Politics and Society: The Journals of Lady Knightley of Fawsley 1885 to 1913

POLITICS AND SOCIETY

POLITICS AND SOCIETY The Journals of Lady Knightley of Fawsley 1885–1913

EDITED BY PETER GORDON

LONDON AND NEW YORK

First published 1999 by the Northamptonshire Record Society This edition published in 2005 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX 14 4RN Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge 270 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016 Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2005. “To purchase your own copy of this or any of Taylor & Francis or Routledge’s collection of thousands of eBooks please go to http://www.ebookstore.tandf.co.uk/.” © 1999 and 2004 Peter Gordon All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data A catalog record for this book has been requested ISBN 0-203-32677-6 Master e-book ISBN

ISBN 0-415-35020-4 (Print Edition) Publisher’s note The publisher has gone to great lengths to ensure the quality of this reprint but points out that some imperfections in the original book may be apparent.

CONTENTS Illustrations Acknowledgements

vi viii

Abbreviations

x

Collections Consulted

xi

Introduction

1

Chronology

51

Journal: 1885

53

1886

105

1887

131

1888

150

1889

166

1890

183

1891

205

1892

228

1893

267

1894

280

1895

298

1896

321

1897

338

1898

367

1899

381

1900

404

1901

417

1902

428

1903

443

1904

463

1905

479

1906

503

1907

529

1908

542

1909

560

1910

574

1911

592

1912

611

1913

626

Barne Pedigree

Knightley Pedigree

Index

643

ILLUSTRATIONS Lady Knightley, 1869 1.

Lady Emilia Bowater, Louisa’s mother, c. 1846

2.

Major-General Sir Edward Bowater, 1854

3.

Louisa Bowater, age 18, 1860

4.

Prince Leopold, with Lady Bowater (left) and Louisa Bowater (right) at the Villa Leader, Cannes, 7 February 1862

5.

Louisa and 6. Sir Rainald Knightley shortly after their wedding, 1869

7.

Fawsley Hall in the snow, c. 1990

8.

Interior of the Great Hall at Fawsley, c. 1830

9.

View of Fawsley Hall with oriel window, 1906

10. Sir Rainald Knightley, 1873 11. Meeting of the Ladies’ Grand Council of the Primrose League at Prince’s Hall, London, 9 May 1894 12. House Party, Firle Place, Sussex, 1900 13. Cover, Imperial Colonist magazine, May 1902 14. Lady Knightley in her robes for the Coronation of Edward VII, August 1902 15. Lady Knightley’s Journal, 18–19 July 1911

16. Lady Knightley as President of the Northamptonshire Natural History Society and Field Club, c. 1906 17. Lady Knightley in distinguished old age, c. 1910 18. Memorial to Lady Knightley, St. Peter’s Church, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, 1914

In the Text (not numbered) Firle Place, Sussex (p. 276) Meeting of the Conservative and Unionist Women’s Franchise Association, 8 November 1910 (p. 470) Acknowledgements and thanks for permission to reproduce the illustrations are due to the following: Colin Eaton, 7; the Fawcett Library, 13 and Suffrage Week 1910 poster on p. 470; the Viscount Gage, 12; Dorothy Jessup, 18; Northamptonshire Libraries and Information Service, 14, 17; Northamptonshire Record Office, Frontispiece, 1, 15; Royal Commission on Historical Monuments, 9; the Marquess of Salisbury, 10. The following photographs are reproduced by gracious permission of Her Majesty the Queen, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Illustration 8 is from George Baker, The History and Antiquities of the County of Northampton (1822–30), Vol. 1.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS My first acquaintance with the Journals of Louisa, Lady Knightley, dates back to 1968 when I was researching a book on administrative aspects of nineteenth century education. I was immediately attracted by their lively style and the insights they provided into country Toryism in Northamptonshire in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. They also present a rare picture of the burgeoning women’s movements at this time, in which Louisa Knightley played a leading part. Although not so closely involved in the high politics of the period as their neighbour at Althorp, the fifth Earl Spencer, Louisa’s husband, Sir (later Baron) Rainald Knightley, served as Member of Parliament for exactly four decades, and his trenchant comments on colleagues and events were assiduously recorded in her Journal. Their frequent visits to the great houses of England, their close acquaintance with London society and her often acute observations on contemporary happenings make for entertaining reading. The history of Lady Knightley’s Journals is an interesting one. An edition of her early Journals had been undertaken by a close friend, Julia Cartwright (Mrs Ady), and the originals were temporarily placed with her for this purpose.1 Consisting of some 46 volumes, they covered the years 1856 to the end of her life in 1913. Many liberties were taken in transcribing the text. The book was published in 19152 but the Journals themselves seem to have disappeared. In 1928, a few years before his death, Sir Charles Valentine Knightley, the fifth baronet, deposited with the Northamptonshire Record Society an enormous quantity of Knightley papers. It consisted of some 3000 documents, ranging from the thirteenth to the nineteenth centuries, including about 400 charters and 1400 deeds relating to the Fawsley estate. Joan Wake, the founder and first Secretary of the Society, recalled Sir Charles bringing them over, a sackful at a time, when he came in to officiate at Quarter Sessions at Northampton.3 By the end of 1932, a team of volunteers had finished cataloguing the collection although another six years elapsed before an index of persons and places had been completed.4 But no papers of Lady Knightley or her Journals, which she had started at the age of 14, were found in the collection. However, some 36 years later, in 1951, Miss Phoebe Mills, a niece of the last baronet, Sir Henry Knightley, offered the Journals, then in her possession, together with some family letters, to the Northamptonshire Record Society. It was not until October 1965 that Miss Mills finally presented them to the Northamptonshire County Record Office at Delapre Abbey.5 Since then, they have been available for consultation at the Office. 1. Cartwright Journals, 3 Oct 1913, Cartwright of Edgcote Papers, C.E. 396, Northamptonshire Record Office (NRO). 2. The Journals of Lady Knightley of Fawsley, 1856–1884 (1915), John Murray. 3. Joan Wake to Miss Phoebe Mills, 28 August 1951. Correspondence file, NRO 4. Northamptonshire Record Society 18th Annual Report for 1938, p. 4. 5. Patrick I. King, then Chief Archivist, to the author, 22 July 1977.

In the preparation of this book, I owe a large debt of gratitude to many people for their help. My grateful thanks are due to Mr. Ron Greenall, the honorary general editor of the Northamptonshire Record Society, for his valuable advice and comments on the manuscript and his patience in seeing it through the various stages of production. The staff of the Northamptonshire Record Office were invariably helpful over the years when I consulted the Knightley Papers, and Sir Hereward Wake, Bart, also provided generous help during my research for the book. Mr. Colin Eaton, Northampton Central Reference Library, was kind enough to read the Introduction and make useful suggestions, and Professor John Vincent gave encouragement during the long gestation of the project I would like to thank the Marquess of Bath for permission to consult the Longleat House Papers, the Marquess of Salisbury for permission to consult the Hatfield House Papers and Viscount Gage of Firle Place, Sussex for providing illustrations for the book. I wish to acknowledge the gracious permission of Her Majesty the Queen to reproduce the early photographs of Lady Knightley and the help of Miss Frances Dimond, Curator, Photographic Collection, Windsor Castle, in tracing them. A number of societies and institutions readily made material available for inspection, and I am especially grateful to the Girls’ Friendly Society and the National Council of Women for their help. I am most grateful to the Northamptonshire Record Society for commissioning the work in the first instance and for their subsequent support. A list of national institutions, county record offices and libraries which hold relevant material and which provided much valuable assistance can be found on p. x. I would also like to thank the many individuals who have helped in various ways, particularly Mr. Robin Harcourt-Williams, Librarian and Archivist to the Marquis of Salisbury, Dr. Daphne Glick, Honorary Archivist to the National Council of Women, Mrs. Dorothy Jessup, Treasurer of St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, Mr. David Doughan, Reference Librarian, the Fawcett Library and Pauline Gordon for her assistance with the Index. Mr. John Rolton has been of invaluable help in undertaking extensive research in connection with the numerous annotations to the text and in checking the original Journal entries with the final manuscript. His tenacity and conscientiousness in carrying out this work is much appreciated. Finally, I wish to thank my wife, Tessa, for her active support and advice from the earliest days of the project. I have greatly benefited over the years from our many discussions together of the life and work of the subject of the book, Lady Louisa Knightley.

ABBREVIATIONS AJA

Girls’ Friendly Society Associates Journal and Advertiser

BL

British Library

BWEA

British Women’s Emigration Association

CUWFA

Conservative and Unionist Women’s Franchise Association

DE

Daventry Express

EWR

Englishwoman’s Review

FLD

Freedom of Labour Defence

GFS

Girls’ Friendly Society

LGC

Ladies’ Grand Council, Primrose League

LMK

Louisa Mary Knightley

NEC

Northamptonshire Education Committee

NH

Northampton Herald

NM

Northampton Mercury

N P and P

Northamptonshire Past and Present

NRO

Northamptonshire Record Office

NUWSS

National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies

NUWW

National Union of Women Workers

PL

Primrose League

PLG

Primrose League Gazette

SACS

South African Colonisation Society

SPEW

Society for Promoting the Employment of Women

WLG

Working Ladies’ Guild

WLGS

Women’s Local Government Society

COLLECTIONS CONSULTED Manuscript Sources Ardagh Papers

Public Record Office

Bath Papers

Longleat House, Wiltshire

Beaconsfield Papers

Bodleian Library, Oxford

British Women’s Emigration Society Papers

Fawcett Library, Guildhall University, London

Cartwright Papers

Northamptonshire Record Office

Chamberlain Papers

Birmingham University

Darwin Papers

Cambridge University Library

Derby Papers

Liverpool Record Office

Gage Papers

Firle Place, Sussex East Sussex Record Office

Girls’ Friendly Society Papers

Girls’ Friendly Society, London

Grey Papers

Durham University Library

Hambleden Papers

W H Smith and Co, London

Harcourt Papers

Bodleian Library, Oxford

Knightley Papers

Northamptonshire Record Office British Library

National Union of Women Workers Papers

Greater London Record Office National Council of Women

Newdegate of Arbury Papers

Warwickshire County Record Office

Northamptonshire County Council Papers

County Hall, Northampton

Primrose League Papers

Bodleian Library, Oxford

Rosebery Papers

National Library of Scotland

Royal Archives Papers

Windsor Castle, Berkshire

St. Aldwyn Papers

Gloucestershire Record Office

Salisbury Papers

Hatfield House, Hertfordshire

South African Colonisation Society Papers

Fawcett Library, Guildhall University, London

Spencer Papers

British Library

Victoria County History Papers

Institute of Historical Research, London

Workers’ Educational Association Papers

University of North London

Printed Sources British Library Institute of Historical Research London Library Northampton Reference Library Fawcett Library

INTRODUCTION In a review of the publication of the early Journals of Lady Knightley in 1916, The Times Literary Supplement noted that ‘she combined with her admiration of great people a judgement which was candid, though never ill-natured, and since she wrote well, the book offers as authentic and as readable an account of society and politics in the sixties and seventies as we are likely to get.’1 It can be argued that the later Journals, starting in 1885, are of even greater interest, reflecting as they do her growing commitment to furthering women’s causes at a time when opportunities to do so were burgeoning and her active participation in politics following the Franchise and Redistribution Acts of 1884 and 1885. Louisa Mary Bowater, who was born on 25 April 1842, enjoyed a privileged childhood. Her father, General Sir Edward Bowater, had had a distinguished military career, serving throughout the Peninsular War and saw action at the battle of Waterloo. Bowater was on good terms with the Duke of Clarence and he was appointed as one of his equerries when the Duke succeeded as William IV in 1830.2 After Victoria’s marriage, he became equerry to Prince Albert and later Groom-in-Waiting to the Queen.3 Louisa’s mother, Emilia Mary, was the daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Michael Barne, a former M.P. for Dunwich, and his wife, Mary Boucherett of Sotterley Park, Suffolk.4 Louisa’s early life was spent between Suffolk in the winter and the Thatched House Lodge, Richmond Park, granted to the family by Queen Victoria, in the spring and 1. ‘The Journals of Lady Knightley, 1856–1884, edited by Julia Cartwright (afterwards Ady), 1915,’ Times Literary Supplement, 6 Jan. 1916, p. 7. 2. After attending a dinner with the King and Queen at Kew in 1833, Lady Jerningham, a Lady-inWaiting, wrote to her daughter: Col. Bowater is a worthy, kind hearted man, and we talked the whole way there and back without weariness; he told me that his father being an Admiral, he had begun by the Sea, and sailed in the same Ship as his father, who never spoke to him, or saw him oftener than his fellow Mids. and this was such a painful restraint to him, afflicted him so much, that he begged to return to School. The King gave him his Commission in the Guards, and he served during the War. He never had a promotion to buy till the last. He said he had been most fortunate through Life. It is refreshing to My Spirits to meet with anyone who is Satisfied with his Lot, and grateful to his Benefactors. E.Castle (ed.) The Jerningham Letters, 1780–1843 (1896), ii, p. 384. 3. Gentleman’s Magazine, N.S., 12, Jan. 1862, p. 109–10. 4. The marriage was delayed until 1798, partly because of Barne’s inability to obtain leave from his regiment and partly to Mary Boucherett’s reluctance to commit herself. He wrote impatiently to her, ‘All the world knows that we are going to be married and the sooner it is over the better unless you know more than all the world and can say that we are not.’ J.Imray, The Boucherett Family Archives’, The Lincolnshire Historian, 2, 3, 1955–6, p. 22. Louisa began some research into the Boucherett family which she did not complete, n.d., Newdegate of Arbury Papers, Warwickshire County Record Office, CR 136/B 3201.

Politics and society

2

summer. Lady Knightley later stated that her great love for the countryside sprang from her idyllic childhood at Sotterley. As was customary with upper-class girls at the time, Louisa was educated at home. She was an only child and from the age of 13 and for the following five years, her governess was a young German woman, Agnes Lentz, who became a life-long friend. Lentz familiarised Louisa with current German politics and literature. As a result, she became fluent in the language5 and developed a deep interest in that country. Louisa’s links with the Royal family were strengthened when in October 1861 Prince Albert invited General Bowater, his wife and Louisa to escort his delicate eight-year old son, Prince Leopold, to Cannes for the winter. The family suffered a double tragedy on 14 December when Louisa’s father died there, only a few hours before Prince Albert at Windsor. Louisa played an important part in distracting Leopold from his loss, which Victoria greatly appreciated.6 On the occasion of Louisa’s wedding, the Queen sent her a locket of the young Prince as a reward for her kindness.7 During the next few years, Louisa was invited to stay at Osborne, Balmoral and Windsor, and attended functions at Buckingham Palace. Her life was to change when on 30 March 1869 she joined a party at Firle Place, Sussex, the home of the Gage family. There she met Sir Rainald Knightley, third baronet, of Fawsley Hall, Northamptonshire, whose sister, Sophia Selina, was married to Henry Hall Gage. It was, in her words, ‘A day to be kept for all time’. Rainald was almost 50 and Louisa 27. Three days later she recorded ‘I had much talk with Sir Rainald. I wonder if I begin to understand him? He strikes me as a very good average sort of man: clever without being a genius; good, without having a very high standard—in short, not unlike myself.’ During Sir Charles’s lifetime, Rainald had said that it was impossible to marry, for if he left Fawsley it would break his father’s heart and if he took his wife to live there it would certainly break her heart.8 He had been M.P. for South Northamptonshire since 1852, when he inherited the seat from his father Sir Charles, who had himself represented the Division for 18 years. Rainald was the twelfth member of the family to have sat as Member of Parliament since Robertus de Knyghteleye in 1325. Julia Cartwright later quoted a newspaper description of Rainald: ‘He was one of the few survivors of the old Tory country members who hated Sir Robert Peel and Dizzy and looked with horror on the rural democracy, and says how he lurked in his corner seat in the House, with his high aquiline nose and otherworld eyes, looking half-puzzled and half-contemptuous on the mob of new members all these 40 years.’9 He boasted that he was an independent Conservative and on the rare occasions when he spoke in Parliament, he expressed himself forcefully. In 1866, he had refused the post of Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies on the grounds that he had not ‘sufficient confidence in Mr. Disraeli to justify 5. See, for example, her letters to Dr. Theodore Günter, who, as medical attendant to the Duke of Albany, was with Louisa at Cannes in 1861. RA Add. A 30/560–74, Royal Archives. 6. C.Zeepvat, Prince Leopold. The Untold Story of Queen Victoria’s Youngest Son (1998), pp. 31– 4. 7. Queen Victoria to Louisa Knightley (LMK), 22 Oct. 1869, BL. Add. MS. 46360, f. 2. 8. Ady, Journals, p. 191. 9. Julia Cartwright Journals, 27 Dec. 1895, Cartwright of Edgcote Papers, C.E. 379.

Introduction

3

my accepting.’ 10 as a young girl at Sotterley the charger used by her father in the Crimea. Rainald was enormously proud of his long ancestry—the achievement hanging at the end of the Great Hall at Fawsley had 334 quarterings—and he was once the butt of a quip attributed to Sir William Harcourt, Gladstone’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, quoting from Addison:

And (K)nightly to the listening earth Repeats the story of his birth. Louisa and Rainald met on a number of occasions during June and July 1869, but it was on a visit to Fawsley, on 13 August, that she wrote excitedly in her Journal: ‘I have plighted my troth to Rainald Knightley, and from the very bottom of my heart I pray God that he will help me to be a good wife to him. He is so good to me. I am sure we shall be happy together.’ Six months after their first meeting, Rainald and Louisa were married on 20 October 1869 at St Peter’s, Eaton Square, London. A few weeks later, they had settled at Fawsley, where they were to spend the rest of their lives. Situated some miles south ofDaventry, the Park is approached from Badby through a wood and a drive leads to the Hall. The Park, consisting then of about 700 acres, was well-stocked with deer and it offered, as it still does, good views of the hilly area of Northamptonshire and of the artificial lake. Another picturesque feature in the northern part of the Park is the so-called Dower House, built initially in the sixteenth century as a lodge, but it was allowed to fall into disrepair in the eighteenth century.13 Remains of deserted villages lie immediately south and east of the Hall.14 The Hall has recently been described in a Royal Commission on Historic Buildings publication as the largest and finest medieval house to survive in the county.15 It had been in the possession of the Knightleys since 1416, though the earliest surviving parts are from the sixteenth century. The Great Hall is the central feature of a plan made difficult to interpret because of the numerous alterations it has undergone over the centuries. Rainald’s father had carried out a programme of gothicizing but at a modest cost. It was Rainald, with marriage in mind, who, upon inheriting the estate, engaged Anthony Salvin during the years 1866 to 1868 to carry out a large-scale redevelopment and layout of the house. Salvin provided a new range of ground floor public rooms, bedrooms and attic servants’ quarters and remodelled the north range and the Great Hall, in the Tudor revival style.16 The total cost was £13,300 and Rainald’s extravagance was to prove a 10. Derby to Sir Rainald Knightley, 3 July 1866 and Knightley to Derby, 3 July 1866, Derby Papers, 920 DER (14) 191/1 and 920 DER (14) 99/6, Liverpool Record Office. 11. W.W.Hadley, ‘Northamptonshire Memories’, N P and P, ii, 3, 1956, p. 123. 12. G.Paget, The History of the Althorp and Pytchley Hunt, 1834–1920 (1937), pp. 118, 171. 13.Northamptonshire Archaeological Unit, An architectural watching brief at the Dower House, August 1990 (1990), p. 1. 14.Royal Commission on Historical Monuments, County of Northampton, vol 3. Archaeological Sites in North-West Northamptonshire (1981), p. 88. 15. J.Heward and R.Taylor, The Country Houses of Northamptonshire (1996), p. 241. 16. A.R.Toleson, Fawsley Hall, Genesis, Decline and Renaissance, BA Arch. Dissertation, Mackintosh School of Architecture, Glasgow, 1990, pp. 71–7.

Politics and society

4

costly mistake in the decades to come. Louisa became fascinated with the history of Fawsley and its occupants over the centuries and carried out research based on the copious documents in the house as well as in the British Museum. Among the many outstanding Knightleys she admired was the Puritan Sir Richard, who in the autumn of 1588 secretly set up a printing press in a garret in the house where broadsides, known as the Marprelate Tracts, were produced, which attacked the Church of England. For this act, he was heavily fined and imprisoned.17 In the deserted village east of the house is Fawsley Church, containing the brasses and tombs of many Knightleys. Only a short walk away from the house, the church played an important part in the life of the estate. On 20 October 1870, Louisa wrote to her mother, ‘One thing I am quite sure of—that no two people, at the close of a year of married life, can look back with more unalloyed happiness than we do. One thing is still wanting to complete it—but that we must leave in God’s hands.’18 Like many other Knightleys before them, however, there were no children of their marriage, much to Louisa’s regret. She now poured her considerable energy into a number of different projects and causes. One of her earliest literary endeavours was the editing of a series of letters from Madame de Maintenon to M. le Maréchal de Villeroy and to her niece Madame de Caylus, which she discovered amongst her father’s papers; these were published by the Philobiblon Society in 1872.19 Rainald’s cousins, Philip Story, rector of Fawsley, and Valentine Knightley, rector of Preston Capes, both of them bachelors and who had made their home in the Hall in Sir Charles’s time, returned to their respective parsonages. Rainald and his sister had been brought up on strictly evangelical lines, which was reflected in the church services at Fawsley. Louisa, who was deeply religious, set about effecting changes in the form these services took. She was inspired by a sermon on ‘The poor have the Gospel preached to them’, given on 1 March 1870 by Francis Thicknesse, then vicar of Brackley and later Bishop of Leicester. She wrote afterwards, ‘As he spoke of close parishes and village schools, of bad cottages and the alarming aspect of affairs, warning us, the prosperous ones on earth, to fight against these evils lest our national greatness and virtue should crumble to decay, one felt nerved and encouraged to do one’s very best.’20 Her own experience with the Fawsley servants, visits to the poor of Badby and Charwelton and membership of various religious groups, convinced her of the need for some organisation to meet the needs of girls in domestic service. An opportunity arose when Mrs. Mary Townsend, in neighbouring Warwickshire, launched the Girls’ Friendly Society in May 1874 at a meeting of Anglican ladies at Lambeth. Its objects were twofold: ‘to bind together in one Society ladies as Associates and working girls and young women as Members, for mutual help (religious and secular), for sympathy and for prayer’, and ‘to encourage purity of life, dutifulness to parents, faithfulness to employers, and thrift.′ Members had to be unmarried, and no girl who had not a virtuous character was admitted (‘such character being lost, the member to forfeit her Card’). 17. See LMK, ‘The Knightleys of Fawsley’ (with O.Barron), The Ancestor, No. 2, July 1902, p. 11. 18. LMK to Lady Bowater, 20 Oct. 1870, Knightley Papers, K 2893, Northamptonshire Record Office. 19. Miscellanies of the Philobiblon Society, 13, Nos. 2 and 3, 1871–2. 20. Ady, Journals, p. 188. The religious motives of women participating in charitable work at this time are explored in F.K.Prochaska, Women and Philanthropy in Nineteenth-Century England (1980). pp. 118–21.

Introduction

5

Louisa began work locally on behalf of the Society in 187621 and it gave her the first insight into the possibilities of middle-and upper-class women co-operating in order to achieve a common end. After a branch meeting of GFS secretaries in 1878 she wrote, ‘It was a curious experience having a purely feminine meeting.’ Membership was strongest in country areas; within three years, the Society had established branches in Brackley, Daventry, Northampton and Oundle and recruited almost 600 members, mainly domestic servants.22 The Society had to prepare girls for some of the dangers arising out of moving to towns or cities. Louisa was the author of a pamphlet Hints on the Work of the Girls’ friendly Society which suggested the important role of Associates in keeping a friendly eye on such girls.23 Incentives to join the Society included country holidays, training schemes, prizes for thrift, lodging houses and personal advice. GFS books containing suitable literature were given to girls and at Spratton, for example, a weekly class for sewing and general instruction was held throughout the year except at harvest time.24 Garden fêtes were a welcome feature and Fawsley was the setting for many such events. As Brian Harrison has pointed out, the GFS, by promoting deference through recreation, pioneered Conservative techniques which became better known in the Primrose League and trained many of its workers.25 Louisa was president of the Diocesan Council for the Peterborough Diocese of the GFS from 1879 following an opening meeting at Northampton chaired by Bishop Magee. Rainald refused to allow her to become president of the Society in 1882 but she remained in charge of the Diocesan Council for over a quarter of a century, finally resigning the post in 1904. Louisa was also active in the work of the Ladies’ Sanitary Association, established in 1857, which produced literature in a simple, attractive and cheap form on the domestic laws of heath and sanitation for the poor, based on middle-class standards.26 Louisa wrote a pamphlet, Dress: Its Fetters, Frivolities, and Follies, for the Society which was later translated into Dutch. She was equally concerned with the provision of employment for educated women. ‘Certainly, in these days,’ she wrote, ‘when from the fluctuating nature, apparently, of all financial affairs, girls are constantly thrown upon the world without any provision for the future, it is essential that they, as well as their brothers, should be equipped for the battle of life with a practical knowledge of some employment which will ensure them an independent existence.’27 Louisa was present at the inaugural meeting of the Working Ladies’ Guild on 8 November 1876, convened by Lady Mary Feilding, and she became a member of the Committee. Described as ‘a co-operative society of men and women of all 21. M.E.Townsend, ‘Memories of An Old Friendship’, Girls’ Friendly Society Associates’ Journal and Advertiser, Jan. 1914, p. 2. 22. P. Horn,‘Domestic Service in Northamptonshire, 1830–1914’, N P and P, 5, 3, 1978, p. 272. 23. 1883, pp. 3–4. 24. Ibid., p. 2. 25. B.Harrison,’ “For Church, Queen and Family”: the Girls’ Friendly Society, 1874– 1920′, Past and Present, 61, Nov. 1973, p. 113. 26. For LMK’s description of the LSA and its aims, see Baroness Burdett-Coutts, Woman’s Mission, (1893), p. 437. 27. LMK, ‘New Employments for Educated Women’, New Review, 9, Dec. 1893, pp. 577– 8. Census returns between 1851 and 1911 showed that almost a third of all women aged 25 to 35 were unmarried.

Politics and society

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ranks and professions’, it sought suitable outlets particularly for unmarried or widowed gentlewomen’s employment as well as providing assistance to those in need of help.28 By the 1890s, Louisa was able to point to a range of occupations now open to women, from sanitary inspectors in Kensington to University Extension lecturers at Oxford.29 She fully approved of women taking part in professional work ‘so long as they do not usurp men’s prerogatives and become unfeminine.’30 Louisa developed a deep love for Fawsley and for the Northamptonshire countryside, whilst recognising some of the difficulties of living in a relatively remote area. She described the region in an article as follows: If I were asked to mention the characteristic of the Midlands most likely to strike a stranger—especially one coming fron the North—it would be their intensely rural character. On the borders of Northamptonshire and Warwickshire, you may ride for 14, 15 or even 20 miles without passing through a single village, or by any house save a solitary farm or ‘lodge’, as the lone cottages attached to farm buildings are designated. Very lonely places they are too, and I often wonder how the poor little children manage to struggle to school through the muddy gateways (mud is a very leading characteristic of the Midlands!—Horace Walpole describes Northamptonshire as ‘a mud-pudding stuck full of churches′), or the deep snow-drifts which often lie for weeks under the hedges.31 As the Journals show, she took a great interest in the surviving customs and superstitions of country people, noting in 1889 that hiring fairs or mops for the hiring of farm-servants, both male and female, on an annual basis were still held in Northamptonshire. Mummers continued to flourish: ‘about Christmas time there is hardly a night [at Fawsley] that a party of them does not march in, without any permission being asked, bedizened with ribbons and masked, and proceed to act their little play.’32 Louisa was also intrigued with the villagers’ use of rare words, claiming that the language of the Midlands, much of which could be traced back to the time of Chaucer and Shakespeare, was purer than that of any other part of the country. It was usual for the lady of the manor to play an active part in overseeing the welfare of villagers in and around the estate. Louisa carried out these tasks conscientiously, visiting the inmates of the workhouse and villagers who were ill or old in their old 28. E.A.Pratt, A Woman’s Work for Women (1898), p. 47. 29. ‘New Employments’, supra, pp. 578, 580. See also D.Rubenstein, Before the Suffragettes. Women’s Emancipation in the 1890s (1986), p. 70 ff. 30. Women’s Penny Paper, 9 Aug. 1890, p. 493. One recent writer, in reviewing the activities of Lady Knightley and her colleagues, has remarked, ‘Conservatism offered women not a feminine perspective but a seemingly gender-neutered activism.’ P.Levine, Feminist Lives in Victorian England. Private Roles and Public Commitment (1990), p. 39. 31. LMK, ‘The Midlands’, Murray’s Magazine, 25, 5, 1889, p. 99. 32. Ibid, p. 106.

Introduction

7

homes. In 1895 she collaborated with Adeline Pym, who was closely involved in the work of the Navvy Mission Society, in providing a reading room for the workers when the East and West Junction Railway was being built through the county.33 Her compassion for the afflicted and disabled, based on firm Christian belief, extended outside of Northamptonshire to an unusually deserving case, Joseph Merrick, the socalled ‘Elephant Man’. Merrick’s plight was brought to the public’s notice in November 1886 when a letter from the chairman of the London Hospital appeared in The Times, appealing for subscriptions in order to admit Merrick as a permanent inmate. Frederick Treves, a leading surgeon who was responsible for Merrick, on hearing that his patient wished to have a holiday in the country, hoped to make this possible. Louisa offered suitable accommodation on the Fawsley estate and this was accepted.34 Merrick spent three delightful holidays there in 1887, 1888 and 1889, and Louisa paid several visits to him. ‘Merrick has such nice brown eyes;’ she recorded in her Journal after one such visit. ‘I looked straight into them—but he is very awful to behold.’35 Early in 1890, Merrick died in his sleep at the age of 27. Louisa’s involvement with the GFS provided her with the opportunity to make speeches to a number of different groups. According to eye witnesses, she was a born speaker, with a simple and dignified manner, who effectively expressed herself.36 Rainald disliked his wife’s appearances on public platforms. Julia Cartwright remarked that his old-fashioned notions and fastidious tastes were shocked by many of her activities, though she managed with patience and tact to overcome his opposition. Politics had always been of great interest to her. Louisa had read her first debate in the Commons in The Times when she was 16 and subsequently rarely let a day go by without following events. In a later newspaper interview, she stated that she began as a Whig.37 In October 1868 with a general election approaching, she wrote in her Journal, ‘I must confess the Rads. are the only thoroughly consistent people now—they know what they want, and they mean to have it.’38 After her marriage, however, she became a staunch Conservative, though she remained a candid and effective critic of both major parties throughout her life. It was even claimed that at one time she was a frequent contributor to the Northamptonshire Guardian, a Radical newspaper, inspiring the editor Samuel Smith Campion in the 1880s to write leaders attacking both Whigs and Tories.39 By the time Louisa began her Journal for 1885, Rainald had experienced no fewer than eight elections, three of which had been unopposed—1859, 1874 and 1880. Many of his campaigns had been characterised by disputes, not only with the Liberals but also with his own party. In his first contest in 1852, Rainald assumed that he would automatically 33. Entry, 28 Sept. 1895, and J.W.Anscomb, ‘Woodford Halse. The Village with a Heart of Steam’, N P and P, 6, 1, 1982–3, pp. 344–6. 34. Sir F.Treves, The Elephant Man and Other Reminiscences (1923), p. 33. 35. Entry, 9 Sept. 1887. 36. Ady, Journals, p. 293. 37. Women’s Penny Paper, 9 Aug. 1890, p. 493. 38. LMK, 2 Oct. 1868, K 2892. 39. Journal of the Northamptonshire Natural History Society and Field Club, Dec. 1913, p. 144.

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succeed his father for one of the two South Northamptonshire seats. However, much to his chagrin, Colonel William Cartwright of Flore Hall had decided to stand and Rainald withdrew in a huff. With disaster looming, Cartwright was persuaded to stand down.40 Rainald threatened once more to withdraw from the contest in 1868 because of a dispute with the other Conservative candidate, Colonel Henry Cartwright. A meeting of Cartwright’s supporters took place at Blisworth to protest at Rainald’s refusal to agree to a joint address to the voters. In reply, Rainald pointed out that both he and his father had fought all their elections at their own expense. ‘I was quite prepared to do so again,’ he replied in an open letter to the electors of South Northamptonshire, ‘but to be forced into a coalition for the sole object of assisting a colleague, and then to be told that it “is clear that I have no claim or any share whatsoever of the subscription” raised for the purposes of the election, is an insult which no man of honour would submit to.′41 To the astonishment of fellow Conservatives, Rainald published the correspondence in the columns of the Northampton Mercury and Cartwright subsequently withdrew from the contest ‘because of a serious dispute with Sir Rainald Knightley.’ Up to the last moment, it seemed that Rainald would be the sole Conservative candidate against the Liberal, Lord Frederick FitzRoy. However, very late in the day Major Fairfax Cartwright of Aynhoe announced his candidature and was elected with only 17 votes fewer than Rainald, thus squeezing out FitzRoy.42 Cartwright retained his seat until his death in 1881. In his acceptance speech after the 1868 election, Rainald called the Second Reform Bill ‘one of the most dangerous leaps in the dark ever taken by statesmen.’ He had objected to lowering the qualification for the franchise in the boroughs43 and in the Commons had spoken against extending the right to vote to the counties.44 Rainald had raised the ‘No Popery’ and the ‘Church in Danger’ cry over the Irish Church Bill during the campaign and had earlier opposed the election of Jews as Members of Parliament. As Rainald himself told an election meeting nearly 20 years later, ‘He believed he knew very well he was a Constitutional Conservative. They might call him an old Tory if they liked, 40. A good Tory, the Revd. Sir Frederick Robinson, objected to the votes being considered as ‘heirlooms of the house of Fawsley. If they [the electors] are content to be handed over to Mr. Rainald Knightley, as a flock of sheep taken at a valuation by an incoming tenant, be it so.’ NH, 26 June 1852, p. 3. 41. NM, 15 Aug. 1868, p. 5. 42. Rainald told his election agent, ‘I found the wish so strong amongst my best friends that I should join Major Cartwright that I have agreed to do so … It is a bitter pill for me to swallow but it would have broken up the party for ever if I had declined.’ Sir Rainald Knightley to William Willoughby, July 1868, D3275, NRO. 43. Sir Rainald Knightley to Disraeli, 1 Feb. 1865, Beaconsfield Papers, B/XII/K/155. 44. Hansard, 3, 174, col. 928, 13 April 1864 and Hansard, 3, 174, col. 403, 14 June 1866. See also M.Cowling, 1867. Disraeli, Gladstone and Revolution The Passing of the Second Reform Bill (1967), p. 183. After attending a meeting of his party at the Carlton Club on 28 Feb. 1867, Rainald wrote to the fourth Marquess of Bath, a fellow opponent of the Bill, ‘No two men agreed about anything and we separated without settling about any one point. I don’t think the present Government will carry the bill. I think they will break up before long and if they do then will be the time to intimate to Gladstone that if he will be moderate and lean on the Cave instead of on Bright, that he will get a good deal of support from our side against Disraeli and the radicals.’ Sir Rainald Knightley to the Marquess of Bath, 3 March 1867, Longleat Papers.

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and he would not refute the appellation, but he hoped they would not call him a Tory Democrat as he had not the vaguest conception of what that was supposed to be.’45 When Gladstone’s government was defeated on the Budget in the Commons in June 1885, Lord Salisbury undertook the task of forming a Conservative administration. Rainald wrote to Salisbury on behalf of ‘the old experienced independent members’ warning him not fall into the trap laid by Gladstone of accepting office at that time.46 However, ten days later, Louisa noted: ‘It is all settled—our people take office and R. is in despair. One can only hope it will turn out better than he expects.’47 Parliament prorogued on 14 August, but the campaign for the general election had already begun in earnest. The 1885 election was the first which Rainald had fought since the introduction of the secret ballot and he was also faced with a widened electorate. Rainald’s opponent, Sir Maurice FitzGerald, was an Irishman with considerable estates as well as a castle in County Wexford. He was handicapped by the fact that he was a newcomer to Northamptonshire, in contrast to Rainald who, besides being a good landlord had been a representative of the county in Parliament for some 33 years. Nevertheless, Fitzgerald began his campaign as early as 24 April, holding meetings in most of the villages in the constituency. In contrast, Rainald delayed his appearance before the electorate until August. The Radical newspaper, the Northamptonshire Guardian, pointed out that during the whole of Rainald’s parliamentary career his intercourse with the Division has been so restricted—his visits, like angels’ visits, have been so few and so far between—that to the great bulk of his constituency his personality has been an enigma. He has been a sort of political Buddha, for whom conventional worship has been encouraged by the Tories of ‘the good old school’, but whose existence has been veiled in the dim haze of the distance. Knightley responded to this criticism by pleading that, as a most conscientious performer of parliamentary duties, it was impossible for him to be in two places at once, though he admitted to a questioner at a later meeting that out of 266 divisions taken in the House of Commons during the 1885 session, he had been present at only 24 of them.49 Rainald had good reason to be apprehensive about his prospects in the constituency. The Franchise and Redistribution Acts of 1884 and 1885 had brought about important electoral changes. Household suffrage more than trebled in Northampton-shire and increased the occupational vote eightfold. With the franchise now given to the agricultural labourer, there was no automatic guarantee of loyalty to local landlords standing for election. In addition, the boundaries, as well as the names, of the four divisions in the county were changed. The Southern division, renamed South Northamptonshire (Towcester), a predominantly rural constituency with some of the 45. Northampton Daily Chronicle, 12 Aug. 1885, p.3. 46. Sir Rainald Knightley to Lord Salisbury, 13 June 1885, Hatfield House Papers, 3M/E. 47. Entry, 23 June 1885. 48. Northamptonshire Guardian, 15 Aug. 1885, p. 4. 49. NM, 26 Sept. 1885, p. 8.

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poorest land in the county, contained market towns such as Brackley and Daventry, where Liberalism had a presence; from 1885 it included more villages in the south and parts of Banbury which were strongly Liberal. Up to this time, two members were returned for each division: now it was changed to one. There had been no contested election in the constituency since 1868 and although South Northamptonshire had long enjoyed the reputation of being a Conservative stronghold, the winning margins had been small when there was a Liberal candidate. A new element in this election was that the candidates found it necessary to make personal visits to numerous villages in order to introduce themselves to the new electorate. Faced with this situation, it is not surprising, as Louisa recorded on 7 August, ‘R. went groaning off for the first of his meetings at Brackley.’ Rainald’s poor state of health and his age (he was then 66) combined with his reluctance to make more than the bare essential number of appearances on public platforms during the election would have lessened his chances at the polls. Drastic action was called for. On 29 July, Louisa wrote in her Journal: And now—tomorrow I embark on my electioneering campaign. Of course, to help my own darling husband is my strongest motive, but from the bottom of my heart, I do believe that the cause he will support is the cause of religion, of liberty, and of prosperity for this country and every class of its inhabitants, and with a perfectly clear conscience I can set about what to me is an utterly new and strange undertaking. Fawsley became the centre of intensive canvassing of neighbouring villages in the next few months and by the end of October, Louisa had completed the canvassing of every village in the division. This was undertaken with some tentativeness as she recalled hearing from local ladies two years previously that many of the Charwelton men were followers of Bradlaugh. Louisa commented, ‘Evidently, these wild communistic doctrines about the division of the land etc. have penetrated even into these villages, and what the result will be when the labourers have the vote it is very hard to tell.’50 She was sometimes shocked by the living conditions of some of the poor on such visits. After a successful canvass of Towcester, she candidly noted, ‘Some very radical shoe makers in some horrid little Courts down at the bottom of the town. I should be Radical myself if I lived in such holes.’51 The new forms of electioneering employed by both parties had an unintended effect on many of the electorate. ‘Really, truly,’ she declared on 14 November, ‘I think the poor agricultural labourer is most anxious to do what is right, but he is so bombarded with leaflets and speeches on either side that knowing little about the matter, he is fairly bewildered.’ Louisa quickly became aware of the unpredictability of people’s voting habits. Four years later she wrote, ‘There is often a curious antagonism between neighbouring villages, and one will vote “blue” almost to a man; while the next, under what seem precisely similar conditions, would be shrewdly surmised to vote “red” with equal equanimity.’52 50. LMK, 13 Nov. 1883, K 2900. 51. Entry, 2 Nov. 1885. 52. ‘The Midlands’, op.cit., p. 100–1.

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Louisa’s activities, not surprisingly, attracted criticism from Liberal and radical quarters. The Northampton Mercury stated that ‘a phenomenal degree of pressure has been exerted upon the agricultural voter—the canvassing of Lady Knightley—often in the presence of the man’s employer, has been an important factor.′53 Commenting on the satisfactory results of Louisa’s canvassing, one correspondent wrote, ‘I do not doubt it, but the question is, dare the poor people in these villages answer the wife of Sir Rainald in other than a satisfactory manner?’54 However, much of her success was due to cultivating places such as Daventry and Brackley rather than the known safe Conservative areas.55 Louisa was also responsible for putting her husband’s election address into shape56 and he praised her electioneering achievements at various meetings. Somewhat patronisingly, Rainald told the electors of Helmdon that ‘she was also well known amongst them, as she was often to be found among the poor, shedding a ray of light and making their lives more pleasurable in many ways.’57 On one occasion, Louisa’s work was spectacularly challenged by Thomas Judge, the Radical Brackley grocer. At a meeting at Silverstone in October, Judge, referring to the notorious Westminster Election of 1784 when Georgiana, wife of the fifth Duke of Devonshire, was supposed to have given kisses to those who promised their votes to Charles James Fox, asked, amidst uproar, ‘How many butchers had Lady Knightley kissed, or how many does she intend to kiss?’ The Northampton Herald’s report continued: The Chairman (indignantly): I appeal to you whether after this gross insult, you will allow this man (pointing to Mr. Judge) to go on. (Loud cries of ‘No’, ‘Chuck him out’, ‘Butterine’, and ‘Old weigh sugar’.) The meeting was now at the highest pitch of excitement, and some supporters of Sir Rainald moved towards Mr. Judge with the intention of carrying him out of the building. This attempt, it is understood, would have been resisted by Mr. Judge’s admirers, who, it is stated, with good authority, came armed with clubs. When comparative order had been restored, Sir Rainald, addressing Mr. Judge, said: ‘No man in Northamptonshire until this evening has been such a gross blackguard as to insult my wife’ (Cheers).58 Conservative sympathisers turned out in large numbers at subsequent election meetings and were frequently reminded of this incident. On election day itself voting was heavy, with a poll of almost 85 per cent. of the electorate in the division. The counting took place at Towcester Town Hall on 28 November and after a recount, the result was declared. It was a narrow victory for Rainald—4074 as against FitzGerald’s 4012—and one which would probably not have been achieved without Louisa’s assistance. Writing 53. NM, 5 Dec. 1885, p. 5. 54. NM, 29 Aug. 1885, p. 3. 55. M.Pugh, The Tories and the People, 1880–1935 (1985), p. 110. 56. Entry, 20 Nov. 1885. 57. NH, 17 Oct. 1885, supp., p.2. 58. NH, 24 Oct. 1885, supp., p. 2.

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in 1893, W. Ryland Adkins, himself a Liberal, said of her, ‘Lady Knightley is almost the only lady in the county who has gained in influence and consideration by active political work. Her energy and ability are widely known, and it is the fashion to say that to her Sir Rainald owed his seat in 1885 and 1886.′59 Much of the success of the campaign can be attributed to the efficient organisation of the canvass, a direct consequence of the founding of the Primrose League. After the general election of 1880, when Conservative fortunes were at a low ebb, Sir Henry Drummond Wolff, one of the group of M.P.s belonging to the Fourth Party, after seeing Conservatives wearing primroses on the anniversary of Lord Beaconsfield’s death, conceived the idea of forming a League which was to ‘embrace all classes and creeds except atheists and enemies of the British Empire’, whilst its creed was ‘the maintenance of religion, and of the Constitution of the realm, and of the Imperial ascendancy of Great Britain’. On 17 November 1883, the Primrose League was founded. It consisted initially of Wolff, Randolph Churchill, Sir John Gorst and Sir Alfred Slade. The Corrupt Electoral Practices Act of 1883 had limited the amount of money which a parliamentary candidate could spend and it effectively eliminated paid canvassing.60 The League, therefore, would encourage the enrolment of friends into small groups, called ‘habitations’, which would promote Conservative principles and become active bodies during election campaigns. Upon payment of a half a crown, the male recruit received a diploma of Knight Harbinger and together with 12 other ‘Knights’, could form a habitation. An election for a Ruling Councillor was followed by the appointment of secretary, treasurer and wardens. Lord Glenesk, one of the early members of the League, stated that ‘the most remarkable, however, of this stirring political development has been for the first time in our history, women have taken an active part in the controversies hitherto reserved for men.’ Glenesk attributed the League’s immediate success to Radicalism and Fenianism: Women, with an instinct peculiarly their own, divined at once the dangers involved in the new doctrines and theories—perceived that if churches were to be overthrown, education divorced from religion, property held to ransom, the Constitution to be riven asunder, England must be in the presence of as serious a revolution as ever threatened social order or preceded the Reign of Terror. The women of England speedily adopted the Primrose banner, and the dames, armed with sweet influence and persuasive eloquence, boldly came forward to take their share in the labours of the organisation.61 From its beginnings, the League admitted women as honorary members and Louisa was enrolled as a Dame of the Primrose League at Buckingham Palace House by Lady Wimborne, Randolph Churchill’s eldest sister. Ever a realist, Louisa remarked, ‘It all sounds rubbish but the objects are excellent, and I can quite believe that the paraphernalia 59. W.R.D.Adkins, Our County (1893), pp.20–1. 60. J.H.Robb, The Primrose League, 1883–1906 (1942), p. 96. 61. Lord Glenesk, ‘The Primrose League’, Nineteenth Century, 20, July 1886, p. 37.

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helps to keep the Conservatives together; means, in short, an army of unpaid canvassers.′62 The League mobilised upper-class women who had previously channelled their energies into philanthropic, religious and educational work. By the time of the 1885 general election, many women were involved in canvassing, preparing electoral registers and distributing party propaganda.63 It was probably Louisa’s contact with the Primrose League which inspired her in August 1885 to establish the Daventry Ladies’ Committee which included about 30 wives of the leading tradespeople in the town. They agreed to divide Daventry into districts ‘two to go with me in each’, thus ensuring a thorough coverage. A further incentive to join in these activities was an invitation to a large dinner party at Fawsley to celebrate the creation of the Committee; amongst the guests were some of the leading helpers, including the Lowndes, Collyers, Gilbertsons, Athertons and Forsters. The initiative for establishing the Daventry (Knightley) Habitation also came from Louisa.64 Its inaugural meeting did not officially take place until 8 October, although according to Primrose League records, it was registered on 2 September. The five weeks’ silence between the founding and the opening of the branch may have been deliberate in order not to draw the attention of the Liberals to this new development. At the inaugural meeting of the Knightley Habitation, held at Daventry, the speaker, who had been sent from London for the occasion, warned the audience of the scoff and derision to which the League had been subjected (The Northampton Mercury renamed it The Rural Intimidation Society’).65 He claimed, however, that there were as many as 60,000 men and women in the movement and expressed the hope that ‘each member of the habitation might become the centre of a bunch of primroses′.66 By the time of the general election of 1886 which followed Gladstone’s defeat on the Irish Home Rule Bill, the influence of the Primrose League was making itself widely felt, especially in rural areas. The widespread apathy of the agricultural workers on the Irish issue and their concern at the worsening agricultural situation also helped the Conservative cause. In the comparatively brief election campaign in South Northamptonshire, where a Scotsman, Sir James Carmichael, was nominated by the Liberals to oppose Rainald, Louisa once more organised canvassing in the division. She reported on 29 June of ‘hearing in every direction of disgusted Liberals who intend to help us’.67 On the following day she made her first electioneering speech, chiefly about boycotting in Ireland, at a friendly, informal meeting of Charwelton people. At the end, in her own words, ‘One man, after promising his vote, begging me not to say he had done so, gave me a great prod with the end of his pitchfork to reiterate his wish for 62. Entry, 12 May 1885. 63. J.Lovenduski, P.Norris and C.Burness, ‘The Party and Women,’ in A. Seldon and C.Burness (eds), Conservative Century (1994), pp. 617–18. 64. See the address of Col J.H.Lowndes, the Habitation’s Ruling Councillor, NH, 10 Oct. 1885, p. 3. 65. NM, 5 Dec 1885, p. 5. 66. Northampton Daily Chronicle, 10 Oct. 1885, p.3. 67. Entry, 30 June 1886.

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silence.’ On 7 July, Rainald was returned with an increased majority, attracting 4003 votes to Carmichael’s 3687. Although Louisa’s electioneering venture had resulted in success, she had learnt some of the difficulties facing the traditional squire in rural areas now that the nature of the electorate had changed so dramatically. In a Primrose League address in 1888, she gave her considered reply to calls by the Spectator to ban canvassing: To endeavour to prohibit it, open, avowed canvassing would be most useful to the Conservative party, already heavily handicapped by the fact that in every village the Radicals have the advantage of a resident canvasser, going in and out among the people continually, often one of themselves, whose influence is constantly being exercised for the benefit of that party—I mean the Dissenting minister. Rightly or wrongly the clergy, with few exceptions, say that they are the clergy of the National Church, which belongs to no party, and therefore they refuse to take part in any directly political work, with the anomalous result that the party on whose banners Church defence is inscribed gets comparatively little help from the officers of the army for whose maintenance they are contending. But the Dissenting minister has no such scruples. Louisa also expounded on ‘the importance of sound, wholesome political literature,’ reflecting on the importance of the readership of local newspapers, obviously with Northamptonshire in mind: As far as rural districts are concerned, the local press is of far more importance than the London press. For one cottage where you see a London weekly, you find twenty where the local journal is taken in—and the circulation depends a good deal more on the price than the politics. It is a real misfortune when the Conservative paper is 2d. and the Radical one 1d., and I cannot help thinking it is a misfortune which a little energy and public spirit might easily remedy. May I venture to suggest that we should ourselves make a point of studying the local Radical organ? It is of great importance to know what, week by week, is being told to and read by those whom we are anxious to influence, and who, alas! are not likely to see the needful contradictions unless we take pains to supply them either by disseminating leaflets or in some other way.68 The idea of forming a central organisation, the Ladies’ Grand Council (LGC), equivalent but subordinate to the all-male Grand Council, whose Grand Master was Lord Salisbury, the Prime Minister, originated from a meeting of society women convened by Lady Glenesk and Lady Wimborne almost two years after the League was founded. Its object was to 68. Women’s Penny Paper, 23 March 1889, p. 6. 69. R.Bennett, ‘The Primrose League’, lady’s Realm, 1897, p. 571.

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increase the income available for the expensive work of the League. The only entry qualification was the annual payment of a guinea. By 1896, the Council was contributing some £800 a year to the funds of the League.70 Although never a large body compared with the total number of League members, it nevertheless played an important role in furthering the Conservative cause by producing and distributing leaflets, financing Primrose speakers and vans equipped with magic lanterns for rural areas. In May 1890, Louisa was invited to address the Council’s annual general meeting, where she suggested that county meetings should be organised to discuss political and social questions of the day.71 An Executive Committee of the LGC was established to carry out these tasks. Consisting of 15 members rotating every third year, the Committee was elected by the LGC as a whole. Louisa, who was a member of the Executive for the rest of her life except for a gap between 1907 and 1910, relished these elections and her triumphs over rivals, as the Journals show. She also became a member of the Joint Literature Committee which supervised the publication of the League’s pamphlets and leaflets. Louisa was the author of one on Registration, and it was planned to translate it into Welsh.72 When the annual meeting of the LGC complained of the unattractiveness of the League’s official publication, the Primrose League Gazette, it was Louisa who was deputed to attend a meeting of the Gazette Committee to represent their views.73 The Primrose Herald, a monthly journal first published in 1892, was intended to appeal to a wider audience than the Gazette. At Louisa’s suggestion a ‘Local News Sheet’ was inserted into issues of the journal and she took the opportunity of frequently reporting on events taking place in the Fawsley Habitation. The Executive Committee highly commended her for this initiative, 74 and though she urged others to follow, few did so. The Herald ceased publication within five years.75 One other important body on which she served was the Joint Consultative Committee, consisting of three men and five women, which was established as a result of friction between the Grand Council and the LGC over their respective areas of responsibility.76 The League was phenomenally successful in attracting women members. In 1885 the number of Dames was 1381: by the following year it was 23, 381 and at the end of the century, 62, 942. By 1899, the total membership of the League was almost one and a half million.77 Fawsley was frequently the venue of Primrose League fêtes, which attracted large numbers from the villages in the area and from Daventry. These meetings were a useful source of recruitment to the movement. In August 1898, four habitations,—Knightley (Daventry), Dryden (Canons Ashby), Beatrice (Byfield) and Southam (Warwickshire)— 70. PLG, 1 July 1896, p. 6. 71. PLG, 24 May 1890, p.3. 72. PL, Ladies’ Grand Council Minute Book, 15 June 1894, PL MS 13, pp. 33–4, Bodleian Library, Oxford University. 73. Ibid, 31 May 1889, PL MS 11, p. 224. 74. Ibid, 14 June 1895, PL MS 13, pp.54–5. 75. The journal changed its name to the Primrose Herald and Patriot in 1896. It closed in July 1897. 76. Robb, op.cit, p. 111. 77. PLG, 1 Sept. 1899, p. 9.

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joined together to hold a fête at Fawsley. The Primrose League Gazette later reported on its success: The attendance was numbered by thousands, the large majority intelligent toilers; and the dainty primrose—emblem of a vast and influential organisation—shone conspicuously on almost all present. Nor were Primrose League decorations—prized as honourable recognitions of honest and conscientious service—scarce, or confined to one class: and the pride with which they were worn and treasured is a sufficient answer to the paltry Radical gibe regarding their worth. Everyone was happy, the classes were brought together under the happiest auspices, and the good feeling prevailing was as striking as it was characteristic of Primroseism. Agencies for amusement were as numerous as varied, almost every taste being catered for, and the result was a general satisfaction. In one part of the field a programme of sports, with items amusing as well as athletic, commanded the attention of a large number; those interested in practical adaptation of a new invention rode about on motor cars supplied by Messrs. Sleath, Leamington; others patronised roundabouts, swings, shooting galleries, and etc; while still others roamed enchanted through the beautiful grounds so kindly lent by Lady Knightley of Fawsley, or enjoyed the pleasures of social chat. There was also a large audience to hear two clever comediettas—played in fine style by Mr. Reginald Bennett and Miss Mary Johnston—and to see Professor Herman’s (Leamington) clever conjuring performance; while a reading, given by Lady Knightley of Fawsley, was not less appreciated. Another source of amusement largely indulged in was dancing, to the strains of the Daventry Band, which, in addition to playing for dancing, gave very creditable selections.78 These occasions were also marked by speech-making on political topics of the day and Louisa was a regular contributor.79 She was active in the establishment of a Divisional Council, a forum for the various habitations of the county, at Towcester in November 1887. Although each habitation at first was governed by a male Ruling Councillor, Louisa’s endeavours for the movement were recognised when she was awarded the League’s Grand Star (second grade) in 1888, when the Knightley Habitation consisted of 850 members. In the previous year, she had been elected Dame President of the habitation. With changes in the League’s constitution which recognised the important role played by women, Louisa was able to succeed Colonel John Lowndes on his death in 1909 as the Knightley Habitation’s Ruling Councillor. By this time, however, the 78. PLG, 1 Sept. 1898, p. 7. Music played an important part in the League’s activities. Choirs were established to perform at habitation meetings and at national gatherings. The ladies of the Hastings and St. Leonards Habitation formed a band in 1889 and gave concerts at one meeting ‘with pleasing effect and amidst much applause.’ Women’s Penny Paper, 9 Feb. 1889, p.3. 79. The Primrose League provided the opportunity for many women to become accomplished platform speakers. For details, see Lady Greville, The Gentlewoman in Society (1892), p. 161–2.

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Conservatives were out of office and enthusiasm for the League diminished. Nine years later, after women first got the vote, the organization no longer attracted large numbers to its ranks. Louisa saw the young as a potential source of future recruits and she encouraged the promotion of a cadet group in her habitation. From 1889, Primrose Buds, juvenile branches of the Primrose League, made their appearance in various parts of the country. Recruited from the age of seven, boys and girls indulged in a variety of activities ranging from maypole dancing to appearing in tableaux of Britannia and the Colonies. Quizzes were held on ‘subjects of historical and national importance’ for which prizes were awarded and lectures on patriotism were given at branch meetings. In 1903, the 50 members of the Juvenile Branch of the Knightley Habitation were taken by brakes to Towcester for boating and other amusements, followed by a picnic and the inevitable speeches.80 Not all such occasions were pleasurable. After entertaining to tea in the riding school 30 Primrose Buds from Daventry, Louisa remarked that they were ‘ill-mannered little toads enough.’81 Another useful aspect of the League’s activities was the Primrose Cycling Corps whose members acted as messengers at committee rooms in general elections and who called on voters.82 Louisa’s skills as an orator were developed at the many fêtes and Primrose League meetings which she attended during her 28 years in the movement. Only a few weeks before her death, she addressed a large audience at Daventry on the topics of Home Rule and Welsh Disestablishment83 There was one issue on which Louisa strongly disagreed with the League: votes for women. As late as March 1907, the Primrose League Gazette stated, in reply to a request from a correspondent for a debate in its columns on this issue, that ‘Women’s suffrage is outside the scope of the Primrose League, and in no way affects our three principles.’84 Louisa had been an ardent supporter of the movement for women’s suffrage since January 1867 after a discussion with her two cousins, Louisa and Jessie Boucherett, both of whom were active in the field of women’s rights. Louisa recalled at a suffrage meeting in 1912 that ‘she would never forget one Sunday afternoon in an old Lincolnshire country house [when] she first received their arguments with incredulity and astonishment, but it did not take long to convince her of the justice of the cause.’85 In her Journal at the time she wrote: Willingham, January 5, 1867. They told me some curious facts—the right of women to vote in Yorkshire under the House of Lancaster, their present right to vote in Sweden and Austria (much good has it done them there!), their right to vote in parts of France before the Revolution—a right of which they have since been deprived. Apparently aristocracies are more 80. PLG, Oct. 1903, p. 16. 81. LMK, 8 Sept. 1901, K 2914. 82. Primrose Herald and Patriot, Sept. 1896, p. 136. 83. NH, 15 Aug. 1913, p. 3. 84. PLG, March 1907, p. 20. 85. NM, 7 June, 1912, p. 4.

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favourable to women’s rights than democracies. I am not quite sure about it, and fear that in Roman Catholic countries female franchise would only give more votes to the party of the priests. Women are such fools, I believe even here half of them would vote as their parson or apothecary bade them. Jessie says, ‘Enfranchise them, and they will obtain a better education.’ I should be tempted to get the education first.86 Rainald loyally supported Louisa in her views and became an advocate of women’s suffrage, first voting for it in the Commons in 1872.87 Several bills failed to reached the statute book and there was a strong anti-suffrage campaign mounted by women. They used a variety of arguments to undermine the cause, claiming that governing the country was best left to the stronger sex, that as women were incapable of becoming soldiers, this made them ineligible to vote, and that if they were given the franchise it would disrupt home life. Louisa scathingly dismissed these criticisms at a speech on women’s suffrage in Northampton in 1893: It had been said that the ultimate source of power is force, and that women ought not to have the vote because they are incapable of bearing arms. If they were going to eliminate from the ranks of the electors everyone who was incapable of bearing arms, there would be a much less crowd at the polling station at the next election…People talk a great deal about it being unwomanly to have the franchise. When they considered that possessing the franchise and recording the vote required nothing more formidable than a drive or a walk to the polling-booth once in four or five or six years, they could see nothing in the slightest degree unwomanly in that. It did not take a woman from her house further or longer than a tennis party. Moreover, the experiment had been tried. Women had already votes for County Councils, municipal elections and School Boards, and her ladyship had not yet ascertained that any of those dire and dreadful circumstances had followed their having their share in the government of the country.88 An earlier setback to the movement had followed the judgment in the case of Regina v. Harrold (1872) where it was decided that only unmarried women could have the vote at municipal elections.89 Louisa was moved to remark, as she accompanied Rainald to the polling booth at Badby in November 1885 and saw there the recently-enfranchised agricultural workers, ‘Then he [Rainald] voted for himself while I waited outside and felt, for the first time personally, the utter anomaly of my not having a vote, while Joe Bull has!’90

86. Ady, Journals, pp. 129–30. 87. The second reading of the Women’s Disabilities Bill was defeated by 222 votes to 143. Hansard, 3, 211, col. 70, 1 May 1872. 88. NM, 10 Nov. 1893, p. 7. 89. P.Hollis, Ladies Elect. Women in English Local Government, 1865–1914 (1987), p. 7. 90. Entry, 27 Nov. 1885.

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A more optimistic pointer to the progress of the suffragist cause was the fact that a clause in the 1884 Franchise Bill, introduced by a Liberal William Woodall, and which was aimed at granting suitably-qualified women the vote, achieved a majority in the Commons for the first time though it failed to reach the statute book.91 Louisa had attempted to rally support for the clause by calling drawing room meetings in favour of women’s suffrage. ‘If only we could get some Conservative ladies to come forward’, she wrote at the time.92 By the 1890s, widening representation of women on publicly-elected bodies, such as school boards, poor law boards and parish, rural and urban district councils, strengthened the case for a parliamentary vote. Many leading Conservatives, including Lord Salisbury, were sympathetic to granting the vote but stopped short of envisaging women M.Ps. An anti-suffragist protest petition, organised by Mrs. Humphry Ward and signed by 104 ladies, was published in the Nineteenth Century in June 1889, claiming that women already exercised considerable political influence and that direct participation in national decision-making was impossible ‘either by the disabilities of sex, or by strong formations of custom and habit, resting ultimately upon physical difference, against which it is useless to contend.’93 The motive underlying this petition was the fear that, in the face of Gladstone’s opposition to women’s suffrage, a Conservative government might favour granting the vote.94 Louisa was one of the signatories of a counter-resolution printed in the Fortnightly Review. The accompanying statement commented that it was precisely because of ‘sex differences’ that women had the strongest claim to representation. ‘If men and women were exactly alike, and thought and felt alike on all subjects, if their work in the world were exactly the same, women would not suffer, and the State would not suffer from the non-representation of one part of the homogeneous mass. But being different, that wherein they differ remains unrepresented.’ Their experience of home and domestic life and other matters would be valuable in considering legislation. The petition also remarked on the conspicuous absence of working women among the anti-suffrage signatories.95 No parliamentary bills on women’s franchise were put forward between 1897 and 1904; this led to frustration and calls for direct action. The Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU) established by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters, Christabel and Sylvia, in 1903 adopted a more aggressive stance. Named ‘suffragettes’ by the Daily Mail, its members later sought publicity by attacks on politicians and property, leading often to arrest, imprisonment and forced feeding. The non-militant suffragists, of whom Louisa was one, had united their different organisations in 1897 to form the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS), led by Millicent Garrett Fawcett and 91. M.Pugh, Votes For Women (1994), pp. 22–3. Louisa witnessed the event from the gallery of the House of Commons. See LMK, 10 June 1884, K 2901. 92. LMK, 30 May 1884, K 2901. 93. ‘An Appeal Against Female Suffrage’, Nineteenth Century, 25, 148, June 1889, p. 781. For details of the anti-suffrage campaign, see B.Harrison, Separate Spheres (1978), p. 116. 94. B.Campbell, The Iron ladies (1987), p. 36. 95. ‘Woman’s Suffrage: A Reply’, Fortnightly Review, 46, 211, July 1889, p. 125.

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divided into 17 different local areas. Drawing members from across the political spectrum and committed to achieving the vote by constitutional means, the Society was readily acceptable to Louisa. She addressed branch meetings of the NUWSS on its aims. She urged the vote for women home workers and remarked that the movement was a non-party one. ‘They had many strong Radicals, and a great many Conservatives ones, like myself,’ she told an audience, ‘who felt equally strongly on the subject, and she had not the slightest doubt that when they did get the franchise the voters would be equally divided between the two parties.’96 Emulating their American counterparts, 97 the anti-suffragists formed two societies, one for men and one for women, in England in 1908. A letter written that year by Miss Hutchison Wright to the Woman’s Franchise suggested the need for a Conservative viewpoint on suffrage, and a League was swiftly formed. This grew into a larger organisation following a meeting in Belgravia of interested ladies on 6 November 1908, at which the Conservative and Unionist Women’s Franchise Association (CUWFA) was born.98 The driving force behind the Association was the Countess of Selborne, Salisbury’s daughter. Louisa, who attended the meeting and agreed with its objectives, became its first president and addressed the group on its future strategy.99 Whilst on the one hand the Association would never oppose a Conservative candidate even though he may not support women’s suffrage, on the other a number of those present complained of being bullied by Conservative Associations and Primrose League habitations for supporting the suffrage cause.100 Louisa served on the Association’s Executive and chaired and spoke at meetings in different parts of the country, devoting much effort to this work. Only a short time after the official launch, she could claim that members were enrolling at a rate of 100 a week.101 Louisa regretted the divisions between the different bodies representing women. In March 1909, she remarked that ‘everyone is either a suffragist, Right, which is us, Centre, which is Mrs. Fawcett and Lady Frances Balfour, or Left, which is Mrs. Pankhurst, or else AntiSuffragist.’102 Louisa was sensitive to the criticism that the CUWFA was concerned with preserving the interests of one class of voters only. She wrote to the Daventry Express refuting this, stating, ‘Working women, if duly qualified, have as good a right to vote as working men, especially in the present day when so much grandmotherly legislation aims at interference with the interest of working women— legislation in which they have no voice.’103 Louisa was convinced that the militants were doing harm to the cause, but met with resistance from members of the Association when she attempted to table a motion 96. South Buckinghamshire Standard, 20 March 1908, p. 8. 97. C.Bolt, The Women’s Movements in the United States and Britain from the 1790s to the 1920s (1993), p. 192. 98. CUWFA Review, Nov. 1910, p. 60. 99. DE, 12 Dec. 1908, p. 2. See also G.E.Maguire, Conservative Women. A History of Women and the Conservative Party, 1874–1997 (1998), pp.52–3. 100. Entry, 6 Nov. 1908. 101. East Berkshire Gazette, 11 Dec. 1908, p. 5. 102. Entry, 19 March 1909. Louisa wrote two 2d. pamphlets for the Association: Appeal to Conservative Voters and Women and the Vote. See CUWFA Review, Jan.-March 1914, p. 357. 103. DE, 13 Feb. 1909, p. 3.

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condemning these tactics. The difficulty of drawing strict dividing lines between the suffragists and the suffragettes was demonstrated when a number of the Executive opposed Louisa’s motion. These included people such as Lady Betty Balfour, whose sister, Lady Constant Lytton, had been in prison.104 Nevertheless, shortly before her death, Louisa wrote a brief letter to The Times, holding firm to her own views: ‘The end justifies the means’ is a Jesuitical doctrine which we have all been taught to reprobate. The end—the suffrage for women—is most desirable, and will be attained in time, but the means adopted by the militants are most reprehensible, and have put back the cause for many years. It can never be right to do wrong that good may come.105 Louisa, ‘with the greatest regret’, decided to resign as president of the Association in 1910 because of her increasing involvement in Empire migration, though she remained a vice-president106 and retained a close interest in women’s suffrage. Life at Fawsley with Rainald was never dull. She was party to the latest political news and rumours which Rainald brought back from Westminster and she recorded them in detail in her Journal. Both Louisa and Rainald would have preferred Goschen to Salisbury as Conservative Prime Minister in June 1885. In the hope of delaying the formation of a new Cabinet, Rainald voted with 30 other older Members against amendments on the Distribution Bill from the Lords, though Louisa did not approve of this action. When it seemed likely that Salisbury could not take office because of Gladstone’s actions, ‘Rainald came in and danced a literal hornpipe in my room at 1.30a.m., saying the whole thing was busted up.’107 Rainald further incurred the wrath of his Party when he refused to go up to Parliament to vote on Jesse Collings’s ‘three acres and a cow’ amendment in January 1886 which led to the downfall of the Government.108 Rainald had been advocating land reform and allotments in his election address and he was strongly supported on this matter by Louisa. Increasing frailty did not deter Rainald from speaking out on matters of principle. For example, at a party meeting at the Foreign Office in February 1887, Rainald favoured the use of the closure by a proportional majority in the Commons and reprimanded the Government for supporting in office what they had violently objected to in Opposition.109 A fellow M.P. noted that the meeting was spoiled by ‘two garrulous elderly gentlemen’, Sir Rainald Knightley and Sir Richard Paget: ‘a meeting like this did not want to hear them. So they were a good deal interrupted.’110 104. Entry, 27 Oct. 1909. 105. The Times, 30 June 1913, p. 10. 106. CUWFA Review, Aug. 1910, p. 43. 107. Entry, 20 June 1885. See also A.B.Cooke and J.Vincent, The Governing Passion (1974), p. 267. 108. Julia Cartwright recorded on 28 Jan. 1886, ‘Went back from Byfield where the people were angry with Sir Rainald for being absent from the division and he is mentioned as the one Conservative absent without reason in all the papers.’ Julia Cartwright Journals, Cartwright of Edgcote Papers, C.E. 370. 109. LMK, 25 Feb. 1887, K 2902. 110. Sir R.Temple, Letters and Character Sketches From the House of Commons (1912), p. 231.

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In October 1890, Rainald announced that because of advancing years he would not seek re-election to the Commons at the next general election. He wrote to Salisbury in January 1892: As an old political friend and steady supporter of yours—though not always of your predecessors—I may just mention that having always taken great interest in politics I should be sorry to be quite ‘out of the hunt’—and should rather like to have a seat in your House. It would only be a Life Peerage for one very short life as I am seventy-two years of age and have no children.111 When the Conservatives left office in August the same year, Rainald’s wish was granted and he took the title of Baron Knightley of Fawsley. The announcement took people by surprise as it was well-known that his father, Sir Charles, had twice turned down the offer of a peerage. The journal The World claimed that Rainald’s acceptance was ‘in order to please his clever and popular wife.’112 Ryland Adkins, in a sketch of Rainald published about this time, offered a more generous explanation. He argued that ‘as a habitué of Westminster for forty years, exclusion from that fascinating arena would have been insupportable.’ A seat in the Lords provided a suitable alternative.113 Like many other Tory squires, he was deeply suspicious of the 1888 County Councils Act which transferred responsibility for the operation of local government from county magistrates to elected County Councils. As a magistrate of long-standing, Rainald addressed the issue at Northamptonshire Quarter Sessions in April 1888, urging county magistrates to put themselves forward as candidates and warning that ‘if county magistrates, who had time at their disposal and had had experience should hold aloof, he was greatly afraid that affairs would get into the hands of a very inferior class of persons, who pay little or no rates themselves, and no doubt, will be anxious and quite ready to spend other people’s money.’114 Rainald was elected alderman for the first Northamptonshire County Council in January 1889. Three years later, he was once more nominated and in the event tied with two Liberal candidates for the last remaining seat. When Lord Spencer, the Liberal chairman, gave his casting vote to one of the Liberals, there was a great outcry from the Conservatives on the Council. Rainald regained his seat in March 1895 following the death of Samuel Dunkley, the Liberal alderman115 but, as with his parliamentary career, he was an irregular attender and made few contributions to the proceedings. One of the most pressing problems facing Louisa and Rainald during this period was the loss of income resulting from the agricultural depression which began in 1879. This had come about because of the low prices of corn, beef and mutton due to foreign imports. As the Assistant Commissioner to the Royal Commission on Agriculture who 111. Sir Rainald Knightley to Lord Salisbury, 30 Jan. 1892, Hatfield House Papers, 3M/E. 112. The World, 31 Aug. 1892, p. 4. 113. Adkins, op.cit, p. 21. 114. Northamptonshire Guardian, 7 April 1888, p. 5. 115. J.Bradbury, Government and County. A History of the Northamptonshire County Council, 1889–1989 (1989), p. 16.

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surveyed Northamptonshire stated in his report, ‘With few exceptions everyone engaged in agriculture has lost money.’116 The area between Daventry and Northampton consisted of good arable and the pasture was of high quality, but both owners and tenants had suffered, the former by a steep drop in property values and the latter through depreciation in working capital and loss of reserves. Louisa described the situation at Fawsley in September 1879: Lambourne and Bolton both talking of giving up their farms was the very serious news which Mr. Waters [Rainald’s agent] brought us this morning and which has occupied us entirely ever since. To have three (including Sheppard’s) of the best farms let, one at £1000 (Lambourne’s), one at £786 (Sheppard’s) and Bolton’s at about £800, together over £2600 on one’s hands at such a time as this, is indeed a very heavy blow, and unless they can be relet at something like the same price, we cannot possibly continue to live here, for large as the nominal rent roll is (£13, 800), the margin is so small that in the best of times we can only just manage to get along.117 Two years later, at Louisa’s suggestion, Rainald invited all his tenants to the Hall and announced his intention of giving a remission of 10 per cent rent for three years. The announcement was received in almost total silence. ‘Not a symptom of cordial, genial feeling of any kind—oh, what a change since 12 years ago … I cannot disguise that we are both deeply, bitterly mortified and disappointed,’ she wrote afterwards. On the following day, Rainald felt obliged to gave an additional 10 per cent remission.118 In 1884, Louisa remarked that ‘the extraordinary absence of rain for so many months has told severely on the water supply, and wells and pools are running dry in every direction … low prices are despairing. We sold wheat this week at 29 shillings and beasts are fetching £18 and £19 after 17 months’ keep.’119 Rainald’s earlier extravagances added to the burden of debt. One casualty of the campaign to economise was the sale of their London house, 4 Grosvenor Crescent. Rainald discovered on a visit to his Daventry solicitor in August 1890 that the debt on the Fawsley property was almost £100,000, the interest on which, £4000, represented half their income. He was also obliged to execute a fresh mortgage of £31,000 in December, resulting in the postponement of Louisa’s jointure and pin money.120 At one stage, they contemplated closing Fawsley, discharging the servants and going away for a year, but this never happened.121 116. Royal Commission on Agriculture. Report of Mr. Hunter Pringle, Assistant Commissioner, on the Counties of Bedford, Huntingdon and Northampton, dated 1 Oct. 1894. P.P. 1895 xvii, p. 16. 117. LMK, 8 Sept. 1879, K 2898. 118. LMK, 16 and 17 Sept. 1881, K 2899. 119. LMK, 24 Nov. 1884, K 2901. In 1883, Rainald owned 8041 acres in Northamptonshire. J.Bateman, The Great Landowners of Great Britain and Ireland (1883 edn.), p. 256. 120. LMK, 6 Aug. and 17 Dec. 1890, K 2905. 121. In 1895, at nearby Althorp, Lord Spencer economised by closing down the house and making a world trip. ‘Rents are very bad and tenants are calling out for further help,’ he informed Rosebery. ‘It will be a relief to shut up shop here for six months.’ Spencer to Rosebery, 15 Sept. 1895, Rosebery Papers, 10062, f. 224, National Library of Scotland.

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On 8 April 1891, Louisa went to London and ‘Visited my poor darling in his little lodging in 36 Duke Street. It is so hard on him to have no home.’122 Louisa herself had begun to use the ladies’ clubs which had opened in the last two decades of the nineteenth century and which were mainly situated in and around Piccadilly. She first of all joined the Alexandra in Grafton Street, the premier ladies’ club in England with a membership of 900, including representatives of the leading families. A contemporary described it thus: ‘Strictly speaking, the Alexandra is the club which carries out the idea of such institutions for women most consistently; it is the only ladies’ club which has a rule making it impossible for members to entertain visitors of the sterner sex, and although not actually boasting of the motto “No man may enter here on pain of death”, it nevertheless enforces the rule most rigidly, and, save for the porters and footmen, no male being over the age of seven is allowed to cross the threshold.′123 Louisa eventually became its president. A close competitor was the Green Park, a club which included in its rules that ‘no lady is eligible who has been, or would probably be, excluded from attending Her Majesty’s Drawing Room.’ Less exclusive and only a few houses away was the Pioneer. Its doors were open to all classes of society with the common aim of furthering the advancement of women. One interesting feature of the club was its Thursday evening debates on current issues and social welfare which attracted many eminent speakers. Founded by an advocate of temperance, the club strictly prohibited alcohol, though a smoking room was provided for its members.124 Clubs increasingly catered for special interests; the Green Park mounted musical and dramatic entertainment given by such celebrities as Melba and Sarah Bernhardt, the Writers’ Club catered for the needs of journalists and authors, the University Club for Ladies for graduates and diploma holders, and the Sandringham for women golfers, who were also offered billiards and could receive coaching from a lady professional who was in attendance.125 A somewhat different club was the Rehearsal, which provided a temporary home for ladies of the chorus and other minor actresses who were resting between engagements. Through her own involvement with the Colonies (see below) she also joined the Ladies’ Empire Club in Grosvenor Street which was opened by Joseph Chamberlain in May 1902. Initiated by the ladies of the Victoria League, it was organised on non-political lines and provided a centre for visitors from the Colonies and those from the provinces visiting London.126 Both Louisa and Rainald visited Firle Place frequently and she always regretted when it was time to leave. Rainald’s sister, Sophia Selina, and her husband, Henry Gage, had no home of their own and so lived part of the time at Fawsley, partly at Whitehall Gardens, London, and partly at Firle. One of Sophia’s admirers was Sir Thomas Munro of Lindertis, and a friend of Henry. As Sophia’s grand-daughter stated in her memoirs, ‘He remained unmarried all his life for her sake. She was known, in fact, as the “lady with two husbands”, but it was all perfectly respectable and no scandal attached to their 122. Entry, 8 April 1891. 123. E.Willis, ‘Ladies’ Clubs in London’, Lady’s Realm, 1899, p. 310. 124. Ibid, pp. 312–13. 125. The Lady, 21 Nov. 1901, p. 834. 126. The Times, 14 May 1902, p. 9.

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names.’127 In her later years, Louisa often attended family occasions at Firle (see Plate 12) and was delighted when the future sixth Viscount Gage was given the name of Rainald. Augustus Hare, the author, after a visit there in 1884 recalled, ‘It is a large house, like a French chateau, close near the downs, but as my kind but singular little host, Lord Gage, likes every window open in these bitter winds, the cold is ferocious.’ A house party of 20 people was in residence, including Rainald and Louisa, and she was fond of exploring the area, particularly the houses of old families. ‘On Wednesday,’ he wrote, ‘I got Lady Knightley to walk with me (the inhabitants of this place had never heard of it!), two and a half miles across the marshes to Laughton Place, the ancient and original residence of the Pelhams.’128 She also relished the story of how the Gages inherited Hengrave Hall, the magnificent Tudor mansion in her native county of Suffolk. Lady Penelope Darcy, granddaughter of the builder, Sir Thomas Kytson, had had the estate settled on her by her mother in 1643. Penelope had three suitors at the same time, Sir George Trenchard, Sir John Gage and Sir William Hervey, and promised in time to marry all three. Her first husband, Trenchard, died and shortly afterwards she married Sir John Gage, by whom she had nine children. After his death in 1642, she married Hervey, thus keeping her promise.129 As Rainald suffered from frequent attacks of gout and rheumatism, he had been advised by his doctor to drink the waters and take the baths at Homburg and Wildbad. Homburg was particularly popular with the English and Louisa and Rainald, together with the Gages, often stayed there at the end of the London season. (Typically, Rainald refused to learn German, ‘The grinding gibberish of the garrulous Goth’, as he called it.) Political news, rumours of happenings at both the English and German Courts and the stories behind the latest events in international diplomacy were freely circulated, and Louisa recorded many of them in her Journal. As she wrote, ‘And so we go on, chattering and idling, but there are so many people here, distinguished in some way or other, the chatter is well worth while.’131 One of the great attractions was the frequent presence of Royalty, particularly the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII. One commentator noted, ‘The mad whirl of gaiety comes on in August, after the arrival of the Prince, when all the hostesses try to outshine each other, each succeeding entertainment becomes more extravagant, and the struggle after originality is often quite comic.’132 Louisa mentioned a lunch party attended by the Prince, after which he played cards with Rainald. ‘He came to see Lady Ventry off the next morning,’ she wrote, ‘and brought me a lovely bouquet of violets, whereat I was pleased, as also being lunched by Lord Spencer (which made the Prince say to Rainald, “What will Northamptonshire say?”).’133 The visits abroad became less frequent as financial problems mounted. 127. Yvonne R.Gage, Firle (1928), unpublished MS, Gage Papers, Firle Place, Sussex. 128. A.Hare, The Story of My Life (1900), v, p. 407. 129. A.Oswald, Firle Place (1972), p. 19. 130. A.Hare, The Story of My Life (1896), i, p. 405. 131. Entry, 26 Aug. 1891. 132. ‘Society in Homburg’, Lady’s Realm, 1898, p. 422. 133. Entry, 28 Aug. 1889.

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In the early 1890s, with increasing attacks of gout, Rainald’s health deteriorated rapidly. He suffered temporary paralysis of the leg in November 1894 but slowly recovered. Louisa was due to speak the following month on behalf of Richard Greville Verney, later 19th Baron Willoughby de Broke, at a Primrose League meeting. Rainald had not yet come to terms with Louisa’s skill at speech-making, as Verney’s own account makes clear: We were going to a Conservative meeting in the village in support of my own candidature for the Rugby Division of Warwickshire. Lord Knightley did not take part in the meeting, but his wife made an excellent speech. It seemed strange that this tall, thin grand seigneur, with his delicate oval face and high cheek-bones, redolent of exclusive Conservatism, should have been married to a lady of robust and vigorous mien who was one of the most eloquent pioneers of Woman Suffrage and Women’s Rights. Yet so it was. The Conservative cause was to be expounded, and Lady Knightley showed us how to do it. I thought, being then of the ripe age of twenty-four, that her performance was masterly. My father, thought it was a dangerous tour de force. He knew his Boswell, and with regard to a woman making a speech, was on the side of Dr. Johnson: ‘A woman making a speech is the same thing as a dog walking on hind legs. The wonder is not whether he does it well or ill, but that he does it at all.’ But the most amusing commentary was the terse sentence of Lord Knightley. At supper, when the rest of the company had finished congratulating the noble lady, his lordship played the last and winning card, and brought the conversation to earth by saying quite shortly, ‘My dear, you spoke too fast.’134 It was whilst staying with the Carysforts at Elton Hall near Peterborough in April 1895 that Rainald suffered a stroke. He was too ill to be moved for a month and was confined to a invalid carriage for the remainder of his life. After a short stay in London which, Louisa remarked, ‘looks odd from beside a bath chair’, they returned to Fawsley at the end of July. The success of Conservative candidates for South and Mid Northamptonshire and the return of a Salisbury government was celebrated in September at a fête at Weedon, where Rainald received a warm reception. On Sunday 15 December, he became unwell and died peacefully four days later. Rainald had asked for a modest funeral. Only close relatives, a dozen male and female servants and a number of tenants from the estate, attended the funeral which took place at Fawsley Church on Christmas Eve.135 It was a grievous blow to Louisa, but it strengthened her resolve to devote the rest of her life to advancing causes which deserved her support. A few weeks after Rainald’s death she wrote in her Journal, ‘Everybody has been good and kind, but naturally the world goes on, and to them it all passes away, but to me life can never be again as it has been. But as Mr. Rowsell [vicar of Christ Church, Mayfair] said today, bury your grief 134. Lord Willoughby de Broke, The Passing Years (1974), pp. 65–6. For de Broke’s subsequent political career, see D.Cannadine, The Decline and Fall of the British Aristocracy (1990), pp. 520– 30. 135. NM, 27 Dec. 1895, p. 6.

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beneath the soil of work for others and it will sprout up and, I trust, bring forth good fruit.’136 She was pleased to take Rainald’s place as churchwarden, but it was almost three years before she made another political speech. Louisa had already taken on a new role in the sphere of local government in the previous year. The 1894 Local Government Act gave women the right to stand for election as Parish Councillors and Louisa put herself forward for the newly-formed Badby Parish Council. Neighbouring parishes settled their business in a variety of ways. Charwelton and Preston Capes decided not to have a Council and Everdon settled the matter without a contest. At Badby, however, there were 16 nominations for nine places, Louisa being the only woman candidate.137 The Parish Council elections excited much interest in Northamptonshire where there were contests in 80 per cent of the parishes, often on class lines.138 Rainald and Louisa held a private meeting with some of the leading men in the village, offering the Radicals three seats if they consented not to hold a contest, but this was refused. Despite the manoeuvrings of a staunch Liberal Nonconformist evangelist from Badby, Eli Thomas Sanders, Louisa was elected in joint second place, along with seven others. It was ironic that, though now a councillor, she was not entitled to a vote.139 Louisa regretted that Council business of a non-political nature should be settled on a party basis. She was subsequently re-elected in 1899, being first out of 14 candidates, and was made vice-president of the county’s Conference of Parish Councils.140 Although there was no aspect of Council business which specifically required the help of women, nevertheless there were informal meetings of lady parish councillors in London which Louisa attended where papers were read and matters of common interest were discussed.141 Louisa was elected chairman of the Parish Council in 1901 and she carried out her duties with great thoroughness: this included an exploration of all the footpaths of the parish which she undertook on her own. By the time she resigned in 1906, rather fewer than 100 women in England had served as Parish Councillors.142 Louisa had begun to take an interest in education when she was young and took an increasingly active role in its promotion in her later years. Shortly before her marriage to Rainald she wrote in her Journal: I see I have not mentioned a book which I have lately been deeply interested, i.e. Matthew Arnold on Continental Schools and Universities. The comparison between our system, or rather no system, of Secondary Instruction, and that pursued in France and above all in Germany, is by no means satisfactory, and I trust this subject may be taken up in earnest by the new Parliament, though I very much fear that public opinion is yet by 136. Entry, 23 Jan. 1896. 137. NH, 22 Dec. 1894, p. 7. Six of the candidates were farmers and four were labourers. 138. J.Howarth, ‘The Liberal Revival in Northamptonshire, 1880–1895: a Case Study in late Nineteenth Century Elections’, Historical Journal, 12, 1, 1969, pp. 89, 109. 139. Louisa qualified on the basis of having resided within three miles of the parish for at least a year before the election. 140. At the conference, she advocated triennial elections, NH, 5 May 1899, p. 7. 141. Entries, 12 Nov. 1899 and 14 March 1902. 142. Englishwoman’s Year Book for 1906, p. 233.

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no means prepared for the radical reform which is required The division of the very numerous public schools into classical and so-called ‘real’ studies enable those intended for trade or business to get a really good and useful education, the certificates of fitness required from every teacher whether in public or private schools, the leaving examination so arranged as to be, as it were, the crowning point of the whole course of study, not as they are here a mere cram, the manner in which the classics are taught, so as to import the real spirit of ancient literature instead of being a mere question of verbal criticism, valuable to the scholar but forgotten before the end of the year by the ordinary pupil—all these things seem to me so infinitely superior to our plans that one cannot help thinking there must be some counterbalancing disadvantage, or we should have adopted them long ago.143 For many years Louisa was one of the managers of Badby School, a Church foundation which had managed to avoid the creation of a school board in the district. She was suspicious of the 1902 Education Act which placed the administration and finance of voluntary schools such as Badby in the hands of the new Local Education Authorities (LEAs). Although continuing to enjoy the right to appoint the head and assistant teachers and to teach religious knowledge, such elementary schools became more closely identified with the State system. One-third of the managers were to be nominated by the LEA, but the school maintained a majority through its foundation managers, and Louisa was appointed as one of the four in this category in January 1903. After a hectic meeting in August she recorded glumly, ‘I foresee we shall have a desperate struggle to save our school from ceasing to be a Church School, after all the years we have fought for it.’144 The main problem was that the existing Badby School was in poor condition and a new building was therefore needed. Louisa, together with others, strongly opposed the proposal to build a replacement serving both Badby and Newnham, situated midway between the two villages.145 She passionately believed in the importance of preserving regular religious teaching in schools and in rousing the pupils’ enthusiasm for patriotism. Empire Day, a movement which had been introduced by Lord Meath in 1902, was celebrated annually at Badby, combining both religious and patriotic elements. Louisa, who regularly attended the ceremony, described one such occasion as follows: The children marched in, saluted the flag and sang Rudyard Kipling’s Song of the Children. Mr. Scratton [vicar of Badby] and I made little speeches. We sang God Save the King and I distributed buns. The children have been learning the Empire Catechism (one King, one Fleet, one Empire) all the winter and took up my points in many places.′ Much to her regret, the battle to save the school was eventually lost.146 A new Council School was opened at Badby on 4 January 1913 but she retained her interest in the school by subsequently becoming one of its first managers. 143. LMK, 12 Dec. 1868, K 2892. 144. Entry, 10 Aug. 1903. 145. DE, 2 Nov. 1907, p. 4. 146. Entry, 24 May 1907 and DE, 1 June 1907, p. 3.

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Louisa’s views on the aims and content of education were essentially conventional. She believed that from an early age it was important to guide the child mentally, physically and above all morally and religiously. She also advocated the cultivation of a love of reading which would give a life-time of pleasure, the introduction of more music in the curriculum and the wider teaching of nature study in order that children could better understand their environment. Towards the end of her life, Louisa reviewed the recent changes in the object of boys’ education, which was formerly to provide generations of clerks, little skilled in the use of their hands; now, a better balance had been struck by schools helping to prepare boys for their future employment. She also believed that ‘every healthy, strong, and active girl should be trained thoroughly in domestic arts.′147 An opportunity to implement such a scheme occurred following the Technical Instruction Act of 1889, which allowed local authorities to supply aid or technical instruction by means of the product of a penny rate. At a meeting of the Northamptonshire County Council in May 1891, a sum of £2000 was allocated for this providing cookery and dairy lessons for women cottagers and their chidren. Subsequently, the Council invited the co-operation of ‘any association or committee of ladies in the county’ who would undertake to assist in the scheme.148 Louisa contacted Lady Spencer to persuade her to head an appropriate committee and a meeting took place at County Hall, Northampton, in September 1891 to decide the best way of organising the teaching. The county was divided into four divisions, each with its own vice-president, for the purpose of collecting information on the needs of each locality and to submit applications for the type of instruction required. Louisa was appointed vice-president of the Southern division and she began work with her usual vigour. Rural schools could not afford to teach cookery, and Louisa gave high priority to its teaching in her area. She described a cookery class which she had observed in Badby: It was a picturesque scene in the low and timbered kitchen at Mrs. Montgomery’s to see the earnest faces of the ten little maidens at work in pairs over bread—poor man’s goose (composed of alternate layers of potato, liver, fat and sage and onions)—sausage roll and treacle pudding.149 Within a short space of time, Louisa had organised similar classes at Blisworth, Deanshanger, Paulerspury, Silverstone and Towcester. Other classes were held in dairying, laundry work and home dress-cutting and making. One of the tasks of the ladies was to persuade the mothers of the benefits of the classes for their daughters. As Louisa told a meeting, ‘If they could get hold of the girl between leaving school and going into service and teach them these things it would be of great service to them, and they would be doing a good and useful work.′150 In 1896, the County Council established a School of Domestic Economy in Northampton which provided residential training for girls and instruction in a range of subjects in various parts of the county. 147. DE, 2 Dec. 1905, p. 2. 148. NH, 2 Oct. 1891, p. 6. 149.Entry, 23 Feb. 1892.

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Louisa was also keen to promote other subjects and areas which were of particular interest to her, particularly health education, nursing and first aid. She had been one of the earliest members of the Northampton Centre of the St. John’s Ambulance Association from its inception in 1878, organising numerous courses in the county and she became president of the Daventry section. Her work was recognised when in March 1900, Louisa was appointed by the Queen as a Lady of Grace to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.151 Although Louisa’s considerable energy had been applied to educational matters, its scope had been circumscribed by outside constraints. After the establishment of school boards in 1870, women had become eligible both to vote and to stand for election; by 1900 there were almost 200 women board members, many of whom made important contributions to the advancement of education.152 When the County Councils were formed in 1888, two women, Jane Cobden and Lady Sandhurst, both Liberals, were elected, but after a legal challenge it was ruled that women were no longer eligible. By the 1902 Education Act, which abolished school boards, women lost their elected status and could not serve on the new Local Education Authorities. They could, however, be chosen as coopted members of the Education Committees, which were primarily advisory bodies to the LEAs, and they were able to exercise delegated powers apart from raising a rate or borrowing money. The Liberal members of the Northamptonshire County Council, representing Nonconformism, and the Conservative members, representing Church of England interests, held bitterly opposing views on the 1902 Act The legislation was a product of a Conservative government, and the Liberals, who were in a majority on the Council, were reluctant to see its provisions implemented and made for delays where possible. It decided that the new Education Committee should consist of 24 Councillors and six co-opted members, only one of the latter category being an explicitly Church representative.153 The scheme was finally approved by the full Council on 19 March 1903. The co-opted members consisted of four male headteachers, Mrs.Pearce Sharman, wife of the Wellingborough Liberal politician and a Congregationalist, and Louisa.154 The County Council was responsible for all elementary education in Northamptonshire as well as the development of secondary education (local authority grammar schools were established under the Act). There were four standing committees of the Authority and Louisa was initially asked to serve on the Elementary Education Sub-Committee but within a year she was appointed to the Higher Education body.155 The first meeting of the Education Committee was in County Hall at which Edward Monckton, a Conservative with moderate views, was elected chairman. Louisa observed, ‘It was very interesting to watch how men do things: it strikes me that they make speeches much more than we do.156 There was scepticism among the Conservative ranks 150.NH, 2 Oct. 1891, p. 6. 151.DE, 17 March 1900, p. 1. 152.P.Hollis, ‘Women in Council. Separate Spheres, Public Space’, in J.Rendall (ed), Equal or Different. Women’s Politics, 1800–1914 (1987), p. 193. 153.Bradbury, op.cit, p. 95. 154.NEC, Minutes, 25 July 1903, p. 1

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over the appointment of two Inspectors in September. The advertisement attracted no fewer than 314 applications; one of these appointed was Davis Gotch, chairman of Kettering School Board since it was established 13 years previously.157 Louisa was horrified at the Committee’s proposal to deduct from teachers’ salaries the time employed in religious education and she voted, in vain, against it.158 This decision was rescinded two years later, though Ryland Adkins proposed to reintroduce such deductions whilst the legality of such payments were being considered in the High Court. Louisa now achieved a minor triumph. In her own words, ‘Mr. Monckton was going to let it pass, but I challenged a division but we threw it out by 7 to 6. Cockle a doodle doo!’159 One of the duties imposed on LEAs in 1907 by the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act was the medical inspection of elementary school children. Two School Medical Officers were appointed and Louisa drew the attention of the Committee to the Worcestershire scheme, whereby the Medical Officer identified children in need of aftercare and suggested that school managers should set up Local Aid Committees.160 In February 1906 she spoke at a joint meeting of the Education Committee and teachers which was convened to discuss ways of making evening classes more attractive and later that year Louisa, together with Adkins, represented the Committee at a conference of the National Association for the Feeble-Minded on the after-care of defective children.161 Louisa also made her mark in the Higher Education Sub-Committee. She spoke out against the Board of Education’s decision to terminate the grants for Science and Art Department’s day classes at the Daventry Girls’ School on the ground that it was a private institution: the Sub-Committee gave her its support in the matter. She was involved in a range of other issues: the question of preferential treatment for boys in rural districts in the award of scholarships, religious education in secondary schools, the provision of technical facilities in appropriate institutions as well as the long drawn-out negotiations to recognise Daventry Grammar School as an efficient secondary school. Louisa managed to persuade the Committee to approve a scheme whereby day and evening schools wishing to join the National Home Reading Union, which encouraged pupils to purchase and take home books at a low price, to have their fees paid by the Committee.162 The work, while of great interest to her, was time-consuming and Louisa was relieved to resign from the Education Committee in April 1913 after ten years’ service. 155.NEC, Minutes, 18 June 1904, p. 1. 156.Entry, 25 July 1903. 157.NDR, 14 Seph 1905, p.2. 158.Entry, 23 Jan. 1904. 159.Entry, 27 Oct. 1906 and NH, 2 Nov. 1906, p. 6. 160.NEC, Minutes, 28 May 1910, p. 67. 161.NEC, Minutes, 1 April 1911, p. 44. 162.NEC, Minutes, 3 Dec. 1910, p. 323. Addressing an audience at a bazaar to raise funds for building a village reading room and library at Blakesley, Louisa stated, ‘Now that everybody was taught to read, it behoved them to endeavour to produce good wholesome literature, and so to try to counteract the pernicious books which unfortunately at the present day found their way into the hands of the young.’ NH, 14 Aug. 1886, p. 6.

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Throughout her married life Louisa was a regular visitor to the local workhouse at Daventry. Like many other women of her generation, she was concerned that the welfare of a substantial number of old and young women continually passing through the wards, the care of girls, and the nurseries full of children, was determined by all-male Boards of Guardians. From 1872, women were admitted as Poor Law Guardians, the first to be elected being Miss Martha Merrington at South Kensington in 1875. As The Lady later remarked, The women who seek election are among the cultured and educated classes rather than those who are simply practical.′163 Among the reforms instituted by some of the early women members were the greater use of boarding out of children with private families, the establishment of Ladies’ Visiting Committees, supervising the female inmates, selecting staff for the Infirmary, inspecting the workhouse schools and arranging for the emigration of suitable girls to the Colonies and Dominions.164 At first, few women were elected; there were only 136 Lady Guardians out of a total of over 20,000 in 1892. However, the Local Government Act of 1894 which practically abolished the rating qualification, led to a greater number standing for election and by 1910 there were 1160 women Guardians.165 Louisa, although never a Lady Guardian, was a keen supporter of the movement and was president of the Northamptonshire Society for Promoting the Return of Women Guardians. She was particularly pleased when in 1906 four more women were elected within the county, including her friend and neighbour, Beatrice Cartwright, for Brackley and Juliet Knightley, wife of the fifth baronet, Sir Charles, for Everdon.166 But the success of the campaign was short-lived; finding it impossible to conduct the Society on non-political lines, Louisa was one of the prime movers for its dissolution the following year. She was a founder member from 1885 of the Association for the Advancement of Boarding Out of Pauper Children, whose main aim was to persuade Boards of Guardians to adopt the boarding out principle. By 1893, 231 Unions had done so.167 Louisa first started to write her Journals systematically on her fourteenth birthday, 25 April 1856; there is some evidence that she began to record events even before this, but only a fragment now remains.168 The shiny black notebooks into which entries were made accompanied Louisa to all parts of the world. There is little doubt that she intended them for eventual publication. The Duke of Argyll had been shown her Journal by Louisa during her stay at Balmoral in 1865 and he had pronounced it to be a valuable document for future historians of the nineteenth century.169 She was an avid reader of other people’s diaries and compared them with her own.170 She wrote in 1894, ‘I don’t want my journal 163.The Lady, 23 Jan. 1902, p. 134. 164.F.H.Müller, The Work of Women Poor Law Guardians, ‘Westminster Review, 67, Jan.-April 1885, pp. 388–9. 165.Englishwoman’s Year Book for 1910, p. 189. 166.NH, 1 June 1906, p. 6. 167.Entry, 3 July 1885 and The Queen, 17 June 1893, p. 1036. 168.In the Knightley Papers at the Northamptonshire Record Office, there are two pages of notes headed ‘An Account of my first ball, play, wedding, visits, January-May 1854′, K 2826. 169.Ady, Journals, p. xv. In her Journal, Louisa records meeting Argyll at Balmoral on 28 Nov. 1865, K 2889. 170.‘Whenever I read other people’s Journals,’ she recorded in 1890, ‘I always feel fired with ambition to improve my own.’ LMK, 16 Dec. 1890, K 2905.

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to become like Lady Waterford’s, extracts from which Mr. Hare prints in his book Two Noble Lives [published in 1893, commemorating the lives of the two Stuart sisters, Louisa, Marchioness of Waterford and Charlotte, wife of Earl Canning] which we are reading, and a mere bald record of facts, so I must try to make something of such an uneventful week as this.′171 Louisa was inspired ‘with the wish to make more of my journal after reading A.C.Benson’s essay on Authorship in From a College Window: A diary need not be a dreary chronicle of one’s movements; it should aim rather at giving a salient account of some particular episode, a walk, a book, a conversation. It is a practice which brings its own reward in many ways; it is a singularly delightful thing to look at old diaries, to see how one was occupied, say ten years ago ; what one was reading, the people one was meeting, one’s earlier point of view.172 A few years before, Louisa had had a long talk with Augustus Hare at Lady Penrhyn’s on the disadvantages of keeping a journal. Hare told his host to begin at once for ‘When you .are 90, it is the only book you will care to read.′173 He had perennially encouraged Louisa to continue writing her Journals and had lent her the proof sheets of his The Story of My Life which was then being privately printed. She commented, ‘He says himself that the story of my life written in full detail would be interesting, reminding me of what Gibbon says: “The pathetic almost consists in the detail of little circumstances.”′174Other published models were provided by Sir Mountstuart Duff’s four volumes of Notes from a Diary, spanning the years 1851 to 1886, and the Correspondence of Sarah, Lady Lyttelton, letters from the elder daughter of the second Earl Spencer to William Henry Lyttelton, later third Baron. A slightly gloomy note was struck in the Preface to Lord Ronald Gower’s My Reminiscences, which Louisa had purchased: ‘I have compiled these recollections from my old journals diaries which will probably serve to light the kitchen fire when their author has departed.′175 Louisa read with great interest Sir Walter Scott’s Journals when they were published in their complete form in 1890, especially the opening entry written when he was 54: ‘November 1825. I have all my life regretted that I did not keep a regular [Journal]. I have myself lost recollection of much that was interesting and I have deprived my family and the public of some curious information by not carrying this resolution into effect.′176 However, she was disappointed to find in them little trace of the genius which was manifested in his novels.177 In sharp contrast to this was the impact which the posthumously published Le Journal de Marie Bashkirtseff had on Louisa. Bashkirtseff was a talented painter who had died at the age of 24. When the translation of the Journal had appeared in England in 1890 it had caused a sensation. Louisa called the book unique and extraordinary and admired her 171.Entry, 21 Jan. 1894. 172.(1906), pp. 188–90 and Entry, 28 Aug. 1906. 173.Entry, 19 July 1898. 174.Entry, 29 Jan. 1895. 175.(1883), i, p. iv. 176.J.G.Tait (ed), Journal of Sir Walter Scott, 1825–6 (1939), p. 1. 177.Entry, 16 Dec. 1890, K 2905.

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talent if not her cynical frankness. ‘If it were a novel’, she wrote, ‘one would say it was preposterous and ridiculous but it is true: the absolutely true journal of a young Russian girl who spends her youth at Nice, Florence, etc. and who at 13, when she begins, talks and writes like a woman of 30.′ Louisa contrasted her own Journals with those of Bashkirtseff ‘s: Except Pepys, no one ever wrote so exactly in the palais de la vérité: and he wrote in a cipher which he believed undiscoverable while she writes expressly for publication. She is utterly inaimable, vain and selfish, selfabsorbed in an incredible degree, but I wonder how most people’s journals, mine for instance, would read if I wrote down la vérité vraie as she does—how I am often bored with looking after Mother, how often I wish for a great deal of money, partly that my darling might not be worried, partly for all the things I should like to do, among them holding a political salon, but then I must honestly add I also think and believe that God does not give us money because it is not good for us… Well, be it Marie Bashkirtseff’s or anybody else’s, there is nothing so interesting as a journal to read.178 Louisa’s own lively style and frankness of utterance make for a very readable narrative. Although she sometimes wearied of the task—she could write over 50 years later, ‘Busy reading my Journal of 1862. Seems I have not made as much progress since those days as I ought’—she continued to keep a record of events until only a few weeks before her death. On New Year’s Day 1908, Louisa began an autobiography which she had contemplated writing for some time, but she only produced a few pages relating to her childhood.180 Apart from keeping her Journals, Louisa wrote comparatively little except articles for a range of magazines. These were mostly on topics connected either with the various movements with which she was associated such as women’s work and emigration and pamphlets for the Primrose League and the Girls’ Friendly Society. Louisa devoted much time to researching the history of the Knightleys and Fawsley itself, drawing information from the rich accumulation of documents in the Hall and from visits to the British Museum and the London Library.181 One of her most extensive essays was on the history 178.Bashkirtseff stated in the Preface: To begin with, I wrote for a long time without a thought of being read, and in the next place it is precisely because I hope to be read that I am absolutely sincere. If this book be not the exact, the absolute, the strict truth, it has no right to exist. I not only say all the time what I think, but I never contemplated hiding for an instant what might make me appear ridiculous, or prove to my disadvantage; for the rest I think myself too admirable for censure. Rest assured, therefore, kind reader, that I reveal myself completely, entirely (p. xxix). 179.LMK, 27 Sept. 1912, K 2922. 180.Julia Cartwright wrote in her Journal shortly after Louisa’s death, ‘Charlie [Knightley] sent me a fragment of her Memoir which she began at Rowfant (as she told me) on New Year’s Day 1908. It tells the early part of her life and all about her old father who was actually at Harrow with Byron. I only hope that more may be forthcoming.’ Julia Cartwright Journals, 23 Oct. 1913, Cartwright of Edgcote Papers, C.E. 396. 181. See, for example, her chapter, ‘Fawsley’, in A.Dryden (ed.), Memorials of Old Northamptonshire (1908), pp. 99–108.

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and customs of her native county of Suffolk which was published in 1887 in the Quarterly Review.182 She lectured to the Northamptonshire Natural History Society on old country houses—her Journals from 1885 list over 90 different houses visited in Britain—and was the first woman to be elected president of the Society in March 1905. When Ryland Adkins drew up a list of possible members of the County Committee for the Victoria County History project for Northamptonshire in 1899, Louisa was the only woman put forward out of a list of 32 names.183 Those friends who left an account of Louisa acknowledged her many outstanding qualities. The Hon. Mrs. Ellen Joyce, a clergyman’s widow who together with Louisa was one of the earliest members of the Girls’ Friendly Society, summed up her character: ‘Her cultured thoughts were expressed in simple, strong, and courtly English. All who worked with her became impressed with the thoroughness, the integrity, and the sincerity of her purpose; the single-mindedness, the unselfishness, the righteousness of her daily life, made an atmosphere which fostered friendship and stimulated its reproduction. Her understanding sympathy with the difficulties connected with all associated effort enabled her to adjust to differences which might have obstructed excellent work.′184 Describing a conducted tour by Louisa of Fawsley in 1891, the correspondent of The Gentlewoman ended her article: ‘Well-bred, cultured, amiable, philanthropic and most charming, is the impression left upon you of your hostess as you quit Fawsley Park.′185 In July 1884, when she was 42, Louisa attended the International Health Exhibition in London and amused herself by visiting the Anthropometric Laboratory. She discovered that she measured 5 feet 6 inches in height, weighed 12 stones 1 pound186 (Three pounds less than last year′), and had slightly reduced hearing. Seven years later she wrote, ‘One thing I must note as a warning that my life has taken the downward turn: I have begun to use spectacles, only for small print, but there they are.′187 Louisa’s curiosity in new scientific and mechanical advances was wide. She witnessed the earliest days of the cinema, was interested in improvements in the camera and was fascinated by the coming of the motor car and the aeroplane. Louisa also became a wellknown figure pedalling her tricycle around the Northamptonshire countryside. She had a great interest in literature and the Journals report extensively on the latest three-volume novels, biographies and histories of recent political events which constituted the bulk of her reading. Louisa was particularly fond of the theatre—‘How I do enjoy a good play’, she wrote in 1905—and her comments on some of the leading actors and actresses of the day, as well as her views on the plays themselves make interesting reading. Louisa’s knowledge of the arts is impressive. She was well-versed in painting and like most other contemporaries, attended the latest London exhibitions. Her 182. Quarterly Review, 164, April 1887, pp. 382–414. Louisa’s name does not appear on the article. 183. Victoria County History, Preliminary Committee. Suggestions, W.R.D.Adkins, n.d., but 1899, Institute of Historical Research Archives. 184. Imperial Colonist, Nov. 1913, p. 182. 185. The Gentlewoman, 4 April 1891, p. 450. 186. LMK, 7 July 1884, K 2901. 187. LMK, 31 Dec. 1891, K 2906.

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musical taste was wide and she was a good judge of talent. In September 1910, she attended a Promenade concert, ‘all Wagner and most splendidly given. I don’t think there is an orchestra anywhere to beat Mr.Wood’s′.188 Her account of The Ring’ cycle which she witnessed at Bayreuth in 1899 is a detailed one and she was not deterred from attending concerts of what was then new music, such as Tchaikovsky’s ‘Pathetique’ Symphony. Architecture was another of her great passions from an early age and with Rainald visited most of the major architectural sites in Europe. In 1903, she was able to announce in her Journal after a visit to Truro, ‘I have now seen every cathedral in England.′189 Louisa was particularly proud of her close connections with the Royal Family. Prince Leopold, whom she had looked after in Cannes following the death of his father, the Prince Consort, never forgot her kindness towards him. Leopold was created Duke of Albany in 1881 and in the following year married Helen, daughter of the Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont. A few weeks before the wedding, he asked Louisa to become an Extra Lady-in-Waiting to his wife. The duties consisted mainly of accompanying her to dinner parties, balls and the Court and sometimes to their home at Claremont when there were guests.190 Louisa readily accepted the offer and held the post for the rest of her life. After the tragic death of the Prince less than two years later, Helen and Louisa became close friends, the Duchess paying frequent visits to Fawsley and Louisa staying at Claremont with the family. Louisa was a special guest at the wedding of Alice, the Duchess of Albany’s daughter, in 1904. Princess Beatrice, Victoria’s fifth daughter, was associated with Louisa’s charitable activities, participating in the organisation of the Working Ladies’ Guild.191 Louisa was especially saddened at the death at the age of 35 of Alice, Princess of Hesse, Victoria’s second daughter and Louisa’s almost exact contemporary and she wrote a moving obituary of her.192 Louisa admired her for her efforts in Germany in organising the training of nurses and founding the Alice Association for the education and training of women. She was also on excellent terms with Helena, Princess Christian, the Queen’s third daughter, who shared with Louisa an interest in the emigration of women. Their friendship spanned a period of 52 years. One of Louisa’s most time-consuming commitments from the opening years of the twentieth century was in the sphere of women’s emigration. At the 1883 meeting of the Central Council of the Girls’ Friendly Society, it was decided to establish a Department devoted to furthering the safe despatch of women to the Colonies. Mrs. Joyce was chosen as Correspondent to liaise with those countries who wished to participate in the scheme. Some smaller societies carrying out similar work joined with the GFS in 1884 to form a single body, the United Englishwomen’s Emigration Society, later renamed the British Women’s Emigration Association (BWEA). 188. LMK, 19 Sept. 1910, K 2921.

189.LMK, 26 Oct. 1903, K 2916. 190.Prince Leopold to LMK, 27 Feb. 1882, Knightley Papers, BL.Add. MS. 46360, ff. 88–9. 191.Princess Beatrice to LMK, 11 Oct. 1897 and 10 Oct. 1898, Knightley Papers, BL Add. MS. 46361, ff. 106, 112. 192.LMK, ‘Her Royal Highness Princess Alice of Hesse’, EWR, 15 Jan. 1879, pp. 1–4.

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Louisa’s interest in emigration dated back to the beginning of her work with the GFS and she realised especially the value of its Imperial aspect.193 As Mrs. Joyce told a GFS Imperial Conference: Why do we urge Imperialism? Not from selfish views, not from mere pride of race, but deep down in our hearts, we believe that God had set us to be not only pioneers or civilisers, but evangelists. The gift of the genius of Colonisation, which is so essentially English, must not be stifled, it is God given for Evangelisation.194 From the 1890s, the BWEA turned its attention to encouraging emigration to the South African colonies. After the Boer War had ended, there was a rush of applications to settle there and in anticipation, a special South Africa Committee had been established in March 1900. Louisa, who was a vice-president of the BWEA, was one of the members who put forward a scheme for these Colonies later in the year. She had been struck by a phrase in an address she had heard—‘the only use of Empire is to further the Kingdom of God’—and was convinced that it was her mission ‘to go talking on the subject to people I meet.′195 Louisa, together with twenty others, met at Lady Malmesbury’s house in March 1901—shortly after Joseph Chamberlain’s speech to the annual meeting of the Association in which he recommended a great expansion of its work—in order to form a larger body, the Provisional Committee of the South African Expansion Scheme, and she was elected its chairman. It became the South African Expansion Scheme Committee (SAX) and Louisa was one of three members charged with drawing up its own by-laws. In 1903, SAX broke away from the BWEA, establishing itself as a completely independent body, the South African Colonisation Society (SACS), with Louisa as its first president. Its objects were primarily to establish ‘protected emigration’, due regard being paid to the interests both of the migrants and the countries to which they were sent. The Society pledged itself to emigrate only women and girls of good character, to select men and families suitable to the requirements of each colony, to give proper protection on the voyage and adequate reception on arrival, to remain in contact for the first year or two after emigration and to raise a loan fund for necessitous cases. From the beginning, both politicians and the military were quick to capitalise on the potential of female emigration as a useful instrument of Imperial policy.196 Joseph Chamberlain, the Foreign Secretary, and Lord Milner, High Commissioner for South Africa, both praised the work of the Society and Louisa herself had a valuable interview with Chamberlain’s wife on South African matters in May 1903.197 Louisa chaired the 194.Thirty Years of Girls’ Friendly Society Imperial Work’, Imperial Colonist, Aug. 1912, p. 152. 195.Entry, 23 Oct. 1900. 196.A.J.Hammerton, Emigrant Gentlewomen, Genteel Poverty and Female Emigration, 1830–1914 (1979), p. 162. In 1902, Major-General Sir John Ardagh, husband of Lady Malmesbury, outlined a scheme to Chamberlain for ‘providing the British Uitlanders with British wives and providing the growth of a settled British population.’ Ardagh feared that otherwise in a few generations South Africans would have ‘a white population whose proclivities and traditions will be predominantly Dutch.’ Memorandum, Female Emigration from the United Kingdom to South Africa, 12 June 1902, Ardagh Papers, PRO/30/ 40/18, Public Record Office. See also Susan, Countess of Malmesbury, Sir John Ardagh (1909), p. 441. 197.Entry, 8 May 1903.

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meetings of the elected Executive Committee with firmness, but personality clashes could not be avoided. At one of the early meetings, Lady Helen Munro-Ferguson behaved ‘too abominably’ to Miss Balfour and Louisa believed that ‘if they had been men a 100 years 193.At a GFS meeting at Lamport in 1906, Louisa stated, The Girls’ Friendly Society has been of immense value in emigrating girls to Canada who were in distressed circumstances in the East End of London.’ NH, 1 June 1906, p. 6.ago it must have meant a duel.′198 The all-female membership discussed the nature of clerical help that would be required and, according to Louisa, ‘A horrible idea started of a male Secretary.′199 The volume of business handled by the Committee was impressive. Between March 1905 and March 1906, 1696 applications were received together with 13, 931 other communications and, 20, 123 pieces of correspondence were despatched.200 Louisa was chairman not only of the Executive Committee and the Literature Committee, ex-officio member of all the other sub-committees and chairman of the Cape Town Territorial SubCommittee, but when in November 1901 it was decided to provide a monthly publication 200.SACS Report for 1906, p. 8.representing the BWEA and the then SAX, Louisa became its Editor, a post which she held for the rest of her life. Bearing the name the Imperial Colonist, the first issue appeared in January 1902. The Northampton Herald welcomed its appearance adding, ‘With Lady Knightley of Fawsley as Editor, it is almost unnecessary to say that the objects of the Association … are attractively set forth, and the advantages of “Greater Britain” as a field for Colonisation duly emphasised.′201 The financial basis of the journal was insecure from the outset. A sum of £10 towards the expenses of the Imperial Colonist was granted in 1902 though by the following year there was a deficit of £21.3s.5d.202 From its beginning, Louisa regarded the journal as an opportunity for promoting the employment of British women in South Africa.203 Mrs. Joyce stated in 1912 that she believed that there were one and a quarter million too many women in Britain.204 Opportunities for self-improvement, including courses which potential emigrants could attend, were advertised in the Imperial Colonist and readers were regaled with first-hand accounts of successful work experience in a new land. Louisa preferred the term ‘colonisation’ to ‘emigration’ and the Annual Reports of the SACS employed the word ‘colonists’ to those seeking work abroad through the Societies. She told a meeting of the Royal Colonial Institute that ‘the Society did not at all want to send “incapables to the colonies.” The Colonies would not thank you for “dumping” them there: quite the contrary. The Society was trying to send out well-trained and capable women of all varieties of occupation.′205 Sensitive to criticism on this account, Louisa emphasised, when giving evidence to the Departmental Committee on Agricultural 198.Entry, 6 May 1903. 199.Entry, 10 June 1903. 201.NH, 22 March 1902, p. 8. 202.SACS Executive Committee, 13 Jan. 1904, 1/SAX/l/l, p.201, Fawcett Library. 203.J.Bush, The Right Sort of Woman: female emigrators and emigration to the British Empire, 1890–1910′, Women’s History Review, 3, 3, 1994, p. 390. 204.Royal Commission on the Natural Resources, Trade, and Legislation of Certain Portions of His Majesty’s Dominions. Interim Report. Part 1. Migration. Minutes of Evidence, 11 Dec. 1912. Cd. 6516, Q. 891. 205.‘Women and the Colonies’, Royal Colonial Institute, 35, 1903, p. 339. See also W.A. Carruthers, Emigration from the British Isles (1929), p. 244.

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Settlement in British Colonies (the Tennyson Committee) in 1905 the fact that 239 of those emigrating to South Africa were teachers, governesses, secretaries and mothers helps.206 However, this represented only a small proportion of the 2900 colonists who had settled there since 1901. An opportunity to see the situation at first hand arose in 1905 when the British Association held its annual conference in South Africa. Louisa was invited to address the Economics Section and chose as the title for her lecture The Terms and Conditions of Domestic Service in England and South Africa.′207 Delivered on 16 August at Cape Town and in competition with several other sections, it was one of the two most popular papers, attracting a large and lively audience. There were opportunities in the cities which the Association visited for Louisa to address GFS meetings, become acquainted with local officials, speak to colonists and visit hostels. The party proceeded by steamer to Durban, then by train to some of the Boer War battle sites, including Colenso and Ladysmith. Louisa disliked Johannesburg—‘so big and straggling and unfinished’. From there, she visited two Chinese compounds at a gold mine, Juniper’s Creek. In England at this time there was much opposition by the Liberals to the exploitation of Chinese labour in South Africa since Milner’s ordinance had been approved by the Transvaal Legislative Council in February 1904, allowing the flogging of Chinese labourers by mine managers.209 Louisa took great interest in the issue and after a full tour of the sites decided that where the management was firm and kind, the situation was quite tolerable.210 She also visited a war cemetery at Pretoria, searching for the grave of a Northamptonshire soldier. From Kimberley, the party went on to Bulawayo and the Victoria Falls, finally sailing from Beira. Louisa arrived in England in October, having travelled 20,000 miles, ‘a truly wonderful experience.′211 In March 1907 she announced that she would stand down as president of SACS. The demand for emigration to South Africa had by then diminished dramatically, the Society receiving only 261 new colonists in the year March 1906 to March 1907. Louisa was elected an honorary member of the SACS Executive Committee and she continued to attend their meetings on a regular basis. In 1908 Louisa accepted the presidency of the BWEA. The Association had witnessed a perceptible shift in the destination of colonists. Canada was now the most popular, particularly the north-west and British Columbia, followed by the Australian states of New South Wales and Western Australia, and New Zealand. If the prospect of giving evidence before the Tennyson Committee had alarmed Louisa, the cross-examination she received in October 1912 from members of the Royal Commission on Natural Resources, Trade and Legislation of Certain Portions of His Majesty’s Dominions was even more formidable. Among the distinguished members of the Commission was Rider Haggard, the novelist, who was the most incisive questioner 206.Departmental Committee appointed to consider Mr. Rider Haggard’s Report on Agricultural Settlements in British Colonies. Vol. 2 Evidence, P.P 1906 Ixvi, Cd. 2979, Q. 6289. 207.Reprinted in Imperial Colonist, Dec. 1905, p. 137–41. 208.The Times, 17 Aug. 1905, p. 4. 209.See J.Marlowe, Milner, Apostle of Empire (1976), pp. 163–4. 210.‘A Trip to South Africa with the British Association, July-October, 1906’, Northamptonshire Natural Historical Society and Field Club, 13, 105, March 1906, p. 167. 211.DE, 11 Nov. 1905.

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during the one and a half hour session. Louisa, in her capacity as president of the BWEA appeared with Mrs. Joyce, who represented the Emigration Branch of the GFS. Some of the answers given to Haggard and other members of the Committee were very frank. Louisa remarked in reply to a question on how successful girls were as emigrants, ‘I should say the general outcome is that almost all of them marry.′ Mrs. Joyce explained that ‘in these splendid young countries, there are no women for the men to marry. In every other place [except Victoria] the male population is very much in excess of the female population, and that is one of the causes of there being so very many, too many, women here.′ Haggard:Do you look upon this movement of the female population as being an Empire matter? Joyce: Most emphatically. Haggard: Do you say so, too, Lady Knightley? Knightley: Yes, most emphatically. Joyce: We have been working it from the Imperial point of view since 1882. Haggard: And you think great good might be done by moving these superfluous women? Joyce: I am quite sure of it.213 The vexed question of encouraging the emigration of the highly-trained servant was raised. Much criticism had been directed at the scheme as fewer men and women were entering into service in Britain. The Commission was reassured that ‘the very first class servants do not go. Their situations are very comfortable and they have always an underling.′214 Milner in South Africa, a country which he described as ‘miserably underpeopled’, had called for more domestics, largely untrained, to be sent out. Canada and New Zealand wanted factory workers, especially women. Mrs. Joyce contrasted such opportunities with the lot of the working women in this country, who, because of the large numbers available, were being exploited. On the emigration of more educated women, both Societies had kept a low profile. This was attributed to the fact that educated women would be reluctant to have it known that they had applied to an emigration society. Louisa explained that ‘girls of that class’ were given training at a house, Stoke Prior, near Birmingham, where they were taught domestic science, bee-keeping, poultry-keeping, laundry work and so on.215 Teachers and governesses were also in demand. The great majority of emigrants were likely to end up in low grade occupations. Separation of the different classes of women was ensured on the voyage by the second class travelling parties having their own educated chaperones, whilst the much larger third class parties were supervised by a qualified matron.216 The possibility of the young women being led astray was a constant worry. Louisa penned a suitably cautious Preface to a pamphlet written by Mrs. Joyce entitled Warning Signals For Young Women which was handed to emigrants before embarking on their ship. 212.Royal Commision on Natural Resources, 1912, op. cit, Q. 941. 213.Ibid, Q. 986–9. 214.Ibid., Q. 1040. 215. Ibid., Q. 947. 216. Ibid, Q. 934.

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In Louisa’s final article, written in 1913, on the work of the BWEA, she praised ‘the really great Imperial work’ it was carrying out, ending with a quote from Mrs. Joyce: Helping women of every grade to stand for all woman is worth, in Empire building, in evangelising work, in going where women are prayed for to make homes for good living men, where women can be mothers of quivers full, without fear of there ever being one too many, for there will be plenty of work for every hard-working boy of every class, and a Jack for every Jill.217 The well-thought out emigration schemes of the main Societies had on the whole been a great success; by 1911 some 16, 000 women and girls were resident in the Colonies.218 Louisa had played a considerable part in bringing this about. Another important organisation with which she became closely involved was the National Union of Women Workers (NUWW) which was founded in 1895. It had stemmed from a Women’s Conference on Woman’s Work, the brainchild of Ishbel, Lady Aberdeen, which was held in 1888 and attended by over a thousand women. Seen from the beginning as a forum for the exchange of ideas, the Conference did not have the confidence to make too bold a case on behalf of its participants. One speaker stated: We have now arrived at a critical turning point in the history of women’s work and progress. Great changes have taken place in the world’s opinion as to women’s position in the world of work…However, there has been a mistake in the ideals. Women should not rival men and seek to be equal in all things but to complement men.219 After holding a series of successful annual conferences in different cities, the Central Council of the Conferences of Women Workers decided in January 1895 to change its constitution and become known as the National Union of Women Workers. Its aim was to co-ordinate the work of promoting the social, civil and religious welfare of women, to collect and distribute information and to form local councils and unions of workers. From the time of its first conference at Nottingham in September of that year, the NUWW attracted women representing a wide spectrum of political, religious and social views, including individuals such as Lady Lucy Cavendish, Louise Creighton, Millicent Fawcett, Mrs. Humphry Ward, Lady Laura Ridding and Beatrice Webb as well as many philanthropic societies. The conferences lasted three or four days so that important issues could be fully explored. The term ‘women workers’ raised some anxiety as it was felt that the NUWW could be confused with a trades union organisation, the National Union of Working Women. The first conference attempted a definition of the phrase: ‘Professional women and working women (in the strict technical sense of manual workers) may be and 217. CUWFA Review, July- Sept. 1913, p. 306. 218. The Times, 17 July 1911, p. 12. 219. Quoted in D.Glick, The National Council of Women of Great Britain. The First One Hundred Years (1995), p. 4.

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often are “women workers,” but that phrase connotes the women who are occupied in one or another of the many branches of endeavour in which women are doing associated work for the improvement of life around them.′220 Louisa went to the 1896 Manchester Conference, the first to be held after Rainald’s death. ‘I have always wished to attend it, ‘she wrote,’ but my darling never liked to spare me. It was interesting to hear subjects from different points of view to those one is accustomed to.′221 Many of the topics discussed were close to Louisa’s heart: the employment of women, suffrage, the poor law, education, and young women’s leisure time. She was struck by the fact that ‘the Union belonged to no party, religious or political and herein, I think, lies one of the great advantages of the conferences, in that they bring together women of the most opposite opinions.′222 By 1910, 169 national societies had affiliated to the NUWW and there were 1253 local societies and 42 provincial branches.223 At the 1898 Norwich Conference, Louisa read a paper on Home Work in which she deprecated the proposed legislation which would place restrictions on women’s labour in the home and thus limit their chances of earning a livelihood. She was not averse to unionisation, but with safeguards: Those who are trying to form Women’s Trades Unions are doing an excellent work; and difficult as it must necessarily be to organise these scattered units, still it is, I believe, to be done: but let them be real Women’s Trades Unions—not Women’s Unions managed by men.′224 Louisa was equally outspoken as a delegate at the International Congress of Women held in London the following year. As the Englishwoman’s Review reported on its proceedings in the Legislative and Industrial Section: Lady Knightley of Fawsley got up and in a few pregnant words put what she called the unpopular side in a nutshell. She asked the meeting to consider whether this perpetual legislation might not prevent women being employed at all, whether these constant restrictions would not worry employers into giving their work to men whose labour was not harassed by restrictions, and whether the wiser way would be to aim at getting proper wages and sanitary conditions for men and women alike.225 During a discussion on Girl Life in the Country and in the Town at the 1906 Tunbridge Wells Conference, Louisa was impelled to draw the audience’s attention to the work of the Girls’ Friendly Society ‘which was totally ignored, and which does so many of the things which the speakers said wanted doing.’226 220.EWR, 15 Jan. 1896, p. 8. See also S.Kelly, ‘A Sisterhood of Service: the records and early history of the National Union of Women Workers’, Journal of the Society of Archivists, 14, 2, 1993, p. 169–70. 221.Entry, 27 Oct. 1896. 222.LMK, ‘Women in Council’, PIG, 1 Dec. 1898, p. 7. 223.The National Union of Women Workers’, The Times, 25 June 1910, p. 6. 224.LMK, ‘Home Work’, 26 Oct. 1898, Occasional Paper, p. 148, National Council of Women Papers. 225.EWR, 15 July 1898, p. 157. 226.Entry, 23 Oct. 1906.

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The suffrage issue led to great upheaval in the Union because of the wide range of views represented in its membership. By 1910, the NUWW had clearly come out in favour of votes for women. Uncharacteristically, Louisa, at Millicent Fawcett’s bidding, was a signatory to a letter on 9 February 1907 addressed to the Prime Minister, CampbellBannerman, requesting that they might be heard at the Bar of the House in support of a petition to remove electoral disabilities. This was refused. Relieved at the outcome, nevertheless she justified her alignment with the suffragist leader on the grounds that ‘I felt I ought to have the courage of my convictions, especially as Rainald always supported the movement.’227 Louisa became a member of the Executive and a vice-president of the NUWW in 1905. The annual conferences presented her with a good platform for the promotion of the emigration of women. At the 1909 meeting at Portsmouth when the theme was Women and the Empire, she presided for the first time at one of the sessions. The subject was the conditions of life for women in the Colonies.228 Louisa had earlier proposed a resolution in favour of female emigration as tending to relieve the overcrowded labour market. The NUWW operated through several sectional committees, such as Education, Industrial and the Employment of Women, and Louisa was a member of a number of them. On 30 November 1909, she requested the NUWW Executive Committee to establish a new sectional committee on emigration. She pointed out that there were many Societies then working separately for the emigration of women and girls and that coordination, through a single committee, would be valuable. Subsequently, she was asked to organise a conference where the matter could be discussed.229 As a result of her endeavours, in May 1910 representatives of no fewer than 49 British Societies met under the auspices of the Royal Colonial Society.230 A standing committee was subsequently constituted which drew up a report, making important policy recommendations, including the financing and official recognition of such Societies, the more careful selection and protection of emigrants and better formal arrangements for their reception on arrival in the new country.231 The report was sent to Colonial prime ministers, governors, high commissioners agents-general and the bishops of the Dominions.232 It led to the appointment by immigration authorities of woman selectors in England, of experienced matrons for the voyage and co-operation by Societies in opening more reception homes in the Dominions. Louisa’s endeavours in this field were recognised when she was called as a witness in 1912 before the Royal Commission which took evidence on emigration, and which has been dealt with earlier. The NUWW sectional committee on emigration never came into being; instead Louisa represented the NUWW as well as the BWEA on the Royal Colonial Society standing committee until her death. 227.Entry, 14 Feb. 1907. 228.EWR, 15 Jan. 1910, p. 62 and Entry, 20 Oct. 1909. 229.NUWW, Executive Minutes, 30 Nov. 1909, p. 58, National Union of Women Workers Papers, Greater London Record Office. 230.NUWW, Executive Minutes, 5 July 1910, p. 86, National Union of Women Workers Papers, Greater London Record Office. 231.LMK, ‘Emigration’, Oct. 1912, Occasional Paper, pp. 7–8, National Council of Women Papers. 232.E.Joyce, ‘In Memoriam’, Imperial Colonist, Nov. 1913, p. 179.

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Louisa’s firm belief in providing opportunities for working women to gain employment led her to become associated with other organisations which furthered this cause. It has already been mentioned that she was present at the inaugural meeting in 1876 of the Working Ladies′ Guild which catered for the needs of middle-class women. One of the very earliest of women’s Societies in England was the Society for Promoting the Employment of Women (SPEW), established in 1859 by Louisa’s cousin, Jessie Boucherett and two of her friends; it later became affiliated to the National Association for the Promotion of Social Science with Lord Shaftesbury as its first president.233 Boucherett had read an article in the Edinburgh Review that year which stated that three out of six million adult Englishwomen had to work for their living and she determined to assist in providing well-paid employment in occupations other than the two traditional ones, teaching and needle-work. Louisa in later years had great affection both for the Society as it was the first organisation which she had ever joined.234 The great emphasis which SPEW placed on training for occupations continued throughout its existence: by 1908 the Society had given interest-free loans to women for training in 69 different occupations.235 By the end of the nineteenth century, however, many other helping organisations had come into being, technical classes were becoming available, and the Society’s activities had diminished. It was at Jessie Boucherett’s prompting on behalf of SPEW that Louisa was persuaded to speak on Home Work at the NUWW Norwich Conference in 1898.236 Members such as Elizabeth Garrett Anderson praised the Society for impressing on parents that ‘it was not enough to feed and clothe girls but that they must give them such a training that it would be comparatively easy for them to support themselves by their own efforts.’ As an essentially upper-class organisation—the Society invariably had a peer or a peeress as its president—one of its concerns was the shortage of girls entering domestic service. At the Society’s annual meeting in May 1900, Canon Robinson Duckworth, a former tutor to Leopold, Duke of Albany, reported: Instead of finding girls who have received a good elementary education prepared to enter service on leaving school, not one in ten is willing to do so, but they choose rather some calling which will scarcely yield them the necessaries of life, preferring to spend their evenings with little or no control over them … It is due to this that so many families are driven to live in flats, this being the only way of escaping the difficulty of getting servants to help them.237 Louisa responded in an article which appeared in the Daily Telegraph the following month entitled The Servant Problem’, in which she blamed the attitude of ‘people calling themselves ladies, and too often ladies by birth and education, though not in mind’ towards their servants.’ “Be courteous” is a command which they do not appear to think in the least applicable to their relations with those who serve them.’ She concluded: 233.N.C.Soldon, Women in British Trade Unions, 1874–1976 (1978), p. 7. 234.Entry, 19 Nov. 1897. 235.EWR, 15 July 1908, p. 195. 236.Entry, 26 Nov. 1898. 237.EWR, 16 July 1900, p. 190.

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Depend upon it, the golden rule, if carefully adhered to in our intercourse with our inferiors in station, will have a wonderful effect, and though servants, like other people, have their faults, and the best of mistresses will occasionally meet with disappointment and ingratitude, yet every household, be it large or small which is carried on on those lines, is a distinct benefit to the country generally, and will in time help to bring about a more healthy state of things in a department of life which so greatly affects the comfort and happiness of a very large portion of the community.238 By the end of the first decade of the present century, the Society’s scope was more limited and its main function was reduced to the dispensing of loans to women. Louisa greatly sympathised with Jessie Boucherett, a strong Conservative and a keen individualist, who organised a memorial to the Home Secretary to protest against the efforts being made through legislation to place restrictions on women working at home, which Louisa called ‘a monstrous piece of tyranny’.239 When Jessie, together with Helen Blackburn, founded the Freedom of Labour Defence (FLD) in 1899 Louisa immediately joined the movement At its first annual meeting at Westminster Town Hall in June 1900, Louisa took the chair. She told the audience that the proposed legislation required employers to produce a certificate stating that the rooms in which work was done were perfectly sanitary; if they were not, then women would not be allowed to be employed. That’, she stated,’ frightened the members into forming the Freedom of Labour Defence’240 The FLD were concerned that by 1901 four bills had been introduced into Parliament dealing with safeguarding the working conditions of women. As the chairman of the General Committee, William Thompson Sharpe, Conservative M.P. for North Kensington, commented, ‘He held that grown up men and women should be perfectly free to do what they like with their own; surely the labour of their own bodies is their own property, and ought to be left to them.’241 Louisa welcomed the freedom granted to both employers and employees by the Factory and Workshop Acts Amendment and Consolidation Bill, introduced by C.T.Ritchie, the Home Secretary, in March 1901.242 When the Daily Mail exposed the exploitation of women employed in nail- and chainmaking in the forge sheds of Cradley and Old Hill in the Black Country, an FLD investigator, on the contrary, found the women ‘healthy and contented, with brilliant complexions, athletic figures and a courtesy of manner combined with an independence of character that sets them distinctly above the average working woman.′ These attributes were explained by ‘the splendid air of the Staffordshire hills and the invigorating smell of iron.’243 Louisa opposed moves to discontinue the employment of the 75,000 barmaids 238.Reprinted in DE, 14 Oct. 1899, p. 1. 239.Entry, 11 Feb. 1898. 240.EWR, 16 July 1900, p. 190. As she wrote in her Journal, We had a very good discussion on the best way of getting at the working women.’ LMK, 25 June 1900, K 2913. 241.EWR, 15 Jan. 1901, p. 25. 242.Ritchie stated that ‘it is more than ever desirable that laws relating to the working-classes should be consolidated and made as simple as possible’. Hansard, 4, 92, col. 94, 28 March 1901. 243.EWR, 15 July 1903, pp. 107–8.

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working in Britain though she did not wish to encourage further recruitment.244 Some of the arguments used to support freedom of employment were unconvincing. For example, attempts to turn women dust-pickers towards other occupations were met with the argument that the work, ‘though rough, [it] is perfectly honest, healthy and even hereditary.’245 Similarly, the Employment of Children Act of 1902 which restricted their hours of employment, was greeted by the FLD with suspicion; work out of school hours, it was claimed, was actually beneficial, and relaxation from books was good for the health.246 As the first decade of the twentieth century drew to a close, the FLD noted ‘with some anxiety’ the increasing regulation of conditions in the workplace by legislation. Louisa was, like other members of the League, both puzzled by and disappointed with the dwindling audiences at meetings and the public reception of the League’s activities. ‘It is uphill work’, she wrote sadly in 1906, ‘and not a popular cause: people don’t understand.’247 Whilst Louisa continued her hectic round of meetings, there were much greater personal worries which provided no easy solution. These arose out of the death of Rainald at the end of 1895. Various steps had been taken to ensure that Louisa had a sufficient income in the likely event of her surviving her husband. Under the marriage settlement of 1869, she would receive an income of £1200 per annum during her widowhood and in March 1877 Rainald had created a further annuity of £1000 per annum for her by removing a capital sum from the estate. By a deed of 27 March 1883, Rainald additionally gave Louisa the use of Fawsley Hall and Deer Park during her lifetime unless she married again; he also increased the amount she would receive to £3000 per annum which was in addition to her £1200 under the marriage settlement. At the same time he changed his will in order to leave all his furniture, personal effects and horses to Louisa for her lifetime.248 Rainald left gross personal estate of £23, 023.13s.5d., but against this had to be set the huge debts, amounting to £18, 773, added to which was the payment of the recently-introduced estate duty of £5338 and settlement duty of £358, totalling £5746.249 Timber was acceptable in part payment of death duties and Louisa helped in marking the oak trees in the Park for felling. However, in 1897 the sale of timber raised only £340.250 Drastic action had to be taken. Under the existing arrangements the estate would, after Louisa’s death, be inherited by Rainald’s cousin, the Revd. Valentine Knightley, now the fourth baronet; but as the latter was now 83, there was a real possibility of the estate incurring a double succession duty within a few years. A few weeks later, therefore, Valentine signed a deed releasing his 244.EWR, 15 Jan. 1904, p. 24. This issue had been discussed at the annual meeting of the NUWW in 1903 and it was agreed that the employment of barmaids should cease. 60, 000 people in one year signed a petition supporting this move. Joint Committee on the Employment of Barmaids, Women as Barmaids (1905), p. 58. 245.EWR, 15 July 1902, p. 171. 246.EWR, 15 April 1904, p. 105. 247.Entry, 17 May 1906. 248. East Sussex Record Office, Gage Papers, SAS GA 1322. 249. Case for Opinion of Counsel, 1913. Knightley (Fawsley) Papers, Acc. 1967/174/203, NRO. 250. Entry, 10 Sept. 1897.

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interest for life to his nephew, and Rainald’s second cousin, Charles Valentine Knightley, who succeeded as the fifth baronet in 1898.251 Charlie, as Louisa called him, had practised as a lawyer but he was also a keen agriculturalist and became the agent at Fawsley in 1885.252 Louisa was anxious to make some provision for Charles and his wife Juliet so she signed a deed of partial release forfeiting £2200 out of her £3000 per annum, leaving her with a total income, apart from any personal fortune, of £2000.253 At the time of Rainald’s death, mortgage interest and rent charges exceeded the annual rents and the entailed estates were losing money, so there was little income left over for Charles. In an attempt to improve her own situation, Louisa consulted her stockbrokers on the best way to invest her fortune of £24,000. In December 1898 estate property in Badby was remortgaged by Charles and her own jointure postponed in order to give her access to a little more income, amounting to £200 per annum.254 The continuing effects of the agricultural depression—rents in Northamptonshire fell by 41 per cent between 1874–8 and 1894–8255—combined with the poor state of Rainald’s finances at his death made the future look bleak. As Louisa wrote sadly about this time, The right management of money is the most difficult thing I know′256 An immediate and obvious saving could be effected by reducing the staff of servants though the number fluctuated over the years. At first a cook-housekeeper was appointed; in January 1898 Louisa was re-engaging former employees but by 1912 many had to be dismissed. One great loss to her was in late 1898 when her maid and friend Batten retired after serving the family for 25 years.257 Letting the House from time to time would be a useful source of income though Louisa was reluctant to do so. The place is looking so lovely,’ she wrote,’ and I do so dread having to give it up, but my finances are in a most parlous condition.’258 Her first tenants, Frederick Farrer and his family, took possession on a short lease in July 1899. Louisa joyfully entered in her Journal on 14 October, ‘A day long looked forward to, on which I return to my own dear, beautiful, but alas, lonely home.′ The house was let to the Stanhope family in 1902 and Louisa later tried to persuade her Gage relatives to occupy it. The last recorded tenants were the Bourkes, who after some hesitation, took up residence in November 1908. Following a conducted tour of the house with them, Louisa noted, They are amusing, odd people and live in a very different world from mine. Still, they have family prayers, which is to me much in their favour.’259 The lettings involved a considerable rearrangement of rooms and furniture. Four days later she added, ‘For the first time in my life I have left Fawsley with satisfaction. It has been a wretched and uncomfortable week.’260 Louisa had some 251. 13 Feb. 1896, Knightley (Fawsley) Papers, Acc. 1967/174/180, NRO. 252. Herald and Mercury, 25 March 1932, p. 9. 253. Entry, 16 June 1898. 254. H.Turner to Messrs. Burton and Bird, Daventry, 28 July 1898, K 179. 255. F.M.L.Thompson, English Landed Society in the Nineteenth Century, (1963), p. 310. 256. Entry, 10 Feb. 1898. 257. LMK, 26 Sept. 1898, K 2912. 258.Entry, 4 Aug. 1906. 259.LMK, 23 Nov. 1908, K 2920. 260.LMK, 27 Nov. 1908, K 2920.

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difficulty in coming to terms with her reduced circumstances after Rainald’s death. On 21 May 1901, she received a letter from her bank, ‘says in peremptory terms that I must retrench somewhere and I must resolve to limit the hospitality I so much enjoy.’261 Despite this warning, she hosted many gatherings at Fawsley, ranging from large Primrose League fêtes to Mothers’ Union meetings, and she continued to enjoy holidays abroad. These included the British Association visit to South Africa in 1905, a Mediterranean cruise to visit the major classical sites in 1910 and journeys to the Continent. During the periods when the Hall was let, Louisa had many options. From time to time she stayed with Charles and Juliet at the Steward’s House, an eighteenth century former rectory, not far from the Hall. Her clubs, the Alexandra, the Ladies’ Empire and the Victoria, were convenient for her numerous London engagements and she received invitations from many friends throughout the country. But despite the financial difficulties, Louisa was able to spend her last years, as she had always wished, at the Hall itself. On 25 April 1903, she had written in her Journal ‘My 61st birthday—another year nearer joining my darling.′ Such sentiments reappear in subsequent years though apart from minor illnesses Louisa continued vigorously to pursue her many interests. After delivering what was described as a splendid speech attacking the Liberal legislative proposals on Home Rule at a Knightley Habitation Primrose League meeting at Daventry in August 1913, Louisa went on a motoring holiday in Wales. She returned at the end of the month, apparently refreshed. She looked forward to an eight-day visit to Fawsley by her old friend, the Duchess of Albany, but on 14 September was suffering from a chill. She felt well enough the following day to accompany the Duchess to Althorp for lunch with the Spencers but fainted there and returned to Fawsley where she developed a patch on her lung. The Duchess remained with her for two nights. It had been planned that Queen Mary would visit Louisa on Wednesday 24 September during the manoeuvres at Althorp. Under the circumstances, the Queen spent only a few minutes at Louisa’s bedside. At first the visit seemed to have been beneficial but by the following evening she had grown weaker. The last few days were described by Julia Cartwright: ‘After Saturday she hardly spoke but just said “Goodnight” on Tuesday evening to Lady Gage and smiled and kissed her hand to her father’s portrait, as if to say she was soon coming. She then became unconscious and died quite peacefully without any pain.’262 It was on 2 October 1913 that Louisa died, aged 71. Unlike Rainald’s, Louisa’s funeral at Fawsley Church a few days later was an elaborate affair. Apart from family members, the Knightleys, the Gages and the Barnes, there were representatives of the many organisations with which she had been associated as well as many friends. Louisa was buried, as she had long planned, in a simple marked grave next to Rainald.263 Louisa’s estate indicates her poor financial position. She left unsettled property of a gross value of £4567, of which the net personalty was sworn at £3486. As late as 1909, when she redrew her will, she had stipulated that her favourite cousin, Philip Barne, who was also one of her executors, should receive income for life upon the sum of £7000, a 261.Entry, 21 May 1901. 262.Julia Cartwright Journals, 5 Nov. 1913, Cartwright of Edgcote Papers, C.E. 396. 263.NH, 10 Oct. 1913, p. 7.

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wish which was unlikely to have been completely fulfilled. Louisa had been distressed by the death in 1912 of Henry Gage, the fifth viscount, and to his daughter, Irene Adelaide, she left a diamond and emerald necklace, two diamond and emerald brooches and a pair of diamond and emerald earrings.264 The residue was left to Charles. Her main thoughts, however, were with Rainald, whose memory she wished to perpetuate. In January 1898, she had visited her solicitors in Daventry to prepare a codicil to her earlier will ‘leaving £1000 to endow a bed in Northampton Infirmary to be known as the “Rainald Knightley” bed. It is much the best memorial to my darling, and I am afraid it will be impossible for me to do it out of my limited income, so I feel justified in leaving the sum out of my own money.’265 This wish was repeated in her later will of 1909, and implemented by her executors in 1915.266 Louisa was the last member of the Knightley family to reside at Fawsley, after its continuous occupation for almost exactly 500 years. The precious contents of the Hall, including pictures, furniture and many valuable manuscripts were sold in May 1914 at a twelve-day auction held at Fawsley: the amount realised was £12, 758. On the death of Sir Charles in 1932, the Hall passed to Henry Rainald, the sixth Viscount Gage. Much of the building fell into disrepair. In 1948, it became a factory for timber products and in 1970 there were plans to convert the Hall into flats. It was not until some 60 years after Louisa’s death that it was again sold and restored. In 1998, Fawsley Hall became a hotel. The Times obituary remarked that Louisa was ‘a woman of exceptionally wide interests, ranging over a variety of subjects—religious, educational, political, charitable and social.’ At both national and local levels, she had contributed to the Conservative cause through her activities in the Primrose League. After a visit in 1898 to Brackley, she recalled the occasion when the South Northamptonshire poll was announced, especially ‘the night of the dinner after ‘85 when he [Rainald] nearly broke down, talking of my help.’268 Outside the field of politics, she was driven by a strong religious conscience to help charitable organisations by serving on their committees, addressing meetings and writing pamphlets. The moral improvement of working girls and women was at the centre of the work of the Girls’ Friendly Society, of which she was an early member. As a memorial to her endeavours to purchase sites for churches in the Dominions where emigrants settled, the GFS erected the chancel of St. Peter’s Church, Regina, in Canada in 1928, containing a dedication to her.269 The British Women’s Emigration Society perpetuated her memory by creating a loan fund for training young gentlewomen, the recipients to be called Knightley Scholars.270 Louisa was anxious to raise the status of women by widening the range of job opportunities at all levels by providing adequate 264.29 Nov. 1909, Knightley (Fawsley) Papers, Acc. 1967/174/197, NRO. 265.LMK, 23 Jan. 1898, K 2911. 266.Northampton General Hospital, List of Donors from 1743 to 1948, Northampton General Hospital Papers, NRO. 267.The Times, 3 Oct. 1913, p. 9. 268.LMK, 30 March 1898, K 2912. 269.M. Heath-Stubbs, Friendship’s Highway (1935), p. 203. 270.The Times, 26 May 1914, p. 12.

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education and training and she was an early champion of women’s suffrage. As a person, she was full of curiosity about the world and was happiest in social situations. ‘I enjoy the conversation of clever, remarkable people’, she told a reporter in 1890. Two years after Rainald’s death she confessed her need to ‘go out into the world again’: ‘It is a great effort but I feel if I don’t, I shall lose all my friends beyond my own immediate circle and I do crave so for a little mental food.’271 The Morning Post succinctly summed up Louisa’s qualities: ‘Her character had a never failing fresh spring whence her persevering optimism and her patience were daily drawn … [she] was beyond all her activities a great Imperialist, a great woman and a great lady.’272 271.LMK, 6 June 1898, K 2912. 272.Morning Post, 4 Oct. 1913, p. 6.

CHRONOLOGY 1842 25 April. Birth of Louisa Mary, daughter of Emilia Mary and Major-General Sir Edward Bowater. 1856 April. Louisa begins her Journal. June. She is presented at Court. 1861 November. Accompanies her father to Cannes with Prince Leopold. Death of General Bowater on 14 December, the same day as Prince Albert. 1864 January. Invited by Princess Helena to Osborne. 1865 May. Invited by Queen Victoria to Balmoral. 1866 May. Invited by Queen Victoria to Windsor. 1868 July. Accompanies Princess Christian to Germany. 1869 March. Meets Sir Rainald Knightley at Firle Place, Sussex. 20 October. Marries Sir Rainald at St. Peter’s, Eaton Square. 1876 Begins Girls’ Friendly Society work in Northamptonshire. Attends inaugural meeting of the Working Ladies’ Guild. 1879 Elected President of the Diocesan Council of the Peterborough Girls’ Friendly Society. 1882 Appointed Extra Lady-in-Waiting to the Duchess of Albany. 1885 June. Enrols as Dame of the Primrose League. July. Canvasses for Sir Rainald in South Northamptonshire election. September. Formation of the Knightley Habitation of the Primrose League. October. Sir Rainald returned as M.P. for South Northamptonshire. Member, Executive Committee of the Ladies’ Grand Council of the Primrose League. Member, Association for the Advancement of the Boarding Out of Pauper Children. 1886 7 July. Sir Rainald returned with increased majority, once again after heavy canvassing by Louisa. 1887 Provides accommodation on the Fawsley Estate for Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man. April. Elected Dame President of the Knightley Habitation. 1892 Sir Rainald announces his resignation as M.P. after 40 years in the Commons. August. Created Baron Knightley of Fawsley. 1894 Louisa elected as Parish Councillor for Badby. 1895 15 December. Death of Baron Knightley. 1896 Louisa attends the Manchester Conference of the National Union of Women Workers. 1898 Delegate to the International Congress of Women. 1899 Joins the Freedom of Labour Defence. 1900 Appointed Lady of Grace, the Order of St. John and Jerusalem. Joins British Women’s Emigration Association. 1901 March. Chairman, Provisional Committee of the South African Expansion Scheme. Editor,

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Imperial Colonist. 1902 August. Attends the Coronation of Edward VII. 1903 Co-opted member, Northamptonshire County Council Education Committee. Foundation Manager, Badby School. 1904 Resigns as President of the Diocesan Council of the Peterborough Girls’ Friendly Society. 1905 Attends British Association annual meeting in South Africa. October. Vice-President, National Union of Women Workers. December. President of the Northamptonshire Natural History and Field Club Society. Gives evidence before the Committeee on Agricultural Settlement in British Colonies (Tennyson). 1907 March. Resigns as President of the South African Expansion Scheme. Resigns as member of the Executive of the Ladies’ Grand Council of the Primrose League. Resigns as member of the Working Ladies’ Guild. 1908 January. Begins autobiography. Elected President, British Women’s Emigration Association. Elected President, Conservative and Unionist Women’s Franchise Association. 1909 Elected Ruling Councillor of Knightley Habitation 1910 Rejoins the Executive Committee of the Ladies’ Grand Council of the Primrose League. Resigns as President of the Conservative and Unionist Women’s Franchise Association. 1911 January. Convenes Conference of Emigration Societies. June. Attends the Coronation of George V. 1912 October. Gives evidence before the Royal Commission on Natural Resources, Trade and Legislation. 1913 April. Resigns as member of the Northampton Education Committee. 2 October. Death of Louisa Knightley at Fawsley.

*1885* Friday 9 January Arbury, Nuneaton In the evening a large party, Lord Norton1 and Frances Adderley, Mr. and Mrs.Arden Adderley and Mr. Charles2 (to dine), Mr. Sampson3 Lloyd, the newly elected for South Warwickshire, an intelligent man apparently: and Mr. Goodman, also a shrewd Birmingham merchant, Mr. L.V. Loyd (Lady Mary Hutchinson’s husband), Mr. Potter and a Colonel Woolcombe. Lord Norton I found very pleasant: he told me Gladstone wrote to him in October to try to induce him to help bring about a compromise;5 and that he went up to town and tried to do so. Should never have thought him man enough for the job. I am glad he is not likely to be Colonial Secretary again. He is not at all so well disposed towards them as he should be. Saturday 7 February Fawsley Public news has been most engrossing. On Thursday we heard of the safety of General Stewart’s column,1 after more hard fighting, in which Lionel Munro2 has been wounded. They are on the Nile now and have joined hands with Gordon’s steamers but there still remains much to be done. Then last Saturday simultaneous attempts were made to blow up Westminster Hall, the House of Commons and the Tower:3 considerable damage has 1.Charles Bowyer Adderley, 1st. Baron Norton (1814–1905), Conservative M.P., North Staffordshire, 1841–78, President of Board of Trade, 1874–8. 2.Frances Georgina, daughter of Baron Norton, Henry Arden, his second son and Charles Leigh, the eldest son. 3.Sampson Samuel Lloyd, Conservative M.P.,Warwickshire, 1880–5. 4.Lewis Vivian Loyd, Conservative supporter, and his wife, Lady Mary, daughter of John Luke Hely-Hutchinson, 4th. Earl of Donoughmore. 5.Norton was one of the chief Conservative negotiators concerned with effecting a compromise on redistribution in the Franchise Bill of 1884. See W.S. Childe-Pemberton, Life of Lord Norton, 1814–1905 (1909), p. 262. 1.Maj.-General Sir Herbert Stewart commanded a camel-mounted force to relieve General Gordon at Khartoum but died of wounds, received at Abu Kru, on 19 Feb. 2.Nephew of Sir Thomas Munro of Lindertis, 2nd. Bart., and a naval officer. 3.On 24 Jan. by Irish bombers. For details see K.R.M.Short, The Dynamite War. Irish-American Bombers in Victorian Britain (1979), pp. 207–8.

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been done but no irremediable mischief. It seems like Guy Fawkes’ days, only nowadays nobody is caught and stranger still we seem to get used to it and not to care much.

Sunday 8 February Fawsley Then—most terrible news came on Friday morning from the Soudan. Khartoum has fallen after all these months, just two days before Sir C. Wilson1 got there: apparently by treachery and what has happened to Gordon we do not know. What will happen next is impossible to surmise, but everybody must be filled with the gravest anxiety at the position of our 8000 gallant troops, cut up into 3 or 4 bodies, no base, no anything and unknown forces set free by the fall of Khartoum to swoop down upon them. Since the Indian Mutiny there has been no anxiety like it. Wednesday 11 February 38 Beaufort Gardens, S.W.3 Left home by the 10.23 train and was met at Weedon by the horrible news of Gordon’s death1—1 fear too true—and followed later in the day by the account of the fearful massacre, even of women and children which followed on the fall of Khartoum. One’s imagination palls before it all. Well may the list of intercessions at the daily services now going on in the London Missions be a long one. The only comfort is the gallant way our troops fight—Lord Charles Beresford’s2 rescue of Sir C.Wilson is a thing to be proud of. Went to see J.Fenwick.3 The line she takes is that if we had reached Khartoum long ago it would equally have been betrayed before we got there. Never was there such a position and we are powerless to turn the Government out and appeal to the constituencies now is impossible and a year hence it will be all forgotten. There was a horrible rumour tonight that our Afghan Commission4 has been massacred. I found dear Mary5 very poorly and Miss Parsons went with me instead of her to see the School for 1.Col. Sir Charles Wilson (1836–1905), chief of intelligence department in Lord Wolseley’s Nile Expedition to Khartoum. He had reached the city on 28 Jan., too late to help. 1.On 26 Jan. 2.Capt. Lord Charles Beresford (1846–1919), R.N., staff officer to Lord Wolseley. 3.Jane Lutwidge Fenwick, née Cookson, a cousin of LMK, and wife of Henry Fenwick, Liberal, M.P., Sunderland, 1855–66. 4.The Afghan Frontier Commission, appointed by the British and Russian governments to determine the rival claims of the Turkoman territory acquired by Russian and Afghanistan.

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Scandal6 at the Princes’, with Mrs. Langtry7 as Lady Teazle. I do not think she has much improved and she is certainly losing her looks, but Farren as Sir Peter and Coghlan as C. Surface were both good. There was much jeunesse dorée and society faces generally, including Lord Hartington, who one thought might have been otherwise engaged at such a moment as this. Of course, Her Grace of Manchester too!8 5.Mary Wheatley, LMK’s cousin, at whose house she often stayed.

Tuesday 17 February Fawsley And now tomorrow Lent begins. May God help me so to keep it as to be a real help. I propose: 1. To get up earlier, so as to have more time for reading; 2. To observe as far as possible the hours of prayer; 3. To spend nothing I can possibly help; 4. To try not to be impatient with deafness etc.; 5. To be faithful and constant in intercessory prayer. Thursday 19 February Fawsley Buller’s1 force is retreating from Gubat instead of attacking Metemmeh as the Mahdi is advancing from Khartoum—which makes us very anxious. The Guards have all started by now (Monday) and there are many sad hearts in England. Parliament met today and a vote of censure is to be proposed, but it is all far beyond party feeling now. Rainald says he has never known such an anxious state of things in his time. And if we should beat the Government how can we take office with a majority of over 100 against us, the Redistribution and the Crimes Bill to pass, and no power of appealing to anything but a constituency which is declared incomplete? One thing is certain. Mr. Gladstone cannot be the statesman he has been thought or he never could have allowed things to come to such a pass. He is a financier and an orator, but his foreign policy is beneath contempt. And Russia is thundering at the gates of Herat!2 6.A comedy in five acts, completed in 1777, by Richard Brinsley Sheridan. 7.Lillie Langtry (1853–1929), known as the ‘Jersey Lily’ after her birth-place. One of the great beauties of her time and a favourite of the Prince of Wales. See J.Cowles, Edward VII and His Circle (1956), pp. 149–52. 8.Louise, Duchess of Manchester, wife of William Drogo Montagu, 7th. Duke. Two years after her husband’s death in 1890 she married Spencer Compton Cavendish, 8th. Duke of Devonshire, formerly Lord Hartington, thus the soubriquet, the ‘Double Duchess’. 1.Col. Sir Redvers Henry Buller (1839–1908), Wolseley’s chief of staff. 2.City in north-west Afghanistan.

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Wednesday 25 February Fawsley 1

Drove Mother over to Eydon. Rainald returned by way of Northampton where he attended a Conservative Meeting at which he and Mr. Phipps2 were finally selected candidates.3 Friday 27 February Fawsley 1

Rainald and Harry Gage departed to London to vote in their respective Houses for the vote of Censure2 moved yesterday by Lord Salisbury in a weighty and statesman-like speech.3 Of course, he will have an overwhelming majority but there is little or no chance of carrying it in our House, though Sir W. Harcourt’s open advocacy of the policy of ‘slaughter and scuttle’ has made some of the Whigs very shaky. Count Lutzow came to luncheon and made himself very pleasant. He is attached to the Austrian Embassy and hunts from Rugby. He spoke with the utmost contempt of Mr. Gladstone and his foreign policy, which as he truly says hinges on Madame Novikoff5 and the Greek Church. Oh, that fatal new departure in English politics in 1877!

1.Eydon Hall, near Culworth, the home of Col. Henry Cartwright. 2.Pickering Phipps, Conservative M.P., South Northamptonshire since 1881 and contesting the seat against Robert Spencer in the Brixworth division. 3.At the George Hotel, Northampton, Sir Rainald stated, ‘He should have been very happy to retire. He felt, however, having enjoyed a quiet seat for seventeen years it would have been rather cowardly to have retired with a contest imminent’. Northampton Herald, (NH), 28 Feb. 1885, p. 6. 1.Henry Charles, 5th Viscount Gage, of Firle, Sussex, nephew of Sir Rainald Knightley. 2.On the failure of the Sudan expedition and the abandonment of that country. 3.Hansard, 3, 294, cols. 1589–94, 26 Feb. 1885. 4.Sir William Harcourt (1827–1904), Secretary of State, Home Department, 1880–5. Liberal M.P., Derby, 1880–95. 5.Madame Olga Novikoff (1848–1925), a flamboyant Russian lady who influenced Gladstone on East European matters. See W.T. Stead (ed.), The M.P.for Russia, Reminiscences and Correspondence of Madame Olga Novikoff (1908), ii, pp. 132–50.

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Saturday 28 February Fawsley Hunted all by myself from Badby Wood, where Captain Close 1 announced to me the numbers: Conservative majority in the Lords 121, Government majority in the Commons 14.2 Couldn’t have been better. Rainald and Harry returned in the evening, the air full of rumours but nothing known. They won’t resign. Saturday 7 March Fawsley Public events may be summed up in the fact that Ministers have not resigned, that Prince Bismarck has made a most extraordinary speech with a violent attack 1 on England or rather the English Government and that we are on the brink of war with Russia about the Afghan frontier and Herat—just what we have all been foreseeing for years. But Mr. Gladstone has ostentatiously broken up the alliance with Germany and Austria and we are powerless! The incredible thing is that he said yesterday in the House that he had not read Bismarck’s speech which appeared on Thursday.2 His ignorance of foreign policy is simply fabulous. He cannot be so clever a man as is supposed, though doubtless a great financier and orator. These, briefly, are the events of the week. Besides, it has brought rather important decisions to us. Sir Maurice FitzGerald3 has consented (or all but) to stand for the Towcester division, and we have decided not to take a house in London! I really don’t much mind, specially as we are to go for a bit to Whitehall, and I am sure it is a wise decision for money matters are not satisfactory. Prices and trade don’t mend and I do so want Tiny4 to buy himself a horse. Besides we must be about to canvass. 1.Capt. Henry Vere Close of Roade. 2.On the previous day’s vote of censure. 1.In the Reichstag on 2 March, advising against England annexing Egypt. 2.Hansard, 3, 295, col. 293, 6 March 1885. 3.2nd. Bart, President of the Liberal Club, Daventry. Known as the ‘Knight of Kerry’, because of his estates in Co. Wexford. 4.LMK had two nicknames for Sir Rainald, Mite and Tiny.

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Tuesday 10 March Fawsley Rainald and I going off, in spite of the cold, to Rugby Steeplechase which was just about as pleasant as Steeplechases generally are (ugh!) but I am very anxious Rainald should go about and show himself as much as possible. Friday 13 March Normanton Park, Stamford What wealth of curious and interesting things there is in English country houses. This, alas, is a white elephant to its owners who are hard hit by agricultural depression. Mrs. Finch, Edith Montgomery,1 showed us over it: she seems to take much interest in it all. She is still very handsome. In the morning a long and interesting talk with Lady Aveland2 and Lady Burdett-Coutts3 about this movement started by the Archbishop of Canterbury to try and influence for good the ruling classes, beginning by special addresses to ladies at Lambeth. It was pleasant to hear Lady Aveland talk—anyone in her position may do so much. The Bishop etc. departed and Mr. Burdett-Coutts arrived. I was very curious to see them together, i.e. him and the Baroness. Saturday 14 March Fawsley He (Mr. Clarke) amused us by telling us that during the Midlothian campaign1 Mr. Gladstone wanted his pedigree made out (for it seems he has a pedigree, being of Scotch gentle descent, though they came down in the world so that his grandfather was a meal dealer at Leith) and employed Mr. Fraser2 the famous Scotch antiquarian to do it. And 1. Edith, second wife of George Henry Finch of Oakham, Conservative M.P., Rutland, 1867–1907. 2. Lady Evelyn Elizabeth, wife of Gilbert Henry Heathcote-Drummond Willoughby, 2nd. Baron Aveland. 3. Angela Georgina, Baroness Burdett-Coutts (1814–1906), married the American, William Ashmead Bartlett, in 1881, who assumed her name. The marriage was widely disapproved of as Bartlett was half the age of his bride. See E.Healey, Lady Unknown. The Life of Angela BurdettCoutts (1978), pp. 197–205. 1.Gladstone undertook a very effective series of public speeches in Scotland in Nov. 1879 and March 1880, attacking Beaconsfield policies. He was elected to the Edinburghshire (Midlothian) constituency in April 1880 and became Prime Minister after the ensuing general election. 2.William Fraser, Scottish genealogist and antiquary.

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behold, the needed papers were in the charter chest at Dalkeith and in the midst of the contest with his son, Mr. Fraser had to go to the Duke of Buccleuch3 for permission to consult them!

Sunday 15 March Fawsley We walked to the farm where are 134 lambs, all doing well, but first and last we have lost 6 ewes. Potatoes are absolutely unsaleable and though the weather is all one could wish, prices make profitable farming impossible. So Palmer1 insists on a reduction of rent and Rainald very reluctantly has had to give it for that is a big farm and we have as it is near 1000 acres on hand, the capital to farm which represents a very serious sum in interest when, as is our case, it is all borrowed from the bank. Still, there it is. We are doing what we believe to be right and must hope for better times. Tuesday 24 March Elton Hall,1 Peterborough Came home by way of Northampton where we had to spend an hour and congratulated ourselves that in future we shall have nothing to do with the nasty place, politically. Saturday 28 March Fawsley Rainald came home, sadly worried by more troubles about farms and the bank beginning to remonstrate about overdraft which will make it necessary to give a mortgage. We have fallen on difficult times.

3.Walter Francis Scott, 5th. Duke of Buccleuch, Boughton House. 1.Henry Palmer, tenant farmer, Preston Capes. 1.Elton Hall, family home of the Probys, Earls of Caryfort, and owners of estates in Co. Wicklow, Dublin and Kildare.

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I see I have not noted the sad ‘surprise’ of last Sunday when, owing apparently to want of proper scouting, our forces were surprised by an overwhelming force of Arabs.1 They rallied gallantly but we lost a good many men and a terrible number of camels and camp followers, so important when transport is of such enormous consequence. The Berkshire, my father’s old regiment the 49th, have distinguished themselves greatly. The Egyptian convention was carried last night by 48.2 The truth is, as Mr. Goschen3 said, the country itself is as much divided as the Cabinet as to what to do with Egypt.4 The Carysforts told us, and Lord Greville5 told Rainald, that in Ireland separation is looked upon as inevitable. I wonder if it could take the form of a personal union, like Austro-Hungary, and if the royal visit6 is a feeler in that direction, and how far life and property would be secure under a Parliament on College Green.7 I wonder too how the elections will go? Sunday 29 March Fawsley A dreary day, my darling so worried about private affairs (Smith1 and Lewin2 both talking of going) and public ones not much better. But we have entered on the most holy week and I must try to fix my thoughts. Monday 30 March Fawsley After a busy morning I went down to Charwelton and spent some time there seeing divers people. Mrs.Bolton, Mrs.Parsons, Mason junior,1 with whom a long political argument, finally the Checkleys2 who evidently take a very gloomy view of the coming election now fixed for November. He clearly thinks the labourers will all go wrong, says they are against the Queen, want to pull down everything and make everybody equal. It is not 1.The ambush took place near Suakin, north-east Sudan. 100 officers and men were killed, 136 wounded and 71 missing. The Times, 25 March 1885, p. 5. 2.By 294 to 246 votes. Hansard, 3, 296, col. 953, 27 March 1885. 3.George Joachim Goschen (1831–1907), Liberal Unionist M.P., Ripon, 1880–5. 4.Hansard, 3, 296, col. 914, 27 March 1885. 5.Algernon William, 2nd. Baron Greville, Conservative M.P., Westmeath, 1865–74. 6.The visit by the Prince and Princess of Wales took place in April. The 5th. Earl Spencer, LordLieutenant of Ireland, who had organized the visit, later put forward a proposal that a member of the Royal Family should reside in Ireland. The Queen vetoed this suggestion. See P.Gordon, The Red Earl (1981), i, pp. 31–2. 7.Hoggen or College Green, central district of Dublin. 1.Henry Smith, farmer of Dodford. 2.Richard Lewin, farmer, who in 1879 rented three farms from Sir Rainald Knightley. 1.Wife of John Bolton, grazier; wife of John E.Parsons, farmer of Charwelton; son of Thomas Gurney Mason of The Hall, Ufford. 2.Silas Checkley, publican of the Fox and Hounds, Charwelton.

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pleasant to hear of such bad feeling close by, among people to whom we have done our best to be kind. Yet I cannot regret having persuaded Rainald to stand. It would have been ‘un-Knightley’ to desert the cause at this crisis after 17 quiet years. And if, as I much, very much fear, he is beat, he will have the consciousness of having done his duty and we shall know that there is some good reason for it, this unknown to us. That is one’s only comfort in looking round the miserably dark horizon. Tuesday 31 March Fawsley Long tiresome interviews with Smith and Lewin. I do not know if the former (a most wearing individual) will stay but if he does, Rainald has promised to drain one big field for him next winter with the steam mole driving plough. And he held out vague hopes of a remission if next year should be reduced to £300 for 208 acres. I believe that farm has been let too high (35/6d per acre) though he has paid less for some time past. Wednesday 1 April Fawsley Rainald went to Daventry, I to Preston for a final Mothers’ Meeting and tea; very pleasant. They told me two curious things, one, that there are still some spinning wheels going— ‘mop wheels’—to spin the wool of which mops are made: the other, that the Moreton Pinkney women and girls go into Buckinghamshire, and as far as Stowe, to gather cowslips, and the next day take them to Daventry for sale, sometimes passing through Preston by 4 o’clock in the morning. They sell them, picked, at from 8d to 10d a gallon for cowslip wine. Now all the cottage windows are full of coltsfoot laid out to dry also for wine: later they will get dandelions. Thursday 2 April Fawsley 1

A long wearisome day. Mr. Waters came after breakfast, bringing the farm banking account since we began in 1880. It stands £16,500 against us! Of this we are supposed to have £7000 worth of stock and £2000 must be reckoned off for dairy produce, oats etc. sold to the house and stables, charged but not paid for. The remainder £7000 represents the loss over all the farms we have had in hand, acres and for which we have always paid ourselves the old rent, less 10 per cent. It is not satisfactory and one begins to see that the farmers don’t grumble for nothing. 1.Richard Waters, Sir Rainald’s agent and Under-Sheriff for the county.

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Tuesday 7 April Buckingham Palace Hotel Rainald met Lord Randolph Churchill1 in London. Landed this morning from India, very wroth with Sir Stafford.2 Much as I like him, I fear he is not up to the place. He also saw W.H. Russell who thinks we are certainly in for war with Russia. Sunday 19 April Normanhurst Court, Battle 1

I with Count Münster to Ashburnham,2 which absolutely touches this place, and must take high rank among the lovely places of England … Count Münster very pleasant. He seems to think war inevitable, says the news on Saturday was bad, and thinks we never ought to have sent our Commission to Afghanistan without being sure that the Russians meant to come: Thinks Russia will gain more by the delay than we shall. Tuesday 12 May Buckingham Palace Hotel The morning I spent on a Girls’ Friendly Society Committee: then came back here to receive a visit from Lady Wimborne1 and be enrolled as a ‘dame’ of the Primrose League … It sounds all rubbish but the objects, ‘the maintenance of Religion, of the Estates of the Realm and of the ascendency of the British Empire’, are excellent and I can quite believe that the paraphernalia helps to keep Conservatives together; means, in short, an army of unpaid canvassers. I next went with Nora2 to Westminster Abbey to hear another address from the Bishop of Truro.3 I liked it better than yesterday and it had a true manly 1.(1849–95), Conservative M.P., Woodstock, 1874–85, South Paddington, 1885–95. Leader of the Fourth Party. 2.Sir Stafford Northcote (1818–87), Conservative M.P., North Devon, 1866–85. 3.Sir William Howard Russell (1821–1907). War correspondent in the Crimea, 1854–5 and FrancoPrussian War of 1870–1. 1.German ambassador in London, 1873–85. 2.East Sussex. 1.Lady Cornelia Wimborne, sister of Lord Randolph Churchill, wife of Ivor Guest, 1st Baron Wimborne. 2.Eleonora Trevelyan, second wife of Sir Charles Edward Trevelyan (1807–86), 1st. Bart., Governor of Madras, 1859–60, best known as co-author with Sir Stafford Northcote of the Report on the organization of the Civil Service in 1853, which led to the introduction of competitive examinations in place of patronage. 3.George Howard Wilkinson, whose sermons had been much admired by LMK when he was vicar of St. Peter’s, Eaton Square. Ady, Journals, pp. 229 and 294.

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ring about it in which I have sometimes thought his addresses wanting. His exhortation to the men of England to take their part in the great battle against evil seemed to echo through the arches of that grand old Abbey while he did not forget to remind us that the ‘men will be what the women make them’. Then I stepped across the road, got into Mr. Peel’s4 gallery and heard Mr. Gladstone make one of the cleverest, most dexterous speeches I ever listened to. It was on the subject of local taxation: the Government were run within 2 about a week ago5 (unfortunately Rainald was not there—he telegraphed to Mr. Winn6 and getting no answer did not go up and got a nice little reprimand from Sir Stafford in consequence) and it came on again in the shape of putting the expenses of registration, which with all these new voters will be very heavy, on the rates or on the Consolidated Fund. Sir Massey Lopes7 whose pet subject it is spoke well but the way Mr. Gladstone pulled his speech to pieces put the blame of the delay in dealing with the whole subject on the Opposition, threatened the most direful results to the redistribution and registration bills if the Motion were carried and finally bribed the Irishmen by an additional £20,000, was too curious and too clever by half.8 It ended in a majority of 22 instead of 2 or as Rainald put it, 20 Irishmen at £1000 a piece.9 I wondered, as I sat there, if I should ever again, after this session, sit there as of right. Sir Michael Hicks Beach10 answered G.O.M. pretty well—he is coming out. Monday 13 May Buckingham Palace Hotel The drawing room for the first time since 1882.1 My dress was grey brocade and grey velvet train, the Duchess having seemed to think half mourning would be well and indeed I thought much of the Duke today. One always used to look out for him and looking across to the Palace as we do here (a lovely view of the gardens) one thinks of various times one went there to see him. I presented Mrs. Muntz 3(North Warwickshire) so was 4.Arthur Wellesley Peel (1829–1912), Speaker, 1884–92, Liberal M.P.,Warwick, 1865–1885. 5.First night of committee stage of Registration (Occupation Voters) Bill, 240 to 237 votes. Hansard, 3, 297, col. 1721, 5 May 1885. 6.Rowland Winn, Lord of the Treasury, 1874–80, Conservative M.P., North Lincolnshire, 1868–85. Created Baron St. Oswald, 1885. 7.Sir Massey Lopes, 3rd Bart., Conservative M.P.,South Devon, 1868–85. 8.On third reading of Registration (Occupation Voters) Bill. Hansard, 3, 298, cols. 372–81, 12 May 1885. 9.Ayes 280, Noes 258. 10.Sir Michael Hicks Beach, 9th. Bart. (1837–1916), Conservative M.P., East Gloucestershire, 1864–85, Chief Secretary for Ireland 1874–8. 1.LMK had been presented to the Queen on 11 May 1882, her third occasion. Ady, Journals, p. 353. 2.Helen of Waldeck-Pyrmont, Duchess of Albany, widow of Prince Leopold, who died 28 March 1884. 3.Rosalie Muntz, wife of Philip Albert Muntz, Conservative M.P., North Warwickshire, 1884–5.

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there some time as I had to wait for them and saw many friends. Among them Sir Howard Elphinstone,4 in utter despair about India. He has been military attaché at Berlin all the winter and warned the Government in December what was coming and what Russia meant to do and that a price was to be put on every Englishman’s head but they pooh-poohed him. Then he said the 9th Bengal Lancers were ordered to turn out—they thought it was to go to Suakin—and utterly refused to stir, till a brigade of R.H.A.had absolutely unlimbered their guns. It was all hushed up, but it is far too like the beginning of the Indian Mutiny. Then, as to Mr. Gladstone, he vouches for the following as a fact. Not long ago a man got out at Didcot Station and asked to be put in another carriage as he had been travelling with a madman. The station master went and looked into the carriage and said, ‘Why, that’s Mr. Gladstone.′ The traveller replied, ‘I don’t care who it is. I have had the care of lunatics for 12 years and that man has all the symptoms of advanced lunacy.′ The other day he sent for Lady Wolseley5—she naturally thought it was something about Lord Wolseley but after keeping her waiting some time all he said was to recommend them both to read George Eliot’s Life.6 It is indeed melancholy that the destinies of this great empire should be entrusted to such a man. Monday 18 May Buckingham Palace Hotel Rainald and Charley1 retired to town. Mother and I called on the Beckfords and on Lady Anne Moray,2 where I met the Duchess of Atholl3 whom I had never seen since Balmoral days just twenty years ago and Professor Owen,4 who took me round his very charming garden which is quite exceptionally pretty, groups of trees and shrubs and herbaceous plants, beautiful vistas, a most distinctive character of its own. There is something very attractive about him and he told me a charming story of Livingstone, how he promised if he came across anything exceptionally curious, to send it him. ‘Many people make that promise,′ said the Professor, ‘but it is seldom fulfilled.′ At the end of twenty years, he drove up with a most curious spiral elephant’s tusk, which he had coaxed out of a great African chief, who looked on it as a sort of fetish and slinging it in front of his bullock, never left sight of it till he had delivered it safely. 4.Col. Sir Howard Elphinstone (1829–90), VC, treasurer and Comptroller of the Duke of Connaught’s household. 5.Louisa, wife of General Garnet Joseph Wolseley (1833–1913), Viscount, commander of the Sudan expedition in 1884 to relieve Khartoum. 6.J.W.Cross (ed.), George Eliot’s Life as related in her Letters and Journals. Arranged and edited by her Husband (1885). 1.Charles Newdigate Newdegate, Conservative M.P., Warwickshire, 1843–85, and LMK’s cousin. 2.Wife of Charles Home Drummond Moray of Abercairn and daughter of Charles, 5th. Marquess of Queensberry. 3.Louisa, wife of John James, 7th. Duke of Atholl. 4.Professor Sir Richard Owen (1804–92), naturalist. He saw much of Livingstone and helped him with his book, Missionary, Travels and Researches in South Africa (1857).

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Tuesday 19 May Buckingham Palace Hotel Saturday, came home…antime, there is something very like a miniature crisis, Sir C.Dilke1 and Chamberlain2 refusing to agree to the renewal of the Coercion Bill.3 Look where one will the horizon is very dark. Sunday 31 May Fawsley 1

Juliet and I have been going about a good deal together to Badby and Charwelton and twice to Daventry to practise my duet with Jessie Forster,2 talk Primrose League with Mr. Burton,3 etc The election begins to occupy everybody very much now. Rainald has arranged his campaign and we talk of little else. I pray earnestly that we may be kept straight through it and not led to do anything wrong. Friday 5 June 4 Whitehall Yard1 Rainald and I to Christie’s to see the Beckett Denison Collection,2 which is to be sold owing to his sudden death. He bought enormously at all the great sales of late years, Hamilton Fountains etc, but it is said not wisely. However it is interesting to see many of the things again, including Daniel in the lion’s den, which he gave £5000 for and which I should be very sorry to possess. Somebody said, ‘No wonder the lions didn’t want to eat him, he looks so nasty.’ 1. Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke (1843–1911), Radical M.P., Chelsea, 1868–86, President of Local Government Board, 1882–5. 2. Joseph Chamberlain (1836–1914), Liberal M.P., Birmingham, 1876–85, President of Board of Trade, 1880–5. 3. See D.Nicholls, The Lost Prime Minister. A Life of Sir Charles Dilke (1995), p. 168. 1. Juliet, née Watson, wife of Charles Valentine Knightley, Sir Rainald’s cousin. 2. Daughter of Thompson Forster, Daventry, medical adviser to LMK. 3. Edward Charles Burton, of the firm of solicitors, Willoughby and Burton, and clerk to the magistrate of the borough and petty sessional division, Daventry. 1. The Gage’s London residence. 2. For details of the Beckett Denison Collection sale see The Times, 5 June 1885, p. 13. 3. Christopher Beckett Denison, son of Sir Edmund Beckett, Conservative M.P., East division, West Riding, 1868–80. 4. By Rubens.

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Monday 8 June 4 Whitehall Yard Another most deplorable day, more like November than June. Poured in torrents and so dark at six I could absolutely see to do nothing. Only went to the Broad Sanctuary to attend Miss Grosvenor’s St. Albans Meeting1 and read a paper on Perseverance which was rather a success I think. In the evening, Harry and I went to a Richter Concert:2 a most lovely Symphony of Mozart in E flat,3 the Andante in A flat, most especially lovely. Also Overture to Tannhauser and Venus Music, that extraordinarily powerful, mad, wicked music. But I enjoyed it hugely altogether. Rainald meanwhile is dividing about the Budget, all wrong I think, at least part of it, but they rather hope to beat the Government.4 Tuesday 9 June 4 Whitehall Yard And beat the Government they did, sure enough, by a majority of 12,1 as Rainald came home and told me at 2a.m.2 adding, This is the turning point in Salisbury’s career—if he takes office now he is no statesman,’ After luncheon I went to a most interesting meeting of the Primrose League at Lord Salisbury’s house: Lady Salisbury was there and Sir Stafford and Lady Northcote, from whom, as well as from Lord John Manners,3 Lord George Hamilton,4 Mr. Arthur Balfour5 and Mr. Marriott,6 we had capital speeches and felt encouraged to work hard in the cause. But when, at night, we went to Polly Ridley’s7 party, though everyone I spoke to said it would be madness to take office, Mr. Pennant8 1. A meeting of the St. Albans Diocesan Council held at the National Society’s Rooms, Westminster on 8 June 1885. Girls’ Friendly Society Associates Journal and Advertiser (AJA), Sept. 1885, p. 154. 2. Hans Richter (1843–1916). Austro-Hungarian conductor, chosen by Wagner to conduct the first complete Ring cycle. The concert took place in St. James’s Hall. 3. Symphony No. 39. 4. The Chancellor, Hugh C.E.Childers (1827–96), proposed increasing duties on spirits and beer. Hicks Beach put forward an amendment to include wine. This was carried by 264 to 252. 1. On the Customs and Inland Revenue Bill, second reading. Hansard, 3, 298, col. 1511, 8 June, 1885. Ayes 252; Noes 264. 2. Motion agreed to at 1.45 a.m. on Tuesday 9 June. 3. (1818–1906), Conservative M.P.,North Leicestershire, 1857–85. Holder of a number of Cabinet posts since 1852. 4. (1845–1927), Conservative M.P.,Middlesex, 1868–85. 5. (1848–1930), Conservative M.P.,Hertford, 1874–85. 6. William Thackeray Marriott, Liberal M.P.,Brighton, 1880 to Feb. 1884 when he took the Chiltern Hundreds. In March 1884 he stood as Conservative candidate and recaptured Brighton with a 1400 majority. 7. Lady Mary Ridley, wife of Sir Matthew White Ridley, 5th. Bart, Conservative M.P.,North Northumberland, 1868–85. 8. Hon. Edward Sholto Douglas-Pennant, son of 1st. Baron Penrhyn.

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told us he had seen Sir Stafford and that they had decided to do so. How they mean to pass a Crimes Bill for Ireland or a Budget with a majority of 100 against them, passes my comprehension. They are perfectly incorrigible, with the precedent of 1873 before them9 and the invariable defeat within a year of every single Government that has gone to the country since 1852. The only thing is that it may make a difference in foreign policy—but shall we last long enough? It takes the heart out of one sadly. Friday 12 June 4 Whitehall Yard Lord Salisbury went to Balmoral last night and the Queen returns as soon as possible, was the news today. Afterwards called on Lady Molesworth1 who, like the sensible woman that she is, deprecates our taking office and says no one can wish it except those who want the loaves and fishes of office. So the world goes round. Dined with the Duke of Grafton,2 a very large, smart party of most varied politics. I sat between Lord Tweedmouth3 and Lord Euston,4 the latter very friendly about local politics. My darling who had been gouty all day did not come on to the Queen’s Ball but in spite of going alone I enjoyed it very much, trotting about talking to all manner of men. Sir R. Cross5 and Mr. E.Stanhope6 want to come in of course, and are full of arguments in favour of it. Mr. Forster7 says the Kilmainham Treaty will be a joke to it if we try to govern Ireland next winter without a Crimes Bill. But there are hopes; Rainald has seen Mr.Chaplin,8 who does not want to take office and says Lord Randolph is not keen about it either and they talk of organizing a deputation to Lord Salisbury to beg him not to. The Radicals are all as pleased as Punch. 9. In 1873 Gladstone’s Irish University Bill was defeated on its second reading. He resigned and invited Disraeli to form a minority administration which he refused. Gladstone was forced to resume office. 1.Agnes, Lady Molesworth, second wife of Samuel, 8th. Viscount. 2.Augustus Charles FitzRoy, 7th. Duke of Grafton. 3.Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks, 1st. Baron Tweedsmouth. 4.Henry James FitzRoy, Earl of Euston. 5.Sir Richard Assheton Cross (1823–1914), Conservative M.P., South-West Lancashire, 1868–86. He became Home Secretary in Lord Salisbury’s 1885 Cabinet. 6.Edward Stanhope (1840–93), Conservative M.P.,Mid Lancashire, 1874–85 and Horncastle, Lincolnshire, 1885–93. Vice-President, Committee of the Privy Council on Education, 1885–6. 7.William Edward Forster (1819–96), Liberal M.P., Bradford, 1861–85. Vice-President, Committee of the Privy Council on Education, 1868–74, Chief Secretary of Ireland, 1880–82. 8.Henry Chaplin (1840–1923), Conservative M.P., Mid Lincolnshire, 1886–1906.

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Saturday 13 June 4 Whitehall Yard The chief event today to me has been that Rainald wrote a letter to Lord Salisbury, putting before him how strong is the opinion of the older and more experienced Members of the House of Commons that we should not take office.1 At all events he has delivered his own conscience. Tiny better and we drove together in the afternoon: in the evening went to a party at Lady Borthwick’s.2 Mr. Childers3 assures me everything is settled. I hope he speaks as he wishes.

You may cast off those friends like a huntsman his pack For you know when you please you can whistle them back’.

Monday 15 June 4 Whitehall Yard ‘Lord Salisbury accepts office’ was the news this morning but ‘there’s many a slip ‘tween the cup and the lip’ and I shall not be surprised still if it all falls through. Rainald says Sir M.Hicks Beach is dead against it and they can’t form a Cabinet without him and Lord Randolph. Harry and I went to the National Gallery to see the Ansidei Raphael1 and the Van Dyck of Charles I, lately bought by the nation from the Duke of Marlborough for £70,000. Both are fine pictures but fond as I am of pictures I should prefer the money. In the afternoon took Sophy2 to see the Military Chapel and the orchids. They had a very odd division in the Commons on the Lords amendments to Redistribution,3 Lord Randolph and Sir M.Hicks Beach voting against Sir Stafford and Rainald and about 30 other Conservatives, chiefly old and independent Members, going with them, as far as I can make out chiefly with the hope of stopping the Cabinet being made. It has made all the rest of the party very angry and I am not quite sure that I approve myself. 1.‘No doubt’, ‘he wrote,’ the aspirants for place take a different view but:Sir Rainald Knightley to Lord Salisbury, 13 June 1885, Hatfield House Papers, 3M/E. 2.Alice Beatrice Lister, wife of Sir Algernon Borthwick, proprietor of the Morning Post since 1876. 3.Liberal M.P., Pontefract, 1860–85, Secretary of State for War, 1880–2, Chancellor of the Exchequer, in Gladstone’s second Cabinet, 1882–5. 1. TheAnsidei Madonna commissioned by Bernadino Ansidei for the Servite church of San Fiorenzo, Perugia. 2.Sophia Selina, mother of Henry Gage. 3.That the Lords’ amendments to the Parliamentary Elections (Redistribution) Bill be considered. Lost by 86 to 36 votes. Hansard, 3, 298, col. 1580, 15 June 1885.

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Tuesday 16 June 4Whitehall Yard The political barometer goes up and down. This morning Rainald was in great spirits, this evening he is in despair, hearing that they have made up their differences. Lord Randolph has been to Lord Salisbury and it appears possible a Cabinet will be formed. Dined with the Ridleys, sat between Sir R.Cross and Edward Ridley.1 Sir Ridley of course could say nothing. Afterwards a long talk with Mr.Greenwood,2 of the St. James’s. He thinks it possible that the Queen may have put before Lord Salisbury the very precarious state of the Emperor William’s health and the great importance of our being in office when the new combinations are made, which must result in the breaking up of the 3 Emperor alliance. He says too that Mr. Chamberlain himself admits that we are gaining largely in the towns among the artisans and pins his hopes on the agricultural labourers.3 Lady Giffard (Sir Hardinge’s wife)4 says they are very antagonistic in Devonshire, indeed, no one knows how they will go. Wednesday 17 June 4 Whitehall Yard Alas! That division has turned out a great mistake:1 the net result is that Sir Stafford is shunted and goes to the Upper House.2 Perhaps it is as well for the party but I am very sorry for him. And if it is true that Lord Randolph is to have India, Heaven help us. Thursday 18 June 4 Whitehall Yard A sketch of the Cabinet in The Times this morning, including Lord Randolph for India and no Crimes Bill. Two most unprincipled arrangements, it seems to me. However, tonight there are rumours of a hitch.

1.Brother of Sir Matthew White Ridley and formerly a Conservative M.P., South Northumberland, 1878–82. 2.Frederick Greenwood, Conservative supporter and editor, St. James’s Gazette, 1880–1905. 3.This was the first election in which the labourers had a vote. 4.Wilhelmina, second wife of Sir Hardinge Giffard (1823–1921), Lord Chancellor in Salisbury’s first Cabinet 1885, when he was created a peer with the title Baron Halsbury. 1.See entry, 15 June 1885. 2.In the new ministry, Northcote was made a peer, taking the title Earl of Iddesleigh, with the post of First Lord of the Treasury.

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I had a ‘tear’ day, first to the Cavendishes,1 Lady Manners about the ball and then to deposit a bouquet for Lord Albemarle2 on this Waterloo Day, of which he is one of the very few survivors. 60 [sic] years have passed since then! It all seems so old world. Then to see Lady Mary Feilding,3 where I found Sybella, Lord Lyttelton.4 She declares Lord Randolph was in Downing Street with the Gladstones a week ago, swearing at his party and vowing he would turn Radical. She says too that Gladstone has been much influenced by Chamberlain and Dilke, that he was against bombarding Alexandria, against sending Gordon and for sending Zebehr5 but was overpersuaded in each case. In the evening, Rainald and I dined at our respective clubs which was great fun and afterwards went to hear Mignon7 at the Gaiety with Mlle. Van Zandt,8 a charming little actress and singer. Saturday 20 June 4 Whitehall Yard Oh dear! I could not write last night and 48 hours is much too long for this political crisis.1 After I had finished writing on Thursday night, Rainald came in and danced a literal hornpipe in my room about 1.30 a.m., saying the whole thing was busted up, in consequence of Gladstone and Co. refusing to give the assurances Lord Salisbury required before he would attempt to carry on the Government in a minority. All yesterday there was every kind of rumour: Lord Salisbury would not let the Redistribution Bill pass its final stage so as not to absolutely deprive the Queen of the power of a dissolution, whereupon it was promptly said there was to be one immediately. Then Mr. Yorke2 got up a memorial to Lord Salisbury asking him not to take office, which Rainald signed first, no one else having the pluck to do it. However, I don’t think it will be presented, though the mere fact of its having been started and a good many good names put to it, has doubtless not been without weight and tonight it seems quite certain that the Radicals will return to office. I am more glad than words can say, both publicly and privately. Some violent speeches from Mr. Chamberlain, Sir W. Harcourt and Sir C.Dilke giving a 1.Henry Cavendish, formerly married to Selina Gage, divorced in 1872; and his daughters, Edith, Ethel and Elfrida. 2. GeorgeThomas Keppel, 6th. Earl of Albemarle. This was the 70th. anniversary of the battle. 3.Daughter of William Basil, 7th. Earl of Denbigh and founder of the Working Ladies’ Guild, whose object was to assist ‘unmarried and widowed gentlewomen in need of employment, or in temporary difficulty’. LMK was introduced to the Guild in 1876. 4.Sybella, widow of Humphrey St. John Mildmay, married secondly George, 4th. Baron Lyttelton. 5.Zebehr Pasha, Sudanese official and prominent slave trader. 6.Sir Rainald was a member of the Carlton, White’s and Boodle’s clubs. LMK was a member of the Alexandra Club in Albemarle Street. 7.Opera by Ambroise Thomas. 8.Marie van Zandt (1858–1919), American soprano. 1.Salisbury had written to the Queen, asking Gladstone for an undertaking that he would support him on the Budget and Supply. The letter was passed on to Gladstone who declined to give such a pledge. See Hansard, 3, 298, cols. 1605–6, 19 June 1885. 2.John Reginald Yorke, Conservative M.P., East Gloucestershire, 1872–85.

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foretaste of what we should have to expect, have materially contributed to this result. Monday 22 June 4 Whitehall Yard Rainald came in to hear that it is all in the air again. Some compromise has been arranged, apparently by the Queen and it is thought we are to come in after all. I am sick to death of the whole thing. Wednesday 24 June 4 Whitehall Yard Came home to find Tiny in despair. Lord Salisbury has given way entirely and obtained none of the guarantees he stipulated for. The Queen I suspect has applied strong pressure and I fear been ill advised by Sir Henry Ponsonby.1 Rainald dined with the Lord Mayor.2 I went to a party at Mr. Arthur Wilson’s, talked to my friend Mr. Portman3 who said, ‘People say to me, why don’t you join the Tories? I say no, for with Lord Randolph they will be just as democratic as we are.’ said. ‘All you moderate men of both sides ought to join under Mr. Goschen’, who by the way has just been making an extremely able speech on the state of trade. Rainald looks upon him very much as his future leader. There is to be a meeting of both Houses at the Carlton tomorrow and he thinks of pitching into them: I wonder if it will be right or wise so to do? I felt too X with them all to go to Mr. W.H.Smith’s.4 Thursday 25 June 4 Whitehall Yard At night to a fine party at Grosvenor House, open for the first time for several years, lighted with the electric light and looking very well, filled with good looking people in 1.Maj-General Sir Henry Ponsonby (1825–95), Private Secretary to the Queen, since 1869. On 23 June, Ponsonby had seen Gladstone five times and Salisbury four. See A.Ponsonby, Henry Ponsonby (1942), p. 196. 2.Sir Robert Fowler, Conservative M.P., City of London, 1880–91. Lord Mayor, 1883–4, and from April 1885 when he was invited to take office again on the death of George Nottage, the then Lord Mayor. 3.Edwin Berkeley, son of 1st. Viscount Portman, Liberal M.P., North Dorset, 1885–92. 4.William Henry Smith (1829–91), Conservative M.P., Westminster, 1868–85, Secretary of State for War in Salisbury’s first Cabinet, June 1885.

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their best clothes and diamonds. Princess Christian1 and Princess Mary2 were there and Albani;3 Freddie and Edward Lloyd4 made beautiful music. Rainald went to the meeting at the Carlton but did not speak. Lord Salisbury told him the pressure the Queen put on him had been such as he could not resist.5 I suppose she knows something in foreign affairs of which we are ignorant. Tuesday 30 June 4 Whitehall Yard 1

Dined with Mr. and Mrs.Foljambe, sat between Sir Walter Barttelot2 and Lord Henley,3 the latter radiant as being made an English peer. Afterwards to Polly Ridley’s last party, where was my Mamma. Matt4 frantic at the usage he has received from the Government, being told perpetually that he was to be either Irish Secretary or Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs and finally given neither. I cannot understand why he has been so illused, for everybody speaks so highly of him. Told him not to let himself be kicked upstairs.5 1.Princess Helena, daughter of Queen Victoria and wife of Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein. 2.Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge, wife of Francis, Duke of Teck. 3.Emma Albani (1852–1930), Canadian soprano. Associated with Covent Garden Opera House from 1872. 4.Edward Lloyd (1845–1927), English tenor who achieved notable success in later years, receiving the Philharmonic Gold Medal in 1900. 5.The party meeting was addressed by Salisbury, supported by Northcote and Algernon George, 6th. Duke of Northumberland, on the decision to accept office. See A.B.Cooke and John Vincent, The Governing Passion (1974), p. 269. 1.Francis John Foljambe, Conservative M.P., East Retford, 1857–85, and his wife, Lady Gertrude Acheson, daughter of Archibald Brabazon, 4th. Earl of Gosford. 2.Sir Walter Barttelot, 1st. Bart., Conservative M.P., West Sussex, 1860–85. Like Sir Rainald, an independent spokesman of the country gentleman. See F.J.Feuchtwanger, Disraeli, Democracy and the Tory Party (1968), p. 65. 3.Anthony, 3rd. Baron Henley, Watford Court, Northamptonshire. 4.Sir Matthew White Ridley, 5th. Viscount, Conservative M.P., North Northumberland, 1868–85. His wife wrote to Lord Iddesleigh in 1886, ‘Until last July, I looked upon Matt as an integral part of any Conservative government which might be formed, and it came as a rude shock to find it was not so’. Mary Ridley to Iddesleigh, 4 Aug. 1886, Iddesleigh Papers, BL Add. MS. 50042 f. 194. 5.Ridley was appointed as Financial Secretary to the Treasury, serving until 1886.

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Friday 3 July 4 Whitehall Yard With Rainald to a garden party at Lowther Lodge,1 where by the way, was the Siamese band. What does one not hear in London? Then fell in with Lady Northcote, as she bade me still call her, and had a little talk with her. She evidently feels deeply Sir Stafford’s expulsion from the House of Commons, for I can call it by no other name. Saturday 4 July 4 Whitehall Yard First thing a charming note from ‘Lord Iddesleigh’ to Rainald in answer to his of some time ago:1 with one signed C.F.Northcote,2 by the way asking us to dinner. Dined with Sir Thomas3 and Lady McGarel-Hogg,4 a pleasant dinner. Sat between Matt. Ridley and Mr.de Saumarez5 and met the Iddesleighs, who were both as nice as they could be. She told me they had chosen the title partly because Iddesleigh was a manor which had belonged to Sir John Northcote of the Long Parliament, partly because 40 years ago, she and he and his sisters, sitting over the fire there, one of them said laughing, ‘I am sure Stafford will be a great man some day and will be made an Earl and then he must be called Earl of Iddesleigh’—curious. On to a party at Mrs. Peel’s6 on the terrace, where it was delicious. 1.Lowther Lodge, Kensington, built by Norman Shaw as a private residence for William Lowther in 1875, now the home of the Royal Geographical Society. In the morning LMK had attended a conference at the Jerusalem Chamber, Westminster Abbey, on boarding out orphan pauper children. The Times, 4 July 1885, p. 14. 1.Knightley Papers, 4 July 1885, BL Add. MS. 46359 f. 94. 2.Cecilia Frances, Iddesleigh’s wife. 3.Sir Thomas Munro, 2nd. Bart., Lindertis, Forfarshire, commonly referred to in the Journals as ‘Sir T’. 4.Caroline, Lady McGarel-Hogg, wife of Sir James McGarel-Hogg, Conservative M.P., Truro, 1871–85. 5.Arthur de Saumarez, private secretary to Sir Stafford Northcote, 1881–7. Married to Edith, daughter of Sir James and Lady McGarel-Hogg. 6.Adelaide, wife of the Speaker, Arthur Wellesley Peel.

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Tuesday 7 July 4 Whitehall Yard Dined with the Eatons. Sat between Colonel Eaton1 and Sir John Millais,2 as he has just become, whom I found a great talker, very frank and outspoken. Told me he was of an old Jersey family and had worked his way up entirely from nothing. On to Mrs. Cavendish-Bentinck’s.3 Thursday 9 July 4 Whitehall Yard Tremendously hard at work adding up the petitions and signatures for the ‘protection of minors’ for Rainald who gave the numbers (311 petitions and over 40,000 signatures presented by the Girls’ Friendly Society alone) to Sir R. Cross for his speech on the 2nd Reading tonight.1 I do hope our part of the Bill will pass. Went to a long Executive.2 Afterwards drove with Evie Munro.3 Saw Mrs. Taylor’s pretty twins and then went to the House of Commons where Sir Michael Hicks Beach was moving his Budget.4 Pleasant to see our people in their new places and all the elections are going splendidly for us. Mr. Fowler (Wolverhampton) made a most abominably Radical speech, offensive in every way:5 Mr. Grantham6 answered him very well. The Cavendishes, Foleys,7 Sir Thomas and Mr. Lawrie 8 dined. 1.Henry William Eaton, Conservative M.P., Coventry, 1865–80 and re-elected, 1881–7. 2.John Everett Millais (1829–96), painter and a president of the Royal Academy. Created baronet, 1885. 3.Prudence, wife of George Augustus Cavendish-Bentinck, Judge-Advocate-General, 1875–80, Conservative M.P., Whitehaven, 1865–91. 1.Adjourned debate on second reading of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, introduced by R.A. Cross, Secretary of State, Home Department. On a previous occasion, an attempt to raise the age of consent from 13 to 14 had been opposed by Cross. In his speech, Cross stated that improvements in morals could be brought about by providing the population with ‘constant employment’. The bill was read a second time. Hansard, 3, 299, cols. 197–9, 9 July 1885. 2.Of the Girls’ Friendly Society (GFS). 3.Georgina Evelyn Munro, a niece of Sir Thomas Munro. 4.Hansard, 3, 299, cols. 127–50, 9 July 1885. 5.Henry Hartley Fowler (1830–1911), Liberal M.P., East Wolverhampton, 1885–1908. UnderSecretary of State, Home Department, 1884–5. 6.William Grantham, Conservative M.P., East Surrey, 1874–85. Hansard, 3, 299, cols. 142–61, 9 July 1885. 7.Henry John Hodgetts Foley, Liberal M.P., South Staffordshire, 1857–68, and his son, Paul Henry Foley, a barrister. 8.Land agent, Firle estate, East Sussex.

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Friday 10 July 4 Whitehall Yard Mother came to luncheon and drove after Sir Walter Barttelot had kindly taken me to the Central Conservative Office, where I hope to get some useful canvassing information, specially answers to the Financial Reform Almanack.1 Sunday 12 July 4 Whitehall Yard I went to luncheon with Mrs. Jeune,1 most amusing. Our party consisted of the new American Minister, Mr.Phelps,2 Mr.Justin McCarthy,3 Mr.Greenwood, Mr.Raikes,4 Lord Castletown,5 Sir James Ferguson6 and another man, secretary7 to Sir C.Dilke. Talk of Lord Carnarvon8 being the last Viceroy and Prince Edward of Wales to take up his abode there. Mr. Greenwood asked Mr. McCarthy9 how he would like that. ‘We should be quite indifferent,′ was his answer. Mrs.Jeune seems to think there is little doubt that there is some sort of bargain between the Conservatives and the Parnellites, and that Lord Carnarvon has a great deal to do with it. 1.Annual journal published by the Financial Reform Association since 1883 detailing the financial affairs of the country. 1.Mary Susan Jeune, an authority on social issues and a renowned society hostess. Wife of Francis Jeune, Q.C. 2.William Walter Phelps, Congressman and diplomat. 3.Justin C. McCarthy, Irish Nationalist. M.P., North Longford, 1885–6. For his friendship with Mrs. Jeune, see his Reminiscences (1889), ii, pp. 366–7. 4.Henry Cecil Raikes, Conservative M.P., Cambridge University, 1882–91. 5.Bernard Edward Barnaby, 2nd. Baron Castletown. Served in Egypt, 1882. 6.Sir James Ferguson, 2nd. Bart., former Governor of South Australia, New Zealand, and Bombay, 1880–5. Conservative M.P., N.E.Manchester, 1885–1906. 7.John Edward Courtenay, private secretary, 1882–5, and secretary to the Royal Commission on the Housing of the Working Classes, 1884–5. 8.Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert, 4th. Earl of Carnarvon (1831–90), the newly appointed LordLieutenant of Ireland, pursued a conciliatory course with the Irish from early July. He finally met Parnell on 1 August in an unoccupied house in Hill Street, London. See F.S.L.Lyons, Parnell (1977), pp. 283–8. 9.Journalist and Editor of the Morning Star, Irish Nationalist M.P., Longford Co., 1879–85. See Lady St. Helier, (Mary Jeune), Memories of Fifty Years (1909), pp. 214–5.

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Wednesday 15 July 4 Whitehall Yard To a party at Grosvenor House, which was not smart, but plenty of people to talk to. Mr. Russell 1evidently low about the Aylesbury election.2 It would be a triumph if we were to beat the Rothschild. Mr.Bischoffsheim3 talked to Rainald about our contest. Saturday 18 July 4 Whitehall Yard Rainald came in from the House at 2 o’clock this morning in perfect despair at Lord Randolph, Mr. Gorst1 having to all intents and purposes conceded to the Parnellites an enquiry into Lord Spencer’s2 administration of justice in Ireland.3 I shall really feel ashamed to look at him in the face when I see him. The man has carried his life in his hand for three years. Last November we had not words good enough for him and now on no more evidence, just to catch the Irish vote, we turn round like this! It is too disheartening and disgusting.

1.George W.E. Russell, Liberal M.P., Aylesbury, 1880–5, Parliamentary Secretary, Local Government Board, 1883–5. 2.The by-election at Aylesbury declared two days later, resulted in a victory for the Liberal candidate, Ferdinand de Rothschild, with a majority of 937 votes over his Conservative opponent, W.Graham. 3.Henry Louis Bischoffsheim, Dutch banker, and connoisseur of French furniture and art. 1. John Eldon Gorst (1835–1916), Conservative M.P., Chatham, 1875–82. Member of the Fourth Party of which Lord Randolph Churchill was the leader. Solicitor-General, 1885–6. 2. John Poyntz, 5th. Earl Spencer (1835–1910), Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, 1868–74 and 1882–5, Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, 1872–1908. 3. Charles Parnell’s motion called for the re-opening of the Maamtrasna and other cases. Hansard, 3, 299, col. 1124, 17 July 1885.

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Thursday 23 July 4 Whitehall Yard 1

Dined with Lord Strathnairn again, sat between Sir Owen Burne2 and Mr. Hozier,3 Lord Salisbury’s secretary, whom I found pleasant. Sir Owen thinks we shall have war with Russia yet, and indeed the way things drag on look like it. The public however is much more occupied with a disgraceful fracas4 between Lord Lonsdale and Sir G.Chetwynd5 all about Mrs. Langtry which took place in Rotten Row yesterday. Wednesday 29 July Fawsley And now tomorrow I embark on my electioneering campaign.1 Of course, to help my own darling husband is my strongest motive, but from the bottom of my heart, I do believe that the cause he will support is the cause of religion, of liberty and of prosperity for this country and every class of its inhabitants and with a perfectly clear conscience I can set about what to me is an utterly new and strange undertaking, only praying God that I may do it as in His sight and in obedience to what I believe to be His Will and earnestly beseeching Him to keep me and mine from all sin in the doing of it, humbly leaving the result in His Hands. 1. Field Marshal Hugh Henry Rose, Baron Strathnairn of Strathnairn (1801–85). C-in-C Armed Forces, Ireland, 1865–75. 2. Sir Owen Tudor Burne (1837–1909), former Secretary in the Political and Secret Department of the India Office. 3. James H. Hozier, private secretary to Lord Salisbury, 1885–6. 4. Lillie Langtry, seeking to avoid the attentions of the two gentlemen, made separate arrangements to meet each of them in Rotten Row by the statue of Achilles at 1.00 p.m. on 22 July. Once the admirers realised the situation they began to quarrel and punch each other to the amusement of passers-by as well as to Lillie, who observed the scene at a suitable distance. See N.B. Gerson, Lillie Langtry. A Biography. (1972), pp. 126–8. 5. Hugh Lowther, 5th. Earl of Lonsdale, and Sir George Chetwynd of Grendon, Warwickshire. 1. See P. Gordon, ‘Lady Knightley and the South Northamptonshire Election 1885’, Northamptonshire Past and Present (NP&P), vi, 5, (1981–2), pp. 265–73.

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Thursday 30 July Fawsley Off early to Badby to be present at the Diocesan School Inspection, at which I cannot say that Miss Allen’s1 pupils distinguished themselves. Did a little canvassing there and returned in the evening and met a considerable number of the men at John Amos’s and Ephraim Cox’s2 who all promised their votes, I should think 30 or more. There are, however, a few who hold different views, one Smith for instance, whom I hunted out and who is a reader of the Labourers’ Chronicle3 and we had a long talk about the land laws, whether with any result I know not. However, so far good, though Rainald says, if Badby were wrong, one might as well throw up the sponge at once. Saturday 1 August Fawsley In the evening went down to Badby again and visited some more cottages, getting some promises and one or two evasive answers, which mean refusals. One dear old man, Walker, said, I shall give my vote to Sir Rainald if he will accept of it.′ Another, Jeffs,1 who did not know me, ‘I’ve allus voted blue if that’s what you mean.′ Sunday 2 August Fawsley Began my Sunday class again. I hope nothing will make me neglect that which I believe to be, or at least ought to be, the best bit of work I do. Lesson on the 5th Commandment. In the afternoon to the farm, where many ducks have been lost 23 in the standing corn, where the fox took some, and others were suffocated, and a dozen or more taken by ‘gorcrows’, a word I heard for the first time for carrion crows. 1.Charlotte Allen, mistress of the Badby Infants’ School. 2.John Amos, shoemaker, and Ephraim Cox, shopkeeper, both from Badby. 3.The English Labourers’ Chronicle was the official organ of the National Agricultural Labourers’ Union, published between 1877 and 1894. 1.Thomas Walker, grocer; Edward Jeffs, tailor.

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Monday 3 August Fawsley 1

A busy day. Old Hands, Captain Garratt after breakfast to talk canvassing. At luncheon, Admiral and Mrs. Grey,2 widow of Sir George, a charming old gentlewoman: also Mr. Longden,3 a curate from Northampton, who came with a large party of Bank Holiday people, and put me in mind of nothing so much as the Private Secretary.4 In the evening to Newnham, where accompanied by Old Key,5 I performed a most successful house to house canvass with only 6 or 7 doubtful answers and many cordial receptions. If we can but get half the labourers we shall do. Friday 7 August Fawsley 1

Charlie and Juliet went to town for the day returning quite late. I went very early down to Badby for the Government School Inspection. In the evening drove to Staverton and canvassed about half the village but heavy rain prevented our finishing, and though I got a fair number of promises there did not seem to me quite the cordiality I should like. Rainald went groaning off for the first of his meetings, at Brackley, where he was put up by young Cartwright.2 Saturday 8 August Fawsley Rainald returned from Brackley well pleased with his meeting which was an open one and about as many radicals as Conservatives but they heard him attentively and he says he spoke well.1 He came back by Northampton where a meeting to vote an address to

1.William Hands, farmer, Charwelton; Capt. Thomas Garratt, Braunston House, Braunston. 2.Admiral George Grey and his mother, The Manor House, Moreton Pinkney. 3.Revd. Henry Isham Longden (1859–1942), St.Michael and All Angels, Northampton, 1882–8, later author of Northamptonshire and Rutland Clergy from 1500. 4.A farcical comedy, written by Gustav von Moser and adapted by Charles Hawtrey, which LMK had seen in May 1884. 5.John Key, farmer and grazier, Newnham. 1.Charles Valentine Knightley. 2.Thomas Barclay Cartwright, Brackley. 1.According to one newspaper, the conduct of the radical Thomas Judge, a local grocer, caused the meeting to be broken up abruptly. NH, 15 Aug. 1885, p. 6.

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Lord Spencer.2 If I had only known ladies would be there I should certainly have gone for I consider he deserves thoroughly well of his country. I went with Nina3 to Little Everdon and then on to Dodford with Mrs. W.Bromwich4 where I was received with the utmost cordiality and got the promise from every voter.

Monday 10 August Fawsley Dawdled about, played croquet, etc. Charlie and Juliet returned from Dunchurch and in the evening we went to a meeting at Daventry.1 It was tremendously full and very noisy but nothing Rainald says to Brackley. They listened however very fairly to him but would not let Sir Henry2 say one word not having forgiven his calling them ‘shoe blacks’ some time ago. Colonel Lowndes3 made a very good chairman and questions were invited but Mr. Ashworth Briggs4 was not there and only one man (who we afterwards found had come by train), got up, asked about the franchise when Rainald replied about redistribution (he had previously read out a very telling quotation from a speech he made in 1852 about the country people being quite as fit for the vote as the townspeople). Then he asked if Rainald would vote for an affirmation bill5 or against compulsory vaccination and then came a question about foreign corn which Rainald answered very dexterously and altogether it went off very well. There were a considerable number of Radicals, perhaps a third of the room, but everybody agreed it was very successful and of course they are better judges than I as I never was at that sort of meeting before. It was very exciting. 2.On 8 Aug. 1885 Spencer received an enthusiastic welcome at County Hall, on his return from Ireland. His colleague, Lord Granville, told him, ‘You must have enjoyed your Northamptonshire reception more than all your other honours’. Granville to Spencer, 14 Aug. 1885, Spencer Papers. Countess Spencer and Lady Wake, with other ladies, attended. Northampton Daily Reporter, 8 Aug. 1885, p. 4. 3.Nina St. Paul, wife of David St. Paul of Everdon Hall, Little Everdon. 4.Wife of William Bromwich, The Hall, Staverton, near Daventry. 1.NH, 15 Aug. 1885, p. 6. 2.Sir Henry Edward Leigh Dryden, 4th. and 7th. Bart., known as The Antiquary’, Canons Ashby. 3.Col. John H.Lowndes, magistrate on the Daventry Bench. 4.Edwin Francis Ashworth Briggs, Daventry barrister and a Radical, and Sir Maurice FitzGerald’s election agent. 5.A reference to Charles Bradlaugh, elected Radical M.P, for Northampton since 1880, who was refused the right to affirm instead of swearing on the Bible. A motion on 6 July 1885 to allow him to take his seat in the Commons had been defeated. See W.L.Arnstein, The Bradlaugh Case. A Study in Late Victorian Opinion and Politics (1965), pp. 197–8.

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Thursday 11 August Fawsley Rainald off again to Towcester where he seems to have had quite as good a meeting as the one at Daventry only again they wouldn’t hear Sir Henry.1 Charlie, Juliet and I canvassed Braunston, I with Colonel Lowndes and Mr. West, Charlie with Mr. Butlin,2 Juliet with Captain Garratt. We got a great many promises, some blunt refusals and a great many boat people were away. But on the whole it was decidedly satisfactory. We dined with the Garratts: a very tiring day. Wednesday 12 August Hams, Birmingham1 Spent a wearisome day in journeying here waiting ages at Rugby and Birmingham. But they have asked us so often since 1863 that I was determined to come. Only a family party but Lord Norton very agreeable. Much amused with his story of the Rugby porters, all radicals, who bought some land near the station with a view to selling it again at an increased price whenever the station needed enlargement. Mr. E.Clarke2 went down to address a Meeting there, hearing this, was down upon them at once about ‘unearned increment’, which understanding they promptly became Conservatives! Thursday 13 August Hams, Birmingham Walked about in the morning, the grounds at the back of the house along the river Wrey are very prettily laid out. After luncheon arrived 200 Birmingham factory girls and had tea in a tent, after which Canon Mason gave a capital address on the art of getting husbands, in which the humorous and the serious were very happily blended. I spoke afterwards, shortly, not I think badly. It was very pretty when after an afternoon of games they gathered round the steps and sang Onward Christian Soldiers beneath the crescent moon.

1.Northampton Daily Chronicle, 12 Aug. 1885, p. 3. 2.George Allen Butlin, Braunston. 1.The Hams was the Adderley family home near Lea Marston, Warwickshire. 2.Edward Clarke, Conservative M.P., Plymouth, 1880–1900.

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Monday 17 August Fawsley Went with Rainald to Ashby St. Ledgers to call upon Mr. and Mrs.Senhouse who have lately succeeded old Captain Senhouse.1 She seems pleasant. On the way back attended a meeting of the Conservative Committee to arrange for canvassing the town and got them to agree to my having a large Ladies’ Committee. I hope and think this will work well. Tuesday 18 August Fawsley Walked to the farm in the evening. Edie Barne and I canvassed Helmdon in company with Messrs. Goodman, Canning and Watson.1 We got a decided majority of promises and some we were not expected to get but we could not finish. It is wonderful what a time it takes. Rainald meantime went to West Haddon to attend a meeting of Mr. Phipps’s,2 partly to help him, partly to take leave of his constituents in that part of the present division.3 He said many of the farmers were very nice and cordial and seemed sorry to lose him. The audience listened attentively till he mentioned Lord Randolph Churchill which provoked a regular storm.4 It was the same at Brackley. Tuesday 25 August Fawsley Drove into Daventry and met about 30 ladies of the larger Committee and arranged to divide the town into districts, 2 to go with me in each. In the evening a cheerful and successful dinner of 26: Lowndes (3 who slept), Collyers, Gilbertsons, Horn, Athertons, Forsters and Mr. Grant.1

1.Capt. William Senhouse, Manor House, Ashby St. Ledgers. 1.James Goodman, Catesby Abbey, Daventry; Frederick Canning, Helidon House, Daventry; William Watson of Daventry. 2.Candidate for the new Mid Northamptonshire Division. Sir Rainald spoke in his support at the meeting. NH, 22 Aug. 1885, p. 6. 3.In 1885, the Boundary Commissioners divided the county into four single-member constituencies. 4.Randolph Churchill in two speeches on 7 and 12 Aug. had attacked Spencer’s methods of administration in Ireland. 1.Revd. Lewis Gilbertson, rector of All Saints, Braunston; Misses Horn, Daventry; William Churchill Atherton of Welton; Edward Grant, Litchborough, Weedon.

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Friday 28 August Fawsley Rainald went to Helmdon in quest of a horse. I began Daventry and did New Street and London Road in company with Mrs. Willoughby and Miss Isobel Burton. Met with much civility and a fair percentage of promises, including to my utter astonishment the Wesleyan minister.1 Sunday 30 August Fawsley I do not want to let this electioneering absorb me too much, even though I feel convinced it is right to do it. Had a letter today from Mrs. Smith of Lois Weedon hoping that Rainald will support Women’s Suffrage. There is much more feeling for that among the middle and lower classes than among the London fine ladies. Monday 31 August Fawsley Off to Daventry again and canvassed High Street etc. in company with Mrs.Forster, Miss K. Eagleton1 and Mrs. Stopford2 at different parts. Found some very decided Radicals among the shop keepers and some moderate Liberals, who however after the manner of Whigs are not tempted to change their views. But still an overwhelming majority of promises—enough and to spare for a deal of pie crust. Had luncheon with Mrs. Forster after which Rainald picked me up and we went to a tennis party at Mrs. Loder’s3 but it was cold and gloomy. 1.Revd. William Ellis, minister of the Wesleyan Chapel, Daventry since 1883. 1.Secretary of the Knightley Habitation from its inception. 2.Wife of Lieut.-Col. Henry Edward Stopford, J.P., Falconer’s Hill, Daventry. 3.Wife of Edmund Giles Loder, Flore House, Weedon Beck.

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Tuesday 1 September Fawsley Much the nicest day for some time. Off again and with Mrs. Cox and Miss Eagleton did Warwick Street and Waterloo, the latter supposed to be a great haunt of Radicals, and indeed I came across several and argued with them: but always the same unvarying civility. Home in time to play croquet with Tiny which was a treat. Friday 4 September Fawsley A very long morning’s work with Mr. Willoughby, Mrs.Burgess, Mrs.Cox in St.James’s Street and Oxford Street more radicals than I have yet encountered and many decided refusals. But I rather enjoyed discussions with some of them: especially one Aubrey Hickman, much much the most intelligent I have come across. He talked about Russia and Afghanistan and completely posed both Mr. Willoughby and me about the Bankruptcy Act.1 Came home and had a visit from Lady Dryden2 and played croquet. Tuesday 8 September Fawsley 1

Wedding of Mary Knightley to Mr.Hickman, the first Miss Knightley marriage at Fawsley for 200 years. The bride and bridegroom departed at 2.30 and by 3.00 the garden party began to arrive. A very large and successful one, including the Spencers and Lord and Lady Charles Bruce.2 (Warmly congratulated Lord Spencer on his Irish career. Would have done nothing of the kind if I could have looked on a few months! 24 June 1886). 1. The Bankruptcy Act of 1883, ‘to amend and consolidate the Laws of Bankruptcy’, had been piloted through the Commons by Joseph Chamberlain, then President of the Board of Trade. Hansard, 3, 227, cols. 816–35, 19 March 1885. 2. Frances, wife of Sir Henry Dryden. 1. Sister of Charles Valentine Knightley married Maj. Stopford Hickman. Midland Times and Gazette, 12 Sept. 1885, p. 5. 2. Lord Charles Brudenell-Bruce, Liberal M.P., Marlborough, 1878–85 and Earl Spencer’s librarian; and his wife, Augusta Georgiana, sister of Lady Spencer.

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Wednesday 9 September Fawsley We left our guests to take themselves away and drove off in the pony carriage to the Agricultural Show at Northampton,1 a very good one, specially sheep, and well attended… Met heaps of people and heard many contradictory reports about election matters—Mr. Monckton2 less sanguine than I could wish about Lord Burghley.3 A good many farmers said they had heard of my canvassing and that it was doing good. Lord Henley chaffing and Lord Spencer great fun about my little table of Conservative leaflets which he discovered yesterday. Altogether amusing only I was so frightfully tired, stiff and sore all over. Friday 11 September Fawsley Off again canvassing to Daventry and finished, Brook Street affording the most satisfactory results and I have not had one uncivil word. Even Mr. Jeffs, Rainald’s interrogator at the meeting, with whom I had a long discussion on franchise and redishibution, affirmation bill, maintenance of parents etc, was most civil and wound up by saying he regretted he had not had an opportunity at the meeting of thanking Rainald for the courteous way in which he answered his questions. Saturday 12 September Fawsley To Daventry. Went first to the workhouse, read to the old men, and went to the infirmary, where are one or two sad cases. It is a melancholy sight at best, though they seem comfortable and well cared for. On to Drayton with Mr.Burton, Miss Goodman and Mrs. Gurney.1 Less satisfactory, don’t think we got more than half. Some however for pleasant reasons—kindness shown in former days etc. 1. The Northamptonshire Agricultural Show was held on the Racecourse, NH, 12 Sept. 1885, p. 6. 2. Edward Philip Monckton, Fineshade Abbey, near Bulwick. 3. Henry Brownlow, Lord Burghley, Conservative M.P., North Northamptonshire, 1877–95. 1.Miss Goodman of Staverton; Mrs.Caroline Gurney, mistress of the Infants’ School, Drayton.

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Tuesday 15 September Fawsley I canvassed Charwelton. In spite of all we have heard about its Radicalism I believe it’s a good deal swagger and that when it comes to the point they will vote for the man who has always been kind to them, though perhaps they will not tell each other so. Wednesday 16 September Fawsley 1

Rainald went beaking and I to Daventry … Then I went to the workhouse and canvassed the houses on the Badby Road and finally attended a very satisfactory meeting of the Primrose League (Knightley) Habitation, at which Colonel Lowndes was chosen Ruling Councillor. Friday 18 September Fawsley Mrs. Craven1 and Athertons came to call. In the evening Rainald went to Byfield and had a very satisfactory meeting and made a good little speech; saying that Mr.Gladstone without his voice was like Samson without his hair was original.2 I meanwhile finished canvassing Badby. I was pleased with Aris for the straight forward, honest way in which he said he would not vote for Rainald. 1.I.e. acting as a magistrate, attending Daventry Petty Sessions. 1.Wife of John Albert Craven, Whilton Lodge. 2.NH, 26 Sept. 1885, p. 3.

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Saturday 19 September Fawsley 1

Harry Cartwright came to luncheon. In the evening to Farthingstone: most unsatisfactory, the labourers ignorant and prejudiced to a degree, and I got barely a dozen votes. If there are many such villages it will be a bad look out. Mr. Gladstone’s manifesto out,2 weak and incomprehensible. Monday 21 September Fawsley To Woodford where I met Charlie and we canvassed Woodford Hinton with very satisfactory results. But it is dreary work sometimes talking to the labourers. One feels they have a right to be discontented and one has nothing to promise them. Thursday 24 September Burley-on-the-Hill, Oakham In the afternoon a Girls’ Friendly Society festival of 150 girls. I really did not know it flourished so well up here. Miss Hawkesley1 addressed them on the terrace and spoke extremely well though rather long: but she knows how to speak to girls and I picked up many hints, specially keeping a hold over them by means of their birthdays, writing to them and praying for them on that day. I spoke after tea. 1.Col. Henry Cartwright of Aynhoe, the second Conservative member of the Southern Division, 1858–68. 2.Address to the voters of Midlothian. The Times, 19 Sept. 1885, p. 8. 1.Miss C.J. Hawkesley was the Honorary Secretary at the Central Office of the GFS from 1874. President of the Rochester Diocese, 1882–92.

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Saturday 3 October Fawsley 1

Sir Robert and Lady Buxton dined and I sat next to him: we talked much politics. He does not seem very sanguine about affairs in Norfolk: the labourers seem hopelessly Radical. Today we came home talking much politics by the way with Lord Spencer, Willie Gurdon,2 who is standing for N.W. Norfolk (as a Radical) and Mr. Eykyn,3 who told us the leaders of the party some time ago put Sir Maurice’s4 majority at 2000. Well, no one can tell, but I hope not. Sunday 4 October Fawsley In the afternoon walked up to Preston to settle about canvassing Maidford. It is curious how Mr. Chamberlain goes too far even for the Spectator, which writes an admirable article about the injustice of expropriation.1 I am extremely pleased because my answer to Mr. Tuckwell is to be issued as a leaflet by the Central Conservative Association. Thursday 8 October Fawsley In the evening we went to a most delightfully successful inaugural meeting of the Knightley Habitation of the Primrose League.1 The Assembly Hall was full, though only a ticket meeting and we had a really admirable and most interesting lecture from Mr. Gordon Scott sent down by the Centre. I was thoroughly interested all the time and immensely pleased. 1.Sir Robert Buxton, 3rd. Bart., High Sheriff, Norfolk and Conservative M.P., South Norfolk, 1871–5, and his wife, Mary Johnstone of Alva. 2.Sir William Gurdon, private secretary to Gladstone when Chancellor of Exchequer, 1865–74. 3.Roger Eykyn, Liberal M.P., Windsor, 1866–74, Gayton House, Towcester. 4.Sir Maurice FitzGerald. 1.Spectator, 3 Oct. 1885, pp. 1284–5. 2.Revd. William Tuckwell, rector of St. Michael, Stockton, Warwickshire, 1878–93. A champion of rural constituencies, he gave several addresses at this time on social reform. See his Reminiscences of a Radical Parson (1905), pp. 35–7. 1.At the Assembly Hall, Daventry. NH, 10 Oct. 1885, p. 8.

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Monday 12 October Fawsley Drove over to Edgcote and attended a branch meeting of the Girls’ Friendly Society and read a short paper on perseverance the same as at the St. Albans Conference.1 Discussed a good many things—protection for girls at stations, forms for admission of members, meetings for mothers—to be addressed by Miss Bowlby etc. A pleasant change of thought from perpetual politics to which however I promptly returned, proceeding to a most unsatisfactory canvass of Chipping Warden accompanied by Harry Cartwright, the rector, Mr.Tompkinson,2 and 2 farmers, Messrs. Lambert and Price.3 But I did not get a dozen votes though a good many said they should not vote at all and I hope they won’t. Rainald meanwhile went to a most successful and enthusiastic meeting at Helmdon, one of the very best he has had.4 Wednesday 14 October The Palace, Peterborough Spent the whole day at the Diocesan Conference1 and most deeply interesting it was. First we had the Bishop’s2 splendid opening address on Disestablishment,3 a masterpiece of eloquence, courage, wit and wisdom—as Lord John Manners4 afterwards said in the graceful speech with which he presented the Bishop with his picture (by Frank Holl,5 subscribed for on his recovery). It is worth to rank with his great speech on the Irish Church 16 years ago. It must strengthen the hands of every one who, in ever so small a way, is struggling for Church defence. 1.Entry, 8 June 1885. 2.Revd. Robert Tompkinson, vicar of St.Peter and St. Paul, Chipping Warden, Banbury since 1876. 3.Frederick Lambert, maltster and grazier, and Richard Price, farmer, both of Chipping Warden. 4.Introducing Sir Rainald, the chairman, Ernest Hopcraft, stated, ‘Lady Knightley, his good helpmeet, was also well-known amongst them, as she was often to be found among the poor, shedding a ray of light and making their lives more pleasurable in many ways (Applause)’. NH, 17 Oct. 1885, supp. p.2. 1.The annual Peterborough Diocesan Conference. NH, 17 Oct. 1885, p.3. 2.William Connor Magee (1822–91), Bishop of Peterborough, 1868–91, Archbishop of York, 1891. 3.J.C Macdonnell, The Life and Correspondence of William Connor Magee (1896), ii, pp. 214–15. 4.Postmaster-General in Lord Salisbury’s 1885 Cabinet. 5.Portrait and genre painter and illustrator. Exhibited at the Royal Academy, 1875–1902. 6.For Magee’s speech, on 15 June 1869, in the House of Lords on the second reading of the Irish Church Bill, see Hansard, 3, 196, cols. 1853–78, 15 June 1869.

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Thursday 15 October The Palace, Peterborough Again spent most of the day at the Conference, a long and most interesting discussion on the best way to organize church defence, full of valuable suggestions: specially useful the idea of short lectures giving the history of the church in each parish. Canon Willes1 told us of the nearly quarter of million raised for church purposes in Leicester alone during the last 25 years. And all this to be confiscated! As I knelt yesterday evening and again this morning at the early service in the Cathedral and thought of Cromwell’s horses stabled there and of the possibility of Bradlaugh lecturing there, one’s heart sank within one. The Bishop helped me very much when I was saying how much I had been struck by his passage about leaving the building of the walls of Sion in order to man them for defence and how I felt it in my own small way in having to canvass instead of doing what seems to me better work: he said, The Master often gives a piece of work which we don’t like—and think inferior work—but we must go and do it—because He bids us’. Saturday 17 October Fawsley In the evening I went with Tiny to a very satisfactory meeting at Weedon1 having tea with the Irbys first. Rainald was very well received and spoke remarkably well except when he would read newspaper extracts and reading aloud is not his forte. Mr.Irby2 made a capital speech and the vote of confidence was carried with only one dissentient, the Congregational Minister.3 Altogether I feel very sanguine though Sir Maurice begins tonight I believe. Monday 19 October Fawsley I went canvassing to Litchborough with Mr.Grant and Mr.Shaw,1 the clergyman and had a very interesting and I flatter myself successful evening. The people seemed really not to have been tampered with at all and I spent some time in talking to some of them: I think, if the others will work, much may be done. Poor Rainald got home at 11 quite tired out 1.Edmund Henry Lacon Willes, Canon of Peterborough Cathedral since 1871. 1.NH, 24 Oct. 1885, supp. p.2. 2.Revd. George Powell Irby, vicar of St. Peter, Weedon Beck, 1883–92. 3.Revd. John Landel Jones, Weedon Lois, 1877–91. 1. Revd. Glencairn Shaw of St.Martin, Litchborough.

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from a very large and very noisy meeting at Silverstone where that brute Mr. Judge2 had the impertinence to ask if I kissed butchers like the Duchess of Devonshire!3 There was a great row and he will have done himself no good by it. Rainald said the Conservatives had a decided majority in the barn. Tuesday 20 October Fawsley 1

I roamed about the Dingle which was very still and pretty in its autumn tints before starting off to finish Staverton which I did with old Hands and Mr. Burnham2 the schoolmaster with most satisfactory results. Thursday 22 October Fawsley Went in the afternoon to Whilton and canvassed in company with Mrs. Craven, Mr. Reynolds and two Mr. Emerys.1 Very good on the whole, no Dissent and much dismay at the idea of the Church being done away with. A few very strong Radicals. Looking back over all this canvassing I am struck with several things. First, the very large proportion, fully 90 per cent, of men I find sitting by their fireside often with children around their knees or reading their papers, (very often Northamptonshire Guardian, or Weekly Dispatch.) The publics and the streets are frequented by young men and boys and occasional wanderers: but I have found very little drunkenness, not above a dozen cases. The greatest contrasts as to neatness of home and surroundings are to be found in Daventry: the same pattern of house, side by side, looking bare, dirty and miserable or neat and with much air of comfort. The civility and courtesy is absolutely uniform and a considerable amount of intelligence is displayed in the following arguments used: That’s right enough,′ is a frequent remark. On the other hand, there is often utter indifference and sometimes total ignorance but this is the exception and not the rule. 2. Thomas Judge, described as a ‘Radical of Radicals in politics’. See W.R.D.Adkins, Our County (1893), p. 28. 3. At the famous Westminster election of April 1784, Georgiana, wife of William Cavendish, 5th. Duke of Devonshire, canvassing for Charles James Fox, purportedly selling kisses for votes. Before long, the Duchess’s activities were the talk of the town. See A. Foreman, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (1998), p. 144. 4. In an attempt to evict Judge from the barn, several rushes were made. ‘As a consequence, the reporters had to beat a hasty retreat’. Northamptonshire Guardian, 24 Oct. 1885, p. 3.1. A wooded area by a stream below the Hall. 2. William Hall Burnham, master of the Free School, Staverton. 1. Thomas Henry Reynolds, coal merchant and farmer, Whilton, and James and Robert Emery, farmers.

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Sunday 25 October Fawsley Busy with Girls’ Friendly Society Almanack for 1885,1 for which I have written an address on Bible reading. I hope I shall practise what I preach: This horrid election does make it so difficult to fix one’s thoughts. Monday 26 October Fawsley It is such a pleasure to have a change of ideas. Still I am very proud to think that I shall soon, I hope, have arranged for the canvassing of every village in the division. Tuesday 27 October Fawsley Went up to see Charlie and Juliet who returned yesterday: I have missed them very much. Rainald came back well pleased with his meeting1 which went off much better than he expected. He made them all laugh by telling them he could understand their wishing so much to see him if he were a professional beauty but as he was only an ugly old man (bless his dear, kind, handsome face) he didn’t see why they were so anxious about it.2 Mr. Manfield3 has been pitching into me for canvassing referring it to my conscience, forsooth! My conscience don’t reproach me for that anyhow, and he had better think of the paper shoes he supplied to the poor French soldiers in 1870–71 before he talks of conscience. Sir Maurice had expressed his regret for Mr. Judge’s speech but is ‘druv’ to go about with that garrulous grocer for want of a better supporter. In the evening Juliet, I and Sir Henry Dryden canvassed Moreton Pinkney most successfully. 1.A Kalendar compiled annually and including suggestions for bible readings with moral homilies for GFS members. 1.At King’s Sutton on 26 Oct. 2.In fact Sir Rainald told the meeting, ‘He had now come to King’s Sutton to let people have a better look at him. It would have been a better thing had he been a professional beauty, but as it was he was only an ugly old man, and he did not know why they should wish to see him (Laughter). Well, he was here, and they could have a look at him by candlelight (Laughter)’. NH, 31 Oct. 1885, supp., p. 2. 3.Moses Philip Manfield, one of the largest boot and shoe manufacturers in Northampton.

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Wednesday 28 October Fawsley Rainald went beaking and also had a long interview with Mr. Willoughby about the elections. The very stringent provisions of this new Corrupt Practices Act make it of such importance to guard against the follies of indiscreet friends. Monday 2 November Fawsley 1

Charlie, Juliet, Val and I drove over to Towcester and made a thorough and most successful canvass of the town in company with Messrs. Dean, Abbott, Ayres, Slark and Dr. Knight.2 Some very Radical shoe makers in some horrid little Courts down at the bottom of the town. I should be a Radical myself if I lived in such holes but otherwise a large majority in our favour. Wednesday 4 November Fawsley Perfect avalanches of letters every day from the various people I am enlisting to canvass. Rainald declares I must not do the house books so they must slide this time. After luncheon went with Juliet to a Primrose League meeting at Daventry. Sir Maurice and Lady FitzGerald are in the town—it would have been great fun to meet him. He is holding heaps of meetings all round but if they are all as successful as the one at Badby tonight, where they listened civilly to him, but howled down Mr. Briggs and all his other supporters: they won’t do him much good. There has been great excitement at Daventry because Mr. Briggs has been turned out of the town council.1 A very important manifesto in The Times2 today drawn up by Lord Grey and signed by the Dukes of Westminster, Bedford and Somerset, Lords Ebury, Selborne, Ducie Fortescue, Halifax, Fitzwilliam etc. against Disestablishment. Nice reading for Messrs. Gladstone and Chamberlain! The fact 1. TheBill, approved by all parties, was introduced by Sir Henry James, Attorney-General, 1880–5, on 15 Feb. 1883, to prevent abuses at elections. It received the Royal Assent on 28 Aug. 1883. Lord Askwith, Lord James of Hereford (1930), pp. 120–2. 1.Revd. Valentine Knightley, rector of Charwelton and Preston Capes, cousin of Sir Rainald and known as ‘Old Val’. 2.William Dean, shopkeeper, Daventry; Thomas Abbott, carpenter, Woodford; William Winckles Ayres, inspector of nuisances, Towcester Rural Sanitary Authority, and Eli Slark, head gardener, Sir T.G.Fermor-Hesketh, 7th. Bart., Easton Neston; William Thomas Knight, headmaster of Towcester School. 1.In the Daventry municipal elections on 2 Nov. 2.The Times, 4 Nov. 1885, p. 9.

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is as Lord J.Manners said the other day Mr. Chamberlain let the cat out of the bag and now they are vainly trying to get Pussy3 back. Mr. Gladstone says it is the wicked Tories who forced it forward: about time when 400 Liberal candidates were pledged to support and so these Liberal Churchmen think. Monday 9 November Fawsley 1

In the evening to Blakesley where we dined with Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew2 and went afterwards to a most enthusiastic meeting—how they did cheer! Sir Henry Dryden was in the chair and Sir George Gunning3 and others spoke: Tiny’s matter was good as it always is but he spoke more hesitatingly than he usually does.4 Sir Maurice was holding a meeting in the village at the same time but by all accounts it was not near so full as our. Tuesday 10 November Fawsley Val and I, Charlie and Juliet started early and canvassed Grimsbury, the part of Banbury situated in Northamptonshire which, Banbury being disfranchised, is thrown into our division. It is a most Radical place so that we were surprised to find a fair number of good Conservatives. Saturday 14 November Fawsley Rainald returned, Charlie, Juliet and I canvassed Byfield in company with Messrs. Bromley, Bottomley and Potter.1 There are some very strong Radicals there but still we have a large majority. Really, truly, I think the poor agricultural labourer is most anxious to do what is right, but he is so bombarded with leaflets and speeches and canvassers on either side that knowing very little about the matter, he is fairly bewildered. 3.Nickname for Lord Granville (1815–91), Gladstone’s Foreign Secretary, 1880–5. 1.Blakesley was a traditionally strong Tory village. 2.Charles W.Bartholomew, Blakesley Hall, Towcester. 3.Sir George W.Gunning, 5th. Bart., Horton House, Horton. 4.For an account of the meeting, see NH, 14 Nov. 1885, supp. p. 2. 1.John Henry Bromley, farmer, William Bottomley, schoolmaster and John Edmund Potter, farmer.

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Monday 16 November 38 Beaufort Gardens, S.W.3 Came up by the early train and went hunting what news I could find. Mrs. Jeune, like myself, very sanguine about the boroughs, croaky about some of the counties, Lady Henniker1 and George Ridley ditto. Tuesday 17 November 38 Beaufort Gardens, S.W.3 Afterwards to see J.Fenwick who either knows or will say nothing now Sir C.Dilke is married1 and Lady Francis Gordon who talks too much herself to pick up anything worth hearing. In the evening with Mary to the Criterion to see The Candidates, 2 a very amusing bit of nonsense, and Charles Wyndham,3 a capital actor. Friday 20 November Fawsley A busy day: Mr. Wootton came over to ask Rainald to go to a meeting at Sulgrave but he cannot depart from his rule. Then we went to Daventry after his nomination paper and called on the Stopfords. Mrs. Kennedy1 pleased me by talking of the rising tide of enthusiasm for Rainald. I do think and believe it is all right. His address, which was published last Saturday,2 seems generally approved and I am very pleased as I put it into shape, of course he telling me what he wanted said. 1. AliceMary, wife of John, 5th. Baron Henniker-Major. 2.Liberal M.P., Newcastle, 1856–60, uncle of Sir Matthew Ridley and cousin of LMK. 1.On 3 Oct. 1885 to Emilia, widow of Mark Pattison. 2.A play by Justin Huntly McCarthy, adapted from a French work by Alexandre Bisson. 3.Actor-manager at the Criterion, 1876–86. 1.Edith Louisa, wife of Admiral William Robert Kennedy, Falconer’s Hill, Daventry. 2.Election manifesto dated 11 Nov. and printed in NH, 14 Nov. 1885, p. 5.

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Saturday 21 November Fawsley Poor Rainald had to go off to Northampton to get some farmers to sign his nomination paper… Such a nice article about Tiny in the Herald.1 There was a most extraordinary article in Thursday’s Pall Mall beginning by saying that the Conservative reaction of 1874 would be but an eddy compared to the flood of the Conservative reaction of 1885.2 Nous verrons, but the accounts of some of the counties specially Norfolk and Suffolk are very bad. I am hopeful that great gains in the boroughs may influence them but it is hard to say. Monday 23 November Fawsley Went in the evening with Rainald, Sammy1 and Juliet to a most thoroughly enthusiastic and very crowded meeting at Badby.2 Mrs. Phillips’s3 barn was packed with between 5 and 600 people. They cheered us again and again and sang ‘He’s a jolly good fellow’ when Rainald sat down having spoken better, at least as to matter, than at any meeting I have been to. The few Radicals there did not dare open their mouths; one was hustled out. Charlie meanwhile canvassed Wappenham and Abthorpe, the former good though they got hooted at by a few Radicals and more promises at Abthorpe than we expected. Tuesday 24 November Fawsley Rainald went off early to Towcester for his nomination. He is proposed by Mr. Pennant and seconded by Colonel Clarke.1 He met Sir Maurice there and they had a little friendly conversation. It poured all day so our working party only consisted of Mrs. Steele, Mrs. 1.Headed ‘South Northamptonshire’, NH, 21 Nov. 1885, p. 1. 2.The leading article asserted ‘without fear of gainsaying, that Conservative ideas are at this moment in an ascendant which even in the dark hour of 1874 would have seemed incredible to the most downhearted Liberal’. Pall Mall Gazette, 19 Nov. 1885, p. 1. 1.Nickname for Revd. William Philip Story, vicar of St. Mary, Fawsley. 2.See account in Northampton Daily Chronicle, 24 Nov. 1885, p. 4. Exceptionally, Sir Rainald spoke in two places the same evening, having earlier been at Daventry. NH, 28 Nov. 1885, supp., p. 1. 3.Mrs. Thomas Francis Phillips, Badby. 1.Col. Richard Trevor Clarke, Welton Place, Daventry.

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L.Johnson,2 Juliet and myself. Rainald reported that he heard Weston was very bad so I decided to go off there and on Wednesday… Wednesday 25 November Fawsley Charlie and I proceeded thither to Weston in the pony carriage and a fog. He went on to Helmdon, which was good, while I pounded round Weston with Lady Hanmer’s1 gardener, Middleton, and Lois Weedon with Mr. John Aris2 and very bad they both were. I am amused to find that after all their abuse of me the Radicals are canvassing vigorously. Half way between Weston and Weedon we met the newspapers and there in the middle of the road, in the fog and the mud, the gardener and I read together the most promising results of the first day’s elections. Except at Birmingham we seem to have won everywhere or at all events increased our poll. Yarmouth, Cambridge, Bury, Colchester, Rochester, Bath, Plymouth, Croydon, Wolverhampton, Peterborough, Stalybridge all and more are satisfactory in one way or other. Now if only the counties will follow! Oh, for Saturday! The excitement is intense and all our friends are working splendidly.

Thursday 26 November Fawsley Indulged ourselves in a hunt, but were driven home by the rain: Blakesley we met at. Still more encouraging results 8 Conservatives for Liverpool is a good balance to 7 Radicals for Birmingham: Seat after seat we have won especially in London—6 of the late Government are turned out, including Mr. Childers and Mr. Shaw-Lefevre.1 It is pleasant excitement for these 2 days of waiting: the longest days I ever remember. 2.Wife of Lambourne Johnson, farmer, Preston Capes. 1. Harriet Frances, wife of Sir Wyndham Edward Hanmer, 4th. Bart., Weston House, Towcester; John Robert Middleton, farm steward and gardener to Lady Hanmer. 2. John Aris of Lois Weedon, farmer and grazier. 1. George John Shaw-Lefevre, Liberal M.P., Reading, 1863–85, Postmaster-General, Feb.-June, 1885. Both were narrowly defeated, Childers by 36 votes and Shaw-Lefevre by 127 votes.

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Friday 27 November Fawsley Was the long looked for day of polling. Rainald and I drove down to Badby after luncheon, which was a mass of blue and full of enthusiasm. Then he voted for himself while I waited outside and felt, for the first time personally, the utter anomaly of my not having a vote while Joe Bull has! We drove on to Daventry and Welton where there comparatively little excitement but our friends seemed quite content. And we have good reports from Byfield, Maidford and Weedon. Tomorrow will be tremendously exciting for not only this but 37 other county seats are decided today: if they do but follow the boroughs our triumph is secured! All Europe is watching and as one of the papers remarks, the vote of the English agricultural labourer will seriously affect the Egyptian fellaheen. Meanwhile the poor little King of Spain1 is dead and Servia and Bulgaria have lighted a blaze in the over inflammable East.2 Saturday 28 November Claridge’s Hotel Almost the most exciting day I ever spent in my life. We drove over in the brougham to Towcester and I was deposited at the Pomfret Arms1 while Rainald went down to the Town Hall, where the votes were being counted. Nearly an hour elapsed and I was beginning to wonder very much at hearing nothing when the maid came up and said Mr. Norman had come for me. I went down and found the Superintendent of Police with the message; ‘Sir Rainald is in but by very few, only about 50’. And we had hoped for 500!!! I went down to the Town Hall and waited a long time while the votes were all counted again.2 Sir Maurice appeared and was very civil saying, ‘Let me be the first to congratulate you’. Then Rainald came up and finally the poll was declared: Knightley 4074, FitzGerald 4012, majority 62.3 A crowd of men and boys had collected, evidently of Radical propensities, who cheered at the window: they would not let a word that Rainald said be heard4 but listened to Sir Maurice when he expressed his intention of fighting and winning another day. So he may as far as we are concerned for nothing will induce Rainald ever to stand again. Well, he will carry his bat out and with the proud conviction of having saved the seat, which no one else could. Our friends were very nervous and fidgetty and wanted us not to walk away but we insisted on doing so being 1. Alfonso XII (1858–85), ascended the throne in 1875 at the age of 16 whilst a cadet at Sandhurst. 2. Servia invaded Bulgaria in early November but was totally defeated at Slivnitza on 17 Nov. 1.Formerly known as The Saracen’s Head. 2.A miscalculation having been made in the bundles of votes for each candidate which was discovered shortly before the result was to be announced at midday. Northampton Daily Reporter, 30 Nov. 1885, p.3. 3.By coincidence, there were 62 spoilt papers. 8145 of the 9636 eligible voters went to the polls.

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well hooted and groaned at though our supporters cheered us well when we got back to the inn. We went straight to Blisworth, and came on here a good deal shaken and tired with it all. However, it is all right though it will have no moral effect as we had hoped. Varying fortune in the other county constituencies: Lord Percy5 beat by 1400, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Bucks, Devon, Essex, Cheshire more or less right. But certainly we have been living in a fool’s paradise. Towcester and Brackley districts must have been much worse than we had any idea of. Tiny says I have won it for him.

Advent Sunday 29 November Claridge’s Hotel Had the great comfort of going to St. George’s and there receiving the Holy Communion. After all the strain and excitement of the last few months it seemed such a relief to go back to the Master, take Him the work He had given me to do and ask Him to pardon what had been amiss in it. Saw a good many people afterwards. Mrs. Bentinck and Venetia,1 who is going to be married next week to a Mr. James—wonder how poor Major Winsloe takes it? Also Lady Dorothy Nevill2 who told me what has since been repeated by many other people that Rainald was thought to be among the doomed ones. To tea at Lady Borthwick’s3 where were many congratulations for us both. What a squeak it has been though! 4.The Northamptonshire Guardian, reported, ‘When Sir Rainald Knightley got upon the balcony to address the electors, the crowd was very large and hissed and groaned continually, so that even those by the side of the worthy baronet could hardly hear him’. 5 Dec. 1885, p. 7. 5.Algernon Malcolm Percy, son of 6th. Duke of Northumberland, Conservative M.P., Westminster, 1882–5, re-elected for St. George’s, Hanover Square, in Nov. 1885. 1.Wife of George Augustus Cavendish Bentinck, Their daughter, Mary Venetia, married John Arthur James. 2.Lady Dorothy Nevill, daughter of Horatio Walpole, 3rd. Earl of Orford, and wife of Reginald Nevill. Lady Dorothy was a renowned political hostess and writer. For her assessment of Sir Rainald, see R. Nevill (ed.), The Reminiscences of Lady Dorothy Nevill (1906), p. 198. 3.Alice Beatrice, wife of Sir Algernon Borthwick, Conservative M.P., S.Kensington, Nov. 1885Oct. 1895. Their London house was at 139 Piccadilly.

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Wednesday 2 December Claridge’s Hotel In the evening to a little party at Lady Borthwick’s where were Sir Maurice and Lady FitzGerald, and we talked and chaffed a bit. But today things have gone very badly. Mr. Phipps beat by over 1000.1 2 divisions of Warwickshire, 1 in Norfolk, one in Suffolk, 1 in Wilts, 1 in Somerset, in short 28 to 16 as against 16 to 8 the other way yesterday. The revolt of the counties is just the same as in ‘32 and in ‘68 when the franchise was lowered only not so complete. But judging by other Midland constituencies we are really very lucky. We are both overwhelmed by an avalanche of congratulations from people of every degree, pleasant but troublesome to answer. Friday 4 December Claridge’s Hotel Mrs. Jeune told me that Lord Carnarvon is prepared for a very sweeping measure, practically Home Rule, ‘But’, she remarked, ‘how can it be carried? Such men as the Duke of Richmond1 and Lord Cranbrook2 in the Cabinet, as Knightley and John Manners in the House would never agree to it Knightley would resign his seat’.3 Now by the most extraordinary coincidence Rainald and I had been talking before dinner over an article in the Pall Mall4 pointing to the Tories carrying Home Rule and I had said I thought they were capable of it, judging by the experience of ‘29, of ‘46 and of ‘67 and Rainald’s remark was Then I should resign my seat’. She says Lord Lorne5 proposes that Ireland should buy out the Landlords and that Mr. T. P. O’Connor6 says, Trust us, you will have 1.In Mid Northants the voting was Phipps, 4347, the Hon. C.R.Spencer, 5446. 1.Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, 6th. Duke of Richmond, Secretary for Scotland, Aug. 1885–6. 2.Gathorne Gathorne-Hardy (1814–96), Viscount Cranbrook, Lord President of the Council, 1885– 92. 3.Writing on the attitude of the Conservative Party towards Ireland, Carnarvon stated, They know and understand nothing, they hate the subject but hate still more a proposal to make any change’. Carnarvon Journal, 21 Nov. 1885, Carnarvon Papers, BL Add. MS. 6092. 4.‘All that he (Salisbury) can do is either to arrange it peacefully to the honour and glory of the Conservative Party, or to inaugurate a period of turmoil and blood-shed which would be terminated by the Liberals returning to office pledged to establish Home Rule’. Pall Mall Gazette, 4 Dec. 1885, p. 1. 5.John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, Marquess of Lorne, eldest son of 8th. Duke of Argyll; married to Princess Louise, daughter of the Queen, 1871. Governor-General of Canada, 1878–83. 6.Thomas Power O’Connor, journalist and politician. Parnellite M.P., Galway Borough, 1880–5, Scotland division of Liverpool, 1885–1929.

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to reconquer us if you go on as you are doing. Why not try the only plan we tell you will make us loyal? You can but reconquer us if it fails!’ Meanwhile the question is ‘How is the Queen’s government to be carried on?’ We can’t have a majority now. If only the Moderate Liberals would join us and let Radicals and Parnellites combine to do their worst! But while Gladstone lives it will never be and he is more violent than ever. Mrs. Jeune had one of her amusing parties afterwards, Madam Novikoff etc, and we went on to the Bentinck’s to see Venetia’s presents.

Monday 7 December Fawsley 1

Rainald hunted from Foster’s Booth. I not flourishing stayed at home and began working again at old Knightleys.2 It is so pleasant to have leisure once more. Tuesday 8 December Fawsley Meanwhile things have been going from bad to worse and though ‘the revolt of the counties’ is by no means complete, seeing that Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Middlesex return an almost unbroken phalanx of Conservatives, yet here in the Midlands South Northants is ‘an oasis of blue in a desert of yellow’ on Stanford’s Parliamentary Map and far from being mortified we may feel very proud of our position. The agricultural labourer has evidently been completely carried away by the promises of ‘3 acres and a cow’,1 or rather by vague hopes of a change, which is hardly to be wondered at seeing how much they are out of work. He will come round again like his predecessors in the Franchise. One must not forget that the Parliament of ‘32 returned only 147 Conservatives but what is to be done with Parnell2 and his 80 followers? 1.West of Pattishall, at one time a street of inns on Watling Street (A5). Now only one survives, the George and Dragon. 2.LMK was constantly researching the Knightley family history. See her article, ‘Fawsley and the Knightleys’. Northamptonshire Notes and Queries, 1886, i, pp. 116–23. 1.Jesse Collings (1831–1920), President of the Rural Labourer League and supporter of Chamberlain. Radical M.P., Ipswich, 1880–5, and 1885–6, first used this phrase in his scheme for land reform. See J.Collings and J.L. Greene, Life of the Rt. Hon. Jesse Collings (1920), pp. 174–6. 2.Charles Stewart Parnell (1846–91), M.P., Cork City, 1880–91, Leader of the Nationalist Party.

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Friday 11 December Fawsley Walked to Badby with Rainald to see May Talbot and old Mrs. Warner. We talk and talk and speculate what is to happen next but don’t get much further. There are rumours that Mr. Gladstone is negotiating with Parnell: I can hardly believe it, it would be so much the best thing for us. What I fear is lest we should try that game. It seems like a hopeless deadlock and were it not for foreign affairs I should like our people out. People talk of an early dissolution but Rainald reminds me that the Parliament of ‘59 which it was thought could not possibly last went on till ‘65.I’m sure I hope this may do likewise. Wednesday 16 December Weeting,1 Brandon, Norfolk Only walked to Brandon. A good deal of talk with Mr. Lowther:2 he told me a good deal about Dhuleep Singh. He has been going to the bad ever since the Prince of Wales went to Elveden and made him play whist for money. When we played with him at Henham he would not even play for sixpences, knowing I suppose that he could not control himself. Now he has abjured Christianity and is gone back to India where I much fear he may stir up mischief. And to think that he wanted to marry my Sophy! [Gage] Thursday 17 December Weeting, Brandon, Norfolk Persistent rumours in the papers that Gladstone means to detach the Parnellites from his side by the offer of an Irish Parliament. Surely it must break up the Liberal party if he does? 1.The family seat of the Angersteins. 2.James Lowther, Conservative M.P., North Lincolnshire, 1881–5, Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1878–80. 3.Dhuleep Singh, Maharajah of Lahore. Deposed by the British he settled in England living on an estate at Elveden, Thetford, Norfolk in 1863. Converted to Christianity he rejoined the Sikh religion in 1885 and died in Paris in 1893 aged 55.

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Friday 18 December Weeting, Brandon, Norfolk Went over to tea with Freddy.1 The rumours assume a more definite shape. Surely so profligate a proposal never was made!2 To break up the Empire and sacrifice one third of the Irish nation, the loyal minority who have trusted to England’s word all for the sake of getting into office and with the absolute certainty of murder, massacres, civil war, and a bloody re-conquest! Saturday 19 December Fawsley Came home. The Angersteins are always so kind and friendly such faithful friends: I delight in going there. It is too funny how Mr. Angerstein1 has changed his politics. 5 years ago he canvassed vigorously for the Radicals: now he has been canvassing with equal energy for T.Lowther, Mr. Amherst2 etc, and calls Gladstone a buffoon. He too is smitten with the prevailing mania for fair trade. The Northampton Radical papers full of a report that Rainald is to be made a peer and Mr. Phipps contest the seat!3 Anything less likely I cannot imagine when we have just won by such a narrow majority. If our party should be in when he finally decides to retire, which is a big if, I should be very glad if it were offered him. The House of Lords would be a certain sort of interest to him and he would not feel so completely out of it. I can honestly say for myself I should not care a pin: nothing would make one a great lady in London or a greater lady in the country. 1.Frederick St. John Barne, LMK’s mother’s nephew, of Sotterley, Suffolk. 2.The so-called ‘Hawarden Kite’, attributed to Gladstone, appeared in the newspapers on 18 Dec. 1885. 1.William Angerstein, Liberal M.P., West Kent, 1865–8. Favoured large extension of suffrage and a more equitable distribution of parliamentary seats. 2.William Amhurst-Tyssen Amherst of Diddlington Hall, Brandon. Conservative M.P., West Norfolk, 1880–5, South West Norfolk, Nov. 1885–92. 3.Northamptonshire Guardian, 19 Dec. 1885, pp. 4–5.

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Monday 21 December Fawsley 1

Lord Hartington, in concert with Mr. Goschen, has written a letter entirely repudiating the Home Rule Scheme2 so now G.O.M. will drop it like a hot potato and swear he never meant it. Tuesday 29 December Fawsley Drove down to Badby in the morning for a school meeting. Those meetings never impress me very favourably as to Mr. Chamberlain’s schemes for village Government.1 1. Marquess of Hartington (1833–1908), Secretary of State for India, 1880–2, Secretary of State for War, 1882–5; M.P., North-East Lancashire, 1880–5. Succeeded as 8th. Duke of Devonshire in 1891. 2. The letter was to the chairman of his election committee in Rossendale. See B.Holland, Life of Spencer Compton, Eighth Duke of Devonshire 1833–1908 (1911), ii, pp. 97–103. 1. Chamberlain’s Radical Programme was widely canvassed in the autumn of 1885. It promised several reforms aimed at the rural voter, including free education, graduated property taxes and the conferment of local authorities of powers to purchase land compulsorily.

*1886* Monday 11 January The Manor House, Brackley More or less of a thaw which made it bad travelling. Rainald and I progressed over here in a fly: he is put up by Mr. T.Cartwright,1 I by the Ellesmeres,2 who asked us both later. The object of coming was to attend a dinner given to my darling by the Brackley Working Men’s Association3 and I was very anxious to be present and so I went, though there were no ladies but myself. They coupled our names together and my own treasure made such a nice speech. I think he was pleased at what they said about Dot4 and then he spoke so well and really with something it in: I never heard him speak better. Altogether it was a gratifying termination to the labours of the election campaign and I felt very proud of him. They did cheer us both! Wednesday 13 January Fawsley Rainald went beaking, I to Mothers’ Meeting. Parliament, the first Session of the Reformed Parliament of 1886, met yesterday, and re-elected Mr. Peel as Speaker. It was rumoured in some of the papers that Rainald was to propose him: I wish they had asked him.1 Certainly we get no assistance and no notice from the leaders of the party. 1.Thomas Barclay Cartwright of Brackley. 2.Francis Charles Granville, 3rd. Earl of Ellesmere, and his wife, Katharine. 3.At Brackley Town Hall to celebrate Sir Rainald’s return for the division. NH, 16 Jan. 1886, p. 6. 4.Possibly Rainald’s sister, Sophia Selina, who was ill and subsequently died in May 1886. 1.For Peel’s reply to Sir Rainald’s congratulatory letter see Knightley Papers, 14 Jan. 1886, BL Add. MS. 46360 f. 159.

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Saturday 16 January Fawsley Hunted. Rainald, Harry and I from Bragboro’,1 a wretched day’s sport and bad going in places. Talked to Earl Spencer K.G. about Lord Carnarvon’s resignation of the Viceroyalty.2 I said it would have been difficult for any one to follow him (Lord S.), and that Lord Carnarvon was certainly not the man for the job. He said he was set to do impossibilities, e.g. govern Ireland without the Crimes Act, and that irreparable mischief had been done; he didn’t know how it was ever to be remedied. I said yes, that was the great objection to our taking office, the impossibility of renewing the Crimes Act or governing Ireland without it. But, I said, ‘Why did you not make a beginning of renewing it sooner—you ran it so very fine’. ‘Ah’, he said, ‘that was not my fault,’ and then fell back on the stereotype answer about the necessity of passing the redistribution bill. But the admission was interesting. Wednesday 20 January1 Fawsley Rainald went to London for the purpose of taking the oath and attending the meeting of Parliament which was opened by the Queen on Thursday 21 January in great state: her 11th Parliament, a circumstance unprecedented since Henry VI. Gladstone made a very clever speech but by, no means repudiated his supposed Home Rule proclivities.2 Rainald who came home Friday 22 January thinks the Government are riding for a fall They have put reform of procedure first, I suppose ostensibly on the ground that they cannot re enact the Crimes Bill without some means of stopping obstruction; but I own I should have liked a stronger measure for Ireland. Tuesday 26 January Fawsley We all went to the Daventry Ball or ‘Pytchley Hunt Ball’ which was really very cheerful and successful.1 The room very prettily decorated and such a contrast to the last time (but 1.Bragborough Hall, near Braunston. 2.Carnarvon officially resigned on 16 Jan. The Standard had already broken the news on 13 Jan. 1.Covering events between 17 Jan. and 23 Jan. 2.Hansard, 3, 302, col. 91, 21 Jan. 1886. 1.Assembly Hall, Daventry. Daventry Express (DE), 30 Jan. 1886, p. 1.

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one) when I sat on the platform and contemplated that black, shouting mass of men. Heaps of red coats and my young ladies danced all night. Meanwhile a critical division was taking place in the House of Commons on Mr. Jesse Collings’ amendment about allotments.2 Rainald (who by the way was loudly cheered by the populace when he arrived at the Ball) declined to go up and vote against what he had been strongly advocating in every speech through the election campaign and I do not regret it.

Wednesday 27 January Fawsley Came the news of the Government being defeated by 79 and having resigned.1 Anything so bad as the way they have played their cards it is impossible to imagine. Having first said they must send Mr. Smith to Ireland to ‘enquire’, as if they didn’t know perfectly well what was going on, they then, finding that unpopular, proceed to announce a Coercion Bill when he has been there two days,2 and finally elect to go out on a motion, opposing which must set all the labourers against them. And these are the men for whom one has toiled and slaved! Friday 5 February Fawsley Meanwhile Cabinet making has gone on merrily all the week with the result that the most Radical Government has been formed that was ever known: with Mr. John Morley,1 a declared Home Ruler, for Ireland, Chamberlain,2 Jesse Collings, Fowler3—in short everything that can be most offensive to country gentlemen. How men like Lord Spencer4 and G.Trevelyan,5 who know Ireland, can join it I can’t conceive. 2.An amendment to the Address was moved by Collings on the fourth night of the debate on the Queen’s Speech regretting that no measures had been announced to help the rural labourer to obtain allotments and smallholdings on equitable terms for rent and security of tenure. Hansard, 3, 302, cols. 443–8, 26 Jan. 1886. 1.Hansard, 3, 302, col. 525, 26 Jan. 1886. Ayes 329, Noes 250. 2.The departure of W.H.Smith, the new Chief Secretary for Ireland, was made known on Friday 22 Jan.; the government bill was announced on Monday 25 Jan. 1.John Morley (1838–1923), Liberal M.P., Newcastle upon Tyne, 1883–95, Chief Secretary for Ireland, Jan.-July 1886. 2.President of the Local Government Board, Jan.-March 1886. 3.Henry Fowler, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, 1886. 4.Lord President of the Council. 5.George Otto Trevelyan (1838–1928), Liberal M.P., Hawick, 1868–86, Secretary for Scotland, Jan. -March 1886.

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Lord Hartington at last has broken with them and Sir H.James,6 whom I respect for it. Saturday 6 March Fawsley Sweet Tiny came home having been yesterday in the division about the House of Lords.1 Mr. Labouchere2 was only beat by 36.3 This is a very bad House of Commons. It may settle down but at present it seems utterly without ballast. An important speech of Lord Hartington’s.4 He can save the country if any one can. Thermometer 17°, coldest night but one of the winter. Wednesday 10 March Fawsley Tiny came home, kind, affectionate, thoughtful as he always is, such a rest to have him. He seems well pleased with the dinner to Lord Iddesleigh1 who seems to have been most kind in all he said. In thanking him for taking the chair and in his speech in proposing his (Rainald’s) health said he could never forget his kindness ‘at a time when kindness was much needed’, which as Rainald remarked, ‘was one for Randolph’s nob’.2 6.Sir Henry James (1828–1911), Unionist M.P., Bury, 1885–95. 1.That in the opinion of this House, it is inconsistent with the principles of representative Government, that any member of either House of the Legislature should derive his title to legislate by virtue of hereditary descent.’ 2.Henry Du Pré Labouchere (1831–1912), founder and editor of the weekly journal, Truth, Radical M.P., Northampton, 1880–1906. 3.Hansard, 3, 302, col. 50, 5 March 1886. 4.At a dinner given by the Eighty Club at the Westminster Palace Hotel on 5 March. The Times, 6 March 1886, p.12. 1.Testimonial offered by members of both parties on 7 March 1886, at Willis’s Rooms. The Times, 8 March 1886, p. 10. 2.Randolph Churchill, as leader of the Fourth Party, had on many occasions challenged Northcote’s leadership in the Commons.

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Friday 19 March Fawsley Finished my leaflet on Home Rule. I wonder if the Conservative Association will take it? Don’t think it is very good. Sir Maurice has been speaking at Daventry,1 dead against Home Rule which can hardly please Earl Spencer.2 How he can support Gladstone now! Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Trevelyan are, it is supposed, about to leave the Cabinet.3 Surely it must break up? Tuesday 23 March Fawsley Rainald went off to London to dine with the Speaker and vote against Mr. Thorold Rogers1 on Local Taxation. He however carried his abstract resolution as was likely in this most foolish House of Commons, which is ignorant and reckless to a degree and afflicted with a severe form of what Mr. Balfour calls ‘landlordphobia’.2 It is clear Mr. Gladstone’s scheme for buying out the Irish landlords will not succeed. Will the country consent to Home Rule without compensation to them? I Almost fear it and then will come the battle with the Lords. It is a gloomy prospect. Thursday 25 March Fawsley Rainald came home, having met Lord Hartington at dinner at the Speaker’s and told him, half in fun, ‘I’ll support you if you behave yourself. He says the Queen was not well received when she went yesterday to lay the first stone of the New Medical Hall,1 so 1.At a meeting of the South Northamptonshire Liberal Association on 17 March. 2.As the Northampton Mercury (NM) admitted, ‘Sir Maurice rather put his foot into it by a somewhat indiscreet reference to the Irish question’. 20 March 1886, p. 5. 3.Chamberlain and Trevelyan tendered their resignations to Gladstone on 15 March but consented to await the final scheme which Gladstone was to submit to the Cabinet. 1.James Thorold Rogers (1823–90), Liberal M.P., Southwark, 1880–5, Bermondsey, 1885–6. Professor of Political Economy, Oxford University, 1862–8. 2.Rogers’ motion expressed dissatisfaction that the incidence of local taxation fell on the occupier and not the owner of lands and tenements. The motion was carried by 216 to 176 votes. Hansard, 3, 303, col. 700, 23 March 1886. 1. The Medical Examination Hall of the Royal College of Physicians and Royal College of Surgeons on the Victoria Embankment.

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many hats not taken off. He had been talking of this and I was calmly eating a tangerine orange, thinking I liked it and that we would have some next winter and wondering if Sir T. liked them, when, by that curious and inexplicable process which I do not seldom experience, I saw vividly the inside of Norwich station, towards the top where one used to go out. Now, though I used to know Norwich station intimately 26 years ago, I have only been there once in the last 16 years and I had not, to the best of my knowledge, had anything to recall it. It is true I saw in the paper something about the Norwich Election Petition2 but I hardly realized the place at all, only thought of it as a seat to be gained or lost, certainly did not think of the station. It was a remarkably vivid presentment. Saturday 27 March Fawsley 1

Lady Clarendon came in to tea and told me that her father, Lord Normanton,2 has been corresponding with Mr. Gladstone about Irish affairs. Whereupon Mr. Gladstone said he did not believe all the stories he heard about outrages and landlords not getting their rent. Whereupon Lord Normanton said, ‘Don’t you read the papers?’ ‘Oh dear no’. One has heard this often but not believed it but this looks true. Tuesday 6 April Fawsley I am very much pleased that the Central Conservative Association has taken up my leaflet on Home Rule. I was so pleased to get the big packet yesterday. Wednesday 7 April Fawsley And so ends another year at Fawsley, the longest and most exciting in many ways we have ever had. We shall both be glad of a little change but oh, how much we have to be thankful for. Tomorrow Mr. Gladstone moves for leave to bring in his Home Rule Bill. Who would have believed it 4 months ago? 2. Harry Bullard, Conservative M.P., Norwich, 1885–6, was unseated on petition at the Norwich Shire Hall. Knighted, 1887, and re-elected for Norwich, 1895–1903. 1. Caroline Elizabeth, wife of Edward Villiers, 5th. Earl of Clarendon, who as Lord Hyde was Liberal M.P., Brecon, 1869–70. Liberal Unionist, 1886. 2. James Charles Agar-Ellis, 3rd. Earl of Normanton, Co. Kilkenny and Baron Somerton.

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Thursday 8 April Richmond Park1 Rainald went on to London to be present at the great historic occasion. Never was the House so crowded before, chairs being placed all along the floor, one of which he was fortunate enough to secure. Mr. Gladstone spoke for hours, a wonderful performance for a man of 76, but when you have said that you have said all. He unfolds a great scheme but meets none of the difficulties, treats them as non-existent.2 Friday 9 April Richmond Park At home all day buried in the papers. Mr.Trevelyan1 makes a very good speech2 but every paper of almost every shade of opinion, with very few exceptions, condemns the scheme. The person I don’t understand is Lord Spencer. It is said that when they went down to kiss hands, the Queen said to him, ‘Lord Spencer, I am surprised to see you here’.3 Wednesday 14 April Richmond Park Went over to luncheon at Claremont, the Duchess1 looking well and pleasant and the children the picture of health. Mr. White of the Savoy there.2 He says Mr. Gladstone does not himself think the Bill will pass now but that it will come eventually. A firm speech of Mr. Goschen’s3 which Mr. White said Mrs.Gladstone had told him he meant to make the great speech of his life. But Mr.Goschen’s own past record is hard to beat. 1.Thatched House Lodge, Richmond Park, Lady Bowater’s residence. 2.The first reading of the Government of Ireland Bill. Hansard, 3, 304, cols. 1036–85, 8 April 1886. 1.He had left the Liberal Party on 27 March with Chamberlain to join the Unionists over the Government of Ireland Bill. 2.Hansard, 3, 304, cols. 1104–24, 8 April 1886. 3.Spencer, on the other hand, reported to Gladstone, ‘I rarely knew of a better reception than that given by the Queen’. Spencer to Gladstone. 6 Feb. 1886, Gladstone Papers, BL Add. MS. 44313 f. 22. Victoria’s own account of the interview is less warm. See her Journal, 6 Feb. 1886, RA C3 7/2806, Royal Archives. 1.The Duchess of Albany resided at Claremont House. LMK was her extra Lady-in-Waiting. 2.Revd. Henry White, chaplain of the Savoy Chapel Royal, Holborn, 1860–90 and chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, 1869–74, and 1884–90. 3.Goschen, who had not joined Gladstone’s second administration, spoke on the first reading of the Government of Ireland Bill on 13 April. See A.D.Elliot, Life of lord Goschen (1911), ii. pp.45–9.

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Wednesday 21 April Firle, Lewes, Sussex A brief record must suffice for the last week. Thursday April 15 I went to a bazaar at Lady Tankerville’s1 where was Princess Mary and to the Cambridge Asylum.2 Friday my darling came down to cheer Dot, leaving in the middle of Mr.Gladstone on Land Purchase3 which is most complicated. ‘Moonshine’ sums up both bills charmingly by making Gladstone say to the British taxpayer, ‘I’m going to buy Ireland and give it to Mr. Parnell and you’re going to pay for it’. Tuesday I walked to call on Lady Russell4 who is a strong Home Ruler. One can hardly believe it. Sunday 16 May 4 Whitehall Yard Rainald, much disturbed by a speech of Lord Salisbury’s1 which he interprets as meaning that he will not support a moderate Liberal Government under Lord Hartington. I did not see that meaning in it myself but I suppose he was right as the Gladstonians are all gloating over it. The debate drags its slow length along and though the Bill2 is doomed, no one seems to know what is to come after. Much talk of an immediate dissolution which both on personal and political grounds I greatly deprecate. The agricultural labourer has not yet had time to be desenchanté with his new friends. He knows nothing and cares less about Ireland and we should probably gain few if any seats, seeing how many we gained by small majorities, with the help of the Irish, who will now go the other way. Rainald’s decision too must be shortly made. 1.Lady Olivia Montagu, wife of Charles Bennet, 6th. Earl of Tankerville, Lord Steward of Queen Victoria’s Household, 1867–8. 2.The Royal Cambridge Asylum, on the outskirts of Kingston-on-Thames, was established in 1851 to provide accommodation for old soldiers’ widows. See C.Kinloch-Cooke, Memoir of HRH Duchess of Teck (1900), ii, pp. 377–81. 3.The Sale and Purchase of Land (Ireland) Bill was moved by Gladstone in the Commons on 16 April. 4.Frances Anna, widow of John, 1st. Earl Russell, resided at Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park. 1.Delivered at St. James’s Hall on 15 May. Salisbury, in dealing with the question of giving the Irish independent representative government, stated, ‘You would not confide free representative institutions to the Hottentots’. For an account of the speech, see Lady G.Cecil, Life of Robert, Marquis of Salisbury (1931), iii, pp. 302–4. 2.The second reading of the Home Rule Bill was introduced on 10 May.

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Wednesday 19 May 4 Whitehall Yard 1

Club Committee in the morning then went to the Annual Meeting of the Grand Habitation of the Primrose League at Her Majesty’s Theatre which was crammed from top to bottom, Lord Salisbury in the chair. It was a fine and impressive sight and no one who saw it could possibly sneer at the Primrose League again.2 Lord Salisbury spoke well but carefully having I fear done irreparable mischief by his unguarded speech of Saturday. His voice is very good and clear but not so round and melodious as some. The enthusiasm was great and he bade us all go home and translate it into action and to let no Unionist Liberal suffer for his opinions. Good advice, but will it be taken? Is it meant to be taken? Everyone treats the dissolution as imminent but Rainald doubts it. At present there is no Liberal Candidate for South Northants. Lord Spencer will of course support nothing but a Home Ruler and I can’t help thinking some at least of the Northants Liberals will object to that. Thursday 27 May 4 Whitehall Yard Paid various visits in the afternoon, Lady Borthwick among others. Much talk about Primrose League which she says is becoming much too much of a Churchill League.1 want to get on the Executive. A meeting today of the Liberal Party,2 or rather of the GOMolater Party. I fear the ‘old Parliamentary band will win after all!’ Mr. Burton came, and Rainald told him that he would stand. 1.LMK was a member of the Committee of the Alexandra Club, Grosvenor St., which was founded in 1884 for ladies only. The main qualification for membership was eligibility to attend the Queen’s Drawing Rooms. 2.See The Times, 20 May 1886, p. 8. 1.Lord Randolph Churchill was one of the founders of the League, his wife, Jenny, and his sister, Lady Wimborne, were Vice-Presidents of the Ladies’ Grand Council (LGC), and his mother, the Dowager Duchess of Marlborough, was a President of the LGC. Mrs. Cornwallis-West, The Reminiscences of Lady Randolph Churchill (1908), pp. 98–9. 2.At the Foreign Office at which Gladstone ‘spoke near an hour. It went off extremely well.’ Gladstone announced that a new Irish Government Bill would be introduced in the autumn. H.C.G.Matthew (ed.) The Gladstone Diaries 1883–1886 (1990), xi, pp. 561–2.

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Sunday 30 May 4 Whitehall Yard After luncheon to call on Mrs. Jeune, where the usual heterogenous collection, beginning with Lady Pembroke,1 Mr. Raikes, Mr. Tom Bruen, Sir John Lubbock,2 Mr. Herbert Praed,3 to Mr. Hardy,4 author of Far from the Madding Crowd, a pleasant, simple minded little man. Certainly it is as P. Stanhope5 who was also there ‘it is a most eclectic salon’. He announced that Bright means to speak against the Bill, which he added will wreck it. I hope it may. Sir A. Clark6 says Gladstone is suffering from senile dementia. Meantime he is doing absolutely irreparable mischief. Monday 31 May 4 Whitehall Yard Rainald came home in great glee to tell us that the Chamberlain party had held a meeting and decided to vote against the Bill, largely influenced by a letter from Bright,1 and a very good speech from G.Trevelyan.2 Mr. Cartwright and Lady Elizabeth3 called on me: evidently they are dying for Rainald to retire and I really think it is that as much as anything which has influenced him to stand. I suppose and hope we shall have an immediate dissolution then it will be all over quick and we may have no contest. 1.Gertrude Frances, wife of George Robert Herbert, 13th. Earl of Pembroke. 2.(1884–1913), Liberal Unionist M.P., London University, 1880–1900, scientist and banker. Created Lord Avehury, 1900. 3.Conservative M.P., Colchester, 1874–80. 4.Thomas Hardy’s first wife’s uncle, Canon Edwin Gifford, was Francis Jeune’s brother-in-law. 5.Philip Stanhope, Liberal M.P., Wednesbury, 1885–92. 6.Sir Andrew Clark, Gladstone’s physician. 1.Although Bright was not present, his letter to Chamberlain indicating that he would vote against the bill, consolidated opinion in favour of outright opposition. K.Robbins, John Bright (1979), p. 257. 2.Stating he could not support the Government of Ireland Bill. 3.Thomas Leslie Melville Cartwright, and his wife, Lady Elizabeth Jane, daughter of Lord Leven and Melville.

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Ascension Day 3 June 4 Whitehall Yard In the evening dined with the Spencer Walpoles.1 An agreeable dinner—Leckys,2 Mowbrays,3 Mr. Russell Lowell,4 Lord Winmarleigh5 and Sir John Fowler,6 the great engineer, near whom I sat and found him very pleasant He says Lord Rosebery7 is carrying on Lord Salisbury’s policy in Egypt and inspiring great confidence. Mercifully G.O.M. is too much taken up with home affairs to meddle. On to Lady Grey Egerton’s8 where Mrs Bischoffsheim told me if Rainald stood no one would be started for South Northants. Friday 4 June 4 Whitehall Yard To a Club Committee in the morning. Mr. Cartwright1 came to luncheon with a cock and bull story of Mr. Akers Douglas2 having to support Mr. W.Cartwright (late Liberal Member for Oxfordshire)3 for South Northants in the event of Rainald not standing. I can

1.Spencer Walpole (1839–1907), historian and civil servant, author of A History of 25 Years 1856– 1889 (1904–08). Governor of the Isle of Man, 1882–93. 2.William Lecky (1838–1903), Irish historian and essayist, Liberal Unionist supporter in 1886. 3.Sir John Robert Mowbray, 1st. Bart. Conservative M.P., University of Oxford, 1868–99. 4.James Russell Lowell (1819–91), foremost America man of letters. Minister to the Court of St. James, 1880–5. 5.John Wilson-Patten, 1st. Baron Winmarleigh, Disraeli’s Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1868. 6.Sir John Fowler and Benjamin Baker designed and built the Forth Bridge, 1882–90. Fowler was knighted in 1885. 7.Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th. Earl of Rosebery (1847–1929), Foreign Secretary in Gladstone’s 1886 ministry. Marquess of Crewe, Lord Rosebery (1931), ii, pp. 272–3. 8.Henrietta, Lady Grey-Egerton, wife of Sir Philip, 11th. Bart. 9.Clarissa, wife of Henry Louis Bischoffsheim; a member of the Executive Committee of the Ladies’ Grand Council (LGC). 1.Thomas L.M. Cartwright of Aynhoe Park. 2.Aretas Akers-Douglas, Conservative M.P., St. Augustine’s division of Kent, 1885–1911. Patronage Secretary to the Treasury, 1885–6, 1886–92. Akers-Douglas had to deal with a number of Conservative constituencies where the Party refused to stand against Liberal Unionist candidates. Viscount Chilston, Chief Whip (1961), p. 80. 3.Williams Cornwallis Cartwright, Thomas Leslie Melville’s brother, Liberal M.P., Oxfordshire, 1868–85. On 14 June the Conservative Association for the Mid division of Northamptonshire asked Cartwright to stand as a Liberal Unionist candidate against Bobby Spencer. Similar invitations were received the same day from the Eastern division and the Borough itself. Cartwright chose to contest the Mid division. W.C.Cartwright Diary, 14–15 June 1886, Cartwright of Aynhoe, Box 6/16, NRO.

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hardly believe it. In the afternoon to a garden party given by Princess Louise4 at Kensington to the Colonial visitors; a most pleasant gathering of all manner of people, from Prince and Princess down to Mr. Baden Powell.5 But nothing is talked of but politics and the innumerable stories to prove that Gladstone is mad! He must be more or less. Meantime he is ruining the country. On to Lady Salisbury and Mrs. Bentinck. Sunday 6 June 4 Whitehall Yard To luncheon at Mrs. Jeune’s where Mr. Chamberlain was to have been but was not:1 instead, his daughter and an American friend, Miss Dorothy Deene, a lovely but very shy girl who has been acting in the Greek play, Mr. Browning,2 Mr. Greenwood, Lady Pembroke, Mr. Walsh,3 Mr. Newton4 (British Museum) etc,. made up the usual amusing party and afterwards we had Sir W.Gregory,5 Mr. Bowles,6 Mr. Morrison,7 etc. But no one can think or dream of anything but the Bill and its fate, or rather the number of the majority against it. I am getting bored with the whole thing. Monday 7 June 4 Whitehall Yard Drove in the afternoon, after a visit from T.Cartwright with a threat of his brother’s1 standing against Rainald which I don’t believe.

4.The Princess and her husband, the Marquis of Lome, resided at Kensington Palace. 5.George Baden-Powell, Conservative M.P., Kirkdale division, Liverpool, 1885–98: a member of the Bechuanaland Expedition, 1884–5, under the command of Sir Charles Warren sent to impose law and order. 1.Chamberlain was a close friend of Mrs. Jeune. Lady St. Helier, Memories of Fifty Years (1909), p. 285. 2.Robert Browning, (1812–89), the poet. 3.Arthur Henry Walsh, Conservative M.P., Radnorshire, 1885–92. 4.Charles Thomas Newton (1816–94), archaeologist, Keeper of Greek and Roman Antiquities, British Museum, 1861–85, first Professor of Archaeology at University College, London, 1880–8. Knighted 1887. 5.Sir William Gregory, (1817–92), Governor of Ceylon, 1871–7. 6.Thomas Gibson Bowles, founder of the society paper, Vanity Fair. 7.Alfred Morrison (1821–97), an avid collector of works of art which adorned his houses at Fonthill and Carlton House Terrace.

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Mr. Chamberlain joined Rainald on the terrace of the House of Commons this afternoon and told him he thought the majority against the Bill would be 30. At about 2, Rainald came home and told me that 30 it was, in the largest House ever known. 93 Liberals voted with us.2 The scene of excitement in the House, the rage of the Irish Members, seems to have been beyond description. Some of our maids were aroused by the shouts of the crowd who followed Gladstone home. He made a very fine speech with a splendid peroration but oh the untold mischief he has done. Now, what next? Tuesday 8 June 4 Whitehall Yard Mother, Nora and I did flowers and the colonies in the morning: we wandered about Cyprus, Malta and the West Indies and were much interested.1 Afterwards Mabel Clerk2 to luncheon and a variety of visitors in the afternoon, including Lady Iddesleigh who, like too many Conservatives, is shaky about the keeping of the compact with the Liberal Unionists. Thursday 10 June 4 Whitehall Yard A most extraordinary fog and darkness all the morning. At 12 o’clock obliged to light candles to read by. Drove with Mother, G.Gage1 came. An immediate dissolution announced. Dined with the Carysforts. Sat between Lord St. Oswald and Mr. Lowther and talked much shop. That little goose Lord Carnarvon’s Home Rule negotiations have all come out.2 See Dec. 4, 1885. 1.William Cornwallis Cartwright was nominated for Mid Northamptonshire on 16 June. 2.On the second reading of the Government of Ireland Bill, the twelfth night of the debate, the Government was defeated by 341 votes to 311. Hansard, 3, 306, cols.1145–1239, 7 June 1886. 1.The Colonial and Indian Exhibition held at South Kensington. 2.An actress friend who took part in LMK’s amateur productions. 1.Georgiana Elizabeth Gage, niece of Sir Rainald’s late brother-in-law, Henry. 2. ForCarnarvon’s speech in the House of Lords giving his version of the meeting with Parnell, see A. Hardinge, The Life of Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert, 4th. Earl of Carnarvon (1925), iii, pp. 223–5.

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Saturday 12 June Firle Mrs. Mark Wood came to luncheon, in the middle of which arrived Mr. Leo Ellis1 to interview Rainald abut starting as a Unionist against Bobby Spencer2 for Mid. Northants. He detests Lord Spencer and knows the county from his nephew Lord Clifden’s3 property there so will be a very good candidate. Altogether exciting and interesting. Friday 18 June 4 Whitehall Yard Came up here after breakfast and were greatly dismayed at 2 or 3 telegrams announcing that Sir James Carmichael1 is to stand as a Gladstonian. It is not absolutely settled but the worry and expense frightens one. Saturday 19 June 4 Whitehall Yard My darling, who is terribly upset and worried, went off to Northampton but nothing can be known till after the Liberal meeting at Towcester on Monday. Meanwhile I had a long day and saw innumerable people beginning with T.Cartwright at 10 and ending with the Cavendishes at 7. Lord Tollemache1 was among the number, and at Lady Bristol’s2 I met 1.Leopold Agar-Ellis, Liberal-Conservative M.P., Co. Kilkenny, 1857–74, who, in the event, unsuccessfully, stood for East Northamptonshire against the Liberal candidate, Francis Allston Channing. Channing later wrote of the contest, The people were mad with rage at the challenge, and Mr. Agar-Ellis had a far better transit than his predecessor (R. Ramsden), my supporters behaving with truculent impatience’. See F.A. Channing, Memories of Midland Politics (1918), p. 56. 2.Charles Robert (Bobby) Spencer (1857–1922), half-brother of the 5th. Earl. Liberal M.P., North North-amptonshire, 1880–5, Mid Northamptonshire, 1885–95. 3.Henry Agar-Roberts, 4th. Viscount Clifden, Lord Spencer’s nephew, who held estates in Ireland and Holdenby, Northamptonshire. 1.Sir James Morse Carmichael, 3rd. Bart., Gladstone’s private secretary in 1885–6, candidate for the Southern division. He had been decisively beaten when standing for North Northamptonshire, Nov. 1885. 1.John, 1st. Baron Tollemache, country gentleman and practical agriculturist. 2.Geraldine Georgiana, wife of Frederick, 3rd. Marquess of Bristol; resided at 6 St. James’s Square.

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Sir Edward Sullivan,3 a clever enough man in his way. Sammy and the S.Pauls came to luncheon. In the evening we went to see Jane Hading in Denise4 a dull, bad play. Sorry I went. It is wonderful how strong the feeling is against Lord Spencer. Lord Clarendon tonight said ‘Politics should not interfere with private friendships but when it comes to almost high treason!’ Monday 21 June 4 Whitehall Yard Harry arrived to drive with me and I went to see Nora. Came home to receive a horrid telegram ‘Carmichael selected to oppose you’. Well, we are in for it now and must just do the best we can and leave the result in God’s hands… On to Mrs. Bischoffsheim’s. Wonders will never cease, but she has been so civil about both elections (Parliamentary and Primrose League) that we are beat. Wednesday 23 June 4 Whitehall Yard I went to supper with Sir Maurice FitzGerald who is evidently very sore at Sir J.Carmichael stepping into his place1 and both for that reason, and as an Unionist, really wishes us to win. Saw Lady Spencer2 both Rainald and I greeted her with marked coldness. Publicly and privately I do feel so angry with them. Friday 25 June Fawsley Hard at work with leaflets in the morning. In the afternoon drove with Rainald into Daventry and called on all those who went round canvassing with me before, begging them to canvass again and saying it would be impossible for me to do it again in the time. 3.Sir Edward Sullivan, 2nd. Bart., classical scholar, son of the Chancellor of Ireland, 1883–5. Unsuccessfully contested St. Stephen’s Green division, Dublin, as Liberal Unionist in 1886. 4.A play by Alexandre Dumas fils in the style of a comedy of manners and first performed in Paris, Jan. 1885, with great success. Jane Hading, an actress popular in both France and England, took the part of the heroine at Her Majesty’s Theatre. 1.Carmichael opened his campaign at the Assembly Hall, Daventry on 23 June; Sir Rainald began at Towcester on 22 June. DE, 26 June 1886, p. 1. 2.Charlotte Frances Frederica, wife of John Poyntz, 5th. Earl Spencer.

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Lady Exeter,1 Mr. Monckton, Lord Deramore,2 all warn us against Sir J.3 as a dexterous, unscrupulous politician. But I don’t know what he can do. Saturday 26 June Fawsley To Byfield in the morning, in the afternoon luxuriated in sitting out. At night to a meeting at Daventry.1 It was not so full as last year, owing to short notice but much more friendly: if the election is to resemble it we ought to do quite a third better. Of course there was some interruption but nothing to signify and Rainald spoke remarkably well. Young Darnell2 there rather on the croak. But I cannot think that when the Liberal Party is cleft from the top to the bottom throughout the country, it should be thoroughly united in South Northants. Tuesday 29 June Fawsley To Daventry and Norton in the morning. Called on Father Smith1 Of course all the Irish in the constituency will go against us this time, it is our great danger, but on the other hand I hear in every direction of disgusted Liberals who intend to help us. The Radicals are canvassing hard this time; Charlie and Val met them at Weedon yesterday, but I don’t think they had much success there. Rainald went to Culworth and on to Newbottle. I went to Newnham and Dodford and on to Weedon where I dined with the Irbys and met Hughie Munro3 who is come down to help us. We had a very good meeting and Hughie spoke fluently and well. It was very long though; one man (rather drunk) interrupted persistently but a resolution in favour of Rainald was carried by an overwhelming majority. I said a few words as a message from him. Oh, how I long to speak! but that I will not do. 1.Lady Georgina Pakenham, wife of William Alleyne Cecil, 3rd. Marquess of Exeter. 2.George William de Yarburgh-Bateson, 2nd. Baron Deramore. 3.I.e., Sir James Carmichael. 1.At the Assembly Hall. NM, 3 July 1886, p. 11. 2.A.J. (Pat) Darnell of Northampton the Borough coroner for 40 years. He died in 1955 aged 90. 1.Father Walstan Smith of St. Mark’s Presbytery, Daventry. 2.NH, 3 July 1886, supp.p.2. 3.Hugh, nephew of Sir Thomas Munro of Lindertis, 2nd. Bart. A keen mountaineer, he was founder member of the Scottish Mountaineering Club in 1889, and compiled a list of some 280 peaks over 3000 feet which became known as the Munros.

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Wednesday 30 June Fawsley A very long day. Hughie and I went off to canvass Blakesley and Wood End, with very fairly satisfactory results, but that and having luncheon with the Jenkins1 and calling on old Aris at Oakley Bank took up the whole day. (Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew, Mr. Franklin and Mrs. Sheppard and Mr. Taylor went with us)2 and after an early dinner we started off to Byfield, where we had a very fair meeting, fully two-thirds Conservative. We could not stay to the end as the excellent refugee Pole, Mr. De Schler,3 began an interminable speech, so Hughie and I went back to Charwelton, where we had a very nice little friendly informal meeting of the Charwelton people, and I made a little speech, chiefly about boycotting. One or two farmers spoke, and one labourer, Gibbins, made two or three remarks, and altogether it was rather pleasant and interesting. But it is very hard work. One man, after promising his vote, begging me not to say he had done so, gave me a great prod with the end of his pitch fork to reiterate his wish for silence. Thursday 1 July Fawsley Off again to canvass Stowe-Nine-Churches, which was comparatively easy work. There are some very bullying Radicals there and many of the people seem almost afraid to say they will vote Tory. Had luncheon with Mrs. Crawley.1 Came home to find Rainald in a very sanguine state very pleased with his meetings at Culworth and Brackley.2 He did a good deal of canvassing en route and is really working hard. Hughie went at night to Boddington, a very Radical place. Friday 2 July Fawsley A very long, hot day’s canvassing at Green’s Norton with Juliet, helped by Captain and Mrs. Hunt1 (who entertained us at luncheon), Mr. Bartholomew and Mr. Hadland.2 We 1. Revd. James Jenkins, vicar of St. Mary, Blakesley, Towcester since 1863. 2. Canvassers from Towcester. 3. J.G.de Schler, language teacher, Woodford Halse. 1.W ife of Revd. Henry Crawley, rector of St. Michael, Stowe-Nine-Churches since 1849. 2. At Mr. Baylis’s barn at Culworth on 29 June and at Brackley Town Hall on 3 July. NH, 3 July 1886, supp., pp.2–3. 1. John Waddington Hunt, Manor House, Preston Parva, near Daventry. 2. Vincent Hadland, farmer, Green’s Norton.

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were obliged to go in the afternoon as Sir James Carmichael held an open air meeting there about 12 so found very few people at home but on the whole it was not unsatisfactory for such a Radical place. I fancy Mary will stay away this time. One man (at Wood End) made me laugh when I pointed out that many Liberals, such as Bright and Chamberlain etc, were with us, said, ‘Oh, Liberals only in name!’ The idea of Mr. Chamberlain as a Liberal in name was irresistibly comic. I do hope and trust it is all right but I am not so sanguine as Rainald is of a big majority. He went to Towcester for his nomination and on to Alfred FitzRoy’s 3who took the chair for him at a meeting at Potterspury. That is a Radical place and Rainald said even the Duke’s name was hooted.4 Hughie went with Val to a meeting at Woodford. This election will always be associated in my mind with dog roses and yellowhammers. The hedges are full of both. Saturday 3 July Fawsley The first returns of this most important election were brought to Hughie and me sitting under the cedar tree. They are decidedly satisfactory as far as they go and don’t look the least like G.O.M. ‘sweeping the board’. It is melancholy to see a man of his undoubted ability fallen so low as he is to write such letters and telegrams as he is doing all over the place.1 Rainald came back from Whittlebury. I never stirred beyond the terrace the whole day till at night Rainald, Hughie and I went to a most cheerful, enthusiastic jolly little meeting at Everdon with arches: ‘Knightley for ever’ and a band to play us in etc. When Hughie expressed a hope that Rainald would be returned at the head of the poll: ‘us wull’, said Thompson with tremendous emphasis. It was very pleasant. Monday 5 July Fawsley Another glorious day: I hardly ever remember such weather. I did my last day’s canvassing at Adstone. Rainald and Hughie went in the evening to a meeting at Chipping 3. Alfred William FitzRoy, son of 7th. Duke of Grafton and brother of Henry FitzRoy, Earl of Euston. Sir Rainald spoke from a waggon adjoining the Reindeer Inn, Potterspury. 4. Sir Rainald told the meeting, The Duke of Grafton had authorized him to say that he was entirely opposed to any candidate who was not a Unionist’. NH, 10 July 1886, supp., p. 1. 1. As Bobby Spencer wrote to his half-brother, ‘I could not bear to think of our county turned against you and Mr. Gladstone. The latter’s letters have done a great deal of harm, the nonsense he has written and telegraphed has been dreadful’. 14 July 1886, C.R.Spencer to Earl Spencer. P.Gordon, The Red Earl (1986), ii, pp. 129–30.

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Warden. Continued good reports in the newspapers. I do believe the tide is going the right way.1 Tuesday 6 July Fawsley The eventful polling day. Hughie, who has been most useful, departed and Rainald and I starting at 9.30 made a tremendous tour of 16 polling places: Badby which of course was enthusiastic, Daventry, Weedon, Cold Higham, Towcester, which is always a depressing place, and our friends are so mean spirited they actually won’t wear our colours, which I offered them in cornflowers, Silverstone, all over blue, Syresham, not a polling place but so enthusiastic they wanted to take the horses out of the fly and draw us round the village, and we had luncheon with a dear old man Mr. Wilson, who took an active part in Sir Charles’ great election 54 years ago!1 Brackley was delightful, a crowd of our supporters to meet and cheer us—how they did cheer—and Rainald made them such a nice hearty little speech and even the schoolboys were drawn up to cheer us as we drove off. And so home by Weston (Milnthorpe) and Maidford. If ribbons are any indication we saw 2 to 1 more blue than red and white and our friends are most sanguine. Tomorrow we shall know. Wednesday 7 July 4 Whitehall Yard And now we do know and very delightful it is! We arrived at Towcester just in time to hear the under sheriff, F. Willoughby, proclaim, ‘For Sir Rainald Knightley 4003, for Sir James Carmichael 3687, majority 316’, whereupon his parent had to remind him to declare Sir Rainald Knightley duly elected ‘and say wherefor’, ‘for the Southern Division of Northamptonshire’. 1. But as the Northampton Mercury pointed out, ‘A majority of 51, in a constituency of nearly 10,000, is, of course, a pure toss up, and the slightest swing of the pendulum will mean a victory for the Liberals’. 3 July 1886, p. 5. 1.Sir Charles Knightley (1781-1864), 2nd. Bart. was elected to represent the Southern Division of Northamptonshire in 1834 and retired in 1852. 2.NH, 10 July 1886, p. 6.

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Then came a scene of tremendous enthusiasm (after Rainald had made his few remarks,1 including a good dig at Bobby Spencer, followed by Sir James to whom and his sister we were introduced) we marched in regular triumph up to the Conservative Club. Such cheering and hand shaking and such a contrast to last time when evidently our people had made up their minds we were beat. Rainald made a very nice little speech to our friends there and we wound up by singing ‘God save the Queen’ which I own gave me a lump in my throat, for I do feel that again saving this seat and by an increased majority is a good step towards saving her Empire from disruption and those poor Irish people from indescribable oppression and cruelty. And all the counties are going so splendidly. One half feared they might reverse the boroughs but we are winning all along the line and that wicked old man is done. We drove off to Blisworth and so to London, heaps of congratulations all the way. Oh it is so delightful and I am so thankful. I never reckoned on more than 100. It is so fortunate too that we won last time, for Sir Maurice being a Unionist we could not have attacked him and it would have made a terrible mess. Friday 9 July 4 Whitehall Yard The world in general retired to the Eton and Harrow match. I went forth on a great campaign of bill paying and visiting having many arrears to make up. Sir T. and Mr. Foley dined. Elected to Primrose League Committee, but only beat Lady Jersey1 by 3.2 We at night to the Queen’s ball which was great fun everybody congratulating us. Met Sir Maurice again and told him he was wrong in thinking we should be beat. It is odd how many people expected it. Saturday 10 July 4 Whitehall Yard The elections are going splendidly for the Conservatives. Arch1 turned out for Norfolk. 1.In a unusually frank speech after his election, Sir Rainald said, ‘If they examine the poll, they would see that my largely increased majority is owing to abstentions. I polled 71 less at the last election, but Sir James Carmichael has polled a much smaller number than Sir Maurice FitzGerald, and that clearly proves that Unionist Liberals, though they could not support a Home Ruler, did not like to vote for an old Tory like myself’. NH, 10 July 1886, p.3. 1.Margaret Childs Villiers, Countess of Jersey, who was a prominent member of the LGC. 2.LMK 289, Countess of Jersey 286. Executive Committee of the LGC, 7 July 1886, Minute Book 1883-6, Primrose League Papers, MS 11. 1.Joseph Arch (1826–1919), champion of the agricultural workers, Radical M.P., North West Norfolk, 1885, beaten by Lord Henry Bentinck by 20 votes. J.Arch, The Story of His Life. Told by Himself (1898), p. 363.

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John Hamilton for Lanarkshire,2 in short one can’t count them all, but the Unionists are not fortunate. George Trevelyan has fallen like Goschen; it is not an encouragement to be independent and patriotic. Tuesday 13 July 4 Whitehall Yard Rainald went down to vote for Mr. Cartwright,1 the first time he ever voted for a Whig, and funnily enough he travelled with his old opponent Lord Frederick FitzRoy,2 going to record his vote for the first time for a Conservative, Mr. Egerton Hubbard for Bucks.3 A charming story from our division: says an intelligent voter ‘I shan’t vote for Sir Rainald again, why didn’t he stop in when he got in and not cause another election?’ In the evening to Grosvenor House, a squash, but very amusing. I congratulated Lord Hartington, who was most gracious and went to tea with Mr. Goschen, whose remark was a very true one, ‘What a responsibility it is for Lord Hartington!’ Friday 23 July 4 Whitehall Yard Went for first time to the Primrose League Council Meeting: interesting, but not very business like. Thursday 29 July 4 Whitehall Yard Lord Randolph is to be Chancellor of the Exchequer and Leader of the House of Commons a great experiment. Mais qui verra verra Mr. Matthews, whom curiously enough I met at tea at Lady Borthwick’s on Monday, is to be Home Secretary which is also a great surprise.1 own I never heard of him till he appeared in the Crawford-Dilke case the other day. He is a Roman Catholic and the first Conservative Member for Birmingham for many years. Evidently a very clever man, very light in hand. 2.Lord John Glencairn Hamilton of Dalzell, Liberal M.P., South Lanarkshire, 1868–74, and 1880– 86, when defeated by 18 votes. 1.Cartwright noted four days earlier in his diary, ‘On Thursday I polled for Knightley, whose return has helped me’. 9 July 1886, Cartwright of Aynhoe, Box 6/16. 2.Lord Frederick, brother of 7th. Duke of Grafton, had contested South Northamptonshire in 1865 as a Liberal candidate. 3.Hon. Egerton Hubbard was elected Conservative M.P., Buckingham, 1886–9.

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Wednesday 4 August Richmond Park Mother, Rainald and I had a long pretty drive all round by Wimbledon Common and Coombe where we proceeded to call on Lady Wolverton,1 and were much taken aback at finding, seated by the tea table, Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone. But, as Rainald remarked, G.O.M. was sulky and after asking Rainald if he thought there would be an autumn Session disappeared upstairs, skipping up two steps at a time with provoking activity. I had only time to note once more the marvellous sonorousness of his voice. Thursday 5 August Fawsley Came home, by way of Blakesley, where I opened a bazaar got up by the Bartholomews in aid of a village reading room and library and made a little speech1 which Tiny approved of. And now its is very nice to be at home and I hope and trust at leisure to attend to much work which this overwhelmingly busy year has thrust aside: real genuine work for the master if He will help me to do it. My first work must be to try and help Tiny, who is sorely bothered about farms and things. Tuesday 10 August Fawsley 1

Sunday we walked to Westcomb where things are looking well in spite of a good deal of croak in the newspapers. Some beasts bought in May have sold to pay £4 and last year’s wheat at Westcomb has thrashed out nearly 7 quarters to the acre… I am busy with the long neglected article on Suffolk, a great interest, and have just finished a charming life of Henrietta Maria by the Comte de Baillon.2 It has interested me very much especially her 1.Henry Matthews (1826–1913), QC, Conservative M.P., East Birmingham, 1886–92; the first Roman Catholic Cabinet minister since the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829. 2.Dilke was the correspondent in the divorce suit Crawford v. Crawford and Dilke. Matthews, a skilled cross-examiner, was effective in the second trial, held from 16 to 23 July, when Dilke failed to prove his innocence. See R. Jenkins, Sir Charles Dilke (1965 edn.) pp. 269–83. 1.Georgiana Maria, wife of George Grenfell Glyn, 2nd. Baron Wolverton, and Liberal PaymasterGeneral in the 1880–5 Gladstone administration; Postmaster-General, 1886. Their home was at Coombe Wood, Kingston, Surrey. 1.NH, 14 Aug. 1886, p. 6. 1.Westcomb Farm, near the Fawsley estate. 2.Comte Charles de Baillon, Henriette-Anne d’ Anglterre, duchess d’Orléans. Sa vie et sa correpondence avec son frère, Charles II (Paris, 1886).

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letters to the King; she scolds him so for not being firm enough for refusing and then yielding. A much stronger character than one is inclined to think. Wednesday 11 August Fawsley Was really a great day entirely. Rainald and I drove over to Brackley, where a most imposing and successful demonstration in honour of his return had been arranged by the Conservative Associations and Primrose League Habitations of Brackley and district. They met us at the entrance to the town and taking the horses out of the pony carriage drew us in triumph down to the Town Hall at the tail of such a procession that we could not hear a note of the band at the head and Mr. Judge was there to see! Then there was a luncheon to which about 700 people sat down and then they presented Rainald with an address, very nicely got up and illuminated.1 He made a very nice little short speech in reply and Mr. Cartwright (who was again by no means well received) a much longer one and then a Mr. Dalby from Grimsbury made a really capital speech thoroughly appreciating Rainald’s independence. Then there were acrobats etc, and a tremendous tea for about 1100 women and children and everybody, including me, seemed to enjoy themselves immensely, the weather being everything that could be wished. Sunday 22 August Fawsley Parliament met on Thursday, both Lord Salisbury and Lord Randolph have made good firm speeches,1 promising if possible to restore order by means of the ordinary law in Ireland and to enquire into the best means of developing her internal resources. Sunday 29 August Fawsley On Thursday Rainald went to London to take his seat and vote against Mr. Parnell’s amendment to the Address.1

1.The presentation was in recognition of his 34 years and M.P. for South Northamptonshire. NH, 14 Aug. 1886, pp. 6–7. 1.Debate on the Queen’s Speech, first night, Hansard, 3, 308, Salisbury, cols. 55–70; Churchill, cols. 113–33, 19 Aug. 1886.

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Saturday I went to the workhouse, and in the evening with Charlie to Preston to meet the men about the allotments, which however at present don’t seem likely to come to much. Rainald returned. Wednesday 15 September Fawsley Rainald and I did what we have never done before, went up to London for the day, he to the dentist, I to attend a meeting of the Primrose League: I have worked so hard to get on I feel bound to go when I can. Lady Maidstone1 has retired which is a blessing: a Home Rule Primrose Leaguer is absurd; and Lady Edmund Talbot has also retired, chiefly on account of ‘that dreadful appointment at the Home Office’, which is doubly perplexing because Mr. Matthews is also a Roman Catholic. I thought Lady Randolph looked very odd when this was said. Tuesday 16 November Euston Hall, Thetford Came down here with Tiny in the afternoon travelling with Lord and Lady Brooke.1 Party: Corks,2 Bristols, Sir and Lady Blake,3 a Mr. Thompson and the Alfred FitzRoys and Lord Euston. Rainald met W.H. Smith yesterday, who assured him the Government did not mean to propose the clôture by a bare majority.4 Rainald said, ‘I give you fair warning, I don’t mean to support that, whoever brings it forward.′ Mr Smith said, ‘What proportion would you support!’ upon which Rainald said, Two thirds or three fifths.′ 1.On Payment of Rent by Irish Tenant Farmers, seventh night of the Queen’s Speech. Hansard, 3, 308, col. 766, 27 Aug. 1886. Ayes 181, Noes 304. 1.Edith, wife of Murray Finch-Hatton, Viscount Maidstone, Conservative M.P., Spalding, 1885–7, when he succeeded as 11th. Earl of Winchilsea. 2.Mary, wife of Lord Edmund Talbot. 1.Charles Greville, son of George Guy, 4th. Earl of Warwick and Brooke and his wife, Frances Evelyn. 2.Richard St. Lawrence Boyle, 9th. Earl of Cork, and his wife, Emily Charlotte. 3.Sir Ernest Blake, Crown Agent for the Colonies from 1881, and his wife, Catherine. 4.As Leader of the Commons, Smith drafted the rules to deal with obstruction in the House. The proposals, laid on the Table in Feb. 1886, were the fifth set submitted since 1882. Viscount Chilston, W.H.Smith (1965), p. 244.

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Advent Sunday 28 November Fawsley The beginning of a new Church year. How often I have recorded the same thing, made fresh resolutions and broken them. I am 44 years old and since I was 81 have been trying, more or less, to serve God. How much better I ought to be, more earnest, more devoted, more filled with the love of God. I wonder if I try to do too many things, some of which, though perfectly harmless, are also useless, and so fill up time which might have been given to Him? Also I must take care that outside things, excellent in themselves such as the Girls’ Friendly Society etc, do not keep me from my first duties, which are to Mother and Mite. I also want much to be helped when I go to Firle. I dread and dislike it for many reasons and yet perhaps God has something for me to do there. Friday 17 December Fawsley Finished and despatched Suffolk in the afternoon … Deep in Hayward.1 His detestation of Disraeli most curious. The book brings out, Bernal-Osborne 1869,2 a strong confirmation of what Rainald has always thought, that ‘concurrent endowment’ i.e., paying the Roman Catholic priests and thus making them independent of the people, would be the only chance of settling Ireland. Lord Strathnairn3 was always so strong on that point. They have arrested four Irish M.P.’s today in the act of receiving Lord Clanricarde’s rents according to the ‘plan of campaign’,4 at last adjudged illegal. Something has happened on the Continent in the last few days to make Russia and Germany better friends. The former seems inclined to accept Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg for Bulgaria.5 I hope it don’t bode ill to us. The new French Cabinet under M. Goblet6 with M.Flourens for Foreign Minister7 is really a government pour rire. A clever article in the St. James’s on the extraordinary 1.Abraham Hayward (1801–84), author of Sketches of Eminent Statesmen and Writers (1880) and a regular contributor to the Quarterly Review, 1869–83. 2.Ralph Bernal, Liberal M.P., Waterford City, 1869–74. Assumed the name of Osborne in 1844 on marrying the heiress to Sir Thomas Osborne, Bart; he died in 1882. 3.Hugh Henry Rose, 1st. Baron Strathnairn, who had served in the Crimea, and India. He was C-inC of the armed forces in Ireland, 1865–70. Promoted to Field Marshal in 1877, he died in 1885. 4. ThePlan of Campaign was launched by the Irish National League in the autumn of 1886. It encouraged tenants to withold excessive rents and use the monies to protect tenants in case of eviction. A much publicized collection of rents was attempted on 19 Nov. on the estate of the highly unpopular Hubert George de Burgh Canning, 2nd. Marquess of Clanricarde. 5.Prince Alexander of Bulgaria abdicated in Aug. 1886 following an officers’ coup. He was succeeded by Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg the following year. 6.Rene Goblet, Prime Minister, Dec. 1886-Feb. 1889. 7.Goblet, unable to persuade any of the French ambassadors to take the post, turned in desperation to Emile-Leopold Flourens, President of the Legislative Section of Justice, who accepted.

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proof the French Republic is giving that an ultra-Democratic regime is not the most likely to find the best men to serve the country. proof the French Republic is giving that an ultra-Democratic regime is not the most likely to find the best men to serve the country. Christmas Eve, Friday 24 December Fawsley In politics the most astounding, the most incomprehensible, event has taken place: Lord Randolph Churchill has resigned,1 nominally because he won’t consent to the Estimates demanded for the Army and Navy, why really no one knows. He sent his resignation to The Times before it was submitted to the Queen, which is an outrage, and nothing can be more unpatriotic than his conduct in thus weakening the Government in the face of the existing state of things both in Ireland and on the Continent. If only Lord Hartington would join us!2 Thursday 28 December Fawsley The accounts of the storm are frightful in London and all down the West the snow has been much worse than here and telegraph wires have gone smash in every direction with the result of total isolation from the Continent. Lord Salisbury has made every sort of magnificent offer to Lord Hartington who has come straight home from Rome, but I doubt if anything will come of it.1 We struggled up to Badby to see about the Primrose League entertainment. 1.Churchill, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, submitted his resignation to Salisbury on 20 Dec It was accepted two days later. Churchill broke the news to the editor of The Times, George Buckle, with instructions to make the news public. R.F.Foster, Lord Randolph Churchill A Political Life (1981), pp. 305–10. 2.In July, Salisbury had offered Hartington, leader of the Liberal Unionists, the premiership and was willing to serve under him, but Hartington had declined. After Churchill’s resignation, the offer had been renewed. 1.On his return Lord Hartington consulted with his colleagues and once again refused the offer of the post of Prime Minister. Lady G.Cecil, Life of Robert, Marquis of Salisbury (1931), iii, pp. 338– 9.

*1887* Tuesday 4 January Fawsley I walked up to Badby with Rainald, Sir T. and Mr. Macdonald. Mr. Goschen has joined the Ministry which is a great gain1 but I shall be very sorry if Lord Iddesleigh retires as is rumoured.2 Wednesday 12 January Fawsley Lord Iddesleigh has left the Cabinet. I can’t make out why unless as Sir Thomas forcibly puts it, ‘Lord Salisbury has given him the sack because he hasn’t enough of the devil about him.′ It all helps to weaken the government and I much fear this Parliament won’t last long. All this instability of our Government too adds to the chances of war abroad. Bismarck makes a tremendous speech today threatening a dissolution if he does not get the additional men he and Moltke1 want for 7 years.2 Thursday 13 January Fawsley I little thought, when I wrote of Lord Iddesleigh last night, that that high minded upright honorable Christian gentleman had passed to rest. This morning St. James’s brought the news of his awfully sudden death which took place yesterday afternoon at Lord Salisbury’s official residence in Downing Street. I cannot say how shocked and grieved we all are though no altogether surprised. We noticed so much how his hand shook when he dined with us on July 22 and again when he came in a day or two later to announce the 1.On 14 Jan. as Chancellor of the Exchequer. 2.Salisbury wrote to Hicks Beach two days later, To my extreme surprise, I found Goschen very strongly urging—almost insisting—that Iddesleigh should not stay at the Foreign Office’. St. Aldwyn Papers, 6 Jan. 1887, PCC/69, Gloucestershire Record Office. 1.Count Helmuth von Moltke (1800–91), Chief of the General Staff in Berlin, 1858–88 and responsible for reorganizing the Prussian Army. 2.The debate on the Army Bill was opened in the Reichstag on 3 Dec. 1886. It met with considerable opposition and the debate was adjourned. On 5 Jan. 1887 it was once more rejected.

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marriage of his son to the young lady he brought with him. It seems he has had an affection of the heart since 1851, and doubtless the worry and annoyance of the last few weeks have been very bad for him. He never, I think, really got over being turned out of the House of Commons. When I said to him that night that he must be glad to be spared election contests, he said, ‘Oh no, I long to be in the fray.’ Rainald wrote him a letter two days ago which alas, can never have reached him. Saturday 22 January Fawsley The frost is really gone at last. Thursday we only walked down to Westcomb; on Friday Evie and I actually drove over to Daventry, the first time since Christmas. I met Lady Henley by appointment, to talk over the Women’s Jubilee Offering which she and I have undertaken to work for the Daventry Union dividing the parishes between us.1 We called on Mrs. Willoughby who as the wife of the Mayor is to undertake the town of Daventry and I came home very full of it, but Rainald rather damped my ardour. If he can be so set against it just because Lady Spencer, simply from her position as wife of the Lord-Lieutenant, starts the movement for this county it is rather a bad look out. But I am determined to do my best: I care for the Queen, and she likes it. Wednesday 26 January Weeting, Brandon, Norfolk 1

Today Mrs. Amherst came to luncheon, and I had a good deal of talk with Rustem Pasha,2 who seems a very intelligent citizen. He has been Ambassador in Russia and in Italy, has served under the Sultans, and was ten years governor of Syria. He says the Germans are gradually monopolizing all the trade in the East, specially in Syria. Discussed Laurence Oliphant’s plan for planting a colony of Jews in Gilead:3 says, it would never answer, and the Turks don’t want them because they never cultivate. Also told me there are still a number of Spanish Jews at Salonica, descendants of those who were driven out of Spain in the 16th century and to whom Turkey gave an asylum when no other European country would. He speaks English perfectly but looks old and worn. 1.On 10 Jan. 1.A meeting was held on 1 March at the Assembly Hall, Daventry, to determine how best to commemorate the Queen’s reign of 50 years. DE, 5 March 1887, p. 1. 1.Margaret Susan, wife of William Amhurst Tyssen Amherst, Brandon, Norfolk. 2.Turkish ambassador in London, 1885–95. 3.Laurence Oliphant, Liberal M.P., Stirling, 1865–8. Author, traveller and journalist. He embarked on a scheme to colonize Palestine with Jews but abandoned it in face of Turkish opposition. An account of his travels was published in 1880 under the title The Land of Gilead, with excursions in the Lebanon.

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Friday 28 January Weeting, Brandon, Norfolk Parliament met yesterday (alas, Mr. Goschen was beat the day before by 7 for Liverpool, most unlucky)1 and the papers are very interesting with Lord Randolph’s explanation which is very weak. I believe he never meant to resign, and when Lord Salisbury took him at his word, threw up in a fit of temper. Rustem Pasha does not at all approve of the publication of Lord Salisbury’s letter speaking of the black outlook on the Continent. He does not like Lord Salisbury and says he is driving Turkey into the arms of Russia. He complains bitterly too of Prince Alexander’s non-observance of the Berlin Treaty, as to tribute, fortresses, army etc. Says the Empress of Russia2 is a very clever woman with great influence over him, and positively raves about the Queen of Italy.3 He is himself a Christian, but I can’t make out what sort. Saturday 29 January Claridge’s Hotel Came up by an early train and went at once to Burlington House…There we met the Speaker with whom Rainald talked of the new rules of procedure proposed by the Government. He approves of placing more power in the Speaker’s hands, but quite agrees with Rainald in deprecating clôture by anything but a two-thirds majority. I can’t understand the Government proposing anything else considering how they opposed G.O.M. on that very point. Sunday 30 January Claridge’s Hotel A great deal of talk about Lord Iddesleigh’s death, Lord Salisbury much blamed for not having written to him in time and letting him see his deposition in the paper first. Offered him the Presidentship of the Council, which he refused. It was known he would like the Colonies, but this was put off on the ground that they wanted someone with a large house and fortune to entertain, which makes the selection of Sir H.Holland1 the more remarkable. (Not that it is at all a bad appointment.) Lady Hogg told me today that he

1. On the death of the sitting Liberal M.P., David Duncan, a by-election was called for 30 Dec. 1886, Ralph Nevill, an ardent Liberal, opposed Goschen in the Liverpool Exchange Division and was returned by a majority of 7 votes. 2. Mary (Dagmar), wife of Tsar Alexander III, 1881–94. 3. Margaret, wife of Humbert I, King of Italy, 1878–1900.

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much dreaded the interview with Lord Salisbury. (Her son-in-law, Mr. de Saumarez, was his private secretary.) At the same time there is no doubt he was not up to the Foreign Office. Count Corti,2 among others complained that he could get no answers, he slept through a deputation etc. It is a sad, tragical business. Everyone agrees Lord Randolph never meant to resign and is furious at being taken at his word, quarreling too with all the newspaper editors, not wise. Dined with Nora and John Hamilton, who talked rank rubbish about Home Rule and Socialism. Monday 31 January Claridge’s Hotel To luncheon at Mrs. Jeune’s party, Princess Christian, Mr. Greenwood of the St. James’s, whom we chaffed a good deal about his savage attacks on Lord Rosebery, and Mr. Louis Jennings1 who has just brought out Mr. Gladstone—a Study, which is likely to create a good deal of sensation as he has found out that Mr. G.wrote sundry articles in the Quarterly Review in which his sentiments are not only inconsistent with the views he holds now, but with the position he occupied then. It is selling like wild fire. Much talk too of the chances of peace and war, Princess Christian says from what she hears from Germany things look better than a fortnight ago. She is still a thorough ‘Particularist’.2 Drove afterwards with Nora and had tea with Lady Hogg to talk Women’s Jubilee; it seems likely to be a great success. Friday 11 February Fawsley Most provokingly, Rainald had to go to London to vote against Mr. Parnell’s amendment and Sir T. to support E. Marjoribanks1 for the Travellers′.2 1. Sir Henry Thurstan Holland (1825–1914), Conservative M.P., Hampstead, Nov. 1885–8, Financial Secretary to Treasury, 1885, Secretary of State for Colonies, 1887–92. 2. Count Lodovico Corti, Italian ambassador in London, 1886–8. 1.Louis John Jennings, journalist and Conservative M.P., Stockport, 1885–93. 2.An advocate of the right of each German state within the Empire to retain its own government, laws and rights. 1.Edward Marjoribanks (1849–1909), Liberal M.P., County of Berwick, 1880–94. Chief Whip, 1892–4. 2.The Travellers’ Club, Pall Mall.

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Wednesday 16 February 38 Beaufort Gardens In the evening to a party at Mrs. Peel’s. Saw a good many of the Government who had dined there and had some talk with the Speaker; condoled with him on having to sit so many weary hours listening to the debate on the Address. ‘Yes’, he said, ‘one wouldn’t mind if it were to advance the work of the country, but pure, simple waste of time.’ However, it is to be stopped promptly. Saturday 26 March Fawsley Drove Charlie and Juliet to cover at Ashby St. Ledgers but did not stay out long. Rainald came home with a majority of 89 for the motion for urgency for the Crimes Bill. It ought to have been more.1 Wednesday 6 April Fawsley Again very busy day. Mr. Forster has been blowing me up for overworking myself, and I think I must be a little careful. I have got back the uncomfortable feeling about the heart that I had at the time of the election. In the afternoon to the general meeting of the Primrose League, at which I was elected Dame President of the Knightley habitation at which I am pleased. It was thoroughly representative, beginning with Colonel Lowndes, and going down to Bagley the chimneysweep. Friday 22 April Richmond Park Went to London to attend the meeting of the Primrose League Committee. Extremely entertained by a bold, but rather clumsy attempt of Lady Salisbury’s to elbow the Duchess of Marlborough out of the way by trying to prevent her from being one of the ladies to join the General Purpose Committee of the Grand Council, but Her Grace 1.Fourth night of the adjourned debate on the Criminal Law Amendment (Ireland) Bill. Ayes 349, Noes 260. Hansard, 3, 312, cols. 1477–1579, 25 March 1887.

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wouldn’t have it. It was exactly a reproduction of the Salisbury—Churchill row.1 Lunched at the Albemarle,2 where we are taken in pending the move of the Alexandra to Grosvenor Street. Wednesday 27 April 4 Whitehall Yard In the evening to a party at W.H. Smith’s. He is doing so admirably as Leader of the House of Commons. Saw and talked to Rustem Pasha and also to Baron Biegeleben1 who has come back to England… Rainald came in after I had written this and told me he had had a long talk with Lord Salisbury, who asked him how things were going in the House of Commons. Rainald said well, and that Goschen was a tower of strength. ‘Yes’. said Lord Salisbury, ‘I think we do quite as well as under the former regime,′ wherein Rainald agreed and Lord Salisbury added, ‘Randolph never meant to resign.’ this entirely agrees with what we thought. Thursday 28 April 4 Whitehall Yard The great event of today was that I received a cheque for £36.15.0., thirty five guineas, for my article on Suffolk.1 I am really delighted. It is so satisfactory to think that one can really do something worth paying for. Sunday 1 May 4 Whitehall Yard In the morning to Whitehall Chapel where a dreary discourse from Canon McColl1 on The Survival of the Fittest’, not forgetting a kick at his old enemies the Turks. After luncheon to the menagerie in Wimpole Street, i.e. Mrs. Jeune’s, where were gathered 1.See Entry, 24 Dec. 1886. 2.A club for ladies and gentlemen; founded in 1874 as a non-residential establishment at 25 Albemarle Street, London. 1.Councillor attached to the Austrian Embassy, 1887–9. The Baron had been a secretary at the Embassy, 1880–2. 1.Quarterly Review, 164, April 1887, pp. 382–414. 1.Canon Malcolm McColl, of Ripon Cathedral, 1884–1907, pamphleteer.

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Lord Randolph Churchill, Mr. John Morley, Mr. George Trevelyan, Mr. Buckle of The Times,2 the Lymingtons3 etc. Amused at a wooden fan with autographs, among them’ Charles S. Parnell’, which Mr. Buckle contemplated with deep interest. Lord Randolph was made to add his autograph to the collection which included Bright, Leighton,4 AlmaTadema5 and many others. Monday 2 May 4 Whitehall Yard The wretched Rainald is gone back to the House, W.H.Smith having issued a very strong letter begging members to stick to it during this Committee. They got a bad division on Friday at dinner time, Gladstone having played the Parnellite game by talking till 8.30 and again tonight I believe.1 Rainald was paired till 10.45. Sent copies of Parnellism and Crime, reprinted from The Times,2 to a number of Primrose and other political friends. His note answering the accusation by an action for libel is producing an immense effect. Tuesday 3 May 4 Whitehall Yard I went to a little tea at Mrs. Peel’s. The closure was applied again last night Gladstone’s own tactics telling against it so as to identify him more closely than ever with the Parnellites. Was ever man fallen so low! 2.George Earle Buckle, (1854–1935), editor, 1884–1912. 3.Newton Wallop, Viscount Lymington, son of Isaac, 5th. Earl of Portsmouth, Liberal Unionist M.P., South Molton, Devon, 1885–91, and his wife, Beatrice. 4.Sir Frederick Leighton (1830–96), President of the Royal Academy from 1878 until his death. 5.Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836–1912), painter. 1.On the second night of the Committee stage of the Criminal Law Amendment (Ireland) Bill, A.J.Balfour, Chief Secretary for Ireland, remarked at the end of the debate ‘that up to this moment the Committee has got through exactly three and half lines of the measure’. Hansard, 3, 314, col. 674, 2 May 1887. 2.A series of articles entitled Parnellism and Crime had appeared in The Times. A letter purporting to have been written by Parnell and sympathizing with the Phoenix Park Murders was published on 18 April. It subsequently proved to be a forgery.

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Thursday 5 May 4 Whitehall Yard Meanwhile the House of Commons is busy debating how the charges against Mr. Dillon and Co. are to be investigated; the Government offer a criminal prosecution against The Times at the public expense, G.O.M. and Co. want to make it a question of privilege and bring it before a Committee of the House of Commons, a very unsatisfactory tribunal.1 Friday 6 May 4 Whitehall Yard A wet day, only went to a Primrose League Committee in the morning and late in the afternoon to a meeting of the Girls’ Fortnightly Debating Society at Ada Sudeley’s;1 presided over by Lord Wolseley and most amusing it was. The subject was the Crusades, did they do most good or harm to Europe? and it was duly debated and discussed, Eva Hanbury Tracey2 and a Miss Brodrick being the last speakers. Lord W. summed up and finally they all voted that the good predominated: but what struck me with amazement was that among 8 or 9 girls under 21 not one was found to speak with enthusiasm of the high and noble ideas which underlay the Crusades at first whatever they may eventually degenerated into. The whole movement was characterized as fanaticism, every sort of utilitarian argument for and against was brought forward and it was left for Lord Wolseley, the grey headed soldier, to decide upon that most important point, which he did with considerable emphasis. Verily, one might say with Burke the age of chivalry is past, had I not today finished, with tears in my eyes, the Life of Lord Shaftesbury.3 If to spend and be spent through the whole of a long life in the Service of the poor, the weak and the unprotected be chivalry a verrier Knight errant never trod this earth. Would there were more like him, there would be no more talk of ending the House of Lords. Delighted too with Edna Lyall’s4 new book the Knight Errant. Here ends another journal, the first I suspect for long that has not been out of England. 1.A motion by the Liberal M.P., Sir Charles Lewis, was defeated by 297 to 218 votes. 1.Wife of Charles Hanbury Tracy, 4th. Baron Sudeley of Toddington, who resided at Ormeley Lodge, Petersham, Surrey. 2.Eva Isabella, daughter of the 4th. Baron Sudeley. 3.By Edwin Hodder in three volumes, published by Cassell, 1886. 4.Pseudonym of Ada Ellen Bayly, novelist. The three volume novel was published by Hurst and Blackett.

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Friday 20 May 4 Whitehall Yard A decidedly interesting day … to the Primrose League where a fresh Salisbury-Churchill struggle, over Lady Gwendolen Cecil’s very able report 1which the Duchess of Marlborough wanted to cut tremendously, but which was resolutely defended, and insisted on voting on, paragraph by paragraph, to the Duchess’s great wrath and discomfiture. It was very comical. Mrs. Mark Wood to luncheon then a new bit of experience in going with Rainald to the Local Government Board where he introduced to Mr. Ritchie2 a small deputation from our Association for the Advancement of Boarding Out.3 Nothing could be more courteous than his reception and he seemed so really interested in the matter and conceded almost every point brought forward in our memorial, a very reasonable one. Miss Mason, the lady inspector appointed by the Board,4 was present with him. Saturday 21 May 4 Whitehall Yard In the morning to an Alexandra Club Committee, in the afternoon some visits, in the evening to parties at Mrs. Jeune’s and Mrs. Cavendish Bentinck’s. At the former Rainald introduced me to Mr. Chamberlain; they talked together of the coup d’état the Government are planning in the House of Commons to stop the ‘dreary drip of dilatory declamation’ with which the obstructionists impede the Crimes Bill and bring all business to a standstill. He however thinks, as do others, that opinion is scarcely ripe for it and that till it is, there is danger of provoking reaction in the country. ‘Besides’, said Rainald, ‘it’s a bad precedent. When you come in you’ll be doing it to us.’ ‘Oh yes of course’, replied 1. The LGC meeting of the Executive Committee held on 20 May 1887, presented a ‘Draft (printed) of report of Executive to be read to Ladies’ Grand Council, by Lady G.Cecil, and considered carefully paragraph by paragraph. After considerable discussion, and after several votes had been taken on points on which some differences of opinion existed, it was ultimately passed with slight alterations by a large majority’. Minute book, 1886–90, Primrose League Papers, MS. 11, p. 68. 2. Charles Thomson Ritchie (1838–1906), Conservative M.P., St. George’s-in-the-East, 1885–92. President of the Local Government Board, 1886–92. 3. The Boarding Out Association was concerned with the care and placing of pauper children with carefully selected householders under close supervision. 4. Miss Marianne Mason was the only inspector appointed. Her title was Inspector of Female Children in Schools and Elsewhere.

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Mr. Chamberlain, ‘We shall suspend you all.’1 It was a curious conversation and Mr. Portman might well comment; ‘Well, political adversity does make strange bed fellows!’ Wednesday 25 May 4 Whitehall Yard Went with Rainald to see ‘Buffalo Bill and his Far West’1 show, which is conjoined with the American Exhibition, down in the wilds of Brompton.2 Indians and cowboys form the show, do all manner of wonderful things, including riding the most determined buck jumpers, evidently trained and most cleverly trained, to do their antics…Much amused by Mr. Healy’s3 saying of the present constitutional party, that it was the primrose crossed with the orchid.4 Saturday 4 June Fawsley I have been reading and much enjoyed Cobbett’s Rural Rides.1 He would have been a Conservative now, I believe. Thursday 9 June 4 Whitehall Yard To the House of Commons, where there was a talk of Rainald moving an amendment to the Crimes Bill,1 to strike out the change of venue to England. However the Government gave way, but they wanted to give way to him and Matt and not to the Liberal Unionists. I was in luck and came in for some of the Irish insolence. One brute2 stigmatised the 1. Nevertheless, Chamberlain had no qualms on 10 and 17 June when the Government carried, and the chairman applied, the historic motion to bring weeks of debate on the Crimes Bill to an end. See J.L. Garvin, The Life of Joseph Chamberlain (1933), ii, p. 302. 1. William Frederick Cody (1846–1917), toured with his Wild West show from 1883. 2. The Times, 14 May, 8 June, and 23 June 1887. 3. Timothy M.Healy, Parnellite M.P., North Longford, 1887–92. 4. A reference to Joseph Chamberlain’s predilection for orchids. 1. William Cobbett (1763–1835), radical journalist, undertook a series of tours of England, accounts of which were published in a collected form in 1830. 1.The fifteenth sitting of the committee stage on the Crimes Law Amendment (Ireland) Bill. 2.William Redmond, M.P., North Fermanagh, 1885–92. Hansard, 3, 315, col. 1521, 9 June 1887.

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conduct of the Government as ‘nefarious and infernal’, and on being reproved, withdrew the latter word but not the former. However they wisely took no more notice and Mr. Smith moved the closure and it was carried by over 100, whereupon they promptly divided again on the main question with the same result, but of course wasted half an hour. I have not seen this House before (I never saw the one of 1885) and am much struck by the want of familiar faces. It is as Rainald habitually describes it, a ‘dirty dog hole’. Wednesday 15 June 4 Whitehall Yard Shopping in the morning. Oh how sorry I do feel for the wretched dressmakers, shop women etc, who are all driven off their legs, nothing to be had under a fortnight. In the afternoon went to see Lady Borthwick and talked Primrose League, which is always amusing. Thursday 16 June 4 Whitehall Yard Our charming American friends of last year Miss Byrd, Miss G.McGall, came to luncheon. Afterwards a most successful tennis party, about 50 people, plenty of men, and all did very well. Among them Dhuleep Singh’s son, Prince Victor; his father, alas, has gone utterly to the bad, renounced his religion, and is intriguing against us in Russia.1 And when I remember that I taught him to play croquet! Thursday 23 June 4 Whitehall Yard Rainald has been doing a good bit of work in the Agricultural Committee of Conservative County members by inducing them to adopt the principle of allotments, both because he wishes every labourer to have an allotment and because he is convinced it will be forced upon us by the opposition in which case we shall only get discredit. Lord Salisbury is opposed to it and it is supposed has been outvoted in his own Cabinet. Rainald has so much influence when he chooses to exert it. 1.M.Alexander and S.Anand, Queen Victoria’s Maharajah, Duleep Singh, 1838–93 (1980), p. 250.

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Saturday 25 June 4 Whitehall Yard Busy writing cards for the garden party. In the afternoon called on Lady FitzGerald who told me Colonel Saunderson1 is obliged to go about with a big stick to defend himself from the Parnellites. Afterwards with Rainald to the garden party at Lambeth, where Mr. Walter of The Times2 told us they have plenty more evidence in reserve against the Irish. I hope Mr. O’Donnell3 is going to bring an action against The Times which will bring it all out. Sunday 10 July 4 Whitehall Yard In the afternoon to see Mrs. Jeune, Lord Randolph and Mr. Chamberlain had just left. She says they are inseparable. It is an ominous combination and I wonder what it can mean. Very disgusting the loss of Coventry by 16.1 Everyone is asking why on earth they made Mr. Eaton a peer.2 Monday 25 July 4 Whitehall Yard Went with Rainald to the marriage of ‘Bobby’ Spencer and Miss Margaret Baring1 which took place at St. James’s, Piccadilly and on to the party in Charles Street. The Prince and Princess and daughters etc. were there and all the Radicals, G.O.M. at their head looking much older than a year ago. I kept out of his way. Also Lord Granville,2 Sir W.Harcourt,3 Arnold Morley4 etc. I have not been in such bad company for a long while. A small group of roughs cheered G.O.M. as he drove away. 1.Amelia, wife of Sir Maurice FitzGerald, 2nd. Bart. Col. Edward J.Saunderson, Royal Irish Fusiliers and chairman of the Irish Unionist Party. Conservative M.P., North Armagh, 1885–1906. 2.John Walter (1818–94), grandson of the founder of the newspaper. 3.FrankHugh O’Donnell, M.P., Dungarvan, 1877–85. 1.William Henry Ballantine, Liberal, 4229 votes, Col. Henry Francis Eaton, son of Lord Cheylesmore, Conservative, 4213. 2.Henry W. Eaton, Conservative M.P., Coventry, 1865–87, when he was created Lord Cheylesmore. 1.Daughter of Edward Baring, Lord Revelstoke, the banker. 2.Colonial Secretary in Gladstone’s third Cabinet, 1886. 3.Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1886. 4.Liberal M.P., East Nottingham, 1885–95, Opposition Chief Whip, 1886–92.

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Monday 8 August 10 Kisseliff Strasse, Homburg1 I have absolutely nothing to record for the week which has sped rapidly by in the regular Homburg groove. The place is very full but there are far too many German Jews, Yankees, and utterly unknown English and the people one does know are like needles in a bottle of hay with no magnet to combine them. However fresh people turn up every day and I dare say we shall get together somehow … Sir G. Bowen2 is here and having been Governor of almost every English Colony has a good deal to tell. He was last at Hong Kong and is full of the advances China is making under Li Hung-chang,3 who he calls the Bismarck of the East, or rather who, when Sir George compared him to Napoleon, chose that prototype for himself, whereat Bismarck was pleased when he heard it. Lord Dufferin4 says Asia is destined to be divided between Russia, England and China and as long as we are friends with the latter we need fear nothing from the former… Lord John Manners is here, looking very ill. Sir G.Trevelyan’s majority of 1700 for Glasgow5 against Evelyn Ashley (Liberal Unionist) has not been cheering. Tuesday 24 August 10 Kisseliff Strasse, Homburg Monday there was great despair in the Conservative camp at the result of the Northwich election, majority of 1129 for the Gladstonian.1 Mr. Beaumont 2 promptly gave a Home Rule dinner, Lady S. Macnamara, Lady Hayter, Tom Brands,3 Knatchbull-Hugessens4

1.Bad Homburg, Hesse, Germany, a spa visited nearly every year since 1871 by the Knightleys to alleviate Sir Rainald’s gout. 2.Governor of Hong Kong, 1882–87, and formerly Governor of Queensland, New Zealand and Mauritius. 3.Li Hung Chang (1823–1901), Grand chancellor since 1872. He sanctioned trading with English companies and founded the Chinese Navy. 4.Frederick Temple Blackwood, 1st. Marquess of Dufferin and Ava (1826–1902),GovernorGeneral of India, 1884–8. 5.Elected for Bridgeton division, Glasgow on 2 August, as a Liberal. He had previously opposed the Irish Home Rule Bill in 1886 and was defeated at the general election. 1.John Tomlinson Brunner, Glastonian Liberal, co-founder with Ludwig Mond of the chemical firm which became ICI. He had previously been M.P. for the constituency, 1885–6. For the effect of the by-election, see S.E. Koss, Sir John Brunner. A Radical Plutocrat, 1842–1919 (1970), pp. 105–10. 2.Wentworth Blackett Beaumont, Liberal M.P., Tyneside, 1886–92. 3.Lady Sophia, Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Louise; Henrietta, wife of Sir Arthur Hayter, 2nd. Bart.; Capt. Thomas Seymour Brand, R.N., of Glynde Place, son of Henry, 1st. Viscount Hampden, former Speaker of the House of Commons.

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and Mr. Wylie. Our people have been grumbling and growling and moping in an aggravating manner. However they are now somewhat consoled by the proclamation of the National League.5 Friday 9 September Fawsley I drove to Badby, where I saw two sad cases, poor old Powell, dying of cancer in the face, and a young Billingham of consumption. Then on to Haycock’s Hill, where Joseph Merrick the ‘elephant man’, about whom there has been so much in the papers, has been boarded out for some weeks with the Birds.1 I think it is impossible to imagine three more melancholy things—they haunt me. One can only pray, and remember that Jesus lives and died for them. Merrick has such nice brown eyes! I looked straight into them, but he is awful to behold. Croquet with my darling afterwards. Friday 23 September Fawsley A great day for Fawsley. We had a big Primrose fête1 which has gone off with the most complete success. The grounds and gardens were open from 1 to 7, with athletic sports, swing boats, dancing, etc, and from a platform opposite the house there was a deal of speaking. Lady Jersey made a really most eloquent speech, thoughtful and with a peroration worthy of any orator. Mr. Muntz,2 Mr. Monckton and Rainald followed. Then I presented a banner to the Habitation, and made a few remarks, neither well nor ill. Mr. Blackwood Wright, of the Primrose League, followed, and two good useful resolutions were passed. There must have been over 2000 people here, all so orderly and well behaved, and seeming to enjoy themselves thoroughly. Beatrice Cartwright3 arrived at the head of a band of 400, from the Byfield polling district. The Muntzs only came for the day, Mr. Monckton for the night. Charlie has been invaluable to us, and Mr. Shepheard worked splendidly and all our people. Colonel Lowndes was in the chair. 4.Hon. Edward Knatchbull Hugessen, Liberal supporter, and his wife, Amy Virginia, daughter of W.B.Beaumont; Alexander Wylie, East Indian merchant and Conservative supporter of Irish home rule. 5.The Irish National Land League formed in 1879 by Parnell. The 1887 Crimes Act gave the LordLieutenant power to declare by proclamation that the Act was in force in named parts of the country. 1.Merrick was staying on the Fawsley estate for a number of weeks with the family of William Bird, farmer at Haycock’s Hill Farm. See M. Howell and P. Ford, The True History of the Elephant Man (1992 edn.), pp. 143–4. 1.NH, 1 Oct. 1887, supp. p. 2. 2.Phillip Albert Muntz, Conservative M.P., Tamworth, 1885–1908. 3.Daughter of Richard Aubrey Cartwright of Edgcote and sister of Julia Ady, editor of LMK’s earlier Journals.

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Tuesday 18 October Euston Hall, Thetford A long but interesting day. We drove over to Northampton to be present at the laying the first stone of the new wing of the Infirmary Northampton and Northamptonshire’s own Jubilee memorial.1 Prince Albert Victor of Wales came from Althorp to perform the ceremony and there was the more excitement about it because the Socialists had threatened a counter demonstration with black flag etc. This however aroused such a strong feeling that they were obliged to abandon the idea, their platform being stormed on Sunday, and they themselves obliged to seek police protection. The result was that the Prince had a far more hearty reception than otherwise have been accorded him. The ceremony of laying the first stone was performed with full masonic honours, which always add very much to the picturesqueness and interest of the business. The Prince was very shy and nervous and read badly. Lord Euston, as Provincial Grand Master, read his address remarkably well. Lord Spencer as Grand Visitor of the Infirmary read an address from the Committee. Two hymns were sung and the Bishop pronounced the blessing, the only share in the ceremony that was allowed him, the Mayor2 being a strong Radical and dissenter. The Prince then went round the wards, the Spencers and ourselves with him, Rainald being President, and I was presented to my future sovereign who has the pretty manners of the rest of his family. He then drove away amid loud cheers and we started to walk down to the Town Hall, but got into such a muddle were very glad to crawl into one of the Spencers’ omnibuses with Lord Sandhurst.3 It was a curious sight to look at afterwards from the steps of the Town Hall, the surging mass of heads. Saturday 5 November Fawsley Thursday I drove over to Towcester for a meeting of representatives of the different habitations of the Primrose League at which we decided to form a divisional Council:1 mapped out three new habitations.2 Mr. Cartwright and Lady Elizabeth were there, Lady C.Clifton3 etc. 1.For the Foundation ceremony see DE, 22 Oct. 1887, p. 1. 2.Frederick Covington, and supporter of Bradlaugh and Labouchere. Noted local preacher in the villages. 3.William Mansfield, 2nd. Baron Sandhurst, and married to C.R.Spencer’s sister, Victoria. NH, 22 Oct. 1887, supp. p. 2. 1.In Jan. 1887, Lady Jersey put forward her proposal that the Grand Council be asked to recommend the formation of Divisional Councils in each constituency for consolidating the habitations. 28 Jan. 1887, Minute Book 1886–90, Primrose League Papers, 11, p. 38. In reply, the Grand Council advised that ‘Local activity is better developed by leaving the Habitations of an Electoral Division to initiate any movement to form a Divisional Habitation’. Ibid., 11 Feb. 1887, p. 42. 2.I.e. Hesketh (Towcester), Canons Ashby, and Deanshanger. 3.Lady Eleanor Cecily Clifton, The Grange, Guilsborough.

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Sunday 20 November Fawsley A dense fog and freezing hard, went to the farm. Beasts are selling a trifle better but the farmers are turning off every man they possibly can. It is a marvel to me how the poor live, and yet many things seem to show that there is less distress than one would expect. Monday 21 November Fawsley Fog denser than ever. To Charwelton in the afternoon where as usual the cry is ‘more land’. They are thorough Radicals to boot and have just built themselves a little Wesleyan Chapel. Rainald gave £5; it was a very nice point but with the utter absence of all religious teaching under Sammy1 one felt it was an exceptional case. This week has brought the very, very painful and discreditable, but long expected crash in his monetary affairs. After having had a bailiff in the house he has had to go into the Bankruptcy Court. I cannot help feeling very very sorry for the poor little brute, it being all his own fault does not make matters better and he is so miserable. If only, by God’s blessing, this might be the beginning of better things with him. Poor Rainald is very much worried and annoyed but excessively kind. Yesterday passed off quietly in London; there were 1500 special constables drawn up in Trafalgar Square.2 Tuesday 22 November Fawsley Rainald rode up to Preston, thinking the hounds might come, but they didn’t. I went to a little meeting at Badby to which Mr. Waters from Staverton kindly came to give us the benefit of his experience and we finally decided to open a little sort of soup kitchen at which to sell soup twice a week at 1d. per quart. 1.See Entry, 23 Nov. 1885, fn. 1. 2.A demonstration by a confederation of Radical delegates in Hyde Park in protest at the removal of the right to hold meetings in Trafalgar Square. The special constables were drafted in to reinforce the police. The Times, 21 Nov. 1887, p. 10.

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Wednesday 23 November Fawsley Mothers’ meeting, a long talk with the women about the depression of agriculture, the difficulties of small farms etc. It is very extraordinary that at the conference of Conservative delegates at Oxford this week,1 a strong Protectionist resolution should have been carried by an overwhelming majority. Lord Salisbury wisely ignores it, it is so inopportune as regards the Liberal Unionists. Thursday 1 December Fawsley Walked down to Badby. The arrangements for the soup kitchen are progressing satisfactorily. Cry there, as everywhere, ‘more land’. Numerous applications are being made under the Allotments Act, it remains to be seen how it will work. The labourers will never be satisfied till they have tried it. Saturday 3 December Fawsley Rainald hunted for Norton. I drove into Daventry, called on Mrs. Frank Thornton1 and Mrs. Hewitt in her new house2 and went to the workhouse where the children are getting on well with setting the table and were delighted with a bed I took them for their next lesson. 1. The 20th. annual conference of the National Union and Conservative and Constitutional Associations. The resolution proposed by Howard Vincent, M.P., stated That the continued depression in trade and agriculture, the increase in scarcity of employment, and the consequent distress among all classes, render speedy reform in the policy of the United Kingdom as regards foreign imports and the influx of indigent foreigners a matter of vital necessity to the people of Great Britain and Ireland.′ Of a gathering of 2500 delegates only about 12 voted against. The Times, 23 Nov. 1887, p. 8. 1. Adelaide, wife of Francis Thornton of Kingsthorpe Hall, Northampton. 2. 43 New Street, Daventry.

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Sunday 11 December Fawsley 1

Wednesday I took the Townsends over to Canons Ashby where Sir Henry was on view in full force, he is such fun! Thursday the Townsends departed. I like him very much and we had a good deal of talk—about allotments for one thing. I am getting rather alarmed at the rush for them, the danger is lest the Sanitary Authority should not act and the labourers, disappointed, turn against us. Quite a new idea to me is the Local Boundaries Act,2 whereby it appears probable that the old county boundaries will be sacrificed to union divisions and electoral arrangements much altered. Tuesday 20 December Fawsley Foreign competition turns up in odd ways. The rabbit skin man says he makes less of his skins now he gives 1d. for them than in former days when he gave 2d. And we have bought some Spanish onions for our soup because they are cheaper and better than English ones. I am terrified about this Protection cry, it is gaining ground so rapidly among all classes that I am terribly afraid of its breaking up the party at the next election. Every day one hears something about it. Wednesday 21 December Fawsley Charlie and I went to a Primrose League meeting at Daventry at which we decided to break up the Habitation into the 4 polling districts it comprises, appointing Wardens for each with power to appoint their sub-wardens in each village. I am appointed Warden for the Badby polling district with Preston and Charwelton and hope to stir them up. 1. Frederick Townsend of Honington Hall near Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, Conservative M.P., Stratford-on-Avon, 1886–92. His wife, Mary, was the founder of the GFS. 2. The Bill received the Royal Assent on 16 September. Its purpose was ‘to appoint Commissioners to inquire into, and report as to, the boundaries of certain areas in England’.

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Thursday 29 December Fawsley 1

Lilia and Mrs. Mills arrived, Lord Feilding2 came over and we spent the afternoon rehearsing in the old hall in shrieks of laughter, and after dinner went off to Everdon and gave our entertainment in the schoolroom. A most casual performance it was, for there was no one to arrange anything there and it was a wonder it went as well as it did. We began by reading the piece from Pickwick which fell rather flat, as on one was dressed up and then had Mrs. Jarley’s Waxworks,3 with Janey4 as Mrs. Jarley, and Lord Fielding as boy. We had Queen Elizabeth, Sir Walter Raleigh, King Richard and the Princes, King Edward and Queen Eleanor, Pears’ Soap and the Dirty Boy, man all tattered and torn and maiden all forlorn, Trapese Dancers. Betsy Prig and Sairy Gamp, the Wheelbarrow Man, Bluebeard’s wives and Baby (that was me dressed up in a night-gown!) and a grand Jubilee Group of Britannia (me in sheet with a helmet, shield and trident) surrounded by all the Colonies and Mr. Gladstone with his axe trying to cut off Ireland. The performers were Harry and Florence,5 Mr. Laurie, Lilia, Mr. Mills and Mrs. Knightley6 (one each) and 5 Everdon girls and 2 boys. The audience were not specially appreciative but I believe they liked it. Of course the performers did. 1.Selina Mary, sister of Charles and wife of Francis Mills of Braunston House. 2.Rudolph William Feilding, 8th. Earl of Denbigh. 3.Owner of a travelling waxworks in Charles Dickens’ The Old Curiosity Shop, Chapter 27. 4.Janet Edith Knightley, Sir Rainald’s cousin and daughter of Henry Charles Knightley. 5.Henry Francis Knightley and his wife, Florence. 6.Mary, widow of Henry Charles Knightley who had died in 1884.

*1888* Wednesday 4 January Fawsley Rainald went to Quarter Sessions where the question of County Boundaries was debated, but no conclusion arrived at. Friday 13 January Farming Woods, Thrapston A great deal of acting and theatrical talk with Mr. Ponsonby who amuses me immensely; he has read and travelled so much. An excellent speech of Lord Salisbury’s in which he says distinctly that nothing short of a direct vote of want of confidence will induce him either to resign or dissolve.1 That means that he has no idea of going out on the Local Government Bill. He speaks anything but confidently about peace, yet in the newspapers things look rather better and every day that passes is a day gained. ‘Peace broke out with the New Year’ is the mot in diplomatic circles. Tuesday 31 January Fawsley Rainald, Juliet, Evie and I went to a most successful ‘sound entertainment’ in the Assembly Hall at Daventry, got up by the Knightley Primrose League and the Conservative Club.1 They began with tea, then came speeches from Rainald, Mr. T.Cartwright, Mr. Chatterton who was too long, but seems to have pleased the public. F.Thornton, Mr. Hastings Lee, etc. I made a short little speech, was very well received,2 and afterwards gave a couple of readings, The Village Preacher3 and Young Lochinvar,4 then they had comic songs and dancing till 5 a.m. Altogether an immense success. 1.At Liverpool on 12 Jan. The Times, 13 Jan. 1888, p. 7. 1.Annual tea of the Knightley Habitation attended by over 400 people. 2.In her speech LMK observed, ‘Nothing had struck her in politics so much as the extraordinary misapprehensions which have grown up, utter falsehoods put forward in what were once respectable newspapers, and she advised all, when they saw such misrepresentations, to hunt up chapter and verse for refutation’. NM, 4 Feb. 1888, p.3. 3.From a collection of sermons by a Church of England clergyman which were partly original and published in 5 vols. in 1821–5. 4.An episode from the narrative poem Marmion by Sir Walter Scott.

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Tuesday 20 March Fawsley Struggled through eight columns of Mr. Ritchie’s speech in introducing the Local Government Bill.1 It is a most comprehensive not to say revolutionary measure, but I think if only the country gentlemen will work it and not sulk, it will do very well. Wednesday 21 March Fawsley Rainald went up having had urgent telegrams to vote about Mr. Parnell’s Arrears Bill. However they concocted a Liberal Unionist amendment and got a majority of 85.1 He saw Mr. Ritchie and a good many others who were anxious to know his opinion about the Local Government Bill. The licensing clauses will evidently be dropped. Every one is surprised at its being extended to London. I went to Daventry for the annual meeting of the Knightley Habitation: about 50 or 60 came to the Assembly Hall and spoke fairly, I thought.2 Glad to find Colonel Lowndes and Mr. Shepheard,3 both representative men, inclined to like the Local Government Bill. Wednesday 18 April Claridge’s Hotel Spent the morning house hunting and have made an offer for Sir. H. Verney’s1 house in South Street. Had luncheon at the Club with Mrs. Henderson and went with her to the business meeting of the Grand Habitation at the Westminster Town Hall. A lively and amusing meeting though the business was not specially important, only 5 hands held up in favour of reducing the tribute from Knights and Dames. In the evening went with Mary Henniker to a big Primrose Banquet at the Criterion Restaurant.2 Had a very sensible 1.The first reading of the Local Government (England and Wales) Bill presented on 19 March. Hansard, 3, 323, cols. 1640–82, 19 March 1888. 1.Hansard, 3, 323, cols. 1873–1947, 21 March 1888. Second reading of the Land Law (Ireland) Acts Amendment Bill. Ayes 243, Noes 328. 2.LMK declared, ‘Women must now pay more attention to political matters, as under Mr. Ritchie’s Bill ladies would have to exercise the franchise, and she hoped they would use it carefully and intelligently, for these County Councils and District Councils were in the future to manage their local affairs’. NH, 24 March 1888, p. 6. However, the 1888 County Councils Act failed to be interpreted in a manner which would give women equality with men in local elections. 3.Member of the Knightley Habitation Executive Committee. 1.Sir Harry Verney, 2nd. Bart., Liberal M.P., Buckingham, 1880–5. 2.The Times, 19 April 1888, p. 10.

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good speech from Mr. W.H.Smith, he has a singularly sympathetic voice. Sat next our agent, Mr. Blackwood Wright. On to a party at the Duchess of Marlborough’s, a long Primrose League talk to Mr. Ramsden who fought East Northamptonshire.3 He is violently opposed to the Local Government Bill. Mr. Guthrie4 is accepted as the Liberal candidate for South Northamptonshire. Not a bad suggestion: get wardens to attend his meetings and find out what goes down. Thursday 19 April Claridge’s Hotel We proceeded to Her Majesty’s Theatre where the mass meeting of the Primrose League1 was held, presided over, not alas, by Lord Salisbury, but by Sir Algernon Borthwick. I think Lord Salisbury makes a mistake in snubbing the Primrose League. It is undoubtedly a great power and he had so much better wield it himself than let it drift into other hands. It was a striking sight, sitting facing that crowded theatre, though anything but comfortable with the foot lights in one’s eyes and draught enough to blow one’s head off. Mr. Plunket2 made a very good speech, fine language and good thought, Mr. Chaplin an utterly tactless one.3 Mrs. Jeune says Mr. Greenwood (St. James’s) violent opposition to the Local Government Bill is not caused by his having been refused something, as Mr. FitzGerald said. Friday 20 April Claridge’s Hotel Dined with the Munros,1 and went afterwards to the House of Commons, when the Local Government Bill made the gallery delightfully empty and I heard Sir W.Harcourt and Mr. Goschen, saw a delightful little scene. Sir W. Harcourt was holding forth about compensation to the publicans for withdrawing their licenses, and said he did not believe there was any such provision in the Local Government Bill Mr. Chamberlain prepared but did not bring in in the last government when up jumped Chamberlain and standing two off assured ‘his right honourable friend (glaring at him) that there was and that the bill was in print and he could see it if he liked.2 It don’t sound much described, but it was 3.R. Ramsden, Conservative, defeated by Francis Allston Channing in Dec. 1885. 4.David C. Guthrie, Liberal, who had unsuccessfully contested Forfarshire in 1886. 1.At the fifth annual Grand Habitation, 2.David Plunket, Conservative M.P., University of Dublin, 1870–95. First Commissioner of Works in Salisbury’s administrations, 1885–6 and 1886–92. 3.The Times, 20 April 1888, p. 10. 1.Sir Thomas’s brother, Campbell, whose family resided at 27 Eaton Place, London. 2.H.W.Lucy, The Diary of the Salisbury Parliament 1886–1892 (1892), pp.50–2.

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wonderfully funny to see. The Local Government Bill was read a second time at 11.453 and then they tried to prevent the Registration Bill belonging thereto being read a second time too in spite of the courteous entreaties of Mr. Smith and Mr. Ritchie till at 2 minutes to 12 Mr. Smith moved the closure and we all went home to bed. The House of Commons is wonderfully improved by these new rules. 3.Hansard, 3, 325, cols. 114–16, 20 April 1888, second reading of the Local Government (England and Wales) Bill.

Tuesday 1 May Richmond Park I went up to luncheon with Mrs. Jeune where I met Mr. Edwin Arnold, editor of Murray’s Magazine,1 and I am to write something for him. We talked of Lord Randolph’s insane speech last week,. It is said there were serious intentions of taking him into the Cabinet, and that he knew it he must be mad.2 However we are well rid of him and he certainly loses ground in the country. Mrs. Jeune had been telling Lord Carnarvon and Mr. Ritchie about my letter to her remonstrating with the St. James’s attacks on the Local Government Bill. Mr. Ritchie (to whom she did not mention my name) said he wished more people would do the same. On to the Annual Meeting of the Ladies’ Grand Council Primrose League, Westminster Town Hall.3 Lady Montagu read a most admirable and thoughtful address ‘Why women should care for politics’, treating it just from the high minded thoroughly womanly point of view that one wishes so much to see upheld. Saturday 5 May 4 South Street, Park Lane Dined with the Jeunes, sat next Sir George Errington1 of the Vatican mission, pleasant and easy to get on with: the rest of the party the Carnarvons, just back from Australia,2 Colonel Sanderson, a most amusing Irishman and how he does work for the party, Mr. 1.First published in 1887 and described as ‘A Home and Colonial Periodical for the General Reader’. 2.In the Commons on 25 April, the second reading of the County Government (Ireland) Bill, Churchill declared that in 1886, as spokesman of the Government and with the full approval of his colleagues, it had been agreed that in approving the reform of local government in Ireland and England they should be treated with ‘similarity, equality, and simultaneity’. Hansard, 3, 325, col. 508. 3.Primrose League Gazette, (PLG), 5 May 1888, pp. 5–9. 1.Liberal M.P., Co. Longford, 1874–85, and unofficial British agent at the Vatican, 1881–5. 2.Carnarvon had undertaken a number of ceremonial duties at Melbourne and Sydney during his visit. A. Hardinge, Life of Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert, Fourth Earl of Carnarvon (1925), iii, pp. 274–85.

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Burdett Coutts, Lady D. Nevill (she and Mrs. J.such fun about their lions;3 Mr. Chamberlain no pleasure now it isn’t naughty to have them), Lord Rowton,4 Mr. Greenwood whom Rainald did his best to convert to the Local Government Bill, only Lord Carnarvon undid it all, and Mr. and Mrs. Rider Haggard, he of Solomons Mines.5 He doesn’t look as clever as I suppose he is. Wednesday 10 May 4 South Street, Park Lane At night to Lady Salisbury’s a tremendous crowd, the chief feature the Duchess of Rutland’s1 diamonds, which I suppose have never seen the light these 50 years and are magnificent. A little talk to Mr. Ritchie about Local Government; he seems satisfied on the whole. Heard a shrivelled looking old man, evidently a retired Indian, with spectacles and a blue ribbon say to Lord Salisbury, ‘You must raise the price of silver or we shall lose India.′ Lord Salisbury not unnaturally replied laughingly, Then we had better pack our trunks at once.′ Friday 11 May 4 South Street, Park Lane Walked down to the Primrose League Committee, which was noisy and ill-managed as usual: such a pity with so many clever people.1 The situation was decidedly strained at one moment, when Her Grace of Marlborough jumped up and requested Lady Salisbury to take the chair. 3.I.e. Randolph Churchill and Joseph Chamberlain. ‘Every species of lion, barbarous or tame, flock to her, [Lady Dorothy Nevill], cabinet ministers and channel swimmers, poets and pugilists.’ E.F. Benson, As We Were (1985 edn.),p. 285. 4.Montagu William Corry (1838–1903), created Baron Rowton, 1880. Disraeli’s private secretary, 1866–81. 5.Henry Rider Haggard (1856–1925), secretary to the Governor of Natal 1875: his wife , Louisa Margitson. King Solomon’s Mines was published in 1885. 1.Janetta, wife of John James Manners, 7th. Duke of Rutland, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, 1886–92. Succeeded to the dukedom in March 1888. 1.See LGC Executive Minutes, PL, 11, 11 May 1888, pp. 144–8 for controversial topics, including woman’s suffrage and the Marriage with a Deceased Wife’s Sister Bill.

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Monday 27 May 18 Grosvenor Street 1

Cousin Honora and the Macdonalds came to luncheon: in the evening to the Queen’s Ball, which was bright cheery and pleasant. Less crowded than usual and more diamonds than ever. Was introduced to Mrs. Chamberlain, Joe’s new American wife,2 a nice, good face, not exactly pretty, but intelligent and Duchess of Leinster,3 looking most beautiful. To supper with Sir Martin Dillon,4 just back from India and very pleasant. Monday 28 May Stead’s Private Hotel, Pulteney Street, Bath Mite and I made a delightful expedition to Wells … through several villages chiefly grass country, with wooded valleys and handsome churches, but none specially remarkable till Chewton Mendip which we stopped to see. The tower is indeed a stately thing1 and the interior of much earlier date, handsome, but what struck us were the various memorials erected by Lord Carlingford2 to his wife, Frances Countess of Waldegrave, first a medallion, with a long inscription ending with ‘In memory of a great happiness and a great sorrow’, then a beautiful painted window, with ‘Love strong in death’, and outside the grave, beautifully kept and decked with lovely fresh flowers and the inscription ‘Here rests all that was mortal of Frances Countess of Waldegrave’. She must have been a most remarkable person to have inspired a fourth husband with such devotion. 1.Honora Henrietta, widow of Charles Drake Garrard of Lamer Park, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire. He was a relative of the Barne family. 2.Mary, only daughter of W.C.Endcott, U.S. Secretary of War in the Cleveland administration, 1885–9; she was Joseph Chamberlain’s third wife. 3.Lady Hermione, wife of Gerald Fitzgerald, 6th. Duke of Leinster. 4.Maj.-General, appointed to Bengal in 1884. 1.St. Mary Magdalen, which has one of the highest parish church towers in the county, 126 feet. 2.Chichester Fortescue (1823–98), Liberal M.P., Louth, 1847–74, Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1865–6 and 1868–70, President of the Board of Trade, 1871–4, when created Baron Carlingford. In 1863 he married the then Lady Waldegrave, a leading Liberal society hostess. She died in 1879. See O.W.Hewett, Strawberry Fair. A Biography of Frances, Countess Waldegrave, 1821–1879 (1956), pp.xi-xii.

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Saturday 9 June 4 South Street, Park Lane Went after luncheon to a little meeting at a Mrs. Garlick’s in Woburn Place, Russell Square, to hear about a proposed Consumers League1 to deal only with tradesmen who pay fair wages to their work people, the outcome of the horrible evidence on the sweating system before Lord Dunraven’s Committee.2 It is a most painful subject, and very hard to know what to do in this complicated world of ours. Tuesday 26 June 4 South Street, Park Lane Somewhat done. Went to a little British Institute at Brussels Committee at Drummond’s and had Miss Herbert at tea: she gave a very graphic account of her work down in Vauxhall, where her father is rector of a church built by himself on the site of old Vauxhall Gardens.1 all she told me of the Socialism, the hatred of the upper classes, and the total ignorance and misconception about us is sufficiently startling. It is all want of personal intercourse. Thursday 28 June Fawsley Made a tremendous expedition down to Althorp for the first Diocesan Festival of the Girls’ Friendly Society.1 The Spencers kindly lent the place, and about 500 girls were gathered together. We had service, and a short address from Mr. Disney of Winwick ,2 and then Lady Grey,3 who paid her first visit to the Diocese, spoke, and I followed. I 1.Founded by Clementina Black to put pressure on unscrupulous employers. 2.Windham Thomas Wyndham-Quin, 4th. Earl Dunraven, Chairman, House of Lords Committee on Sweating, 1888–90. 1.Revd. George William Herbert, vicar of St. Peter, Lambeth since 1860. The church was built by J.L.Pearson in Kennington Lane. The high altar stands on the site of the Neptune Fountain in Vauxhall Gardens. 1.NM, 30 June 1888, p. 5. 2.Revd. William Henry Disney, rector of St. Michael, Winwick near Rugby. 3.Barbarina Charlotte, wife of Admiral Sir Frederick Grey, son of Charles, 2nd. Earl Grey. She was the President of the GFS, 1882–90.

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think I must have been prayed for. I don’t think I ever spoke so well, tho’ very short. Harriet Cartwright and I came back together, and then Tiny and I rushed off to St. George’s Hall to see Mabel Clerk in Pygmalion and Galatea,4 and wonderfully well she did, a most difficult part. But I don’t much care for the piece, and I think, great as is her talent, it is a mistake to let her act so much. Friday 29 June Claremont, Esher Primrose League Committee, and after luncheon left my sweet darling and came down here, where I am glad to be once again. Never was a mind so developed as that of the Duchess [of Albany]: from the pettiest rubbish she has passed to talking intelligently, on the deepest and most interesting subjects … She also told me some most interesting ghost stories told her by the Crown Princess of Sweden,1 who sees a little grey woman before the death of any of the members of her family—saw her at Marlborough House before the death of Emperor William2 etc. and saw her before the death of her mother. Also she has second sight—saw a vision of her father lying in state months before he died and then when he did die, recognized the man standing by, whom she had not never seen before, and other little details. The Duchess also told me that there is a strong reason for believing that Caspar Hauser3 was the son of a Grand Duke of Baden, got out of the way by his grandfather’s morganatic wife that her son might succeed. If so his mother was Stephanie, niece of Napoleon, and his sister the Duchess of Hamilton. We spent the evening over a delightful collection of autographs; Wallenstein, Oliver Cromwell, Pope, Burns, etc. Altogether most interesting. What an interesting life I do lead! Sunday 1 July Claremont, Esher To church in the morning. Mr. Warren preached about Robert Elsmere.1 I wish the parsons would let it alone, it only advertises it. In the afternoon came to tea, Sir Archibald and Lady Campbell.2 The Duchess showed us some most interesting relics of 4.An adaptation of Ovid’s Metamorphoses by W.S.Gilbert in 1871. 1.Princess Victoria of Baden, wife of Prince Gustavus who became king in 1907. 2.The Emperor Wilhelm I had died on 9 March 1888. 3.A German foundling, a ‘wild boy’ found in the market place, Nuremberg, on 26 May 1828. J.Wasserman, Caspar Hauser. Enigma of a Century (1983 edn.), pp. ix-xi. 1.A novel by Mrs. Humphry Ward concening religious doubt, published in 1888. 2.Conservative M.P., Renfrewshire W., 1885–92, and his wife, Augusta.

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Charles Edward, the Young Pretender, the Star of the Garter which he tore off his coat and gave to Flora Macdonald, a lock of his fair hair, his Garter, etc. It is a curious fancy of the Duke’s to have named his son after him; ‘Charles Edward, Duke of Albany′3 does seem such an ill-omened combination. Meantime he is a healthy, merry, little boy and both he and his sister4 quite admirably brought up. Tonight, more interesting autographs than ever—Mary Queen of Scots, a holograph letter of Prince Rupert’s, optimistic like himself, Pym, Wentworth, Sir Isaac Newton, in short, delightful. Monday 2 July Windsor Castle A pouring wet day. After luncheon came here with the Duchess and the children: promptly proceeded to the library and spent an hour there, quite alone, and very pleasantly. Dined with the household, sat between Colonel Byng1 and Herr Muther, successor to my old friend Sahl,2 who has retired. Not very lively. Played whist with Lord Tuesday 3 July 4 South Street, Park Lane Before leaving, the Duchess took me down to the Wolsey Chapel and showed me the beautiful recumbent effigy of the Duke by Boehm.1 It is impossible to imagine a more perfect representation of sleep, not death, and indeed the whole Chapel is a marvel of beauty, but so sad to see the young widow kneeling there in prayer. It brought the tears into my eyes as I thought of the last time I was with her at Windsor. How strangely my life has been entwined with them all. Balfour of Burleigh,3 Evelyn Paget4 and Lord F.Kerr5 and lost by 1. 3.Prince Charles Edward (1884–1954). 4.Princess Alice Maud Mary (1883–1981). 1. Col. Henry Byng whom LMK had first met at Somerley near Ringwood, Hampshire in Dec. 1874. 2. Herman Sahl, Queen Victoria’s confidential adviser and German secretary. 3. Alexander Hugh Bruce, 6th. Baron Balfour of Burleigh, representative peer for Scotland, 1876– 1921, and Lord-in-Waiting to the Queen. 4. Maid of Honour to the Queen. 5. Admiral Lord Frederic Herbert Kerr, Groom-in-Waiting. 1. The Duke of Albany by the sculptor, Sir Joseph Boehm in 1884, placed in the renamed Albert Chapel, St. George’s, Windsor.

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Thursday 5 July 4 South Street, Park Lane I went down to Vauxhall and with Miss Herbert visited their very large Church School, and had an interesting talk with the intelligent master, who seems to get such a hold over his boys. He laments, like everyone else, the separation between the classes, and thinks nothing but personal contact can bridge over the gulf and save England from a Revolution. Tuesday 10 July 4 South Street, Park Lane Rather annoyed by an absurd account of me in the Star,1 nasty Radical paper. Tiny very kind about it. Thursday 12 July 4 South Street, Park Lane Dined with the Caryforts1…Everyone talking of the collapse of the debate in the House of Lords, when not one Gladstonian Peer (there are not many of them) dared to answer the Duke of Argyll,2 and his resolution in favour of the Government was passed nem. con. It must have been a dramatic scene, in a very crowded house. Meanwhile the Government have offered Mr. Parnell a special tribunal of judges to try the issue between him and The Times. I think it is a bold and wise measure. 1. A letter from a correspondent’ was printed on the front page of the Star on 7 July. Amongst other things he or she wrote, Were it not for her persistence, he (Sir Rainald) would have shirked the fatigues of a contest at the last election…Some years ago she had the reputation of holding rather advanced views, and it is said she was a frequent contributor to a well-known Radical paper in the district, but force of circumstances seems to have been too much for her, and she gradually lapsed into Toryism’. 1.William Proby, 5th. Earl of Carysfort, and his wife, Charlotte, of Elton Hall, Cambridgeshire. 2.George Douglas Campbell, 8th. Duke of Argyll (1823-1900), Whig politician and opponent of home rule, introduced a motion of confidence in the Government’s Irish policy. Hansard, 3, 328, cols. 1053-70, 12 July 1888, and Dowager Duchess of Argyll (ed.), George Douglas, Eighth of Argyll. Autobiography and Memoirs (1906), ii, pp. 422-32.

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Friday 20 July 4 South Street, Park Lane Such a day! . . . Two telegrams and Mr. Lawrie turned up before 12, then peace till luncheon when I had my little meeting to discuss the formation of the Consumers League. Unfortunately only about 27 people came which was a pity for Lord Onslow1 came and spoke quite admirably and there was a good deal of interesting discussion. People seemed to like the idea well enough to wish to hear more. I had a good deal of talk with Miss Black,2 Secretary of the Women’s Protection and Provident League, anglice,3 Trades Union, whose idea it is and whom I heard make a speech at Mrs. Garlick’s (June 9) which she repeated today. For one thing I said I was glad to have this meeting to show that we cared about these things and that it was not only the Socialists who try to befriend these a gross and shoe boxes at l/6d a gross, unfortunate people who make buttonholes at finding their own glue. Her answer was ’Oh! the workmen always say “real gentlefolk are all right”.’ She told me Bryant and May’s strike, which thanks to the intervention of the Trades Council has ended so satisfactorily, was largely influenced by the fact that Bryant and May can only for safety’s sake keep a fortnight’s stock on hand and the fortnight had elapsed! Altogether Miss Black is an interesting personage. I wonder what she is at home? Her business in life is trying to form Women’s Unions. Rainald was detained very late in the House (3rd telegram) by the suspension of Mr. Conybeare4 for a disgraceful attack on the Speaker in the Star,5 Mr. T.P. O’Connor’s paper.6 Rainald says Mr. Conybeare is the greatest 1—g—he ever knew in the House. 1.William, 4th. Earl of Onslow, Conservative Under-Secretary of State for Colonies, 1887, and Parliamentary Secretary to Board of Trade, 1888. 2.Clementina Black, secretary of the League, 1886-8. She supported the Bryant and May’s strike in London, 1888. In the same year she put forward the Equal Pay resolution at the Trades Union Congress. 3.I.e., In English. 4.Charles Conybeare, Radical M.P., Camborne, 1885-95. 5.Following a letter written to the Star on 19 July objecting to the Speaker’s decision to apply the closure on the second reading of the Bann Drainage Bill that day, Conybeare was suspended. Hansard, 3, 329, cols.48-107, 20 July 1988. 6.Founder of The Star in 1887 but resigned 1890.

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Friday 27 July 4 South Street, Park Lane Primrose League, the usual jabber in the morning. It is curious how Home Rule for Scotland keeps cropping up. And so ends another London season, busy but uneventful, and clouded both by the Emperor’s death1 and by the dreadful weather. Day after day the rain comes down in torrents and it is getting very serious. Rainald has had a very good year at whist, won over £600. Sunday 5 August Fawsley I do desire most earnestly to do Thy Will, teach me what it is, above all keep me humble and close to Thee. I often think my outward life seems better than it ought because I do not give enough time to the inward life. And I am very self-indulgent and I do not manage my money well. I must not buy books and prints… Thursday fine and hot. Rainald had to go up to London again for the everlasting Charges and Allegations Bill, the scenes over which have, to my mind, been more painfully disgraceful than any we have ever had, not in themselves, but because instead of coming from below the gangway they have been between the two front benches.1 Monday 27 August Fawsley Have been reading with great interest the life of W.E.Forster.1 A brave conscientious statesman if ever there was one. His early training as the son of a Quaker Minister accounts for a great deal that was curious in him. 1.Frederick III of Germany died at Potsdam on 15 June 1888. 1.Fourth night of the committee stage of Members Parliament (Charges and Allegations) Bill. Hansard, 3, 329, cols. 1263–1359, 2 Aug. 1888. 1.T.Wemyss Reid, Life of W.E.Forster (1888), 2 vols.

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Thursday 6 September Fawsley The Hills departed, we played croquet with Val, and afterwards I went for my first visit to the workhouse. The master showed me all the arrangements for the vagrants, the little cells in which they are locked up to do a certain amount of stone breaking for their night’s lodging. One man was there said he was a gunsmith tramping from London to Birmingham in search of work. Another, whom I did not see, boasts of being a professional house breaker and a chum of Peace’s.1 He is a ticket of leave man. Wednesday 19 September Fawsley Mother and I went to a pleasant enough garden party at Edgcote. I visited poor Merrick by the way, and found him very comfortable, and the Goldbys1 quite reconciled to him. Great excitement about the divisions for the new County Council.2 We want a good district for Charlie, who wished to stand, and would be a very proper person. Thursday 20 September Fawsley Rainald went to Berry Wood to try and stop the moribund Committee from pledging the county to a huge outlay on water supply, but failed.1 It is the one thing the magistrates have not done well about. Saturday 22 September Fawsley Drove Mother over to the workhouse. Rainald went to Quarter Sessions where they settled, practically, the divisions for the County Council: very interesting to us, as we 1.Fawsley estate gamekeeper. 2.Fifty-one divisions were established in Northamptonshire. See C.A.Markham, ‘Northamptonshire County Council’, County Council Magazine, (1889), I, 6, p. 322. 1.A water tower was erected adjacent to the Little Brington road. Berry Wood is about a mile from Harpole.

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hope Charlie will stand for this division. He is very popular and we like him to come forward and take his place. Sunday 23 September Fawsley A foggy morning, walked in the afternoon to Westcomb where the harvest is very nearly finished; one cannot be too thankful for this weather. But a good many of what Spencer calls the ‘afternoon farmers’ about have corn still uncut. Saturday 29 September Fawsley Drove over to the workhouse in the morning and gave the old women their tea, tobacco to the men and sweets to the children. But it is a melancholy visit at the best. There are such sad stories; one bad old woman has died since I was there and then there is a so called imbecile put in by her step mother and two poor little girls who seem fair to be ruined by a vile grand-mother. A workhouse, however well it may be managed, is a sad place and one can do so little. A grand concluding game of croquet which I won, leaving Tiny three ahead. But he rather favoured me. What fun we have out of it. Tuesday 11 December Fawsley Rainald went to an Allotment meeting at Everdon; Alice Dryden1 came to luncheon and she and I drove on to Daventry for a Divisional Council of the Primrose League. I was very glad I was there to help stop a most unwise proposal of Mr. Cartwright’s to mix up Primrose League with County Council elections. The Radicals are determined to fight on political lines but that is no reason we should do it any more than we help. Colonel Furness2 gave some valuable information about the Home Rule vans now perambulating the country. The Primrose League is certainly useful in bringing us all together for consultation. 1.Daughter of Sir Henry Dryden. 2.District agent for the Conservative Association in Northamptonshire.

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Wednesday 12 December Queen’s Hotel, Birmingham Left Fawsley quite early and got here by 12 in order to attend the Annual Meeting of the Ladies’ Auxiliary Council in connection with the Midland Union of Conservative Association1 to which I was elected last year, together with Lady Westmorland,2 to represent Northants and which I have never yet been able to attend. The meeting, not a very large one, was held in the Theatre of the Midland Institute. Lady Hertford 3was elected President and read a short address and then I read a paper on Politics in Rural Districts’, which Mite was pleased with, and which I really think was very fairly successful. Then we all went to luncheon at the Conservative Club, Mr. and Mrs. Ramsden, who it seems we used to meet at Arbury4 taking us in charge. In the evening we went to a really magnificent Conservative and Liberal Unionist meeting in the Town Hall which was addressed by Mr. Goschen. I have never before been at a real big political meeting of that kind, and it is certainly a very striking scene: the floor of the hall a black mass of men, not above half a dozen women among them, the orchestra and galleries crowded and then the enthusiasm! It must be very overwhelming to stand up and be received as Mr. Goschen was by that huge assembly. His speech was most admirable: so thoughtful, so statesmanlike, not in the least degree popularity hunting, and to me specially interesting, as it dwelt on a number of subjects I care for: local taxation, the injustice and inexpediency of always turning to the income tax whenever more money is wanted, unjust because it presses so very hardly on the poorer taxpayers, inexpedient because it ought to be reserved for occasions of great national emergency—‘you can’t have Empire without sacrifice’ was the keynote. Even more valuable was the latter part of the speech in which he pressed upon the new democracy the importance of learning to understand and to face the liabilities of the Empire in all parts of the world and warned them against the dangers of the hot and the cold fit, how carried away by a gust of philanthropic feeling to require the protection of native races, as for instance, the other day in Bechuanaland, and anon too economical, or too timid, to give practical fulfilment to their demands by voting the money required to carry them out. The Duke of Norfolk presided and on a resolution of confidence in the Government being proposed, it was curious to see the forest of (dirty) paws that went up: 8 dissentients who tried to make themselves into 16 by holding up both hands forming the whole of the minority. Rainald said a few nice words in seconding a vote of thanks to Mr. Goschen, and made them laugh by describing himself as a ‘retrograde old Tory’. Altogether an extremely interesting day and quite a new experience to me. 1.The Times, 13 Dec. 1888, pp. 9–10 and also the Birmingham Post, 13 Dec. 1888, p. 5. 2.Lady Adelaide, wife of Francis, 12th. Earl of Westmorland. 3.Mary, wife of Hugh de Grey Seymour, 12th. Marquess of Hertford. 4.Arbury Hall, Warwickshire, the former home of LMK’s cousin, Charles Newdigate Newdegate, who died in 1887.

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Thursday 13 December Fawsley Left Birmingham at 9 and reached Northampton just in time for the re-opening service at All Saints Church which has been most successfully restored in perfect harmony with its characteristics as a Wren Church.1 … Then came luncheon at the Town Hall, I sat between the Bishop and Lord Spencer, who was in the chair, and it was a curious experience. The very large gathering was eminently Conservative, as was evinced by the enthusiastic reception given to the Mayor, Mr. Barry2 the first Conservative Mayor for years, and this was by no means pleasing to Earl Spencer, who was not at all particularly cordially received. The Bishop made a clever speech in proposing his health and praised him as a politician for his courtesy— certainly the one and only point he would have fastened upon.3 Lord Spencer as a Home Ruler utterly passes my comprehension. Is it possible that he believes in it? and if not, how wicked to support it! 1.The chancel was rebuilt in 1888. 2.James Barry, Borough magistrate in 1885 and councillor for the Northampton South ward. 3.NM, 15 Dec. 1888, p. 6.

*1889* Tuesday 8 January Fawsley Working party and school meeting at Badby afterwards made up a busy day. We drew up a circular to try and persuade the new ratepayers to sign the legal agreement we passed with such difficulty some years ago. Thawing fast. My article on the Midlands appears in Murray’s Magazine this month,1 and has been pleasantly commented upon in various quarters, a great pleasure to me, and mother and Tiny are pleased too. Moreover Mr. Arnold has sent me a cheque for £5. 5. 0. Wednesday 9 January Fawsley Mothers’ meeting and began a course of Ambulance lectures.1 Charlie was nominated today for the County Council2 and will, we hope have no opposition. Mr. Rodhouse3 comes in for Daventry and Lord Henley for Long Buckby, also without contest, but there will be severe fights in many places. Tuesday 15 January Fawsley 1

The Pytchley met at Daventry, a most unusual event I suppose, a sort of reconciliation all round if there ever can be such a thing in that cantankerous little place. 1.5, 25, 1889, pp. 98–106. 1.Organised by the St. John’s Ambulance Association to provide basic first aid skills. 2.For Byfield. DE, 12 Jan. 1889, p. 1. 3.John Marriott Rodhouse, Liberal. 1.Under the Mastership of Herbert Langham of Cottesbrooke Hall.

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Friday 18 January 67 Eaton Square Harry and I came down together, and I learnt the result of our County Council election from Mr. Ashworth Briggs who has himself defeated Aubrey Cartwright.1 But on the whole they are good. Thursday 31 January Fawsley Charlie (and Juliet) went to Northampton for the first meeting of the Council. 11 Conservative aldermen were elected, including Rainald and 6 Liberals counting the Duke of Grafton and Mr. Drury Wake;1 the latter got the highest possible number of votes, 56. Rainald came in with most of the others by a pure party vote of 27. All the Aldermen are selected from without the Council. Then there was a tie for the provisional chairmanship between Lord Spencer and Mr. Sackville,2 the latter winning the draw.3 It was great fun talking it all over at night at the Pytchley Hunt Ball at night which was very successful and cheery, more cheery than last night. Wednesday 13 February Fawsley Rainald and Charlie went to the first meeting of the complete County Council where they found themselves obliged to elect Lord Spencer as Chairman to avoid a split in the party. He is undoubtedly the best man for the job.2

1.Aubrey Thomas Cartwright (1849–1904), J.P., eldest son of Richard Aubrey Cartwright of Edgcote. Briggs defeated Cartwright in the Middleton Cheney division by 282 to 203 votes. As the Northampton Mercury, stated, ‘Here the Cartwright and magisterial influence, although supposed to be supreme, has proved to be wanting. This is one of the greatest victories in the county.’ 26 Jan. 1889, p. 6. 1.Uncle of Sir Herewald Wake, 12th. Bart., Chairman of the Northamptonshire Divisional Bench, 1888, Honorary Secretary of the Pytchley, 1875–80. 2.Sackville George Stopford Sackville of Drayton House, Thrapston, Conservative M.P., N. Northamptonshire, 1867–80. 3.Minute Book, Northamptonshire County Council, 31 Jan. 1889. 1.P. Gordon, “‘A County Parliament:” The First Northamptonshire County Council’. NP&P, 1985– 6, vii, 3, p. 192.

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Tuesday 19 February 37 Wimpole Street To tea with Ada Sudeley and then a dinner here to which came Rainald who was last night at a large and enthusiastic meeting at Northampton, presided over by the Duke of Grafton, and addressed by Sir Henry James. Besides we had the Duchess of St Albans1 and her sister, Lady Blake and her husband, the rejected of Queensland.2 However the real reason for his going to Jamaica instead was that a son who had gone utterly to the bad and been lost sight of was discovered keeping a low public in Brisbane. He seems a clever agreeable man. Irish though, says Mr. Balfour is in constant danger. Told me Mr. Froude3 found a quantity of letters to Mrs. Carlyle from distinguished men of all kinds, proving that she was a far greater attraction than the sage of Chelsea. Mr. Greenwood (who by the way has severed his connection with the St. James’s on its being bought by a German named Steinkopf and run in the interests of the German government), told us a most extraordinary story told him by Lord Lytton4 of a conversation he had with the Crown Prince immediately after the war of 1870. So far from rejoicing over the unification of Germany he lamented it, saying that as Kings of Prussia they were in a stronger and better position. I don’t believe a word of it: it is in utter contradiction to the Diary published by Professor Geffcken.5 Much more likely that Lord Lytton lied. The Duchess of St. Albans told me that the true story of Crown Prince Rudolph’s death6 is that he and this Austrian Baroness built themselves a sort of catafalque with lights all round, laid down side by side and shot themselves, she only 18. It is a most ghastly story. Another guest was Lady Winifred Byng, née Herbert, the poor little widow,7 a most taking little person. Also Mr. Dicey of the Observer.8 P.S.Mrs. Jeune says this story of the Crown Prince Rudolph is not true and that the gamekeeper’s wife version is, and that he drank horribly. 1.Grace, daughter of Ralph Bernal Osborne and second wife of William Beauclerk, 10th. Duke of St. Albans. 2.Edith, wife of Sir Henry Arthur Blake, appointed Governor of Queensland, 1889, but resigned before taking up the post. Governor of Jamaica, 1889–97. 3.James Anthony Froude (1818–94), historian. As Carlyle’s literary executor, Froude published, amongst other works, Carlyle’s Reminiscences (1881), and Letters and Memorials of Jane Welsh Carlyle (1883). 4.Edward Robert Bulwer Lytton, 1st. Earl of Lytton (1831–91), statesman and poet, secretary to the embassy, Paris, 1872–4, Viceroy of India, 1876–80, ambassador in Paris, 1887–91. 5.Geffcken was charged with treason for publishing part of the late Emperor Frederick’s diary on the Franco-Prussian War, but was acquitted in January 1889. 6.Rudolph of Habsburg (1858–89), Emperor Franz Joseph’s only son, was found dead with his lover, Baroness Marie Vetsera, at his hunting lodge at Mayerling on 30 Jan. See E.Crankshaw, The Fall of the House of Habsburg (1963), pp. 289–90. 7.Lady Winifred Anne, daughter of Henry Howard Herbert, 4th. Earl of Carnarvon, and wife of Alfred John Byng, son of 2nd. Earl of Strafford. He died in the year of their marriage, 1887. 8.Edward James Dicey, editor of the Observer, 1870–89.

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Friday 22 February Fawsley Spent a delightful hour at Burlington House … Then to Primrose League Committee where it was pleasant to hear Lady Salisbury affirm what one felt sure of before, i.e. that there will be no dissolution for three years. The Times case1 on the Parnell letters has, I fear, broken down very badly, a great misfortune. And Mr. Jeune is very unhappy about the Bishop of Lincoln’s case,2 says the Archbishop3 is much to blame for going on with it and that he is much led by the Dean of Windsor.4 Sunday 3 March Fawsley The great sensation has been the total collapse of the case of the Parnell letters. The Times trusted with incredible folly entirely to one Piggott,1 who broke down entirely under cross examination, owned to have forged them, then bolted and finally on being arrested at Madrid blew his brains out. I wonder if anyone cares for him. Sunday 31 March Fawsley Last Sunday, March 24, was a delicious mild day. I walked with Mother to the garden and with Mite to the farm, where we have had a wonderful good lambing season, as is the case generally. Indeed, farming generally is satisfactory, except—and it is a big except— for graziers, the dearness of store beasts. One or two of the tenants are grumbling and bothering, but nothing really serious. I went down to a School Meeting at Badby in the afternoon. The New Code is just out and seems to make some important changes.1 Tuesday again to Nursing Lecture. Wednesday to Mothers’ Meeting. Thursday Rainald and I went to a Shakespeare reading at Mrs. Hewitt’s at Danesmore. He did Henry VIII very well in some parts: Queen 1.A Special Commission set up by the Government to inquire into charges relating to the Phoenix Park Murders brought against Parnell and other by The Times. 2.Francis Henry Jeune, QC, counsel for Dr. Edward King, Bishop of Lincoln, accused of ritualistic practices. Jeune’s father was Bishop of Peterborough, 1864–8. 3.Edward White Benson (1829–96), Archbishop of Canterbury, 1882–96. 4.Randall Thomas Davidson (1848–1930), who was on confidential terms with Benson. 1.Richard Piggott (1828–99), Irish journalist. 1.The New Code of 1889 modified the system of payment by results and increased staffing and building requirements.

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Katherine which I enjoyed; Isabel Burton, Emma Home and Juliet all read intelligibly. Colonel Clarke was excellent in the small part of Surrey. Mr. Daruch as Wolsey began well but fell off in the great speeches. But it is always pleasant and interesting. Friday, our very last day, we hunted from Althorp, driving there and back which was very comfortable. I have had no sport but it was a lovely day for riding about and I enjoyed seeing a good deal of new country. We went to Harpole Hill, through Harpole nearby to Berry Wood, round by Harleston Heath through Church Brampton to Sanders’ Gorse, over Crick and left off at Holdenby. Went in to Althorp. I wish the Spencers were not such detestable politicians—they are so pleasant … Rainald had a very nice letter today from Mr. W.H.Smith to whom he wrote expressing his regret that he had not known the address to him was to be presented by the senior member on our side, or he would have gone up to do it.2 I do like and respect that book seller, as Big Ben3 used to call him. The Home Rule Van has been through all our villages, pitching leaflets into every house. How energetic they are. Sunday 7 April Fawsley Monday, darling Tiny departed to London, taking the first regular meeting of the County Council on his way. Friday, I went in the afternoon to Preston and visited most of the members of the Mothers’ Union there, and then on to Farthingstone to address the 16 members of the G.F.S. Mrs. Brand1 has succeeded in enrolling. Alice Dryden tells me there are 29 Primrose League members too! Wonders will never cease. The political events have been a very satisfactory majority at Enfield,2 and a terrible mess over Mr. Bright’s seat at Birmingham, a split between Liberal Unionists and Conservatives.3 Mr. Balfour has made a most admirable speech which will mend it if anything can: he has three times the tact of his uncle, who lives up in a balloon. Stanley’s letters4 have arrived and are most interesting and marvellously graphic picture of the terrible forest between the Aruwimi and the Albert Nyanza. 2.Sir Rainald Knightley to W.H.Smith, 29 March 1889. Hambleden Papers, PS 14/12. Reprinted in H. Maxwell, Life and Times of the Rt. Hon. William Henry Smith M.P. (1893), ii, p. 252. 3.George William Pierrpont Bentinck, Conservative M.P., West Norfolk, 1868–84, to distinguish him from George Cavendish-Bentinck, Conservative M.P., Whitehaven, 1865–91, Judge-Advocate General, 1875–80. H.W.Lucy, A Diary of Two Parliaments (1886), pp. 381–3. 1. Wife of Revd. Hamilton Brand, rector of St. Mary, Farthingstone since 1888. 2. Henry F.Bowles, Conservative, won the seat at the by-election caused by the elevation to the peerage of William Pleydell-Bouverie, Viscount Folkestone, who succeeded his father, Jacob, 4th. Earl of Radnor. 3. At the by-election, caused by the death of John Bright, William Beale, Liberal, contested the seat against Bright’s eldest son, John Albert Bright, a Liberal Unionist, and lost by a majority of 3060. 4. Henry Morton Stanley (1841–1904), explorer and journalist. Stanley’s letters were made public on 4 April 1889. See J.S.Keltie (ed.), The Story of Emin’s Rescue as told in H.M Stanley’s Letters (1890

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Tuesday 23 April Elton, Peterborough Made a prosperous journey down here: party Lord and Lady Clanwilliam, Lady Elizabeth Meade, who seems nice and rather pretty,1 Sir. T.and Lady Peel, Joseph Rowley and his bright, cheery wife. Mr. Sackville, Mr. Antrobus2 and Mr. Evelyn Cecil,3 Lord Eustace’s son, who seems decidedly sharp and intelligent. I very busy writing letters about the ‘Union-Jack Van’, of which we have an offer from the Liberal Unionist Association to perambulate our division in the wake of the Home Rule Van, which has been sowing lying leaflets at every door in most of our villages. It is a grand opportunity and we must make the most of it. Thursday 2 May Richmond Park Went up for a Primrose League Committee where nothing very important. The Duchess of Marlborough gave me a lift afterwards and made me laugh (in my sleeve) by her lamentations over recent events at Birmingham: her abuse of Mr. Chamberlain as treacherous, ambitious, playing only for his own hand etc., all which I thought to myself applied equally to her son, whose eyes, she hoped were opened! Tuesday 21 May 18 Grosvenor Street Alice Dryden and I went together to Her Majesty’s Theatre to be present at Grand Habitation, and hear Lord Salisbury’s speech. I, having been duly re-elected a member of the Executive of the Ladies’ Grand Council,1 sat on the stage, facing the vast audience and when they all stood up, cheering and waving their handkerchiefs on giving him a vote of thanks, the sight was a most imposing one. He made a thoughtful but not a particularly eloquent speech. One phrase struck me: when he spoke of the battle of the Primrose League is fighting as being essentially like Inkerman, a soldiers’ battle.2 He also dwelt much on the good the Primrose League was doing in drawing the classes together. 1. Richard James Meade, 4th. Earl of Clanwilliam, and his wife, Henrietta: wife of his brother, Sir Robert Meade. 2. Edmund Antrobus, Liberal-Conservative M.P., Wilton, 1855–77. 3. Nephew and assistant private secretary to Salisbury, 1891–2. Lord Eustace Brownlow Cecil, M.P., West Essex, 1868–85, was Salisbury’s brother. 1.The sixth annual meeting of the Primrose League was held in the afternoon. 2.Lord Salisbury stated that ‘the political battle of the future is like Inkerman—a soldiers’ battle. It depends… on the rank and file.’ The Times, 22 May 1889, p. 14.

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Friday 24 May 18 Grosvenor Street 1

Fanny Vesey came to luncheon. We dined with Dr. and Mrs. Smith2 (Quarterly Review) and met Sir Charles Newton3 (Archaeology), Mr. and Mrs. Haweis (Music and Morals),4 Mrs. Wells, R.A.5 and Sir Henry and Lady Layard etc. I sat between Sir H. and Dr. Smith and was amused. The former who detests Gladstone told some curious stories about him, how he once insisted when Mr. Layard 6was appointed to Madrid on sending down a working man candidate for Southwark against his own Whips, Mr. Layard, and his Committee and everybody and lost the seat; how Lord Wolverton 7once found him having had a speech read to him by Mrs. Gladstone with the result that an attack was changed into support, part of the system by which he was, and is, kept in the dark; his ignorance about china and pictures and the way he is taken in. Says Motley8 began by being all for secession, very different from what appears in his letters. Saturday 25 May 18 Grosvenor Street To tea with Lady Wimborne, who wanted to talk to me about her home for girls in Finsbury. Met there the Duchess of Marlborough and heard how Lady Rosebery is sending round a paper against women’s suffrage, backed by Lord Randolph Churchill, I suppose simply because Lord Salisbury had declared in favour of it. I believe it will, if granted now, be the best possible barrier against manhood suffrage. Once establish it and they will be afraid of manhood suffrage for fear of the sequitur, womanhood suffrage. Afterwards a pleasant visit from Miss Hall1 who seems curiously mixed up with the Parnell case, grossly mismanaged it has been. Dined with Lord Norton, sat between Mr. Packer and Lord Bury2 who is always pleasant. On to a brilliant party at the Foreign Office, less crowd and more diamonds than usual. Rainald introduced me to Sir Henry James, Sir Mount Stuart Duff 3 and Sir Massey Lopes; with the latter a long talk about 1.Wife of Arthur Cyril Vesey, Derrabard, Co. Tyrone, and LMK’s cousin. 2.William Smith, editor of the Quarterley Review, 1867–93. 3.Knighted 1887. 4.Hugh Reginald Haweis (1838–1901), a talented musician, published Music and Morals in 1871; and his wife, Mary, writer and artist. 5.Mrs. H.W.Wells (Mary Wells). 6.Sir Austen Henry Layard (1817–94), explored Nineveh, 1845–7, British minister at Madrid, 1869–77 and his wife, Enid. 7.George Grenfell Glyn, 2nd. Baron Wolverton, who died in 1887. 8.Author of The History of the Rise of the Dutch Republic (1856) and U.S. Minister to Great Britain, 1861–7. For his views on the possible secession of the Southern states, see G.W.Curtis (ed.), The Correspondence of John Lothrop Motley (1889), i, p. 364. 1.Miss Wilhelmina Brodie-Hall, secretary of the Boarding Out Association. 2.William Coutts Keppel, Under-Secretary for War, 1885–6. 3.Sir Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff (1829–1906), Governor of Madras, 1881–6, and author.

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Primrose League which certainly brings one pleasantly into contact with many people. Torrents of rain made the coming away a scene of frightful confusion. Tuesday 28 May 18 Grosvenor Street Coming back I saw a curious little scene at a little wayside station: three or four monks in brown habits, rosaries at their sides bare headed and tonsured, accompanied by a number of little boys, seeing two of their numbers into the train. ‘Au revoir’, they exclaimed, one after the other and as the train moved off ‘vive le visiteur’, and the little boys, who looked English enough, lifted their caps. Abroad it would have been nothing but here in England it was very striking. Saturday 1 June 18 Grosvenor Street Drove about in the afternoon, in the evening to a party at Lady Wimborne’s,1 chiefly political. I wonder what makes her take that line just now? Lord Randolph certainly don’t want to help the Government. But it is a good thing for there is hardly a Conservative house open now, except Lady Salisbury’s. Lady Borthwick is building, Polly Ridley has quite given up the game, Lady Stanhope2 only entertains before Easter, Lady Spencer I hear has been receiving the Women’s Liberal Federation3 which she does not enjoy. Thursday 6 June 18 Grosvenor Street Off to the British Museum where I found a few new things in Domestic State Papers, a Robert Knightley who would not give his daughter his fortune. 1.Wimborne House, formerly Hamilton House, in Arlington Street. 2.Evelyn Henrietta, wife of Arthur Philip Stanhope, 6th. Earl of Mahon. 3.Founded in 1887 to advance Liberal principles and promote political education.

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Friday 21 June 18 Grosvenor Street Rainald went down to Ascot, I to Primrose League, where a good deal of discussion resulted in my being appointed to attend the Gazette Committee. It certainly needs improving.1 Saturday 22 June 18 Grosvenor Street 1

Jessie Boucherett came to luncheon announcing that Mr. Goschen has declared that he will leave the Government if women’s suffrage is brought forward by them. This alarmed me at first but I am not sure that we shall not get more support from the Radicals if it is an open question. They would have turned against us in spite of every pledge if they saw their way to beating the Government and a certain number of Conservatives will always oppose it. Liberal Unionists are many of them shaky. Found Lady Henley2 so, though Lady Goldsmid3 is a strong supporter. Wednesday 26 June 18 Grosvenor Street At home in the morning … then to a Committee of the Primrose League Gazette, to represent the views of the Executive on that dull publication and read a clever paper sent in by Lady Montagu …1 To a charming party at the Duchess of Abercorn’s2 I have never before seen Hampden House and was delighted with it, such a nice old fashioned stately abode with some good pictures, notably a very striking one of the beautiful Duchess of Hamilton3 (the Gunning) and the finest silver chandelier I ever saw. It was a party to do good. Cabinet ministers and smart ladies mixed up with sundry members of the House of Commons who would 1.The Primrose League Gazette was considered to be unattractively presented. LGC Executive Minutes, PL, 11, 21 June 1889, p. 235. 1.Emilia Jessie Boucherett (1825–1905), LMK’s cousin and a life-long women’s suffrage campaigner, founder and editor of the Englishwoman’s Review, 1866–71. 2.Clara Campbell Lucy, wife of Anthony, 3rd. Baron Henley. 3.Virginia, wife of Sir Julian Goldsmid, Liberal Unionist M.P., St. Pancras South, Nov. 1885–96. 1.Cecily Susan, wife of Henry James, created Lord Montagu, 1885. 2.Lady Maria Anna, wife of James Hamilton, 2nd. Duke of Abercorn, 3.Elizabeth Gunning, wife of James, 6th. Duke of Hamilton, her portrait by Gavin Hamilton.

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thoroughly appreciate being there. Talked a good deal to Lord Herschell4 about the Land Transfer Bill5 on which the Government were run within 9 last night. It appears that half the Bill is good, and the other half bad, or at least doubtful, the principle of land following the place of personal property in case of intestacy is a big pill to swallow even at the hands of a Conservative Government. Lord Herschell said ‘Oh; if it is only passed in 40 years you will wonder why it was ever opposed.′ Which is certainly true of many reforms, but I think this will, as Radicals say, have an unexpected effect in breaking up small holdings, the owners whereof are far less likely to make wills than the owners of large properties. Harry voted against the Government. He looks at things solely from the point of view of his own class. Saturday 29 June 18 Grosvenor Street The Fortnightly1 is out with the counterblast to the protest in last month’s 19th Century against women’s suffrage.2 I have signed it amongst many others. 4.Farrer Herschell, 1st. Baron Herschell (1837–99), Liberal, Lord Chancellor in Gladstone’s third ministry.

Sunday 1 July Claremont, Esher To the church in the morning. Mr. Warren preached about Robert Elsmere.1 I wish the parsons would let it alone, it only advertises it. In the afternoon came to tea, Sir Archibald2 and Lady Campbell. The Duchess showed us some most interesting relics of Charles Edward, the Young Pretender, the Star of the Garter which he tore off his coat and gave to Flora Macdonald, a lock of his fair hair, his Garter, etc. It is a curious fancy of the Duke’s to have named his son after him; ‘Charles Edward Duke of Albany’3 does seem such an ill omened combination. Meantime he is a healthy, merry, little boy and both he and his sister quite admirably brought up. Tonight, more interesting autographs than ever—Mary Queen of Scots, a holograph letter of Prince Rupert’s optimistic like himself, Pym, Wentworth, Sir Isaac Newton, in short, delightful. 5.‘For removing the difficulties which prevent the easy and cheap transfer of land.’ Third reading, Contents, 113, Not Contents, 104. Hansard, 3, 337, cols. 646–90, 25 June 1889. 1.Fortnightly Review, 44, New Series, July-Dec. 1889, pp. 123–39. It included a list of signatures about 2000 suffragist women Declaration in Favour of Women’s Suffrage. 2.‘An Appeal Against Female Suffrage’, Nineteenth Century, 25, Jan.-June 1889, pp. 772–8, containing a list of 104 prominent anti-suffrage supporters. 1.A novel by Mrs. Humphry Ward concerning religious doubt, published in 1888 in three volumes. 2.Conservative M.P., Renfrewshire W., 1885–92, and his wife, Augusta. 3.Prince Charles Edward (1884–1954). 4.Princess Alice (1883–1981).

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Monday 2 July Windsor Castle A pouring wet day. After luncheon came here with the Duchess and the children: promptly proceeded to the library and spent an hour there, quite alone, and very pleasantly. Dined with the household, sat between Colonel Byng1 and Herr Muther, successor to my old friend Sahl,2 who has retired. Not very lively. Played whist with Lord Balfour of Burleigh,3 Evelyn Paget4 and Lord F. Kerr5 and lost by 1. Friday 5 July 18 Grosvenor Street 1

Working Ladies’ Guild and Primrose League Committees in the morning. I presided (for the first time) at the latter but I don’t think the public liked it… The Government have been beat on the Land Transfer Bill and have dropped it;2 I am sorry. Monday 8 July 18 Grosvenor Street We were to have gone to a garden party at Hatfield for the Shah,1 but unfortunately it rained just at the moment for starting, and with a huge ‘weather permitting’ on the card we did not like to go. As it turned out, it was quite fine down there and many people went. Lord Tollemache came to see me: he is one of the people who voted against the Land Transfer Bill, partly on account of the expense he thinks it would entail on present 1.Col. Henry Byng whom LMK had first met at Somerley near Ringwood, Hampshire in Dec. 1874. 2.Herman Sahl, Queen Victoria’s confidential adviser and German secretary. 3.Alexander Hugh, 6th. Baron Balfour of Burleigh, representative peer for Scotland, 1876–1921, and Lord-in-Waiting to the Queen. 4.Maid of Honour to the Queen. 5.Admiral Lord Frederic Herbert Kerr, Groom-in-Waiting. 1.Established by Lady Mary Feilding in 1876 to assist impoverished ladies with inexpensive accommodation. Funds were raised by exhibition of craftwork and sales. 2.Withdrawn in the Lords, Contents, 113, Not Contents, 122. Hansard, 3, 337, col. 1566, 5 July 1889. 1.Nasir al-Din, Shah of Persia, (1848–96), visited England in 1873 and 1889. Introduced European ideas into Persia and granted trade concessions to Britain and Russia.

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owners and against the clauses for assimilating the disposal of real to personal property in case of intestacy because, he says, it would be most painful to a father to deprive his younger children, by his own act in making a will, of the rights which would otherwise be theirs. Rainald says Mr. Bright used the same argument many years ago and that he talked to Lord Salisbury about it whose comment was that it showed Mr. Bright knew nothing of the feelings of the aristocracy. Friday 19 July 18 Grosvenor Street To a Primrose League Committee in the morning where the most curious battle, the Duchess of Marlborough, absolutely refusing to sign an address to Lady Salisbury to be presented to her on the occasion of her visit to the Crystal Palace next week. We passed it at our last meeting1 as a matter of absolutely no importance. It was on the agenda and had the Duchess only sent word (she could not be present) that she thought it unnecessary we would have dropped it instantly, but having passed it, we could neither stultify ourselves nor insult Lady Salisbury by withdrawing it, and we wouldn’t and we all signed it except her. How Lord Randolph can imagine he improves his position by playing such pranks I do not know. Friday 26 July 18 Grosvenor Street Rainald just come in from division on the Royal Grants on which subject Mr. Gladstone made, yesterday, an admirable speech, quite in his old tone and form, so different from the course he has pursued of late years.1 Nevertheless, 116 Radicals were found to vote with Mr. Labouchere against any more Grants at all.2 Saturday 27 July 18 Grosvenor Street To my great surprise, the first post brought me an invitation to Marlborough House at 2.30 on the occasion of the marriage of Princess Louise of Wales and Lord Fife.1 Rainald 1.5 July 1889, chaired by LMK. 1.Hansard, 3, 338, cols. 1270-1371, 25 July 1889. 2.Ibid, cols. 1435-1535, 26 July 1889. Ayes 398, Noes 116. 1.The daughter of the Prince and Princess of Wales married Alexander William George Duff, 6th. Earl of Fife, who was granted a dukedom as a wedding present.

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was not invited, the line taken being, apparently, to ask all who had given or contributed to presents and I subscribed to the junior households cadeau, getting off with £l. 10. 0; we gave two very pretty Chippendale étagère. To Marlborough House I accordingly betook myself. The bride had not yet returned from Buckingham Palace where the marriage and wedding breakfast had taken place. So a good many of us waited to see the procession arrive which it presently did: the bride and bridegroom in his carriage, which was a real handsome equipage, beautifully turned out, with green liveries and fine black horses. Then we made our way into the house and made our curtsies to the bride who looked ragonnet and to the Princess who looked lovely and so young in silver brocade (demi toilette like all who had been to the ceremony and very trying it was to most of them) and a tiara of diamonds and sapphires. So to the garden and afterwards back to look at the presents which were lovely of course. Gladstone gave his Gleanings2 again, the Archbishop of Canterbury Spenser’s works. I was so glad to have an opportunity of thanking him for the Lambeth lectures, he said they were a great help to him. We all waited till the bride went away from the garden entrance in an open landau, amid showers of rice, I only hope they got down to Sheen before the terrific thunderstorm which came on later. Sunday 28 July 18 Grosvenor Street Our last Sunday in London and again an excellent sermon from Mr. Capel Cure1 on the words: ‘Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God’, as he rightly said, the whole foundation of the Gospel. Incidentally, he touched again on luxury and selfishness and on the mixed motives which so often underlie our good works, and of which, alas, I am so painfully aware. Do I offer to God amidst all my multifarious busynesses anything which really entails a sacrifice. And if not why not? Books, I must buy fewer books, and pleasure? don’t I often hunt it, regardless of other claims? And love of popularity, applause, don’t I seek it, and savour it, instead of dreading and shrinking from it? When one reads of the saintly ones of earth, how different. Miss Emily Leslie2 came to luncheon and the Cavendishes, afterwards Sir Donald Mackenzie Wallace3 of Russia, Egypt and India. He has just come back from years of being private secretary to Lord Dufferin and made himself very pleasant. He says India has changed greatly in the last 10 years and that with the political education we have given the natives and our utterly free press, we are raising up a spirit of independence which though not yet a serious danger, may easily become one. Says the powers of civil servants is greatly circumscribed and their work increased, that men would be cashiered now for keeping order in the rough and ready way which 50 years ago would have earned a great reputation. Laments the want of interest they take even in the people over whom 2.Gleanings of Past Years 1843—78 (1879), published in seven volumes by John Murray. 1.Revd. Edward Capel Cure, former curate of Christ Church, Lancaster Gate, 1887–8, and vicar of Bradninch, South Devon, 1888–96. 2.Daughter of Charles Powell Leslie, M.P., Co. Monaghan, 1802–26. 3.(1841–1919), Newspaper correspondent for The Times, 1878–84, private secretary to the Marquess of Dufferin and the Marquess of Lansdowne, Viceroys of India, 1884–9; knighted in 1887.

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they rule, deprecates interference on the part of the Home Government and still more of the House of Commons and thinks Lord Randolph very sound on that point.4 Cleared up the extraordinary rancour with which The Times correspondent at Burmah attacks the Government there, personal of course. Says that you can’t put down dacoity5 which has prevailed for hundreds of years in one year or ten, but that things are improving, especially as roads and railroads are made. Altogether an interesting talk. Friday 8 August 10 Kisseliff Strasse, Homburg Life at Homburg goes on in its usual pleasantly monotonous groove. Given lovely weather, pleasant people to talk to, plenty of books and time to read them, charming music and nothing to do, and what more can a body want? The place was rather empty at first but fresh friends turn up every day and there are quite enough. I only regret the disappearance of our dear old verandah table d’hôte at the Victoria; it is the fashion now to dine a part after the table d’hôte. Nor is the lawn tennis ground the rallying point it used to be. We have had some pleasant dinners; notable one at the Victoria with Mrs. Wynne Finch and Sir Montague Smith and another at the Adler with Mrs. Finch, Lord Northampton and Mr. Leveson,1 the latter really almost as good a causeur as his brother. He amused me last night with a story of a man who, pointing to his books exclaimed, They are my best friends.′ ‘And I am glad to see you don’t cut them.’ replied his friend, taking one or two from the shelf. Then we have dined with the Temples,2 with Lady Dorothy Nevill and had long and pleasant talks with Dr. Smith of the Quarterly. He told us that the Duke of Rutland had read him a letter from Lord Cranbrook in which he stated that great fears are felt that France will attack Italy without a declaration of war, that she can mobilize in 2 days and means to take Spezzia by a coup de main, and that Bismarck is very anxious we should keep a strong naval force in the Mediterranean. If one was told all this on anything but the very highest authority one would say ‘bosh’; as it is one asks oneself what object there can be in setting such rumours afloat. 4.See R.F.Foster, Lord Randolph Churchill (1981), p. 169. for Churchill’s views on India. 5.Robbery by armed bands. 1.Maud Elizabeth, wife of Charles Wynne-Finch; Sir Montagu Edward Smith, judge, 1871–82; William Compton, 4th. Marquess of Northampton; Edward Frederick Leveson-Gower, son of the 1st. Earl Granville, Liberal M.P., Bodmin, 1859–85. 2.Sir Richard Temple (1826–1902), Governor of Bombay, 1877–80, Conservative M.P., Evesham, 1885–92, and his wife, Mary Augusta. Author of Letters and Character Sketches from the House of Commons (1912).

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Monday 19 August 10 Kisseliff Strasse, Homburg Last Wednesday I went with Harry (who with Mr. Laurie turned up the previous day) Mrs. Wynne Finch and Mr. Pemberton and Colonel Colville1 to Frankfurt to hear Die Walküre the first of the Niebelungen series. Anything more splendid than the second act where Brünnhilde comes to separate the lovers, it is impossible to conceive—one is fairly carried away on waves and billows of sound: and it is extremely finely acted, and sung, specially by Frau Lüger as Brünnhilde … On Saturday morning Lord Spencer, who never walks with me by any chance, rushed up to me as I was walking with Mr. Leveson. I could not think what he had come for, and found it was to announce that the Government had withdrawn the Tithes Bill.2 They have made a sad muddle about it and the Home Rulers are insufferable in consequence. Christopher Sykes3 was actually reduced to walking with Sir Albert Rollit…4 On Saturday Lady Jane Repton5 took us to see Signor Carrodi’s pictures…He told me a very curious thing viz. that he was with Prince Bismarck, the German ambassador, Princess Charlotte of Saxe-Meiningen in the Pope’s antichamber during the Emperor William’s famous interview with the Pope last year. Presently Prince Henry of Prussia arrived, saying that he had been desired to present himself when the Emperor’s interview had lasted 20 minutes. ‘But’, said the Monsignor at the door, ‘you can’t go in, the interview is not yet over.′ whereupon Bismarck intervened with characteristic brusqueness, ‘We Hohenzollerns ne fait pas antichambré, and pushed him bodily into the audience chamber, where he found the Pope very shaky, just beginning to talk to the Emperor about his temporal power. Signor Carrodi also says that some Italian officers have been arrested at Spezzia, it is supposed in connection with the projected coup de main. Lord Spencer told me a story which delighted me. When Lord Coleridge6 was in America he was talking with Mr. Ewarts and Mr. Chauncy De Pew7 and said that someone had told him that a place was shown where Washington had thrown a dollar across the Hudson river and asked if it could be true? ‘Oh yes’, said Mr. Ewarts, ‘remember how much further a dollar went in those days!’ ‘Besides’, rejoined Mr. De Pew, ‘Washington did much more than throw a dollar across the Hudson, he chucked a Sovereign across the Atlantic!’ 1.William Shakespear Childe-Pemberton; Brevet-Col. Hon. William James Colville, Yeoman of the Guards and Comptroller to HRH Duke of Saxe-Coburg, 1871–94. 2.Tithes Rent-Charge Recovery Bill, withdrawn on its first reading on 16 August. Hansard, 3, 339, cols. 1489–98. 3.Conservative M.P., Buckrose division of East Riding, 1885–92. Defeated in 1886 by one vote, but on petition was returned. 4.Sir Albert Kaye Rollit, Conservative M.P., South Islington, 1886–1906. Shipowner and newspaper proprietor. 5.Wife of George William Repton, Conservative M.P., Warwick, 1852–85. 6.John Duke Coleridge, Lord Chief Justice, 1880–94. 7.Chauncy De Pew, Secretary of State, New York, 1863–5.

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Saturday 24 August 10 Kisseliff Strasse, Homburg The passing of the Light Railways (Ireland) Bill1 has been some slight consolation (to us though not to the wretched Welsh parsons) for the failure of the Tithes Bill, and Rainald went about hunting diligently for Home Rulers (their already large ranks reinforced by the Granvilles2 and Hayters) to tell them about it: but I must do Lord Spencer the justice to say he seemed genuinely pleased knowing as he must better than any one, the advantage it will be to Ireland. Lady Spencer came to see us one day and told us of a luncheon given by the Roseberys3 to the Prince, at which was Herbert Bismarck, here for a day or two with his mother. After luncheon the Prince took him aside and had a long private conversation which is rather a good thing, as last year they had a grand row. The Emperor of Germany, or rather German Emperor’s late visit to Osborne, seems to have been a great success all round.4 Among other things (besides making his grandmother Colonel of the smartest Dragoon regiment which I suppose no man ever did before) he gave the Duke of Cambridge5 the Regiment commanded by the Duke of Wellington and the other day the band thereof came over to serenade him, bringing with them a huge drum on which is inscribed the fact of its having been taken from the French at Mars la Tour. We shall have ‘Labby’6 asking questions if he hears of it. Wednesday 28 August Richmond Park I can hardly believe that on Monday I was at Homburg. However, I must record the end of our time. On Saturday we dined with Lady Conyers1 at the Russia. I, as usual, had the of best it, sitting between Mr. Blennerhassett2 and a very pleasant Mr. Crosbie, who is attached to the American legation in Berlin. I sat next him the next night, when we dined at the Kurhaus with the Prince of Wales, the party consisting of the Duke of Cambridge, 1.Light Railways (Ireland) Bill was read for a third time on 19 August. Hansard, 3, 339, cols. 1672–1740. 2.Granville George Leveson-Gower, 2nd. Earl Granville, and his wife, Castalia Rosalind. 3.Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th. Earl of Rosebery and his wife, Hannah. 4.On the visit of the Emperor William II to Osborne, 2 to 8 August 1889, Queen Victoria conferred on him the title of Admiral of the Fleet. He attended the Naval Review and a military review. See G.E.Buckle (ed.), The Letters of Queen Victoria (1930), 3rd. series, I, 1886–1890, pp. 520–2. 5.Field Marshal George William, 2nd. Duke of Cambridge (1819–1904), Commander-in-Chief, 1856–95. 6.Henry Labouchere’s nickname. 1.Lady Mary, widow of Sackville George Lane-Fox, Baron Conyers, who died in 1888. 2.Rowland Blennerhassett, moderate Liberal M.P., Co. Kerry, 1874–85.

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the Grand Duke of Mecklenburgh,3 Lady Dorothy and Miss Nevill,4 Sir Archibald5 and Miss Alison, he, my other neighbour and pleasant too, Lord Arthur6 Somerset, Mr. Sykes, General Stephens,7 Mr. Hore and Lady Ventry.8 I liked the dinner as much as I hated the luncheon two years ago. The history of our being asked was that the Prince wanted Rainald to play whist with him, which he did on Saturday, but declined on Sunday, saying he had to start early on Monday and H.R.H.took it very well. He came to see Lady Ventry off next morning and brought me also a lovely bouquet of violets, whereat I was pleased, as also at being ‘lunched’ by Lord Spencer (which made the Prince say to Rainald, ‘What will Northamptonshire say?’). Tuesday 24 September Fawsley Rather a curious thing happened here on Monday 16th: old Rogers who used to live at the cottage in New Field, the husband of the poor old woman I was so fond of died and was to be buried here. On the funeral arriving at the Arch in Badby Wood, old Mrs. Tom Bull refused to let it pass, saying that it would create a right of way; the popular idea being that ‘you can follow a corpse’. I never heard it before, but Rainald says it is a widespread superstition. Singularly enough, Mrs. Parsons, who died at Charwelton, was buried at Everdon on the previous Saturday and they asked permission to go up the Park to avoid the steep hill beyond the wood yard. Will that be thought to create a right of way? Tuesday 12 November Fawsley In the evening in a dense fog to a Primrose League meeting at Farthingstone.1 spoke for 90 minutes, a fair lot of labourers and they seemed interested. Mr. Lane-Fox2 followed but I do not think he got hold of them a bit. I would give a good deal to hear their comments afterwards. 3.Frederick, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. 4.Honorary Treasurer of the LGC. Lady Jeune considered Meresia Nevill ‘an uncompromising Tory. She did not follow her mother in her social wanderings, but steadily adhered to her own opinions, and drew a relentless line at many of the new acquaintances whom Lady Dorothy delighted to make, but whom Miss Nevill never recognized.’ Lady St. Helier, Memories of Fifty Years (1909), p. 211. 5. Gen. Sir Archibald Alison, 2nd. Bart., member of Indian Council, 1889–99. 6. Maj. Lord Arthur Somerset, son of the 8th. Duke of Beaufort, Royal Horse Guards. 7. Maj.-General Adolphus Stephens. 8. Harriet Elizabeth De Moleyns, wife of Sir Dayrolles Blakeney of Ventry, an Irish representative peer and baronet. 1. NH, 16 Nov. 1889, p. 3. 2. George Sackville Lane-Fox, vice-chancellor of the Primrose League, 1889–1912.

*1890* Saturday 15 February Fawsley Wednesday, Sir Thomas [Munro] and I proceeded in solemn state to Daventry in the brougham, where he has certainly not been for 20 years, I to attend a meeting of wardens, called together by Colonel Furness, our district agent. Thursday I was rather seedy, fully thought I was in for influenza. Friday we went to a most successful social gathering at Daventry, organized by the Conservative Club and the Knightley Habitation. Juliet and I took trays which was quite a new experience for me. However I didn’t much mind but it was all spoiled by my darling being prevented coming down, as he had intended, by gout. Such a pity, such a nice audience and a good reporter; he would I am sure have spoken nicely. I spoke on Africa and Tithes, not particularly well.1 Palm Sunday 30 March Fawsley 1

Tuesday, Sophy and I went to Everdon in the rain. Wednesday she and I went to Daventry for a Primrose League meeting at which we decided to reduce the Associates’ subscription to 3d. and to have a fête, if possible at Badby House.2 Thursday, Sophy departed. Rainald went to London for the second reading of the Tithes bill,3 which I suppose is a good measure as tithe owners and tithe payers both find fault with it. …Mr. Balfour has brought in a very clever, very complicated Irish Land Purchase bill4 and Prince Bismarck’s resignation owing to differences with the young Emperor has struck Europe dumb with amazement. William II is a very remarkable young person, but a good deal too self-sufficient. 1.At the Assembly Hall LMK declared, ‘Nothing was so wonderful, she thought, as the way in which Africa had been opened up on every side, and that opening up was due in a great measure to British energy and enterprise, and to British religious anxiety to convert the heathen, to do good, and to carry out the great principles of their religion.’ NH, 22 Feb. 1890, p. 2. 1.Wife of Sir Charles Fremantle, private secretary to Disraeli, 1866–8, Deputy-Master of the Mint, 1868–94. 2.Officers were also elected for the coming year. DE, 5 April 1890, p. 1. 3.Hansard, 3, 343, cols. 39–124, 27 March 1890. Tithe Rent-Charge and Redemption Bill. 4.Hansard, 3, cols. 306 and 343, 31 March 1890. Land Purchase (Ireland) Bill.

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Friday 11 April Panton Hall, Wragby, Lincolnshire 1

At Lincoln. The proceedings were opened by the Bishop of Lincoln (Dr. King whose trial for ritualistic practices by the Archbishop of Canterbury is rending the Church to its very foundations) in a most charming speech, full of simple kindliness, of sympathy, of thoughtfulness. I don’t wonder he wins all hearts. He spoke very much of Dr. Abbott’s2 speech yesterday, insisting on the necessity of moral as well as physical and intellectual training, a sign of the reaction from the 3 Rs teaching of the last 20 years, how we should try to get our girls to put aside their private advantage for the public benefit. Wednesday 16 April Firle I am reading such an extraordinary book, Le Journal de Marie Bashkirtseff.1 If it were a novel, one would say it was preposterous and ridiculous but it is true: the absolutely true journal of a young Russian girl who spends her youth at Nice, Florence etc. and who at 13, when she begins talks and writes like a woman of 30. Her self introspection, her cynical frankness, her burning ambition, her extraordinary ability, are absolutely phenomenal; no wonder it has made a great sensation, Mr. Gladstone among many other having reviewed it.2 I see in today’s paper that poor Merrick the ‘elephant man’ is dead, passed quietly away in his sleep. It is a merciful way of going out of what to him had been a very sad world, though he has received a great deal of kindness in it. Thank God he was not unprepared, and now, he is safe and at rest. 1.Venue of GFS meeting. LMK stayed at Panton Hall, the home of Edmund and Lady Mary Turnor. 2.Dr. Edwin Abbott (1838–1926), headmaster of City of London School, 1865–89, who addressed the annual Conference of the National Union of Teachers on ‘Civic and Moral Training in Schools’. The Times, 10 April 1890, p. 12. 1.The Journal was published posthumously in 1887 and translated into English in 1890. She died in 1884 aged 24. 2.Gladstone called it ‘a book without parallel’. 3.On 11 April.

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Friday 18 April Firle Colder than ever and wet. Harry I and Mr. Crawley1 played golf in a pond. Rainald returned to town for a division on bimetallism in which they were handsomely beaten,2 in spite of the United States having promised or rather settled to do something which will enhance the price of silver, which has already gone up at the mere prospect. Much engrossed in the study of Mr. Goschen’s clever, popular budget.3 Volunteer equipment, postage, 2d. off tea, abolition of silver plate duty and one or two trifling Colonial remissions and a substantial diminution of the house duty on houses below a certain value, while the 3d. beer duty and an increased tax on spirits are to handed over the County Councils, partly to pay for stamping out pleuropneumonia, for police pensions and to buy up unnecessary licenses. Really, there is something for everybody, though Rainald objects to the 2d. off tea. The dark spot in it all is that the British public has taken to drinking again, especially rum.4 Bad wages, not temperance, I fear, caused the 10 years improvement. Saturday 19 April Firle 1

Lady Hardman came over in the afternoon and to my delight found me covered with decorations in honour of Primrose day. Wednesday 23 April Firle Harry, Georgie, Rainald and I had rather a nice little expedition by train to Eastbourne, wandered on the parade and the pier and went to see golf being played. I think we picked up some ideas, but playing on that smooth ground is very different from this long grass. Certainly golf is not a flirting game: the young women play by themselves in a corner.

1.Revd. William Parry Crawley, vicar of St. Peter, West Firle with Beddingham, 1878–99. 2.By 183 to 87. Hansard, 3, 343, cols. 815–912, 18 April 1890. 3.In the Committee of Ways and Means. Hansard 3, 343, cols. 692–736, 17 April 1890. 4.Described by Goschen as ‘a universal rush for alcohol’. 1.Mary Anne, honorary secretary, LGC, and wife of Sir William Hardman, chairman of the Primrose League Gazette committee and vice-chairman of the Grand Council.

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Friday 25 April Richmond Park I found him (Rainald) come back when I returned from London where I went to attend a meeting of our Primrose League, having heard I was to be asked to speak at our Annual Meeting.1 Thursday 1 May 9 Lowndes Square Went in the afternoon to the Amateur Art Exhibition held this year in Lord Brassey’s.1 Heaps of friends and pretty things, but it is curious the growing tendency to arts and crafts of all kinds, in addition to the drawings and embroideries of former years. Every capital in Europe was today in more or less of a funk, to put it short, on account of the Labour demonstration organized all over the world.2 However nothing happened and we here were not in a fright at all. Some 1500 people marched to Hyde Park and that was all. There is to be a bigger affair on Sunday, Sunday 4 May 9 Lowndes Square In the afternoon we went into the Park, where a very imposing demonstration of all the trades, in favour chiefly of a legal 8 hours.1 They had begun marching into the Park long before 4 and at 5.15 still reached down to the bottom of Grosvenor Place. It was a most orderly, well behaved crowd, listening more or less, rather less than more, to speakers at some 12 platforms, among whom was Michael Davitt.2 I did not see a single objectionable inscription on the innumerable banners, and the police were very very few. Unfortunately we drifted to the wrong side of the column, and in trying to cross it, in Grosvenor Place, got into a bit of a hustle, which resulted in Rainald having his watch stolen. I can’t say how vexed I am. One of the few good things he ever gave himself. 1.Minute Book, Primrose League Papers, MS 12. 1.24 Park Lane. 2.The first International Labour Day holiday. The Times, 2 May 1890, p. 11. 1.Labour demonstration held in Hyde Park and reported in The Times as a ‘colossal affair’, 5 May 1890, p. 7. 2.Irish nationalist and labour agitator who founded the Land League with Parnell and others in 1879.

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Tuesday 6 May 9 Lowndes Square The Government have brought in too many bills: Inland Revenue bill, giving power to County Councils to buy up licences is violently opposed by the temperance people, who would rather see people continue to drink than pay any compensation to publicans. Mr. Goschen wanted to take the wind out of Lord Randolph’s sails, and he will be like Mr. Bruce:1 had his bill been accepted in 1871 all licences would have been done away with by now. But the Conservatives opposed that because the Liberals brought it in, just as Messrs. Cobb2 and Channing are now violently opposing the Allotments Act for fear the Government should get any kudos by it.3 Wednesday 7 May 9 Lowndes Square I went to an Exhibition of British silks1 at Lord Egerton of Tatton’s2 house in St. James’s Square, the brocades of which one was being woven on the spot were perfectly beautiful, and the furniture stuffs also extremely good; but there was a good deal of bad taste about the cheaper articles. Technical education’, the cry of the day, is never needed. The ‘artist craftsman′ as the St. James’s calls him, who was working the loom told us that all of the finest brocades etc. are hand woven. The object of the Association is to revive the English silk manufacture, killed by the French treaty of 1860. Thursday 8 May 9 Lowndes Square I went on to a tea at Lowther Lodge where they were playing lawn golf’, not much like the genuine article, but I hope it may put lawn tennis’s nose out of joint. It has reigned long enough. In the evening to the Court to see The Cabinet Minister,1 a broad farce, with gorgeous dresses (advertised as by Russell and Allen) a good make up of Arthur Cecil’s,2 1.Henry Austin Bruce (1815–95), Home Secretary in Gladstone’s first Cabinet, 1868, and mainly identified with the reform of the licensing laws. Raised to the peerage in 1873 as Baron Aberdare. 2.Henry P.Cobb, Liberal M.P., Warwickshire South East, 1885–95. 3.Committee stage of the Allotments Act (1887) Amendment Bill. Hansard, 3, 344, cols. 267–306, 6 May 1890. 1.First Exhibition of the Silk Association of Great Britain and Ireland. The Times, 7 May 1890, p. 7. 2.Wilbraham, 2nd. Baron Egerton of Tatton, 7 St. James’s Square. 1.By Arthur W.Pinero (1855–1934), first performed on 23 April 1890. 2.Stage name for Arthur Cecil Blunt, an actor who performed at many London theatres.

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who is quite thrown away on such a piece; very good acting by Mr. Weedon Grossmith3 and much too much of vulgar Mrs. John Wood. But the British public seems to like it, for the place was crammed and with people one knew, including H.R.H. of Wales, and her five children. I am afraid there is a backward wave in dramatic taste just now. There is hardly a play going on one cares to see. Saturday 10 May 9 Lowndes Square In the evening to Lady Burdett Coutts ‘to meet Stanley’.1 ‘What a little man!’ is one’s first exclamation. He looks wiry and to use Rainald’s expression ‘hard-bitten’, and his expression was of being hideously bored, as I dare say he was. Monday 12 May 9 Lowndes Square We went to the first Richter concert1 and a more magnificent one I never heard—there was not a dull note from beginning to end. Wagner’s ‘Vorspiel’ to the Meistersinger which even Rainald might call ‘a nice noise’, it is so tuneful and easy to understand: ditto to Parsifal, which I should like to hear again before one can understand it; Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony, with such a lovely Adagio, one of Liszt’s wild Hungarian Rhapsodies and Beethoven’s C minor Symphony, which I should like to hear regularly every Monday for 3 months. I know the Adagio well which makes it extra delightful. Wednesday 14 May The Angel, Northampton It is a very singular coincidence that having begun my last journal at Birmingham with a speech from Mr. Goschen, I should begin this one with another speech from Mr. Goschen, but this time at Northampton. Having first presided at a large meeting of our Club Committee, Rainald and I journeyed down through lovely green country. He dined with Mr. Goschen and 10 or 11 others at the George, while I dined with Charlie and Juliet, Mr. Foster,2 the Burtons and Mrs. Lowndes3 at the Angel. It was a magnificent 3.(1847–1912). An actor artist and author who with his brother, George, wrote The Diary of a Nobody in 1892. 1.Burdett-Coutts and her husband had met the explorer at Dover on his arrival back in England on 26 April. D.Stanley (ed.), The Autobiography of Sir Henry Morton Stanley, GCB (1909), p. 418. 1.Series of nine evening concerts held at St. James’s Hall in Regent Street, conducted by Hans Richter. 1. See entry, 12 December 1888. 2. William Henry Foster, Spratton Grange. 3. Wife of the Ruling Councillor of the Knightley Habitation.

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meeting, the great Corn Exchange crammed, with a singularly attentive audience. It was curious to watch their eager, anxious faces. Rainald was in the chair, said his few prefatory words well and was extremely well received,4 better than anyone except Mr. Goschen himself and Mr. Barry, the popular Conservative Ex-Mayor. Mr. Goschen made an excellent speech but nothing like so brilliant as at Birmingham: he is overworked, having spoken the night before at Lord Hartington’s great Unionist banquet at the Crystal Palace.5 But he was extremely ready when some cheers at the mention of Mr. Gladstone revealed the presence of a considerable number of his supporters praising their orderly behaviour and contrasting it with that of their representatives in Parliament. Friday 16 May 9 Lowndes Square In the afternoon to a meeting at Lucy Cavendish1 to hear about a scheme for the establishment of a laundry home for the morally deficent. A thing greatly needed, yet how difficult to draw the line. On to a tea at Mrs. Jeune’s where compared notes with Lady Augusta Noel2 about Lord Albermarle, he is very failing now. Dined with Sir Hussey and Lady Vivian:3 sat between Lord Eustace Cecil and Lord St. Levan,4 both pleasant Delighted to find the former, usually so pessimistic, taking a cheerful view of things. The latter announced that Prince Eddy is to marry his (first) cousins Princess Alice of Hesse.5 A pity. On to Baroness de Worms6 where was Stanley and where his marriage was announced to Miss Dorothy Tennant.7 I think she is bold. Much fun and chaff after dinner with Lord Leigh,8 Sir Hussey and Mr. Beaumont, such pronounced Gladstonians. 4. Sir Rainald remarked, ‘Mr. Goschen occupied a most peculiar position, and one to which be believed would be difficult to find a parallel in Parliamentary history, as he joined one political party without leaving the other’. NH, 17 May 1890, p. 6. 5. In honour of Lord Hartington for his services to the Union. Chamberlain presided over a gathering of more than 1100 people from all over the country. 1.(1841–1926). Widow of Lord Frederick Cavendish, murdered in Phoenix Park, Dublin, May 1882. Lucy Cavendish, a prominent social reformer wrote an article for the New Review entitled ‘What is to be done with the morally deficient?, 1890, 2, pp. 212–20. Her suggestion was to place them with voluntary religious institutions rather than practise compulsory confinement or euthanasia. See also J. Bailey (ed.) The Diary of Lady Frederick Cavendish (1927), i, p. xxiv. 2.Daughter of George Keppel, 6th. Earl of Albermarle, second wife of Ernest Noel, former Liberal M.P., Dumfries, 1874–86. 3.Sir Henry Hussey Vivian, 1st. Bart., Independent Liberal M.P., Swansea, 1885–93, and his third wife, Averil. 4.John St. Aubyn, created Baron St. Levan, 1887. 5.Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence (1864–92), eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales. The marriage did not take place. Princess Alix (Alexandra) married Nicholas II of Russia in 1894. 6.Sarah, wife of Henry, 2nd. Baron de Worms, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, Conservative M.P., East Toxteth, 1885–95. 7.Daughter of Charles Tennant and an artist whose paintings were exhibited at the Royal Academy and other galleries. 8.Henry Leigh, 2nd. Baron of Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.

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Monday 19 May 9 Lowndes Square I, LMK, did perform the alarming task of making a speech at the annual meeting of the Ladies Grand Council of the Primrose League at Princes Hall, Piccadilly, which was cram full. Lady Jersey spoke first, delivering one of her really eloquent orations—the end quite carried one away and gave one a lump in one’s throat. My address was practical, on Ladies’ County Conferences.1 I confess I was most unusually nervous, but my darling was there, which was an immense comfort, and I got through all right though my bonnet nearly came off in the middle, which was very upsetting. People were very kind to me afterwards and in the evening at Lady Salisbury’s Primrose party. I went in the afternoon to tea at Lambeth, where an interesting discussion between Mrs. Childers2 (against) and Mrs. Herbert (for) Women’s Suffrage. I am afraid we shall never get it. Manhood suffrage will come to the front too soon and render it impossible. Wednesday 21 May 9 Lowndes Square Went to be photographed and then to debate the report of Working Ladies’ Guild with Mrs. Dundas1 in the afternoon to the Committee where things went much more smoothly than of late: I think we are going to win. On to some very stupid acting at Lady Magheramorne’s.2 In the evening to the birthday party at the Foreign Office, not such a crowd as usual and rather interesting as we had such a good view of Queen Isabella of Spain,3 a fat ugly old woman enough, but still one is glad to have seen her as a bit of history: the Spanish marriages do seem such ages ago. The King of the Belgians4 also there, much aged in the nearly 10 years that have passed since he came up to Mr. Lowe5 who was riding with Rainald and who mistaking him for Mr. Mundella5 snubbed him handsomely. Poor Lord Sherbrooke there too, sadly changed. 1.PLG, 24 May 1890, p. 3. 2.Katharine Anne, wife of Hugh C.E.Childers. 1.Alice Louisa, wife of Hon. John Charles Dundas, Liberal Unionist supporter. 2.Caroline, wife of Sir James McGarel-Hogg, Conservative M.P., Hornsey, 1885–7 when he was created 1st. Baron Magheramorne. 3.Queen Isabella II (1830–1904). 4.Leopold II (1835–1909). 5.Robert Lowe, created Viscount Sherbrooke, 1880, a former Chancellor of Exchequer and Home Secretary who introduced ‘payment by results’ in schools. He suffered from poor eyesight. A.Patchett Martin, Life and Letters of Viscount Sherbrooke (1893), ii, p. 470. 6.Anthony John Mundella (1825–97), Liberal M.P., Brightside, Sheffield, 1885–97, Vice-President of the Committee of the Privy Council on Education, 1880–5 and President of the Board of Trade, 1886.

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Sunday 1 June Richmond Park 1

Louisa Boucherett came to tea with Lady Ellis,2 and talked a good deal about woman’s suffrage. I am in despair about it. If we got it it might save us from universal suffrage, but we shan’t Saturday 7 June 9 Lowndes Square Such a nice day! Mrs. Ellis and her daughter to talk GFS, then E.Honywood, then a fly into Sloane Street and Woollands1 alive with pretty girls. Then, by way of a great exception, to luncheon with Lady Dorothy Nevill. An amusing party, Mrs. Maxwell (Miss Braddon)2 whose acquaintance, however, I did not make, Lady Ruth Baillie,3 Sir Redvers Buller,4 Mr. Phillips (art critic), Sir A. Haliburton,5 Mr. Knowles of the Nineteenth Century and Dr. Jessopp of Arcady.6 I sat between the two last, both very pleasant, having been asked to meet the latter by reason of our correspondence last year about Sotterley Church. In the evening to a smart and pleasant party at Lady Borthwick’s. A long talk to Sir W.Hart Dyke7 about the new Code and specially drawing; he promises not to hurry the little schools. 1.Louisa Boucherett (1821–95), Jessie’s elder sister, was also involved in feminine issues but particularly the boarding out scheme for workhouse children for which she campaigned over many years. 2.Lady Mary Ann Ellis, member of the LGC, and wife of Sir John Whittaker Ellis, 1st. Bart, former Lord Mayor of London, 1881–2. They resided at Buccleuch House, Richmond, Surrey. 1.Woollands of Knightsbridge, renowned for fashionable tea gowns. 2.Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1837–1915), novelist, wife of John Maxwell. 3.Lady Ruth Baillie-Hamilton, daughter of George, 11th. Earl of Haddington. 4.Adjutant-General, 1890–7. 5.Sir Arthur Lawrence Haliburton, Assistant Under-Secretary of State for War, 1888–91. 6.Revd. Augustus Jessopp (1823–1914), rector of Scarning, Norfolk, author and antiquarian. Arcadia, for Better, for Worse (1887), consisted of articles previously published in the Nineteenth Century. 7.(1837–1931) Vice-President of the Committee of the Privy Council on Education, 1887–92. Conservative M.P., Dartford, 1885–1906.

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Friday 13 June 9 Lowndes Square Did a ‘joint’ Primrose League Committee in the morning, even there I see how unpopular the Government proposals are. The Duchess of Albany came to luncheon, with Sir R. and Lady Collins1 and Fraulein von Raeder. Talked of Bismarck’s ‘dimissal′. Mrs. Frank Russell (Phillippa Baillie)2 says the Emperor, the day after B. had said, not in earnest, he would resign, sent three times for his resignation! And the Duchess says that, from something he said to the Queen when he was at Osborne, he has long been thinking of it. In the evening to the Palace Concert, poor Rainald not able to go on account of the division on these tiresome licensing clauses, Mr. Courtney3 having refused to put the closure. Only a majority of 32, very small.4 Sunday 15 June 9 Lowndes Square Mr. Rowsell1 preached an excellent sermon on the words taken from the Gospel, ‘Compel them to come in’. Manly, positive, vigorous, making one reflect, what am I doing to forward Christ’s work in the world (can I do more?), and he ended with the wise and true reminder that what we are rather than what we say exercises the most real influence. I wish I saw my way to do more for our own servants. A Bible class for the maids—could it be put in? And then down at home in the villages—could I not visit more regularly? I am always so afraid of public work interfering with private.

1.Sir Robert Hawthorn Collins (1841–1908), former Comptroller of the Duchess of Albany’s Household, and his wife, Mary Wightwick. 2.Wife of Maj.-General Frank S.Russell. 3.Leonard Courtney (1832–1918), chairman of Committee of Ways and Means and Deputy Speaker. 4.On the Committee Stage of the Local Taxation (Customs and Excise) Duties Bill. Ayes, 275; Noes, 243. Hansard, 3, 345, cols. 843–946, 13 June 1890. 1.Revd.Herbert Rowsell, vicar of Christ Church, Down Street, Mayfair from 1886.

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Monday 16 June 9 Lowndes Square At night to one of Miss Leslie’s charming little parties. She introduced to me Sir Alfred Lyall,1 whose book on Warren Hastings I am just reading. He is a Radical on all but Home Rule so we didn’t agree much, but he says he thinks Mr. Stanley’s speeches2 are not so much meant to embarrass the Government as by concert to stir up public opinion to strengthen Lord Salisbury’s hands. M.Ribot’s3 bitter speech in the Chamber about our evacuating Egypt should serve to bring England and Germany together in Africa, and to prove how complicated are our foreign relations, France keeps open the old running sore of the Newfoundland fisheries4 as a means of bringing pressure to bear on us in Egypt. Meantime, twice a day Rainald comes back disgusted from the House of Commons; the Government are in a mess and no mistake. Those licensing clauses though right in themselves are doing no end of harm, and then Mr. Matthews row with Mr. Monro5 of the police is a terrible business. Discontent in the police would be serious. Wednesday 18 June Richmond Park The great news of the day is that an agreement has been come to between us and Germany about Africa which appears to me just and satisfactory and we give up Heligoland, which as far as I can judge pleases the Germans and don’t hurt us in the least. 1.Sir Alfred Comyn Lyall (1835–1911), Indian civil servant and author. Member of the India Council, London, 1887–1902. Warren Hastings (1889), was published by Macmillans. 2.At Edinburgh 8 and 11 June on the future of the East African Company. 3.Alexandre Felix Ribot, Foreign Minister, March, 1890–3. 4.See The Times, 5 June 1890, p. 6., for background to French claims to Newfoundland fishing rights. 5.James Monro, Chief Commissioner, Metropolitan Police, resigned in protest at the Police Superannuation Bill which was to be introduced. His views on superannuation were opposed to those of the Home Secretary, Henry Matthews. Hansard, 3, 345, cols. 845–8, 13 June 1890.

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Thursday 19 June 9 Lowndes Square I drove with Lady Francis and Lillie and later had a visit from Sir Fowell Buxton.1 He is on the Board of Directors of the British East Africa2 Company who met today and seemed, he says, very well pleased with the arrangement with Germany especially with getting rid of the Germans from Witu,3 which has been a great thorn in our side. There never was anything like the German delight at getting Heligoland. It is a wonderful bit of history making we are looking on at. Friday 20 June 9 Lowndes Square In the morning Primrose League Committee, Lady Salisbury in a great state of delight at the acquisition of Zanzibar,1 which she says is the greatest blow at the slave trade that has been struck since the days of Wilberforce. Stanley too is more than content. Altogether I think it is an immense step towards the formation of that African empire which it is our manifest destiny to found, and yet, men’s minds are far more fixed on the petty details of the licensing question than on this great achievement, fraught as it is with the destinies of millions alike of the black and of the white men. People have no imagination. Saturday 21 June 9 Lowndes Square In the morning an interesting visit from Miss Routledge, Secretary to the Women’s Trades Union,1 wanting me to speak at their annual meeting which I cannot do, for I cannot risk appearing on the same platform as Lady Dilke2 or Mrs. Besant.3 She very much confirms the view taken by the Sweating Committee that legislation can do nothing and that foreign immigration is only a small part of the question. Combination among the 1.Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, 3rd. Bart. (1837–1915), son of the slave trade abolitionist. 2.Chairman, 1888–95. 3.A sultanate on the Kenyan coast. 1.The Times, 20 June 1890, p. 5. 1.The Women’s Trade Union League developed in 1889 from Mrs. Emma Paterson’s Women’s Protective and Provident League, and became a more militant organization. 2.Formerly Emilia Frances Pattison, an historian of French art, she was active in the suffrage movement and became involved in the Women’s Trades Union League. 3.Annie Besant (1847–1933), wife of Revd. Frank Besant, and legally separated in 1873. Became an ally of Bradlaugh and the Secularists. She joined the Fabian Society in 1885. Organised the matchmaker’s strike in 1888 and helped establish their union.

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women themselves is of course the best remedy but very difficult to bring about. They have not the pluck or the energy, distrust each other and rather suspect and resent patronage, though less than the men who always suspect some ulterior motive. The Consumers’ League won’t work because of the difficulty of tracing the garments whose different stages are passed through in many different parts of London. It is all most interesting and one only regrets the impossibility of doing anything. Thursday 26 June 9 Lowndes Square 1

Ladies’ Sanitary Association Committee in the morning, only Lady Leigh2 and I there but many new ideas put into our heads. She and I if all is well are to represent LSA at the big Sanitary gathering next year. I undertook to try and get H.Cartwright’s evidence as to the treatment of the nurses at the London Hospital for the Committee of Enquiry into Hospitals generally under Lord Thring.3 Our tract on Burial Reform going out and much liked, bringing many enquiries from clergy etc. LSA does very good work in a quiet way. Thursday 3 July 9 Lowndes Square I am dull and worried about my darling, who is so terribly bothered about money. We can’t go on long but he wishes to wait till he is out of Parliament. Friday 4 July 9 Lowndes Square In the morning to Primrose League Committee—two—the Duchess now won’t come if Lady Salisbury is there, so childish! At luncheon Mr. and Mrs. Kendal Grimston,1 Miss Graham-Montgomery,2 Augustus Hare3 and Miss Leslie did very well. Mrs. Kendal is charming, so natural and unaffected, bubbling over with fun and good humour and he too is very pleasant. At night the Palace ball, where I had a little talk with Mr. Chamberlain. 1.Founded in 1857. 2.Caroline, née Grosvenor, wife of Henry, 2nd. Baron Leigh. 3.Henry, Baron Thring (1818–1907), first official parliamentary draftsman, 1868–86 1.William Kendal (1843–1917), the actor manager and his wife, Margaret, known as Madge Kendal (1849–1935). 2.Evelyn Henrietta, daughter of Sir Graham Graham-Montgomery, 3rd. Bart., of Strobo Castle, Peebleshire. 3.Augustus John Hare (1834–1903), author of the six-volume work, Story of My Life, (1896–1900).

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Saturday 5 July 9 Lowndes Square Mr. Chamberlain said last night that he thought the Government had been hardly done by their supporters who encouraged them to persevere with the licensing clauses, making light of the opposition, and then when it came to the point, left them in the lurch. Rainald was talking to Lord Cadogan1 about it and expressing his surprise at sensible men meddling with such a thorny question. ‘But we all thought the scheme so ingenious’, he replied. Just what Rainald said, ‘too clever by half’. I can’t help fancying they are all quarrelling among themselves. Saturday 12 July 9 Lowndes Square I went along (Rainald oddly enough was not invited) to the marriage of Mr. Stanley and Miss Dorothy Tennant in Westminster Abbey. It was a fine sight in some ways, the Abbey thronged with people, among whom at every turn one recognized some one of note, but the sun shone not and the bridegroom was so ill1 that all yesterday it was thought the marriage must be put off and only infinite pluck brought him to the point. As he sat waiting for his bride and surrounded by the men who have braved so many dangers and hardships under his command, one could not help wondering if his thoughts went back to the dreadful forest and the pygmies, and dwelt on the marvellous contrast with the present scene. I wonder too what sort of a man he really is—one hears such strange stories. She looked flushed and handsome, but very happy, but I think she is a bold woman. Altogether it is certainly a thing to have seen and the more one talks to those who understand the more one sees how Stanley’s expeditions have facilitated the making of this Anglo-German agreement2 which Bismarck says he never would have signed and which Agnes Lentz is furious at. Lord Salisbury made on Thursday a most cautious, moderate speech on the subject, dull and disappointing I thought it, till Rainald pointed out how unwise it would have been of him to swagger. Sir Richard Temple says it is the sixth most important place to us out of this country, thus: Gibraltar, Malta, Aden, Hong Kong, Singapore, Zanzibar. And our foolish people are not satisfied. 1.George Henry, 5th Earl Cadogan (1840–1915), Lord Privy Seal, 1886–92. 1.Stanley was suffering from a renewed attack of gastritis, which had nearly killed him in Africa. 2.Second reading of the Anglo-German Agreement Bill, conceding Heligoland to Germany in exchange for Zanzibar. Hansard, 3, 346, cols. 1258–71, 10 July 1890.

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Monday 14 July 9 Lowndes Square Went up to a very interesting little meeting at Mrs. Jeune’s, to discuss the best means of raising the age of consent to marriage in India.1 Lord Reay2 presided, Princess Christian and the Duchess of Connaught3 were there. Indian officials of various kinds spoke and the best speech of the day was made by Lady Jersey.4 It is an intensely interesting and most difficult question. In the afternoon to the garden party at Marlborough House, saw the Queen, which is always a real pleasure to me. Rainald talked to Lord Salisbury who said he was as surprised as anyone at the opposition to the Licensing Clauses. Tuesday 15 July 9 Lowndes Square In the afternoon to the Annual Meeting of the Women’s Suffrage, where I first tumbled backwards off the platform and then made a short speech. Friday 18 July 9 Lowndes Square A very amusing luncheon at Mrs. Jeune’s. Mr. Oscar Wilde, Mr. Hardy, Mr. Mallock and two Americans, Mr. Nelson Page1 and Mrs. Moultrea. Oscar Wilde is very absurd, chattering bombastic nonsense, and immensely delighted because the St. James’s has abused a story of his in Lippincote’s Magazine2 as improper, with the result of causing it to sell like wildfire. 1.It was customary for girls to be married immediately before puberty. 2.Donald James Mackay, 11th. Baron Reay (1839–1921), Governor of Bombay, 1885–90. 3.Princess Louise of Prussia, wife of Prince Arthur, Commander-in-Chief, Bombay, 1886–90. 4.The Earl and Countess of Jersey had recently returned from an 18 month tour of India. 1.The conference began on 12 July 1890 and was held at Wilton Crescent, the residence of Col. Edward Thomas Cotton, Conservative M.P., Wirral, 1885–1900. 1.Oscar Wilde (1854–1900), the playwright; Thomas Hardy (1840–1928), the novelist, a frequent visitor to Lady Jeune’s; William Hurrell Mallock (1849–1923), author of novels and political articles and books; Thomas Nelson Page (1853–1922), writer. 2.An American magazine containing articles on literature, science and education, published in Philadelphia, 1868–1915.

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Wednesday 23 July 9 Lowndes Square Had positively no engagements all day; drove with Nora, saw sundry people, notably Lady Abercromby, with whom a little Court talk. Miss Phipps and Miss McNeil have succeeded Lady Ely and Miss Stopford1…But we both agreed that too much court life would not suit us in the first place as Lord Carnarvon once wrote from Balmoral, ‘It is like being in the “room”′, and then it requires an utter sinking of one’s own individuality, which I for one could never achieve. I am certainly a bad courtier. In the evening to a crowded party at Lady Hayter’s and another at Mrs. Childers’. Very Home Ruly! Wednesday 30 July Fawsley We came down to Canons Ashby, where was a Primrose fête of the Dryden and Beatrice Habitations, sadly dampened by Colonel Cartwright’s death and the consequent absence of all that energetic family. Major Blackwood1 took the chair, and Rainald and a Mr. Walsh2 spoke, well, shortly and to the point, but there was a great want of ‘go’ about the business. Wednesday 6 August Fawsley My darling went over to Daventry, went to see Mr. Willoughby1 with a view to borrowing some more money and came back with the—to me—appalling statement that the mortgage 1.Lady Julia Duncan, Lady of the Bedchamber, wife of George Ralph, 4th. Baron Abercromby; Harriet Phipps, a Woman of the Bedchamber; Miss Ina McNeil, the Queen’s secretary; Jane, Marchioness of Ely, Lady-in-Waiting, who had died in June; Horatia Stopford, Maid of Honour and Bedchamber Woman in Ordinary, sister of Revd. Frederick Stopford, rector of Titchmarsh. 1.Maj. Price Frederick Blackwood, The Lodge, Towcester, Ruling Councillor of the Hesketh Habitation. 2.Mr.V.Hussey Walsh, London, addressed the meeting on the Allotments Act. Northampton Daily Chronicle, 31 July 1890, p.3.

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he is now about to execute will bring up the debt on the property to very nearly £100,000, the interest on which £4000 represents fully half the income. The fact is that bad times have reduced the income about £3000 a year, and we have been going on much the same as before bad times came. Now however there can be no question about it—we must retrench and have quite decided after this one more winter to do so. It will be a sad wrench in many ways but it must be done. May God help my darling through what to him must be very painful. Friday 8 August Fawsley Mr. Walker, the art manager of the English Illustrated Magazine, came down to look at the place with a view to illustrating the article I am to write. Beatrice Cartwright came to luncheon and went with us to a fête of the Knightley habitation at Badby House.1 It was much the same as all other entertainments and deadly dull. Rainald, Mr. Lane-Fox and I spoke to a very attentive audience. Tuesday 26 August Fawsley Spent a long morning over accounts with Charlie, with the result that we think we see our way to economies amounting to nearly £2000 by discharging 6 servants and giving up hunting and our winter party. The worst is that Rainald says we must go away for a year in order to inaugurate the new system. But it is quite touching to see how my darling thinks of everyone but himself, won’t reduce the old men, etc, and disagreeable as it all is, there is no bitterness in it Friday 24 October Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh Wednesday, my precious darling’s birthday. May God help him and God be thanked for 21 years of undoubted happiness. On the latter day, a meeting was held at Towcester of the Executive of the Conservative Association, to which was communicated his determination not to stand again.1 40 years he will have held the seat if all goes well till ‘92, and for many reasons I am sure it is a wise decision. He carries his bat out, and with the disastrous Eccles election before us,2 we can never tell what might happen. 1.Of Willoughby and Burton, solicitors. 1.DE, 9 Aug. 1890. p. 1. 1.Northampton Daily Chronicle, 22 Oct, 1890, p.3. 2.By-election on 23 Oct. caused by death of Conservative M.P., Hon. Alfred John Egerton. Henry John Roby, Liberal, was elected by 4901 to 4696 votes.

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Tuesday 26 October Tullyallan, Kincardine on Forth Immensely pleased by the very nice notice in the Herald on Rainald’s retirement,1 and even more by an extract from the Manchester Guardian, describing him to a nicety: ‘sagacious and dignified’ is my darling all over.2 Tuesday 4 November Fawsley Rainald went off to the meeting at Towcester, called to select a candidate, Mr. T.Melville Cartwright was unanimously chosen.1 He has worked so hard it could hardly be otherwise, but there was no enthusiasm and one or two of the farmers told Rainald they considered the seat gone. My darling was extremely well received not at all the case of the setting neglected for the rising sun. Sunday 16 November Fawsley A happy home week, not many events…Wednesday, a lovely day, Rainald went beaking and I spent a long afternoon in Badby, ending up at the Arch, where old Tom Bull and Mrs. Bull told me ghost stories to my heart’s content, sitting in the gloaming till I felt half nervous at coming back alone through the wood. What a goose I am. 1.See NH, 25 Oct. 1890, p. 3, outlining Sir Rainald’s parliamentary career from 1852 to his final election in 1886. 2.It referred to him as ‘the beau ideal’ of a Tory member. Manchester Guardian, 24 Oct 1890, p, 5. 1.DE, 8 Nov. 1890, p. 1.

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Monday 17 November 37 Wimpole Street Came on here and found sitting with Mary Jeune, Sir William Mackinnon, Chairman of the East Africa Company and of the Emin Relief Committee. Talked a little of all the horror. I am afraid there is no doubt Barttelot1 was brutally cruel, perhaps mad at the last. General Brackenbury2 warned Stanley not to take him and even told Sir Walter his son was not fit for such an expedition. Mrs. Jameson, against their advice, has printed her husband’s3 own account of his own doings which is practically an admission. The other great topic is the all-but failure of the great house of Baring,4 brought about by the mad speculations in Argentine securities of Lord Revelstoke, who is to leave the house. The Rothschilds tried to pull them through but could not: only the Bank of England has managed it and they are not safe yet. Sunday 23 November Firle All entirely absorbed in the Archbishop of Canterbury’s judgment in the Bishop of Lincoln’s case.1 I may say at once that the prayers of the Church have been heard, and that a more able, profound, just and conciliatory decision it is impossible to imagine. He traces back all the ceremonies impugned to their usage or non-usage in the primitive Church bringing authorities of every school to bear: decides against the Bishop on two points and for him on the others, tells him that all that is lawful is not expedient, administers a well deserved and most dignified rebuke to the Church Association, and most cleverly contrives to divest almost all the points of the doctrinal significance attempted to be attached to them. 1.Maj. Edmund Musgrave Barttelot, 7th Fusiliers, joined Stanley’s expedition, Jan. 1887, to relieve Emin Pasha, a Prussian Silesian, working for the Khedive. Emin was unable to return from Central Africa because of theMahdi revolt. Barttelot was shot in the heart by an Arab in July 1888. See J.Bierman, Dark Safari. The Life Behind the Legend of Henry Morton Stanley (1991), p. 308. 2.Sir Henry Brackenbury (1837–1914), Director of Military Intelligence, 1886–91. 3.James Sligo Jameson accompanied Stanley on the Relief Expedition and died of haematuric fever, 1888. 4.The City banking firm. 5.Edward Charles Baring, Baron Revelstoke (1828–97), C.R. (Bobby) Spencer’s father-in-law. 1.The judgment was delivered by Benson on 21 November. A.C.Benson, The Life of Edward White Benson (1899), ii, pp. 358–65, and The Times, 17 Nov. 1890, p. 9, and 18 Dec. 1890, p. 6.

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Wednesday 26 November Firle Parliament met yesterday and actually passed the address in one night,1 the Opposition being all to pieces on the question of whether Mr. Parnell shall or shall not continue to lead the Irish party after his recent appearance in the Divorce Court in the case of O’Shea v. O’Shea.2 Mr. Gladstone says he ain’t to and he says nothing but treats them all with supreme contempt and remains, his own party having re-elected him chairman. Oh, it is a very pretty quarrel as it stands. What a month this has been! The Barttelot Jameson revelations, the all but destruction of the great house of Baring, the Archbishop’s judgment and now this, besides Dr. Koch’s cure for consumption which seems as great a discovery as vaccination.3 The loss of the Serpent4 and the death of the King of Holland5 to boot. Saturday 29 November Firle New developments in the Parnell business: Mr. Parnell has published a manifesto to the Irish people revealing all manner of confidential communications made to him last year by Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Morley as to the lines of the Irish Home Rule bill they propose to bring in when they come in to office, a measure which by no means (he says) satisfies his aspirations.1 Of course we await their answer, but meanwhile I really do trust that, to use Rainald’s phrase, Home Rule is as dead as a door nail. I am really sorry for Mr. Gladstone. 1.On the Queen’s Speech. Hansard, 3, 349, cols. 39–100, 25 Nov. 1890. 2.Capt. W.H.O’Shea obtained a divorce from his wife, Katharine, on grounds of her adultery with Parnell. The verdict was given on 19 Nov. 3.Professor Dr. Robert Koch, German pioneer bacteriologist, had produced a lymph innoculation for tuberculosis which proved to be ineffectual. 4.A recently commissioned cruiser, HMS Serpent, was totally lost in a force 8 wind on the evening of 10 Nov. off the north-east Spanish coast. Only three of the crew survived from a complement of 240 officers and men. 5.William III died on 23 November; his two sons predeceased him. 1.The Times, 29 Nov. 1890, p. 9, and F.S.L.Lyons, Charles Stewart Parnell (1977), pp. 502–12.

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Friday 5 December Weeting, Brandon, Norfolk The Parnell battle has been going on all the week,1 the Irish party hopelessly divided meeting every day and sitting for hours amid such language and such recriminations as can never be forgotten. Finally they have agreed that Parnell shall resign the leadership of the party if the leaders of the Liberal party will pledge themselves in a future Home Rule bill to hand over the control of the Constabulary and the land question to the Irish Parliament. What a fix for G.O.M. to be in. Monday 8 December Fawsley Mr. Parnell has been deposed or rather the majority of his party have seceded from him. Remains to be seen which way Ireland goes. Reading the charming Journals of Sir. W.Scott, now first published as a whole.1 It is a sad book but makes one like him so much. Thursday 11 December Fawsley Sir Walter says that Dr. Johnson told Boswell not to write about the weather, but I defy you if you live in the country. Friday and Saturday were dense fogs all day, on Saturday the frost very severe, 13°, Sunday an ideal winter day, bright sun and trees all covered with rime, yesterday a slight fall of snow, today back to raging east wind. All these days Rainald and I have done nothing but tramp round the Dingle and discuss the screaming Irish farce. Ireland is torn in pieces between the two parties, who are speaking and demonstrating all over the place, having a free fight over the newspaper United Ireland of which each party now issues an edition ‘the uncrowned king wielding a crowbar with his own royal hands’, the mob singing ‘we’ll hang Timmy Healy on a sour apple tree’, at Mallow Mr. Parnell nearly assaulted in his railway carriage by a furious mob and both parties struggling to win the Kilkenny election1 while we in England are waiting anxiously for the result of yesterday’s election in the Bassetlaw division of Nottinghamshire.2 It is a beautiful object lesson in Home Rule. 1.The Times, 5 Dec. 1890, p. 7. 1.J.G.Tait (ed.), The Journal of Sir Walter Scott (1890), 2 vols. 1.Declared on 23 Dec., it was a victory for the anti-Parnellite candidate, Sir John Pope Hennessey, who secured 2527 votes and his opponent, Vincent Scully, 1365 votes. 2.On 16 Dec., Sir Frederick Milner, Conservative candidate, was returned with an increased majority. The seat had become vacant due to the death of the sitting Conservative member, William Beckett.

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Wednesday 17 December Alexandra Club, 12 Grosvenor Street Rainald and I went to London on some lawyer business. The Daventry bank having changed hands, it has become necessary for him to pay off the floating debt incurred for stocking the farms. He is also at the same time paying off an old mortgage of £6000. To do this he is obliged to execute a fresh mortgage of £31,000, 1 to which my jointure and pin money have to be postponed and again, like last year, I had to explain before a Commissioner that I knew all about it. Monday 22 December Fawsley Still reading about Antony’s Cleopatra.1 What awfully wicked times they were: one needs to read about them to see what Christianity has done. 1.Mortgage, 17 Dec. 1890, Knightley Papers, Acc. 1967/174/183, NRO. 1.LMK and Sir Rainald had attended a performance of Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra at the Princess’s Theatre on 17 Dec. in which Lillie Langtry took the title role.

*1891* Sunday 1 February Fawsley Yesterday we drove to Dodford and Weedon and coming back found that a Home Rule van has been at Everdon with pictures of evictions. But they find ‘assisted education’ a very difficult topic to deal with1 …The most important event is the death of Mr. Bradlaugh.2 I had always hoped that he might have lived to see the error of his ways. But one could not help respecting him. Monday 2 February Fawsley Hunted for the second time this season, from Stowe: only cantered about but it was very pleasant. I do not like to think that my hunting days are nearly over. Lord Penryhn,1 alas, gives up the hounds at the end of this season and Frank Beers2 who has been huntsman for more than 20 years is gone out of his mind. Who is to take them, no body knows: the Duke of Grafton3 is so cranky, he will neither take them himself nor let anybody else. Tuesday 3 February Fawsley Much excitement about the Northampton election. Mr. Manfield a local radical it is supposed will stand, in which case we had much better not fight.1 1.In his speech at Nottingham on 26 Nov. 1889, Salisbury had drawn attention to the need for ‘assisted education’ in schools. The difficulties of implementing this proposal are explored in G.Sutherland, Policy-making in Elementary Education 1870–1895 (1973), pp. 292–5. 2.On 30 Jan. 1891. 1.George Sholto, 2nd. Baron Penrhyn, Master of the Grafton Hounds, 1882–91. 2.Appointed as huntsman at the age of 26, Beers served from 1862 to 1890. See J.M.K.Elliott, Fifty Years Fox-Hunting with the Grafton and other Packs of Hounds (1900), pp. 90–7. 3.Augustus Charles Lennox, 7th. Duke of Grafton. 1.With the death of Charles Bradlaugh, M.P. for Northampton since 1880, on 30 Jan. 1891, a byelection was called for 12 Feb. Moses Philip Manfield, Liberal, gained 5436 votes and his opponent, R.A. Germaine, Conservative, 3723.

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Wednesday 4 February Fawsley Rainald went off to London to vote against Mr. Gladstone’s ‘Religious Disabilities Removal’ bill, commonly called the ‘Ripon Russell Relief’ bill. It was thrown out by 33,1 but with his usual dexterity he has thrown a bomb (doubtless persuading himself that it is from the highest motives). The Duke of Norfolk writes an angry letter2 and people like Harry are annoyed while on the other hand the Nonconformists are angry with some of the Unionists for going with Mr. Gladstone. Went to Daventry for a social gathering, Primrose League. I, Mr. Cartwright and Mr. a Beckett Terrell3 made three as dull speeches as any body need wish to hear.4 They came back here to dine and sleep. Monday 9 February Fawsley We went to a Primrose League meeting at Moreton Pinkney, where I spoke for 20 minutes on Assisted Education and the Eight Hours bill,1 and Mr. Orlebar2 for 45, too long. Wednesday 11 February Fawsley Busy trotting about in the morning with Mr. Catterson Smith, the artist whom the English Illustrated Magazine has sent down to make drawings to illustrate my article.1 1.Hansard 3, 349, cols., 1733–99, 4 Feb. 1891. Ayes, 224; Noes, 256. 2.Henry FitzAlan Howard, 15th. Duke of Norfolk: published in The Times, 6 Feb. 1891, p. 7, expressing his indignation at the Government’s response to Gladstone’s Religious Disabilities Removal Bill. 3.Arthur a Beckett Terrell, barrister. 4.Held in the Assembly Hall. In her speech LMK dwelt ‘at some length’ on the Bill. DE, 7 Feb. 1891, p. 1. 1.LMK also spoke on the work of the Primrose League and on Irish affairs. NH, 14 Feb. 1891, p. 7. 2.Richard Orlebar, Burton Latimer, Kettering. 1.The article on Fawsley Park appeared in the July issue. See DE, 4 July 1891, p. 1.

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Thursday 12 February Fawsley Working party and general potter from morning till night. I feel overwhelmed sometimes. The Parnell negotiations1 have all fallen through which is a comfort. Wednesday 18 February Alexandra Club In the evening went with Tiny to the beautiful new English Opera House in Shaftesbury Avenue,1 to see Sir Arthur Sullivan’s Ivanhoe.2 I can’t say we cared for it the music is ‘Wagner and water’, to use Rainald’s phrase. Some of the orchestra music is good, specially in the third act, but there is a truly Wagnerian absence of tune and somehow there is something wrong with the mise en scène; it is pinchbeck and tawdry. Miss McIntyre3 sang well. Thursday 19 February Alexandra Club Luncheon with Mary Jeune who, like everyone else, is full of the baccarat scandal.1 It seems to be thought that the Prince of Wales has acted very injudiciously and that if, as is not impossible, the jury decide in Sir William Gordon-Cumming’s favour, the HRH will be in a very awkward position. 1.In Boulogne, begun towards the end of December between William O’Brien, secretary of the Irish National League, and Parnell, on the terms on which Parnell should resign the leadership. See F.S.L.Lyons, The Fall of Parnell, 1890–91 (1960), pp. 197–202. 1.Now the Palace Theatre, built in 1888–90 for D’Oyly Carte by T.E.Collcutt and G.H.Holloway. 2.A grand opera, composed in 1891, which ran for 160 nights. 3.Margaret Macintyre (1865–1943), British soprano, created the role of Rebecca in Ivanhoe. 1.At a game of baccarat at Tranby Croft, near Hull, on 8 Sept. 1890, at which the Prince of Wales was present, his old friend, Sir William Gordon-Cumming, was accused of cheating: the latter brought a civil action to clear his name in June 1891. The Prince, called as witness, testified against Gordon-Cumming, who lost the case. See V.Cowles, Edward VII and his Circle (1956), pp. 189– 96.

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Sunday 1 March Fawsley My darling is sadly worried about farms and the time for our break up is approaching. Tuesday 3 March Fawsley Sir T., Evie and Sammy departed and my darling went up to vote against Mr. Stansfeld’s1 ‘one man one vote’.2 Wednesday 4 March Fawsley Harry left early and I passed a very disagreeable morning in imparting to the household the resolutions we came to on August 6… but it is all very painful—only it must be done, and we must make the best of it. Sunday 15 March Fawsley On Friday a Mr. Lewis and a Mr. Howerdine came down to interview me for the Gentlewoman,1 at least one came to talk and the other to sketch … We have let Westcomb2 I am thankful to say—thankful, that is, under the circumstances—though I am sorry to give up what has been a great source of interest and taught me a great deal. But we have so much land on our hands and with store beasts so dear may very likely have more. 1.James Stansfeld, Radical M.P., Halifax, 1859–95, President of Local Government Board, 1871–4 and 1886. 2.Hansard, 3, 351, cols. 40–136, 3 March 1891. 1.The interview appeared in the illustrated weekly journal, 4 April 1891, pp. 449–50. 2.Occupied by Benjamin Spencer, farm bailiff on the Fawsley estate, Westcomb House, Great Everdon.

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Good Friday 27 March Fawsley Wheat selling at 35/6d. Store beasts a little cheaper. Friday 3 April Fawsley At home all day. In the evening went to a Primrose League meeting at Newnham, the first meeting of any kind we have ever had there.1 It was nervous work with poor Mr. Durham2 there. However it all went off well and I made what I fancy was rather a good speech. Sir William Charley3 also spoke and Mr. Frank Thornton.4 It was not an enthusiastic audience. I fancy Newnham is rather Radical. Monday 20 April Alexandra Club Came to London with my darling and drove by Dizzy’s statue,1 beautifully decorated with Primrose wreaths and we followed a procession of eight or ten breaks, full of people who were going to deposit a lovely wreath from the Bethnal Green Conservative Association. The spring is so backward primroses are very scarce and I fancy have been less generally worn than usual. 1.Held in a barn belonging to J. Walker. NH, 11 April 1891, p. 6. 2.Revd.Arthur William Durham, curate of St. Michael, Newnham. 3.Conservative M.P., Salford, 1868–80. 4.Alderman, Daventry, 1890–5. 1.By Mario Raggi in Parliament Square where Primrose Day was commemorated annually on 19 April, the anniversary of Beaconsfield’s death ten years previously.

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Sunday 21 April Alexandra Club Sophy Melville and I lunched together here and went to the great meeting of the Primrose League at Covent Garden theatre.1 It was a magnificent sight, that great theatre crammed from top to bottom, the whole audience rising to cheer Lord Salisbury and to sing God Save the Queen, Lady Radnor2 with her lovely voice taking the two first verses. Lord S. spoke extremely well, a thoughtful, statesman-like speech, to be read again and weighed tomorrow. He accentuated the note struck the other day by Henry James, of the attempts of the Roman Catholic bishops and priests in Ireland to exercise political control over their flocks, and said that equally the same thing was attempted by the free church ministers of the North of Scotland and the Congregationalists of Wales. Sacerdotalism is not dead and that old battle against clerical domination will have to be fought as long as the world endures. But when he compared Archbishop Logue3 to Mr. Schnadhorst,4 I confess I thought it a little hasardé.5 Sir A. Borthwick warned us of a new danger in a land restoration van,6 which is just being started through the Eastern counties. Friday 24 April Richmond Park Came to London, had a glimpse of my darling. Can we bear this separation all the summer? Went on to a Primrose League Committee … The budget, very satisfactory, simple and straightforward, no ‘too clever by half tricks’ and the surplus of £2,000,000 to be devoted to free education which will win the agricultural labourers more than anything and, brought in by this Government, save the voluntary schools and denominational education.1 Moreover I have a sort of lurking feeling that when education is compulsory it ought to be free. Remains to be seen how they mean to do it, and how to get it through this session. 1.The Times, 22 April 1891, p. 12. 2.Helen Matilda, wife of William Pleydell-Bouverie, 5th. Earl of Radnor, conductor and one of the founders of the Royal College of Music; celebrated in Hubert Parry’s Lady Radnor’s Suite (1894). 3.Michael Logue, Archbishop of Armagh, 1887–93, an outspoken critic of Parnell. 4.Francis Schnadhorst (1840–1900), secretary of the National Liberal Federation since its formation in 1877 and secretary of the Liberal Central Association, 1886–93. 5.Salisbury stated, ‘I have great reverence for the lawn sleeves and the crozier of an Archbishop, but when I see behind the crozier the familiar features of Mr. Schnadhorst (laughter) my reverence disappears’. The Times, 22 April 1891, p. 12. 6.Vans toured the countryside promoting Liberal policy on Land Reform and distributing literature. 1.Hansard, 3, 352, cols. 1176–1232, 23 April 1891.

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Sunday 26 April Richmond Park Rainald and I went to St. Paul’s where we were much affronted by a sermon from Mr. Lemon,1 crammed with educational statistics and containing a bitter and most ill-judged attack on the labourers, likely to do great harm. Wednesday 13 May Richmond Park Came to London early, did a (tolerably peaceful) Club Committee. After luncheon betook myself to the London Library, the entrance fee to which is Mother and Mite’s birthday present.1 It is a very delightful place and I shall hope to use it a good deal. Read a curious article there in the Antiquary2 on a pamphlet recently discovered in the British Museum written by an eye witness on the execution of Charles I, proving that he lay down and not knelt, on which subject there was such a controversy last year. Mite dined with me at Claridge’s which was very snug and afterwards we betook ourselves to Lady Londonderry’s,3 a big political gathering, admirably done, most of the Government and a well proportioned mixture of smart folk and House of Commons, who liked being asked. The house looked beautiful and set off the smart frocks and jewels galore. I enjoyed congratulating Mr. W.H.Smith on his appointment as Warden of the Cinque ports and on his telling little speech about free education and the London School Board,4 chaffing Mr. Raikes on the illness of his perpetual tormentor Mr. Henniker Heaton,5 discussing the Newfoundland delegates with Sir George Baden-Powell,6 and last but not least being introduced to Mr. Balfour, who however was so surrounded by admirers it was almost impossible to get a word with him. By the way his picture by Alma-Tadema is one of the few I remarked at the R.A.7 Altogether a very amusing evening. 1.Revd. John Lemon, vicar of St. Paul, Kingston Hill, Kingston-on-Thames since 1887. 1.LMK was sponsored by Jessie Boucherett and elected on 11 May 1891. Minutes of the London Library Committee, 1866–99. 2.W.G.Thorpe, ‘New Light on the Execution of Charles I from Contemporary Sources’, The Antiquary, May 1891, 23, pp. 197–200. 3.Theresa Helen, a remarkable character, wife of Charles Stewart, 6th. Marquess of Londonderry, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, 1886–9; their Park Lane mansion was a popular meeting place for Conservative Society. See E.F.Benson, As We Were (1930), pp. 177–9. 4.In his nomination address for re-election for the Strand division, Smith stated that ‘no portion of the cost of free education, or assisted, or whatever you call the change the Government intend to introduce, shall fall upon the rates.’ The Times, 13 May 1891, p. 9. 5.John Henniker-Heaton, Conservative M.P., Canterbury, 1885–1910. Introduced telegraph money orders in England. He frequently put questions to the Postmaster-General, H.C.Raikes. See H.W.Lucy, A Diary of the Salisbury Parliament, 1886–92 (1892), pp. 212–4. 6.British Commissioner, Behring Sea, 1891. 7.The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition was opened to the public on 4 May.

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Thursday 14 May Claridge’s Hotel Ran about all day to the WLG office, to a rather interesting Primrose League Committee, where I was reappointed to the Joint Committee, and where we decided to set on foot a van of our own, a very good way of spending our money. Wednesday 3 June Alexandra Club Lady Henley took me down to the Albert Hall to see the Home Arts and Industries Exhibition. It is wonderful how it has improved. There is really some beautiful work there of all kinds, and I am proud of having some of the Badby work shown. Met there Miss Fanny Calder2 and introduced her to Lady Henley, whereby I hope to start a move for developing technical education under the County Council in Northants… In the Park this morning we met Lord Morris,3 full of the Berkeley Peerage case which is just being retried after having been decided 80 years ago.4 Lord FitzHardinge5 has not a leg to stand upon, but it was awkward for Lord Morris, calling on Lady Waterford6 to have made remarks before an unknown gentleman who proved to be Lord FitzHardinge! 1. Organised by the Home Arts and Industries Association, founded in 1884, to revive and encourage old handicrafts and to develop new design and workmanship. LMK had established a branch at Fawsley which was followed by others throughout South Northants. DE, 16 May 1891, p. 1. 2. Honorary Secretary, Liverpool Training School of Cookery and leading member of the National Union for the Technical Education of Women in the Domestic Sciences, formed in 1889. 3. Michael, Baron Morris (1826–1901), Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, 1887. 4. The Committee for Privileges of the House of Lords was sitting to hear the claim of Randal Thomas Berkeley, descendant of the 4th. Earl of Berkeley, to the title, the legitimate descendants having become extinct. The decision, on 31 July, which recognised Randal Thomas’s claim, was similar to that of Lord Eldon’s 1811 judgment. 5. George Lennox FitzHardinge succeeded to the peerage in 1882, but not having established his right to it, never took his seat. 6. Blanche Elizabeth, second wife of the John Henry, 5th. Marquess of Waterford.

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Saturday 13 June Rolleston Hall, Leicester 1

We went to see Mrs. Guinness at the vicarage and I was delighted to hear how well GFS work is progressing in Harborough, 80 factory girls, and as the outcome of a mission 12 young lady members who take these girls out for walks and otherwise try to influence them. Thursday 25 June Alexandra Club To London Library, where I was very happy for more than an hour hunting Walter Pope, half-brother to Dr. Wilkins and like him born in Fawsley. His life of Seth Ward, Bishop of Salisbury, was almost entertaining.1 Monday 29 June Richmond Park My darling returned to London as the Free Education bill has been occupying the House all the week, and bitter attacks have been made on the Church and religious education.1 1. Wife of Robert Guinness, vicar of St. Dionysius, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, since 1885. 1. Pope’s Life of Seth Ward was published in 1697. Ward (1617–89), was a mathematician, Bishop of Exeter, and later Salisbury. Pope’s half brother, John Wilkins, (1614–72), was vicar of Fawsley, 1637, and Bishop of Chester, 1668. 1. Hansard, 3, 355, cols. 335–416, 4 July 1891, committee stage of the Elementary Education Bill. The Bill received its third reading on 8 July. Its proposal to abolish fee payments to all elementary schools charging less than 10 shillings per year caused concern that free education in state schools would adversely affect the voluntary sector.

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Friday 3 July Richmond Park Went to London for a Primrose League Committee, where a most amusing battle between Lady Salisbury and the Duchess of Marlborough anent our van, which however we carried by a huge majority, greatly to the Duchess’s discomfiture.1 Then a pleasant tête-àtête luncheon with Lady Spencer to discuss technical education for our County. She told me the Duke of Clarence would much like to marry Princess Hélène of Orléans, the Comte de Paris’ daughter, who is quite willing to change her religion, and the Pope has even been approached on the subject but the difficulties are too great and the idea has been abandoned. We agreed he had much better marry Princess May.2 I respect little Princess Alix of Hesse3 who won’t have anything to say to him. Wednesday 8 July Alexandra Club To a pleasant big party at Lady Egerton’s. So sensible of her to give it the night the German Emperor goes in state to the Opera—everybody can’t give £20 for a stall.1 Thursday 9 July Alexandra Club Luncheon with the Carysforts after which Lady Campbell gave me a lift to the Marlborough House garden party. Happily it was a beautiful afternoon, such a relief after the three wet days. I had a good look at the Emperor:1 he is shorter than I expected but 1.At the meeting the Dowager Duchess of Marlborough objected to the use of vans to canvass for the votes of agricultural labourers. The Executive Committee resolved That a van with one Lecturer and a Magic Lantern should be hired from Sept. 15th. to Dec. 15th.’ Primrose League Papers, Minute Book, MS. 12, 3 July 1891. 2.Princess Mary of Teck. 3.Later to marry Nicholas II of Russia. 1.At Covent Garden a programme of operatic excerpts from the works of Gounod, Wagner, Gluck and Meyerbeer, was presented and sung by Jean and Edouard de Reszke, Melba, Albani and other performers. 1.Wilhelm II and his wife, Augusta Victoria, were in London to attend the marriage of Princess Marie Louise, daughter of the Prince and Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, to Prince Aribert of Anhalt.

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has a nice open countenance, and pleasant smile. I could but think sadly of his gallant father, with whom I had quite a little talk not ten yards from where I was gazing at him.2 The Empress is tall and large, not pretty but a pleasing expression. The Queen did not look well, rather cross and red and walked very lame. For the rest there was a greater crowd than ever till one was perfectly dizzy with people. Friday 10 July Alexandra Club Went with Rainald in the morning to the Carlton to see the Emperor go by to the City. It was a stately procession, but I was far back and did not see him at all, he was so sunk back in the state coach, I wonder if he is afraid of being shot at?1 Wednesday 15 July Richmond Park Garden party at Mrs. Hugh Smith’s,1 where I re-made acquaintance with charming Mr. Murray,2 the publisher, and talked to him of his father’s memoir.3

Tuesday 21 July Richmond Park Went up to Buckingham Palace where Prince and Princess Christian received the subscribers to their silver wedding gift. It was a funny little function and a bad substitute for the garden party at Cumberland Lodge to which we were not invited. However, she was so affectionate and nice one felt quite won over again. Afterwards to the Royal Academy which is more than enough to make one despair of the future of British art. 2.On 25 July 1884, Frederick III, then Crown Prince of Germany. Ady, Journals, p. 374. 1.For the report of the visit, see The Times, 11 July 1891, p. 11. 1.Hannah Ralston, wife of Hugh Crawford Smith, a Liberal Unionist supporter. 2.John Murray (1808–92), publisher and writer of guide and travel books, took over the family business from his father, also named John Murray. 3.S.Smiles, A Publisher and his friends: memoranda and correspondence of John Murray, with an account of the house, 1768–1843 (1891).

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Wednesday 22 July Richmond Park I drove over to Wimbledon and had tea with Mr. Murray and his nice daughters, meeting the Dean and Mrs. Liddell,1 and Lady Paget2 and a pleasant daughter. But the great delight was the MSS, seeing the original of The Abbot,3 most beautifully and clearly written, and of Childe Harold,4 with heaps of erasures, and such a bad hand, the hand of an ill-regulated mind, Sir Robert Peel’s speeches, so copiously corrected as to be almost rewritten, a number of letters by Swift, quaint little note books by Gray with notes of travel in different parts of England in the neatest paw. Altogether most interesting, and the people themselves so pleasant. Wednesday 29 July Fawsley A terribly showery, thundery day. However, it cleared later and we betook ourselves to a Primrose fête at Canons Ashby1 where Rainald, T.Cartwright and Col. Eyre.2 The latter made a useful, informing speech, but our candidate was, if possible, duller than ever. Monday 3 August Richmond Park I dined with Mr. Murray at Wimbledon, a very agreeable evening Party, beside our host and his two daughters, the Dean of Christ Church, Mrs. Liddell and Violet, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson1 (a distinguished architect), Mr. Charles Gore,2 Mr. and Mrs. Holland,3 Mr. and Mrs. John Murray, and a Mr. Selby-Bigge.4 I sat next the Dean, who entertained me with a story of the Bishop of London (Temple). Some young lady asked him if he did not think a recently declared low Church preacher, was ‘a saint in the pulpit.′ ‘Well, I don’t know’, replied the Bishop, ‘all I do know is I’ve often been a martyr in the pew.′ 1.Dr. Henry George Liddell, Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, 1855–91, and his wife Lorina. 2.Caroline Isabel, wife of to Sir Richard Horner Paget, 1st. Bart., Conservative M.P., Wells, 1885– 95. 3.A novel by Sir Walter Scott, published in 1820. 4.Byron’s poem in four cantos, published between 1812 and 1818. 1.NH, 1 Aug. 1891, p. 3. 2.Henry Eyre, Conservative M.P., Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, 1886–92. 1.Thomas Graham Jackson (1835–1924), studied under Sir Giles Gilbert Scott; responsible for restoration and additions to libraries, public schools and colleges. 2.(1853–1931) Principal librarian of Pusey House, Oxford, 1884–93, and later Bishop of Worcester, 1902, Birmingham, 1905 and Oxford, 1911. 3.William Henry Holland, cotton and worsted spinner from Manchester, and his wife, May. 4.Lewis Amherst Selby-Bigge (1860–1951), barrister, later Permanent Secretary, Board of Education. 5.Frederick Temple (1821–1902), Bishop of London, 1885–96, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1897– 1902.

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Friday 7 August 10 Kisseliff Strasse, Homburg All yesterday, Thursday August 6, we were getting settled and looking about to see who is here. Homburg, alas, is getting peopled with memories, so many old habitués gone since last time—Mr. Calvert, Sir Montague Smith, Lord Clancarty,1 and now today Lord Dartmouth:2 it must be so as time goes on. It is said to be empty, and the weather has been very bad and is cold. Still there are heaps of friends and acquaintances—Dr. Smith, of the Quarterly, in this house, Theo Cottenham,3 Burga Weyland,4 the Spencers, Alfred Montgomery,5 Christopher Sykes6 (very down on his luck, and predicting the downfall of Homburg), the Duke of Cambridge, Duchess of Buccleuch.′7 Lady Grenfell, Mr. Pemberton, etc. etc. The place looks much as usual, the various small improvements have been effected and one big one—a very handsome new bath—behind the old one at the end of the Allee. Tuesday 11 August 10 Kisseliff Strasse, Homburg Weather and company have improved since last I wrote. Lady Dorothy and Meresia Nevill have arrived, the blind Grand Duke, the Reptons, Harcourts, Sir C. Russell,1 Mr. F.Leveson etc. Saturday we dined with Theo Cottenham. I sat next the Duke of Abercorn,2 and note, as a sign of the times, that all the men lighted up after dinner and he made not the faintest excuse to either Theo or myself … Col. Russell3 talked of the extraordinary impulsiveness and indiscretion of the young Emperor. He has been Military Attaché at Berlin and I hear has had to resign because the Emperor took such a dislike to him, so if he talks indiscreetly to him what must he do to others? He says the Empress is by no means the nonentity she is thought to be, that she 1.William Frederick Trench, 5th. Earl of Clancarty. 2.William Heneage Legge, 6th. Earl of Dartmouth. 3.Theodosia Selina, wife of William Pepys, 3rd. Earl of Cottenham. 4.Burga Henrietta Weyland of Woodeaton, Oxfordshire. 5.Son of Sir Henry Conyngham Montgomery, 1st. Bart. and Commissioner of Inland Revenue. 6.Son of Sir Tatton Sykes, 4th. Bart. of Sledmere, Yorkshire. He was at this time on the verge of bankruptcy. 7.Lady Louisa Jane, wife of the William Henry Scott, 6th. Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry. Mistress of the Queen’s Robes. 1.Sir Charles Arthur Russell, Liberal M.P., South Hackney, 1885–94, Gladstone’s AttorneyGeneral in the 1886 ministry. 2.James Hamilton, 2nd. Duke of Abercorn, Conservative M.P., Co. Donegal, 1860–80, anti-Home Rule and leader of the Irish landlords in the Land War. 3.Col. Frank Russell.

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fills her position extremely well, has immense influence with the Emperor and is as full of tact as the Empress Frederick is deficient in that invaluable quality. Sir Arthur Otway4 told me a story which amused me about Lord John Russell.5 When Sir A. had just gone into the House he was asked to a large ministerial dinner and by some accident found himself seated next his host, then Prime Minister. He passed a most agreeable evening, Lord John talking a great deal to him and drawing him out on every sort of subject. Full of this, he went up to him the next day in the House, but was received with a blank stare and utter absence of recognition. Rainald capped this by saying that Lord John was once talking to a man and said, ‘You ought to be in the House, why don’t you come into the House?’ The answer was, I’ve been in seven years, consistently supporting your Lordship′!! Wednesday 19 August 10 Kisseliff Strasse, Homburg Homburg now is full to overflowing, much later than it used to be, HRH of Wales having arrived on Monday. He waited for a very interesting Congress of Hygiene and Demography held in London.1 (I suppose the latter word means ‘description of the peoples’) to which Lady Leigh2 and I ought to have gone as representing LSA. We have had one or two dinners, one at the Adler with the Otways and Phipps’s, one at the Victoria with Lady Conyers. I sat between Mr. Blennerhassett and Sir West Ridgeway.3 The latter talked a little about his experiences when living for three years in tents when engaged in the delimitation of the Afghan frontier. Like every one else he says the Russians are absolutely untrustworthy, lie for the sheer pleasure of lying, but thinks there is much good in the lower classes. Poor things, they will be half starved I fear this winter: both in Russia and Germany the harvest is much below the average over a great part of Europe and Russia has been obliged to prohibit the exportation of rye with the result that the price in this country is above that of wheat and all the Liberal papers are crying out for a suspension of the import duty on corn … I have also made acquaintance with an agreeable old Mr. George Waldegrave Leslie4 who knows a good deal. He was telling me yesterday of Sir John Rose’s early career and how he went out to Canada originally as a drummer boy, then made his fortune as an avocat and as we all know ended by marrying a Dowager Marchioness and leaving a fortune of £400,000. 1.Opened by the Prince of Wales at St. James’s Hall, 10 Aug. 1891. Attended by experts from many countries who debated a programme of hygiene-related subjects reaching unanimous agreement on the vital importance of sanitation and conditions for healthy growth. EWR, 15 Oct. 1892, p. 281. 2.Lady Caroline, wife of William Henry Leigh, 2nd. Baron of Stoneleigh. 3.Sir Joseph West Ridgeway (1844–1930), Under-Secretary for Ireland, Dublin Castle, 1887–92. 4.Hon. George Waldegrave-Leslie, Liberal M.P., Hastings, 1864–8, frequently employed on confidential business abroad by Palmerston and Beaconsfield. 5.(1820–88) A Scotsman who emigrated in 1836, Montreal lawyer, Solicitor-General, Canada East, 1857–9. Returned to England in 1868 and was knighted ten years later. 6.Julia, widow of Arthur Hay, 9th. Marquess of Tweeddale.

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Tuesday 26 August 10 Kisseliff Strasse, Homburg Another week gone and most pleasantly. Thursday we went over to Frankfurt and visited the Electric Exhibition. As usual or even more than usual the chief impression produced on one’s mind was that of one’s own profound ignorance; but there were some interesting things which one could understand more or less: a telephone through which we could hear an ‘orchestrion’playing of an hour away, a very pretty illustration of the effects producible by electric lighting in a theatre, an electric boat, made of aluminium extracted from clay by electricity and remarkable for its extraordinary lightness, an electric cigar lighter, which we bought and which had nothing to do with electricity, an excellent panorama of New York Harbour etc. … We went to the opera to hear the new opera i.e. Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni. I suppose it has great merits, as it obtained the prize among 200 competitors somewhere in Italy where it made a great furore, but except a very pretty intermezzo I can’t say I care for it. Friday we dined with Lady Julia Wombwell1 and her friend Miss Fleetwood Wilson. I sat between Mr. Atkinson, Solicitor General for Ireland,2 said to be very amusing, but I couldn’t start him, and Mr. Knatchbull Hugessen who made my hair stand on end with the appalling ignorance of one of our legislators. After dinner I had a delightful talk with Mr. Wallop,3 the pleasantest young man I have come across for many a day. He has been all over the world, talks alternately of assisting at the cremation of an aunt of the King of Siam, visiting at the Rajah Brooke at Sarawak or staying with a Moravian missionary on the West coast of Africa, whose wife by the way was sent out to him by the Moravian board,4 just as you might order a book or a gown and Mr. Wallop declared it answered perfectly. After all it is rather like the French way of arranging marriages, of which Mr. Leveson told us the following conversation took place between a Frenchman and an Englishman: the former said ‘J’avoue que j’aime être le premier amant de ma femme’, upon which the latter replied, ‘Et moi je prefere être le dernier′. I have had some talk with the Spencers about technical education and hope to arrange a meeting when we return home. They are gone now, so are Phoebe and Burga, in fact people are going fast and it is a daily amusement to go and lunch them at the station. I never saw such an absurd scene as it was to see the Duke of Cambridge and Christopher Sykes laden with bouquets and bedizened with buttonholes. Lord Hartington who is here, bored to death, says he is so jealous of the people who go away! And so we go on chattering and idling, but there are so many people here, distinguished in some way or other, the chatter is well worth while. 1.Wife of Sir George Orby Wombwell, 4th. Bart. 2.John Atkinson (1844–1932), Solicitor-General for Ireland, 1889–92. 3.John Wallop, brother of Newton, 6th. Earl of Portsmouth. 4.Protestant sect persecuted in Bohemia, driven out of their homeland in Bohemia and Moravia by Ferdinand II in 1620. The community spread across Europe and to North America, one group settling in Northamptonshire.

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Friday 28 August 10 Kisseliff Strasse, Homburg Alas, the last day, not that I want to stay any longer, but that it is always sad when a pleasant, a very pleasant time comes to an end. On Wednesday we dined with the Thorntons I sat between Captain Shaw1 of the Fire Brigade, who says he had rather do 10 fires than an hour of London County Council, and Mr. Peter Marrier, an agreeable American, said to be one of the best known people in New York. Opposite was Mr. Phelps,2 American Minister in Berlin, a regular typical American, who talked through his nose 16 to the dozen. Mr. Marrier and I fell on serious politics. I was struck with his definition of our Government as a democracy, pure and simple, the American as a republic i.e. government by States. They have so many more checks and safeguards than we have against any wave of popular passion. The next morning to my great alarm, he brought a very able Mr. McVeagh3 of Philadelphia, Attorney-General in Mr. Blaine’s4 Cabinet, to call upon me for the express purpose of talking politics. However I found I had only to do the intelligent listener; he harangued, most cleverly, for more than half an hour. It seems he is what is called a ‘Mugwump’, i.e. has not accepted the nomination of his party, and he told us that to justify himself he carries about four historical documents, one a letter from George Washington to a friend, refusing to accept from the Virginia Legislature some shares in a certain canal because he was about to be elected President and he did not think it proper that he should be concerned in an undertaking which in his Presidential capacity he might have the power to make or mar, 2 others, from Mr. Adams and from Mr. Chase5 equally refusing similar proposals and for the same reason, and one from Mr. Blaine boldly stating that if he were given a sufficient interest in a certain railway, the bill for it would pass, and if not, it would fail. Mr. McVeagh was eloquent on the widespread corruption which prevails in America, nevertheless he says it is improving and he thinks they will get over it as we have since the days of Walpole. He was eloquent too about the dangers and impossibilities of Home Rule, saying that though the floating percentage which he puts at which changes sides at each election, will probably give Mr. Gladstone a majority next time, yet he is convinced that whatever measure of Home Rule he may bring in, Parnell will denounce it as insufficient, a betrayal by Dillon, and to the Priests. He spoke strongly too of religious education, 1.Sir Eyre Massey Shaw (1830-1908), Head of London Metropolitan Fire Brigade, 1861-91, and immortalized in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe. 2.William Walter Phelps (1839-94), diplomat, appointed to Germany 1889-93. 3.Isaac Wayne MacVeagh (1833-1917), diplomat and political reformer, Attorney-General in President James A. Garfield’s cabinet, 1881. 4.James Gillespie Blaine (1830-93), one of the founders of the Republican Party and an opponent of slavery. Secretary of State, 1881 and 1889-92. 5.John Adams (1735–1826), second President, USA, 1797–1801; Samuel Chase (1741–1811), Justice of the Supreme Court. 6.(1835–1905) Son of a Bombay merchant and broker. He was a close friend of the Prince of Wales and accompanied him each year to Homburg. See S.Jackson, The Sassoons (1968), pp. 96–7.

approving what we have done in preserving the voluntary schools and regretting very much the divorce between intelligence and morality brought about by the free,

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compulsory and secular system of education in the States. Altogether it was a most interesting conversation and I only wish I could record it better. In the afternoon I sat by Mr. Waldegrave Leslie who told me some most extraordinary stories of Mr. Gladstone’s fits of passion—one to which he was himself witness when he tore the Kölnische Zeitung to bits and stamped on it, because it recorded (in 1888) Irish constabulary being sent to assist at evictions. In the evening we dined with Mr. Reuben Sassoon6 to meet the Prince of Wales. I sat between Mr. Sassoon and Count Moffée and was not amused, but had some pleasant talk with the Prince afterwards. Saturday 12 September Fawsley Made a long expedition down to Northampton to attend a meeting summoned by Lady Spencer and addressed by Miss Fanny Calder, to form a Ladies’ Association to assist the County Council in carrying out their plans for the technical education of girls.1 Miss Calder made an interesting speech though less valuable than I had hoped as to the organization found successful in other countries; very useful suggestion that in Lancashire the remote hamlets are reached both for dairying and cookery by travelling vans. We passed a resolution appointing President and four Vice-Presidents and now I must organize the South. Monday 21 September Fawsley Rainald and I went down to Northampton to be present at the laying the first stone of St. Matthew, Kingsley Park,1 a new church which is to be built entirely at Mr. Phipps’ expense as a memorial to his late father Mr. Pickering Phipps,2 Rainald’s colleague and friend, for whom he had a great regard which was his reason for wishing to be present and I went to be with my darling and I was rewarded for it was a very interesting day. The first thing was that by mistake we were shown into the vestry where we were introduced to our new Bishop, Dr. Mandell Creighton,3 whom to our amazement we found gorgeously arrayed in a long flowing robe of white satin with a mitre on his head. Somehow or other I don’t like it… The stone was laid by the Bishop of Peterborough, who has a good clear voice and then followed a luncheon at which I sat next to him… 1.Held at the County Hall, Northampton. LMK proposed the formation of a committee and an organization based on the four divisions of the county. LMK was appointed Vice-President of the Southern division. The Circular was signed by LMK, 14 Sept. 1891, Spencer Papers.

1.Architect Matthew Holding. It was built 1891–4. 2.Conservative M.P., Northampton, 1874–80, South Northamptonshire, 1881–5. Managing director, P. Phipps & Co., brewers. 3.Bishop of Peterborough, 1891–7.

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The speaking was decidedly above the average and I was delighted with the reception my darling met with. Young Phipps spoke very nicely, but rather touched on dangerous ground when he spoke of the dead set made by the Church at the trade to which he belongs. It is extraordinary how the temperance question does divide people. It was a very long day, 8.30 to 6.30, but I was very glad we did it. Monday 28 September Fawsley Mary and I drove to Towcester for a long talked of meeting I had summoned of the Ladies of South Northants to discuss technical education.1 It was extremely well attended and all went well except that Mrs. Byron Simpson the organizing secretary,2 did not come. However, Mr. Mountain3 was extremely useful and we settled a good deal, but it was a hard day’s work. Saturday 10 October Lindertis, Kirriemuir Two very important public events have occurred this week, the deaths of Mr. W.H.Smith and Mr. Parnell.1 Impossible to imagine two men whose character and careers present a greater contrast. Friday 6 November Richmond Park I am much interested in the life of Archbishop Tait,1 reviewing from another point of view all the memorable Church controversies, so many of which one has lived through. Specially struck with his great wish that the use of the Athanasian Creed in public worship should be optional, and his opinion that Presbyterians and other Dissenters (not Unitarians) might be admitted to Holy Communion. 1.LMK as one of the Vice-Presidents of the Association presided at the meeting held in the Town Hall. In her address she stated, The work was really of so much importance to the welfare of their cottage population that she hoped the necessary time for starting the classes would be found, and that the young ladies of the district would come to the rescue and help their often over-worked elders’. NH, 2 Oct. 1891, p. 6. See also LMK to Lady Spencer, 2 Oct. 1891, Spencer Papers. 2.Of the County Technical Education scheme. 3.Revd. James Mountain, vicar of St. Laurence, Towcester since 1886. 1.On 6 Oct. 1.Randall T.Davidson and W.Benham, The Life of Archibald Campbell Tait, Archbishop of Canterbury 1868–82 (1891), 2 vols.

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Monday 9 November Althorp, Northampton Came down here after luncheon: we have not been here to stay since 1874.1 Party besides Lord and Lady Spencer, Lady Sarah Spencer, Lord Northampton, Mr. and Mrs. Horace Seymour,2 Mr. Sackville, Mr. and Mrs. Alderson, Mr. and Lady Beatrice Stewart to dinner and the Bishop and Mrs. Creighton.3 The latter a clever, able, determined woman. I doubt if I shall like her. This is a stately place and everything done in a stately way. We drank the Prince of Wales’ health after dinner, his 50th birthday. Tuesday 10 November Althorp Park After breakfast went to look at some of the pictures with Lady Sarah. There are some very interesting ones, a fine Rembrandt of his Mother, some beautiful Sir Joshuas and Gainsboroughs, my old friend the Van de Cappelle1 now called something else and a good many pictures of artists by themselves. Indeed the house is full of interesting things, and I should have liked to stay and look at them, but had to go off to Daventry for a branch meeting … My poor darling had to stay at home having developed a severe attack of gout. Mr. Bury2 dined and I had some talk with him about the scheme for old age pensions which is in the air, a very difficult question. Molly Alderson3 dined too and I took the opportunity of leading up to Rainald’s retirement and the idea of his going to the Upper House. She told me just what I suspected, that Lord Salisbury imagines he would not care for it, and promised she would disabuse him of that idea. Sat next Lord Spencer at dinner; he is pleasant enough, but we both care so much for politics and differ so seriously it is rather skating on thin ice. Lord Annaly4 sat on the other side. I don’t think somehow the Bishop5 impresses me much, though of course he is a clever man and a great historian. 1.Ady, Journals, p. 264. 2.Younger sister of 5th. Earl Spencer; William Compton, 4th. Marquess of Northampton, retired admiral; Horace Alfred Damer Seymour, Spencer’s brother-in-law, and his wife, Lily. 3.Col. Sackville George Stopford Sackville, Chairman of Quarter Sessions, 1891–1904; Revd. Frederick Cecil Alderson, rector of Holdenby, 1865–94; Revd. Henry Holmes Steward, rector of Brington, 1878–98; Lady Beatrice, daughter of James Carnegie, 9th. Earl of Southesk; Louise, wife of Mandell Creighton. 1.Jan van de Cappelle (c. 1624–79), Dutch painter of maritime subjects. 2.Revd. William Bury, rector of St. Andrew, Harleston, 1882–1907, well-known as an advocate of a strict Poor Law regime at Brixworth Poor Law Union. See W.R.D.Adkins, Our County (1893), pp. 49–52. 3.Mary Catherine, daughter of Sir Edward H.Alderson, a Baron of the Exchequer. Her sister Georgina was the wife of Lord Salisbury. 4.Luke White, 3rd. Baron Annaly, Lady Spencer’s great nephew. 5.Mandell Creighton.

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Monday 16 November Fawsley I am thankful to say my darling is much better and almost entirely free from pain, though the swelling has not yet gone down appreciably. On Friday Juliet and I went to Northampton to attend another Technical Education meeting. It was very small but we did some business. I insisted on the Presidents of Petty Sessional areas being elected, not nominated, as Lady Spencer wanted them to be.1 Considering our respective political predilections it was curious divergence of opinion. Saturday 21 November Fawsley Another week slipped away. My darling progresses steadily, though slowly. Yesterday he was out for a little drive for the first time. I have not done much, drove one day to Everdon, another to Daventry where they are excited over a fairly successful Conservative meeting Mr. Cartwright held on Wednesday;1 it was not sufficiently advertised though and one at Byfield was a signal failure. He and Mr. Fulcher, the Secretary to the Conservative Association, are making the great mistake of not consulting the people on the spot. Everybody likes to be consulted—it gives importance and occupation. We never heard of the Daventry meeting till the night it took place which made it look as if Rainald did not support Mr. Cartwright… The South Molton election, with a majority of 1200 for the Gladstonians, has been a ‘facer’.2 I can only hope Lord Hartington is right when he predicts that we shall hold our own in the towns. We certainly don’t in the Counties. 1.NH, 20 Nov. 1891, p. 6. LMK to Lady Spencer, 16 Nov. 1891, Spencer Papers. 1. To a large audience on 18 Nov. at the Assembly Hall and convened by the South Northants Conservative Association. DE, 21 Nov. 1891, p. 1. 2. George Lambert, Liberal, 4222 votes, C.W.Buller, Unionist, 3010.

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Friday 27 November Richmond Park Today I have been to London for two Primrose League Committees, always more or less interesting and keep one in touch. Mr. Lane-Fox and I agree in being much amused at The Times having suddenly found out that one must not talk over the heads of the agricultural labourer, a gospel we have been preaching and practising any time these six years.1 Tuesday 1 December Richmond Park Busy reading various things. Lady Dufferin’s charming Canadian journals,1 Smalley’s London Letters with their wonderfully shrewd apprehensions of the characters of some of our leading statesmen.2 The one about Disraeli is singularly effective, he saw through the poseur. The one about Mr. Forster3 reminds me of my conversation with Lord Spencer about him the other day. He evidently did not like him: I daresay Mr. Forster’s brusque manners—or no manners at all—froisséd. Lord Spencer who whatever his faults is a high bred gentleman, and then the divergence in their views about Ireland, where Lord Spencer must know he is wrong! He said he was such an inordinately vain man, that after Lord Cowper4 resigned the Lord-Lieutenancy (to whom, said Lord Spencer, Mr. Forster used to be so rude at the Council table that it made the bystanders quite hot) he actually proposed that he, Mr. Forster, should be made Lord Deputy. Certainly showed a want of sense of the fitness of things. Mother and I entranced with Uncle Frederick’s Diary,5 or rather autobiography, from his birth in 1801 to about 1840. Tells graphically and well in a few sentences. 1. The Times, 16 Nov. 1891, p. 9. 1. Hariot Georgina Blackwood, Marchioness of Dufferin, My Canadian Journal 1872–1878 (1891). 2. George Washburn Smalley, correspondent and editor of The New York Tribune. His London Letters and some others (1890), 2 vols. were reprinted from the newspaper. 3. William Edward Forster, Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1880–2. 4. Francis Thomas de Grey, 7th. Earl Cowper (1834–1905), Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, 1880–2. Resigned office over the Coercion Act. Liberal Unionist supporter. 5. Frederick Barne of Sotterley, Suffolk, LMK’s uncle; died, 1886.

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Sunday 6 December Fawsley I began my Sunday class again. It was ‘Bible Sunday’ and I talked to them about that. We had only Frank and Jack Small, Lily Robson and John Burt. Annie Bird is gone to service. Began the library again too. We are getting so many new servants, laundry maid kitchen and scullery maid and two footmen and one has to make acquaintance with them all. Monday 7 December Fawsley Home we came on Friday, the dear place looking lovely in brilliant sunshine. Saturday Rainald hunted from Helidon, the first time (with one exception), since February 22. I went with Juliet to Staverton and appointed the new school master there. Mr. Hancock1 sub-warden of the Primrose in place of Mr. Burnham who is dead. We must work up in this corner the enthusiasm for Rainald which carried us thro’ in ‘85. It does not exist for Mr. Cartwright and unless we work, the stronghold will be the weak point. Wednesday 9 December Alexandra Club Presided at the Committee for the re-election of President and Vice-Presidents. Lady Vincent1 stood against ME! with the result that I had 8 votes and she 3, and she was not even elected Vice-President, there being a He between Lady Henley and Mrs. Byrne. Helen Gascoigne retires, which I hope will conduce to peace. It is melancholy that the first Ladies’ Club should lead to so much squabbling. Came home in the afternoon. 1.John Henry Hancock, former teacher of Staverton Elementary School. 1.Hester Clara, second wife of Sir William Vincent.

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Thursday 10 December

Alexandra Club Gladstone, Sir W.Harcourt and Mr. Morley have been to Althorp this week and I wonder what mischief they have been hatching?1 He made a speech and received addresses on his way to London yesterday at Northampton.2 Monday 14 December Fawsley Thirty one years today since my dear father’s death.1 Rainald hunted from Preston. They had a very good run from Mill Spinney up to Shuckburgh and back to Badby Wood, round by Newnham and killed close to Badby Bridge. I drove to Daventry, called on Mrs. Stopford and on Mrs. Murland 2who has succeeded the Fitzwilliams at Badby House. Had some talk with Winkless and Amos, my subwardens3 at Hellidon and Badby. The former’s report not very satisfactory, he says so many of the labourers have got the firm conviction that the Liberal party is the party for them. They will be clever if they extract much comfort from Mr. Gladstone’s speech at the Rural Reform Conference4 where he met a carefully selected body of Radical labourers, chiefly dissenters. It was interesting though what he told of 1812, when wages were 9s. a week and wheat 20s. a bushel. That was before the corn laws! It is curious to see how Mr. Smalley’s opinion of Mr. Gladstone changes as time goes on. Between 1880 and 1885 the change is extraordinary. Like everyone else, he is amazed at his ignorance of foreign affairs. 1.See P.Gordon, The Red Earl, ii, pp. 176–9. 2.NH, 11 Dec. 1891, p. 6. 1.In fact, LMK’s father had died 30 years previously. 2.Mary, wife of William Murland, Manor House, Badby. 3.Thomas Winkless, tailor, and John Amos, shoemaker, subwardens of the Knightley Habitation. 4.Conference held between 10 and 12 Dec. at the Memorial Hall, Farringdon St, London, promoted by the National Liberal Federation and organized by its secretary, Francis Schnadhorst. For Gladstone’s speech see The Times, 12 Dec. 1891, p. 7.

*1892* Saturday 30 January Fawsley On Tuesday I went to Charwelton about various businesses, notably the starting of savings bank books for the children’s school pence, now no longer needed since free education has become a reality. The Education Department and the Post Office are doing their best to make it easy. Thursday school meeting at Badby and Christmas tree, admirably managed by Miss Gurney.1 Rainald went to County Council, where much discussion on technical education. Friday he hunted from Weedon. Tuesday 9 February Fawsley 1

Lady Emma departed and Georgie went with me to the Diocesan Inspection at Charwelton and to the Workhouse. Thursday 18 February 38 Beaufort Gardens Went with Rainald in the morning to look at 3 Audley Square and have taken it for the season … Afterwards to see Duchess of Marlborough about bringing women’s suffrage forward at our Committee; it is curious what a stir there is about it. I have refused two invitations to speak about it, one in Birmingham and one in Hammersmith. Then to see Lady D.Nevill, full of County Council for London, but talking great nonsense for a clever woman. 1.Mary Emma Gurney, Infants’ School mistress.

1.Lady Emma Osborne, second wife of Sir Charles Stanley Osborne, 14th. Bart., Co. Tipperary.

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Friday 19 February Fawsley A long and interesting double Primrose League Committee. I hope I shall be re-elected to that, it keeps one ‘in the swim’. Then came home after luncheon with Mary Jeune. She seems to think she see symptoms of Mr. Goschen giving way about women’s sufifrage.1 Tuesday 23 February Fawsley Janey and I walked down to Badby to be present at the only one of the cooking classes I shall be able to attend. Miss Phillips is an excellent teacher and it was a picturesque scene in the low-timbered kitchen at Mrs. Montgomery’s to see the earnest faces of the ten little maidens at work in pairs over bread—poor man’s goose—(composed of alternate layers of potato, liver, fat and sage and onions), shortbread, sausage roll, and treacle pudding. Afterwards to tea at Juliet’s, where were Isabel Burton and Mrs. Hewitt, and we discussed technical education and the possibility of arranging dress-cutting classes.1 Rainald went up to vote against the Disestablishment of the Welsh Church and was rewarded by the good majority of 47, 17 better than last time.2 Every day that passes is a day gained for the Church in Wales. Thursday 25 February Richmond Park An alarming telegram from Dr. Günther1 brought me off here in hot haste. It was a tremendous scuffle as I had arranged for a big meeting of school mistresses which Nora and I were to address on the work of the GFS and it all had to be put off. 1.An opponent of the 1884 Franchise Bill, Goschen had opposed the enfranchisement of women since ‘it assumes an equality between men and women which has never existed, and which I believe never can exist’ See T.J.Spinner, Jnr., George Joachim Goschen. The Transformation of a Victorian Liberal (1973), p. 95–6. 1.Fanny L. Calder to Lady Knightley, 24 Feb. and Lady Knightley to Lady Spencer, 25 Feb. 1892, Spencer Papers. 2.Hansard, 4, 1, cols. 1033–1125, 23 Feb. 1892. Ayes 350, Noes 310. 1.Dr. Theodore Günther (1834–1911), physician, Prince Leopold’s medical adviser at Cannes in the winter of 1861. Ady, Journals, p. 26.

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Saturday 27 February Richmond Park Another equally gloomy day, walked to Ham House. Very busy reading ‘Aristotle’ in Ancient Classics for English Readers1 part of the Dante course for enabling one to see things from his point of view. Also deep in Lord Rosebery’s Pitt.2 He gives a most graphic picture of the desperate state of England in 1797, the year of the mutiny at the Nore. I am astounded to see that Pitt put on that bête noire, a graduated income tax. Sunday 28 February Richmond Park In the afternoon walked over to Lady Russell’s, where rather a pleasant party, a very agreeable Sir William Melville.1 I was sorry to hear him say what had struck me, that Mr. Balfour is not doing as well as he would like as leader of the House. He made a sad mess about the opening of school rooms for public meetings.2 Every one talking of David Grieve, Mrs. Humphry Ward’s new book.3 I suppose one must read it, but I am sure I shall hate it. Sunday 6 March Fawsley Mr. Logan, the Master of the grammar school at Daventry, came to do the service. In the evening I had four boys, Tommy Birt, Emmanuel Gibbins, George Cooper and Knibb. Boys are so much more difficult! Also our new scullery maid and kitchen maid who want to join the GFS. Rainald and I were rather annoyed yesterday at his not being put on the Conservative ticket to be re-elected as an Alderman for the County Council, he being one of the nine who retire this year. It was I think, owing to men from the North being there with friends of their own to carry. 1.Edited by Revd. William Lucas Collins, in 3 vols., 1871–9. The section on ‘Aristotle’ was written by Sir Alexander Grant, Principal of Edinburgh University, 1868–84. 2.Published Nov. 1891. 1.Solicitor to the Board of Inland Revenue, 1866–94. 2.Hansard, 4, 1, cols. 1403–46, 26 Feb. 1892. 3.The History of David Grieve, a three-volume novel with a Northern working-class hero, had been published in Jan. 1892.

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Monday 7 March Fawsley The London County Council has gone for the Progressive party by huge majorities.1 I wonder if it means that it will go radical at the General Election? Friday 11 March Fawsley Isabel Burton and Mrs. Hewitt came to tea, frantic because at yesterday’s meeting of the County Council Rainald, who had after all been put on the Conservative ticket, was beat by Lord Spencer’s casting vote.1 It was quite funny to see how angry they were. Rainald says he does not mind it half so much as if he had been thrown over by his own friends, but it stirs up the old bitter Spencer-Knightley feeling, and I own I very much regret it. Monday 14 March Fawsley Drove over to Everdon to call on the Claytons. Also went in search of Bodley1 who is to succeed Boughton as my sub-warden and inspected the Church which is making good progress.2 1.In the triennial elections, the Progressives gained 13 seats from the Moderates, totalling 83 to their opponents 35. 1.There were nine aldermanic places of which eight were filled. Three candidates for the ninth place, including Sir Rainald, received 24 votes each. Spencer cast his vote for the Liberal, J.T. Roughton. See P.Gordon, The Red Earl (1986), ii, pp. 190–1, and Northamptonshire County Council Minutes, 1892–5, 10 March 1892. 1.Robert Bodley, brickmaker and mason; Leonard Boughton, farm bailiff to William Stockley, landowner at Great Everdon. 2.The restoration of St. Mary’s Church, Everdon, began in 1888.

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Saturday 19 March Fawsley The hounds met at Badby Wood and I was very anxious to go out and hear what people said about Lord Spencer and Rainald and the County Council. I was satisfied, it was extraordinary, how unanimous the feeling was; and it was curious that on the County Councils of both Warwickshire and Oxfordshire the same case of ties arose. In Warwickshire Mr. John Dugdale1 gave it against his own side and in Oxfordshire Lord Valentia2 put both names to the Council and let them decide which was the fair thing to do. Lord Spencer came out, looking very much ashamed of himself, only exchanged 2 or 3 words with Rainald and bowed to me at a distance, whereupon I rode off in the opposite direction. We found at Badby Wood and ran slowly to Griffin’s Gorse, then found again at Staverton and ran to Newnham. It was a lovely day, though too bright for sport and anxious as I was, I could not help enjoying the gallop over the familiar fields. I wonder if it is my last day’s hunting? Friday 8 April Fawsley My darling went to London on Monday and returned today. I am sorry to say he has been sadly bothered about farms. We have now had more notices than for many years. Monday 25 April Firle My fiftieth birthday! Now I must begin to go down hill, down all the way to the dark river. 1.Conservative M.P., North Warwickshire, 1886–92. 2.Arthur Annesley, 11th. Viscount Valentia, an Irish peer.

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Tuesday 26 April Firle Enjoyed driving into Lewes with Harry and Mr. Pemberton. It is such a pretty old town and the view of the Downs from the top of the very steep hill in the middle of the High Street is most picturesque. We went into St. Michael’s Church where is some most beautiful stained glass by Powell.1 I was sorry to see, what I never saw before in an English Church, a whole row of lamps burning before the altar. As Mr. Pemberton remarked, unless the Sacrament is reserved there, it is utterly meaningless and if it is, it is quite contrary to the tenets of our Church. Played croquet at the Crawleys. Wednesday 27 April Firle Another lovely day. I drove my darling into Lewes on his way to London to vote in favour of Women’s Suffrage. He has just (11 p.m.) returned, well pleased with the division. We were only beat by 23,1 which, considering that Mr. Gladstone wrote a pamphlet against us,2 and that a tremendous whip was issued signed by Sir. H. James, Mr. Chamberlain, Lord R.Churchill, Lord George Hamilton,3 Sir M.W.Ridley, Sir Walter Barttelot and other equally weighty names, was most satisfactory. The fact is it is undoubtedly gaining ground in the country though not in society and it will come in time. A disgraceful riot last night at a Women’s Suffrage meeting at St. James’s Hall.4 I can’t make out the ins and outs of it. 1.Executed by Powell and Son from designs by Henry Holiday, H.E.Wooldridge and T.G.Jackson. 1.Hansard, 4, 3, cols. 1453–1530, 27 April 1892. Second reading of the Parliamentary Franchise (Extension to Women) Bill. Ayes 152, Noes 175. 2.Based on a letter to Samuel Smith, Liberal M.P., Flintshire supporting his opposition to Rollit’s Suffrage Bill. See S. Smith, My Life Work (1902), pp. 566–9. 3.First Lord of the Admiralty. 4.The meeting was interrupted from the floor and for some minutes there was a violent scuffle. The Times, 27 April 1892, p. 9.

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Thursday 28 April Firle Quite cold again but we were occupied all the morning in the gallery arranging for bookcases to hold the best of the books from Whitehall, and much excited by the revelation of unknown treasures stowed away in the loft. Friday 29 April Firle Said treasures resolved themselves into besides some very fine books of engravings and Italian designs and at least a dozen boxes of papers belonging to General Gage who commanded in the American war.1 Thursday 5 May 3 Audley Square To the London Library where I was amazed to find 6 or 8 closely printed pages of the Dictionary of National Biography occupied with accounts of the Gages.1 Came home and had Mr. Munro2 to tea, to tell me that Hughie is engaged to Miss Byrne, daughter of my Vice-President at the Club. Hm, don’t like it. Friday 6 May 3 Audley Square 1

Annie and Evie came just as I was starting to talk more about Hughie but don’t like it any better. Spanish blood, Roman Catholic, the mother a termagant, a screw, and a gambler, the father on the turf. The girl may be an angel, but I believe a good deal in race and breeding. 1.4 Whitehall Yard, the Gage family’s London residence. 1.Lieut.-General Thomas Gage, Commander-in-Chief in America, 1763–72, and Governor of Massachusetts, 1774–5, when he was superseded. 1.Vol. 20, 1889, pp. 349–57. 2.Campbell Munro, Hugh’s father, and brother of Sir Thomas, 2nd. Bart 1.Anne Katherine and Georgina Evelyn, Hugh’s sisters.

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Went down to Richmond Park to fetch some things and found that Lady Churchill had just been over the house and is to have it.2 Dear little place, everything looked so familiar. I felt as she must be coming through the door as she used and can hardly realize that one or two more visits and I shall see it no more … Mary Jeune has been writing apparently a clever article on the decay of good society, how the ‘smart’ set is all money and nothing else. Will things ever mend?

Sunday 8 May 3 Audley Square The longer I live the more convinced I am that there is no touchstone of character like money. Monday 9 May 3 Audley Square Edie and I drove. At M&S’s1 met the Duchess of Marlborough, very full of the great Primrose League meeting at the Opera House, but didn’t like Lord Salisbury’s speech (does she ever like them?) too much about Ireland,2 not enough about general policy. I don’t myself think it judicious in Her Majesty’s Prime Minister to echo her son’s words of a year or two back, ‘Ulster will fight and Ulster will be right′,3 but it is of the utmost importance to convince the electors, if it can be done, that Home Rule is not dead and buried but the question of vital importance just as much as 6 years ago. Found Lucy Cavendish at home and talked with her of Women’s Suffrage. She is dead against it for two reasons, first because she thinks women are ‘up’ to municipal franchise but not capable of judging of imperial questions (quite as much so, I ventured to remark, as the agricultural labourer who doesn’t know where Russia is), and secondly because women will wear themselves out with doing men’s work while men are incapable of doing women’s work. I maintain that women have a right to the vote, but not to sit in Parliament. She seems to contemplate universal suffrage as sure to come and to be regarded with equanimity. Well, I hope it won’t come in my time. 2.LMK’s mother had died on 25 March 1892 at Thatched House Lodge, Richmond Park. 1.Marshall & Snelgrove, department store, established by James Marshall in 1837 forming a partnership with John Snelgrove in 1848. See A.Adburgham, Shops and Shopping 1800–1914 (1989 edn.), p. 45. 2.Salisbury, presiding at the Annual Grand Habitation on 6 May, spoke of the dangers threatening Ulster in the event of granting Home Rule. The Times, 7 May 1892, p. 14. 3.Reference to Churchill’s speech in the Ulster Hall, Belfast on 22 Feb. 1886. See W.S.Churchill, Lord Randolph Churchill (1906), 2, p. 65.

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Tuesday 10 May 3 Audley Square Walked down to a Case Committee of the Working Ladies’ Guild; was surprised to find crossing Rotten Row at 11 how many people were riding. Things are so changed since I used to appear in those scenes. In the afternoon paid a number of visits but found no one except Mary Henniker and Mrs. Bulkeley,1 who has since sent me two curious little framed prints, one of Elizabeth de Brome (or rather her brass) née Arundel, a direct ancestress of Rainald’s, being grandmother (I think) to Sir Richard (the first)2 the other of Sir Thomas Barnardiston, who married his daughter.3 Afterwards Beatrice Cartwright, who does not talk too sanguinely of her cousin’s4 election. Wednesday 11 May 3 Audley Square Club Committee in the morning, did pretty well. Edie to luncheon, afterwards to the Annual meeting of the Employment of Women.1 Lord Fortescue2 presided and made an excellent speech, making special allusion to the well meant but injudicious Shop Hours bill, which if carried would throw so many women out of employment and the Mines Regulation bill, which proposes to prohibit the employment of women at the pitbrow.3 Sir Owen Roberts4 also spoke and Mr. Harry Jones. The sun streamed into the pretty Adams room, bright with flowers and specimens of women’s handicraft and one felt how much good sensible work had been initiated there by Jessie Boucherett and Miss King.5 Nora dined with us. Rainald went with a deputation of the Bimetallic League to Lord Salisbury at the Foreign Office. Mr. Goschen announced that the Government have agreed to join America in an international conference on the subject. This is a step in the right direction and makes The Times very angry. It is extraordinary how wrath the monometallists get over this very dry subject. 1. Sir Rainald’s cousin, Mrs. Bulkeley, died in 1893. 2. Wife of Nicholas Brome of Baddesley Clinton, Warwickshire, whose daughter, Constance, married Sir Edward Ferrers. Anne Ferrers, their daughter, was Sir Valentine Knightley’s wife and mother of Sir Richard. 3. Sir Richard died in 1615; his first wife was Mary Fermor and their daughter, Mary, married Sir Thomas Barnardiston. 4. I.e., T.L.M.Cartwright. 1. 33rd annual meeting of the Society for the Promotion of Employment of Women. 2. Hugh, 3rd. Earl Fortescue (1818–1905), politician and social reformer, author of pamphlets on local government and education. 3. Introduced by Channing, ‘to amend the Law relating to the employment of women and young people In shops’. Hansard, 4, 1, col. 157, 10 Feb. 1892. 4. Master of the Worshipful Company of Cloth Founders and High Sheriff of Caernarvonshire. 5. Gertrude Jane King, secretary of the Society founded by Boucherett and others of the Langley Place Circle in 1859. See Janet H.Murray, Strong Minded Women (1984), p. 319.

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Friday 13 May 3 Audley Square Went off after breakfast to see Lady Carysfort1 about a place for Anna. In the afternoon went to the meeting of the Ladies’ Grand Council, to which I have been re-elected Number 3, Mary Henniker coming first and then the Duchess of Portland.2 The Duke of Norfolk was in the chair and a Mrs. Malloch spoke, very well and a Miss Hill well too, but too long.3 It was a very full meeting and the result of the North Hackney election, when the anti-Home Rule man won by nearly 1000,4 has put us all in better spirits about the General Election which cannot now be long delayed. Afterwards had tea with Miss Peel on the terrace at Westminster, always pleasant. Saturday 14 May 3 Audley Square Rainald went off early down to Northampton to help elect Mr. Sackville chairman of Quarter Sessions.1I had Mrs. Boord,2 full of anxiety about her husband’s seat at Greenwich and wanting me to go down and speak. Afterwards to the Club, where I feel there is real trouble ahead. Wednesday 18 May 3 Audley Square Mr. Leveson, Philip and Edie Barne1 came to luncheon, the former said that Lord Spencer had told him ‘how distressed’ he was at having had to give his casting vote against Rainald on the County Council. Bosh! I daresay he is distressed at having made a great mistake. People have not yet done talking about it… Then to Lambeth, where I was so delighted to find myself once more. The Archbishop gave a most interesting address on St. Paul’s shipwreck, of which it seems the exact spot is known. The practical part was ‘take courage’. I wish we all could ‘take courage’ and stand out against the rottenness of a certain section of society, not I fully believe the 1. Charlotte, wife of William, 5th. Earl Carysfort. 2. Winifred Anna Yorke, wife of William Cavendish-Bentinck, 6th. Duke of Portland. 3. The Times, 14 May 1892, p. 7. 4. Election caused by the death of Sir Lewis Pelly. William R.Bousfield, Conservative, received 4460 votes and T.A.Meath, Liberal, 3491. 5. Julia, daughter of the Speaker, Arthur W.Peel. 1. NH, 20 May 1892, p. 5. 2. Margaret, wife of Thomas William Boord, Conservative M.P., Greenwich, 1873–95. 1. Philip Barne, LMK’s cousin, and his wife, Edith. 2. The first performance was on 22 Feb. at St. James’s Theatre.

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largest, as depicted in Lady Jeune’s article and in Lady Windermere’s Fan,2 which we went with Evie Munro to see at the St. James’s. It is written and very smartly written too, by Oscar Wilde and most beautifully acted by our friend Mrs. Cyril Maude, Miss Winifred Emery.3 But it is coarse and hasardé to the last degree, a play to do no one any good. Thursday 19 May 3 Audley Square In the morning with Nora to the New Gallery which is ineffably bad, not a picture worth thinking about. Afterwards to call on Lady Drogheda:1 like every one else she is in much better spirits about the prospects of the election. Sir Henry James told Rainald a few days ago we had bettered our position immensely in the last two months. She also talked a good deal about the Duke of Clarence,2 said that last Ascot he asked Lady Ormonde3 to take a turn with him and sitting down on a bench told her he was utterly miserable, that for three years he and Princess Hélène of Orléans had been devoted to each other and always hoped it might be,4 and that the Queen had just decided it was impossible! Adding that they were urging him to marry—and how could he? One has heard all along that when he was dying the difficulty was to keep Princess May out of the room that she might not hear his delirious cries for ‘Hélène’. What a sorrowful tragedy it all is. 3. (d. 1924) Wife of the actor-manager, Cyril Maude; she took the part of Lady Windermere. 1. Mary, wife of Henry Moore, 3rd. Marquess of Drogheda, Conservative peer. 2. Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence, had died on 14 Jan. at the age of 28; he had been betrothed to his cousin, Princess Victoria May of Teck, since Dec. 1891. 3. Lady Elizabeth Harriet, wife of James Butler, 3rd. Marquess of Ormonde. 4. In Aug. 1890 the Duke of Clarence was secretly engaged to Princess Hélène, daughter of the Comte de Paris, a claimant to the French Throne and a Roman Catholic. Her father refused to allow her to change her religion and the marriage plans were abandoned. See K.Rose, King George V (1983) p. 22.

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Friday 20 May 3 Audley Square To the Primrose League Committee to which I have just been re-elected. Nothing very special going on but we are not so business like as I should like. Saturday 21 May 3 Audley Square Rainald went down to Portsmouth with some 200 Members of Parliament to see the Royal Sovereign,1 torpedoes and other wonders. He had never been there since he first entered the House of Commons.2 Sunday 22 May 3 Audley Square In the afternoon I had many visitors, Anthony Wingfield,1 Evelyn Langham Reed2 and, all together, Sir Thomas, Mr. Repton and the Eykyns,3 the latter very full of whether he should or should not stand against Bobby Spencer for Mid Northamptonshire. Of course we encouraged him, as though he would not have a ghost of a chance, it is very important to give Bobby a gallop and keep him and his myrmidons from pervading the South. 1.HMS Royal Sovereign, a first class battleship built under the 1889 Naval Defence Act and armed with three tubes equipped for the new model 18 inch-torpedo. 2.Lord George Hamilton, First Lord of the Admiralty, had invited M.P.s to the Royal Naval review. 1.Anthony Henry Wingfield resided at Ampthill House, Bedfordshire. 2.Evelyn Langham Reed, wife of John Langham Reed, and daughter of Anthony, 3rd. Baron Henley. 3.Roger and Mary Eykyn of Gayton House, Blisworth.

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Monday 23 May 3 Audley Square Sophy Fremantle after luncheon and then a long campaign of visits but found no one except Lady Abercromby, who declares Princess May knew when she accepted the Duke of Clarence of his devotion to Princess Hélène and that she is simply ambitious. What a strange world we live in. Greatly entertained by an article in the Northampton Mercury1 on the prospects of the South Northants election, which describes the change from Rainald to Mr. Cartwright as the descent from dignity to dullness. It will drive the Cartwrights wild. Also very much pleased with an article on the retiring members in the Saturday Review alluding to Rainald in the most flattering terms.2 Tuesday 24 May 3 Audley Square Went to Case Committee in the morning. In the afternoon to the National Gallery, chiefly to look at our new acquisition, Holbein’s Ambassadors. A most brilliantly painted picture which has caused more controversy than enough as it is now known who ‘the Ambassadors’ are and the surroundings are most perplexing specially the thing in the foreground.1 Moral: every portrait, miniature etc. ought to have its name on it. 1.‘The Coming Fight in Northamptonshire’, NM, 20 May 1892, p. 5. ‘Sir Rainald, indeed, the retiring member, has about him an old world courtesy and a splendour of historic lineage which affect even practical politicians; but he is but a solitary survival, and the change from him to Mr. Melville Cartwright has been wickedly described as that from dignity to dullness’, ibid. 2.Saturday Review, 21 May 1892, p. 589. 1.Now identified as Jean de Dinteville, French ambassador in London, 1533, and Georges de Selve, Bishop of Lavaur, French ambassador to Charles V in Venice. The object in the foreground is an anamorphic view of a skull.

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Wednesday 25 May 3 Audley Square Rainald by the way spent all yesterday in the House of Commons where the majority of 92 on the second reading of the Irish Local Government Bill has struck dismay to the hearts of the Gladstonians.1 Gladstone himself was in a frightful temper. It is quite extraordinary what ground we have gained in the last few months. I begin to think it is quite a toss up which way the elections go and in the winter we were all in despair. Meantime the misrepresentations of the Gladstonian emissaries are beyond belief. They have been telling the Badby folk that if they only vote right, they will soon have £10 to go to the seaside with … Afterwards I found Mary Jeune at home but had not time to hear much news. Mrs. Legh of Lyme2 came in late very wrath at the two birthday peerages, Sir H.Selwin Ibbetson and Sir Evelyn Baring,3 both very proper ones I think, but I expect they, the Leghs, have been refused one.4 Friday 27 May 3 Audley Square A busy day. Joint Committee of the Primrose League in the morning at which a fuss about the re-election of Captain James as chairman. I seconded him, am not sure it wasn’t a mistake. After luncheon a very minute meeting of members of the Working Ladies’ Guild to wind up the old company, so badly formed by General Feilding1 and constitute ourselves anew without the word ‘limited’ and under the same clause of the Companies’ Act as that under which the SPEW2 is incorporated. Dashed back to Victoria Street to a rather interesting meeting of ladies who it is supposed might hold drawingroom meetings and increase the numbers of the Ladies’ Grand Council. Lady Salisbury presided. Mrs. Lane-Fox3 and Lady Lathom spoke and it was all interesting … Dined with Sir Frederick and Lady Peel4 talked solemnly to mine host of bimetallism and free trade etc. He is against bimetallism, says you could never fix the ratio between the two metals and in favour of my pet scheme of free trade within the Empire. 1.Hansard, 4, 4, cols. 1674–1735, 24 May 1892. Ayes 339, Noes 247. 2.Emily Jane, wife of William John Legh of Lyme Park, Cheshire. 3.Sir Henry John Selwin-Ibbetson, 7th. Bart., Conservative M.P., Epping, 1885–92, created Baron Rookwood; Sir Evelyn Baring, British Consul-General in Egypt, 1883–1907, created Baron Cromer. 4.In fact, Legh was created Baron Newton in August. 1.Lieut.-General Percy Robert Feilding, commanded troops in Malta, 1885–7. 2.The Society for Promoting the Employment of Women. 3.Annette Lane-Fox, wife of the Vice-Chancellor, Primrose League; Alice, wife of Edward, 1st. Earl Lathom. 4.Son of Sir Robert Peel, Railway Commissioner, 1873–1906, and his second wife, Janet.

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Saturday 28 May 3 Audley Square To luncheon came Constance, May and St. John,1 looking very hectic and ill. It is so painful to me to see him, to feel the gulf there is between us, and yet to feel the old affection only scotched, not killed and I believe in his way he feels it too. And then to see him so evidently unhappy, with everything to make him otherwise, and what will be the end? … Sir G.Baden-Powell there. He like most people seems to think the Dissolution will be about 20 June. Sunday 29 May 3 Audley Square To church, another excellent sermon, partly on the importance of religious education. Then to the Park, met Sir Arthur Otway who says Mr. Schnadhorst predicts a majority of 40 for the Gladstonians. Well, that won’t do to carry Home Rule. Monday 30 May 3 Audley Square A real London day. Off to the Club directly after breakfast, the state of affairs there is simply maddening. Then with Rainald to see the meet of the four in hand. Met Mr. Banks Stanhope1 who gave a plausible solution of what puzzles us much, i.e. Sir H.Selwin Ibbetson being made a peer now instead of waiting for the dissolution when it is expected several will be made: that it is intended to mark it as an official and not a political peerage. Sir T. and Cecil and Nina Willoughby to luncheon, then Ellie Magee 2came in whom I was so glad to see and then Georgie Gage and I went off to the House of Commons calling on Lady Yarborough3 by the way, such a lovely house in Arlington Street with a beautiful Claude and the Sir Joshua Reynolds of Mrs. Pelham feeding chickens,4 the print of which I remember so well in grandmamma’s sittingroom at 1.Frederick St. John Barne, LMK’s cousin, his wife, Lady Constance, and their daughter, Mary Emily. 1.James Banks Stanhope, Conservative M.P., Lincolnshire N., 1852–68. 2.Jane Eleanor Magee (Ellie), daughter of the former Bishop of Peterborough and Archbishop of York. 3.Marcia Amelia, wife of Charles Pelham, 4th. Earl of Yarborough. 4.A portrait of Mrs. Charles Pelham (née Sophia Aufrere), painted 1770–4. 5.Thomas Sexton (d. 1932), former Parnellite M.P., Belfast W., 1886–92, and Kerry N., 1892–6. A brilliant public speaker, known as ‘silver-tongued Sexton’, and chairman of the Freeman’s Journal, 1892–1912.

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Sotterley. We sat through question time at the House, a capital opportunity of pointing out people to Georgie and then Rainald came and took us down to the lobby and finally to tea on the terrace which was delicious. We talked a bit to Mr. Balfour and Sir W. Harcourt and one could not help comparing the two, Mr. Balfour so refined and intellectual looking, which is not what one would say of the other. Curious that in him the artistic temperament should be linked with such statesman-like qualities. He was remarking on the singular loss of power in Ireland of Mr. Sexton;5 said he should put Redmond,6 O’Brien, Healy and Dillon far above him, and that even the latter had lost very much. Tuesday 31 May 3 Audley Square Mr. Rowsell came to luncheon and to talk about Clara’s confirmation, after which I had a most disagreeable task, i.e. to preside at the annual meeting of the Alexandra Club and keep peace as best I might between Helen1 and the Finance Committee in general and Lady Vincent in particular, having spent hours in trying to keep Helen quiet. She was ignominiously defeated, 49 to 5, after which I fled and rushed down to the Annual Meeting of the Women’s Suffrage Society, Sir A. Borthwick in the chair, at which I spoke.2 It was a large meeting and in very good spirits. My darling came to listen to me which was sweet of him. Thursday 2 June Firle A long hard day. Went down to Richmond Park for probably the last time to see the things arranged for the sale. It does seem such desecration and yet it can’t be helped. The little place looked so lovely with all the rhododendrons etc. out. Hurried back to dine with Mrs. Boord and drive down with them to Greenwich to speak at a Conservative Club… Our chairman, Mr. Studolf, was too funny for words. If he had been put upon the stage dress (full evening dress, orchid and all) language and all, he would have been said to be grossly overdrawn. A mild concert began the proceedings, but one man sang two tragicomic songs, a sort of Costermonger Romeo, and one about the East End, apparently written by himself which struck me as very clever and well acted as far as I could judge under the disadvantageous circumstance of sitting right behind him and expecting him to land in my lap. 6.John Edward Redmond (1856–1918), Parnellite M.P., Waterford, 1891–1918, leader of the Irish Nationalist Party, 1900–18. 1.Helen Gascoigne, honorary secretary of the Alexandra Club. 2.Morning Post, 1 June 1892, p. 3.

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My speech was a success. I began very badly but managed to get a laugh, and from that moment had them with me, a much more appreciative audience than those I am accustomed to. Wednesday 8 June Firle The revival of croquet after an oblivion of so many years is something quite curious. Thursday 9 June Firle Left Firle with regret as usual and came to London partly that Rainald might hunt for a candidate for Mid Northamptonshire to give Bobby Spencer a gallop, in which however he was not particularly successful. Tuesday 14 June 3 Audley Square Weather bitterly cold, 30 degrees colder than Friday. Returned to London, travelling part of the way with Sir John Ramsden1 and his daughter. He is pleasant and full of fun and remembers Rainald in the old days when he took so much more interest in politics. Ah me, it is all over now. We met Lord Arundell2 at Salisbury and he showed us Old Sarum,3 the prehistoric camp which used to return two Members. Quite overwhelmed with business when we got to London, partly my own, partly a long letter from Captain Wilkinson about the very curious history of the Bowater property at Woolwich,4 partly about the Mid Northamptonshire election. I fear there is no chance of getting up a contest for Bobby. 1.Former Liberal M.P., East Division, West Riding, 1880–5. 2.John Francis, 12th. Baron Arundell of Wardour. 3.The nominal electorate had declined from 10 or 11 in 1625 to 3 voters in 1831. See Victoria County History Wiltshire (l962), p.67. 4.The property belonged to an Edward Bowater who owned farming land at Woolwich. He leased in July 1773 several acres to the Board of Ordnance enabling the Arsenal to be greatly extended. See Brig. O.F.G. Hogg, The Royal Arsenal. Its Background, Origin, and Subsequent History (1963), i, pp. 338–43.

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Wednesday 15 June 3 Audley Square Rainald went off to dine at a banquet to Mr. Balfour1 at which he made what appears to have been a weighty but dull speech. I joined Harry at the Opera where he has taken a box for the seven performances of German opera which are exciting so much interest. It was Tristran and Isolde that we saw, and though of course it is impossible to judge of such a work on one hearing, I may say at once that the love duet at the beginning of the second act is one of the most beautiful things I ever heard in my life.2 Wagner has so much to say in his music that the dramatic action does not advance very quickly. It lasted from 7.30 to near 12.00. The house was plunged in Bayreuthian darkness, which made it impossible to follow the story in the book, but altogether it was very interesting and enjoyable. Friday 17 June Firle Rainald and I began our electioneering work, he by going down to Towcester, I to Eydon, travelling with Mr. Walsh and Mr. Cooke,1 two professional orators, whose varied views about election prospects were very interesting, Mr. Cooke’s not very encouraging. The Primrose fête was of the usual dead alive kind,2 about 500 people present s’amusant moult tristement, some 150 to 200 of whom came to listen to the speeches in a tent. I spoke I think well,3 at least Val was very pleased with me. I touched a little upon Rainald’s retirement (and nearly broke down which was stupid) and said what I could for Mr. Cartwright. He is working very hard but they are not popular. After that I came on home, where the perfect silence and repose are refreshing beyond words. Speaking always takes it out of one so. 1.Given by the National Union of Conservative and Constitutional Associations at St. James’s Hall. 2.The perfomance at Covent Garden was enthusiastically received by an enormous audience particularly Gustav Mahler’s ‘excellent conducting.’ The Times, 18 June 1892, p. 7, and E.Gartenberg, Mahler, The Man and His Music (1978), p. 38. 1.V. Hussey Walsh addressed the meeting defending the Conservative government’s record; J.E.Cooke, Provincial Secretary of the Primrose League for the Midland Counties. Banbury Guardian, 23 June 1892, p. 7. 2.To the Beatrice Habitation at Eydon Hall. 3.‘An exceedingly graceful speech’ supporting T.L.M.Cartwright’s candidature for South Northamptonshire, NH, 24 June 1892, p. 5.

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Saturday 18 June 3 Audley Square Comparing notes with Rainald I think Mr. Cartwright’s prospects are on the whole cheery. Much the most important thing that has happened for a long time is the Ulster Convention,1 which met yesterday in Belfast. ‘We will not have Home Rule’ said the Duke of Abercorn, and they mean it. Sunday 19 June 3 Audley Square Hospital Sunday and one of Mr. Rowsell’s admirable practical sermons. Wandered into the Park afterwards and met the Duke of Abercorn, just arrived from Belfast and evidently deeply impressed with the earnestness and moderation of the Ulster Convention. I see I have forgotten to note what much impressed me on Friday, Mr. Gladstone’s reception of a deputation who came to beg him to take up the question of a legal eight hours; he met them with absolute straightforwardness and told them nothing would induce him to postpone Home Rule to anything.1 What an extraordinary old being he is! Monday 20 June 3 Audley Square 1

Italian lesson. Gertrude Henley to luncheon, rejoicing with us that Mr. Pender2 will stand for Mid Northants and keep Bobby out of the South. Afterwards to an interesting meeting presided over by the Duchess of Bedford and addressed by her and Ishbel Aberdeen3 about the Central Conference of Women Workers. I am sure it is right that we should all know as much as possible of each others’ work. Then to the end of Nora’s conference where many Girls’ Friendly Society friends and in the evening to a party at Mrs. Vereker’s,4 where a few Homburg acquaintances. 1.The Times, 18 June 1892, pp. 10–11. 1.On 16 June, Gladstone had received a deputation from the London Trades Council which pressed for ‘a legal limitation of the hours of labour’. The Times leader, 17 June 1892, p. 9, praised Gladstone for his firmness. 1.Gertrude Augusta, daughter of Anthony, 3rd. Baron Henley by his first wife, Julia Augusta. 2.James Pender, lord of the manor of Thornby, and Northamptonshire landowner. 3.Adeline Marie, wife of George Russell, 10th. Duke of Bedford; Ishbel Maria (1857–1939), wife of John Campbell Gordon, 7th. Earl of Aberdeen. 4.Louisa, widow of John Prendergast Vereker, son of John, 3rd. Viscount Gort.

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Tuesday 21 June 3 Audley Square All day on the Girls’ Friendly Society Council1 which went off very well and completed its business. Interesting discussion on the admission of foreign girls, decided to limit it to British subjects, which I was surprised to find such a wide limit … Dined with the Larnachs,2 sat between Mr. Newton and Lord Lichfield,3 both pleasant. Mr. Newton confirms what one hears on all sides of the intense radicalism of the labourers in Suffolk and Norfolk. He attributes it in great measure to the inferior type of clergy in those parts. I suspect over preservation of game has something to do with it. Wednesday 22 June 3 Audley Square Rainald went on from Christie’s to the House of Commons for his last division, on the Small Holdings bill, which has come back from the Lords with the clause making the holdings personal property, and therefore divisible in case of intestacy, struck out. They moved to reinstate it, but were beaten by a large majority.1 That was his last division, a very proper and characteristic one. He said Goodbye to the Speaker and now it is all over. He feels it and so do I, and if he could have come in again without a contest I should have liked him to go on, but a contest is too hard work, and to be beaten after all would spoil everything. It is gratifying to see and hear how everyone regrets his going and everyone says he ought to be made a peer. Nous verrons. Thursday 23 June 3 Audley Square To a most interesting Literature Conference at Miss Cockerell’s.1 Mrs. Field read a splendid paper on recreation, full of suggestiveness. She spoke specially of the dull monotonousness of labourers’ lives and of the importance of teaching children how to play. Oh dear, what endless possibilities they are: now that sets one on Folk Lore and the Child’s book etc.… In the evening we dined (for the first time) at Lambeth. I was very well placed next the Attorney-General, Sir Richard Webster,2 who was very pleasant. Regretted Mr. Goschen’s love of surprises and ‘too clever by half’ budgets, says we ought to have stuck 1.Central Council meeting. GFS Minutes, Central Council, 21 June 1892. 2.James Walker Larnach and his wife, Lady Isabel Lettice, of East Grinstead. 3.Thomas Francis Anson, 3rd. Earl of Lichfield. 1.Hansard, 4, 5, cols. 1751–60, 22 June 1892. Ayes 48, Noes 17. 1.Held at 11 Mandeville Place, Manchester Square. Miss Cockerell, AJA editor. AJA, Aug. 1892, pp. 144–7. 2.Attorney-General, 1886–92.

to the licensing clauses, is all for a pauper alien bill.3 It ought to have been brought in before. My other neighbour, Sir Henry Longley,4 was also pleasant.

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Friday 24 June 3 Audley Square A grand hustle in consequence of finding that our election is fixed a week earlier than we expected and that we must go home on Tuesday. In the afternoon to the Branch Secretaries Conference,1 an interesting discussion on technical education. I told what we had done in Northamptonshire. Afterwards a nice drive with Fanny Legge2 who is living down at Walworth and much talk about her work there. I admire it immensely, but doubt if I could do it. Anyhow it is not my business. She has joined the Christian Socialists who say we ought to live the life’ more than any of us do. Saturday 25 June 3 Audley Square After luncheon at which Cecil St. Quintin1 and Georgie Gage, to see Lady W.Osborne,2 with whom was Lady Cork, amused me much by saying it was impossible to convince the English, who though sensible, are dead stupid, that the Irish, with all their cleverness are quite unfit to govern themselves. Afterwards with Rainald to Lambeth, where, as everywhere, great lamentations at his leaving the House. It is very flattering. At night to see Sarah Bernhardt3 in Leah,4 an idiotic play, atrociously acted. I never saw anyone so gone off. She rants and raves and roars and all her company are beneath contempt. I never want to see her again.5 3.On the 26 May 1892, Col. Thomas Sandys, Conservative M.P., Bootle, had been given an undertaking by the Home Secretary, Henry Matthews, that a bill would be introduced to prevent or restrict pauper immigration into this country. Hansard, 4, 4, col. 1915. 4.Chief Charity Commissioner for England and Wales, 1885–99, son of Charles Thomas Longley, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1862–8. 1.Annual meeting held at Portman Rooms, Baker St. at which Fanny Calder spoke on ‘Technical Education for Women’. AJA, aug. 1892, pp. 131–140. 2.Fanny Louisa, daughter of William Bruce Stopford of Drayton House, Thrapston, and wife of Dr. Augustus Legge, Bishop of Lichfield since 1891. She worked among the poor and sick in Sydenham and Lewisham, south east London. 1.Cecil Amy, daughter of Matthew St. Quintin of Scampston, near Pickering, Yorkshire. 2.Georgina Henrietta, second wife of Lord William Osborne. LMK often stayed at their home in Tulliallan, Fifeshire. 3.(1844–1923). French actress. 4.Leah, a French version of a German play by Salomon von Mosenthal called Deborah, and described as ‘a wail in five acts’. 5.It was generally agreed, however, that the two-month London season was a success. During another play, Cleopatra, in which Bernhardt took the name part, an elderly dowager was heard to say, ‘How unlike, how very unlike, the home life of our dear Queen’. See A.Gold and R.Fizdale, The Divine Sarah (1991), p. 245.

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Tuesday 28 June Fawsley Came down here to take our part in the election campaign Parliament being actually dissolved today and Rainald’s long Parliamentary career being closed. Wednesday 29 June Fawsley We had to hurry home to dine and go off to a meeting at Daventry at which Rainald took the chair, and made a very nice little speech taking leave of his constituents.1 The meeting was wonderfully good, the room packed with an attentive and even enthusiastic audience. Anyone, almost, one would have thought, could have played with them, with any earnestness in him or her, but Mr. Cartwright made a very short, very trimming unsatisfactory speech, in which he actually said he should like to see the workhouses pulled down and then rushed off to two other meetings leaving us to the mercies of a drunk Irishman. One feels so strongly that it is one’s duty to support Lord Salisbury in every possible way, or I certainly would not work for Mr. Cartwright. Saturday 2 July Fawsley Sat out writing all the morning, which was truly delicious; in the afternoon canvassing to Newnham which I much doubt being a good place. Daventry is certainly much more Conservative that it was, but I doubt there being much, if any, improvement in the villages. In the evening to a nice little friendly sort of private meeting at Preston where I expounded Lord Salisbury’s marvellous able manifesto to the electors1 and Rainald spoke and we were all very sociable together. Preston is a good place I believe. July is a charming month of electioneering, driving about the lanes in the evening is simply delicious. 1.‘It says a great deal for Sir Rainald’s zeal in and devotion to the Cause, that he has not failed to appear on the platform and in bidding an affectionate farewell to the constituency and at the same time heavily recommending the claims of Mr. T.L.Melville Cartwright as a suitable Unionist successor,’ NH, 1 July 1892, p. 5. 1. Salisbury’s manifesto had appeared in the newspapers on 28 June.

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Tuesday 5 July Fawsley The first returns of the elections came in and were not encouraging. We have lost, on the balance, eight seats, and it is a bad lookout. Wednesday 6 July Fawsley Mr. Cartwright and his daughter Marion1 arrived and we went to a most delightfully enthusiastic meeting at dear little Badby, which as usual cheered to the echo. A Mr. Patman,2 a clergyman from Ulster, spoke and wonderfully well, with real eloquence and that reality and earnestness which underlies all the Ulstermen say. It is life and death to them. I merely seconded a vote of thanks to the speakers.3 The returns today much more satisfactory; we have held our own in endless constituencies and won as many as we have lost, so that our loss is still only eight. If only the counties go right, but I am afraid, as Mr. Skinner expresses it, it will be ‘a tight fit’ here. Thursday 7 July Fawsley The Cartwrights departed she to drive quite alone in her pony cart all across by Farthingstone, Plumpton, Woodend to Wappenham. A very plucky thing. I should be afraid. We drove over to Daventry in the afternoon and in the evening held a little meeting at Charwelton. It was very well attended, but oh, the contrast to Badby! They listened, attentively and respectfully, but no point was taken up, no response came, except from Small and some schoolmasters from a distance.1 Curious that it should be so intensely Radical; it will be till it gets another parson. 1. Daughter of T.L.M. Cartwright. 2. Revd. Edward Patman of Ahoghill, Ballymena. 3. NH, 8 July 1892, p. 6. 1. NH, 8 July 1892, supp. p. 2.

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Friday 8 July Fawsley Down to Charwelton again by 9a.m. for the School inspection, as Val could not attend, the children’s musical drill very pretty. Then back and drove with Rainald to Badby where he and Branneston voted, while I sat outside which enrages me. Badby was full of blue and enthusiasm, they cheered Rainald and me like mad. Then on to Daventry and so to London, meeting at Blisworth the delightful news of Lord Burghley’s splendid majority of 661 news which I hope may save one seat.1 Glad to be quiet when I arrived being rather worn out with the work of the last ten days. Dined with dear Mary Wheatley always a joy and a relief to talk of something besides politics. We lost a good many London seats yesterday, but so far are holding our own in the Counties. Saturday 9 July 3 Audley Square Went in the morning to Mrs. Dundas’s to discuss with her Miss Blunt and Mrs. Portal the Prayer Union which Lady Mary1 is anxious to start within the Guild. I do hope it will grow for I am sure it will bring a blessing. I was glad for myself to have my thoughts turned from the turmoil of politics; and indeed one needed help, for coming home I found the telegram: ‘Guthrie won by 48′.2 It is disgusting. I am sorry for Mr. Cartwright for he has worked so hard, at the same time one cannot but feel that he was anything but a good candidate with his shuffling and trimming about vaccination and his wicked nonsense about the workhouses. We did our best, I don’t think we have anything to reproach ourselves with. Things have gone altogether badly today, we have lost six or seven seats. I suppose now they will come in with a small majority. Monday 11 July 3 Audley Square Came home to a stream of visitors and then went to hear Don Giovanni1 which I enjoyed very much. Mlle. Arnoldson was very good as Zerlina (though not Patti!) I did not so 1.North Northamptonshire, Burghley, 4505, J.T. Stockburn, Liberal, 3836. 1.Lady Mary Feilding and members of the Working Ladies’ Guild. 2.South Northamptonshire, David C.Guthrie, 3930, T.L.M.Cartwright, 3882. 1.At Covent Garden.

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much care for Maurel as Don Juan2 but it is so enjoyable when one really knows the music and has no trouble about understanding it. Tuesday 12 July 3 Audley Square Rainald went down to vote against Bobby Spencer. Mr. Pender and Mrs.1 are making a gallant fight and it will be something to reduce his minority. I observe that for the first time Bobby is trotting out his wife. We are losing seats steadily but Gladstone is not sweeping the board. Wednesday 13 July 3 Audley Square Sir Thomas Munro came to luncheon and we lamented together over a very bad day, 13 seats lost, and the only consolation that Mr. Gladstone’s majority is reduced from over 4000 to under 7001 and Bobby’s from 900 and odd to 400 and odd2 … Went to hear the Götterdämmerung most splendidly performed. All the last act with that wonderful death march (which I missed at Frankfurt) is stupendous and Frau Klafsky3 was a wonderful Brünnhilde. It is so different from all other music but somehow it grows upon one. Thursday 14 July 3 Audley Square Went to Mr. Morley lunched at the Club and saw various people in the course of the day which was less disastrous as regards elections. In the evening a dinner, Reptons, Larnachs, Foljambes, Peels, St. Germans′1 and FitzGeralds. I sat between Lord St. Germans and Sir F. Peel. I note as a singular proof of the collapse of the season that no one refused because they were engaged and that except the St. Germans’ no one was going on. 2.Sigurd Arnoldson, Swedish soprano (1861–1943); Adelina Patti, Italian soprano (1843–1919); Victor Maurel, French baritone and creator of Verdi roles (1848–1923). 1.Mary Rose Pender. 1.Gladstone was elected for Midlothian, attracting 5845 votes and his opponent Col. A.G.Wauchope, 5155. 2.C.R. Spencer, 4731, J.Pender, 4300. In 1886 Spencer’s majority had been 956. 3.Katharina Klafsky (1855–96), Hungarian soprano. 1.Henry Cornwallis Eliot, 5th. Earl St. Germans, and his wife, Emily.

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Friday 15 July 3 Audley Square Rainald went down to the Puppy show at Paulerspury and met with a most enthusiastic reception. Everybody, both in town and country, tells him Why didn’t you stand? you would have saved the seat,′ which is alike flattering and provoking. But we both agree in not for one moment regretting his having retired. I am sure the hard work would have knocked him up and if he had not worked and had been beat not only would it have almost broken his heart, but people would have said, and with some justice, Why didn’t you retire and make room for some one who could work?’ … The Macdonalds, Fanny Vesey and Georgie, all came to luncheon after which I drove and saw Nora Trevelyan, full of Cabinet making, which will be the next ploy. We have lost hardly anything the last two days; they won’t have swept the board by any means. Wednesday 20 July 3 Audley Square Today, William brought me the key of Richmond Park1 and I have sent it to the Lord Chamberlain’s office. It is all over. Thursday 21 July 3 Audley Square 1

Ida Sutton came to luncheon, afterwards I went to see Miss Adams and talked about the vaccination question which seems to me a very serious difficulty ahead.2 1.Thatched House Lodge, Lady Bowater’s home leased to her by the Queen since 1862. 1.Mabel Ida, daughter of Campbell Munro, and wife of Hugh Clement Sutton. 2.There was widespread resistance to compulsory vaccination, which had been introduced by Act of Parliament in 1853. See F.B.Smith, The People’s Health (1979), pp. 161–170.

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Friday 22 July 3 Audley Square Two Primrose League Committees in the morning, not specially interesting. Harry and Georgie came to luncheon after which we drove down to a garden party at Syon. Someone said it was quite ten years since one was given there. The house was thrown open which I don’t remember before, very handsome and stately in the Adams style, old fashioned rooms such as one can fancy Horace Walpole and the Miss Berrys in: ‘Horry Walpole’ as Rainald says his old grandmother Lady Fremantle1 used to talk of him as. It was a very pleasant party, given on the occasion of Lord Warkworth2 coming of age. Rainald occupied himself all the afternoon in hunting all the Radicals he could find, Sir Wilfrid Lawson,3 Mr. Shaw-Lefevre,4 Mr. Childers, Lady Harcourt etc asking them how they liked their prospects with a majority of 42, entirely dependent on the Irish. They are in anything but good spirits. Monday 25 July 3 Audley Square Off again to Somerset House in the morning. One feels one quite gets to know those old Knightleys in their wills.1 1.Selina Mary, widow of Felton Lionel Hervey, married secondly Sir William Henry Fremantle, Bart., M.P., 1806–27, and Treasurer of Household, 1826–37. Selina died in 1841. 2.Henry Algernon Percy, son of Algernon, 6th. Duke of Northumberland. 3.2nd. Bart, Radical M.P., Cockermouth, 1886–1900. 4.George John Shaw-Lefevre, Liberal M.P., Central Bradford, First Commissioner of Works, 1892–4. 1.LMK subsequently wrote an article, ‘Extracts from Knightley Wills at Somerset House’, published in Northamptonshire Notes and Queries, 5, 1894, pp. 148–50.

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Wednesday 27 July Red House, Roehampton Rainald and I went to luncheon with Lady Abercromby to meet my dear little Duchess1 whom I was very glad to see again. It was a pleasant enough luncheon though much too long. I sat between Mr. Edward Ponsonby,2 the Speaker’s secretary, who is decidedly amusing and Mrs. Astor3 the wife of the great New York millionaire who has taken Lansdowne House.4 She has pretty eyes and something very taking about her. Amused with a story, probably not true, of Mrs. Gladstone being so delighted with the peroration of one of the G.O.M.′s speeches that she sprang up threw her arms round his neck and kissed him, whereon a wag in the crowd shouted out ‘Serve ye right, old un′.′ He is said to be in a frightful state of excitement and people wonder very much how he will stand the fatigues and anxieties of Office and speculate whether he will or will not put Home Rule in the forefront of the battle. Mr, Labouchere is very anxious he should postpone it to ‘one man one vote’. Rainald predicts that this Government will last till about March 1894. Thursday 4 August Fawsley Played croquet and went up to Juliet’s for a lawn tennis party, everybody talking of the election and grumbling at its being lost. If they would only work instead of grumbling the result might be different. Friday 5 August Fawsley Parliament met yesterday. I think Rainald feels being out of it. I suppose we shall know next week whether he is to be made a peer. I should like it, for him, but it is wonderful how little I think about it. Like everything else it will come if it pleases God and is good for us, and if not it will be well. 1.Duchess of Albany. 2.Son of Vere Brabazon Ponsonby, 7th. Earl of Bessborough. 3.Nancy, wife of Waldorf Astor, her second husband. 4.Now the Lansdowne Club in Berkeley Square.

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Sunday 7 August Fawsley When I walked into Rainald’s room this morning, he greeted me with ‘Allow me to congratulate Lady Knightley of Fawsley!’, and so it is. He has received a most friendly letter from Lord Salisbury telling him that he has obtained the Queen’s assent to his being made a peer and adding how glad he shall be to meet him again in political life, adding, ‘I always feel inclined to apologise to a new Peer for the supreme dullness of the House of Lords’, but perhaps it will not be so in the future, to which Rainald responded by telling him that Labby had told him some months ago that he thought the best policy for the Liberal party would be to bring the two houses into collision as soon and as often as possible.1 And so Rainald is to be a Peer! Well, I am very glad. It is an appropriate termination to a long and honourable Parliamentary career and he will not be, to use his own expression, ‘altogether out of the hunt’. At all events he will be able to go and sit over the clock in the House of Commons and look on at the proceedings in the old ‘dog hole’ as he used to call it, a very rough place it seems to be becoming. As to myself, I honestly think it will make very little difference. I am somebody down here and I shall never be anybody in London, but in a number of small ways it will be pleasant. We are desired not to say anything about it till it is in the papers, about the 17th. With Lord Salisbury’s letter came one from his secretary Mr. Schomberg McDonnell2 asking what title he would like to take and saying it would save trouble if he could see him. We long ago settled ‘Knightley of Fawsley’ and should be very sorry to part with the beautiful old name. Monday 8 August Fawsley Hard at work again hanging pictures then croquet, then to a ‘technical tea’ at Juliet’s, i.e. a gathering of all the Committees we formed last winter to help her with the technical education classes. They are to have home dress cutting this winter. I had an interesting talk with Mrs. Hadland, from Weedon and another farmeress on the difficulties they have to contend with, especially from the growing distaste to dairywork among the young folk. Yet cows must be milked and butter be made. There is a seething, an unrest among the labouring population which is very difficult to deal with. I wonder if it is a transition period which will right itself, or whether the solution lies in more machinery? My interlocutors were quite willing to admit there were faults on the farmers’ side too but complained bitterly of want of faithfulness among the men. One can but hope that religion may prevail and instil it. 1.Sir Rainald Knightley to Lord Salisbury. 7 Aug. 1892, Hatfield House Papers, 3M/E. 2.(1861–1915). Principal private secretary to Lord Salisbury, 1888–92, 1895–9 and 1900–2.

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Tuesday 9 August Fawsley Rainald and Charlie with to Towcester to attend an Executive Meeting of the Conservative Association and take some preliminary steps towards finding a new candidate, Mr. Cartwright, in a very good letter, having declined to stand again. He assigns one very undoubtedly important reason for his non-success, Aubrey’s great unpopularity. I had a delightful though very tiring day in receiving the 3 GFS branches, Daventry, Brackley I and Haddon I to their festival. Mrs. Curgenven 1gave us an admirable address on the words ‘Your daughters as the polished corners of the temple’, pointing out how we women can sustain the home. It was perfectly simple and yet full of thought… I addressed them and made them laugh with Fanny Legge’s story of the factory girl who on being told how hard the Queen had to work said, Then I should chuck.′ I spoke much better than on Saturday. We had tea for the Associates in the old hall. I took the girls over the house in parties, then they danced and played games and departed about 8 having I think thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Thursday 11 August Fawsley Drove with Tiny to Canons Ashby where in lovely weather Alice had a most successful Primrose League fête with crowds of people. Mr. Hussey Walsh and I were the speakers from a waggon, a most comfortable platform, I chiefly drumming away at the necessity of work to win back the seat.1 Friday 12 August Fawsley Went to the workhouse a good many invalids among the old men, to whom I read and talked. One wonders so what life history lies behind those poor old failures. Croquet and a visit from Colonel and Mrs. Langley1 and Mr. Marriott,2 tea at Juliet’s and a practice made up a long and busy day. 1.Wife of Revd. Francis Henry Curgenven, vicar of the Church of the Holy Cross, Byfield. 1.NH, 12 Aug. 1892, p. 5. 1.Langley was the Commander of Weedon Barracks. 2.Arthur W.Marriott, Newnham House, Daventry.

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Saturday 13 August Fawsley Rained most of the morning a rather pleasant party at the Blacklocks1 in the afternoon with little bits of business interspersed. Sir Thomas arrived. The division took place on Thursday night and the Government were turned out by the exact majority of 40.2 Mr. Gladstone was the only speaker from the opposition bench3 and one of the very best Governments the century has known fell without any real indictment being framed against them in the House. But not for long: a most remarkable speech from Mr. Redmond,4 the leader of the nine Parnellites, shows how far beyond anything Mr. Gladstone can possibly offer go the demands of the Irish party. Friday 19 August Fawsley This was really a very eventful day. The morning broke so gloomily with rain up to eleven o’clock that my heart was in my shoes. However it did clear as the day wore on and we had the most perfect, brilliant afternoon imaginable. Then, when the newspapers arrived, Rainald’s peerage was duly announced which was an agreeable surprise as we did not expect it till tomorrow and it gave great point to all the proceedings. Everybody was so cordial and genial about it. We had Mr. Pender, Colonel Lowndes and a friend and the Blackwoods to luncheon and then gave ourselves up to the fête of the Knightley habitation and most successful it was.2 We had Christy Minstrels, the morris dancers I liked so much at Watton, and the phonograph besides the usual athletic sports, merry go rounds etc. At 5.30 came the speeches in front of the window of the old hall, Mrs. Pender, I, and Mr. Cooke, and I must at once admit that I have met my master—or mistress rather—in Mrs. Pender. She speaks quite charmingly without the elaborate preparation of Lady Jersey but with a winning, womanly grace which must go to the hearts of the hearers. I had taken great pains to please Rainald and worked up a better peroration than I usually do, but, though it wasn’t bad, I admit to being second. Altogether the whole day was a great success and I shall long look back to it with pleasure. 1.William James Sinclair Blacklock, Newnham Hall, Newnham, Daventry. 2.Hansard, 4, 7, col. 430, 11 Aug. 1892. Adjourned debate on the Queen’s Speech. Ayes 350, Noes 310. 3.Ibid., cols. 195–216. 4.Ibid., cols. 288–300. 1. NH, 19 Aug. 1892, p. 5. 2. NH, 26 Aug. 1892, p. 6.

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Wednesday 24 August Fawsley The weather has been most beautiful and hot, thoroughly enjoyable; all over Europe the heat has been quite overwhelming. Meanwhile by every post come letters of congratulation from all sorts and conditions, some from almost strangers, some very pretty ones from old friends. They are very pleasant to receive though it is hard work answering them. One from Garter King at Arms,1 a preliminary to making out the patent. Thursday 25 August Fawsley A few hours later the Town Hall was the scene of a most disgraceful row at a meeting convened to protest against Mr. Labouchere’s exclusion from the Cabinet which he endeavours, most unconstitutionally, to ascribe to the Queen.1 I don’t the least know whether she has objected or not2 but she would be more than justified in refusing to admit to her Councils a man who has been twice publicly horsewhipped and has lived openly with another man’s wife. Friday 26 August Fawsley Rainald has had a letter of congratulation from Lord Spencer.1 felt sure he would seize the opportunity. He is thoroughly ashamed of what he did in the Spring.2 1. Sir Albert William Woods, holder of the post, 1869–1904. 1. NM, 26 Aug. 1892, p. 5. 2. In fact Gladstone, aware that the Queen would object to Labouchere’s name being submitted to her, privately asked Labouchere to write him a letter stating that he would not accept office were it offered him. See A.L.Thorold, The Life of Henry Labouchere (1913), pp. 373–8. 1. See Spencer to Knightley, 24 Aug. 1892, Spencer Papers K336 (draft). For Knightley’s reply see 26 Aug. 1892, Spencer Papers, K336. 2. See entry for 11 March 1892.

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Monday 29 August Fawsley Harry left, Sir Henry Dryden came to luncheon, bringing with him two American gentlemen, Mr. Waters, who has written much on the vexed question of the Washington descent, and a Mr. Silsbec, both agreeable, intelligent men and I much enjoyed showing them the house, church, etc. while Rainald exhibited his pedigree. The question of supporters has arisen in connection with the peerage, the Knightleys have borne them for 300 years, beginning with the falcon and blue boar at the time of the marriage with Ursula de Vere,1 then changing to the unicorn on the marriage with Elizabeth Seymour,2 both which are emblazoned on the pedigree, and finally Sir John, Sir Charles3 and Rainald have always borne two falcons, so that Rainald entirely refuses to apply to the Heralds’ College for a fresh grant, although Mr. Lindsay, ‘Portcullis’,4 says they are not registered there. Mr. Waters told us of a delicious bequest in one of the 250,000 wills he has read in search of American pedigrees, 4d. to an acquaintance to buy him a string of onions, no other tears is he likely to shed at the testator’s funeral. Sunday 4 September Fawsley Not much to record of this week. Sophy went to Mrs. Stopford’s party with me, but both it and Mrs. Senhouse’s yesterday were spoiled by wind and cold. The weather seems to have quite broken, the rain has done much good to the pastures and no harm to the corn, but the terribly low prices of everything are reducing agriculture to a more hopeless state than ever. I believe nothing but bimetallism will do us any good. Sophy left on Thursday, on Friday I went to Badby and had a good potter among the people, the first for so long. 1.Ursula de Vere married Sir Edmund Knightley, died 1542. 2.Elizabeth Seymour was Sir Richard’s second wife. 3.Sir John, 1st. Bart., died 1812, and Sir Charles, 2nd. Bart, Sir Rainald’s father died 1864. 4.William Alexander Lindsay, barrister, CVO, FSA, Portcullis, College of Arms, 1883–94.

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Monday 19 September Fawsley With Mary to the workhouse in the morning distributed tea, sugar and tobacco, etc. I am alarmed at the rising outcry against the workhouses. People have forgotten what the old poor law was. Croquet and tea at Juliet’s. Friday 23 September Fawsley Wednesday I went to Daventry in the afternoon to address the girls at Miss Barrett’s school,1 middle class maidens, just what we are so anxious to get hold of for GFS. Saturday 24 September Fawsley Rainald went off early to Northampton to attend the joint Committee of Magistrates and County Council, who have the control of the police, and to which he was elected last spring as a protest against the action of Earl Spencer, K.G.1 He came back in time for our luncheon which consisted of Lord and Lady Henley, Mr. and Mrs. Swainson and Mr. and Mrs. Cope and Miss Middleton, after which we had a most successful reading of the School for Scandal… Rainald’s peerage is gazetted today under date August 22,2 so I don’t know what has caused the long delay. Friday 30 September Fawsley I had no idea a week had slipped away. Sunday we went to see Mrs. Robson and to tea at Juliet’s, Monday played croquet. On Tuesday a long day at Northampton, the Diocesan Conference and very dull. The Bishop presided: it is hard on any man to come after 1.Boarding and day school situated in the High Street supervised by Martha, Louisa and Fanny Barrett. 1.NM, 30 Sept. 1892, p. 5. 2.The Times, 24 Sept. 1892, p. 9.

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Bishop Magee and, save for one eloquent passage, the opening address was tame and he made a very bad chairman, let people go havering on, and then spoiled the discussion. Subjects, how to keep up Church Schools, and technical education.1 I sat between the Bishop and Bishop Thicknesse2 at luncheon. I remember I occupied the same position 22 years ago at Brackley. Wednesday, a morning at Charwelton and an afternoon at croquet; we lead off with Rainald two games ahead, but we are certainly wonderfully even… Rainald went to the bench, where he and Lord Henley were outvoted on a poaching case by Val, Captain Stopford3 and Colonel Lowndes. Pity the magistrates should always inflict the highest penalty they can in such cases. Thursday it poured most of the day, in the evening we went to a school meeting at Badby with the object of averting a School Board. It was very funny, Mr. Scratton4 in the chair muddling along, Rainald making despairing faces behind his back, Tom Sanders5 jumping up and trying to manufacture a grievance about popular control. I don’t know when I have laughed so much. I wish some of the Radicals who are so keen about Village Councils had been there. Today I have been very busy: to our surprise the hounds came by in full cry about 11.30, the Grafton. It seemed so odd to see them with the flowers all out and to think that I shall not go out this year if ever again. Went into Daventry for a Primrose League executive, also to the workhouse and paid a visit to Mrs. Forster, with whom a long talk about her daughter. And so ends a very busy, happy time, and now it will be nice to have a rest. Sunday 16 October Lindertis, Kirriemuir I have been very busy, editing the leaflet for the Working Ladies’ Guild, writing many GFS letters and reading an admirable Sismondi’s Italian Republics1 in short, an article about Michaelangelo etc. And so ends another volume of my journal, a sad one. Yet, thank God, it is only for a time that I am parted from my darling Mother. 1.NH, 30 Sept. 1892, p. 6. 2.Rt. Revd. Dr. Francis Henry Thicknesse, Suffragan Bishop of Leicester, 1888–1902, and rector of Oxenden since 1892. 3.Capt. Edward Stopford, R.N., Falconer’s Hill, Daventry. 4.Revd. William Scratton, vicar of St. Mary the Virgin, Badby with St. Michael, Newnham since 1871. 5.Eli Thomas Sanders, evangelist minister, Badby. 1. Simonde de Sismondi, A History of the Italian Republics (1830).

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Monday 24 October Stockeld Park, Wetherby, Yorkshire Drove over to Bramham and visited Mr. George Lane-Fox, who for 45 years has been the master of the Bramham Moor Hounds, a fine old sportsman as ever was. We found him in his own den, surrounded by every sort of old sporting caricature and picture. He was great fun talking about his eldest son, the Vice-Chancellor of the Primrose League, ‘Primrose George’ as he calls him, with whom he appears to be on excellent terms, in spite of having disinherited him for turning Roman Catholic. Wednesday 26 October Claridge’s Hotel 1

Went to see Miss Rhodes with whom I have been corresponding about an introduction for Hughie Munro to her very remarkable brother, Cecil Rhodes. Also to see Mary Wheatley (whom I found to my surprise greatly interested about Uganda, if public opinion has got as far as that, I have hopes of our keeping it).2 Thursday 27 October Claridge’s Hotel Dined with the Jeunes in the evening, sat next Sir Henry Thompson,1 very pleasant and light in hand. Sir Edward Clark and his wife there.2 He thinks the Home Rule bill will be thrown out in the Commons which I own appears to me sanguine. Everybody full of Lord Salisbury’s article in the National Review,3 said to be delightfully contemptuous. Mr. Frederic Harrison4 is hardly worth so much attention. ‘My name is Richards’5 was also there, the rejected of Northampton, fresh from the Cape and very wroth at the proposed surrender of Swaziland to the Boers, the price of a Customs Union between the Transvaal and the Cape. 1. Edith Rhodes. 2. Uganda was ceded to Great Britain by Germany under the Anglo-German Treaty, 1890. 1. Sir Henry Meysey-Thompson, 2nd. Bart., Liberal Unionist M.P., Handsworth, Staffordshire, 1892–1905. 2. Conservative M.P., Plymouth, 1880–1900, Solicitor-General, 1886–92, and his second wife, Kathleen. 3. ‘Constitutional Revision’, 20 Nov. 1892, pp. 289–300. 4. (1831–1923), author and positivist who wrote for the Fortnightly Review when John Morley was editor. 5. Henry Charles Richards, Conservative, who unsuccessfully contested Bradlaugh’s seat in 1884 and 1885.

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Friday 18 November Firle I had rather an interesting day, first Joint Committee Primrose League. Mr. Lane-Fox told me how completely Sir Watkin Wynn1 has thrown away his great position in Wales by his boorish manner and utter want of tact. Then we discussed various leaflets, among them one on the Poor Law, which I agreed to try and draw up. Then Ladies’ Executive, Lady Salisbury in the chair, not much business, after which she came with me to luncheon at the Club, which I think much amused her. She told me, talking of the rumoured ruin of Marshall and Snelgrove, that long ago Howell and James2 went bankrupt because the old Dowager Duchess of Sutherland owed him £30,000 which she could not or would not pay. She also says the Queen told her that she should ask her old friends to act as Mistress of the Robes in turn. What a shift for her to be reduced to! The present Government do not send Whips to more than 36 Peers, officials and all. Monday 24 November 38 Beaufort Gardens Went with Rainald to Mr. Turner’s, Sackville Street to consent before a Commissioner to the loan of another £2000. Can’t be helped. Sunday 11 December Fawsley On Monday I drove up to Preston to see Val etc. and went to Red House Farm.1 Coming home I was caught in the worst snowstorm I almost ever encountered. It didn’t last long, but it was bad! Tuesday I spent a morning at Badby while Rainald and Charlie betook themselves to Towcester, for a Meeting of the Conservative Association to which to report that Mr. Pennant was willing to stand. Unexpected difficulties arose for Mr. Cartwright, who in a letter to Rainald and a duplicate to Charlie in August had unreservedly withdrawn, now wants to come forward again and required a good deal of 1.Sir Herbert Watkin Wynn, 8th. Bart., Conservative M.P., Denbigh, May-Dec. 1885. He contested the same seat in 1886 and 1892 without success. 2.Department Store established in 1820 at 9 Regent Street, London, selling expensive fabrics and furnishings. 1.Messrs. M. & H.Turner, solicitors, 22 Sackville Street, London, solicitors to the Clerical Medical and General Life Assurance Society. 1.A farm about one mile south of Preston Capes.

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sitting upon. He has certainly behaved extremely ill. Wednesday I went to Charwelton. Nora Trevelyan arrived in the evening. Thursday we didn’t do much, the snow which came down on Monday night being still on the ground. These were the days of the great Agricultural Conference,2 one of the most important meetings ever held, trying but in vain to devise a remedy for the terrible depression in agriculture caused partly by bad seasons but much more by the unprecedented drop in prices which bids fair to ruin us all. Bimetallism was discussed; but that no one understands, and protection in favour of which a strong resolution was passed, is out of the question.

Tuesday 13 December Buckingham Palace Hotel The long expected day came at last and my darling and I set out on our travels to Italy. We had an interesting day to begin with. From Blisworth to Bletchley we travelled with Mrs. Fawcett,1 journeying up after a Women’s suffrage meeting at Northampton last night and which I would have gone to if I could.2 Clever, pleasant little woman she is. Like many other people she seems to think this Government won’t last this next Session: I’m sure I hope it will or the reaction won’t have gained strength enough to give us a good majority. From Bletchley we journied with the Pennants, which I was glad to do. They both seem pretty eager for the fray.

Wednesday 21 December Hotel Victoria, Monte Carlo In the evening we went to the Casino to listen to the band, one of the finest in Europe, and looked into the playrooms. Such a set of riff raff, the scum of the earth! Rainald was thoroughly disgusted and how on earth English ladies and gentlemen can like to come here and rub shoulders with the scourings of two Continents I cannot imagine. If I had been left to myself, I would not have set foot in the place. 2.A three-day conference at St. James’s Hall, 7–9 Dec. 1892. 1.Millicent Garrett Fawcett (1847–1929), leader of the women’s suffrage movement, the widow of Henry Fawcett (1833–84), Liberal M.P., Brighton, 1865–72 and Hackney, 1874–84, PostmasterGeneral, 1880–4. 2.As the Knightleys were preparing to leave for Italy the following day, LMK was unable to attend the meeting at the Town Hall. It was attended by ‘a large and influential audience, embracing prominent partisans of all shades of political opinion, and there was also a large number of rank and file present’. EWR, 15 Jan. 1893, pp. 28–32.

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New Year’s Eve Fawsley 1892 is gone—another year out of the few comparatively that in any case I have to live. After 50, it is distinctly down hill. As long as my darling husband is spared to me, I should like, please God, to live and take care of him, but after that it will, it must be, an awful plunge.

*1893* Sunday 26 February Hotel de la Ville, Florence To church, an excellent service by the same curate we had at Christmas on our Lord’s first temptation ‘Command that these stone be made bread’. Incidentally he pointed out how great a part famines have played in the world’s history from the panem et circenses of the Roman Empire to the days of the French revolution. I sometimes wonder if we shall live to see a revolution in England, things go fast. This Home Rule Bill is a revolution yet the English people won’t see it. Election after election goes against us, fought really on some petty, personal, local issue but with the result of returning men pledged to support this most iniquitous measure. Then they have brought a bill preliminary to the disestablishment of the Welsh Church1 and endless other mischievous proposals are mooted, even the payment of members with the Panama and the Banca Romana scandals before us.2 Tuesday 11 April 38 Beaufort Gardens Off by way of Byfield to Towcester for a Divisional Council of the Primrose League, not large but keen. I do think Home Rule is stirring people up, as it ought. Thursday 13 April Fawsley Came down by the 5 o’clock to Daventry, dined with the Stopfords and went to an anti Home Rule Meeting combined with the annual social gathering of the Primrose League. It was not so full as I should have liked, but Lord Henley spoke admirably, giving a quite wonderfully clear description of the bill, and it was no small thing to have him and Rainald on the same platform. My darling made a nice speech too, and then a Mr. Watson 1.The Established Church (Wales) Bill was introduced in the Commons on 23 Feb. 1893 by Asquith, the Home Secretary. Hansard, 4, 9, cols. 204–14. 2.In January, Ferdinand de Lesseps was charged, with four other directors of the Panama Canal Company, with breach of trust and embezzlement. In the same month an inspection of the Rome branch of the Bank of Naples revealed that the manager and two and half million lire had disappeared.

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an Irishman spoke, not at all badly.1 One only hopes it will all filter down. Tuesday 18 April Buckingham Palace Hotel The Business Habitation of the Primrose League at Westminster Town Hall,1 not so interesting as usual, though Lord Henniker’s2 proposal of direct representation by means of divisional and County Councils interested me, as presenting a curious analogy with all we have done through our Girls’ Friendly Society. Wednesday 19 April Buckingham Palace Hotel In the morning to a little preliminary Club Committee to arrange our course of action tomorrow. In the afternoon Rainald and I went to Covent Garden for the great Meeting of the Primrose League.1 It is always a most soul inspiring sight to see that vast building crammed with such an enthusiastic audience. Lord Salisbury spoke well but I thought with less power than usual. Mr. Matthews, whom I never heard before, agreeably surprised me and Mr. Dunbar Barton2 made a very clever speech from the Ulster point of view.

Thursday 20 April Buckingham Palace Hotel Went with my darling down to the House of Lords to see him take his seat. The ceremonial is a quaint relic of olden times. A small procession advances up the House, consisting of Garter King at Arms (in his beautiful clothes), the Duke of Norfolk as Earl Marshal, then Rainald between his two supporters, Lord Balfour of Burleigh1 and Lord Norton (all in their robes): they all bow at various intervals, and Rainald presents his 1.At the Assembly Hall, Daventry. Knightley seconded the motion and declared that ‘the Home Rule Bill would not pass, at least he thought he was sure it would not pass, for Lord Salisbury and the Duke of Devonshire had declared that it should not pass.’ NH, 14 April 1893, p. 5. 1.The Times, 19 April 1893, p. 8. 2.John, 5th. Baron Henniker. 1.The Times, 20 April 1893, p. 8. 2.Dunbar Plunket Barton, Conservative M.P., Mid Armagh, 1892–1900, private secretary to Robert Offley Crewe-Milnes, 2nd. Baron Houghton, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, 1892–5. 1.Alexander Hugh Bruce (1849–1921), 6th. Baron Balfour of Burleigh, Secretary for Scotland, 1895–1903.

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patent to the Lord Chancellor2 solemnly seated on the Woolsack with his black hat on. They then return to the table where one of the clerks reads out first the patent and then the writ of summons. Then Rainald takes the oath, and signs the roll and then he and his supporters march round the House and take their seats on a back bench, put on their hats, get up, take them off, and sit down three times, after which the little procession trots solemnly out again; and after a few minutes Rainald comes back in his ordinary clothes and sits him down among his peers and very glad I was to see him there. I looked at it all from the Peeresses’ gallery. The House was rather full as Prince of Wales was there and as I left the Lord Chancellor moving the 2nd reading of a compulsory registration of Land bill.3

Friday 21 April Buckingham Palace Hotel Rainald went down to the House (of Commons) after dinner to sit over the clock and listen to the end of the great Home Rule debate, which has been dragging its slow length along for a fortnight and ended, as was anticipated, by a majority of 43 for Government.1 But in England there is a majority of 67 against the bill, and even counting Scotland and Wales of 14. It is all such a foregone conclusion it creates little or no excitement. It cannot become law without another appeal to the country, and won’t then. Saturday 22 April Buckingham Palace Hotel Went with Janey Knightley to the Albert Hall to be present at the great Anti Home Rule demonstration; 1200 delegates having come over from Ireland on purpose for it. It was the most overwhelming thrilling sight imaginable, that vast building packed with men from top to bottom—except the ground tier, which was crammed with ladies.1 The way they cheered when the Union Jack was brought in and when God Save the Queen was sung, the groans for Gladstone, the mighty shout of ‘Aye’! when the resolution was put, were things never to be forgotten. The Duke of Abercorn was in the chair, the bishop of Derry 1and Mr. Atkinson made excellent speeches but too long. 2.Lord Herschell, Lord Chancellor, 1892–5. 3.Hansard, 4, 11, cols. 735–48, 20 April 1893. Land Transfer Bill. 1.Hansard, 4, II, cols. 912–1007, 21 April 1893,. Ayes 347, Noes 304. 1.The Times, 24 April 1893, p. 6. 2.Rt. Revd. William Alexander, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, 1867–93; Archbishop of Armagh and primate of all Ireland, 1893–1911.

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Friday 12 May Buckingham Palace Hotel In the afternoon took Mrs. St. Quintin1 to a very crowded and successful Annual Meeting of the LGC Primrose League.2 Mr. Cust3 spoke fluently, amusingly and well, but the two Irish speakers, Mr. Carson4 and Miss Rowan,5 struck a very different note. One could not help feeling they were in such deadly earnest while he treated it much more like a move on the political chess board… In the evening to a tremendously crowded but amusing Primrose League party at Lady Cadogan’s. Lady Clementina Maude6 says she fears there will be a terrible row in Ireland when the bill is thrown out. Wednesday 31 May Buckingham Palace Hotel To a GFS Literature Committee and from thence to the Annual General Meeting of the Employment of Women,1 where Lord Halifax2 presided, and I made a small and rather stupid speech in moving the adoption of the report. Thursday 1 June Buckingham Palace Hotel To an extremely interesting Women’s Suffrage Conference1 to consider the putting out an appeal to all women; I was very glad to come across some of the Women’s Liberal Federation folk, they are going for it at last. Then to tea at Miss Peel’s and went for a few minutes into her gallery to gaze at the first House of Commons my darling has not sat in. It seemed very strange to hear violent denunciation of the Government proceeding from the benches below the gangway on the Government side where exigencies of space compel the Liberal Unionists to sit while the Irish howl from the Conservative benches. 1.Violet Helen, wife of William Herbert St Quintin of Scampston, North Yorkshire. 2.At the Prince’s Hall, Piccadilly. 3.Henry Cust (1861–1917), Conservative M.P., Stamford, Lincolnshire, 1890–5, editor of the Pall Mall Gazette (1892–6), successfully proposed a resolution condemning the Home Rule Bill. The Times, 13 May 1893, p. 10. 4.Edward Henry Carson, Solicitor-General for Ireland, June-Aug. 1892. 5.Honorary Secretary of St. Brendan’s Habitation, Tralee. 6.Daughter of Cornwallis Maude, 4th. Viscount Hawarden. 1. Held at 22 Berners St. EWR, 15 July 1893, pp. 190–1. 2. Charles Lindley Wood, 2nd. Viscount Halifax, president of the English Church Union, 1868– 1919. 1. Conference of the General Committee and Associated Committees of the National Society for Women’s Suffrage held in Westminster Town Hall, launching an appeal to Parliament to support women’s franchise. EWR, 15 July 1893, pp. 157–60.

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Friday 3 June Leonardslee, Horsham A busy day first Lady Henley came to talk about the Northants present for Princess May and a house for the WLG sale.1 Then I flew off to the Primrose League Committees where various interesting talk. First it is said Sir W.Harcourt describes the bill as a bad one.2 Still, I don’t believe he will leave the Government scheme for holding a meeting in every constituency as soon as the bill passes the House of Commons calling on the Lords to throw it out. Then Lady Gwendoline Cecil3 gave a very interesting account of Lord Salisbury’s visit to Ulster,4 the boundless enthusiasm and the good effect it had had in raising them from the state of bitter despair to which they had been reduced. Monday 19 June Buckingham Palace Hotel Went to a very amusing Women’s Suffrage Committee1 formed to promote a National Appeal to Women of all classes and composed of representatives of every conceivable party, the ‘wild women’ of the Liberal Federation. Mrs. Eva Mclaren2 etc, Liberal Unionists like Lady Frances Balfour3 and Mrs. Courtney4 and Mrs. Fawcett, Temperance folk like Mrs. Massingberd,5 and as representatives of the Primrose League, Miss Balfour6 and myself.

1. Eventually held at the residence of the Dowager Lady Lawrence, 18 Eaton Place on 8 June. The Times, 9 June 1893, p. 4. 2. For Harcourt’s attitude see A.G.Gardiner, The Life of Sir William Harcourt (1923), ii, pp. 220–2. 3. (1860–1945), second daughter of Robert Cecil, 3rd. Marquess of Salisbury and later his biographer. 4. From 23–30 May. 1. A Special Commitee had been formed at the 1 June meeting with Mrs. Fawcett as President. EWR, 15 July 1893, pp. 159–60. 2. Eva McLaren, wife of Walter McLaren, and Independent Liberal M.P., Crewe, 1886–95. She became treasurer of the Society for Promoting Women to all Local Government Bodies. 3. Wife of Eustace Balfour, and daughter of the 8th. Duke of Argyll, member of the Central Committee for Women’s Suffrage since 1887. See her Ne Obliviscarisi (1930), ii, pp. 128–9. 4. Kate Courtney, wife of Leonard Courtney, Liberal M.P., Bodmin, 1885–1900. 5. Emily Caroline Massingberd, of Gunby Hall, Lincolnshire, owned land in three counties and was prominent in temperance activities. She founded the Pioneer Club in 1892 to promote political and moral advancement. 6. Miss Alice Balfour, sister of Arthur, managed his household at Carlton Gardens and Whittinghame, East Lothian.

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Afterwards to luncheon with the Carysforts, and then a long time at Lambeth with Mrs. Benson and the other Girls’ Friendly Society Vice-Presidents. Thence to the House of Lords, where I listened to Lord Playfair’s7 able demolition of Lord Winchilsea’s plan8 for imitating Joseph and having granaries for time of war. It would never do. Friday 23 June Buckingham Palace Hotel Went first to a Primrose League Joint Committee which ‘sat upon’ a leaflet of the House of Lords1 which Rainald and I have been concocting. Thence Lady Lathom and I went on to the Branch Secretaries’ Conference, where I remained all day, picking up a good many hints. I was specially interested in the discussion on Personal Influence. After luncheon, Mr. Ransford,2 taking the chair, told some of us near him of an awful catastrophe to an iron clad and proposed to announce it publicly. We begged him not in case anyone present should have relations. It was not till I came out and saw the announcement ‘Admiral Tryon drowned’3 that it dawned upon me that it was Philip Munro’s4 ship and, buying a paper found it was too true. A disaster of such appalling magnitude, in beautiful weather and profound peace, seems quite stunning even to those who have no relations on board and my heart bleeds for the poor Munros. They were so proud and so fond of him. Went in the evening to a party at Polly Ridley’s5 who has opened that beautiful house for the first time for several years. Lord Salisbury was there and he and Rainald had a little chaff about the House of Lords. He echoed the general opinion that the bill will not get through the House of Commons. Nous verrons. 7. Lyon Playfair 1st. Baron Playfair of St. Andrews (1818–98), previously Liberal M.P., Leeds S., 1885–92. Vice-President of the Committee of Council on Education 1886. Lord-in Waiting, 1892– 5. 8. Murray Edward Finch-Hatton, 11th. Earl of Winchilsea’s resolution, urged that ‘the quantity of bread-stuffs in the UK shall not at any time fall below the amount necessary to provide bread for the whole population for six months’. Playfair retorted, ‘It is not our food, but our commerce that required protection’. Hansard, 4, 13, cols. 1281–99, 19 June 1893. 1. PLG, 24 June 1893, p. 9. 2. Revd. Robert Bolton Ransford, vicar of St. Jude, East Brixton, 1869–95. 3. Vice-Admiral Sir George Tryon, of Bulwick Park, Northamptonshire. C-in-C, Mediterranean Fleet since 1891. Whilst manoeuvring off Tripoli on 23 June, Tryon’s ship, HMS Victoria, collided with HMS Camperdown with the loss of 350 officers and men. 4. Lieut. Philip Munro, a son of Campbell and Henrietta Munro, was drowned in HMS Victoria. 5. At 10 Carlton House Terrace.

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Thursday 6 July Buckingham Palace Hotel Tonight, Mr. Gladstone applies the guillotine, as it has been called, to the Home Rule bill, ordering so many clauses to be reported to the House without ever having been debated at all.1 It is the most high-handed, dictatorial proceeding that ever was, and though it will strengthen the hands of the House of Lords in throwing out the bill, yet one cannot but feel that it is a deadly blow to Parliamentary Government. Saturday 8 July Buckingham Palace Hotel Heat still overwhelming but in the afternoon a heavy thunderstorm which cooled the air. We escaped it going down to Osterley which is open again, Lord and Lady Jersey1 having returned from Australia. A good many pleasant people. I talked to Sir Mountstuart Duff, partly about this absurd fuss about admitting women to the Geographical Society,2 partly about Home Rule. He said what I am sure is true that if it could be voted on by ballot in the House of Commons it would be dead tomorrow. Mr. Mundella3 actually talked about ‘vile obstruction’, as if it were possible to revolutionize the Constitution with no more discussion than if it were a gas and water bill. Friday 21 July Fawsley A long day. Went in the early morning with Mrs. Cartwright to Badby for the school inspection, which went off well, but it is a long business and the Education Department under Mr. Acland1 is making itself very troublesome to the voluntary schools. 1. On the 32nd. night of the committee stage of the Government of Ireland Bill. Hansard, 4,14, col. 1032, 6 July 1893. 1. Victor Albert Villiers, 7th. Earl of Jersey, Governor of New South Wales, 1891–3. 2. The proposal that ladies be elected as ordinary fellows was rejected by the Royal Geographical Society on 24 April 1893. At the annual meeting on 29 May, Dermot Bourke, 7th. Earl of Mayo, proposed the earlier decision be reversed but this was postponed until a special meeting in June. A plebiscite of the entire Society resulted in 1169 votes in favour of admission and 466 against. ‘Ladies and the Royal Geographical Society’, EWR, 15 July 1893, pp. 154–6. 3. President of the Board of Trade, 1892–4. 1. Arthur Herbert Dyke Acland (1847–1926), Liberal M.P., Rotherham, 1885–9, Vice-President of the Committee of the Council on Education with a seat in the Cabinet, 1892–5.

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Friday 28 July Buckingham Palace Hotel Rainald and I were really distressed by the account in today’s papers of the disgraceful row which took place last night in the House of Commons. It was the last night of the Home Rule Debate, when goodness knows how many clauses which had never been even read a second time, much less discussed in Committee, were to be divided upon under the ‘gag’ resolution. Mr. Chamberlain made a very bitter speech, in which he compared the Gladstonians in their slavish adulation of Mr. Gladstone to the multitude who in the time of Herod shouted ‘it is the voice of God’. T.P. O’Connor and others shouted ‘Judas’. Mr. Vicary Gibbs1 wanted the words taken down. Mr. Mellor (the weakest Chairman of Committees that ever lived) pretended not to hear and called the division.2 The Tories wouldn’t go, the other side insulted them, particularly Mr. Logan (Leicestershire), Mr. Hayes Fisher3 laid hands on him and the end was a free fight, literally, which the gallery hissed.4 It is the greatest and most irreparable blow to the dignity of the House of Commons since the days of Cromwell. I went in the morning to a Suffrage Appeal Committee. (I am sure the women couldn’t return a worse House than this.) Sunday 6 August 10 Kisseliff Strasse, Homburg The weather the first few days was cold and wet, making Homburg look as Mr. Gilbert1 (Patience and Pinafore) expressed it, ‘like a draggled peacock’, but it has mended again. The leading people are undoubtedly Lord and Lady Burton, ‘Lord Pale Ale’ Rainald calls him,2 kindly, jolly good humoured folk too. We have dined together once or twice. He, after the manner of most Gladstonian peers, has just declared himself Unionist and means to retire to Glen Quoich and not vote for the bill. Mr. Grenfell, Radical member for Hereford,3 has resigned his seat because he can’t stand the retention of 80 Irish members in the House of Commons and also cannot support the Government in their Indian Currency policy. Mr. Balfour has been making an able speech on Bimetallism which has put The Times in a fury. Rainald and I hope the question is advancing. Royalty is represented only by the Duke of Cambridge, attended by the faithful Christopher …

1. Conservative M.P., St. Albans, 1892–1904. 2. John William Mellor, Liberal M.P., Sowerby, Yorkshire, 1892–1904, Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Ways and Means, 1893–5. He ruled that ‘as new clauses cannot be debated or amended, the Question should be put at once that the clause be added to the Bill, so as to avoid two Divisions on precisely the same subject’. Hansard, 4, 15, cols. 668–70, 27 July 1893, Special Closure Resolution. 3. John William Logan, Liberal M.P., Harborough, Leicestershire, 1891–1904; William Hayes Fisher, Unionist M.P., Fulham, 1885–1906. 4. Hansard, 4, 15, cols. 720–4. This was the 47th. night of the committee stage.

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Count Münster is here and through him it has leaked out that Lord Dufferin is well pleased with the terms he had got from the French Government about Siam,5 only it don’t do to say so as the French government are in dread of their own general election this month and want to make a splash, and their papers have been odious. Monday 21 August 10 Kisseliff Strasse, Homburg We lunched one day with the Duke of Cambridge, met Sir George and Lady Willis,1 the former told some rather interesting stories, among others that poor Admiral Tryon (whom however he evidently did not like) ordered that same manoeuvre two years ago and was only saved from a similar catastrophe by the disobedience of his captains. It was proposed to hold a Unionist banquet to celebrate the Hereford election2 but wiser counsels prevailed and the idea was abandoned. Anything in the shape of a political demonstration against what after all is Her Majesty’s Government in a foreign country would have been a grave mistake and, as Sir Arthur Otway pointed out, might be an embarrassment for the German Government. Lord Queensberry 3arrived here a day or two ago announcing his intention of insulting Lord Rosebery because he did not consult him before recommending that his son, Lord Drumlanrig, who is Lord R’s private secretary, should be made a Peer,4 and misled the Queen in the matter. However, again wiser counsels prevailed and Lord Queensbury has retired. He himself was once a representative peer for Scotland but, a most unusual event, was not re-elected… On the whole Homburg has not been so pleasant as usual. The Prince of Wales arrived on Thursday, Empress Frederick only yesterday. And so ends another Homburg. One is always so sorry when it comes to an end. 1. William Schwenck Gilbert (1836–1911), dramatist, collaborator with Sir Arthur Sullivan in the Savoy operas. 2. Michael Arthur Bass, 1st. Baron Burton, Chairman of Messrs. Bass & Co.; and his wife Harriet. 3. William Henry Grenfell, Liberal M.P., Hereford, 1892–3. 4. A.J. Balfour’s speech at the Mansion House on 3 August. The Times, 4 August 1893, p. 6. 5. Dufferin, ambassador to Paris, had brought the negotiations between the British and French governments to a successful conclusion. See Sir A.Lyall, The Life of the Marquis of Dufferin and Ava (1905), ii, pp. 271–3. 1. General Sir George Harry Smith Willis, who fought in the Crimea, Algeria, Malta, and Tel-elKebir. 2. Col. Charles Wallyn Cooke, Conservative, 1504 votes, Sir Joseph Pulley, Liberal, 1460. 3. John Sholto Douglas, 8th. Marquess of Queensberry. 4. Francis Archibald, Viscount Drumlanrig, created Baron Kelhead on 26 June at the age of 26.

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Tuesday 22 August Hotel du Nord, Cologne We left Homburg at 4 o’clock, a great crowd at the station to see the Duke of Cambridge off, so I came in for a fair share of bouquets, eight, whereat of course I was pleased. Tuesday 12 September Fawsley Saturday Juliet and I went to Badby to meet the Technical Instruction Committee and arrange about nursing lectures after which Evie and I went to tea with the Scrattons and to arrange about the cloakroom, etc. Phoebe Otway1 arrived. Tuesday Alice Dryden and Beatrice Cartwright came to luncheon to talk about the Women’s Suffrage Appeal which we propose to circulate through the Primrose League. We played croquet and Sir Thomas arrived. Wednesday Evie and I went to the workhouse and Thursday to tea at Canons Ashby. Rainald went to London to attend the great debate on the Home Rule bill. It was of course a forgone conclusion but the enormous majority, 419 to 41, of whom less than 20 were unofficial Peers, surprised every one.2 The police rather expected a hostile demonstration, instead of which the Peers were cheered as they left the House. The country is undoubtedly with them, and the House of Lords never occupied a better position. I am so glad my darling is in it instead of being entirely ‘out of the hunt’. Lord Salisbury and the Duke of Argyll I think made the best speeches, while Lord Rosebery’s defence was no defence at all. Monday 18 September Fawsley Janey Knightley, Charlie and Juliet came down to dine. The former has been for three weeks in Ireland and Fermanagh and Donegal and gives an amusing account of the rejoicings when the Home Rule bill was thrown out. She also saw the men drilling, quite openly. There is no doubt they mean business if ever Home Rule comes, but it won’t. 1. Phoebe Eleanora, daughter of Sir Arthur Otway. 2. Hansard, 4, 17, cols. 563–649, 8 Sept. 1893. House of Lords, Government of Ireland Bill, second reading.

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Friday 29 September Fawsley Juliet and I drove over to Canons Ashby for a meeting of the Home Arts and Industries Committee. Mr. Ryland Adkins1 there, a clever, capable individual whose book Our County with sketches of all the leading men is remarkably well chosen. His insight into character is really remarkable. He can know Rainald very little, but he has hit him off most wonderfully.2 Sir Henry3 too is capital. Tuesday 24 October Wellesbourne, Warwick Went to Wellesbourne and in the evening by Janey’s orders addressed a crowded roomful of Primrose Leaguers on the history, uses, and constitution of the House of Lords, a tolerably comprehensive subject. I spoke for 35 minutes and was as dull as ditchwater, as I usually am. Saturday 4 November Fawsley Called in at Kingsthorpe and poking about the museum and Reference Library. In the latter I found a good deal to interest me, specially a reference to a letter from a ‘Maura Knightley, religieuse’, c. 1690.1 Must hunt that up at the British Museum. In the afternoon I presided at a meeting for Women’s Sufifrage,2 to make known the ‘Appeal’. Mrs. Pender spoke, not near so well as she did last year, Rainald capitally (it seemed so funny, solemnly to call upon ‘Lord Knightley’ to support the resolution). I never heard him better he really cares about it. I wasn’t bad I think. It was strictly nonpolitical. Mr. Manfield, Radical M.P. for Northampton, and his wife both spoke. The meeting was well attended and decidedly successful. We are deeply interested in the discussion on the Parish Councils bill now before the House of Commons.3 It is of great importance. 1. William Ryland Dent Adkins (1862–1925), barrister, of Springfield, Northampton, and DeputyLieutenant, Northampstonshire. 2. Our County (1893), pp. 19–21. 3. Sir Henry Dryden, ibid., pp. 4–6. 1. Possibly John Maurus Knightley, abbot of Lamspring, who died 1709, son of Edward Knightley of Offchurch, Warwickshire. 2. Held in the Old Reading Room, Northampton. NM, 10 Nov. 1893, p. 7. 3. Hansard, 4, 18, cols. 3–108, 2 Nov., cols. 119–211, 3 Nov. 1893. Local Government (England and Wales) Bill, second reading.

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Saturday 18 November 18 Beaufort Gardens Came to London and met my darling at the Arts and Crafts Exhibition at the New Gallery1 where there was really nothing to see but we had a delightful talk over all the things that have happened since Thursday: the end of the disastrous coal strike,2 Lord Herschell’s admirable speech to the Gladstonian M.P.s who want to appoint the magistrates, the deaths of Sir Robert Morier3 and Prince Alexander of Battenberg.4 Rainald sat next the Duke of Saxe-Coburg (Duke of Edinburgh)5 at dinner at the Marlborough. He is furious at being what he calls ‘turned out of the Navy’, but how he can think it possible that he should remain an English Admiral on the active list and be at the same time a reigning German Sovereign I don’t know. He talked of taking his seat in the House of Lords. Rainald mildly asked if there was a precedent if the Duke of Cumberland had done it when he became King of Hanover. That was different’, said H.R.H. I don’t see how. Sunday 26 November 38 Beaufort Gardens Went to luncheon with our Homburg friends, the Halls.1 A long discussion on Women’s Suffrage. We have gained a great triumph in that question on the Parish Councils bill.2 Mrs. Gurney here when I came back, a long talk about Church matters. I agreed to join the League of Prayer for Church Defence. 1. Fourth Exhibition held at the New Gallery, Regent Street. The Times 18 Nov. 1893, p. 14. 2. Dispute lasting 15 weeks arising from the mineowners demand for a 10 per cent wage reduction. Rosebery negotiated a compromise settlement. 3. Diplomat and ambassador to St. Petersburg, 1884–93. 4. Prince of Bulgaria who was forced to abdicate after a few months reign in 1886. 5. Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh (1844–1900), C-in-C, Devonport, 1891–3, second son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, succeeded his uncle, Ernest II, in Aug. 1893 as Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. 1. Lewis Duval Hall and his family. 2. On 23 Nov. 1893 on the committee stage of the Parish Councils Bill, it was moved ‘that the committee insert provisions to enfranchise all women, whether married or single, who would be entitled to be on the local government register of electors, or on the Parliamentary register if they were men.’ NM, 17 Nov. 1893, p. 4.

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Wednesday 13 December Fawsley Ida Sutton and I went off by the early train and I betook myself to London to the Alexandra Club, where the biennial election of the President and the Vice-Presidents of the General Committee took place, with the result that I was re-elected as President by 15 votes to Lady Vincent’s 3. Tuesday 19 December Fawsley I don’t think I have ever recorded that my article on ‘New Employments for Educated Women’, written for the Women’s Conference at Leeds, has been published in the New Review,1 and has been very favourably noticed in the newspapers. It is a subject which interests so many people. Christmas Eve and Sunday In the evening dear old Val came down to dinner to hear the Preston singers ‘once more at Fawsley’, as he expressed it. Charmingly they sang too. It was a real pleasure to hear them. We had the mummers from Charwelton last night. I love the old customs. 1. Vol. 9, no 55, pp. 577–82, Dec. 1893.

*1894* Sunday 7 January Fawsley On Tuesday I did Mother’s meeting and walked home. It was bitterly cold and worse on Wednesday when Sophy Fremantle and I went into Daventry, and were present at a specially summoned and very well-attended meeting of the Executive and Wardens of the Primrose League. I hope we shall succeed in reviving the League. Wednesday 10 January Uffington House, Stamford 1

Like Cecilia Fiennes I will describe the house. It is of Inigo Jones date and was built by a Charles Bertie,2 the ceiling of the handsome oak staircase painted by Verrio.3 The rooms are not large, but there are a good many family pictures, one (thought to be by Rubens) of the Duchess of Suffolk4 who had the strange adventures, some Van Dycks, etc. It is a sunny place, with ground falling away down to the Welland and delightful lime avenues. In the garden the most extraordinary wisteria I ever saw, with a great stem like a forest tree; unfortunately half of it is dead. Thursday 11 January Uffington House, Stamford In the evening to the Stamford ball which well maintains its reputation of being one of the best in the Midlands and was a most cheery performance, large parties from Burleigh, Eton, Burley on the Hill, Normanton, etc. and jewels galore. I found heaps of friends to talk to and enjoyed myself much and was specially delighted to hear from Mr. Monckton that Rainald had been unanimously chosen to fill a vacancy among the Aldermen on the 1. Cecilia (or Celia) Fiennes (1662–1741), who recorded her travels around England. See her Through England on a Side Saddle in the time of William and Mary (1888). 2. Son of Albermarle Bertie, 2nd. Earl of Lindsey. 3. Antonio Verrio (c. 1640–1707), Italian decorative painter employed by Charles II and William III. 4. Possibly Catherine, Baroness Willoughby de Eresby, 4th wife of Charles Brandon, 1st. Duke of Suffolk. Her portrait was painted by Hans Holbein the Younger.

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County Council.1 Lord Spencer has done his best to repair the outrage of two years ago.2 The great topic of conversation was the Horncastle election, where Lord Willoughby3 is standing in the room of Mr. Edward Stanhope.4 Friday 12 January Uffington House, Stamford Wandered about in the morning revelling in the Springlike weather. In the afternoon went in to Stamford and heard with delight and surprise of Lord Willoughby’s splendid victory, 838 majority, 100 more than Mr. Stanhope.1 This is indeed satisfactory and will strengthen the hands of the House of Lords in dealing with that crude and ill-considered measure the Parish Councils bill, which after wearing everybody to death is to be sent up to them. Sunday 21 January Fawsley I don’t want my journal to become like Lady Waterford’s (extracts from which Mr. Hare prints in his book Two Noble Lives,1 which we are reading), a mere bald record of facts, so I must try to make something even of such an uneventful week as this. Wednesday was Mother’s meeting. Mrs. Gibbins2 gave emphatic support to my statement that agricultural labourers were so much better off than 40 years or so ago. It is curious the horror they all have of the barley bread they were some of them reduced to then. Friday, in the evening went with Sammy to a quite delightful Primrose League entertainment at Charwelton. Miss Watson arranged it all and some of the catches, glees, etc. were capital. I spoke on the Navy, etc, fairly well and on the principles of the Primrose League. Allusions to the Queen and House of Lords were well received, to the Conservative Party, not.3 1. A vacancy arose with the death of Samuel Dunkley. In the ensuing election 43 papers were received of which 42 were in Lord Knightley’s favour. See J. Bradbury, Government and County. A History of Northampton County Council 1889–1989, (1989), p. 16. 2. See entry, 11 March 1892. 3. Gilbert Heathcote Drummond, Lord Willoughy de Eresby, Liberal Unionist M.P., Horncastle, Lincolnshire, 1894–1910. 4. Son of Philip Henry, 5th. Earl Stanhope, died Dec. 1893. 1. Lord Willoughy, Conservative, 4582, H.J. Torr, Liberal, 3744. In the 1892 General Election, Stanhope had polled 4438 votes to his opponent’s 3700. 1. A three-volume work published 1893 commemorating the Stuart sisters, Louisa, Marchioness of Waterford, wife of Henry de la Poer, 3rd. Marquess, and her sister, Charlotte, wife of Charles John, Earl Canning, Governor-General (the first Viceroy) of India, 1855–62. 2. Wife of John Gibbins, sexton, Daventry. 3. At the village school, 19 Jan. despite very stormy weather the hall was completely full. LMK’s reading of one of D.W. Jerrold’s amusing Mrs Caudle’s Curtain Lecturers was much appreciated. She also gave ‘a clear and able address’. NH, 27 Jan. 1894, p. 7.

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Sunday 28 January Fawsley In spite of all the efforts we have been making for the last three years, our expenditure still exceeds our income, and where to retrench I cannot think … On Friday Rainald rode over to Everdon to vote for the School board. I am glad to say Mr. Churchill1 has been elected, the first time they have ever had a rector on. Monday 29 January Fawsley On Thursday Rainald and Harry departed, to ‘assist’ at the discussion of the Parish Councils in the House of Lords,1 and are not back yet. Monday 5 February Fawsley Tuesday I drove Sir Thomas to Badby, pottered about there all the afternoon, and wound up at a school meeting at which, curiously enough, the compound householder cropped up as a practical difficulty, just as he was being gravely discussed in the House of Lords.1 Monday 26 February Fawsley Hunted from Maidford a nice gallop from Preston High Wood to Newnham Grange. Mr. and Mrs. Pennant and Charlie and I came and in the evening we all went to a most enthusiastic meeting at Badby.1 They took the horses out of the carriage and drew us through the village with a band and cheered and sang ‘For he’s a jolly good fellow’ and did everything delightful. Mr. Pennant spoke nicely and Mr. Pettifer,2 from the Primrose League, made a capital and most amusing speech. 1. Revd. Frank Churchill, rector of Everdon since 1887. 1. Hansard, 4, 20, cols. 1567–1624, 25 Jan. 1894, Local Government (England and Wales) Bill, second reading. 1. Hansard, 4, 21, cols. 1–72, 5 Feb. 1894, Local Government (England and Wales) Bill, committee stage. 1. Chairing the meeting at Badby, Lord Knightley commented ‘that the Government, having got the business of the country in a hopeless muddle, would not long delay an appeal to the electorate.’ NH, 3, March 1894, p. 8. 2. H.J.Pettifer, a delegate of the Grand Council.

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Tuesday 6 March Fawsley This has been an exciting week politically. Gladstone really has resigned, making in his last speech as Prime Minister a bitter attack on the House of Lords, such a wicked thing in a man of his position.1 His career has indeed been an extraordinary one and the last few years of it very sad. Lord Rosebery has been sent for and the necessary reconstruction goes on quietly, hampered by the sudden death of our old friend Lord Tweedmouth and the consequent succession from the House of Commons of Mr. Marjoribanks,2 their most successful whip. Wednesday 7 March Lawnside, Edgbaston, Birmingham Came to this pretty comfortable villa in the residential suburb of Edgbaston to stay with a Mr. and Mrs. A.M.Chance,1 head of a large chemical factory at Oldbury, friends of Lady Mary Feilding, for the purpose of trying to establish a branch of the Working Ladies’ Guild. Whether I shall succeed I know not; the small and very enthusiastic meeting I addressed in the afternoon was not encouraging, and there are so many wheels within wheels… We had some people at dinner and talked about Chamberlain. Evidently he is not much trusted and it is thought that Home Rule once out of the way, he will revert to Radicalism.2 He is too deeply pledged to Disestablishment even to join up. The reconstruction of the Government is now practically complete and we are very curious to see what their policy will be. 1. Hansard, 4, 21, cols. 1146–52, 1 March 1894. 2. Formerly Edward Marjoribanks. As 2nd. Baron Tweedmouth, Lord Privy Seal and Chancellor to the Duchy of Lancaster in Rosebery’s Cabinet, 1894–5. 1. Alexander Macomb Chance, deputy chairman of Oldbury Alkali Co. Ltd. 2. Chamberlain addressed a Liberal Unionist rally at Birmingham Town Hall that night. Birmingham Daily Gazette, S March 1894, p. 5.

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Wednesday 14 March Alexandra Club Two very satisfactory Committees of the Club and WLG luncheon with Ida Sutton, saw a good many people of one sort or other. Meanwhile wonderful things have been happening in politics. Lord Rosebery made a speech in the House of Lords about Home Rule which has made all the Home Rulers furious. Mr. Redmond made a furious attack on him last night and then Mr. Labouchere carried a snatch division on the address, recommending the Queen to abolish the House of Lords!1 It is true they were only beat by two,2 but it doesn’t look hopeful for Lord Rosebery’s power of keeping his motley crew together. Friday 6 April Alexandra Club Today I went, to two interesting Primrose League Committees. Mr. Penrose FitzGerald1 and Mr. Hayes Fisher talking about the Wisbech election, won by Mrs. Brand’s2 singing, lost by Mr. Sackville’s bad manners. Mr. Middleton,3 our Central Conservative Agent, says the elections of the future are to be won by lady canvassers and we have a scheme on hand for organizing them; rather a big job! But I like going to the Primrose League, it keeps one in touch with what is going on. Luncheon with Nora and then a Women’s Suffrage Appeal Committee: signatures are coming fast. I think we shall reach nearly 200,000. 1. H.W.Lucy, A Diary of the Home Rule Parliament, 1892–1895 (1896), pp. 318–19. 2. 147 to 145 votes. 1. Robert Penrose FitzGerald, Independent Conservative M.P., Cambridge, 1885–1906. 2. Edith, wife of Arthur George Brand, Liberal M.P., Cambridgeshire North, 1891–95, son of the former Speaker, Henry Bouverie, 1st. Viscount Hampden. In the 1891 by-election he gained 4363 votes and S.G. Stopford Sackville, Conservative, 4227. 3. Richard William Evelyn Middleton, Conservative national agent, 1885–1904, referred to as ‘Captain’ having served in the Royal Navy Instituted The Constitutional Year Book in 1885.

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Wednesday 10 April Alexandra Club Today I have been over to Brighton to address a Girls’ Friendly Society meeting intended to obtain more workers for the East end of Brighton, but as those who came were chiefly workers already not much could come of it. Lady Hampden1 and Mrs. Campion2 also spoke and I had luncheon with the C Heathcotes.3 Lady Hampden amused me by her enthusiastic admiration of Gladstone who is staying at Brighton. Even Mrs. Campion could not stand her raving about his last speech in the House of Commons. Thursday 19 April Buckingham Palace Hotel Came up here with Tiny, lunched with the Halls and went with them to the Grand Habitation meeting at Covent Garden. It was if possible more crowded than ever, and a most impressive overwhelming sight. Lord Salisbury made an admirable speech about the House of Lords, which he would like to mend by the addition of a number of life peers.1 Rainald says that would make it easier for an unscrupulous minister to swamp it, more difficult for the Sovereign to resist. Also talked about the registration bill2 and noted the way in which the educated classes were turning Tory and predicted that the others would follow. I hope it may be so. 1. Susan Henrietta, second wife of Henry Robert, 2nd. Viscount Hampden. 2. Hon. Mrs. Gertrude Campion, wife of William Henry Campion of Danny, Sussex, and daughter of 1st. Viscount Hampden. 3. Charles Gilbert Heathcote of Kilmeston Manor, Alresford, Hampshire, stipendiary magistrate, Brighton, 1884–1902, and his wife, Lucy Edith. 1. The Times, 19 April 1894, p.2, and 20 April 1894, p. 11. 2. Introduced by John Morley, ‘to reduce the period of qualification for Parliament and local government electors on one day and to restrict plural voting at parliamentary elections,’ Hansard, 4, 23, cols. 368–96, 13 April 1894.

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Monday 23 April Firle We have taken 111 Eaton Square, a charming house and to me a delightful situation. I only hope my darling will like it. He has taken it to please me. Friday 4 May Red House, Roehampton Another amusing day. Went to London, had a nice peep at Tiny then to a Joint Committee where I submitted a leaflet on registration: it was accepted but it was formidable to hear it cut up by six or eight people. The Ladies’ Grand Council: Lord Salisbury sent us a message suggesting that at our meeting, less should be said about the House of Lords and more about the Welsh Church. He made a capital speech yesterday about agricultural depression and the burden on the land.1 Wednesday 9 May 111 Eaton Square Ada Sudeley came to luncheon after which Rainald and I went to the Annual meeting of the Ladies’ Grand Council Primrose League at Princes Hall1 which was full to overflowing: Lord Knutsford2 in the chair, Lord Ashbourne3 full of Irish wit and humour, Lord Hugh Cecil4 making what both Rainald and Lord Asbhourne designated as a very thoughtful speech on the Welsh Disestablishment question, and above all Lady Jersey, eloquent as ever. Her speech may have been prepared, but it was really beautiful, her sentences so well turned, and something so touching in it. I own it made me cry… In the evening with Beatrice Cartwright to the Primrose League party, given at the New Water Colours,5 as we have quite outgrown all private houses. 1. At Trowbridge. The Times, 4 May 1894, p. 5. 1. The Times, 10 May 1894, p. 10. 2. Formerly Henry Thurstan Holland, created Baron Knutsford, 1888. 3. Edward Gibson (1837–1913), 1st. Baron Ashbourne, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, 1886–92. 4. Private secretary to his father, Lord Salisbury, when he was Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1891–2, Conservative M.P. Greenwich, 1895–1906. 5. Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, Piccadilly, built in 1883.

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Thursday 10 May 111 Eaton Square Tonight there is a critical division on the Budget but I don’t believe the Government will be beat; their supporters grumble, but vote.1 Friday 11 May Fonthill House, Tisbury Went to a joint Committee for the revision of my leaflet on registration, rather a trying operation. Afterwards came down here, travelling with Mr. Hulse, member for Salisbury.1 The Government had only a majority of 14 last night, very different from the ‘40 solid for the grand old man’ of two years ago. Lord Rosebery has won the 2000 with Ladas;2 they say if he wins the Derby he will win the elections too. I doubt it. Meanwhile a dissolution looks nearer than it has done since the Budget was brought in though Rainald thinks they will hang on till next Spring. Whit Sunday 13 May Fonthill House, Tisbury 1

Sat by Lord Acton at dinner and found him perfectly charming, so light in hand, so full of knowledge yet so unpedantic. He told me Mr. Gladstone is delighted with Marcella.2 He also told me that he is extremely interested in Mr. Myers’ psychical research,3 especially as bearing on the credibility of medieval miracles. He also told me that he writes out enormously in reading, has 40,000 slips! (Mr. Morrison told me he was brought up by Döllinger).4 He also says that he advocates greatly the reading of reviews, not only new but old, and that a distinguished professor of Political Economy whose lecturers he attended, when he consulted him as to how to pursue his studies, said, ‘Read all the articles on the subject in the Edinburgh and Quarterly Review and you will see the gradual development of the science.’ 1. Hansard, 4, 24, cols. 814–901, 10 May 1894. Finance Bill, second reading. Ayes 308, Noes 294. 1. Edward Henry Hulse, Unionist M.P., Salisbury, 1886–97. 2. On 9 May at Newmarket. 1. John Emerich Dalberg, 1st. Baron Acton (1834–1902), historian and moralist, appointed by Gladstone in 1892, as Lord-in-Waiting to the Queen. 2. Three-volume novel by Mrs. Humphry Ward, published in 1894. 3. Frederic William Myers (1843–1901), poet and essayist, a founder member of the Society for Psychical Research, 1882. 4. Dr. Ignaz von Döllinger (1799–1890), a liberal Roman Catholic theologian whom Gladstone met in September 1845 and established a lifelong friendship.

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Wednesday 6 June 111 Eaton Square The Derby, and I am sorry to say Lord Rosebery won with Ladas (Ladas was a distinguished wrestler and runner in the time of Alexander the Great). I hope it won’t help him at the elections. Saturday 9 June 111 Eaton Square With Rainald to an interesting Heraldic Exhibition at the Society of Antiquaries’ Room in Burlington House:1 some fine pedigrees but none equal to the Knightley one. Thursday 14 June Fawsley I left at 11.30 and went down to Weedon. Sammy met me at Daventry, and drove me on to Welton where the fête of the Knightley habitation was held.1 I didn’t want to go a bit. I didn’t feel well (my darling offered to go for me) and I wanted to go to Lady Galloway’s2 garden party at the Botanical Gardens, but I was very glad I did for I was wanted. It was a delicious day, the first warm one we have had. Mrs. Pender, I, and Mr. Pettifer spoke from the steps in front of the house and an interested audience of between 2 and 300 listened patiently to the very end. I was very tired by the time I got to Fawsley at 8.15. 1. For an account, see Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of London, 2nd. Series, 15, 1893– 5, pp. 210–12. 1. At Welton Place, Daventry, residence of Col. Richard Clarke. NH, 16 June 1894, p. 5. 2. Mary Arabella, daughter of John Brownlow Cecil, 2nd. Marquess of Salisbury, and wife of Alan Plantagenet Stewart, 10th. Earl of Galloway.

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Friday 15 June 111 Eaton Square After a delicious quiet morning at home, doing chiefly nothing, and seeing Charlie and Juliet after luncheon, came up to London by the 5 o’clock train. Rainald rushed in very late from the debate on the Deceased Wife’s Sister (which I am glad to say was thrown out by 9) …1 We dined with the Underdowns. I sat between Mr. Duncombe2 (whom we met 20 years ago at Heveningham) and Lord Welby3 the latest made Gladstonian peer, whom I found, as always, most agreeable. He delighted me with a story of Cobden saying once in the House of Commons, ‘My hon. friend beside me is a great manufacturer of long yarns, of low quality’, and then couldn’t understand what the House was roaring at! Says he thinks the Primrose League was a stroke of genius. I think so too. Friday 23 June Ham House, Petersham Went to the last Committee of the Women’s Suffrage Appeal. The Registration bill is dropped (practically) for this year, so we have again to wait a year, our usual fate. Then a Joint Committee Primrose League. Mary Knightley to luncheon, then with Rainald to the zoo, which we always enjoy: nice to see one of the keepers such friends with a beautiful Esquimaux dog, and some wolves. Friday 13 July 111 Eaton Square Two Primrose League Committees in the morning, the Joint discussing a leaflet on Parish Councils, the Ladies’ Grand Council under our ‘atrocious’ chairwoman1 as Lady Lathom called her, committing itself, without discussion, to the methods of the Women’s Christian Education League2 in its battle with the School Board, which is undoubtedly right in principle, but I am not so sure of its wisdom. 1. Hansard 4, 25, cols. 1165–1203, 15 June 1894, House of Lords. Marriage with Deceased Wife’s Sister Bill, second reading. Contents 120, Not-contents 129. 2. Arthur Duncombe, Conservative M.P., Howdenshire, E. Riding, 1885–92. His daughter, Caroline, was a bridesmaid at LMK’s wedding in 1869. 3. Reginald Earle, 1st. Baron Welby (1832–1915), Permanent Secretary, Treasury, 1885–94. 1. Lady Gwendoline Cecil. 2. To combat secular and undenominational religious education in schools under the aegis of the School Board of London.

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Saturday 14 July 111 Eaton Square Rainald went to Lord’s and I betook myself by myself to Osterley, where I had a long talk to Lord Morris. He greatly regrets Lord Salisbury living so much ‘up in a balloon’, so little in touch with the people. I said I thought Mr. Balfour must be of use in telling him what people thought, whereupon he declared that he has often heard Mr. Balfour say he never read the papers. Rainald says he is convinced that is just a bit of affectation on Mr. B’s part. Mr. Knowles (19th Century) told me that Vanity Fair exacts £150 from the unknown individuals whose portraits it inserts. One often wondered how on earth they got them.1 Wednesday 18 July 111 Eaton Square My poor darling is himself terribly worried about money. It is really very serious and it seems so impossible to make our expenditure and income balance. May God show us what it is right to do. Friday 20 July 111 Eaton Square An interesting Committee Primrose League revising a leaflet on Parish Councils and afterwards Lady Lathom, Lady Jersey and I discussing with Lady Gwendolen Cecil (as far as she would let us for she is one of those people who never listens), her letter on the subject of religious education. I think from what she said it will do, but though Lord Salisbury has revised it, I shall be glad to see it in proof: even he is not always wise, and she is tremendously militant, says the Church party has been too timid. She knows nothing of the struggles of 1870. At luncheon Lily Gordon and Mr. Rowsell, who was very pleasant. He gave an interesting account of a meeting summoned by Dean Perowne (the present Bishop of Worcester) before the Lincoln trial,1 to try and find some modus vivendi between the extreme parties, so as to avoid the trial. He called upon the Ritualists to explain what the mixed chalice meant and why it was essential. Four or five of them got up and gave as many different explanations. On my return pleasant visits from Lady Tollemache2 and from Canon MacColl with whom I trotted over the whole Eastern question. Curious how he still hankers after Russia, he is a regular ‘little Englander’, In the evening to some pleasant music at Mr. 1. From its début in Nov. 1868, Vanity Fair: A Weekly Show of Political, Social and Literary Wares, became famous for its gallery of politicians, writers, royalty, soldiers and other notables. 1. See entries for 22 Feb. 1889, 11 April 1890 and 23 Nov. 1890. 2. Mary Stuart, wife of Wilbraham Frederick, 2nd. Baron Tollemache.

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Frere’s, Mr. Dolmetsch3 and his quaint instruments and old world music, a sonata of Handel’s for flute, harpsichord, violin and violoncello, might have been listened to by Consuelo and Haydn. Tuesday 24 July Middleton Cheney, Banbury Went by Great Western down to Banbury and drove from there in company with Mr. Wright,1 a Primrose League delegate, to Chacombe to a Primrose League fête of the Brackley, Beatrice and Wardington habitations. It was bitterly cold, dark and gloomy, nevertheless an attentive audience listened to the speeches. Mine was dull enough, as are all the subjects that are before the public just now—evicted tenants, death duties, disestablishment. What can be more dull! Thursday 26 July Red House, Roehampton And so ends another London season. I own I have enjoyed it, but I wonder if I shall ever do another? Saturday 4 August Fawsley Rainald went to Northampton for the Infirmary,1 where Dr. Buszard2 wanted to play his usual game of rescinding resolutions without notice; it is curious how many people like to do things without consulting others. It is the origin of half the bothers. I never forget Rainald’s two pieces of advice when first I took to public life: 1. ‘Always consult everybody who has any claim to be consulted—you needn’t take their advice but they are much more likely to be satisfied.’ 2. ‘Let people say what they think before you attempt to help them: if they talk themselves into a bother they will be grateful to you for helping them out of it, whereas if they think you are attempting to impose your views upon them they will resent it.’ The principle is just the same whether it is the Badby School Committee, or the Primrose League Committee with all its Duchesses and Countesses. Lady Salisbury and Lady Gwendoline have passed and published the latter’s letter on Christian Education, (see July 13 and 20). It will not, I think, do any harm, but as Lady Jersey says in a letter to me this morning, it would have been wiser to let the whole subject alone. 3. Arnold Dolmetsch (1858–1940), established workshops at Haslemere, Surrey, reproducing musical instruments of the 15th.—18th. centuries. 1. Richard Wright, a representative of the Grand Council, who spoke on the Home Rule Bill at the fête. NH, 28 July 1894, p. 6. 1. Quarterly Court of Governors meeting at Northampton General Infirmary at which Lord Knightley took the chair. NH, 11 Aug. 1894, supp.p. 1. 2. Dr. Frank Buszard, senior honorary physician to the County Infirmary, Northampton, Town Councillor; a strong Conservative and vigorous debater.

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Saturday 18 August Fawsley Uneventful days these. My darling returned Wednesday having helped kick out the Evicted Tenants bill by 249 to 30.1 I cannot see why public funds are to be spent to reinstate men who have not paid their rent, treating them better than those who have. Saturday 6 October Fawsley Another week glided by. Tuesday Lady Shuckburgh,1 Lady Dryden, Mrs. Hibbert2 and her daughter came to luncheon, after which we adjourned to Juliet’s, a purely feminine gathering which I rather like, Rainald having gone off to a ruridecanal Conference at Daventry, where Church Defence appears to have been discussed, with very little practical result.3 Wednes-day my first working party for three years, 18 attended and they all seem to like it; it draws us all together and is a good opportunity for discussing many things. Thursday Rainald went to his County Council. I had a long potter down at Badby, where I have not been for ages; I had time and much liked going in and out among them. Afterwards to see about a cutting out class, attended a school meeting and walked home in the dark. Friday walked up to Preston to enquire for Mrs. Rasen4 who is dying, I won’t say ‘I fear’, for I believe she is quite prepared: it must ever be the most solemn thing. Today with Juliet to Northampton, sat under her at a meeting of Home Arts and Industries, which she chaired extremely well. Afterwards to luncheon at Kingsthorpe with Gertrude Henley, and a long Committee to arrange the Reading Union questions for the leaflet. 1. Hansard, 4, 28, cols. 893–979, House of Lords, 14 Aug. 1894, Tenants Arbitration (Ireland) Bill, second reading. 1. Ida Florence, wife of Major Henry James Shuckburgh. 2. Wife of Paul Edgar Hibbert, Ashby Lodge, Ashby St. Ledgers. 3. NM, 12 Oct. 1894, p. 5. 4. Wife of the Fawsley head gamekeeper, Thomas Rasen of Preston Capes.

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Monday 8 October Fawsley Rainald and I went to Badby in the afternoon to meet some of the leading men in the village and try to arrange some plan for the Parish Council. It was agreed to offer the Radicals three seats. If they consent, it will save all the trouble of a contest. Tuesday 9 October Fawsley Went by train to Towcester for the Divisional Council of the Primrose League to which came Mr. de Grey,1 our new provincial Secretary. All busy talking about Parish Councils, some full of fight, but some I hope will adopt our plan. There will be a grand splutter at first and after that, when they find how little they can do, it will all subside. Saturday 20 October Fawsley Our silver wedding day and oh, such a happy one.…The post brought many letters and presents, still more were heaped on the breakfast table, and in the course of the morning came what pleased us most of all, the presentation of a silver cup with such a pretty address, from all the servants and work people on the property made by Rasen who has been here 57 years accompanied by Warren, Rhodes, Small, Robson and Spencer. Then my darling and I went down to the Church (where many peals had been ringing) and quietly placed on the altar a small altar cross, which we have given together. I can’t say how happy it made me to do this together, and to kneel for a few moments in silent and deep thanksgiving.Then we went to see all the men at dinner in the riding school, so prettily decorated with ‘God bless Lord and Lady Knightley, Health and Happiness, ever kind and courteous’ which touched me much. They gave us ringing cheers and sang ‘He’s a jolly good fellow’, ‘She’s a jolly good lady’, for us, Charlie and Juliet, Janey and Val with a real good will. Then came a presentation from the tenants of a silver bowl for Rainald and cheese dish etc for me, made by Mountfort, Phipps Johnson and Mitchell, who all stayed to luncheon with us.1 Then kind Mrs. Stafford came to congratulate, and then tea in the riding school for all the wives and children, after which we brought them in in detachments to look at the presents, and wound up with a conjuror in the old hall, which gave immense delight to the children. It did one good to look at their faces. And oh, my darling has been so good and kind through it all: it has really been a most affecting day. 1. Hon. John Augustus de Grey, barrister, son of Thomas, 5th. Baron Walsingham. 1. The estate villages raised £20 towards the purchase of the silver rose bowl. NH, 27 Oct. 1894, p. 7.

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Sunday 3 November Fawsley Wednesday, May Hall and I went to Daventry to a Primrose League meeting at which I promulgated Janey’s scheme of a Juvenile branch, ‘buds’. It was accepted, but whether it will be worked, I don’t know. Thursday, Mother’s Meeting at Preston and my darling walked with May to meet me. He seemed so well then and now he seems so poorly. It began on Friday with faintness and giddiness … Saturday, Rainald and I drove over to Braunston to see Mary Lowndes’ wedding presents. He seemed much better. Today, Sunday, we sent for Mr. Forster, who is reassuring. Meanwhile the loss of power in the leg is very, I won’t say alarming, but anxious. Lord have mercy upon us. Thursday 8 November Fawsley Thank God my darling is mending. The power began to return to the leg on Tuesday evening, and though he is not yet quite recovered still that he is regaining it is such a blessing. But he will require great care… Today, Girls’ Friendly Society meeting at Daventry. Much talk about amalgamating the Weedon branch with ours. My little collection of extracts A Garner of Gleanings Grave and Gay1 is just published by Wills, Gardner and Darton, dedicated to the Duchess of Albany. I shall be quite content if it covers its expenses. Friday 9 November 44 Eaton Square Left my darling, who is much better, and wished me to go, in Janey’s charge, and came to London for the purpose of dining at the Lord Mayor’s banquet to the Ministers, which I had never done before, and which I had the opportunity of doing in great state as Sir Charles Hall’s ‘Lady’, he being Recorder of London …1 At 6, started with Mrs. Lewis Hall and Sir Charles (in his wig and scarlet robes) for the Guildhall. We were received in the Library, the Lord Mayor 2(with his hat on), and Lady Mayoress standing on a dais, with her maid of honour behind her. It was amusing to see the reception of those who followed. Sir E.Clarke specially was warmly applauded. Lord Rosebery came last and then we marched in procession, he leading the way with the Lady Mayoress, others following according to official rank, the Lord High Chancellor of England (as the official proclaimed in stentorian tones), with his mace before him and his 1. See review in AJA, April 1895, p. 61.

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train carried, which always looks imposing. We came behind the judges, some in scarlet, the Lord Chief Justice3 with a collar of SS portcullis, others in very handsome black and gold robes. The immense Guildhall, brilliantly lighted, and with 900 people at dinner was a fine spectacle. On either side, high up, stood a baron of beef4 (cold) with cooks in white carving it. Silence for grace was proclaimed by sound of trumpet and after dinner the toast master announced each toast in stentorian tones, ‘My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, I pray you charge your glasses’, and the, ‘I pray you silence’ for whoever the speaker might be. But first came the ‘loving cup’, the toast master shouting out first a number of the more distinguished names to whom the Lord Mayor was supposed to drink, and ending with ‘and bids you all a hearty welcome.′ Each pair stands up as the loving cup arrives: one takes off the cover, while the other drinks, and then the first turns to his or her neighbour on the other side and goes through the same form, the one who has just drunk remaining standing the while that the drinker may not be stabbed in the back, was the old idea. Then came the speeches, uninteresting enough with the exception of Lord Rosebery, who discoursed discretely on foreign policy, dwelling so much on peace that one felt almost inclined to say ‘methinks you do protest too much.′ The speech was certainly an eloquent one, and to my mind had a ring of sincerity about it very different from the ‘tongue in the cheek’ of some of his recent speeches when attacking the House of Lords. The peroration was decidedly fine, when he pointed to the statues of Chatham and Pitt and spoke of his determination to uphold as they had done the honour of the British Empire.5 Wednesday 21 November Firle Went to see my darling and was immensely relieved to find him very much better than yesterday after a very satisfactory interview with Garrod.1 Wandered about and saw Miss Emily Leslie, greatly excited about the School board elections, which turn entirely upon the question whether the Christian religion shall be taught in the board schools. It is a thousand pities ever to have stirred the question up, but having been raised, there is nothing for it but to support Mr. Athelstan Riley,2 though if all his tail could come in I should not be sorry to see him beat. In the afternoon to a Committee of the Working Ladies’ Guild. 1. Recorder of London since 1892, Conservative M.P.Holborn, 1892–1900. 2. Sir Joseph Ennals, Lord Mayor, 1894–5. 3. Charles Russell, Lord Russell of Killowen, Lord Chief Justice 1894–1900. 4. I.e., two sirloins left uncut at the backbone. 5. The Times, 10 Nov. 1894, pp. 6–7. 1. Sir Alfred Baring Garrod (1819–1907), physician and Professor of Clinical Medicine of King’s College Hospital, who made valuable contributions to investigating the causes of gout. 2. A High Church lawyer, member of the School Board for London, 1891–7, and a fanatical opponent of ‘School Board religion’. See T.Gautrey, Lux Mihi Laus: School Board Memories (1937), pp. 102–5.

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Tuesday 4 December Fawsley After tea at Mrs. Forster’s I went on to Badby to be present, together with most of the rural population of England, at the first Parish meeting, the first act as it were in the measure which, it is supposed, will create such a revolution in our country, a proposition which I take leave to doubt. About 45 to 50 parochial electors were present and perhaps 25 others: no compromise having been come to, 16 nomination papers were handed in for the 9 seats,1 Mr. Murland being the most admirable chairman. A show of hands was taken in alphabetical order, Frost2 heading the poll with 27 votes, 7 more of us, including myself, getting 25, and our other two candidates 24 and 23, while of the other side T.Sanders (the leader of the whole agitation) polled 17 and the rest of his following down to 8. Then one after another three of our men withdrew, and Johnson3 appealed to T.Sanders to be content with that, and not insist on the four he wanted, seeing what a minority he was in. I think he was hesitating when Ivens4 jumped up and said, ‘I demand a poll,′ and there was an end of it except my foggy drive home. Rainald had his absurd little parish meeting here.5 They elected Charlie District Councillor which means Guardian as he was before. It was very interesting sitting watching the faces. I had no vote, not being a Parochial Elector and being only eligible as a candidate by living within three miles. At Charwelton and Preston they had perfectly harmonious meetings and don’t want a Council. At Everdon they settled their affairs without a contest, at Staverton a fight. Tuesday 11 December Offchurchbury, Leamington Rainald and I came in the afternoon to this old place which I have long wished to see, as it was an old Knightley possession, now the property of Jane, Countess of Aylesford,1 who was a Miss Knightley, or rather Wightwick, the male line having ended several generations ago. The party consists of her son, Mr. Clement Finch, her two granddaughters Lady Hilda and Lady Aleix, General (now Sir Edward) and Lady Newdegate,2 the present owners of dear old Arbury, Mr. Ward Cook, and Mr. Verney, Lord Willoughby de Broke’s eldest son, who is standing for the Rugby division.3 1. NH, 8 Dec. 1894, p. 6. 2. George Frost, grazier. 3. John Ayris Johnson, farmer. 4. Thomas Ivens, cattle dealer. 5. At Fawsley Hall, chaired by Lord Knightley. 1. Jane Wightwick, only child of John Knightley of Offchurch, Warwickshire, and wife of Heneage Finch, 6th. Earl of Aylesford. 2. A cousin of Charles Newdigate Newdegate succeeded to the estate in 1887; his wife, Anne Emily. 3. Richard Greville Verney, eldest son of 18th. Baron Willoughby de Broke, Conservative M.P., Rugby division of Warwickshire, 1895–1900. LMK spoke on his behalf during the election campaign. See Lord Willoughby de Broke, The Passing Years (1924), pp. 65–6.

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In the evening we all went to a Primrose League meeting in Leamington, at which Mr. Verney and I spoke. I spoke, I think, rather better than usual, and Tiny was pleased though he told me I spoke too fast and did not give time for applause. There was a very good audience in spite of a pouring wet night, and most attentive. The Brigg election, coming on top of Forfarshire, is most encouraging4 and a very good answer to the unprincipled attack on the House of Lords. Tuesday 18 December Fawsley On Monday I went out hunting for an hour or two to Adstone and we drew Hellidon Gorse and ran here. In the afternoon Rainald and I drove to Everdon and Badby that he might vote at the election of District Councillor=Guardian, but it turned out that though on the register for both places he could only vote for one Guardian in the same Union, so he reserved his vote for Badby where the redoubtable Tom Sanders was standing against the former Guardian Keene,1 and as it turned out it was wise as Keene was only returned by six. On the whole all round here the old Guardians have been returned, even where one did not expect it. It augurs well for the General Election. Today, Tuesday, I went to Badby for a Girls’ Friendly Society tea, making Miss Osborn our new Associate who succeeds Miss Johnson, now Mrs. Key, known to the girls, and admitting four new members. Afterwards to the first meeting of our Parish Council, a compromise having been come to after all and three Radicals admitted, as we originally offered. It was chiefly formal signing declarations, electing Chairman. We chose Mr. Scratton from outside, not without a strong protest from T.Sanders, me Vice Chairman, (unanimous), on the whole harmonious and businesslike. 4. John Maunsell Richardson, Conservative, elected with a majority of 77 in a by-election; it was previously a Liberal seat. 1. Thomas Keene, innkeeper, 49 votes and Eli Thomas Sanders, 42. NM, 21 Dec. 1894, p. 7.

*1895* Sunday 6 January Fawsley Thursday Rainald went to Northampton to St. Andrews and I walked over to Newnham to make arrangements about a Primrose League meeting there. It was a beautiful winter day and I amused myself by counting 18 different kinds of living creatures in the course of my walk. Sunday 20 January Fawsley Tuesday evening the angelic person Rainald came with me to a Primrose meeting at Newnham,1 at which I and Pettifer spoke, I, dully, on Welsh disestablishment, but it reads pretty well; here were a good many men and a good meeting altogether. I was glad my darling went: it shows people he cares. Charlie reports a good meeting at Charwelton on Wednesday and I went to a Mother’s Meeting. On Thursday Charlie and Rainald went to their County Council at Northampton.2 Tuesday 29 January Fawsley Thursday, Mr. Augustus Hare arrived; it is pleasant to have him to talk to after reading so many of his books. He lent me the proof sheets of The Story of My Life which is being privately printed.1I must say I read it with immense interest though I am persuaded people will laugh if it is ever published. Some of his stories are VERY wonderful, at the same time one sees things that constantly in real life would be said to be grossly exaggerated. He says himself that the story of my life if written in full detail would be interesting, reminding me of what Gibbon says: The pathetic almost always consists in the detail of little circumstances.′ 1. The school room, Newnham. NH, 19 Jan. 1895, p. 7. 2. The last meeting before the election of the new County Council.

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…Mr. Hare departed yesterday, in a fall of snow. Today, Tuesday, Rainald and Charlie have been to Towcester to the meeting of the Conservative Association. Lord Randolph Churchill is dead,2 a sad ending of what might have been a great career. Monday 4 February 38 Beaufort Gardens On to a party at Lady Spencer’s rather an interesting gathering: talked to Lord Welby, who seconds the Address tomorrow and who agrees with me in thinking the pear is not yet ripe for us, to Lord Acton, to Lord Brassey, who is going off to Australia,1 evidently to avoid supporting a party he has ceased to believe in, to Madam Novikoff, Sir D.Mackenzie Wallace, Canon McColl, much excited about Armenian atrocities,2 etc. Tuesday 5 February 38 Beaufort Gardens In the afternoon went down to the House of Lords to hear the debate on the Address,1 very delightful to be able to do that without asking anybody. Lord Herschell began by making a long, too long, personal explanation about the outcry raised at the idea that he was going to move Mr. Justice Vaughan-Williams2 for fear of inconvenient revelations about Companies. There was a certain degree of genuine indignation about it but too laboured. Lord Welby moved the address, a fish out of water, Lord Battersea3 seconded—he speaks well—then Lord Salisbury, in his happiest vein, a master of quips and flouts, specially when he compared Lord Welby, as the last-made Liberal peer, to the dodo, who must speedily become extinct, as after their proposed attack on the House of Lords (which by the way was conspicuous by its absence from the Queen’s speech) they can’t possibly make any more. The House laughed as I should think they seldom do and poor Lord Welby will be ‘the dodo’ for evermore.4 Something he said abut the composition of the Government majority in the House of Commons which made the Treasury bench frantic, but I didn’t quite catch it. Lord Rosebery replied but I had to come away.5 It was a stately sight, the Peeresses’ gallery crammed and the whole House very full. 1. Begun in 1878, the first three volumes appeared in 1896 and the remaining three in 1900. 2. On 24 Jan. 1. Thomas, 1st. Earl Brassey (1836–1918), Governor of Victoria, 1895–1900. 2. Massacres took place in June-August 1894 after an Armenian uprising at Sassun. 1. Hansard, 4, 30, cols. 14–50, 5 Feb. 1895. 2. Judge in Bankruptcy, High Court. 3. Cyril Flower, 1st. Baron Battersea, Liberal M.P., Luton, 1885–92. 4. Salisbury stated, The noble Lord who spoke first last night has many claims upon our interest, that he is like the dodo—the last of the creation to which he belongs, and the political geologist of the future will reconstruct his remains with considerable interest’. Hansard, 4, 30, col. 30. 5. For Rosebery’s reply, see Hansard, 4, 30, col. 30, 5 Feb. 1895.

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Thursday 14 February Fawsley Wednesday I went to Daventry for a Primrose League Committee at which we agreed to become a Primrose Monthly and on the way back did a Parish Council Meeting at which we settled our standing orders. Thursday 21 February 38 Beaufort Gardens Paid some visits in the morning then went to a Committee of the Suffrage Committee summoned by Mrs. Fawcett at the house of her sister Miss Rhoda Garrett in Gower Street which I was rather interested to see.1 Saturday 23 February 38 Beaufort Gardens Mary in bed with a bad cold. Went to luncheon with Lady Dorothy and Meresia Nevill, very full of the wonderful bal poudré at Warwick Castle.1 It must have been a wonderful sight, 50 servants in the dress of the period, trumpeters to marshall the guests to supper, in short a fête to dream of. One wonders where the money came from. Saturday 9 March Fawsley On Thursday, Colonel Lowndes and I went together to Elkington to attend a meeting, practically convened by Janey, to consider a scheme for localizing a periodical called the Primrose Herald. It was well attended and I hope the scheme will float.… The London County Council elections have gone splendidly but the Speaker’s retirement is a great blow.1 1. Millicent Fawcett’s sister, Agnes, and their cousin, Rhoda, London’s first women interior decorators and joint authors of House Decoration (1877). See J.Manton, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (1965), p. 239. Rhoda died in 1882 and Ethel Smyth, a close friend, dedicated a string quintet to her memory. 1. Held on 1 Feb. 1895 at the invitation of the Earl and Countess of Warwick and attended by some 400 guests dressed in costumes of the French Court of Kings Louis XV and XVI. The Lady, 7 Feb. 1895, pp. 158–9. 1. Peel’s imminent retirement on account of his state of health was announced on 9 March.

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Friday 15 March Fawsley Wednesday afternoon to Daventry for a very satisfactory Primrose League meeting at which the Primrose Herald scheme was finally adopted, and then the Annual Meeting of the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Mrs. Hickson1 came over from Northampton, and told us what had been done in the district; several families have been warned, apparently with good results. The name of Mrs. Hickson, wife of a leading shoe manufacturer at Northampton, reminds me that a great shoe strike, or lockout has just begun, a terrible misfortune to the whole neighbourhood.2 Thursday a lovely day. Rainald and I drove to Staverton, where I succeeded in enlisting Miss Marriott3 as Warden for the Primrose League. Saturday 16 March Fawsley Went to Charwelton in the afternoon, they are making great progress with the railroad.1 Rainald and I talk of nothing but the Speaker and the Warwick election.2 Mr. Courtney and Mr. Campbell-Bannerman3 have been greatly talked of, but for one reason or other neither seem likely to stand and I have great hopes for Matt.4 As to Warwick there is a terrible split and Rainald is so afraid lest it should split up the compact with the Liberal Unionists all over the country which would lose us many seats. 1. Wife of William Hickson, the former president of the Employers’ Federation and at this time Chairman of the Northampton Arbitration Board. 2. The shoe strike began on 9 March and was ended on 19 April 1895 with the defeat of the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives. See. J.H.Porter, The Northampton Boot and Shoe Arbitration Board Before 1914′, NP&P vi, 2, 1979, pp. 93–9 and NM, 8 March 1895, p. 7. 3. Of the White House, Staverton. 1. An extension of the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway, from Nottingham to London. 2. Arthur Wellesley Peel, Speaker of the House of Commons, and M.P. for Warwick since 1865, retired from the Speakership in April 1895. 3. Henry Campbell-Bannerman (1836–1908), Liberal M.P., Stirling, 1868–1908; Secretary of State for War, 1892–5, Prime Minister, 1905–8. 4. LMK’s cousin, Sir Matthew White Ridley.

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Thursday 21 March 38 Beaufort Gardens To see Nora in the morning full of gossip of one sort or other but nothing much worth recording. Then to Carlton Terrace, as I was anxious to see Matt and Mary Ridley, they are naturally very excited about the Speakership, but as yet know nothing, but Matt’s chances are greatly improved by Mr. Campbell-Bannerman not standing.1 He would have accepted unanimously, but apparently the Cabinet who seem in a very rickety condition cannot do without him. Anyone else they start, Matt will be put up to oppose and if not successful this time, is sure to be so after the next election. This is so strongly felt that Sir Frank Lockwood2 who is talked of told Mr. Chandos Leigh3 whom I met at the station that he would not stand. ‘I should be kicked out in a few months and then where would be my practice?’ Everyone seems to be convinced that we shall be in power after the next election but this split between Conservative and Liberal Unionists at Warwick is very serious and may lead to results little anticipated at present. Friday 22 March 38 Beaufort Gardens Darling and I had a lovely walk round the Park, talking of Lord Rosebery’s insomnia, the sequel of influenza, which gives rise to rumours of his resignation. Rainald told me how Lord Palmerston could and did sleep in the House often and the absurd effect when some member was attacking his foreign policy and talking about ‘the aggressive attitude of the noble Lord’, the noble Lord leaning back on the Treasury bench sound asleep. On a similar occasion, Lord North appeared to be asleep when the member denouncing his American policy stopped and said, ‘It is possible that under such circumstances the noble Lord can be asleep?’ Lord North opened his eyes and said ‘I’m not asleep—I wish to Heavens I were!’ 1. For full details of Campbell-Bannerman’s withdrawal as a candidate for the Speakership, see J.Wilson, C.B. A Life of Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman (1973), pp. 250–7. 2. (1846–97) Solicitor-General, 1894–5. Liberal M.P., York City, 1885–97. 3. Edward Chandos, son of Chandos, 1st. Baron Leigh and uncle of Margaret, Countess of Jersey. 1. A frequent sufferer, particularly at moments of crises. See R.R.James, Rosebery. A Biography of Archibald Philip, Fifth Earl of Rosebery (1963), p. 370.

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Sunday 24 March Fawsley A sad day in the annals of Fawsley. The wind which had been blowing hard all the morning rose to hurricane force just as we came out of church and has been more destructive than any gale on record.1 Many fine trees are down in the Park, but what is far worse, half the trees north of the South walk are swept away, half those in the laurel walk, and the elm avenue leading down to the Dingle (which Batten2 says Mrs. Payne remembered Sir Charles planting) is completely wrecked. In short the Pleasaunce, as the old books would call it, is ruined. I suppose there is some wise reason for it but it is very heart breaking and I am so sorry for my darling, who loves his trees so well. Had it been October there wouldn’t have been a tree left. Rainald wrote a letter to Sir W. Harcourt, half chaffing, but seriously suggesting that Mr. Gladstone should propose Matt.3 It really would be a dignified way out of the difficulty which is discreditable to all concerned and to the House of Commons. I had two letters from Matt this morning but they are not a step further. I shall not be surprised if they cut the Gordian knot and dissolve immediately. They are in such a shaky condition. Tuesday 26 March Fawsley In the evening we dined with the Stopfords where were the Henleys and afterwards went on to a capital meeting in the Assembly Hall, Mr. Pennant’s1 first appearance in Daventry. My darling was in the chair and his little short speech was full of wisdom.2 Lord Henley also made a good little speech on Welsh disestablishment, but the speech of the evening was Mr. Walter Long, late Secretary to the Local Government Board.3 Especially on the subject of the Poor Law, old and new, he was excellent, not denying that improvements were needed, but reminding people what things were before 1834. The hall was crowded and though there were a few Radicals, they were perfectly quiet and well behaved, a marvellous contrast to 1885. I wonder what has caused it? 1. The south-westerly gale affected all parts of England, but particularly London and E.Midlands. NH, 30 March 1895, supp. p. 2. 2. LMK’s maid and companion. 3. Harcourt MS. 226 ff. 144–5, Bodleian Library, Oxford University. 1. Unionist candidate for the Southern division of the county. NH, 30 March 1895, p. 7. 2. Ibid. 3. (1854–1924) President of the Board of Agriculture, 1895–1900. Liberal Unionist M.P., West Derby division of Liverpool, 1893–1900.

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Wednesday 27 March Fawsley Capt. and Mrs. Guinness, jolly Irish folk, came to luncheon, afterwards I went down to Badby. Sir W.Harcourt has acknowledged Rainald’s letter,1 but in a very guarded way; he thinks they may be really thinking about it. Thursday 11 April Fawsley On Tuesday I betook to Towcester for the Divisional Council of the Primrose League, well attended and a good deal of useful discussion…but my darling is not at all well, and very low. He has never been really well since that attack in November…My precious one’s mind is just as clear as ever, thank God for it. He has been intensely interested about the Speaker. Mr. Gully,1 a total unknown man as regards the House, was chosen yesterday by a majority of 11, a strictly party vote, over Matt Ridley. Tuesday 16 April Elton Hall, Peterborough Came here: party besides Lord and Lady Carysfort, the Dowager Lady Claud Hamilton1 (his sister) and her daughter, Mr. Burrell and a son and daughter, Sir F. and Lady Peel,2 Augustus Hare, and Mr. Robarts.3 1. In a typically barbed reply, Harcourt wrote, ‘Since you left the H of C for another place everything has gone wrong. I am happy however to know that your translation has inspired you with implicit confidence in Mr. Gladstone, which, if I remember right you did not always feel’. Harcourt MS. 226, f. 146 (copy), 25 March 1895, Bodleian Library, Oxford University. 1. William Court Gully (1835–1909), Liberal M.P., Carlisle, 1886–1905. 1. Lady Elizabeth Emma Proby, widow of Lord Claud Hamilton, brother of James, 1st. Duke of Abercorn. 2. Sir Frederick Peel, a member of the Railway and Canal Commission, 1873–1906. 3. A.J.Robarts, Joint Master of the Grafton Hunt with E.S.Douglas-Pennant, 1892–4.

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Saturday 20 April Elton Hall Oh! how little I thought when I wrote those few lines, what a week of sorrow it was going to be. On Wednesday morning April 17, my darling was seized with faintness and giddiness, followed by gradual loss of power, till in the evening I thought he was passing away. Thank God, he is spared to me but all power is gone from one leg and he cannot turn in bed. We have a nurse and have two doctors and they say he will recover, but it must be a long long business. Thursday 25 April Elton Hall My birthday and the saddest I have ever spent … We have sent for Garrod,1 who comes tomorrow and I earnestly trust he may suggest something. There is an idea it may be gout, which would be far better than ordinary paralysis. He has been very very low, depressed, fearing that he may continue in this terrible helpless state. Sunday 28 April Elton Hall Sir Alfred Garrod came down on Friday and gives every hope of my darling’s complete recovery, but he says it will take a long time—3 months he puts it at, and will not hear of his being moved for a month. This is a terrible blow, but thank God, he bears it well, is gentle and patient, and today for the first time said he thought he was really better. Sunday 11 May Elton Hall 1

Today we had Mr. Walker over again. He told me, after a careful examination, that he did not think he would ever recover the use of the leg, the stiffness in which has not gone off at all. Of course I have not told him, but it is a grievous trial. 1. Sir Alfred Baring Garrod (1819–1907), physician and author of Treatise on Gout and Rheumatic Gout (1859). 1. Possibly Thomas Jasper Walker, Peterborough.

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Thursday 23 May Elton Hall A few lines before we leave this place, which will ever be to me the memory of a very sad time but tempered with many memories. I had a long day in London on Monday and took a house, 5 Belgrave Place, and tomorrow we go up to the Buckingham Palace Hotel, in an invalid carriage. My darling is distinctly better and the last two days has been out in the garden in his chair. Sunday 26 May Buckingham Palace Hotel Today Rainald has been out in his chair and smoked his first cigar. It is so much more cheerful for him too to see a few people, and does not seem to hurt him… The Government hang on by the skin of their teeth, but it is very tough skin, and neither majorities down to nine and even five, nor Walworth1 and Leamington2 both declaring against them, seem to make any difference. In the evening to the Queen’s ball … We had Strauss’s Viennese band which played extremely well, but so much too loud it made the ballroom almost uninhabitable. Many young married women with beautiful diamonds, specially Lady Wolverton;3 Mrs. George Curzon,4 the ‘superior person’s’5 American bride also very handsome. 1.By-election caused by the death of the sitting member, William Saunders, Liberal, for Walworth division of Newington. James Bailey, Conservative, 2676, Col. J.C.Reade, Liberal, 2105 and George Lansbury, Socialist 347. 2.Alfred Lyttelton, Liberal Unionist, in the Warwick and Leamington election, received 2815 votes, and his opponent, Sir James Duckworth, Liberal, 2236. 3.Edith Amelia married Frederic, 4th. Baron Wolverton, in 1895. 4.Mary Leiter, wife of George Nathaniel Curzon (1859–1925), Conservative M.P., Southport, 1886–98, Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs. 5.From a popular doggerel attributed to two of his Balliol contempories, Cecil Spring Rice and John William Mackail:

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‘I am a most superior person My name is George Nathaniel Curzon. My face is pink, my hair is sleek, I dine at Blenheim once a week,′

See G.Gilmour, Curzon (1994), p. 30. Friday 31 May 5 Belgrave Place To the Primrose League Committee to which I have been re-elected. No special business, only the Duke of Argyll’s third marriage announced to Miss McNeill,1 the Queen’s Secretary and Princess Louise’s protégé, who now becomes her step-mother-in-law! After our expedition to the Park (London looks so odd from beside a bath chair) we came in to this house. Wednesday 12 June 5 Belgrave Place Went in the morning to the Alexandra Club Committee and in the afternoon to the Annual Meeting, the last time I shall preside, as I shall not stand again in December. Thursday 13 June 5 Belgrave Place Spent most of the day in trotting after Rainald and Lord Hamilton’s bath chairs, first in the Park, and in the afternoon to the Imperial Institute where Strong’s band played divinely. It seems to me such an odd life to lead, so apparently frivolous and yet not really so. 1.Ina McNeill. See Jehanne Wake, Princess Louise (1988), pp. 311–13.

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Friday 14 June 5 Belgrave Place In the morning to the two Primrose League Committees, nothing specially interesting except lamentations over the dullness of the House of Commons. I brought forward the Primrose Herald, which was warmly received.1 In the afternoon after driving with Rainald to a sufficiently dull tea party at Lady Llangattock’s2 and in the evening to an amusing political party at Lady Londonderry’s to meet Lord Salisbury, Mr. Balfour, Duke of Devonshire3 and Mr. Chamberlain. The two latter had been dining at the National Union of Conservative Associations and the Duke had been making a remarkable speech 4about which Mr. Chamberlain to whom I spoke was very enthusiastic. It points to a Coalition Government when we come in and which must be soon. Inverness won by 650, one of the ballot boxes was said to have been burnt5 and speculation was rife as to the consequences, but the majority is so big I doubt anything being done. Londonderry House is perfect for reception and as I watched the beautiful hostess with her gracious smile and bow for each guest had a word, nor more for her particular friends, so different to Lady Salisbury, I could not help thinking that at last we have found the ideal house and ideal hostess for which the Conservative party have so long been waiting. Saturday 22 June 5 Belgrave Place This has been, politically a very exciting week. On Wednesday appeared a notice that Mr. Gladstone had broken his permanent pair with Mr. Villiers (the father of the House)1 in order to be free to vote as he pleased on certain points of the Welsh Church bill. Explanations, contradictions, recriminations have been flying about, while G.O.M. himself is disporting himself at the opening of the Baltic Canal,2 and how much or how little it means it is hard to tell, but it is undoubtedly a blow to the Government who are in no condition to bear it. On Thursday their majority fell to seven,3 and yesterday they were beat by seven on a motion to reduce Mr. Campbell-Bannerman’s salary by way of protest because we haven’t got enough ammunition. He has resigned and we are in all the 1.LGC Executive Minutes, PL. 13, 14 June 1895, pp.54–5. 2.Georgiana Marcia, wife of John Allan Rolls, 1st. Baron Llangattock. Resided at South Lodge, Rutland Gate, Knightsbridge. 3.Lord Hartington succeeded his father as 8th. Duke in 1891. 4.The Duke’s speech at the Conference of National Union of Conservative Associations. 5.Two voting papers were destroyed by accident when burning wax was dropped into the ballotbox in the sealing process. The Times, 17 June 1895, p. 6.

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excitement of a Cabinet crisis.4 At the Lambeth garden party today, to which, to my intense delight, my darling was able to go with me in his bath chair, there were as many opinions, as people. Some say they will dissolve, some that they will resign some that they will hang on and try to get the vote rescinded on Tuesday. (It was taken quite unexpectedly and in a very thin house). The latter course would I think be the best for us so they probably won’t take it. The worst for us would be that they should resign and leave us to incur the odium of refusing to take office, for I hope we shall not be so left to ourselves as to attempt to come in again in the Parliament which turned us out. Sunday 23 June 5 Belgrave Place Sir Thomas, Mr. Soames, Nellie Hill and her husband,1 and Lord Eustace Cecil were our visitors in the afternoon. Rainald and the latter wrangled over the formation of the new Cabinet: Lord Eustace evidently does not want Mr. Balfour to be Prime Minister, thinks it will be the Duke of Devonshire. Don’t think that will work. Then to the Park, where a mob, but a great many people we knew. Lord Sefton2 announced that Lord Rosebery had resigned3 and Lord Salisbury been sent for. A clever move and the worst thing for us they can do, so of course they do it. Tuesday 25 June 5 Belgrave Place Overjoyed by the announcement that Lord Salisbury had agreed to take office only on condition that the outgoing people will promise to help to wind up the necessary business and get to a dissolution immediately. This will prevent their being beaten and discredited before they can appeal to the country, a mistake the Conservatives have made more than once before and always with disastrous results. All morning on Central Council,1 in the afternoon to Grosvenor House which the Duke of Westminster2 has most kindly lent at my request, for the Guild sale.…Went 1.Charles Pelham Villiers, Unionist M.P., Wolverhampton since 1835. Father of the House, 1890– 7. 2.Gladstone made a final cruise on the Tantallon Castle in June, calling at Hamburg, Copenhagen and Kiel. 3.Hansard, 4, 34, cols. 1673–1711, 21 June 1895. Ayes 132, Noes 125. 4.For an account of the divisions within the Liberal Government, see D.A.Hamer, Liberal Politics in the Age of Gladstone and Rosebery (1972), p. 205–7. 1.Ellen Maria, wife of Revd. Charles Rowland Haydock Hill, vicar of St. Michael, Lyme Regis, Dorset since 1894. 2.William Philip Molyneux, 4th. Earl of Sefton. 3.Rosebery’s resignation was accepted by the Queen at Windsor on 22 June 1895.

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afterwards to tea. The Duke was anxious to know what Rainald thought of the coalition, if it did not go too far for him. Wednesday 26 June 5 Belgrave Place As dismayed and puzzled as we were overjoyed yesterday by the announcement that Lord Salisbury had taken office without the guarantees he asked for. However, in the afternoon we went to Holland House (the first time under Lady Ilchester’s1 reign) and there discoursed politicians innumerable with the result that we are much more satisfied. Labby has announced that he will be no party to obstruction (for which Sir William Harcourt gave him a good wigging) and it is pointed out that if they do obstruct, Lord Salisbury will at once resign and then if they come back they will have to be re-elected or else dissolve, which is just what we want. Mr. Walter Long predicts a majority for us of 50, Mr. Penrose FitzGerald puts it as high as 70. Holland House2 was lovely beyond words, a brilliant day, and the place is absolutely unique. My darling enjoyed it. Thursday 27 June 5 Belgrave Place At home in the morning but many visitors. In the afternoon a little party, but a very pretty one, Leila and Constance Peel,1 May Hall, Cordelia Leigh,2 and some men, to the Imperial Institute, the object being to amuse Rainald and Lord Hamilton. Met Lord Herschell, rejoiced at being out of office. Rainald asked him if he thought Lord Halsbury was rejoiced too: said he thought he was and would be for 6 weeks! I believe that is about the time Lord Herschell will take to want to be back again. One great reason is that he loves travelling and the Lord Chancellor may never leave England, a curious relic of olden times. Now that the Queen and her conscience go abroad I should have thought the Keeper of the Queen’s conscience might go too! He says he never sleeps away from the Great Seal which resides in its beautiful bag only when it changes hands. Mr. Raymond Webber,3 one of our party, a cousin of Leila’s has been serving in the Egyptian army and was rather interesting: says Captain Lugard4 has little doubt that the French are making for the Nile. 1.AJA, Aug. 1895, pp. 162–3. 2.Hugh Lupus Grosvenor, 1st. Duke of Westminster, residing at Upper Grosvenor Street, London. 1.Mary, wife of Henry Edward Fox-Strangways, 5th. Earl of Ilchester. 2.An ambitious early Jacobean house, begun in 1605. It was badly damaged during the Second World War. 1.Daughters of the Revd. Frederick Peel, vicar of Little Malvern, Worcestershire. Leila married Henry, 5th. Viscount Gage in 1894. 2.May, niece of Sir Charles Hall, Recorder of London; Mary Cordelia, daughter of Henry, 2nd. Baron Leigh. 3.Grandson of Thomas Charles Hanbury-Tracy, 2nd. Baron Sudeley, member of the Burmese Expedition, 1886–7. 4.Capt. Frederick John Lugard, East Norfolk Regiment, an experienced officer in African affairs.

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Sunday 30 June 5 Belgrave Place It is sad to hear of Weeting entirely deserted, where we have spent so many happy days. Afterwards to the Park with Lord Hamilton where people innumerable; Lord George Hamilton ragonnant at a County Council Election in N.E. Bethnal Green where a majority of over 700 for them has been turned into a majority of 92 for us.1 The Radicals perfectly flabbergasted. The Duke of Somerset2 talking of the iniquity of the death duties, how Wilton will have to be shut up for three or four years, 60 people discharged etc. He specially dwelt on the hardship of paying perhaps three times in a few years as would have been the case with him; his two uncles and his father having followed each other in rapid succession, my Duke, Lord Archibald known as the artful Dodger, Lord Algernon commonly called ‘Mousie’. Wednesday 3 July 5 Belgrave Place The Government is now complete and is, I suppose, the strongest for many years: the Cabinet reaches the unprecedented number of 19. On the whole I think it is approved, though it is thought that the Liberal Unionists have too many of the smaller offices. But it is full of difficulties. I believe Lord Salisbury says he would rather sweep a crossing than form a Government. Went to a party there at night, talked to Mr. Walter Long, who has got Agriculture with a seat in the Cabinet.1 Says he would rather have had Local Government which I understand.2 1.Hamilton was elected chairman of the School Board for London in Dec. 1894, retiring eight months later. See his Parliamentary Reminiscences and Reflections 1886–1906 (1922), pp. 233–6. 2.Edward Seymour, 12th. Duke of Somerset, was succeeded in 1885 by his brother, Archibald, and in 1891, by another brother, Algernon Percy, father of Algernon, 15th. Duke who succeeded in 1894. 1.See his Memories (1923), ch. 8, pp. 114–33. 2.The post was given to Henry Chaplin, who had been President of the Board of Agriculture, 1889– 92, with a seat in the Cabinet.

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Tuesday 9 July 5 Belgrave Place To Primrose League Office in the morning and provided myself with the names of some out voters whom, having had Mary and Fanny Thornton1 to luncheon, and taking Georgie with us, we proceeded to canvass in the afternoon which was rather amusing. Everyone talks of our majority. I only hope we are not making too cocksure. 1.Mary Susan Thornton, sister of Frank; GFS Head of Department, Peterborough Diocese.

Sunday 14 July 5 Belgrave Place I could hardly believe my eyes when I took up the Observer with ‘Great Unionist Victories—defeat of Sir William Harcourt′.1 We shall win all along the line now. In North Northants Lord Exeter is dying and Lord Burghley,2 retiring at the eleventh hour, has slipped in Mr. Monckton. Looks rather like a bit of sharp practice .… Janey came to luncheon, Mr. Repton, Mrs. Nesbitt and Sir C.Stewart afterwards: then the Park, where every one ragonnant with our victories. Lord G.Hamilton talks of a majority of 100, Mr. Cooke 4of ousting Bobby. After Derby nothing seems impossible. Tuesday 16 July Fawsley Left my darling, very reluctantly, but by his express wish and went down by the 9 a.m. to Daventry. Saw Mr. Willoughby,1 who is most hopeful and drove through Staverton and Hellidon to Charwelton where I spent some time canvassing and arrived very tired at Charlie’s at 4.30 where I was put up. 1.At Derby, Harcourt was third in the poll; two Conservatives, Sir Henry Bemrose and Geoffrey Drage, were elected. Observer, 14 July 1895, p. 5. 2.William Alleyne Cecil, 3rd. Marquess of Exeter, died 14 July 1895; Brownlow Henry George, Baron of Burghley, succeeded as 4th Marquess. 3.A Conservative, he was elected for North Northamptonshire on 13 July. 4.J.E.Cooke, Provincial Secretary of the Primrose League for the Midland Counties. 1.William Willoughby, local Conservative agent.

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Wednesday 17 July 5 Belgrave Place Spent some time at Badby where, as in every village, the organization seems perfect. All the ‘upper ten’ have been given something to do and every single voter has been canvassed. We have never had anything like it before. On to Everdon and returned to London by the 5 p.m., two hard days but it was worth doing and my darling wishes it. Meanwhile seat after seat falls to us, our majorities are enormously increased and theirs proportionately diminished. Three Cabinet Ministers1 are beat besides several minor members of the Government. Seats are won in Wales, in Glasgow, in all sorts of incredible places, in short Rainald says that in all his long experience he never remembers anything like it. It would be incredible were it not true. The Times says 1886 was the Leipzig of Home Rule; 1892 inaugurated its Hundred Days, and now 1895 is its Waterloo. It is a good comparison. Friday 19 July 5 Belgrave Place The crowning delight to Rainald of the whole election—Pender 5084 Spencer 4802, majority 282! 1Who would have believed it? We went straight down to the Carlton and it was too funny how one man after another came up with ‘Bobby’s out!’2 as if there were but one Bobby in the world. Sir A. Garrod came in the afternoon and then we went in the Park with a bath chair, Warner having gone down to vote for South Northants. 1.Apart from Harcourt, Arnold Morley (Postmaster-General), John Morley (Chief Secretary for Ireland), and G.J. Shaw-Lefevre (President of the Local Government Board) also lost their seats. 1.In Mid Northamptonshire. 2.Robert Spencer wrote to his half-brother, ‘Local veto did it entirely …The publicans were the people who did all they knew against me’. Robert Spencer to Earl Spencer, 19 July 1895, Spencer Papers.

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Saturday 20 July 5 Belgrave Place Today was the crowning point of this wonderful election for me, dear South Northants won back by the simply fabulous majority of 1299.1 It would be incredible if it were not true. I always thought Mr. Pennant would win but never expected anything like this. How angry Lord Spencer will be and how disgusted Mr. Cartwright! Tuesday I did more cottages at Badby and afterwards we went up to Preston. Wednesday played croquet at Juliet’s with her and Mr. Rawlinson, Thursday went to a mild Primrose fête at Ashby but it was very nice to see how pleased the people were to see Rainald. Sunday 28 July Buckingham Palace Hotel ‘Why is Sir William Harcourt like Jonah? Because they both got the chuck, and took refuge in W(h) ales.’ Sir William has just been elected for Monmouthshire. Tuesday 30 July Fawsley Accomplished our journey home most successfully for which God be praised. But it is a melancholy homecoming and my darling feels it. Tuesday 6 August Fawsley Another rainy day, but all the workhouse folk much enjoyed their outing here arranged by the Guardians: poor old souls, it is not often they have such a treat. We went up and I helped with the tea, etc. and Rainald said, It does one good to see them.′ By the way, a propos of the Union Jack being hoisted on some church in honour of the return of a Conservative candidate, he declares that time was when at Welton it was regularly hoisted when the hounds met… 1.E.S. Douglas-Pennant, Conservative, 4553, D.C.Guthrie, Liberal, 3324.

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Today we have been to Newnham and Badby, where I stopped to meet the Technical Committee and arrange the classes for the coming winter. I forgot that on Tuesday I presided (in Mr. Scratton’s absence) at a meeting of the Parish Council at Badby, at which our side, very foolishly, made use of their majority to elect a Conservative in the room of one of Sanders’ party, resigned. I thought it a great pity and did not vote. Saturday 10 August Fawsley This has been altogether a cheerful week. On Monday we had our flower show which in spite of a very showery afternoon was a great success;1 we took £35 at the gates. The May Pole dancing and the parade of children dressed with flowers was very pretty. There was to have been a battle of flowers, but that the rain prevented. The actual show was excellent and a good many children competed for my prize for an Essay on Birds. Afterwards we had tea in the Hall and Rainald liked seeing many of his friends and neighbours. Saturday 17 August Fawsley Lady Grenfell writes to Annie Munro a brilliant account of the German Emperor’s visit to Lowther Castle,1 a wonderfully organized entertainment. She seems to have been especially struck with ‘Bill’s’ power of suddenly being absorbed in work, three or four telegrams coming at luncheon, he taking a minister aside and conferring with him earnestly for a few minutes, and then returning the joke in hand. Saturday 24 August Fawsley Tuesday we took a drive to Woodford to call on Miss Pym,1 who has taken up her abode there to look after the navvies, who are devoted to her. 1.NH, 16 Aug, 1895, p. 7. 1.Near Penrith, Westmorland, the home of Hugh Lowther, 5th. Earl of Lonsdale. The visit of Wilhelm II took place on 10 Aug. 1.Adeline Mary Pym, a member of the Navvy Mission Society, who worked to improve the living conditions of the railway navvy. See J.W. Anscomb, ‘Woodford Halse: The Village with a Heart of Steam’, NP&P, vi, 6, 1982–3, pp. 345–6.

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Saturday 7 September Fawsley Rainald, Edie and I started about 3.30 for Weedon to be present at a fête to celebrate the return of Mr. Pender and Mr. Pennant. Half way between Newnham and Weedon who should we meet but Lord Spencer, coming over to call upon Rainald. He had promised (or she for him) to let us know but had not done so and said, ‘You are going to some festivities at Weedon. I saw the flags as I came through.’ Yes indeed, festivities to celebrate the defeat of his brother. It was too funny. They go to India in November to visit the Sandhursts so we shall not meet again for some time.1 On arriving at Weedon we found the Penders just leaving (there had been an unfortunate muddle about time). We met at the gate, one band playing them out and another us in. Nothing could be more gratifying than the reception given to my darling. If he had been the successful candidate it could not have been more cordial and it pleased us both very much. Saturday 28 September Fawsley Wednesday afternoon I spent at Charwelton with Miss Pym, seeing about a reading room for the navvies, and making acquaintance with some of them. It was delightful to see how their faces lighten up when talking to her. Saturday 5 October Fawsley On Monday Phoebe left and Janey, Georgie and I made a successful expedition to see how the new railroad, which is making such rapid progress. We went from Charwelton on an engine as far as the tunnel which begins just beyond Barley Field Spinnies, and looked down the shaft, where large skips full of bricks were being lowered by means of a crane, worked by an engine, beautifully and neatly done. Then we saw the steam digger with its scuttle armed with huge teeth, which digs up about a ton of earth at a go, and swings it round into a wagon. There are nearly 1000 men employed on the section between Woodford and Helidon. It was all very interesting… Our sitting out has come to an end, alas, and this marvellous summer has ended at last. It has indeed been a two months to be thankful for. I went to a laundry lecture at Badby; one’s mind is such a complete blank on such a simple subject, and it fills me with respect to see how much trouble ironing a shirt properly is. 1.The Spencers left London on 25 Oct. 1895, arriving at Bombay on 17 Nov.

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I paid my final visit to the workhouse and dispensed tea and tobacco; it is sad to see these poor wrecks of humanity, and in the Infirmary was a poor young fellow dying of pneumonia, slipping away to the undiscovered country of which my darling and I think and talk so much. Sunday 13 October Fawsley Tuesday to a school meeting and Parish Council at Badby. Nothing interesting except a vague discussion about water supply. On Wednesday to a Primrose League executive at Daventry, much talk about Herald, Primrose buds, etc. Thursday he rode and I walked to Charwelton and had a long afternoon there. Met Miss Pym and five of the navvies and drew up some rules for the reading room. I shall be pleased if that succeeds. Friday we went to call on the Guinesses’ and in the evening I dined with the Burtons, and went afterwards to a meeting to celebrate Mr. Pennant’s return.1 He, Lord Henley and I spoke 1 thought I spoke rather well—an Empire speech, but the audience was small and feminine and the reporting very bad.2 Tuesday 22 October Fawsley My darling’s birthday as Sunday was the anniversary of our wedding. Oh, how different from last year and yet, how much I have to be thankful for. It was a pouring and bitter cold day, in spite of which we had several visitors. Sir Henry Dryden, Val to luncheon, then Mr. Forster and in the afternoon a long visit from Lord Spencer. It was really most kind of him to come again, and in such weather. Most agreeable too he made himself: Rainald began about the Eastern question, rather blaming Lord Salisbury, upon which Lord Spencer said he was only carrying out their policy, necessitated by the treaty of Berlin. Then he said that privately not offically as a colleague thought otherwise, he should not regret Russia advancing in Asia Minor. Then we talked of the Far East and he said that Japan thought she could beat Russian and he rather thought so too; was told by competent authorities that the Russians cannot manoeuvre their ships in squadrons which the Japs can. But of course if the French backed up Russia it would alter the whole position. I asked if he thought it would make much difference to us if Russia did take Corea and obtain access to those seas: said he quite thought it would not. He talked about his grandfather, Lord Spencer,1 who was also First Lord of the Admiralty having destroyed all Lord Nelson’s letter to him; as proved by the curious discovery, somewhere in Germany, of the journal of his physician, Dr. Courtfield, who found him in the act of doing it. This led to my talking of my Nelson letters, which came through Sir Henry Wheatley,2 and he said he had been discussing with Lady Granville whether the Queen had the right to insist on the return of letters she

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had written to people after their death. A nice question. Altogether it was a very enjoyable visit: I do wish politics did not always divide us so. Sunday 27 October Fawsley On Friday we had a reading in the old Hall of As You Like It. Lord and Lady Henley came to luncheon. It was not so amusing as our Sheridan readings have been, but still people liked the little gathering. We were about 20 and my darling likes the little change. Alarming views from the Far East, a treaty between Russia and China which gives the former Port Arthur and a straight railroad to Vladivostock and our newspapers don’t take it so quietly as Lord Spencer and I should. Monday 18 November Fawsley Tuesday, a long day. I went first to Northampton and presided at a very satisfactory meeting of the Needlework Guild. Then to Towcester for a less satisfactory meeting of the Primrose League Divisional Council, in as much as I could not get any support for the beloved Primrose Herald. …Thursday I came back at night (from Leicester) all round by Leamington and the new line to Daventry. On Friday, a pouring wet day. Mr. Grimston1 came, and I took him to see the reading room at Charwelton2 and had a long talk with him about the work among the navvies. 1.At the Assembly Hall, Daventry. 2.NH, 19 Oct. 1895, p. 3. 1.George John, 2nd. Earl Spencer (1758–1834), who appointed Nelson to command the Navy in the Mediterranean. 2.Major-General Sir Henry Wheatley, Mary’s father, and LMK’s uncle. For Nelson’s letters see Knightley Papers, BL Add. MS. 46356. 1.Revd. Hon. Robert Grimston, secretary of the Navvy Mission since 1892, appointed resident missionary by the Bishop of Peterborough to administer to the needs of the railwaymen. 2.Opened 9 Nov. 1895.

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Tuesday 10 December Fawsley Thursday in the evening came Mr. de Grey, our Primrose League Provincial Secretary and he and I went to a sufficiently dull little meeting at Badby.1 Friday, he departed, and we walked in the teeth of a howling gale to Charwelton, where I went round to make the acquaintance of all the railwaymen’s wives, 9 or 10, with a view to a Mother’s meeting. Some of the huts were wonderfully tidy and comfortable, others quite the reverse. Sunday 15 December Fawsley Yesterday, my darling who had seemed so well became suddenly worse and we have been in great anxiety, his speech being affected, so that we cannot understand what he says. Yesterday he thought he was dying. Thursday 19 December Fawsley The saddest day of my life: my darling, precious treasure is gone, and though to him it is all gain, to me it is irreparable loss; and from being the happiest of wives I am a widow. On Monday, he came down for the last time. Harry had arrived the night before—and the dear face lighted up when he saw him, almost the last smile. He was pleased to see Charlie and Val too, but towards the evening sitting in his chair holding my hands he became unconscious. We got him into bed in the room we are sitting in the dining room and he said to me, ‘Goodnight, goodnight Goodbye’, the last words he spoke. There he lay for three nights and two days, mercifully without the slightest suffering and we watched him till at 5.30 this Thursday morning, he passed peacefully away. He looks so calm and peaceful. Christmas Evening Fawsley We have laid him in his quiet grave under the old yew tree, the place we chose together 1.Hon. John de Grey addressed the meeting on The Life and Duties of a Citizen’; a vote of thanks by Revd. W. Scratton was seconded by LMK in a ‘graceful speech’. NH, 14 Dec. 1895, p. 7.

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long years ago. By his and my special wish, the funeral1 was as quiet as it could possibly be, only Val, Charlie and Juliet, Philip Barne and Harry, Mary, Lina2 and Harry K. and Sammy. The chief labourers acted as bearers, or rather wheelers, of the bier on which the plain oak coffin rested, with just ‘Rainald, Baron Knightley, 1819–1895′. Canon Collyns3 read the service, which was an immense relief to us all, that beautiful burial service which my darling always said he liked so much. Many beautiful wreaths were sent, and arranged in the church, which was fully decorated for Christmas, by my own express wish. It was all so quiet, so simple, so reverent; only the servants followed, and the tenants by their own wish in the church. I think it was all just as he would have wished it he had such a horror of a pompous funeral. And now, it is all over, but he is safe and happy. I must try and live my life and do God’s will, but ‘oh for the touch of a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that is still.′ Thursday 26 December Fawsley Today I suppose I had better make some record of ‘affairs’, which it has been impossible to avoid discussing, but which I could not bear to write about before. My darling always told me that he had left me the house and grounds for life but now it turns out that I have the park as well and £5000 a year. This however I am sure is some mistake; as he always said, on the rare occasions when we talked about it, ‘You will be very well off with £3000 a year,’ However, whether it is called £5000 or £50,000 makes no difference as the property is, as we, Charlie and I knew, so heavily burdened that I shall be lucky to get £3000. The property was to go to Val, but he at 83 does not wish to have it, especially as he could derive no income from it: and it would involve a double succession duty, so he is going at once to make it over to Charlie and will not even call himself Sir Valentine.1 Nothing can be nicer than Charlie and Juliet are to me and I quite think we shall get on together perfectly, though of course it will involve a great deal of settling and arranging. I really think it will be much better for them that I should live here and spend all my money on the place, instead of taking my legal £2200 a year away. They could not possible live in the house and to let it would be wretched. One thing I am determined upon—I will live within my income. 1.NM, 27 Dec. 1895, p. 6. 2.Selina, wife of Francis Mills and Charles Knightley’s sister. 3.Revd. John Martyn Collyns, Rural Dean, rector of Daventry, 1879–1905, Hon. Canon of Peterborough since 1885. 1.See Release by Sir Valentine Knightley in favour of his nephew, C.V. Knightley, 12 Feb. 1896. Knightley Papers, Acc. 1967/174/180, NRO.

*1896* Saturday 18 January Fawsley Mr. Chancellor from Richmond has been here doing the valuation. His son declares that the picture over the chimney piece in the drawing room which we always took to be a Nell Gwynne (though Sophy Gage always said it wasn’t) is Louise de la Querouailles, Duchess of Portsmouth.1 Certainly it is exactly like the print in the Beauties of Charles II.2 I have had more long talks with Charlie, who is as nice as he can possibly be, but it is all very difficult to arrange with justice to all parties; he ought to be able to make some provision for Juliet and it seems difficult unless I give up my right even to have £5000 a year which I should not be willing to do if Harry Gage succeeded in my life time. And oh, I do want my wisdom, as I used to call him, to consult. I find too that he has left me the advowsons of the three livings, a heavy responsibility, though as Nora pointed out, great proof of his confidence in me. Mr. Sackville 3spoke so nicely of him at the County Council on Thursday, and a nice resolution has come from the Conservative Association. Thursday 23 January Fawsley And so the days go on and I see what is coming and must come: everybody has been good and kind and is, but naturally the world goes on, and to them it all passes away, but to me life can never be again as it has been. But as Mr. Rowsell said today, bury your grief beneath the soil of work for others and it will sprout up and, I trust, bring forth good fruit. 1.Louise Renée de la Keroualle (1649–1734), Duchess of Portsmouth and Aubigny, whose portrait was painted by Sir Peter Lely. 2.Mrs. Anna Jameson, Beauties of the Court of Charles II (1833), 2 vols. An illustrated edition was published in 1851 with portraits after Sir Peter Lely. 3.G.S.Stopford Sackville, chairman of the County Council. NM, 17 Jan. 1896, p. 7.

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Sunday 9 February Fawsley Georgie Gage and I came back here on Monday: it has certainly done me good having this little change, but oh it was so sad coming home …I found a very nice letter from Lord Spencer, not blinking the clouds which politics brought between them, but warmly appreciating the real friendship which always lay beneath. On Tuesday Georgie and I went up to Bull’s Hill1 where one of my former Sunday School Scholars was dying. She was gone when we went again on Thursday…Today began my Sunday class again, which I have not been able to do at all. Sunday 16 February Fawsley Yesterday Charlie and I executed the deed1 by which I resign all claim to anything beyond £3000 per annum during his and his brother’s life and their sons.2 It is a cheap piece of generosity, giving up what I shall probably never get, but it may save complications in the future. Parliament met on Tuesday…Mr. Chamberlain made an admirable speech about the Transvaal,3 putting the whole complicated story as clearly as it can be till after Jameson’s trial.4 But the real question lies in a nutshell—shall South Africa be English or German? and with such an impressive individual as ‘Bill’5 at the head of two million soldiers there is a terrible danger underlying that question. In America we have made a sad fiasco, as my wise darling always predicted;6 and from the Blue Book it seems incomprehensible how Salisbury could go on bullying the Sultan when Russia kept saying distinctly she would neither intervene herself nor let anyone else do so. Today we walked beyond Church Charwelton to look at the new railroad: it makes terrible havoc with the country there, the fine great grass fields we used to gallop over. 1.Bull’s Hill Spinney, off the Preston-Newnham Road. 1.For a useful summary of the reorganization of LMK’s financial affairs following the death of Lord Knightley, see Case to Counsel, Owen Thompson, dated 1913. Knightley Papers, Acc. 1967/174/203, NRO. 2.See Indenture of 13 Feb. 1896 between LMK and Sir Charles Knightley. In fact this Deed affected a release of all but £800 a year. In addition, she had £1200 from her marriage settlement making an income of £2000 in all. Knightley Papers, Acc. 1967/174/80, NRO. 3.Hansard, 4, 37, cols. 311–32, 13 Feb. 1896. 4.When handed over to the British authorities after landing at Plymouth, on 23 Feb. Jameson was arrested and then released on bail. He was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment on 28 July but released from Holloway on 1 Dec. See I.Colvin, The Life of Jameson (1992), ii, pp. 148–56. 5.Wilhelm II, third Emperor of Germany (1859–1941), a frequent visitor to the UK and familiarly known as Kaiser ‘Bill’. 6.In the dispute over boundary adjustments between British Guiana and Venezuela.

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Sunday 15 March Fawsley The election for the Parish Councils all took place on Monday. We could not square things at Badby and it must go to a poll.1 Monday 23 March Fawsley May Hall departed and after luncheon arrived Lucy Cavendish, Lady Frederick Cavendish who I had learnt by chance was staying with the Liddells at Welton. We have seen but little of each other since we first made friends at Osborne 30 years ago,1 but she has always interested me, and the pathetic tragedy of her life must always set her apart. We have passed a most interesting afternoon and evening: she lives from her relationships so at the centre of things, and I enjoy hearing things discussed from a different point of view. She has been in South Africa and is full of information on that subject, says that Kruger once wrote to Sir Hercules Robinson2 who had refused him leave for his people to trek northwards, ‘that though he was hard upon him, he can never forget that England gave him back his country. No other nation would have done it.’ She defends the surrender of the Transvaal, says the negotiations were all in progress and that it would never have done to give up doing what the then Government believed to be right because Lady Colley3 had goaded her husband into striking a blow which failed. She gave a most graphic description of Lobengula insisting on a Mr. Maund4 taking two of his chiefs (one he called his memory and one his tongue) to England to see if the great white Queen really existed. Dutch traders having assured him they had eaten up the English long ago. When Maund asked for £500 for expenses the King calmly walked to a waggon hard by and brought the required sum in English sovereigns. It all sounds like a bit of Rider Haggard. Lucy came home in the ship with them and was mainly instrumental in getting them an interview with the Queen. She seems to think very highly of Sir Hercules Robinson and believes in Cecil Rhodes so far. She also told me she once heard Gladstone break down in the House of Commons in the middle of a fierce denunciation of Dizzy, who perked up and supplied the word— satellites, it was—when he had stopped, whereupon Mr. G.recovered himself and paid a handsome compliment to his opponent for his courtesy. 1.At the Parish Council election on 30 March, LMK came third, with 50 votes, one of nine councillors elected. NM, 3 April 1896, p. 7. 1.Ady, Journals, p. 68. 2.(1824–97). Governor of several colonies from 1855 including Governor and High Commissioner, Cape Colony, 1880–89. He returned to South Africa in 1895 as Governor. 3.Edith Althea, wife of Major-General Sir George Pomeroy-Colley, Governor of Natal and High Commissioner for South-East Africa from 1880, killed at Majuba Hill, 26 Feb. 1881. 4.Lt. Maund, an agent of a London syndicate which owned the mining rights in Bechuanaland. See T.Pakenham, The Scramble for Africa (1991), p. 384–7.

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Thursday 2 April Fawsley In the afternoon went by underground to Wapping to see Harriet Cartwright.1 She is now on the Board of Guardians where no out relief is given. Thinks it is overdone and that a strong socialist feeling is springing up in consequence. Christian Socialism is, I suspect, not to be snuffed out by the Quarterly.2 She thinks they would not object to protection there. I wonder if we shall come to it after all? My darling was a protectionist to the end. Sunday 5 April Fawsley After luncheon came Molly Alderson: she was genuinely fond of ‘Lord Rainald’ as she always called him and he of her. She says her brother, an ex Inspector of Schools,1 does not like the new Education Bill introduced on Tuesday 2at all. It is a most revolutionary measure and will, I fear, increase the work of the County Councils so much as to drive the best men off. Thursday 9 April Fawsley To Mrs. Dundas in the morning to meet Lady Susan1 and talk over the Guild Report. In the afternoon to see about incandescent gas which is creating such a revolution in lighting, and afterwards to look at Dickinson’s picture of the great Home Rule division in the House of Lords.2 They are wonderfully well done and many likenesses striking, my darling among them. He was so pleased to have been in the division. 1.Temperance reformer, daughter of Richard Aubrey Cartwright of Edgcote. 2.E.g., H.H.Henson, The New Christian Socialism’, Quarterly Review, 179, July 1894, pp. 1–26. 1.Charles Henry Alderson (1831–1913), HMI, 1857–72, Chief Inspector, 1882–5, Second Charity Commissioner, 1885–1900. 2.Introduced by Sir John Gorst, Vice-President of the Council on Education. Hansard, 4, 39, cols. 526–80, 31 March 1896. The Bill proposed the creation of a new education authority based on the county council. This new authority would act as a counterweight to the powerful school boards. 1.Countess of Malmesbury. 2.Lowes (Cato) Dickinson (1819–1908) and Myles Birket Foster (1825–99) painted two large canvasses of the Home Rule Debate in the House of Lords, 1893. They now hang in the Palace of Westminster.

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Saturday 11 April Fawsley Went with Mary Wheatley to the Polytechnic to see the wonderful photographs in motion, people pouring out of the works, getting in and out of a train, a stormy sea at Brighton, the traffic in a street—all quite marvellously vivid and lifelike.1 Monday 18 May Astley Castle, Nuneaton 1

I drove to Corley Rocks, such a pretty drive, all through winding Warwickshire lanes, and close to Mr. Poyser’s farm.2 This county is full of George Eliot3 at every step. Tuesday 19 May Astley Castle, Nuneaton 1

At Stratford (Church) there are ‘misereres’, the custom described in ‘Mr. Gilfil’s Love Story’2 of their being occupied exclusively by men still prevails. Monday 25 May Penhill, Bexley, Kent Busy writing ‘Notes of the Month’. In the afternoon Lady Agnes Scott1 and Ada Sudeley came to see me and I went with Miss Beckford to see the Ham Home2 and afterwards walked to Petersham Vicarage to try and introduce Girls’ Friendly Society into the Orphanage as I have so long wished to do. 1.The Lumière Company gave the first film show to a paying audience in Britain at the Polytechnic, Regent St. on 21 Feb. 1896. These were French films of one minute duration and the show consisted of ten or more minutes with a lecturer. Three of the films seen by LMK can be identified but ‘Stormy Sea at Brighton’ is at present unknown. (Information provided by the National Film and Television Archive). 1.Iron Age hillfort, south east of Corley, Warwickshire. 2.Hall Farm in George Eliot’s Adam Bede, possibly modelled on the 16th cent. Corley Hall. 3.George Eliot, pen name of Mary Ann or Marian Evans (1819–90), whose father was land agent to the Newdigates at Arbury Hall. 1.Church of the Holy Trinity, Stratford-on-Avon. 2.One of three stories comprising George Eliot’s Scenes from a Clerical Life (1858).

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Friday 29 May Penhill, Bexley, Kent I have had a very nice, but unsuccessful, visit here. It is pleasant to see Edie and Hubert1 so perfectly happy and to see her the devoted wife. I never quite thought she would be, and their little ménage is delightfully unconventional. Everybody does everything that comes handy, down to the ladies’ maid driving the cart back from the station, and on the other hand the cook has her mother to stay and the footman his father and mother and his young woman, and so on ad libitum. It is also so HUMAN and friendly. Wednesday 10 June Royal Hotel, Winchester Made a long expedition to the Isle of Wight to see Osborne…I was immensely struck with the Indian room which has been built, at enormous cost since I was there and is certainly beautiful in its elaborate simplicity.1 But for the rest of the house—well, I never did admire Her Majesty’s taste and never shall. There are of course a good many beautiful and interesting things scattered through the house but mixed with the most appalling rubbish. The housekeeper was most amiable and took us in the Queen’s own room where I remember going with Mother in 1862.2 It was of course all packed up, but it was interesting to see four wood panel portraits of Lord Beaconsfield, the Dean of Windsor,3 Dean Stanley4 and the Empress Eugenie,5 evidently all four greatly beloved. In the Prince’s room, adjoining are Early Italian pictures, some very nice ones, and much of the sculpture scattered about is pretty and suited to an Italian villa. 1.Wife of Charles Lindsay Scott of Mollance, Castle Douglas, Dumfries. 2.South Lodge, built 1862–72, the National Orphan Home for Girls. 1.Edith Legh, née Cavendish, daughter of Selina Gage, LMK’s niece, and wife of Maj. Hubert Cornwall Legh of High Legh, Cheshire. He was probably stationed at Woolwich Arsenal and leased Penhill House. 1.The Durbar Room was constructed in 1890–1 to provide a state banqueting hall, which had been lacking at Osborne. M.Turner, Osborne House (3rd. edn. 1993), p. 18. 2.Ady, Journals, 4 April 1862, pp.32–5. 3.Gerald Valerian Wellesley (1809–1882), Dean of Windsor, 1854–82. 4.Arthur Penrhyn Stanley (1815–1881), Dean of Westminster, 1864–81. 5.Eugiene de Montijo (1826–1920), Spanish Countess and wife of Charles Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, Napoleon III, Emperor of France. After the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 they resided in exile at Chislehurst, Kent.

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Sunday 21 June Royal Hotel, Winchester A very delightful Sunday. Went early to the Cathedral and prowled about; admired the fine west front, not equal though to Lincoln or Salisbury or Peterborough, and the flying buttresses which support the choir. Two graves I found which interested me deeply, linked as they are with my darling, one—in the Cathedral—a memorial of Jane Austen, whose Mansfield Park he gave me to read the day we were engaged, the other—the grave, green with a small cross of flowers, like his own, under the south wall of the Lady Chapel, of Bishop Thorold,1 whose books were such a comfort to him last autumn to the last day of his life. Monday 22 June 20 Sussex Villas, Kensington Came up in time for my Council1 which I thought it right to preside at though it was a great effort and I shall not do any of the other Girls’ Friendly Society things this week. We had a long discussion about elder members, etc. Tuesday 23 June 20 Sussex Villas, Kensington Went to the dentist and came back here to meet Sir Thomas at luncheon and then went down to tea with dear Sophy (I am not fond of so may ‘dears’, but they come quite naturally)…talked to Mr. Arthur Peel1 about the terrible fiasco the Government have made: they have been obliged to drop their Education bill.2 I always hated the bill, but it is a terrible confession of weakness with a majority of 150 behind them. Rainald always said that Sir John Gorst was such a bad appointment: he wanted, I believe, to show his genius by bringing in this huge scheme. 1.Anthony Wilson Thorold, Bishop of Winchester, 1890–5, an author of devotional books. 1.Peterborough Diocesan Council meeting, held at GFS Central Office. AJA, Sept. 1896, pp. 189– 90. 1.Son of the former Speaker, Arthur Wellesley, 1st. Viscount Peel; secretary of the Gold Standard Association, 1895–8. 2.Hansard, 4, 41, cols., 1571–1612, 22 June 1896. The bill, drawn up by Sir John Gorst, was described by a colleague, Joseph Chamberlain, as ‘the maddest I have ever seen in the course of my life’. Chamberlain to Duke of Devonshire, 15 Dec. 1895, Chamberlain Papers, JC 5/22/157, University of Birmingham.

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Saturday 11 July Great Barton Vicarage, Bury St, Edmunds 1

To Hengrave, the old Gage place of which I have heard so much and once went to the door from Ickworth. The doorway is most striking with the fine shield round the window and the great oaken door below. Inside the house is not specially remarkable having been much pulled about and spoiled and a fine old hall cut up with small rooms. But it is full of beautiful furniture of every date and a good many interesting pictures, a Holbein of the founder, Sir Thomas Kytson, two or three of Lady Penelope,2 the lady of three husbands, a very good one of one of them, Sir John Gage, and a striking one of Monmouth, also a very pretty one of Clara Isabella, Governess of the Netherlands. The house, which was sold soon after the death of Lady Rokewode Gage,3 widow of the last baronet, is for sale just as it stands, but though it is full of interest I think I had rather see it than live in it. Sunday 2 August Fawsley On Friday…in the afternoon Mrs. Burton and Mrs. Oldacres1 came to tea, the former on her tricycle which I tried and was delighted with, and shall hire one to see if it will be sufficiently useful to be worth buying. Sunday 16 August Fawsley On Tuesday…Mary and I went to Badby for a technical committee and to see about a blind girl, E. Tift, whom we hope at least to get into Henshaw’s Blind Asylum…1 1. Hengrave Hall, Suffolk, built between 1524 and 1540 by Sir Thomas Kytson, City merchant. 2. Lady Penelope’s second husband, Sir John Gage of Firle, (d. 1633), left his wife with four sons and five daughters. Their third son, Edward, inherited Hengrave. 3. Henrietta Mary, whose husband, Sir Edward Rokewode Gage, 9th. Bart., died in 1872. She died in 1887. 1. Wife of Charles Everard Oldacres, Daventry, surgeon and medical officer of health to the District Council. 1. An institution established at Old Trafford, Manchester, from a bequest donated by Thomas Henshaw and built in 1837. 2. Beryl Mary Stopford Hickman, daughter of Mary Hickman, née Knightley who died in India, 1889. 3. Of Czar Nicholas II and Alexandra on 26 May 1896.

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On Thursday, Mary Knightley, Val, Beryl2 and Miss Treadwell came to luncheon. We had meant to go to the workhouse but were delayed by visits from the Lowndnes and from Mrs. G. Stopford and Mrs. Kennedy and Alice. The latter has been to the Coronation at Moscow3 and quite confirms the impression given in the photographs that the Empress looks so sad…Yesterday went to some cottages about the cooking and ended up with the Parish Council where they are as apathetic and stolid as can be about Technical Education and the Evening Continuation School: they might have it all for nothing and won’t take the trouble. Sunday 23 August Fawsley 1

On Saturday Mrs. Whitworth and a friend came to tea and the Miss Greys and their brother,2 and we talked a great deal of church defence, with which I am much occupied, and find it very difficult to get people to act as Secretaries in the different Deaneries. Mrs. Whitworth however will undertake Daventry. I have been tricycling a good deal this week and am getting on: can ride to the woods and back without getting off. Today no events. Went on with the History of Joseph. Am much interested in Canon Gore’s Bampton Lectures on the Incarnation3 which Mr. and Mrs. Churchill have given me. Sunday 30 August Fawsley On Tuesday Val came to luncheon. The Towers1 called and I had a highly successful Joint Technical Committee and we settled to apply for Gardening lectures. On Wednesday Miss Dugdale, the Editor of the Primrose Herald, came up for the night, a sensible, capable young woman; she and I and Janey had a great deal of talk. It was so satisfactory to find that our meeting in February 18952 encouraged her to go on and that since then the circulation has risen from 500 to 2500. 1.Widow of Henry Billington Whitworth, Dallington Hall, Northampton. 2.The children of the late Admiral the Hon. George Grey, son of Charles, 2nd. Earl Grey; they resided at Moreton Pinkney Manor, Byfield. 3.Dissertations on Subjects Connected with the Incarnation, published in 1893, intended as a supplement to the Bampton lectures which he had delivered since 1891. See G.L.Prestige, The Life of Charles Gore (1935), p. 167. 1.Revd. Henry Towers, vicar of St. Peter, Weedon, 1892–9. 2.See entry, 9 March 1995.

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Sunday 11 October Fawsley Two great events have marked the week—one, the Czar’s visit to Paris,1 the first crowned head who has gone there in state since ‘70, and it appears likely to lead to important modifications of the combinations of European powers. Anyhow, Bill’s nose is a good deal put out of joint for the moment by his quiet, reserved cousin. M. de Blowit′2 descriptions in The Times have been very funny reading. The other event is Lord Rosebery’s resignation of the Leadership of the Liberal party, long pending, but finally decided by Mr. Gladstone ‘popping up again’ as Rainald always said he would, and starting an agitation about the Armenian atrocities. Lord Rosebery has made a most admirable statesman-like speech on the subject,3 but the weighty reverse of it lends great additional force to his words on the extent and terrible nature of those atrocities. Sunday 18 October Fawsley On Tuesday I walked down to Badby and attended meeting of the School Managers and the Parish Council: nothing to do at either…Ellie Magee arrived in the evening, quite worn out with the labour of bringing out her father’s life.1 She has much of her father’s wit. 1.The Czar and Czarinza, having previously visited Balmoral from 22 Sept., travelled to Paris on 5 October and left on 9th. 2.Henri Georges de Blowitz (1832–1903), Paris correspondent of The Times since May 1874. He had interviewed many of the leading statesmen of his time. 3.Following Gladstone’s appeal to the British Government to take action against Turkey in a speech in Liverpool on 14 Sept. 1896, Rosebery addressed an audience of four thousand people at the Empire Hotel, Edinburgh, on 9 Oct. See R.Rhodes James, Rosebery (1964), pp. 394–6. 1.J.C.MacDonnell, The Life and Correspondence of William Connor Magee (1896) 2 vols.

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Sunday 25 October Fawsley Children in the morning, only Johnnie and Emmie Robson, as dear little Lily is gone to the Domestic Economy School at Northampton. In the afternoon hurried down to Charwelton to find out all I could about Rose Purritt, who has disappeared it is feared with a navvy, a married man who has been lodging there. Such a nice quiet girl! I fear it is a very dark story. Tuesday 27 October Greystoke, Didsbury, Manchester Drove into Manchester which was wrapped in a yellow fog worthy of London and spent the whole day at the Conference of the National Union of Women Workers,1 the object of my visit. I have always wished to attend it, but my darling never liked to spare me. Alas, now I do as I like, mournful freedom. I naturally kept in the background but it was very interesting. In the first place, it was striking to see that large hall crowded with ‘women workers’, and then it was interesting to hear subjects from different points of view to those one is accustomed to: I am sure it is good to hear something outside one’s habitual groove or grooves. Mrs. Creighton gave an excellent opening address, then we had The Duties of Citizenship′,2 rather dull, then an admirable paper by Miss Yeatman on the management of Philanthropic Committees.3 In the afternoon the burning question of employment for poor gentlewomen,4 which however I heard very imperfectly. I went to luncheon at the Town Hall with the Lady Mayoress, Mrs. Meek, daughter of the Lord Mayor, Mr. Lloyd and was duly impressed with the magnificence of the municipal buildings, as well as we could see them. Much interesting talk afterwards with Lady Laura Ridding5 about the International Conference of Women Workers proposed for 1898, with Mrs. Roberts of Caerleon on our proposed industrial exhibition etc. and in the evening with Mrs. Mark6 and Mr. Hutchinson, who is a flannel manufacturer near Rochdale, on the conditions of factory life. It is interesting to hear the employers’ point of view: Mr. Hutchinson regrets as much as anyone the separation between employer and employed. 1.The Times, 28 Oct. 1896, p. 5. 2.The Duties of Citizenship. The Proper Understanding and Use of the Municipal and other Franchises for Women’, read by Miss Morgan of Brecon. Women Workers Official Report of Conference 1896 (Women Workers), pp. 8–17. 3.Of the Grey Ladies’ Sisterhood, Blackheath, London. Miss E.F.E.Yeatman’s paper was entitled, The Proper Way of Conducting and Working upon Philanthropic Committees’, ibid. pp. 17–21. 4.‘Openings for Employment of Educated Women’ read by Miss Margaret Bateson, ibid. pp. 33–9. 5.Daughter of Roundell Palmer, 1st. Earl of Selborne, and wife of George Ridding, first Bishop of Southwell, 1884–1904. Member of the Executive from 1895. 6.At whose house LMK was staying.

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Wednesday 28 October Greystoke, Didsbury, Manchester Again spent the whole day at the Conference which was more interesting than ever. In the morning we had women’s work for men and boys, opened by an excellent paper by Mrs. Papillon.1 Miss Robinson’s work for soldiers,2 Miss Weston’s for sailors,3 Miss Gurney’s for policemen4 were touched upon. Mrs. Garnett spoke of the navvies,5 Lady Laura Ridding of work among fair folk and drovers and one lady after another got up to tell her experience of boys’ clubs. It was mostly new to me and in some ways encouraging, though as Mrs. White of Northampton remarked, a few FAILURES would have been encouraging too. Nora and I lunched together and in the afternoon we had emigration and openings in the colonies for educated women, and then the burning issue of ‘the children of the state’, Mrs. S. Barnett defending and various enraged women Guardians attacking the recent report of the Poor Law Commission. It was all very lively and amusing. Had tea with Miss Calder and talked technical education.

1.In 1879 Emily Caroline Papillon formed the Church of England Men’s Help Society organizing women to assist discharged soldiers settle into society. 3000 parishes were involved in this work. The Times, 29 Oct. 1896, p. 4. For her paper, see ‘Women’s Work among Men and Boys’ Women Workers, 1896, pp. 52–9. 2.Sarah Robinson (1834-?), established a centre at Portsmouth, the ‘Soldiers’ Institute’, for the improvement of the health, manners, and morals of British soldiers. 3.Agnes Elizabeth Weston (1840–1918), was concerned with the welfare of sailors and their dependants. She set up ‘Sailors Rest’ houses in naval ports at Devonport, Portsmouth, and Chatham. 4.International Christian Police Association, established in 1883. 5.Elizabeth Garnett (1839–1921), formed the Christian Excavators Union in 1875. In ten years she had enlisted only 296 men. She sought to improve the harsh conditions under which navvies lived and worked by introducing sports, reading rooms, and organizing entertainments. See T.Coleman, The Railway Navvies (1965), pp. 176–86. 6.Henrietta Octavia Barnett (1851–1936), wife of the Canon Samuel Barnett, founder of Toynbee Hall, Whitechapel, promoter of the welfare of pauper children and creator of Hampstead Garden Suburb. Her husband reported Henrietta’s reaction to the Conference to his brother three days later, ‘Curiously enough, what she missed in the women was art and poetry. They were too matter of fact, but what she liked was their seriousness. Everyone was in earnest and some in terrible earnest.’ See H.O.Barnett, Canon Barnett, His Life, Work and Friends (1918), ii, p. 120.

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Tuesday 29 October Greystoke, Didsbury, Manchester Off again first thing and attended the annual meeting of the National Union admirably presided over by Mrs. Creighton.1 A good deal of the business was purely technical, but thanks to the courage of Miss Grafton, who was ably seconded by other Girls’ Friendly Society friends, we cut down a wordy, sensational Armenian resolution to much more reasonable limits. After luncheon, Mrs. Mark took me to see one of the largest cotton mills in Manchester, Haworth’s, and most interesting it was. We began with the boilers, which produce 2500 horse power by way of electricity. We saw the dynamos and were told they might affect our watches but this was all Greek and Hebrew to me. Next we followed the whole process of cotton, from the bale in which it arrives from America to the finished and familiar lengths of calico. First it is cleaned two or three times (by the way, cotton wool is only cotton in its earliest stage), then wound on to great bales which by an ingenious contrivance are hung on to a kind of horse and wheeled rapidly along to another room where they undergo a process of carding over very fine steel bristles or hairbrush, then gradually they are drawn out into long loose lengths which are gradually pressed finer and finer and wound on to bobbins of different sizes, till at last you arrive at the finest cotton thread. This only very roughly represents dozens of ingenious processes. All this is what was originally done by the old spinning wheel (with flax). We next went to the warping and winding room, where the cotton threads had arrived after a journey elsewhere to be dyed. Here, it was being wound from skeins onto reels and combined to make patterns for flannelette etc.; this, we are told, required more skilled labour. Next we were taken to the weaving shed and this was the most astonishing sight of all: it must have covered almost an acre of ground. 700 women were employed in it and the machines stood so close together you could hardly pass between them. Here, as in the old looms, the warp and weft are combined: the noise was something beyond all belief. Oh, I forgot the sizing, the thread is dipped into sago! to make it stiff and strong. Finally we went up and saw the room where every length is inspected, to see that there are no imperfections. To show how particular they are, one of the machine stops if a single thread breaks. All the arrangements for the employees appeared excellent: perfect ventilation, temperature to 60°, capital lavatories with hot and cold water, clean towels every day, w.c.′s of the latest type, nor did they look unhealthy as a rule, and most of them responded to a smile which was all the intercourse and the noise would admit of. I notice most of the girls wear clogs, some ran about with bare feet. 1.The Times, 30 Oct. 1896, p. 11, and Women Workers, 1896, pp. 136–9.

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Saturday 14 November Fawsley To Antonia St. John to enquire for the Duke of Grafton who has met with a most serious accident. I care—he is one of my oldest friends. Afterwards a long and interesting visit from Julia Ady.1 She says her mission in life is to bridge over the chasm between the artistic and clerical world. Well, anything that helps people to understand each other better is to the good. Thursday 22 November Fawsley The difference between the empty and the full life was that one was made up of egotism, worldliness and self-conceit, the other of love, work and the fear of God. Mine, I thankfully acknowledge, is a full life, yet how much egotism, worldliness and self-conceit there is mingled with all I do? May Barne said one day at Dunwich, ‘Mother is the most entirely unselfish person I know. She never takes herself into her calculations at all’. I am sure that could never be said of me. Thursday 26 November Fawsley Finished yesterday, in tears, Augustus Hare’s Story of My Life.1 Much of it is most entertaining, much wildly improbable, but the last part is most touching. The tears come to my eyes very readily now, scarcely a day, if ever a day, passes without them. Friday 4 December Fawsley Spent a long wet day in London, first to the Primrose League, where an interesting proposal brought forward by Mrs. Bischoffsheim for linking ourselves more with some of the Metropolitan habitations: a good idea if worked with tact.1 Then to the dentist and then to an Employment of Women Committee and to see Miss Janes2 of the Women 1.Julia, née Cartwright (1851–1924), sister of Harriet and Beatrice, wife of Revd. Henry Ady, vicar of Charing, Kent, since 1888; author of books and articles on art history. 1.Published by George Allen, 1896, 3 vols.

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Workers. Things all link themselves together so wonderfully, and it is best for me to have plenty of work to do. Many lonely hours must be passed in travelling; I ought to use them for meditation, which I always find so difficult. But I must remember the foolish virgins with no oil in their lamps. Sunday 6 December Rowfant, Crawley, Sussex A very interesting day. It rained so in the morning we could not go to church. So we spent a most interesting morning looking at the books which are enough to make a bibliophile tear his hair with envy. First folio of Shakespeare and all the single plays in quarto which came out even earlier, first edition of Don Quixote,1 distinguished from others which appears the same year by the passage on page 132 describing Don Quixote making a rosary out of the tail of his shirt! which was suppressed in the later ones. First edition of Bacon’s Essays, of Le Cid2 which Mr. Locker3 in his note describes as ‘one of the finest and most epoch-making tragedies in the world’, whereat I am surprised. Never read it since I was in the schoolroom. Then the first edition Walton’s Compleat Angler, published in 1653 for 1/6, and sold a week or two back for £415. And then the MSS! scores by Beethoven, dashed down anyhow, by Bach in a firm, strong, clear hand, Handel also very orderly, quantities of things in Tennyson’s very minute and neat writing (he was a connection, his son Lionel having married Mr. Locker’s daughter by his first wife, Lady Charlotte Locker), among them ‘Break, break’ and Tears, idle tears’, with the ‘Crossing of the bar’, the most beautiful things he ever wrote. Besides a book full of everybody, Bacon, Sir Walter Raleigh, Oliver Cromwell—in short, it is impossible to recite them all. In the afternoon we went to a Bible reading which Mrs. Locker-Lampson4 conducts herself every Sunday at a mission room attached to a brickyard about a mile off. She did it very nicely and earnestly there were a good many of A.Sankey’s hymns5 sung and a short prayer meeting followed, affecting from the simple earnest way in which one rough man after another poured out his heart in intercession for others. I never was at anything of the kind before, and it interested me greatly. Afterwards a long talk with Mrs. LockerLampson. Of course I don’t agree in her evangelical views, but such earnestness must do one good. 1.LGC Executive Minutes, PL, 13, 4 Dec. 1896, p. 76. 2.Emily Janes (1846–1925), organising secretary of the National Union of Women Workers, 1895– 1917. Previously she had assisted Jane Ellice Hopkins in the formation of ladies’ associations promoting the care of friendless girls. 1.Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616), published the first part in 1605 and the second in 1615. 2.Francis Bacon (1561–1626), English philosopher and statesman, published his Essays in 1626; Pierre Corneille (1606–1684), French dramatist, author of Le Cid (1636). 3.Frederick Locker-Lampson (1821–95), poet, kept his library of rare books at Rowfant: he produced a catalogue in 1886 from which LMK was quoting. 4.Second wife of Frederick Locker, 1885, whose maiden name, Lampson, he adopted. 5.Ira David Sankey, American evangelist, who with his compatriot, Dwight Lyman Moody, published the Sankey and Moody Hymn Book (1873) and Gospel Hymns (1875).

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Friday 11 December Firle I came here from Rowfant on Tuesday. It is no use writing what it has been to come alone to this place, so associated at every corner with my own precious darling. Here I first saw him, in the upstairs drawing room where we are sitting again; and here some of the happiest of our many happy days were spent. Saturday 12 December Firle Made a very interesting expedition with Harry and Leila to luncheon with Mr. Augustus Hare at his charming little place near St. Leonards, ‘Holmhurst’.1 The weather was atrocious, so we saw nothing of the garden (which evidently commands a charming view) except the statue of Queen Anne, which once stood in front of St. Paul’s and which he rescued just as it was on the point of being broken up for the weight of the marble.2 Now he has put it up in the middle of a field where it looks very funny and at the same time very imposing. The house is simply crammed with interesting things, from a bas relief by Michaelangelo to Pio Nono’s dispatch box and slippers, and though a good many things might be considered rubbish, yet others are of great value, and all have a story, and one feels from reading his book to know all the people so well it makes it doubly interesting. In the garden stands a little cottage called the ‘Hospice’, where he receives a constant succession of poor ladies, maintaining it by the sale of his drawings, by which he has made £1600, besides having 104 volumes of them. Even in the kitchen and the scullery are beautiful things from Italian palaces. Sunday 13 December Firle I have been reading a good deal about Ireland lately. The Past History of Ireland by Bouverie Pusey,1 a tremendous indictment of English rule, and though probably exaggerated in some degree, yet too full of stubborn facts to be altogether pleasant reading. There is trouble ahead, too, with the report of this Committee making out that 1.St. Mary’s Place, Holmhurst, St. Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex. 2.The statue of Queen Anne sculpted by Francis Bird (1667–1731). For details of the problems involved in transporting the eight-ton statue from London, see M. Barnes, Augustus Hare (1985), p. 194.

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Ireland is so overtaxed the Irish landlords, who are frantic about the Land bill of last year, combining with the Nationalists to get up an agitation.

Firle Place, Sussex. 1.Sidney Edward Bouverie Pusey (1839–1911), The Past History of Ireland. A Brief Sketch (1894).

*1897* Wednesday 3 February 38 Beaufort Gardens All the morning at a satisfactory and well-attended meeting at our Diocesan Council at the Central Office. Lunched with Nora at my new Club, the Victoria,1 which is very handy. Then went down to the House of Commons, Mr. Pennant having got me a seat in Lady Horatia Erskine’s2 gallery…The second reading of a Women’s Franchise bill was carried by a majority of over 70! 3 I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw Labby’s ugly little head on the left of the row of tellers. He made a long, laboured speech. The House was very full and laughed, but his jokes were stale, his arguments beneath contempt. Sir Wilfried Lawson4 followed, but he has lost his hold on the House and people went away. Mr. George Wyndham5 made a capital speech and Professor Jebb6 a still better one. Sir William Harcourt was solemn and inaudible. Mr. Courtney seemed to mop him up. No one spoke from the Treasury bench. This is the first time there has been a division since 1892, when my darling went up from Firle to vote. How Louisa Boucherett would have triumphed! It is just 30 years since one snowy day at Willingham she converted me to it.7 Mr. Balfour has brought in another Education bill8 and I much fear made another muddle. 1. The Victoria Club, a residential establishment in the West End for ladies only. Advertised as ‘a great boon by many lonely ladies in London in search of intelligent interests and congenial society,′ the Club was situated at 3 Old Cavendish St., Westminster, with an annual subscription of two guineas. 2. Lady Horatia Elizabeth, wife of Henry David Erskine of Cardross, Serjeant-at-Arms at the House of Commons. 3. Second reading of the Women’s Suffrage Bill, 3 Feb., moved by Ferdinand Faithfull Begg, Conservative M.P., St. Rollox, division of Glasgow. There was a large crowd of ladies in the outer lobby interested in the fate of the Bill’. See H.W.Lucy, A Diary of the Unionist Parliament (1901), pp. 124–5. 4. 2nd. Bart., Radical M.P., Cockermouth, 1886–1900. 5. Unionist M.P., Dover, 1889–1913, Under-Secretary for the War Office, 1895–1900. 6. Richard Claverhouse Jebb (1841–1905), Professor of Greek, Cambridge, 1889–1905, Conservative M.P., Cambridge University, 1891–1905. 7. Ady, Journals pp. 130–1. 8. The Voluntary Schools Bill, to give aid grant to these schools and to provide exemption from the rates. For Balfour’s speech, see Hansard, 4, 45, cols. 926–44, 1 Feb. 1897.

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Friday 5 February Claremont, Esher I came down here, travelling with little Princess Alice, now grown into a good-looking girl of 14. I was very pleased to see my dear little Duchess again and she is so kind and sympathetic, different though our lots have been in life. We are both widows and that is a link, the force of which one only realises when it is there. Saturday 6 February Claremont, Esher Sat all the morning with the Duchess. In the afternoon walked with Mrs. Moreton,1 Miss Potts,2 the clever, pleasant governess, and Princess Alice, with whom I am fascinated: she is such a very attractive, intelligent child. She showed me a prism in which you could see the whole of the spectrum, the first time I had ever seen such a thing. Wednesday 12 May Alexandra Club Presided at the Annual Meeting of the Alexandra Club, which in Lady Vincent’s absence was a very peaceful one. It was pleasant to find how glad the Committee were to get me back. 1.Jane Moreton, Woman of the Bedchamber to the Duchess of Albany; wife of Richard Charles Moreton, HM Marshal of Ceremonies, son of Henry, 2nd. Earl of Ducie. 2.Jane Potts, nicknamed by the Princess ‘cow pat’, as she wore her long hair round in a plait at the back of her head. She was considered to be ‘wise, and kind and understanding.’ Miss Potts was governess from 1890 when Princess Alice was seven. See HRH.Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, For My Grandchildren (1966), p. 65.

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Thursday 3 June Alexandra Club Did some shopping in the morning after going over all the Club in honour of my new position as member of the finance committee. Did an Executive of the Girls’ Friendly Society,1 drove with Evie Munro, had tea with Mary and dined with Georgie Gage. London is nothing but a mass of scaffolding.2 Friday 4 June Alexandra Club Went to a rather interesting Primrose League Joint first at which we discussed Lord Knutsford’s amendments to a leaflet on our Colonial Empire, and adopted a resolution asking Grand Council to make the Government suspend the action of the Sub Commissioners in Ireland pending the development of Mr. Balfour’s new and very clever Irish policy.1 At the Ladies’ Grand Council2 Mrs. Bischoffsheim developed a scheme for getting at suburban habitations. Lady Gwendolen Cecil presided: I fear we shall never see Lady Salisbury in the chair again and I am so sorry for him, with all the anxieties of the Eastern question upon him. 1.AJA, July 1897, pp. 130–1. 2.In preparation for the celebrations of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. 1.S.H.Zebel, Balfour. A Political Biography (1973), p. 126. 2.LGC Executive Minute Book, MS. 13, 4 June 1897, pp. 86–7.

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1. Lady Emilia Bowater, Louisa’s mother, c. 1846

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2. Major-General Sir Edward Bowater, 1854

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3. Louisa Bowater, age 18, 1860

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4. Prince Leopold, with Lady Bo water (left) and Louisa Bowater (right) at the Villa Leader, Cannes, 7 February 1862

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5 and 6. Louisa and Sir Rainald Knightley shortly after their wedding, 1869

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7. Fawsley Hall in the snow, c. 1990

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8. Interior of the Great Hall at Fawsley, c. 1830

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9. View of Fawsley Hall with oriel window, 1906

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10. Sir Rainald Knightley, 1873

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11. Meeting of the Ladies’ Grand Council of the Primrose League at Prince’s Hall, London, 9 May 1894. The Countess of Jersey is moving the adoption of the Report. Lady Knightley is a member of the platform party, second from the right

12. House Party, Firle Place, Sussex, 1900. Lady Knightley is seated in the front row, second from the right

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13. Cover, Imperial Colonist magazine, May 1902

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14. Lady Knightley in her robes for the Coronation of Edward VII, August 1902

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15. Lady Knightley’s Journal, 18–19 July 1911

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16. Lady Knightley as President of the Northamptonshire Natural History Society and Field Club, c. 1906

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17. Lady Knightley in distinguished old age, c 1910

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18. Memorial to Lady Knightley, St. Peter’s Church, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, 1914 Tuesday 15 June 38 Beaufort Gardens Spent the whole day on the Central Council,1 a long and interesting debate on our publishing and printing, which, alas, ended by sentiment and not reason carrying the day. Afterwards had tea with Ada Sudeley. Poor Ada, I fear her faith is very vague. How sorry I am for anyone who does not believe. Thursday 17 June 38 Beaufort Gardens Batten and I went to the service at St. Paul’s… We came out into a great mob: however Miss Brodie Hall1 and I made our way by underground eagerly discussing the State Children’s Aid Association which I have been asked to join and am sorely puzzled about. Miss Hall deprecates taking the children away from the country Guardians: Harriet Cartwright equally deprecates taking them from the town ones. It is a very difficult question. 1.Held at GFS Central Office, 39 Victoria St. AJA, Aug. 1897, pp. 184–5.

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Friday 25 June 38 Beaufort Gardens To Fenchurch Street where Harriet Cartwright met me and took me down to Upton Park to visit the St. George’s in the East District Schools, one of the ‘barracks’ now so loudly condemned. I must say I was most agreeably surprised by what I saw. The numbers— 250—are much smaller than in many similar institutions, with the result that the children seem to be individually known to the admirable Superintendent and his wife, and a more thoroughly healthy, jolly, natural looking set of children it would be impossible to see. The boys were drilling in the yard, which they evidently enjoyed, the girls came helter-skelter down from school, evidently not the least alarmed. At dinner they all talked together quietly but cheerily, devouring an excellent meal of beefsteak pudding and potato. In a large field they would race about the chickens and rabbits and cultivate their own gardens, and evidently great pains is taken with their after career. Few return, and as to sickness it is at a minimum. Saturday 4 September Fawsley On Monday we drove over to Daventry for the opening meet of the Golf Club which has been established on Borough Hill: such a pretty links, with a lovely view over Daventry and the Reservoir. Mr. Hibbert and I led off and I was pleased to find that I was not far behind him … On Wednesday Harriet and I paid a long visit to the workhouse and went all over it. In the afternoon had a very successful little meeting of workhouse visitors, to listen to an address from Canon Liddell1 and one from H.Cartwright, very useful and helpful and a good deal of discussion afterwards. Thursday we drove over to Moreton Pinkney for some croquet and music. Friday Harriet departed. I went up to Preston for a Mothers’ Union meeting which however chiefly collapsed owing to its being the first day of gleaning. 1.Member of the GFS and Diocesan President of the Chichester Diocese in 1896. 2.Founded by Henrietta Barnett after witnessing the conditions of the Forest Gate district school when she was a manager there. George Lansbury described it as ‘organized and controlled as a barracks.’ See G. Lansbury, My Life (1928), p. 149. 1.Revd. Canon Edward Liddell, vicar of St. Mary, Welford since 1894.

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Thursday 9 September Fawsley On Monday a long puddle at Charwelton, visited all the railway folk, tried to persuade Mrs. Webley to have her baby daughter baptised and the other children christened and Mrs. Clarke to be confirmed. Came round via Preston. In the evening arrived Mrs. Walter Drummond and her daughter, Ella, Rainald’s first cousin. She had not been here since ‘48. On Tuesday we drove over to Daventry and had tea with Mrs. Stopford. Yesterday great excitement at the Woodyard, or rather on the other side of the road: a hayrick set on fire by a naughty little boy. We went down there and I was pleased to find the engine worked well. Friday 10 September Fawsley I had a note this morning from Charlie to say that he has at last settled the figure with Somerset House, with the following result: Value of House, Park etc. Value of Furniture etc.

£ 23, 886. 2. 6. 1,893. 4. 0. 25, 779. 6. 6.

Duty on above at p.c. Oak felled in the Park this year comes about to

1,417. 2. 6. 340. 0. 0. 1,077. 6. 6.

No thanks to Sir W.Harcourt.1 Saturday 11 September Willingham, Market Rasen Here I find besides Jessie Boucherett and her clever Irish companion Miss Ogle Moore, nice Miss West, whom I have known, on and off, for many years. It is very delightful to be here again after 17 years, in the house and I believe in the very room where my mother was born,1 nearly 100 years ago, 1799. 1.Harcourt, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, had introduced a graduated death duty on property in the Budget of 1894. See A. Offer, Property and Politics 1870–1914 (1981), pp. 205–6. 1.LMK’s maternal grandmother, Mary Boucherett, had married Lieut.-Col. Michael Barne of Sotterley in 1798.

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Monday 13 September Willingham, Market Rasen A delightful walk in the afternoon to Linwood, a wood belonging to Lord Heneage,1 supposed to have been always forest, where lilies of the valley grow wild and I found blue gentian, this however among the heather just outside. It is a wood of much character. My companion, Miss Neale, most agreeable, telling me much about the unemployment of women and the effort made by the trades unionists under guise of care for their interests to turn them out. In the evening Jessie told us the Stallinborough ghost story, substantially the same as Louisa told it and I wrote it in my journal in September 1880,2 but she added the astonishing revelation that that Boucherett, our great-grandfather, had been married to his wife, Miss White, the daughter of a land agent in this county, by a Protestant minister in France, a marriage which subsequently proved to be illegal so that her grandfather and my grandmother were illegitimate, though by a subsequent enactment, passed at the time of the French revolution, such marriages were retrospectively legalized. This was satisfactorily established when in about 1853 Lord Yarborough brought a law suit against Ayscoghe Boucherette, Jessie’s father, to endeavour to prove that owing to this marriage Ayscoghe was not entitled to present the Headmastership of Caistor School. The case was decided in his favour, but not till he was dead and Lord Yarborough had become imbecile. Wednesday 15 September Willingham, Market Rasen Only drove to Rasen, a dull uninteresting little town. But the walks in the woods are delightful. Jessie explained the relationship to the Angersteins which always puzzled me.1 1.Edward Heneage, Liberal M.P., Great Grimsby, 1880–92, Liberal Unionist, 1886 and re-elected, 1893–5. Created baron in that year. 2.Stallingborough, North Lincolnshire was the former home of the Ayscoghe family. Lady Knightley recorded Louisa Boucherett’s story: ‘Her great grand father said to his wife one evening, “I can’t find my book.” She said, “It’s in the library. I’ll go and look for it.” She came back without it, and said, “Go and look for it yourself.” He came back without it too and she said, “Did you see anything?” He said, “Yes, I saw my father.” She had seen the face too and wanted to see if her husband would see it too.’ LMK, 19 Sept. 1880, K 2898, NRO. 1.John Julius Angerstein came to England from Russia in 1750 at the age of fifteen. He later married a widow, Anne Crockatt. One of the two children by her first marriage, Emilia, who married Ayscoghe Boucherett; they were Jessie’s grandparents.

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Thursday 23 September Cambo, Northumberland1 To the school2 in the morning built by Sir Charles Trevelyan and wonderfully well ‘found’ in every way. One can’t help asking oneself, what will the end of all this education be? Mrs. Anderson and a pretty little girl came to luncheon and the parson. In the afternoon we walked down to Wallington, wandered in the pretty woods and went to tea with Sir George and Lady Trevelyan. I don’t think I could live at the door of my old home as Nora does. Sir George was very pleasant. I asked him to write his name in an autograph book I am starting in imitation of Mrs. Wickham, telling him I should value it as the autograph of the writer of the best biography in the English language, next to Boswell’s Johnson, which I really think. I did not add that I should not have asked him for it as a politician! He seemed pleased and when I mentioned a passage I particularly admired (and copied) on the state of England under the old Tory domination, he told me that Mark Pattison3 had told him he ought to write history on account of that passage. He went on to talk of his life of Fox,4 which I was rude enough to tell him I did not like nearly so well. He said he wrote it when he was in a great hurry to get back to political life and altogether on a wrong scale. There is much truth in the opening sentence of a review in the Spectator of the Romance of Isabel, Lady Burton,5 ‘When Sir George Trevelyan was a young man, and before he gave up to the Liberal party6 what was meant for mankind’ … 1.A village close to the Trevelyan estate at Wallington, Northumberland. 2.Cambo Undenominational Mixed School was built in 1886 for 150 children. 3.Mark Pattison (1813–84), Rector of Lincoln College, 1861, author and journalist. 4.G.O.Trevelyan, The Early History of Charles James Fox (1880). See also G.M.Trevelyan, George Otto Trevelyan. A Memoir (1932), ii, pp. 102–3. 5.Wife of Sir Richard Burton, the explorer and scholar. She was co-author with W.H.Wilkins, The Romance of Isabel, Lady Burton. The Story of her life (1897), 2 vols. See the Spectator, Sept. 1897, pp. 372–4. 6.He had accepted the Chiltern Hundreds in Jan. 1897. 1.Col. Alexander George Fraser, 16th. Baron Saltoun, defended the garden and orchard of Hougoumont and led the charge against the Old Guard. The Château de Hougoumont situated 400 yards before Wellington’s right wing at Waterloo was the scene of the French attack under Prince Jerome Bonaparte. Troops penetrated into the courtyard but the doors were reclosed behind them; heavy losses were inflicted. See D.Chandler, Waterloo. The Hundred Days (1980), pp. 133–7.

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Saturday 25 September Cambo, Northumberland In the morning trotted down to Wallington to do some photographs. Sir George came out and joined me. He is very full of Lord Byron’s letters which he considers among the best in the language. We talked of how one regrets not having known how to ask the right questions of distinguished people one knew in one’s youth. He said that when he was young he met General Gooch, who as an Ensign was one of the five men who shut the gates at Hougoumont. Instanced the one excusable case of a brave man leaving his post in Lord Saltoun,1 who on that day rejoined his regiment in time for the final charge because he had no men left to command. Sunday 26 September Cambo, Northumberland To tea came Mr. and Mrs. Booth,1 he a most interesting person, the author of all the elaborate enquiries into the condition of the London poor, which he has embodied in many volumes. She also pleasant. We talked of the need of accuracy in such works as his not giving the reins to the imagination and yet the need of imagination. And she instanced a Land League woman to whom she was once talking who declared that Dizzy was the only statesman who understood Ireland. Certainly his imagination in making the Queen Queen Empress has had a large share in drawing the Empire together, and promoting the Imperial idea which has done so much for us. Mr. Booth wondered if Cardinal Manning had been influenced by the sketch of him in Lothair2 to take up the East End people as he did. 1.Charles Booth (1840–1916), shipowner, and author of Life and Labour of the People in London (1891–1903), and his wife, Mary. 2.One of Disraeli’s last novels, published in 1871. The characters, though thinly disguised, resembled prominent people of the time. Manning is recognizable as Cardinal Grandison.

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Wednesday 29 September Cambo, Northumberland It rained nearly all day and we only pottered about, but had various visitors, including Lady Trevelyan, and her youngest son, George,1 a clever but dogmatic young person, and a nice Miss Dalglish who came to talk nursing club with Nora. Saturday 16 October Lindertis, Kirriemuir 1

On Thursday Lady Dalrymple left and I went with Sir Thomas to Kinnordy and found Lady Lyell2 at home, who is always pleasant. Mr. Montagu White arrived, the AgentGeneral for the Transvaal, a shrewd, all round kind of individual, and great talker. Captain Greenhill Gardyne and Mr. Macphail3 are also here. Mr. Sutton told me several interesting things, among others that the reason the missing telegrams in the South African Enquiry4 were not produced was that they would have aroused such a feeling against the German Emperor might have brought about war. Mr. Labouchere has been foregathering with the Grand Duke Michael of Russia, who seems to have given him a ghastly idea of the way people can be made to disappear if those in high place want them to do so, and Hugh Sutton told me a Russian Officer had told him that he had shot all the prisoners supposed to be implicated in the murder of Alexander II,5 though their people believed them to be in Siberia. 1.Lady Caroline (1849–1928) and George Macaulay Trevelyan (1876–1962), the future historian who became a fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, the following year. See D.Cannadine, G.M.Trevelyan. A Life in History (1992), p. 14. 1.Violet Evelyn, wife of John James, Viscount Dalrymple, son of John Hew, 11th. Earl of Stair. 2.Mary Stirling, wife of Sir Leonard Lyell; he was created Baronet of Kinnordy, Kirriemuir, 1894, Liberal M.P., Orkney and Shetland, 1885–1900. 3.South African Consul-General, London, 1892–1900. 4.An all-party Select Committee of the House of Commons, to enquire into the origins of the Jameson Raid, was appointed 29 Jan. 1897. It concluded its deliberations on 13 July and was nicknamed the ‘Lying in State at Westminster’. 5.Tsar of Russia, 1855–81.

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Monday 15 November 38 Beaufort Gardens Came to London to look at an Exhibition of Kodak photographs at the New Gallery.1 Nothing strikes me so much as the curious variety of subjects, people etc. Afterwards to a lecture on Nerves by Mr. Archer at the Ladies’ Sanitary Association, rather dull. Tuesday 16 November 38 Beaufort Gardens All day on the Girls’ Friendly Society Council. I cannot but look upon it as a direct answer to prayer that the discussion about the admission of dissenters to positions of influence instead of being heated as it was at Northampton was carried on in the most temperate spirit.1 Mr. Ransford2 moved ‘the previous question’ which I seconded, and though we were defeated, the motion subsequently carried is so limited in its application that I do not think it can do any harm. Had luncheon with Fanny Legge: in the evening went with Nora to the Albert Hall to hear Lord Salisbury’s address to the National Union of Conservative Associations.3 It was a very impressive sight, that vast building thronged, and the enthusiasm displayed as he walked up the centre of the arena, amid the cheers of the multitude and the strains of ‘Rule Britannia’ was very striking. When he got up to speak they sang ‘For he’s a jolly good fellow’ which brought my heart into my mouth… The speech itself was less impressive than some I have heard Lord Salisbury make: the foreign questions he touched—Siam, Madagascar, Tunis—were not burning ones, the only important announcement the proposal to break London up into smaller municipalities, as more likely to attract real men of business. 1.Photographs and photographic apparatus arranged by the Eastman Company were exhibited for three weeks from 26 Oct. The Times, 27 Nov. 1897, p. 6. 1.Debating the advisability of appointing churchwomen as Branch workers or elder members to positions of influence. AJA, Jan. 1898, pp. 9–11. 2.Revd. R.B.Ransford, vicar of St Paul, Penge, south-east London, from 1895. 3.The Times, 17 Nov. 1897, p. 10.

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Friday 19 November 38 Beaufort Gardens Employment of Women Committee,1 [Society for the Promotion of Employment of Women] to which I can seldom go, but I have a great affection for it as the first I ever sat on. Like other things, it is getting elbowed out by new Societies. Saturday 20 November 38 Beaufort Gardens To a very good concert at the Queen’s Hall, a splendid Faust Symphony by Liszt and the Leonore Overture I have so often played with Mother—Mr. Wood, a new English conductor,1 who seems to be making himself a great name. It was wonderful to see how he played upon the orchestra as upon an instrument. Saturday 27 November 38 Beaufort Gardens In the evening dined with the Otways, sat between Sir Arthur and an interesting Sir Andrew Clarke,1 who has occupied distinguished positions all over the world—in the Victorian government, Governor of the Straits Settlement and West Coast of Africa. Strange to say he is a desperate Home Ruler, says all the arguments against it are the same as were urged against self-Government for the Colonies, and which Lord Salisbury when he was out in Australia as Lord Robert Cecil used to urge. He would not listen for a moment to the argument of foreign enemies using Ireland as a base, but had nothing much to say about the Ulster argument, ′We will not have Home Rule’, except that it was chiefly talk which might equally be said of the cry for Home Rule. He was very strong, as many people seem to be, against the Workmen’s Compensation bill of last year,2 says it will sweep away all the small capitalists. Also very strong against Lord Wolseley, says he could have pacified Ashanti in 1873 without an expedition:3 did pacify the Straits Settlement. Also talked of a wonderful march in India of Sir C. MacGregor’s,4 1000 miles in 100 days, in which he pacified a vast tract of country without losing a single life, and got no reward for his officers because he brought in, to use Sir Garnet’s5 expression, ‘no butcher’s bill’. 1.At 22 Berners St. 1.Henry J.Wood (1869–1944), who had begun the first series of Promenade Concerts with his Queen’s Hall Orchestra in August 1895. 1.(1842–1902) Agent-General for Victoria, 1891–4, and 1897–1902. 2.The Workmen (Compensation for Accidents) Bill, received the Royal Assent on 6 Aug. 1897. 3.See Field Marshal Viscount Wolseley, The Story of a Soldier’s life (1903, 1971 reprint), ii, pp. 257–71.

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Advent Sunday 28 November 38 Beaufort Gardens To Westminster Abbey, a most beautiful anthem of Mendlessohn’s The Sorrows of Death’ and a fine sermon of Canon Eyton’s ...1 I liked it better than any of his I have heard before. I said so to Sir Mount Stuart Duff who came to see me later and he replied that Eyton’s sermons always put him in mind of what a clever Frenchman said of Père Felix, ‘C′est un coup de canon tiré a bout portant célérité′. He is a strong opponent of the ‘forward’ policy in India and a great admirer of Lord Wolseley, whom he ranks intellectually far higher than Lord Roberts. He is also a great admirer of Mrs. Oliphant, thinks she has not had justice done her, ranks her Beleaguered City as the best thing she ever did.2 Dined with the Halls, only Sir Charles, who was very pleasant, told us that Prince Eddy proposed to Princess Hélène d’Orléans at Mar Lodge, and the Queen gave her consent and the Government would have allowed it, but the Pope refused to sanction it. Lucky for us, I think. Monday 29 November 38 Beaufort Gardens Went in the morning with Phoebe to the new Tate Gallery of Modern British pictures, built by the munificence of Mr. Tate ‘as a thank offering for sixty years of success in business’, on the site of the old Millbank penitentiary.1 It is a handsome building, admirably arranged and contains a collection which makes one feel prouder than ever before of modern contemporary British art. Of course there are as yet many gaps, but there are not six pictures I should like to turn out and there are some better statues than I had any idea we could produce. 4.Maj.-General Sir Charles Metcalfe MacGregor, served in India, China, Abyssinia, and the 2nd. Afghan War. 5.I.e., Wolseley’s. 1.Robert Eyton, Canon of Westminster, 1895–9, and author of theological works. 2.Margaret Oliphant (1828–97), novelist and prolific writer. Beleaguered City (1880), was a tale of the supernatural. 1.Henry Tate (1819–99), made his fortune by marketing cube sugar. The National Gallery of British Arts, known as the Tate Gallery, was opened on 21 July 1897. Tate was created a baronet the following year.

*1898* Sunday 6 February Fawsley Very mild again. Had two classes, only dawdled about in the afternoon, being tired, overwhelmed with work and worried about money. Charlie and Juliet came to tea. I do wonder what I ought to do. Ought I to give up this place? Thursday 10 February 38 Beaufort Gardens Met Ada Yorke yesterday and talked about all these terrible scandals. Lady Sykes,1 Lord William Nevill,2 Mrs. Kingscote, all forgers. She says that all smart society is living beyond its means and sticks at nothing to get some money. Certainly, the right management of money is the most difficult thing I know. Friday 11 February Harlestone House, Northampton To two Primrose League Committees, not specially interesting. Lunched at the Club and then to a Society for the Promotion of Employment for Women meeting which was specially interesting, as Jessie Boucherett is trying to organize a Memorial to the Home Secretary1 to protest against the efforts which are being made to prevent women working at home which seems to me a monstrous piece of tyranny. Had however to leave in the middle of the discussion to come down here, having to my great surprise been asked to stay with the Duchess of Grafton.2 I have never seen her since before the Duke’s death now more than 15 years ago, but the friendship between our two beloved ones makes us, I think, feel we can never be strangers. 1.Wife of Sir Tatton Sykes, involved in procuring money on the basis of her husband’s signature. The Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court found this to have been a case of fraud. The Times, 19 Jan. 1898, p. 12. 2.William Beauchamp Nevill was found to have defrauded his friend, Herbert H. Spender Clay, of sums amounting to £11, 113. 15s. The Times, 25 Jan. 1898, p. 13.

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I met Lord Spencer at the station, the first time I have seen him since the day when he came over to Fawsley.3 The only guests Lady Elizabeth Biddulph,4 whom I particularly like, and Miss Sinclair. Lady Elizabeth gave a most touching and interesting account of dear Princess Mary. It seems the person she really wanted to marry was Lord Eglinton.5 She also told me that Prince Henry of Prussia who stayed with Sir Robert Biddulph at Gibraltar on his way to China is dreadfully annoyed at the sensation caused by his speech, which was never seriously meant. Saturday 26 February Fawsley I have kept good company in my solilude, Beethoven’s Choral Symphony, Aeschylus, Prometheus, Wordsworth etc. and I am always busy, which is such a blessing. The antisemite movement in France, culminating in the trial and condemnation of Zola for trying to rehabilitate Dreyfus,1 who even if guilty, was unjustly tried, is the most extraordinary phenomenon of the day. Injustice reigns and the people love to have it so. Sunday 27 February Fawsley Walked up to see Val and found him decidedly better. Had a long talk with him as to whether it would be ‘gentlemanlike’ to call in my fortune, £24,000, now or mortgage on this property and endeavour to invest it at a better rate of interest. He sees no objection and thinks I should be quite justified in doing so. This is a great relief to my mind, for as my darling always said, Val is such a gentleman’, I am sure to be right in taking his advice. 1.Sir Matthew White Ridley, 1895–1900. 2.Maria Louisa Ann, wife of William Henry FitzRoy, 6th. Duke of Grafton (1819–81), an enthusiastic master of the Grafton Hounds. See B.Falk, The Royal Fitz Roys (1950), pp. 236–7. 3.Entry, 22 Oct. 1895, on Rainald’s birthday. 4.Elizabeth Philippa Biddulph, Extra Woman of the Bedchamber to the Queen and second wife of General Sir Robert Biddulph, Governor and C-in-C, Gibraltar, 1893–1900. 5.Probably Princess Mary, Duchess of Teck, known to her cousin Queen Victoria as ‘Fat Mary’, and Archibald Montgomerie, 13th. Earl of Eglinton, who held the famous tournament at Eglinton Castle in 1839. 1.Capt. Alfred Dreyfus (1859–1935), a French army officer of Jewish parentage, was arrested in Oct. 1894 on an alleged charge of selling military secrets to Germany. In Dec, he was sentenced to life imprisonment on Devil’s Island, off the coast of French Guiana. Zola’s open letter of protest to the President of the Republic headed ‘J’-Accuse’ was published in L’Aurore on 13 Jan. 1898. He was subsequently found guilty of libel. See M.Burns, Dreyfus. A Family Affair (1991), pp. 228–30.

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Monday 28 February 38 Beaufort Gardens My last volume I began in Rome: the first pages of this one record what to me has been a very memorable and interesting day, the day on which for the first time for 15 years I have seen the Queen to speak to. I started very early from home and at Paddington met Lady Headfort1 and Mrs. Talbot, who with me were to present the screen worked by the Working Ladies’ Guild for her Jubilee and the presentation of which had been delayed by a blunder in the making up. We had a great fright because Miss Fitzgerald, who brought the screen to the station, had forgot the address; however it turned up in time. A Royal Carriage met us at the station and we were escorted to a pretty sitting room in Edward III Tower [Windsor Castle] and then fetched down to luncheon in the usual luncheon room, the pretty room with its lovely view over Eton. The party consisted of the Duchess of Roxburgh,2 Lord Kintore,3 Miss Cadogan, Mary Hughes, Miss Majendie, Mrs. Grant and dear Little Fraulein Bauer,4 who so reminded me of old Osborne days. What I regretted was that I did not see Lord Fincastle5 who came down to be decorated with the well-earned V.C. for his gallant conduct on the N.W. Frontier. After luncheon we took up our station in the corridor near the door of the Queen’s dining room, where Princess Beatrice joined us, still in deep mourning,6 but she left off her cap . . . Presently a new figure (to me) appeared in the shape of one of the Queen’s Indian servants with a white turban and trousers, a long coat with a sash round it and ‘V.R.’ embroidered on the breast and, oh, bathos, brown boots! He fidgetted backwards and forwards and in a minute or two the Queen appeared, bearing on his arm. We also curtsied and then I went up and kissed the Queen’s hand and she said something about being glad to see me again. She shook hands with the other ladies and then I proceeded to read the address, feeling much more shy and nervous, my heart thumping and my voice shaking, than if I was standing up on a platform addressing any number of people. The Queen then looked at the screen and murmured something about ‘very kind’ and walked off. It was all very short but I am glad to have seen her once more. She is shrunk down to almost nothing and something has happened to her teeth which alters her a good deal, but her smile is kind and gracious, and when one sees how 1.Emily Constantia, second wife of Thomas Taylour, 3rd. Marquess of Headfort. 2.Lady Anne Emily, wife of James Innes-Ker, 7th. Duke of Roxburgh. 3.Algernon Keith, 9th. Earl of Kintore, Governor and C-in-C, South Australia, 1889–95, Lord-inWaiting to the Queen, 1895–1901. 4.Ethel Henrietta Cadogan, Mary Florientia Hughes, Mary Aline Majendie, Maids of Honour to the Queen; Fraulein Bauer, former governess to Princess Beatrice; Hon. Mrs. Victoria Grant, Lady-inWaiting to the Queen. 5.Alexander Edward Murray, son of Charles Adolphus, 7th. Earl of Dunmore, served with the Malakand Field Force, 1897, when he won his Victoria Cross. 6.Her husband, Prince Henry of Battenburg, ‘Liko’, died of malaria in the Ashanti Expedition on 10 Jan. 1896. 7.Richard Rivington Holmes, librarian of Windsor Castle, 1870–1906.

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infirm she is, one more appreciates all the exertions she makes in going to Netley Hospital etc. Never, certainly, was there a sovereign who inspired greater devotion. infirm she is, one more appreciates all the exertions she makes in going to Netley Hospital etc. Never, certainly, was there a sovereign who inspired greater devotion. After this we spent some time very agreeably in wandering about the state rooms and looking at some of the many beautiful things. I remember many, but had forgotten what a glorious roomful of Van Dycks there was, nor did I recollect the clock which Henry VIII gave to Anne Boleyn on their marriage, nor the beautiful shield by Benvenuto Cellini which Francis I presented to him on the Field of the Cloth of Gold. We had only a few minutes for the Library, but I was glad to see Mr. Holmes7 again and to ask him about Mr. Carr Glyn and Queen Elizabeth’s ghost, which story he evidently delights in. It is curious that the Queen should have said it predicted the death of a member of the Royal Family and that Princess Mary’s death should have followed. A cup of tea in Edward III Tower and another Royal carriage to the station and a most interesting though tiring day ends here. Saturday 5 March Fawsley On Tuesday went to Daventry to consult Willoughby about calling in the mortgage of my fortune on this property. Sunday 20 March Fawsley Fancy my having forgotten that on Monday 14 I went to the Parish Meeting at Badby, at which T.Sanders, having mustered all his forces and our people, with their wanted apathy having stayed away, he was returned at the head of the poll. 4 of us polled 15 and Mr. Scratton was with some trouble induced to give the casting vote to the Radical of three was polled 13. However we still have a majority of seven and are saved a poll. I am very glad I went for it saved a great deal of friction. I suggested that every one who voted should stand up to be counted.1 1.At the schoolroom, Badby. DE, 19 March 1898, p. 1.

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Wednesday 1 April 10 South Eaton Place 1

By appointment to Messrs. Farrer to consult them about the re-investment of my fortune. I am glad to say that Mr. Watts, the member of the firm whom I interviewed, quite agrees with my idea of putting my eggs into many baskets and thinks I shall be able to increase my income by about £200 a year, which will just make the difference. Wednesday 6 April Fawsley To Daventry for the Annual Meeting of the Knightley Habitation1 and to see Mrs. Stopford. Absorbed in reading the Duke of Devonshire2 and Mr. Balfour’s speeches on the Far East.3 We are to have Wei-hai-wei4 to counterbalance Port Arthur and seem to have done pretty well. Thursday 8 April Fawsley Marking trees with C.V.Knightley in the morning, and told him my intentions about moving my money which he took exceedingly well. Tuesday 12 April Chacombe, Banbury Made a very nice little expedition here … In the evening we proceeded to Grimsbury where a new habitation of the Primrose League was to be inaugurated, and I delivered my first political address for nearly three years.1 I was very nervous about it but I felt I was doing what my darling would have liked and I did well, I think, speaking for 25 minutes, chiefly about China. There is so much to say just now, Mrs. Betwell and Mrs. Fremantle acted a delightful little piece called The Mousetrap. 1.Farrer & Co., 66 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, solicitors to LMK. 1.Held in the Billiard Room of the Conservative Club. LMK was re-elected Dame President. 2.Hansard, 4, 56, cols. 165–74, 5 April 1898, House of Lords. 3.Ibid., cols. 224–39, House of Commons. 4.In north-east China, leased to Great Britain for use as a naval base. 1.In her address, LMK expressed her support for a policy of free trade ‘for the teeming millions dependent upon open markets.’ NH, 16 April 1898, supp. p. 2.

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Saturday 30 April Fawsley It is all over and dear Val has passed to his rest.1 Saturday 14 May Red House, Roehampton On Monday I had the Scrattons to luncheon, a long promise that he might read Lord Nelson’s letters to the Duke of Clarence which have come to me through Sir Henry Wheatley. I did not know till I began to read Mahan’s Life1 that they had been such friends in early life … On Wednesday I went to London, lunched with the Munros all went to the Annual Meeting of the Club, where Lady Vincent won all along the line and the whole General Committee resigned in a body. Thank goodness that is over! I had rather have won, of course, but as my darling always used to say, ‘Lady V. is too many for me/ Tuesday 24 May Fawsley 1

Mr. Gladstone has passed away and the outburst of feeling all over the country is most remarkable, indeed all over the world. The lying in state yesterday and today in Westminster Hall must have been a most striking sight. Friday 8 June 38 Beaufort Gardens Office Committee, rather an important opening for basket work for our Ladies, which may prove of use to the older ones for whom we find it so difficult to find employment. Then Primrose League, at the Joint Committee Sir Howard Vincent1 proposed to add to the excellent maps of the British Empire and China already issued by the Primrose League Gazette one of America with some letter press about the Anglo-Saxon 1.Revd. Valentine Knightley, on 28 April. See NH, 30 April 1898, p. 8 for his obituary. He was rector of Preston Capes and Charwelton for 62 years. 1.Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahan (1840–1914), American naval historian, author of Life of Nelson: the embodiment of the sea-power of Great Britain (1897), 2 vols. 1.On Ascension Day, 19 May.

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brotherhood etc. which is so much in the air and the papers just now, which every other person one meets says ‘Hope those Yankees will be licked.’2 Wednesday 15 June 38 Beaufort Gardens To the Working Ladies’ Guild managing committee in the afternoon. Afterwards a tiny but successful tea party to hear Miss Isabel Roycroft, a protégé of Frank Warmole’s, recite, and very charmingly she did it. ‘Street Arabs’ especially most touching. Dined with the Carysforts, sat between Lord C. and a pleasant young Sotheby. On to a Primrose Party at the Halls’, Lord Cross and Lady Gwendoline Cecil discussing the bitter attacks of The Times on Lord Salisbury, supposed to be by the sub-editor, Mr. Mowbray Hill, Mr. Buckle having just lost his wife. It is very odd. The Morning Post is, I believe, as bad, but the strange thing is that Lord Glenesk1 went out of his way the other day to congratulate Lord Cross on Lord Salisbury’s splendid policy in China. Thursday 16 June 38 Beaufort Gardens Went in the morning into the City to Messrs. Nye and Meade, 4 Copthall Court, stockbrokers recommended by Messrs. Farrer, to consult them about investment for my £24,000 which is to be paid off in December. Went carefully through a long list of investments; if it comes off all right I ought to make another £200 a year.1 1.(1849–1908). Member of the Grand Council since 1884, first director of the Criminal Investigation Department, Scotland Yard, 1878–84; founder of the United Empire Trade League, 1891. Conservative M.P., Central Sheffield, 1885–1908. 2.In the Spanish War which lasted 115 days, the US Navy destroyed the Spanish Pacific Fleet in Manila Bay on 30 April, capturing the Philippine capital. See R.B.Nye and J.E.Morpurgo, A History of the United States, (1955, 3rd. ed. 1970), ii, pp. 628–30. 1.Sir Algernon Borthwick (1830–1908), created Baron Glenesk, Feb. 1896, proprietor of the Morning Post. 1.Sir Charles Knightley had planned with LMK to remortgage property at Badby to raise a fresh capital sum which could be reinvested to produce a higher income for her. £10,000 of an amount of £65,000 already mortgaged was to be redeemed against a fresh loan of £24,000, which would be reinvested. W.J.H.Whitall, Clerical Medical and General Life Assurance Society to Burton & Bird, Daventry, Sir Charles’ solicitors, 4 July 1895, Knightley Papers, Acc. 1967/174/179, NRO.

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Friday 17 June 38 Beaufort Gardens 1

In the evening took Blanche to a ball given by Lady McTaggart Stewart2 and Mrs. Cottrell-Dormer3 at the Cadogan Rooms. This wearing new rule that chaperones may not introduce men to girls makes things very difficult. However she got two partners. Monday 20 June 38 Beaufort Gardens Gathering of Diocesan Presidents in London, summoned by Mrs. Campion. In the evening did a very amusing thing, dined, by the invitation of Mrs Ireland Blackburne,1 at a dinner of 150 women writers and journalists at the Criterion.2 I sat between Miss Beatrice Harraden3 (‘Ships that pass in the night’) and Mrs. Harcourt Mitchell, with whom I have been corresponding this winter about the exclusion of women from the proposed Church Councils. After dinner we had some short speeches from Mrs. Steel (‘On the Face of the Waters’).4 Mrs. Burnett Smith (The Woman at Home’), Mrs. Simpson, Miss Bateson and Mrs. Craigie, the Chairwoman.5 John Oliver Hobbes, having just become a R.C. was forbidden to speak. What tyranny! I found a variety of friends of sorts and talked to others, among them Mary Kingsley, whose Travels in West Africa6 I have just read with such interest. She is by no means satisfied with a Niger Convention and says the French will stretch across the Nile and interrupt our ‘Cape to Cairo.′ It was all very well and amusing, and the women were far better dressed than I expected. 1.Blanche Vesey, daughter of Fanny Vesey. 2.Marianne Susanna, wife of Mark John MacTaggart-Stewart, Unionist M.P., Kirkcudbrightshire, 1885–1906. 3.Florence, wife of Clement Cottrell-Dormer, Rousham House, Oxfordshire. 1.Georgiana Mary, wife of Robert Ireland Blackburne, Orford Hall, near Warrington, South Lancashire. 2.The Women Writers’ Dinner, an annual event originated by Honor Morten and caricatured in the press. ‘It was “news” of the first order, and we certainly got without effort, all the publicity we wanted … The Feminist Movement, called in those ancient days, the “Revolt of the Women”, was just beginning to express itself’. See Annie S. Swan, My Life. An Autobiography (1934), p. 71. 3.(1864–1936), Author of 17 novels published between 1891–1928, reflecting her interest in the suffragette cause. 4.Flora Annie Steel (1849–1929), lived for 22 years in the Punjab before returning to Britain in 1889. On the Face of the Waters (1896) is a novel based on the Indian Mutiny. Annie S. Swan (1859–1943), afterwards Annie S.Burnett-Smith, women’s novelist. 5.Mary Bateson, medieval historian, and contributor to the Victoria County History, Northamptonshire, (1906 rev. 1970), ii, ‘Borough of Peterborough’, pp. 424–60. Pearl Mary Teresa Craigie (1867–1906), American born, settled in London from childhood. A Catholic convert, she wrote under the pseudonym, John Oliver Hobbes. 6.Mary Henrietta Kingsley (1862–1900), explorer and traveller. Her book was published in 1897.

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Thursday 23 June 38 Beaufort Gardens Down to Richmond to Lady Ellis’s Primrose party, which was rather pretty, though not many people one knew. Dined with Lord Norton, sat between him and the Bishop of Gibraltar,1 both pleasant. Lord Norton told a story of Disraeli, when he was made a Peer, being asked by some old Peer how he liked it: ‘I feel as if I were dead,′ he answered, and then seeing his interlocutor did not like it, added in the same tone, ‘and had passed into the regions of the blest.′ Saturday 25 June 38 Beaufort Gardens Sir W. Harcourt has been disgracing himself by a ‘No Popery’ speech1 which is such a barefaced attempt to get up an election cry as to be positively revolting, and Sir John Gorst, Minister for Education in a Government pledged to the very lips to support Voluntary Schools, has made such an attack upon them2 that he certainly ought to be made to resign. My darling always said it was such a bad appointment. Thursday 7 July 38 Beaufort Gardens To luncheon with Mrs. Locker-Lampson, then to Girls’ Friendly Society Executive;1 then made a great effort and went on the House of Lords to hear the debate on the Benefices bill2 ... Lord Selborne3 was dull, the Archbishop of Canterbury4 spoke in his rasping voice, but was rather amusing, then Lord Herschell attacked the bill for what was not in it. Lord Cranbrook, wonderful old man, replied with all the skill of a practised House of Commons debater: then came the Bishop of Winchester,5 then Lord Kimberley, riding the high Protestant horse very gingerly, I watching Lord Halifax the while. Then Lord Salisbury. It was too funny to see the whole Bench of Bishops like a flock of great white birds simultaneously perform a sort of halfwheel to listen to him. He spoke in a much more conversational tone than I have usually heard him adopt, and shortly.6 It 1.The Rt. Revd. Charles Waldegrave Sandford, Bishop of Gibraltar, 1874–1903. 1.See Gardiner, Harcourt, ii, pp. 482–3. 2.In Committee of Supply, Hansard, 4, 60, cols. 168–9, 24 June 1898. 1.AJA, Aug. 1898, p. 195. 2.Hansard, 4, 61, cols. 88–127, 7 July 1898, House of Lords, Union of Benefices Bill, second reading. 3.William Waldegrave Palmer (1859–1942), 2nd. Earl of Selborne, Under-Secretary of State for Colonies, 1895–1900. 4.Frederick Temple, 1896–1902. 5.Randall Thomas Davidson, 1895–1903. 6.Hansard, 4, 61, cols. 123–7.

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was gratifying to hear the general opinion expressed that lay patronage was on the whole very well exercised. was gratifying to hear the general opinion expressed that lay patronage was on the whole very well exercised. Tuesday 19 July 38 Beaufort Gardens I went to tea with Lady Londonderry and then to Lady Penrhyn’s, where a long talk with Augustus Hare, on the advantages of keeping a journal. He told Blanche to begin at once, for ‘When you are 90, it is the only book you will care to read.′ Thursday 21 July 38 Beaufort Gardens In the evening dined with the Ancasters, sat between Lord Ancaster1 and a pleasant Mr. Lees Knowles, M.P. for Salford.2 A good deal of indignation at the surrender on the part of the Government of compulsory vaccination. It is true the feeling in the country is extraordinarily strong against it, but no wonder when men like Mr. Wallace3 can be found to write against it: at the same time with a majority of 150 they ought not to be so weak. The Workmen’s Compensation act of last year too is most unpopular: a Mr. Pope I met at the Halls’ was against it and so was Mr. Knowles today. Monday 1 August 38 Beaufort Gardens Bismarck is dead:1 certainly I think the greatest man of the second half of our century. It is curious he should follow Gladstone so soon. It had been better for both had they died earlier but at least Bismarck helped to make an Empire. Gladstone did his best to destroy one.

1.Gilbert Henry Heathcote-Drummond Willoughby de Eresby, created Earl of Ancaster in 1892. 2.Lees Knowles, Conservative M.P., Salford W., 1886-1906. 3.Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913), scientific author, believed vaccination as unprovable in science and dangerous medically. His first venture in print on the subject was Vaccination: a Delusion (1898). I.On 30 July.

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Thursday 18 August Fawsley In spite of many alarms and anxieties, there never was a more successful day in the annals of Fawsley than this united Primrose League fête of the Knightley, Beatrice, Dryden and Southam Habitations.1 From the time the grounds were opened at 1 p.m. till they were closed at long past 9, there was always something going on. The weather was glorious and the huge crowd, numbering, we believe, over 2000. (£30.12s. 5d.) was taken at the gates and all (the Primrose League people came in free) thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and did not do one ha’p’orth of damage. All our own people and everybody concerned worked hard—I know I did—but it was worthwhile. Mr. Bennett, by an unfortunate mistake, did not arrive till 10 minutes before the time for the first comedietta, so Miss Mary Johnston made up with recitations and Ida Shuckburgh persuaded me to read The Miniature. Mrs. Hillary Regrets followed, very well acted and then Col. Eyre (who only staid instead of two nights) made a very good, useful speech. Then came the trying part for me, the vote of thanks, the cheers, for me alone instead of for both of us . . . I am sure all this drawing together of classes does good; the gentle-folks come up very well. Wednesday 21 September Harlestone House, Northampton Quite absorbed in Mahan’s Life of Nelson and reading with it all the letters I possess, addressed to the Duke of Clarence.1 One seems to get to know the man so well, handling his very own letters. And it is all more fascinating than any romance, the long hunt after Bonaparte before the Battle of the Nile, then the two years’ watch outside Toulon, the race to the West Indies, the fortnight on shore, and then—Trafalgar. His extraordinary genius, his devotion to the service of his country, his almost childish vanity, his fatal passion for Lady Hamilton, which led him to betray his friend and desert his wife, and yet the apparently deep religious feeling which dictated the last words he wrote, all help to make a most extraordinary character. 1.DE, 20 Aug. 1898, p. 1. 1.Later, on 28 Sept., LMK remarked, ‘Busy last evening in arranging Nelson’s letters to the Duke of Clarence of which I find I have no less than 67′.

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Sunday 16 October Fawsley Despatches have been published about Major Marchand,1 who has arrived at Fashoda, just as Miss Kingsley predicted he would (see Journal June 20) and the provoking thing is that if we, i.e. the Foreign Office, had not managed so badly and provoked a mutiny in Uganda, as Moreton Gage2 told me in a most interesting letter I had from him on July 25, we might have got there first. However, nothing can equal Lord Salisbury’s firmness, and the French must climb down unless this extraordinary Dreyfus case brings about a revolution which is quite possible. Wednesday 19 October Fawsley Today rather a perturbed day as at last a man is coming to look at the house. I don’t know now whether I want to let it or not. Monday 24 October Newhaven Court, Cromer At Norwich there was some time to spare, so I took Robertson up to see the Cathedral, the old familiar way which Mother and I used to go in old music lesson days … I then came on here to stay with Mrs. Locker-Lampson and found a pleasant party, the Speaker and Mrs. Gully1 and Lord Knutsford.2 I sat next the latter at dinner: he and the Speaker are both anxious about this Fashoda business. One can hardly believe in a war with France but they must give way. We neither can win. He says the French Government, with its constantly changing Cabinets is most difficult to deal with. Says it is quite true Bismarck offered us Egypt in the long ago on purpose to embroil us with France. I asked him what I have always wanted to know—why we did not join the Triple Alliance.3 Says we might have been committed to wars of which we did not approve. He is very light in hand and pleasant. Talked of the difficulty of making appointments. Once appointed a Chief Justice of the Bahamas on the strength of testimonials from all 1.Maj. Jean Baptiste Marchand (1863–1934), French Army Officer, explored the White Nile in 1898 and hoisted the tricolour at Fashoda, on the Upper Nile, on 10 July. See D.Bates, The Fashoda Incident of 1898 (1984), p. 113. 2.Moreton Foley Gage, grandson of Edward Thomas Gage, son of Henry Hall, 4th. Viscount, and LMK’s great nephew. 1.Elizabeth Anne Walford Gully. 2.Henry Thurstan Holland, 1st. Baron, Secretary of State for Colonies, 1887–92, created Viscount Knutsford in 1895. 3.The agreement between Germany, Austria and Italy in May 1882 and renewed, with intervals, until 1915.

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sorts of bigwigs who proved immediately a lunatic and had to be brought back. The Speaker, whom I have never seen before, gives me the impression of being a strong man. Wednesday 26 October Stratton Strawless, Norwich A very interesting but very long day. Leaving Cromer at 8.50 I proceeded to Norwich, where I made my way to the Conference of Women Workers1 and sat all day listening to most interesting papers and discussions on the care of epileptics, of deaf mutes, of the feeble - minded: on how to deal with the mothers of illegitimate children in workhouses, on the legal protection needed for ‘in and out children’…2 In the evening did a most formidable thing which I undertook at instance of Jessie Boucherett and the Society for the Promotion of Employment of Women—made a speech3 (or rather read a paper) in deprecation of proposed legislation interference with home industries. All the selected speakers and readers were on the other side, which did not seem to me very fair. One’s heart ached at the description of all the miseries those poor people endure, and yet I cannot help thinking that to abolish them would cause still greater wretchedness. However, I did my best with earnest prayer and could do no more. I have hardly ever had so difficult a task. Thursday 27 October Stratton Strawless, Norwich Off again early to Norwich. An interesting day, various reports of work done by the National Union of Women Workers being given and arrangements made for the International Conference which is to be held in London next year. A protest was made about eliminating prayer from the proceedings and carried of course by an overwhelming majority.1 In the afternoon Lady Battersea2 read a charming paper on the amenities of life. 1.Held in the Lecture Hall, Princes Street, under the presidency of Mrs. Alfred Booth, of Liverpool, 25–27 Oct. 2.Women Workers, 1898, pp. 68–109. 3.Ibid., pp. 147–50. 1.At the 1897 Conference, Beatrice Webb had moved a resolution that the meeting should not start with prayers. An amendment was carried ‘that persons who are unwilling from conscientious scruples to be present during prayers may ask the secretaries to keep places for them’. See N. and J.MacKenzie (eds.), The Diary of Beatrice Webb (1983), ii, 1892–1905, pp. 124–5. At the 1898 Conference, LMK suggested that a motion to be sent to the executive of the International Conference 1899 ‘that the National Union of Women Workers of Great Britain and Ireland do not approve of the opening of the meetings of the conference without prayer’. This was agreed. The Times, 28 Oct. 1898, p. 8. 2.Constance, wife of Cyril Flower, 1st. Baron Battersea. Women Workers, 1898, pp. 198–204.

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Saturday 26 November Fawsley Writing an article on the Norwich Conference for the Primrose League Gazette.1 Tuesday 18 December Meyrick Lodge, Westover, Bournemouth I have been a good deal occupied this week with my own affairs. The money, £24,000, my fortune, is to be paid on Thursday next 22nd. and I have arranged to bear all the costs.1 I think this is only fair to Charlie, especially as I refused him the other day. 1.The article ‘Women in Council’ appeared in the Daventry Express, 17 Dec. 1898, p. 1, and PLG, 1 Dec. 1898, pp. 7–8. 1.LMK to Messrs. Burton & Bird, 18 Nov. 1898, Knightley Papers, Acc. 1967/174/179, NRO.

*1899* Monday 16 January Fawsley To my first Committee of the National Home Reading Union in a luxurious Committee Room of the London School Board. Quite a different set of people from those with whom I am in the habit of acting: the founder, Dr. Paton,1 an old man with a fine head, in the chair, and how he did ‘haver’! Sunday 28 January Fawsley This is dreadful, I hardly ever had such a gap before … On Thursday came Mr. Johnnie Astell,1 very cheery and good humoured, and in the evening we four went to the ball at Althorp.2 It was really a beautiful sight, one of the prettiest balls I was ever at. The fine staircase, the beautiful pictures, the brilliant electric light, the red coats and the diamonds made up a really brilliant scene. Of the last there was a wonderful collection, I counted at least 12 tiaras. The cynosure of every eye was the Duchess of Marlborough,3 very tall, very slight, a nez retroussé, a charming expression and the longest neck you ever beheld, accentuated by 14 rows of small pearls, like a dog collar, and two ropes of huge ones. Both Lord Spencer and Bobbie thanked me warmly for coming and Lady Spencer was nice too. I feel I have buried the hatchet, I hope, for ever. 1.John Brown Paton (1830–1911), Nonconformist divine and philanthropist, founder of the National Home Reading Union in 1889. The Union was based on a pattern developed at Chautauqua, New York, where summer holiday courses of instruction had evolved into a national system of organized courses of home reading. See J.L.Paton, John Brown Paton. A Biography (1914), pp. 274–9. 1.Richard John Vereker, son of William Astell and Elizabeth Vereker, daughter of Standish Prendergast, 4th. Viscount Gort. 2.Charlotte, Countess Spencer noted, ‘Our Ball took place, over 400 including House party… We danced in the dining room and supped in the picture gallery.’ Lady Spencer, Journal, 26 Jan. 1899, Spencer Papers, and NM, 27 Jan. 1899, p. 5. 3.Consuelo, daughter of the American magnate, William Vanderbilt, and wife of Charles, 9th. Duke of Marlborough.

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Thursday 9 February 38 Beaufort Gardens A most interesting day. Went in the morning to see the collection of Burne-Jones’s at the New Gallery1 and have seldom had a greater treat… I went with a sort of ‘now I ain’t going to like these because I’m told to’ feeling, but when I saw them all together, the glorious colour and the wonderful imagination made one feel as if a door had been opened into fairyland. There was the series of St. George and the Dragon, beginning with the single figure of St. George, which so reminded me of my favourite Mantegna at Venice: there is the Perseus series, the Wheel of Fortune, the Golden Stairs, the King Cophetua and the beggar maid, the beautiful series of tapestries from the Arthurian legend, the Days of Creation, which I saw in the windows at Middleton Cheney, and the great picture of the dead King Arthur at Avalon, waiting to come forth again. He is a great painter and a great poet. In the afternoon I went down to the House of Lords to hear a debate on one aspect of the Church question.2 The Bishop of Winchester, Davidson, spoke extremely well and made their Lordships laugh a good deal when he remarked that the Bishop of Exeter (Bickersteth, a known Low Churchman)3 could hardly be described in Sir William Harcourt’s words as a ‘Laodicean, Romanizing prelate.’4 I felt quite sorry for Lord Kinnaird5 who followed. He made such an exhibition of himself; the Bishop had cut all his facts from under his feet and he humm’d and ha’ad and stuttered till I thought the Bishop of London6 might have been more merciful. I had to leave when Lord Halifax got up, to dine at the Pioneer Club, at the request of Miss Whitehead, convenor of the debate on Women’s Home Industries. I read my paper, but it seemed rather thin and was a good deal turned inside out in the excellent debate which followed. We had the majority on our side I think, but unfortunately not the debating power. 1.Regent Street. The Times, 30 Dec. 1898, p. 5. 2.Concerning allegations that responsibility for irregularities in public worship rested mainly with the bishops. 3.Rt. Revd. Edward Henry Bickersteth (1825–1906), Bishop of Exeter, 1885–1900, and composer of hymns, including Peace, Perfect Peace’. 4.Hansard, 4, 68, col. 268, 9 Feb. 1899. 5.Arthur Fitzgerald Kinnaird, 11th. Baron of Inchture, Perth, ibid., cols. 277–9. 6.Mandell Creighton, ibid., cols. 280–6. See also L.Creighton, Life and Letters of Mandell Creighton (1904), ii, pp. 360–3.

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Tuesday 21 February Fawsley I am reading G.Trevelyan’s American Revolution and with it Burke’s Thoughts on Present Discontents.1 Friday 17 March 38 Beaufort Gardens To a National Home Reading Union Committee. I hope I may be of some little use there. Robert Elsmere is not a book to circulate in a 6d. edition. Saturday 18 March 38 Beaufort Gardens Went to luncheon with Harry and Leila and afterwards to a beautiful Saturday Pop Concert at St. James’s Hall by the Joachim Quartet.1 It is 40 years since I first heard Joachim, and his bow has indeed not lost its cunning; one positively held one’s breath to listen to some of the more delicate passages. We had a quartet by Haydn, as Harry remarked delightfully easy to listen to, and by Brahms, with whom I always feel I have only a bowing acquaintance, and one by Beethoven2 which I liked the least of the three. Afterwards to tea with Jessie Boucherett and a long talk about Women’s work; my two papers really seem to have been rather useful. 1.A History of the American Revolution 1766–1776, published between 1899 and 1914, in 6 vols.; Edmund Burke, Thoughts on the Present Discontents (1770), which accused the Government of stifling public opinion. 1. Joseph Joachim (1831–1907), Hungarian violinist and composer, was founder and first violin of the quartet. 2. The Beethoven quartet was the op. 131 in C sharp minor.

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Wednesday 22 March Fawsley The event to which we have so long looked forward has at last come to pass, and the Great Central Railway was opened for traffic a week ago.1 I came home by it today and was pleased to find the terminus at Marylebone nearer than I expected. We ran down to Aylesbury without stopping (Mrs. Bethell2 my companion) through some pretty country about Amersham, and from Brackley of course very familiar, till we landed at Charwelton, I bringing home a new pet in the shape of a little Aberdeen terrier called Rex which I have bought for 50s. off the Munro’s ex-coachman, White. I have never been allowed a dog in the house but I think he will be a great companion and the household take to him. Saturday 25 March Fawsley Went to Northampton to preside at what was supposed to be a ‘mass meeting’ in the Town Hall at the end of a week’s Temperance Mission, but which consisted of 35 people, all workers. However, we made our little speeches, Mrs. Nance,1 Miss Ames2 and I, and one never knows where some seed may fall. Friday 7 April Thorncombe, Guildford, Surrey On Wednesday I was interested to hear from Mr. Evelyn Eyre1 the particulars of the risks run by Lord and Lady Curzon2 at the election at Wycombe in 1885, just when we were marching up Towcester High Street at the head of a howling mob…

1. The London extension of the Great Central from Annesley, Nottinghamshire, was opened for passenger services on 15 March 1899. See G.Dow, Great Central (1962), ii, p. 340. 2. Wife of Lionel Beresford Bethell, Charwelton. 1. Wife of Revd. James Trengrove Nance, rector of St. John Baptist, East Farndon since 1895. 2. She worked in the Mission at Hanwell near Ealing, London. 3. NH, 1 April 1899, p. 6.

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Today a day to be marked with a white stone. In the morning a walk with Ethel Rowe,3 in the course of which we went to see Miss Jekyll,4 the author of the book just now much talked of, Wood and Garden. She is peculiar in appearance and I talked too little to her to form any impression, but it will add zest to the reading of the book. We drove Lady Victoria Rowe, Montague and I, about miles to visit Mr. and Mrs. Watts5 at Limners’ Lease, their quaint little house in the wood. We found the picturesque looking, little, great man, sitting over the fire, a purple skull cap on his head in a low, long room, some of his own pictures on the wall, and he at once plunged into conversation, so different from the ordinary talk. He asked me if I cared for art and when I said ‘Yes I did, but had it not in me,’ he said ‘Oh, that is not necessary. There is too much of the professional element nowadays. Unless people can do things like a professional they won’t do them at all. Besides it is not intended that those who don’t intend to make their living at it should devote their whole time to it.’ Then he spoke of the difference between writing and speaking, where one uses a medium which is in constant daily use, whereas in painting and music you have to acquire the medium of expression like a foreign language. Then he took us into his studio and showed us the great wonderful picture of the Court of Death,6 all the figures, the soldier, the young girl, the child, the toiler, the student, all paying their homage to the great benign figure of Death, which he said he always represented as a woman, a sort of nurse. Then there was one he is going to send to the New Gallery, an angel hiding its eyes over a tangle of birds’ wings, a lesson to women who will wear them in their hats. He suggested that they might be imitated in silk and velvet, an idea which I shall transmit to the Guild. Then she showed us all the beautiful gesso work which she designs, full of symbolism and has carried out by the school of art she has founded in the neighbouring village of Compton. 1. John Eyre, brother-in-law to Viscount Curzon; his wife was Lady Evelyn Alice. 2. Richard George Penn Curzon-Howe, Viscount Curzon (1861–1919), Conservative M.P., Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, 1885–1900, when he succeeded his father, Richard, 3rd. Earl Howe. Lady Georgiana, his wife, was a daughter of John Winston, 7th. Duke of Marlborough. 3. Daughter of Lady Victoria Isabella Rowe, wife of Edward Rowe of Thorncombe, Surrey. 4. Gertrude Jekyll (1843–1932), horticulturalist and garden designer. Wood and Garden, her first book, published in 1899, subtitled ‘notes and thoughts, practical and critical, of a working amateur’, ran to six editions in the first year. See B.Massingham, Miss Jekyll. Portrait of a Great Gardener (1966), p. 66. 5. George Frederic Watts (1817–1904), painter and sculptor, and his second wife, Mary Tytler. Their house called Limnerslease, at Compton, Surrey, built by Watts in 1891, included a gallery for public viewing. 6. Originally designed for a mortuary chapel. See M.S.Watts, George Frederick Watts (1912), i, p. 228.

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Sunday 11 April Fawsley 1

I went to Badby for Parish Council, a fool’s errand as Mr. Scratton had made a muddle about the date and it could not be held. But I had the great happiness of persuading Mrs. Tift to take the pledge. We prayed together that she may be enabled to keep her promise. Thursday 13 April Fawsley All day in the Publications and Executive Committees of the Girls’ Friendly Society.1 Friday 14 April Fawsley Went in the morning to the Primrose League Executive which was presided over for the first time by the young Duchess of Marlborough.1 I was much taken with her pretty gracious ways. Saturday 15 April Fawsley It rained nearly all day and I only went to the Badby Parish Council where we re-elected Mr. Scratton.1 A demand for allotments was put before us, which will require careful consideration. 1. In the Parish Council elections held on 27 March LMK polled 33 votes, the highest of the nine elected. DE, 1 April 1898, p. 1. 1. Previously known as the Literature Committee but renamed and expanded to include the Central Heads of Department and editors of all the GFS publications. See M.Heath-Stubbs, Friendship’s Highway (1926), p. 51. 1. Consuelo, Duchess of Marlborough. 1. LMK was reappointed Vice-Chairman.

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Tuesday 18 April 10 Victoria Square To the business meeting of Grand Habitation at the Westminster Town Hall, to which I have not been for several years, and which always amuses me. The death of the old Duchess of Marlborough1 throws a great shadow over the week. She certainly set us all a good example in the days when political work was not as it is now, the fashion among ladies. There was a long discussion about localizing and popularizing the Gazette which Grand Council met with their usual non possumus. I felt impelled to take up my parable and had the meeting with me. In the evening to the delegates’ party at the Grafton Galleries, where Lord and Lady George Hamilton received for the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough. Finding people to take to was rather like looking for needles in a bottle of hay. However, I showed our other delegate, Willie Wright, a few notabilities, and had an amusing supper with Sir Penrose Fitzgerald, who was specially funny about Mr. Chaplin’s champagne the night of his great bimetallic speech,2 when Rainald (and I) went down to support him. An absurd rumour about that Mr. Pennant was going to retire, Charlie to stand and Bobbie to oppose him. Mr. Pennant has denied it. Wednesday 19 April 10 Victoria Square Went to luncheon with Nora and with her to the great Primrose League meeting at the Albert Hall.1 I have not been to it there, and it is infinitely preferable to Covent Garden. In itself it is a splendid thing to see 10,000 people gathered like that with no special effort; it is certainly a proof (if any were needed) that the Primrose League is not a quantíté negligeable. Mr. Balfour was the speaker and was very well received and made a good, useful speech with information about finance which half his audience would probably never have acquired otherwise, but he is not his uncle2 either for wit or eloquence, and I thought the audience a little reflected the dullness of the times. Lady Jersey presented the Champion Banner and I was delighted at Janey’s Habitation gaining third prize. 1. Frances, Dowager Duchess, wife of 7th. Duke of Marlborough, who died on 16 April. 2. ‘Fair Trade’ and ‘Bimetallism’ had been Chaplin’s cure for all ills. See Marchioness of Londonderry, Henry Chaplin. A Memoir (1926), p. 180. 1. The Times, 19 April 1899, p. 8. 2. Lord Salisbury.

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Thursday 20 April 10 Victoria Square In the evening went with Georgie to see Robespierre, the new play which Sardou1 has written for Irving.2 It is a wonderful spectacle, wonderfully put on the stage, some of the scenes especially the roll call in the prison of La Force, almost too realistic especially when one remembers that the thing really happened. Irving is always Irving, but at the same time he is a great actor, and especially in the scene with his son, acted by Kyrle Bellew,3 who appears to be a most promising young actor. The scene in the Conciergerie where Robespierre sees the ghosts of his victims seemed to me melodramatic, and also the last scene at the Tribune. Saturday 22 April Wellesbourne, Warwick Came down to Stratford where Mary Knightley met me and we went to the church where many wreaths had been laid on Shakespeare’s grave in honour of his birthday tomorrow. It is curious how of late years we had taken to commemorating our great men. The town was gay with flags and presently we betook ourselves to the Memorial Theatre and saw a very interesting performance of the second part of Henry VI, a play which is hardly ever given. How much Shakespeare wrote of it may be questioned, but it is a fine and in parts was well acted by a company under the direction of Mr. Benson,1 who himself acted finely as Cardinal Beaufort, Mrs. B.being a sad stick as Queen Margaret. 1. Victorien Sardou (1831–1908), successful French dramatist. His La Tosca (1887) later provided the libretto for Puccini’s opera. 2. Sir Henry Irving (1838–1905), the first actor to receive a knighthood. The play, first performed at the Lyceum on 15 April 1899, included Ellen Terry in the cast. 3. Harold Kyrle Bellew (1855–1911). Illustrated London News on 22 April commented, ‘It was a welcome novelty to find in Mr. Kyrle Bellew’s sketch of the ingenuous boy real intensity and sincerity’. 1. Francis (Frank) Robert Benson (1858–1939), actor-manager, one of the founders of the Shakespeare Festival at Stratford-on-Avon, 1886–1919.

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Friday 28 April Fawsley Spent the whole day at Badby, assisting at the inspection of both schools by Canon Lawson,1 a capital lesson in Sunday School teaching. I am sure I don’t question enough. Monday 1 May Fawsley Went to Towcester to attend a Conference of the Parish Councils Association,1 of which they elected me a Vice-President. Dr. Cox, the Radical Ritualist of Holdenby,2 is President which partly influenced me as I always think it is a pity when things which should be non-political are allowed to drift into the hands of one party. There was a small attendance but it was interesting. Dr. Knight read an admirable paper on Sanitary Reform and Dr. Cox made some interesting remarks comparing the County Council to the old Shire Moot, the District Council to the Hundred Court and the Parish Council to the Manor Court. There was rather a warm discussion about Parish Councils being triennial or annual. Friday 5 May 73 Onslow Square I came here on Wednesday to stay with Mrs. Grosvenor Stopford1 and a very kind, pleasant hostess she is. On Wednesday evening I went to a party at Lady Trevelyan’s, Sir George’s wife: had a little talk with him about his American book. He said he quite understood people becoming Conservatives since ‘84, though not one himself. 1. Hon. Canon Frederick Pike Lawson, rector of All Saints, Sudborough from 1889 and Church Diocesan inspector. 1. Conference of members of South Northamptonshire Parish Councils, held in the Town Hall under the auspices of the Northamptonshire Association of Parish Councils. NM, 5 May 1899, p. 7. 2. Revd. Dr. John Charles Cox (1843–1919), chairman, Brixworth RDC and Poor Law Union, rector of All Saints, Holdenby from 1894. He stood as Liberal candidate for Daventry almost defeating the sitting member. Author of numerous books on ecclesiastical architecture. 1. Sara, wife of Commander Grosvenor Stopford, R.N.

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Thursday 8 June 38 Beaufort Gardens Attended a meeting in the Jerusalem Chamber, Westminster Abbey, to further a League for obtaining seats for young women in shops. How long all that has being going on, since in 1877 I remember collecting signatures to a memorial in favour of it. It makes me despair almost of voluntary effort. Friday 9 June 73 Onslow Square Society for the Promotion of Employment for Women in the morning, at home in the afternoon, a pleasant visit from Sir Mount Stuart Grant Duff. He told me a delicious story of Lord Spencer who, when in India with Lord Sandhurst, went up with him to Quetta and saw a good deal of a certain General Browne who commanded there and who remarked after he had left, ‘That brother-in-law of the Governor’s seems an intelligent person. I think if he had gone into public life one might have heard something of him.’ Fancy Earl Spencer K.G.being thus unknown to anyone! Story of the Queen after her first Council, told by the old Lord Lansdowne1 to the man who told Sir Mount Stuart. He was talking to Lord Melbourne when the Queen came up and asked Lord M, ‘Now that I am Queen, can I do as I like?’ ‘Certainly, Ma’am, within the limits of the Constitution.’ ‘Oh, I don’t want to meddle with the Constitution, but am I to continue to live with my Mother, or shall I have a separate establishment?’ This question was answered in the affirmative and the Queen continued, ‘And if my Mother and I, after full discussion, cannot agree on a subject, can I do as I like?’ ‘Well Ma’am,’ after careful deliberation, ‘I suppose you may.’ The Queen turned with an air of triumph to her lady-in-waiting and said, Then we can wash the dog!’ Saturday 10 June 73 Onslow Square In the afternoon Blanche and I went down to Hatfield to one of the most brilliant fêtes I was ever at.1 The weather was simply perfect, the place looked lovely, and it was indeed a ‘dream of fair women and brave men’, among the latter Lord Kitchener,2 at whom we 1. Henry Thomas Petty-Fitzmaurice, 3rd. Marquess of Lansdowne (1780–1863), Lord President of the Council in Melbourne’s second ministry, 1835–41. 1. To celebrate the Queen’s 80th. birthday. Guests included the Prince of Wales, Duke and Duchess of York, and the Grand Duke Michael of Russia. The North Herts and South Bedfordshire Journal, 16 June 1899, p. 3. 2. Horatio Herbert Kitchener (1850–1916), Governor-General of Sudan. 3. Of £30,000, in recognition of his part in planning and executing the successful expedition in the Sudan. The motion was approved, 393–51. Hansard, 4, 72, cols. 332–402, 10 June 1899.

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had a good stare. He is very tall, very bronzed, and has very odd eyes, ‘cruel eyes’, Blanche called them. People seem to think he made a mistake in taste in going to both Houses to hear the debate on his own grant.3 Tuesday 20 June 38 Beaufort Gardens To a pleasant enough garden party given by the Duchess of Albany to the helpers in her Deptford fund for which she works so hard. Afterwards to a little party of Mrs. Charles Heathcote’s,1 where Grossmith2 gave funny imitations of Irving and Beerbohm Tree. But he is not Corney Grain3… In the evening dined with the Halls, who took me to a simply magnificent performance of Tristan and Isolde, with both the de Reszkes and Madame Lilli Lehmann with Herr Muck as conductor.4 Thursday 22 June 38 Beaufort Gardens To a most entertaining party at Grosvenor House, the members of the National Vigilance Conference1 which is sitting in London this week, in the very oddest clothes, mixed up with half the smart people in London, going on to Mrs. Aston’s ball. Lady Frances Balfour very busy buttonholing peers as to their votes on the proposed admission of women to the new municipal bodies created by the London Government bill.2 1. Lucy Edith, wife of Charles Gilbert Heathcote. 2. George Grossmith (1847–1912), well-known singer in the Gilbert and Sullivan operas. 3. Richard Corney Grain (1844–1895), an entertainer who wrote songs and musical sketches. 4. At Covent Garden. Edouard De Reszke (1853–1917), the great Polish bass, and his brother, Jean De Reszke (1850–1925), tenor, a notable Tristan; Lilli Lehmann (1848–1929), German soprano, took the part of Isolde; Karl Muck (1859–1940), German conductor at Bayreuth, 1901–30.' 1. Convened to consider the traffic in girls and ways of suppressing this activity on an international basis. See The Times, 22 June 1899, p.12, for the first day of the conference. 2. Hansard, 4, 73, cols. 537–80, 26 June 1899, Aldermen and Councillors, Qualification of Women, London Government Bill, committee stage. Lady Frances, who had joined the suffrage movement in 1887, wrote in her autobiography on attempts to promote the ‘women’s question’ by means of private members bills, ‘We were always beaten in the fight…Some would tell us that it was the way women were treated, and in the Whips’ room there was no trick too low to be played’. See Lady Frances Balfour, Ne Obliviscaris, (1930), ii, p. 139.

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Friday 23 June 38 Beaufort Gardens I passed the whole day at the Branch Secretaries Conference which was crammed, and read a paper on The Girls’ Friendly Society and the Spirit of Patriotism’, about which people were very kind. I did take a good deal of trouble about it. Saturday 24 June 38 Beaufort Gardens It is too shocking to have got to the end of this busy, interesting week without a line of journal. I must hark back. On Monday 19 June, my afternoon was entirely taken up with Girls’ Friendly Society, a meeting with the Finance and Reference Committee to discuss the proposed Lodges Emergency Fund, to which I am bitterly opposed, and the usual ‘Cabinet Council’. I think I shall very likely be appointed to the care of the Colonial Committee which will interest me very much. In the evening dined again at the Women Writers’ dinner, a brilliant scene. I sat next Mrs. Walford, the charming authoress of so many good, wholesome novels, from Mr. Smith to Leddy Margaret, on the other side a funny old American Mrs. Croly,2 who seems to have played a great part in founding women’s clubs in America. Monday 26 June 38 Beaufort Gardens Went in the afternoon to the opening meeting of the International Women’s Congress,1 held in the new Great Hall belonging to the Church House, a very handsome building. Ishbel Aberdeen presided, but it was not very interesting and I went off to the House of Lords, where a very interesting debate on the question whether or not women should be admitted to the new Municipal Councils formed under the London Government bill, which are to replace the vestries on which they have served and by general consent done excellent work. It was not debated at all on party lines. Lord Salisbury made a most 1. Lucy Colquhoun (1845–1915), wife of Alfred Launders Walford, an Essex magistrate. She wrote over thirty books and numerous short stories. Mr. Smith: A Part of his Life (1874), her first book, so impressed the Queen that she wished to meet the authoress. Leddy Margaret was published in 1898. 2. Jane Cunningham Croly (1829–1901), journalist and magazine editor, known as ‘Jennie June’. In 1868 she organized the first club for women, called Sorosis. In 1889 a national convention of women’s clubs was established under the title The General Federation of Women’s Clubs.

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weighty speech in our favour, while Lord Halsbury and the Duke of Devonshire spoke against us. All the Bishops were for us, and all the arguments in our favour, but nevertheless we were beaten by 162 to 68, an ominous outlook for women’s suffrage.2 In the evening to Stafford House, where a tremendous gathering of all these delegates, very little tempered by society. Tuesday 27 June 38 Beaufort Gardens Spent most of the day at St. Martin’s Town Hall, first looking in at ‘Domestic Service’, which was dull, and then attending two meetings on special Labour legislation for women.1 The one in the morning was all in favour of restrictions. I said a very few words to remind the meeting that there was another side to the question. The one in the afternoon was as strong the other way. I was immensely struck with a speech by Baroness Gripenberg, Finland2 … We went afterwards to a great meeting at Queen’s Hall, which was crowded, in favour of International Arbitration which really seems as if it was coming to something at The Hague.3 Ishbel Aberdeen spoke extremely well, and an admirable paper was read, written by Baroness Bertha von Suttner, ‘Die Waffen Nieder’, has gone through 30 editions in Germany.4 Thursday 29 June 38 Beaufort Gardens In the morning ‘Women’s Status in Local Government’, an especially interesting speech by a Mrs. Evans, who had done good work on St. Martin’s vestry.1 In the afternoon went by penny boat down to Whitechapel to give away prizes for Harriet Cartwright to the Band of Hope. It was a curious sight in the asphalt court of the Raine’s Mansions, a square of people densely packed, watching jumping, musical drill etc. The children looked more healthy than one expected. I tried to say a few words but it was almost impossible in the din. 1. The first conference of the International Council of Women, held at Church House, Westminster. 2. Hansard, 4, 73, cols. 537–80, 26 June 1899. Aldermen and Councillors, Qualification of Women, London Government Bill, committee stage. 1. The Legislative and Industrial Section of the Congress of Women was held in the Small Hall at St. Martin’s Town Hall. For its proceedings, see The Times, 28 June 1899, p. 10. 2. Baroness Alexandra Gripenberg (1859–1913), Vice-President of the International Council of Women. 3. Prevention of wars was a constant theme at every five-yearly congress.

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4. Baroness Bertha von Suttner, an Austrian, who strongly urged international arbitration rather than war and edited a pacifist magazine, Die Waffen Nieder (Lay Down Your Arms). She later wrote a novel bearing the same title.

Hurried back to have Beatrice Cartwright to dinner and go off to the great Women’s Franchise meeting at Queen’s Hall, which was simply packed.2 Mrs. Fawcett presided and when she put the resolution the whole audience rose to their feet, applauding vehemently and waving their handkerchiefs. It was curious to hear the magnificent applause and hisses with which a mention of the Primrose League was received. But the speech of the evening was Lady Henry Somerset’s.3 I never heard such a beautiful voice, tender, pathetic, quite beyond compare. Friday 30 June 38 Beaufort Gardens Went Primrose Leaguing in the morning and to luncheon with Georgie. In the afternoon presided at one of the Congress meetings, Women in Administrative Work.1 It was very interesting. Miss Busk read a quite admirable paper; she evidently thoroughly understood the subject.2 Mrs. Dockerell, an enchanging Paddy, sent us all into fits of laughing by standing up for the men (it was a note which wanted striking) and no less than seven cards were sent up of ladies wanting to speak, mostly very practical and very much to the point… To tea with Miss Busk and some talk of bringing women parish and district councillors together. 1. A proprietor of a photography shop, she became a poor law guardian in 1887 and later a vestrywoman for St. Martin-in-the-Fields until 1899. 2. Though organized by the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies it formed part of the International Congress of Women timetable and was attended by its members. Millicent Fawcett, ‘Women in Politics’, in Countess of Aberdeen (ed.), International Congress of Women 1899 (1900), v, pp. 115–41. 3. On the temperance question, Lady Isabella Caroline, wife of Lord Henry Somerset; President of the British Women’s Temperance Association, 1890–1903. For a resumé of her speech, see ibid., pp. 133–41 and L.L. Shiman, Women and Leadership in Nineteenth Century England’ (1992), pp. 165–70. 1. Held at St. Martin’s Town Hall. Countess of Aberdeen, (ed.), International Congress of Women 1899 (1900), v, pp. 96–113. 2. Alice Busk, vestrywoman at St. Georges, Southwark. Ibid., ‘Administrative Work for Women on Urban and Rural Governing Bodies’, pp. 103–13.

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Monday 3 July 38 Beaufort Gardens More meetings, a very interesting one on Agriculture, with capital papers on dairying and poultry-keeping as employments for women, and another on protection for young travellers: one’s hair stands on end at the dangers they run.1 Thursday 6 July 38 Beaufort Gardens Rather a stupid little party at Mrs. Courtney’s in the evening. He unwisely I think tried to reverse the Lords’ decision about women on vestries. The Government went against us and we were badly beaten.1 Wednesday 12 July 38 Beaufort Gardens With Rhona Hanbury Tracy1 to Princess Louise’s garden party at Kensington which I enjoyed hugely. So many people I know and see so seldom nowadays. Among others my old Balmoral friend the Duke of Argyll2 with whom I talked as with the Duke of Westminster of the Shop Seats bill, which the latter has just carried through the House of Lords.3 I hope it will answer, but one is so afraid of its throwing women out of employment, though the Duke of Argyll says that argument was brought against all the old factory legislation. Also saw the poor old blind Grand Duke,4 much broken but still reciting his old tale of all the great people born in 1819. It was altogether a very brilliant scene. 1. Beatrice Webb, who attended the Conference that day wrote afterwards, ‘It would have been better if the N.U.W.W. had refused to let itself be drawn into this adventure: it believed neither in Woman with a big “W”, nor in International with a big “I”, it is distinctly parochial and religious— most emphatically insular. To the well-bred conventional ladies who dominate it, the “screeching sisterhood” demanding their rights represents all that is detestable’. See N. and J.Mackenzie (eds.), The Diary of Beatrice Webb, ii, 1892–1905 (1983), p. 162. 1. Hansard, 4, 74, cols. 43–68, 6 July 1899, London Government Bill. Ayes 177, Noes 246. The Lords’ amendment required ‘that no woman shall be eligible for any such office’ (councillor or alderman). 1. Rhona Hanbury-Tracy, daughter of Charles Douglas, 4th. Baron Sudeley of Toddington. 2. George Douglas Campbell, 8th. Duke of Argyll. 3. Hansard, 4, 74, cols. 431–60, 11 July 1899, Seats for Shop Assistants (England and Ireland) Bill, second reading. Contents 73, Not-Contents 28. 4. Frederick William (Uncle Fritz), Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1819–1904), totally blind since about 1860.

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Wednesday 26 July Fawsley The last night in the old home. Shall I ever come back to it? Well, it will matter little if I don’t …I have been too busy to think these few days, there has been so much to do preparing for my tenants, the Frederick Farrers, who come on Friday. Sir Henry Dryden, the kind friend and neighbour of so many years, passed away on Sunday after a long illness, and yesterday I went over to see poor Alice, who loses father, mother and home almost at once. Sunday 30 July 38 Beaufort Gardens For the last time that dear familiar heading: how many pleasant days have I passed in the house. How dear Mary1 and I enjoyed being together…dear Mary has left all so beautifully labelled to save trouble. Her will is a marvel of thoughtful kindness, no less than 68 bequests. To me she leaves £1000. Thursday 10 August Bayreuth, Richard Wagner Strasse, 38II A no way remarkable journey. Bayreuth is both larger and more picturesque than I expected, and we are comfortable in our lodgings. Friday 11 August Bayreuth Wandered about a bit in the morning and drove up to the Opera House which is very prettily situated at the end of an avenue, with wooded hills rising behind it. At about 3.30 we found ourselves in a stream of people wandering up there again and stood about till the trumpet came out and summoned us to take our places in the wonderfully well arranged Opera House, putting one in mind of a Roman amphitheatre, no boxes at the sides and the seats rising so strongly that everyone can see equally. The orchestra is quite invisible and a very striking effect is produced by the absolute darkness and silence which prevail from the moment the first notes of the truly lovely overture to Parsifal are heard. 1. Mary Wheatley’s funeral took place at St. Leonards-on-Sea, Hastings, Sussex, on 25 July 1899. LMK was unable to attend as Sir Henry Dryden’s funeral was due to take place on the following day.

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My expectations had been greatly raised, but I must confess that I had not imagined it possible that anything so perfectly beautiful could have been imagined as this presentiment of the eternal struggle between good and evil, good triumphing in the end through self-sacrifice and the service of others and the Redeemer’s love. The whole story turns round the Holy Grail and the two scenes where it is shown, surrounded by all the knights with the lovely notes of the angelic choir coming down from above, are quite beyond anything I have ever seen or imagined. One fancied rather one would not quite like it on the stage, but the music is so heavenly it seems all right. Frau Ternina1 made a great impression on me in the scene where she appears as Kundry under the influence of Klingsor the magician; the agony in the voice, melodious as it was seemed to give one actual physical gain. Walked home in the cool of the evening, delightfully unconventional. Saturday 12 August Bayreuth Today, the performance was The Meistersinger, different as possible from Parsifal, but also a masterpiece in its way. I confess to having been much bored with the first act but the second and third were splendid. I think Verdi in his famous Ottetto in Falstaff1 must have been a good deal influenced by the quintet at the beginning of the last act, while the Gessalter at the end of the 2nd. and the whole of the 3rd when the Prize is finally given, are perfect marvels of stage management. The latter especially is such a treat of artistic colour and brightness as I have rarely seen in my long dramatic experience. I wish all colour were not so gone out of English life. What fun it would be if one could get up a great costume Carnival at Fawsley! We saw Madam Cosima Wagner,2 a handsome old woman, at supper afterwards with her son Siegfried3 and some of the actors. Hans Richter conducted; Friedrichs4 who acted Beckmesser, was wonderfully good and so was Schramm 5as David. 1. Milka Ternina (1863–1941), Yugoslav soprano, born in Croatia. 1. The ensemble occurs towards the end of Act I. 2. Cosima Wagner (1837–1930), widow of Richard Wagner. 3. Siefried Wagner (1869–1930), conductor and composer. 4. Fritz Friedrichs (1849–1918), German baritone. 5. Hermann Schramm (1871–1951), German tenor.

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Monday 14 August Bayreuth In the afternoon to Rheingold, which is a still more astonishing piece of stage management than anything one has yet seen, and always, always, that lovely orchestra going on without a pause, rising, falling, wailing, triumphing, lulling, calling to action; there is nothing it doesn’t say. I can’t follow all their talk about ‘motifs’, though I do get to know some of them, but I only know it is all entrancing and one is quite absorbed in it. Certainly this is the place to come to see and hear it all, not only because it is so far better done than elsewhere, but also because for the time one is here, it is the business of life, instead of being crammed in among all the bustling and pleasure of a London season. Tuesday 15 August Bayreuth In the afternoon to Die Walküre. One wonders very much what is the inner meaning of it all, besides the curse of money, that test of character which, if all one reads be true, Wagner did not manage better than other people.1 Wednesday 16 August Bayreuth Life at Bayreuth resolves itself almost entirely into opera, reading it up all the morning and listening all the afternoon. We lunched with Miss Townsend at the Schwarzes Ross, a nice little hostelry. In the afternoon came Siegfried, which I am not sure I do not like best of all the four. He is such a splendid young hero, so absolutely fearless, and all the Waldvogel bit is so beautiful.1 Again and again, besides the music, I must dwell upon the exquisite grouping and colouring, every detail so wonderfully thought out. The whole thing is a dream of beauty; one comes out into the open air in a state of bewilderment, as if one has just come back from fairyland. 1. The young Thomas Beecham attended the 1899 Ring cycle. For his comments, see A Mingled Chime (1964), p. 49–50. See also ‘Notes on the last Cycle at Bayreuth’, The Times, 4 Sept. 1899, p. 6. 1. The Song of the Forest Bird in Act 2.

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Thursday 17 August Bayreuth In the afternoon the Götterdämmerung, the longest and perhaps the most impressive of the four parts of this extraordinary creation. Nothing in music surely is finer than the Siegfried’s march, when the dead hero is borne away. The final word of the whole seems to be that ‘Love is Lord of all’, and that in the conquest of love, the old order passes away, to give place to a new and better era. Both Siegfried and Brünnhilde were very fairly acted by Schmedes1 and Mlle. Gulbranson2 respectively and they received a great ovation when they came in to supper at the little restaurant. Well, it is all over now, and it has been a week of unmixed enjoyment, and an experience to look back to all one’s life. Saturday 9 September Fairfield, Lyme Regis Today we are all furious at the verdict of guilty in the Dreyfus trial which has convulsed France for nearly two years, a verdict given directly in the teeth of all the evidence.1 So shameful a thing has rarely been known in history. It makes one’s blood boil, and all because he is a Jew, and the Roman Catholic Church approves! It is absolutely incomprehensible and if it were not true would be incredible. Friday 22 September Woodsome, Huddersfield1 Left Kirkham and having an hour to wait in York, went to look at the Minster, which I have not seen since my darling and I came over from Harrogate just nine and twenty years ago.2 It is very fine and stately, with much very fine old stained glass, but it wants individuality somehow. I like both Lincoln and Amiens better. Came on, through ugly country, to this delightfully quaint old house, to stay with Lady Dartmouth3 and Fanny Legge. 1. Erik Schmedes (1868–1931), Danish tenor. 2. Ellen Gulbranson (1863–1947), Swedish soprano. 1. The second trial ended on 9 Sept. After an hour’s deliberation, the military judges found Dreyfus guilty of high treason. 1. Woodsome Hall, an Elizabethan house, at Fenay Bridge, south east of Huddersfield. Residence of William Heneage Legge, 6th. Earl of Dartmouth and his wife, Mary. 2. LMK and Sir Rainald had stayed at the Queen’s Hotel, Harrogate, drinking the waters. Ady, Journals, 3 Sept. 1870, pp. 206–8. 3. Augusta Finch, daughter of Heneage, 5th. Earl of Aylesford of Packington Hall, Warwickshire; widow of William, 5th. Earl of Dartmouth.

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Saturday 23 September Woodsome, Huddersfield Lady Dartmouth told me some interesting reminiscences of her youth, how, posting home to Packington with her father after the Reform bill had been thrown out by the Lords,1 a furious mob awaited them at Coventry, and surrounded the carriage but were kept in play by the maid in the rumble who, faced with the question ‘What Lord?’ till the horses were changed, when the innkeepers’ shout as they started, ‘Gates paid to Packington’ was the signal for a furious yell, but the postboys put their horses to a gallop and so escaped. Also a striking account of their driving from Sandwich to Pattishall on the fast day for the cholera epidemic of 1849,2 the shops all closed, people being carried into the hospital tents as they passed, preachers standing on tubs at the corners of the streets, and Wolverhampton Church surrounded by coffins waiting to be carried in. Friday 6 October Holmhurst, St. Leonards-on-Sea Passed a most agreeable evening with Mr. Hare and the two Miss Lefevres1 looking at our host’s lively drawings and listening to his ghost stories. Sunday 8 October Holmhurst, St. Leonards-on-Sea A charming walk in the afternoon with Mr. Hare…He talked much of the many people and places in his book whom and which we both knew. There is a charming description of Rainald.1 1. On the second reading of the Reform Bill, 8 Oct. 1832. The serious riots which subsequently broke out are described in M.Brock, The Great Reform Act (1973), pp. 247–53. 2. Asiatic cholera reached England in Oct. 1848. The mortality rate for the summer quarter in London was 13, 645: in the corresponding period is 1849 it rose to 27, 109. ‘The Cholera’, Annual Register (1849), pp. 448–59. 1. Marie and Emily Shaw-Lefevre, two unmarried daughters of George John Shaw-Lefevre, President of the Local Government Board, 1894–5. They were distant cousins of Hare who accompanied him to the Continent and painted under his direction. See F.M.G.Willson, A Strong Supporting Cast. The Shaw-Lefevres 1789–1936 (1993), p. 190. 1. See A.J.C.Hare, The Story of my life (1900), iv, pp. 404–5. Hare had visited Fawsley on 8 Jan. 1884 and again met the Knightleys at Firle on 18 April 1884, ibid., pp. 407–8.

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Thursday 12 October Alexandra Club An interesting day on Church Defence. Council Meeting in the morning when Lord Selborne made a weighty speech, and an animated discussion followed as to whether the Committee should be empowered to take electoral action if necessary. Chancellor Dibdin1 and Mrs. Benson opposed it as beyond our scope, but sorry as I was to vote against her, old parliamentary instincts ranged me on the side of Lord Selborne and Lord Cranborne.2 We are the only body pledged to resist Disestablishment (at the ECU3 every reference to it was warmly cheered) and there is no knowing what measures the Protestant League may not bring in. We had rather an amusing luncheon with Lord Cranborne, Mr. Athelston Riley, Lucy Cavendish, Victoria Grosvenor4 and Lady Wilfreda Biddulph.5 Then came the general meeting at which Sir E. Clarke made a good speech and then I went to see the Ecclesiastical Art Exhibition6 at which there were a good many interesting things. Sunday 12 November Fawsley Went to a little meeting of Parish Councillors (ladies) at Miss Busk’s, where Miss Escombe1 read a useful paper on their powers. Then to the Women’s Institute, Grosvenor Crescent,2 where a Conference on the vexed question of Women’s Labour, the object of my coming to London. It was very interesting; the speakers were so arranged as to alternate on opposite sides. I spoke, not very well, and was followed by a Mrs. Macdonald who was rather rude and had to apologize. The puzzling thing is the way the facts are in dispute, e.g. whether women’s wages have risen or fallen, whether they are or are not being driven from employment by restrictive legislation. I spent the night at dear Rose’s and came down next day to Daventry for a reading of Richard II, I think one of the finest of the historical plays. How well I remember seeing it acted at the Princess’s, when the curtain caught fire and Mrs. Kean behaved so well.3 On Friday I went again into Daventry for a Primrose League meeting. 1. Lewis Tonna Dibdin, Chancellor of Rochester, Exeter and Durham dioceses and official counsel in charity matters to the Attorney-General, 1895–1901. 2. James Edward Cecil, Viscount Cranborne (1861–1947), eldest son of 3rd. Marquess of Salisbury, Conservative M.P., Rochester, 1893–1903. Succeeded as 4th. Marquess, 1903. 3. The English Church Union, a High Church organisation. 4. Hon. Victoria Grosvenor, granddaughter of Robert Grosvenor, 1st. Marquess of Westminster. 5. Daughter of Roundell Palmer, 1st. Earl of Selborne, and wife of George Biddulph of Petersham, Surrey. 6. The 21st. Annual Ecclesiastical, Educational, and Art Exhibition, which opened 7 Oct. at the Imperial Institute. The Times, 9 October 1899, p. 8.

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Wednesday 29 November St. Andrew’s Vicarage, Leicester On Wednesday 22 November, in the evening we went to I really think the finest political meeting I was ever at. The Floral Hall, said to hold 8000 people, was simply packed, and Mr. Chamberlain delivered a really great speech.1I had a splendid place in the very front of the platform, so close I could have kicked him, and it was most interesting to listen to his fine, sonorous voice, to watch the play of his countenance, to enjoy his withering sarcasm, and to note his well-balanced periods and the slow, deliberate delivery. He spoke of nothing but the war,2 as indeed no one can think of anything else. He demolished Sir H.Campbell-Bannerman3 and he wound up with the declaration we have all be longing for, that the Boers themselves have destroyed the conventions, and that nothing short of equality for all white men under the British flag can reward us for all the sacrifices we have made and are making. His utterances on this point especially were loudly cheered, and altogether it was a memorable evening. Saturday 9 December 3 Wilton Crescent Friday, a nice long visit from dear Lady Lamington,1 then Primrose League committee. Mr. Lane-Fox made the, I think, true remark that people in diplomacy need generations of training and breeding behind them. Joe Chamberlain just blurted out what he thought, with most undesirable results;2 America is fuming, ‘In Lord Palmerston’s time he would have had to resign next day,’ and certainly he had no business treading on Lord Salisbury’s domain. We elected Lady Gwendolen Cecil President of the Ladies’ Grand Council in her mother’s place.3 1. Jane Escombe of Penshurst, Kent, councillor on the Rural District Council and largely responsible for providing much needed housing in the village. 2. The Institute at 15 Grosvenor Crescent, was founded by Mrs. Nora Wynford Philipps, wife of John Wynford Philipps, Liberal M.P., Pembrokeshire, 1898–1908. The Institute was to provide suitable meeting places for women interested in educational and philanthropic matters. There was no apparent connection with the Women’s Institute, which was introduced into England from Canada in 1915. LMK became a member of the W.I.Council in Dec. 1899. 3. Charles John Kean (1811–68), actor-manager, son of the tragedian, Edmund Kean and his wife, Ellen Tree (1805–80); performed with their company at the Princess’s Theatre, Oxford St., 1850–9. 1. Despite a heavy cold. The meeting was the first of two on consecutive evenings. See Garvin, Chamberlain, iii, pp. 506–8. 2. The South African (Boer) War had broken out on 12 Oct. 3. Leader of the Liberal Opposition in the Commons, 1899–1905. 1. Annabella Mary, wife of Alexander Dundas, 1st. Baron Lamington. 2. In his speech on 30 Nov. 1899, at Leicester, Chamberlain referred to the need for an alliance between ‘the Teutonic race and the two branches of the Anglo-Saxon race.’ An alliance between Germany, the United States and England would be a ‘natural alliance.’ 3. Lady Salisbury had died on 20 November 1899.

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Monday 19 December Fawsley We are face to face with the most serious crisis in our history since the Indian mutiny. General Gatacre, Lord Methuen and Sir Redvers Buller have all three met with serious reverses,1 our advance to the relief of Ladysmith, Kimberley and Mafeking is at a standstill, and the Dutch and native population are on the point of breaking into open rebellion. We have lost since the beginning of the war over 7000 men in killed, wounded and prisoners. And all Europe looks on and rejoices! Happily our people take it with wonderful calmness and courage. Europe, against its will, can’t help admiring that, and our colonies are ablaze with desire to help us, while our soldiers’ courage is beyond all praise. Lord Roberts, who has lost his only son, and Lord Kitchener are to go out at once with quantities of more troops.2 1. ‘Black Week’, 10–15 Dec. was the lowest point in British fortunes in South Africa, with defeats at Stormberg on 10th., at Magersfontein on 11th. and at Colenso on 15th. 2. Field Marshal Lord Roberts of Kandahar (1832–1914), replaced Buller as C-in-C, with Kitchener as his Chief of Staff at the end of Dec. Lord Robert’s son, Frederick, had been mortally wounded at Colenso whilst attempting to save the field guns.

*1900* Sunday 14 January Fawsley I left Firle last Monday, January 8, and meeting Lord Wolseley at the Station, heard from him of the Boer attack on Ladysmith and Sir George White’s1 telegram ending ‘very hard pressed.’ Mercifully he succeeded at last in driving them back, but at great loss, and poor little May Hall’s brother, Lewis,2 is killed. I remarked to Lord W. that this was the first time the Boers had attacked us ‘Yes’ he said, ‘hitherto we have played their game, foolishly’, which I didn’t think a remark for him to make. Going up in the train, it occurred to me that it might be a good thing to start a fund for supplying our Northants yeomanry with field glasses: so when we stopped at the ticket platform I jumped out and asked him if it would be a good thing. He said ‘Certainly’, so after consulting Mr. Pennant and Lord Spencer, I have issued an appeal in conjunction with Mr. Ryland Adkins, who has had the same idea.3 I hope it will succeed. On Tuesday I had a very successful working party.… On Thursday I walked to Badby and went to the Parish Council which was inconceivably dull. One quite misses Tom Sanders. Friday 2 February Underlea, Aigburth, Liverpool In the afternoon spoke at a Women’s Suffrage meeting, over 20 minutes.1 Mr. Rathbone, for many years a respected member of the House of Commons, presided, and a very good speech the old gentleman made. Afterwards, went out with Mr. Rathbone to stay with them at Green Bank, Liverpool.2 I sat next my host with whom much refreshing talk about old House of Commons shop. On the other side Dr. Oliver Lodge,3 a distinguished Professor of this Victoria University. He it was who really discovered wireless telegraphy though Marconi got the credit. We had also Professor Boyce,4 a funny little red-headed Irishman, who has had much to do with the discoveries connecting malaria with mosquitoes, which it is hoped, may make many hitherto fever stricken places habitable, notably the West coast of Africa. Dr. Lodge does not think we shall see the Leonids5 next year. They have been deflected by Jupiter. 1. General Sir George Stuart White (1835–1912), commander in Natal, 1899–1901, who withstood the siege at Ladysmith, from Nov. 1899 to Feb. 1900. 2. Nephew of Sir Charles Hall, friends of LMK. 3. The total sum to be raised was £100. Northampton Daily Reporter, 13 Jan. 1900, p. 3. 1. Liverpool Courier, 3 Feb. 1900, p.3.

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Monday 5 February 10 South Eaton Place Shopping in the morning and racing about after field glasses: I do hope they are all right. Mrs. Ponsonby1 and Lord Crofton2 came to luncheon. The latter told us an amusing mot about Lord Edmond Fitz-Maurice,3 who is active in moving the vote of censure on the Government, of which his brother Lord Lansdowne4 is one of the members with whom most fault is found in considered, and justly, in very bad taste. ‘Yes, Lord Edmond is Cain, but his brother is not Abel (able)!’ Drove with Nora and went down to the House of Lords expecting a statement from Lord Lansdowne, but he only answered (very well, I thought) some question put by Lord Dunraven.5 The only other occupant of the Peeresses’ gallery was Lady Romney,6 who has lost a son in this dreadful war. Dear old Lord Norton came to see me, at 85 or, as he proudly informed me, nearer 90 than 80; he is wonderful as ever. 2. William Rathbone (1819–1902), Liberal M.P., Arfon, 1885–95 and philanthropist. Greenbank had been Rathbone’s family home since 1787. See E.Rathbone, William Rathbone (1905), p. 12. 3. Dr. Oliver Lodge (1851–1940), physicist, pioneer of radio telegraphy, the first principal of Birmingham University, 1900. He had demonstrated a form of radio in 1894. 4. Rupert William Boyce (1863–1911), pathologist, one of the founders of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in 1898. 5. Meteorite shower, known as the November Swarm, which appears between 12 and 17 November in some parts of the world. Special displays occur every years. See M.Littmann, The Heavens on Fire: The Great Leonid Meteorite Storms (1998). 1. Possibly the wife of John Ponsonby, son of Sir Henry Ponsonby. 2. Edward Henry Churchill Crofton, 3rd. Baron, Irish representative peer, Co. Roscommon. 3. Liberal M.P., Cricklade, 1898–1906. 4. Henry Charles Petty-Fitzmaurice (1845–1927), 5th. Marquess of Lansdowne, Secretary for War, 1895–1900, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1900–5. 5. Requesting a Government statement on military measures contemplated in South Africa. Hansard, 4, 78, cols. 550–2, 550–2, 5 Feb. 1900, and Lansdowne, ibid., col. 553. 6. Frances Augusta, wife of Charles Marsham, 4th. Earl of Romney. Their son, Lt. Douglas Henry Marsham, Bedford Regiment, had been killed at Mafeking in Oct. 1899.

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Tuesday 6 February 10 South Eaton Place A very interesting day. Went in the morning to see the Van Dycks at Burlington House, a glowing collection.1 The Genoese Doge,2 all in red, the Marquis Spinola and the Philip Lord Wharton lent by the Emperor of Russia are all magnificent pictures. There are two of Charlotte de la Tremouille and Countess of Derby,3 which somehow do not impress me as she did Julian Peveril4 when she stepped out of the panel. The Duke of Buccleuch sends a delightful set of small pictures en grisaille of all the most famous of the painter’s contemporaries. What a possession! Monday 19 March 67 Eaton Place It is said of the ladies who go out to South Africa just for excitement, ‘In the Crimea they were all Nightingales; now they are mostly “larks”’. Friday 30 March Fawsley I went into Daventry for a meeting of the Knightley Habitation at which we discussed Lord Glenesk’s letter about providing for home defence. My suggestion was an old soldier to drill in the schools.1 Something must be done if we are to avoid conscription, and we ought to turn the splendid spirit now being shown to account. 1. Royal Academy 31st. Winter Exhibition, Works by Sir Anthony Van Dyck. 2. Then considered to be that of Andrea Spinola, Doge of Genoa, 1629–31, but since identified as Agostino Pallavicini, Genoese ambassador to the Vatican. 3. Charlotte, wife of James Stanley, 7th. Earl of Derby. 4. Sir Walter Scott, Peveril of the Peak (1822), i, 96–7. 1. NH, 7 April 1900, p. 7.

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Tuesday 3 April Fawsley Went to Towcester for the Divisional Council of the Primrose League. Discussed Lord Glenesk’s letter. Colonel Eyre made a very good suggestion about Morris tubes,1 with which the handling of rifles can be taught in quite limited spaces. Mr. O’Brien2 came in to play chess with me, which I hope he will often do. Easter Sunday 15 April Fawsley Mr. O’Brien’s words about those whom we have lost and of reunion with whom Easter is the pledge brought tears to my eyes. After church I did what I never thought I could have done, spoke to Mr. O’Brien about what has been worrying me all this Lent: my want of real contrition. All really good people seem to feel their sins so, and I don’t. He was most kind, said how many people could not feel the confession in the Communion service a reality to them, and how one might make ‘a confession within a confession’, also not to think too much about feeling. I don’t know whether I ought to have done it, whether it was not too much talk about oneself which is one of the things I am always so tempted to do, but it seemed to come into my mind all in a minute, and he was so kind I cannot regret it. Monday 7 May Wellesbourne, Warwick In the afternoon to tea at beautiful Charlecote,1 now let to a Mr. and Mrs. Monroe, she a typical Canadian with a strong accent, but something pleasing about her. She is the mother of Princess Chimay, much talked of some years ago as having gone off with a gypsy tenor. Today a luncheon party which included Ida Shuckburgh and Mrs. Osbert Mordaunt,2 with whom some pleasant talk. A propos of the much criticized publication of the Spion Kop dispatches,3 he made some thoughtful remarks on the duty of a Government to lead and not to be led. I am afraid our Government is rather wanting in that respect. He also talked of the much needed temperance legislation which might come on the report of the Commission appointed to report on the licensing laws, if only the temperance party would be reasonable. 1. A small bore tube inserted into a large bore rifle for shooting practice, invented by Richard Morris in 1884. See Hon. T.F.Fremantle, The Book of the Rifle (1901), pp. 156–7. 2. Revd. Francis O’Brien, vicar of Fawsley, 1898–1920, also rector of Charwelton where he resided. Succeeded Revd. Philip William Story, ‘Sammy’.

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Mr. Pennant has announced his intention of retiring.4 How I wish Charlie would stand. In the af ternoon some good games of croquet on the Club ground, the country looking quite lovely. Tuesday 8 May 10 South Eaton Place I came up here to stay with Lillie Gordon; she really is most kind to me. I went first to the business habitation of the Primrose League, which was less exciting than usual, but remarkable for a very strong speech of Lord Glenesk, the Chancellor of the League, on the necessity of our making every effort to utilize the present outburst of patriotism to train the whole population for Home defence. He said that he had it on high authority that the Channel fleet out of the way, France could land from 50 to 75,000 men on our shores. Wednesday 9 May 10 South Eaton Place Went with Lillie and Phoebe to the Grand Habitation at the Albert Hall and heard Lord Salisbury deliver a most weighty and emphatic speech1 on the necessity laid upon us all to work for Home Defence, not that he said he had any sort of reason to apprehend danger: nothing could be more correct than the attitude of the Government, in spite of the animosity of the peoples of the Continent. One cannot help feeling struck by the new issues which are being put before us, Home Defence and Imperial federation. Who would have thought of either five, or even two years ago? As I looked at that vast assembly and listened to those weighty words I could not help feeling proud of belonging to a body to which such words are addressed, although I feel most strongly how difficult it will be to carry out practically the injunctions so strongly laid upon us. 1. Seat of the Lucy family in Warwickshire. 2. Jessie Louisa, wife of Revd. Osbert Mordaunt, rector of St. Peter, Hampton Lucy, Warwickshire from 1874. 3. The British defeat there by the Boers in Jan. 1900 resulted in the publication in April of a selection of edited documents from Buller’s despatch to the War Office. It attracted much criticism because of its omissions as well as revealing a rift between the commanders, Buller and Warren. See O.Ransford, The Battle of Spion Kop (1969), pp. 120–1. 4. Retired as M.P., South Northamptonshire at the general election. He announced his decision at the meeting of the Conservative and Unionist Association for the Division on 5 May. NH, 12 May 1900, p. 5. 1. The Times, 10 May 1900, p. 4.

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Saturday 19 May Frawsley With deepest thankfulness we received the news of the relief of Mafeking1 after a siege of 218 days, the longest of modern times. The heroism and self devotion shown by all classes is beyond all praise, and Colonel Baden-Powell2 is indeed a hero, and the whole country seems to have gone mad with delight. Tuesday 12 June 35 Eaton Terrace To the Annual Meeting of the Boarding out Association in a pretty, cool room far down on the Chelsea Embankment, Cheyne Walk,1 Mr. Mocatta2 in the chair. I spoke, rather bricks without straw, and there were one or two interesting speeches from clergymen with practical experience.3 Wednesday 13 June 35 Eaton Terrace In the morning to Mrs. Campion, to talk over some Girls’ Friendly Society matters. She told me of her intention to resign the Presidency of the GFS. I heard of it last autumn from Fanny Legge and for a moment it seemed as though the way were clear for me. I had forgotten Mrs. Chaloner Chute,1 which was exactly like Lord Randolph Churchill forgetting Mr. Goschen! I have since talked it over with Mrs. Townsend and Nora, and made up my mind to stand. If it is work God intends me to do, I shall be elected, and if I am beat, it won’t matter. 1. On 17 May. 2. Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell (1857–1941). Promoted to major-general in 1900, lieutenant-general, 1907. Left the Army in 1910 to develop the Boy Scout movement. 1. The Boarding Out and Cottage Training Homes Association meeting was held at 98 Cheyne Walk, residence of Mrs. Nassau Senior. 2. Frederic David Mocatta (1828–1905), chairman of the Council and early supporter of the Charity Organisation Society. He was also a member on the Committee of the Freedom of Labour Defence League. 3. The Times, 14 June 1900, p. 13.

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Then after quite a different job, to see Lord and Lady Colville2 and ascertain if it would do for Mrs. Hare to ask the Princess to her concert. After luncheon, proceeded to read a paper on ‘Culture’ to about 50 young ladies, who have formed themselves into a ‘lend a hand’ club and are keen to make themselves useful. I took great pains with the paper, but do not know if it was a success. Such pretty faces among them. They are mostly daughters and granddaughters of my friends. Wednesday 20 June 35 Eaton Terrace I went to tea at Mrs. Baden-Powell’s to meet Sir George and Lady White. He said the Tommies got very downhearted in Ladysmith, much more than the better educated Collegians. I did not have any talk with him, as he was absorbed by Lady Burdett-Coutts. Sunday 24 June 35 Eaton Terrace In the afternoon my only visitor Sir Mountstuart Grant Duff, always agreeable. Talking of Sir Michael Hicks Beach’s incomprehensible failure to rectify the convention about Delagoa Bay with Portugal,1 he mentioned a suspicion that Court influence might have been brought to bear to defeat a project which might have been dangerous to the King of Portugal, but Sir Owen Burne, to whom I mentioned the idea next day, said it was nothing of the kind: that he was behind the scenes at the time and that it was sheer carelessness, and dread of offending Gladstone. With how little wisdom is the world governed! Sir Mountstuart also on my mentioning Sir Bartle Frere2 and his time in Africa said that though an excellent man he was not a wise one, and one must distrust his book. Also said that the recently published letter of the Prince de Joinville,3 condemning the conduct of that cad the Duc d’Orléans about the Queen was a fabrication as for months before his death he had been quite incapable of writing it. 1. Eleanor Chaloner Chute of Vyne House, Hampshire. President, GFS, 1900–1917. 2. Charles John Colville, 1st. Viscount of Culross, Lord Chamberlain to the Princess of Wales, 1873–1903; and his wife, Cecile Katherine. 1. The Anglo-German agreement of Aug. 1898, on the future of the Portuguese colonies, including Delogoa Bay. A secret treaty in the following Oct. between England and Portugal largely undermined the earlier agreement. 2. (1815–84), High Commissioner in South Africa, 1877–80, and prime instigator of the Zulu War, 1879. 3. Francois Ferdinand Philippe, (1818–1900), son of King Louis Philippe. He publicly condemned his great-nephew, Louis Philippe Robert, Duc d’Orléans, who succeeded in 1894, for his hostility towards the English royal family.

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Monday 25 June 35 Eaton Terrace Betook myself to the Westminster Town Hall, where a most interesting meeting of Jessie’s Freedom of Labour Defence, which seems to be making wonderful strides. I had to take the chair in Lady Frances Balfour’s absence and we had a very good discussion on the best way of getting at the working women. A working man, Mr. Leavis, made the only long speech but was very encouraging, as he told us the real working classes were much with us, and that Trades Union delegates did often not represent their real opinions.1 Dined with the women writers,2 my neighbours Mrs. Alice Tweedie and Mrs. Harry Duff less amusing than last year, but Mrs. Humphry Ward made a charming speech, partly about Miss Mary Kingsley,3 partly comparing the intellectual achievements of women now and 50 years ago, greatly to the advantage of the present especially as regards poetry. Wednesday 27 June 35 Eaton Terrace Went with Mr. Soames’ party to see the pictures at Bridgewater House,1 which I had never done properly. They certainly are a very fine collection and I enjoyed them much. The three Raphaels downstairs are the gems; how delightful it must be to live with them, but I should not, as Lady Ellesmere2 does, put messy little photographs and china shoes in front of them. There is also a beautiful little so-called Palma which Julia Ady thinks is a Titian in the same room. There is one Turner, a very fine one, and a striking Delaroche,3 Charles I insulted after his trial We lunched afterwards at the Hotel Dieudonné and I sat next Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge,4 who was for some time Head of the Intelligence Department at the Admiralty. He spoke very highly of Lord Spencer’s firmness in insisting on an increase of our Navy. Says much of the non possumus of the War Office is due to over centralization; the Head of the Department simply has no time to look at the things and initials the recommendations of very junior clerks. Also says that much more is known in an intelligence department than is generally supposed, despite the great want of secret service money. Has been a good deal in China, says the newspaper correspondents rely almost entirely upon the mercantile community for their opinions, which are often one sided. 1. EWR, 16 July 1900, pp. 145–58. 2. At the Women Writers’ Club. For an account of the proceedings, see A.Emanuel (ed.), A Bright Remembrance. The Diaries of Julia Cartwright 1851–1924 (1989), p. 251. 3. Died on 3 June at the age of 38 in South Africa of typhoid fever whilst nursing Boer prisonersof-war. See D.Birkett, Mary Kingsley. Imperial Adventuress (1992), p. 163. 1. In Cleveland Row, London, SW1, rebuilt by Barry, 1849–54. The picture gallery, containing over 400 paintings, had been open to the public since 1851. See D.Pearce, London’s Mansions (1986), pp. 180–1. 2. Mary Louisa, wife of Francis Charles Egerton, 3rd. Earl of Ellesmere.

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Saturday 7 July 35 Eaton Terrace In the afternoon drove down to Osterley which was bright and pretty and pleasant. But the thought of this horrible tragedy at Peking haunts me;1 it is said the garden party at Buckingham Palace for Wednesday is to be put off. I talked to Sir Richard Temple, who is all for annexing our share of China and has indomitable faith in England’s power of managing ever more and more territory; also to Lord Ashbourne, who of course said nothing. But when I see how already a Cabinet of human beings is overworked and incapable of giving sufficient time and attention to the study of all these innumerable questions which crop up in all parts of the world whence ignorance, drift and fatal mistakes, only too plainly exemplified in the history of South Africa, I do deprecate embarking on such a job as governing even a part of China, with the necessary contact with so many other powers, and the horrible character of the Chinese. Wednesday 18 July 35 Eaton Terrace To luncheon with Sir William and Molly Humphery;1 the latter says Lord Salisbury told her that Sir Claude Macdonald gave absolutely no warning, he only asked for troops the day before they were sent, and then it was too late. It must apparently have been the same with all the powers, for not one seems to have expected this frightful debacle. Now all the ministers are murdered, we believe, Chinese troops have invaded Russian territory and the ‘yellow peril’ is upon us with a vengeance. There has been nothing like it since the days of the Indian Mutiny. Molly also says that Lord Salisbury will remain Foreign Minister as long as the Queen lives, but that he will probably give up the Premiership after the next election.

3. Hippolyte Delaroche (1797–1856), also known as Paul, French painter. Other paintings include The Death of Queen Elizabeth (1827), and The Execution of Lady Jane Grey (1834). 4. Vice-Admiral Sir Cyprian Arthur Bridge (1839–1924), Director of Naval Intelligence, 1889–94, C-in-C, Australia Station, 1894–8. See his Some Reminiscences (1918), p. 307. 1. The Boxer Uprising, an anti-foreign protest by secret societies in China. Beginning on 13 June, the Boxers entered Peking burning churches and foreign residences and murdered Chinese converts. A week later, the German minister, Clemens von Ketteler, was killed. See J.K. Fairbank and Kwang-Ching Liu (eds), The Cambridge History of China (1980), xi, p. 121. 1. Sir William Henry Humphery, 1st. Bart, and his second wife, Mary Catherine, née Alderson. 2. Minister at Peking, who organized the defence at the time of the Boxer Uprising in June 1900.

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Wednesday 25 July Fawsley And now, tomorrow I start with Nora and Phoebe for Oberammergau.1 I have unfortunately not succeeded in letting the house, but I cannot throw over all the arrangements at the last moment: the Passion Play will not be given again for ten years. Sunday 7 October Willingham, Market Rasen I came here last Monday finding besides Jessie Boucherett, who I also like to see, Rose Corbet,1 Blanche and Margaret Vesey, Miss Ogle Moore2 and Miss Blizzard, and for a couple of nights Mrs. Legard. Events have not been many; our whole interests have been absorbed in the elections, which have been going for the Government and their Imperial policy in the most wonderful way. When one remembers that we started with the biggest majority almost ever known, and that instead of diminishing we are increasing it, seat after seat that one considered doubtful kept, Conservative majorities enormously increased. Radical majorities are enormously decreased, except in cases like Mr. Asquith,3 who has consistently supported the Imperial idea, one cannot be too thankful. I am sorry to say Northampton has disgraced itself again, returning Labby and Bobby Spencer has recaptured the Mid, but Mr. Sackville is in for the North by over 1000, and I have e very hope of the South.4 Last night we went to a meeting at Tealby in support of Major Eyre Coote,5 who is fighting against the Nonconformist Mr. Perks. It was a very good meeting. 1. ‘Lady Knightley of Fawsley has left Fawsley for Oberammergau…just before leaving her Ladyship presided at a meeting at Westminster to consider the best methods of spreading knowledge of the work of the Committee of the Freedom of Labour Defence. As is well kno wn, Lady Knightley of Fawsley has taken a deep and practical interest in many women’s questions, especially those affecting their labour, and the meeting shows that her Ladyship has gained the support of many influential personages in her attempt to secure a moderate liberty for women as regards home labour.’ NH, 28 July 1900, p. 5. 1. Rose Corbet, sister of Matthew Ridley Corbet, the artist, and LMK’s cousin. 2. Helen Ogle Moore, Committee member of the Freedom of Labour Defence League. 3. Herbert Henry Asquith (1852–1928), Liberal M.P., East Fife, 1886–1918. Home Secretary, 1892–5. 4. South Northamptonshire, Hon. E.A.FitzRoy, Conservative, 4174, A.T.N.Grove, Liberal, 3166. 5. Maj. C.H.Eyre Coote, Conservative candidate for Louth division, Lincs. Defeated by Robert Perks, Liberal M.P., Louth, Lincolnshire, 1892–1910.

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Tuesday 9 October Willingham, Market Rasen A still more wonderful day quite hot. Wandered about all day with Rose and Jessie. In the evening went to an excellent and very crowded meeting at Market Rasen. Mr. Staveley Hill1 spoke extremely well, the others were chiefly bombast and fury, and the candidate to my mind made a great mistake in alluding to something which had been said about his wife. I am sure my darling would not have said it. Oh, how it all brings ‘85 to mind. I feel like an old hunter turned out to grass. Tuesday 23 October 10 Palmeira Square, Brighton Spent the whole day in the Dome, Brighton attending the Conference of Women Workers and have been much interested. Mrs. Arthur Lyttelton2 presided and gave an admirable address, specially emphasizing the lessons taught by the war, and how we ought to try not to lose the position it had raised us to, the highest level of thought and feeling ...The rest of the morning was given up to the secondary education of women,3 an important subject about which one was glad to leave, as it is likely to come prominently to the fore in the immediate future. The afternoon was devoted to ‘educated women in foreign missions’. Miss Clifford gave a beautiful address:4 one or two remarks struck me very much ‘the only use of Empire is to further the Kingdom of God’—and ‘it needs leisure and imagination to realize the need of the world’. Some of the other addresses were striking, specially a story of a quiet individual, I think in some part of America, in whose diary af ter his death was found the record of prayer for various towns, districts etc. in different parts of the world. Someone took the trouble to write to these different places and found that in each case, a special wave of blessing has synchronized with these periods of prayer. One longs to do something to help. I am convinced my vocation is to go talking on the subject to people I meet. It is extraordinary the prejudice there is, Admiral Kennedy,5 Mr. Heathcote, Constance Peel (inspired by Moreton),6 all more or less against missions. Doubtless methods need improving, but we should help in that, not stand aside and find fault. 1. Henry Staveley Staveley-Hill, barrister. 1. The Times, 24 Oct. 1900, p. 10. For a local comment, see Brighton and Hove Guardian and Visitors Register, 24 Oct. 1900, p. 5. 2. Wife of the Suffragan Bishop of Southampton, 1898–1903. See presidential address, Women Workers, 1900, pp. 2–6. 3. On ‘The Present Condition of Women’s Secondary Education’, read by Mrs. Sophie Bryant, ibid., 1–12. 4. Mary Clifford (1842–1919), prominent Guardian from Bristol, presided at the sectional meeting on the ‘Call to Educated Women to Take up the Work of Foreign Missions’, ibid., pp. 24–35. 5. Admiral Sir William Kennedy, Falconer’s Hill, Daventry. 6. Moreton Foley Gage, Harry Gage’s cousin.

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Tuesday 13 November 3 Wilton Crescent Case Committee in the morning, lunched with the Otways, dined with the Halls, where was Jim Lowther,1 the Lily as we used to call him. Such a breath of old times to meet him. He says Matt Ridley has been simply shunted, why no one knows.2 I think it very hard upon him, for no one says he has done ill in his difficult post. Also that the reason Sir John Gorst has not gone is that the Duke of Devonshire wants to keep him. Talked a great deal about Lord Randolph and his extraordinary breakdown; says he told him himself that he had forgotten Goschen when he left the Ministry. Tuesday 20 November Victoria Club All day at the Girls’ Friendly Society Council when Mrs. Chaloner Chute and I stood against each other for President and as, I fully expected, she was elected. I don’t think I am very sorry, it is quite evident I am not intended to do this piece of work, and a great many people said they were glad I stood and gave them a real election. Mrs. Joyce1 asked me to join her Emigration Society, which attracts me very much. Tea with Miss Paget, a Homburg party and dined with Lillie Gordon. Wednesday 21 November Victoria Club Lunched with Miss Ross and went with her to the Working Ladies’ Guild Committee where we had the melancholy task of passing a vote of condolence with Major Dundas and Lillian. Dear Mrs. Dundas will be an untold loss to the Guild. They would like me to take her place but I can’t. Afterwards to tea with my dear little Duchess (Buckingham Palace) just arrived from Germany. I spent nearly two hours with her, and she was most kind and affectionate and told me a great deal about her new life. She said at first the change affected the Duke1 unfavourably, being obliged to pretend he liked to be a German when he didn’t, but now he has got over that and especially since he succeeded. She likes the Regent2 and hopes he will be able to clean out the sink of corruption Coburg has become under Duke Ernest3 1. James Lowther, Conservative M.P., Isle of Thanet, 1888–1904. 2. M.P. for Blackpool since 1886. Created Viscount Ridley, Dec. 1900, after the cabinet reshuffle on 1 Nov. See Ridley’s reply to LMK’s congratulatory letter indicating his unhappiness at his elevation. Knightley Papers, BL Add. MS. 46359A ff. 170–2. 1. Ellen, daughter of Francis William 5th. Baron Dyvenor, widow of Revd. James Gerald Joyce. She established the GFS Emigration Department in 1883 and later the British Women’s Emigration Association. See M.Heath-Stubbs, Friendship’s Highway (1926), pp. 70–6.

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and which Duke Alfred had not succeeded in remedying. The Emperor is most kind to her and altogether she seems very happy and very proud of Princess Alice. She says the Emperor (William) is very anxious to work with England, saying that the Latin races are going down, France very rapidly, that the Teutonic and the Slav races are those with a future, and that if the former are not to be overwhelmed by the latter, they must stick together. The Duchess says one great cause of our unpopularity is our narrow minded arrogance. 1. Charles Edward, the Duchess of Albany’s son, succeeded his uncle, Prince Alfred, as Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha on 30 July 1900, at the insistence of his grandmother, Victoria. 2. Prince Hermann of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, Regent, 1900–05. 3. Ernest II, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 1844–93.

*1901* Saturday 19 January Fawsley On Thursday Mothers’ Meeting and in the evening arrived Mr. and Mrs. O’Brien and Mr. Isham Longden1 to meet Mr. Doubleday2 the Editor of the great Victoria County History and Mr. Barron, the genealogical expert who is undertaking the pedigree volume.3 The Knightley pedigree has been selected ‘as one of the oldest and most interesting in the Kingdom’, to set the standard of work, and it is quite wonderful how much additional information he has collected. I was very pleased to find my collections of 30 years came in useful. He is very revolutionary in some of his heraldic views and very cocksure about everything, but he evidently aims at ‘the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth’, and we may think ourselves fortunate only to have the original Rainald lopped off, whom they claim to have proved to have left no children. However, there are compensations. The Spencers lose 15 generations and the Feilding claim to be Princes of the House of Habsburg is absolutely disproved. There will be searchings of heart when that book comes out. Tuesday 22 January Fawsley Will ever be a sad day in the memories of all Englishmen and women now living, for on this day it has pleased Our Heavenly Father to take to Himself our Sovereign Lady, Queen Victoria. The account on Sunday in the Westminster Gazette1 was most alarming, and I felt then as I knelt in church that I was listening to that name in the prayers for the last time. Monday came a slight rally, which by this morning’s news was maintained, but tonight we hear that she passed away about 6.15. It is a blessed ending to a beautiful life, no long, lingering illness, no loss of mental faculties to the last, showing that wonderful sympathy which has so endeared her to her people. The accounts of the intense feeling aroused throughout the Empire are quite marvellous. It is one of the many things which if one did not see one would not believe. The German Emperor has come over, which pleases us all. 1. Revd. Henry Isham Longden, rector of Heyford, 1897–1942. 2. Herbert Arthur Doubleday (1867–1941), publisher and genealogist. Editor and founder of the Victoria County History, 1901–3. 3. Oswald Barron (1868–1939), genealogist and heraldist, author of Northamptonshire Families (1906), Knightley pedigree, p. 169 ff.

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Sunday 27 January Fawsley One’s own doings seem so trivial at a time like this, but I suppose I must briefly record them. On Monday I drove over to Welton, where the Liddells had a meeting for the Church of England Temperance Society, addressed by Mr. Eardley Wilmot1 The new Lady Henley2 was there. On the way back attended a Parish meeting at Badby anent the water supply. It was only a way of letting off steam, for the District Council must settle the matter, but I was very glad to have Charlie there to avoid a row between Mr. Scratton and Tom Sanders. Sunday 10 February 24 Old Queen Street, Westminster Mrs. Gould told an amusing story of the late Lord Dudley when Lord Ward.1 He had his picture painted by an artist in Rome and then refused to pay for it, saying it was not like him. The artist promptly painted prison bars across it and wrote underneath it in Italian ‘Imprisoned for debt’. All Rome rushed to look at it and Lord Dudley had to take it and pay. It is declared that Lady Cadogan’s first card for Thursday ran ‘Evening dresses, trousers, no trains’!, the second ‘Evening dress, no trousers, no trains’!!! The third attempt only was correct. 1. The Westminster Gazette, 21 Jan. 1901, p. 1, contained the midnight bulletin from Osborne House which stated that The Queen’s condition has late this evening (Sunday) become more serious with increase of weakness and diminished power of taking nourishment’. 1. Hugh Eardley-Wilmot, barrister, son of Sir John Eardley Eardley-Wilmot, 2nd. Bart of Berkswell Hall, Warwickshire. 2. Augusta Frederica, daughter of Herbert Langham of Cottesbrooke Park, and wife of Frederick, 4th. Baron Henley of Watford Court, Rugby. 1. William, 1st. Earl of Dudley, who succeeded his father, William Humble, 10th. Lord Ward, in 1835 and was later created an Earl.

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Monday 4 March Fawsley I went to Badby and was present at the Parish meeting. T.Sanders not being able to stand we had a peaceable election, but I only got in fourth with 17 votes. We were very near having 5 of 16 and must have drawn lots.1 Friday 8 March Fawsley Went to London for the day to be present at a meeting of the Emigration Society.1 The great South African scheme seems to be taking shape. Lunched with Nora, who told me that when Lord Marcus Beresford,2 who has always been on very intimate terms with the Prince, went up to the King the other day, he was received with ‘We will send for you, Lord Marcus, when we have anything to say’. And when the Miss Keysers3 suggested one of their little bridge dinners, he wrote word The day of little dinners are over. We are grateful to you for the care you have taken of our officers’. (They have turned their house in Grosvenor Court into a nursing home). Thursday 14 March Thorpe Hall, Peterborough Went up early to London to attend the Annual meeting of the United British Women’s Emigration Society.1 Gerard Smith2 was in the chair; I have never seen him since before he went out to West Australia. Mr. Chamberlain made a most admirable speech and I hope the South African scheme is well launched.3 It is really of national importance. I was much pleased at the leaflet4 I wrote last week when Mrs. Joyce was there being laid on the chairs and mentioned in Mrs. Lyttelton Gell’s speech.5 1. Thirteen candidates contested the nine seats. About 30 electors were present. NM, 9 March 1901, p. 3. 1. United British Women’s Emigration Association (UBWEA). 2. Son of John De La Poer, 4th. Marquess of Waterford, Manager of the Prince of Wales’ Stud at Sandringham. 3. Agnes and Fanny Keyser, 17 Grosvenor Crescent. Agnes founded the military officers’ nursing home at her house. P.Magnus, King Edward VII. The Most Edwardian of them all (1967), p. 324. 1. At the Eastern Hall, Imperial Institute. British Women’s Emigration Association Report, 1901, pp. 42–7. Ardagh Papers, PRO 30/40/18. 2. Lt. Col. Sir Gerard Smith, Governor of Western Australia, 1895–1900, a distant cousin of LMK. 3. On the need to expand women’s emigration to South Africa. The Times, 15 March 1901, p. 6. 4. ‘Preparation for Women going to South Africa.’ 5. Edith Mary, wife of Philip Lyttelton Gell, director of the British South Africa Company.

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Friday 22 March 10 South Eaton Place In the morning presided at a first meeting of the Provisional Committee formed to carry out the South African scheme. They will be kittle cattle to drive.1 Sunday 21 April Fawsley On Monday 15 I went into Daventry to the annual meeting of the Primrose League.1 To our great regret dear Colonel Lowndes has resigned being Presiding Councillor…Then to School Mangers’ meeting at Badby, where we had to consider the same old question which my darling solved 20 years ago, of the voluntary rate. Then came the Parish Council, at which, to my great surprise, I was elected Chairman.2 On Tuesday we all went to Towcester and I attended the Divisional Council of the Primrose League at which a resolution in favour of women’s suffrage was carried. Monday 6 May Fawsley Went to Badby and presided for the first time in my new capacity as Chairman at the meeting of the Parish Council, summoned to arrange about the collection for the Queen Victoria Memorial Fund.1 1. I.e. difficult to deal with. 1. NH, 20 April 1901, p. 7. 2. Ibid., p. 8. 1. In response to a letter from Earl Spencer, Lord-Lieutenant of the County, to the local press. DE, 20 April 1901, p. 1, and NH, 11 May 1901, p. 8.

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Tuesday 21 May Fawsley And now I must draw in the banker’s book, which says in preremptory terms that I must retrench somewhere, and I must resolve to limit the hospitality I so much enjoy. Thursday 6 June Alexandra Club Went in the morning to the Working Ladies’ Guild Sale at Lady Hawkesbury’s,1 then Executive of the Girls’ Friendly Society2 and then to a very interesting Colonial Conference organized by the GFS3 and held at Lady Gort’s,4 she kindly lending her room at my request The Archbishop of Cape Town5 was in the chair and made a very interesting speech, dwelling especially on the small number of white people in South Africa. Friday 7 June Alexandra Club Primrose League Committee in the morning and lunched with Mrs. Bischoffsheim to talk South Africa: Mr. B. gave me a cheque for £25 for the fund. House crammed with beautiful things. Afterwards to Lady Gort’s again, where a crowded Primrose League meeting, Mr. Walter Palmer, M.P. for Salisbury1 in the chair. He made rather a good speech about the Government Education bill.2 I spoke afterwards on the work of the Primrose League, pretty well. 1. Susan Louisa, wife of Cecil George Foljambe, 1st. Baron Hawkesbury, at 2 Carlton House Terrace. 2. AJA, July 1901, pp. 129–30. 3. Ibid., Aug. 1901, pp. 195–6, for brief report by the Colonial Correspondent, Mrs. Townsend. 4. Eleanor, wife of John Gage Prendergast Vereker, 5th. Viscount Gort. Their London house was 1 Portman Square. 5. Rt. Revd. William West Jones, Archbishop of Cape Town, 1897–1908. 1. Conservative M.P., Salisbury, 1900–06, director of Huntley and Palmer Ltd. 2. Arising out of a Court of Appeal decision on the limitations on expenditure employed for elementary education. The so-called Cockerton Bill, enabling school boards temporarily to sanction expenditure, received the Royal Assent on 9 Aug. See P.H.J.H.Gosden, The Development of Educational Administration in England and Wales (1966), p. 173.

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Wednesday 19 June 48 Belgrave Square A meeting of the Cape Town Territorial Sub Committee1 in the morning to which I took May Hall and which resolved itself into listening to Mrs. Bairnsfather:2 very interesting was much that she told us, especially as to the position of servants out there, which is very different from hers. It is all complicated by the Kaffir question. I wonder if it is true, as Mrs. Phillips says it is impossible to treat Kaffirs otherwise than very strictly… Then to a large luncheon, given by Lady Brassey ‘to meet Lord Milner’, the only other men being, besides Lord Brassey, the Duke of Abercorn, Lord Grey and our two treasurers, Mr. Evelyn Cecil and Mr. Vivian. I had the good fortune to sit next Lord Milner,3 who is just a good looking, gentleman like looking man, but who impressed me greatly by his wonderful power of listening. He told me that one of his staff has great capacities for listening, that all sorts and conditions of people confide in him, and so he, Lord M., gathers much information, but I suspect he does a good deal in that line himself. After luncheon, we all sat about in the ‘Museum’ in an informal way, and he both asked and answered questions in a delightful say, giving us much valuable information and, in a cautious manner, promising some help in aided passages. Tuesday 2 July 143 Ashley Gardens To the House of Lords, where I was just too late to see Lord Russell brought to the bar as a preliminary for his trial for bigamy.1 My object was to hear the debate on Lord Aberdeen’s bill to restore women to Borough Councils.2 It was not very good. The Duke of Northumberland3 moved the rejection in a very weak speech, quite gave himself away. Lord James of Hereford put the ‘thin end of the wedge’ argument very well.4 The speech on our side was the Bishop of Rochester’s5 and between him and me, Harry voted right this time but we were beat by a large majority.6 1. The South African Expansion Society was organized into territorial sub-committees with their own officers and co-opted members. 2. Secretary of the South African Immigration Association in Cape Town. 3. Alfred Milner (1854–1925), High Commissioner for South Africa, 1897–1905, created a viscount in May 1901 whilst on leave. 1. John Francis Russell, 2nd. Earl, was tried on 18 July in the Royal Gallery, Westminster, by his peers. He was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment in Holloway. See Hansard, 4, 97, col. 773, 18 July 1901 and R.Furneaux, Tried by Their Peers (1959), pp. 191–4. 2. Hansard, 4, 96, cols. 560–72, 2 July 1901, London Borough Council (Women’s Disabilities Removal) Bill, second reading. 3. Henry George Percy, 7th. Duke of Northumberland. 4. Lord James stated, ‘If the ratepayers are allowed to choose a woman to sit on one elective body, why should not the voter be allowed to choose a woman to represent him in Parliament?’, ibid., col. 571. 5. Rt. Revd. Edward Stuart Talbot (1844–1934), Bishop of Rochester, 1895–1905. 6. Contents 46, Not Contents 88.

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Wednesday 3 July 143 Ashley Gardens In the evening, an interesting expedition to Bethnal Green to a tea given to a Working Women’s Club, where I had the opportunity of talking to them about the proposed restrictions on women’s labour. They were mostly home workers and said they could not do without it. They were all very friendly and nice, and it was interesting to see how they amused themselves, with songs, recitations etc. Came all the way back on the top of a bus. It was very funny to see the anxious faces at the theatre doors, looking for footmen, carriages etc. Thursday 4 July 143 Ashley Gardens Did a new and interesting thing in the morning. Went (it required some courage) down to the House of Commons, to the Standing Committee on Trade, who were discussing the Factory and Workshops Act. I had never seen anything of the kind before and it was interesting to note the arrangements, and Mr. Ritchie seemed to be managing it very well. In the afternoon with May Hall to Lowther Lodge where a crowded meeting for the South African Expansion, Lord Brassey was in the chair, the Duke of Argyll,1 Major Lee and Sir John Ardagh2 spoke, more or less dully: I being full of the subject, spoke, I really think, well.

Friday 5 July 143 Ashley Gardens Dined with Mr. Seymour Allen1 whom I met at Ecton, a huge party. I sat between a rather pleasant Mr. Monckton2 and a young Allen, a very nice boy, just back from South Africa, where he has been with his yeomanry. He told me so simply of the hardships they underwent, up at 3.30a.m., a weak cup of coffee and a biscuit or two, then working till 6.30 p.m., then an ox killed and cooked on the spot, and seldom enough of that. 1. John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, Marquess of Lorne, succeeded his father as 9th. Duke in 1900. 2. Maj.-General Sir John Ardagh (1840–1907), veteran of the Sudan and South African campaigns. 1. Possibly Henry Seymour Allen, High Sheriff of Pembrokeshire, 1873. 2. Recorder of Northampton, 1900–16.

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Tuesday 9 July 143 Ashley Gardens Tea at Antonia St. John’s, Lizzie Astell’s1 and Lady Penrhyn’s,2 the latter pleasant, Lady Granville3 full of wrath at the King’s ukase that everyone who meets him for the first time is to kiss his hand in lieu of being presented afresh. She says no other Sovereign exacts it, and that it is most unpleasant. I don’t think I mind: after all he is one’s Sovereign, and I prefer it to the alternative of being embraced. Thursday 11 July 143 Ashley Gardens South African Expansion Committee in the morning, two Colonials, Dr. Hutcheson and Mrs. Pillace sent over by the Cape Government, came to give us information about petite culture as adapted to women. He told us two curious things: one, that the great steamships actually take out vegetables from England for use on the return voyage because they cannot get them out there, and the other, that Englishmen need not fear competition of Colonial girls in these lines, as they consider such work infra dig. Tuesday 30 July Fawsley Charlie brought Mr. Rider Haggard and his friend Mr. Cochrane1 to luncheon and I dined up there in the evening. They are touring about England, inquiring into the state of agriculture and the causes of the rural depopulation,2 which is growing daily more serious, and we had a great deal of interesting talk. He seems to think (and this Charlie confirms) that allotments are played out, but says he has found smallholdings a success in various parts of the country; is very anxious to extinguish copyhold, which he says leads to much indebtedness (but I believe they would mortgage freehold just as readily), quite confirms Miss Gertrude Cochrane’s statement as to the terrible overcrowding in some villages and, most extraordinary of all, found not about 20 miles from London where the man employs 20 men, all tramp labour, who winter and summer, sleep in an outhouse and bivouac under a tree! Is convinced that the lands so prevalent about here, tumbled down to grass at the time of the depopulation brought about by the Black Death. Asked him a little about South African emigration. He was not encouraging, and said he should not like any girl he was interested in to go. 1. Elizabeth Maria, widow of William H. Astell of Woodbury, Bedfordshire. 2. Gertrude, wife of George Douglas-Pennant, 2nd. Baron Penrhyn. 3. Castalia Rosalind, widow of Granville George, 2nd. Earl Granville. 1. Arthur H.D.Cochrane, who first met Haggard in the Transvaal in 1878. 2. The outcome was Rural England, published in 1902, commissioned by the Daily Express.

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Saturday 24 August Fawsley I have been busy writing, having been suddenly asked for contributions by the Daily Chronicle,1 The Onlooker2 and the Northern Syndicate of newspapers. My article in The Nineteenth Century, ‘Women and Homeworkers’,3 has brought me £10. Thursday 3 October Firle A most amusing expedition to Brighton with Lord Edward Churchill1 in his motor car. It was a delightful day and we sped gaily along, though the breaking of a valve between Lewes and Brighton involved a delay of half an hour. We did the 12 miles back in just under the hour. There is more noise and vibration than is altogether pleasant, but that probably will be improved. I was surprised to see how little the horses minded. Wednesday 20 November 25 Sloane Square A hard day. First to Scotch Sub Committee, South African Expansion Committee, where I am glad to say, we agreed to give way to the Scotch people about finance. Then, such a contrast, to attend for the first time the Council of our beloved Society of Workers and Watchers, to which I have recently been elected. Then an interesting interview at the Club with a most fascinating little Miss Bateman, who is to be my Sub Editor of the Imperial Colonist. Then Managing Committee of WLG, tea with Miss Marks, and finally a long interview with Mr. Doubleday anent the Knightley pedigree, to which he has made many additions. 1. For LMK’s letter in a series concerning ‘The Decay of Domesticity’ see Daily Chronicle, 24 Sept. 1901, p. 3. 2. LMK’s article, ‘An Old-World Pleasaunce’, describing the garden at Fawsley Hall, was published in the Onlooker, 19 Oct 1901, pp. 13–14. 3. Nineteenth Century and After, 24 Aug. 1901, pp. 287–92. 1. Son of George Spencer Churchill, 6th. Duke of Marlborough.

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Wednesday 11 December The Cottage, Great Brington To stay with William Humphery and Molly, and dine at Althorp to meet Princess Christian and Princess Victoria,1 who have come down for a function at Northampton tomorrow. It was a stately business, as Althorp entertainments usually are: Exeters (both so like their forebears), Clanwilliams, Tweedmouths,2 Lady Edward Cavendish,3 Lord Rowton, Lord Beauchamp (also very like his mother),4 the Bobby Spencers. I sat between Lord Tweedmouth and Sir Donald MacKenzie Wallace,5 just returned with the Duke and Duchess of York, or Prince and Princess of Wales as we must learn to call them, from their tour round the world. We had a good deal of talk. He says he sees a considerable change of opinion as to free trade within the last 20 years, approves my deal of free trade within the Empire and protection against all the rest of the world, and says the long Canadian frontier would be no inseparable barrier: already the Americans guard it against Canada. With Lord Tweedmouth talked House of Commons shop. He does not approve of the 12 o’clock rule and says he thinks the proposed interval for dinner and questions afterwards will not work. I am not sure; Question Time always fills the House and may bring men back. The inevitable Bridge after dinner. Lord Spencer declares that Lord Salisbury says he must learn Bridge as then he will become acquainted with the Duke of Devonshire! Lord Spencer showed me the two famous pictures of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, by Gainsborough and Reynolds; they are certainly not at all the same face as the stolen Duchess. He says that when Agnew first bought the picture, he, Lord Spencer, told him he did not believe it was the Duchess and offered to send up his eight pictures of her to be exhibited with it. Three days after, the picture disappeared, a curious coincidence at all events.6 1. Edward VII’s second daughter. 2. Edward Marjoribanks, 2nd. Baron Tweedmouth and his wife, Lady Fanny Octavia. He had succeeded to the peerage in 1894. 3. Emma Elizabeth, Lady of the Bedchamber to Princess Christian and widow of Lord Edward Cavendish, Unionist M.P., Derbyshire West, 1885–91. 4. William Lygon, 7th. Earl Beauchamp, Governor of New South Wales, 1899–1902. 5. Assistant private secretary to the Duke of York during the tour. See his The Web of Empire. A Diary of the Imperial Tour of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York in 1901 (1902). 6. William Agnew, the art dealer, was sold the portrait at Christies in 1876. Adam Worth, an American, stole it from Agnew but in 1897 returned it to Morland Agnew, William’s son. Subsequently it was sold to John Pierpont Morgan, American banker and art collector. In July 1994 the picture came up for auction and was purchased by the 11th. Duke of Devonshire for £265,500. See The Times, 14 July 1994, p. 16.

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Tuesday 31 December Fawsley The Speaker and Mrs. Gully and Lord and Lady Wolseley came to luncheon and were very amusing. The Speaker explained to me how it is that the Lord Chancellor can now go out of England, Lord Herschell having told me that the Great Seal could never go out of England and the Chancellor be separated from it. It seems he (Lord Halsbury) persuaded the Queen to let him arrange to put the Great Seal in commission, so that technically he ceases to be Chancellor when he leaves the country, only no one is appointed in his place. We talked a little about procedure. I think he agrees with me that the Government are going to attempt far too much. Lord Wolseley talked a little about the frightful difficulties before us in the settlement of South Africa, thinks soldiers will not make good settlers of South Africa. I was amazed to find him one of the people who believe that Shakespeare did not write his plays, though he did not go so far as to believe that Bacon did according to the present extraordinary craze.

*1902* Saturday 4 January Ormeley Lodge, Ham Common I came here to stay with Ada Sudeley, seeing on my way through London our new South African Expansion Committee’s Hon. Secretary, Mrs. Vyvyan Popham, and my dear little Sub Editor, Miss Bateman. The first number of the Imperial Colonist is out, but owing to a blunder of the printer is rather disappointing. On Sunday went to dear old Ham Church, so full of memories of my youth: it was there I made my first Communion, on 1 August 1858. They have built a very nice new Chancel and put up a handsome pulpit in memory of Mr. Hough.1 In the afternoon, walked into Richmond Park and went to see Agatha Russell There is something very pathetic in seeing that delicate little thing, all alone in that big house, with limited means, and no health to make work for herself, and remembers what her position was as the daughter of the Prime Minister. Monday 6 January Ormeley Lodge, Ham Common In the afternoon to Hampton Court and wandered by myself all over. The pictures have all been rehung and rearranged. I had no idea there were so many Italian ones there, some very decidedly good ones; one’s eyes are so opened after two visits to Italy. In the Priory Garden they are putting up the old gates which used to stand out of sight between the gardens and the Home Park, and for some years have been at South Kensington. I was immensely struck by the stately air of the great broad walk, and also went into the Maze, with an idea of some day making one here, and wandered round the Diana fountain. It was a beautiful winter afternoon (very mild) and I thoroughly enjoyed the prowl, recalling many old memories and traditions. 1. Revd. Thomas George Pattison Hough, vicar of St. Andrew Ham, 1848–94.

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Sunday 19 January Fawsley Wednesday, tricycled to Hellidon, roads lonely. Saturday, drove to Staverton and walked back. I wanted to explore the footpaths in my character as Chairman of Parish Council. A very pretty walk it is, too. Friday 21 February 53 Cadogan Place Primrose League Committee in the morning, a good many visits and tea at Mrs. Gully’s in the afternoon. Lord Rosebery has written a letter1 finally dissociating himself from Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman and the Radical party, which, with his repudiation of Home Rule, gives him indeed, to use his own expression ‘a clean slate’. Remains to be seen if he will get a following: opinion seems much divided on the subject. Monday 24 February 53 Cadogan Place After luncheon to a little Conference at Mr. John Talbot’s1 to consider how best to organize a protest from women against the Deceased Wife’s Sister. Lady Frances Balfour was too amusing for words, pointing out to the many opponents of women’s suffrage, including her brother-in-law, the Duke of Northumberland, how inconsistent it was to ask for the help of women in resisting this measure when they are deprived of the legitimate method of expressing their opinions. 1. On 21 Feb. The Times carried a letter from Rosebery stating that Campbell-Bannennan’s attitude to domestic policies and the South African War had brought about a ‘definite separation’, p. 6. 1. John Gilbert Talbot, Conservative M.P., University of Oxford, 1878–1910, resided at Great George Street, London.

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Wednesday 19 March 53 Cadogan Place We went off to a meeting, crowded and successful beyond expectation, at Lord Salisbury’s house in Arlington Street, for the South African Expansion. I had to take the Chair, which, with Mrs. Fawcett and Mr. Asquith for speakers, was distinctly alarming. I did my best to be short as is the duty of the chair, and don’t think I did badly…1 In the evening to parties at Lady Avebury’s, in the Bristols’ old house in St. James’s Square, and at Lady Wimborne’s, which was pleasant, more needles and less hay than at the Selbornes’. I forgot to put down a curious thing Sir Mountstuart told me. When the Emperor Frederick2 died, Bismarck’s way of announcing it to Lady Ermyntrude Malet, wife of our then Ambassador in Berlin, was to march straight up to her and say, ‘The Emperor is dead and the Empress is a prisoner.’ This was told by Lady Ermyntrude to the person who told Sir Mountstuart. I asked him if he knew anything about the mystery of those days. He said, ‘No, except that there were some papers the Empress was extremely anxious to have conveyed to England but was repeatedly balked in the attempt.’ Whether she finally succeeded or not, I did not make out. Friday 21 March Fawsley 1

To two Primrose League Committees in the morning. Luncheon with Mary Hervey2 and then down here to stay with Charlie and Juliet. My six weeks in London have been a complete success. Rhona Hanbury-Tracy and I have been thoroughly bons camarades, and I have greatly enjoyed seeing old friends and for the first time for eight years having a house to myself where I could say ‘come and see me’, besides doing a great deal of work. 1. Imperial Colonist, June 1902, p. 50. 2. At Potsdam, June 1888. 1. LGC Executive Committee. NH, 29 March 1902, p. 6. 2. Marie Frederica, daughter of Lord Alfred Hervey and a member of the SACS, chairperson of its Education Committee.

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Sunday 23 March Fawsley, not Park It seems so sad to be at Fawsley and not at home. Dawdled down to the house in the morning, the place looking lovely, all the crocuses out, daffodils just coming. I have really missed nothing but the snowdrops. Charlie and I sat out and basked in the sun after luncheon. Friday 25 April Pillerton Manor House, Warwick My 60th birthday. It is indeed a turning point in one’s life. Middle age is over, and old age begins. And though I feel absurdly young, I know that henceforth, to use the dear Mother’s expression, I must learn to grow old gracefully. Saturday 3 May Fawsley To Northampton for a meeting anent Church Congress business, the poor Bishop’s accident1 makes it impossible to approach either him or Lady Mary. However, we settled a good deal. Mr. Thicknesse asked me to speak on ‘the maintenance of religion in the home under the changed condition of modern life’. It is a great honour and a great responsibility, but it is a subject which appeals to me. Monday 5 May 73 Onslow Square Came up by the early train, lunched with Nora, drove with her and saw various friends, Miss Leslie, Mr. Hare, Lady Wynford,1 etc. Everyone talking of the Courts, as the evening Drawing-rooms are called, and of the arbitrary manner in which the invitations are issued, odd alike in those who are asked and in those who are left out. I am among the latter, but if it is true that Adeline, Duchess of Bedford, is also not invited. I am in pretty good company. Some daughters are asked, others not; in short there seems absolutely no 1. Rt. Revd. Hon. Edward Carr Glyn (1843–1928), Bishop of Peterborough, 1897–1916. On 15 April the Bishop had been thrown from his horse at Milton Park and rendered unconscious. NH, 19 May 1902, p. 6. See G.Carnell, The Bishops of Peterborough 1541–1991 (1993), p. 86.

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rhyme or reason in the business, and to crown all, at the last moment trains are abolished except for debutantes. If it had been said at the beginning no one would have cared, but when half the world have got them it is very hard. In the afternoon to a BWEA Scottish Committee and a Cape Town one, the last I am glad to say. A pleasant little interlude was a tea to the Canadian teachers who have come over here en route to the Boer Concentration camps. Mrs. Joyce said a few words to them and I read a lovely little poem by Miss Gore-Browne,2 ‘God Speed’. It was a tangible little bit of drawing the Empire together. Tuesday 6 May 73 Onslow Square 1

To the Literature Committee at which plenty of fault was found with the Imperial Colonist. Wednesday 7 May 73 Onslow Square An interesting day. In the morning a delightfully short and pacific South African Expansion Committee. Mrs. Joyce and I both retired from the Cape Town Committee which I am sure is a wise thing to do, though I am very sorry for her. In the afternoon to the Primrose League Grand Habitation at the Albert Hall,1 and a magnificent meeting it was: and the enthusiasm with which Lord Salisbury was received as great as ever. He made an admirable speech, firm, thoughtful, statesman-like, especially in what he said about the danger of too great haste with regard to Imperial Federation, which seems to be coming actually within the range of practical politics. But it was sad to hear how weak his voice has become and there was not a note of fun from beginning to end. I doubt if we shall ever hear him there again. 1. Caroline Eliza, wife of William, 3rd. Baron Wynford of Wynford Eagle, Dorset. 2. Dorothea Gore-Browne, daughter of Revd. Edward Harold Browne, Bishop of Winchester, 1873–91. 1. Of the SACS, chaired by LMK. 1. The Times, 8 May 1902, p. 8.

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Friday 9 May 73 Onslow Square To the Annual Meeting of the Employment of Women,1 Lord Knutsford in the chair. The speeches were excellent but the attendance of the smallest. We must make an effort another year. Dined at the Carlton Hotel with Mr. Soames, according to the fashion of the day, but I can’t say it appealed to me. It was just like being at a rather superior foreign table d’hôte, and, oh, so cold; the weather this week has been icy. Talked a good deal to Mr. Bruce Richmond,2 who is on The Times. He described Mr. Buckle as the last of the anonymous editors, who is never interviewed or in any way before the public. I was surprised at the comparative respect with which he talked of the Daily Mail. On to Miss Balfour’s party. I have never been in those rooms in Downing Street, and one looked at them with interest, thinking what momentous decisions must have been come to there. Great fun chaffing Lord Tweedmouth about the Liberal Social League, which is a copy of the Primrose League, with the speeches left out, because they dare not have them for fear of accentuating their differences. Mr. Ritchie very full of the success so far of the new rules of procedure: this was the first Friday under the old Wednesday rules. I was sorry to hear from the Duke of Northumberland that many ladies do not care to sign the protest against the Deceased Wife’s Sister bill.3 Saturday 31 May Fawsley The Education Bill seems full of difficulties.1 It doesn’t seem as if we had yet hit on the right way to educate our children. And the Nonconformists are too provoking for words. 1. EWR, 15 July 1902, pp. 201–2. 2. Assistant Editor, appointed by Buckle in 1884. See The History of The Times, 1884–1912 (1947), iii, p. 5. 3. The General Council for Protest from Women had received 50,000 signatures by the end of May. 1. The Education (England and Wales) Bill, to provide a more coherent education system and establish local education authorities, had been introduced in the Commons on 24 March.

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Monday 2 June 67 Eaton Square Robertson and I left by the early train and at Brackley heard the glorious news that peace was actually signed at Pretoria on Saturday night. Thank God that this weary war is at an end at last. May we as a nation truly have learnt the lessons He has intended to teach us. One’s heart aches for the many to whom the news will be only the reopening of old wounds. London was gay with flags, but not wild as after Mafeking, and after lunching with the Munros, where was poor Hughie,1I went down to the House of Lords to hear the terms of peace. The House was crammed, but somehow Lord Salisbury was not impressive. He simply read them out, without note or comment. Lord Tweedmouth, representing Lord Spencer (who is at Althorp, Lord Roberts reviewing the Yeomanry), said a few words, and Lord Rosebery, who occupied the corner seat below the gangway, gave his hearty approval to terms which do appear both just and generous, and it was all over. Still, it was an historic occasion, and I am glad to have been there.3 I went on to Mrs. Cyril Maude (Miss Winifred Emery’s) party at the Haymarket, which was quaint and pretty, the stage turned into a drawing room and the stalls removed to make a tea room. Saturday 21 June Fawsley 1

On Wednesday Mr. Bloom came over to look at deeds for the Warwickshire volume of the Victoria County History. He is a most extraordinarily cultivated individual, explained about neolithic and palaeolithic man, and how even in those remote ages there was always a white race and a dark race and the dark race was always conquered. Also talked about ‘the fourth dimension’ which I understood just as much as the differential calculus, with which it has to do. He was much impressed with the old glass in the Hall and Church and showed one how to distinguish an old Tudor shield which is thus of having straight sides thus

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1. Hugh Munro’s wife, Selina, had died in May 1902. 2. Spencer was elected as Leader of the Opposition in the Lords in April 1902. 3. Hansard, 4, 108, cols. 1086–9, 2 June 1902. 1. Revd. James Harvey Bloom, antiquarian and rector of St. Mary, Whitchurch, Stratford-on-Avon, since 1896.

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Monday 23 June 10 Victoria Square May Hall and I came up to London, which we found one mass of flags, banners, wreaths and decorations of all kinds and crowds1 making the line of procession almost impassable. I walked from St. James’s Square to the Haymarket, and thence along Cockspur Street and through St. James’s Park and a wonderful sight it all was, and as I passed the corner of Marlborough House, I thought how little more than a year ago I had seen pass the funeral of the great Queen, little dreaming what was in store. Friday 4 July Penshurst Place, Tonbridge Came down here to stay with the newly married couple, Lord De L’Isle and Lizzie Astell, as was.1 I have always heard so much of Penshurst from Rainald, read so much of it, that my expectations were raised very high, but the reality far exceeds them. Both within and without it is quite one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, and in this glorious summer weather looks its very best. It is quite unlike any other place I know, except perhaps Compton Wynyates, which however is on a much smaller scale. The Barons’ Hall, with the logs in the centre where the fire used to be, is, I believe, quite unique, and its proportions are magnificent. I think it must be above 60 feet high. Then the state rooms, consisting of the ballroom, in which we dine, Queen Elizabeth’s rooms, two large withdrawing-rooms, and a gallery, with a china closet lined with wonderful china, the furniture said to have been worked by her and her ladies, and three lustres given by her to Dudley, Earl of Leicester. The pictures are chiefly family portraits, but of what a family! Leicester himself, Philip Sidney, Lady Pembroke, ‘Sacharissa’, Algernon Sidney, and as to the cabinet of books, manuscripts and treasures of all kinds, it would take pages to describe. I was specially interested in a long roll representing the funeral of Sir Philip Sidney, in which the Lord Mayor is Sir George Barnes, with an s. Then I like Lord De Lisle so much. He is so simple and unaffected, so genuinely and properly proud of his grand old place, so civil and kind. We took a long walk together on Saturday morning and went to look at the quaint old Lychgate which opens from the picturesque village square into the churchyard. The gardens are modern, but very attractive, with their yew hedges and box bordered beds, full of all manner of herbaceous flowers. 1. Celebrating the Coronation of King Edward VII. 1. On 12 June, Philip Sidney, 3rd. Baron De L’Isle and Dudley, married Elizabeth Astell, a relation of Henry Hall, 4th. Viscount Gage.

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Monday 14 July The Palace, Lichfield Lord Salisbury has resigned and the King has sent for Mr. Balfour, who takes office. Great, but not unexpected, news. No one who saw or heard Lord Salisbury at the Albert Hall could fail to mark how aged he was. And Lady Gwendolen told me that day what an effort it had been to him, all the greater because he could never make use of notes. The awkward thing is that Sir Michael Hicks Beach has resigned,1 and I can’t imagine who is to succeed him. He is a decided loss. I suppose he does not like to serve under so much younger a man. Tuesday 15 July The Palace, Lichfield We had our Girls’ Friendly Society service, and the Bishop of Southwark1 preached a very striking sermon… After luncheon a Conference2 at which the Bishop of Lichfield3 took the chair and I spoke (better than I had expected) on ‘the need for Associates’, and ended about South African emigration, which created a good deal of interest. Thursday 24 July Fawsley We had a beautiful day for our Primrose fête1 which this year was attended by five habitations Knightley, Dryden, Beatrice, Brackley and Feilding. People came from all parts as they always do when we have it here, and there must have been very near 2000 people; there would have been more but for the hay, which is not yet all in. Miss Eagleton and her Committee worked splendidly. The sports were admirably arranged— an egg and spoon race and a fishing competition especially were popular—then there was a very pretty bicycle parade, which little Romer Williams won, and the riding school was well filled up twice for the McLeods’ clever performance.2 The weak point was the speaking. Mr. FitzRoy failed us, and Mr. Ames who was sent from headquarters was a very poor performer. So there was only me, which was a pity, for there were a great many listeners. Colonel and Mrs. Lowndes, Beatrice and Miss 1. As a self-confessed free trader, Hicks Beach, Chancellor of Exchequer, was bitterly opposed to Chamberlain’s promotion of tariff reform. Salisbury’s retirement provided an ideal excuse to resign. Lady V.Hicks Beach, Life of Sir Michael Hicks Beach (1932), ii, pp. 172–5. 1. Rt. Revd. Huyshe Wolcott Yeatman-Biggs, Bishop of Southwark, 1891–1904. 2. Lichfield Mercury, 18 July 1902, p. 8. 3. Rt. Revd. Augustus Legge, Bishop of Lichfield, 1891–1913.

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Eagleton came to luncheon. Mrs. Campbell,3 Mrs. FitzRoy,4 Mr. Ames and Miss Ayscough, the McLeod’s accompanist, stayed. Sunday 27 July Fawsley The last day at home. I hate going away and above all hate the feeling that I cannot come back if I want to. Monday 4 August Red House, Roehampton Drove over to Claremont to spend the afternoon with the Duchess…The Duchess as nice as ever. I am delighted to hear both from her and from [illegible], through Lady Eva Dugdale, a really nice account of the Prince and Princess of Wales. It confirms all Augustus Hare told me, of how much more particular they are likely to be, and they seem so happy together. The two Princesses of Connaught, Princess ‘Daisy’ and Princess ‘Patsy’,1 were there at tea, as well as dear little Princess Alice, three nice, natural, thoroughly English girls as ever I did see, all busy jabbering together about robes and coronets. Thursday 5 August Red House, Roehampton I lunched with Lady Knox and her poor little sister, Mrs. Goff, whose husband was killed in South Africa.1 My heart went out to her. We talked much of South Africa, where she has just returned, and confirms the state of immorality which prevails. We are in a very difficult position, with the Government encouraging us by giving us facilities which will never recur, indulgence passages in transports going out to bring home the troops, and people out there, Lord Milner and others, asking for women to be sent, and then these risks. I spent the afternoon talking things over, and on Wednesday August 6, was up there again for a South African Expansion Committee, to which the agreeable announcement was made that Lord Milner has constituted the South African Expansion Committee, 1. At Fawsley Park. 2. Jessie and Ada McLeod, Society entertainers from London and hired by LMK to give ‘two highclass concerts’. DE, 26 July 1902, p. 1. 3. Mrs G.A.Campbell, Ruling Councillor of the Brackley Habitation. 4. Muriel, wife of Edward Algernon FitzRoy. 1. Princesses Margaret and Victoria Patricia.

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Transvaal Province, a Government Department,2 and will finance the hostel, etc. Lunched with Lady Malmesbury, who is going out immediately and then went to see Mrs. Theophilus Shepstone, daughter-in-law of Sir Theophilus Shepstone,3 a clever, capable woman, who has lived years in South Africa, was 20 months cut off by the war from English intercourse, and arrived at Pretoria penniless. She has some queer views though: approves of polygamy for the natives, and thinks they need not be Christianized. Saturday 9 August Buckingham Palace Hotel It is over and King Edward VII is our crowned and anointed King…His letter1 to his people, issued yesterday morning, breathes the very spirit one so rejoices to see, and one can but hope that the prayers of an Empire may be answered in a deeper sense as they have been with regard to his bodily recovery. Harry and I set out at 8.15 attired in our long talked of robes, and carrying our coronets in our hands. We set down at the West door of the Abbey, or rather of the annexe which has been so skilfully constructed for the purpose of marshalling the procession; it is an imposing apartment with armour, etc. Here our robes were put down, and we walked solemnly up the nave, with its rows of guests on either side, and the wonderful blue carpet of which so much has been said. Arrived at what is called the ‘theatre’, between the transepts. We were separated and I found my place right at the back of the Peeresses’ places above the North door, and under the House of Commons gallery. It was not a good place, and that’s all about it. However, what one did see was very beautiful and one felt, as on the day of the 1887 Jubilee, that to be present at the very heart of this great Empire was no small privilege. Indeed, all along I have felt grateful to my darling for having accepted the peerage, without which I could never have been there at all. My neighbours were Lady Ashcombe and Lady Kelvin.2 Then came a long, long wait, the first break being the procession of the regalia, carried by the clergy in their magnificent vestments, the choir singing ‘O God our help in ages past’, which I thought a most beautifully chosen hymn. The first procession to arrive was that of the Royal Family, the Princesses with their long purple trains carried by their ladies. Then came the Prince and Princess of Wales, then, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Connaught occupying state chairs, immediately in front of the peers, whose unbroken array of white ermine capes produced a striking effect. Then came the Queen, supported by the two Bishops, and looking very beautiful with nothing on her head, in contrast to the sparkling tiaras which abounded on all sides. 1. Alice, wife of Maj.-General Sir William Knox; Ellen Mary, widow of Lt.-Col. Gerald Lionel Joseph Goff, Argyll and Sutherland Regiment, who died at Magersfontein, Dec. 1899. 2. To take the name of Women’s Immigration Department. Imperial Colonist, Sept. 1902, p. 83. 3. Governor of Transvaal, 1877–9, and his daughter-in-law, Helen Bisset, who contributed an article ‘Some Views of the Emigration of Women to South Africa’, ibid., pp. 79–82.

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Finally, a fanfare of trumpets announced the King, and the declamations of the Westminster boys, cleverly worked into the music. He passed at once into the space beyond the theatre, and was lost to our view, but soon we saw, and heard, the Archbishop of Canterbury performing the ‘recognition’, on presenting the King to the people, followed by a shout of ‘God Save the King’. Then all out of our sight the oath was administered, but I could distinctly hear the King’s voice as he pronounced the solemn words. The choir then sang, very beautifully, the Veni Creator, while the anointing was proceeding. I followed the service as well as I could, but of course could see none of the ceremony till after the Crowning had taken place an then there was a beautiful effect for it had been very dark till that moment when the electric light was turned on, and lit up the brilliant scene. At the same moment the peers put on their coronets, the trumpets sounded, the Abbey bells began to ring and we knew that the great and solemn event had taken place, and that the King was really crowned. And now it was all over. The processions re-formed and left one after the other, and slowly and gradually we struggled and made our way across to the House of Lords and had luncheon in the Royal Gallery, a very brilliant scene, with all the robes and coronets, Lady Ancaster especially looking gloriously handsome.3 We got home a little before 4 and turned out again in the evening, taking Robertson with us and making a very successful tour, up Grosvenor Place, along Piccadilly, and down to Green Park to the bottom of St. James’s Street. The crowd as ever good humoured and orderly, but nothing like so dense as it would have been in June. Saturday 20 September Blagdon, Cramlington On Thursday I came here to stay with Matt Ridley. The last time here was in 1854 when I spent Christmas here with my father and mother, played high jinks with Matt and Edward and poor little Mary.1 1. On the eve of the Coronation the King expressed ‘heart-felt appreciation and the deep sympathy they have manifested towards me during the time that my life was in such imminent danger’. The Times, 8 Aug. 1902, p. 7. 2. Laura, wife of George Cubitt, 1st. Baron Ashcombe, son of Thomas Cubitt, the eminent builder; Frances Anna, second wife of William Thomson, 1st. Baron Kelvin of Largs, scientist and inventor. 3. Evelyn Elizabeth, wife of Gilbert Henry Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby, 1st. Earl of Ancaster. 1. Found at the age of eight to be blind in one eye. See Viscountess Ridley (ed.), Cecilia. The Life and Letters of Cecilia Ridley, 1819–1845 (1958), p. 206.

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Friday 3 October Alexandra Club I came up here on Monday and have had a very busy week of Committees: Natal Monday, Cape Colony and Rhodesia Tuesday (and a bit of Case Committee WLG), a long South African Expansion Committee on Wednesday,1 very important. We decided to move at once to offices in Victoria Street and largely increase our staff, who are quite overwhelmed with the enormous mass of applications. In the afternoon a South African Girls’ Friendly Society—we are going to send a worker out there, Thursday Executive Committee Girls’ Friendly Society,2 and today Executive of British Women’s Emigration Association. I have had some fun besides. On Monday Lucy Cavendish dined with me, and we went to a so-called Promenade Concert at the Queen’s Hall, really a Wagner night with that magnificent band and quite delightful. I do like orchestral music so much better than any other, except perhaps oratorio. Tonight repeated the process with Blanche and Margaret Vesey, a Beethoven night, with the overture to Egmont, which made me think of mother and the C minor symphony. Sunday 2 November Fawsley On Tuesday we drove to Towcester for the Divisional Council of the Primrose League; great discussion as to the meetings. Grand Council want us to hold in support of the Education Bill. Daventry will have none of it. They say they are quiet, having had no municipal contest for the first time in 18 years, it would only stir up strife. Thursday 13 November Fawsley I told them I could not continue as President of the GFS Diocesan Council after 1904,1 but I know I shall grieve to give it up. 1. SACS Minutes, 1 Oct. 1902, pp. 122–9. 2. AJA, Nov. 1902, pp. 191–8. 1. AJA, Jan. 1903, p. 13.

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Wednesday 26 November Fawsley It is curious what violent prejudice there is among these little towns. I am glad however to find that the more reasonable of the clergy approve the Education bill and don’t even mind the Kenyon-Slaney clause.1 Wednesday 3 December 25 Sloane Gardens A very long and rather disagreeable South African Expansion Committee. Lady Malmesbury in her report upon her visit to South Africa made an attack upon me about Miss Pease1 (of whose commission to collect information for us she must have known, as Miss Pease’s report was circulated before she left England) and openly stated that ‘we must separate from British Women’s Emigration’. However, we carried the point about the servants’ characters being restored to them, to which I attach the greatest importance. Lady Cadogan,2 who came for the first time, was very useful about that. Afterwards to a sale for United Missions at Kensington Town Hall, chiefly to meet Mr. Douglas Ellison of the South African Railway Mission, who I think may be of use to us. 1. Col. William Kenyon-Slaney, Conservative M.P., North Shropshire, 1886–1908, had introduced an important amendment in the Commons during the closing stages of the bill, giving responsibility for religious instruction to managers as a body instead of to the vicar. It was passed by a huge majority on 27 Nov. See P.Gordon, The Victoria School Manager (1974), pp. 268–9. 1. Katherine Pease, Extension Lecturer, University of Oxford, member of the SACS Education Committee. 2. Beatrix Jane, wife of George Henry, 5th. Earl Cadogan.

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Thursday 4 December 25 Sloane Gardens With Leila1 to the House of Lords for the second reading of the Education bill. Duke of Devonshire spoke for hours, dull, dull, dull,2 one Bishop fast asleep. Lord Spencer excellent from his point of view (though to my delight he misunderstood one clause and had to be corrected by the Duke).3 I have always shared the opinion that the County Councils will be overweighted with the work. Archbishop of Canterbury excellent sense,4 but very feeble; he collapsed at the end of his speech, but we had left the House.5 1. Leila Gage, wife of Henry Charles, 5th. Viscount Gage. 2. Hansard, 4, 115, cols. 1190–1208, 4 Dec. 1902. 3. Ibid., col. 1211. 4. Ibid., col. 1220–5. 5. Archbishop Frederick Temple died on 22 Dec. that year.

*1903* Sunday 18 January Fawsley On Tuesday at Badby, after a school managers’ meeting to try and bring the new Act into operation, the managers were too provoking for words. No one would stand or do anything. Finally, the four foundation managers appointed were Mr. Scratton and Mary, Mrs. Paynter and myself. Wednesday 4 February 24 Old Queen Square A perilous South African Expansion Committee in the morning; however we steered straight over reefs and shoals, and as far as we are concerned, separation from British Women’s Emigration Society is decreed.1 I think the South African Expansion Committee has behaved abominably, but that is not my fault. Then to luncheon with Georgina Lady Dudley,2 in the house (7 Carlton Gardens) where I used to go long ago to Frances Lady Waldegrave’s parties, and a charming house it is. Very good company too was my hostess, and told me much that was interesting. She was at Sandringham when the German Emperor was there in November, and says she has no doubt the Venezuela business was hatched then:3 they all thought there was something up. Says the Prince of Wales has developed extraordinarily of late, and that he does not write his own speeches which are done by Sir Arthur Bigge.4 Immensely impressed with the Emperor’s personality; thinks the Crown Prince weak and very impressionable. Emperor told her he always takes an hour’s rest before dinner and wishes the King would do the same. 1. SACS minutes, 1902–6, p. 152. 2. Georgina Elizabeth, widow of William Ward, 1st. Earl of Dudley. 3. Together with Germany, Britain blockaded Venezuelan ports in retaliation against attacks on shipping and failure to pay debts. This action has been initiated by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Lord Lansdowne. See Lord Newton, Lord Lansdowne. A Biography (1929), pp. 255–61. 4. (1849–1931), Private secretary to the Prince of Wales, later George V, 1901–31.

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Monday 2 March Elton Hall It is strange that I should begin a new volume of my journal here in a spot so associated with my saddest and most sacred memories. I can hardly believe that nearly eight years have passed, so fresh is it all in my memory. I wonder, too, if it will be a very eventful volume, if I shall really go 6000 miles across the sea and if I do, shall I come back? or will it be the last volume? Came here in the afternoon, Sir Michael and Lady Culme-Seymour1 and Mrs Bowyer staying: to dinner came Major and Mrs. Ferguson and Betty Brand and Mr. Monckton and his daughter. A long talk with her later about the Education Committee; they seem to be framing their scheme on very fair lines. It seems I am really to be asked to be on it, and, curiously enough, Lady Culme-Seymour also. Mr. Monckton says my going to South Africa would be no bar. It would be hard, but very interesting work, and I think if it really comes, I ought to do it. Wednesday 18 March Heathfield, Wimbledon Common The Bye election is a frightful facer for the Government, a turnover of 2500.1 I really don’t know what is the matter. 1. 3rd. Bart. (1836–1920), Vice-Admiral, C-in-C, Portsmouth, 1897–1900, principal ADC to Queen Victoria, 1899–1901, and his wife, Mary Georgiana, daughter of Richard Watson, Rockingham Castle. 1. On 17 March, at Rye, Sussex, Dr. Charles Frederick Hutchinson, Liberal, polled 4910 votes, and his Conservative opponent, Edward Boyle, 4376. In the 1900 general election the Conservative candidate had been returned with a majority of 2388.

Lunched with Mrs. Harrison4 at the Grand, and then went to 186 Strand to beard the lions in their den and persuade Messrs. W.H.Smith to show the Imperial Colonist on their bookstalls, which after much persuasion they consented to do for two months. 1. The Times, 20 March 1903, p. 6. 2. Aretas Akers-Douglas, Home Secretary, 1902–5. 3. On 15 July 1902. 4. Wife of Revd. John Butler Harrison, vicar of St. James’s, Paulespury, since 1878.

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Thursday 19 March Heathfield, Wimbledon Common I went on a most interesting deputation1 to the Home Secretary,2 in connection with the white slave traffic, the object being to ensure that the 21 Societies represented should be given the opportunity of co-operating with the Government in carrying out the arrangements entered into by 16 Governments at the Conference held in Paris last summer.3 Lord Aberdeen introduced the deputation, the Bishop of Rochester (Talbot) made an excellent speech and Mr. Akers-Douglas was courteous and sympathetic. Friday 20 March Buckingham Palace Hotel To Primrose League Committee, Miss Balfour our new President, in the chair. Dined with the Gages and went to the Court, which has now taken the place of the Drawing room. I presented Rosemary Harrison of Paulerspury, my dress (I always describe it) being black satin with beautiful white lace and a violet satin train, trimmed with black Maltese lace. It is the first time for 20 years that I have gone without the entree and a great loss it is. Shortly described, the function was splendidly staged, and desperately dull. We were all seated in the old supper room and marched off in batches of 20 into the ballroom where we were detained a moment, and could see what was going on at the other end. Then into the little corridor beyond where our trains were put down, and we passed the whole width of the ballroom before the King and Queen, seated in two chairs. There were only those two curtsies to make, and no kissing or shaking of hands. Then to supper in the old throne room and then home by 12.15, having literally not seen two people I could put names to. Thank goodness it need not be done again for three years! It is said that people are so disgusted by the muddles of last year that they won’t send in their names. Saturday 21 March Fawsley 1

A very important letter from Mr Perks in the Daily Mail telling the radical leaders they must choose between Nonconformists and the Irish. Came down to Weedon and drove onto Althorp to see Lady Spencer after her severe illness.* She was very pleasant and kind. * I never saw her again2 1. Robert William Perks, a staunch Methodist, industrialist and politician. Liberal M.P., Louth, Lincolnshire, 1892–1910. Perks believed that granting Ireland Home Rule would damage the Liberal Party and create ‘a great revulsion of feeling’ among Nonconformists. See D.Crane, The Life Story of Sir Robert W.Perks (1909), pp. 198–9.

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Wednesday 6 May Bourdon House, Davies Street A very long South African Expansion Committee; we passed the Constitution and did the elections. I got all the votes. We also elected Princess Christian an honorary member of our Committee. Lady Helen Munro-Ferguson1 behaved too abominably to Miss Balfour: if they had been men 100 years ago it must have meant a duel. In the evening joined the Halls at the opera2 and heard the greater part of Die Walküre with Ternina as Brünnhilde, Van Rooy3 as Wotan and Van Dyck4 as Siegmund, Richter conducting a most magnificent orchestra. He received such an ovation as I never saw before, the whole of the stalls simply rose at him. Wagner would have had a fit: they drew the curtain half a dozen times. On 19 March 1903 Campbell-Bannerman restated the Liberal Party’s commitment to Irish Home Rule. Daily Mail, 21 March 1903, p. 5.

Friday 8 May Fawsley Had a very interesting interview with Mrs. Chamberlain1 on South African matters. I was charmed with her talking manner, and a clear, sensible way of looking at matters. She especially emphasised the importance of trying to place oneself at the Colonial standpoint. Then on to see Princess Christian2 at Schomberg House.3 She was, as usual, as affectionate and pleasant as if we had parted yesterday. She evidently likes the idea of joining our Committee very much. Talked a little politics, she said the Duke of Devonshire told her he thought the Opposition had missed their opportunity, that tremendous pressure was put on the Government by their own people to give up the corn tax.4 2. She died on 3l Oct. 1903.1. Chairperson of the Executive Committee, Scottish Branch, SACS, and wife of Ronald Crauford Munro-Ferguson, Liberal M.P., Leighs Burgh, 1886–1914. Alice Balfour and LMK were elected Vice-Presidents. 2. At Covent Garden. 3. Anton Van Rooy (1870–1932), Dutch baritone. 4. Ernest Van Dyck (1861–1923), Belgian tenor. 1. Joseph Chamberlain’s wife, Mary. 2. As Vice-Patroness and Hon. Member of the Executive Committee. 3. 80–82 Pall Mall, built by the 3rd. Duke of Schomberg in 1698. Princess Christian’s residence. 4. The repeal of the corn duty had been announced by Ritchie, Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his Budget speech on 23 April.

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Thursday 21 May Fawsley Edie Barne and I went to church at Charwelton and then drove on to Banbury. It was a beautiful day and the country looking its best. The object of our drive was to interview two girls, Laura and Agnes Hyslop by name, who have been out to South Africa and had a very unpleasant experience, being arrested under the very severe Cape Law for leaving, or rather proposing to leave, their situation without proper notice. The girls themselves were harmless enough but there was an odious sister-in-law, evidently a Radical of Radicals, bent on making capital out of the business. Friday 22 May Fawsley Drove into Daventry with Miss Julia Neely1 and dined with the Burtons to meet the Algie FitzRoys. Afterwards a Primrose League meeting.2 I spoke chiefly on Mr. Chamberlain’s wonderful scheme for preferential duties with the Colonies, his speech3 on which is reverberating round the world. If it could be ‘free trade within the Empire and Protection against all the rest of the world’, my dream of the last ten years, it might be all very well, but to that I am afraid Australia for one will never consent. And while Mr. Chamberlain’s propounds this, Mr. Balfour takes off the 1/—(shilling) duty on corn, imposed last year and so welcome as widening the basis of taxation while not raising the price of bread. Half the supporters of the Government are furious, Matt and Mr. Sackville among them, and it does seem a terrible mistake: 2d. off tea would have been far more to the purpose. Tuesday 9 June Bourdon House, Davies Street I went for a few minutes to a Joint Committee of the Primrose League; found them hairsplitting over a leaflet. Then to a Cape Town Committee where Sir John Buchanan, a 1. Sister of Revd. Andrew Cavendish Neely, rector of St. Nicholas, Islip, since 1898, and organising secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel for the Archdeacon of Oakham, 1903–4. 2. NH, 30 May 1903, p. 7. 3. At Birmingham on 15 May. 1. Sir (Ebenezer) John Buchanan (1844–1930), Acting Chief Justice, Cape of Good Hope Supreme Court, 1901.

Cape Colony Judge,1 came and helped us to revise our contracts.

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Cape Colony Judge,1 came and helped us to revise our contracts. Wednesday 10 June Bourdon House, Davies Street South African Expansion Committee, Princess Christian there for the first time. A horrible idea started of a male Secretary! In the afternoon teas at Miss Monk’s and Helen Clerk’s, sat between Mr Blezard and Mrs Edward Clifford, who was pleasant, talked afterwards to Mr. Sackville who laments Mr. Balfour’s detachment. Then to teas at Lady Louisa Magenis’s1 and Lady Carnarvon’s.2 I did not get to Lady Warwick’s.3 Thursday 11 June Bourdon House, Davies Street It is not often I want to be a man, but I confess I have wished it these three days, to be able to hear what men think of this most extraordinary state of affairs in the political world. Mr. Chamberlain seems in a fair way to split up the Cabinet and the party1 as completely as did Mr. Gladstone over Home Rule, Mr. Ritchie and he are openly at odds. I cannot imagine how they are to go on in the same Cabinet. Sir Michael Hicks Beach violently attacks his former colleagues and Mr. Balfour sits serenely on the fence and says the country must think the matter out.2 But how on earth are we to do it? ‘so many men, so many opinions’, and even on questions of fact it seems impossible to arrive at any decided conclusion. 1. Widow of Maj. Richard Henry Magenis, Co. Down. 2. Almina Victoria, wife of George Edward Stanhope Molyneux, 5th. Earl of Carnarvon, the Egyptologist, whose residence was 13 Berkeley Square. 3. Edward VII’s mistress for nine years. See T.Lang, My Darling Daisy (1966), pp. 56–7. 1. On the issue of tariff reform. 2. See R.A.Rempel, Unionists Divided. Arthur Balfour, Joseph Chamberlain and the Unionist Free Traders (1972), pp.37–9.

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Tuesday 23 June Bourdon House, Davies Street Lady Knox came to see me and discuss the organization of emigration from Ireland. It requires ticklish handling as the present idea over there is to discourage it as much as possible. We on the other hand want to turn the current from the States to South Africa. Friday 26 June Bourdon House, Davies Street Primrose League in the morning (after interviewing Miss Bradshaw just back from South Africa, where she thinks things are doing extremely well, the failure under 1 per cent). Talked to Mr. Lane-Fox who says our manufacturers are working at such a loss something must be done. Pettifer however is doubtful if ‘Joe’ will win. Lunched with Mrs. Gilbey, met Mrs. Ames, who writes the clever children’s books, then to the Working Ladies’ Guild annual meeting1 where Lord Cross, Canon Pennefather2 and I spoke, I rather well, though I had only made my notes while Lord C. was speaking. Went afterwards to see Maude White, the daughter of my dear cousin, Louisa Martin Smith, who died in 1860. Saturday 27 June Bourdon House, Davies Street Interviewed Miss Caldecott for the post of Secretary, a very attractive lady. Lunched with the Carysforts and afterwards drove down to Osterley in a motor with Miss Churchill and Lord Aberdare1 and his girl. Except on the wood pavement it is a bumpy performance and we broke down before we arrived. Beyond Hammersmith, the road is like a perfect nightmare with electric cars, motors and bicycles, and I could not help thinking of poor little Carvell and how scared he would have been. Dined with the Newmans, my host in great glee over the Irish Land Bill which however the Irish landlords don’t seem to like so well. My other neighbour, Mr. Seymour Allen, afterwards talked a little to Lord Ashbourne and a good deal to Mr. Barran,2 the new radical member for Leeds, who is decidedly pleasant. 1. At 48 Belgrave Square, home of Sir John and Lady Stirling-Maxwell. The Times, 27 June 1903, p. 9. 2. Hon. Canon Somerset Edward Pennefather, vicar of St. Mary Abbott, Kensington since 1897. 1. Henry Campbell, 2nd. Baron Aberdare. 2. Rowland Hirst Barran, director of John Barran & Sons Ltd., merchants, Leeds, Liberal Imperialist M.P., North Leeds, 1902–18.

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Thursday 2 July Bourdon House, Davies Street Lunched with the Lawsons. Sir Wilfrid Lawson very happy at being back in the House. Lord Scarsdale1 and Miss Curzon there, the latter said that many of the natives were firmly convinced that Lord Curzon meant to crown himself at the Durbar.2 A little bit of Girls’ Friendly Society business3 and then to the annual meeting of the Victoria League,4 held in Downing Street, which was very interesting. Lady Jersey was in the chair and made one of her charming and eloquent speeches and Mr. Sadler,5 late of the Education Department, and others spoke of the importance of diffusing more knowledge and our colonies. Some amusing instances of ignorance were given, notably by Miss Balfour, who declared that a Manchester lady asked her at the beginning of the war if the Boers were Mahomedans. Friday 3 July Bourdon House, Davies Street Chaired British Women in the morning…An agreeable dinner at Mrs. Whitwick’s where were interesting people, Sir Francis Galton,1 Mr. and Mrs. Severn2 (Ruskin’s friends). Professor Douglas of the British Museum3 and Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Webb.4 The latter says the reason the East End people are so strong for Joe is that they actually handle the imported things, an object lesson which produces a great effect. Also that there are many more unemployed in Germany than in England. 1. Curzon’s father, Alfred Nathaniel Holden, 4th. Baron Scarsdale, rector of All Saints, Kedleston, 1855–1916. 2. At the Delhi Durbar of 1903, Curzon had intended to announce a general remission of taxation. In the face of Cabinet opposition, Curzon was obliged to accept a compromise. See K.Rose, Superior Person (1969), pp. 353–4. 3. I.e., Meeting of GFS Executive. AJA, Aug. 1903, pp. 162–3. 4. Founded in 1901 in memory of the Queen. 5. Michael Ernest Sadler (1861–1943), Director, Office of Special Inquiries, Board of Trade, 1895– 1903. He was appointed special professor of the History and Administration of Education, Manchester University on 8 July 1903. 1. Sir Francis Galton (1822–1911), pioneer of eugenics. 2. Walter Severn (1830–1904), watercolourist. 3. Professor, later Sir Richard Kennaway Douglas (1838–1913), first Keeper of the Dept. of Oriental Printed Books and Manuscripts, 1892–1907. See E.J.Miller, That Noble Cabinet. A History of the British Museum (1973), pp. 275, 292. 4. Beatrice (1858–1943) and Sidney Webb (1859–1947), Fabian Socialists.

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Tuesday 15 July Bourdon House, Davies Street Went with May Hall to Cook’s, to see about our cabins etc, and make out our return journey by the East Coast, which sounds very attractive, but somehow I feel I shall not go. Lunched with the Baillie Hamiltons, i.e. Lord Haddington and his daughters.1 Met Sir John and Lady Buchanan; my Cape acquaintances are rapidly increasing. Afterwards to a tea at Lady Battersea’s and another at Mrs Hill Wood’s.2 Dined with my old friends Florence and Mabel Montgomery,3 sat between Captain Liddell and Mr. Fox-Pitt4 and talked a good deal to Mrs. Thesiger.5 But I think I have had enough of London now. Wednesday 16 July Bourdon House, Davies Street Went down to luncheon at Claremont with my dear Duchess and fascinating little Princess Alice, and had a very interesting day. Sir Frank Lascelles1 was there with his daughter and told us that last Sunday at Compton Place2 he had a two hours’ conversation with Mr. Chamberlain. ‘His scheme,′ said Sir Frank, ‘is magnificent, but can’t be carried out.′ His idea is that we must attach the Colonies to us through their commerce, that only gradually will they take up the great Imperial ideas, probably not till the great Council of the Empire is formed, on which they will be represented. At present their Parliaments, to which everything must be referred, are too parochial. Asked if he proposed an imminent dissolution, Mr. Chamberlain replied, ‘That must depend on the success of the autumn campaign.’ Anyhow, he does not expect to win at the next election but at the following one. Asked how he could go on with a so divided Cabinet he said the chief dissentient was Mr. Ritchie, who knew nothing of the feeling of the country. Asked about the Duke of Devonshire, he was answered by an episode at luncheon. Some lady was chaffing the Duke about Gould’s clever caricature of Chamberlain up to his knees in water, dragging Balfour after him, the Duke shivering on the brink, saying, ‘It’s a beastly bore having to undress.’3 Said the Duke, ‘That’s exactly what I do feel, it’s a beastly bore having to divest myself of the Free Trade garments I have worn all my life.’ Mr. C. very angry at the repeal of the corn duty, says if that had not been done it might not have been necessary to make all this stir. Both Sir Frank and the Duchess agree that the condition of the people in West Germany has improved in spite of the high tariff. She accounts for the 1. George, 11th. Earl of Haddington and his daughters, Ruth, Grisell and Cecely. 2. Hon. Decima, wife of Samuel Hill Wood, resided at 52 Eaton Place, London. 3. Daughters of Sir Alexander Leslie Montgomery, 3rd. Bart. 4. Alexander Edward Lane Fox-Pitt, son of Lt.-General Augustus Henry Fox Pitt-Rivers, renowned archaeologist. 5. Katharine Frances, wife of Hon. Percy Mansfield Thesiger.

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great increase of the socialistic vote by the repression of all free speech except in the Reichstag. Sir Robert Collins says the German emperor is always saying that America will take all our trade if we don’t do something. Saturday 25 July Fawsley Came down to Northampton, lunched with the Hurrells1 and attended the first meeting of the County Education Committee2 to which I have been co-opted together with Mrs. Pearce Sharman3 from Wellingborough. We met in the County Hall, a handsome room. Mr. Monckton was elected Chairman. It was very interesting to watch how men do things: it strikes me that they make speeches much more than we do. Most of the time was spent on appointing an organizing Sub Committee. Then there was the question of ordering certain sanitary repairs, deemed necessary by the architects the County Council have sent to inspect the schools before we take them over, to be done in the holidays. After some discussion I ventured to ask why these repairs were necessary, seeing H.M. Inspectors had inspected all the schools, and several speakers who followed agreed with me. Had to come away home by the 4.0 train before the business was half over. Saturday 8 August Fawsley Came home by way of Northampton and did a County Education Committee by the way, chiefly occupied with standing orders, officials, etc. A division as to admission of the press carried by a large majority. I voted for it.1

1. (1841–1920), Ambassador to Berlin and his daughter, Florence. 2. Near Eastbourne, East Sussex, owned by the Dukes of Devonshire. 3. Francis Carruthers Gould (1844–1925), caricaturist and assistant editor of the Westminster Gazette. The cartoon appeared on 5 June 1903, p. 3. 1. Revd. William Philip Hurrell, vicar of St. James, 1892–1905. 2. Northampton Daily Reporter, 28 July 1903, p. 2. 3. Wife of Nathaniel Pearce Sharman, a leading Liberal who had been chairman of Wellingborough Board of Guardians and of the School Board. She was a Liberal politician in her own right. 1. Northamptonshire Education Committee (NEC) Minutes, 8 Aug. 1903, p. 3.

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Monday 10 August Fawsley Spent the whole morning at Badby, chiefly on the School Managers’ Committee. I foresee we shall have a desperate struggle to save our school from ceasing to be a Church School, after all the years we have fought for it. Monday 24 August Fawsley 1

Lord Salisbury is dead. ‘A great Christian gentleman’ is indeed the best description of him. And how he has guided the fortunes of this great country these 16 years! Rainald was wrong when he so deprecated his taking office under Disraeli in 1874.2 Thursday 27 August Fawsley My first garden party since I have been alone. About 130 people came and I hope enjoyed themselves, but the weather was not kind: it began to rain just as they all arrived. Monday 7 September Aynhoe Park, Banbury A lovely morning, wandered about with Harriet, photographing in the singularly picturesque village. Walked with Madame van der Heim, who is pleasant enough. Mr. Barron of the Victoria County History arrived, cocksure as ever about everything. 1. On 22 Aug. at Hatfield. 2. Ady, Journals, p. 257.

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Saturday 12 September Fawsley Drove with Georgie to Northampton for County Education. We appointed two organizing Inspectors and a Chief clerk,1 and decided to organize the School Attendance areas as far as possible by the lines of the County Council electoral divisions. It was all very interesting. Monday 14 September Fawsley 1

Mr. Cartwright and Baroness van der Heim came over quite early and spent the day, and I greatly enjoyed showing them the place. Frank Thornton called and talked of the difficulty to finding a candidate for Mid Northants, and I undertook to write to Bob Peel.2 Tuesday 15 September Fawsley Tricycled down to Badby to meet the Inspector, Mr. Cartwright, Charlie and Mr. Scratton and talk about the necessary additions to the School. Thursday 17 September Fawsley Drove over to a garden party at Chipping Warden…I was greatly dismayed by Beatrice Cartwright’s confidential announcement that Mr. FitzRoy does not intend to stand again. In the evening I took my courage in my two hands and wrote to Mr. Watson to ask him to bring some influence to bear on Charlie. I should so like one of the old names to hold the seat while it is still possible.

1. D.Elliott, Duston, Inspector of Northamptonshire Voluntary schools, and W.Forrester, Inspector of Manchester Board Schools. W.G.Hayward, Chief Clerk Cardiff School Board, resigned, and was replaced by J.B.Liddle, South Shields in March 1904. NEC Minutes, 12 Sept. 1903, p. 2. 1. A.Cartwright, His Majesty’s Inspector of Elementary Schools. 2. Lt.-Col. Robert Francis Peel, Coldstream Guards, served in the South African War, 1899–1902.

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Friday 18 September Fawsley Electrified by the news that Mr. Chamberlain had resigned, apparently that he may fight the battle of fiscal reform from a position of ‘greater freedom and less responsibility’. He and Mr. Balfour part, apparently, the best of friends. Mr. Ritchie and Lord George Hamilton leave the Cabinet for the opposite reason,1 and altogether the position is to the last degree perplexing. Saturday 26 September Fawsley Off early to Education Committee where we appointed an Assistant Secretary, Mr. Sadler,1 and passed the areas for the School Attendance Committee.2 I came home by Byfield, travelling with Mr. FitzRoy, who, to everyone’s regret, has announced his intention of retiring. Monday 28 September Fawsley Mr. Bob Peel came all the way from Apley, Shropshire, for a couple of hours for the purpose of discoursing with me about Mid Northants. He asked me a great many questions about the constituency, but of course the great difficulty is the money and this is further complicated by his engagement to Alice Meyrick.1 He went off again at 2…Beatrice Cartwright arrived. She and I discussed whether to propose a resolution at the Divisional Council about Macedonia;2 I think we ought. Mr. Balfour gives us a lead,3 and it should not be left to the Radicals to make party capital of. Surely the Western Powers, if united, could without risk of war, insist on the Treaty of Berlin being carried out. 1. Ritchie and Hamilton both strongly opposed Chamberlain’s views. See Lord George Hamilton, Parliamentary Reminiscences and Recollections 1886–1906 (1922), pp. 320–2. 1. W.D.Sadler, M.A.Oxon., Chelsea. 2. The county was divided into 10 groups for this purpose. 1. Daughter of Sir Thomas Meyrick, 1st. Bart. of Apley Castle, Shropshire, and M.P., Pembroke, 1868–74. 2. Arising from Turkish attacks on the Macedonian population in response to an uprising. The Times printed many letters urging Government action in support of the Macedonians. 3. Balfour clarified the Conservative Government’s position in a letter to The Times on 26 Sept. 1903, p. 7.

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Thursday 1 October Fawsley Mr. Balfour has been making a great speech at Sheffield to the Conservative Association, who are evidently prepared to go much further in support of Chamberlain than he is:1 he says a tax on food is not within the range of practical politics, that the country is not ripe for it. Therefore the Duke of Devonshire resigns, as Lord George Hamilton, Mr. Ritchie, Lord Balfour of Burleigh and some minor fry have done before. There never, surely, was such a complicated position. Friday 2 October Fawsley Rose Corbet and I had a delightful tricycle ride round by Preston and Church Charwelton and went to the peaceful 5 o’clock service. Certainly those machines are delightful conveyances for old ladies. Tuesday 6 October Ladies’ Empire Club, 69 Grosvenor Street Came to London and spent most of the afternoon at the Rhodesian Committee, which seems to me to want a good deal of looking after. Settled at this new and very comfortable Club.1 Wednesday 7 October Ladies’ Empire Club, 69 Grosvenor Street Spent the morning on South African Expansion Committee, a good deal of discussion on Ireland, on the interminable subject of contracts, etc. Lunched with Mrs. Evelyn Cecil,1 tea with Mary Hervey and looked at some of her beautiful photographs of Italian pictures. In the evening took Robertson to a Promenade Concert and heard at last Tchaikovsky’s Symphonie Pathétique.2 Harry says it is morbid, I think it is beautiful, specially the end.

1. At the annual meeting of the National Union of Conservative Associations on 1 Oct., Balfour outlined his policy involving the imposition on tariffs to be used in bargaining to lower foreign custom duties. See A.Sykes, Tariff Reform in British Politics, 1903–1913 (1979), p. 53. 1.Opened in May 1902 by Joseph Chamberlain, the Club provided accommodation for 1500 members and a centre for ladies from all parts of the Empire. The Times, 21 April 1903, p. 5.

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Thursday 8 October Ladies’ Empire Club, 69 Grosvenor Street Lady Jersey and I breakfasted together. She is very anti-Chamberlain. He has been making a magnificent speech at Glasgow and another at Greenock1 and revealing his plan, which by some wonderful hocus pocus is to tax food without making it dearer. One feels carried away by his eloquence and yet, like the Duke of Devonshire, I feel it ‘a beastly bore to have to divest myself of the free trade garments I have worn all my life’. But he is certainly gaining ground in the country. Tuesday 3 November New Inn, Gloucester Went by train to Cheltenham for the opening meeting of the National Union of Women Workers,1 held in the very fine hall of the Ladies’ College, presided over by Miss Beale.2 The discussion in the morning was on the registration of teachers3 and was very informing. There was considerable difference of opinion as to whether there should be one register or whether it should be divided into A and B, primary and secondary teachers. It was also pointed out that considerable expense must be incurred by secondary teachers in qualifying for the register, and it was hoped that County Councils would provide scholarships. (Later) to a very interesting discussion on the new Midwives Act;4 great difference of opinion there also as to the class of woman it is desirable to train for these posts. 1.Alicia, wife of Evelyn Cecil, Conservative M.P., Aston Manor, 1900–18, lived at 2 Cadogan Square. 2.The Times, 8 Oct. 1903, p. 11. 1.At St. Andrew’s Hall, Glasgow, where there was a large audience. About 3500 people attended the meeting at the Town Hall, Greenock. The Times, 7 Oct. 1903, p. 4 and 8 Oct. 1903, p. 8. 1. For a report on the whole Conference, see the Gloucestershire Chronicle, 7 Nov. 1903, pp. 3–5. 2. Dorothea Beale (1831–1906), pioneer of women’s education and the training of women teachers. Principal of Cheltenham Ladies’ College from 1858 until her death. 3. The Scope and Effect on the Teaching Profession of the Registration of Teachers’. Women Workers, 1903, pp. 10–23. 4. ‘An Act to secure the better training of Midwives, and to regulate their practice’ received the Royal Assent on 31 July 1902.

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Wednesday 4 November New Inn, Gloucester A very long day at Cheltenham: all day on the National Council, great discussion as to whether resolutions should be brought forward. Agreed they should be, with safeguards. Had to stay for the evening discussion re employment of barmaids. As usual, much to be said both ways. The first speech, against it, weighed heavily with me, and I spoke very ill in consequence. Lunched again with Sara,1 dined with Miss Hall, and went to tea at Glenlees, one of the largest boarding houses in connection with the Ladies’ College, which numbers over 800 pupils. Went all over it. What a world of its own this educational world is, and I know so little of it. Thursday 5 November Fawsley The Conference removed itself to Gloucester, much more convenient. The most brilliant paper of the week, to my mind, was read by Miss Hughes, late Principal of Cambridge Training College,1 on Secondary Education under the new Act. A good deal of discussion followed. One awful woman, Mrs. Bridge Adams of the London School Board,2 ranted away, but she was the exception which proved the rule. The tone and temper of the Conference on the whole was admirable. In the luncheon hour I went with Miss Browne3 to see the Girls’ Friendly Society Lodge and had a most interesting talk with Mrs. John Hopkinson4 about the splendid offer we have of land in Orange River. In the afternoon, and a good deal of nonsense about Public Health in rural districts. Lady Verney5 however spoke good sense, both in this subject and also in the morning. After that, I read my Truro paper again at a Girls’ Friendly Society Associates meeting and Lady Llewelyn6 spoke quite charmingly on the high aims and told us such a pretty story of the kitchen maid cheered and encouraged by a word and a smile. Then a capital meeting about the exclusion of women from the proposed National Church Council, Mrs. Creighton admirable. Dined with Mrs. Perowne7 and ended a rather dull meeting about Sunday Schools, to which I should not have gone but to hear the valedictory address of Miss Clifford, the ‘Guardian Angel’ of Bristol, and it was well worth while. 1. Sara Fuller, née Cookson, LMK’s cousin whom she had not seen for 25 years. 1. Miss Elizabeth Phillipps Hughes (1851–1925), first principal, Cambridge Teaching College for Women, opened in 1885. On ‘Secondary Education under the Act of 1902’. Women Workers, pp. 88–95. 2. Mary Bridge Adams, head teacher and socialist. 3. Annabella M.Browne, GFS Diocesan President, Gloucester, 1892–1906. The Lodge, Nettleton Rd., Gloucester, was established in 1881. 4. Head of SACS Agricultural Committee.

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Tuesday 10 November 5 Eaton Terrace 1

Went with Lady Falmouth and Mrs. Hopkinson down to Swanley and spent a most interesting morning in going over the Horticultural College, where 65 girl students are being trained in gardening, dairy work, poultry and bee keeping. It was most amusing to see them all trailing about in their short skirts and dirty boots, wheeling, sweeping, cleaning stephanotis leaves, etc, in short doing all the practical work as well as attending lectures, etc. There is a small Colonial branch attached, where cooking and other things are also taught. The College is quite full, including one or two Germans, an Italian and a Polish Jew. The girls all look happy and bright and in excellent health. Thursday 12 November 5 Eaton Terrace Conference with Mrs. Joyce in the morning, luncheon with the Otways. Sir Arthur1 specially pleasant, talked about Gladstone, the curiously humble way in which he once asked him, ‘if you don’t mind,’ to let him answer a speech of Sir R.Palmer’s,2 which it would naturally have fallen to Sir Arthur to reply to. Told how they once went together to look at the statue of Disraeli in Parliament Square, but were driven away by a cheering mob, as had happened to Mr. Gladstone several times before. I mentioned how Rainald had always predicted that if ever Protection came back, it must begin in the large towns, as it is doing. ‘Ah,’ Sir Arthur replied, ‘Knightley was such a shrewd, farseeing man’, and went on to talk of his influence in the House, so much greater than people outside realized. 5. Margaret, wife of Sir Edward Verney, 3rd. Bart. She was a member of the Council of the University of Wales. 6. Caroline Julia, daughter of Sir Michael Hicks Beach, 8th. Bart.; and wife of Sir John Talbot Dillwyn Llewelyn, 1st. Bart., Conservative M.P., Swansea Town, 1895–1900. 7. Wife of Rt. Revd. John James Perowne, Bishop of Worcester, 1891–1901. 1. Kathleen, wife of Evelyn Edward Boscawen, 7th. Viscount Falmouth. 1. Sir Arthur Otway, Deputy Speaker of the Commons, 1883–5. 2. Sir Roundell Palmer (1812–95), Attorney-General, 1868–74, Lord Chancellor, 1880–5, in Gladstone’s Cabinet; created 1st. Earl of Selborne, 1882.

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Wednesday 18 November Bourdon House, Davies Street Met, at the Alexandra, by appointment, Miss Orlebar, Mrs. Boase, her sister, with a pleasing daughter. Their mother was Miss Kingston and her grandmother was Miss Knightley, daughter of Valentine Knightley,1 whose picture is in the dining room. They lent me a number of family records, the most interesting a volume of recollections put together by their Mother, the same volume that Miss Orlebar brought here some years ago, and then sent for in a great hurry. Some of her stories are incorrect, but there is a good deal that is interesting. I wonder if it is true that Sir Charles before he succeeded was engaged to Miss Willis, but that Miss Hervey determined to marry him and succeeded. Also that his mother, Miss Boulton, was wooed by all the three brothers, Valentine, John and Charles, the elder remaining unmarried for her sake. The story of James Knightley’s marriage to Miss Mary Davies is differently told from what I have heard. According to Mrs. Orlebar, she ran away, he took her back, and cut himself off from all his Fawsley relations and lived and died at Knightleys, Exeter, a house I passed the other day on the way to St. David’s Station. Saturday 21 November Fawsley To Northampton for the Education Committee.1 It seems to me that we pass most of our time in ratifying the decisions of the Organizing Sub Committee bossed by Mr. Ryland Adkins. Monday 23 November Fawsley To Daventry, paid diverse visits. Mr. Chamberlain proceeds with his campaign and seems to carry the whole country with him: I am very nearly converted 1. Wife of John Kingston of Barnet; Jane Knightley died in 1710. 1. Northampton Daily Reporter, 21 Nov. 1903, p. 4.

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Sunday 29 November Fawsley The Duke of Devonshire and Lord Goschen have set me on the wall from which I have very nearly descended…1 Advent Sunday, and the beginning of another Church year. It is a curious feeling that there can’t be many more for me. I have been much interested this week in the family papers lent me by Miss Orlebar. They fill in the outlines of the Knightleys of the 18th century, of whom I know so little. A proud race they seem to have been. Tuesday 1 December 10 South Eaton Place Came to London to stay with Lillie Gordon. Lunched at the Alexandra with Miss Orlebar and talked over the family papers. Then to a very good Primrose League drawing room meeting at the house of Mrs. Knowles Corrie, 45 Leinster Gardens, Meresia Nevill in the chair. I spoke (rather well) and Mrs. Lane-Fox made an excellent speech, specially on the importance of not forgetting religious education in the hubbub of the fiscal question. Wednesday 2 December 10 South Eaton Place A long and interesting South African Colonisation Society Committee. We had Mr. Tatham, President of the Maritzburg Committee, begging us not to turn ourselves into a Registry Office for trained servants; we were obliged to tell him that that was exactly what his Committee tried to make of us. Then we had Mr. Atkinson, right hand man of the AgentGeneral for the Cape Government, who wants us to act as their agents, and he made us quite a nice little speech thanking us for all we had done. 1. Since Oct. 1903, Goschen had been urging Devonshire to lead the Unionist free traders against Chamberlain. See B.Holland, Life of the Duke of Devonshire 1833–1908 (1911), ii, pp.376–7.

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Thursday 31 December Fawsley 1903 is gone, 1904 is begun. What am I going to do with it? Two resolutions: more and better prayer, less talk about myself. God help me. It is a sad time for money, much distress and want of employment. Macedonia in inexpressible misery, the shadow of war over the Far East. The world does get better, I know and I believe, but oh, how much sin and misery there is still!

*1904* Thursday 7 January Fawsley January 5 to Northampton for Education Committee—election of attendance officers— very dull and badly managed.1 We do it much better on Girls’ Friendly Society Council. Lord Spencer was there. He appeared on Thursday for the first time at Quarter Sessions, when Charlie was elected Deputy Chairman of Quarter Sessions.2 Saturday 23 January Fawsley Education Committee. Horrified at the proposal to deduct from the teachers’ salaries the amount due for the ‘time employed in religious instruction’. Very few of our people were there, so we were beat by 10 to 4. It don’t really matter, as it is referred to the Board of Education, but it is the spirit, and still worse, on the proposal to provide Bibles for the schools, the co-opted Board School master strongly objected to the Bible in schools at all.1 Tuesday 9 February 52 Onslow Gardens Some talk to the Dean of Hereford1 about barmaids. I wonder if the Freedom of Labour Defence is right in so vehemently opposing their ‘painless extinction’? 1. 234 applications had been received and 25 candidates were interviewed for the 10 posts. Northampton Daily Reporter, 9 Jan. 1904, p. 4. 2. Ibid., 7 Jan. 1904, p. 3. 1. See ‘Payments for Denominational Schools’, Northampton Daily Reporter, 23 Jan. 1904, p. 4. 1. Very Revd. James Wentworth Leigh, Dean since 1894.

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Wednesday 10 February 52 Onslow Gardens The 64th anniversary of the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, and chosen by her granddaughter, Princess Alice of Albany, for her marriage to Prince Alexander of Teck. What memories it all recalled as for the fourth time I found myself at Windsor for a Royal wedding. I went down in the special train with Lord Aldenham and Miss Gibbs,1 and we talked a little of the eternal fiscal question. The Duke of Devonshire’s speech at the Guildhall on Tuesday2 seemed to me extremely weak. Soon I found myself seated in St. George’s Chapel; the weather, happily, was fine but not very sunny, and the old historic fane looked rather loomy, though the bright dresses and uniforms helped to light it up… The first intimation that something was going to happen was the March from Athalie,3 to which entered the procession of the clergy, my Bishop of Peterborough among them, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, with his scarlet train borne by five little white robed choristers. Then came the bridegroom, a soldier-like looking young fellow in his Hussar uniform, with him his two brothers. Then a long pause, and then the King and Queen appeared hand in hand, heralded by distant strains of the National Anthem. They took their places on the haut pas close to the altar, where a number of stools had been arranged for them, and the King handed up the two Queens, of Württemberg and the Queen Mother of the Netherlands.… Then came the bride, hand in hand with her young brother, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, a touchingly youthful pair, her veil back after the manner of Royal brides, and just the same sweet, serious kind of expression as the bride of yesterday, though they are an absolute contrast in appearance. Five Princess bridesmaids in pale blue followers, three little things, Princess Mary of Wales, Mary of Teck and Helene of Waldeck carrying the train while the two Princesses of Connaught looked after them. Then followed the service, performed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Peterborough…Perfect in taste and feeling was the Archbishop’s short address pointing back to the beautiful example of home life set by the Queen and Prince. (I could not help wondering how the King felt as he listened to the words!) It was all soon over, and we gradually made our way to the Castle where, to my great delight, I found luncheon was to be in St. George’s Hall. It has always been my ambition to be present at a banquet there, and this is the next best thing. All the magnificent gold plate was arranged at each end, including the famous tiger’s head in gold, taken from Tippoo Sahib at: the battle of Seringapatam.4 I was fortunate enough to go in with the Bishop of Peterborough and with Lord Blythswood 5on the other side thoroughly enjoyed the cheery luncheon, so comfortably arranged at round tables all down the magnificent room, and for once I liked the band of the Coldstreams at the far end. Two flourishes of trumpets preceded the two toasts, the Bride and Bridegroom, and the King and Queen, and then we were summoned to the Green drawing room to see them go by. The King, the bride, the bridegroom and the Queen were the four, and I was immensely pleased by the King, after shaking hands with me and saying, I haven’t seen

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you for a long time’ (as a matter of fact I have not seen him to speak to since Homburg in 1900), turning to Princess Alice and saying ‘Lady Knightley.′ She of course exclaimed, ‘Oh, I know quite well’, but I did think it pretty of him to remind her of her father’s friend. Then it was all over, and we returned to London as we came, Lord Camperdown6 reading out accounts of Japanese successes in the war which, alas, has broken out.7 Thursday 11 February Fawsley Returned to daily life, came down (3rd class, a contrast to yesterday) to Willoughby,1 and attended the first meeting of the Education District Committee at the Moot Hall at Daventry. We elected Captain Clarke chairman, and settled quorum, time, date, place, etc. Friday 26 February 22 Morpeth Mansions Came up by the breakfast train (the ground covered with snow) to stay with Mary Hervey. Attended a Primrose League meeting in the morning, in the afternoon a long conference in Downing Street as to Lady Helen and the Scotch Committee1 who give more trouble than ever. Lady H. Munro must go. Mary amused me immensely with a story of Louisa Lady Ashburton2 who, walking to Mr. Gladstone’s funeral suddenly announced her intention of taking off her flounced petticoat. Miss Wilberforce who was with her, aghast, asked what she would do with it? ‘Oh, give it to a policeman.’ Miss Wilberforce mildly suggested that he would not be able to take charge of it, being on duty, so she contented herself with taking it off and carrying it on her arm. 1. Henry Hucks Gibbs (1819–1907), 1st. Baron Aldenham, Governor of the Bank of England, 1875–7, director, 1853–1901, Conservative M.P., City of London, 1891–2 and his daughter, Edith Caroline. 2. On the fiscal question. The Times, 9 Feb. 1904, p. 14. 3. The Priest’s March from Mendelssohn’s incidental music to Racine’s play, Athalie. 4. Sultan of Mysore, defeated and killed by the British under the command of Lt.-General George Harris in 1799. See D.Forrest, Tiger of Mysore (1970), pp. 282–93. 5. Archibald Campbell (1835–1908), 1st. Baron Blythswood, scientist. 6. Robert Adam, 3rd. Earl of Camperdown, Civil Lord of the Admiralty, 1870–4. 7. On 8 Feb. 1904, when the Japanese attacked the Russian Fleet at Port Arthur. 1. Three miles from Daventry, in Warwickshire. 1. Section of SACS, chaired by Lady Helen Munro-Ferguson. Alice Balfour, the Prime Minister’s sister, lived at 10 Downing Street and was a member of the Executive Committee of the SACS Scottish Branch. 2. Louisa Caroline, second wife of William Bingham Baring, 2nd. Baron Ashburton.

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Saturday 27 February 22 Morpeth Mansions Luncheon with Emily Leslie, sat by Mr. Webb and a pleasant Mr. Headlam,1 a clergyman, who represents London University on the Surrey Education Committee. Tea with Nora. It is thought a pity that the English papers and specially The Times are so violent in their attacks on Russia. Meanwhile the Japs have practically obtained command of the sea. A striking object lesson for us on the influence of sea power. Monday 29 February 63 West Cromwell Road Went to Messrs. Farrer and feel a good deal cheered. Apparently £6000 would now bring me in only about £200. Will purchase an annuity of £500. This, with care, ought just to make the difference. Tuesday 1 March 22 Morpeth Mansions Lunched at the Alexandra with Miss Ireland Blackburn to talk over Miss Bowlby’s1 resignation as Secretary of the Girls’ Friendly Society. Then a bit of Cape Colony and then an interesting meeting at Lord Newton’s2 for the National Service League,3 a movement which if it succeeds will be of great national importance. Sir Howard Vincent pointed out how Russia in a month had lost command of the sea and what would be our position in a similar case without an army of defence? 1. Revd. Arthur Cayley Headlam (1862–1947), Principal of King’s College, London, 1903–12, appointed to the Committee in 1903. 1. Mary Bowlby, Central Secretary, 1896–1906. Reported in AJA, May 1904, p. 1. 2. Thomas Wodehouse Legh, 2nd. Baron Newton, Conservative M.P., Newton, S.W. Lancashire, 1886-98. 3. The League’s aim was to promote compulsory naval and military training for national defence. The first annual general meeting took place on 26 May 1903 at which the Arthur Charles Wellesley, 4th. Duke of Wellington, presided. The Times, 27 May 1903, p. 10.

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Wednesday 2 March 22 Morpeth Mansions South African Colonisation Society Committee, and one of the most odious days it has ever been my lot to spend. Lady Helen Munro-Ferguson was simply intolerable and finally left the Committee.1 Not worth recording at any length. Sunday 6 March Fawsley Charlie came down in the morning to talk over the very unexpected and disagreeable news that the Clerical Insurance Co. propose to raise the interest on the mortgage by percent = £500 a year. He points out, with perfect truth, the impossibility of his raising this additional sum and the upshot of it is that I shall have to give up £400 a year and let the place altogether. No doubt it is all sent for some wise reason, and I must face it as bravely as I can, but it is a terrible blow.1 Monday 7 March Fawsley Went to Preston for the last Ambulance lecture, a very good practice of bandaging, etc., then on to Badby for the Parish Council Election, which resolved itself into a screaming farce. We had literally to send out into the highways and byways to make up the required numbers.

1. SACS Executive Minutes, 1/SAX/1/1, 2 March 1904. 1. The following month, an advertisement was placed in the Law Society’s Gazette and Register seeking funds to be raised on the security of a large freehold agricultural estate in Northamptonshire, containing upwards of 5000 acres, principally grazing land, with good farmhouses and buildings comprising an ample trustee security. Knightley Papers, Acc. 1967/174/370, NRO.

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Tuesday 8 March Fawsley Very much disappointed at not being able to attend the Ambulance examination, owing to a sudden change in the hour for a meeting of School Managers at Badby to meet the architect and see what can be done to save the schools. If we can raise £450 it may be done, but I have grave fears. A heavenly Spring day, and one’s spirits rise proportionately. I have been thinking things over and hope I may be able to pull through without leaving this beloved house. Monday 11 April Wakefield Lodge Came over here to stay with my dear old friend the Duke of Grafton for the first time since that unlucky visit to Euston so many years ago.1 I have never stayed here since that memorable visit to his brother when we met the Prince Imperial. Sunday 24 April Fawsley I have just finished having the staircase and passages painted a beautiful red, on which both prints and pictures look extremely well and have put up the blue and white china from Richmond Park which all my life has lived in a cupboard. How I love my home, tho’ it be but a beautiful jewel case with the jewel gone. May it please God that I may continue to live here. Wednesday 27 April Houndshill, Stratford-on-Avon After luncheon with Florence1 to Stratford to see Julius Caesar. I never liked Benson less than as Mark Antony. He has not improved since I saw him last.2 The mob was good but so noisy it made one’s head ache. The house was crammed. 1. LMK visited Wakefield Lodge in 19 Feb. 1878 when she ‘sat by’ the Prince Imperial. Ady, Journals, p. 321. 1. Wife of Revd. Henry Francis Knightley, vicar of St. John, Wasperton, Warwickshire, 1883–96. 2. Entry, 22 April 1899.

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Thursday 9 June Fawsley Another bright day to add to my long list of happy Girls’ Friendly Society memories. Edith, Katie Evans1 and I drove over to Althorp (picnicking by the way at the top of Wade Hill) and joined a band of over 700 members and I don’t know how many Associates from all the branches round, for their festival.2 We began with an open air service in a lovely retired spot under the trees, and Mr. Martin of Brington3 gave a nice address. I said a few words, and distributed certificates, then we all sat down to tea at long tables and afterwards went through the house in parties of 30. That was full of memories—poor Lady Spencer, how full she was of her electric light the night I dined there, and then I found the room I had when I was there with my darling in, I think, 1891.4 Afterwards I wandered about the grounds which I did not know and which are old-fashioned and stately in their way. And so home. But what a power for good those girls can be if only they realize it. 1. Wife of Revd. Thomas Howel Evans, rector of St. Peter, Preston Capes since 1898. 2. Northampton Daily Reporter, 11 June 1904, p. 4. 3. Revd. William Martin, rector of St. Mary, Brington since 1898. 4. Entry, 9–10 Nov. 1891.

Friday 10 June Fawsley Rode to Charwelton with dear old Phil Barne. Country perfectly lovely. I really begin to think I like this alternation of town and country life. Monday 20 June 110 Eaton Square Came to London to stay with Colonel and Mrs. Codrington. Lunched with Mary Hervey, then Colonial Committee of the Girls’ Friendly Society, very interesting.1 It is quite wonderful how it is enlarging its borders all over the world. Miss Beckwith’s tour in South Africa and Miss Townend’s2 in India promise great results. 1. AJA, Aug. 1904, pp. 179–80. 2. Kathleen M.Townend, Vice-President, GFS Central Council, member of GFS deputation touring India in 1903. 3. Alice, née Stopford, wife of John Richard Green (1837–83), historian. 4. Jane Maria, suffragist, wife of Lt.-General Sir Richard Strachey, scientist and administrator. See B.Strachey, The Strachey line, (1985) pp. 174–5.

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After the ‘Cabinet’ to a pleasant Colonial Conversazione at Lambeth, deliciously cool and restful. In the evening dined with the Women Writers, sat between Mrs. J.R.Green3 and a French lady, Lady Strachey4 and Mrs. Sidney Webb opposite, pleasant enough but there were a good many nonentities among the names. Miss Beatrice Harradan Ships that Pass in the Night was in the chair and spoke amusingly about ‘women being able to dine together and talk together’, and (alas) ‘smoke together without being bored’. Tuesday 21 June 110 Eaton Square All the morning on Girls’ Friendly Society Council.1 Lunched at the Victoria Club with Lady Mary Turnor,2 then to the Annual Meeting of the Working Ladies’ Guild at Mrs. Gosling’s in Portland Place, Bishop of Peterborough in the chair, Princess Beatrice there: I spoke shortly. At tea afterwards Princess Beatrice told us that a friend of hers had gone out to nurse in Japan and found all the arrangements so good we might well learn from them. They are an amazing people. Saturday 2 July Fawsley Drove through to Northampton for the Higher Education Committee:1 was photographed. Tuesday 5 July 65 Eaton Square Did a Rhodesian Committee in the afternoon. At night went with Edie Legh to Ethel Perrott’s1 long talked of show for the Ophthalmic Hospital at Jerusalem, organized by the Order. It was at His Majesty’s and we could only afford guinea seats in the Upper Circle, whence the house was invisible, though the King and Queen and hosts of minor royalties were there. But it was a gorgeous entertainment. Albani (charming as ever, though her voice is not what it was), Kubelik,2 whom I have not heard before, and others and a beautiful series of tableaux arranged by various artists, illustrative of the history of the Order. It ended with a pageant representing Mary Tudor granting the charter (never 1. AJA, Aug. 1904, pp. 177–9. 2. GFS Diocesan President, Lincoln, 1879–1920, Dame President of Wragby Primrose League Habitation, daughter of Charles, Gordon, 10th. Marquess of Huntly, widow of Edmund Turnor of Panton Hall, Wragby, Lincolnshire. 1. LMK appointed to the Higher Education Committee (HEC) in place of the Elementary Education Committee. NEC Minutes, 18 June 1904, p. 7.

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repealed) to Sir Thomas Tresham.3 Handsome Lady Tweeddale4 was not historically correct as plain Queen Mary but the effect was extremely good. Somehow ladies and gentlemen look more like the real thing. Saturday 23 July Fawsley On Monday 18 July, Mr. Noble came down to look at the place, kept me on tenterhooks till Thursday and didn’t take it. I ought to be sorry, but am not. It is so delicious here, better than I almost ever knew it. Thursday 4 August Fawsley Interesting debate in the Lords on the Licensing bill.11 do believe, in spite of all that is said, it is a step in the right direction. Friday 5 August Fawsley Agitated by the appearance of a Mr. Haliday, who came to see the house, but telegraphed tonight that he will not take it. Went to Badby and to call on Mrs. Romer Williams.1 Fine speech of Mr. Chamberlain’s to an enormous agricultural audience at Welbeck.2 But I don’t see that he removes the difficulty I feel that a 2s. duty on foreign corn will do no good to the farmer if we get all we want from Australia. And the 5 per cent duty on all 1. Ethel, wife of Sir Herbert Perrott, 5th. Bart., secretary of the Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem and chief secretary of St. John’s Ambulance Association. The Times, 6 July 1904, p. 12. 2. Jan Kubelik (1880–1940), Czech violinist. 3. Tresham, of Rushton Hall, a Roman Catholic, proclaimed Mary Tudor Queen in Northampton in July 1553. See H.F.M.Prescott, Mary Tudor (1953), p. 175. Mary appointed him Grand Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem when she restored the Order. 4. Candida Louise, wife of William Montagu Hay, 10th. Marquess of Tweeddale, Lord High Commissioner of the Church of Scotland, 1888–92 and 1896–7. 1. Hansard, 4, 139, cols. 848–947, 4 Aug. 1904, committee stage. 1. Dora Louisa, wife of Romer Williams of Newnham Hall. 2. At Welbeck Abbey near Worksop, Nottinghamshire, to an audience of ten to twelve thousand people, mostly farmers and labourers. Opening his second fiscal campaign, Chamberlain urged the audience not to forget ‘the claims of our fellow kinsman across the seas who had stood by us in war and who had not forgotten us in peace’. The Times, 4 Aug. 1904, p. 10.

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dairy produce will hurt the labourer and his children more than the reduction on it will help him. Friday 9 September Fawsley Katie Evans came to luncheon and we had our first Reading Circle, to choose the subjects. Decided on The English Labourer, past and present, English Churches in towns and History of Russia. Wednesday 21 September Fawsley A long School Committee at Badby in the morning.1 It is very difficult to arrange the transition from the old system to the new. Thursday 22 September Fawsley Deeply interested in the report of the Committee on Physical Deterioration,1 practically a report on the condition of the people generally. Much is very sad and very bad, still there seems to be improvement. Wednesday 28 September Fawsley To Badby and at Daventry and met Mrs. Lowndes at tea at Mrs. Stopford’s. She told me that there is an old inn (now rebuilt) at Willoughby called The Four Crosses. It used to be called The Three Crosses till Dean Swift,1 putting up there one day on his way to Ireland, fell into an altercation with the landlady because the carriage did not come round at the right time. In a great rage he stepped into the parlour, and with the diamond in his ring wrote on the window: 1. It was reported that the school had been awarded the higher grant by the Board of Education for the year. NH, 23 Sept. 1904, p. 7. 1. Public concern had been aroused by the poor state of health of many recruits for the Army during the Boer War. The Report of the Inter Departmental Committee on Physical Deterioration (1904), Cd. 2175, recommended ways of remedying the situation.

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Three crosses here there were before Hang your wife, and there’ll be four.

And the inn has been so called to this day. The original inscription is said to be in a curiosity shop at Rugby. Monday 3 October Fawsley A very long busy day and a very beautiful one, which made my drive to Woodford for a Primrose League Divisional Council and a delightful one. Capital idea of garden meeting in summer instead of the winter meeting of which we are all so tired…Afterwards went down to Badby when with school accounts and Parish Council there was plenty to do, though rather a case of great cry and little wool.1 Tuesday 4 October 145 Victoria Street It is curious that my last volume began at a place so associated with Rainald as Elton and my present one begins with a day spent at a place with so many happy recollections of him as Brackley. I started at 10 o’clock and drove all the way, arriving just in time for service in the School Chapel, at the reopening of which in 1870 I first heard Bishop Magee.1 Our present Bishop 2was the preacher today and very earnest and solemn were the words he addressed to the boys. Then came luncheon in the Town Hall. I sat between the President and the Bursar of Magdalen College. I was glad to hear from the latter, who goes about a great deal inspecting College lands that he sees some symptoms of the rural exodus being stayed, and people returning to the country. After that we adjourned upstairs, to the room where I went to hear the speeches at the memorable dinner given to Rainald in 1886. Lady Mary Glyn 3distributed the prizes to the boys, more gracefully I think than anyone I ever saw, 1. Jonathan Swift (1667–1745), Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, satirist and author of Gulliver’s Travels. 1. NH, 7 Oct. 1904, p. 6. 1. Ady, Journals, 1 March 1870, p. 188. 2. Rt. Revd. Edward Carr Glyn. 3. Wife of the Bishop of Peterborough. 4. Alfred Edwin Howard Tutton, D.Sc, FRS, HM Inspector of Schools (Secondary Branch), Board of Education, since 1895.

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and there was a good deal of speechifying, which however dwells not in the memory. It lasted so long I had no time to see the new buildings, the opening of which was the point of the day; but I travelled up with Dr. Tutton,4 of the Inspectors of Secondary Schools, and had a good deal of talk with him. I am so glad to take every opportunity of learning about higher education. Tuesday 18 October Cambo, Northumberland Sir George Trevelyan came to dinner and made himself most agreeable. He talked of President Roosevelt,1 whom he seemed to think a man of great ability…Talked of The Times, which he considers still to have enormous power, because it is the paper most read by the governing classes. Tuesday 8 November Dringthorpe, York Middlesborough to the Friends’ Meeting House for the Conference of Women Workers. An interesting discussion on School Hygiene1 in the morning, and in the afternoon a still more interesting one on Garden Cities, about which two men read papers.2 A certain amount of nonsense was talked, as might be expected, but on the whole I was struck, as throughout the week, by the practical, purposeful character of the discussion. After the afternoon meeting we adjourned to the Soldiers’ Institute on the invitation of Mrs. Wilkinson and I gave an address on Protected Emigration. Finally came home, where I am put up by Sir Charles Reed3 and his daughter, kind, friendly people. 1. Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919), 26th. President of USA. The two men became friends after the publication of the first volume of Trevelyan’s The American Revolution in 1897 and they corresponded over a period of 20 years. See J.B.Bishop, Theodore Roosevelt and his Time (1920), ii, Ch. 7, pp. 136–82. 1. By Edith Mary Marvin (1872–1958), a former HMI, ‘Practical Hygiene for Teachers and Managers of Schools’. Women Workers, 1904, pp. 11–25. 2. Raymond Unwin (1863–1940), co-designer of Letchworth Garden City and Hampstead Garden Suburb, on ‘The Improvement of Towns’, and H.R.Aldridge on ‘The Proper Planning of New Housing Areas’, ibid., pp. 43–51. 3. High Sheriff, County Durham since 1894.

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Wednesday 9 November Dringthorpe, York In to York early morning and chiefly taken up with Reports…In the afternoon the burning question of the unemployed.1 There are so many out of work this winter. I do not know that much light was thrown on the subject. Went to tea with Mrs. Wilkinson and met Miss White of the Alexandra College, Dublin, who delighted me with an account of how she had interested her girls in work, and they had bought up slums in Dublin and reformed them on Miss Octavia Hill’s lines.2 Thursday 10 November Dringthorpe, York In again early, and found them all in a frightful state of mind about what happened last night when, in a meeting devoted to National Responsibility, when no discussion was supposed to be allowed, all manner of party questions, Chinese labour, the Boer War, etc, were dragged in, and Mrs. Creighton (who of course is half Russian)1 even, as far as I could gather, took part with the Russians in the recent outrage. However, we had to contain ourselves for the time, and passed the morning in debating various resolutions and defeated Mrs. Creighton’s proposal that in future we should pass none.2 I think so strong a body as the National Union of Women Workers ought to have the power of expressing its opinion and it is safeguarded by requiring a two-thirds majority. At luncheon made the acquaintance of Miss Soulsby,3 whose delightful writings for girls I have been reading with the greatest pleasure… The afternoon was given up to technical education for girls and many experts spoke. I mentioned the Domestic Economy School at Northampton. 1. Paper given by Edward Johns Urwick (1867–1945), sub-warden, Toynbee Hall, 1898–1902, then lecturer and later first Professor of Social Philosophy, London School of Economics. 2. Octavia Hill (1838–1912), philanthropist and housing reformer. 1. Daughter of Robert von Glehn, merchant from Reval (Tallinn), Estonia. James T.Covert, (ed.), See Memoir of a Victorian Woman: Reflections of Louise Creighton, 1850–1936 (1994), pp.3–4. 2. Mrs. Creighton presided at the session. The Times, 11 Nov. 1904, p. 8. 3. Lucy H.M.Soulsby, headmistresses of Oxford High School for Girls.

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Friday 11 November Fawsley Went in the morning to hear Mrs. Creighton’s admirable valedictory address,1 which was quite beautiful. She specially urged the workers not to be fussy over their work, a lesson I might take home. In the evening went in again to speak at a Women’s Suffrage meeting which was rather a fiasco—one woman read a paper which lasted 45 minutes. Miss White spoke amusingly, especially when she quoted the case of a woman inspector who was offered two-third of her male predecessor’s salary and second class railway, he having had first. Monday 14 November Fawsley Drove down to Badby in the morning and walked back by the woodside, the beauty quite indescribable, of blue sky and soft haze, and golden leaves still hanging on, while the hounds about gave animation to the scene. In the afternoon Reading Circle, with several new members. We are taking the English Labourer and the English Dweller in Towns, and find it most interesting. Monday 21 November Fawsley Went to Leicester for my last Diocesan Council1 as President There was a very good attendance and they were all so nice and kind. Miss FitzRoy was elected, and I think she will do very well. 1. Women Workers, 1904, pp. 218–28. 1. Held at the YMCA Buildings, Leicester. AJA, Jan. 1905, p. 13.

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Saturday 3 December Fawsley Northampton for Higher Education Committee, a long discussion on the best way of allocating the County Scholarships1 as to prevent Kettering from monopolizing them all. Also a scheme for a uniform system of leaving certificates throughout the country. At present all is chaos. Monday 5 December 52 Onslow Gardens Did a Cape Town Committee, then to be with Mrs. Baden-Powell and met the General1 on the doorstep. A fine soldier-like looking man and less swagger than I expected. Showed me some of his presents, a marvellous collection of swords of honour, pieces of plate caskets, etc. from all parts of the Empire. I said, ‘You mustn’t do another siege, or you won’t know where to put the things.’ He replied. ‘Oh, I hope people will be wise another time and not make such a fuss about so little.’ Says we must wake up and prepare, or England will cease to be a great nation. The Germans are simply spoiling for a war with us. Tuesday 6 December 52 Onslow Gardens To a drawing room meeting at Col. Tufnell’s1 in Eaton Square for the Primrose League. Spoke (rather nicely, I thought) about the necessity of Education in political matters.

1. A Scholarships Sub-Committee was appointed to investigate the scheme and a report was presented on 28 Jan. 1905. NH, 3 Feb. 1905, p. 7. 1. Maj.-General Robert Stephenson Baden-Powell, and his mother, Henrietta Grace. 1. At 46 Eaton Square. Lt.-Col. Edward Tufnell, Conservative M.P., South-East Essex, 1900–6, Gentleman-at-Arms since 1904.

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Friday 9 December Fawsley In the evening arrived Bobby and Mrs. Spencer. I had never seen anything really of Bobby before and was delighted with him. He is so very pleasant and cultivated and full of gossip, old and new. Among other things he told me who was the Prince Consort’s father, Meyern,1 the Intendant of the theatre, I think he said. The Duke of Saxe-Coburg was a horror,2 like Duke Ernest and his wife, an ill-used woman. She never saw her boys again and lived and died in Switzerland about 1835. They were brought up by the Duke’s second wife,3 a good sort of woman. Saturday 10 December Fawsley Showed the pedigree and other of my treasures in the morning. It was a pleasure to show them to anyone so thoroughly interested. In the afternoon drove into Daventry, where Mrs. Spencer1 gave away Miss Mountfield’s2 prizes and they departed there. Wednesday 21 December Fawsley A long day at Northampton for Education. We met for the first time in the new Committee room. Great discussion as to the new scale of salaries for the teachers. It won’t do to have them below the level of the adjoining counties.1 After lunch a Domestic Economy Committee and then a long dreary journey home, the traffic all disorganized by Christmas and most desperate fog in London. Going to Northampton is a corvée, as Rainald used to say. 1. Son of the Court Chamberlain, Baron von Meyern. 2. Princess Louise, daughter of Duke Augustus of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg, left Coburg in 1824, divorcing her husband, Ernest, Duke of Coburg. Two years later she married Baron Alexander von Hanstein and died of cancer in 1831. 3. Duke Ernest married his niece, Princess Marie of Württemberg. 1. Margaret, wife of C.R.Spencer. 2. Miss Mountfield, headmistress of the Daventry Grammar School for Girls. DE, 17 Dec. 1904, p. 5. 1. The meeting also decided to make a survey of the County’s secondary schools in connection with the instruction of pupil teachers. NEC Minutes, 21 Dec. 1904, pp. 4–8.

*1905* Saturday 21 January Fawsley Mrs. Molyneux1 came over for the day to talk Rhodesian Committee. Announced Mr. Beit’s2 gift of £2000 for the purchase of a house for a maternity home at Salisbury. Sunday 22 January Fawsley Two classes and Church as usual…And meanwhile the most terrible scenes were being enacted at St. Petersburg.1 50,000 men, unarmed, wanted to present a petition, a most touching one, to the Czar. Instead of going himself to receive it, he stayed out at Tsarkoe Selo and sent the Grand Duke Vladimir by whose orders they were driven back and shot down in hundreds. The accounts are ghastly, and one wonders what will be the end of it. Saturday 28 January Fawsley ‘Order reigns in St. Petersburg.’ One knows what that means. On Wednesday I went into Daventry and read half Hamlet: it is marvellous how the expressions have embedded themselves in the language. On the way back, a school managers’ meeting at Badby. It will take a good deal of doing to carry the school through. 1. Caroline Elizabeth, member of the Rhodesian Committee, SACS, wife of Hon. Caryl Molyneux. 2. Alfred Beit (1853–1906), South African financier and diamond magnate. 1. Known as ‘Bloody Sunday’ when, on 20 Jan. 1905, a large procession of workers and their families was fired on by soldiers guarding the Winter Palace, St. Petersburg. 1. NH, 27 Jan. 1905, p. 5. 2. Member of the Board of Guardians, and President of the Mothers’ Union, Peterborough. 3. Founded by William Parker in 1576, London draper, from Daventry. NH, 3 Feb. 1905, p. 7. and NEC Minutes, 28 Jan. 1905, p. 3. 4. Louise Creighton, Life and Letters of Mandell Creighton (1904), 2 vols.

On Thursday went to Northampton and presided at a very successful little meeting at the Town Hall to promote the return of women Guardians.1 Mrs. Clayton2 and Miss Janes

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made excellent speeches. On Friday, Mothers’ Meeting and today Education Committee. I had to speak on behalf of the Daventry Grammar School.3 We get on very slowly and we spend a great deal of money. I am deep in Bishop Creighton’s Life4 What a many-sided man he was and so bright and cheery. I suppose his real vocation was to be a historian but he made an excellent Bishop. Saturday 12 February Fawsley Very busy all the week with my last Girls’ Friendly Society Report…I have been elected a member of the British Association and, God willing, shall sail for South Africa in the Kildonan Castle on July 22. It is an undertaking! Tuesday 21 February Fawsley The horror in Russia continues. The Grand Duke Sergei was blown to pieces just outside the Kremlin,1 and nobody seems surprised. He was one of the most tyrannical of the tribe. I cannot help thinking of that beautiful girl, his wife, whom I remember as Princess Elizabeth of Hesse, at Windsor and Claremont. I believe he made her very unhappy.2 Monday 27 February Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park Came to London and went to see the Whistler exhibition.1 I may be, and no doubt am, a perfect Philistine, but only a few of his oil paintings appeal to me. There are two wonderful portraits of Mr. Leyland and of Sarasate, the latter especially most remarkable. Then there are Carlyle and his (Whistler’s) mother, also striking, but I cannot see why he carries the very ugly straight line of the dado, or skirting board, right across the picture in both cases. The etchings appeal to me much more. 1. On 17 Feb. He was the fifth son of Alexander II. 2. Elizabeth was murdered by the Bolsheviks in July 1918.

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Came on here in the afternoon to stay with Lady Dudley, and very good company she is. I was rather surprised at her beginning to talk about Sir Antony MacDonnell,2 Mr. Wyndham3 and her son, Lord Dudley,4 about whom there has been such a fuss. It seems very injudicious to have appointed Sir Anthony at all, Home Ruler as he is, and Mr. Wyndham has distinctively lost ground over it all.5 Whether Lord Dudley has, I can’t say. Friday 7 April Fawsley Came to London early for a South African Colonisation Society Finance Committee… Lunch in a scrimmage with Nora, then British Women’s Emigration Association Council and then home. Met Mr. Long (we did not recognize each other) at Finance, full of the all night sitting, chiefly for nothing.1 He told, I forget who, that he was offered the Admiralty, but refused it because he thought Lord Cawdor2 the better man and accepted Ireland, sorely against the grain, because he thought it his duty. That’s a real man. Wednesday 12 April Fawsley My last Mothers’ meeting and tea. We finished Rider Haggard’s Dr. Therne1 and very dramatic it is, and good for conscientious objectors. Afterwards to Daventry for Primrose League Annual Meeting and worked out a scheme for canvassing.

1. Opened 20 Feb. at the New Gallery, Regent Street, London. 2. Permanent Under-Secretary, Ireland, 1902–8. 3. George Wyndham (1863–1913), Conservative M.P., Dover, 1889–1913, Chief Secretary for Ireland, 1900–5. 4. William Humble Ward, 2nd. Earl of Dudley, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, 1902–5. 5. In Sept. 1904, a report by the Irish Reform Committee had proposed the establishment of a Parliament for Ireland and more freedom to manage their own affairs. The scheme was attacked by Nationalists and Unionists and was abandoned. Wyndham resigned on 6 March. For a full account see Lord Dunraven, Past Times and Pastimes (1922), ii, pp. 25–38. 1. Debate on the committee stage of the Army (Annual) Bill. The House adjourned at 9.15 a.m. that day. Hansard, 4, 144, col. 872, 7 April 1905. 2. Frederick Archibald Vaughan Campbell, 3rd. Earl of Cawdor (1847–1911), Chairman of Great Western Railway, 1895–1905, First Lord of the Admiralty, March-Dec 1905. 1. Published in 1898 and dedicated to ‘the members of the Jenner Society’, the book was aimed at those who objected to compulsory vaccination against small-pox on grounds of conscience (the ‘anti-vaccination’ campaigners).

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Tuesday 18 April Fawsley Drove to Canons Ashby and persuaded Sir Alfred to become Ruling Councillor of the Dryden habitation. Wednesday 19 April Fawsley A bitter cold drive to Daventry en route to Northampton for Education Committee.1 Some discussion on the Marston St. Lawrence case, which has created such a hullabuloo all over the country, Mr. Blencowe2 insisting on taking the children to Church in school hours in defiance of Circular 512 of the Board of Education, whereupon the Northants. Education Committee not only withdrew financial support which they were justified in doing, but sent an inspector to close the school, a most high-handed proceeding.3 I can’t make out who gave the order. I uplifted my voice about economy in small matters but met with mighty little encouragement except from Mr. Wilkinson. Wednesday 3 May Heathfield, Wimbledon Common Went to the South African Colonisation Society Committee, a small meeting; was reelected President without opposition. Tuesday 11 May Fawsley Beatrice Cartwright came and she and I went together to a small, very successful little Canvassing Committee at Mr. Burton’s, arranged under the auspices of the Primrose League, to instruct the canvassers we have appointed in each village. I thought it a useful gathering. 1. NH, 21 April 1905, p. 7 and NEC Minutes, 19 April 1905, p. 67. 2. Revd. Charles Edward Blencowe, vicar of St. Lawrence, Marston St. Lawrence, since 1876. 3. The Board of Education in the letter of 14 April upheld the Committee’s decision but stated that it could not be retrospective. NEC Minutes, 19 April 1905, p. 67.

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Friday 26 May 5 Eaton Terrace In the morning to the Joint Literature on Ladies’ Grand Council of Primrose League at which I presided. Dined with the Yerburgh’s1 three tables of eight, one white narcissus, one yellow iris and one red tulip. It was very quiet and restful. Sat next Mr. Parker Smith,2 Member for Glasgow, and found him rather pleasant. Everyone seems to agree that Monday’s scene has strengthened Mr. Balfour’s position.3 On to a pleasant party in Downing Street, talked to Sir D.Mackenzie Wallace, who has a good deal altered his tone about Russia and Japan. Saturday 27 May 5 Eaton Terrace Off at cockshout for Northampton. Travelled with Lord Spencer, who is very angry with The Times, says it does its best to provoke a war with Russia. Also angry with it about Sunday Closing which was thrown out yesterday by 6.1 I reproduced the old arguments and he had to own there was a good deal in them. Wednesday 7 June 5 Eaton Terrace A long South African Colonisation Society Committee in the morning.1 Mr. Liebrandt, Mrs. Escombe, Miss Dora Fairbridge and Mrs. Max Langerman all came to be interviewed and to interview and it took a long time. They all agreed how the girls get their heads turned on the voyage. After luncheon went to Mrs. Hall’s for a Freedom of Labour meeting 2which was altogether a failure: speakers failed, weather was against us, in short, everything was against us. I was in the Chair and had to make quite a long speech; however I don’t think I did too badly. On to a crowded Primrose League meeting at Mrs. Bischoffsheim’s,3 which neither the weather nor the King of Spain4 affected. 1. Robert Armstrong Yerburgh, President of the Navy League from 1900, Unionist M.P., Chester, 1886–1906. 2. James Parker Smith, Liberal Unionist M.P., Partick, Lanarkshire, 1890–1906. 3. Balfour’s refusal to declare his attitude on the fiscal question ended in uproar in the Commons lasting almost an hour. The sitting was then suspended. Hansard, 4,146, cols. 1053–72, 22 May 1905, and H.W.Lucy, The Balfourian Parliament 1900–1905 (1906), pp. 384–90. 1. The second reading of the Intoxicating Liquors (Sunday) Bill, introduced by R.W.Perks, Liberal M.P., Louth, a life-long advocate of the closure of public houses on Sunday, on 26 May. The Bill was defeated by 114 to 108. Hansard, 4, 146, cols. 1537–75, 26 May 1905.

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Tuesday 8 June 5 Eaton Terrace Had a nice quiet morning and for a wonder it was fine. Emily Leslie came to luncheon and we drove together. It is such a joy being able to give people lifts. I have always repented in the last 10 years when I have been without a carriage that I did not do it much more when I had one. We went to Lowther Lodge to congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Lowther on the election of their son as Speaker,1 which took place today. It is an excellent appointment and the first Conservative Speaker for 70 years. How it recalls 1895, and all the correspondence with Matt, and Rainald’s letter to Sir W. Harcourt!2 Sunday 25 June 5 Eaton Terrace To luncheon with Sir Charles and Lady Craufurd,1 to meet Mr. and Mrs. Johann Rissik,2 he the Surveyor-General of the Transvaal under Kruger’s Government and the man after whom Johannesburg was named, a quiet man with a slight Dutch accent. He talked about the natives and their unfitness for the franchise, in which I quite agreed with him. Sir Charles told me that the late Lord Lovelace,3 when quite a child, was taken to see, and made to write down that he had seen, an old Lord Onslow,4 who had dined at table with a man named Augustin, who had been present as a sentinel at the execution of Charles I. 1. SAX Minute Book, 1/SAX/1/1, 7 June 1905. 2. At 15 Grosvenor Place, London. EWR, 15 July 1905, pp. 168–75. 3.75 South Audley Street, former residence of the Earls of Bute. 4.Alfonso XIII (1886–1941), on a state visit to England, 5–9 June, met Princess Victoria Eugenie, ‘Ena’, of Battenberg (1887–1969), daughter of Princess Beatrice. Rumours of a love affair began immediately to circulate. See G.Noel, Ena, Spain’s English Queen (1984), pp. 41–56. 1. James William Lowther, Conservative M.P., Penrith, 1886–1921, Speaker, 1905–21. 2. See entry, 24 March 1895. 1. Sir Charles Craufurd, 4th. Bart, and his wife, Isolda Caroline. 2. Hon. Johann Friedrich Rissik, member of Transvaal Legislative Assembly and Minister for Lands and Native Affairs, 1907. 3. William, 1st. Earl of Lovelace (1805–93), whose wife was Byron’s daughter, Augusta. 4. George, 1st. Earl of Onslow (1731–1814), a Commissioner of the Treasury, 1765–77.

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Wednesday 5 July 5 Eaton Terrace In the afternoon went to three out of eight teas. I never had so many. Lady Falmouth, in the beautiful old house in St. James’s Square, Lady Portsmouth,1 in her new house in Mansfield Street, and Lord Portman’s2 garden party, which is always delightful. Thursday 6 July 5 Eaton Terrace Grand triumph, went to the Finance Committee and persuaded the Treasurer to accept Mr. Beit’s money. Then down to Fenchurch Street to see about baggage, etc.…Miss Perkins who is just back from South Africa came to luncheon. I am sorry to say she reports much disaffection among the English bred Colonials, and much discontent with Lord Milner’s government. Friday 7 July 5 Eaton Terrace In the afternoon Edie Legh and I had a most successful tea party at 6 Buckingham Gate, to which between 3 and 400 came. Edie paid for it all and I had the fun of asking my friends. Considering that I have done nothing in London for 11 years I think I have every reason to be very well pleased. Tuesday 20 July Fawsley The Northamptonshire Natural History Society, Archaeological Section, came over in the afternoon, headed by Mr. George of the Public Library.1 I gave them tea in the Old Hall and something of a lecture on it and the Church, and they all seemed to enjoy themselves. 1. Beatrice Mary, wife of Newton Wallop, 6th. Earl of Portsmouth, Under-Secretary for War, 1905–8. 2. Claud Berkeley, 3rd. Viscount Portman. 1. ‘Archaeological Excursion to Fawsley’, Northamptonshire Natural History and Field Club, xiii, 1905–6, pp. 108–11.

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Friday 21 July Fawsley My last day at my beloved home before I start to circumnavigate Africa. May God bless the expedition and help me to be of some use in that far distant land. Both Robertson and I are starting in excellent spirits. Saturday 22 July S.S.Kildonan Robertson and I left Fawsley at 8 (very nearly missing the train at Woodford, which would have been a fiasco) and came straight through London down to Southampton where we embarked on board this very fine vessel of the Union Castle Company. Mr. Joyce came to see me off and filled my cabin with flowers, which was very pleasant. The fellow passengers I know are Lady Louisa Magenis, Miss Mary Williams1 and Miss Massy and Sir G.Higginson,2 and Lord Llangattock3 came on board and commended to me a young Captain Johnson, of the Enniskillens who has been ordered a sea voyage to recover from a bad fall steeple chasing. It was 5 o’clock before we started and very pretty going down Southampton Water and out by the Needles, which I have not seen since we came over from Guernsey in 1866. I have a beautiful cabin and am altogether most comfortable. Sunday 23 July S.S. Kildonan, Bay of Biscay My long talked of trip to South Africa coming off at last, and I am going out with the British Association, gaining thereby many advantages, to begin with 25 per cent off the ocean fare, the return fare round Africa being only £69 and all the arrangements made for me. My object in going is chiefly to see the various SACS Committees with whom I am working, and I have also promised to do what I can for the Girls’ Friendly Society. Got up early and attended the early service, which I was thankful to do as a sort of hallowing of my expedition. 1. Miss Mary Williams, co-opted member of the Cape Colony Committee of SACS. 2. General Sir George Wentworth Higginson, Crimean veteran and retired Lieut.-Governor of the Tower of London. 3. John Allan Rolls, 1st. Baron Llangattock, father of Charles Stewart Rolls, founder of RollsRoyce Ltd. in 1904.

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It was not really rough, but I had to go back to my berth and breakfast there, but recovered in time to go to the 10.30 service in the saloon which was very fairly attended. Mr. Jagger,1 a rather pleasant clergyman, read the service, and the ship’s band furnished a very good orchestra. We had Rock of Ages, and Eternal Father strong to save. The rest of the day may well be described as sailing over summer seas; one sat in deck chairs or marched up and down the promenade deck, trying to take in what is all so new to me. In the evening it reminded me of Homburg, all the little tables, the walking up and down in the half light and the music, though it, of course, by no means equals Herr Tömlich and his musicians. Monday 24 July S.S.Kildonan Certainly so far ‘the Bay’ has completely belied its reputation. One really hardly realizes that the ship is moving, and it is lovely looking out over the deep blue waters. By noon today we had come over 600 miles at about 15 knots an hour. We see very few ships. Yesterday a sailing vessel came quite close, but I did not see her and we passed through a fleet of brown-sailed boats, fishing for anchovies. A second class cruiser and a few steamers make up the account. On Saturday night we ran into a bank of fog and the fog whistle sounded several times. I tried to begin the regular life I want to lead. We breakfast 8.30, lunch 1 o’clock, tea 4 o’clock and dinner 6.30. I walk a good deal and read and write after breakfast. I am starting Gibbon, the same copy in one volume that Rainald took to Iceland,1 and generally mean to occupy myself quietly and enjoy the rest. The distinguished scientists on board appear to be Sir William Preece,2 Sir Scott Moncrieff,3 Dr. Cunningham4 and Professor Poulton. But I have not had time to make friends yet. 1. Possibly Revd. James Edwin Jagger, vicar of St. Mary, Merton, Surrey since 1904. 1. See Journal of visit to Iceland with the Duke of Grafton and George Bentinck, Knightley Papers, K 2925, NRO. 2. Sir William Preece (1834–1913), consulting engineer to the Colonies and pioneer of wireless telegraphy. 3. Col. Sir Colin Campbell Scott-Moncrieff (1836–1916), president of the Engineering Section of the British Association. 4. Revd. Dr. William Cunningham (1849–1919), economic historian and cleric, author of The Growth of English Industry and Commerce (1882). Vicar of St. Mary, Cambridge, 1887–1908. 5. Edward Bagnall Poulton (1856–1943), Hope Professor of Zoology, Oxford University, 1893– 1933.

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Sunday 25 July S.S.Kildonan Another lovely day, a wide expanse of deep blue water with, as far as I saw, only a single sail to break the strange solitude. After dark we passed two liners, one supposed to be the home-going Mail Steamer Kenilworth Castle, with which we exchanged signals by means of rockets. Friday 4 August S.S. Kildonan It is turning very cold now, and the sun sets quite early. There are a few stormy petrels to be seen. The event of the day was a very good concert in the First Class. Several of the ladies have very nice voices, and the two Miss Poultons acted an amusing duologue called ‘A Joint Household’. Saturday 5 August S.S.Kildonan The roughest day we have had yet and a good number of people succumbed. I had to keep quiet (after finishing my bridge tournament which was quite exciting and my paper on the conditions of domestic service in England and South Africa which Dr. Cunningham has asked me to write for the Economic Section of the British Association). In the afternoon distributed the prizes for the various sports and competitions, a contrast to the last time I did that job, at the People’s Palace. There seems to have been a very nice spirit through it all. In the evening two learned lectures, one by Professor Poulton on ‘Ocean depths’ and one by Professor Boys1 on The Weight of the Earth’. 1. Professor Charles Vernon Boys (1855–1944), physicist and inventor of sensitive instruments.

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Sunday 6 August S.S.Kildonan Dr. Cunningham preached at the morning service and Mr. Ballantyne gave an admirable address to young men in the evening. He is evidently a great personality. The sunset, as on Friday, gorgeous beyond description. Nothing but a combination of Turner and Byron could give an idea of it. The astronomers all looking out for what they call ‘the green light’, which is seen sometimes just after the sun dips below the horizon for a fraction of a second. They don’t know what it is. Alpha Centauri1 is the nearest known star to the earth. Its light started about

years ago. Monday 7 August S.S. Kildonan

Our last day on board. We have all been so cheerful and sociable together…Greatly fascinated by the birds which appeared today and followed the ship—albatrosses, great big beautiful birds whose flight, so stately and graceful it was a joy to watch (not the Ancient Mariner’s bird: he lives far to the South), Cape hens, with a curious indentation in their wings, and Cape pigeons, pretty little birds with barred black and white wings underneath. Another gorgeous sunset. Tuesday 8 August Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town With devout thankfulness I record our safe arrival at the end of our long voyage. We anchored I believe between 4 and 5, and by 7 were alongside the quay, in the brightest and most beautiful of mornings, Table Mountain just above us, not so high as I expected but very fine and rugged…We landed without any difficulty, ‘British Association’ being magic words, and drove straight up to this charmingly situated hotel, which with its verandah and balcony reminds me of Cannes. 1.One of the ten stars forming Centaurus, which is surrounded on three sides by the Southern Cross. It is the fourth brightest star and the second nearest the Earth, being 4.3 light years away.

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After luncheon and a talk with Miss Jackson, the Girls’ Friendly Society Secretary, Miss Williams and I set off for Bishops Court, the abode of the Archbishop (who had already been to see me in the morning) and Mrs. West Jones. We went down into the town (which has a curiously unfinished look in spite of possessing some very fine buildings) by tram, and then by train about half an hour to Claremont, such a pretty run, between Table Mountain, which we went quite round, on the one side and the Bay on the other. Everything does look so new and strange. I feel as if I must pinch myself to be quite sure I am awake and really in this land of which I have heard and read and thought so much. The vegetation is so wonderful, of course it is spring here, and some of the trees still bare, but there are camelias, pointsettias, etc, blooming in the open air, every ditch is full of arums and date palms stare you in the face. Wednesday 9 August Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town The brilliant and glorious sunshine of yesterday has given place to rain and mist. However, we went out and pottered about the town…Of course the thing which strikes one most is the coloured population of the mixed description—Malays, Indians, Negroes, every shade of brown from almost white down to almost black, ‘coloured’ people they are mostly called. The whites will not mix with them, so all classes, such as Confirmation classes, etc, have to be carried out in duplicate. In the afternoon I addressed a large meeting of girls at St. Cyprian’s High School of which Sister Theodora is the head. I did not do particularly well, yet, if one can but sow the seed in a few of those bright young creatures, it may do great things for the Girls’ Friendly Society. Friday 11 August Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town The Rhodes Hostel where our emigrants are received is close by, and there I was entertained at tea by the Committee. They were all extremely nice to me, but I foresee rocks ahead. Lord Rosebery said the other day at a meeting of Rhodes trustees, ‘If Lady Knightley can compose the difference between two Ladies’ Committees, I shall be prepared to rise in the Lords and propose that she be appointed Ambassador to Paris or anywhere else!!!’ I shall never get that appointment.

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Monday 14 August Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town Miss McPherson to interview me for the Cape Times,1 and then I went down to the Houses of Parliament to see Colonel Crewe,2 the Colonial Secretary, whose wife is on our Committee, and who may be said to favour our side. Then with Miss Massy to luncheon with Lady Buchanan at Claremont. Her daughter and a friend have just returned from the Victoria Falls and are evidently awe stricken. Returning to town, I opened by request of Sir David Gill3 a very pretty small exhibition of nature studies in photographs by a Mrs. Caleb Keene, and made a small speech. Then came the important Committee, and I confess I was much alarmed. Sir John Buchanan made a rather strong attack upon us and our proceedings; however by degrees we melted into a more informed and friendly discussion, and I hope that I have been able in some measure to remove misapprehensions and smooth out the tangle. Tuesday 15 August Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town 1

Dined with the Governor, sat between him and Dr. Smartt, the acting Prime Minister, in Dr. Jameson’s absence.2 He is strongly in favour of English immigration, says it is the one thing essential for the future of the country. Sir Walter is very emphatic as to the mistake made by some of the missionaries in putting natives into positions for which they are unfitted. He seems to deprecate any idea of a native ministry, and most people agree in regretting the ultra High Church tone of the Anglican Church in South Africa. After dinner we all went to the very fine new City Hall, just completed, to listen to Professor Darwin’s Presidential Address.3 1. Cape Times, 21 Aug. 1905, p. 9. The interview was focused on women’s interests. 2. Col. Charles Preston Crewe (1858–1936), Colonial Secretary, Cape Colony, 1904–7. 3. Sir David Gill (1843–1914), H.M.Astronomer, Cape of Good Hope, 1879–1907. 1. Sir Walter Francis Hely-Hutchinson (1849–1913), Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Cape Colony, 1901–10. 2. Thomas William Smartt (1858–1929), Commissioner of Lands and Public Works under Dr. Leander Starr Jameson, Prime Minister of Cape Colony, 1904–8. 3. Professor George Howard Darwin (1845–1912), Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy, Cambridge University from 1883, son of Charles Darwin, author of The Origin of Species. For Darwin’s presidential address see his own account in Diary of a Journey to South Africa in 1905, Darwin Papers, Cambridge University Library, Add. 8166.

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Wednesday 16 August Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town Went down to the City Hall and after listening to Dr. Cunningham’s address in the Economic Section, read my paper on the condition of domestic service, in England and South Africa.1 The sections are so badly attended I ought to be pleased with my audience, which included the Archbishop, and the discussion which followed was most interesting. One man, Mr. Muirhead, was strongly opposed to the introduction of white servants, said the coloured population ought to be trained: another advocated white nurses. Professor Fremantle2 thought it desirable to introduce children more or less on Dr. Barnardo’s lines, to be trained out here, etc. In the afternoon came the Governor’s garden party, rather marred by rain, but still very interesting; I was quite amazed at the number of people I knew. Miss Williams introduced me to a very charming Mrs. Kloete, one of the old Dutch families. She and her people all very busy extending the culture of the vine out at Constantia. We (Miss W. and I) dined out at the Observatory with Sir David and Lady Gill, meeting Professor and Mrs. Darwin,3 Professor Kapteyn,4 a distinguished astronomer of Groningen, and Sir William Wharton,5 whose paper on the circumnavigation of Africa has been one of the most interesting of the week. A reception by the Mayor at the City Hall made up a very long day. Thursday 17 August Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town Walked again my favourite walk through the charming botanical gardens and watched the weaver birds, pretty green and yellow things building their curious hanging nests. After some time spent in what we have christened la salle du pas perdus, otherwise the reception room of the British Association, and looked in at Professor Kapteyn’s lecture on ‘The Movement of the Stars’, which I believe is epoch making but which I couldn’t understand…In the evening to Professor Poulton’s Lecture,1 illustrated by very good lantern slides on Burchell’s2 Animals of South Africa. He seems to have been a wonderful investigator, of whom I was totally ignorant. 1. ‘Terms and Conditions of Domestic Service in England and South Africa’. Imperial Colonist, Dec. 1905, pp. 137–41. 2. Henry Eardley Stephen Fremantle (1874–1931), Professor of Philosophy at the South African College from 1903. Director and Editor of the South African News, 1903–8. 3. Maud, daughter of Charles du Puy of Philadelphia. 4. Jacobus Cornelius Kapteyn (1851–1922), Dutch astronomer, Professor of Astronomy and Celestial Mechanics, Groningen, from 1876. 5. Sir William Wharton (1843–1905), hydrographer and rear-admiral in the Royal Navy, president of the Geographical section of the British Association. 1. South African News, 23 Aug. 1905, p. 17. 2. William John Burchell (1782–1863), botanist and naturalist, visited South Africa between 1810 and 1815. Produced Travels in the Interior of South Africa (1822–4), 2 vols.

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Friday 18 August S.S.Saxon In the morning the Education Section. Heard part of a a very sensible paper on Rural Education and a brilliant one by Miss Clark, the American Principal of a Girls’ College at Wellington, on the Education of Women in South Africa.1 After luncheon, a last walk in the Gardens to look at the weaver birds, and with great and real regret we took leave of Cape Town. I shall never forget all the kindness and hospitality I have received here, and shall always have a warm corner in my heart for the place and the people. About 4 o’clock we embarked on board the S.S. Saxon and sailed at 6 for Durban. Never shall I forget the view of Cape Town, Table Mountain, the Lion’s Face and the beautiful mountains on the other side of the bay. The sun set just as we left the Harbour, and bathed the whole scene in a most lovely afterglow. Sunday 20 August Off Port Elizabeth1 Port Elizabeth lies along a low ridge of hills and is a very English town, very jealous of its neighbour East London, which has a good harbour. The jealousies in this country are appalling—races, Colonies, towns, churches, parishes—all are jealous to a degree. Monday 21 August Off East London Anchored in the early morning and went ashore in a tug with Sir William Preece and Miss Massy and two officials of the Post Office…We drove first through the very pretty Park, formed in a natural valley at Kloof, poinsettia growing quite tall, most of the trees evergreen. Then out to the native location about a mile from the town where about 14,000 Kaffirs live, looked after by one white inspector and about 40 native police. They are said to be orderly. It was disappointing to find them housed in shanties, but there were some native huts, low round things of mud, thatched with mealie stalks. We saw one in the process of building, just like making a hurdle at home. We were soon surrounded by a number of women and children, some in European dress, but mostly with gay turbans or coloured handkerchiefs on their heads. We looked into one or two of the huts. They had no light except from the door and were so full of smoke one could not see much, except that they all seemed to sit on the floor round a big 1. E.M.Clark, ‘Higher Education of Women in South Africa’, Report of the British Association for 1905, p. 609. 1. S.S.Saxon sailed at 9 p.m. on 19 Aug. 1905.

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cooking pot; one old woman had on a quantity of gold or brass bracelets. We did two or three photographs. Some of the children fled at the sight of the camera, others grouped themselves to be done. We were much struck by the fine figure and graceful carriage of the women and girls who balance heavy loads on their head with apparent ease. Tuesday 22 August Marine Hotel, Durban We arrived here early in the morning...Durban looked very well from the sea, stretching along a low wooded bank, and the harbour seems to open into a bay, completely landlocked. In the afternoon after a reception by the Mayor at the Town Hall1 we went in trams and a thunderstorm up to a garden party at Sir Benjamin Greenacre’s,2 at Berea, a pretty suburb so called by a Captain Gardiner,3 who preached here in the early days of the Colony with much success. Went afterwards with Mrs. Hammick to see the Girls’ Friendly Society Lodge, small but somehow with a hopeful look about it, more than at Cape Town. Sunday 27 August Ladysmith By 9 o’clock found ourselves at this perhaps the most fateful of all the places in the war. We crossed the Tugela immediately after leaving Colenso, and I was immensely struck by the extraordinary rough broken ground almost entirely covered with boulders. Arrived at Ladysmith, where we crossed the Klip. We started in a Cape waggon, drawn by six horses, for Wagon Hill. First the horses tied themselves into a knot and one of them tumbled down after which a wheel came off but finally we arrived at the foot of the historic hill and had a very stiff climb up it, among rolling stones. But it was well worthwhile, for when we got to the top, a most glorious view unfolded itself. Ladysmith, such a little place, lies in a vast basin, surrounded by hills on all sides, reaching far away to the blue serrated ridges of the Biggarsberg in the distance. Wagon Hill and Caesar’s Camp form together a detached hill, and there on January 6 1900 the great fight was fought. There were numerous guides attached to the party, most of whom had fought through the siege, and these descriptions of the eye witnesses on the spot seemed to bring it all before one so vividly. 1. Natal Mercury, 23 Aug. 1905, p. 8. 2. Sir Benjamin Wesley Greenacre, J.P., Member of the Legislative Assembly, Natal. 3. Allen Francis Gardiner (1794–1851), a former English naval officer, established a missionary station at Port Natal in 1834.

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Far away in the blue distance we could see Spion Kop and our guide told us that they could see the Boers trekking away in the afternoon, believing themselves beaten, and the next morning they were all back again. It was a gloriously hot day, and as I sat alone for some time at the foot of the hill, I felt that it was by no means an unsuitable way of passing Sunday. To Sir George White and the gallant defenders of Ladysmith we practically owe the salvation of the Empire: had Ladysmith been surrendered, as Sir R. Buller advised, Cape Colony would undoubtedly have risen and the consequences must have been most disastrous. Monday 28 August Thabana, Belgravia, Johannesburg We travelled on through the night, passing Majuba without seeing it, and arrived here early in the morning. I am quartered with a Mr. and Mrs. Charles Marx. He is a German, connected with the mines, she a kindly, capable woman, Chair of the Immigration Committee here. Most of the members came to meet me at luncheon and we had a good deal of very satisfactory talk. It is very gratifying to hear, on the whole, such good accounts of our girls and to find what care and pain is taken to follow them up, specially the unsatisfactory ones. In the afternoon we went to a tea at the hostel, where about 85 girls gathered and I spoke a few words to them. Many of them told me afterwards that they were quite happy here, and had no wish to go home. In the evening went to the usual inevitable Mayor’s reception, where however I met and talked to a good many people. Among others Captain Marjoribanks1 who told me he had come out with a strong bias against Chinese labour, but had seen reason to change his views. There is a certain amount of trouble however just now: some have escaped and are roaming over the country, at least one murder has been committed. Tuesday 29 August Inabara, Belgravia, Johanmsburg Went in the morning to do the one thing I had set my mind on, i.e. to see a Chinese compound. We drove out of the town some 3 or 4 miles to a place called Cleveland, and went to a mine called Jumper’s Deep, belonging to the Rand Company,1 and managed by a very nice man called Hancock. The compound consists simply of a court, surrounded by low buildings, out of which they are not allowed to go without permit. 1. Capt. Hon. Dudley Churchill Marjoribanks, Military Secretary to the High Commissioner, 2nd. Earl of Selborne.

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In the dining hall we found a very creditable band practice going on, considering they have only been learning 6 months. In the kitchen, their food prepared their own way, was being cooked by steam in huge pots, consisting of rice, porridge, soup and a small quantity of meat twice a day. In another building there were rows of tubs, with hot and cold water, in which they wash when they come out of the mine. Their sleeping quarters were airy (they are said to be more cleanly in their habits than the natives) and there were many little treasures and decorations about. The Police are entirely Chinese, which to me was significant. The only trouble is with the interpreters, who have made a good deal of mischief; two have had to be sent back, and they have now only a Chinese missionary and a rather better class man who seemed to speak English perfectly. Ministers of all denominations are allowed free access to them. We then visited the Kaffir compound next door, run on very similar lines, and then successively the Kaffir, Chinese and White Hospitals, all looked after, and apparently well, by a Dr. Macaulay, who went round with us. Finally, we saw a neat little church, recently erected by the white employers, and of which Mr. Hancock is exceeding proud. It appears to me that it is all a question of management. Where the management is at once fair and kind, all goes well in the mine: not one of the 1400 men is missing at roll call on Saturday. But no doubt in some mines there are abuses, and a stricter system of Government inspection might be desirable, as well as the repatriation of some of the unmitigated scoundrels to be found among the 40,000, as there would be among any other 40,000 human beings. After luncheon, we drove right through the town about 5 miles to a garden party given by Lord and Lady Selborne2 at ‘Sunnyside’. I talked to a good many people at the garden party, specially Miss Orr and Miss Brodie, who strongly deprecate the introduction of ladies. It is well to hear every shade of opinion. Dined at Government House, sat between Lord Selborne and Professor Darwin, both very pleasant. Lord S. told me some very curious things about the colour line, specially of a woman at Cape Town who wanted to go out to work, and took two babies to a crêche. One was white and the other black, and they were consigned to the native and white sides respectively, upon which the mother exclaimed, ‘Your mustn’t do that! They are twin sisters’. A coloured man came to him (Lord Selborne) lately and said, ‘My brother is as white as you. He may have all the privileges of the white man. I am classed with the natives.’ What a country to govern. 1. See P.Richardson, Chinese Mine Labour in the Transvaal (1982), p. 210. 2. William Waldegrave Palmer, 2nd. Earl of Selborne (1859–42), First Lord of the Admiralty, 1900–5, High Commissioner for South Africa, 1905–1910, and his wife, Lady Maud, Lord Salisbury’s daughter.

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Wednesday 30 August Bishop’s House, Pretoria Left Johannesburg without regret, and came here, passing all along the horrible Rand, and then nothing but bare veldt, now in its most unattractive stage, as the grass has not yet begun to grow. I am staying with the Bishop of Pretoria1 and Mrs. Carter, very pleasant, nice people, and it is so nice to be once more in an English house, even though one is waited on by two jolly little Zulu boys in their white blouses and drawers and bare arms and legs. Archdeacon Hodgson2 of Stafford is the other guest and very good company. In the afternoon spoke on Girls’ Friendly Society to a very good roomful. They are about to establish a branch here. The Bishop took the chair and I hope the work may be taken up well. Sunday 17 September Beira Went on board the Durham Castle, the Union Castle Steam Ship which has been specially detailed to take us home via the East Coast. The last four days and nights in the train have been very trying, and we are all delighted to find ourselves comfortably established on what is to be our floating home for five weeks. Beira is not a large place, but consists apparently of a few streets stretching along the seashore, with a few good shops and hotels and a handsome post office. At one o’clock we were entertained at a truly magnificent luncheon,1 given in an empty drill shed, beautifully decorated with flags and great branches of palms in a most effective manner, the arms of Portugal and England handing side by side at the head of the room. Professor Darwin made a very good French speech, but the Portugese French was somewhat unintelligible.2 However nothing could be more cordial and splendid than our reception in every way, the King of Portugal3 having sent special orders that the English standard should be hoisted on the two gunboats lying off the port. At four o’clock we steamed off, amid cheers and waving of handkerchiefs to our new friends, the band playing Auld Lang Syne—and so ends the essential part of our most wonderful tour. 1. Rt. Revd. William Marlborough Carter, Bishop since 1902. 2. Ven. Robert Hodgson, Archdeacon from 1898 and rector of St. Mary, Handsworth, Birmingham, 1892–1903. 1. Hosted by the Mozambique Company and Beira Chamber of Commerce. 2. See Darwin Papers, Cambridge University Library, Add. 8166. 3. Carlos I, who was murdered in 1908 after a reign of 19 years.

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Monday 18 September On board S.S. Durham Castle All very slack and tired. I passed the whole day in sleeping and reading Baden-Powell’s Matabele Campaign of 1896, intensely interesting after passing all through the country. It was then that Mary Hervey’s brother was killed1 and she is going on trek with some friends to see the place where he is buried. Thinking over this most marvellous expedition, there are two or three things I should like to record: first, that never, for one single moment, have I wished that I had not come; secondly, one’s intense thankfulness for the Divine care and protection which has watched over us, so that no serious accident of any kind has befallen us. Then, though of course one ought not to come to definite conclusions after five weeks in a country, there are three things of which I feel pretty certain, viz. that for the future welfare of the whole country it is essential to solve the native question in the right way, to provide means of irrigation and if possible to overcome the terrible jealousy which is the bane of everything in this country. Tuesday 19 September Off Mozambique I have a very pleasant table this time, including Mr. Francis Buxton1 and his daughter. It is delightful to find someone to talk politics to: these scientists care nothing for them. Monday 23 October Fawsley Park We had Holy Communion early…In the afternoon we saw with joy the shores of old England, Devonshire, the Start Point and gazed at a last beautiful sunset. I went right astern by the flag staff where one saw nothing but sea and sky and birds, and felt that a great and delightful episode in my life was ended. We anchored off Netley some time in the night and landed early.

1. Hubert Hervey died of wounds in Aug. 1896 sustained during the tribal disturbances in Rhodesia. See R.Baden-Powell, Matabele Campaign (1897). 1. Liberal M.P., Andover, 1880–5, member of the School Board for London and a Public Loans Commissioner.

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Tuesday 24 October Fawsley Came by express special to London, caught the 12.15 and were at home by 2.30, where a big ‘Welcome Home’ in the hall did my heart good.1 Thursday 2 November 25 Sloane Gardens Rose Corbet, came to see me later and told me some details of dear Jessie Boucherett’s death,1 the news of which met me at Southampton. That is a whole chapter in the past closed; and what a pioneer of women’s work she has been! Sunday 5 November Firle Place The virtue with which I have kept my journal all these months has evaporated and I have allowed nearly a fortnight to go by without a line. On Wednesday 25 October I was of course very busy, looking over the piles of letters and circulars which awaited me. On Friday 27 October I went to see Mrs. Stopford and afterwards to a Reading Circle at the Roches, subject for this year, Landmarks of European History. Wednesday 22 November 5 Eaton Terrace Agnew’s…A Velazquez called the Mirror,1 a naked woman lying on a couch and looking at herself in a glass. Don’t care for it—if any one gave it me I should sell it next day. Then to Mendoza’s gallery, where fine good pictures of the Victoria Falls, most interesting, and a model which helped me to understand them better than I have done at all. In the afternoon to some good music at Lady Pearson’s,2 a new Liberal house. 1. NH, 3 Nov. 1905, p. 5. 1. On 18 Oct. 1905. See obituary in EWR, 15 Jan. 1906, pp. 1–6. 1. The Toilet of Venus, known as the Rokeby Venus, was purchased for the nation by the National Art Collection Fund on 24 Jan. 1906 and given to the National Gallery that year. 2. Annie, wife of Sir Weetman Dickinson Pearson, 1st. Bart., Liberal M.P., Colchester, 1895–1910. They lived at 16 Carlton House Terrace, London.

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Thursday 23 November Fawsley In the morning to a Committee of the National Union of Women Workers of which I had been elected a Vice-President at the recent meeting at Birmingham. Saturday 25 November Fawsley 1

Education Committee in the morning. Mr. Monckton had sent out a whip, so we were not beaten as usual. Came back to Daventry and gave away the prizes at Miss Mountfield’s school.2 Made, I think, not a bad little speech. Wednesday 29 November Fawsley A long day. To Badby in the afternoon, a School Managers’ meeting. I hope we are going to do something at last. Dined with the Burtons, and went afterwards with Mr. Claud Pennant1 and Beatrice Cartwright to a meeting of workers at the Conservative Club. Major Davenport gave an excellent lecture on canvassing, Mr. Pennant spoke quite nicely, and I just told them what I had seen of Chinese labour, which had a great effect.2 Saturday 2 December 38 East Park Parade, Northampton To Northampton for Higher Education. Long discussion on the working of the Midwives’ Act,1 anent which there are difficulties, as the Public Health Committee, which by law is charged with the duty of putting the act into operation, has no funds at its disposal, and Higher Education is unwilling to part with sums which it much needs for its own purposes.2 1. NH, 1 Dec. 1905, supp. p. 1. 2. Ibid, 1 Dec. 1905, p. 7. 1. Barrister, son of Edward Gordon Douglas-Pennant, 1st. Baron Penrhyn. 2. Held at the Conservative Club, Daventry. Major Davenport was a representative of the Primrose League Central Office. NH, 1 Dec 1905, p. 7. 1. The Midwives Bill, to secure the better training of midwives and to regulate their practice, had received the Royal Assent in July 1902. 2. It was agreed that £100 was to be devoted to the training of nurses in Northamptonshire. NEC Minutes, 27 Jan. 1906, p. 222.

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Monday 4 December 38 East Park Parade, Northampton Went to the workhouse, as this is my month. Visited the workhouse, a poor young fellow in the sick ward who had fallen ill on the tramp from Chesterfield to London in quest of work. On to Northampton to stay with Mrs. Eliot Steel, where was Mrs. FitzRoy, and in the evening gave my Presidential Address to the Northamptonshire Natural History in the shape of a lecture on my recent trip to Africa, illustrated by lantern slides, some from my own photographs. It went off very well.1 Tuesday 5 December 6 Lower Sloane Street To London by a very early train, and went straight to the Colonial Office to give evidence before Lord Tennyson’s1 Committee on Agricultural Settlements.2 Never having done anything of the kind before, I was considerably alarmed. However I hope I did pretty well and represented South African Colonisation Society successfully. Lunched with dear Nora and then down to Queen’s Gate to receive Princess Beatrice at the Working Ladies’ Guild sale. Princess Ena looked very handsome. I wonder if she is to be Queen of Spain?3 Meanwhile the Government have resigned, and the King has sent for CampbellBannerman. It is rather pathetic that poor Lord Spencer’s illness, which began when I was in South Africa, should have snatched the Premiership from him just when it was within his grasp. I must say I think Mr. Balfour has done very wisely in resigning instead of dissolving. The new Government are sure to make a good many enemies in the process of formation, and Lord Rosebery has pinned Sir C.B. to his declaration about Home Rule, while Mr. Redmond dots the ‘i’s and crosses the ‘t’s. 1. NH, 8 Dec. 1905, supp. p. 1, and Northamptonshire Natural History Society and Field Club, xiii, 105, March 1906, pp. 162–72. 1. Hallam, 2nd. Baron Tennyson (1852–1928), son of Lord Alfred Tennyson, and GovernorGeneral of Australia, Nov. 1902-Dec 1903. 2. Report by the Departmental Committee appointed to consider Mr. Rider Haggard’s Report on Agricultural Settlements in the British Colonies. P.P. lxvi, vol. 2, Evidence, 1906. Cd. 2979. 3. The Princess married Alfonso XIII of Spain in Madrid on 31 May 1906.

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Tuesday 12 December Fawsley Dense fog. Went to see about putting the dates to the clumps we had planted: V.R. 1837 (Sir Charles brought the acorns from Fontainbleau); V.R. 1887, first Jubilee; V.R. 1897, second Jubilee; E.R. 1901, Accession; E.R. 1902, Coronation. Saturday 16 December Fawsley Lady Louisa Magenis left and I went to Daventry for Christmas shopping and the workhouse. It is so sad to see the poor old men sitting there hour after hour, helpless, hopeless. I am very glad to be alone, for I am frightfully busy, and hardly know how to get through the work. Tuesday 19 December Fawsley Ten years today since my darling went. I went down to the church and visited his grave. He hated anniversaries, so I never keep it, but had my Reading Circle.

*1906* Saturday 6 January Fawsley The first week in the year has been quite uneventful. On Monday January 1 the weather being still piercing cold, Helen Clerk and I drove to Everdon to do some canvassing, and I walked home…esterday, Friday I spent the afternoon canvassing at Charwelton and the same this afternoon. Mr. Grove,1 the Radical candidate, was about in a motor. The election battle is in full swing. Monday 8 January Queen’s Mead, Windsor I journeyed to Windsor at the earnest and repeated request of Lady Edward Churchill to speak at a meeting in support of the Conservative candidate for Windsor, Mr. Mason.1 It was supposed to be a women’s meeting but the men would come, and the place was packed.2 I spoke for about half an hour, chiefly on Chinese labour which the Radicals are running for all they are worth, and afterwards addressed an overflow meeting upstairs. It really was very good fun, and all the cheering, etc. reminded me so of old days. I feel like an old hunter turned out to grass when the hounds come by. Saturday 13 January Butler’s Court, Beaconsfield Walked about in the morning. This place is close to the site of Gregories (now burnt down)1 where Burke2 used to live, and we saw the cedar under which he used to sit with the celebrities who came to visit him. Hall Barn, the abode of Waller,3 is just the other side of the road. In the afternoon, addressed a meeting of ladies on the Girls’ Friendly Society. A branch is to be established in Beaconsfield, where it is apparently much needed. 1. Thomas Grove (1855–1920), proprietor and editor of New Review, Liberal M.P., South Northamptonshire, 1906–10. 1. James Francis Mason, Conservative M.P., Windsor, 1906–18. 2. Windsor and Eton Express, 13 Jan. 1906, p. 6.

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Sunday 14 January Butler’s Court, Beaconsfield To church in the morning, a fine old building, but restored too soon.1 There are several memorials to Burke. I shall always associate Beaconsfield and its wide street with the first news of the most disastrous election the Conservative party has ever known.2 The whole of Manchester has gone wrong, and Mr. Balfour is defeated by an enormous majority.3 Miss Balfour wrote some time ago that ‘the seat was by no means safe’, but no one I think expected anything like what has happened. (I am writing on Sunday 21st.) Almost every member of the Cabinet has been rejected; old members like Billy Dyke4 and Harry Chaplin have gone down and the safest seats have been lost. Mr. Chamberlain has polled a majority of 5000, and not a single Birmingham seat has been lost. It is the more curious because the fight has been chiefly Protection v. Free Trade, though ‘Chinese slavery’, as they are pleased to call it, has played a large part, and it is sickening to read the colossal lies that are told by people who know that they are lies. The most remarkable feature is the return of from 40 to 50 Labour members, who intend to act entirely independent of either party. So far the Liberals have a majority over Conservatives, Labour and Nationalists combined. However one can only hope that He who sitteth on high will bring good out of what appears to be so evil. Wednesday 24 January Fawsley Came home and at Weedon heard the fateful news, Grove in, majority 335!1 What would my darling have said to Northants all red, for of course the Mid will go too, though my candidate, Bob Peel, is making a splendid fight against Mr. Harry Manfield. Bobby, being out of the way,2 he would have won at any other time. Went to Badby and met the architect, Mr. Blackwell. The difficulties of the site are almost insurmountable; we have devised another plan, in order to put away a little more time till we see what the Government are going to do. Princess Alexander3 has a daughter and Princess Ena is going to marry the King of Spain, an arrangement of which I strongly disapprove. 1. Butler’s Court or Gregories, was burnt down in 1813. 2. Edmund Burke (1729–97), statesman, moved to Beaconsfield in 1784 and is buried in the parish church. 3. Edmund Waller (1606–87), poet, inherited the Beaconsfield property in 1616, M.P., Hastings 1661–87. 1. St. Mary and All Saints, a large flint-covered building, completely restored in 1869. 2. Conservatives 157 M.P.s, Liberals 400, Labour 30 and Irish Nationalists 83. For a full analysis, see A.K.Russell, Liberal Landslide. The General Election of 1906 (1973), pp. 160–4. 3. Balfour polled 4423 and his Liberal opponent, Thomas Horridge, 6403. 4. Sir William Hart Dyke, Conservative M.P., Dartford, 1885–1906.

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Saturday 27 January Fawsley To Northampton for Higher Education: had to make a speech about the Science and Art classes at Daventry which the Board of Education are trying to squash.1 Luckily the whole Committee were with me, including Mr. Ryland Adkins, now M.P.2 I congratulated him quite honestly on his victory. If we are to have so many on the wrong side I am glad he should be one, for I believe him to be a good man. Monday 5 February 52 Onslow Gardens Came to London to stay with the Perrotts. Went to the National Society to consult them about moving the site of the school at Badby. A dinner here, sat next to Mr. Edward Clifford,1 which I thoroughly enjoyed; he is such a good man and I like him so much. We have often met at dinner and never sat next to each other before. He says the unemployed seem to deteriorate each year. Another guest was Mr. Athol Forbes,2 whom I have never seen since we used to dance together at the Old Palace nearly 40 years ago.3 Tuesday 6 February 52 Onslow Gardens Guild Case Committee in the morning. Luncheon with Alice Peel full of the Mid Northants election. They made a capital fight and F.Thornton says he was an ideal candidate.1 In the afternoon a Freedom of Labour Committee. Lady Frances Balfour says Mr. Balfour is coming round to proportional representation. Also he thinks it will be all or 1. South Northamptonshire, Grove, Liberal, 4136, Douglas-Pennant, Conservative, 3814. 2. Robert Spencer had been M.P. for Mid Northamptonshire since 1900. In Dec. 1905, he became Viscount Althorp of Great Brington and appointed to the post of Lord Chamberlain. 3. Alice, wife of Prince Alexander of Teck and Earl of Athlone. Their daughter, May, was born on 23 Jan. 1906. 1. The Board considered Daventry Girls’ Grammar School as a private establishment and not eligible for a grant towards Science and Art classes. NH, 2 Feb. 1906, supp. p. 1. 2. Liberal M.P., Middleton, Lancashire, 1906–18. 1. Hon. Secretary of the Artists’ Society and the Langham Sketchbook Club, and brother of Mary Clifford, the ‘Guardian Angel’ of Bristol. 2. Hon. Athol Monson Forbes, landowner and heir to his brother, Horace, 19th. Baron Forbes. 3. An 18th. cent. building using some Tudor materials from Henry VII’s Tudor house, Richmond Park. Ady, Journals, 28 March 1866, p. 107.

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nothing in this Parliament. I expect the latter. Lord Dalrymple2 returned as a Unionist: heard two small children after the election say to each other, ‘I suppose we shall find a small loaf on the table tonight’. Wednesday 7 February 52 Onslow Gardens A very successful South African Colonisation Society Committee: we got through in half the time. Princess Christian simply raging about the elections: she says that round them the people were firmly convinced that there were waggon loads of Chinese ready to be set to work on the English roads the moment the elections were decided. Another lie they put about was that the King wanted the Radicals to get in. Friday 9 February 52 Onslow Gardens In the morning to a rather interesting Agricultural Committee at Carlton Gardens (Mr. Balfour’s own house) to consider a scheme for working a fruit farm under De Beers’ at a place near Stellenbosch by white women. Had a few words with Miss Balfour about the election. She says she thinks it ought to have been foreseen that the Labour vote would turn the scales in many more constituencies than those where Labour candidates were standing. Lunched with Georgie, and propounded to her my scheme for becoming her paying guest next winter. Then on to British Women, where Hubert Legh appeared for the first time as Treasurer. It was a terribly long Committee, but went well. Interesting proposal from New Zealand to send out at least 20 servants. Dined with Mrs. Eckstein,1 sat between Sir Julius Wernher2 and a pleasant General Hutchinson.3 Both he and Sir George White agreed that Haldane4 is winning golden opinions at the War Office. Also a long talk about South Africa with Colonel Glyn, Military Secretary to Sir Arthur Lawley,5 whom I met at Pretoria. 1. The result, announced on 26 Jan., was Manfield, Liberal, 6307, Peel, Unionist, 5067, a slight increase in the Liberal vote since the 1900 election. 2. John James Hamilton, Viscount Dalrymple, Unionist M.P., Wigtownshire, 1906–14. 1. Caroline, wife of Friedrich G.T.Eckstein, a partner in the diamond firm of Wernher, Beit and Co., Johannesburg. Their London residence was 18 Park Lane. 2. (1850–1912) Created a baronet in 1905, financier and philanthropist. Assisted Rhodes and Beit in establishing De Beers Consolidated in 1888. 3. Maj.-General Henry Doveton Hutchinson (1847–1924), Director of Staff Duties at the War Office. 4. Richard Burdon Haldane (1856–1928), Liberal M.P., East Lothian, 1885–1911, Secretary of State for War, 1905–12. Haldane, shortly after his appointment, signalled his plans for Army reform. See D.Somer, Haldane of Cloan. His Life and Times (1960), pp. 169–70. 5. Sir Arthur Lawley, Lieut.-Governor of the Transvaal since 1902.

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Monday 19 February Ladies’ Empire Club To House of Lords, the King having opened Parliament in the morning. The House was crammed: Lord Northampton1 moved and Lord Herschell2 seconded the address (I knew both their fathers!) and then Lord Lansdowne spoke, but not particularly well, after which I retired to this Club and dined with Nora. Tuesday 20 February Ladies’ Empire Club To St. James’s Square, where Miss Williams had organized the most entirely delightful and successful show imaginable in aid of SACS and BWEA.1 She had asked all the British Association to lend photographs and curios they had brought back from South Africa. They responded nobly and every room in the fine old house was crammed with curious and interesting mementos of our memorable journey. Then the attendance was splendid—1100 tickets sold beforehand and all manner of distinguished people, Sir George Darwin, Sir William Crookes, Sir Charles Metcalfe,2 Mr. Alfred Lyttelton 3and above all, Lord Milner with whom I had a nice little talk. He is furious as well he might be about Chinese Labour and characterizes the agitation as the most disgraceful thing ever known in English politics. Mr. Balfour has a scathing denunciation of it today.4 Dined with Georgie and virtually settled our plan for next winter. Saturday 24 February Fawsley To Northampton for Education Committee 1and in the afternoon an interesting Conference with teachers from all parts of the county anent evening schools.2 Mr. 1. William George, 5th. Marquess of Northampton (1851–1913). 2. Richard Farrer, 2nd. Baron Herschell (1878–1929), private secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, 1905–7. 3. Hansard, 4, 152, cols. 35–47, 19 Feb. 1906. 1. A two-day exhibition illustrating the visit of the British Association to South Africa in 1905 at 20 St. James’s Square, home of Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn. 2. (1853–1928) 6th. Bart, civil engineer, constructed railways in South Africa. 3. (1857–1913) Unionist M.P., Warwick and Leamington, 1895–1906, Secretary of State for the Colonies, 1903–5, defeated in the general election. 4. At a meeting in the City in furtherance of his election campaign, Balfour condemned the government’s attitude to the condition of Chinese labour in South Africa. The Times, 21 Feb. 1906, p. 2.

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Wilkinson presided and made me speak without any notice: only enunciated a few platitudes. Ash Wednesday 28 February Fawsley Mr. Balfour is back in the House by a huge majority for the City.1 The debates have been intensely interesting, Lord Milner and Lord Roberts both warning the Government of the danger of what they are doing in South Africa, both about Chinese Labour and responsible government in the Orange River Colony, and one Minister after another climbing down about slavery. It is too sad to see the leaders of a great party having committed themselves to statements they know to be false and then wriggling out of them. Tuesday 6 March Bourdon House, Davies Street A very agreeable dinner here in the evening. Sat between Lord Graves1 and Sir Edward Maunde Thompson,2 both pleasant in very different ways. Also talked to Sir Henry Bulwer3 and Sir Bartle Frere. The future of South Africa looks anything but cheerful. Already there is a tremendous fall in all South African securities, rolling stock, etc., to the amount of a million, which was to have been ordered here, is stopped, and behind it all is the native question, and the unrest in Natal stirred up by the Ethiopian Church. Wednesday 7 March Bourdon House, Davies Street Emily Leslie had a luncheon. Mrs. Dunbar Buller1 talking a good deal about the State of Ireland. In the late Land Bill no clause to prevent the peasant from cutting down the trees. Afterwards gave my African lecture (of which I am getting very tired) at the Women’s Institute to a very good roomful. 1. DE, 3 March, 1906, p. 2. 2. Northampton Daily Reporter, 26 Feb. 1906, p. 3. 1. Balfour was returned with a majority of over 11,000 for the City of London, the seat having been vacated by its sitting member, the Hon. Alban Gibbs. 1.Henry Cyril Percy, 5th. Baron Graves. 2.(1840–1929) Palaeographer and Principal Librarian of the British Museum, 1888–1909. 3.Consecutively Governor of Labuan, Natal, Windward Islands and High Commissioner of Cyprus. 1.Georgiana Anne, née Dunbar, wife of Charles William Buller of Co. Down and Toft Monks, Norfolk.

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Thursday 8 March Bourdon House, Davies Street A long wait at the Board of Education, whither I went with Mr. Ryland Adkins as a deputation from our Education Committee to ask them to reconsider their decision about Science and Art classes at Daventry. I occupied the time of waiting by delivering my soul on various political questions to Mr. A. He made one good point when discussing the payment of Members (a resolution in favour of which was passed last night).1 He said it would make the Labour members more independent of the trade unions. Lunched with Miss Vernon2 at the Ladies’ Empire; things do not seem to be going well at our office. Wednesday 21 March Fawsley Annual Parish meeting which Douglas1 and I executed tête-à-tête. No more of that nonsense for me. I have had 12 years of it. 1.Samuel Douglas, clerk to the Badby Parish Council.

Saturday 31 March Fawsley I am intensely interested in the life of Lord Randolph Churchill, admirably written by his equally clever and equally unprincipled son.1 I remember all the debates and divisions in 1885 and have been looking over old journals, etc.…The book is far more interesting than Lord Granville’s Life,2 but then Lord Edmond FitzMaurice always was and always will be a prig. 1.Proposed by William Hesketh Lever, Liberal M.P., Wirral, 1906–10, That in the term of this House, the time has now arrived when it is urgently requested in order to give to every constituency an equal, full and unhampered selection of representatives, that all members of Parliament should be paid by the State a sum of £300 per annum.′ Hansard, 4, 153, cols. 552–56, 7 March 1906. Ayes 363, Noes 110. M.P.s were first paid in 1912 the sum of £400 per annum. 2.A member of SACS. 1. Winston S.Churchill, lord Randolph Churchill (1906), 2 vols. 2. Lord Edmond Fitzmaurice, The Life of Granville George Leveson-Gower, Second Earl Granville. 1815–1891 (1905), 2 vols.

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Monday 2 April Fawsley Attended a meeting of the Primrose League Divisional Council at Woodford, all very keen about reorganisation, working with Conservative Association, etc. If it only lasts, we ought to regain lost ground, if only too much mischief is not done meanwhile. Tuesday 3 April 66 Warwick Square Am staying here with Alice Peel, Bob being away. To luncheon with Mrs. Close, whose Emigration scheme seems to be taking tangible shape. Then a long Freedom of Labour Defence and then to tea with Miss Balfour, where I had a good look at the fine BurneJones’s the story of Perseus and Andromache.1 They are wonderful in colour. She told me that Mr. Haldane finds the Labour members very useful with advice as to where to give way and when not as to work in Government establishments, etc. Wednesday 4 April 66 Warwick Square SACS. A great to do about the Imperial Colonist and Miss Phillimore, who has succeeded me as Editor and not been very wise.1 Lady Knox lunched with me at the Club. Afterwards I went with Mrs. Hopkinson over Hopkinson House, a delightful boarding house for young women employed as clerks, and students, etc, which has just been opened in the Vauxhall Bridge Road, overlooking Vincent Square. Most perfectly thought out in every detail. Girls can board and lodge for 15s. 6d. upwards. 1. Arthur Balfour had met the painter, Edward Burne-Jones, in 1875 and the two men became friends. Balfour commissioned Burne-Jones to design a series of pictures for his drawing room at 4 Carlton Gardens. The painter suggested the Perseus legend. Only eight pictures were completed by the time of his death in 1898. See J.Ridley and C.Percy (eds), Letters of Arthur Balfour and lady Elcho, 1885–1917 (1992), p. 70. 1. Whilst editor, Miss Phillimore had been unable to prevent confidential material connected with the Rhodesian Committee’s work being forwarded to the publishers without her authorisation. However, the April issue of the Imperial Colonist was stopped before dispatch to South Africa.

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Friday 6 April 66 Warwick Square Primrose League in the morning: melancholy work going over the list of defeated candidates. British Women in the afternoon: that work is advancing by leaps and bounds, especially as regards Canada, while New Zealand, New South Wales and Western Australia are all waking up. Easter Sunday 15 April Fawsley Mr. Birrell has brought in his Education Bill,1 and it is worse than our gloomiest anticipations could have imagined. One quails before the long vista of bitter strife which lies before the country. And all in the name of religion.2 Tuesday 1 May 5 Eaton Terrace In the morning with Miss Ogle Moore to the Freedom of Labour Defence where we got over the Miss Vynne1 difficulty rather well. Then to see the flowers, wonderful auriculas and daffodils, and then to the Business Meeting of the Primrose League at the Caxton Hall. The speeches from the platform were dull, but several working men spoke, and spoke well.2 To tea with Miss Balfour and in the evening to the delegates party at Norfolk House.3 The Duchess4 is a nice looking little thing but rather insignificant. A very fine old house.

1. On 9 April, Augustine Birrell (1850–1933), Liberal M.P., West Fife, 1889–1900, and N.Bristol, 1906–18, President of the Board of Education, 1905–7. 2. The Liberals had pledged in their election campaign to repeal the 1902 Education Act. Birrell’s Bill proposed the abolition of voluntary schools, transferring them to the local education authorites. For a full account of the controversies surrounding the bill, see M. Cruickshank, Church and State in English Education (1963), pp. 90–103. 1. Nora Vynne, secretary of the FLD since its foundation in 1899, resigned in April 1906. Miss Alice Jackson was appointed as her successor. EWR, 16 April 1906, p. 95. 2. PLG, 13, 6, June 1906, p.3. 3. 31 St. James’s Square, London residence of the Dukes of Norfolk; completed 1752, demolished in 1938. 4. Gwendoline Mary, 2nd. wife of Henry Fitzalan-Howard, 15th. Duke of Norfolk.

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Wednesday 2 May 5 Eaton Terrace 1

In the afternoon to the Albert Hall. Mr. Balfour spoke somewhat feebly; I fear he is far from well. Mr. George Wyndham made an eloquent fighting speech on the Education bill, but there were sundry sentences I should have liked left out. Thursday 3 May 5 Eaton Terrace Finance Committee South African Colonisation Society and a very important one. Our finances are in a parlous state. In the afternoon to a National Home Reading Union Committee, after which Georgie had a very pleasant tea party. In the evening to Her Majesty’s with the Perrotts, to see Nero,1 a splended spectacle. Tree acted well and Mrs. Tree was very good as Agrippina: she always is good in horrid parts. Friday 4 May 5 Eaton Terrace In the morning to The Times Book Club,1 where a much-advertised sale is going on, rather trash, I thought. Then Primrose League Committee, after that to luncheon with the Duchess of Buckingham and Lord Egerton.2 Later to Miss Balfour’s, where a most interesting meeting of the London Canvassing Committee, to which Mr. Cripps3 delivered a closely reasoned but moderate address on the Education Bill, really helpful for anyone wanting to speak on the subject. The tide of indignation rises higher every day; the only question is what amendments can we really agree upon? Alas for our unhappy divisions!

1. Grand Habitation of the Primrose League. The Times, 3 May 1906, p. 4. 1. Verse drama by the poet, Stephen Phillips, produced by the actor-manager Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree (1853–1917), in 1906. Tree and his wife, Helen Maude (1864–1937), took the lead parts. See H. Pearson, Beerbohm Tree (1956), pp. 136–7. 1. Charles Frederick Moberley Bell (1847–1911), business manager of The Times from 1890, established The Times Book Club in 1905 to boost the paper’s circulation. 2. Alice Anne, second wife of Richard Plantagenet, 3rd. Duke of Buckingham, widowed in 1889. She married Wilbraham, 1st. Earl Egerton of Tatton in 1894, residing at 7 St. James’s Square, London. 3. Charles Alfred Cripps, Conservative M.P., Stretford, 1901–6.

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Monday 14 May 5 Eaton Terrace In the afternoon with Georgie to a crowded meeting at Londonderry House to protest against the Education Bill. Lord Hugh Cecil, the Dean of Norwich1 and Mr. Wyndham spoke, all three well. At night Mr. Reginald Abel Smith’s2 ball. Very pleasant as regards ladies but not enough men. 40 Guardsmen telegraphed at the last moment that they could not get up from Aldershot on account of an early march. Such are the vicissitudes of ball giving. Thursday 17 May 5 Eaton Terrace Our FLD annual meeting at Mrs. Close’s,1 a very good house. Lady Frances Balfour in the chair, good speeches from Lord Wemyss2 and Mrs. Percy Wyndham,3 but a very poor audience. It is uphill work and not a popular cause: people don’t understand. Friday 18 May 5 Eaton Terrace A tremendous day. At 10.30 to Lady Malmesbury’s to consult with her and Mr. Vivian1 re South African Colonisation Society reforms. Then Primrose League Committee, Beatrice to luncheon after which a big Girls’ Friendly Society meeting at the Church House,2 the first public one we have had for more than 20 years. The Archbishop was in the chair, Sir Arthur Douglas3 and the Bishop of Manchester,4 etc. spoke, but it was deadly dull and by no means so full as was expected. They talked of an overflow meeting and asked me to take it, but the big Hall was not above two thirds full Then a tea at the Duchess of Buckingham’s and then a lecture at Lady Salisbury’s5 (what memories that house recalls) by Mr. Gerald Balfour6 on plural voting and redistribution. I longed to say, as he descanted on the importance of the latter, ‘Why didn’t you bring it in in proper time?’

1. Very Revd. William Lefroy (1836–1909), Dean of Norwich, 1889–1909, author of theological works. 2. Proprietor of Smith, Elder & Co, book publishers. 1.Held at 101 Eaton Square. EWR, 16 July 1906, pp. 174–7. 2.Francis Charteris, 10th. Earl of Wemyss and March. 3.Madeline Caroline, wife of Hon. Percy Scawen Wyndham, Conservative, M.P., West Cumberland, 1860–85.

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Saturday 19 May 5 Eaton Terrace Rather a nice walk in the Park which is looking very pretty. Rose to luncheon after which we went to the Tate Gallery to see the Turners lately disinterred from the National Gallery.1 Some of course are quite unfinished, others, specially some scenes on the Medway, are delightful, and the Gallery altogether is most attractive: one recognizes so many old friends. In the evening to the Court Theatre to see Captain Brassbound’s Conversion, written by Bernard Shaw and most charmingly acted by Ellen Terry.2 Wednesday 23 May 5 Eaton Terrace A very agitating day. At 8.30 I was woke by a note from Lord Halifax1 to say he could not come to our meeting at Bridgewater House for South African Colonisation Society. I flew off to Princess Christian, to Miss Balfour, all over the town to find someone but in vain. However it did very well in the end: the Duke of Argyll took the chair and Mr. Wyndham made a very original little speech, saying that the work was so much the business of the gentry.2 Mr. Wedgwood,3 a Radical M.P., late resident magistrate in South Africa, also spoke, and with the beautiful gallery there was not much to regret. Afterwards to the Working Ladies’ Guild4 in St. James’s Square and at night to a ball at Lady Ward’s.5 1.William Vivian, hon. treasurer of SACS. 2.Held at the Convocation Hall of the Church House. The previous meeting took place at the Mansion House on 24 June 1882. AJA, July 1906, pp. 98–9. 3.Sir Arthur Percy Douglas, 5th. Bart., Under-Secretary for Defence, New Zealand. 4.Rt. Revd. Edmund Arbuthnott Knox, 1903–21. 5.Alice, wife of James Edward Cecil, 4th. Marquess of Salisbury. 6.Gerald William Balfour (1853–1945), Conservative M.P., Central Leeds, 1885–1906, President of Local Government Board, March—Dec. 1905, defeated in the 1906 general election. 1.The National Gallery, believing the oil paintings unfit for exhibition, transferred 21 Turners to the Tate. 2.Third play in the trilogy, Three Plays for Puritans, (1899). Ellen Terry played the part of Lady Cicely Waynflete. It was the only Shaw play in which she appeared. See N.A.Auerbach, Ellen Terry. Player in Her Time (1987), pp. 297–9. 1. Charles Lindley Wood, 2nd. Viscount Halifax. 2. Imperial Colonist, June 1906, pp. 80–2. 3. Josiah Clement Wedgwood, Liberal M.P., Newcastle under Lyme, 1906–42. 4. The Times, 24 May 1906, p. 4. 5. Rachel, wife of William Humble Ward, 2nd. Earl of Dudley.

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Ascension Day 24 May, and Empire Day1 5 Eaton Terrace In the evening did one of the most interesting things I have ever done in going to hear the speeches at the great banquet given to Lord Milner, as a sort of counterblast to the abominable vote of censure passed upon him in the House of Commons.2 Never was I more impressed than by the three speeches of Mr. Chamberlain, Lord Milner and Lord Curzon. Not a trace of blatant Empire talk or of Jingoism, but the calm, grave, deliberate utterance of men who have guided the destinies of Empire and I trust will guide them again. I was specially struck with Mr. Chamberlain’s warning to those who speak here, how their words echo far and wide, ‘We are not a self-contained parish, but the heart of a great dominion’, and Lord Milner’s modesty and self-effacement were beyond praise. We went down afterwards and had a few words with him. I brought Mrs. Cecil3 home. She had been in the morning to see Princess Ena off, and said she was in floods of tears. It is an awful experiment, but she is said to be really in love and as she quaintly put it to Mrs. Cecil, ‘I couldn’t possibly be the Queen of Spain if it weren’t for Alfonso’.4 Saturday 26 May 5 Eaton Terrace A long day, down to Northampton for Education Committee.1 Lunched with the Chadwicks2 and had a small meeting of the Women Poor Law Committee. We are getting on. Four new women Guardians this year, Juliet Knightley for Everdon, Beatrice Cartwright for Brackley and one for Raunds and one for Northampton. 1. Proposed by Reginald Brabazon, 12th. Earl of Meath (1841–1929), on 13 July 1902 in a letter to Chamberlain, Colonial Secretary, that Empire Day should be held annually on 24 May, Queen Victoria’s birthday. See Reginald, 12th. Earl of Meath, Memories of the Twentieth Century (1924), pp. 43–4. 2. On March 1906, William Byles, Liberal M.P., Salford North, moved a vote of censure on Milner for having authorised ‘the flogging of Chinese labourers in breach of the law, in violation of treaty obligations, and without the sanction of H.M. Secretary of State.’ Although amended, the motion was carried by 355 to 135. See J.E Wrench, Alfred, lord Milner. The Man of No Illusions (1958), pp. 260–1. 3.Alicia, daughter of William Amhurst Tyssen, 1st. Baron Amherst of Hackney and wife of Evelyn Cecil, Conservative M.P., Aston Manor, Birmingham, 1900–18. 4.Her wedding took place 31 May at Madrid but was marred by a bomb attack on the procession of carriages. See T.Aronson, Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone (1981), pp. 96–7. 1. Northampton Daily Reporter, 26 May 1906, p. 4. 2. Revd. William Edward Chadwick, vicar of St. Giles since 1903.

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Wednesday 30 May 5 Eaton Terrace To a big, crowded, political party at Lady Brassey’s, just what I enjoy. And there are so few nowadays. The dream is as dead as the dodo to the despair of the dowager.’ Tuesday 12 June 5 Eaton Terrace To a big party at Lady Rothschild’s1 for Mrs. Gage, a beautiful house with two fine Murillos, and heaps of people of the world I used to live in, I love a good drum! Wednesday 13 June 5 Eaton Terrace SACS and more Wortley Hostel and I undertook to resume the Editorship of the Imperial Colonist. Friday 15 June 5 Eaton Terrace Primrose League Literature Committee, but no quorum…It is wonderful how this Education Bill is bringing all sections of the Church together. Tuesday 19 June 5 Eaton Terrace Dined with the Halls, sat between Lord Colchester1 (a bore) and Mr. Laurence Hardy, M.P.,2 with whom much talk of the Education bill. I have got some of the syllabuses issued by various County Councils and find them excellent. On the other hand in Wales there are many schools with no religious teaching at all. 1. Emma Louisa, wife and cousin of Nathan Meyer, 1st. Baron Rothschild, of Waddesdon Manor, Buckinghamshire, and 148 Piccadilly. 1. Reginald Charles Edward Abbott, 3rd. Baron Colchester, member of the School Board for London, 1891–4. 2. Conservative M.P., South Kent, 1892–1918.

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Wednesday 20 June 5 Eaton Terrace Went in the morning to the Sick Members’ Conference:1 excellent papers by Miss Brodie Hall on Benefit Clubs, and by Dr. Mary Thorne2 on the health of our girls, full of valuable hints, specially teeth. Saturday 30 June 2 Bertie Terrace, Leamington Mary Gladstone, Kathleen and I went in the morning to the most beautiful concert I think I was ever at, given by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra at the Albert Hall.1 The King and Princess Christian were there, and if I had planned the programme myself I could not have chosen more to my mind. Overture to Egmont, which mother and I used to play, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony Pathetique which I have always wanted so much to hear,2 and some extracts from Siegfried and the Götterdämmerung, which I have heard often enough to appreciate. Afterwards came down here to stay with Mary K.3 for the Warwick pageant.4 Saturday 7 July Fonthill House, Tisbury Delicious sitting out under the trees in the morning, such a holiday. In the afternoon a delightful motor drive over the Downs to Stonehenge, which I have so long wished to see. It strikes one at first as smaller than I expected, standing up as it were in the corner of a field, but it grows upon one by degrees, and one gazed with deep interest on this wonderful relic of a far distant past, of a time and people of which one knows practically nothing. We went on to tea at Amesbury with Lady Antrobus,1 wife of the owner of Stonehenge. There has been quite a fuss and a trial because he has enclosed it with a wire 1. Of the GFS. 2. Dr. Mary Thorne, FRCS, lecturer at the London School of Medicine for Women, and house surgeon at the New Hospital for Women. 1. The conductor was Franz Schalk; the concert began at noon. The Times, 2 July 1906, p. 12. 2. A memory slip; see entry for 7 Oct. 1903. 3. Mary Knightley, widow of Revd. Henry Charles Knightley, rector of St. Mary and St. Margaret, Combroke, Warwickshire. 4. To mark the 1000th. anniversary of the conquest of Mercia and the defeat of paganism by Ethelfleda, the daughter of King Alfred. The pageant was held at Warwick Castle from 2 to 9 July. The Times, 7 May 1906, p. 4 and 3 July 1906, p. 12.

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fence and charges a shilling for admission; but it was absolutely necessary for the preservation of the place.2 Thursday 12 July 5 Eaton Terrace Dined with Janey Locker-Lampson,1 sat between Oliver and Sir Henry Fowler,2 whom I found most agreeable, and much more outspoken than one usually finds a Cabinet Minister. He laments their huge majority as nothing short of catastrophe, and says that though they are the most united Cabinet he has ever known, their difficulties during the last six months have been so great that, could he have foreseen them, he would never have taken office. Says we are in danger of being governed by groups, which he greatly deprecates… Went afterwards to a pleasant party at Sir Arthur Birch’s,3 talked to Lord Eustace Cecil, who seems to think the Lords will be hampered in dealing with the Education bill because so many clauses have to do with money.4 Friday 13 July 5 Eaton Terrace Two Primrose League meetings in the morning. Persuaded the Ladies’ Grand Council to be represented on the National Union of Women Workers, in spite of vehement opposition from Lady Hardman.1 I am sure it is a mistake to let that important body drift entirely into Radical hands. 1. Wife of Sir William Hardman (1828–90), member of the Primrose League Ruling Council from 1883 and a chairman of the Grand Council.

1. Florence, wife of Sir Edward Antrobus, 4th. Bart. 2. Because of possible damage to the monument by the military on Salisbury Plain, Antrobus, with the approval of the Society of Antiquaries, had erected a large barbed-wire fence round the perimeter. Visitors were charged a shilling, a move which infuriated local inhabitants. The Commons Preservation Society challenged, in the name of the Attorney-General, the legality of erecting fences, before the High Court in 1905, but this was rejected. See Lord Eversley, Commons, Forests and Footpaths, (1910, second edn.). 1. Jane Locker-Lampson, author of religious books, lived at Rowfant, Crawley, Sussex. 2. Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster, 1905–8. 3. (1837–1914), Colonial Office serving in British Columbia, Penang and Ceylon. 4. The contentious religious issues raised by the bill led to it being considerably amended before it passed to the Lords late in July.

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Monday 16 July Red House, Roehampton Drove straight on down here, delighted as I think I never was before, to get away from London. If only I can get my finances right by next Spring (they are a long way from it at present) I think seriously of giving up all my Committees and retiring from London altogether. Thursday 2 August Fawsley Very hot. Went into Daventry and spoke, fairly well, at a gathering of the Conservative Club at Mrs. Roche’s. Subjects: Education, the Transvaal and National Defence.1 The Education bill, is now in the House of Lords and the Archbishop of Canterbury2 made yesterday a splendid speech, moderate, statesmanlike and deeply earnest.3 The new Constitution for the Transvaal is out;4 it might be better and it might be worse. The Daily Mail calls it ‘another Majuba’,5 which is nonsense. But all depends on all the British sticking together; at the best their majority over the Boers must be very small. Saturday 11 August Fawsley The great event has been the legal decision, reversing that in a lower court, that the County Councils are not bound to pay for religious education,1 and so the ‘passive resisters’ were more or less dans leurs droits. What the effect will be no one seems to know. It seems to make this unliked Bill quite unnecessary. Of course the decision may be reversed on appeal. 1. Garden fête, Daventry, NH, 3 Aug. 1906, p. 5. 2. Hansard, 4, 162, cols. 921–43, 1 Aug. 1906, second reading. 3. Rt. Revd. Randall Davidson. See G.K.A.Bell, Randall Davidson, Archbishop of Canterbury (1935), ii. pp. 520–2. 4. Announced by Winston Churchill, Colonial Under-Secretary, and Lord Elgin, Colonial Secretary, in Parliament on 31 July. 5. Daily Mail, 2 Aug. 1906. p. 7. 1. In June 1906 in the High Court, the case of the Board of Education v. The County Council of the West Riding of Yorkshire was heard on whether a local education authority was liable to pay teachers for giving religious education in non-provided schools under the 1902 Education Act. The local authority, it was ruled, was responsible for making payment, but the Court of Appeal reversed the judgment on 8 Aug. The Times, 9 Aug. 1906, p. 8.

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Sunday 26 August Fawsley I am deeply interested in The Empire and the Century,1 a most valuable collection of papers by leading men of all parts of the Empire, and the most different aspects of the Empire as a whole, and of its various component parts. It is one of the most interesting books I have ever read. I do not know whether it is because I am growing old, but I cannot help feeling rather despondent about the future of the country. The spirit of amusement, of unwillingness to work, spreads so. Today I went to Preston and paid a good many cottage visits. The older women all say the same thing: at Charwelton and Badby the allotments I got for them with such pleasure 20 years ago are being given up, and yet there is always the cry ‘Back to the land’. There must be something wrong in such a spirit. How is the country to be cultivated? Wednesday 12 September Monmouth A merry run of 24 miles into Hereford in a very comfortable motor, but as it was wet we did not see much. Our object was the Festival,1 and we heard the Vorspiel to Parsifal, which I thoroughly enjoyed, some of Bach’s Mass in B minor, with Albani—dear Albani, singing gloriously, but her voice, alas, not what it was, and Mr. Higley, who I thought sang well in a new thing by Hubert Parry, ‘The Soul’s Ransom’, which, however, was not approved of by the authorities, Mr. Rolls and Mr. Williams. A Brahms Symphony2 at the end was de trop. I was tired and did not enjoy it. We lunched at the Palace and saw the redoubtable Bishop of Hereford,3 a strong, capable face. He is said to be charming in private life, in public life he is always wrong. Thursday 13 September Monmouth Off again to Hereford and heard The Apostles by Elgar.1 I am quite sure that I liked it very much. First and foremost it is very devotional (the Bishop told me that he is a very devout man), then it is original and very dramatic. Of course I don’t understand the ins and outs. What I do know is that I enjoyed it immensely. 1. A series of essays on imperial problems and future projections by a variety of writers of authority in their subject, edited by Charles Sydney Goldman, published by John Murray in 1905. 1.The Three Choirs Festival concert was given in Hereford Cathedral in the morning. The Times, 13 Sept. 1906, p. 7. 2.Symphony No. 3 in F. 3.John Percival (1834–1918), Bishop, 1895–1920.

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Friday 21 September Fawsley We have been (obliged) alas, to give up all hope of keeping the Badby Schools. Saturday 29 September Fawsley To Northampton for Education Committee. We agreed with surprisingly little discussion to suspend payment of such part of the teachers’ salaries as is caused by giving religious education until such time as the West Riding judgment declaring it illegal is either affirmed or reversed. Never was there such a chaotic state of affairs.1 Tuesday 16 October Fawsley Went over to Northampton to speak at a meeting in aid of Miss Cowen and her much needed Girls’ Club.1 The Mayor, Mr. Manfield, presided, and the meeting was held in the Council Chamber, a handsome room which I had never seen before. The meeting was well attended and Miss Janes spoke well, I pretty well. I do hope the movement will succeed. It is so important to get hold of these rough girls, who, left to themselves, drift to ruin. Finished the Autobiography and Memoirs of the Duke of Argyll,2 a deeply interesting book, especially to me who knew him. He was a wonderful man in his manysidedness, his pluck, his keen sense of duty, his intense love of truth, while all his scientific research never seems to have shaken his faith. All accounts agree that he was one of the great orators of his day. 1.The oratorio, composed in 1903, was for soprano, contralto, tenor three bass soloists, chorus and orchestra. Sir Edward Elgar (1857–1934), compiled the libretto from the Bible and other sources. See J.Northrop Moore, Edward Elgar. A Creative Life (1984), pp. 3 78–419. 1.See entry, 11 Aug. 1906 fn. 1, and Northampton Daily Reporter, 29 Sept. 1906, p. 6. 1. NH, 19 Oct. 1906, p. 7. 2. Dowager Duchess of Argyll (ed), George Douglas Campbell, 8th. Duke of Argyll Autobiography and Memoirs (1906), 2 vols.

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Tuesday 23 October Rusthall House, Tunbridge Wells We spent all day in the Opera House at Tunbridge Wells, listening to various papers about girls in the country, in towns, as artists, musicians, etc.1 was impelled to get up and speak for the Girls’ Friendly Society, which was totally ignored and which does so many of the things which the speakers said wanted doing. A great many people thanked me for saying it. Rather bitter speech from two working class women about girls in factories and shops. In the afternoon reports of the various branches and sections of the National Union of Women Workers. Wednesday 24 October Rusthall House, Tunbridge Wells A most interesting and exciting morning at the Council. The first resoluton was about the Truck Acts,1 and proposed to ask for legislation to prohibit all fines and deductions, and all payments by employees to their employers. As it appeared to me and to others that this would work very hardly and often prevent the provision of refreshments rooms, etc, Mrs. Boscawen2 moved and I seconded an amendment to omit the latter part. The voting was so close we had to take a division, by rising and being counted in our places, and the amendment was carried by 118 to 112. Some resolutions about the Criminal Law Amendment Act3 were moved by Mrs. Creighton and carried unanimously without discussion, as was a resolution about women on local Councils. There was some discussion on more women inspectors and I drew attention to the need of looking after the pupil teachers attending pupil teacher centres and waiting about for hours at stations.4 1. Annual Conference of the National Union of Women Workers. Other papers were concerned with the need for supervising girls arriving in London and providing more work with blind girls. Women Workers, 1906, p. 26. 1. The Truck Act of 1897 limited the practice of employers paying workers in kind rather than in cash. 2. Mrs. Edith Griffith-Boscawen, president of the local NUWW branch. Her husband, Arthur, was Unionist M.P. for Tunbridge, 1892 until his defeat in 1906. See his Fourteen Years in Parliament (1907), p. 350. 3. With regard to the raising the age of consent. 4. The Times, 25 Oct. 1906, p. 12.

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Thursday 25 October Rusthall House, Tunbridge Wells A most interesting discussion on Women Suffrage occupied the morning. Mrs. Fawcett and Mrs. Arthur Lyttelton both made extremely able speeches and two working women, Mrs. Bruce Glasier1 and Mrs. Cooper,2 made valuable contributions and voiced the intense feeling which is growing up among the working women, specially in Lancashire. It was pathetic to listen to the former, the note of pain in her voice, and to realize how little Parliament could do, compared with what she expected. A ‘mere man’, and a very foolish one, got up and meandered, to the great annoyance of the men in the audience. Mrs. Cooper spoke about the pitbrow women and strongly deprecated their being deprived of their employment. In the evening listened to Mrs. Pollard3 on ‘gambling without stakes’, rather exaggerated, I thought. Mrs. Creighton most ably summed up the results of the week, and in her closing remarks lifted the whole thing on to a higher plane, bidding us remember that ‘we are made for communion with the Divine’.4 Friday 26 October St. James’s Vicarage, Northampton Came down to Northampton to stay with Mr. and Mrs. Brown1 at St. James’s Vicarage and give an address on ‘Reading’ to a gathering of women at the Church Institute, of which I laid the first stone in 1904 and which is now in full work. It was such a splendid subject, I did it rather well and I hope the outcome will be a branch of National Home Reading Union. 1. Katherine Bruce Glasier (1867–1950), wife of John Bruce Glasier, socialist, poet, and designer in the Arts and Crafts movement; see ‘Why Working Women Want The Vote’, Women Workers, 1906, pp. 88–91. 2. ‘Why Working Women Want Political Power’, ibid., pp. 92–4. For Mrs. Cooper, see Jill Liddington, The Life and Times of a Respectable Rebel. Selina Cooper 1864–1946 (1984), Ch. 10. 3. President of the Women’s Institute, ibid., pp. 121–34. 4. Ibid., pp. 135–43. 1. Harold Pearce Brown, vicar of St. James, 1905–7, previously vicar of St. Edmund, Northampton, 1902–05.

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Saturday 27 October Fawsley Education Committee in the morning. Mr. Ryland Adkins climbed down, on the plea that the Government are going to appeal against the West Riding judgment, and we rescinded the resolution which we passed last time about not paying the teachers′ salaries for religious education. Then he proposed a strong resolution about some schools which wanted to wait till something is settled before spending a lot of money. Mr. Monckton was going to let it pass, and I challenged a division but we threw it out by 7 to 6.1 Cock a doodle doo! In the afternoon opened a bazaar ‘In Ancient Rome’, for the National Teachers’ Benefit fund, and then came home. Wednesday 31 October Fawsley Went to luncheon with Mr. Stopford…Afterwards addressed a very large meeting of women in the Grammar School on the Education bill.1 Did not do it well. Mrs. FitzRoy came and we had much Girls’ Friendly Society talk. Thursday 1 November Fawsley I tricycled to Badby for Mothers’ Meeting, alas, the last. The Lords are very busy amending the Education bill, led by that great statesman, the Archbishop of Canterbury.1 Truly hope they will stick to their amendments. Saturday 3 November Fawsley To Northampton for Higher Education: might as well have staid at home. They put evening schools and scholarships first and we wrangled over trifles till it was time to come home. 1. NH, 2 Nov. 1906, p. 6. 1. NH, 2 Nov. 1906, p. 7. 1. Hansard, 4, 163, cols. 1024, 1036, 1039, 31 Oct. 1906. Committee Stage of the Bill.

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Monday 5 November 5 Eaton Terrace Dear Fawsley looked lovely as I drove away. It cost me a great deal to leave it, but I believe I am doing right. Travelled up with the Bethells and came here to take up my abode with Georgie. Went with Leila to the House of Lords where they were discussing partly some foolish peers who had voted without taking the oath,1 partly unimportant amendments to the Education Act. But it is always an interesting sight. Tuesday 6 November 5 Eaton Terrace An interesting day. Went first to the South African Sectional Committee of the Girls’ Friendly Society and heard a good deal of what is going on there. Cape Town is always rather behind hand but there are new branches at Port Elizabeth, etc, one consequence almost entirely of Colonial girls; there is to be a Clubroom at Pretoria and work at Blomfontein. Then off to luncheon with Mrs. Moberley Bell1 to meet Sir Hamilton Goold-Adams2 and talk about the Hostel at Blomfontein, which I visited with Mrs. Fawkes and which he wants us to take over. Mrs. Goldman3 there, just back from East Africa and the Transvaal. She says they are all in a frenzy there, a strong anti British wave passing over, even our own Committee not loyal to the political side of our work, while the Dutch are copying our methods, bringing out girls from Holland and trying to induce the ‘mean whites’ and Boer girls to go into service. However, the wave may swing the other way; one can only hope so. Thursday 8 November 5 Eaton Terrace A very long day and the wettest I think I ever saw. Early to South African Colonisation Society Finance Committee, my letter to Lord Portman approved and the Blomfontein proposal accepted. Then to Denison House to a Conference convened by the Association for the Care of the Feeble Minded,1 which the Northants. Education Committee appointed Mr. Ryland Adkins and me to attend. It was very interesting and very sad. Almost all the speakers agreed as to the difficulty, not to say the impossibility, of fitting these childeren 1. Lords Manners, Clements, Grimthorpe and Armstrong. A motion to have their names struck off the division lists was withdrawn. Hansard, 4, 164, cols. 4–12, 5 Nov. 1906. 1. Wife of C.F. Moberley Bell, who chaired the SACS Orange River Colony Committee. 2. (1858–1920) Resident Commissioner of the Bechuanaland Protectorate, who lived in Blomfontein, Orange River Colony. 3. Mrs. Sydney Goldman, member of SACS Transvaal Committee.

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even where trained into special schools, to ease their own living independently and spoke also of the danger of their being employed without constant supervision. The necessity for segregation was specially insisted upon, and the desirability of powers of detention, although it was felt that public opinion was not yet ripe for such a step, and it was less pressing because as a rule, these people were happy in the institutions where they were placed and had no wish to leave.2 One or two County Councils (I think Shropshire and Cheshire) have joined in establishing such an institution; in another county they are cared for in a separate building attached to the County Lunatic Asylum. The necessity for classification according to degrees of defective-ness was strongly insisted upon and it was agreed that the ordinary workhouse official, however well meaning, was by no means fitted for the care of cases requiring such infinite tact and patience. We all lunched together at a restaurant. I sat between the Chairman, Sir William Chance3 and Sir Edward Brabrook,4 late Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies. Lady Frederick Bruce presided in the afternoon, when several doctors gave their (very various) views as to the causes of feeble mindedness, and it was agreed that much more information was needed. Saturday 17 November Woodstock Place, Woodstock The Daily Mail has offered a prize of £10,000 to the first person who flies from London to Manchester.1 Is flying really coming? Monday 19 November 5 Eaton Terrace To the Girls’ Friendly Society Colonial Committee in the afternoon; delightful account of Miss Peacock’s Australian tour and indeed of the progress of the work throughout the Empire.1 Dined, as the guest of Miss Williams (Mrs. Romer Williams) at the Lyceum Club, a South African dinner and very pleasant. I sat by Mr. Williams, Radical M.P. for Merionethshire,2 and had a good House of Commons talk. He is strong for Welsh Disestablishment. Some good after dinner speaking, notably Mr. Sargent,3 Sir David Gill, and above all, Mrs. Phillp4 of Mothers’ Union fame, who made a quite admirable speech. They are founding a South African circle, another link in the chain. 1. NEC Minutes, 27 Oct. 1906, p. 153. 2. The Times, 10 Nov. 1906, p. 5. 3. 2nd Bart. (1853–1935), author of works on social problems in society. 4. (1839–1930), Chief Registrar of Friendly Societies until 1904. 1. The offer was made in order to match the efforts being made in France and Germany. Alberto Santos-Dumont had recently achieved a speed of 25 mph and a flight of over 70 miles. Daily Mail, 17 Nov. 1906, p. 5.

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Tuesday 20 November 5 Eaton Terrace All day with Nora on the Girls’ Friendly Society Council. Rather dull on the whole, but carried my motion to enquire into what can be done for Pupil teachers attending Pupil Teacher Centres.1 Had to withdraw my candidature for Vice-President. Rather a disappointment, but there is a time for all things. Tuesday 18 December 5 Eaton Terrace Lunched with dear old Lady Iddesleigh, plenty of nice people but much too long. Afterwards with Nora to see Lady Dorothy Nevill, who is delighted with the success of her book—it has gone into a fifth edition.1 Then to the House of Lords, which was crammed, expecting a final announcement as to the Education Bill, but they are still conferring so it was put off… Dined with Lady Mar and Kellie,2 sat between David Erskine3 and a young Russell of Swallowfield4 and talked a good deal to Willie Grey.5 He says that Mr. Haldane said to a friend of his that the Borough Council elections came in the nick of time to strengthen the hand of the moderate section of the Cabinet against the extremists. 1. AJA, Jan. 1907, p. 12. 2. Arthur Osmond Williams, Liberal M.P., Merionethshire, 1900–10, and brother of Mrs. Romer Williams. 3. Possibly the Very Revd. John Paine Sargent, Dean of St. Peter’s Pro-Cathedral, Diocese of Qu’appelle, 1903. Prolocutor of Rupert’s Land, 1902–5. 4. Birmingham representative of the NUWW Rescue Workers’ section. 1. Under the 1903 Regulations of the Board of Education, pupil teacher centres had been taken over by the new local education authorities and entry requirements were raised. 1. The Reminiscences of Lady Dorothy Nevill (1906), edited by her son, Ralph. 2. Violet, daughter of Anthony Ashley, 8th. Earl of Shaftesbury and wife of Walter John Francis Erskine, 12th. Earl of Mar and Kellie. 3. Liberal M.P., W.Perthshire, 1906–10. 4. Sir George Arthur Russell (1868–1944), 5th. Bart., of Swallowfield Park, Reading. 5. William Edward Grey, Clerk in the House of Commons, and son of Admiral George Grey of Moreton Pinkney Manor.

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Wednesday 19 December 5 Eaton Terrace I went down to the House (of Lords) and heard Lord Lansdowne give the coup de grace to this ill-omened bill.1 The Government refused to give way about the teachers giving religious instruction, even if they wished to do so, except under such conditions as make the concessions valueless, and so the Lords stick to their amendments and very thankful I am.2 There never was a better opportunity for them to assert themselves and have the country behind them. 1. Hansard, 4, 167, cols. 1374 and 1415, 19 Dec. 1906. Campbell-Bannerman announced the withdrawal of the bill in the Commons on 20 Dec. As Birrell wrote in his autobiography, The only thing left to do, after the rejection, was to get rid of the minister who, sitting in the Commons, could not get his Bill through the House of Lords’. In Feb. 1907, Birrell gave up the presidency of the Board of Education and became Chief Secretary for Ireland. See A.Birrell, Things Past Redress (1937), p. 192. 2. On 14 Dec. the House of Lords set aside the Court of Appeal’s ruling and affirmed the view of the High Court in June that the local education authority was responsible for payment.

*1907* Wednesday 16 January High Legh, Knutsford Only pottered about, went with Edie Legh to the school, where the schoolmaster, an intelligent citizen, quite agreed that the curriculum is far too crowded. He lately asked his boys to put down the names of 12 distinguished men of the day. Some put down the village postman, the landlord of the village inn, etc., nearly all Mr. Chamberlain, and one boy Lord Nelson. In the evening to a very successful Primrose League meeting at Lyme.1 Edie was in the chair and spoke for about half and hour, rather well I thought, on Education, the House of Lords and South Africa. The other speaker, Mr. Cory, Primrose League Provincial Secretary. Thursday 17 January Tatton Park, Knutsford Came over here in the afternoon to stay with my old friend Lord Egerton and the Duchess of Buckingham. In the evening a servants’ dance, quite of the old order. We all went down and helped to start it. I should think this is one of the few houses which has kept up quite with the old state. Saturday 26 January Fawsley To Northampton for Education Committee,1 luncheon with the Chadwicks, and then a meeting of the Society for Promoting the Return of Women Guardians. We are very anxious to keep the movement on non-political lines, but it is very difficult as the Liberal women are already making their arrangements. However we agreed to a non-committal letter asking women to stand. 1. Lyme Park, Cheshire, home of the Legh family. 1. Proposing the building of a new school open to all children of the parish in place of the two existing schools at Silverstone. Northampton Daily Reporter, 26 Jan. 1907, p. 4.

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Monday 28 January 5 Eaton Terrace Came to London…Went with Georgie to the London Hospital almost all fresh patients. Then to the Mansion House to a meeting of the British Science Guild,1 to which Lady Lockyer2 asked us. It was interesting to see Mr. Haldane3 who spoke, a fine powerful head with a singular likeness to Charley Newdegate, but for the rest very like a Methodist parson, with a curious unctuous manner. Friday 1 February 5 Eaton Terrace Primrose League in the morning. Told Meresia Nevill I would not stand again, the first step towards giving up all my Committees which I have decided to do, partly for the sake of economy, partly because they are really too much. Thursday 14 February 5 Eaton Terrace All morning on National Union of Women Workers’ Committee. In the afternoon a pleasant tea at Nora’s. Long talk to Lady Frances Balfour about the progress of the Women’s Suffrage question which certainly advances by leaps and bounds, in spite of, or perhaps in consequence of, the follies of a certain section of its supporters in the House of Commons, and engage in undignified battles with the police. A quite independent move was a procession through the streets in which Lady Frances and many other ladies took part.1 I have contented myself by signing a letter to the Prime Minister, asking to be heard at the bar of the House a petition which I am thankful to say has been courteously refused.2 It is the only decided step I have taken, and when Mrs. Fawcett asked me, I felt I ought to have the courage of my convictions, especially as Rainald always supported the movement. 1. The Times, 29 Jan. 1907, p. 12. 2. Thomasine Mary, wife of Sir Joseph Lockyer (1836–1920), Professor of Astronomical Physics, Royal College of Science and Director of Solar Physics, 1890–1913. 3. John Scott Haldane (1860–1936), physiologist, studied the effects of carbon monoxide. In 1907 he developed the method of decompression, enabling deep sea divers to be brought safely to the surface. 1. On 9 Feb. some 2000 women marched through London from Hyde Park to Exeter Hall where a resolution was carried urging Parliament to pass the Women’s Suffrage Bill sponsored by Willoughby Hyett Dickinson, Liberal M.P., North St Pancras. The Times, 11 Feb. 1907, p. 11. 2. On 8 Feb. a letter to the Prime Minister, Campbell-Bannerman, signed by Mrs. Henry Fawcett, Miss I.O.Ford and Mrs. Cooper, requesting that a petition be heard at the Bar of the House seeking to remove electoral obstacles to women. EWR, 15 April 1907, pp. 88–9.

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Wednesday 20 February 5 Eaton Terrace In the afternoon to Working Ladies’ Guild Committee, I suppose for the last time. I am sure it is right to give up the Committees, but it is a wrench. Thursday 21 February 5 Eaton Terrace Dined with the Halls, sat between him and Colonel Hobart.1 A long chat afterwards to Sir James Rose-Innes,2 such a nice man, with right views on the native question, and hopeful that the Boers will really now work with us. They have got a majority in the Transvaal, but the Progressives have done better than was expected, and that time-serving Sir Richard Solomon3 has been beat. Saturday 22 February 5 Eaton Terrace An amusing morning going with Lady Frances Balfour, Lady Strachey, Miss Black and Miss Palisser1 on a deputation to the Morning Post and the Daily Mail to ask them to treat the Suffrage question more seriously. Mr. Fabian Ware of the Morning Post2 was very civil and quite agreed that it is most undesirable that the question should fall entirely into the hands of one party, but wants a lead from Mr. Balfour. Lady Frances told me the reason he is less in favour of it than he used to be is that Mr. Fawcett, some years ago, prevented Mr. Henry Cust3 from standing for Manchester. Very small minded, I think. 1. Lt.-Col. Sir Vere Cavendish Hobart. Awarded the DSO during the South African War. 2. (1855–1942) Chief Justice, Transvaal, 1902–10, a strong supporter of the rights of the natives. 3. (1850–1913) Attorney-General, Transvaal 1902–7. The first general election had been held in Feb. 1907, resulting in the return of Het Volk, a Boer organization, with 37 seats, Progressives 21 and Nationalists 6. The Times, 27 Feb. 1907, p. 5. 1. Secretary of the Central Society for Women’s Suffrage, 1894–1907. 2. Fabian Arthur Ware (1869–1949), editor, 1905–11. 3. Conservative M.P., Bermondsey, 1900–06, editor, Pall Mall Gazette, 1902–06.

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Monday 4 March Claremont, Esher Am delighted at the crushing, overwhelming defeat of the Progressives of the London County Council who have misruled London so long.1 Coming on top of the Brigg election, it is a facer for the Government. Tuesday 5 March 5 Eaton Terrace Left Claremont with real regret, after a very quiet, restful yet interesting visit. Came to London with the Duchess and went with her to one of the most interesting meetings I was ever at, at the house of Mrs. Sydney Buxton.1 It was presided over by the Bishop of Stepney2 and addressed by my old acquaintance, Miss Hawkesley, and was in aid of the League of our Father, founded to help ‘the Ramblers’, in other words, tramps, who roam the streets of our great city absolutely lonely and homeless, without a possession in the world. I never was more touched than by what I heard. Wednesday 6 March 5 Eaton Terrace Presided, for the last time, at the South African Colonisation Society Committee and announced my resignation. They were all awfully nice to me. Miss Vernon came back to luncheon and then I went to our Girls’ Friendly Society Pupil Teachers’ Committee. We drew up our report for presentation to Central Council.1 We have collected a deal of information and I think done a useful bit of work. Lady Lilford2 came to talk Red Cross, then came Sir Henry Bulwer, a real old Whig, with a holy horror of conscription, which will be in practical politics before many years are over. 1. The election took place on 2 March. 79 Moderates and 38 Progressives were returned. 2. At the by-election held on 25 Feb. Sir Berkeley Sheffield, Unionist, was elected with 5389 votes. The Liberal candidate, Capt. F.Guest, received 5273. 1. Mildred, second wife of Sydney Charles Buxton (1853–1934), Liberal M.P., Poplar, 1886–1914, Postmaster-General, 1905–10, living at 5 Buckingham Gate. 2. Rt. Revd. Cosmo Gordon Lang (1864–1945), Bishop of Stepney, 1901–08, Archbishop of York, 1908–28, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1928–42. 1. See entry, 19 March 1907. 2. Milly Louisa, wife of John Powys, 5th. Baron Lilford.

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Saturday 9 March 5 Eaton Terrace Mrs. Wilkinson very amusing about the Progressives, whom she already supports. They, by the way, think the women voters had a good deal to do with their defeat for the County Council, and I believe yesterday was a good deal their revenge. Monday 11 March 5 Eaton Terrace Attended a Committee presided over by Princess Christian about the deputation to Lord Elgin.1 I am afraid she won’t be such an old dragon as I am! Thursday 14 March 5 Eaton Terrace Dined with Sir William and Lady Humphery, and sat between him and Sir Arthur Bigge. The latter amused me with a story of Sir William Harcourt, when minister in attendance at Balmoral. It was about the time the Uganda railway was being made, which he, Sir William, always opposed, and at the same time the Liberal Government were doing something or other specially outrageous in Ireland. The Queen sent Sir Arthur (who was acting as her private Secretary) to Sir William to remonstrate: whereupon Sir William cynically remarked that ‘he knew nothing whatever about Ireland, which he believed was somewhere to the North of Uganda’. Old rascal! Monday 18 March 5 Eaton Terrace To St. Johns’ Wood, where I met Georgie and Helen Grant and she took us to the AlmaTademas, such a beautiful house,1 quite unlike any I ever saw, chiefly Roman I think, and a splendid studio, in which was this picture for the Academy, a scene in the Colosseum with Caracalla,2 wonderfully painted, and all over the house great evidences of learning: As the sun colours flowers So art colours life 1. Victor Alexander Bruce, 9th. Earl of Elgin (1849–1917), Colonial Secretary, 1905–8, Viceroy of India, 1893–8.

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was a striking motto. Tuesday 19 March 5 Eaton Terrace All day on Girls’ Friendly Society Council. That I am not going to give up. Presented the report of the Pupil Teachers’ Committee, a satisfactory bit of work.1 Friday 22 March 5 Eaton Terrace To my last Primrose League meeting (I suppose). Tuesday 26 March 5 Eaton Terrace Ethel and Miss Close dined and we went afterwards to a great Suffrage meeting at the Queen’s Hall.1 It was crammed and most enthusiastic. Mr. Bernard Shaw2 made a neat, witty and amusing speech, full of sparkling epigrams. Mr. Philip Snowden3 also spoke and Mr. Dickinson, but I liked best Mr. Cameron Corbett:4 he was so manly and straightforward. An amendment in favour of Adult Suffrage was moved by a Miss Bondfield5 and seconded by Mr. Shaw of the Clarion,6 a dangerous-looking individual. Only about 20 hands were held up for the amendment; the resolution taken word for word from Campbell-Bannerman’s speech7 was carried almost unanimously. I am more and more convinced that if we could only carry it now it would be the greatest possible bar to universal suffrage. Mr. Shaw showed it plainly. 1. 34 Grove End Road, N.W.London. 2. Caracalla and Geta, completed 1907. 1. The report was adopted. See AJA, May 1907, p. 76. 1. The meeting was held under the auspices of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies. The Times, 27 March 1907, p. 10. 2. George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950), dramatist, essayist and critic. 3. (1864–1937) Independent Labour M.P., Blackburn, 1906–18, Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1924–9. 4. Archibald Cameron Corbett, Liberal Unionist M.P., Tradeston, Glasgow, 1886–1909. 5. Margaret Grace Bondfield (1873–1953), Assistant Secretary of the Shop Assistants Union, 1896–1908. M.P. for Northampton, 1923–4, becoming the first woman to hold ministerial office in Britain. 6. A Socialist weekly magazine founded and edited by Robert Blatchford in 1891 and to which George Bernard Shaw contributed a number of articles. Shaw agreed to stand for the Executive of the Fabian Society in March 1907. After he was elected the following month he successfully piloted a recommendation that ‘the establishment of equal citizenship’ should be added to the ‘Objects of the Society,’ M.Holroyd, Bernard Shaw. The Pursuit of Power (1989), ii, p. 255.

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Wednesday 27 March 5 Eaton Terrace Another volume of my journal, the faithful companion of more than 50 years. It begins in a very solemn week, which Georgie and I have been trying to keep to the best of our ability, but there are often difficulties and hindrances. To church in the morning, in the afternoon up to the British Museum to inspect some references to Knightleys, which Sir Edward Maunde Thompson was kind enough to send me some time ago. Found some rather amusing things. Thursday 28 March 5 Eaton Terrace To luncheon with Miss Balfour, where were the Evelyn Cecils, then to Schomberg House and with Princess Christian to the Colonial Office where several members of the SACS Committee met us, and we proceeded on a deputation to Lord Elgin, Secretary of State for the Colonies.1 The poor little gentleman reminded me of Lord Byron’s young lady, who ‘was so alarmed she was quite alarming’. However Mrs. Cecil read an excellent paper describing our work, and asking him, which was the main object of our visit, to use his influence with General Botha2 to continue the subsidy from the Transvaal Government, which naturally ends in June. I added a few words, he asked a few questions and the deputation withdrew as the newspapers put it. Wednesday 24 April Fawsley A most lovely day. Presided at the Primrose League Annual meeting at Daventry,1 at a Managers’ meeting and at a District Sub Committee at Badby in Charlie’s absence. All small affairs, but some one must do them. The Labour party don’t half realise how hard many of us work. 7. A Women’s Enfranchisement Bill was introduced on 8 March, Campbell-Bannerman declared that ‘the exclusion of women from the franchise is neither expedient, justifiable, nor politically right’. It failed, however. J.Wilson, C-B (1973). p. 511. 1. The Times, 29 March 1907, p. 4. 2. Louis Botha (1862–1919), Prime Minister of the Transvaal, 1907–10, first premier of the Union of South Africa, 1910–19. 1. At the Conservative Club. DE, 27 April 1907, p. 2.

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Thursday 25 April 25 Sloane Gardens My sixty fifth birthday. Now I can say as Rainald used, I am nearer 70 than 60. That of course is a joke, but it is a solemn thought to realise that I am approaching the allotted span of man. I passed the day very pleasantly for I came to London and went to luncheon with dear old Lady Iddesleigh, now 84, to meet the Premier of Australia1 and Mrs. Deakin. He is a fine looking man with a clever face. I had only a few minutes talk with him. My neighbours were Willie Gurdon,2 who talked a good deal abut the Labour Members, most of whom, Radical as he is, he cordially dislikes, specially Mr. Ramsay MacDonald3 and Mr. Keir Hardie4 and Lord Burghclere,5 whom I found very pleasant and easy to get on with. We discussed the House of Lords, which he wants mended, not ended. He says and I rather agree with him that the great danger is from the large number of irresponsible members who never really attend, and when they do, don’t mind their own leaders. Friday 26 April 25 Sloane Gardens Lunched with Mrs. Joyce at the Ladies’ Empire: dear old lady, I am quite pleased to see her again. Afterwards to the Savoy Hotel, where were a number of tea parties before our SACS annual meeting.1 Princess Christian2 had asked me and was most kind and it was entirely due to her that Lord Milner made a very flattering allusion to my work. I really felt quite overwhelmed. It was a most successful meeting. Lord Graham3 in the chair, Lord Milner, Mr. Moor4 (Premier of Natal), Dr. Smartt and Lord Weardale5 all spoke and the room was crowded. In the evening I went to a huge party given by Mrs. James Stuart,6 to meet the Premiers. I never saw such a Radical gathering in my life. However it was very interesting. I saw Campbell-Bannerman for the first time, John Burns7 and Herbert Gladstone8 as well as Botha, who spoke to a man I was standing near, and who good naturedly pointed people out. It is not a disagreeable face, but neither is it a strong one: he rather resembles a rabbit. 1. Alfred Deakin (1857–1919), Prime Minister, 1903–4, 1905–8, 1909–10. 2. Sir William Brampton Gurdon, Liberal M.P., N.Norfolk, 1899–1910. 3. James Ramsay MacDonald (1866–1937), Labour M.P., Leicester, 1900–18, Secretary to the Labour Party, 1900–12. 4. James Keir Hardie (1856–1915), Labour M.P., Merthyr Tydfil, 1900–15, Leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party, 1906–8. 5. Herbert Coulstoun Gardner (1846–1921), 1st. Baron Burghclere of Walden, Eccesiastical Commissioner since 1903, Liberal M.P., Saffron Walden, 1885–95. 1. The Times, 27 April 1907, p. 8. 2. Princess Christian succeeded LMK as President.

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Thursday 2 May Firle Place Walked with Miss MacDonald, talked a great deal about Glamis. She herself had seen the white lady when walking in the room with Lady Winterton.1 Then Lady G.Hamilton2 and one of Lord Southesk’s daughters,3 who was playing lawn tennis in front of the Castle saw her at the same time. In the afternoon went up to London to be present at a gathering of the SACS Committee at Miss Balfour’s to meet Dr. Jameson. I confess I went for the express purpose of seeing that remarkable but insignificant looking little man. Princess Christian was there and had already interviewed General Botha, and Dr. Jameson promised a good deal in the way of assisted passages and Dr. Smartt (who was also there) as to railway rates. I dined at the Victoria Club,4 where I met the Bishop of Worcester, who seems very confident that Mr. McKenna’s5 Education bill6 will not pass. Friday 3 May Firle Place Walked with Frau von Strahl to whom I took a great fancy. She says the Kaiser has got rid of many of his best generals, and wants to do everything himself. She evidently does not like him. 3. James, Marquess of Graham, heir to Douglas, 5th. Duke of Montrose. 4. Frederick Robert Moor, Prime Minister, 1906–10. 5. Philip James Stanhope, 1st. Baron Weardale, a trustee of the National Portrait Gallery. 6. Laura Elizabeth, wife of Professor James Stuart (1843–1913), Liberal, M.P., Sunderland, 1906– 10, of 24 Grosvenor Road, pioneer of the University Extension movement. 7. John Burns (1858–1943), Labour M.P., Battersea, 1892–1915. President of the Local Government Board, 1905–14. 8. Herbert John Gladstone (1854–1930), Liberal M.P., Leeds W., 1885–1910, Home Secretary, 1905–10. 1. Georgina Susan, wife of Edward, 5th. Earl Winterton. 2. Maud Caroline, wife of Lord George Hamilton, brother of Lady Winterton. 3. Charles Noel, 10th. Earl of Southesk, whose daughters were Katherine and Mary. 4. West End residential club at 3 Old Cavendish Street, a centre for ladies seeking ‘intelligent and congenial society’. 5. Reginald McKenna (1863–1943), Liberal M.P., N. Monmouthshire, 1895–1918, President of the Board of Education, 1907–8. 6. The Special Religious Bill, to make non-provided schemes responsible for the cost of denominational instruction, was introduced in the Commons on 5 March, but did not proceed to a second reading.

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Friday 24 May Empire Day Fawsley Went down to Badby and had a little ceremonial to celebrate the day.1 The movement inaugurated by Lord Meath in 1902, has spread wonderfully. The children marched in, saluted the flat and sang Rudyard Kipling’s Song of the Children.2 Mrs. Scratton and I made little speeches. We sang God Save the King and I distributed buns. The children have been learning the Empire Catechism all the winter and took up my points in several places. Opening verse from R.Kipling’s Puck of Pook’s Hill (1906). Monday 27 May Normanton Park, Stamford Came here for our Girls’ Friendly Society Conference party. Lord and Lady Ancaster, Mrs. FitzRoy, Beatrice Cartwright, Katie Evans and Miss Lawrence. Mr. Finch’s sudden death1 has thrown a gloom over the neighbourhood, but le Roi est mort, vive le Roi. They are all absorbed in the choice of a Conservative candidate to succeed him. Wednesday 31 July Glen Parva Lodge, Leicester Came here to stay with Lady Rollestone1 for the British Association at Leicester. In the evening went with her and her sister to the Opera House to hear Sir David Gill’s presidential address, and very fine it was and far more intelligible to me than Professor Darwin’s. He spoke first about the geodetic arc from Cape to Cairo, and insisted on the infinite importance of accurate measurement. Then he took us, as Lord Kelvin2 expressed it in returning thanks, to an aerial tour of many thousands of millions of miles, spoke of Professor Kapteyn’s great discovery of two great streams of stars rushing towards each other from opposite directions, confirmed by observations at Yale. Talked about the great nebulae which are stars in process of formation and alluded to 1931 as a very important year, for which preparation should at once begin on account of the then proximity of the little planet Eros to the other; talked of some of the other stars Canopus as far larger than our sun, in short these be but fragments of a most brilliant discourse, and through it all one felt the recognition of the Creator, which one misses in all Sir Robert Ball’s3 books. 1. DE, 1 June l907, p.3. 2. ‘Land of our birth, we pledge to thee Our love and toil in the years to be; When we are grown and take our place, As men and women with our race.’ 1. George Henry Finch, Conservative, M.P., Rutland, 1867–May 1907, Father of the House of Commons, 1906–7. 1. Eliza, wife of Sir John Fowkes Lancelot Rolleston, 2nd. Bart, Unionist M.P., Leicester, 1900–6. 2. William Thomson, 1st. Baron Kelvin (1824–1907), physicist and mathematician. See S.P.Thompson, The Life of William Thomson, Baron Kelvin of Largs (1910), 2, pp. 1200–1.

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Thursday 1 August Glen Parva Lodge, Leicester A very interesting day. Went early into Leicester and heard Professor Ashley’s1 presidential address at the Economic Section. It was chiefly a review of the history of Economic Science, putting all the old authorities, Mill, Ricardo, Fawcett, etc. aside, and in effect saying that science is as yet in its infancy. Then to Education, where I heard part of a very enjoyable address from Sir Philip Magnus2 and interesting speeches from Professor Sadler and an Irish Roman Catholic authority, who enlarged on the stupidity of the classes who leave Eton and Harrow, not without truth. Then did another hall, a lecture illustrated by slides on the weights and heights of children of different classes and ages. I noticed that he spoke of two distinct races, one tall and fair, the other short and dark. In the afternoon Mr. Cecil Hawkins of Haileybury3 pursued the same subject and someone stated that the public schoolboy of the present day was taller, heavier and had a bigger head than his predecessor of the same age 20 years ago.4 Friday 2 August Glen Parva Lodge, Leicester In again early, and to hear Professor Sadler on Scholarships, their use and abuse,1 followed by an excellent paper by Miss Cleghorn2 on the desirability of two kinds of scholarships for girls, intellectual and practical. I should have liked to tell them about the Northampton Domestic Economy but had to hurry off to Economics, where Mr. Ramsay MacDonald read an able paper on Australian labour legislation. Evidently his tour of the colonies has had a more or less chastening effect on his views. Then Mr. Chiozza Money3 a long, laboured paper on sweating, a minimum wage, wages board, etc. Professor Ashley, a master of the subject, evidently disapproves of any wages except such as are voluntarily arranged between masters and workmen. Mr. Rees Smith said a few words, not well, for the home workers. Mr. MacDonald followed, but I was obliged to go off to luncheon with Miss Massy. 3. Sir Robert Stawell Ball (1840–1913), astronomer and mathematician. Professor of Astronomy, Cambridge, 1892–1913 and populariser of astronomy. 1. William James Ashley (1860–1927), Professor of Commerce, Birmingham University, 1901–25. See A.Ashley, William James Ashley. A Life (1932), pp. 90–104. 2. (1842–1933) Unionist M.P., London University, 1906–22, pioneer of industrial and technical education. See F.Foden, Philip Magnus (1970), pp. 194–210. 3. Pioneer of ‘weighing and measuring’, author of an important pamphlet on health in public schools. See R.L.Ashcroft, Haileybury 1908–61 (1961), pp. 13–14. 4.The Times, 2 Aug. 1907, pp. 9–10. 1. The Times, 3 Aug. 1907, pp. 11–12. 2. Isabel Cleghorn, headteacher of a Sheffield school and Executive member of the National Union of Teachers for 24 years. 3. Leo George Chiozza Money, Liberal M.P., North Paddington, 1906–10, member of the Home Work Committee, 1907–8, author of economic, social and political works.

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Saturday 28 September Fawsley A long day at Northampton Education Committee,1 Mr. Harrison2 a useful new member, brought up various grievances and I supported him. But oh, the Nonconformists are so strong and bitter! Friday 11 October Victoria Club In the afternoon went with Mrs. Joyce to the New South Wales and Western Australian Government offices and had long, interesting and satisfactory interviews with Mr. Preedy and Mr. Scammell as to the arrangements to be made for the protection of the girls they want us to collect and send out for them, New South Wales, at a cost of only £3, and £2 deposit. Monday 11 November Fawsley To the Reading Circle at Mr. Fred Willoughby’s, where a goodly number were assembled to hear Mr. Wynter1 of Wellingborough by way of being on the Pan Anglican Congress, anything more inconsequent I never listened to. First he expressed his dread lest the Congress should foster Imperialism, then described himself, with great truth, as narrow, deplored the comprehensiveness of the Anglican Church, and sighed for reunion with the Roman and Eastern Churches, and stated in the strongest terms his belief in a real objective presence. Mr. Thompson spoke and made a sweeping attack upon officials abroad. I ventured to say first that I hoped the Congress might help to hallow and sanctify Imperialism, and protested against Mr. Thompson’s sweeping statement in the name of such men as Sir Bartle Frere, Sir Charles Eliot,2 etc. for which Miss Warren and others warmly thanked me. I should have liked to contradict Mr. Wynter on a dozen points, but one can’t. 1. Northampton Daily Reporter, 28 Sept. 1907, p. 4. 2. Revd. Ernest Wivelsfield Harrison, rector of St. Michael, Bugbrooke, since 1900. 1. Revd. Reginald W.Wynter, vicar of St. Luke, Wellingborough, 1890–1908. 2. Vice-Chancellor, Sheffield University, 1905–12, a diplomat and orientalist.

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Tuesday 12 November 2 Bertie Terrace, Leamington I went off to Leamington in time for luncheon, where was Mrs. Boyle,1 and afterwards we went to the house of a Mrs. Edmunds for a small Committee meeting with a view to starting Emigration work in Warwickshire. I am afraid it is not taken up by the right people. Wednesday 13 November 2 Bertie Terrace, Leamington A tremendous day. Left Leamington at 9.20 and went to Blisworth, where Mr. Wicksteed and Mr. Ryland Adkins met me with a motor and we proceeded to Towcester to meet the Governors of the Grammar School and confer as to turning it into a mixed school for boys and girls.1 It is an experiment of course, but one which ought to be tried. Mr. Adkins was very anxious I should be there to represent the girls, and I was glad I went. I got back to Falconer’s Hill in good time for our branch meeting, at which we decided to adopt a linked branch in South Africa, several people besides myself having interests out there. Mrs. FitzRoy came home with me and we had a good Girls’ Friendly Society talk. It seems to be prospering in the Diocese. 1. Eleanor Margaret, granddaughter of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton., 1st. Bart., widow of Cecil William Boyle killed in the South African War in 1900. 1. NEC, Higher Education Sub-Committee Minutes, 7 Dec. 1907, p. 37.

*1908* Wednesday 1 January Rowfant, Crawley, Sussex I began my book ‘Memories of happy days’1 which I have so long been thinking about. I think it will be a great pleasure to me. Friday 24 January 5 Eaton Terrace Met Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, one of the chief leaders of the Labour Party, who has thrown in its lot with Socialism. A strong hard face with his red He. We live in strange times. I hope things will last my time, but they are going fast. Saturday 25 January Fawsley Went down to Northampton for Education Committee: had a close division (13 to 11) on a scheme to make it easier for boys in the rural districts to gain scholarships.1 Sunday 2 February 5 Eaton Terrace A stream of visitors all the afternoon, Molly Williams, Miles and Violet,1 Jack and Nina Angerstein2 and Mr. Sidney, who is a strong Free Trader. I am as much puzzled as ever. John Burns made an admirable speech the other night on the unemployment question. We have won South Hereford by 1019.3 But all this Socialism is very alarming. 1. See Ady, Journals, pp. 1–9, and Introduction, p. 29. 1. NH, 31 Jan. 1908, p. 6. The Liberal members’ amendment to reserve the number of free places in secondary schools for children from rural districts was defeated by 12 votes to 11. NEC Minutes, 25 Jan. 1908, p. 429.

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Wednesday 5 February 5 Eaton Terrace South African Colonisation Society in the morning. It all seems going on well and the demand for girls, specially for children’s nurses, continues steady. After luncheon to a rather dull meeting of the Central Emigration Board,1 at Lord Brassey’s…Mrs. Joyce dined and we had a long talk about my future work. Saturday 22 February Fawsley Came down by the early train for the Education Committee, which was chiefly occupied with the arrangements for carrying out the medical inspection of children, an expensive performance.1 I had a long talk about it the other day with Dr. Hogarth,2 a clever young doctor attached to Toynbee Hall. Tuesday 25 February Fawsley I went to Leamington. My object in going was to read a paper at a meeting held to start a branch of BWEA and SACS for Warwickshire.1 It was held at the house of Mrs. Gowan, Canon Toovey2 in the chair and was very well attended. Mr. Maitland-Steel,3 the candidate for South West Warwickshire, and others spoke. Came home from Daventry in Charlie’s car. Wish I had one! 1. Miles Barne, son of Frederick St. John Barne, Sotterley, Suffolk and his wife, Violet, LMK’s cousins. 2. William Angerstein’s son and daughter-in-law. 3. On 1 Feb. Capt. Percy Archer Clive, Unionist, 4947, Frederick Whitley Thomson, Liberal, 3928. 1. The Times, 7 Feb. 1908, p. 14. 1. NH, 28 Feb. 1908, p. 6. Two medical officers were appointed. NEC Minutes, 22 Feb. 1908, p. 477. 2. See J.A.R.Pimlott, Toynbee Hall Fifty Years of Social Progress (1935), pp. 182–3. 1. Held at 20 Beauchamp Square, Leamington. Leamington Spa Courier, 28 Feb. 1908, p. 6. 2. Henry Toovey, Canon of York Minister, since 1898, Master of Lord Leycester’s Hospital since 1902. 3. Arthur Herbert Maitland-Steel, Assistant Commissioner of Poor Law Commission, unsuccessful Conservative candidate, Rugby, 1906.

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Wednesday 26 February Harrowden Hall, Wellingborough I went via Byfield to Northampton and gave my lecture on Old Country Houses to a very good audience of the Higher Ideals Society.1 I did not do it very well, but the public seemed pleased. Tuesday 27 February Harrowden Hall, Wellingborough Father Parker, the Roman Catholic priest, came to celebrate mass in the beautiful little chapel at breakfast. We talked of Mr. McKenna’s iniquitous Education bill,1 which will simply wipe out the village church schools: and I was glad to hear from him that the Roman Catholics have declared against it. After luncheon drove into Wellingborough and opened a bazaar for extinguishing debt on Church Schools and organ.2 Not a very exhilarating subject to speak on. Returned to London afterwards. Thursday 19 March 5 Eaton Terrace Went down to High Wycombe in company with Mrs. Fawcett to take the chair at a suffrage meeting.1 The meeting was very crowded but, being almost entirely feminine, very apathetic. I spoke, middlingly, for about 10 minutes, Mrs. Fawcett clearly, lucidly, convincingly for over half an hour. Then Lord Russell, whom I did not care to make acquaintance with; he looks very old for me to remember his grandparents. We came away during his speech, as I was anxious to go to the great Albert Hall meeting in the evening,2 and an amazing scene it was. Every seat available was filled, and the chair was taken by Mrs. Pankhurst,3 released that morning from Holloway, and who had a grand reception. She spoke extremely well, and I was surprised to find how well they could make themselves heard, she and Mrs. Pethick-Lawrence.4 At the end of the latter’s speech came a most remarkable scene. She announced that about £2000 had been collected during Mrs. Pankhurst’s absence, and invited contributions. They simply poured in from all parts of the Hall, several of 1000, nine of £100, and so down to quite 1. Held at the High School, Northampton, NM, 28 Feb. 1908. p. 9. 1. Introduced by Reginald McKenna, President of the Board of Education, 1907–8, on 24 Feb., it would have transferred to LEAs all rate-aided and all non-provided schools to single-school areas: denominational instruction was to be given out of school hours. Hansard, 4, 184, cols. 1373–89, 24 Feb. 1908. 2. Held at the Exchange Hall, Wellingborough, Wellingborough News, 28 Feb. 1908, p. 5.

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small sums, till a total of nearly £7000 was reached.5 No one can say that women do not care after that. Friday 20 March 5 Eaton Terrace To the Annual Meeting of the South African Railway Mission,1 Lord St. Aldwyn2 in the chair, followed by Bishop Gaul3 of Mashonaland who made an admirable rousing speech. I am sure he must have been much liked out there... In the evening with Helen Clerk to the Royal Institution for a lecture on Earthquakes by Professor Milne,4 which ought to have been interesting but wasn’t. Had a visit from Willie Grey, who talked about the Observer, which has just changed its Editor.5 The present man is a Mr. Garvin6 and his articles appear to be extraordinarily able. However, I read so many papers I don’t want an extra one on Sunday. Tuesday 24 March 5 Eaton Terrace 1

Mrs. Rüffer took me in her motor to a little Suffrage meeting at Miss Emily Davies’s,2 a delicately beautiful little old lady of over 80, with her silvery hair and little close cap. I made her acquaintance at the new Hospital for Women and was very glad to comply with any request from such a pioneer as she has been in the Women’s movement. Afterwards to another Suffrage meeting of a very different complexion, at Lady Brassey’s, where Lady Frances Balfour spoke, quite on different lines from the speech I heard her make the other day, giving some very interesting details of the first beginning of the movement 1. Held in the Town Hall by the NUWSS. South Bucks Standard, 20 March 1908, p. 8. 2. The Times, 20 March, 1908, p. 12. 3. Emmeline Pankhurst (1858–1928), suffragette leader. 4. Emmeline, wife of Frederick William Pethick-Lawrence (1871–1961), a prominent supporter of women’s suffrage, joined the Women’s Social and Political Union, (Suffragettes) 1906. See F.W.Pethwick-Lawrence, Fate Has Been Kind (1943), p. 70. 5. ‘£4000 was raised in less than an hour’. EWR, 15 April 1908, p. 103. 1. Held at Church House, Westminster, the meeting addressed the difficulties experienced by the missionaries with the rapidly expanding Southern African rail system. The Times, 21 March 1908, p. 14. 2. Sir Michael Hicks Beach, 9th. Bart. created Viscount St. Aldwyn, 1906. 3. Rt. Revd. William Thomas Gaul, Bishop, 1895–1907. 4. John Milne (1850–1913), Professor of Seismology, Imperial University, Tokyo, who established the seismic surveying of Japan. 5. F.A.Beer, editor, 1897–1908. 6. James Louis Garvin (1868–1947), editor, 1908–42. and biographer of Joseph Chamberlain.

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Saturday 28 March 5 Eaton Terrace Northampton for Education Committee,1 an important division carried by 14 to 7, whereby the Voluntary Schools will be left alone till it is seen whether this abominable bill of Mr. McKenna’s whereby they are all to be extinguished, becomes law. Caught the 1.25 back. Monday 30 March 5 Eaton Terrace Took Batten for a drive in a hansom to see all the many new buildings that have sprung up in the four years since she was in London, notably the Victoria and Albert Museum, the new War Office, and the Duke of Cambridge’s statue, the new public buildings (I don’t know what they are) at the corner of Parliament Street and Great George Street, and finally the new Mall and the ‘Place’ in front of Buckingham Palace.1 It was really quite amusing. In the af ternoon to a special Freedom of Labour Defence Committee to hear the evidence, very interesting evidence, collected from home workers to be laid before the Committee on Home Work. Thence to the House of Lords to listen to the Bishop of St. Asaph2 bringing his Education bill, and to a most able and statesmanlike speech thereupon from the Archbishop of Canterbury.3 There are some good points in the bill, notably the only having one class of school, but whether it will be possible to arrive at any compromise without sacrificing too much, it seems impossible to say. In the evening to a large meeting at the Chelsea Town Hall,4 presided over by the Mayor, otherwise William Sidney, at which Dr. Parkin5 and the Bishop of Auckland6 delivered two of the fiercest speeches it has ever been my lot to hear. They simply lifted the Pan Anglican Congress and with it the Empire, on to a higher plane. I did wish Mr. Wynter had been there to hear. Dr. Parkin especially was so good on the nation question, and on the duty of the English nation to the vast regions, one fifth of the world’s surface and more than one fifth of its inhabitants, over which in God’s Providence we are called to rule. I was much amused by his illustration from Sutton and Veitch’s trial grounds,7 ‘all seeds tested before being sent out’. That is what we do with our girls. The Bishop was eloquent on the disastrous results of secular education in New Zealand, ‘ghastly’ he called them, and solemnly warned us against treating God ‘as an extra’. 1. Mrs. Maurice Rüffer of 33 Belgrave Square. 2. Sarah Emily Davies (1830–1921), helped to found Girton College in 1873, and was a pioneer of women’s education. Her involvement with women’s suffrage went back to its origins in the 1860s. See B.Caine, English Feminism, 1780–1980 (1997), pp. 116–17. 1.NH, 3 April, 1908, p. 7. 1. Part of a commemorative scheme designed by the architect, Sir Aston Webb, in which the Victoria Memorial by Sir Thomas Brock figured prominently. 2. Rt Revd. Alfred George Edwards (1848–1937), Bishop, 1889–1920, first Archbishop of Wales,

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Wednesday 1 April 5 Eaton Terrace SACS in the morning, many reefs and shoals, but somehow we weathered them all. Princess Christian there for the first time since her flu and very dear and nice. From there to the House of Commons, where I made my way up to the historic Committee Room No. 15 and listened to the evidence re home work given by the seven women from Glasgow Leeds, Sheffield, Leicester, Bristol and two from London who FLD had collected.1 It was very interesting. Home to have Lord De L’Isle, Major Baden-Powell2 and Katharina Grant to luncheon. Packed hard and then had Mrs. Joyce and matrons3 for two mortal hours. Dined with the Rüffers at the Stradbrokes’ old house in Belgrave Square. Sat between him and a young man whose name I did not discover, but who had travelled a good deal, and told me that Cuba is as highly cultivated as Egypt. Beautiful pictures, specially a lovely Raeburn. We played bridge, and the men smoked in the drawing room, which I don’t like. Thursday 2 April 5 Eaton Terrace Went to the Speaker’s House to see the Amateur Art Exhibition, and was much disgusted by being turned out in less than half an hour because Queen Alexandra and her sister, the Empress of Russia,1 were coming. However, I had time to see a good many beautiful things and a few very interesting old prints of London. Then to luncheon with Lady Balfour of Burleigh,2 whom I should like to see more of. Then to the Annual Meeting of the British Women’s Emigration Association. Sir Gilbert Parker3 took the chair and spoke well. Lord Hindlip4 was inaudible, a Canadian clergyman, Clarke5 by name, vigorous and incisive, the Bishop of Auckland good though not nearly so good as the other night. Then I said a few words to pick up the pieces, as usual. 1920–34. Second reading of an Elementary Education Bill, requiring undenominational teaching in all schools, with facilities for denominational instruction. Hansard, 4, 187, cols. 3–16, 30 March 1908, Lords. 3. Ibid., cols. 16–33. 4. West Middlesex Advertiser and Chelsea Mail, 3 April 1908, p. 3. For the first time the Pan Anglican Congress would include the laity as well as the Bishops and clergy from colonies and foreign countries. 5. (1846–1922), George Robert Parkin, organiser of the Rhodes Scholarships from 1902. 6. Rt. Revd. Moore R.Neligan (d. 1922), Bishop, 1903–14. 7. Sutton & Sons of Reading, and James Veitch & Sons, seed merchants, Chelsea 1. The Report of the Select Committee was presented to the Commons on 22 July. 2. Maj. Baden Fletcher Smyth Baden-Powell (1860–1937) author of Ballooning as a Sport (1907), who invented manlifting kites in 1894. 3. In charge of girls emigrating to South Africa by ship.

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Saturday 4 April Fawsley My pleasant winter here, [5 Eaton Terrace] for it has been very pleasant, came to an end, and I said goodbye to dear Georgie, who has been kindness itself, and came home by way of Northampton for the Higher Education Committee, at which we had a deputation of farmers from the two Agricultural Societies to ask for a grant towards Agricultural Education.1 Thursday 14 May Fawsley Mr. Henderson, the Editor of Country Life,1 appeared with 2 friends and to my great delight raved about the place as he ought. Sunday 17 May Fawsley In the afternoon tea with Juliet and then a long walk with dear Philip, through the fields up to Hogstaff Spinney and round by Sewell pond. I have not been that way for years, and it recalled the memories of so many happy days, from the first year when I took the astonished Rainald to gather primroses, to the last sad spring when he could no longer pick them. 1. Mary (Dagmar), daughter of Christian IX of Denmark, and widow of Tsar Alexander III. 2. Lady Katherine, wife of Alexander Hugh Bruce, 6th. Baron Balfour of Burleigh. 3. Unionist M.P., Gravesend, 1900–18, chairman of the Imperial South African Association. 4. Charles Allsopp, 3rd. Baron Hindlip. 5. Revd. Thomas Benjamin Clarke, rector of All Saints, Diocese of Huron, Canada, since 1903. 1. The Northamptonshire Agricultural Society and Kettering Union Hedging and Ploughing Association each requested £25 ‘to improve the standard of work in the various agricultural processes—hedging, ditching, thatching, ploughing, sheep-shearing, etc’ NEC Minutes, 4 April, 1908, p. I. 1. An illustrated article on Fawsley Hall and a history of the Knightley family appeared in Country Life, 4 July 1908, pp. 18–27.

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Monday 18 May Fawsley Went down to Badby, had tea with the Neelys,1 and afterwards Charlie and I attended the Parish Council by invitation to discuss school matters. Mr. Pick2 presided, and they seem to have got quite a good council together. Two of Charlie’s new tenants, Jeremy and Fowler3 among them. Tuesday 19 May Fawsley Drove off early to Newnham to meet the long talked of Sub-Committee of the Education Committee, and consider the important question, whether each village should have its own school or one be built between the two.1 Messrs. Simpson and Dickson2 were very reasonable, and I think it will be all right. Wednesday 10 June Fawsley The visit is nearly over and it has all gone so splendidly I feel impelled to write about it tonight. On Monday June 8, they all arrived, Harry and Leila at 2, then Landgraf, Herr von Stresberg, and M. Gaban at 6. Charlie kindly lending his motor to bring him from the station: the rest of the party, Aline Cholmeley,1 Mr. Sackville, Mr. Shuckburgh2 and Ethel Cavendish, the last three with motors. On Tuesday June 9 all proceeded in the said motors to Althorp. It was a heavenly day and the country looked beautiful. The yeomanry3 were in camp at Althorp, and we were an immense party at luncheon, Lord and Lady Vaux and their daughter,4 Lady Ethel Wickham5 and a very pretty daughter, etc. I sat by Lord Spencer and thought him decidedly better than last year, but I am afraid he is not really so. We all enjoyed looking at the pictures. Those in the gallery have been rehung, a very interesting group together 1. Revd. Andrew Cavendish Neely, rector of Holy Cross, Milton Malsor, since 1904, and his sister, Julia. 2. Parish Council chairman and school attendance officer. 3. T.Jeremy, Beeches, and Arthur John Fowler, both from Badby. 1. On 31 October. 1907 the Badby school managers had passed a resolution opposing union with Newnham School. As a result of the investigation on 19 May 1908, the NEC agreed on 28 Nov. 1908 that Newnham School be transferred to the LEA. NEC Minutes, 28 Nov. 1908, p. 304.

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of James I, Charles I, Henrietta Maria, Catherine of Braganza and Charles II as a small boy in armour and as an older man, a Van Dyck at the end of the room of Lord Bristol, a Louise de la Querouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth, very like ours but with lighter hat. Downstairs an interesting small picture of Lady Jane Grey, looking exactly as Roger Ascham6 described her. Of course many others which one had no time to look at properly, but I saw again the Van de Capelle, which I fell in love with when I went over from East Haddon so many years ago. Thursday 20 August Fawsley Beatrice Cartwright arrived in the morning. Sir George Bartley1 (many years M.P. for Islington) and Godfrey Locker-Lampson2 in the afternoon, and we had a most successful Primrose League fête.3 The only drawback was the weather which was cold and cheerless, and it rained after 5. But before that time over 1000 people had arrived; the gate money was £17.12. 0 which represented nearly 700, and all the Primrose League people besides, which as we had not only the Knightley but the Beatrice and Grimsbury habitations, a good many more. Sports and a fishing competition were popular as usual. The Badby children, admirably trained by Miss Neely, did charming Morris dances on the croquet lawn, Mrs. Oldacres, with her husband and daughter, Mrs. Liddon, Dr. Harrison4 and Mrs. Prince5 gave a charming concert in the drawing room. I arranged a very nice tea in the riding school (a much appreciated innovation) and we ended up with a crowded meeting in the drawing room at which I presided and Sir George and Godfrey made capital and useful speeches. I am happy to say not a halfpence worth of damage was done, or any misbehaviour of any kind. 2. William Hirst Simpson, member of the County Council; T.A.Dickson, chairman of the School Buildings Sub-Committee. 1. Aline Marie, daughter of Sir Hugh Arthur Cholmeley, 3rd. Bart., M.P., Grantham, 1868–74. 2. Gerald Shuckburgh, son of Lady Ida Shuckburgh. 3. The Northamptonshire Imperial Yeomanry. 4. Hubert George Mostyn, 7th. Baron Vaux, and his second wife, Margaret, and daughter, Dorothy. 5. Lady Etheldreda Wickham, of Cotterstock Hall, a keen supporter of nursing in the County, and nicknamed the Florence Nightingale of Northamptonshire’, NP&P, iii, 2, 1961, pp. 51–3. 6. Roger Ascham (1515–68), author of the treatise The Scholemaster (1570) and tutor to Princess Elizabeth. 1. Sir George Bartley, Conservative M.P., N.Islington, 1885–1906, founder of the National Penny Bank, 1875. 2. Member of the Foreign Office and Diplomatic Service, 1898–1903, Unionist candidate for Salisbury, son of Frederick Locker-Lampson. 3. NH, 21 Aug. 1908, p. 8. 4. Alfred Everson Harrison, Daventry, surgeon. 5. Wife of Revd. Henry V.Prince, vicar of St. Mary, Farthingstone, since 1904.

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Sunday 6 September Fawlsey I went on into Daventry (in pouring rain, it has rained every day except Saturday) and paid my final visit to the workhouse. I have been absorbed all this week in Lord Cromer’s Modern Egypt.1 It is intensely interesting, especially as one remembers it all. General Gordon must have been a very trying person to deal with, but why, oh why, did not Mr. Gladstone start that expedition in time, and why, oh why, did we, the British public, not make him. I am also a good deal amused with reading over my old letters to Mother from Windsor, Balmoral,2 etc. with a view to picking out bits for my book, if it ever gets written. Tuesday 13 October Chanoury Lodge, Old Aberdeen A busy day. Started early for the opening meeting of the National Union of Women Workers,1 at which our new President, Mrs. Edwin Gray,2 gave a most able address on the position of women at various times in history, from Roman days downwards. She pointed out how at first Christianity improved the position of women, until the ideas of celibacy and ascetics began to prevail, and they came to be looked upon as creatures to be avoided. She ascribed to Puritanism the great setback after the Renaissance, when women were so well educated, as witness Lady Jane Grey, etc. Mrs. Franklin,3 a Jewess, read a very good paper on the early training of boys and girls in citizenship, and several speakers dwelt on the importance of teaching children to love their own place of abode, whether in town or country, to learn its history and all about it as a preparation for serving it in future life. We lunched with Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Gray and afterwards we heard a most striking paper by Bishop Welldon,4 who unfortunately was not there to read it. I was particularly impressed by his remark that in the days of Aristotle, the idea was that a man should serve the State, not that he should squeeze it. Miss White of Alexandra College, Dublin told us how she taught her girls to serve others, taking tenements and managing them on Miss Octavia Hill’s plans.5 Altogether the speaking was on a very high level, and the dominant note, training for citizenship, was well sustained. Afterwards we went to a pleasant party given in the beautiful Art Gallery given by the Lord Provost. Lady Frances was added to our party and we spent a pleasant evening listening to her and Principal Lang sparring about the suffrage for women. He is himself a Presbyterian, and so is one of his sons who is here, another being the Bishop of Stepney and yet another a clergyman of the Church of England.6 1. Published in 1908. 2. Covering the years 1863–8, K 2827–63, NRO.

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Wednesday 14 October Chanoury Lodge, Old Aberdeen A morning devoted to some of the best papers I have ever heard at our Conferences… the subject of the morning was How Women may help in the practice of Citizenship. Miss Gittins1 of Leicester was specially good on taking part in the affairs of the Municipality, and Miss Haldane2 on serving on Medical Boards and Charities. She had collected much information on the subject. It reminded me of Louisa Boucherett and her battle at Lincoln. What pioneers those sisters were. In the afternoon we had the Annual Meeting of the National Union of Women Workers3 and passed resolutions about Domestic Science in Secondary Schools, and one about the State Registration of Nurses, moved by Lady Helen Munro-Ferguson, whom I had never seen since our row: she was quite pleasant and nice. Then came on ‘sweating’, and to my utter amazement, Mrs. MacDonald, who was not able to be present, put forth a paper chiefly drawn from the Blue Book on the regulation of Home Work,4 which Freedom of Labour itself might have issued, deprecating Wages Boards and a minimum rate. The debate was very hurried and Mrs. Creighton very wisely moved that it be adjourned till next year so that more time might be given to study the question. In the evening we all went to a huge reception given by Lord and Lady Aberdeen in the splendid new hall of the Marishcal College, a magnificent building.5 1. At the Music Hall, Aberdeen. The Times, 14 Oct. 1908, p. 13. 2. Mrs. Edwin Gray of York. Women Workers, 1908, pp.3–12. 3. Mrs. E.L.Franklin, hon. organizing secretary, Parents’ National Education Union. ‘Early Training of Boys and Girls in Citizenship’, ibid., pp. 12–20. 4. Rt. Revd. James Edward Welldon (1854–1937), Bishop of Calcutta, 1898–1902, Canon of Westminster, 1902–6, Dean of Manchester, 1906–18: on The Early Training in Citizenship of Boys in large public schools, Grammar Schools and High Schools’, ibid., pp.28–35. 5. ‘Girls’ Secondary Schools’, ibid., 35–42. 6. John Marshall Lang, Principal of Aberdeen University, 1900–9; Rt. Revd. Cosmo Gordon Lang, Bishop, 1901–9; Revd. Norman MacLeod Lang, vicar of St. Martin’s, Leicester, 1909–13. 1. Miss Catherine Gittins, Hon. Secretary, Leicester Branch. Women Workers, 1908, pp. 91–5. 2. Elizabeth Sanderson Haldane (1862–1937), social reformer and a founder of the Territorial Forces Nursing Service, 1908. Sister of Richard Burdon Haldane, Secretary of State for War, 1908, ibid., pp. 106–11. 3. Held in the YMCA, Aberdeen, Miss Maud R.Taylor proposed a resolution on behalf of the Association of Teachers of Domestic Science. Handbook and Report of the NUWW 1908, pp. 64–7. State Registration of Nurses resolution, ibid., pp. 70–3. 4. Proposed as an amendment by Mrs. Lewis Donaldson on behalf of Mrs. J.R.MacDonald, ibid., pp. 79–81. 5. Marishcal College, founded by George Keith, 5th. Earl Marischal in 1593; the Hall, built in 1906, was designed by A.Marshall Mackenzie.

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Thursday 15 October Chanoury Lodge, Old Aberdeen Off again to a most interesting morning on the Women of India. Mrs. Flora Annie Steele read a very brilliant paper on their political position and influence1 which, strange as it may appear, seems to be very great. It is sad to think how we are hated in India. Still, there is nothing for it but to go steadily on, trying to give them Christianity, as far as possible without its Western dress. We were told that a great deal of this ‘Young Turk’ movement,2 which is working a blood revolution throughout the Ottoman Empire, comes from the women through English governesses. Saturday 24 October Whittinghame, East Linton A delightful motor expedition to Yester,1 which really is a most beautiful place. The garden is, even now, full of flowers of sorts, and the house, a very fine specimen of the earlier Adams, very like Ditchley, is full of far more beautiful things than we had time to see, notably a most beautiful Raeburn of Mrs. Moncrieff2 and a very fine Romney of General Dundas.3 We were all much amused by the lady of the house, and the way she showed everything. Her swans are swans indeed, but she need not insist so much on the fact. Very excited by an offer for Fawsley from Mr. Bourke. Monday 26 October Fawsley The beautiful motor (66 h.p.),—it went much too fast sometimes—took us to Dunbar, and we made a smooth and prosperous journey home. We started at 7.30 and were here by 6.30 p. m. after a very delightful 6 weeks. I am wildly excited at the prospect of letting the place for the winter. It would save me no end of money, for I have been seriously thinking I must give up the place. 1. ‘On the Political Aspect of Women’s Life in India’, Women Workers, 1908, pp. 119–23. 2. The Turkish Nationalist movement in 1909 led by General Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881–1938). 1. Yester House, Long Yester, seat of the Marquess of Tweeddale, built by William Adam in 1745. 2. Portrait of Mrs. Robert Scott Moncrieff by Sir Henry Raeburn, painted in 1817. 3. Maj.-General Thomas Dundas (1750–94), Commissioner in the capitulation of Yorktown, Virginia, in Oct. 1781.

Saturday 31 October

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Fawsley Alas, after much fuss and worry, the negotiations have been broken off on drains. Well, one can but feel that it is all for some wise reason. Thursday 5 November 7a Eaton Square 1

Went to the Hostel Committee in the morning. After luncheon had Mrs. Boulnois and Mrs. Gilbert Samuel2 to talk abut our newly-started Conservative and Unionist Women’s Franchise Association.3 We start with an excellent list of Vice-Presidents, including Miss Balfour, and I am sure it is necessary to show that it is not only Radical women who want the Suffrage. Friday 6 November 7a Eaton Square In the afternoon presided at a small, more or less informal, meeting of the CWFA at Mrs. Boulnois.1 A great many people spoke and many complained of being bullied by the Conservative Associations and Primrose League Habitations because they supported women’s suffrage. We have not won the battle yet. Mr. Boulnois came in afterwards. He is in the Local Government Board and spoke most highly of John Burns, but says the people who resented his appointment were not the gentlemen in the office but the messengers, lift boys etc, a curious bit of human nature. Monday 9 November Fawsley There is a tremendous fuss in Germany about a ‘blazing indiscretion’ of the Emperor.1 Happily, our King, whose birthday is today, knows how to hold his tongue. 1. At 10 John St., Mayfair, home of Mrs. H.Percy Boulnois, chairman of the Conservative Unionist Women’s Franchise Association Executive Committee (CUWFA). 2. Hon. Secretary of CUWFA. 3. Founded by Miss Hutchinson Wright. See LMK’s letter in The Times, 9 Nov. 1908, p. 16. 1. EWR, 15 Jan. 1909, p. 37. 1.Kaiser William II gave a long interview on board his yacht at Bergen to an American reporter. William Hayle, strongly criticizing Britain’s attitude towards Germany. The article, for Century Magazine, was withdrawn on 8 Nov. The Times, 8 Nov. 1908, p. 7.

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Wednesday 11 November Fawsley School Managers’ meeting in the morning after which I walked all over the village with Mrs. Keene and Jeremy, looking at sites for the school. Mr. O’Brien and Bettison1 came to luncheon after which we had the annual meeting of the St. James’s Aid Scheme,2 and practically gave a year’s notice to terminate it. It seems to be thought, specially by Mr. Thompson, that the parish is now in a position to stand alone, and it is very doubtful if we shall take up another parish. Well, one can only be thankful for what has been allowed to be done. Tuesday 24 November Fawsley In the afternoon Juliet took me in the motor to tea at Castle Ashby. The new Education Bill,1 the result of negotiations between the Archbishop and Mr, Runciman,2 is out. Extremists on both sides denounce it, but I think it might be good if the right of entry to the Council Schools is safeguarded.3 And the headteacher ought to be allowed to teach if he or she wishes it. Friday 26 November Fawsley I went to Daventry to meet Mr. Hirst Simpson and Mr. Holland1 and the representatives of the Town Council, and inspected the Grammar School.2 The buildings are most unsatisfactory from every point of view, and I do not see how they can possibly be improved. 1. Revd. W.G.C.Bettison, recently appointed in Feb. vicar of St. James, Northampton. 2. To raise funds to provide two curates for St. James’. 1. Hansard, 4, 197, cols. 417–31, 25 Nov, 1908. Elementary Education (England and Wales) (No. 2 Bill), second reading. 2. Walter Runciman (1870–1949), Liberal M.P., Dewsbury, 1902–18, President of the Board of Education, 1908–11. 3. Under the Bill, in return for forgoing the right to appoint heads and staff in a proportion of Church schools, the Anglicans would be able to give religious instruction in all Council schools. 1. John Lea Holland, secretary for Education, County Hall, Northampton, 1904–50. 2. Two Committees were appointed, one for Daventry Town Council and one for the County Council, to inspect the Grammar School and report to the Town Hall prior to asking for a further grant. DE, 2 Aug. 1908, p. 2.

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Sunday 29 November Vernon Villa, Felixstowe 1

The church at St. John’s, a fine red brick church which puts me in mind of St. Luke’s Norbiton.2 A nice service and excellent sermon on ‘Death,’ I don’t fear it. Am I too confident? God forgive me if I am. Friday 4 December 5 Eaton Terrace Went to Mrs. Boulnois to talk Suffrage. A most formidable Men’s Anti-Suffrage League is announced in today’s paper,1 and the Education compromise has broken down.2 I must say I think the church party have made a terrible mistake. Sunday 5 December 5 Eaton Terrace Went to the first Committee meeting (as far as I am concerned) of the Conservative and Unionist Women’s Franchise Association. They seem a sensible lot and we are enrolling members at the rate of 100 a week. But there is a long fight before us. The formation of the men’s anti-suffrage league is a formidable blow. In the afternoon went with Georgie to some very good music at Mrs. Agnew’s,1 a quintette by César Franck2 was really beautiful. Monday 7 December 5 Eaton Terrace Took the chair in the afternoon at the Women’s Institute when Miss Parker gave an able lecture on the position and rights of women in medieval times. Very curious the status of 1. St. John Baptist by Sir Arthur Blomfield, Bart., built 1894–5. 2. St.Luke, Norbiton, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey. 1. Committee for Opposing Female Suffrage, held at Caxton Hall on 3 Dec. The Times, 4 Dec. 1908, p. 6. 2. Asquith announced its deferral at the committee stage of the bill. It was withdrawn on 7 Dec. 1. Alexandra and Philip Leslie Agnew of Littlecourt, Farthingstone. Their London residence was 18 Gloucester Square. 2. Piano Quintet in F minor.

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women in the Guild of the Holy Cross at Birmingham when it was specially decreed that if the freeman was a woman, he—she? should not escape paying scot and lot. All the freemen, whether men or women, voted at the election of burgesses if femme sole. But a peeress, whether in her won right or by marriage, voted as well as her husband. Tuesday 8 December 5 Eaton Terrace 1

Went to luncheon with Lady Ducie, afterwards to a most successful CUWFA meeting2 at Mrs. Rüffer’s in Belgrave Square. The rooms were crowded; I took the chair and Lord Robert Cecil3 and Mrs. Ashworth Hallett4 made simply splendid speeches. The latter is one of the few survivors of the pioneer band who signed the first petition.5 She told me that Monty Corry6 told her and Miss Becker7 that Disraeli thought the extension of the suffrage to duly qualified women would be a great barrier against universal suffrage. And so it would, if people would only see it. Wednesday 9 December 5 Eaton Terrace Made an expedition down to Wokingham to take the chair at a Suffrage meeting,1 got up to contradict the statements made by the antisuffragists a week or two ago. The hall was well filled, with some rather noisy men and boys at the back, but the speaking, mine included, was not up to much. The best was a Dr. Mary Cruickshank.2 1. Julia, wife on Henry Moreton, 3rd. Earl of Ducie. 2. The Times, 9 Dec 1908, p. 11. 3. (1864–1958) Conservative M.P., Marylebone, 1906–10, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, 1911–23, son of Robert Cecil, 3rd. Marquess of Salisbury: created Viscount Cecil of Chelwood, 1923. 4. Mrs. Ashworth Hallett, a founder member of the Technical Education Committee, Bath, and member of the Bristol Women’s Liberal Suffragist Association since 1883. 5. Presentation of the first petition containing 1499 signatures to the Commons on 7 June 1866 by John Stuart Mill and Henry Fawcett. See C.Rover, Women’s Suffrage and Party Politics, 1866– 1914 (1967), p. 5. 6. Montagu Corry, 1st. Baron Rowton (1838–1903), private secretary to Disraeli, 1866–81. 7. Lydia Ernestine Becker (1827–90), suffragist and editor of Women’s Suffrage Journal from 1870. 1. Held at the Town Hall. East Berks Gazette., 11 Dec. 1908, p. 5. 2. Dr. Mary Helen Cruickshank, Reading, Medical Examiner to the Board of Education.

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Thursday 10 December Falconer’s Hill, Daventry Went to a Suffrage Committee at Mrs. Boulnois in the morning. Came back to find a telegram ‘Batten much worse’. Hurried down by the 4.30 but found her, alas, unconscious. Came on here, where kind Mrs. Stopford is putting me up. Friday 11 December Falconer’s Hill, Daventry A very sad day in my life. My dear friend passed away at 9.30 last night, quite peacefully…I can but thank God for having given me such a friend. Her influence too has ever been for good. Spent the day over at Badby, making sad arrangements. Saturday 12 December 5 Eaton Terrace My dear little Batten was laid in her grave in a quiet corner of the cemetery at Badby. It was a beautiful bright day and the glorious words of our fine old Burial Service seemed to help and comfort me and everyone was so kind. Returned to London afterwards. Monday 14 December 5 Eaton Terrace Strange how sad things always come in December. Today is the anniversary of my father’s death. In the afternoon presided at Mrs. Parker’s third lecture on the history of women’s Suffrage. Afterwards to Mrs. Boulnois to meet the Editor of the Onlooker, who offers us a page in his paper.1 1. See ‘Vote or No Vote’, Onlooker, 19 Dec. 1908, p. 339.

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Tuesday 15 December 5 Eaton Terrace Lillian Gordon dined and took me to an excellent amateur performance by the Romany Rye of Bernard Shaw’s You Never Can Tell,1 an absurd plot, or rather no plot at all, but extraordinarily witty dialogue, and unlike his usual pieces, neither flippant nor coarse. 1. A comedy completed in 1899.

*1909* Monday 22 February 9 Royal Crescent, Bath Met Mrs. Ashworth Hallett and went on with her to Bristol, where, or rather at Clifton, we had a highly successful Suffrage meeting under the auspices of our newly formed Association. I was the principal speaker and did, I think, well.1 Came back here afterwards to stay with the kind Hendersons. It was a long day, but I felt very little tired, and feel like a horrid imposter giving up, but my eyes are not yet better. I see I have entirely forgotten to record that on Tuesday 18 February I took the chair at a crowded and enthusiastic meeting at the Westminster Palace Hotel of the Conservative and Unionist Franchise Association.2 The speakers were Mr. Amery,3 Mr. Cecil Chapman4 and Miss Chrystal Macmillan,5 who recently pleaded the claims of women graduates at Scotch Universities before the House of Lords (very dull she was, too) but we had an overflow meeting and they all had to go and speak again. Tuesday 23 February 9 Royal Crescent, Bath Spoke again, the same speech as yesterday, at a very well attended meeting at the Guildhall, a fine, beautifully decorated room, Miss Margaret Bernard in the chair.1 Well, it is 30 years in April since I first spoke at Northampton.2 One can only hope that by God’s blessing some little good may have been done. 1. ‘Votes for Women’, Bristol Times and Mirror, 23 Feb. 1909, p. 7. 2. The Times, 19 Feb. 1909, p. 23. 3. Leopold Charles Amery (1873–1955), member of the editorial staff of The Times, 1899–1909. Conservative M.P.South Birmingham, 1911–18 and Sparkbrook, Birmingham, 1918–45. Held many leading political posts. 4. Cecil Maurice Chapman, Metropolitan Police magistrate since 1899. 5. Jessie Chrystal Macmillan (1882–1937), barrister, led the appeal of five Scottish women graduates of St. Andrews and Edinburgh in claiming the right to vote for their University member. EWR, 15 Jan. 1908, pp. 23–7 and 15 Jan. 1909, pp. 1–4. 1. Bath Daily Chronicle, 23 Feb. 1909, p. 4. 2. At a GFS meeting on 22 April 1879. Ady, Journals, pp. 290–1.

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Friday 26 February 5 Eaton Terrace To Mr. Dogue in the morning and greatly cheered by being told that my eyes are much better. I cannot be thankful enough… In the evening went to hear a most interesting debate on Women’s Suffrage between Mrs. Humphry Ward and Mrs. Fawcett.1 Mrs. Humphry Ward spoke with much literary grace and ability, but I did not think her argument convincing. Mrs. Fawcett answered her points very well, but I have heard her better, and I was sorry she did not deal with the question of adult suffrage, which is keeping so many from our ranks. Mrs. Ward’s resolution, That woman suffrage is undesirable’, was rejected by a very large majority, 241 to 74. Meanwhile the suffragettes go on with their folly and injure the cause incredibly. Sunday 28 February 5 Eaton Terrace In the afternoon an interesting visit from Mrs. Fawcett I don’t think she disapproves as much as I should like of the militants. Also Lady Knox and Miss Maude Lawrence,1 who came to talk about a proposed deputation to the Education Board re the status of Women Inspectors. She gave an interesting account of their work, as organized under her.2 Wednesday 3 March 5 Eaton Terrace In the morning a very long SACS Committee, presided over by Lady Malmesbury, who was very much pleasanter than usual. I am afraid Princess Christian and Miss Vivian are too much inclined to do things off their own bat. An extraordinary darkness prevailed and our luncheon party consisted only of Mr. and Mrs. Hastings and Mr. Ward Cook. In the afternoon a suffrage meeting at Lady Gort’s,1 despite the weather her rooms were full. Lady Castlereagh2 presided and read a very nice little speech, so curious as her father, Harry Chaplin, always has been and still is strongly opposed to it. Mrs. Woods and especially Mrs. Nevinson3 made excellent speeches as to how it would affect the working women and pointed out many injustices from which they suffer. 1. At the Passmore Edwards Settlement, 42 Queen Square, Holborn. For an account of the meeting, see J.Sutherland, Mrs. Humphry Ward (1991), pp. 302–3. 1. Hon. Maude Lawrence (1864–1933), the first Chief Women Inspector, Board of Education, 1905–20. 2. See D.Lawton and P.Gordon, HMI (1987), pp. 92–3.

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In the evening for the first time for five years to a Court. I went with Miss Violet Montgomery in an electric landaulette, and it was most curious to see how few carriages there were in the string. It is all most beautifully managed, no pressing or crowding as in the old days. We got into the ballroom which has been most beautifully redecorated in white and gold, such an improvement on the heavy, ugly decoration before. The Queen was not there owing to a cold, and it was odd how very few people there that either of us knew. Sunday 14 March Queen’s Mead, Windsor Went to church at St. George’s. I don’t think I have been there on Sunday since I went with Princess Christian from Frogmore in 1867. The service was very beautiful, and the effect of the fine old chapel, with its banners and its historic associations, as well as its affectionate memories, very impressive. Afterwards we went to see Princess Alexander who showed us some very interesting photographs of winter sports at Stockholm. They actually ride on the ice, hunt a drag, have trotting matches and steeplechases in the snow, and the horses never fall! It snowed all the afternoon, in spite of which we took a turn in the Long Walk. Mr. and Mrs. Cust1 came to dinner, she a sister of Lucy Cavendish and very attractive, he keeper of the King’s pictures and editor of the beautiful book I saw at Elton. He says that most if not all of the pictures supposed to be by Holbein in the little Holbein room at Windsor are not by him at all. He also told me what interested me very much, that the picture of James VI praying at the tomb of his father,2 of which I have a print and which I remember behind a door just outside the corridor at Windsor Castle was in the possession of the Duke of Lennox at Cobham, and eventually passed through a Lady Leominster to the Earls of Pomfret. Hence Bridges’3 description of it at Easton Neston. Lord Pomfret gave it to George II, and Queen Victoria sent it to Holyrood where it now is. 1. Eleanor, widow of John Gage Prendergast Vereker, 5th. Viscount Gort, lived at 15 Grosvenor Gardens, with her second husband, Col. S.M.Benson, 17th. Lancers. 2. Edith, wife of Charles Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh, Unionist M.P., Maidstone, 1906–15. 3. Mary, wife of Henry Woodd Nevinson (1856–1941), journalist and active supporter of women’s rights. He resigned from the staff of the Daily News in 1909 in protest at its views on women’s suffrage. 1. Lionel Henry Cust (1859–1929), Director of the National Portrait Gallery, 1895–1909, Surveyor of the King’s Pictures, 1901–27. 2. The Memorial of Lord Darnley, painted by the Flemish artist, Livinus Voghelarius (Lieven de Vogeleer) in 1568. 3. For his description of the picture see John Bridges, History and Antiquities of Northamptonshire, (1791), i, p. 289.

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Wednesday 17 March 5 Eaton Terrace Suffrage Executive in the morning, formed a Parliamentary Committee which I think will be useful. Thursday 18 March 5 Eaton Terrace The whole country is aroused and alarmed by the revelation in the debate on the Navy estimates of the alarmingly rapid increase of the German Navy.1 The position is most serious and it is only to be hoped that this Government will be firm in coping with it. Friday 19 March 5 Eaton Terrace Another Suffrage Committee in the morning. The papers are full of the movement: everyone is either a suffragist, Right, which is us, Centre, which is Mrs. Fawcett and Lady Frances Balfour, or Left, which is Mrs. Pankhurst, or else Anti-Suffragist. They present today a petition signed by 250,000 women against:1 we recall ours of 13 years ago for, all, or nearly all, combine to protest against Mr. Geoffrey Howard’s2 adult suffrage for men and women bill to be brought in today.3 1. Reginald McKenna, who became First Lord of the Admiralty in 1908, revealed in a debate on the Navy estimates that the German battleship building industry was expanding so rapidly that its output would soon equal that of Great Britain’s. Hansard, 4, cols. 833–4, 16 March 1909. For the immediate background, see S.McKenna, Reginald McKenna. A Memoir (1948), pp. 70–3. 1. Presented to the House of Commons on 19 March by Dr. John Massie, Liberal M.P., Wiltshire North, 1906–10, representing the Women’s National Anti-Suffrage League. 2. Hon. Geoffrey William Algernon Howard, Liberal M.P., Eskdale, 1906–10, private secretary to Asquith, 1908–10. 3. Although the Representation of the People Bill received its second reading on 19 March, it lapsed with the dissolution of Parliament at the end of the year.

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Saturday 27 March 5 Eaton Terrace Went down to Northampton in response to an urgent whip from Mr. Harrison to try and save the Silverstone Schools for which the energetic new clergyman Canon Brittain1 has collected £2000 in a month. Might as well have stayed at home, as after a debate which lasted the whole morning we were beat by 2.2 I am afraid, as Mr. Eady said afterwards, we never shall understand each other. He sticks at baptismal regeneration.3 Thursday 1 April 5 Eaton Terrace Executive of the CUWFA in the morning: rather important, as we decided our policy, which is under no circumstances to oppose a Conservative candidate even though he is opposed to Women’s Suffrage. Good Friday 9 April 5 Eaton Terrace 52 years ago—in January 1857—I dedicated myself to God. How much further I ought to be in the inner life. What opportunities I have had. How much more use I ought to have made of them. 1. Revd. Arthur Henry Barrett Brittain, vicar of St. Mary, Whittlebury and the chapel of St. Michael, Silverstone since 1909. 2. A proposition, that a new school be provided to secure places for 150 pupils, was defeated by 13 votes to 11. NM, 2 April 1909, p.3. 3. John Cook Eady, Broughton, near Kettering.

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Thursday 22 April The Vyne, Basingstoke Drove over to luncheon with Lord Curzon of Kedleston at Hackwood,1 a rather fine place which he has hired, belonging to Lord Bolton.2 Nothing could be kinder or more agreeable than the ex-Viceroy, and I was greatly interested to see him. I was pleased too at the charming way he spoke of Rainald, whom he remembered in the House as such a type of fine old English gentleman. He showed us all over the house, which he has evidently greatly improved, though there are some fine things in it, carving by Grinling Gibbons etc. He has in one small room four most admirable specimens of the English school of portraiture, Reynolds, Gainsborough, Hoppner and Raeburn (we did not see the latter). What struck me was the excellent way all the furniture was arranged. One would never imagine it had been done by a man. Sunday 25 July Fawsley A remarkable day in the history of the world: since today M.Blériot crossed the Channel in an aeroplane.1 As The Times remarks in a clever article called ‘Aviation and Imagination’, we cannot yet realise the results which may arise from this wonderful new departure. Sunday 8 August Euston Hall, Thetford Sat out all the afternoon talking to Lilian FitzRoy1 who has taken up Socialism, to the despair of her family. Though I do not agree with her, I cannot help rather admiring the ‘divine discontent’ which makes her long to remedy the ills she sees. 1. Hackwood Park, near Basingstoke, a 17th. century mansion built by Charles Paulet, 1st. Duke of Bolton between 1683 and 1687. 2. William Thomas Orde, 4th. Baron Bolton, Bolton Hall, Leyburn, Yorkshire. 1. Louis Blériot (1872–1936), French airman, flew from Baraques to Dover on 25 July 1909, a distance of some 28 miles, in 37 minutes. 1. Daughter of Augustus FitzRoy, 7th. Duke of Grafton.

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Tuesday 7 September Hatfield Court, Leominster Motored about 20 miles into Hereford, a lovely drive through the woods of Hampton Court1 and attended a very fine performance of Elijah.2 I have not heard it for years and enjoyed it very much. Mr. Herbert Brown and Madame Clara Butt3 took the principal parts. Went to luncheon at the Palace. Wednesday 8 September Hatfield Court, Leominster Drove with Mrs. Chambers to Thornbury, where there is a very early Camp, it is said Caractacus surrendered here. The church with its Norman tower is very interesting, though sadly restored in 1864, and the Rector, Mr. Doddridge1 of the family of Dr. Doddridge of Northampton,2 takes the greatest pleasure in showing it. It seems to have been a royal foundation, so he vests his choristers in red and violet. Queen Elizabeth came here to visit the house where Essex was born.3 He also told us that in preReformation times, violet was the colour for Old Testament saints, red for New Testament ones. Thursday 9 September Hatfield Court, Leominster A glorious day of music at Hereford. Beethoven’s Mass in D in the morning, in the afternoon ternoon a Motette by Bach and Sir Edward Elgar’s symphony which, only produced a year ago,1 has been performed 70 times. It is noble, dignified and harmonious, and altogether delightful. 1. 15th. cent. castle remodelled in the 18th. century by Lord Coningsby; near Hope-UnderDinmore, 5 miles from Leominster. 2. The Three Choirs Festival in Hereford Cathedral. The Times, 8 Sept. 1909, p. 10. 3. Clara Butt (1873–1936), English contralto. 1. Revd. Sidney Edwin Doddridge, rector of St. Anne, Thombury, near Bromyard, Herefordshire, since 1904. 2. See G.F.Nuttall (ed.), Calendar of the Correspondence of Philip Doddridge, 1702–1751 (1979), Northamptonshire Record Society, vol. 29. 3. Robert Devereaux, 2nd. Earl of Essex (1566–1601), born at Netherwood, Herefordshire. 1. Symphony No. 1 in A flat, op. 55; it received its first performance at Manchester on 3 Dec. 1908 with the Hallé Orchestra under Hans Richter.

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Friday 10 September Hatfield Court, Leominster Again motored into Hereford and heard a very fine performance of the Messiah. I did enjoy it.1 know it so much better than any other music in the world. Ada Crossley2 very good. We went a different way and called as we came back at Hampton Court, a fine old place belonging to Mr. Arkwright3 but now let. I should have liked to go in. Wednesday 15 September Fawsley Mothers’ Meeting. Tricycled and had tea with the Evans.1 Breakfast in bed, consequently now down when Mr. Martin2 of Moreton Pinkney came to see me. He told me of the harm Canon Scott Holland3 is doing with his socialistic sermons. A young man, quite a good fellow and a communicant, who went to him came back convinced that no rich men would go to Heaven! Of course Scott Holland did not say that but it shows the impression produced. I am afraid the Budget, which still drags its slow length along in the House of Commons and is rending the country from one end to another, is not so unpopular as one would like it to be.4 The idea that the land ought to be State and not private property is too attractive, and this Budget is the first step towards the realization of Lloyd George’s5 ideal—‘tax the landlords out of existence’. Lord Rosebery’s epoch-making speech6 last Friday at Glasgow has produced an enormous effect in the country but even if we win the next election, nothing can undo the harm that has been done by the introduction of such a measure by a responsible Government. What the Lords will do is the question. We are undoubtedly face to face with the greatest crisis since 1832. 1. The Times, 11 Sept. 1909, p. 13. 2. Ada Crossley (1871–1929), Australian contralto. 3. John Hungerford Arkwright (1833–1905), Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire, 1901 and President, Three Choirs Festival, 1903. 1. Revd. Thomas Howel Evans, rector of St. Peter, Preston Capes since 1898. 2. Revd. Reginald Joseph Martin, vicar of St. Mary the Virgin, Moreton Pinkney since 1908. 3. Henry Scott Holland (1847–1918), Canon of St. Paul’s Cathedral, 1884–1911, a founder member of the Christian Social Union. See e.g., S.Paget (ed.), Henry Scott Holland. Memoir and Letters (1921), pp. 234–5. 4. The Budget had been introduced on 29 April. The 29th. day of committee stage of the Finance Bill ended at 4.30 a.m. on 15 Sept. 5. David Lloyd George (1863–1945), Liberal M.P., Carnarvon, 1890–1945, Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1908–15. Prime Minister, 1916–22. 6. Accusing the Government of ‘dallying with Socialism’ and condemning many of the Budget proposals, especially those relating to land taxation. The Times, 11 Sept. 1909, p. 7.

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Thursday 16 September Fawsley Went to Daventry and took the chair at an SPG meeting1 in the Assembly Hall, which was addressed by Miss Saunders, Lebombo, and Mr. O’Ferrell, Melanesia,2 both moderately dull. I made what I thought a decent little speech at the beginning.3 Monday 18 October Gun House, Portsmouth Came here by way of London to stay with Mrs. Mitford,1 the daughter of my old friend Lady Manners. In the evening to a Suffrage meeting at the Town Hall, a splendid building, but not specially well filled. I spoke rather well, and was followed by Miss Grove,2 daughter of Lady Grove, née Fox-Pitt, who was unable to come. The girl was frightfully nervous but really made a capital speech. Mr. Winston Churchill has been speaking his mind to the suffragettes, and for once I entirely agree with him.3 They are ruining the cause. Tuesday 19 October Gun House, Portsmouth We began the strenuous week of the National Union of Women Workers by attending the devotional meeting presided over by Mrs. Creighton.1 As she spoke to us in that quiet upper room with its beautiful outlook over the calm, blue sea, of the need for close intimate communion with Christ, one felt that our work was indeed hallowed by such words. The two subjects for consideration are the Poor Law and Emigration. Dr. Macnamara2 spoke of the care of children under the Poor Law, of whom sadly too many still remain in 1. Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. 2. Agnes Saunders, worker in the Diocese of Lebombo, South Africa; Revd. W.C.O’Ferrall, Litchborough, and missionary in the Diocese of Melanesia. 3. NH, 17 Sept. 1909, p. 8. 1. Ethelreda Mary, wife of Brig.-General Bertram Reveley Mitford, and daughter of Lydia Sophia, wife of John Thomas Manners-Sutton, 2nd. Baron Manners. Mitford was based at Gun House and commanded the 9th. Infantry Brigade. 2. Honor Grove, eldest daughter of Agnes Geraldine, née Fox-Pitt-Rivers, and Sir Walter John Grove, 2nd. Bart. 3. After addressing the Women’s Liberal Association meeting in Dundee, Churchill told his wife on 18 Oct., ‘I hope you will not be angry with me for having answered the suffragettes sternly…I have told them that I cannot help them while the present tactics are continued.’ See R.S.Churchill (ed.), Winston S.Churchill, ii, Companion, Part 2, 1907–11 (1969), p. 915.

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workhouses and institutions. He spoke on the whole optimistically as to the improvement effected in recent years. Mrs. Barnett rather contradicted him and of course much yet remains to be done. It is so true, as someone remarked this week, that the hope of the future lies with the children. Wednesday 20 October Gun House, Portsmouth Forty years today since I was married to my darling, I wonder, I wonder, how long I shall have to wait to see him again. The devotional meeting this morning was taken by Lady Laura Ridding and I was much struck by her comments on I Timothy II1,2, ‘I exhort therefore that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and for all that are in authority’. We had been using a very beautiful little Intercession paper drawn up by Mr. Percy Dearmer,1 in which every class except the highest was prayed for. Perhaps this would go better if we prayed, even for this Government, instead of abusing them. The morning was given up to the Annual Meeting of the National Council of Women. We reaffirmed the resolution in favour of women’s franchise which was passed at Edinburgh in 1902.2 There were only about 30 dissentients, only two, Lady Dufferin and Lady Desart,3 on the platform. We had also an interesting discussion on the inspection of children boarded out within the union, the order for which Mr. Burns is, we hope, going to issue at last, Miss Mason very emphatic on the necessity of the inspectors being trained to inspect. In the afternoon I took the chair for the first time at one of these meetings, subject: the conditions of life for women in the Colonies. Miss Binnie Clarke read a breezy paper on farming in Canada, of which she said she had made a great success: I think she must be a very exceptional woman. Miss Frances Taylor spoke on South Africa, and Mr. Matthews, author of The Parson in the Bush,4 on Australia. He declared that women having the vote made very little difference and that they did not exercise it.5 Miss Margaret Hodge who followed contradicted him and proved right in the end. 1. The Times, 20 Oct. 1909, p. 8. 2. Thomas James Macnamara (1861–1931), Liberal M.P., N.Camberwell, 1900–1925, Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Government Board, 1907–8; Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty, 1908–20. Macnamara stated that ‘since the policy of emigration was initiated more than 7000 children had been emigrated, the majority to Canada,’ ‘Children under the Poor Law. A Retrospect’, Women Workers, 1909, pp. 15–26. 1. Revd. Percy Dearmer, vicar of St. Mary the Virgin, Primrose Hill, Hampstead, since 1901, author of Everyman’s History of the Church (1909) and numerous books on religious subjects. 2. That without the firm foundation of the Parliamentary franchise for women, there is no permanence for any advance gained by them’. 30 Oct. 1902. 3. Flora, wife of Terence John Blackwood, 2nd. Marquess of Dufferin and Ava; Lady Margaret Joan, wife of Hamilton John Cuffe, 5th. Earl of Desart. 4. Revd. Charles Henry Selfe Matthews, rector of St. Laurence, Catsfield, Sussex from 1908. 5. ‘The Commonwealth of Australia’, Women Workers, 1909, pp. 184–5.

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Thursday 21 October Gun House, Portsmouth In the morning we had the reports of sectional committees, after which I proposed not well, a resolution in favour of emigration of women, as tending to relieve the o vercrowded labour market. Mary Hervey1 seconded it admirably, and there was some discussion, Miss Gittins, who spoke so well at Aberdeen last year, rather opposing. In the afternoon the subject was ‘How to interest girls at home in the daughter countries’, Miss Georgina Frere2 read a good paper, and Mrs. Routledge (Katherine Pease)3 spoke brightly on life in East Africa. In the evening we had a simply splendid paper from Lady Laura Ridding on ‘the call of the Empire’, and Mrs. Creighton’s usual admirable valedictory address.4 I cut the latter part of the afternoon meeting and had a delightful blow along the esplanade between the two piers. I must say I think Southsea a very attractive place. Wednesday 27 October Brackley Went up by the breakfast train for a meeting of the Conservative and Unionist Women’s Suffrage Association, being very anxious that we should issue a protest against the methods of the militants which are doing such infinite harm to our cause. Many of the Committee are much opposed to a protest specially Lady Betty Balfour,1 whose sister, Lady Constance Lytton,2 has been in prison, but Lady Middleton3 and Mrs. John Baillie are strongly with me, and we finally pretty nearly agreed on a very clever letter by Lord Robert Cecil, combining with the protest a slashing attack on the Liberal party for the way in which for more than a generation they have truckled to violence. Wednesday 3 November 25 Sloane Square SACS in the morning. I carried my proposal for a Sectional Committee of the National Union of Women Workers.′1 Princess Christian very nice about it. We met in the new offices at 115 Victoria Street. Mrs. Joyce came to luncheon with me at the Victoria Club, after which I went to the CUWFA Committee, and we finally carried in its original form Lord Robert Cecil’s letter of protest. The conduct of the suffragettes at Bermondsey2 has greatly strengthened our hands. 1. Chairman of the SACS Education Committee, on ‘Conditions of Education in South Africa’, Women Workers, 1909, pp. 162–73. 2. Daughter of Sir Henry Bartle Frere, 1st. Bart., ibid., pp. 152–62. 3. Resident in British East Africa, ibid., pp. 161–2. 4. Women Workers, 1909. Lady Laura Ridding, pp. 195–202: Mrs. Creighton, ibid., pp. 202–13. 1. Wife of Gerald Balfour, Chairman of the Commission on Lighthouse Administration, 1908. 2. Daughter of Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st. Earl of Lytton. She was arrested at Newcastle and during four weeks in prison staged a 56-hour hunger strike. 3. Eliza Maria, wife of Digby Wentworth Willoughby de Eresby, 9th. Baron Middleton.

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Saturday 6 November 7a Eaton Square I drove to Daventry and at a very small meeting was elected Ruling Councillor of the Knightley Habitation. It will make very little difference as I have done the work for Colonel Lowndes1 for so long. Thursday 25 November 5 Eaton Terrace Came up here to take up my abode with Georgie and went straight off to the House of Lords, where the great historic debate on Lord Lansdowne’s amendment,1 refusing to pass the Budget until the country has been consulted, has been in progress since Monday. The House was crowded in every part and the scene a striking one… I only heard two speeches, Lord Ashbourne, whom I heard imperfectly, and Lord Balfour of Burleigh, who delivered a very weighty and powerful speech, demolishing the Budget and then warning the Opposition of the dangers of that course they are pursuing.2 There are dangers, of course, and it is a choice of evils, but I believe the bold course to be the right one. If they pass this Budget, with all the bills tacked to it, they will never dare reject any money bill. Monday 29 November 5 Eaton Terrace Went again to the House of Lords and heard Lord Morley of Blackburn,1 a very able speech but a bad delivery. It must be a most formidable ordeal to address those serried ranks opposite, knowing how strongly they are opposed to you. He made a great point of the huge majority one way in the Commons, the other way in the Lords. I could not help wondering how many of that majority would not have voted as they did, had they not known the Lords would right their wrong.2 1. On Emigration. 2. On 28 Oct, whilst voters were polling in the Bermondsey by election, a member of the Women’s Freedom League threw a bottle of corrosive liquid in a polling booth in an attempt to destroy ballot papers. The Times, 29 Oct. 1909, p. 8. 1. Lowndes had died on 27 July in his 90th. year, having presided over the Knightley Habitation since 1885. For his obituary, see DE, 31 July 1909, p. 3. 1. The Budget has been approved by the Commons on 4 Nov. by 379 to 149 votes. Lansdowne had given notice on 10 Nov. that he would move an amendment on the second reading of the Finance Bill: That this House is not justified in giving its assent to the Bill until it has been submitted to the judgment of the country.’ See Lord Newton, Lord Lansdowne. A Biography (1929), p. 38. 2. For Ashbourne’s speech see Hansard, Lords, 4, cols. 1023–31, 25 Nov. 1909, on the Finance Bill, second reading; and Lord Balfour of Burleigh’s speech, ibid., cols. 1031–43. 1. John Morley (1838–1923), Secretary of State for India, 1905–10, created Viscount Morley in 1908. Author of Life of Gladstone.

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Tuesday 30 November 5 Eaton Terrace In the morning to the National Union of Women Workers’ Executive, very interesting: a wild proposal of the Postmaster-General to appoint girl messengers instead of boys. I hope we shall back it. Idea of inviting some representative German women to visit this country. I did not quite carry my proposal for a sectional Committee on Emigration but am to arrange a Conference.1 Afterwards to the House of Lords, which was more crowded than ever. The Archbishop of York2 began, but I did not think him a success: he was talking about what he did not understand.3 Lord Curzon made a very long and most brilliant speech, I should think one of the ablest in the whole debate.4 Too tired to go back for the division which I suppose is now in progress. It is the beginning of a long conflict. One can but trust and pray that the right may prevail.5 Tuesday 7 December 5 Eaton Square In the evening I went to St. Paul’s to hear Spohr’s Last Judgment1 which I have never heard but once, at Norwich, it must be nearly 50 years ago. It made a great impression on me then and today I thought it most exquisitely beautiful. We went in afterwards to supper at the Chapter House, the Archdeacon2 very pleasant. He told me he had a good deal to do with this movement for boycotting improper books at the libraries, brought to a head by Lady Cardigan’s infamous Reminiscences.3 It is true: the books girls read nowadays are appalling. 2. Hansard, 4, House of Lords, cols. 1137–53, 29 Nov. 1909, Debate on Lansdowne’s amendment to the Finance Bill which Morley opposed. 1. However, LMK was nominated for the Legislation Committee and Mrs. Creighton moved That Lady Knightley be asked to organise a Conference of representatives of the various societies working for Emigration, to consider whether such a central body be found useful’. This was carried. NUWW Executive Committee Minutes, Acc./3613/1/1, 30 Nov. 1909, p. 58. 2. Cosmo Gordon Lang, Archbishop, 1909–28. 3. Hansard, 4, House of Lords, cols. 1234–43, 30 Nov. 1909. Lang had already advised the Bishops to take no part in the debate, but, as he wrote to his mother, ‘I was too deeply convinced of the unwisdom of the course the Lords proposed to take’. See J.G. Lockhart, Cosmo Gordon Lang (1949), p. 236. 4. Curzon, ibid., cols. 1243–64. 5. On the division, the Lords rejected the Budget by 350 to 75. 1. Composed 1825–6. See The Times, 8 Dec. 1909, p. 10. 2. Ven. William MacDonald Sinclair, Canon of St. Paul’s, and Archdeacon of London since 1889. 3. Adeline Louise Maria, Countess of Cardigan and Lancastre (1824–1915), widow of James Thomas, 7th. Earl (1797–1868), My Recollections (1909). See also Joan Wake, The Brudenells of Deene (1953), pp. 468–71.

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Wednesday 8 December 5 Eaton Terrace Went to see Molly Humphery in the afternoon. She told me that Lord Hugh Cecil anticipates a small majority for the present Government.11 don’t believe any man living can tell and I have great faith in the swing of the pendulum and the silent voter…In the evening took the chair at a big Conservative and Unionist Women’s Suffrage meeting at the Kensington Town Hall. Lady Betty Balfour spoke quite admirably and answered with much wit and readiness. Innumerable questions sent up, most of them in the same handwriting, by a band of anti-suffragists at the end of the hall. They were rather troublesome, but I think I managed them pretty well.2 1. In November, the Lords had rejected the Budget by a large majority. On 2 Dec. Asquith had carried a resolution in the Commons ‘That the action of the House of Lords in refusing to pass into law the financial provision made by this House for the service of the year is a breach of the Constitution and a usurpation of the rights of the Commons’. Parliament was dissolved the following day. A general election was called for 14 January 1910. See J.A.Spender and C.Asquith, Life of Lord Oxford and Asquith (1932), i, pp. 260–1. 2. In her speech LMK said, ‘It had been urged that the advocacy of women suffrage must lead to universal adult suffrage but she denied the statement. Her conviction was that once the million and a half women who were entitled to the franchise under the present law had got the vote, seven millions of men would be a very long time before they would wish to go on to universal suffrage and have themselves swamped by women’. The Times, 9 Dec. 1909, p. 7.

*1910* Thursday 13 January 5 Eaton Terrace In the afternoon came off my Conference on Co-operation in Emigration,1 and most successful it was. I had first sent circulars to all the Societies concerned in the emigration of women asking if they would take part in such a conference. They all assented and sent representatives except the Church Army, who failed at the last moment. Then I sent out a set of questions which I wanted discussed, and discussed they were, and many valuable suggestions made, notably Mr. Elwell,2 port chaplain at Liverpool, suggested that the big liners should carry matrons, as they do bands and barbers, and Mrs. William Ward, Norland Institute,3 that we should try to interest girls at the Colleges etc. Altogether I was very much gratified and feel it was a useful discussion. Friday 14 January 5 Eaton Terrace A long and interesting BWEA Executive in the morning, and luncheon with Lady Manners, where Lady Florence Bourke,1 very full of emigration to relieve the overcrowded labour market. She will want careful handling not to rush into some new scheme. First unopposed returns today, Mr. Chamberlain among them.2 1. Twenty Societies concerned with emigration were represented at this meeting held at the Imperial Institute. NUWW Executive Minutes, Acc./3613/l/2, 1908–12, 25 Jan. 1910, p. 61. 2. Revd. Henry Edward Elwell, Emigration Chaplain for Liverpool since 1906. 3. The Institute, founded by Mrs. E.M.J.Ward in 1892, sought ‘to train ladies as children’s nurses and to give Froebelian training to children below kindergarten age’. 1. Daughter of Richard Bourke, 6th. Earl of Mayo. 2. Birmingham West.

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Saturday 15 January 5 Eaton Terrace 1

Went off with Mary Gladstone in Lady Darcy de Knayth’s2 comfortable motor to canvass out voters for various county constituencies living in Dalston and Hackney. It was not very exciting work and I don’t know that we did much good, the people all being decided one way or another. Still, it ought to be done and the Primrose League has organized it very well. Sunday 16 January 5 Eaton Terrace Had the Observer brought to me early. This is no common election: the future of the country depends on it. The returns are fairly satisfactory. We have won 15 seats in all, 12 in London, and lost 3, but have not gained one in Manchester. It is not the dramatic turnover of the last time, as I hoped it might have been. Sunday 23 January 5 Eaton Terrace I am shocked to see that I have let a whole week go by without writing. It has been a week of great excitement. The counties, however, have saved the situation, and we know now that the Liberals will return with a greatly diminished majority, in fact entirely dependent on the Irish vote. 1. Cousin of Henry, 5th. Viscount Gage, and wife of Revd. Henry Gladstone, King’s Langley, Hertfordshire. 2. Violet Ida, 16th. Baroness Darcy de Knayth and wife of George Charles Herbert, 4th. Earl of Powis.

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Tuesday 18 January 5 Eaton Terrace Walked down to Westminster in the morning, a good deal of animation as many borough elections going on. In the afternoon Daisy and I went off in a motor canvassing to Wandsworth Common, chiefly villas and nearly all Conservative. I think however we were of some little use and a kind lady gave us tea. Thursday 20 January 5 Eaton Terrace Went up to Lady Florence Bourke’s1 to meet Miss Wade of the Central Unemployed Bureau. It will be a great thing if we can get some of her unemployed women out to Canada. Tea with Lady Powerscourt2 whom I have not seen for years. In the evening to the Haymarket to see The Blue Bird, Maeterlinck’s charming fairy phantasy.3 It was delightful to find oneself in fairyland, far from elections and emigration, and the scenery was lovely and the acting so good, specially of the two children, and above all the dog the friend of man. I came home and hugged Rex harder than ever. Saturday 22 January 5 Eaton Terrace Ten years since our good Queen passed into the unseen. We have an excellent and wise King and I have great faith in his power to deal with the very complicated situation which has arisen, quite different from any in my time. The Liberal majority, thanks to the counties, has fallen to such an extent that without the Labour and Nationalist parties they would be in an minority. Bob Peel and Rupert Gwynne1 are both in and by good majorities and we have won many other seats lost in the rout of 1906.2 1. At 12 Connaught Square. 2. Sybil, wife of Mervyn Wingfield, 8th. Viscount Powerscourt. 3. Count Maurice Maeterlinck (1862–1949), Belgian poet and dramatist; The Blue Bird was first performed in 1909. 1. Lieut.-Col. Robert Francis Peel, Conservative M.P., Woodbridge, 1910–20, majority 894; Rupert Sackville Gwynne, Conservative M.P., Eastbourne, 1910–24, majority 2304. 2. The new Commons consisted of a coalition of Liberals (275), Labour (40), and Irish Nationalists (82), with 273 Conservatives.

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Monday 24 January 5 Eaton Terrace Spent the morning at the International Committee of the National Union Women Workers1 on which I have recently been put. Discussed the desirability of inviting representatives from other National Councils to attend our Conferences, specially with a view to being civil to Germany. When one reads, as I have been doing in Émile Ollivier’s articles in the Revue des deux mondes, how Bismarck brought about the French War,2 our puny efforts remind me very much of Mrs. Partington and her mop.3 Wednesday 26 January 5 Eaton Terrace Morning at the Executive of the Conservative and Unionist Women’s Suffrage Association. Coming home was rejoiced by the news of Mr. FitzRoy’s majority, 610.1 I am glad the old division has returned to its allegiance. The situation is most perplexing. The Liberals, without the Labour members and the Nationalists, have a very small majority. The Nationalists are divided among themselves and hate the Budget, while Mr. Asquith’s promises on Home Rule are vague to a degree. The attack on the Lords has fallen very flat, especially in the counties where they are best known, and the Unionist free traders have been beat almost without exception. Thursday 27 January 5 Eaton Terrace Dined with the Closes, sat next Mr. Leverton Harris,1 just returned for Stepney. He had some curious stories to tell of his constituents, many of whom are Russian and Polish Jews. He and Mrs. L.H. went to one meeting of Radicals without chairman, stewards, policemen or anything. They stood on chairs and howled at him like wolves, but he succeeded in carrying the meeting through, and at the end went down to the door and shook hands with each man as he went out. That sort of pluck must tell. 1. To represent the British Council on the International Sectional Committee for Emigration and Immigration. NUWW Executive Committee Minutes Acc./3613/l/2/, 1908–12, 25 Jan. 1910, p. 66. 2. In a series of five articles on Germany by Émile Ollivier, Revue des deux mondes, 80, (1910), and 81 (1911). 3. In a speech at Taunton in 1831, Sydney Smith compared the Lords’ refusal to accept reform with Mrs. Partington, who during a violent storm off Sidmouth, was reputed to have attempted to force back the sea from flooding her home with the aid of a mop. See O.Burdett, The Reverend Sydney Smith, (1934), pp. 242–4. 1. South Northamptonshire, FitzRoy, Conservative, 4565, Frederick George Kellaway, Liberal, 3955. 1. Unionist, M.P., 1907-Dec. 1910, and his wife, Gertrude.

Politics and society

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Saturday 29 January 5 Eaton Terrace Went to luncheon with Lady Buxton, who took me to a charming symphony concert at the Queen’s Hall.1 It began by a delicious tuneful Prelude by a new Finnish composer,2 then Siegfried, the dragon and the bird bit, and a fine Symphony by Franck, of whom I never heard before.3 Marie Hall and Henschel the soloists.4 I enjoyed it very much. Wednesday 23 February 5 Eaton Terrace Took the chair at the Conservative and Unionist Women’s Suffrage Association, ex-vice Mrs. Boulnois laid up. In the afternoon a most tremendously successful Maple Leaf party at the Imperial Institute,1 organised by Molly Williams, who is the best organiser I know. The idea was that the British Association and the National Union of Women Workers, both of which bodies visited Canada this summer, should meet under the auspices of the British Women’s Emigration Association and so endeavour to help Canada to supply her greatest want, more women. The Imperial Institute gave us all the rooms in the West wing and the Jehangir Hall. We had a splendid list of patrons, Princess Louise, Duke of Argyll, Aberdeens etc, and the greatest coup of all, the Canadian Government gave us Miss Agnes Deans Cameron,2 who delivered quite the most beautiful lecture I ever heard, on her 10,000 mile journey down the Mackenzie River to the shores of the Arctic Ocean, where she found wild roses in blossom, and mignonnettes and fuschias on the window sill. There was such poetry in many of her descriptions but the most touching was when she spoke of the furthest post North, where the mail comes only once a year, and the inhabitants go down to the shores of the frozen river to listen for it, and the men as they approach shout out the most important news, and 10 years ago it was The Queen is dead′ and the Union Jack went down to half mast high. I received the company (we sold 900 tickets) till the Landgraf came, and then enjoyed myself and so did he. Anyhow it is a splendid advertisement for BWEA which is forging ahead tremendously. I feel quite overwhelmed with its possibilities. 1. Conducted by Henry Wood. The Times, 31 Jan. 1910, p. 10. 2. ‘Praeludium’ by Armas Jarnefelt. 3. See entry, 5 Dec. 1908. 4. Marie Hall (1884–1956), English violinist; George Henschel (1850–1934), Polish bass, but a British subject since 1890. 1.Imperial Colonist, March 1910, pp. 35–6. 2.Canadian authoress and traveller whose lecture, ‘From Wheat to Wales’, was illustrated by lantern slides processed from her own photographs.

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Monday 25 April 69 Grosvenor Square, Empire Club My 68th birthday. To London for business Habitation of the Primrose League,1 having been re-elected to the Executive. Miss Balfour asked me to stand. Miss Lefroy dined with me, and afterwards I went with Mrs. Bischoffsheim to the delegates’ party, given this year by Lord and Lady Desborough2 at Princes’ Galleries.3 Tuesday 26 April Empire Club Went in the morning to the Executive Committee of the National Union of Women Workers. Certainly it does a great lot of good work. In the afternoon to Grand Habitation at the Albert Hall.1 It is always a fine sight, and this year seemed fuller than ever. Mr. Balfour made a splendid fighting speech, but one could not be intensely impressed with the gravity of his tone. In truth, we are passing through a tremendous crisis, nonetheless tremendous because so many people do not recognise its importance. Pray God we may pull through, but nothing can undo the mischief done by men in the position of the Government speaking and acting as they are doing. I wish Lord Rosebery could have heard the shout with which the mention of Tariff Reform was received: he would have seen the hopelessness of trying to induce the Unionist Party to put it aside at the approaching election. Lord Willoughby de Broke2 also made an excellent speech, though rather too long. He has wonderfully improved since I spoke for him, as Greville Verney, at Leamington in 1894.3 I was amused with his comparison of the present Government majority to a scratch pack of draft hounds from different kennels. 1. At St. James’s Hall, Great Portland St. 2. William Henry Grenfell, 1st. Baron Desborough (1855–1945), Conservative M.P., Wycombe, 1900–5, Chancellor of the League, 1909–10; and his wife, Ethel. 3. Princes’ Restaurant, Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, Piccadilly. 1. The Times, 27 April 1910, p. 6. 2. Richard Greville Verney, 19th. Baron Willoughby de Broke (1869–1923). 3. See entry, 11 Dec. 1894.

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Friday 6 May Empire Club A fateful day in the history of England. Doull came early to my room with the announcement The King is ill’. The bulletin spoke of ‘some anxiety’. I went off to the Institute for our Executive which had to be got through at breakneck speed. Then Mr. Brodrick took Mrs. Joyce and me to luncheon at the Wellington Club and the bulletin spoke of ‘grave anxiety’. Mrs. Joyce and I went on to Denison House to help draw up the letter about the restrictions which was decided upon Tuesday and thence to Bridgewater House for the annual meeting of SACS. The Duke of Argyll presided and spoke of the cloud hanging over us. Princess Christian was not there and we all felt the deepening gloom. When the meeting was over I went to Buckingham Palace to put down my name, just the same sad little crowd round the railings as in 1902. No further news was to be had, but when I went out an hour later the placards were The King’s condition critical′. I dined at Princes’ Galleries with the British Science Guild,1 my neighbours Mr. Griffith of the Canadian Office, a Mr. Buxton and Lord Strathcona2 in the chair, but I could not hear the speeches. We drank the King’s health with tears in our eyes. In little over two hours he had passed away3 though I did not actually know it till… Saturday 7 May Fawsley What a crushing blow has fallen on the Empire. What a loss at this moment of grave constitutional crisis. God knows best, but it would seem there never was a moment when our wise ruler, our truly beloved king, could be spared, Edward the peacemaker, who has done so much in the nine short years of his reign. I came home by midday train, truly thankful to find myself safe at home after an absence of more than five months. It seems much longer. 1.British Science Guild, first Annual Dinner, held at the Princes’ Restaurant, Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, Piccadilly. The Times, 9 May 1910, p. II. 2.Donald Alexander Smith, 1st. Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal (1820–1914), High Commissioner for Canada, 1896, and a Canadian financier. 3.Edward VII died at 11.45 p.m.

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Monday 9 May Fawsley Miss Neely came to help me clear off the arrears of letters; I had a large linen basket full of circulars, etc. to open on Saturday. I had to go off to Woodford for the Divisional Council. It was very pleasant to hear Mr. Simmons, the Conservative agent, speak of the valuable assistance the Primrose League had rendered at the election. We discussed our line in action in view of a probable election which, however, now appears likely to be postponed. King George V made a beautiful speech to the Privy Council on Saturday. He spoke of having lost, ‘not only a beloved father but a dear friend and adviser’, and he referred to the Divine help, the petition for which one so missed in King Edward’s speech on a similar occasion, and to his ‘dear wife’. She is to be called Queen Mary, so I hope the beautiful old name will come into vogue again. Thursday 26 May Fawsley Another red letter day in the annals of Fawsley, and one for which to be deeply thankful. For the third time the Girls’ Friendly Society Diocesan Conference1 met here and from 80 to 100 Associates gathered from all parts of the Diocese, the Leicester contingent arriving by 10.30. We began as usual by a celebration of the Holy Communion and Mr. Norman Lang of St. Martin’s Leicester, gave a most beautiful address, emphasizing the spiritual side of our work, which we are but too apt to lose sight of. He is the brother of the Archbishop of York and the son of my kind host and hostess at Aberdeen, Principal and Mrs. Lang, and a most attractive person. Then came luncheon in the riding school, followed by the Conference, which was practically an address by Mrs. Pardon2 on ‘Modern Women and her work’. One bit of advice she gave, about a quiet time for prayer at midday which I will try to follow, though it will be very difficult—I am so often out. I spoke afterwards about the white slave traffic and the Mormons. The weather was heavenly, and I never saw the place look more lovely, everything went well. 1. AJA, July 1910, p. 123. 2. Of the GFS London Diocese.

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Saturday 28 May Fawsley A lovely drive to Northampton for Education Committee. For the first time I brought forward a motion to try and adopt a scheme for ensuring that the recommendations of the Medical Inspectors are carried out.1 Monday 30 May Ladies’ Empire Club Came up by the breakfast train and went straight to the Whitehall Rooms for a very important Conference on Emigration,1 convened by the Colonial Institute.2 All the Emigration Societies were represented, and many other experts were present. One got rather bewildered with so many speeches, but the outcome of it all is that a Committee3 is to be appointed, and that the Government is to be asked, in accordance with a resolution passed at the Imperial Conference in 1907, to appoint an ancilliary committee to prepare the question for consideration at the next Imperial Conference which is to meet in 1911. Friday 24 June Fawsley Went off to the Branch Secretaries’ Conference, the Bishop of Stepney1 in the chair. Mrs. Townsend reappeared on the platform for the first time for many years and Miss Barton read an entirely delightful paper on the Girls’ Diocesan Association, which seems to be gathering in the leisured girls for study and service, and so recruiting the depleted ranks of our Associates. I went off at 12 to the Primrose League Committee: I am amused to find them copying the Liberal Ladies’ Social League, and giving parties in Bermondsey, etc. Mrs. Chute spoke excellently after luncheon, especially on giving girls their heads. As she said, our forebears would have been shocked to see me standing here. Lady Frances Balfour spoke on the work of the Travellers’ Aid,2 after which I left. It has been an inspiriting and inspiring week. 1. NH, 3 June 1910, p. 3. 1. To debate emigration from the UK to British Dominions overseas. At the Whitehall Rooms, Hotel Metropole. The Times, 31 May 1910, p. 8. 2. The Royal Colonial Institute. 3. The Standing Emigration Committee.

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Wednesday 17 August Stoke Edith Park, Hereford We arrived at Moccas (Welsh for pig!). It is a very ugly red brick house, decorated by Adam,1 with a curious round room, in which they never have either fire or light, for fear of spoiling the paper, but the situation is lovely, green lawns sloping down to the Wye, the opposite bank wooded, and red rocks jutting out at one point A charming garden at some distance from the house, the finest ilexes I ever beheld, and a beautiful little Norman church,2 with a tiny apse and very curious carvings of the Tree of Life and the flowers of Hell in the tympanum over both doorways. The place belongs to Sir Geoffrey Cornewall,3 who received us, with his brother and nice sister. Lord Spencer is gone.4 He was taken ill again three days after he came to Fawsley and never rallied. Five years ago, what a gap he would have made, and as it is, he will be greatly missed: great gentleman as he was, and nobly as he served his country and his county, according to his lights. Anyhow, England owes him a debt of gratitude for the stand he made about the Navy. I am so glad I saw him the other day. He spoke so kindly of his old friendship with the Knightleys and I was able to tell him how greatly Rainald appreciated that last visit before he went to India,5 I think he understood. Tuesday 20 September Fawsley Another National Union of Women Workers’ Committee, more interesting as we had a great discussion anent on Urgency resolution proposed by Mrs. Humphry Ward, that we should not take sides on the Suffrage question, and again passed resolutions in favour by an overwhelming majority. We passed ‘the previous question’, and a clever resolution moved by Mrs. Creighton.1 1. Rt. Revd. Henry Luke Paget, Bishop since 1909. 2. Travellers’ Aid Society, founded in 1885, to provide protection for girls and young women seeking employment in large towns. 1. Moccas Court. Some of the interior is possibly by Adam. See D.King, The Complete Works of Robert and James Adam (1991), pp. 252–3. 2. St. Michael. 3. Sir Geoffrey Henry Cornewall, 6th. Bart. of Moccas, Herefordshire. 4. On 13 Aug. 5. See entry, 7 Sept. 1895. 1. NUWW Executive Minutes, Acc./3613/l/2, 1908–12, 20 Sept. 1910, pp. 88–9.

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Tuesday 11 October Grange de Ling, Lincoln Janey drove me into Lincoln for our first meetings. Lady Laura made a most statesmanlike speech, really fine, on the Suffrage question and we carried, I seconded, a vote of confidence in her by an overwhelming majority. It ought to have been unanimous but the Suffragists were not generous. Our subjects for the week are the Child and Educational Ideals.1 Lady Laura’s presidential address was admirable. It is curious how we are reverting to the old Greek ideals in endeavouring to train the body as well as the mind. Dr. Martindale,2 Mrs. Wyndham Knight-Bruce3 and Mrs. Franklin4 all read excellent papers. Certainly the level of ability among the women who gather on these occasions is very high. We lunched with nice Miss Nevill, and in the afternoon papers by Lady Darwin and Miss Hughes5 on the relative place in education of manual and literary training. I wish dear Mother had given me a little more manual training: my fingers are all thumbs. Afterwards to tea at the Palace, where the new Bishop, Hicks,6 turns out to have been at Byfield in his youth and once dined with us. Wednesday 12 October Grange de Ling, Lincoln The whole day was occupied by Council business, elections and reports, all of which were taken as read, and short addresses by experts given on them. Specially interesting were those on ‘How defects discovered by medical inspection can be remedied’, by Mrs. Handford,1 and by Miss Baker2 on the administration of the Children’s Act as regards juvenile offenders. Afterwards to Lady Londesborough’s3 party, which was not specially amusing. 1. The Ideals of Education’, Women Workers, 1910, pp.4–15. 2. Dr. Louisa Martindale’s paper on ‘The Physical Ideal’ expressing the importance of personal hygiene and nutrition, ibid., pp. 15–28. 3. Mrs. Wyndham Knight-Bruce, widow of Rt. Revd. George Wyndham Knight-Bruce, first Bishop of Mashonaland, 1891–4. On ‘Moral Ideals’, ibid., pp. 28–36. 4. On ‘Mental Ideals’, ibid., pp. 37–46. 5. Maud, wife of Sir George Darwin; Elizabeth Phillipps Hughes, co-opted member, Glamorgan Education Committee. 6. Rt. Revd. Edward Lee Hicks, appointed Bishop of Lincoln in 1910. 1. Mary Emily, wife of Henry Handford, Nottingham, urging the creation of school clinics in large cities and towns. Women Workers, 1910, pp. 108–15. 2. Of Holborn, Poor Law Guardian, chairman of London Remand Homes, ibid., pp. 115–21. 3. Lady Grace Adelaide Fane, wife of William Francis Denison, 2nd. Earl of Londesborough.

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Thursday 13 October Grange de Ling, Lincoln Council again and consideration of sundry amendments to the construction and resolutions on Education, street trading and the feeble minded.11 get hopelessly bewildered about half-timers, and most of what was said applied to towns and not to rural districts. I went to luncheon at the Palace, and met there Mrs. Dallas Yorke,2 who has recently returned from Australia, and gave me some useful hints re emigration. Friday 14 October Grange de Ling, Lincoln I took the chair at a wonderfully good meeting organized by the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Society. The two speakers were Mrs. Swanwick1 who was very able, and Mrs. Randall Vickers,2 who was extraordinarily amusing. I certainly never was at a better or more interesting meeting. I was only wanted as a figurehead, so said very little and did not say it well. Wednesday 2 November 25 Sloane Square To London to stay with Helen Clerk. Had luncheon at Miss Denison’s and great talk with Mrs. Joyce. There are so many important ‘things on the tapis’ just now, especially the arrangements, or rather want of them, for the reception of girls in New South Wales and Queensland. Then to Mrs. Grosvenor’s Colonial Committee then to talk Suffrage with Mrs. Boulnois and finally tea with Lady Margaret.1 1. Frances, wife of Thomas Yorke Dallas-Yorke, Walmsgate Hall, Lincolnshire. 2. The Times, 14 Oct. 1910, p. 7. 1. Helena Maria Lucy Swanwick (1864–1939), suffrage worker and editor of The Common Cause, 1909–12. Daughter of Oswald Sickert, painter and cartoonist. 2. Wife of Revd. Randall William Vickers of Cedar Hall, Frenchay, Bristol. 1. Widow of Hon. Richard Charteris, at 17 Grosvenor Square.

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Thursday 3 November 25 Sloane Square To the Hostel Committee in the morning. After luncheon to the Colonial Institute where I brought forward the question of Australian arrangements; was warmly supported by Mrs. Gwynne,1 and the Committee unanimously decided to approach both shippers and Governments on the subject. I am very thankful.

Meeting of the Conservative and Unionist Woman’s Franchise Association, 8 November 1910 1. Stella, née Ridley, wife of Rupert Gwynne, Conservative M.P., Eastbourne, 1910–24.

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Friday 4 November 25 Sloane Square One of the most important Executives of the BWEA I was ever at. Relaxation of Canadian restrictions, the end of Miss Wileman, the Australian arrangements, negotiations with New Zealand and with Canadian Northern, one’s head fairly went round. After luncheon to Missionary bazaar at Kensington Town Hall, then with Mrs. Joyce to see the High Commissioner for New Zealand, William Hall Jones, and finally to Miss Denison’s to meet Miss Greening from whom our Australian information is derived. A tremendous day. Saturday 12 November Fawsley Cough very troublesome. However it has been a splendid time for getting on with Emigration correspondence, looking over papers, etc. And meanwhile the political situation is painfully exciting. The Conference composed of four leading men on each side, Mr. Asquith, Mr. Birrell, Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Balfour, Lord Lansdowne, Lord Cawdor and Mr. Austen Chamberlain,1 which was appointed immediately after King Edward’s death for the purpose of striving to arrange some compromise about the Lords’ veto, has collapsed after holding many meetings.2 So back we go to the old party warfare, with probably an immediate election, and apparently the whole constitution going into the melting pot, and Redmond, back from America with £40,000, master of the situation.3 I have seen many crises, but it seems to me none so serious as this, and the party so divided. I own I wish Mr. Chamberlain had never invented Tariff Reform. He enjoys the unique distinction of having broken up two great parties. Friday 18 November Fawsley An uneventful week for me personally, a very eventful one for the country. The Lords have passed Lord Rosebery’s resolutions for Reform of their own house:1 wish they had done it several years ago instead of now in undignified haste, at the point of a bayonet. I suppose they know by now in London whether we are to have immediate dissolution. Mr. Asquith made his statement today.2 They dare not meet Parliament with Redmond 1. Joseph Austen Chamberlain (1863–1937), Conservative M.P., E.Worcestershire, 1892–1914, Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1903–5. 2. A statement issued from 10 Downing St. on 10 Nov. had announced the collapse of the bipartisan meetings after 21 sittings. 3. See L.G.Redmond-Howard, John Redmond (1910), p. 228.

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threatening to put them in an immediate minority. And so we are to have a second election within the year. Pray God the country may realise the tremendous gravity of the crisis. I went on Monday to Badby to attend the first of a series of nursing lectures, partly to brush up what I know and partly that I may pass the second examination which I have always been prevented doing. On Wednesday Miss Eagleton and Mrs. James came over to see me about organizing better co-operation between the Conservative Association and the Primrose League. Later I had the great pleasure of welcoming my dear old friend the Duke of Grafton to luncheon, the first time he has ever been here. Mr. Pryor came with him and Sir George and Lady Mary Dashwood3 also came. It is so nice to have them as neighbours. On Thursday I went with Katie Evans to luncheon with Mrs. Stopford and we had a very large Girls’ Friendly Society branch meeting. Our chief subject the Mormons who are at work not only in Badby but in Daventry, Norton and Whilton. I have got Mr. FitzRoy to put a question to the Home Secretary,4 to which Mr. Churchill replies with one of his own ‘terminological inexactitudes’.5 Tuesday 22 November Fawsley A lovely winter’s day quite enjoyed going up to the garden, where the border is being replanted. The Lords have carried not only Lord Rosebery’s resolutions for their own reform1 but also another set moved by Lord Lansdowne providing against a deadlock, and in certain cases for a referendum.2 He has taken the wind out of the Radical sails with a vengeance. 1. On 17 Nov., Rosebery suggested that in future, the House of Lords should consist of three categories of peers: those chosen by the hereditary peers, those sitting by virtue of office and those chosen from outside. Hansard, House of Lords, 6, col. 714, 17 Nov. 1910, Parliament Bill. 2. Announcing that Parliament would be dissolved on 28 Nov. Hansard, 5, 20, col. 87.18 Nov. 1910. This was in order to give the Lords an opportunity of deliberating on the Parliament Bill. See Earl of Oxford and Asquith, Fifty Years of Parliament (1926), ii, pp. 91–2. 3. Sir George John Egerton Dashwood, 6th. Bart., and Lady Mary Margaret of Kirtlington, Oxfordshire. 4. FitzRoy, Hansard, 5, 20, 18 Nov. 1910, col. 65. 5. Churchill, ibid., col. 66. 1. The debate on the second reading of the Parliament Bill. Hansard, House of Lords, 6, col. 717, 21 Nov. 1910. 2. Ibid., cols. 809–10.

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Thursday 24 November Fawsley A long and interesting day. Georgie and I went off early to Woodford where a special meeting of the Divisional Council of the Primrose League at which the indefatigable Beatrice [Cartwright] arranged for a series of women’s meetings next week, Mr. Thomas of the London County Council having been, as Mr. FitzRoy expressed it, flung into the constituency.1 From there we drove to Daventry, saw Mr. Burton and Mr. FitzRoy and had luncheon with Mrs. Roche,2 and then I presided at a special meeting of the Knightley Habitation and we carried a scheme for the better co-operation of the Conservative Association and the Primrose League, elected Miss Roche and Miss Burton organizing secretaries and, I hope, generally put the habitation on a better basis. The meeting was very well attended and they spoke their minds. Saturday 26 November Fawsley Georgie and I drove all the way to Northampton in the brougham for Education Committee. I thought we should have a discussion on the scheme for the after-care of children after medical inspection copied, rather at my suggestion, from the Worcestershire County Council. However it went through without a word. I was glad to protest against the absurd revived idea of a joint school for Badby and Newnham.1 Wednesday 30 November Fawsley An amazing piece of news in the papers. Mr. Balfour announces that he will not attempt to carry Tariff Reform without submitting it to the referendum, which is henceforth to form part of our Constitution.11 really believe it will save the situation by reuniting the party, but we do live in breathless times. Things have to come to pass in a fortnight which one would have expected to take years. Georgie and I went to Byfield for one of Beatrice’s women’s meetings and very badly attended it was. However I made a good speech, though I says it as shouldn’t. 1. A.A.Thomas, Liberal candidate, South Northamptonshire. 2. Wife of Charles H.Roche, solicitor. 1. NH, 2 Dec. 1910, p. 9. 1. Unionist meeting at the Albert Hall on 19 Nov. The Times, 30 Nov. 1910, p. 10, and R.Jenkins, Mr. Balfour’s Poodle (1968 edn), pp. 99–100.

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Saturday 3 December Fawsley Drove a long dreary ride to Northampton for Higher Education and was rewarded by getting through a resolution recommending the taking of the National Home Reading Union.1 Afterwards to a dreary Church Education meeting2 with the Bishop in the chair. A Mr. Godfrey Benson3 made a long oration and aggravated the parsons a good deal. Sunday 4 December Fawsley 1

The first results of the election. We have won four seats on the balance, but have not won, as we hoped in Manchester, which does not augur well for Lancashire.2 I am afraid the country does not understand what has happened, indeed the events of the last fortnight are so startling that one hardly grasps it all oneself …Canvassed the whole parish, not a very onerous task. All right except White, and Martin, a new man of Mitchell’s who has hitherto been radical, intends to vote Unionist this time, because he can’t stand the ‘head people’, as he calls the Ministers, going about under police protection. Tuesday 6 December 12 Eaton Terrace Came to London with Aimée Smith,1 a new and very comfortable site. Lunched with Nora. Afterwards to the Home Arts and Industries Exhibition2 at Mr. Otto Beit’s house in Park Lane. It is wonderful how those village industries prosper and improve. On to see Lady M. Charteris and tea with Lady Bristol.3 Everyone very low about the elections which are not going at all well. The ordinary elector, I believe, looks on it all as a sort of game, and by no means realises the gravity of the situation. 1. The resolution recommended that heads of Day and Evening schools wishing to form Reading Circles under the NHRU would have the subscription of shilling and sixpence funded by the Education Committee. NEC, Higher Education Sub-Committee Minutes, 3 Dec. 1910, p. 323. 2. Held at the Masonic Hall, Northampton. NH, 9 Dec. 1910, supp. p. 2. 3. Liberal M.P., Woodstock, 1892–5, Mayor of Lichfield, 1909–11, and an active church worker. 1. The first polls for the general election took place on 3 Dec. 2. Of the five Manchester seats, three were won by Liberals and two by Labour. 1. Daughter of Charles Ridley Smith, LMK’s cousin. 2. The third Christmas sale of Home Arts and Industries Association. 3. Alice Francis, wife of Frederick Hervey, 4th. Marquess of Bristol.

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Saturday 10 December 12 Eaton Terrace Came home. The elections are unsatisfactory to everyone, two or three seats won or lost each side each day. However we have brought down the majority in the Mid Division to 250.1 Tuesday 13 December 12 Eaton Terrace Polling day, so I stayed at home. These are the occasions when I feel the absurdity of my not having a vote. But I don’t believe we shall ever get it, certainly not if it goes to a referendum. Wednesday 14 December 12 Eaton Terrace Mr. FitzRoy in by a majority of 513. Good enough but nothing wonderful, considering how short a-time Thomas had been before the constituency.1 Went with Mrs. Hulbert to Badby, where she gave an admirable Mothers’ Union address on the lessons to be learnt from birds to a capital audience of between 60 and 70 women, 11 from Preston and 10 from Charwelton. Thursday 15 December Fawsley Went to Weedon and opened a bazaar for Church Schools1 for Mrs. Keysell. On to Daventry for another Primrose League meeting. I hope I shall learn, when the time comes, to give up work before I cease to be fit for it. 1.Held at the School and organized by Revd. Folliott Sandford Keysell, vicar of Lower Weedon, 1904–16, and chaplain to the Weedon Barracks. DE, 24 Dec. 1910, p. 3. 1. Harry Manfield, Liberal, 6281, Thomas Guy Paget, Conservative, 6031. Manfield’s majority in Jan. 1910 election had been 556. 1. South Northamptonshire, FitzRoy, 4340, A.A. Thomas, Liberal, 3827. The Unionist majority had fallen from 610 to 513 since January.

*1911* Monday 9 January 5 Eaton Terrace To Sir Reginald and Lady Talbot’s.1 He explained to me the history of the violent antagonism of the Morning Post to the whole house of Cecil. Lord Salisbury would not make Sir Algernon Borthwick a Peer! It was done at last on Queen Victoria’s own initiation,2 but Lady Bathurst3 still resents the refusal. Can one imagine anything so small. Meanwhile it does a great deal of harm, for womankind in general take their opinions from the Morning Post. Tuesday 10 January 5 Eaton Terrace Went to Collingswoods1 and sold the emerald and diamond ring which my darling gave me on my 30th birthday for £26.10.0. (It cost £30.) I am going to give the money to the SPG, impelled thereto by an article in East and West.2 Then to see Mr. Boase at the Colonial Institute. I am afraid the Australian business has been rather messed. Looked into the National Gallery: the pictures have been mostly rehung, very well, I must say, but it is difficult to find one’s old friends.3 Monday 6 February 5 Eaton Terrace Went with Theo Cottenham to the opening of King George’s first Parliament. I had much the best place I ever had in the Gallery, so that for the first time I really saw the Procession, the Heralds in their gay attire making solemn bows to the empty throne (the Gentlemen who followed did not), the Crown, carried by Lord Crewe1 on a cushion, 1. Maj.-General Sir Reginald Arthur Talbot, Commander of H.M.Forces in Egypt, 1899–1903, and his wife, Margaret Jane Stuart-Wortley. 2. In Oct. 1895, created Baron Glenesk. 3. Lilias Margaret Borthwick, wife of Seymour, 7th. Earl Bathurst, Glenesk’s daughter. 1. Jewellers, watchmakers and silversmiths, 46 Conduit St., Regent St., London. 2. A quarterly review for the study of the missions which was published from 1903–1927. 3. See ‘Decoration of the National Gallery’, The Times, 4 Jan. 1911, p. 11.

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supported by a ribbon round his neck, the sword of state and the cup of maintenance, which no one seems to be able to explain. The King first read the new declaration (a vast improvement on the old one, which it was so painful to hear King Edward read with the Duke of Norfolk close by) and signed it and then putting on his Admiral’s hat, proceeded to read the Speech. He has a good voice, and much less German accent than his father but somehow he did not strike me as quite so dignified. His allusion to the King’s death was very pathetic. I should think he wrote that bit himself. For the rest, the Speech was colourless enough except the Veto bill, which was described as a bill for improving the relations between the 2 Houses or something like that.2 There was nothing of importance in it, and yet we are in the middle of a most grave constitutional crisis, and no one can tell what is going to happen. May God guide us. Monday 13 February 5 Eaton Terrace We all went to a perfectly splendid symphony concert at the Queen’s Hall.1 Richter conducted; alas, his approaching retirement is just announced. A new Russian pianist made a great sensation in a concerto of Chopin’s,2 and we had the C minor symphony of Beethoven. I know it well, and how I enjoyed it! Thursday 16 February 5 Eaton Terrace Lord Tennyson introduced a deputation, consisting of myself, Mrs. Joyce, Mrs. F. Preston (representing the Travellers’ Aid Society) and Miss Janes (National Union of Women Workers) to Sir George Reid,1 High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Australia, and we laid before him admirable suggestions drawn up by Mr. Gwynne, who was also present. Sir George was charming. He first told us, officially, that he could do nothing as he could not interfere with the Agents-General, and then, privately, told us what to do and how to approach the said Agents-General. It was all most satisfactory. 1. As Lord Privy Seal. 2. ‘Proposals will be submitted without delay for settling the relations between the two Houses of Parliament, with the object of securing the more effective working of the Constitution.’ King’s Speech, Hansard, 5, 7, Lords, cols. 4–6, 6 Feb. 1911. 1. The Times, 14 February 1911, p. 11. 2. Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21; the soloist was Tina Lerner. 3. Symphony No. 5. 1. (1845–1918) Prime Minister of Australia, 1904–5, and the first Commonwealth High Commissioner in London, 1910–16.

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Wednesday 22 March 5 Eaton Terrace Went to the office of the Agent-General for Western Australia and had an interview with Mrs. Price, who is to look after the girls sent out there. Then, with Mrs. Joyce, interviewed a representative of the Grand Track Railway of Canada, and finally sat on the sub committee of the Standing Emigration Committee1 to consider the whole question of Women’s Emigration. A pretty good day’s work. Friday 24 March Frogmore House, Windsor Primrose League Committee in the morning, then luncheon with the Landgraf, Lord Strathcona’s daughter Mrs. Howard1 and her husband and daughter the principal guests. After that went into the Victoria and Albert Museum to see the magnificent Salting bequest,2 far the finest the nation has received since the Wallace Collection. In the fine new rooms it is beautifully arranged. Limoges enamels, bronzes, and upstairs Chinese and Japanese things more attractive than anything of the kind I have ever seen. It was real enjoyment. Saturday 25 March Fawsley Went down to Northampton for the Education Committee,1 after which we had a conference of school managers and teachers to consider the scheme for the aftercare of children which has been brought out in consequence of my suggestion of 28 May.2 It was very well attended and I opened the discussion in not much of a speech, and a great deal of discussion followed. The doctors seem rather against it: their Medical Association seems to me very much of a trades union. 1. A committee formed arising from the Conference of Emigration Societies held on 13 Jan. 1910 at the Royal Colonial Institute. 1. Margaret Charlotte, wife of Robert Bliss Howard, a Canadian. 2. George Salting (1835–1909), art collector, mainly of Chinese porcelain and miniature portraits, bequeathed his collections to the National Gallery, the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. 1. NEC Minutes, 28 May 1911, p. 67. 2. The Conference agreed that local aid committees be formed for this purpose. NEC Minutes, General Purposes Committee, 1 April 1911, p. 44, and entry, 28 May 1909.

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Monday 27 March Frogmore House, Windsor A very full day. Tried breakfast in bed, but was hustled by notes and telegrams, ordered my Coronation gown and contemplated harem skirt, which I do not admire. Went to the Colonial Institute and had interviews with Lady Knox and Miss Denison, endless letters about emigration. It does dominate my whole life. Wednesday 29 March Frogmore House, Windsor Again, for the fourth time to luncheon with the Landgraf and sat next to dear old Lord Strathcona, a shrewd old person. Then to Mrs. Bischoffsheim’s to take the chair at the annual meeting of the Freedom of Labour Defence,1 she having kindly lent the house. I spoke I thought rather well. Mr. St. Loe Strachey,2 editor of the Spectator made an excellent speech. Altogether rather a success for such a feeble folk as FLD. Thursday 30 March Frogmore House, Windsor Went up to luncheon with Lady Talbot, who however was in bed with ‘flu.’ Sir Reginald went with me through the report we are to present to the Standing Emigration Committee and which has been weighing on my mind. And then he told me a most singular story. He said he was at Whittinghame in August or September 1899 and found all the three brothers, Arthur, Gerald and Eustace Balfour,1 absolutely contemptuous of the idea of war with the Boers, so much so that Arthur bet him, Sir Reginald, a sovereign about it. In three months the bet had to be paid. Lord Wolseley wanted them to collect troops on Salisbury Plain as a sort of preparation. The Government would not even do that! Saturday 13 May Fawsley I went to luncheon with Mrs. Roche and discussed with her son-in-law, Mr. Horace Wright,1 the new Juvenile Imperial etc. Association, others ‘Imps’, and how it will work with the Primrose ‘buds’, of whom we now have a goodly band. Afterwards the annual 1. The Times, 30 March 1911, p. 11. 2. (1860–1927), Editor and proprietor, 1898–1925. 1. Lady Frances Balfour’s husband, Eustace, had died on 14 Feb. 1911.

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meeting of the Knightley Habitation at which Miss K.Eagleton resigned, to my intense relief. Dear old thing, she has done splendid work in the past, but is quite unfit for it now. Monday 15 May Fawsley Drove over to luncheon with Mrs. Craig1 and she motored me on to Courteenhall,2 which I had never seen since the day I hunted from Wakefield. It is a pretty place and a handsome, comfortable Adam house with some specially good decorations in the dining room and library. Nice friendly people. Tuesday 30 May Vicarage, Bishop Auckland The Parliament bill has passed the second reading in the House of Lords without a division.1 And so, I suppose, without the slightest excitement in the country is accomplished the greatest revolution since 1832. One can only hope that we shall ‘muddle through’, as Lord Rosebery puts it again, as so often before. Friday 16 June Chelsea Court Came up by the breakfast train for the Executive of BWEA. It was curious to see Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens full of tents and the contingents from overseas encamped there. Then went to luncheon with Lord and Lady Chelmsford1 and had a most satisfactory interview with him about the arrangements for girls emigrating to New South Wales, which he proposes to lay before his Premier, Mr. McGowen.2 They were both most kind and friendly, and I enjoyed it. Then May Holland3 came and took me out in her motor and we drove all about the town, which is chiefly timber and stands with huge barriers at the debouchure of all the streets opening on to the royal route. Whitehall promises to be very pretty but the streets are much less crowded than I expected. Then came on here to stay with Mrs. Townsend in her charming flat overlooking the river. We had a great Girls’ Friendly Society talk, going back to the early days. 1. Solicitor, of Messrs. Roche and Wright, Daventry. 1. Wife of Charles Craig of Flore House, Flore. 2. Family home of Sir Herewald Craufurd Wake (1865–1916), 12th. Bart. and his wife, Lady Catherine (1852–1944). See P.Gordon, The Wakes of Northamptonshire (1992), pp. 198–229. 1. Moved in the Lords by Viscount Morley on 23 May. Hansard, 8, Lords, cols. 911–67, 29 May 1911.

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Saturday 17 June Chelsea Court Went in the morning to try on my Coronation robes and then to the National History Museum to look at an interesting collection of dried plants, stuffed animals, etc, illustrating all those mentioned in the Bible. ‘Badger skins’ seem to be a creature that lives, or did live, in the Red Sea, ‘Coney’, a small animal, nothing to do with rabbits. In the afternoon drove down with Nora to Syon. I thought we should never get there. There was such a crowd to see the coaches involved in the Marathon race;1 however when we did get there it was extremely pleasant and I met heaps of friends; it was just my set, respectable but not smart. As I am not asked to the Buckingham Palace party it is my one chance of Society. General Inigo Jones2 full of Sir Edward Grey’s3 muddles and concessions we have lost in Asia Minor in consequence. Coming back I was held up at Hyde Park Corner by an enormous suffrage procession.4 I think it must have been the biggest ever held. I suppose I ought to have been walking in it, but I think I have done my share. It really seems as if there were a chance of its getting through the House of Commons next year. Sunday 18 June Waterloo Day Chelsea Court By tube to Hereford Gardens to luncheon with Charlotte Carysfort. Each time I have seen her since his death1 I have thought her strangely cold, and at last the cause came out: the Suffrage! I was amazed and a good deal hurt. 1. Frederick John Napier Thesiger (1868–1933), 1st. Viscount Chelmsford, Governor of New South Wales, 1909–13, Viceroy of India, 1916–21 and his wife, Frances Charlotte, née Guest. 2. James Sinclair Taylor McGowen (1835–1922), Premier of New South Wales, 1910–13 and also Colonial Secretary, 1911–13. 3. Daughter of Lewis Duval Hall, and wife of Col. Arthur Aveling Holland. 1. A coaching marathon from Bushy Park to Olympia, London. The Times, 19 June 1911, p. 28. 2. Maj.-General Inigo Richmond Jones (1848–1914), served in South African War. 3. (1862–1933) Liberal M.P., Berwick-on-Tweed, 1885–1916, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 1905–16. 4. A five-mile procession of 40,000 people on Saturday evening headed by Mrs. Flora Drummond, ‘General Drummond’, it was followed by a meeting in the Albert Hall. The Times, 19 June 1911, p. 33–4. 1. Sept. 1909.

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Thursday 25 June 15 Grosvenor Place A truly remarkable day, and one which I shall never forget, the coronation of King George and Queen Mary. Lady Hawarden,1 who was to be my companion, insisted on starting at an unearthly hour, 6.45, and perhaps it was well we did, for the first thing that happened was that the motor broke down in Grosvenor Gardens. Fortunately, Lady Talbot de Malahide carried her off, and I was left with her young son,2 not yet of age, to wait till someone came to mind it. It was a relief when we got into Victoria Street and soon arrived in the Abbey. Our places were, as in 1902, in the north transept and though rather further forward I did not see much better. One of the things which struck me was the extraordinary beauty of the women. The dress is certainly becoming, and with the wonderful jewels, the effect was perfectly charming. And so, at last, home, after a day which can never be forgotten. The note of pathos which marked King Edward’s coronation was absent, but this was, somehow, finer and more, what shall I say? more solemn. Tuesday 4 July 74 Eaton Square In the afternoon to a Girls’ Friendly Society Emigration Conference to meet the overseas people. Lord Robert Cecil spoke and introduced a reference to Suffrage very cleverly.1 The Associates’ party followed, always a pleasant gathering. In the evening with Mrs. Gilbert Samuel and Mrs. Fabian Ware2 to a dinner at the White City given to Mrs. Chapman Catt,3 the President of the International Suffrage Alliance. I sat between dear old Miss Emily Davies, one of the pioneers in the cause, and Mr. Cecil Chapman, who was pleasant enough. He told me that the suffering endured by the militants had made a great impression on many of the working classes, notably the police, who had almost come to think there must be something in a cause for which women were content to undergo so much. Mrs. Fawcett was in the chair and spoke well and sensibly as she always does. 1. Caroline Anna, widow of Robert Henry Maude, 5th. Viscount Hawarden, Co. Tipperary. 2. Wife of Richard Wogan, 5th. Baron Talbot de Malahide of Malahide Castle, Dublin, and their son, James Boswell Wogan. 1. Colonial Conference held at Princes’ Gallery, Piccadilly. Cecil stated that ‘he believed the women were one of the most splendid products of this land, and it was the duty of every patriot and Imperialist to co-operate, if he might continue the metaphor, by exporting that commodity as largely as possible to our brethren beyond the seas.’ The Times, 5 July 1911, p. 15. also AJA, Aug. 1911, pp. 174–5. 2. Members of the CUWFA Executive Committee. 3. Chairperson of the Organization Committee of the National American Women Suffrage Association (NAWSA), 1895–1900, President, 1900–03.

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Mrs. Chapman Catt had a good delivery and a fine flow of language but a good deal of the matter did not impress me, in fact I thought it rot: and I strongly disapproved of the ‘Reverend’ Dr. Anne Shaw,4 still it was in many ways an interesting evening, and the White City looked lovely as ever as we walked away. Saturday 15 July Fawsley Had a most successful Coronation tea for the children from the three villages. They thoroughly enjoyed games, specially hidden treasure, being photographed in the riding school, after which I said a few words and finally a conjurer in the drawing room, which gave infinite satisfaction to judge by the peals of laughter. Monday 17 July Fawsley Mrs. Joyce and I took a small drive in the afternoon to Badby and Newnham. Mary and Miss Osborn brought the latter’s brother, Canon Osborn1 and his wife to tea. They have been many years in Australia and we had a tremendous discussion on the reception of girls in Queensland. He is more optimistic than many of our informants. The famous ‘Suggestions’ went out last week and are in the papers today.2 Tuesday 18 July Fawsley Drove over to Chacombe and spoke for Beatrice Cartwright at a Primrose League fête1 at the Priory, a pretty old house belonging to Mr. Allfrey.2 I think I spoke rather well and curiously enough, Lord Selborne in a speech in the paper today (22nd) takes much the same line about the tyranny of the bureaucracy, etc, though he of course tells much which I did know.3 He has come to the fore greatly of late. I should not be surprised to see him Prime Minister some day. 4. An American who became the first women minister in the Methodist Church in 1880. President of NAWSA, 1904–15. 1. Wife of Joseph Phillips Osborn and their son, Edward Castell Osborn, rector of St Andrew, Lutwyche, Brisbane since 1890. 2. In a letter to the The Times 17 July 1911, p. 12, signed by Princess Christian, president of SACS, Lady Frances Balfour, president of the Travellers’ Aid Society, Lady Laura Ridding, president of the NUWW, and Lady Knightley of Fawsley, president of the BWEA, putting forward seven proposals ‘regarding the guardianship necessary for girl emigrants’.

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Wednesday 19 July 5 Eaton Terrace Came to London, did dentist and knee, and then went with Georgie to the Crystal Palace to see as much as we could of the festival of Empire.1 We did the all red route, very cleverly contrived to give an idea of the different parts of the Empire, and then went to see the pageant. We had Part III beginning with James I and ending with the visit of the allied sovereigns in 1814, and beautiful it was, with a lovely background of sunny hills and woods. The blending of colour, the marvellous discipline of the supers all helped to make a most enjoyable scene. Perhaps the most dramatic moment was George II receiving the news of the conquest of Canada, and exclaiming ‘Canada is ours’ (and the stupid public did not cheer, they have no imagination) and then ‘General Wolfe is dead’.2 Sunday 23 July Fawsley I should have liked to be a man today and go to the Carlton and hear what is going on. The crisis is at its height. Mr. Asquith has told Mr. Balfour that he has the King’s permission to make Peers,1 and the question is, should the Lords surrender or no? 1. NH, 21 July 1911, p. 7. 2. William Sheddon Allfrey of Chacombe Priory, 7 miles south of Fawsley. 3. On the future of the Civil Service and the system of appointment by examination. The Times, 22 July, 1911, p. 7. 1. Opened on 8 July by Prince Arthur of Connaught, the Festival of Empire Exhibition and Pageant of London was supported by the Government and the profits donated to King Edward VII’s Hospital Fund. The Lady, 16 March 1911, p. 463. 2. Maj.-General James Wolfe, commander of the British forces attacking Quebec, was fatally wounded during the battle on the Plains of Abraham on 13 Sept. 1759. 1. In a letter of 20 July, disclosed at a meeting of Unionist leaders at Balfour’s house the following day. The Parliament Bill, containing the Lords’ amendments, had been read a third time that day and was returned to the Commons. For the text of the letter, see J.A.Spender and C Asquith, Life of Lord Oxford and Asquith (1932), i, pp. 312–13.

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Tuesday 25 July Fawsley A terrible scene yesterday in the House of Commons. Mr. Asquith shouted down and the Speaker obliged to adjourn the House.1 Such a thing has never happened before. Meanwhile the Unionist party is rent in twain as to whether the Lords should or should not surrender. Lords Halsbury, Selborne, Salisbury, Willoughby de Broke and others leading a revolt against Lord Lansdowne. To me it seems madness: we must now have the Parliament bill, and if we have the Peers as well, they can carry Home Rule, Disestablishment and everything at once. Minus the Peers, we have two years’ grace in which much may happen. Thursday 27 July Fawsley One of the largest and most successful Primrose fêtes ever held here.1 I do not yet know the numbers, but they must be considerable for from one o’clock people kept pouring in and the grounds were not cleared till 9. The committee worked splendidly and organized all kinds of amusements including a tennis tournament. We had a shilling tea in the riding school and Mrs. Rosemary Harrison organized two quite first rate concerts. Lord Robert Cecil could not come owing to a professional engagement and I was not sorry as I much deprecated his making a fighting speech at this juncture,2 and was dismayed to find Mr. FitzRoy, who came with Mrs. FitzRoy and Beatrice Cartwright, of the same way of thinking. However he was very good and only touched lightly on the subject,3 and a Mr. Wright from Leicester spoke very well. I have hardly ever seen a larger audience here. My darling would have been pleased. 1. The Speaker adjourned the debate at eight minutes past five under Standing Order 21 where ‘grave disorder in the House’ persisted. Asquith stood at the despatch box for half an hour, unable to deliver his speech. Hansard, 5, 28, Commons, cols. 1467–84, 24 July 1911, Parliament Bill. For an eyewitness account of the proceedings, see H.Jones, Liberalism and the House of Lords (1912), pp. 290–5. 1. NH, 28 July 1911, p. 10. 2. See K.Rose, The Later Cecils (1975), p. 144. 3. I.e. the Parliament Bill.

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Sunday 30 July Fawsley Such a delightful day, the air fresh and cool after the scorching heat Morning service at which 20 Boy Scouts from Rugby who are encamped in the Park were present. One can but pray earnestly for our distracted nation. I think the revolt of the peers who want to force the creation of peers will fizzle out: meantime it is splitting the party and doing endless harm. And there is a small cloud* between France and Germany which makes one anxious. Happily the Government have spoken out like men and the whole country is behind them. Thursday 3 August Fawsley I wrote yesterday a letter to The Times impelled thereto by an insinuation that women in general were opposed to Mr. Balfour’s policy.1 Saturday 5 August Fawsley In the afternoon went, in most refreshing rain, to the workhouse. There are very few old people there. Many of my old friends dead, and I dare say the old age pensioners are beginning to tell. I read to three sets of them, and I think they like it. Saturday 12 August Fawsley This has been a great historic week in the annals of the country.1 The Parliament bill, having passed the House of Lords with amendments designed to preserve the Monarchy and the unity of the Empire, was returned by the Commons shorn of the amendments, and in all its naked deformity, accompanied by an intimation that if it was thrown out, a large creation of peers would immediately be made, a measure to which, we were told, the King had consented ‘with natural reluctance’, and which even Lord Crewe2 stigmatized *(a much bigger one than we knew. 1913) 1. On the possible repeal of the Parliament Bill under a future Conservative government. The Times, 4 Aug. 1911, p. 5.

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as ‘an odious business’.3 Lord Halsbury’s contingent, who were determined to throw out the bill regardless of consequences, mounted up to 114, and to the very last moment the division remained uncertain. After two nights of most brilliant debate, the Government had a majority of 17, 30 Unionist peers who deserve well of their King and country, voting with the Government, while Lord Lansdowne and the majority of Conservative and Unionist peers walked out.4 Now at all events we have a respite, had the ‘ditchers’, as Lord Halsbury’s supporters are called from their expressed determination to ‘die in the last ditch’, we should have had a permanent Radical majority against us in the House of Lords, and Home Rule and Disestablishment passed at once. Besides all this, there has been a terrible strike in London which has been reduced almost to famine,5 and the thermometer at Greenwich on Wednesday reached 100°F, never known before. Friday 18 August Houndshill, Stratford-upon-Avon The strikes still extending, we are on the verge of a general railway strike, thousands of troops called out, special constables being sworn in, etc. It almost amounts to a revolution.1 In the afternoon Florence, Harry Knightley and I motored into Stratford to see some morris dancing by children from Glastonbury, one of a series of similar entertainments which have been alternating with the Shakespeare plays during the three weeks’ summer season. The dances were extremely pretty, with the Avon, with boats and swans for a background, and I was interested to make acquaintance with Mr. Cecil Sharp,2 who told me he had picked up a tune called Headdon Fawsley, and wanted information about it. I must enquire. 1. For a detailed account of day-to-day events, see A.Wilson Fox, Lord Halsbury (1929), pp. 268– 79. 2. Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes (1858–1945), 1st. Marquess of Crewe, Lord Privy Seal, 1908–11, Secretary of State for India, 1910–15, Leader of the House of Lords from 1908. 3. Hansard, 5, 9, Lords, col. 842, 8 Aug. 1911. 4. Contents, 131, Non-Contents, 114. 5. After a series of disputes, the London Dock Strike ended at midnight. 4000–5000 dock labourers took part in the dispute on wages which began on from 1 Aug. The Times, 12 Aug. 1911, p. 7. 1. Strikes in several industries had started in July in many large cities. As a precaution, over 16,000 troops had been despatched to London. 2. In 1911 Cecil Sharp (1859–1924), a notable collector of English folk songs and dances, was appointed Honorary Secretary of the Esperance Morris Guild’s Summer School held each year at Stratford. See A.H. Fox Strangways, Cecil Sharp (1933), pp. 86–7.

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Saturday 19 August Fawsley Trains on East and West Junction still running and I managed to get home, but the Great Central Railway quite disorganized. Charwelton Station closed and some violence at Woodford.1 Friday 15 September Hatfield Court, Leominster 1

Sir George and Lady Farrar dined. He said he had been dining last night with Lord Kitchener and they were all full of war. The Germans are simply spoiling for it, and I fear the Kaiser has set a ball rolling which he will not be able to stop. It is too awful to contemplate. Monday 18 September Fawsley Came home just in time to receive Mr. Goulding, the Duke of Portland’s1 librarian, who came to inspect the pictures, miniatures, etc. He told me various interesting things, specially that he thinks the picture of Sir Richard Knightley and his grand-daughter is probably by Mark Gerhard,2 the miniatures of Mrs. Bowater by Simon Cotes and Zincke Bridget Dixie probably by Richardson.3 1.See NH, 18 Aug. 1911, pp. 5–6, The Railway War’. 1.Sir George Herbert Farrar, 1st. Bart., of Bedford, Transvaal, M.P., Georgetown, South African Republic; and his wife, Ella Mabel. 1.William John Cavendish-Bentinck, 6th. Duke of Portland, Lord-Lieutenant of Caithness, 1889– 1919. 2.Sir Richard died in 1615 aged 80 and his portrait by Marcus Gheeraerts or Gerards (1561–1635), now hangs at Firle Place. 3.Samuel Cotes (1734–1818), painter of miniature portraits; Jonathan Richardson (1665–1745), painter and writer on art.

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Sunday 24 September Cambo, Northumberland Mr. George Trevelyan, the author of Garibaldi and the Defence of Rome,1 etc. came to luncheon and made himself very pleasant. Said he was first attracted to the subject by turning over old volumes of the Illustrated London News at the Union at Oxford. Tuesday 10 October 4 Park Circus Place, Glasgow In the morning had Lady Laura’s most able Presidential Address on Public Opinion, our subject for the week, followed by two papers and discussion on public opinion as it has affected health, especially as regards the crusade against consumption.1 After luncheon went again to the Exhibition, this time to see the modern pictures, mostly by Scotch artists, some very good Orchardsons.2 The Master of Polwarth3 spoke very well at the afternoon meeting on prisons. In the evening to hear Mr. F.E.Smith:4 an enormous meeting at St. Andrew’s Hall, which was packed and they had to have an overflow meeting. We had very good places in the gallery close to the platform and it is a wonderful sight to look down upon that sea of faces. He had a grand reception and spoke very well,5 but I don’t believe in the man. Ralph Glyn6 also spoke and was very well received. They sang ‘Rule Britannia’ and ‘He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,’ which minded me so of old days, and the effect of that great mass of voices was very fine.7 1.Garibaldi’s Defence of the Roman Republic (1907), the first volume of a trilogy on Garibaldi. 1.Two papers read by Dr. Mary Murdoch and Dr. Marion Andrews. Women Workers, 1911, pp. 4– 16. 2.Sir William Orchardson, R.A. (1832–1910), popular painter of anecdotal themes based on historical figures. 3.Walter George Hepburne-Scott (1872–1930), Master of Polwarth, chairman of the Prison Commission for Scotland since 1900. 4.Conservative M.P., Walton, Liverpool, 1906–18, West Derby, Liverpool, Dec. 1918-Jan. 1919, when appointed Lord Chancellor and created Baron Birkenhead. 5.Attacking Home Rule and the threat to the House of Lords. See J.Campbell, F.E.Smith, First Earl of Birkenhead (1983), p. 250. 6.Ralph George Campbell Glyn, son of Revd. Edward Carr Glyn, Bishop of Peterborough. A Conservative supporter and hon. secretary of the Unionist Reorganisation Committee in 1911. 7.The Times, 11 Oct 1911, p. 7.

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Wednesday 11 October 4 Park Circus Place, Glasgow All the morning was taken up with elections and other NUWW business. In the afternoon we had a very interesting paper by Miss Sutton of Reading1 on the work of women on Town Councils… At night the Lord Provost and other authorities entertained us at the magnificent City buildings. A number of us were summoned to the platform in the banqueting hall for a little speaking, and Lady Laura Ridding, our, alas, retiring President, make a charming little speech of thanks for all the hospitality we have received, seconded by Mrs. Allan Bright2 who is to be our new President. Thursday 12 October 4 Park Circus Place, Glasgow The morning was chiefly taken up with a discussion as to whether we should change our name, a recently-formed body of trades unionists having adopted the title of National Federation of Women Workers,1 which causes confusion. I am glad to say we decided against the change though only by a small majority. I strongly object to the idea that only those who work with their hands are workers.2 In the afternoon I went for the first time to the rescue meeting. Miss Clifford was admirable on unmarried mothers and the Poor Law Guardians on women tramps.3 In the evening to hear Mrs. Creighton’s valedictory address on Public Opinion, which as usual was most stimulating, especially what she said about quiet Sundays. Dr. George Adam Smith,4 Principal of Aberdeen University, also gave a fine address, chiefly on women’s labour, though I did not agree with all his views. 1.Edith Sutton, Progressive, returned unopposed in Nov. 1907 local elections, on The Work of Women as Councillors’, Women Workers, 1911, pp.92–6. 2.Edith, wife of Allan Heywood Bright, Liberal M.P., Oswestry, 1904–6, shipowner. 1. Founded by Mary Reid MacArthur (1880–1921) in 1906. See N.C.Soldon, Women in British Trade Unions 1874–1976 (1978), pp. 57–9. 2. On 6 July 1909, Mrs. Creighton proposed ‘that this Executive is of the opinion that it is not expedient at present to change our title’. This was carried. NUWW Executive Minutes, Acc./3613/1/2,1908–12, 6 July 1909, p. 36. 3. Hon. Vice-President, on ‘Unmarried Mothers and their Children’. Report of the Conference of Rescue Workers, 1911, pp. 23–30. 4. Professor of Theology at the Free Church College, Glasgow, 1892–1909, when he was appointed Principal, succeeding John Marshall Lang.

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Sunday 5 November Firle Leila told me a most strange story about a violent anti-English outburst on the part of General Eichhorn, the General commanding at Frankfurt, next to whom she sat at one of the banquets at Phillips’ s lately. Some speech of Lloyd George’s1 seems to have infuriated him and he was horribly rude. The state of feeling in Germany against us is most extraordinary. However, mercifully, France and Germany have come to terms about Morocco and the Congo.2 Monday 6 November Firle Came to London to the Victoria Club, passed the afternoon at a decidedly dull little conference of the National Home Reading Union. In the evening to the annual meeting of the NHRU, the Bishop of Hereford in the chair.1 Mr. Birrell made a most witty and entertaining speech, with one specially good point, the importance of reading the other side. He illustrated it by saying that he, the son of a Nonconformist minister, had been brought up on Edmund Calamy’s book2 on the sufferings of the Nonconformists who were ejected at the time of the Act of Uniformity, and that he had much better have read Walker’s Sufferings of the Clergy3 and his rector the other book. He also advised all Protestants to read Lingard’s History of England.4 Dr. Inge, the new Dean of St. Paul’s,5 then spoke, very full of quotations, and then I made my little speech, upon which I was much complimented by Professor Mackail, Professor of Poetry at Oxford,6 and now the Chairman of the Executive. He has such a beautiful face. A Mr. Mansbridge, Head of the Workers’ Education League,7 spoke afterwards, evidently a working man, somewhat down, of a type to which I am not accustomed. But he had a beautiful smile when I spoke to him afterwards. Both working men and working women are reading as they never read before. Altogether a very interesting evening. 1. Delivered at the Mansion House on 21 July 1911 at the height of the Agadir crisis between France and Germany. See J.Grigg, Lloyd George, the People’s Champion 1902–1911 (1978), pp. 308–9. 2. The first part of the Franco-German Agreement referring to Morocco had been initialled on 11 Oct, the second part in regard to the Congo, on 2 Nov. 1. At Caxton Hall, Westminster, chaired by John Percival, The Times, 7 Nov. 1911, p. 18. A keen educationist, Percival had taken a close interest in the work of the NHRU from its inauguration in 1892. Elected first chairman of the Council, he held the post until his death in 1918. W.Temple, Life of Bishop Percival (1921), pp. 267–8. 2. Edmund Calamy (1671–1732), author of Account of the Ministers and Others Ejected and Silenced 1660–2 (1702). 3. Revd. John Walker (1674–1747), rector of St. Mary the More, Exeter, from 1698. Author of Sufferings of the Clergy during the Great Rebellion (1714). 4. John Lingard (1771–1852), 8 vols., 1819–30. 5. William Ralph Inge (1860–1954), Dean, 1911–34.

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Wednesday 8 November The Rectory, Ockham, Surrey On coming down to breakfast was greeted with the astounding news that Mr. Asquith proposes to bring in a bill for manhood suffrage!1 This is a death blow to our cause, and this dangerous move might have staved off for a generation if only a moderate measure of woman suffrage had been passed 10 years ago. Mrs. Ady took me to see the very interesting church, specially remarkable for the very beautiful Early English window of seven lights. There is a chapel with a monument by Rysbrack2 to the first Lord King3 and his wife, very good in its way. Then to the house, an ugly one, but with pretty surroundings. Lady Lovelace4 was away but we went in and saw some interesting Byron pictures, specially one of him in Eastern dress, and one of his wife, very prim and proper. Mrs. Cecil Boyle came to luncheon, and we had a great talk about emigration. In the afternoon addressed a meeting of about 50 Mothers of the Mothers’ Union in the Parish Room at Ripley.5 I did not feel that I did it at all well. One can only pray that God may bless the words, however feebly spoken. Thursday 9 November Fawsley On arriving at Horsley Station and opening the Daily Mail, was much grieved to see Mr. Balfour’s resignation.1 So they have hounded him out, the noble high-minded gentleman, head and shoulders above the pack that have been yapping at his heels. I am only sorry that Lord Selborne should be one of them. Came home. 6. John William Mackail (1859–1945), classical scholar. Professor of Poetry, Oxford University, 1906–11. Assistant Secretary, Board of Education, 1903–19. 7. Albert Mansbridge (1876–1952), established the Workers’ Educational Association in 1903 ‘because I am a Christian Socialist and of a working-class family…In 47 towns, workmen of all sorts are getting the educational supply adapted to their needs.’ Mansbridge to George Lansbury, 27 Sept. 1907, Workers’ Educational Association Archives. 1. Asquith informed a deputation of M.P., on 7 Nov. that the Government intended to introduce a bill in the next session providing for ‘one man, one vote’. 2. John Michael Rysbrack (c. 1693–1770), Flemish sculptor. Settled in London in 1720. 3. Peter King, 1st. Baron of Ockham, Surrey, Lord Chancellor, 1725–33. 4. Edith, wife of Lionel Fortescue King, 3rd. Earl of Lovelace, Byron’s great grandson. 5. ‘We motored to Ripley and had a capital meeting. Lady Knightley spoke well and forcibly bringing in GFS girls’ education and emigration. She was charming to everyone…She really enjoyed coming here: must come back in the summer’. Julia Cartwright Journals, 8 Nov. 1911, Cartwright of Edgcote Papers, C.E. 395. 1. Announced to a special meeting of the City of London Conservative Association on 8 Nov. See B.E.C. Dugdale, Arthur James Balfour (1936), ii, pp. 86–92.

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Friday 10 November Fawsley Preston for Mothers’ meeting. Another startling announcement: the German Crown Prince during a debate in the Reichstag, clapping his hands and smiling and nodding at every allusion to England in a violent speech from the leader of the Conservative party.1 I begin to think that what Eileen O’Brien heard, when she was in Pomerania during the manoeuvres, i.e., that only the Kaiser prevents a war. The Daily Mail has republished Mr. Lloyd George’s speech2 which so infuriated General Eichhorn, and I cannot see a word in it which he was not perfectly entitled to say. Friday 1 December Fawsley Motored home. Mr. Lloyd George outdid himself yesterday by forcing 470 amendments1 to the Insurance bill without a word of discussion. Mr. Bonar Law made a very spirited speech2 and led the whole Unionist party out of the House. Really, the tyranny we live under is intolerable3. Rainald was quite right when he predicted what the closure would lead to, and the danger of the Irish holding the balance. Sunday 3 December Fawsley Miss Dalbiac is just back from her journey across Canada, and has much that is interesting to tell.1 But more and more one realises the great responsibility of sending out girls. 1. Ernest von Heydebrandt stated that ‘Like a flash in the night, all this has shown the German people where the enemy is. We know now, when we wish to expand in the world, when we wish to have our place in the sun, who it is that lays claim to world-wide domination…We shall secure peace, not by concessions, but with the German sword,′ B.E.Schmitt, England and Germany 1740– 1914 (1916), p. 338. 2. Lloyd George’s speech at the Guildhall on 21 July 1911. Entry, 5 Nov. 1911. See also Daily Mail, 10 Nov. 1911, p. 7. 1. By use of the guillotine. Hansard, 5, 32, cols. 654–5, 30 Nov. 1911. Third day of the National Insurance Bill. 2. Ibid., cols. 652–3. Andrew Bonar Law, Conservative M.P., Bootle, 1911–23, Leader of the Opposition. 3. The Bill, which provided for the first time health insurance and unemployment insurance to three groups of workers, roused much opposition from vested interests. See M.Pugh, The Making of Modern British Politics 1867–1939(1982), p. 125.

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Thursday 14 December Fawsley Fifty years today since my dear father died at Cannes and the Prince Consort at Windsor.1 How long ago it all seems. Drove over to luncheon at Althorp with Lord Spencer and Delia (anagram for Adelaide).2 Bobby made himself extremely pleasant and showed me all about the house and his various improvements in rearranging the pictures, etc. which he seems to have done very well. He knows about them and cares, and so, I was glad to hear, was his son, who with his younger brother3 and Lord Castlerosse4 was at luncheon. He seems to be making many discoveries, a box of Marlborough plate, unopened, and of course quantities of papers. He discussed the question of returning Royal letters, said Mr. Gladstone had not done so, but had left them as heirlooms. There was one he said he had not found and did not wish to find, a very strong one from Queen Victoria to his brother. ‘She did not know him so well then as afterwards.’ He gave a thrilling description of the scene after the Coronation, when the King and Queen appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, wearing their crowns. 1.A member of the BWEA for 12 years, Miss Dalbiac was sent on a three-month tour of Canada to inspect the progress of emigration there. See Imperial Colonist, March, April, May, 1912 for her report. 1. See Ady, Journals, p. 30. 2. Charles Robert, 6th. Earl Spencer, and his daughter, Adelaide Margaret. Succeeded his halfbrother, John Poyntz, 5th. Earl, after the latter’s death on 13 Aug. 1910. 3. Albert Edward John (1892–1975), later 7th. Earl Spencer, and Cecil Edward Robert (1894– 1928). 4. Valentine Edward Charles Browne, Viscount Castlerosse, son of Valentine Charles, 5th. Earl of Kenmare.

*1912* Wednesday 10 January 5 Eaton Terrace SACS in the morning, I took the chair till Princess Christian arrived. Lady Malmesbury’s resignation announced: no one said they were sorry. I happened to mention to H.R.H. my knee, which still bothers me, and said how Queen Victoria had told me (at Princess Alice’s christening) that missing a step had been the beginning of her lameness. Thursday 15 February 38 Cadogan Square Parliament was opened yesterday, and what promises to be one of the most exciting and bitter sessions for many years began. But the Unionist party seem in good heart. Tuesday 20 February 38 Cadogan Square In the evening to a splendid meeting at the Albert Hall to protest against Welsh Disestablishment.1 The Hall was filled save for a few boxes, which I suppose belonged to Radicals, mostly with men. The Archbishop of Canterbury was in the chair, and made one of his usual calm, thoughtful, moderate speeches, but all the speaking was on such a high level. Lord Hugh Cecil, Lord Selborne and Lord Halifax, who had a splendid reception, but with his usual lack of wisdom, said the King ought to veto the bill.2 C’est magnifique, mais ce n’est pas le guerre. All the same I don’t believe the bill will pass. 1. Organised by the Canterbury House of Laymen in consultation with the Central Church Defence and Instruction Committee. The meeting was restricted to Church people. The Times, 21 Feb. 1912, p. 7. 2. The Royal Commission on the Church of England and other Religious Bodies in Wales and Monmouthshire (1910) had demonstrated that there was a large Nonconformist majority in the Principality. The Liberals had opened their campaign justifying disestablishment at the Queen’s Hall on 25 Jan. 1912. See K.O. Morgan, Wales in British Politics 1868–1922 (1980), pp. 260–1.

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Monday 26 February 38 Cadogan Square Beatrice and Mr. Armstrong Willis,1 Lord Henley and Gertrude, and Mr. Guy Paget2 arrived in time for luncheon, after which we had a most successful meeting re Welsh disestablishment.3 I had asked all classes, tradesmen and farmers as well as gentlefolk, and above 100 turned up. I asked a good many dissenters from Daventry, but they all declined. Mr. Vick, the bank manager, however, wrote a very nice note, expressing strong disapproval of the measure. Mr. Willis gave an excellent address and provoked great amusement when he quoted the dissenting minister who said he saw the state payment of the clergy recorded every year in the budget, and when asked under what head, replied, ‘Ministers’ salaries’. Beatrice also spoke very nicely. Mr. Thompson4 proposed the resolution and Lord Henley seconded. Altogether a great success and I do hope it will do good. Wednesday 28 February Laundimer House, Oundle Came up here to stay with Mr. Monckton and his daughter and take the chair for Mrs. Fawcett at a very fairly attended Woman Suffrage meeting.1 She spoke well, but chiefly on our prospect, and as many in the audience knew very little about the subject I wish she had been more elementary. In my heart I think we are going to be beat, always have thought so ever since Mr. Asquith began to talk about Manhood suffrage. Thursday 7 March 5 Eaton Terrace In the evening…to meet Princess Marie Louise1 and the Landgraf, a very cheery business. She chaffed me unmercifully abut the Suffragettes, who have been behaving 1. Revd. W.Armstrong Willis, rector of St. Peter, Hanwell, Banbury since 1910. 2. Unsuccessful Conservative candidate for Mid Northamptonshire, in Jan. and Dec. 1910. 3. An ‘At Home’ held at Fawsley. NM, 1 March 1912, p. 4. 4. Revd. Charles Girdwood Thompson, rector of Holy Cross, Daventry since 1905, and Rural Dean of Daventry from 1906. 1. Of the recently-formed branch of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies, (NUWSS), held at Victoria Hall, Oundle.

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like heaven-forsaken idiots, smashing windows all over the town. I am afraid this will completely put an end to all our chances. Wednesday 10 April Fawsley Came home, waiting in London for a Standing Emigration Committee;1 wouldn’t if I had known it was about child emigration. The strike is over,2 I am thankful to say and very proud we may be of the calm way the country has taken it but there is still much unrest in the country. Thursday 11 April Fawsley After luncheon to Daventry for the Annual Meeting of the Primrose League.1 Very satisfactory, a gain of between 200 and 300 Associates, and I think Mr. Ditmas2 has done well. Friday 12 April Fawsley We had a large and successful reading circle, having finished New Zealand went in for Welsh disestablishment. The Home Rule bill was brought in yesterday.1 It seems worse than the two former ones. 1. Princess Christian’s daughter. 1. NUWW Executive Committee Minutes, Acc./3613/l/2, 1908–12, 23 April 1912, p. 166. 2. The general coal strike began on 1 March, ending on 6 April. 1. Held at the Conservative Club where, in the course of the proceedings, Katherine Eagleton received ‘an illuminated and framed address in recognition of her honorary secretaryship’ from 1885–1911. DE, 20 April 1912, p. 2. 2. F.B.Ditmas, hon. secretary since May 1911. 1. The Government of Ireland Bill was introduced in the Commons by Asquith. Hansard, 5, 36, cols. 1399–1426, 11 April 1912.

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Wednesday 17 April Shuckburgh, Daventry Went to Shuckburgh, and went with Gerard and Honor1 to a Welsh Disestablishment meeting at Southam, the worst managed thing I ever saw. The audience was largely composed of clergy. I had left my notes behind and I had to stand up and speak as well as I could for 20 minutes to an audience who knew far more about the subject than I did. However, the Welsh parson, Price by name, who followed, was good and gave some concrete instances of the injustice the bill would work. The most appalling disaster I suppose ever known has happened to the Titanic, the largest ship ever launched, on her maiden voyage to New York. She struck an iceberg and went down with over 1000 souls.2 The stories of heroism displayed are beyond words. There was a perfect, not quite total, eclipse of the sun today. The weird effect of light, seen from the train between Blisworth and Northampton, was most curious. There was a sort of purple light and one would have thought a thunderstorm was coming on, but the sky was absolutely cloudless. I hurried to Primavesi’s3 and borrowed a smoked glass, and saw the sun very well, just like a crescent moon. Thursday 18 April Fawsley Drove home after breakfast and found a telegram to say dear Harry had passed away early that morning.1 Dear, dear Harry, he was so good, so kind, such a pure simple, righteous soul. Thursday 25 April Fawsley My seventieth birthday. I can hardly believe that I have reached three score years and ten. And what a happy life, charged with blessings have I to look back upon. 1. Gerald Francis Stewkley Shuckburgh and his wife, Honor, of Shuckburgh Hall, Warwickshire. 2. The White Star Liner Titanic, with 2340 people on board, sank on 15 April. Only 775 were rescued. 3. R.H. Primavesi, optician and photographic retailer, 56 Gold St., Northampton. 1. Henry Charles, 5th. Viscount Gage, aged 58. LMK attended the funeral on 23 April.

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Drove to see the Drydens and sat with them in the gay garden of tulips, and missed dear old Sir Alfred,1 who so loved his flowers, and who has passed away, full of years and honour (90) since I left. Friday 31 May Fawsley Lady Frances Balfour arrived by the midday train, and I showed her as much of the place as I could, with a violent thunderstorm going on. After an early dinner, she, Edie and I motored over to Northampton where I took the chair for her at a Suffrage meeting1 in the Town Hall. She spoke admirably. Mr. LeesSmith,2 radical M.P. for Northampton who followed, was dreary in the extreme. I didn’t say much. I think the movement has grown too strong ever to be suppressed, but I shall never cease to regret that the Conservative party did not carry it on a tax-paying basis before universal suffrage came into practical politics. Sunday 2 June Fawsley A restful morning, or at least it would have been if Mr. Roche had not come to worry about the Daventry school question1 anent Sir W.Ryland Adkins2 has made what seem to me reasonable proposals, but Daventry won’t concede an inch. Saturday 22 June Fawsley Went to Northampton for Education Committee, much more interesting than usual. The astute Sir Ryland, seeing we were there in force,1 drew in his horns on both disputed points, but we had before us schemes for very large expenditure: £5000 for a boot and shoe Institute and other schemes for agricultural instruction.2 The latter did not seem to commend itself to the one tenant farmer, W.Ashby, on the Committee. Then talks with 1. Sir Arthur Dryden, 6th. and 9th. Bart., succeeded his father, who died on 2 April. 1. Of the Northampton branch of the NUWSS. NM, 7 June 1912, p. 4. 2. Hastings Bertrand Lees-Smith, Liberal M.P., Northampton, Jan. 1910–18. 1. On the question of the draft scheme for Daventry English School Foundation to provide funds for the rebuilt Abbey School. NEC, Higher Education Sub-Committee Minutes, 4 May 1912, pp. 877–8. 2. Knighted in 1911.

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Sir Ryland and Mr. Sackville about Daventry. The issue is narrowed down to a matter of £10. Sunday 7 July Dunwich Mr. Boughey told us that he hears on good authority that the King is determined that there shall be a dissolution before the Home Rule and Welsh disestablishment bills become law. The Government are now sending up a sort of ballon d’essai in the shape of a scheme for putting all taxation on land. It is not official, but the advanced radical section are booming it for all they are worth. Meanwhile the Insurance bill, which comes into operation on July 15, becomes daily more unpopular, especially with servants. Monday 8 July Dunwich Miley1 and I motored over to Sotterley, and paying a visit to old Mrs. Robert Martin, almost the last of my old friends left. The dear old place looked lovely, all sunshine and roses. I visited my dear parents’ graves, which have been done up since I was here last and went into the beautiful little church, so perfectly restored. Thursday 25 July Fawsley Beatrice Cartwright came over and we drove together to Norton for the long talked of Primrose fête, which was really a great success.1 All the arrangements were admirably made and Lord Alexander was charming. Mr. FitzRoy and Mr. Paget were the speakers, both able enough. I tried to make an Empire speech, but was not particularly successful. 1. ‘A very strong whip’ for the Education Committee meeting had been issued. LMK, 21 June 1912, K2922, NRO. 2. ‘For advanced instruction in the Principles of Boot and Shoe Manufacture’. NEC Minutes, 22 June 1912, pp. 934–40. 1. Miles Barne, son of Frederick St. John Barne. 1. NH, 26 July 1912, p. 5.

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Friday 26 July Fawsley At 2.25, a swarm of learned archaeologists and antiquarians, members of the Royal Archaeological Society, assembled at the old Dower House, where Janey and I met them. Mr. Gotch1 was supposed to describe it but having nothing to say, said it. Thence we repaired to the church, which was described by Mr. Hamilton Thompson.2 He thinks the tower was built later than the nave, to which a bay was added to connect the two, the clerestory and the roof being added later. But the great discovery was made by Miss Minet, who found above the four female figures on the north side of the Acton tomb a narrow band with letters in it. She made out ‘Spencer’ which I can’t say I can see myself, but which confirms my idea that they represent the only daughter and three daughters-inlaw of Sir R. and Lady Knightley.3 Mr. St. John Hope4 greatly admired the shields in the window in a pew which were moved from the walled up window. He was very contemptuous about the new font, but I think he is one of your cocksure gentlemen. Another man whose name I did not catch was very full of the glass in the windows of the old Hall, which I described to them (the Hall, not the glass). I gave them tea and altogether I think they enjoyed themselves. Sir Henry Howorth,5 the President told us two amusing stories. One of Sir W.Harcourt who, asked by a little girl to write something in her book, wrote ‘W.Vernon Harcourt, friend of the people’. Lord Wharncliffe,6 who followed him, wrote ‘Wharncliffe, friend of the other people’. How Rainald would have enjoyed that. The other was about himself. He has written a large book in four volumes called The History of the Mongols.7 A young lady he sat next to at dinner expressed her great satisfaction at meeting him, saying, ‘I am sure you can tell me what to do for my little dog’. He explained his inability to prescribe, whereupon she exclaimed, ‘But I thought you had written a history of mongrels!’ 1. John Alfred Gotch (1852–1942), architect and author of The Old Halls and Manor Houses of Northamptonshire (1936). 2. Alexander Hamilton Thompson (1873–1952), lecturer for the Cambridge Local Lectures Syndicate from 1897. 3. Sir Richard (d. 1534) and Jane Skenard, whose daughter, Susan, married Sir William Spencer of Althorp (d. 1532). Their daughters-in-law were Jane Spencer, wife of Richard Knightley (d. 1537), Ursula Vere, wife of Sir Edmund Knightley (d. 1542), and Anne Ferrers, wife of Sir Valentine Knightley (d. 1566). 4. William St John Hope (1854–1919), antiquarian, assistant secretary of the Society of Antiquaries, 1885–1910. 5. Sir Henry Hoyle Howorth (1842–1923), Vice-President, Royal Historical Society, Conservative M.P., S.Salford. 1886–1900. 6. Francis John Stuart-Wortley MacKenzie, 2nd. Earl Wharncliffe. 7. The History of the Mongols from the 9th. to the 19th. century. (1876–1927) in 4 parts.

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Tuesday 30 July Fawsley One of the most brilliant and successful garden parties I have ever had. The weather, which has been most unsettled, was lovely and people came from far and near. The invitations were ‘to meet the Lord Bishop of Peterborough’ and I had to ask the Churchwardens of the 20 parishes in the Rural Deanery of Daventry which he is visiting, and a good many came but they played bowls and seemed quite happy and Janey had arranged for a display by the Rugby boy scouts who are camping in the Park. The Bishop and Lady Mary stayed the night. Saturday 3 August Craig Cottage, Millhouse, Kyle of Bute Lovely Arran lifted her veil which she never did all the time I was here last year. We dawdled about; I can’t walk far as I have a sharp attack of rheumatism in my knee. A rather severe blow came in the shape of a letter from Charlie announcing that owing to the Clergy Insurance who hold the mortgage on the property having raised their rate of interest, he must reduce the money he pays me. This means that I must reorganize the establishment inside and out. I have long been going in difficulties [sic] spending more than I have, and this brings matters to a climax. I pray God to help me to do what is right. Friday 16 August Cambo, Morpeth Tea at Wallington. Sir George (Trevelyan) as delightful as ever. He first talked of an extraordinary storm here in 1898 when 6.5 inches fell at Wallington and 6 at Angerton.1 Then he fell upon House of Commons reminiscences, the best way of preparing speeches, etc. and spoke of Disraeli’s power over his party, how he would turn round and scowl at a supporter behind him who was talking nonsense or saying what he should not. Then he talked of his son’s2 books and I remarked on what has struck me so much, his brilliant style coupled with such painstaking accuracy. ‘Ah’, he said, ‘George has had what neither my uncle or I ever had, historical training at Oxford.’ 1. Near Hartburn, Northumberland, 4 miles from Wallington. 2. George Macaulay Trevelyan.

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Sunday 18 August Cambo, Morpeth In the afternoon some interesting visitors. Mr. Anderson1 and his daughter from Little Harle brought Sir Frederick Fisher,2 the brother of Lord Fisher,3 a rough diamond but evidently able. He told me that he thinks in ten years’ time the ships will all be run by oil instead of coal, but that there are great difficulties because the heat produced by internal combustion is so great that it melts. Wednesday 26 August Fawsley It poured the whole day without ceasing. No such wet summer since 1879, 6 inches of rain at Norwich and the harvest ruined. I spent the whole day in starting the domestic convulsions necessitated by my loss of income,1 beginning with retiring poor, dear old Warner, which is the worst of the job. I must say the servants behave well and seem to mean to help me. Wednesday 28 August Fawsley Went to tea with Mrs. Stopford, had an Executive of the Primrose League to pass the accounts of the Norton fête. It only just paid itself at which we are disappointed. Much occupied with the answers to the questions on Emigration issued by the Dominions Commission on Trade and Commerce.1 1. Thomas Anderson of Little Harle Tower, near Kirkhale, Northumberland. 2. Admiral Superintendent, Malta Dockyard, and President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, since 1911. 3. ‘Jackie’ Fisher, First Sea Lord, 1904–10. 1. Following this, endeavours were made to raise further funds on the security of the fee simple of the House and Park, but without success. Counsel’s Opinion, Arthur Cole, Lincoln’s Inn, 15 Oct. 1912. Knightley Papers, Acc 1967/174/382, NRO. 1. See fn. 1, 11 Oct. 1912, infra.

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Thursday 29 August Fawsley A telegram from Evie Munro to say that her mother1 died last night. What a personality gone; the centre of everything, the pivot on which everything in the family turned. I feel deeply for and with them all, and specially for Sir Cam and for poor Olive,2 racing home from Australia and all too late. For myself I have lost a friend and a link with the long, long ago. How the doors close! Went to luncheon with the Agnews and opened a sale of work for their church restoration; said a few words about Dr. Dillon3 who was expelled in 1642–3 from the rectory of Farthingstone and died in jail. It is well to remind the Nonconformists of these things, now that they are celebrating what they are pleased to call ‘Black Bartholomew’, i.e. the expulsion of those intruders in 1662.4 Friday 4 October Fawsley Came home and devoted the afternoon to inaugurating the new regime. I spoke to all the men who work for me and explained that I was obliged to reduce and that Cox would in future be their master and I hoped they would all work together. I pray for a blessing on them all. Saturday 5 October Fawsley A lovely day. Went to Northampton for Education Committee and had the satisfaction of seeing the Daventry compromise passed.1 Like most compromises, both parties object to it more or less, and said so. I felt for Mr. Sanderson, who spoke feelingly as to the exclusion of the Headmaster in secondary schools from giving the denominational teaching which may be given by other people at the request of the parents.3 Still we have 1. Henrietta, wife of Sir Campbell Munro, 3rd. Bart. 2. Louisa Olive, youngest daughter, wife of Vice-Admiral Ian Drummond. 3. Dr. William Dillon, rector of Farthingstone, 1629–30. The rectory was sequestered in 1643. Dillon continued as rector of Shenley, Bucks., from Nov. 1630. See H.Isham Longden, Northamptonshire and Rutland Clergy from 1500 (1943), iv, p. 89. 4. Under the Act of Uniformity of 1662 clergy unwilling to accept the doctrines of the Church of England were to vacate their livings on St. Batholomew’s Day, 24 Aug. 1662.

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ensured that Christian teaching shall be given in all the schools, and that is worth a great deal. Tuesday 8 October Fawsley War has, alas, broken out in the East, Montenegro having attacked Turkey and Bulgaria. Servia and Greece are hourly expected to follow suit.1 Pray God it may not spread. Friday 11 October Fawsley Went up and met Mrs. Joyce at Scotland House where for above hours we were crossexamined by the Dominion Royal Commission on the answers we gave to their questions on emigration.1 Mrs. Joyce did the most of the talking and most uncommonly well she did it. Mr. Foster,2 one of the Canadian Ministers, was in the chair, the only other person I could put a name to, Sir Rider Haggard. We lunched together at the Club and then I took leave of dear Mrs. Joyce before she leaves for Egypt. Tuesday 5 November 25 Sloane Gardens In the evening Beatrice Cartwright and I went to a huge suffrage meeting at the Albert Hall, organized by Mrs. Fawcett and her societies.1 I cannot help regretting that they have departed from their non-party platform and gone for Labour.2 Lord Robert Cecil made an admirable speech and announced the defeat of the women’s franchise amendment to the Home Rule Bill. It is not encouraging. 1. NH, 11 Oct. 1912, p. 7. 2. Frederick William Sanderson (1857–1922), headmaster of Oundle School since 1892, and University representative on the Education Committee. 3. For his views on religion and education see H.G.Wells, The Story of a Great Schoolmaster (1924), pp. 52 ff. 1. The First Balkan War between Bulgaria, Servia and Greece against Turkey, began on 18 Oct. 1. See The First Interim Report and Minutes of Evidence Relating to National Resources, Trade and Legislation, Part 1: Migration, Dec. 1912. Cd. 6516. 2. George Eulan Foster (1847–1931), Canadian minister of Trade and Commerce, 1911–21, and member of the Commission, 1912–16. 1. Held under the auspices of the NUWSS. The Times, 6 Nov. 1912, p. 12. 2. The Union’s new policy was of actively supporting Labour candidates for Parliament. See Millicent Garrett Fawcett, What I Remember (1924), pp. 206–7.

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Tuesday 12 November Fawsley Rained nearly all day in spite of which we motored over to Tyringham1 to luncheon with Mrs. König. The Government were beat last night by 21 on an amendment to the financial clauses of the Home Rule bill.2 They won’t resign, and contrary to all precedent, propose to rescind the resolution. Wednesday 13 November Fawsley There was a tremendous scene in the House last night:1 the Opposition absolutely refused to let the Government proceed with their unprecedented amendment, and the Speaker had to adjourn the sitting twice. Finally he persuaded them on Thursday to adjourn till Monday, but they are in a rare mess. Tuesday 19 November 7 Chelsea Court All day at Central Council. It was distinctly interesting, but I have nothing special to record. Went to see dear Nora and then to Mrs. Valpy, where was Lady Laura Ridding, conferring about the National Union of Women Workers’ meeting tomorrow,1 summoned by a requisition drawn up at Oxford, which I signed (rather sorry I did) proposing to send a resolution to the Government anent Women Suffrage.2 1. Tyringham House, Bucks, built by John Soane, 1793–7 and drastically realtered in 1909 by Frederick Adolph König, banker, of New York and London. His wife, Gertrude de Chappuis, was Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein. 2. On the Report Stage of the Bill. 1. Asquith moved the rescission of the resolution as amended on 11 Nov. The subsequent proceedings are described in Earl of Oxford and Asquith, Memories and Reflections (1928), i, p. 187. 1. A special council of the NUWW met at the New Central Hall, Westminster, on 20 Nov. 2. The Council unanimously carried a resolution urging the Government ‘to amend the Franchise and Registration Bill now before Parliament, so as to remove the anomalies and disabilities existing in the present law with regard to women’s local government franchise, and to safeguard the powers already possessed by women.’ The Times, 21 Nov. 1912, p. 3.

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Wednesday 20 November Fawsley Having been engaged since July to open a bazaar at Northampton for Waifs and Strays and the Orphanage1 I could not go to the National Union of Women Workers’ meeting but went down and fulfilled my promise. It was a very pretty bazaar. Sir Herewald Wake in the chair, purses to me, chiefly by tiny tots, escorted by boy scouts, rather pretty. I made I think a tidy speech. Came home to find Janey and Phoebe Mills2 and an alarming account of Harry Knightley.3 Friday 22 November Elton Hall, Peterborough Came to Elton to stay with Colonel and Lady Margaret Proby.1 It is with very mixed feelings that I find myself here again, the scene of the most miserable weeks of my life, and with a new host and hostess. Nothing can be kinder than they are and their daughter, Betty, seems charming. Miss Saunders too is installed here as a Secretary. The house has been much rearranged and is far less stiff than it used to be. Thursday 5 December 5 Eaton Terrace A long and rather interesting Primrose League Committee. The new Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Gerald Arbuthnot,1 appeared and gave us a long account of his new plans. He is evidently going to treat the Ladies Committee very differently from Mr. Lane-Fox, who always seemed to look upon us as nothing but a milch cow to provide £800 a year. After luncheon Miss Vernon and I went off to have an interview with Sir James Whitney, the Premier of Ontario,2 who is only here for a few days to plead the cause of Miss Fitzgibbon and the hostel at Toronto which is in danger of being closed. He was quite sympathetic, though of course he could not pledge himself. 1. NH, 22 Nov. 1912, p. 6. 2. Daughter of Selina, née Knightley, and Francis Mills. 3. Revd. Henry Francis Knightley, vicar of Houndshill, Warwickshire, from 1896. 1. Col. Douglas James Proby, Unionist M.P., Saffron Walden, Jan.-Dec. 1910, and nephew of William Proby, 5th. Earl of Carysfort. The Colonel assumed his mother’s maiden name in place of Hamilton in 1904; and his wife, Lady Margaret Frances, daughter of John Hely-Hutchinson, 4th. Earl of Donoughmore. 1. Gerald Archibald Arbuthnot, Unionist M.P., Burnley, Jan.-Dec 1910. He succeeded Walter Long as Vice-Chancellor in Oct. 1912 and embarked on a programme of reorganisation, stating, ‘Our principles may be old, but our methods must be new’. 2. Sir James Pliny Whitney (1843–1914), Premier of Ontario, 1905–14, a staunch Conservative.

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Tuesday 10 December Fawsley Went to Badby in the afternoon and had the pleasure of presenting the shield, prizes and medals won by the children in the Bird and Arbor competition. Badby is very proud of having carried off the shield from much larger schools and great credit is due to Mr. and Mrs. Douglas.1 I made a little speech, and so ended the last function in the old Church of England school;2 for the new Council School is built, and is to be opened next month. Sunday 22 December Fawsley Very delighted with a present from my Duchess of Royal Gardens,1 a lovely book and a charming inscription. Christmas Eve Fawsley My first Christmas here for 17 years. It brings back many mingled thoughts and memories of the past, but I am glad to have broken the spell. No one more thoroughly enjoyed than I did a small entertainment I gave to all the people in my employ, their wives and children. It consisted only of tea and a Christmas tree, which looked so pretty in the old hall and presents for everyone. We were about 40 in all and there seemed a very nice spirit about it all. We ended with two hymns and God Save the King, and then they cheered me and sang ‘For She’s a Jolly Good Lady’, which quite did for me. I don’t believe I have heard it since our silver wedding day. God bless them all. 1. Mrs. Ellen Louisa Douglas, mistress of Badby Elementary School and her husband, Samuel Douglas, clerk to the Parish Council. 2. LMK presented the Challenge Shield for Northamptonshire, awarded to Badby School children for Nature Study. DE, 14 Dec. 1912, p. 4. 1. Cyril Ward, Royal Gardens (1912), containing 32 watercolours by the author.

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Monday 30 December Fawsley 1

I took Mrs. Georgie Richmond a little drive. We were talking of Gladstone at dinner when Phoebe told us that her father, Sir Arthur Otway, who was in his Government, said he never really knew him till he overheard him muttering to himself about some policy. ‘Is it true, is it right, is it just?’ It throws a very bright light on his character. Tuesday 31 December Fawsley And now the Preston bells are ringing out the old year and ringing in the new. May God’s mercy enfold me and mine as it has done through so many, many years, over three score and ten. 1. Sir Charles Valentine Knightley’s aunt and his mother’s sister-in-law.

*1913* Wednesday 1 January Fawsley In the evening a most successful servants’ dance in the old Hall. We opened it with Sir Roger de Coverley. Kent managed it splendidly and I never saw people enjoying themselves more thoroughly. They danced so well too. Saturday 4 January Fawsley A pouring wet day, quite in harmony with the fiasco of the opening of the new Council School at Badby.1 We had arranged that Mr. Monckton, as Chairman of the Education Committee, should do it, but he and Charlie were detained so late that I had to do it instead, after Mr. Scratton had made a speech in which he abused Council Schools up hill and down dale, said they put religion in the second place and were a national sin, etc.!!! I lost my temper and altogether it was a fiasco. The only bright spot the presentation of a nice illuminated address to Mr. and Mrs. Douglas,2 Mr. Monckton and Sir A.Dryden came. Wednesday 8 January 31 Ennismore Gardens SACS in the morning. Drove back with Princess Christian to Kensington Palace, she very angry with The Times and the Daily Mail (Lord Northcliffe1 and Mr. Harmsworth2) about the food taxes, which have been splitting the party; vows one wants an Earldom, the other a Barony. Meanwhile it is a blessing we have got them out of the way or we should never get this Government out In the afternoon Mrs. Valpy lent me her car and I went with Doull and chose a dear little dog called Jock who, I am sure, will be a great joy. 1. By LMK. DE, 4 Jan. 1913, p. 4. 2. ‘In recognition of long and valued services, testifying to the high standards of efficiency the school has reached under their tuition’, ibid.

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Thursday 9 January 31 Ennismore Gardens Hostel Committee in the morning, then dentist, luncheon with Leila, then Standing Emigration Committee where I brought forward the passenger agent question. I am sure we must keep on hammering at that. Thence to another of Molly’s Imperial tea parties, where I met an interesting Miss Freeman, a middle aged schoolmistress from New Zealand on her first visit to England. It did one good to hear her enthusiasm for the old country and her account of New Zealand patriotism but, she added sadly, ‘With such a country as this, why are we not all more patriotic?’ In the evening to see The Eldest Son by Galsworthy1 at the Kingsway Theatre, a clever piece and well acted, but a painful story though, I fear, very true to life. Tuesday 21 January Fawsley Went with Juliet to Northampton where, being visitors for the week, we made a very careful and minute inspection of the Hospital, it having come to our turn. It was very interesting going with her, as she has absolutely Argus eyes and spied defects I should never have observed. It was clean on the whole but not as spotless as it ought to be. Friday 24 January Fawsley 1

Mrs. Grant very kindly sent her motor for me and I went over to luncheon and was much interested in seeing all the curious and valuable things, china cabinet, embroidered quilts, etc.; it is wonderful what treasures there are, not only in the great houses of England but in comparatively small ones like Litchborough. Miss Dryden2 announced Alice’s marriage to Mr. Marcon.3 Wonders will never cease. This has been a most eventful week in the great world. Peace was all but concluded 1. Alfred Charles William Harmsworth, 1st. Baron Northcliffe (1865–1922), founder of the Daily Mail and chief proprietor of The Times. 2. Sir Harold Sidney Harmsworth, 1st. Bart. (1868–1940), co-founder with Alfred, his brother, of the Daily Mail 1. John Galsworthy (1867–1933), completed the play on 10 Nov. 1910 but it was not produced until 23 Nov. 1912. See H.V.Marrot, Life and Letters of John Galsworthy (1935), p. 354. 1. Wife of Edward Grant; Litchborough House, came into possession of the Grant family in 1780. 2. Daughter of Sir Alfred Dryden. 3. Alice Dryden married John Marcon of Swaffham on 8 April 1913, his second wife. Miss Dryden was then 47. 4. On the Allocation of Time resolution for the Franchise and Registration Bill. Hansard, 5, 47, col 662, 23 Jan. 1913. The Bill was defeated on women’s suffrage amendments and withdrawn on 27 Jan. 1913, ibid., col. 1091.

when a revolution broke out in Constantinople and it would seem as if war must begin again. And the Speaker has ruled that if any of the Woman Suffrage amendments to the

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Franchise bill are carried, it will become a new bill and must be withdrawn and brought in again, so it will probably be dropped.4 Just the sort of thing that always happens to us. However I don’t think it will make much difference as the Lords would be sure to throw it out. The split in the Unionist part is mended and food taxes shelved. Mr. Bonar Law makes an excellent speech. Saturday 25 January Fawsley Went to Northampton intending to protest against Tom Sanders being appointed one of the managers of Badby School, but arrived too late. I do not know that I was very sorry. Monday 27 January 5 Eaton Terrace Came up to stay with Georgie who had an uninteresting luncheon party, then to Legislative Committee of National Union of Women Workers1 and thence walked to the House of Lords. I expected a crowd, but there was none, the bill having been dropped as expected. The House of Lords was very full, our benches crowded. I only heard Lord Crewe, who spoke well, but it seemed to me without conviction. Then I got tired out and went home. Tuesday 28 January 5 Eaton Terrace Spent the morning at the National Union of Women Workers where I expected a great discussion on the suffrage question and so did Mrs. Humphry Ward and others who were present. However, it ended in the appointment of a Committee to consider all the protest amendments that have been sent in.1 In the evening dined with Mrs. Cecil Boyle at Buckingham Palace. An amusing party which included Dr. Danoff, the chief Bulgarian delegate, Mr. Cross, the husband of George Eliot etc. I was fortunate enough to sit next to Mr. Sydney Buxton, the President of the Board of Trade,2 my hostess’s brother. I was agreeably surprised to find him willing to talk quite openly about things, saying that the Speaker’s ruling3 had been a complete surprise to every one and that he thought he might have let the thing go on, as it was the evident wish of the House. I could not resist chaffing him about Mr. Harcourt’s4 speech and his attack on Sir Edward Grey and Mr. Lloyd George.5 This he characterized 1. NUWW Executive Minutes, Acc./3613/1/1, 1912–16, 28 Jan. 1913, p. 200. 2. Hansard, 5, 13, Lords, cols. 420–38, 27 Jan. 1913. Government of Ireland Bill, second reading.

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as very bad taste and added that Sir E.G. feels very deeply on the subject of the suffrage because his wife had cared so much about it.6 He himself (Mr. B) is ‘wishy washy’ to use his own expression. A good many people came in after dinner but I know so few now. Society is over for me. Saturday 1 February Fawsley Made a very unsatisfactory expedition to Northampton for Higher Education—everything went wrong. However I hope I helped to elect a churchman for Head Master of Kettering School.1 Thursday 6 February 24 Old Queen Street, Westminster In the evening went to a great meeting organized by the Conservative and Unionist Women’s Suffrage Association at the Horticultural Hall.1 Lady Castlereagh was to have taken the chair, but was ill so at the last moment they asked me, and I found myself supported by Lord Selborne on my right and Lord Willoughby de Broke on my left. I own I was rather proud of the position. Lord Selborne made a very fine speech,2 strong, well-reasoned and trounced the Government in general and Mr. Loulou Harcourt in3 particular, soundly. He said however, that he should not be prepared to consent to seeing women’s suffrage passed under the Parliament Act which he looked upon as a ‘revolutionary interlude’. Lord Willoughby followed with a most amusing speech in which he alluded to my having spoken for him (at Leamington)4 and confided to the audience that he and his father considered it a most improper proceeding. Of course the audience roared, and the platform, among whom were many of my friends, most of all. 1. NUWW Executive Minutes, Acc./3613/1/3, 1912–16, 28 Jan. 1913, pp. 195–6. 2. Feb. 1910 to Feb. 1914. 3. Women’s Suffrage Bill. See Entry, 24 Jan. 1913, fn. 3. 4. Lewis Harcourt, Liberal M.P., Rossendale, Lancashire, 1904–17. Secretary of State for the Colonies, 1910–15; son of Sir WIlliam Harcourt. 5. In the debate on the Franchise and Registration Bill, Harcourt attacked Grey, the Foreign Secretary, for holding sympathetic views on women’s suffrage. 6. Grey’s first wife, Dorothy Widdrington, was from a Northern moderate Conservative family. The main influence on the couple was Mandell Creighton and his wife. Dorothy died as a result of a carriage accident in 1906. Grey continued to be a strong supporter of votes for women. See G.M.Trevelyan, Grey of Fallodon (1937), p. 175. 1. John Irwin Scott of Deacon’s School, Peterborough, was appointed from 237 applicants. HEC Minutes, 1 Feb. 1913, p. 1165. 1. Held at Vincent Square. Morning Post, 7 Feb. 1913, p. 8. 2. On the ‘Broken Pledge’, ibid. 3. Nickname of Lewis Harcourt.

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Tuesday 11 February Fawsley The terrible news arrived today of the death of Captain Scott 1 and his brave companions on their way back from the South Pole which they reached just a month after Amunsden, the Norwegian. The whole story is too tragic for words.

Tuesday 25 February Fawsley Drove over to Watford to luncheon with the Henleys, to talk to Gertrude about her succeeding me on the Education Committee. Friday 14 March Fawsley Was going to the first Managers’ meeting at Badby,1 but owing to an unfortunate mistake in the summons, didn’t. Wednesday 30 April 8 Chester Square Came up here to stay with Phoebe Otway and went straight to see dear Mrs. Joyce, who has returned safe and sound from her winter in Egypt. She pointed out to me that being President of the British Women’s Emigration Association and therefore known to be so intimately connected with emigration, if I went to Buenos Aires and organized reception etc, which I could hardly help doing, it would encourage girls to go there which is the very last thing we want: I was thinking of the English girls there and had not seen her point. But when she pointed it out I did see it, and so did Mrs. Townsend, with whom I 4. See entry, 11 Dec. 1894. 1. Robert Falcon Scott (1868–1912), Antarctic explorer, and his companions, Wilson and Bowers, reached the Pole on 17 Jan. 1912. They had died before the end of March 1912, but news of the disaster was not known until Feb. 1913 when the search party returned to New Zealand. 1. LMK was appointed by the Education Committee in place of the Revd. W.Scratton, the Parish Council representative. Badby Managers’ Minute Book, 1913–74, 14 March 1913, ML. 2316, NRO.

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went to luncheon. So, it is not to be. I am rather sorry, but I think it clear it is not meant for me to do. Tuesday 27 May Rockingham Castle Went over part of the house, the beautiful gallery full of fine things and some very good pictures. Luncheon followed at the Sondes Arms and then the Conference,1 which resolved itself into a very interesting discussion on the 3rd Central Rule, started by Mrs. FitzRoy and carried on in an admirable speech by Mrs. Armitage.2 I wound up with a few words on the Girls’ Friendly Society and the Empire and our Church site at Forward [Western Canada]. Wednesday 28 May Fawsley In the afternoon I took the chair at a Childrens’ Welfare Festival1 organized by the Northamptonshire Sunday School Union and the Band of Hope, and opened by Delia Spencer in a very neat little speech. It was rather a unique performance. First we had a procession of prize babies with their mothers, then a very pretty Maypole dance and the various exhibits round the hall were apparently most interesting, only there wasn’t time to see them. It was curious what a different set of people one met. Except for F. Thornton I knew none of them. On the way home did my first Badby School Mangers’ meeting, Tom Sanders in the chair, and a very good chairman he made. Thursday 29 May Fawsley 1

Greatly relieved to find Cox very much better. Breakfasted in bed. Katie Evans came down to luncheon and we went together to the SPG and Western Canada fund2 meeting at Staverton. A Mr. Sherrard spoke and well for SPG. The Western Canada man didn’t come so I had to fill in as best I could. 1. Summer Conference of Peterborough Diocesan Branch held at Rockingham Castle. 2. On The Moral Dangers to Girls’. AJA July 1913, p. 118. 1. A three-day event held at the Corn Exchange, Northampton. NM, 30 May 1913, p. 6. 1. Head gardener, Fawsley. 2. The Archbishop’s Western Canada Fund was established to raise money by subscription for the purchase of church sites on which to build churches and GFS hostels.

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Friday 30 May Fawsley Drove Gertrude Crawley to Daventry. She is certainly very pleasant and by no means commonplace. Told me interesting stories about her work in London and especially one of a man saved by the Salvation Army just as described in Broken Earthen Ware.1 The Spirit of God must be at work even through their queer ways. Monday 2 June 8 Chester Square Came to London, saw Dr. Luff for rheumatism. Dined with Captain Peel and Alice at the House of Commons, the other guest Mr. Tennant, Mrs. Asquith’s brother.1 After coffee on the terrace which was very pretty went up and listened to a debate on the Finance Bill, Mr. Snowden and another socialist moving to repeal the tea and sugar duties and Mr. Lloyd George making a speech full of sound sense.2 It was too funny. Tuesday 3 June 8 Chester Square In the afternoon to a sort of semi-private meeting of the Executive and the Ladies’ Grand Council of the Primrose League, convened by Miss Balfour at Lady Selborne’s, to consider the position of the Primrose League as regards women’s suffrage at the next election. Lady Selborne spoke extremely well, pointing out how important it is to unite the party, and urging us all to work for a referendum on the subject. The Antis, who profess to believe that the women of England are on their side, ought to accept this idea with alacrity, but they didn’t seem to see it, and we came to no conclusion.

I. A collection of moral accounts by Edward Harold Begbie (1871–1929), Broken Earthen Ware: A footnote in narrative to Prof. William James’ study in human nature. ‘The varieties in Religious Experience’ [Tales] (1909). 1. Harold John Tennant, Liberal M.P., Berwickwhire, 1894–1918, Under-Secretary of State for War, 1912–16. 2. Second reading of the Finance Bill. Hansard, 5, 53, Philip Snowden, cols. 718–25, Frank Walter Goldstone, cols. 726–8, 2 June 1913.

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Wednesday 4 June 8 Chester Square Took the chair for Sir C. Kinloch-Cooke1 at the County Committee at the House of Commons. Afterwards wandered about for some time in Westminster Abbey. I had not seen the statues of Gladstone and Disraeli. I like the former much the best. It has something of the fire of that wonderful man. The other commonplace. Meanwhile most extraordinary and sensational Derby ever known was run. A mad suffragette rushed out at Tattenham Corner, caught the reins of the King’s horse and pulled his jockey over. She is said to be dying, the jockey not much hurt.2 Then when Craganour was supposed to have won, the stewards said he had been unfairly ridden and gave the prize to the second horse Aboyeur, without his owner lodging an objection. It is altogether a most extraordinary story.3 Thursday 5 June 8 Chester Square Went in the morning to the Primrose League offices where Mr. Long’s picture1 was presented to Lady Doreen.2 Lord Middleton made a very good speech and certainly no one deserves more of the party than does Walter Long. I am glad too that the Primrose League has given up the absurdity of calling itself independent and has frankly identified itself with the Conservative party. Then to luncheon at the Berkeley restaurant with Elsie Goold-Adams3 and afterwards to the Standing Emigration Committee. Mrs. Joyce etc. appeared at the time for an important Committee re Joyce Hostel. Miss Cole dined with us and we talked much Girls’ Friendly Society and in the evening I went to a most entertaining concert at the McCormick Goodharts, where were Prince and Princess Alexander of Teck and Harry Lauder,4 whose extraordinarily clever nonsense kept us all in fits. He actually induced a smart London audience to join in the chorus of his songs. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. 1. Sir Clement Kinloch-Cooke, Conservative M.P., Devonport, 1910–22, Member, London County Council, 1907–10, Chairman, Central Emigration Board. 2. Emily Wilding Davison (1872–1913), died four days after colliding with the King’s horse, Anmer. 3. See The Times, 5 June, 1913, p. 8. 1. Painted by Cecil Jameson and commissioned by members of the Grand Council. PLG, 49, July 1913, p. 8. 2. Lady Dorothy, wife of Walter Long, Chancellor, Primrose League, 1912–13. 3. Wife of Sir Hamilton Goold-Adams. 4. Scottish music hall artist and comedian (1870–1950).

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Friday 6 June 8 Chester Square All the morning at the Executive of British Women. Mrs. Ross very tiresome. In the afternoon went down to Camberwell to open a Girls’ Friendly Society Industrial Exhibition at the request of Mrs. Johnson: Princess Maria Louise opened it yesterday. There were not many people but the work was beautiful and it was a thorough GFS audience. I spoke fairly well, on the GFS in the Empire. In the evening with Nora to Mrs. Inigo Jones’1 party at the Grafton Gallery, ‘Varieties’: very moderate entertainment but excellent company. It is quite a treat to go to a really good party and see pretty clothes and jewels, only one’s friends have got to look so old. Saturday 7 June 8 Chester Square To the Royal Academy1 which is remarkably bad, A Fallen Idol by Collier and two portraits by Riviere2 almost the only things I cared for. Saturday 21 June 101 Eaton Square A very remarkable day. I stayed quiet all the morning and at 4 o’clock went with Stratford Tollemache 1down to Victoria Station to join the procession (one of 17 of which the Girls’ Friendly Society Central Council under the GFS banner formed a part) which proceeded to Hyde Park to protest against the Disestablishment and Disendowment of the Welsh Church.2 Unfortunately the plans were altered and I only caught the banner up in the Park after a very fast race up Grosvenor Place. The platform we were at was presided over by Sir Arthur Boscawen,3 and the other speakers were the Bishop of Llandaff4 and a nonconformist minister, Bradley by name. But it was not the speeches but the vast mass of people and the banners and the singing of the Church’s One Foundation and the National Anthem and the feeling of reality about it all. 1. Elinor Margaret Charteris, second wife of Maj.-General Inigo Richmond Jones. 1. 145th. Annual Summer Exhibition, 5 May—6 Aug. 2. John Collier (1850–1934), portrait painter; Hugh Goldwin Riviere (1869–1956), portrait painter, who exhibited The Lord Bishop of Gloucester, and Robert Fellowes, Esq.

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Dined with the Gladstones. Talked afterwards with Mr. Blair Stewart about Lindertis and Sir Cam. There is a very nice notice of him in the Spedator5 written, I think, by Violet Jacob. Wednesday 2 July 15 Grosvenor Place Went with Doull to look for flats and found one I liked very much in St. James’s Court. I do hope I shall get it. In the afternoon Mrs. Hall lent me her car and I went to see the flowers at Holland House, and to Edie’s tea party.1 In the evening, Stratford Tollemache dined with me at the Ladies’ Empire Club and we went together to the Palace to hear Harry Lauder and see Madame Pavlova,2 and her troupe of Russian dancers. He really is an artist in his way; and as to her, I never saw anything like the careless joy, abandon and exquisite grace. It is really the exquisite triumph of dancing. She practises 3 or 4 hours every day. Thursday 3 July 15 Grosvenor Place Went to the Institute in the morning for a Matron’s Committee and a good deal of useful talk. Lunched with Phoebe to meet Miss Davis and discuss our Welsh tour, then to the Standing Emigration Committee and finally to a Conference of Mrs. Joyce’s about New Zealand, where there is a good deal going on. Tea with Mollie to meet some overseas folk and finally a pleasant little dinner here. Sat between Sir H.Maxwell Lyte1 and dear Sir David Gill. 1. Hon. Stratford Haliday Robert Louis, 9th. son of John, 1st. Baron Tollemache of Helmingham; his wife, Ethel Julia née Cavendish, was LMK’s great niece. 2. Over 100,000 people representing 900 parishes took part. The Times, 23 June 1913, pp. 9–10. 3. M.P., Dudley, 1910–21, County Councillor, London, 1907–10. 4. Rt. Revd. Joshua P. Hughes, Bishop since 1905. 5. For Sir Campbell Munro’s obituary, see Spectator, 21 June 1913, p. 1055. 1. 42 Pall Mall. 2. Anna Pavlova (1885–1931), Russian ballerina, who lived at Ivy House, Hampstead from 1912. 1. Deputy Keeper of the Public Records, 1886–1926.

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Thursday 14 August Fawsley To the Primrose fête at Daventry…I made a long and I think fairly good speech on Home Rule and Welsh Disestablishment.1 Monday 18 August Grosvenor Hotel, Chester After a desperate game of croquet with Susie and Charlotte, Bill and Beryl1 came to fetch me, and we motored to Gnosall and Knightley, the seat of the Knightley family.2 There did not seem to be anything at Knightley,3 where both the house (Knightley Grange, now belonging to the Hargreaves) and the Church are quite modern, but at Gnosall there is a very fine old church with a battered effigy of a knight in armour which may or may not be a Knightley. The vicar who is said to know a good deal was ill in bed. Came on here and met Phoebe in preparation for our motor tour. Tuesday 19 August Grosvenor Hotel, Chester Had luncheon at a most fascinating old place, Trevalyn,1 belonging to Mrs. GriffithBoscawen, who so kindly befriended me at the Demonstration on 21 June. It is a most curious house built circa 1567, two wings, with the centre left out, connected only by a covered passage, very picturesque and inconvenient.

1. Held at The Lodge, Daventry, residence of Mrs. Childs. NH, 15 Aug. 1913, p. 5. 1. William Lewthwaite, and his wife, Beryl Mary Stopford, née Hickman, Sir Charles Knightley’s niece. 2. P.W.L.Adams, ‘Gnosall Parish Register, 1572–1785’, Staffordshire Parish Registers Society, (1922). 3. Ibid., pp. ix–x. 1. Trevalyn Hall, near Wrexham, family home of Sir Arthur Griffith-Boscawen, M.P.

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Saturday 23 August Glyn Garth Palace, Menai Bridge Left charming Betws-y-coed with real regret and had perhaps the finest run of all our tour, by Capel Curig, through the magnificent run of Llanberis and by its lovely lake down to Carnarvon. The pass is just at the foot of Snowdon and is really very fine, great rocks with tiny white streams pouring down them, no trees. It was a beautiful day with cloud shadows chasing each other over the landscape. At Carnarvon we visited the Castle (where I was with my darling so many years ago. I dreamt so vividly of him last night) and I climbed to the top of the Eagle Tower where each embrasure framed in a fresh picture of the straits and Anglesey and of the river and the wooded bank beyond, and of the Snowdon range. It must have been a fine sight when the Prince of Wales was invested within those grey old walls. Monday 25 August Brynbella, St Asaph We stopped to see the famous Marble Church,1 built by the Dowager Lady Willoughby de Broke, née Miss Williams.2 The tall white spire is very beautiful and is a conspicuous object for miles round, and the interior very magnificent with its marble pillars etc. But somehow the place looked very cold and they say the church is quite a nuisance to the small village owing to the hordes of tourists who come to see it. Wednesday 27 August Fawsley Our delightful tour has come to an end. We motored 24 miles into Chester through Mold, the latter part very flat and uninteresting. Must have passed very near Hawarden1 but did not see it. Then rail to Rugby and home by motor, where we arrived safe and sound, very thankful to have been preserved from any accident, and for all the beauty we have seen. 1. St Margaret’s Church, built of local white limestone with a white spire modelled on that of King’s Sutton, Northamptonshire. See E.Hubbard, Clywd, (1986), pp. 324–5. 2. Margaret, daughter of Sir John Williams, 1st. Baron of Bodelwyddan, and wife of Henry Peto, 16th. Baron Willoughby de Broke. 1. Hawarden Castle, Flintshire, Gladstone’s Welsh residence.

Politics and society

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Tuesday 28 August Fawsley 1

The Archdeacon of Northampton came to luncheon and to see the church, bringing with him a very interesting Mr. Rushforth,2 a great antiquarian, who saw various things in the church, notably in the glass, which I had never made out. Saturday 6 September Fawsley Lord Henley and Gertrude and Edith Kennedy came to luncheon; it is delightful to see him quite himself again. Late in the af ternoon came a party of Americans, Mr. and Mrs. Kain from California and Mr. and Mrs. Ford, another sister and brother-in-law from New York. They were anxious to see the place as Mr. Kain is descended through the Chetwodes from Sir Valentine Knightley, the eldest son of Sir Richard by his first wife, Mary Fermor.1 They were delighted with it all, friendly, homely people, and I enjoyed showing it to them. Monday 8 September Fawsley A lovely day. Juliet took Molly and me to call on Colonel and Mrs. Ivo Talbot, who have taken Edgcote for a year. They seem nice people, I wish they might stay. Edgcote looked so pretty in the bright sunlight. 1. Rt. Revd William Holden Hutton, Archdeacon, 1911–19. 2. Gordon McNeil Rushforth, FSA, of Malvern Wells, Worcs. Lecturer in Classics, Oriel College, Oxford, and author of Medieval Christian Imagery as illustrated by windows of Great Malvern Priory Church (1936). 1. Sir Valentine Knightley died in 1618. His daughter, Anne, married Richard Chetwode.

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Wednesday 10 September Fawsley Went in my Duchess’s motor to meet her at Woodford Halse. It is a great pleasure to have her here again, and I think she likes coming. She told me a most extraordinary story: that before consenting to make the Peers, he (the King) sent Lord Knollys1 to ask Mr. Balfour if, in the event of him refusing, he (Mr. B.) would undertake to form a government. Lord Knollys brought back word ‘No’, having seen, not Mr. Balfour but his private secretary,2 and did not tell the King. His Majesty says he has been cheated once, but he won’t be again!3 Julia Cartwright Journal 1 Wednesday 5 November Went on to Eaton Terrace where I had a long talk with Georgie Gage. She is thankful her October visit (to Fawsley) happened just that week. Lady K. begged her not to desert her and stay for the Queen’s visit altho’ no one dreamt of her dying then. She had a patch on her lung. The Doctor said the chill was aggravated by the drive to Althorp where she fainted after luncheon, poor dear. She was quite in bed when the Queen came about 4 on Wednesday but was anxious to see her and give her a packet for the Duchess of Albany and the Queen only stayed a few minutes… The next day she seemed rather better and Georgie and Lady Gage went up Sharman Hill to see the Manoeuvres and sat on the grass just below the Queen on that brilliant morning, but that evening she was weaker…After Saturday she hardly spoke but just said ‘Goodnight’ on Tuesday evening to Lady Gage and smiled and kissed her hand to her father’s portrait, as if to say she was soon coming. She then became unconscious and died quite peacefully without any pain on Thursday [2 October]. 1. Francis, 1st. Viscount Knollys, joint private secretary to George V, 1910–13. 2. John S. Sandars (1869–1934), Balfour’s private secretary, 1892–1905. 3. In fact, Knollys had had a private meeting with Balfour, Esher and Archbishop Randall Davidson in April 1910 in an attempt to solve the constitutional crisis. Balfour, in a note drawn up after the meeting, decided ‘that he would be prepared to form a Government to prevent the King being put in the position contemplated by the demand for the creation of Peers’. Seven months later, in Nov. 1910, he had not shown or mentioned the document to the new King, George V. As a result, the King believed that he had to accept Asquith’s advice. See K.Rose, King George V (1983), pp. 122– 3. 1. Cartwright of Edgecote Papers, C.E. 396, NRO.

Politics and society

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INDEX

Abbott, Thomas, 78 Abercorn, James Hamilton, 2nd Duke of, 179, 201,202, 333 Maria, Duchess of, 144 Abercromby, Lady Julia Georgiana, 163, 209 Aberdare, Henry Austin Bruce, 1st Baron, 154 Henry Campbell Bruce, 2nd Baron, 355 Aberdeen, Ishbel, Countess of, 35, 202, 308 John Campbell Gordon, 7th Earl of, 333, 351 Abthorpe, Northants 80 Acland, Sir Arthur Herbert Dyke, 13th Bart, 223 Acton, John Emerich Edward Dalberg, 1st Baron, 235 Adams, Mary Bridges, 362 Adderley, Charles Bowyer, 1st Baron Norton, negotiations on 1884 Franchise Bill, 46; anecdote on politics, 68; Disraeli and the House of Lords, 294 Charles Leigh, 46 Frances Georgiana, 46 Henry Arden, 46 Adkins, Sir William Ryland Dent, pen picture of LMK, 10; and Sir Rainald, 19, 226; Northamptonshire Education Committee, 26, 364, 401, 404, 416, 418, 430; knighted, 495 Adstone, Northants, 101, 243 Ady, Julia, née Cartwright, undertakes edition of the Journals, vii; on Sir Rainald’s absence from Commons on crucial vote, 18; artistic aspira- tions, 273; with LMK at Bridgewater House collection, 324; with LMK at Ockham, 489 Agar-Ellis, James Charles, 3rd Earl of Normanton, 91 Leopold, 97 Agnew, Alexandra, 445 Akers-Douglas, Aretas, 1st Viscount Chilston, 95, 351 Albani, Emma, 61, 372 Albany, Helen, Duchess of, appoints LMK as Lady-in- Waiting, 31; attends Drawing Room, 54; invites LMK to Claremont, 92, 128-9, 345, 356, 423; and Windsor, 130, 144; and Buckingham Palace, 327-8; final visit to Fawsley, 411, 514-15; and also, 41, 209, 306, 503 Prince Leopold, Duke of, 2, 31, 35, 55 Albermarle Club, 112 Albermarle, George Thomas Keppel, 6th Earl of, 60 Albert Prince Consort, 1, 22, 490 Aldenham, Henry Hucks Gibbs, 1st Baron, 367 Alderson, Revd. Frederick Cecil, 193 Mary Catherine (Molly), 193, 266

Index

644

Alexander, William, Bishop, 220 Alexandra, Queen, 352, 367, 438 Alexandra Club, 20, 112, 186, 199, 228, 251, 278, 321, 364, 369 Alfonso XIII, King of Spain, 383, 400, 409 Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg, 327 Alison, Sir Archibald, 2nd Bart., 149 Allen, Charlotte, 66 Henry Seymour, 334 Allfrey, William Sheddon, 482 Alma-Tadema, Sir Lawrence, 113, 425 Althorp, Northants, 41, 128, 139, 183, 184, 186, 336- 7, 371, 491, 515 Amery, Leopold Charles, 448 Amherst, William Amhurst Tyssen, 1st Baron, 85 Amos, John, 66 Amundsen, Roald Engelbrecht Gravning, 507 Ancaster, Evelyn Elizabeth, Countess of, 347 Gilbert Heathcote-Drummond Willoughby de Eresby, 1st Earl of, 295 Angerstein, Jack, 433 Nina, 433 William, 85 Annaly, Luke White, 3rd Baron, 184 Arbury Hall, Warwickshire, 46, 134 Arbuthnot, Gerald, 502 Arch, Joseph, 103 Ardagh, Maj.-Gen. Sir John Charles, 334 Argyll, George Douglas, Campbell, 8th Duke of, encourages LMK to keep Journal, 28; House of Lords resolution on home rule, 130; his third marriage, 251; LMK reads his Autobiography, 415 John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, 9th Duke of, Marquess of Lorne, 83, 334, 464, 465 Louise Caroline, Princess, Duchess of, 93, 146 Aris, John, 81 Arkwright, John Hungerford, 453 Arundell, John, 12th Baron Wardour, 200 Ascham, Roger, 439 Ashbourne, Edward Gibson, 1st Baron, 234, 324 Ashburton, Lady Louisa, 368 Ashby St. Ledgers, Northants, 69 Ashcombe, Lady Laura, 346 Ashley, Prof. William James, 430 Asquith, Herbert Henry, election victory, 325; South African meeting, 339; on home rule, 462; conference on Lords veto, 471; Commons scene, 483; proposes bill on manhood suffrage, 489, 493 Association for the Advancement of Boarding Out of Pauper Children, 27–8 Astell, Elizabeth Maria, 333, 343 Richard John Vereker, 299 Astley Castle, Warwickshire, 266, 267 Astor, Nancy Witcher, Viscountess, 209 Atherton, William Churchill, 69

Index

645

Atholl, Louisa, Duchess of, 55 Atkinson, John, 180 Austen, Jane, 268 Aveland, Lady Evelyn Elizabeth, 50 Aylesford, Jane, Countess of, 242 Aynho, Northants, 7 Ayres, William Winckles, 78 Badby, Northants, 4, 23, 24, 66, 72, 80, 81, 84, 86,101, 107, 108, 118, 120, 121, 136, 139, 164, 187, 189, 191, 205, 206, 223, 225, 231, 238, 239, 242, 249, 256, 257, 259, 260, 264, 269, 271, 290, 302, 305, 330, 332, 350, 358, 359, 370, 373, 377, 379, 396, 401, 413, 414, 417, 418, 429, 439, 474, 482, 502, 504, 506, 508 Baden-Powell, Maj. Baden Fletcher Smyth, 437 Maj.-Gen. Robert Stephenson Smyth, 322, 394 Sir George Smyth, 95, 198 Baillie-Hamilton, Lady Ruth, 158 Balfour of Burleigh, Alexander Hugh Bruce, 6th Baron, whist with Sir Rainald, 129; resigns as Secretary of State for Scotland in Balfour’s government, 360; Lords speech on the, Budget, 457 Lady Katherine, 438 Balfour, Alice, 222 Arthur James, 1st Earl, speech in Commons, 57; on local taxation, 90; introduces Land Purchase Bill, 151; banquet to, 201; on bimetallism, 224; intro- duces 1897 Education Bill, 277; Prime Minister, 344; character, 354; and Chamberlain, 359; resigns, 397; returned as M.P., 403; conference on Lords’ veto, 471; on the creation of peers, 483, 514; resigns as M.P., 489; and also, 174, 199, 236- 7, 252, 357, 401, 484 Lady Betty, 18, 456, 459 Eustace, 479 Lady Frances, suffrage work, 17, 222, 339, 422, 423, 441, 451, 495; campaigns for Local Government Bill, 307; Freedom of Labour Defence meetings, 333, 408; Travellers’ Aid Society, 467; and also, 323, 401, 459 Gerald William, 408, 479 Ball, Sir Robert Stawell, 429 Baring, Evelyn, 1st Earl of Cromer, 198 Barnaby, Bernard Edward, 2nd Baron of Castletown, 64 Barne, Lady Constance, 198 Edith, 69, 371 Frederick, 185 Frederick St. John, 85

Index

646

Mary Emily, 198 Miles, 433 Philip, 42, 195, 261, 438 Violet, 433 Barnett, Henrietta Octavia, 272, 455 Barran, Rowland Hirst, 355 Barron, Oswald, 329, 358 Barry, James, 135 Bartholomew, Charles W., 78 Bartlett, William Lehmann, 50 Bartley, Sir George Christopher Trout, 440 Barton, Dunbar Plunket, 219 Barttelot, Maj. Edmund Musgrave, 165, 192 Sir Walter, 1st Bart, 62 Bashkirtseff, Marie, 152, 291 Bathurst, Lady Lilias Margaret, 476 Battenberg, Beatrice Mary, Princess of, 289 Battersea, Cyril Flower, 1st Baron, 245 Lady Constance, 356 Bayreuth, Bavaria, 311-13 Beach, Sir Michael Hicks, 9th Bart, 1st Viscount St. Aldwyn, in the Commons, 54; on the Redistribu- tion Bill, 59; moves Budget resolution, 63; Delagoa Bay convention, 323; resigns, 344; attitude to tariff reform, 354; South African Railway Mission, 435 Beaconsfield see Disraeli Beira, Mozambique, 393—4 Beale, Dorothea, 361 Beauchamp, William Lygon, 7th Earl, 356 Beaumont, Wentworth Blackett, 1st Baron Allendale, 118 Becker, Lydia Ernestine, 446 Beckett-Denison, Christopher, 56 Bedford, Adeline, Duchess of, 202, 341 Beers, Frank, 169 Beit, Sir Alfred, 379, 384, 474 Bellew, Kyrle, 304 Benson, Arthur Christopher, 28 Edward White, Archbishop of Canterbury, 138, 166, 195 Francis Robert (Frank), 304, 370 Godfrey, 473 Bentinck, George William Pierrepoint, 139 Beresford, Lord Charles, 47 Lord Marcus, 330 Bernhardt, Sarah, 21, 204 Besant, Annie, 160 Bethell, Lionel Beresford, Mrs, 301 Bettison, Revd. William George Clement, 444 Bickersteth, Edward Henry, Bishop, 300 Biddulph, Lady Elizabeth, 287 Sir Robert, 288

Index

647

Lady Wilfreda, 315 Biegeleben, Baron, 112 Bigge, Sir Arthur, 350, 424-5 Birch, Sir Arthur, 42 Birrell, Augustine, 406, 471, 488 Bischoffsheim, Clarissa, on Northamptonshire politics, 95; proposes Primrose League reforms, 274, 278; Primrose League activities, 383, 464; South African emigration, 332; Freedom of Labour Defence, 479 Henry Louis, 64 Bismarck, Prince Otto von, violent speech against England, 49; threatens dissolution, 108; account of audience with the Pope, 148; resignation, 158; on the death of Frederick III, 339; death, 295 Black, Clementina, 128 Blackburne, Ireland, G. M, 293, 369 Blacklock, William, 211 Blackwood, Frederick Temple Hamilton-Temple, 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, 118, 224 Hariot Georgina, Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava, 185, 455 Maj. Price Frederick, 163 Blaine, James Gillespie, 181 Blake, Sir Ernest, 106 Sir Henry Arthur, 137 Blakesley, Northants, 78, 81, 99, 104 Blencowe, Revd. Charles Edward, 381 Blennerhassett, Sir Rowland, 4th Bart, 149 Blériot, Louis, 452 Blisworth, Northants, 7, 25, 82, 206, 432, 494 Blowitz, Henri Georges, 270 Blythswood, Archibald, 1st Baron, 367 Boddington, Northants, 100 Bodley, Robert, 191 Boehm, Sir Joseph, 130 Bolton, John, 52 William Thomas, 4th Baron, 452 Bondfield, Margaret, 426 Boord, Margaret, 195 Thomas William, 195 Booth, Charles, 283 Lydia A., 9 Borthwick, Lady Alice Beatrice, 58, 82, 83, 94, 103 Algernon, 1st Baron Glenesk, early member of the Primrose League, 11; presides at Grand Habitation (1888), 125; speech at 1891 meeting, 173; Chancellor of the League, 321; Salisbury refuses Borthwick a peerage, 476 Botha, Gen. Louis, 426, 428 Bottomley, William, 79 Boucherett, Emilia Jessie, converts LMK to cause of women’s suffrage, 15;

Index

648

attitude to women’s suffrage, 143, 301; Stillingborough ghost story, 281; encourages LMK in SPEW activities, 297; death, 395; and also, 37, 325, 326 Louisa, 15, 157 Boughton, Leonard, 101 Boulnois, H.Percy, Mrs, 443, 445, 463, 469 Bourke, Lady Florence, 460, 461 Bowater, Lady Emilia, 1, 189, 193, 208 Gen. Sir Edward, 1, 2, 3, 490, 515 Bowen, Sir George Ferguson, 118 Bowlby, Mary, 369 Bowles, Henry Ferryman, 140 Thomas Gibson, 96 Boyce, Rupert William, 318 Boyle, Eleanor Margaret, 431 Boys, Prof. Charles Vernon, 386 Brabrook, Sir Edward, 418 Brackenbury, Sir Henry, 165 Brackley, Northants, 4, 8, 27, 42, 67, 82, 87, 100, 101, 105, 238, 301, 374-5, 456 Bradlaugh, Charles, 9, 169 Braunston, Northants, 240 Brassey, Lady Sybil de Vere, 333, 410, 436 Thomas, 1st Earl, 245, 333, 434, 436 Bridge, Vice-Admiral Sir Cyprian, 324 Briggs, Edwin Francis Ashworth, 68, 136 Bright, Edith, 487 John, 94, 100, 140, 145 John Albert, 140 Bristol, Alice Frances, Marchioness of, 474 Lady Geraldine Georgiana, 98 British Association for the Advancement of Science, 389-90, 403, 429-30 British Women’s Emigration Association (BWEA), 31-3, 34, 35, 331, 341, 356, 434, 438, 460, 471, 480 Brittain, Revd. Arthur Henry, 451 Brodie-Hall, Wilhelmina, 142 Bromley, John Henry, 79 Bromwich, William, 67 Brooke, Lord Charles Greville, 106 Brown, Revd. Harold Pearce, 416 Browne, Annabella M., 362 Browning, Robert 96 Bruce, Lady Frederick, 418 Brudenell-Bruce, Charles, 71 Lady Augusta, 71 Brunner, Sir John Tomlinson, 1st Bart, 118 Buccleuch, Louisa Jane, Duchess of, 178 Walter Francis Scott, 5th Duke of, 50, 319 Buchanan, Sir John, 356, 388 Buckle, George Earle, 113, 342 Bullard, Harry, 91

Index

649

Buller, Georgiana Anne, 404 Gen. Sir Redvers, 48, 316, 392 Bulwer, Sir William Henry Lytton Earle, 404, 424 Burchell, William John, 300 Burdett-Coutts, Angela Georgina, Baroness, conversa- tion with LMK, 50; meets H.M.Stanley at her house, 155; and Baden-Powell, 323 William Ashmead Bartlett-, 126 Burghclere, Herbert Gardner, 1st Baron, 427 Burghley, Henry Brownlow Cecil, Baron, 71 Burke, Edmund, 399 Burley-on-the-Hill, Rutland, 73 Burne, Sir Owen Tudor, 65, 323 Burne-Jones, Sir Edward, 300, 405 Burnham, William H., 76 Burns, John, 427, 433, 443 Burton, Edward Charles, 56 Lady Isabel, 189, 190, 282 Michael Arthur Bass, 1st Baron, 224 Bury, Canon William, 184 Busk, Alice, 309 Buszard, Dr. Frank, 238 Butlin, George A., 68 Butt, Clara Ellen, 452 Buxton, Francis, 394 Mildred, 424 Sir Robert, 3rd Bart, 73 Sydney Charles, 506 Sir Thomas Fowell, 3rd Bart, 160 Byfield, Northants, 72, 79, 81, 99, 100, 119, 184, 187, 360, 434 Byng, Col Henry, 129 Lady Winifred Anne, 138 Byrne, Selina, 193 Byron, George Gordon, 6th Baron, 282, 426 Cadogan, George Henry, 5th Earl, 161 Calder, Fanny L, 182, 272 Cambridge, George William Frederick Charles, 2nd. Duke of, 149, 180 Mary Adelaide, Princess of, 61 Cameron, Agnes Dean, 463 Campbell, Lady Augusta, 129 Archibald 1st Baron Blythswood, 129 Campbell-Bannerman, Sir Henry, proposed for Speak-ership (1895), 247; motion to reduce salary, defeat of government, 252; attacked by Chamberlain on Boer War policy, 316; Rosebery dissociates himself from, 339; becomes Prime Minister, 397; receives petition for removal of electoral disabil- ities (1907), 37 Cambo, Northumberland, 282-3, 375, 498 Camperdown, Robert, 3rd Earl, 367 Campion, Hon. Gertrude, 233 Canning, Frederick, 69

Index

650

Canons Ashby, Northants, 121, 163, 177, 211, 225, 226, 381 Cape Town, South Africa, 387-90 Cardigan and Lancastre, Countess Adeline Louise Maria, 458 Carlingford, Chichester Samuel Parkinson Fortescue, 1st Baron, 127 Carmichael, Sir James Morse, opposes Sir Rainald at 1886 general election, 12, 97, 98, 100; defeated, 102 Carlos I, King of Portugal, 394 Carnarvon, Almina Victoria, Countess of, 354 Henry Howard Molyneux Herbert, 4th Earl of, appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, 64; resigns, 87-8; on Local Government Bill, 126 Cartwright, Aubrey Thomas, 136 Beatrice, political news, 194, 359, 473; Primrose League work, 119, 234, 360, 408, 440, 472, 482, 484, 496; elected Woman Guardian, 27, 410; canvassing in 1905 election, 383, 396; GFS work, 429; opposes Welsh Disestablishment, 493; attends suffrage meeting, 500 Harriet, 128, 161, 265, 279, 280 Col. Henry, 7, 73 Marion, 205 Thomas Barclay, 87 Thomas Leslie Melville, on South Northampton- shire election, (1886), 95-6, 98; replaces Sir Rainald as candidate for South Northampton- shire (1892), 197, 201; election speeches, 204, 205; defeated by David Guthrie, 206; declines to stand again, 210 William Cornwallis, 103 Carysfort, Lady Charlotte, 130, 195, 249, 292, 481 William Proby, 4th Earl of, 130, 249, 292 Castle Ashby, Northants, 444 Castlereagh, Lady Edith, 449 Castlerosse, Valentine Edward, Viscount, 491 Catt, Chapman, Carrie, 481 Lady Emma, 336 Cavendish, Ethel, 425 Lord Frederick, 156 Henry, 60 Lady Lucy, joins National Union of Women Workers, 36; scheme for laundry home for morally deficient, 156; opposes women suffrage, 193—4; account of visit to South Africa, 265; with LMK to Prom concert, 347-8 Cavendish-Bentinck, Prudence, 63 Cawdor, Frederick Archibald Vaughan Campbell, 3rd Earl of, 381, 471 Cecil, Arthur (Blunt), 155 Lord Eustace, 140, 253, 412 Evelyn, 140, 333, 426 Lady Gwendolen, 114, 237, 278, 316, 344 Lord Hugh Richard Heathcote, 407, 459, 492 Lady Mary, 235

Index

651

Lord Robert, 285, 446, 456, 457, 481, 484, 500 Chacombe Priory, Northants, 237, 482 Chadwick, Revd. William Edward, 410 Chamberlain, Joseph, on renewal of the Coercion Bill, 56, 78, 232; on rural reform, 74; on Disestablish- ment, 78, 232; resigns from Cabinet, 90; votes against Home Rule Bill, 94,224; attitude to Crimes Bill, 115; Local Government Bill, 125; licensing clauses, 161; speech on Transvaal, 264; to British Women’s Emigration Association, 32; on free trade, 354, 357, 359, 360, 364; colonial policy, 357, 373; LMK’s views on, 471; and also 96, 100, 252, 316 Mary, 127 Sir Joseph Austen, 471 Chance, Alexander Macomb, 232 Sir William, 418 Channing, Sir Francis Allston, 154, 195 Chaplin, Henry, 58, 303, 400, 49 Chapman, Cecil, 448, 481 Charley, Sir William, 172 Charteris, Lady Margaret, 469 Charwelton, Northants, 4, 9, 12, 23, 52, 72, 100, 120, 150, 188, 206, 216, 228, 230, 242, 244, 247, 248, 258, 259, 261, 271, 301, 360, 371, 413, 474 Chase, Samuel, 181 Checkley, Silas, 52 Chelmsford, Frederick John Napier, 1st Viscount, 480 Chetwynd, Sir George, 65 Childe-Pemberton, William Shakespear, 148 Childers, Hugh Culling Eardley, 58, 81 Katharine Ann, 157 Chilston see Akers-Douglas Chipping Warden, Northants, 101, 359 Cholmeley, Aline Marie, 439 Christian, Princess, wife of the Prince of Schleswig- Holstein, 31, 61, 111, 177, 336, 352, 353, 409, 424, 428, 437, 449, 450, 456, 492, 504 Churchill, Lady Edward, 399 Lord Edward, 336 Revd. Frank, 230 Lord Randolph, one of founders of the Primrose League, 10; meets Sir Rainald, 53; supports Maamtrasna inquiry, 65, 69; Chancellor of the Exchequer and Leader of the House of Commons, 103, 105; resigns, 107, 110; to Mrs. Jeune’s, 11; Primrose League manoeuvring, 145; breakdown, 327; LMK reading Life of, 405

Index

652

Winston Spencer, publishes life of his father, 405; attitude to suffragettes, 454; on Mormons in Northamptonshire, 472 Chute, Eleanor Chaloner, 322, 327, 467 Clancarty, William Frederick Trench, 5th Earl of, 178 Clanwilliam, Richard James Meade, 4th Earl of, 140 Claremont, Surrey, 128, 129, 144, 277, 278, 423 Clarence, Albert Victor, Duke of, 119, 156 Clarendon, Caroline Elizabeth, Countess of, 91 Clark, Sir Andrew, 285 Sir Edward, 68, 241 Clarke, Sir Andrew, 285 Col. Richard Trevor, 80 Cleghom, Isabel, 430 Clerk, Mabel, 97 Clifden, Henry, 4th Viscount, 97 Clifford, Mary, 326, 362 Clifton, Lady Eleanor, 120 Close, Henry Vere, 49 Cobb, Henry, 154 Cobbett, William, 115 Cochrane, Arthur H. D., 335 Colchester, Reginald Charles Edward Abbott, 3rd Baron, 410 Cold Higham, Northants, 101 Coleridge, John Duke, 1st Baron, 148 Collings, Jesse, 18, 88, 89 Collins, Sir Robert Hawthorn, 158 Collyns, Revd. John Martin, 261 Colville, Lady Cecile Katherine, 322 Charles John, 1st Viscount of Culross, 322 Brevet-Col. William James, 198 Connaught, Prince Arthur, Duke of, 162 Princess Louise, Duchess of, 162 Conservative and Unionist Women’s Franchise Association (CUWFA), 17-18, 443, 445, 446, 448, 451, 456, 457, 462, 463, 507 Conybeare, Charles Augustus Vansittart, 131 Conyers, Lady Mary, 189 Cooke, J.E., 201 Coote, Maj. Eyre, 325 Corbett, Archibald Cameron, 426 Cork, Lady Emily Charlotte, 106 Cornewall, Sir Geoffrey Henry, 6th Bart, 467 Corti, Count Lodovico, 110 Cottenham, Theodosia Selina, Countess of, 178, 476 Cottrell-Dormer, Florence, 293 Courteenhall, Northants, 479 Courtney, Catherine, 222, 310 Leonard Henry, 1st Baron, 158, 247 Covington, Frederick, 119 Cowper, Francis de Grey, 7th Earl, 185 Cox, Ephraim, 66 Revd. John Charles, 305

Index

653

Craig, Charles, Mrs, 479 Craigie, Pearl Mary (John Oliver Hobbes), 293 Cranborne, James Edward, Viscount, 315 Cranbrook see Gathome-Hardy Crauford, Sir Charles William, 4th Bart, 383 Craven, John, Mrs, 72 Crawley, Gertrude, 509 Revd. Henry, 100 Revd. William Parry, 152 Creighton, Louisa, National Union of Women Workers’ activities, 271-2, 362, 376, 415-16, 455, 456, 468, 488; LMK’s opinion of, 183 Mandell, Bishop, 36, 182, 379 Crewe, Robert Offley Ashburton, 1st Marquess, 488 Cripps, Charles Alfred, 407 Crofton, Edward Henry Churchill, 3rd Baron, 319 Cross, John Walter, 506 Richard Assheton, 1st Viscount, Home Secretary, 58; speech on second reading, Criminal Law (Amend- ment) Bill, 63; denounces attack by The Times on Salisbury, 292; speech at the Working Ladies’ Guild, 355 Crossley, Ada, 453 Cruickshank, Dr. Mary, 446 Culme-Seymour, Lady Mary Georgiana, 351 Sir Michael, 3rd Bart, 351 Culworth, Northants, 99, 100 Cunningham, Revd. Dr. William, 386, 387, 389 Cure, Edward Capel, 146 Curgenven, Beatrice, 210 Curzon, George Nathaniel, Marquess, rumour that intended to crown himself at Durbar, 355; on Milner censure motion, 409; LMK meets Curzon, 452; speech on Finance Bill, 458 Cust, Henry, 220 Lionel Henry, 450 DallasYorke, Frances, 469 Dalrymple, John James, Viscount, 401 Lady Violet Evelyn, 283 Darcy De Knayth, Violet, Baroness, 460 Darnell, A.J. (Pat), 99 Dartmouth, Augusta, Countess of, 314 William Heneage Legge, 6th Earl of, 178 Darwin, Prof. Sir George Howard, presidential address to British Association at Cape Town, 389; Beira speech, 394; SACS meeting, 403 Lady Maud, 468 Dashwood, Sir George John Egerton, 6th Bart, 472 Daventry, Northants, 4, 8, 9, 11, 15, 27, 41, 42, 52, 53, 67, 69, 70-1, 72, 73, 78, 79, 81, 88, 99, 101, 123, 124, 136, 137, 151, 184, 185, 204-5,206,212,218, 229, 235, 239, 240, 243, 245, 246, 259, 279,

Index

654

290, 315, 348, 353, 368, 374, 378, 379, 381, 397, 404, 412, 427, 440, 444, 454, 457, 472, 495, 509, 512 Davidson, Randall Thomas, Archbishop of Canterbury, Lords speech on Union of Benefices Bill, 294; performs wedding ceremony of Princess Alice of Albany to Prince Alexander of Teck, 367; attacks 1906 Education Bill, 417; chairs meeting against Welsh Disestablishment, 492 Davies, Emily, 436, 481 Davitt, Michael, 154 De Brome, Elizabeth, 194 De Grey, Hon. John, 239 De Pew, Chauncy, 149 De Vere, Ursula, 213 Henry, Baron Pirbright, 156 De Worms, Sarah, Baroness Pirbright, 156 Deakin, Alfred, 427 Dean, William, 78 Deanshanger, Northants, 25 Dearmer, Revd. Percy, 455 Deramore, George William, 2nd Baron, 99 Desart, Margaret Joan, Countess of, 455 Devonshire see Hartington Dibdin, Sir Lewis Tonna, 315 Dicey, Edward James Stephen, 138 Dickinson, Lowes Cato, 266 William Hyett, 426 Dilke, Sir Charles Wentworth, 2nd Bart, opposes renewal of Coercion Bill, 56; influenced Gladstone in Egyptian policy, 60; marries, 79; Crawford-Dilke case, 103 Lady Emilia, 160 Dillon, John, 113, 181 Maj.-Gen. Sir Martin, 127 Revd. William, 499 Disney, Revd. William Henry, 128 Disraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, offers Sir Rainald Under-Secretaryship of State for Colonies, 2; origins of Primrose League, 10, 172; Commons exchange with Gladstone, 265; anecdote on House of Lords, 294; attitude to women’s suffrage, 446; as Party leader, 498; and also, 106, 283, 358 Dockerell, Maurice, Mrs, 309 Doddridge, Revd. Sidney Edwin, 453 Dodford, Northants, 67, 99, 169 Döllinger, Johann Joseph Ignaz von, 235 Dolmetsch, Arnold, 237 Doubleday, Herbert Arthur, 329, 336 Douglas, Ellen Louisa, 502, 504 Prof. Sir Richard Kennaway, 356 Samuel, 502, 504

Index

655

Douglas-Pennant, George Sholto, 2nd Baron Penrhyn, 169 Drayton House, Northants, 72 Dreyfus, Capt. Alfred, 288, 313 Drumlanrig, Francis Archibald, Viscount and Baron Kelhead, 225 Drummond, Louise Olive, 499 Dryden, Sir Alfred, 5th and 8th Bart, 381, 495 Alice, Mrs Marcon, 134, 140, 141 Sir Arthur, 6th and 9th Bart, 495, 504 Lady Frances, 71 Sir Henry, 4th and 7th Bart, participates in 1885 election campaign, 68, 77, 78; character sketch in Ryland Adkins’ Our County, 226; death, 310; and also, 121, 213, 259 Ducie, Julia, Countess of, 446 Dudley, Georgina Elizabeth, Countess of, 350 Rachel, Countess of, 409 William, 1st Earl of, 330 William Humble Ward, 2nd Earl of, 380 Dufferin and Ava see Blackwood Dugdale, John, 191 Lady Eva, 345 Duncombe, Arthur, 236 Dundas, Alice Louisa, 157 Maj. Robert, 327 Dunraven, Windham Thomas Wyndham Quinn, 4th Earl of, 129 Durban, South Africa, 391 Durham, Revd. Arthur William, 172 Dyke, Sir William Hart, 7th Bart, 158, 400 Eagleton, Katherine, 70, 471, 479 Eaton, Col. Henry William, 63 Eckstein, Caroline, 402 Ecton, Northants, 334 Edgcote, Northants, 132 Edwards, Alfred George, Bishop, 437 Edward VII, at Homburg, 22, 149, 225; plans for residency in Ireland, 64; whist at Elveden, 84-5; Tranby Croft baccarat scandal, 171; House of Lords, 219; attitude to Court convention, 330- 1, 334; Coronation, 346-7; LMK at Court, 352; wedding of Princess Alice of Albany to Prince Alexander of Teck, 367; illness, 465; death, 465, 477; and also 155, 179, 444 Egerton, Wilbraham, 1st Earl of Tatton, 407, 421 Eglinton, Archibald Montgomerie, 13th Earl of, 287 Eichhorn, Gen. Hermann von, 488, 490 Elgar, Sir Edward, 414, 453

Index

656

Elgin, Victor Alexander Bruce, 9th Earl of, 424 Eliot, Sir Charles Norton Edgcumbe, 431 George (Mary Ann Cross), 266 Elizabeth I, Queen, 414, 453 Ellesmere, Mary Louisa, Countess of, 324 Ellis, Revd. William, 70 Ellison, Douglas, 349 Elphinstone, Sir Howard Crawfurd, 55 Elton Hall, Cambridgeshire, 22, 51, 140, 249, 250, 350, 374, 502 Ely, Jane, Marchioness of, 163 Emery, James and Robert, 76 Winifred, 196 Ena see Victoria Eugenie Ernest, Duke of Coburg, 327, 378 Errington, Sir George, 126 Erskine, David Charles, 419 Lady Horatia Elizabeth, 277 Essex, Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of, 453 Euston Hall, Suffolk, 106, 119, 452 Evans, Katie, 371 Revd. Thomas Howel, 453 Everdon, Northants, 23, 27, 122, 134, 150, 151, 184, 191, 230, 242, 243, 256 Exeter, William Alleyne Cecil, 3rd Marquess of, 255 Eydon, Northants, 48, 201 Eykyn, Roger, 73 Eyre, Col. Henry, 177, 295 John, 302 Eyton, Revd. Robert, 285 Falmouth, Lady Kathleen, 363 Farrar, Sir George Herbert, 1st Bart, 486 Farrer see Herschell Frederick, 310 Farthingstone, Northants, 73, 150, 205 Fawcett, Henry, 217, 423 Millicent Garrett, forms National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies, 17; active in National Union of Women Workers, 36, 415; persuades LMK to sign petition on suffrage, 37, 422; addresses suffrage meetings at Northampton and Oundle, 217, 493; London, 309, 449; High Wycombe, 435; addresses South African Expansion Association, 339 Feilding, Lady Mary, 60 Lt.-Gen. Percy Robert, 5, 198 Fenwick, Jane Lutwidge, 47 Ferguson, Sir James, 2nd Bart, 64 Fiennes, Cecilia, 229 Fincastle, Alexander Edward Murray, 289 Finch, Edith, 50 George Henry, 429 Firle Place, Sussex, 2, 221, 92, 153, 166, 191, 192, 200, 201, 216, 233, 241, 275-6, 336, 488 Fisher, Admiral Sir Frederick, 498 William Hayes, 224

Index

657

FitzGerald, Sir Maurice, 2nd Bart, stands against Sir Rainald in South Northamptonshire election (1885), 8, 49; begins campaign, 75, 78; defeated, 82; replaced at 1886 election, 98 Robert Penrose, 232 FitzMaurice, Lord Edmond George Petty-, 319, 405 FitzRoy, Alfred William, 100 Augustus Charles, 7th. Duke of Grafton, 58, 169, 370, 472 Edward Algernon, South Northamptonshire election victory (Jan. 1910), 462; Commons question to Winston Churchill, 472; returned (Dec.1910), 474; speech at Primrose League fête, 496 Lord Frederick, 7, 103 Henry James, Lord Euston, 58 Lilian Rose, 377, 452 Maria Louisa Ann, Dowager Duchess of, 287 Muriel, 345 Foley, Henry John Hodgetts, 63 Foljambe, Francis John, 62 Lady Gertrude Acheson, 62 Fonthill, Wiltshire, 411 Forster, Jesse, 56 Thompson, 56 William Edward, 58 Fortescue, Hugh, 3rd Earl, 194 Foster, Myles Birket, 266 William Henry, 156 Fowler, Henry Hartley, 1st Viscount Wolverhampton, 63, 89 Sir John, 95 Sir Robert, 61 Fox-Pitt, Alexander Edward Lane, 356 Franklin, Netta, 441 Fraser, William, 50 Frederick III, Emperor of Germany, 176, 339 Frederick, Empress of Germany, 225 Freedom of Labour Defence (FLD), 39, 322, 323, 386, 401, 406, 408, 437 Fremantle, Henry Eardley Stephen, 389 Lady Selina Mary, 208 Lady Sophia, 151, 197, 229 Frere, Sir Henry Bartle Edward, 1st Bart, character, 323; LMK conversation with, 404; and Imperialism, 431 Froude, James Anthony, 137 Fuller, Sara, 362 Gage, Georgiana Elizabeth (Georgie), 97, 199, 309, 402, 407, 417, 426, 438, 457, 473, 483, 515 Lady Henrietta Mary, 269 Henry Charles, 5th Viscount, 42, 49, 263, 494 Henry Rainald, 6th Viscount, 42 Sir John, 269

Index

658

Leila, Viscountess, 254, 275, 349, 515 Moreton Foley, 296 Sophia Selina, 21, 59, 85, 263 Lt.-Gen.Thomas, 192 Galsworthy, John, 505 Galton, Sir Francis, 356 Garnett, Elizabeth, 272 Garratt, Thomas, 46 Garrett, Rhoda, 246 Garrod, Sir Alfred Baring, 250, 256 Garvin, James Louis, 436 Gascoigne, Helen, 186 Gathorne-Hardy,Gathorne, 1st Earl of Cranbrook, 83, 147 Gaul, William Thomas, Bishop, 435 Gell, Edith Mary, 331 George V, succeeds to the throne, 465–6; character description, 477; Coronation, 481; favours disso- lution, 406; attitude towards Balfour, 514 Gibbs, Edith Caroline, 367 Hon. Vicary, 224 Gibson see Ashbourne Giffard, Hardinge Stanley, 1st Earl of Halsbury, out of office, 254; opposed to admission of women to municipal councils, 308; Lord Chancellor, 337; leads opposition to Parliament Bill, 483, 485 Wilhelmina, Countess of, 58 Gilbert, Sir William Schwenck, 224 Gilbertson, Revd. Lewis, 69 Gill, Sir David, 338, 419, 429, 512 Girls’ Friendly Society (GFS), 4-5, 6, 31, 33, 34, 42, 54, 63, 73, 74, 77, 114, 128, 190, 202, 215, 221, 233, 240, 243, 267, 268, 279, 284, 293, 294, 303, 307, 322, 327, 332, 344, 348, 355, 369, 371, 372, 380, 408, 417, 419, 424, 425, 429, 466, 467, 481, 508, 510, 511 Gittins, Catherine, 441 Gladstone, Herbert John, Viscount, 427 Mary, née Gage, 411, 460 William Ewart, on 1884 Franchise Bill, 46; ignorance of foreign policy, 49; family pedigree, 50; on Local Taxation, 54; anecdote, 55; Sudan campaign, 60, 440; Sir Rainald on Gladstone, 72; rumours of negotiations with Parnell, 84; Home Rule Bill, 88, 90, 91, 92, 92, 94, 95, 96, 354; 1886 election, 101; tea with, 104; attends wedding of Princess Louise and Lord Fife, 146; Parnell and Gladstone, 167; Religious Disabilities Bill, 170; Althorp meeting, 186;

Index

659

Acton on, 235; attitude to Armenian atroci- ties, 270; Delagoa Bay convention, 323; return of Royal letters, 491; death, 291 Glasier, Katherine, 416 Glenesk, see Borthwick Glyn, Edward Carr, Bishop, accident, 340; officiates at marriage of Princess Alice of Albany and Prince Alexander of Teck, 367; at Fawsley, 497 Lady Georgiana Maria, 104 Lady Mary, 340, 497 Ralph George Campbell, 487 Goblet, René, 107 Goldman, Sydney, Mrs, 417 Goldsmid, Lady Virginia, 143 Goodman, James, 69 Goold-Adams, Sir Hamilton, 417 Gordon, Maj.-Gen. Charles George, 46, 147, 440 Lady Francis, 79 Gordon-Cumming, Sir William, 171 Gore, Canon Charles, 178 Gore-Browne, Dorothea, 341 Gorst, Sir John Eldon, 65, 268, 294, 327 Gort, Eleanor, Viscountess, 332 Goschen, George Joachim, 1st Viscount, Egyptian policy, 51; joins Salisbury ministry, 108; speech on local government, 125; Birmingham speech, 134; Budget, 152, 203; Northampton speech, 155-6; bimetallism policy, 194 Gotch, John Alfred, 357 Gould, Francis Carruthers, 357 Grafton see FitzRoy Graham, James, Marquess of, 427 Graham-Montgomery, Evelyn Henrietta, 161 Grain, Richard Corney, 306 Grant Duff, Sir Mountstuart Elphinstone, diaries of, 28; LMK introduced to, 142; on admission of women to Royal Geographical Society, 223; on Lord Spencer in India, 306; Bismarck on death of Frederick III of Germany, 339 Grant, Edward, 69 Hon. Victoria, 289 Grantham, William, 63 Granville, Castalia Rosalind, Countess, 334 Francis Charles, 3rd Earl of Ellesmere, 87 Graves, Henry Cyril Percy, 5th Baron, 404 Gray, Almyra, 441 Green, Alice Stopford, 371 Greenacre, Sir Benjamin Wesley, 391

Index

660

Green Park Club, 20, 21 Green’s Norton, Northants, 100 Greenwood, Frederick, 59 Gregory, Sir William, 96 Grenfell, William Henry, Baron Desborough, 224 Greville, Algernon William, 2nd Baron, 51 Grey, Sir Edward, 3rd Bart, 380, 480, 506 Admiral George, 66 William Edward, 419 Grey-Egerton, Lady Henrietta, 45 Griffith-Boscawen, Edith, 415, 512 Sir Arthur Sackville, 511 Grimston, Revd. Hon. Robert, 260 Gripenberg, Alexandra, Baroness, 308 Grossmith, George, 306 Weedon, 155 Grove, Honor, 454 Thomas, 339 Gulbranson, Ellen, 313 Gully, Elizabeth Anne, 296, 480, 506 William Court, 249, 337 Gunning, Sir George William, 78 Gunther, Dr. Theodore, 189 Gurdon, Sir William Brampton, 73 Gurney, Caroline, 72 Mary Emma, 188 Guthrie, David Charles, 124, 206 Gwynne, Rupert Sackville, 462 Haddington, George Baillie Hamilton, 11th Earl of, 356 Haggard, Henry Rider, 34, 126, 335, 381, 500 Haldane, Elizabeth Sanderson, 441 John Scott, 422 Richard Burdon, 1st Viscount, 402, 419 Haliburton, Sir Arthur Lawrence, 158 Halifax, Charles Lindley, 2nd Viscount, 221 Hall, Lewis, 318 Marie, 463 May, 254, 343, 356 Hallett, Lilian, 446, 448 Hamilton, Lady Elizabeth Emma, 249 Lord George Francis, Primrose League speech, 57; LMK escorts Rainald and Hamilton in bath chairs, 251, 254 ; forecasts Conservative majority, 255; resigns from India Office (1903), 359 Lord John Glencairn of Dalzell, 103 Lady Maud Caroline, 428 Hampden, Lady Susan, 233 Hanbury-Tracy, Rhona, 310, 340 Hancock, John Henry, 186 Hanmer, Lady Harriet Frances, 81

Index

661

Harcourt, Lewis, 294, 506 Sir William George Granville Venables Vernon, on Sudan expedition, 49; on Local Government Bill, 125; attitude to women’s suffrage legislation, 221; the Speakership, 248, 249, 383; loses seat as M.P. (1895), 255; re-elected, 257; Ireland and Uganda, 425; anecdote about, 497 Hardie, James Keir, 427 Hardman, Lady, 412 Hardy, Laurence, 410 Thomas, 163 Hare, Augustus John, at Firle, 21; encourges LMK to keep a Journal, 28, 244; reads his Story of My Life, 274; visits his home, 275; on Journals, 294; ghost stories, 314; on the Prince of Wales, 345; and also, 161, 230, 341 Harlestone House, Northants, 287-8, 296 Harmsworth, Harold Sidney, 1st Viscount Rothermere, 504 Harraden, Beatrice, 293, 371 Harris, Frederick Leverton, 463 Harrison, Dr. Alfred Everson, 440 Revd. Ernest Wivesfield, 431 Frederic, 215 Harrowden Hall, Northants, 434 Hartington, Spencer Compton Cavendish, Marquess of, 8th Duke of Devonshire, repudiates home rule scheme, 86; meets LMK, 103; declines leadership of Liberal Unionists, 107; at Homburg, 180; speaks at National Union of Conservative Associations, 252; opposes admission of women to new munici- pal councils, 308; attitude towards Gorst, 327; bridge playing and politics, 336; speech on 1902 Education Bill, 349; on tariff reform, 353, 357, 361; resigns, 360 Hatfield Court, Herefordshire, 452–3 Hauser, Caspar, 129 Hawarden, Caroline Anna, Viscountess, 481 Haweis, Revd.Hugh Reginald, 141 Mary E., 141 Hawesbury, Lady Susan Louisa, 332 Hawkesley, Cornelia J, 73 Hawkins, Cecil, 430 Hayter, Sir Arthur, 2nd Bart, 118 Lady Henriette, 118 Headfort, Emily Constantia, Marchioness, 288

Index

662

Headlam, Revd. Arthur Cayley, 368 Healy, Timothy Michael, 115 Heathcote, Charles Gilbert, 233 Lucy Edith, 306 Heaton, Sir John Henniker, 1st Bart, 174 Hepburn-Scott, Walter George, 487 Hellidon, Northants, 187, 338 Helmdon, Northants, 10, 69, 70, 74, 81 Heneage Edward, Baron, 281 Hengrave Hall, Suffolk, 21, 269 Henley, Anthony, 3rd Baron, 62, 71, 136 Augusta Frederica, 330 Clara Campbell Lucy, 143 Frederick, 4th Baron, 492, 514 Gertrude Augusta, 202, 239, 507, 514 Henniker, John Major, 5th Baron, 219 Lady Alice Mary, 79, 194 Henschel, Sir George, 463 Herbert, Revd. George William, 128 Herschell, Farrer, 1st Baron, 143, 227, 245, 254 Richard Farrer, 2nd Baron, 402 Hertford, Mary, Marchioness of, 134 Hervey, Marie Frederica, 340, 361, 368, 371, 456 Hesse, Princess Alix of, later Alexandra, Empress of Russia, 156 Princess Elizabeth of, 380 Hibbert, Charlotte Julia, 239 Hickman, Beryl, 269 Higginson, Gen. Sir George Wentworth, 385 Higley, William, 413 Hill, Mowbray, 292 Nellie, 253 Octavia, 376, 441 Hill-Wood, Hon. Decima, 356 Hindlip, Charles Allsopp, 3rd Baron, 438 Hobart, Lt.-Col. Sir Vere Cavendish, 423 Hodgson, Archdeacon Robert, 393 Hogarth, Dr. A. K, 434 Holdenby, Northants, 305 Holl, Francis Montague (Frank), 75 Holland, Canon Henry Scott, 453 Henry Thurstan, 1st Viscount Knutsford, 110, 297, 342 John Lea, 444 May, née Hall, 480 William Henry, 178 Homburg, Germany, 21, 118, 147–9, 178–81, 224–5 Holmes, Richard Rivington, 289 Hope, William St. John, 497 Hopkinson, John, Mrs, 362 Hough, Revd. Thomas George Pattison, 338 Howard, Geoffrey William Algernon, 451 Margaret Charlotte, 478 Howorth, Sir Henry, 497

Index

663

Hozier, James H., 65 Hughes, Elizabeth Phillipps, 362 Joshua P., Bishop, 511 Hulbert, H.P.L. Mrs, 474 Hulse, Edward Henry, 234 Humphery, Lady Mary Catherine, 325, 424 Sir William Henry, 1st Bart, 325, 336, 424 Hunt, John Waddington, 100 Hurrell, Revd. William Philip, 357 Hutchinson, Maj.-Gen. Henry Doveton, 402 Hutton, Archdeacon William Holden, 514 Iddesleigh see Northcote Ilchester, Mary, Countess of, 253 Inge, Dean William Ralph, 488 International Conference of Women (ICW), 36, 308 Irby, Revd. George Powell, 75 Ireland Blackburne, Anna, 369 Irving, Sir Henry, 304 Jackson, Thomas Graham, 178 Jagger, Revd. James Edwin, 385 James, Henry, 1st Baron, introduces Corrupt Practices Bill, 77; refuses office under Gladstone (1886), 89; speech at Northampton, 137; on women’s suffrage, 192, 333; talk with Sir Rainald on election prospects, 196 Jameson, James Sligo, 165 Dr. Leander Starr, arrested and imprisoned after landing at Plymouth, 264; Prime Minister, Cape Colony, 389; conversation with LMK on emigra- tion, 428 Janes, Emily, 274, 379, 477 Jebb, Prof. Richard Claverhouse, 277 Jeffs, Edward, 66 Jekyll, Gertrude, 302 Jennings, Louis John, 111 Jersey, Margaret, Countess of, defeated by LMK for LGC Executive Primrose League, 102; speech at Fawsley, 119; able speaker, 157, 212; at Albert Hall meeting, 304; Scottish speeches, anti- Chamberlain, 361 Victor Albert George Childs-Villiers, 7th Earl of, 223 Jessopp, Revd. Augustus, 158 Jeune, Mary Susan, Lady St. Helier, 64, 115, 138, 162, 163, 165, 189, 193, 198 Joachim, Joseph, 301 Johannesburg, South Africa, 392–3 Johnson, John Ayris, 242 Lambourne, Mrs, 80 Jones, Maj.-Gen. Inigo Richmond, 480 Revd. John Landel, 75 William West, Archbishop, 332 Joyce, Ellen, early member of GFS, 30; overseas correspondent, GFS, 31; evidence before Tennyson Committee, 34–5;

Index

664

persuades LMK to join Emigration Society, 327; with LMK and South African matrons, 437; accompanies LMK to Australian and New Zealand offices, 471; witness before Royal Commission on Natural Resources, 500; suggests LMK visits Buenos Aires, 508; and also, 341, 385, 434, 437, 457, 465, 482 Judge, Thomas, 10, 67, 76, 77, 105 Kapteyn, Jacobus Cornelius, 389, 429 Kelvin, Lady Frances Anna, 347 Willam Thomson, 1st Baron, 429 Kendal, Madge (Grimston), 161 William Hunter (Grimston), 161 Kennedy, Admiral Sir William Robert, 326 Kenyon-Slaney, Col. William, 348 Kerr, Lord Frederic, 129 Kettering, Northants, 26, 377 Key, John, 68 Keysell, Folliot Sandford, Mrs, 475 Keyser, Agnes and Fanny, 331 Kimberley, John Wodehouse, 1st Earl of, 294 King, Edward, Bishop, 138, 152 Gertrude Jane, 194 Peter, 1st Baron, 489 Kingsley, Mary Henrietta, 293, 296, 323 Kingsthorpe, Northants, 226, 239 Kinloch-Cooke, Sir Clement, 510 Kinnaird, Arthur FitzGerald, 11th Baron, 300 Kintore, Algernon, 9th Earl of, 289 Kipling, Rudyard, 429 Kitchener, Maj.-Gen. Horatio Herbert, 306, 317 Klafsky, Katharina, 207 Knatchbull-Hugessen, Edward Hugessen, 1st Baron Brabourne, 118, 180 Knight, William Thomas, 78 Knight-Bruce, Wyndham, Mrs, 468 Knightley, Sir Charles, 2nd Bart, gothicizes Fawsley, 3; pedigree, 213; engagement and marriage, 363; elected as M.P. South Northamptonshire (1834), 101; Fontainbleau acorns for Fawsley plantation, 397; rejects peerage, 19 Sir Charles Valentine, 5th Bart, canvasses for the 1885 election, 73, 78–80; and 1886 election, 99; Primrose League meeting at Daventry, 122; wishes to stand for Northamptonshire County Council, 132–3; death of Rainald, 261–2; financial arrangements with LMK, 264, 280, 298; marking trees at Fawsley, 290; succeeds as 5th Baronet, 40; elected Deputy Chairman of Quarter Sessions, 366; attends Badby Parish Council, 439; deposits Knightley Papers with Northamptonshire Record Society, vii; and also, 67, 77, 111, 236, 340

Index

665

Revd. Sir Henry Francis, 6th Bart, 122, 485, 501 Jane Edith (Janey), 122, 189, 220, 468, 496, 501 Sir John, 1st Bart, 213 John Maurus, 226 Juliet, canvasses for the 1885 election, 68, 78–80; and 1886 election, 100; Primrose League enter- tainment at Daventry, 123; attends technical education meetings, Northampton, 184, 225; elected lady guardian, Everdon, 27, 410; with LMK to Castle Ashby, 444; and also, 56, 67, 77, 111, 226, 236, 438, 514 Lady Louisa Mary, born, 1; education, 1–3; accom-panies Prince Leopold to Cannes, 2; meets and marries Sir Rainald Knightley, 2–3; accommodates Joseph Merrick, the Elephant Man, at Fawsley, 6, 118; canvasses South Northampton- shire for 1885 general election, 9–10, 66–82; and 1886, 12, 99–101; and 1892, 204–6; and 1895, 255–6; and 1910, 473–4; advocates women’s suffrage, 15–19; death of Sir Rainald, 22–3, 261; at Osborne, 267; views on keeping a Journal, 28–30, 152; appointed Extra Lady-in-Waiting, Duchess of Albany, 31; joins Girls’ Friendly Society and Working Women’s Guild, 4–5; and Primrose League, 10–12, 13, 15; elected Dame President, Knightley Habitation, 112; British Women’s Emigration Association, 31–5; visits South Africa, 33–4, 385–94; joins National Union of Women Workers, 35–7, 271; Society for Promoting the Employment of Women, 37–8; Freedom of Labour Defence, 39; member, Northamptonshire Education Committee, 26–7; chairman, Badby Parish Council, 223, 332; manager, Badby School, 508; financial situation, 40–3, 262, 263–4, 280; character, 30, 42–3; death, 42, 315–6 LMK’s Participation in Organisations: a) British Women’s Emigration Association (BWEA): 331, 347, 356, 460, 471, 480 b) Conservative and Unionist Women’s Franchise Associa- tion (CUWFA): 443, 446, 448, 449, 450, 451, 456, 457, 459, 462, 463, 507; and suffrage activities, 188, 222, 227, 236, 246, 309, 318, 423, 435, 436, 445, 454, 495, 500 c) Freedom of Labour Defence (FLD): 323, 326, 366, 383, 401, 408, 437, 479 d) Girls’ Friendly Society (GFS): 54, 73, 74, 77, 128, 140, 158, 202, 210, 221, 233, 268, 277, 279, 284, 293, 294, 307, 322, 332, 344, 355, 371, 372, 380, 399, 417, 418, 419, 425, 429, 466, 481–2, 511, 512 e) Northamptonshire Education Committee (NEC): 357, 358, 359, 360, 364, 366, 368, 372, 377, 378, 381, 396, 401, 403, 410, 414, 416, 417, 421, 431, 433, 434, 436, 438, 451, 466, 473, 478, 495, 499–500

Index

666

f) National Home Reading Union (NHRU): 299, 300, 373, 377, 378, 431, 488 g) National Union of Women Workers (NUWW): 271–3, 297–8, 361–3, 375–6, 396, 412, 415–6, 422, 441–2, 455–6, 458, 460, 462, 466, 468–9, 486–8, 493, 501, 506 h) Primrose League (PL): i) Fawsley and Northamptonshire 112, 120, 123, 124, 134, 150, 170, 172, 177, 212, 218, 239, 240, 244, 245, 249, 260, 290, 291, 295, 320, 331, 348, 374, 400, 427, 440, 465, 472, 482, 484, 494, 496, 499 ii) Grand Habitation meetings, London 125, 141, 173, 193, 303, 321 iii) Ladies’ Grand Council (LGC) and Committees, London 114, 128, 131, 138, 140, 143, 145, 153, 157, 158, 160, 161, 176, 185, 189, 196, 198, 208, 219, 220, 232, 233, 234, 237, 251, 252, 274, 278, 287, 292, 293, 303, 304, 311, 332, 339, 340, 351, 354, 355, 368, 382, 405, 407, 412, 464, 467, 478, 502, 509, 510 i) Society for Promoting the Employment of Women (SPEW): 287, 306, 342 j) South African Expansion Scheme Committee (SAX): 335, 336, 338, 339, 341, 346, 347, 348, 350, 352, 354, 361; re-established as the South African Colonisation Society (SACS): 365, 369, 381, 382, 384, 402, 407, 409, 417, 418, 424, 426, 434, 449, 456, 465, 492, 504 k) Working Ladies’ Guild (WLG): 145, 157, 174, 194, 198, 221, 292, 327, 347, 401 1) Badby Parish Council: elected chairman, 23; 242, 259, 264, 271, 290, 302, 305, 330, 332, 338, 370, 404 Mary, 71

Mary Maria, 239 Sir Rainald, 3rd Bart, Baron Knightley of Fawsley, meets Louisa Bowater, 2; marries, 3; character, 3; restores Fawsley, 3; Member of Parliament for South Northamptonshire (1852–92), 7–8; fights 1885 election, 8–9, 67–9, 72, 78–80; re-elected, 10, 82; advises Salisbury not to take office, 58–61; fights 1886 election, 98- 102; re-elected, 12, 102; dislikes Louisa’s speech making, 6, 22; financial worries, 51–9, 161, 163–4, 68, 191, 239; supports women’s suffrage, 15, 192; electioneering, 1892 election, 201; takes the cure at Homburg, 117–18, 147- 9, 178–81, 224–5; alderman, Northamptonshire County Council, 214; opposes Local Taxation Bill, 90; Government of Ireland Bill, 96; Parnell’s Arrears Bill, 124; Religious Disabilities Removal Bill, 170, 197, 200, 201; retires as M.P., 19, 164–5, 203–4; created Baron Knightley, 209- 10, 219; illness, 240–1, 249–51; visit by Lord Spencer, 259–60; death, 22, 261. Political and social activities: 50, 55, 56, 62, 65, 73, 77, 87, 91, 94–55, 98, 103, 104, 105, 108–11, 113, 115–17, 120–1,123,127, 130, 134, 146, 153, 171, 175–6, 182, 186–8, 195–6, 207–8, 211–12, 216–17, 231, 233, 236, 238–9, 244, 246, 247, 258–9 Sir Richard (d. 1534), 194, 497 Sir Richard, (d.1615), 3, 194, 486

Index

667

Revd. Valentine, 4th Bart, lived at Fawsley Hall, 4; canvasses in 1885 and 1886 elections, 78, 99; succeeds on Sir Rainald’s death, 262; relinquishes interest for life to nephew, 40; illness and death, 288, 291 Sir Valentine (d. 1618), 514 Knollys, Francis, 1st Viscount, 514 Knowles, Sir Lees, 1st Bart, 295 Knox, Lady Alice, 345, 354, 405, 476 Edmund Arbuthnot, Bishop, 408 Koch, Dr. Robert, 166 Kruger, Paul, 265 Kubelik, Jan, 372 Kytson, Sir Thomas, 269 Labouchere, Henry Du Pré, on the hereditary principle in Parliament, 89, 232; hopes for collision between the two Houses of Parliament, 209; Northampton protest at exclusion from Cabinet, 211; returned for Mid Northamptonshire, 325 Ladies’ Empire Club, 21, 361, 402–3, 404, 427, 511 Ladies’ Grand Council, Primrose League (LGC), 12, 13, 112, 127, 138, 141, 143, 145, 157, 158, 160, 161, 176, 185, 189, 196, 208, 220, 234, 236, 237, 252, 287, 303, 339, 351, 382, 412, 499, 502, 509 Ladies’ Sanitary Association (LSA), 161, 179, 284 Ladysmith, South Africa, 391 Lambert, Frederick, 74 Lane-Fox, Annette, 198 George, 215 George Sackville, 150 Lang, Cosmo Gordon, Archbishop of Canterbury, 423–4, 458 John Marshall, 444 Langtry, Lillie (Emily Charlotte), 47 Lansdowne, Henry Charles, 5th Marquess of, Foreign Secretary, 319; attacks 1906 Education Bill, 419; moves amendment on second reading of Finance Bill, 457; on Parliament Bill, 472, 483 Henry Thomas, 3rd Marquess of, 306 Lascelles, Sir Frank Cavendish, 356, 357 Lathom, Alice, Countess of, 198, 236, 237 Lauder, Sir Harry, 511 Laundimer House, Northants, 493 Law, Andrew Bonar, 490, 505 Lawley, Sir Arthur, 402 Lawrence, Hon. Maude, 449 Lawson, Canon Frederick Pike, 305 Sir Wilfrid, 2nd Bart., 208, 355 Layard, Sir Austen Henry, 141 Lecky, William Edward Hartpole, 95 Lees-Smith, Hastings Bertrand, 123 Lefroy, Dean William, 407 Legge, Augustus, Bishop, 384 Fanny Louisa, 203, 210, 284, 314, 322 Legh, Edith (Edie), 267, 384, 421

Index

668

Emily Jane, 198 Maj. Hubert Cornwall, 267, 401 Leigh, Lady Caroline, 161 Cordelia, 254 Edward Chandos, 247 Henry, 2nd Baron, 156 Dean James Wentworth, 366 Leighton, Sir Frederick, later Baron, 117 Leinster, Hermione, Duchess of, 127 Lemon, Revd. John, 173 Lentz, Agnes, 1–2, 162 Leonardslee, Horsham, Sussex, 221 Leslie, Emily, 241, 368, 383, 404 Leveson-Gower, Edward Frederick, 147 Granville George, 2nd Earl, 78 Lewin, Richard, 52 Lewthwaite, Sir William, 2nd Bart, 512 Li Hung Chang, 118 Lichfield, Thomas Francis, 3rd Earl of, 202 Liddell, Canon Edward Thomas, 281 Dean Henry George, 177 Lilford, Lady Milly Louisa, 424 Lindsay, William Alexander, 213 Lindertis, Kirriemuir, Scotland, 183, 215, 283 Lingard, John, 488 Litchborough, Northants. 76 Livingstone, David, 55 Llangattock, Lady Georgiana, 252 John Allan Rolls, 1st Baron, 385 Lloyd, Edward, 61 Samson Samuel, 46 Lloyd George, David, LMK on his Budget, 454; conference on Lords’ veto, 471; speech during Agadir crisis, 488; Insurance Bill, 490; Lewis Harcourt’s attack on, 506; speech on Finance Bill, 509 Locker-Lampson, Godfrey, 440 Jane, 275 Lockwood, Sir Frank, 247 Lockyer, Lady Thomasine Mary, 422 Loder, Edmund Giles, Mrs, 70 Lodge, Prof. Sir Oliver Joseph, 318 Logan, John William, 224 Logue, Michael, Archbishop of Armagh, 173 Lois Weedon, Northants, 70, 81 Londesborough, Grace Adelaide, Countess of, 468 Londonderry, Theresa Helen, Marchioness of, 174, 252, 294 Long, Walter Hume, 1st Viscount, election speech at Daventry on poor law, 248; predicts Conservative majority at 1895 election, 254; appointed Presi- dent of Board of Agriculture, 255; on Army (Annual) Bill, 381;

Index

669

presentation of portrait, 510 Longden, Revd. Henry Isham, 66, 329 Long Buckby, Northants, 136 Longley, Sir Henry, 203 Lonsdale, Hugh Lowther, 5th Earl of, 65 Lopes, Sir Massey, 3rd Bart, 54 Lovelace, Edith, Countess of, 489 William, 1st Earl of, 383 Lowe, Robert, 1st Viscount Sherbrooke, 157 Lowell, James Russell, 95 Lowndes, Col. John Henry, election speech at Daventry (1885), 67; Fawsley Habitation meeting, 112; discusses Primrose Herald with LMK, 246; resigns as Ruling Councillor of Knightley Habitation, 331; death, 457 Lowther, James, 84, 327 James William, 383 Loyd, Lewis Vivian, 46 Lady Mary, 46 Lubbock, Sir John, 4th Bart, later 1st Baron Avebury, 94 Lugard, Frederick John, later Baron Lugard, 254 Lutzow, Count Henry von, 49 Lyall, Sir Alfred Comyn, 159 Edna (Ada Ellen Bayly), 114 Lyell, Lady Mary, 283 Lymington, Newton Wallop, Viscount, 113 Lyme Park, Cheshire, 421 Lyte, Sir Henry Churchill Maxwell, 512 Lyttelton, Alfred, 403 Kathleen, 326 Lady Sybella, 60 Lytton, Lady Constance, 18, 456 Edward Robert Bulwer, 1st Earl, 139 MacColl, Canon Malcolm, 113, 237, 245 Sir Claude Maxwell, 325 MacDonald, James Ramsay, 427, 430, 433 MacDonnell, Sir Antony Patrick, Baron MacDonnell, 380 McDonnell, Schomberg Kerr, 210 McGarel-Hogg, Lady Caroline, 62 McGowen, James Sinclair Taylor, 480 MacGregor, Maj.-Gen. Sir Charles Metcalfe, 285 Mackail, Prof. John William, 488 McKenna, Reginald, 328, 436, 435 McLaren, Eva, 222 Macmillan, Jessie Chrystal, 448 Macnamara, Dr. Thomas James, 455 McNeill, Ina, later Duchess of Argyll, 251 Mactaggart-Stewart, Lady Marianne, 293 Macveagh, Isaac Wayne, 181 Maeterlinck, Count Maurice, 461 Magee, Jane Eleanor (Ellie), 199, 271 William Connor, Archbishop, 75, 214, 374

Index

670

Magenis, Lady Louisa, 354, 397 Magheramorne, James MacNaghten McGarel-Hogg, 1st Baron, 157 Mahan, Admiral Alfred Thayer, 291 Mahler, Gustav, 201 Maidford, Northants, 74, 81 Maidstone, Lady Edith, 106 Maitland-Steele, Arthur Herbert, 434 Mallock, William Hurrell, 163 Malmesbury, Lady Susan, South African Expansion Scheme Committee, 32; to South Africa, 346, report of visit, 348; LMK consults on South African Colonisation Society reforms, 408; presides at meeting, 449; resigns from SACS, 492 Manchester, Louise, Duchess of, 47 Manfield, Harry, 400 Moses Philip, 77 Manners, Janetta, Duchess of, 126 John James Robert, 7th Duke of Rutland, Primrose League speech, 57; on presentation of portrait to Bishop Magee, 75; opposes home rule, 83; ill, 118; on possible French invasion of Italy, 147 Lady Lydia Sophia, 460 Manning, Cardinal Henry Edward, 283 Mansfield, William, 2nd Baron Sandhurst, 119 Mar and Kellie, Violet, Countess of, 419 Marchand, Maj. Jean Baptiste, 296 Marcon, John, 505 Marie Louise, Princess, daughter of Prince and Princess Christian, 493 Marjoribanks, Capt. Hon. Dudley Churchill, 392 Dudley Coutts, 1st Baron Tweedmouth, 58 Edward, 2nd Baron Tweedmouth, 111, 231, 336, 342 Marlborough, Consuelo, Duchess of, 299, 303 Frances, Duchess of, Primrose League clashes with Lady Salisbury, 112, 114, 127, 145, 176; comments on Chamberlain, 140; Lady Rosebery circulates paper opposing women’s suffrage, 141; takes over Thatched House Cottage, Richmond, 193; death, 303 Marrier, Peter, 181 Marriott, Arthur W., 211 William Thackeray, 57 Marston St. Lawrence, Northants, 381 Martin, Revd. Reginald Joseph, 453 Revd. William, 37 Martindale, Dr. Louisa, 468 Mary, Queen, Princess May of Teck, and Duke of Clarence, 196; marriage of Princess Alice of Albany and Prince Alexander of Teck, 367, Coronation, 481; death of George V, 465; visits LMK at Fawsley (1913), 41, 515 (Dagmar), Empress of Russia, 110

Index

671

Mason, James Francis, 399 Marianne, 114 Massingberd, Emily Caroline, 222 Matthews, Revd. Charles Henry Selfe, 159, 455 Henry. 1st Viscount Llandaff, 103, 219 Maude, Lady Clementina, 220 Maurel, Victor, 206 Maxwell, John, Mrs (Mary Elizabeth Braddon), 158 Meade, Sir Richard, 140 Meath, Reginald, 12th Earl of, 24, 429 Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Frederick, Grand Duke of, 149 Melbourne, Frederick James Lamb, 3rd Viscount, 306 Mellor, John William, 224 Melville, Clara Sophia, 73 Sir William Henry, 190 Merrick, Joseph Caley, ‘the Elephant Man’, stays on Fawsley estate, 6; LMK visits and describes his features, 118, 132; death, 6, 152 Metcalfe, Sir Charles, 403 Methuen, Paul Sanford, 3rd Baron, 316 Meyrick, Alice, 360 Meysey-Thompson, Sir Henry, 215 Middleton, Lady Eliza, 456 Richard William Evelyn, 232 Millais, Sir John Everett, 63 Mills, Phoebe, vii, 501 Selina Mary née Knightley, 122 Milne, Prof. John, 436 Milner, Sir Alfred, 1st Viscount, conversations with LMK, 333, 403; banquet to, 409; praises work of LMK on South African emigration, 32, 427 Mitford, Ethelreda Mary, 454 Mocatta, Frederic David, 322 Molesworth, Agnes, Viscountess, 58 Molyneux, Caroline Elizabeth, 379 Monckton, Edward Philip, 1885 election prospects, 71; speaks at Fawsley Primrose League fête, 119; Sir Rainald as alderman, 229; chairman, Northamp- tonshire Education Committee, 26, 396, 416; on LMK joining the Committee, 351; LMK stays at Laundimer House, Oundle, 493; opening of Badby Council School, 504 Money, Leo George Chiozza, 430 Monro, James, 159 Montagu, Cecily Susan, 125 Montgomery, Alfred, 178 Florence, 356 Mabel, 356 Moor, Frederick Robert, Prime Minister of Natal, 427 Moore, Helen Ogle, 281, 406 Moray Lady Anne, 55 Mordaunt, Jessie Louisa, 321

Index

672

Moreton, Jane, 278 Moreton Pinkney, Northants, 53, 170, 280 Morier, Sir Robert, 227 Morley, Arnold, 117 John, 1st Viscount, appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland (1886), 89; at Mrs. Jeune’s, 113; at Althorp, 186; speech on Finance Bill, 457 Morris, Michael, Baron, 175 Morrison, Alfred, 96 Mountain, Revd. James, 183 Mowbray, Sir John Robert, 1st Bart, 95 Mundella, Anthony John, 157 Munro, Anne Katherine, 193 Sir Campbell, 3rd Bart, 125, 499, 511 Georgina Evelyn (Evie), 63, 499 Lady Henrietta, 499 Sir Hugh, 4th Bart, 99, 101 Lionel, 46 Philip, 222 Sir Thomas, 2nd Bart, 21, 62, 151, 207, 253, 268 Munro-Ferguson, Lady Helen, 32, 352, 368, 369, 441 Münster, Graf Georg Herbert, 53, 224 Muntz, Philipp Albert, 119 Rosalie, 55 Murland, Mary, 187 William, 242 Myers, Frederick William Henry, 235 Nasir al-Din, Shah of Persia, 145 National Home Reading Union (NHRU), 299, 300, 407, 488 National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS), 17, 309, 318, 435, 436, 450, 451, 459 National Union of Women Workers (NUWW), 35–8, 297, 298, 309, 326, 361–2, 375–6, 412, 422, 441–2, 455–6, 457, 458, 460, 464, 468–9, 486–8, 493, 501, 506 Navvy Mission Society, 6 Neely, Julia, 353 Neligan, Moore R., Bishop, 437 Nevill, Lady Dorothy, pessimistic about Sir Rainald’s chances at the 1885 election, 82; at Homburg, 147, 148; interest in London County Council, 188; on the Warwick Castle ball, 246; success of her Reminiscences, 82, 419 Meresia, 149, 178, 246, 364, 422 Ralph, 110 Nevinson, Mary, 449 Newdegate, Lady Anne Emily, 242 Charles Newdigate, 55, 422 Lt.-Gen. Sir Edward, 242 Newnham, Northants, 24, 66, 99, 172, 211, 244, 257, 439, 482 Newton, Charles Thomas, 96 Thomas Wodehouse Legh, 2nd Baron, 369 Noel, Augusta, 156 Norfolk, Gwendolen Mary, Duchess of, 406

Index

673

Henry FitzAlan Howard, 15th Duke of, 170 Normanhurst Court, Battle, Sussex, 53 Normanton see Agar-Ellis Normanton Park, Stamford, Lincolnshire, 50, 429 North, Frederick, 2nd Earl of Guilford, 248 Northampton, 4, 25, 26, 42, 51, 67, 71, 80, 98, 119, 135, 137, 182, 195, 212, 214, 238, 244, 301, 357, 358, 359, 364, 366, 377, 378, 379, 381, 382, 396, 397, 401, 403, 410, 414, 416, 417, 421, 431, 433, 434, 436, 451, 466, 473, 478, 494, 495, 499, 501, 505, 506, 508 Northampton, William Compton, 4th Marquess of, 147 William George Compton, 5th Marquess of, 402 Northamptonshire Education Committee (NEC), 25–7, 360, 364, 366, 377, 378, 381, 396, 401, 403, 410, 414, 416, 417, 421, 431, 433, 434, 436, 438, 466, 473, 478, 499, 507, 508 Northamptonshire Society for Promoting the Return of Women Guardians, 27 Northcliffe, Alfred Charles William, 1st Viscount, 504 Northcote, Lady Cecilia Frances, 57, 62, 97, 419, 427 Sir John, 62 Sir Stafford, 1st Earl of Iddesleigh, antagonism of Randolph Churchill, 53; speech at Primrose League meeting, 57; created peer and First Lord of the Treasury, 59; Sir Rainald chairs dinner to, 90; leaves Foreign Office and Cabinet, 108; death, 110 Northumberland see Percy Norton, Northants, 99 Norton see Adderley Novikoff, Olga, 49 O’Brien, Revd. Francis, 320 O’Connor, Thomas Power, 131 O’Ferrall, Revd. William Chamberlin, 454 Oliphant, Laurence, 109 Ollivier, Émile, 462 Onslow, George, 1st Earl of, 383 William, 4th Earl of, 131 Orléans, Hélène, Princess of, 196 Orlebar, Richard, 170 Ormonde, Elizabeth Harriet, Marchioness of, 196 Osborn, Canon Edward Castell, 482 Osborne, Lady Georgina Henrietta, 204 Ralph Bernal, 106 Otway, Sir Arthur John, on possible majority for Gladstonians, 1892 election, 199; Unionist banquet at Homburg abandoned, 225; anecdotes on Gladstone, 363, 503 Phoebe, 106, 508 Oundle, Northants, 4, 493 Owen, Prof. Sir Richard, 55 Page, Thomas Nelson, 163 Paget, Lady Caroline Isabel, 177 Evelyn, 129 Henry Luke, Bishop, 467 Thomas Guy Frederick, 492, 496 Palisser, Edith, 423 Palmer, Henry, 51

Index

674

William Waldegrave, 2nd Earl of Selborne, on colour discrimination in South Africa, 393; attacks Parlia- ment Bill, 483; at Conservative and Unionist Women’s Franchise Association meeting with LMK, 507 Walter, 332 Palmerston, Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount, 248 Pankhurst, Emmeline, 16, 435, 451 Panton Hall, Wragby, Lincolnshire, 152 Parker, Sir Gilbert, 438 Parkin, Dr. George Robert, 437 Parnell, Charles Stewart, at 1885 election, 84; amend-ment to the Address, 105; Pigott letters, 139; O’Shea divorce proceedings, 166; resigns leader- ship of the Irish National Party, 167; collapse of Boulogne negotiations, 170; and home rule, 181; death, 183 Parsons, John E., Mrs, 150 Pasha, Rustem, 109 Paton, Dr. John Brown, 299 Pattison, Mark, 282 Paulerspury, Northants, 25, 207, 352 Pavlova, Anna, 512 Peace, Charles, 132 Pearson, Lady Annie, 395 Pease, Lady Katherine, 348 Peel, Adelaide, 62 Arthur, 268 Arthur Wellesley, 1st Viscount, 54 Constance, 254 Revd. Frederick, 254 Sir Frederick, 198 Lt.-Col. Robert Francis, 359, 360, 400, 462 Pembroke, Lady Gertrude Frances, 94 Pender, James, 202, 256, 258 Mary Rose, 207 Penefather, Canon Somerset Edward, 355 Pennant, Claud, 396 Hon. Edward Sholto-Douglas, political prospects, 57; one of Sir Rainald’s nominators for 1885 election, 80; obtains place for LMK in Commons for Women’s Franchise Bill, 297; denies rumours of retirement for South Northamptonshire, 303; retires, 321 Penryhn, George Sholto, 2nd Baron, 169 Penshurst Place, Kent, 343–4 Percival, John, Bishop, 414, 488 Percy, Algernon Malcolm, 82 Henry Algernon, Lord Warkworth, 209 Henry George, 7th Duke of Northumberland, 333, 342 Perks, Sir Robert William, 1st Bart, 325, 352 Perowne, Dean John James, 237 Perrott, Lady Ethel, 372

Index

675

Pethwick-Lawrence, Emmeline, 435 Phelps, William Walter, 64 Phillips, Thomas Francis, Mrs, 80 Phipps, Harriet, 163 Pickering, 48 Piggott, Richard, 139 Pinero, Sir Arthur, 155 Pioneer Club, 300 Playfair, Lyon, 1st Baron, 242 Plumpton, Northants, 205 Plunket, David, 125 Pollard, Alfred, Mrs, 416 Pomeroy-Colley, Lady Edith, 65 Pretoria, South Africa, 393 Ponsonby, Edward, 9th Earl of Bessborough, 209 Maj.-Gen. Sir Henry Frederick, 61 John, Mrs, 319 Pope, Walter, 175 Popham, Vyvyan, Mrs, 338 Portland, William John Cavendish-Bentinck, 6th Duke of, 486 Winifred Anna, Duchess of, 195 Portman, Claud Berkeley, 3rd Viscount, 384 Edwin Berkeley, 61 Portsmouth, Beatrice Mary, Countess of, 384 Potter, John Edmund, 79 Potterspury, Northants, 100 Potts, Jane, 278 Poulton, Prof. Edward Bagnall, 386, 390 Powerscroft, Sybil, Viscountess, 461 Preece, Sir William Henry, 386 Preston Capes, Northants, 4, 23, 52, 74, 120, 187, 205, 239, 240, 242, 256, 360, 370, 413, 474, 490, 503 Price, Richard, 74 Primrose League (PL), 10–11, 13–15, 41, 54, 72, 74, 93, 94, 112, 114, 119, 120, 122, 123, 124, 125, 150, 151, 153, 170, 172, 173, 198, 216, 218, 219, 222, 232, 239, 240, 246, 249, 251, 274, 278, 290, 291, 292, 295, 304, 309, 320, 321, 331, 332, 354, 355, 368, 374, 405, 408, 412, 427, 440, 457, 464, 465, 478, 482, 484, 494, 510, 512 Prince, Henry V., Mrs, 440 Proby, Col. Douglas James, 502 Lady Margaret, 502 Pusey, Sidney Edward Bouverie, 276 Pym, Adeline Mary, 7, 258, 259 Queensberry, John Sholto-Douglas, 8th Marquess of, 225 Radnor, Helen Matilda, Countess of, 173 William Pleydell-Bouverie, 5th Earl of, 140 Raikes, Henry Cecil, 64 Ramsden, Sir John Will, 200 Ransford, Revd. Robert, 222 Rasen, Thomas, 240 Rathbone, William, 318 Reay, Donald James Mackay, 11th Baron, 162 Redmond, John Edward, 199, 397, 471

Index

676

Reed, Sir Charles, 375 Evelyn Langham, 197 Rehearsal Club, 21 Reid, Sir George, 477 Repton, George William John, 148 Guy, 197 Lady Jane, 148 Revelstoke, Edward Charles Baring, 1st Baron, 165 Reynolds, Thomas Henry, 76 Rhodes, Cecil John, 215 Ribot, Alexandre Felix, 159 Richards, Henry Charles, 215 Richmond, Bruce, 342 Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox, 6th Duke of, 83 Georgie, Mrs., 503 Richter, Hans, 57, 155, 352, 477 Ridding, Lady Laura, 36, 271, 272, 455, 468, 486, 487, 501 Ridgeway, Sir Joseph West, 179 Ridley, Sir Edward, 57 George, 79 Lady Mary (Polly), 57 Sir Matthew White, 5th Bart and 1st Viscount, news of govemment posts (1885), 57, 59; seeks office, 62; on the Crimes Bill, 116; hopes for Speakership, 247; supported by Rainald, 248, 383 Riley, Athelstan, 242 Rissik, Hon. Johann Friedrich, 383 Ritchie, Charles Thomson, introduces Local Govern- ment Bill, 124; as Home Secretary. 39; Factory and Workshops Act, 334; at odds with Chamberlain, 354; resigns from the Cabinet, 359, 360 Roberts, Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh, 1st Earl Roberts of Kandahar, 317, 342, 403 Sir Owen, 194 Robinson, Hercules George Robert, 1st Baron Rosmead, 265 Sarah, 272 Roche, Charles, Mrs., 412 Rockingham Castle, Northants, 508 Rodhouse, John Marriott, 136 Rogers, James Edwin Thorold, 90 Rolleston, Lady Eliza, 429 Rolleston Hall, Leicestershire, 175 Romney, Frances Augusta, Countess of, 319 Rookwood, Henry John Selwin-Ibbetson, 7th Bart, later Baron, 148 Roosevelt, Theodore, USA President, 375 Rose, Hugh Henry, Field Marshal, Baron Strathnairn of Strathnairn, 65 Sir John, 179 Rosebery, Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of, attacked by the St. James’s Gazette, 111; at Homburg, 149, 225; speech in Lords on home rule, 232; wins 2000 Guineas with Ladas, 234;

Index

677

and the Derby, 235; foreign policy speech at the Guildhall, 241; his insomnia, 247; resigns as Prime Minister, 253; resigns leadership of the Liberal Party, 270; repudiates home rule, 339; approves terms of South African peace settle- ment, 342–3; praises LMK, 388; on Campbell- Bannerman, 397; Glasgow speech, 454; Lords’ reform resolution passed, 471–2; on the Parlia- ment Bill, 480 Rose-Innes, Sir James, 423 Rothschild, Lady Emma Louisa, 410 Ferdinand James de, 64 Rowe, Ethel, 302 Lady Victoria Isabella, 302 Rowfant, Crawley, Sussex, 274–5, 433 Rowsell, Revd. Herbert, 23, 159, 199, 202, 237, 263 Rowton, Montagu William Lowry Corry, Baron, 126 Roxburgh, Anne Emily, Duchess of, 289 Rüffer, Maurice, Mrs, 436, 446 Runciman, Walter, 1st Baron, 444 Rushforth, Gordon McNeil, 514 Russell, Agatha, 338 Sir Charles Arthur, 179 Frances Anna, Countess, 93 Col. Frank, 179 Sir George Arthur, 5th Bart, 419 George W.E., 64 Lord John, 1st Earl, 179 John Francis, 2nd Earl, 333 Phillippa, née Baillie, 155 Sir William Howard, 53 Rutland see Manners St. Albans, Grace, Duchess of, 137 St. Aldwyn see Beach St. Aubyn, John, Baron St. Levan, 156 St. John, Antonia, 273, 334 St. Germans, Henry Cornwallis, 5th Earl, 207 St. Paul, Nina, 67 St. Quintin, Violet Helen, 220 Sackville, George Stopford, ties with Lord Spencer for the chairmanship of the provisional Northamp- tonshire County Council, 137; elected chairman of Quarter Sessions, 195; re-elected M.P. North Northamptonshire, 325; on Daventry English School Foundation, 495 Sadler, Sir Michael Ernest, 355 Salisbury, Georgina, Marchioness of, 57, 127, 160, 161, 176, 278 James Edward Hubert Gascoyne-Cecil, 4th Marquess of, 483 Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of, moves vote of censure on Sudan expedition, 48;

Index

678

at Balmoral, 58; accepts office (1885), 59; seeks and fails to gain assurance from Gladstone, 60, 61; on home rule, 93; accepts office (1886), 103; law and order in Ireland, 105; offers Hartington post as Prime Minister, 107; death of Northcote, 108; on foreign policy, 110; on Local Government Bill, 123; speeches to the Grand Habitation, Primrose League, 193, 219, 233, 321, 341; conversation with Sir Rainald on opposing the licensing clauses, 162; election manifesto (1892), 205; congratulates Sir Rainald on peerage, 209; accepts office (1895), 253; forms government, 255; favours women being admitted to serve on municipal councils, 308; on the Boxer Uprising, 325; on the Duke of Devonshire, 336; terms of the South African peace settlement, 342; resigns, 344; death, 358 Salting, George, 478 Samuel, Gilbert, Mrs, 443 Sanders, Eli Thomas, at Badby School meeting, 214; joint second with LMK in first Badby Parish Council election (1894); first meeting, 242; head of poll (1898), 290; appointed manager, Badby School, 506; chairman, 508; and also, 257, 318, 530 Sandford, Charles Waldegrave, Bishop, 294 Sandhurst, William Mansfield, 2nd Baron, 119 Sankey, Ira David, 275 Sardou, Victorien, 304 Sargent, Revd. John Paine, 419 Sassoon, Reuben, 181 Saumarez, Arthur de, 63 Saunders, Agnes, 454 Saxe-Coburg, Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, 227, 367 Ferdinand of, 107 Scarsdale, Alfred Nathaniel, 4th Baron, 355 Schnadhorst, Francis, 199 Scott, Sir Walter, 167, 177 Scratton, Revd. William, chairs Badby School meeting to avoid School Board, 214; chairman, Badby Parish Council, 257; casting vote in 1898 election, 290; animosity towards Eli Thomas Sanders, 330 Selborne see Palmer Senhouse, Capt.William, 69 William, Mrs, 213 Sergei, Grand Duke of Russia, 380

Index

679

Severn, Walter, 356 Sexton, Thomas, 199 Seymour, Elizabeth née Knightley, 213 Horace Alfred Damer, 183 Sharman, Pearce, Mrs, 26, 357 Sharp, Cecil, 485 Shaw, Revd. Anne, 482 Capt. Sir Eyre Massey, 181 George Bernard, 408, 425–6, 447 Revd. Glencairn, 76 Shaw-Lefevre, George John, 1st Viscount Eversley, 81 Marie and Emily, 314 Shepstone, Helen, 346 Sir Theophilus, 346 Shuckburgh, Gerald, 439 Lady Ida Florence, 239, 494 Silverstone, Northants, 10, 25, 101, 451 Simpson, Byron, Mrs, 185 William Hirst, 439 Sinclair, Canon William Macdonald, 458 Singh, Maharajah, Dhuleep, 84 Slark, Eli, 78 Smalley, George Washburn, 185 Smartt, Dr. Thomas William, 388, 427 Smith, Aimée, 474 Frederick Edwin, 1st Earl of Birkenhead, 487 Dr. George Adam, 488 Lt.-Col. Sir Gerard, 331 James Parker, 382 Sir Montagu Edward, 147 Reginald Abel, 407 William, 141 William Henry, appointed Chief Secretary, Ireland, 89; Leader of the Commons, 112; on Criminal Law Amendment (Ireland) Bill, 113,116; speech at Primrose League banquet, 124; letter from Sir Rainald, 139; appointed Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, 174; death, 183 Snowden, Philip, 1st Viscount, 425, 509 Society for Promoting the Employment of Women (SPEW), 194, 284, 287, 306, 342 Solomon, Sir Richard, 423 Somerset, Algernon, 15th Duke of, 254 Lord Arthur, 149 Lady Isabella Caroline, 309 Sotterley Park, Suffolk, 1, 496 Soulsby, Lucy, 376 South African Colonisation Society (SACS), 32, 33, 34, 365, 381, 382, 385, 402, 405, 407, 408, 410, 418, 424, 426, 427, 428, 434, 437, 449, 492, 504, 505 South African Expansion Scheme Committee (SAX), 335, 336, 338, 341, 346, 347, 348, 350, 352, 354, 361 Southesk, Charles Noel, 10th Earl, 428

Index

680

Spencer, Adelaide Margaret (Delia), 491, 508 Benjamin, 172 Charles Robert, Viscount Althorp, 6th Earl, Leo Ellis opposes in 1886 Mid Northamptonshire election, 97; Sir Rainald on, 102; marriage to Margaret Baring, 117; possible Conservative candidates in 1892 election, 197, 200; Sir Rainald votes against, 207; beaten by Pender, 256; at Althorp, 299, 336; recaptures Mid Northamptonshire (1900), 325; on Prince Albert’s father, 378; becomes Viscount Althorp and Lord Chamberlain, 400; LMK at Althorp, 491, Charlotte Frances Frederica, Countess, persuaded by LMK to promote technical instruction in North- amptonshire, 25, 176; forms Ladies’ Association for domestic education of girls, 182,184; snubbed by LMK, 98; Althorp ball, 299; LMK visits Althorp, 352; installation of electric lighting, 371 George John, 2nd Earl, 259 John Poyntz, 5th Earl, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, 65, 185; on LMK’s leaflets, 71; conversation with LMK on Lord Carnarvon’s resignation as Lord- Lieutenant, 87–8; attitude to home rule, 89, 135; strong letter from Queen Victoria, 491; ties with Sackville for chairmanship of the provisional Northamptonshire County Council, 137; casting vote against Sir Rainald as alderman, 190, 191; at Homburg, 148; at Althorp, 84, 299; congratulates Sir Rainald on peerage, 212; as First Lord of the Admiralty, 324; visits Rainald, 259–60; unrecog- nised in India, 306; on Lord Salisbury, 336; history of portrait of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, 337; speech on Education Bill (1902), 349; conver- sation with LMK on politics, 382; stroke, 397; death and appreciation by LMK, 467; and also vii, 97, 318, 322, 366 Margaret, 117, 378 Lady Sarah, 183, 184 Stanhope, Edward, 58 Evelyn Henrietta, Countess, 142 James Banks, 199 Philip, 194 Philip James, 1st Baron Weardale, 427 Stanley, Sir Henry Morton, letters from African expedi- tion published, 140; on his forthcoming marriage, 156; LMK’s reflections on, 162

Index

681

Stansfeld, Sir James, 171 Staveley-Hill, Henry Staveley, 326 Staverton, Northants, 76, 120, 242 Stephens, Maj.-Gen. Adolphus, 149 Stewart, Sir Charles, 255 Maj.-Gen. Sir Herbert, 46 Stockeld Park, Wetherby, Yorkshire, 215 Stockley, William, 191 Stoke Edith Park, Herefordshire, 467 Stopford, Constance, 70 Capt. Edward, 214 Grosvenor, Mrs, 269 Horatia, 163 Story, Revd. William Philip (Sammy), lived at Fawsley Hall, 4; at Badby election meeting (1885), 80, Primrose League entertainment at Charwelton, 230; with LMK to Knightley Habitation fête, 235 Stowe-Nine-Churches, Northants, 100, 169 Strachey, Lady Jane, 371 John St. Loe, 479 Strathcona, Donald Alexander Smith, 1st Baron, 465 Stuart, Laura Elizabeth, 427 Sudeley, Ada Hanbury-Tracy, 114, 234, 267, 338 Sulgrave, Northants, 79 Sullivan, Sir Edward, 2nd Bart, 98 Suttner, Bertha von, Baroness, 308 Sutton, Edith, 487 Hugh, 208 Ida, 208, 228 Swanwick, Helena Maria Lucy, 469 Swift, Dean Jonathan, 177, 374 Sykes, Christopher, 148, 180 Syresham, Northants, 101 Tait, Archibald Campbell, Archbishop of Canterbury, 183 Talbot de Malahide, Lady, 481 Talbot, Edward Stuart, Bishop, 351 Col. Ivo, 514 John Gilbert, 339 Lady Mary, 106 Maj.-Gen. Sir Reginald, 476 Tankerville, Olivia, Countess, 93 Tate, Sir Henry, 286 Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire, 421 Teck, Prince Alexander of, 367 Temple, Frederick, Archbishop of Canterbury, attacks Union of Benefices Bill, 294; officiates at Corona- tion of Edward VII, 346–7; death, 349 Lady Mary Augusta, 147 Sir Richard, 147, 162, 324 Tennant, Dorothy, 156 Tennyson, Hallam, 2nd Baron, 397, 477 Ternina, Milka, 311

Index

682

Terrell, Arthur a Beckett, 170 Terry, Ellen, 408 Thesiger, Katharine Frances, 356 Thicknesse, Archdeacon Francis Henry, 4, 214, 340 Thompson, Alexander Hamilton, 496 Sir Edward Maunde, 404, 426 Thorne, Dr. Mary, 411 Thornton, Adelaide, 121 Frank Hugh, 121, 401, 508 Mary Susan, 255 Thorold, Anthony Wilson, Bishop, 268 Thorpe Hall, Peterborough, 331 Thring, Henry, 1st Baron, 161 Tippoo Sahib, 367 Tollemache, John, 1st Baron, 98 Lady Mary Stuart, 237 Hon. Stratford Haliday Robert Louis, 511 Tompkinson, Revd. Robert, 74 Toovey, Canon Henry, 434 Towcester, Northants, 9, 10, 25, 49, 68, 78, 82, 98, 101, 102, 120, 165, 182, 201, 210, 216, 239, 244, 249, 305, 320, 348, 432 Towers, Revd. Henry, 270 Frederick, 121 Townend, Kathleen M, 371 Townsend, Mary E., forms Girls’ Friendly Society, 4; with LMK to Canons Ashby, 121; at GFS meeting, 467; LMK’s conversation with, 480 Sir Herbert Beerbohm, 306, 407 Tree, Helen Maude, 407 Tresham, Sir Thomas, 372 Trevelyan, Lady Caroline, 282 Eleonora (Nora), 54, 163, 202, 208, 216, 247, 282, 474, 480 George Macaulay, 283, 486, 498 Sir George Otto, 2nd Bart, joins Gladstone’s 1886 government, Secretary of State for Scotland, 89; resigns, 90; on Home Rule Bill, 92, 94; re-elected as Liberal M.P., 118; on Life of Fox, 282; publishes A History of the American Revolution, 300; on Theodore Roosevelt, 375; reminiscences on Disraeli and G.M. Trevelyan, 498 Treves, Sir Frederick, 6 Tryon, Vice-Admiral Sir George, 222, 225 Tuffnell, Lt.-Col. Edward, 378 Turnor, Lady Mary, 372 Tutton, Dr. Alfred Edwin Howard, 375 Tweeddale, Candida Louise, Marchioness of, 372 Tweedie, Alice, 323 Tweedmouth see Marjoribanks Uffington House, Stamford, Lincolnshire, 229, 230

Index

683

Valentia, Arthur, 11th Viscount, 191 Van Dyck, Ernest, 352 Van Rooy, Anton, 352 Vaughan Williams, Sir Roland, 245 Vaux, Hubert George Mostyn, 7th Baron, 439 Vereker, Louisa, 202 Verney, Sir Harry, 2nd Bart., 124 Lady Margaret, 362 Vesey, Blanche, 207, 293, 348 Fanny, 141, 207 Vickers, Randall, Mrs., 469 Victoria Club, 277, 327, 425, 457, 488 Victoria, Queen, LMK’s links with, 2; her first Council, 306; sees Salisbury concerning the Premiership (1885), 59, 60, 61; her unfriendly public reception, 91; on Lord Spencer, 92, 491; objects to Labou- chere, 212; the return of Royal letters, 260; LMK at Osborne, 267; meets LMK at Windsor, 289; on Sir Algernon Borthwick’s peerage, 476; begin- nings of her lameness, 492; death, 329 Victoria Eugenie (Ena), Queen of Spain, 397, 400, 409 Vincent, Col. Sir Charles Edward Howard, 292, 369 Lady Hester, 186 Vivian, Lady Averil, 156 Sir Henry Hussey, 1st Bart, 156 William, 333 Vynne, Nora, 406 Wagner, Cosima, 312 Wake, Drury, 137 Sir Herewald Craufurd, 12th Bart, 137, 479, 501 Wakefield Lodge, Northants, 370 Waldegrave, Frances, Countess, 127, 350 Waldegrave-Leslie, George, 179 Walford, Lucy, 307 Walker, Thomas, 66 Wallace, Alfred Russel, 295 Sir Donald Mackenzie, 147, 245, 382 Waller, Edmund, 399 Wallop, John, 180 Walpole, Sir Spencer, 95 Walsh, V. Hussey, 163, 211 Wappenham, Northants, 80, 205 Ward, Emily M.J., 460 Humphry, Mrs. (Mary Augusta), organises anti- suffrage petition, 16; National Union of Women Workers, 36, 506; publishes David Grieve, (1892), 190; speech at women writers’ dinner, 323; suffrage debate with Millicent Fawcett, 449

Index

684

Rachel, Countess of Dudley, 409 Seth, Bishop, 175 Ware, Fabian Arthur, 423 Fabian, Anna Margaret Mrs, 481 Waterford, Blanche Elizabeth, Marchioness of, 28, 175 Louisa, Marchioness of, 28, 230 Waters, Richard, 19, 53 Watford, Northants, 507 Watson, William, 69 Watts, George Frederic, 302 Mary Tytler, 302 Webb, Beatrice, joins National Union of Women Workers, 36; on Chamberlain, 356, at women writers’ dinner, 371 Sidney James, 356, 368 Webber, Raymond Sudeley, 254 Webster, Sir Richard, Viscount Alverstone, 203 Wedgwood, Josiah Clement, 409 Weedon, Northants, 75, 81, 101, 169, 235, 240, 258, 400, 475 Weeting, Brandon, Norfolk, 85, 109, 167 Welby, Reginald Earle, 1st Baron, 236, 245 Welldon, James Edward, Bishop, 441 Wellingborough, Northants, 435 Welton, Northants, 81, 235 Wemyss, Francis Charteris Douglas, 10th Earl of Wemyss and March, 408 Westminster, Hugh Lupus Grosvenor, 1st Duke of, 253 Westmorland, Adelaide, Countess of, 134 Weston, Northants, 80–1 Agnes Elizabeth, 272 Weyland, Burga Henrietta, 178 Wharncliffe, Francis John Stuart Wortley MacKenzie, 2nd Earl, 497 Wharton, Rear-Admiral Sir William James Lloyd, 389 Wheatley, Maj.-Gen. Sir Henry, 260 Mary, 47, 266, 311 Whilton, Northants, 76 White, Field Marshal Sir George Stuart, 318 Revd. Henry, 92 Maude, 355 Montagu, 283 Whittinghame, East Linton, Scotland, 442 Whitworth, Henry Billington, Mrs, 270 Wickham, Lady Etheldreda, 439 Wilde, Oscar, 163, 196 Wilhelm I, Emperor of Germany, 59 Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany, visits Osborne, 149; Bismarck’s dismissal, 151; forces resignation of military attaché at Berlin, 179; visits Lowther Castle, 257–8; his personality, 350; dismisses generals, 428; criticises Britain’s attitude towards Germany, 449; desires war, 486

Index

685

Wilkins, John, Bishop, 175 Wilkinson, George Howard, Bishop, 54 J. Rennie, 403 Williams, Arthur Osmond, 418 Mary (Molly), 385 Romer, Dora Louisa, 373, 418 Willis, Gen. Sir George Harry Smith, 225 Revd. William Armstrong, 492 Willoughby de Broke, Henry, 242 Lady Margaret, Dowager, 513 Richard Greville Vemey, 19th Baron, LMK’s election speech on his behalf, 22, 243; on Parliament Bill, 483; supports LMK at Conservative and Unionist Women’s Franchise Association meeting, 507 Willoughby de Eresby, Gilbert Heath Drummond, 229 Willoughby, Frederick, 71, 431 William, 77, 163, 256, 290 Wilson, Maj.-Gen. Sir Charles William, 47 Wimborne, Lady Cornelia, 11, 12, 54, 142 Winchilsea, Murray Edward Finch-Hatton, 11th Earl of, 222 Winckless, Thomas, 187 Windsor Castle, Berkshire, 129, 144 Wingfield, Anthony Henry, 197 Winmarleigh, John Wilson-Patten, 1st Baron, 95 Winn, Rowland, 1st Baron St. Oswald, 54 Winterton, Georgina Susan, Countess, 428 Winwick, Northants, 128 Wolseley, Field Marshal Viscount Garnet Joseph, Gladstone and George Eliot, 55; presides over GFS meeting, 114; discusses the Boer War with LMK, 318; at Fawsley, 337 Wolverton, Lady Edith Amelia, 251 George Grenfell Glyn, 2nd Baron, 141 Wombwell Lady Julia, 180 Wood, Charles Lindley, 2nd Viscount Halifax, 492 Sir Henry J., 30, 285 Mark, 114 Woodford, Northants, 100, 258, 374, 385, 405, 472 Woodford Halse, Northants, 514 Woodford Hinton, Northants, 73 Woods, Sir Albert William, 212 Working Ladies’ Guild (WLG), 5, 31, 145, 157, 194, 215, 221, 232, 292, 327, 332, 336, 347, 409, 422 Wright, Horace Leaf, 479 Richard, 237 Writers Club, 21 Wylie, Alexander, 118 Wyndham, Sir Charles, 79 George, 277, 406, 407 Percy, Mrs., 408 Wynford, Lady Caroline Eliza, 341 Wynn, Sir Herbert Watkin, 8th Bart, 216 Wynne-Finch, Maud Elizabeth, 147

Index

686

Wynter, Revd. Reginald W., 431 Yarborough, Marcia, Countess of, 199 Yeatman-Biggs, Huyshe Wolcott, Bishop, 344, 428 Yerburgh, Robert Armstrong, 382 York, Princess May (Mary), Duchess of, see Mary, Queen Yorke, John Reginald, 60 Zandt, Marie van, 60