” brought Ned up to London to see a doctor, and to our dismay we learned that he had to be operated on for appendicitis in a couple of hours’ time by Sir W.Watson Cheyne. Before the evening was over, however, we heard that he had come through the operation successfully, and that it had proved very necessary.

Page 268 – 1912 I went down to Longford for Christmas, and, on arriving there, on December 21st, found Jac and “a pack” of children on the doorstep (all the ten at home) ; “Q.”, Bar, Rosemary and Nell, were also there. We all went to Alderbury Church on Christmas morning. After lunch there was a performance by the “Mummers,” in the Entrance Hall, which reminded me of old days, and I can hear them now, singing about “Good King Garge” and the “Little Quack Doctor-r-r.”

I went back to London on the 28th, and spent a fairly quiet January. I note that on January 29 “Q.” and Edith Hulse lunched with me, and we three went together to Olympia, where we saw “The Miracle” – a wonderful production, and a mixture of pageant and mystery play. It was very beautiful, and the music was by Humperdinck. That evening we had a good meeting of 24 to sing Madrigals, Tobye coming up from High Barn to join us. In February I went to bath for a few weeks, and was joined there by “Q.” We stayed until Marsh 2, and came back to London by train – and I have not been in a train since that day!

On March 15 I left London with my grand-daughter Nell, and my maid, for Venice, and on arrival there were immediately greeted by old friends ….. before I left Venice with Nell, on May 28. We arrived safely in London on May 29. Nell rejoined her mother in Bryanston Square, and I went to Brother Erny’s house in Eaton Square. I was very sorry to part with Nell, for we had spent eleven weeks together, and she was altogether more like a daughter than a grand-daughter to me.

(Prior to a heart operation) “Q.” and Tobye were with me all that day, arranging things for me, and Brother Harry and Fred Benson came to see me in the afternoon; after tea I went to the Nursing Home at 3 Devonshire Terrace.

(After recovery from a three hour heart operation) On leaving Devonshire Terrace, I lunched with “Q.” and drove down to Folkestone in the car with Nurse Turnbull (or “Butterfly,” as I used to call her). We stayed at the Grand Hotel, where I spent a quiet and restful time, taking drives regularly.

Page 272 – 1913 On Saturday November 16th my dear daughter was married at Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Street, to Sir Henry Lawson K.C.B. She looked splendid in champagne

Page 11 Extracts from “From a Great-Grandmother’s Armchair” by the Countess of Radnor coloured satin and sables, with a brown velvet hat. Ned walked up the church with her and gave his mother away.

I left High Barn on New Year’s Day after seeing “the New Year in” with Tobye and Dorothy, and on arriving home was greeted by, “Q.” and Henry Lawson who had just returned from their honeymoon in Italy. I noted in my diary, that “Q.” looked exceedingly well, and very handsome.

Page 282 – 1914 “Q.” Henry and Barbara came to stay with me on December 1 for a week, but my poor daughter was laid up in her bedroom nearly all the time.

Nell came to stay with me in London in the middle of March, and during her visit she attended a Court drawing room, going in a silver brocade dress, with a lovely blue velvet train; she wore a high tiara, and looked quite beautiful. On March 13 she and I left London and motored down to Folkestone for the weekend, to see my grand- children who were there.

Sir Henry Lawson and “Q.” who had been to South America, returned home at the end of March, and in April took up their residence in Guernsey, where Sir Henry had been appointed Governor.

Page 286 – 1914

Ned Lathom came down in July and told me that he had had a wire from Barbara, to say that she was engaged to Francis Seymour in the 60th Rifles, which was very pleasant news.

Page 292 – 1915

Alas on August the 4th, I heard that dear Barbara had lost her husband, Frances Seymour, a very sorrowful piece of news.

On the ninth I went to York to stay with “Q.” and Henry and during my visit met several old - and made some new – military friends. One evening Lord Scarborough dined. I had not seen him since he was a little boy; now he was 58 and said he remembered me perfectly! I left York on August 23rd, very sorry indeed to leave “Q.” and Henry, …

On 11th (November, 1915) my grandson Ned (Lathom) left for France and Tobye was ordered to Salonica.

(January 1916) My grandson Ned (Lathom) was in the thick of things at this time, and he wrote to his mother while we were in Bath to say that. He was riding around on a White horse one day, to show his N.C.O. where the German lines were, when a shell burst seventy yards off! no doubt aimed at his horse!

Page 306 – 1917

Page 12 Extracts from “From a Great-Grandmother’s Armchair” by the Countess of Radnor

The following day I received a letter from “Q.” telling me that her husband (Sir Henry Lawson) was leaving for Italy immediately, as Lt.-General, Commanding the Lines of Communication.

Page 340 – 1922 Nell came down for the night one day in November, with Mark whom I found very entertaining. He is my eldest great-grandchild. On December 17th “Q.” came down to Armitage Hill and together we went over to Windsor for the yearly visit of the “Windsor Strollers.” At the performance that we attended they gave “Trilby” – and Harry Irving’s daughter Elizabeth was the heroine. My dear grandchild Jeanie (Petherick) led the orchestra, and played very well.

Page 344 1922 It was decided this month (August) that Ned Lathom should go to Davos to stay there for a time, for the sake of his health. His sister Barbara went with him, and also his old nurse “Nannie” Hotson, to look after him. Soon after his arrival there ne wrote asking me for list of B.I. books, as he was very much interested in the subject.

Page 347 - 1923 “Q.” came down in December for the annual visit of the “Windsor Strollers.” I went over with her one day, and we saw “Buried Treasure” (by “Bobbie” Ellis), excellent fooling, and “French Leave” (by R. Barclay) a splendid comedy, and very well acted.

I was busy this month (January) sending of copies of my “Notes and Queries” (on the origin of British Israel) – a little book I had written for the benefit of my younger son, and my grandson Ned Lathom. Tobye asked me one day to write a “short and simple history” on the subject. This was a rather difficult proposition, but I suggested that if he would write down a series of questions, that I would do my best to answer them; and that is how “Notes and Queries” came to be written. It was first published at this time, and I was, therefore, sending of copies to all likely to be interested in the subject. Among others I sent a copy to Mr. Marris of Krugersdorp (S. Africa), who takes a leading part in the Johannesburg “British Israel Association,” and he very much approved of it.

Page 348 - 1923

Another excitement – on February 28 – was the wedding of my dear grand-daughter, Margaret Bouverie, to Captain Gerald Barry, M.C., at St. Peter’s, Eaton Square. His mother Lady grace Barry, was the daughter of my old friend and partner in the “sixties” – Lord Dunmore. I was able to attend the wedding, and was wheeled close to the Chancel screen, and saw many old friends and relatives. It was a very pretty wedding, and Margaret looked quite charming. Little Julian Petherick, my great-grand-daughter, was one of the bridesmaids, who were very becoming peach-coloured satin frocks, wired on the hips, with lace caps made in the Dutch fashion. When I cam out after the ceremony, and was settled in the car, with “Q.” beside me, I saw and recognised a little grey- haired man – my old pony boy Freddie Mills, whom I had lost sight of for some years. After speaking to me, Freddy, who mhad played with the children when at Coleshill, turned and looked at my daughter and said, “Why it isn’t Queenie, is it?” which little incident, touched us both very much.

Page 13 Extracts from “From a Great-Grandmother’s Armchair” by the Countess of Radnor

Ned (Lathom), who had returned from Davos, came down after lunch, (Sunday, March 31st) looking very much better, and was delighted to have a talk with his great- uncle.

Page 350 - 1923 Gerald Petherick and his wife, “Q.” and Rosie Wilbraham came to see me this year for the Ascot week, but “Q.” stayed at home with me, while the others went to the races.

Page 355 - 1924 About nine p.m. on Friday evening my granddaughter,Rosemary, and her partner came down from London on their way to Mrs. Keating’s Ball, close by Armitage Hill. What strange manners and customs have come into being since 1914. No chaperones are wanted nowadays!

“Q.” left me on Sunday (June 22.)

Page 356 - 1924 Then Rosie Wilbraham came to see me one day … Page 358 – 1925

Early in the spring my dear grandson Ned (Lathom), was sent to the Colorado Springs for his health, and when he returned in June, I was delighted to see him looking much better and stronger. I went to Boscombe (Bournemouth) in February for about ten days, and to my delight was able to see a great deal of “Q.” she then had a house at Lymington, and was living there at that time. This house was sold in 1926, and now they have a flat in London, so that I hope that in future, I may be able to see her constantly.

On June 5th I heard that dear Nell was to be engaged to be married to Colonel (now Major-General) H.W. Newcome, and she was very happy. They were married at St. Mary’s, Paddington on June 10th and then went off to Devonshire for their honeymoon.

On October 12th I went to lunch with Ned (Lathom) and then went on with him to the B.I.W.F. Congress, which was held at the Central Hall, Westminster. Lord Giseborough and the Rev, Mr. Goard spoke admirably, and the meeting was well attended.

Two days later I drove down to Bath and found “Q.” there and also Francis and Jenny Villiers. Whilst there Francis was very unwell, and on November 5th he decided to return home. I followed a week later, and on returning, learnt that Francis was seriously ill. He passed away on November 18th – another dear friend and cousin gone.

Page 360 – 1926

There is not to be said about 1926, and I shall content myself with references to one or two things of outstanding interest to myself. The first was my 80th birthday (on Sunday March 21st) – a very happy day. My three children, Jac, “Q.” and Tobye came to stay with me on the 20th, and I had a very

Page 14 Extracts from “From a Great-Grandmother’s Armchair” by the Countess of Radnor delightful time with them all. I went to church with Tobye on my birthday morning, and founf the Rev. G. Harold Lancaster and his wife at the Church door after the service. They had driven down from London for the sole purpose of wishing me a happy birthday, and they had only just time to get back for their afternoon service! It was a kind thought and I very much appreciated it. Ned (Lathom), Bertha Chaplin and Julian, joined us for luncheon, and we had a merry time.

There is another thing I must mention, viz.: that this year the Second Grand Chapter of the O.H.I. was held at Ned’s (Lathom’s) house in Mount Street, on October 18th, when about 40 people were present. Mr. Plant, the editor of the B.I. Herald, came all the way from Doncaster for the day to be there, and wrote a very good account of the meeting in his paper.

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