THE DIARIES OF MARY COUNTESS OF MEATH
THE COUNTESS OF MEATH Wife of the i2th Earl.
n
\*i
THE DIARIES OF MARY
COUNTESS OF MEATH
Edited by her Husband
WITH TWENTY-EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS
HUTCHINSON 8c CO. (Publishers) LTD. 34-36 Paternoster Row, London, E.C-4
CT 7
Printed in Great Britain at The Mayflower Press, Plymouth. William Brendon & Son, Ltd.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
THE COUNTESS OF^MEATH, WIFE OF THE I2TH EARL . Frontispiece
FACING PACK
ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS MAITLAND, IITH EARL OF LAUDERDALE,
G.C.B., LADY MEATH'S FATHER 12
GENERAL THE HON. WILLIAM MORDAUNT MAITLAND, LADY
MEATH'S PATERNAL GRANDFATHER 24
MADAME KOTZEBUE, WIFE OF RUSSIAN DIPLOMATIST. LADY 32 MEATH'S BERLIN^ FRIEND
THIRLESTANE CASTLE, BERWICKSHIRE, FORMERLY BELONGING
TO LADY MEATH'S FATHER ...... 42
OTTER INN, OTTERSHAW, CHERTSEY. LORD AND LADY MEATH'S
SURREY VILLAGE 56
OTTERSHAW CHURCH 56
THE COUNTESS OF LAUDERDALE, LADY MEATH'S MOTHER . 62
STATUE GALLERY AT KILLRUDDERY 66
MONKS' BOWLING ALLEY AT KILLRUDDERY .... 66
KILLRUDDERY, LORD MEATH'S RESIDENCE IN IRELAND. VIEW
FROM DRAWING-ROOM ....... 84
CIRCULAR POND AND HEDGE AT KILLRUDDERY ... 84 THE HON. ARTHUR BRABAZON, LADY MEATH'S SECOND SON . 88
ARDEE COTTAGE, OTTERSHAW, FOR SOME YEARS LADY MEATH'S
HOME IN SURREY 92
M.C.L. WARD IN JEWISH HOSPITAL AT JERUSALEM . . 100
COLONEL THE HON. CLAUD BRABAZON, LADY MEATH'S THIRD
SON .......... 102
THE LADY VIOLET BRABAZON, AFTERWARDS COUNTESS OF
VERULAM, LADY MEATH'S YOUNGEST DAUGHTER . . 120
LORD ARDEE, LADY MEATH'S ELDEST SON .... 124
GODALMING HOME FOR EPILEPTIC WOMEN, ESTABLISHED BY
LADY MEATH 126
7
8 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
FACING PAGE
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HOB ART, TASMANIA . . . .134
THE BISHOP OF LONDON AND CHILDREN BELONGING TO LADY
MEATH'S M.C.L. HOMES, OTTERSHAW .... 146
CHILDREN AT OTTERSHAW M.C.L. HOMES . . . . 154
KlLLRUDDERY, CENTRAL HALL 174
MONKS' WALKS, KILLRUDDERY 174
TANGIER FORT, MOROCCO 194
THE HON. ERNEST BRABAZON, LADY MEATH'S FOURTH SON . 234
THE LADY MARY HOLT AND ELDEST SON, LADY MEATH'S ELDEST
DAUGHTER AND GRANDSON .... . 254
REGINALD, I2TH EARL OF MEATH, P.C., K.P., G.C.V.O., G.B.E.,
LADY MEATH'S HUSBAND 280
THE DIARIES OF MARY COUNTESS OF MEATH
FOR over fifty years, from January 7th, 1868, to November. 4th, 1918, I was, by God's goodness, privileged to enjoy the life companionship of one of the most remarkable and successful philanthropists of her age. During this long time, my wife, nee Mary J. Maitland, only surviving daughter of Thomas, nth Earl of Lauderdale, never wearied in her efforts to bring happiness to all around her, including her husband, to alleviate the manifold miseries of mankind, and above all to follow, as far as in her lay, the precepts and example of the great Founder of Christianity. Jesus Christ of Nazareth may be said to have been constantly in her thoughts, and her greatest pleasure was to be permitted to commune with Him in spirit, to receive His inspiration, and to be privileged to be the unworthy instrument of His Will.
Her activities were numerous, but were always executed so as to attract as little public attention as possible, with the result that her name is almost unknown to the general public. Whenever possible she would hide her own lead- ing personality, and allow the world to think that move- ments which were the products of her own brain, and of
io THE DIARIES OF MARY
her enthusiastic love for God and for her fellow-creatures, were due to the initiative of others.
She hated self-advertisement and the modern methods of attracting public attention to human activities. Her shyness in public, and her modesty, were great hindrances to the advancement of her projects, and the success which attended her efforts becomes thereby all the more remarkable.
Her nervousness in public speaking was so great when she first began, that her health was affected by it, but time cured this, and as long as she spoke on her favourite topics, she ultimately attained to a very fair measure of success in public speaking, but if she found herself com- pelled to speak on some less familiar topic, the old nervousness would again return.
Amongst the movements and institutions she founded were the Ministering Children's League, with its twenty- two buildings scattered over the world, and with its one rule " to try to do at least one kind deed every day, and to be loving, kind, and useful to others " ; the Brabazon Employment Society, established to provide interesting occupation for those who, from age or ill health, are forced to pass weary hours idly in Workhouse and Infirmary wards, or in other institutions ; the Meath Home of Comfort for Epileptic Women at Godalm- ing ; the Brabazon Home of Comfort for members of the Girls' Friendly Society at Reigate ; the Sandford (Dublin) Brabazon House for Aged Ladies ; the Brabazon and Hopkinson House Co. for providing on a commercial basis cheap and comfortable lodging accommodation for women in London ; the Workhouse Attendants, and the Workhouse and Hospitals Concert Societies.
COUNTESS OF MEATH n
For several years she gave £2000 per annum, reduced during the war to £1000, towards the building of Churches and of Mission Halls in the East End of London, and smaller sums in the north and south of the Metropolis.
During her lifetime she largely financed the London and Dublin Artizans' Dwellings Co., and covered her husband's Dublin City property with excellent Work- men's Dwellings, creating and maintaining two City playgrounds for children, fitted with gymnastic apparatus and appliances for games. Before her death every farm- house and cottage in the counties of Dublin and Wicklow belonging to us had been repaired, and many new ones erected.
During the war her house at Ottershaw, Chertsey, was converted into a convalescent home for the wounded.
She started Workrooms in London and in Dublin for giving industrial training to disabled soldiers. These were handed over in her lifetime to other organisations. At her request Lord Roberts permitted his name to be associated with the London establishment.
Such were some of the activities which owed their origin to her initiative, but besides this immense work, she lent her active assistance to other organisations such as the Girls' Friendly Society, of which for some years she acted as head of the Sick and Convalescing Depart- ment.
Her pen was ever active, and she found time to send continuously interesting articles on social and philan- thropic subjects to leading magazines, which gladly published them. She was a collaborator with me in the production of two volumes, Social Aims, and Thoughts on Imperial and Social Subjects.
12 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1874
She was a great traveller in the interests of her Minister- ing Children's League, and has left copious Diaries of her visits to the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Egypt, Japan, and China, as well as to the principal countries of Europe.
At the time of my marriage on January 7th, 1868, I was engaged in the Foreign Office, but on March i6th, 1868, I was transferred to the Diplomatic Service, and my wife and I were stationed at Berlin until I was sent to Paris on February I3th, 1871, where we remained until July 8th, 1873. During this time, of course, my wife's philanthropic tendencies had few opportunities of development, but after November 24th, 1877, when I resigned, she began seriously to devote her life to the good of mankind.
As in accordance with the commands of publishers this volume must be limited to a record of her philan- thropic undertakings and travels between the years 1874 and 1900, I propose to omit references to her life before and after these dates. In 1874, 1875, and 1876 she took an active part in starting the Girls' Friendly Society both in England and in Scotland, especially on her father's property at Thirlestane Castle, Lauder, in Berwickshire. She personally wrote many thousands of letters on this subject to the Clergy of the Church of England and of Scotland.
As far as practicable, I propose to let my dear wife speak for herself by quoting from her numerous Diaries and publications, so that the reader may be able to judge for himself what manner of woman she was, and I may be spared from the danger, so common in biographies, of exaggerating virtues.
ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS MAITLAND, IITH EARL OF LAUDERDALE, G.C.B. Lady Meath's father.
i88o] COUNTESS OF MEATH 13
At this time (1874) my father, the nth Earl of Meath, was still alive, and I bore the courtesy title of Lord Brabazon. Three sons had been born to us. I was thirty- three years of age, and Lady Brabazon, whom I loved to call " Jeanie," was six years younger. In 1877 a daughter arrived.
In 1880 my wife formed a small Committee in connec- tion with the Kyrle Society, founded by Miss Octavia Hill to bring beauty to the homes of the people. The following letter signed by Jeanie was printed, and widely circulated amongst people likely to be interested in her scheme for providing Musical Entertainment in Hospitals and Workhouses.
COOMBE END,
KINGSTON-ON-THAMES. MADAM,
May I venture to inform you that an effort is being made to provide Musical Entertainments in all Hospitals, Workhouses, and similar institutions, in which permission can be obtained for such performances to take place. They who have not been able to judge for themselves, can scarcely realise how greatly a little music can cheer and solace the sad and suffering. Why should not we ladies of England bestir ourselves ? We have all spent many weary hours in so-called " practising.1' Why should we not utilise what often is but a sad waste of money, time, and energy, by going with music and song to those who look forward with pleasure to so •welcome a treat ? It is already done in some Hospitals ; but it is still rare to hear of any such distraction being provided for the inmates of Workhouses, and the Infirmary patients in these Institutions are even more to be pitied
14 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1880
than those in Hospitals. I can speak from experience of the intense pleasure these periodical Concerts give. The music given in the Workhouse, in which I am more especially interested, is simple in character — a few solos and well-known hymns, in both of which latter the audience heartily join. At the cost of a little labour much pleasure may be given, much good done. If any doubt, let them make the experiment for a short time. Will you and your friends endeavour to organise similar weekly or fortnightly Concerts in your neighbourhood ? Music, consecrated to so good an object, would be like charity, twice blessed — " blessing him who gives and him who takes."
faithfully( M. J. BRABAZON.
On December 2oth, 1880, the Dublin Artizans' Dwell- ings Co., which was started in 1876, and financially assisted by Lord Ardilaun and Lady Brabazon, commenced building on the ground in the Coombe, which formerly formed part of the Meath Estate near Dublin.
My father, not having the means of properly developing this property, got the Dublin Corporation to condemn it, clear it under the Dwellings Act, and induced the Dublin Artizans' Dwellings Co. to take the land from the Cor- poration and erect cottages on the site. The first stone was laid by Earl Cowper, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland. Dublin owes a deep debt of gratitude to this Company, for by erecting decent and cheap houses for the working classes they have done much to improve their condition. Lady Brabazon thus records the event :
" December zoth, 1880. A lovely day for the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Coombe Area
i88o] COUNTESS OF MEATH 15
Dublin Artizans' Dwellings. The Lord-Lieutenant and Lady Cowper came for it. The Lord Mayor (Grey — a Land Leaguer) was also present. After the business of laying the stone and preliminary speeches, I gave away prizes (my husband's invention) to the successful com- petitors for cleanliness of cottages, etc. One man won £7 and seemed very worthy of it. Felt very nervous beforehand, but when the time came it all went off very easily. A guard of honour (and for protection) of the Coldstream Guards, who have lately been sent over to Ireland, was drawn up in front of the platform. Very few people were about, and amongst the populace there did not seem to be much enthusiasm. On my return from the Coombe, wrote to Lord Meath [father-in-law] to ask leave to make a garden on a space opposite the area. It is a wretched place now with ruins where cows and pigs are kept, and R. and I think we might make it into a nice garden or playground with a Coffee House at the corner. Such is our ' Chateau-en-Espagne.' "
My dear wife's thought developed into two charming playgrounds which she maintained, as long as she lived, to the great delight of the numerous children on the Coombe property. With the co-operation of my father the system of offering prizes for the best-kept cottages in Dublin was established on his property in Wicklow, and with equally good results. This competition, being in the country, included good agriculture. Under date December 23rd, 1880, my wife writes :
' We went down to Rathdrum to give prizes and reduc- tion of rent to all the tenants in houses which have been lately built or put into repair on R.'s and Lord Meath's
16 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1881
properties. The rules made out by R. are printed and hung up in the cottages, and one man, Hanlon, the black- smith at Knockrath, was able to gain £3 odd. Happily these rules are dated 1878, previous to the existence of the Land League, so the tenants cannot think that these benefits are bestowed on them in consequence of the action of the terrorism under which unfortunate landlords are now held. R. made a speech after they had had a good tea, telling them how anxious he and his father were to improve the condition of their tenantry. He gave them a discourse on Thrift, and handed some of Mr Fawcett's new forms for postage stamps to enable depositors to put by pennies/'
On leaving Ireland we paid a visit to Archbishop Tait at Addington Park, which no longer belongs to the Arch- bishopric of Canterbury. Lady Brabazon thus records our visit :
" January izth, 1881. Went via Clapham to East Croydon. Found carriage waiting for us. Then to Addington Park, the Archbishop of Canterbury's. The two Misses Tait and Mrs Davidson, the married daughter, did the Honours. The Archbishop was most kind and friendly. He took me in to dinner. I could not get over a certain amount of shyness and restraint with him. The Bishop of Rochester also dined, but had no opportunity of speaking to him. We had evening prayers in the Chapel. Much struck by the large attendance. The Archbishop's beautiful full-toned voice pronouncing the blessing was very impressive. Next morning we had service before breakfast, and again a good attendance. Mrs Davidson walked with me to the Church, where I
1881] COUNTESS OF MEATH 17
afterwards learnt that both Mrs Tait and her son are buried. Told Mrs Davidson of my scheme for Music in Workhouses. She seemed much interested and offered to distribute circulars. They are one and all, to outward observers, admirable daughters to the poor father who has had so much grief to bear during his lifetime. Not- withstanding it all, he is wonderfully cheerful, and his somewhat burly figure does not convey in the least degree the character of an ascetic. We had Bishop Tufnell and his wife at dinner.
Friday. Left Addington on a bitter day. The Arch- bishop insisted, notwithstanding the cold, on seeing us off at the front door. Called on Miss Octavia Hill about scheme for country air for town girls. She referred me to Mrs Malkin, an active worker of the Charity Organisation Society. This lady seemed to think very highly of the plan of taking in girls, said it had been often most successfully tried. She said that she did not think that we should learn to improve and help the poor till we took them into our lives — that she found such benefit from merely allowing the poor people to come and look round, and stay a little, while in her house. She was most cordial about the whole scheme, and will doubtless help me greatly, if only the Charity Organisation Society will adopt the scheme, which she thinks they will do. Dined at Lord and Lady Claud Hamilton's, and there met both Tyndall and Huxley. I fully expected to have been taken down to dinner by Professor Huxley, but luckily for me, Lady George Hamilton did not come, and so Lord Claud fell to my share. It would have been too odd if, after having the Archbishop of Canterbury as my Cavalier one day, I should have had Professor Huxley
i8 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1881
the next. The Tyndalls came after dinner and had a long talk with him (Huxley) about smoke, fog, etc. Tyndall told me that a young man from Widnes, who was a Roman Catholic, had written to him because he was troubled in his mind ! Tyndall told him to cheer up, and make the best of it as we are all troubled in this way sometimes. R. seemed to think it consoling to hear this of one who is supposed to believe in so little, and to prove that he (Tyndall) was not sure of his ground either.
January i^th. Sir Charles Reed called. He said the Committee (London School Board) had had a meeting about my proposal to give £300 for dinners for destitute children, and he thought measures might be taken so that in about a week's time the dinners might commence. R. also spoke to him about his idea of getting the school board schoolrooms fitted up with gymnastic apparatus so that they might be used of an evening by lads, who, having otherwise nothing to do, and no where to go, might easily drift into harm's way. Sir Charles Reed also approved of this notion/'
The following letter from Mr Samuel Morley, M.P., philanthropist and politician, shows that my dear wife's thoughts were even at this time at work considering how hostels for women with small means might be erected. This she afterwards accomplished.
34 GROSVENOR STREET, W.
i^th April. DEAR LADY BRABAZON,
Thank you for your note, which I have read with much interest. You are indeed making a noble contribu- tion towards the great want of the day, and I do most
[i88i COUNTESS OF MEATH 19
devoutly wish that you may secure a fair return for the investment, as being the best way of inducing others, and I believe there are very many ready to make similar investments. With some slight alterations in existing acts of parliament, and a clearer understanding of the quarter in which responsibility rests, as to the condition of existing houses, and a pretty considerable loosening of the purse strings by persons of means, I believe, we may hope before very long to see a mighty change in the social condition of outcast London. My great hope, however, is, in our succeeding in keeping men and women out of the public houses. We are rapidly accumulating evidence to the effect, that, at least three-fourths of the misery is occasioned by drink. Allow me to add that I am looking on with deep interest but with much regret, that I cannot join it, owing to great pressure and rather impaired health, at the effort Lord Brabazon is making to utilise open spaces — all success to his lordship. Believe me, Yours very sincerely,
S. MORLEY.
I have unfortunately mislaid the prospectus, may I ask for another Copy ?
Lady Brabazon's thoughts were also much occupied by a scheme she inaugurated in June 1881 for providing " rest and country air for the wearied and ailing." In a circular letter she issued on this subject she says :
" Have you, or any of those dear to you ever been detained in the hot crowded city, just when the country is most enjoyable, and summer skies, summer flowers, and foliage, all seem to vie in tempting you away to a purer atmosphere ? If so, perhaps you have often thought,
20 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1881
with feelings of pity, of the many wearied men and women, denizens of gloomy streets, courts, and alleys, to whom the genial season comes round just as it does to us, but brings no relaxation from work or pleasant summer holiday. It is no exaggeration to state that numbers of persons permanently lose their health, some even their lives, through the want of timely rest. There are cases where the physician's skill is quite unavailing, and where only repose, change of air, and good food can be expected to work a cure. To meet the requirements of such invalids, Convalescent Homes have been established ; and it would indeed be difficult to overestimate the relief which has been afforded to the invalid poor by the establishment of these admirable institutions. Accom- modation, however, cannot be provided in these homes — especially during the summer months — for the thousands of ailing men, women, and children, to be found in our densely populated towns, whose health might be materi- ally benefited by the enjoyment of a few weeks' holiday, spent in the country or by the seaside. Can nothing be done to remedy this ? Surely, for where the will exists to help others, the way can be found. A lady, herself a very great invalid, but one who had not allowed her own ill health to deprive her of the pleasure of assisting fellow-sufferers, contributed not long since a paper entitled ' Angels Unawares ' to a magazine, in which she advocated that poor visitors should occasionally be received into gentlemen's houses. I have had some experience with regard to receiving invalid women into my house. Two years ago, I invited a pale-faced girl, thrown out of work in consequence of having met with an accident — to my home in the country. She came
i88i] COUNTESS OF MEATH 21
from a most wretched London dwelling, and in a few weeks' time left restored in health to enter a situation. The experiment answered so well in every respect, that last year I repeated it in three different instances, and hope to receive every summer at least one poor woman needing rest. I am sure many ladies would make a similar resolve, if they would but give the experiment a fair trial. The cost involved is very trifling, whilst the boon afforded to the overworked woman is invaluable. Some may doubtless prefer the system of boarding out convalescents in cottages under their own supervision. Both plans have beert. tried and both have proved success- ful. The kind-hearted need not be deterred from receiving women and children into their houses, either through fear of infection or on account of their guests being undeserving or untidy in dress or person, as the Con- valescent Committee of the London Charity Organisation Society will undertake to guarantee the respectability and freedom from infection of any convalescent sent through their offices/'
In this connection she writes :
" I saw Mrs Malkin and she told me that nothing could be more satisfactory than the prospect of the success of ' country air for town-dwellers scheme/ They had brought it before the General Committee of the Charity Organisation Society, and it met with much approval, as it was found impossible to provide for the claims of all those who needed change of air, and it appears the Society has a Convalescent Committee, and some -of its members were already thinking over a similar scheme for enabling a greater number to benefit/'
22 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1881
In this latter connection she writes :
" We drove to School Board Offices on the Embank- ment, and asked for Sir Charles Reed. Found him out but someone else saw us, and told us that the dinners to poor children [towards which my wife had given £300] were being tried in twenty-eight different parts of London. We got the addresses of two or three and went to one in Saffron Hill. Arrived just before the conclusion of School, and in time to see the arrival of tins with the soup ordered from the coffee shop. The children filed into the room where they were to have the not unwelcome meal, armed with mugs or basins and spoons. The children in due time all stood up and said ' Grace ' which was joined in by Mrs Searle, a lady member of the School Board, who in the meantime had arrived. She was very profuse in thanks for the money. I fear I did not thank her sufficiently for all the trouble she had taken in the matter. She had just come from another School, where cocoa, and bread and marmalade were being distributed. The cost of a meal is about id. a head, sometimes only fd., and the food is varied by lentil soup, rice and sugar, ' stew ' as they called it, which means soup with a little meat in it. The arrangement seemed quite satisfactory, and the Mistress said, on our enquiry, she could settle which children were poor enough to be entitled to the meal, and which not. Told us that she usually left this matter to the children to decide for themselves. Those who were a little grand went away to their dinners at home leaving the poorer and humbler to feed. They do not give to the same children every day. Drove to Hoxton and heard that the Churchyard Garden is actually commenced,"
i88i] COUNTESS OF MEATH 23
This Churchyard, which was laid out at the expense of my wife, was opened to the public on May 3ist, 1881.
After a short trip abroad, during which Lady Brabazon and I collected a large number of oleographs and musical boxes (my wife records having purchased over nine hundred in one shop) we returned home, and she says in her Diary :
" R. has been driving for miles all about London lately distributing his musical boxes. I went with him in the afternoon to the East London Children's Hospital, which is a very nice. one. I noticed particularly the pic- tures on the walls, as I am so busy arranging about mine for the London Hospital and the Workhouse Infirmaries, and was afraid many of mine wouldn't look nearly so nice.
May loth. I was due at the Convalescent Committee of the Charity Organisation Society. Mrs Gladstone, whom I had not seen for ages, fortunately was there, and was most kind and cordial. Asked after Lady Meath [mother-in-law] and R. She introduced me to some of the people, and made things wonderfully easy to me. There were about eight or nine ladies and gentlemen present, and the Chairman asked me to give an account of my experiences with regard to receiving girls. I told them that I had had three in my house, and also that my mother and another lady had all received one, and that in each case the visit had been a successful affair. It was agreed that the names of everyone should be taken down who would offer to take in women, and also that they should be guaranteed against the risk of infection, or of the woman's being an undeserving person.
24 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1881
The Chairman asked if I would like to be on the Com- mittee. I said I should, and so they passed a resolution to that effect.
May I2th. Mr Newton, the architect from Dublin, came over to see us and -talk over plans for the Dublin garden, cottages, coffee house and all, etc. Went to the opening of the Gordon House Home for German Girls. The luncheon was given by Lord and Lady Aberdeen, who furnished the house beautifully at their own expense. Count Miinster was in the Chair. Mr S. Morley was one of the speakers, and spoke as if a Company had been formed to establish these Homes, which is the very thing R. and I were wishing for last year. We asked the name of the Company, but found it was a myth after all. However, after the Duke and Duchess of Con- naught had come and gone — she looked very shy — and the Homes were declared to be opened, R. had a conversa- tion with Mr Samuel Morley, and the end of it was that he said he would take £1000 worth of shares, and we promised to do the same and find others willing to become shareholders. He thought that if £12,000 could be sub- scribed, it could be started in rather a private way before appealing to the public, if it succeeded.
May ijth. Miss Bellson and I went off in the afternoon to the London Hospital, a dreary enough looking pile of buildings in East London. The oleographs I had ordered to be framed were down there waiting for us, and we were ushered into the House Governor's room, where we were desired to wait, as the Chairman of the Hospital wished to see me. A Deputation from the House Committee came to thank me for the pictures. A pretty little matron appeared. We were allowed to go into a room and work
GENERAL THE HON. WILLIAM MORDAUNT MAITLAND Lady Heath's paternal grandfather?
i88i] COUNTESS OF MEATH 25
our will with the pictures. We found two hundred in all. We set out for the wards, accompanied by her, and were joined by the Chaplain. Walking through the wards seemed an interminable business, and it seemed almost hopeless to think that the pictures would last out for all the wards. Some two hundred pictures, if not more, will be required for three floors, and three hundred texts are asked for, but then it is a large place. I afterwards heard that the building would cover 5^ acres if the floors could all be laid out on the flat.
May i8th. Ordered twenty-four dozen pots of flowers for London Hospital. It made a great difference in the appearance of the wards. Miss B. and I again went to Hospital. This time we did some work, and saw pictures hung up, and arranged that others should be altered in position.
May 2oth. Went about in search of tiles for flower boxes for the London Hospital, till I got quite tired of them all. Finally arranged that some should be made and sent the following week.
May 26th. Started immediately after luncheon for the London Hospital. On the way there we passed a van, and I caught sight of my flower boxes travelling along through Whitechapel to the Hospital. It was an anxious moment before they were placed in the window sills. They looked so much too long, but happily it proved to be a delusion and they fitted beautifully. I hope the flowers will render the dreary-looking pile of buildings a shade less so from the outside, and encourage the poor folks who have to be taken in to be doctored."
On May 3ist, Hoxton Churchyard, which my wife
26 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1881
had laid out as a public garden, was opened, and she writes :
" Brabazon and I drove into London in the Brougham, taking a large box full of flowers on the top. At a few minutes to five o'clock we arrived at Mr Pownall's Vicarage. B. then took the flowers to the schoolroom whilst I remained at the Vicarage. At 5 p.m. a few guests assembled, and Reg and I went to the Hoxton Churchyard close by, where we were received by Mr Pownall. The sidesmen were drawn up to keep a sort of pathway through the midst of the favoured Hoxtonians who had gained access by ticket to the grounds. Happily the sun was shining brilliantly, and owing to the late rain, the grass had sprung up splendidly, consequently the garden did not look so ugly after all. Mr Pownall provided me with a seat, and invited B. up to the plat- form formed by the steps of the Church which had an awning overhead. They presented Reg with an Address tied up with blue ribbon, and he replied by thanking everybody and saying how much we were interested in open spaces. We went over to the schoolroom where eighty-seven of the oleographs for Shoreditch Infirmary were hung up in solemn grandeur, and a cord put to prevent people coming up too close to them, just as if they had been gems of art. In reality some of them had cost the vast sums of 8d. or lod. each — the highest 12 francs without frames. Anyway, I believe the Hoxton- ians liked to look at them."
My dear wife was continually entertaining parties from the poorer portions of London. On Whit Monday, 1 88 1, she writes ;
i88i] COUNTESS OF MEATH 27
" Looked out anxiously to see if weather was improved as it was the day of our first East End Tea Party. Mrs Deedes' Club and Night School. Happily the weather was fairly propitious, but showery. The girls, sixty- nine in number, appeared about 1.15 p.m. Chrissy Miller, a girl who arrived on the previous Saturday from Golden Lane, had met them at the Station, and till tea time the swings were greatly appreciated, as were also the nose-gays of flowers on the table. The ladies who were in charge told me that some of the girls had scarcely been able to eat or sleep anticipating so much pleasure from the outing. One girl, very well dressed with a ruby-coloured frock and hat to match, kept a coster-monger's barrow in Golden Lane, and remained out till eleven o'clock at night sometimes. Another sold bootlaces, and was said to be earning not more than is. 6d. a week. A storm of rain came on before tea was scarcely over ; but they fled to the stable archway. We, in the meanwhile, entertained the ladies at tea in the verandah. Colonel and Mrs Deedes, who came in the afternoon, were much pleased with it all, and were very profuse in their thanks. We walked down with them and with the girls, and saw them start in a train for London.
June iSth. Drove with Miss Johnson to Bethnal Green to see a house which was talked of for a Girls' Friendly Society's club and recreation room for the members.
June 2$lh. Went to hear the People's Entertainment Band play in Hyde Park. It is the first time that they have had one of their own, and it is a costly proceeding. Setting up this band costs £1200 for the Season, but they
28 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1881
hope to get some of the money back. When the band plays in Hyde Park the expenses are covered, but not when it plays in Victoria Park and elsewhere/'
The band to which my wife alludes owed its origin chiefly to the enthusiastic energies of Mr Bethune, who enlisted our sympathies and those of his friends in the matter. It was supported entirely by voluntary contribu- tions, and was the pioneer in the movement for supplying the public with music in the open air. Public opinion was not sufficiently advanced at that time, to render it an easy matter to obtain the consent of the authorities to such an innovation as that of permitting bands to perform in the parks of London. The populace also would not permit any portion of the park to be railed off within which seats could be reserved for those who chose to pay a small sum, so that it was very difficult to raise money to keep the bands in existence. When I became an Alderman of the first London County Council, and was appointed Chairman of the Parks and Open Spaces Department, I was fortunate enough to be able to per- suade my colleagues to consent to a small annual sum being set apart for the purpose of maintaining a band to play in the open spaces, under the control of the council, and gradually this sum has been increased, and the example set to other bodies, so that now London is very fairly supplied with music in its parks and open spaces.
To continue from Lady Brabazon's Diary :
" June 2jth. Drove up from Coombe to be present at the opening of the new G.F.S. Brixton Lodge by Princess Mary (Queen Mary's mother). There were a number of Associates present, and the Princess was very
i88r] COUNTESS OF MEATH 29
gracious, and, whilst Miss Hawkesley was explaining the objects of the Home, nodded her head in a very understanding way. She invited me to sit by her at tea, and told me she wanted to speak to me about two things, which turned out to be the workhouse trained nurses, and about a new Society to be got up by Miss Ellice Hopkins for rescuing children from bad houses.
June soth. Much pleased to see R/s article on the ' Physique of our Town Population ' had appeared in the Nineteenth Century. Showed it to the children and told them they would have to uphold the name of Brabazon some day.
July ist. Party of French children came down. M. and Mme B. and two governesses brought them — some of the children very small indeed. Reg1 returned from Rochester. Went to a garden party at Archdeacon Burney's, who told me that Reg had spoken very well at the Conference when moving his Resolution about the G.F.S. and Y.M.F.S.
July jth. Drove into London. Present at Dr A. Clark's house at a meeting of the ' After Care Associa- tion ' for providing for the wants of female lunatics who have just left Hospitals. Mrs Gladstone and Lady Frederick Cavendish were there. Lord Shaft esbury was in the Chair. I was struck by his appearance — eighty and he might be seventy !
July 8th. The great Volunteer Review in Windsor Park. Over 50,000 Volunteers, including Eton and Harrow boys, reviewed by the Queen.
July nth. Picked up Dr Andrew Clark and drove him down to see my mother, who was very averse to
1 Lay Diocesan Secretary.
30 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1881
seeing a doctor, but, though she had refused beforehand, she was quite agreeable and willing to try his suggestions. He dined with us and left immediately after dinner. He seems a very overworked man. He told me he had that night to write twenty-six letters, in the absence of his Secretary ; he does not usually dine till nine or ten o'clock at night. He says that he came twenty-five years ago to the London Hospital, a consumptive, and a very frail man, and yet now he is the only one left of the whole staff.
July i6th. A party of over one hundred business girls from London — G.F.S. members. Miss Hawkesley was present and gave them an address. We hurried away before the tea was over to Lambeth Palace. Prayers in Chapel before dinner. I liked the blessing given in the Archbishop's full-toned deep voice. Lord Ebury took me into dinner. I talked, I fear, too much about our own doings. It is hard to know if one should be silent about everything one does.
July i8th. G.F.S. girls, five hundred in Bushey Park. Drove Lady Helen Stewart there. Greatly pleased just before starting to receive a letter which stated that a Mrs Bircham would receive two G.F.S. members into her house this year to convalesce.
July iqth. Drove up to London with Reg and had a tiny Committee meeting at Mr Samuel Morley's about the Homes which are to be started for boys and girls. It was decided not to buy a house, but to take leases of likely ones to be had on reasonable terms. Had just time to drive to Princess Mary's at Kensington Palace, where H.R.H. had arranged a rendezvous to meet Miss Leigh of Paris, Lady Knightley and myself.
i88i] COUNTESS OF MEATH 31
July 20th. Garden Party at Coombe End. We had the Hungarian Band which certainly is wonderful — wild, wierd, and precise as to time. (A fashionable function.)
July 2ist. Received so many letters about convales- cents which quite encouraged me. Much enjoyed being alone once in a way with Reg ; as life goes on we cannot be so much together, it is what I like best, and yet perhaps I oughtn't to. A quiet tete-d-tete, but I must learn to do with less of him !
July 2yd. We had a great gathering of the Young Men's Friendly Society in Petersham Park. The first large treat they have had since the formation of the Society. The invitation came from Reg, and he was on the spot, very energetic in arranging about the races and feats of strength. Throwing the cricket ball created a good deal of interest. One young fellow threw it to the distance of ninety-eight yards."
On August 22nd, 1881, Jeanie writes :
" Party at Princess Mary's (Queen Mary's mother). A cricket match was going on. The ground was very damp after heavy showers of rain. Princess Frederica of Hanover came. A tall figure with head thrown far back. She is handsome with fair hair and bright com- plexion. She was dressed in black, partly mourning for her lost baby, and also, I am told, wants to dress in black for economy's sake. She wants money for the Convales- cent Home she is about to start.
August 2yd. Felt for the first time a fluttering of the heart — a new experience for me, but which I had often heard about."
32 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1881
This was, as my darling says, the first warning she had that she was exhausting her strength in good works. She lived for thirty-seven years more, but never again did she enjoy the same robust health which had been her lot as a young woman, and she was more or less handicapped ever after by a weak heart from which she ultimately died. She never would give in — never ceased to work for the good of her fellow-creatures, and when warned would only reply with a smile, " It is better to wear out than to rust out/1
This fluttering of the heart seems to have led to my dear one's taking a little more care of herself, for she says in her Diary :
" Tried to take things calmly and convalescing work is happily going on well.
August zqth. Drove down to Rev. Sydney Vacher's to luncheon, he is curate to Dr Kitto at Stepney. His great wish and desire is to get an open space, which is now attached to some alms-houses and of very little use to anybody, thrown open to the public, with the addition of part of the Churchyard which is just op- posite.
Owing to the want of a man to watch over it, the garden (or rather neglected open space) is infested at present by rough boys who climb up on the trees and are ready to destroy everything, and bother the poor old ladies in the alms-houses out of their lives. There are seats placed where they could sit, but they are afraid to do so as the boys would throw stones at them. Al- together it is a melancholy state of affairs. It is sad to see these boys loafing about, and, small as they are,
MADAME KOTZEBUE Wife of Russian Diplomatist. Lady Meath's Berlin friend.
i88i] COUNTESS OF MEATH 33
learning all sorts of mischief. We had luncheon in Mr Vacher's nutshell of a house (a very nice little one). Mrs Vacher is sister to Miss Lankester (National Health) and to Professor (afterwards Sir Ray) Lankester/'
Mr Sidney Vacher ultimately succeeded in making a really beautiful little garden out of this dreadful spot, which used to be filled with every sort of horror, even, it was said, to amputated limbs thrown in when no longer needed for purposes of dissection by the students from the neighbouring hospitals. It was for some time main- tained by a local committee and thrown open to the public, but the expense of maintenance was too great, and then entrance fees were charged. These only kept the public out, and those who entered on payment were too few to cover expenses. Ultimately, finding it impos- sible to obtain public support, the garden became the property of the London Hospital and has found its proper work of usefulness. It now forms a delightful resting ground in summer time for the wearied nurses who can enjoy in it much of the delights of the real country. This little garden, and that at Hoxton, of which mention has already been made, both of which would never have existed but for the generosity of Lady Brabazon, really led to the formation of the Metropolitan Public Garden Association, of which the Rev. S. Vacher was the first Hon. Secretary, and I the Founder and Chairman. In 1922 it had laid out 120 open spaces and assisted in laying out fifty-seven other parks and gardens at an ex- penditure of some £59,000.
But to return to the Brewer's Garden inspection. After visiting it Lady Brabazon went across the road
34 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1881
to her friends in the London Hospital, and says in her Diary :
" The Secretary and Matron went round many of the wards with us, and I was delighted to find that at last some little impression had been made on the walls by the pictures given. The Matron told me that the people sometimes remarked that the wards had a ' Homey ' look, which they never had before. It was very satis- factory to find the Virginian Creepers planted (by her) in the summer, had thriven so well. The flowers in the boxes were also still alive though their prime was past. Drove past our garden at Hoxton. Found it open, and there were a good many children sitting and playing about in very orderly fashion.
August 26th. Did some convalescing scribbling before I started, at 9.30 a.m. prepared to set out for the schools (Maiden Sunday School). Found little May Lawes and Annie Fursell, our convalescing girls, waiting at the door, and my class all ready to start for the Crystal Palace. Day beautiful and view lovely. Afternoon tramped about Palace. Found carriage at Maiden Station. Had to drive up a good carriage load- — two Kent children and my two convalescents in the dark, but arrived all right and not tired, which was wonderful considering the fatigues of the day.
August zjth. A party came down from Walworth. Alas ! one sees how the summer is flitting, for the tea out of doors was rather a chilly business, and the shadows grew long, and the grass became damp before the party was over. The people were mostly shopkeeper class- some poor mixed — as Mr Statham had brought down his
i88i] COUNTESS OF MEATH 35
parish workers. There was one nice young woman with a little baby — a Mrs Higgs who was anxious to get change of residence, and so I wrote by evening post to Margate to see if we could arrange for her to get away, which was eventually managed.
September yd. Lady Russell (widow of the ist Earl Russell) came over from Pembroke Lodge with her little grandchild, one of Lord Amberley's boys. I had some interesting conversation with Lady R. She is very proud of her grandchild and is anxious that he should turn out all that is nice. She admired this house (Coombe End) very much. We both agreed in thinking that more enjoy- ment is to be got out of a small house than out of those great places where large parties must be entertained if the house is to be full and habitable, whilst for domestic life, the smaller is more adapted. Convalescent work is progressing. I soon hope to have one hundred women and children placed out this summer. Miss Johnson laughed at my mentioning that number, as being the united number of those which the Secretary of the Charity Organisation and I should have placed out together, and now I am thankful to say there is great hope of my exceeding that number, only with those that come under my knowledge as being placed out in the country/'
Miss Jane Castleden informed me in 1922, that the convalescing work thus begun by Lady Meath developed greatly, and in 1893, when the former was her Secretary, between three hundred and four hundred London women and girls were sent for rest and change into the country ; some were received as guests in private houses, and some
36 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1881
went to lodgings and Homes ; the work was carried on in connection with the Girls' Friendly Society, and still is in active operation.
" September gth. I ought to be content, for I have now actually in my Convalescent Book the names of one hundred women and girls, that through my instrument- ality, more or less, have been placed out, but ' progressive desire ' is the lot of humanity when one has what one wishes for, and one hundred convalescents for this summer was about the height of my ambition. There is always something more one wants. It is much to be thankful for having had so fair a start, and I wish I could be more grateful for it.
September itfh. Lovely morning, and Reg and I had a nice ride together (our rides are now few and far be- tween) into Richmond Park. It might have been summer but for the rusty foliage noticeable on some trees. Re- turned just in time for Mrs Chamberlain's arrival, who came to lunch and to sing at the Workhouse Concert. Drove to Kingston. Our little Concert went off very well, though the musical talent displayed was not perhaps very first rate. I am sure our coming cheered the poor folks, and a visit to the Workhouse makes one realise, more than most things, how many people there are in the world who need cheering. We took flowers round to a great many who could not get down to the Concert Room. Some of them, I suppose, bed-ridden for years. There was not much time for talking.
September i6th. Dined at the White Lodge to meet Prince and Princess Wilhelm of Wurtemberg. They both were very affable. He says he must have been at
i88i] COUNTESS OF MEATH 37
Potsdam at the same time we were in Berlin. He is heir-apparent to the Crown of Wurtemberg. I sat be- tween the Duke of Teck and an officer who knew Coombe End. When about to depart, we were told that an acci- dent had happened to our carriage, and Princess Mary offered to send us back. Colonel Taylor ultimately took us home. It was a very thick fog, and we got on to the grass, and the horse had to be led up to our front door.
September 22nd. A letter of Reg's appeared in The Times asking the English to give some token of their distress at the death'of President Garfield.
September 28th. Drove up to London, where I saw Mr Hicks (the Painter). Lady Meath [mother-in-law] had invited him to luncheon very kindly, and afterwards we criticised his picture of me, or rather she and Lord Meath did. [This picture hangs now in the hall at Kill- ruddery.] He has made me out a portly dame [he cor- rected this] which gives a very wrong impression, con- sidering I am a lean one.
October 2nd. Had a sore throat in the night and was very sorry for myself all day, with a cold which became a heavy and feverish one by the evening. Realised in a slight degree the difficulty there is in bearing sickness patiently. I seemed to have so many wants, and yet there are all the poor patients in the Hospital ward so uncomplaining with but one nurse to look after their wants which seem to be so wonderfully few, considering the fact that many of these one sees are seriously ill. Very much impressed with people's kindness.
October igth. Some of the convalescents came to tea. Mrs Hickson from Stepney was a typical case of the
38 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1881
poverty and privation of East End life. She had but lately recovered from brain fever. She told me that she had been nursed by her two little boys — one seven, the other nine — whilst she used to be cheered by the visits of the sisters who came to read and pray with her. The doctor had to be paid is. 6d. a day for attending to her, and the husband, a delicate man, was in receipt of no great wages. She was so grateful ; said she ' had never been in a place like this/ She had been attending the London Hospital as an out-patient when well enough to walk there, as she couldn't afford to pay for the doctor. She had been ordered to wear flannel, but had no money to buy it, nor indeed had she fit clothes at all to wear. Another woman, Mrs Grant, had had cholera, with a delicate husband (consumptive) and her clothes all in pawn too. Another, a needlewoman, very grateful. Said she earned 73. a week when in employ. Doesn't think she had ever had such an outing before, and was so pleased with it.
October zoth. At five o'clock I went down, feeling very weak, to welcome Mr and Mrs Chase (American friends). The former looked but poorly, but Mrs Chase seemed little changed, though eleven years have passed since we last saw her.
October 2ist. Mr and Mrs Chase and Reg went to Mrs Du Plat Taylor's for dinner, where they met Princess Frederica, and Baron Pawel. Reg liked what he saw of Princess F. very much. She seems much interested in poor people. She spoke about the Convalescent Home she is wanting to get up, and proposes to take a cottage to begin with. She also said that though it somewhat scandalised the good folks in the Palace, she went to
i88i] COUNTESS OF MEATH 39
see the poor people herself in the town, and is much interested in those whom Miss Longley and Miss Fitzroy visit.
October 2yd. Out again for the first time for a very long time. Mr and Mrs Chase left. I liked her much, and hoped it would not be another eleven years before we met, and so we separated for them to go thousands of miles off.
October 26th. Drove with Reg to Haggerston to see a churchyard which perhaps we are to set right. In the meantime the poor Church itself needs it sadly, and till this can be repaired and made safe, it seems almost superfluous to think about the garden ; however, I suppose both will be done ere long. We said if the building were made secure we would do the garden. [This churchyard was ultimately laid out by us and opened to the public on the 24th June, 1882.]
October 28th. Saw Dr Clark, who said I was getting all right, and might arrange to go to Scotland. Reg found an address of his to young men printed in Friendly Leaves, and, curiously enough, took up the little magazine to look at the stories, which he very seldom does. He caught sight of one, which made him sit down and say to me, ' Have you heard this story before ' ? and much to my astonishment he began reading out the one I wrote at Sorrento. It had a picture drawn for it, which makes it very smart. Altogether it was quite a surprise. I wish it were better. I liked R.'s address to the Y.M.F.S. very much. It was manly, I think, and good. Busy sorting pictures for Hospitals. Some for a military Hospital. A few for Dr G. Smith's wards in the London Hospital. His open into Dr Clark's, and as these are
40 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1881
very liberally supplied with pictures, it makes a very invidious distinction to have so few in Dr Smith's, and I believe a few would be exceedingly acceptable."
Shortly afterwards we started for the North and stopped at York. Jeanie writes :
" Went to see Lady Emma Cust, the Dean's wife. I wanted to know if anything had been done about the Workhouse Concert Movement or not. Had a pleasant journey to Carlisle. Went with Reg to Deanery, where he talked about Y.M.F.S. Left for Maybole. Found carriages waiting at Maybole and drove to Culzean Castle, the Marquis of Ailsa's. Felt somewhat nervous arriving at a house where I knew neither host nor hostess. Lady Ailsa received us with Miss Beauchamp. The former so little changed since the days when I used to see her and her three sisters riding in Rotten Row. She is tall and slight with a graceful figure. She told me that they would be quite alone. As everyone had refused, she feared I should find it dull, which I felt pretty sure I shouldn't. Lord Ailsa came in a kilt to welcome us. At dinner time the Piper came in full Highland array, and played his bagpipes close to one's ears, a somewhat painful process, and we were not sorry when we saw him disappear. He was a splendid looking man.
Sunday, November 6th. After luncheon Lady Ailsa asked me to go with her to the ' Maidens/ a village where they have built a reading-room where meetings are held for the fishermen, and it was to one of these we went. On the way there and back Lady Ailsa talked to me almost entirely on receiving Christ. The service was conducted by a missionary who spoke earnestly and well. The
i88i] COUNTESS OF MEATH 41
congregation were very attentive. The men near me sang out of tune and with very unmelodious voices, but very heartily. The preacher's text was on the blood being sprinkled on the lintel of the house, if the first- born was to be saved.
Monday. Went to see Lord Ailsa's yachts, or rather works. He is, I find, quite a genius in his way. He designs and builds his own yachts, and intends to make them for sale.
Drove over to Maybole, and saw there the coffee house which has been built, or rather added to, and opened as such by Lord and Lady Ailsa. She goes there once a week to read and pray with some who were drunkards. She told me that when anyone wished to take the pledge she always talked to him and prayed with him. Saw an immense number of religious papers and a ' Letter to Railwaymen ' written by Lady Hope. These Lady Ailsa sends off to the stations down the line. The papers for each station are done up in a little canvas bag, and distributed by the Station Master when he pays the men.
Tuesday. Lady Ailsa drove me to a cottage where a man was ill and the doctor with him. Se we remained outside, and she talked to a man, who said ' he grew happier every week/ and that it was no good just to lead a moral life, but we must receive Christ into our hearts. We passed some men on the road. Lady Ailsa said that if we had asked these men they would have spoken in the same way.
Wednesday. Brabazon and Lord Ailsa left for Wemyss Castle to see a trial trip of the Servia. Lady Ailsa, Miss Beauchamp, and Lady Eveline Kennedy (a sister of
42 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1881
Lord A.) went to a meeting at the ' Maidens/ The service was conducted by Miss Beauchamp, who in a perfectly composed, earnest way, read and moralised on a chapter from Genesis. Her prayer, too, was extempore and quite fluent. The prayer after the service was given by the fisherman we had spoken to before, and it was won- derful how an unlettered fisherman could pray as he did.
November loth. Lady Eveline and Miss Beauchamp left, so Lady Ailsa and I were left alone. We went to a Mothers' Meeting at a neighbouring village. There was no work done, only the women sat and listened, whilst Lady Ailsa read and addressed them. It was wonderful to see and hear her. She has naturally a defect in her speech, but when she spoke to the women and warmed to the subject, it was gone, and her beautiful face looked so bright and happy as she told them the story of the woman that was a sinner, and how she was received. What is very beautiful about her is the absence of self- seeking and thinking of self. I offered to lead a hymn. Even in so doing thoughts of self came in, but she did her part so simply and at the end said she was afraid she had kept us too long, and said ' It is of no use. I try to be practical and can't/ I had been speaking about the need for Christian women to be good mothers, good wives, etc., but I think that those who have the love of Christ rooted in their hearts, as she described it, must have love to man.
November nth. Reg and Lord Ailsa returned from seeing the Servia launched. R. was very pleased with Mr and Mrs Burns of Wemyss Castle. He thought them such nice, good people. He is a very cheerful man.
£
U3 rrt * fe U to
11
w S
GO ^
i88i] COUNTESS OF MEATH 43
November izth. Left Culzean in the afternoon with Lord and Lady Ailsa and their two boys. By train. Lord Blantyre's carriage met us and took us to his place Erskine. Lady Ailsa is his daughter. The entrance to the house is very grand, and after mounting a step or two you see right down a long gallery, with polished oak floor, which runs down the whole length of the house. Lord Blantyre is a splendid-looking man, tall and erect, and there is a strong resemblance between him and his daughter, Lady Ailsa. Miss M. Stuart, his only unmarried daughter, does the honours for him. No one except ourselves staying in the house.
November 14^. Drove in the morning to inspect Lord Blantyre's new cottages and farm buildings. He has some delightful dairy farms. We were shown over one of these by the herd's wife, who was charmed with her convenient arrangements. She showed us how butter was churned by a horse going round and round turning a wheel, and then how she had great barrels of milk to stand and turn sour before it is fit, according to her account, to be turned into good sweet butter. She said, if she used fresh cream with which to make the butter it would not keep. A long walk about the place in the afternoon. It is very pretty, for the Clyde runs close to the house, and the Argyllshire Hills are visible in the distance. A Mr Stuart Wright arrived — a Scotch clergyman. Lady Ailsa in the evening had a religious discussion with him, in which I was pleased to find that he took the same view which I had been trying to advo- cate with her, that what was good and lovely, never mind in what person it was found, had traces of the work- ing of the Deity in him or her. I liked Mr Wright. He
44 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1881
seems a very liberal-minded man. He is much interested in Zenana Missions, and was himself for eleven years in India.
November i6th. Left Erskine after breakfast to go on board the Servia. Lord Blantyre, Lord and Lady Ailsa and Mr Wright made up the party. There was a tremend- ous wind and the Clyde was rough, and I felt quite frightened before we reached the big, steady Servia, which remained so calm amidst the roar of the wind and the waves. One does not realise how large she is, until one is on board and sees the length of the deck. The ship is beautifully decorated, but the accommodation for the poor emigrants is shockingly bad. They are packed together like sheep, and have sorts of trays divided into six partitions for the poor folk to sleep upon. Altogether it looked very wretched. We had a splendid luncheon — some two hundred people sat down. The saloon was lit by electricity. The first electric light I had ever seen. Swan's new patent. The lamp glowing and shedding a delightful light without heat. After luncheon embarked once more in a little tug. Happily the wind had gone down. Bade farewell to Lady Ailsa and Lord Blantyre, and Reg and I came on to Glasgow.
November ijth. Called on Dr Donald Macleod to see if he would help about a meeting to get up some G.F.S. branches. At first he did not seem disposed, but ultimately promised to take the chair, which seemed most satisfactory. By train to Edinburgh.
November i8th. Called on Miss Macleod, General Secretary of the Scotch Girls1 Friendly Society. Found her a most efficient and active person. She is niece to Dr Macleod. She will be the very person to represent
i88i] COUNTESS OF MEATH 45
the Scotch G.F.S. at the Glasgow meeting. It is queer sending the niece to the uncle.
November zist. If all be well, I hope next year to see what can be done about establishing a lending library for workhouse inmates, and also for supplying them with materials for work, as the poor people, many of them, have to lead a life of enforced idleness from want of means to employ themselves. [This was the first thought which led to the Brabazon Employment Scheme.]
November ztfh. Normy's twelfth birthday. Went with Reg by train to Earlston, and then by the familiar road to Lauder and Thirlestane. A lovely sunset sky as we arrived, and saw the place outwardly very un- changed. Met Mrs Romanes and went with her, late though it was, to some of the poor people. All very glad to see me. Slept at Mr Romanes*.
November 2$th. Drove over to Stow to see if I could do anything for reviving the poor G.F.S., which both at Lauder and Stow is in a die-away condition/'
Then came visits to Sir George and Lady Houston- Boswell at Blackadder in Berwickshire, to Edinburgh and to Glasgow.
On November 30th, she says :
" Reg read a Paper at a public meeting got up for the purpose of establishing more Scotch G.F.S. branches in Glasgow. Reg's Paper was good/'
We crossed over to Ireland, and on December 3rd we reached Killruddery, where we found all well. At this time my dear wife was writing a story which she called Mrs Erisdale's Barouche, the first portion of which
46 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1882
was published in November in Friendly Leaves. She writes under date of December 5th :
" Second part of Mrs Erisdale's Barouche has been inserted in Friendly Leaves. Letter came from Secretary of the Kyrle Society asking if I would contribute to a Magazine which the Society is getting up. Left it an open question, but I am now writing away at my next new story in case it comes to anything.
December ijth. Busy with my writing, which is a very pleasant occupation, and prevents my rusting. Claudie and May are very dear children. They are so loving and good. When I talk to them of a morning they listen so attentively, and seem to take in the lessons for good I try to teach them. I tell them I want them to be angels on earth, and so they are in a way.
December $ist. Wrote to Mrs Townsend (Founder of the Girls' Friendly Society) on the subject of barmaids. I had written the day before to her telling her I wanted to talk to her about this matter, and the next day I read a melancholy story in The Times of a poor girl who had committed suicide. Stayed up rather late thinking over the history and the faults and failings of the past — gone for ever."
In the course of this year (1882) my wife wrote a Paper, which I read for her before the Metropolitan Poor Law Guardians Association, entitled " Need the Infirmary Paupers be Unemployed." This led to the formation of the Brabazon Employment Society, which now provides interesting occupation for those who from age or ill- health are forced to pass weary hours of idleness in over two hundred workhouses, infirmary wards, jails, and other
1882] COUNTESS OF MEATH 47
institutions. She wrote : " You who are familiar with the Infirmary Wards of our Workhouses, and who have the welfare of the inmates much at heart, can scarcely have failed to have been impressed with the need which exists in most of these institutions for creating occupation for those paupers whose age or infirmities prevent them from being employed in the routine work provided for the able-bodied. I, therefore, venture to trespass on your kindness in bringing to your notice a very simple proposal which I have to make to the Metropolitan Boards of Guardians. First, may I remind you of the vast number of the so-called old and infirm paupers (which appellation includes the sick as well as the aged) to be found in the Metropolitan workhouses and infirmaries. The number of such persons is so great that, had I not obtained the figures from a reliable source, I should hesitate to quote them. At the close of the week on which the statistics were taken, 25,790 such paupers were lodged in the various Metropolitan Workhouses, 12,240 of these being men, and 13,550 women. In one Workhouse alone 1446 were housed. I think I am accurate in stating that adequate work suitable to the capacities of these paupers is not provided. If so how is the dreary appearance of many of the wards to be accounted for, where such patients may be found ? Here, sad clusters of men or women may be seen with hands lying idly before them, dreaming away precious weeks, months, and years. Such an existence is not life ; if it must be so designated, it is the life of a brute, rather than of a man endowed with reasoning faculties. To eat, to drink, to sleep, and dwell upon real or imaginary miseries, make up, it is to be feared, the sum total of many a sad existence. The
48 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1882
idlers may, it seems to me, be divided into three classes — the wilfully idle, those who are so because no work which they are capable of doing is given them, and lastly, those whose physical infirmities render it impossible to employ them in any way. In referring to this latter class, I can only say that I believe it to be a far less numerous one than might at first be imagined. Whether few or many are to be considered as included in it, must greatly depend on the good will and ingenuity of those who have the charge of the patients. A clever nurse, and one who has the real welfare of her charges at heart, will often be able to devise some little occupation or interest for those whom a less ingenious person will consider it hopeless to attempt to occupy. She will find out that even crippled hands can do something, and she will not consider age, so long as mental faculties are preserved, as a reason for complete idleness. It must be hard for the Workhouse officials not to lose patience with the wil- fully idle paupers ; with those who, when work is given them, which they are quite capable of performing, refuse to do it, being well aware that, as they are not on the lists of the able-bodied, they cannot be compelled to do the work required. Yet these, too, it must be remembered, have claims upon us, for either they are sick or ailing and enlist our compassion, or they are infirm and thus deserve our pity. They may never have realised the advantages nor the dignity of labour, and may have been further demoralised by the influence of others ; for bad characters, both male and female, must needs be received into Workhouse precincts, and these cannot fail to exercise a corrupting influence on their comrades. I should like to see two forces brought to
1882] COUNTESS OF MEATH 49
bear on the wilfully idle — the force of persuasion, and the force of example. * Power itself hath not half the might of gentleness/ we are told, and many an idler might allow himself to be persuaded into rousing from his state of inertness, the more so if he saw industry going on all round him. He could not fail to watch the busy fingers of his companions, and at length a desire, possibly long dormant, might again spring up in his heart — the desire for work. I would fain hope, however, that a large pro- portion of infirm paupers belong to the class of those who are idle only because no suitable employment is provided for them, and that, before sickness or infirmity laid them low, they had been busy workers in the social hive. To such persons the lack of occupation must be distressing, and must add greatly to the burden of trouble borne by many of these poor creatures with exemplary fortitude. They would hail with satisfaction the possibility of em- ploying themselves. It is in the hope of coming to the aid of such persons, that I would ask permission of the Boards of Guardians to allow me to give materials for providing some sort of light fancy work for patients in infirmary wards who are at present wholly, or at most, only partially employed. In no case would I wish to interfere with the labour of those who are already better engaged in doing the needful work of the Institution which supports them, for I fully appreciate the fact that a pauper's labour should go towards his maintenance. Experience would prove what kinds of easy occupation could best be introduced for those who remain idle under the present system of work. Netting, knitting, and patch- work would perhaps be the simplest to start with ; but once furnished with the proper materials, many paupers
50 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1882
might prove themselves skilful in other kinds of light hand labour. The articles when made would need to be sold, and the profits realised should go towards the purchase of fresh materials ; but I would crave that a small percentage be, if possible, reserved towards procuring for the patients some little luxury ; I would suggest, for the purchase of newspapers and magazines. The feel- ing that by their own labour they could themselves provide these indulgences would prove an incentive to work. It would be presumptuous on my part, with my limited knowledge of the management of Workhouses, to attempt to lay down any rule as to the manner in which such an experiment could best be made. The internal arrangements of these institutions vary so greatly, that even an adept in such matters might find it difficult to draw up any rules for general adoption. In some in- firmaries, it might be found best to place the materials in the hands of the sisters in charge of the wards, requesting them to give them only to patients who were unable to do the sewing needed for the institutions. In Workhouses where only pauper nurses are employed, it might be inex- pedient to entrust them with the extra responsibility of taking charge of the materials. One institution might possess a large staff of Lady Visitors (some of whom might volunteer their aid in teaching the patients how to work) whilst in another perhaps not one visitor could be found, and it might for a time be needful to employ a paid teacher. I feel convinced that in every case, if a Board of Guardians were unanimous in wishing to lessen the painful inert- ness visible in Workhouse wards, some way could be found to do so, and if the initiatory expense of the purchase of materials were met by me, no pecuniary risk would be
i882] COUNTESS OF MEATH 51
incurred in starting the work, whilst if the scheme were properly carried out, it should become self-supporting. As the number of Metropolitan Workhouses is large, I cannot give more than £50 to any single institution, and I could not promise to expend this sum on more than eight workhouses in one year/' A resolution was then passed " That Lady Brabazon be requested, if she see fit, to try her plan as an experiment in one or two in- firmaries and workhouses, and report the result to the Association."
After a short visit 'to London Jeanie writes :
' January i6th. We left London to pay a visit to the Marquess of Hertford. Travelled together to Alcester. Lord Hertford, who is always the pink of perfection of politeness, was there to welcome us, and take us in a roomy omnibus to Ragley Hall, less than two miles off. He showed us into the immense hall used as a living- room, and one of the largest I ever saw. Horace Walpole, it appears, mentions it in his time, though it was thought not to be roofed in, in his day. There is a gigantic palm in the centre, so that one can stand under a shady tree as it were, in the midst of the room. Lady Hertford was very kind, in short we thought them both models of the English aristocracy. He looks every inch a gentleman. She, unfortunately, has become some- what too portly for beauty, and seems out of health. They are quite alone.
January ijth. It was quite a scrimmage to get through breakfast and be off by an early train to Coventry. Drove straight to the curious old Church, which is really a most beautiful one. I call it old, for it is falling into
52 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1882
sad dilapidation, being built of red sandstone, and we heard that £50,000 would be required to restore it properly. The Church is built in the form of a cross, but inclining to the right, on the supposition that Our Saviour's head leant towards the right on the Cross. Adjourned to the meeting for the G.F.S. held in the Hall opposite. Reg was the first speaker. Lady Hert- ford also spoke without hesitation and far better than her husband, who succeeded her, but his speech was kindly and courteous, like the man. Had a long, tiring drive back to Ragley. Not sorry when we reached it, having been absent nearly ten hours.
January 2ist. Drove through Stratford-on-Avon, and then for ten miles to Honnington Hall, the home of Mr and Mrs Townsend — of G.F.S. fame. It is a red brick house standing above the river Stour, which runs close below. Pretty grounds — the house is very quaint and full of pictures, china, and valuables. Reg and I had a good deal of talk about Mrs Townsend. If any woman of the present day has reason to be proud of her achieve- ments, it is she. Having started the Girls' Friendly Society seven years ago, it now numbers 70,000 and the amount of good earnest workers it has awakened to a life of usefulness, from one of comparative idleness, no one can possibly tell, only they are seen on all sides."
After our return to London Jeanie writes :
"January ^ist. Drove down with Reg to St Luke's Workhouse to see the pictures and texts which had been put up there. We were very pleased to see how much they had been appreciated, at least by the Master and Matron, husband and wife — a very nice couple. They
i882] COUNTESS OF MEATH 53
seemed to take a real interest in their work. He had got the inmates, many of whom are carpenters by trade, to make deal frames for the texts, which in consequence look much nicer, and will last much longer. Heard that Lady Ailsa came to visit at this Workhouse, and Lord A. too occasionally. The wards pointed out to me as those visited by Lady Ailsa are in the old buildings, but of late years some splendid new wards have been added — immensely large and with cheerful bay windows. In these wards the pictures [Jeanie's] looked extremely well, and they had been arranged with much taste. Drove to Hoxton, where we saw Mr Vacher in high spirits about his garden. Great works are being carried on under the super- intendence of the gardener — miniature mountains and dells are being made, and altogether Mr Vacher wants it to be the prettiest bit of ground in London in spite of its East End locality. He told us the boys who used to be such a nuisance to the neighbourhood are quite subdued, and so some good has come out of it already. Dead cats continue to be thrown into it, but now the gardener buries them out of sight, and prevents their being a nuisance. Went into Mrs Vacher 's nutshell of a house which always looks so snug. She told me about the East End nurse who is at work in Stepney in a parish which is very poor indeed, and so is the clergyman, and he wel- comed with delight the nurse whose wages I am to pay. Spent a very pleasant afternoon and evening. I am so happy with dear old Reg alone.
February ist. A magnificent day. We spent it in going down to see the Farnborough school where Normy is likely to be. It is beautifully situated at no distance from the Camp. Reg liked all he saw very much. The
54 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1882
Duchess of Atholl was down seeing her boy, who seemed by no means in low spirits, though it was but a week since he left home for the first time.
February 2nd. Foggy morning. Mr Billing came to see if I would join a Committee of Ladies which is formed for the purpose of extending the Protection Acts further for the young of both sexes. Mr Billing was very per- sistent, and as Reg thought I had better accept and give my name to the Committee, I did so. We went to Mr Goulden's parish. He has done a great work in South London. Has worked indefatigably, and this was a great day — the consecration of the Church which he has built. There was no doubt about the poverty of the district. One could see it was poor by the specimens of women and children gathered by the unusual sight of a carriage. First there was a luncheon, and then came the service in the new Church. It has been wisely built for the purpose required. No extra money expended on aisles or nave, but it is just a very large room with a raised altar and accommodating a very large congregation. The Church was crowded and there were many poor people. The Bishop of Rochester officiated. There were a good few sisters, one, a young one, was sitting behind us. She had such a sweet nice face. Mr Goulden in his speech at luncheon, said the sisters could go where the Police couldn't.
February 5th. Saw Emma Hamilton — fast advancing towards convalescence, very glad to see us after her recent illness. Mrs Garrett Anderson was just visiting her, and we passed on the stairs. I felt quite sorry that I had not noticed her more particularly, but I didn't know who it was. She must be a wonderful woman."
i882] COUNTESS OF MEATH 55
Jeanie joined the children at Davos whilst I remained in England, and when she returned she met me at Brighton. In March we had to give up Coombe End, as the landlord wished to sell it, and we could not afford to buy at the price he offered it.
On May 6th, 1882, Lord Frederick Cavendish, who had just been appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland, and Mr T. H. Burke, permanent Under-Secretary, were stabbed to death by four members of the " Invincibles " Murder Gang in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, under the eyes of Earl Spencer, Viceroy of Ireland. After much search, we eventually took on lease Ottershaw Park, near Chert- sey. Jeanie thus describes our first entry into this new home.
" May 30th. Went down to Ottershaw, to take pos- session. Got out at Addlestone Station and drove up as far as Ottershaw village, and then walked up. Met the clergyman at the Lodge. Greatly impressed by the beauty of the place. After dinner wandered out and thought it too heavenly. Felt very thankful to be in such a lovely spot. The nightingales were singing exquisitely.
May 3ist. Went up to my Convalescent Committee. Found the journey from Woking very tiring. Saw Miss Collet t and was able to arrange about some convalescents.
June ist. My first batch of school-board children arrived. I was much pleased with them. They were six in number. The eldest, a tall girl of twelve, disposed to be very motherly to the others. One poor little girl of nine, not as big as our May at five, was a poor wretched little creature, seemingly very delicate indeed, and slightly deformed. They came down in charge of two pupil
56 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1882
teachers. It was a great business depositing them all at their various cottages. Happily none of them cried when left, which I was afraid of their doing. One little fellow of six, Percy by name, was very brave, he was to take charge of a little girl of seven.
June ^th. Normy, Arthur, and governess arrived, brought down by Reg. Great rejoicing on the children's part, they were all in high spirits. Normy so tall and grown, but so dear and loving.
Sunday, i8th June, was a very sad one to me, as Normy for the first time put on manly attire, and it made me realise how time had passed, and that I must very soon bid him farewell. It is sad to feel his childhood is passing away. The hymns in Church made matters worse, for they were all very affecting ones, as Mr Oldham, the father-in-law of the present Vicar, and formerly Vicar himself of this parish, is just dead, and the service was therefore a solemn one. Went over to Anningsley to tea. [Mrs Goldingham of Anningsley afterwards became Jeanie's greatest friend, and both died in the same year, 1918.]
June 20th. A great day in Normy's life — the day when he went to school at Mr Morton's, Farnborough. He is quite happy to go, and I know that he is to be trusted, for there are few so conscientious as he. Reg went with him. The master went through a little verbal examina- tion, in which Normy acquitted himself brilliantly. Mr and Mrs Pechell came down in time for dinner.
June 28th. Conversazione of the Y.M.F.S. at 83 Lancaster Gate. The Bishop of Carlisle in the chair.
September 2nd. Louisa Bellson (a great friend) and I were picked up by my mother in her carriage, and taken
OTTER INN, OTTERSHAW, CHERTSEY Lord and Lady Meath's Surrey village.
OTTERSHAW CHURCH
i882] COUNTESS OF MEATH 57
to the Woking Convict establishment, where Louisa wanted to see one of the prisoners. It is an immense place — a town almost ; many private houses, evidently belonging to the officials — most of them very pretty — are in the enclosure, which is beautifully situated on high ground. On ringing at the gates of the gloomy prison we were let in, and asked if the convict we wanted to see was a relative ! I wonder if many carriages drive up to ask for relatives ! The warders were quite civil, and sent for the chief warder, a tall portly Scotchman, who said, as it was Saturday the prisoners could not be seen, but he would ask for an order from the Governor, and we were shown into a room where we saw that over five hundred convicts were confined in the prison, and that some fifty of them were lunatics. These are not those who enter as insane, but those who go mad after this confinement. If many become mad it surely is a question whether the silent system (if it conduces to madness, which seems probable) should be rigorously carried out. The man whom Louisa went to see was placed in the room where the prisoners may meet their friends. Such visits are allowed, I believe, as a matter of course four times in the year, to prisoners in the ist Class, and to the 3rd Class only once in six months. Louisa and I were very much struck by what we saw. The room was divided into two parts with a wooden division about three feet high, across its length. Then came another division, and behind this the wretched man was standing in charge of a warder. I thought Louisa spoke wonderfully nicely to him, for it must have been very difficult to say anything with two warders listening to what was going on. She told him about his relations, and how their whereabouts had
58 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1882
been discovered, for it was some thirteen years since he had communicated with them. She told him that they had been merciful to him, and that God would be so too. The poor man said that ' when one was brought so very low, one thinks of such things/ He seemed very grateful.
September jth. A great batch of London children came down, and three mothers with them. Mr and Mrs Vacher arrived — a most lovely day. Sat out till late on the balcony.
September 8th. Beautiful weather. Mr and Mrs Vacher very appreciative of the scenery and country. All the children came out of quarantine. May and Claudie carried like mummies up to their rooms. Arthur and Normy rushed from their tubbing in their dressing-gowns to bed.
September gth. Mr Vacher and his wife departed with a wonderful selection of things for his garden (the dead cat garden that was). He spent an hour or so in collecting weeds of all kinds and descriptions to be planted out in his garden, or placed in vases for its adornment. Besides the hamper full of weeds were two bouquets and a hamper of plants from Fletcher's, the nurseryman here.
September i^th. Arthur and I went to Mrs Du Plat Taylor's at Coombe. Hadn't been there since Coombe End days. Princess Mary was at tea, immensely pleased with the great news of the victory in Egypt, and exhibiting a telegram which she had received from Prince Teck. It was late and quite dark when we got home. The horses had to guide themselves up the avenue, for I could not see to do so.
September i6th. Mrs Goldingham called. Very kind. Heard sad news of the death of a child which had been
i882] COUNTESS OF MEATH 59
down here convalescing, whom its mother (Mrs Dennis) had taken away.
September i8th. A troubled day about convalescing. It will have to come to a sudden and sad ending this year. Mrs Dennis1 second child at Mrs Underwood's has sickened, and worse still a little boy, it is feared, has scarlatina. Miss Taylor (Lady Lauderdale's companion) most kind and helpful. Went for the doctor in the morn- ing, and did all she could, but it is very sad, and the mother of thelittle fellow (Hill) who it is feared has scar- latina, will be in a fearful state. An inquest is to be held on the death of the infant.
September igth. Still in great trouble. Post now brings sadness.
September zoth. In very low spirits till I went over to my mother's, where I felt much cheered. Miss Taylor saw the batch of children off. I was anxious about send- ing them, for fear that they might carry infection with them. Went to the Cottage Hospital to ask how the sick children are getting on. Mercifully it is only scar- latina and the cases are not bad, which is a great consola- tion. The Cottage Hospital seems a nice place, and lies back from the Workhouse.
September zist. R. returned to my relief.
October $th. We went to Derby to attend the Church Congress, and also a Young Men's Friendly Society meet- ing. We were billeted on a most hospitable manufacturer and his wife — a Mr and Mrs Boden, who made us quite at home. Mrs Boden seems most interested in the women's welfare, and holds classes for them. No child is employed who does not attend Sunday School, no girl who is not respectable. All his hands are pensioned in old age.
60 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1882
November gth. Went to Lichfield on a visit to the Bishop and Mrs Maclagan. The Bishop met us at the door of the Palace, having just returned from the con- secration of a Churchyard. He is a most kind and cordial man. I should think he was a very ideal Bishop. Mrs Maclagan has a letter which she showed me in the Queen's [Victoria] own handwriting, congratulating Lady Bar- rington [Mrs Maclagan's mother] on her daughter's marriage with so good a man as the Bishop. Lady Dartmouth and her daughter and Miss Mason were staying in the house.
Sunday, November I2th. Both the Bishop and Mrs Maclagan seem to like R. very much. She told me the Bishop found it quite a treat talking to him, as, usually, he (the Bishop) saw those in his own house who were glad to learn from him, but who were not intellectually at all on a footing with him. R. and he had a good deal of talk after dinner on the points of faith which are so difficult, also about Tyndall and others who doubt. The Bishop said he himself had hopes for all those who sought after the truth, even if they did not find it.
November i^th. The Bishop and his wife bade us good- bye most kindly and told us to come again.
November 26th. I am writing some time after date, but I think it was on this day that an immense meeting was held at the Albert Hall for the ' Early Closing Movement/ Reg was in the chair. It was held on a Sunday because on no other day could the Shop Assistants all assemble. I felt very much frightened about R/s speaking in such a place with his not powerful voice, and when I was left in a box, all by myself, I felt how hopeless it would be for a man's voice to fill such an enormous building. An
i882] COUNTESS OF MEATH 61
individual looks quite lost in it. When R. entered, I could scarcely have distinguished him, if I had not been prepared for his appearance. It was a great sight, for the galleries and pit were black with people. There were supposed to be about 11,000 present. I was most pleasantly surprised to find that Reg was heard after all. He spoke very slowly, and with great care, and it answered. The audience, being many of them almost boys, were most enthusiastic. I never heard him so much applauded before. Went to evening church when the excitement of the day was over.
December ist. Went down to Brighton to give Reg some rest and change.
December ^th. Returned to London Bridge Station to see the new Law Courts just opened in State by the Queen.
December loth. Went with Louisa Bellson, who slept in London, down to Richmond by road to see the Banquet given to the Duke of Teck on his return from Egypt [after the battle of Tel el Kebir] . Princess Mary had sent, through the Secretary, an invitation to see it from the gallery reserved for her at the Star and Garter Hotel. We went first to Mrs Russell's, who was much startled to see me walk in in evening attire at seven o'clock. Miss Bellson changed her dress and we drove on to the Hotel, and arrived some time before the Princess, and saw all the Banquet going on. After Princess Mary's arrival, the speeches commenced. Duke of Teck very nervous. However, he did very well. He spoke very slowly, and sometimes could not find his word, but was always im- mensely applauded, and so was the Duke of Albany, who was in the chair. The drive home when all was over was very pleasant. We were back before 11.30 p.m.
62 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1883
December I2th. Normy returned from school. I drove to meet him at Waterloo Station. Many anxious parents on the platform, and in due time the train arrived with a swarm of boys and general scrimmage to get hold of luggage. Normy arrived with a cold.
December i^th. The foggy atmosphere told on Normy. Cold worse.
December i^th. Determined to start with Normy for Switzerland, if the doctor allows him to go. Stayed a good deal with him as he was all day in his room. It was nice to have the dear boy quiet, and to see him so good and gentle as he has always been.
December i6th. Mamma's birthday. How few or how many will she have ? I fear not the latter. The doctor came and saw Normy and pronounced that he could start the next day.
December ijth. Much to do before the start at 10 a.m. Normy, well protected against cold and with respirator on, driven to Charing Cross. We said good-bye to Reg and had a comfortable journey down to Folkestone." .
After placing Normy under the care of a Mr and Mrs Lyle at Davos, Jeanie paid a visit to her mother and Miss Taylor at Mentone, where she spent Christmas. She writes :
" Went to Church with Mamma and we knelt together at the Communion Table. Not many times more perhaps in our lifetime.
New Year's Day, 1883. Gave little presents to our servants and wished a great many Happy New Years, and so it began happily. May it go on so, and be a useful one."
THE COUNTESS OF LAUDERDALE
Lady Heath's mother.
1883] COUNTESS OF MEATH 63
Jeanie left Mentone on February I2th, for Paris, and says : " The Prince of Wales was travelling by the same train and I had frequent good views of him. He struck me as looking wonderfully young for his years. He is plump and ruddy and does not look as if pressed down by the troubles of life."
Lady Brabazon on her road to Ireland travelled to Cheshire with Lady Claud Hamilton and her daughter, Mrs Tollemache, and paid the latter and her husband a visit at their place near Beeston Castle Station, in Cheshire. She says: ". We drove over to Peckforton, Lord Tollemache's, passing the fine old ruin of Beeston Castle. Lady Claud and Mrs Tollemache told me en route how much Lord Tollemache was beloved. How he drives round to his tenants and asks what he can do for them, and how, if he gets angry with a servant and scolds him un- necessarily, he apologises afterwards. Peckforton stands very high and looks most imposing. Lord Tollemache built it himself. Took about ten years. Lady Tollemache was laid up, but her daughter received us and took us over the house. It is a most massive pile, and built of red sandstone. There is a very extensive view from a spot close to the house. The country for miles is a dead flat plain, whilst the mountains of Wales are seen from a distance. Lord Tollemache appeared at luncheon. He was very kind. He talked about his cottages. He told me he had spent more money and had taken greater interest in the houses of his tenants than in his own. I told him about our system of reduction of rent, and of prizes to the tenants. He doesn't think it a good plan, but ended up by asking us to come to Peckforton, as he said he would be only too happy to tell Reg all he knew,
64 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1883
and learn from him. He is a most genial old man. Not far off eighty, but hale and strong, driving his team about the country/'
Jeanie crossed over to Ireland and joined my father, mother, and me at Killruddery. She says :
" Lord Meath had a nasty accident with his thumb, compound dislocation. It happened when he was alone in Dublin. He went at once to Dr Stokes, who said he must get another surgeon to help, and brought in Dr Porter. The setting must have been most painful, but, notwithstanding, Lord Meath insisted on going home all alone, for fear of frightening his wife and daughter. He had to go to bed, and be kept very quiet on his arrival at Killruddery. When I got there, he was still confined to his room, and Kathleen was very anxious indeed, as the doctor had told her there was risk of lockjaw. The children I found in the schoolroom, all very dear in welcoming me back again.
March ist. Went to a dinner party at the Castle in Dublin. A very magnificent sight. Over 100 people sat down to dinner in St Patrick's Hall. Lord Maurice Fitzgerald took me into dinner and Reg took Lady Maurice.
March 2nd. Luncheon at the Archbishop's.
March 6th. Went into Dublin with Reg, and over the Coombe buildings district. This is where the Artizans' Dwellings Co. have erected their houses. A wonderful change is wrought in the place. I saw it last two years ago. All untidy and desolate-looking — now capital cottages have been erected. At the request of the Secretary of the Company, we paid a visit to the winner
1883] COUNTESS OF MEATH 65
of the ist Prize. This was fortunately an Irish woman. (On former occasions the prize had been won by Scotch or English, which led to jealousy.) Near the Coombe buildings are several empty spaces, and Reg hopes that we may be able to build there. It seems really as if the improvement of the Dublin ' liberties ' which I remember well talking over with Mr O'Brien (Lord Meath's solicitor) years ago at Thirlestane, would one day come about. Now the Coombe buildings are a great step in that direction, and if vacant spaces are found and covered with good buildings, or left as breathing spots, my dream will be fulfilling itself." [My darling's dream did come true and happily before she died.] " How little thankful one is for the fulfilment of one's wishes and prayers. I remember praying about this, and yet, now that so much progress has been made in the right direction, I feel sadly thankless for what is coming to pass. How like the con- duct of the lepers who were cleansed, is that of poor human nature !
March 8th. Went to Arklow, where Lord Wicklow's carriage met us and drove us to Shelton Abbey by a long avenue starting almost from Arklow, for two or three miles. Shelton, prettily surrounded by hills, was built by the same architect, Morrison, who restored Kill- ruddery in 1820. Lady Wicklow received us most kindly and cordially. I had not seen her since the days when she was Miss Wingfield, and it seemed odd to find her now as Countess of Wicklow, and Chatelaine of Shelton Abbey. She seems very anxious to do all that is right, and I liked her very much. Lord Wicklow is very kind too. His little boy, Ralph (by first marriage) seems very fond of his stepmother, and he is not to know that she
66 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1883
is not his own mother. No one but ourselves staying in the house.
March loth. Lady Wicklow drove me out in a little pony carriage round the grounds, which are particularly pretty. Afterwards she took me to Bally-Arthur, where Colonel and Mrs Bailey live, the father and mother of one of the Land Commissioners.
Sunday, March nth. Nice little Church. Reminded me of Thirlestane days with a rural congregation, which I had never seen in a Protestant Church in Ireland. The Clergyman, Mr Hope, seems an active man, and he had many men in his congregation.
March izth. Lord Wicklow has kindly lent us his carriage to take us off to Clash (our property) before we return to Killruddery. Sorry to say good-bye, for we had enjoyed our visit. Pleasant drive, being well protected against the cold with wraps and furs. Walked up from the village to Hanlon's, Byrne's, and Miss Newlands. All three new cottages [built by Jeanie] which I had not seen. It was nice to see such pleasant abodes, and the . people apparently very appreciative. There was no sign of their being at all disaffected, on the contrary they were far more cordial than Scotch cottagers would have been. Their ' Y're welcome, My Lady ' is always a nice greeting.
March itfh. My birthday. May and Claudie both brought me flowers. Both so loving, and Arthur was also so."
Jeanie left Killruddery on March 30th and returned to London, leaving the children with Lord and Lady Meath.
STATUE GALLERY AT KILLRUDDERY
MONKS' BOWLING ALLEY AT KILLRUDDERY
1883] COUNTESS OF MEATH 67
I pass over a very busy time for both of us. Visits to Poplar, Southend, etc., in the interests of our different Societies. Miss Emma Hamilton came to stay with us at Ottershaw Park, and we had several meetings in Lancaster Gate and at Petersham Park for the G.F.S. and Y.M.F.S. and then we paid a visit to a cousin, Mrs Montgomerie, and her husband at Garboldesham Manor. She was President of the G.F.S. in Norfolk, and we went with her to Ipswich for a meeting.
On October 2nd Jeanie writes :
" Meeting of the Society which Reg started last year for Boulevards, Open Spaces, and Gymnasia. Captain Thompson was elected paid Secretary/'
Jeanie and I paid a visit to my old Chipping Norton curate friend Pigott and his wife at Grendon Hall, near Aylesbury. He was the " Squarson " of the place — squire and parson combined. We returned to Ottershaw and left on November I3th. Jeanie writes :
" Reg and I drove off from dear Ottershaw, where we had spent a very happy time. It was consoling to think that many had found it a real restful place — the children who were boarded out, members of the G.F.S. and others. I am glad to think that these had an opportunity of seeing so much beauty. ..."
My wife's Diary continues as follows :
" November 26th. Left Anningsley, very sorry to leave. They are such kind, hospitable people, and Mrs Goldingham told me that she thought our visit had
68 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1883
done them good, and stirred them up to action. It is indeed a comfort if one can thus use one's influence. On the other hand, she does me good. I have much to learn from her.
Had a meeting for Whiteley's girls in the hope of gaining many recruits for the G.F.S. Miss Money and Mr Ransford addressed them in the dining-room. His was a very earnest speech. He especially urged the girls to join on account of the religious aid they would give and get, and I think his address was bound to do good. Several gave in their names. I am sure good will come out of it. It was so odd to recognise in the faces of the girls some who had been serving me in the shop. About one hundred and fifty came.
November zgth. Drove to Newington, where the Bishop of Bedford lives. We had arranged to talk over with him the laying out of the £2000 which I hope to be able to give. He is quite of Reg's opinion, and thinks Mission Rooms with lodgings for deaconesses and other workers attached to them would be the right way of spending the money. He proposed to meet Dr Kitto, Mr Billing, and a third Clergyman, and for them to decide on the parishes where the need was greatest. He thought £2000 might possibly be sufficient for two buildings. We had a large luncheon party, for the Bishop receives his Clergy on Thursday afternoons. He invites a certain number to luncheon, and I believe anybody who likes can come in later. Mrs Walsham How told me how hard worked her husband was. He constantly gets no dinner at all, coming home at nine, ten, and eleven o'clock at night, just to have a little bread and milk or any light thing he fancies at the time."
1883] COUNTESS OF MEATH 69
Next day we left for Paris, where we visited our old haunts, and paid Lord Lyons, our former chief, a visit. My darling says :
" Had a pleasant walk with Reg on the Boulevards.
December yd. Drove to see Mdlle de Broen's Mission at Belleville, past the Buttes de Chaumont. It is a long way off. The houses do not look by any means as if inhabited by the very poor. This is owing to the French not inhabiting separate houses as the English poor do. We drove up at last ppposite a corrugated iron building, which proved to be the Mission Hall, where a medical missionary attends daily to the spiritual as well as bodily needs of those who visit the Mission. A lady received us, whom we guessed to be Mdlle de Broen. She was very kind and showed us all round. We saw the Dispensary, where there is a staff of ladies, and one or two working women, who assist to make up the medicines for the patients. We also visited the School. She afterwards took us to her house, where she and fifteen ladies live who work under her. Her room was so prettily arranged and looked very snug. Some of the workers are too poor to pay for themselves. Others live at their own cost. An Orphanage is also attached to the Mission/'
We separated on December 6th. I returned to England, and Jeanie went south to Mentone to stay with her mother. Whilst at Mentone she writes :
' I cannot recollect what morning it was when I was awake at 5.30 a.m. and looked out to find it still night with the moon shining on the Mediterranean. At six o'clock I looked out again and watched the first blush
;o THE DIARIES OF MARY [1884
of morn that poets talk of, the first red glow which told of the approach of morning. It was very beautiful watching the daylight coming, and made me, I trust, thankful for all the beauty given me to enjoy.
January jth, 1884. This was our wedding day, sixteen long years of prosperity and love preserved, as true and real as at the outset. Outside glamour perhaps gone — but replaced by comfort and blessing. Oh ! for thankful hearts for God's mercies.
January 23rd. An article appeared in The Times praising up the action of Reg's Open Spaces Association in having secured an acre or more of the Horsemonger Lane Jail grounds, and mentioning Reg by name/'
Jeanie, writing on January 24th, says :
" Off to Euston, where I met Reg, and was very pleased to get him back again safe and sound from Ireland, where he had a dreadful time of it, what with Bray Town Commissioners to whom he wants to hand over the Market House, and Land Leaguers. They even threatened his life on Christmas Day. So much for gratitude amongst the poor, easily-led Irish !
January ^oth. Temperance meetings held in our house by the C.E.T.S. in the afternoon for servants, and in the evening for business girls. Both ought to have done good, for there were most excellent addresses. It is very humbling to hear how much some can do, when one is conscious oneself of having done so little directly in win- ning people to help to eradicate so great an evil as drink. Indirectly, by the loan of our rooms and general advocacy, we have helped, but I don't think I ever won a drunkard from his evil courses. On the contrary, I fear I was
1884] COUNTESS OF MEATH 71
content to leave him alone. Reg was not present at either meeting, having engagements of his own.
February 2nd. Reg was busy writing an article for the Pall Mall Gazette on Washhouses and Swimming Baths, and I was occupied with my G.F.S. Sick Members* Department.
February $th. Saw Miss Eyre, Hon. Sec. of the working scheme (Brabazon scheme) as they call it in the Kensington Workhouse. She gave a most cheering account of their labours. They employ the most decrepit, and have had two patients working for them who only had one arm to use. Went on to the dentist, Mr Wright. Having heard that he was much interested in Temperance I alluded to the meetings held in our house. The young girl who assists him was present when I told him about them, and when I came out she told me that she had been at one of the meetings, and not only that, but she said she was a G.F.S. member, and had been down to Coombe End. Was very pleased to find a girl belonging to the Society who seemed so much above the average in social station.
February nth. Both Reg and I busy with our Reports, he for his Lodges Department, I for my Sick Members' Department. Poor Reg very sorry for himself not to get a little holiday. Being in Ireland with Land League bothers was no rest to him.
February itfh. Said good-bye to Reg, who had to go to Leeds for a G.F.S. meeting.
February ijth. He returned safe and sound though tired after his long expedition.
February igth. Walked to Victoria Mansions for G.F.S. Council Meeting. They seemed pleased to hear
72 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1884
of the £1000 I had collected for the sick since last Report was drawn up.
February 2ist. Drove with Mrs Goldingham to the house in South Crescent " [Business Girls' Lodging Home started by Lady Brabazon], " which looks much nicer now that it has been partly papered.
February 22nd. Met Miss Collett and a man from Shool- bred's in South Crescent about furnishing it ready for occupation by business girls. Reg, in the meantime, had had to start for Manchester, to attend a public meeting about Open Spaces.
February 26th. Mrs Goldingham came to luncheon and she and I went to Kensington Workhouse. We were taken round the wards, where my work scheme is being tried by Miss Eyre, who is the Hon. Secretary. Anything more satisfactory could scarcely be imagined. We saw one woman working whose hands were completely doubled up with rheumatism, and who was obliged to use her teeth in order to pull out her needle. Another blind woman was immensely relieved to have something to do instead of sitting idle. There was a man also who was only able to knit with his left hand, and who yet produced capital work. The wonder to me was that such cripples could possibly make such neat and pretty articles. Drove back to Mrs Goldingham's house. She was very interested in what she had seen.
February 2jth. Drove to St Pancras to meet Reg, who came back tired, but pleased with his Manchester expedition. His two meetings about Open Spaces were very successful, and he was treated most kindly and hospitably.
March yd. Saw Horsemonger Jail grounds, half of
1884] COUNTESS OF MEATH 73
which is to be opened for a Children's Playground, through Reg's intercession as representing the Garden Association. It is a queer desolate sort of place, but doubtless the children will be very happy when playing there
March ^th. Drove down to All Hallows. Mr Field, whom we found in a very snug little house, came with us to show us where the Mission Hall is to be built — it is to adjoin his Church. I do not think that it is quite my idea to give the money to Clergymen who already possess Churches on the spot, and I would rather have given it for the establishment* of a Mission Hall where no Church was in existence. However, I have no doubt the hall when erected will do good. Mr Field seems to be a hard worker in his parish. His Church is a very large one, and he says it fills of an evening. He has secured a house close to the Church where a young men's club is held and classes of various kinds. On the way back stopped at South Crescent and showed Reg the compartments which have been fitted up as bedrooms for business girls. We both thought them very nice. Shoolbred's men, had, as desired, put up curtains round each bed, but by fixing a rod at the bottom as well as at the top, it has secured far greater privacy than with the ordinary loose curtains, and I don't think I have ever seen cubicles of the kind more nicely arranged. In the evening we interviewed applicants for the position of Matron of the Home. Reg and I both thought Mrs Mitchell, the present Matron of the Highgate G.F.S. Lodge, the most suit- able person. I only trust that she will turn out as well as we fancied she would. The price of the beds is to be on the average 35. 6d. with 3d. extra for use of sitting- room,
74 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1884
March i^th. Woke to a lovely morning on my birthday. The warmth was like summer. I am relieved to think that the Home for Business Girls is now well under weigh, and with, I trust, a good Matron selected to manage it.
March i6th. Another lovely day. It was so warm that I was almost afraid to go to Church, so we sat on Rich- mond Terrace, and afterwards went into Petersham Park, and read the Psalms and part of the service alfresco. It seemed so appropriate to have it in the open air, and we quite longed to have Church services held in beautiful parks like Petersham, where there is the voice of nature to teach that which is good and holy. Reg and I were very happy together, and the better, I hope, for our service and for being together.
March i8th. Left Queen's Hotel, Richmond, to take up our quarters at the ' Mansion/ where we found all ready for us, and the Manageress had been very kind and anxious that we should find things comfortable. Dined upstairs, and thought of Wendell Holmes's Autocrat of the Breakfast Table, for the ' Mansion ' is a Boarding House, and the guests were a curious mixture of nationalities. To begin with, R/s neighbour was a Spaniard. Opposite to him sat a German.
March 2oth. The House in South Crescent is supposed to be set going from this day. I hope it may be a happy home to many, and be the means of doing a little good.
March 22nd. Received such a kind, loving letter from Emma Hamilton which brought tears to my eyes. Reg and I walked in the garden together/1
At 10.15 p.m. that evening our son Ernest was born. On the 28th Jeanie writes ;
1884] COUNTESS OF MEATH 75
" Heard of poor Mrs Goldingham's terrible grief in the loss of her husband. Reg did not tell me at once. He died two days previously. It is too terrible for her, poor thing. May God comfort her. Reg drove over to Coombe and saw Mrs Gladstone, as Mr G. had been sent to Mr Currie's place for change of air. Mrs Gladstone seemed pleased to see him. Reg dined at Lady Russell's at Pembroke Lodge, and came home very pleased with his dinner, and with a lot to tell me which was pleasant.
March zgth. Just a week since a day of gladness for us [in the birth of the wee boy] and of sorrow to poor Mrs Goldingham, whose husband was taken ill on her return from seeing me at Richmond. The funeral was on this day at Ottershaw, and Reg went to it. It took place at 1.30 p.m. and just then the sun burst through the cloudi- ness of the morning. I followed the burial service. It was, I think, the first time I had ever read it carefully through, and I thought it very beautiful. Reg came home about 6 p.m. I was very glad to have my dear husband back again.
March ^oth. Sunday. Was singing hymns early, and Reg found me in tears over the verse ' If Thou shouldst call me to resign what most I prize.1 How terribly hard it must be for broken hearts to say this. A general mourning commenced for the Duke of Albany, who died quite suddenly at Cannes. Sent a thank- offering for the baby of £100 to the G.F.S. Incurable Fund.
April ist. Very low, seeing Reg work so very hard, and knowing that he had a very fatiguing day with his Garden Association and Emigration Committees in London. Parted from him in tears.
76 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1884
Good Friday. Reg went to London and saw Sir Andrew Clark. He said he was overworked, and must take a rest. He thought it wonderful that so delicate a man could accomplish so much. We were very pleased at The Times publishing a long letter from R. on ' State-aided Emigra- tion/ which had been kept so long that we did not expect its publication.
April 2^rd. Reg had a meeting at the Mansion House in aid of ' State-directed Emigration/ The Lord Mayor being absent, he took the chair, and said the meeting was a success, many working men (leaders) attended. One man said that in Lancashire they loved the Queen, and sometimes loved a Lord. The speaker said that if a Lancashire man had a good coat, and a good house, and a full stomach he was a blue Tory, if he only had two of these three things, he was a Conservative, if only one he was a Liberal, and if none he was a Revo- lutionist."
Shortly afterwards we went for my health to Bellaggio and stayed in a charming villa placed at our disposal by my friend, Hervey Pechell. Jeanie writes :
" June 5th, 1884. Reg had a bad night, and announced his intention of leaving Bellaggio, and going to Monte Rosa to see if the more bracing air would do him good. We dined that night at the Marquis Trotti's, and were persuaded by them to go to Promontogno in preference. Had a very pleasant dinner/' [He was the principal landowner in the district.] " No one but the ordinary family party — two daughters and a governess dined, our hosts very agreeable.
June jth. Left Bellaggio. It was very sad indeed,
1884] COUNTESS OF MEATH 77
leaving such a sweet abode, where I had been so happy with my dear old Reg, but it could not be helped/'
On August 3rd received from Mr Morton, the Head- master of Normy's school, which he is just leaving, a most satisfactory letter. He said that no boy had ever passed through his school with a more stainless reputation than he had done. This naturally pleased us much, and we wrote to tell Normy how delighted we were. The widowed Mrs Goldingham and a niece, Milsie Smith, afterwards Mrs Bosanquet, arrived at St Moritz — and Jeanie did her best to comfort her poor bereaved friend. At this time Jeanie was starting a Flower Card Mission. She says : " Enjoyed much doing Flower Mission cards with Mrs Goldingham. It is delightful work, the more so as one hopes it may be a source of great good and consola- tion to the sick girls. Was so pleased to hear my friend say how much she liked doing the Flower Mission cards, and that it was nicer work than any she had done for a long time." Flowers were pressed and gummed on to cards, which were then sent to the Hospitals for the enjoyment of the patients. Miss Trench, the Archbishop of Dublin's daughter, came to see us. She told my wife that she had written some of her father's hymns on the flower cards.
" About this time we made the acquaintance of Herr von Schliitow, President of the great Stettin Shipbuilding Works. He deplored the recent death of our Ambassador at Berlin, Lord Ampthill, as he said he was such a good Ambassador and was much liked by the Germans. We also met Browning, the poet, and his sister, and I found
78 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1884
him a very pleasant man and unaffected. On the 5th September we left St Moritz. We had spent many pleasant hours, and I had so often sat reading to Reg in our little corner room admiring the deep blue-green of the lake, that to leave it was very sad. We had quite an assemblage of our friends to say adieu."
After joining Mrs Goldingham and her sister and niece, we went on to Lucerne and Basle, and I returned to England. Jeanie continues :
" November ^th. I had a pleasant journey to London, where dear old Reg met me. Walked across St James's Park to the Pechells'. Glad to be back again with my darling.
November 8th. Came down to Anningsley. Very glad to escape from the rush and scramble of London with its many engagements and from some of the correspondence. Louie Goldingham kind and dear as ever.
November i^th. Dined at Ottershaw Vicarage and met Mr and Mrs Baker, the present owners of Ottershaw Park.
November igth. Reg went off early to see Lord Meath, who had arrived the previous evening in order to vote on the Franchise Bill, which was to be brought into the Upper House, but now there is to be a compromise between Mr Gladstone and Lord Salisbury, and Pappie [Lord Meath] need not have come.
November 2oth. Had luncheon at Mr Pechell's, and met Pappie. Dined with Lord and Lady Clanwilliam. Saw a curiosity, though a very painful one, in the shape of the only cast taken of the late Duke of Wellington. It was a very distressing object.
1884] COUNTESS OF MEATH 79
November 2$rd. Went down to Wellington College to see Normy. Thought it a capital place for boys. Called on Mr Wickham.
November 30^. Made up our minds to take the little cottage near Anningsley Gate/' [Which we afterwards called Ardee Cottage and where we lived for several years. It belonged to the Rev Baron Hichens. He en- larged the house and garden for us.]
" December 2nd. Went down to Reigate to decide the knotty point whether the Incurable G.F.S. Home is to be or not to be. Decided to buy it, if £160 annual subscriptions could be obtained.
December yd. Had asked Mr Ridgeway, the recently appointed Clergyman of Lancaster Gate, to call upon me, and I talked to him about my Ministering Children's League idea. He approved of it, and now this scheme too has floated. Did not feel sufficiently thankful about it, for I have already more irons in the fire than I can manage at all properly, but I hope this new scheme will be worked by others, and bring about good fruit. Felt my want of power. If I were cleverer I could do things quicker and better, but if one may hope for God's blessing, all wiU be well."
This was the beginning of the Ministering Children's League, which gradually grew, until its influence ex- tended to many parts of the world. The objects were : i. To promote kindness, unselfishness, and the habit of usefulness amongst the young in the home. 2. To en- courage members and associates to take an active interest in the needs of their own parish and district. 3. To create an earnest desire to help all who are suffering, or in want.
8o THE DIARIES OF MARY [1885
It had only one rule, viz. : to try to do at least one kind deed every day, and to be loving, kind, and useful to others.
" February loth, 1885. Reg had his meeting for the Metropolitan Public Garden Association. I remained upstairs finishing off my G.F.S. Sick Members' Report for this year. Five hundred more girls assisted, so we didn't do so very badly.
February nth. Second meeting of the Ministering Children's League. About fifty attended our meeting, and it was a cheering sight seeing all the little people arriving with their little parcels of work done for the poor. Mr Chapman spoke very earnestly to them. He told them about General Gordon, who is now reported to be killed. How child-like a character he was, and how he lived to minister to others. A small meeting was afterwards held to consider about the proposed In- curable Home at Reigate. Lady Henry Somerset, Lady Hampden and others present. In the evening we had a meeting for medical students to consider the tem- perance question. About ninety were present. Dr Symes Thompson, Mr Ernest Hart and others spoke. I was surprised to find such a number of lady students. Most of them very quiet and lady-like, and some pretty girls. I had expected an assembly of black coats, so was astonished to see troops of ladies coming in. Some of the girls thanked us for a pleasant evening, I think it went off well. Dr Anderson of Richmond came. It was with him I had talked over this meeting. The only drawback was in point of numbers."
i88s] COUNTESS OF MEATH 81
On the i7th February we went abroad, and stopping at Lyons Jeanie records that we went into a Church and, kneeling down, she found herself under a picture given evidently as a thank-offering for a happy marriage in 1868, and she then thanked God for our marriage in that year. We went on to Monte Carlo, and whilst at Cap Martin, Jeanie says that we sat out in the terrace gardens listening to the band. She adds : " Made happy by Reg saying that he could not tell me how grateful he was for my love for him/'
In this year we paid a visit to America, and she was successful in forming in that country several branches of her M.C.L., and on our return she wrote, December 7th, 1885:
' Went down to Chertsey to see Claudie and the Ottershaw people. Found Chertsey in a great state of excitement at Mr Hankey's election. Bells ringing, and cottagers looking out of their houses, and school children cheering, as Mr H. is apparently very popular. Claudie was very dear and pleased to see me, and I found to my joyful surprise, that Mrs Goldingham was still at Anningsley. Travelled back with her to town.
December 8th. Miss Johnson came to luncheon and went with me to the annual sale of work done by invalid paupers at the Kensington Workhouse. Miss Eyre is the heart and soul of it, and it is pleasant to see how well the scheme answers, as far as it goes, in this Workhouse. It does not seem to extend itself very much, as I notice the same workers from year to year, and not so many new ones as I should like to see. One old man said to me, when I was admiring a capitally knitted counterpane
82 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1885
of large dimensions, ' Not so bad for between seventy and eighty ! ' I asked him what he meant. It seems the old fellow had made it himself, and was keeping a proud watch over his handiwork. One poor old thing said (the patients are brought down to see the articles for sale) it was her birthday treat, and she was made happy by being given a birthday present, value about 6d, so easily pleased are these poor simple folk.
December gth. Went to Richmond, and saw Louisa Bellson for the first time since her father's death/' [The Rev Mr Bellson was Chaplain to the British Embassy when we were in Berlin.] " Miss Bellson seems to have wonderfully kind helpers who take her place at the Concerts when she cannot attend them." [She organised the Concerts in Workhouses and Hospitals started by my wife.]
" December loth. Went to a G.F.S. Executive Council Meeting, and we both of us handed in our resignations, as we have so much on hand.
December nth. On the way down to Anningsley went to see the performers at the Lambeth Workhouse Concert. The people seemed to be enjoying it, but I did not think the performers had quite done their best for the audience in the way of costume. They were all in morning dress.
December i^th. Arranged with Miss Bellson to meet me at Addison Road Station, where a fly was waiting for us, and we went round to the various Clergy in the neigh- bourhood, and others further east, to tell them about the M.C.L. meeting for ladies, to which we asked the Clergy to send representatives. Those whom we found in were most extremely kind about it and said ' yes/
1885] COUNTESS OF MEATH 83
December i6th. Mr Ridgeway to breakfast, and told him of the success of the previous day. He gave us the names of more Clergymen to visit, which we did, but returned somewhat disheartened, as I found them nearly all out, except Canon Fleming, and he was very kind, and will, I think, do all that we asked him to do. Re- turned home to luncheon, and to write to the Clergy whom we failed to see. Writing to Clergymen is usually unprofitable. They either don't answer, or, I suppose from not having the objects of the League properly explained, are not too well disposed to adopt it. They must be very bothered with letters from people, so no wonder they are disinclined to write extra ones, or start a new Society.
December i8th. Dear Louie " [Mrs Goldingham] " gave me a beautiful ' Christmas Card ' as she called it. A carved frame mounted on red velvet which she had had sent from China for me, and with a photo of Reg in the centre." [This is now in the drawing-room at Chaworth House.]
" December 22nd. Went to see the Home of Comfort at Reigate. Very gratifying to find it all going on so well. A year ago nothing had been fully settled, and there were difficulties felt in raising money, etc. Now the whole affair is most prosperous. A little more money would be acceptable, but the needs are not very desperate, and the patients are improving so much, and the little Workhouse girls turning into useful little servants. Found on my return Normy had arrived, and also Claudie from Otter- shaw."
We returned to Killruddery, and the whole family
84 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1886
were collected for Christmas, Lord and Lady Meath, ourselves, and five children. Jeanie wrote :
" The year 1885 has come to an end with all its joys and sorrows. Much to be thankful for, much to deplore. ' Enter not into judgment with Thy servant, O Lord ! ' I have need to say this, for my frailties and follies are great."
On January loth, 1886, she writes :
' The M.C. League's first birthday. Just a year ago our first meeting took place at 83 Lancaster Gate. I heard on this day through a letter from Miss Medhurst (M.C.L. Organising Hon. Secretary) that the Bishop of Utah (Tuttle) had appointed an M.C.L. Secretary in Salt Lake City. What a curious thing it seems, that the influence of a little meeting at 83 Lancaster Gate should have been felt in such a remote district ! The Americans have had a charming little circular printed which I thought was excellent. Overnight we heard of dear Sir George Houstoun Boswall's death, such a sad and suffering one, that it is a very happy thing that his troubles are over. Poor Lord Meath, who was told in the morning, was very much cut up about it." [He was one of my father's greatest friends.] " It quite took away his appetite, and though it was a lovely day which might have been spring, he could not be coaxed out of doors to get the air which he needs after a long confinement to the house with cold."
Next day we both crossed over to England, and Jeanie records she had a pleasant tete-a-tete with me at Lancaster Gate. She, at this time, added No. 9 South Crescent to
KILLRUDDERY : Lord Meath's residence in Ireland. View from drawing-room.
CIRCULAR POND AND HEDGE AT KILLRUDDERY
i886] COUNTESS OF MEATH 85
her house for business girls at No. 8, and joined the two by opening doorways between the adjacent houses.
On January 2oth she crossed to France on her way to join her mother and Miss Taylor (companion) at Mentone.
On March 4th she says :
" Mr G. Macdonald (the poet) gave a lecture on Othello the third Shakespearian play which he has spoken about this year at Mentone. I went more to see the man than to hear the lecture, but it was very in- teresting, and his line of thought is so elevated that it is as good as a sermon to go and listen to him, and he makes one feel very conscious of one's faults and failings. The lecture took place at Canon Sidebotham's. When it was over, the latter asked me to remain on and have tea, which I had in very distinguished company, as he took me up to Mr Macdonald, and he and I had our tea together. Poor man ! he must have needed rest, for speaking for i£ hours must have been very fatiguing, and he looks no longer young and able for any great effort. However, he was very civil to me. He talks with a delightfully broad Scotch accent, which I always like to hear for the sake of auld lang syne. He shares my liking I found for America, and he had, apparently, a very successful visit there when he went lecturing, and I think he told me his works were more read there than in England.
March i^th. Mrs Ruck Keene met me. She and her husband (still Chaplain at Nice) seem to be ruining them- selves in kindness to others' and in trying to help them in this year of financial distress. They are always doing something for others' weal at Nice. I came in for one of
86 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1886
a course of lectures which they have helped to get up. It was on Buddhism and given by a man who had for thirty years opportunities of knowing about it, having been long in India. He did not seem to be at all enamoured of the religion, or to think it so perfect a one as some imagine. He considered, for instance, that Sir Edwin Arnold, in his Light of Asia, had thrown too much of a poetic halo around it, and that the interpretation of a cultivated man of this century could scarcely be consid- ered as accurately representing the original faith. The lecturer told us that there was a northern and a southern Buddhism ; the former, I think, was the one which he said was nearest to our views of the truth, as they have a belief in a Being like our God.
March i$th, 1886. My birthday ! Alas ! how different do birthdays seem to one as years go on, in comparison with what they once were in the days of one's youth. I got a letter from Ireland telling me that, now that Lord Meath's health is so much impaired, and R/s help is so much needed, he thinks we shall have to make up our minds to make Ireland our home.
March 24th. Mentone. Paid a visit to a charming American girl, a Miss Litchfield — a great friend of Miss Bellson's and who consequently knew all about me, and even about Berlin days. She is now a great invalid, and has been unable to be off her back for two years, but looks forward to a recovery eventually/' [Which after- wards took place and she entirely recovered her health. Jeanie and Miss Litchfield became life friends, and carried on a correspondence until my wife died.] " Had a very pleasant conversation with her, and I think we parted mutually pleased with one another/'
i886] COUNTESS OF MEATH 87
Jeanie returned home on March 26th. On the 2gth, she discussed with Mr Ridgeway the erection in his Church at Lancaster Gate of a pulpit which she proposed to present to him as a thank-offering for the success of the Ministering Children's League started in his parish. This pulpit was afterwards placed there and is still in existence. The Hospital Concerts, started by Jeanie and carried on by Miss Bellson, were going on very successfully at this time, and on the 3ist she writes :
"Miss Bellson and I went to one of the Hospital Concerts at the Temperance Hospital, Hampstead Road, It is apparently a very nice Institution, and the Matron seems a most enterprising lady. After the Concert was over, I had to make a little speech of thanks. The per- formance went off with great credit to the artistes, amateur and professional."
I returned to Ireland on April I5th and the same day Jeanie paid a visit to her " Home " at Reigate, and Arthur joined me at Killruddery on the 27th. In the meantime, Jeanie, assisted by Miss Blanche Medhurst, whom she called an " M.C.L. enthusiast/' were actively engaged in forming new branches of the League, and in encouraging old ones. She began this year to play the harmonium at the Chertsey Workhouse services, and this practice she continued, either in the Chapel, or in the wards, or in both, whenever she was at Ottershaw until the day of her death. She dined with the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Benson, on the loth June, and writes :
' I was greatly in hopes of his taking an interest in the M.C.L, He spoke about it, but I saw it was too early in
88 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1886
the day for him to give his Archiepiscopal blessing, and felt very low about it, as I had counted so much upon something good coming out of the opportunity of seeing him."
On August 3rd, 1886, Jeanie joined me in Ireland, and we took apartments at the Royal Marine Hotel, Kings- town, where a little later on, September 26th, our daughter Violet was born, and on the 2gth she was christened, Violet Constance. Jeanie wrote : " Her name will, I hope, some day remind her of what a ministering child should be, humble and constant. The poor little thing was very quiet on the whole/'
Jeanie about this time wrote in her Diary :
"My principal interest has been thinking about the boys' branch of the M.C.L. Reg and I settled it should be called the ' Gordon Division ' (his invention, this name) of the ' Ministering Children's League.' Miss Orr amongst others — the author of Our Working Men and How to Reach Them — wrote me a very encouraging letter about it. The other interest I have had lately is arranging that, at my death, money shall permanently go towards the training and emigration of destitute children. Had correspond- ence with two or three schools about it. The Gordon Home I found so expensive that this would not do. For English and Scotch children's training and emigration, I think to trust to the ' National Refuges for Homeless and Destitute Children,' and to Dr Barnardo. The former is the Society in which the late Lord Shaftesbury took such an immense interest. Dr Barnardo seems to be doing most excellent work in emigrating children. He
THK HON. ARTHUR BRABAZON Lady Moath's second son.
i886] COUNTESS OF MEATH 89
is sending hundreds out of the country to Canada and elsewhere. Many of them are adopted, and have such a start in life given them as is next to impossible in this country, where, what with the over-populated towns and their drunken and even vicious surroundings, they have, poor little things, little chance of turning out well. Dr Barnardo says that out of nine hundred girls he has sent away, not one of them has gone wrong, and he keeps up a link with everyone he sends away. His organisation seems very perfect.
September ist, 1886: Just eight years since the death of my father. Wrote to Mr Romanes " [Lord Lauderdale's Factor and Executor] . " Thought over what a large sum of money of his " [Lord L.'s] " since then has passed through my hands. It is his economy that has enabled us to do much which otherwise would have been quite an im- possibility. I don't think R/s philanthropic schemes could have prospered so well without it." [Quite true.] ' I felt happy in a measure about the way the money has been laid out, for I have not wasted much on self -gratifica- tion— have been stingy to a fault, but I would rather be that than waste money in a way Papa would not have liked. Woke up feeling quite happy at the thought of having a lot of work to do for the Workhouse, and Hospital Concert letters had to be written. Last Saturday, too, something satisfactory got done. We sent off the pros- pectus of the Gordon Division of the Ministering Children's League, which has taken a considerable amount of thought to set on the rails, so that it will be likely to work. The new motto of this division, ' With God and for Others ' was Miss E. Orr's suggestion, and it seemed such a good one that I adopted it for this special division, but I
90 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1886
should not like to change anything in the General Section of the Society, because we have all our dear good workers in America and Canada to think of. In Ottawa, they are actually about to start a Convalescent Children's Home in memory of Mrs Lewis, their first President, now dead. It is not a year since I was in Ottawa, and I remember driving straight from the station to see her. I did not find her at home, but waited till she appeared. Now she has gone, and all this M.C.L. work results from that visit. Sent Miss Gordon some money to show my interest and appreciation. Mrs Lewis was very kind and put off her journey for a day in order that we might have a little ladies' meeting.
September 2ist, 1886. Felt happy about the start of the first Gordon branch of the Ministering League at Mr Bousfield's School at Kingstown, Ireland."
On October 8th, after the birth of our daughter on September 26th, Miss Medhurst came to stay with us at Kingstown, to help on the work of the M.C.L. in Ireland.
On October 25th we went to Killruddery, I left for London on the 3ist and Jeanie followed on November 3rd, and I met her at Euston. She says under date November 7th :
" Mr Ridge way preached on ' The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto but to minister/ which text is carved round the M.C.L. pulpit in Christ Church, Lancaster Gate." [Jeanie's gift.] " At the angles are the figures of guardian angels guiding little ones, and Miss Medhurst speaks very aptly when she talks about the associates' work, which is to guide the little members, The central
1887] COUNTESS OF MEATH 91
figure is that of Our Saviour, as the Good Shepherd, carrying a little lamb in His arms/'
Jeanie was at this time (1886) much encouraged in her philanthropic work by receiving the following letter from Cardinal Archbishop Manning :
ARCHBISHOP'S HOUSE,
WESTMINSTER, S.W.
November 2ist, 1886. DEAR LADY BRABAZON,
I thank you mnch for giving me the " Ministering Children's League/' in which I join with all my heart and hope that God may abundantly bless your work.
It unites the two things that God loves most, childhood and charity. And there is charity in every baptised child which may be unfolded and perfected by charity.
It is because people fail so much in this, that the spiritual life of children is so hindered and perverted. I have seen for years the elevating and refining effect of bringing up children from infancy without knowing the taste of intoxicating drink. We are enrolling them in the " League of the Cross."
And I will do my best to make them ministers of kind- ness to each other, and to all dumb creatures.
Believe me, always faithfully yours, HENRY E. Card, Archbp.
The New Year of 1887 was passed at Ardee Cottage, and in Jeanie's Diary she records, that on the 1st and 2nd she and her elder children spent the afternoons of both days in the Workhouse at Ottershaw, entertaining the inmates.
92 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1887
On the I4th January, 1887, at a meeting of the M.C. League held at 83 Lancaster Gate, the boys' branch of the organisation was started under the name of the Gordon Division of the Ministering League.
On February loth Jeanie left England for Mentone to meet her mother and Miss Taylor, and I rejoined her on the 15th. " So happy/' she writes, " to be together; this was a week of heart's sunshine/'
Jeanie and I soon returned to Ottershaw, and from there went with Normy to Lichfield Palace to stay with the Bishop (Maclagan) for his confirmation, which took place in the Cathedral on the 2ist April.
Next day I attended a meeting of the Y.M.F.S. in Lichfield, and immediately afterwards had to leave for Ireland on hearing very bad news of my father's health. I found him in a very serious condition. It was evident that he could not live for very long. He was quite con- scious of it himself, and was prepared for the end.
On the 22nd Jeanie determined to join me in Ireland although she was far from well, and not at all fit to stand the shock and strain of being present at a death-bed. My father died on May 2&th, 1887.
On June gth Jeanie records that she and I went to Dublin to see the city property — that we spent a couple of hours in the Estate Office, where we learnt a good deal about the leases which were likely to fall in or which had actually fallen in. " There seems," she says, " to be a likelihood of a good deal of spare space being available for improvements which are sorely needed, and please God that property will be improved in our time." She kept her word, for when she died, on November 4th, 1918, practically all the property in hands in the City of
C/3 OJ
« s
1887] COUNTESS OF MEATH 93
Dublin had been rebuilt or improved. On June loth, 1887, she wrote :
" Off again for Dublin. Went with Mr EUiot, the Clergyman of St Catherine's, and Mr Spencer, the Secretary of the Dublin Artizans' Dwellings Co., to look at a space which will do for a second playground, the first one is already being worked at. Whilst we were looking at the land, saw the priest of the district, whom they say is a very influential man. Was introduced to him and he was very cudl. He told R. he had been reading his book Social Arrows, and he took us to see his school for girls in a Convent close by. One very pretty nun was there. They, the nuns, never go outside these walls. Went back tired, but satisfied at having got something done.
June nth. Said good-bye to my darling and was off by the early boat. Travelled straight to London — then on to Ottershaw.
June I2th. Sunday. Went to my dear Workhouse people and saw my little band of London children.
June i^th. Saw Mrs Jesup — they have lately arrived from America — and went to a sale of work done by the Paddington Infirmary patients (Brabazon Employment Society). The work was most excellent and I bought a quantity of things to furnish a stall for a Bazaar.
June itfh. The little London children and Mrs Gold- ingham's orphans had a merry tea party out in the garden.
June i^th. Miss Medhurst had been very poorly, so I took her place at a M.C.L. meeting at Petersham.
June i6th. Had luncheon with Mr and Mrs Jesup and took Mrs Cuyler (her sister) to see St Thomas's Hospital.
94 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1887
It is very magnificent, and Mrs C. was greatly im- pressed.
June i8th. M.C.L. meeting at Dr Forrest's. He said he thanked God the League had been introduced into his parish. Miss Medhurst spoke beautifully. I was one of the audience. My mother returned. Met her at Victoria Station. London in a great Jubilee excitement. Decora- tions are being put up very freely in all the streets where the Queen is to pass, and also in places where she will see nothing of them. Every house is expected to do something.
June 22nd. Our first M.C.L. Festival. Mrs Golding- ham and I went to town betimes to take flowers for the Church decorations at Christ Church, Lancaster Gate. They were all white and the effect was excellent. The Jesups, Mrs Goldingham, the Bishop of Bedford, and Mr Ridgeway came to luncheon. Service was at 3 p.m. The pulpit looked so well. The effect of light streaming in on this bright, pure afternoon was excellent. The service consisted nearly all of hymns, and we all sang ' God Save the Queen ' and a singing litany. The Bishop preached on ' Let us love in deed and in truth/ I was disappointed that he made scarcely a passing allusion to the League. His sermon was very sweet. A collection was made for the M.C.L. Home, for which the Bishop never pleaded ! Many stayed to look at our M.C.L. pulpit/' [Jeanie's gift.] " My mother was there, also Claudie, with his little schoolfellows. The nave of the Church was almost filled, so, considering that the day was a most unfortunate one, coming in Jubilee week, and that a great entertainment for Board School children, at which the Queen was present, was going on the same afternoon in
1887] COUNTESS OF MEATH 95
the Park, I don't think we did so badly. About fourteen branches of our League were present.
The good Bishop went to see our M.C.L. children at tea at the Church House, which pleased them very much, and he ended by coming back to 83 Lancaster Gate.
July ^th. Just two years since the Home of Comfort at Reigate was opened, and an anniversary service was held, to which I went. By train to Betchworth." [Betch- worth was the original seat of the Brabazon family in England. William tke Conqueror gave it to Jacques le Brabazon, who accompanied him from Normandy in 1066. The latter built there a Castle, the traces of which may still be seen surmounted by the ruins of a Manor House. The situation must have been a strong one in olden days, as it was built on the banks of a bend of the river Mole. The Castle only remained for two generations in the hands of the Brabazons. Jacques le Braban$on's great-grandson removed to Mousley in Leicestershire, in Henry IFs reign.] Jeanie continues : " Good Annie Cazenove was there to meet Miss Morshead and me. She took us to her Home for luncheon. Service was at three o'clock in the Reigate Parish Church, and those present walked or drove to the Home afterwards. Truly the Home has been a wonderful success, and Annie Cazenove, to whom the success has been mainly due, may be very happy. Providence has certainly appeared to shed blessings down upon it. Girls who came, apparently incurably ill, have recovered, and it is not only the patients who have benefited, but there has been such excellent work done in training the little army of Work- house girls, looking most attractive in their neat caps
96 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1887
and aprons. It is the best thing possible for them to learn to wait upon the sick.
July loth. The walls of the M.C.L. Home are rising up fast. The window frame of the front bow window is now being put in.
July izth. Florrie Smith's (Mrs Goldingham's sister) wedding day. The prettiest wedding I had ever attended. The Choir met the bride at the porch and marched before her up the aisle. She looked very composed and pretty as she walked up the Church in her becoming pure white dress, and veil falling over her face. The ser- vice, too, was very reverently performed. Before the bride and Mr Grose Hodge " [afterwards Prebendary and Rector of Birmingham] " departed on their honey- moon trip, they went round to see the poor Workhouse folk and women of the village sitting down to tea. A band played and after tea the younger people danced and were very happy. Three of the little London children were there and enjoyed the music of the band immensely.
July 2yd. The last of the Jubilee festivities. The Grand Naval Review at Portsmouth. Off betimes, and went by special train reserved for the Lords and Com- mons to Portsmouth. R. went somewhat under false pretences as he has not yet taken his seat, and thinks it will be impossible for him to do so this session, as there are so many troublesome preliminary steps to be taken. The weather for the ' Review ' was genuine ' Queen's weather ' and the sight very fine. The Euphrates was told off to take the Lords on board, and she followed in the track of the Royal Yachts as they steamed down the lines of the men-of-war anchored off Spithead. An
1887] COUNTESS OF MEATH 97
excellent luncheon and afterwards tea was provided on board.
September yd. Claudie arrived at Ottershaw, having travelled for the first time all the way from Ireland by himself. This was an important day for R. as he took his seat for the first time in the House of Lords."
A little later on we went to visit Jeanie's old home at Lauder. She says :
" By rail to Stow where Mr Romanes1' [her father's Factor] " awaited us to take us to the old haunts. Stayed at Harryburn " [Mr Romanes' house] "and after luncheon walked with my darling to the old place, passing through the gardens, and going to a well-remembered seat in the path at the bottom of the grounds, and tried to think of God's goodness to us during the past. Went through Lauder paying visits. It was really very nice to see the people so pleased to see us again. Mr Martin, who is still the Clergyman in Lauder, came to dinner."
On October I4th, Princess Mary, Duchess of Teck, wrote my wife one of her kind, considerate letters, recom- mending a poor boy for admission to the M.C.L. Homes at Ottershaw.
WHITE LODGE,
RICHMOND PARK.
October itfh, 1887. DEAR LADY MEATH,
When we met last July at my Village Homes, Addlestone, you were, in your large-heartedness and true Christian benevolence, contemplating the founding of
98 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1888
a Home for little boys, somewhat on the same principle. In the event of your ultimately carrying out this scheme, I enclose the particulars of a very sad case for which my interest and help have been asked, and which, I think, would be quite worthy of your consideration whenever the Boys' Home is started. I fear I am powerless to assist the poor child, except by endeavouring to interest your kind self or Dr Barnardo, in his case, a peculiarly distressing one, I consider. I was so very, very sorry to find, on returning from a walk, the other day, I had just lost the pleasure of a visit from Lord Meath, but as we are neighbours, I hope to see you both on our return in about a fortnight, from a tour of visits, on which we start, D.V., Monday next.
Ever dear Lady Meath,
Very sincerely yours,
MARY ADELAIDE.
Christmas was spent by us with our children at Kill- ruddery, and on January igth, 1888, Jeanie joined her mother at Cannes.
Early in 1888 I met Jeanie at Bologna, and we started on our first visit to Egypt, leaving Brindisi on February 5th in the Paramatta. We reached Port Said on the gth and went on to Cairo, and afterwards to Luxor. Jeanie says : " An intelligent little Arab boy had come with us and acted as interpreter. R. took a fancy to the boy and discoursed with him on various subjects. His ideas of precedence amused us. Kings came first, then Queens, then Mr Cook (of Cook's Agency) and he thought R. was behindhand in having seen the Queen but not Mr Cook." [This poor Arab boy's conviction of the social
i888] COUNTESS OF MEATH 99
importance of Mr Cook reminds me of a popular rhyme when Mr Gladstone went on a holiday trip with Sir Donald Currie.
" Their places to the North they booked, Then o'er the seas they hurried ; While common folks are only ' cooked ' The Grand Old Man is ' curried.' "]
" Mr Cook has certainly earned a great reputation— apparently a well-deserved one — in Egypt. This same little lad had his ears boxed by an Italian steward who had accompanied us. .He was defended by R., who beat the Italian. The Arab boy, in gratitude for the protection, at the end of the day brought a shell necklace to R. They are largely hawked about the place on sale, but R.'s was a backsheesh, and he was quite pleased to think that for once he was the receiver and not the giver, and he was quite touched by the boy's kindly thought."
On leaving Egypt we went by steamer to Jaffa and Jerusalem, where Jeanie was taken ill, and when she recovered we returned home in April, 1888.
On June 23rd the first M.C.L. Home erected by Jeanie at Ottershaw was opened by my cousin by marriage, the Countess of Lathom, and she laid at the same time the first stone of the second cottage, which afterwards became the Boys' Home.
The year 1888 ended on a joyful note. Jeanie writes on December 30th :
' The last Sunday in the year was a happy one. Had such cheery letters from Jerusalem. Dr Wheeler is so delighted with the prospect of help to come, in building
ioo THE DIARIES OF MARY [1889
the new Hospital and with the nurses who have arrived/' [Provided by Jeanie.] " Went to early service. Truly all the sorrow connected with my illness has been turned into joy ! "
Princess Mary, Duchess of Teck, the beloved mother of our present Queen (1922) wrote to Lady Brabazon the following letter — very plainly showing the deep personal interest she took in the unfortunate of all kinds, and the source from which Queen Mary derives her well-known sympathy with the poor and the suffering.
WHITE LODGE,
RICHMOND PARK.
January 23^, 1889. DEAR LADY MEATH,
I trouble you with this line to ask at what age you take little boys into your home ? and what cost ? for there is a baby boy of eight months at the Newport Market Refuge for whom the Sisters in charge of the Refuge are very anxious ultimately to find a home. His mother (I suspect an " unfortunate") has been placed in a Home, where she is taken good care of, and after a time she will go out to service. Should you be able to take in the poor little boy later on, I will obtain all the particulars of his sad case for you. Trusting you and Lord Meath, and all the children are well, and with all good wishes for much blessing and happiness to you in the year we have just entered upon,
I remain, dear Lady Meath,
Very sincerely yours,
MARY ADELAIDE.
1889] COUNTESS OF MEATH 101
On June I5th occurred the third anniversary festival of the M.C.L. A service was held in Christ Church, Lancaster Gate. Jeanie says :
" The Church was beautifully filled. Pretty well all the nave and the transept. There was a great fright about the Bishop of Marlborough, who was to be the preacher, and who arrived very late, but to our great satisfaction we saw him amongst the other Clergy, when they came in during the singing of the processional hymn. It was a bright, happy, service, and the Bishop was so warm about the League, and seemed to think it of so much use. He preached from the text ' Are they not ministering Spirits ? ' Where I was sitting I could see an inscription Laus Deo which seemed very appropriate, I think I felt thankful for undeserved blessings in the prosperity of the League.
July 6th. Went to Herkomer's with Reg. Herkomer is painting R.'s picture, which is looking very like him." [This now hangs in the principal hall at Killruddery, 1922.] " He seems to be a man who is fond of talking to his sitters, and unlike Holt, who was the reverse. Mr Herkomer says that the former was a nervous man and talking distracted him. Herkomer seems to be a man with genius for both painting and music. It is only since he made a name for himself as a painter that he has given reins to his genius for music, and has composed a little Opera.
July iSth. Claudie and May went down to Sandhurst to see Normy (Ardee) and the military parade held by the Duke of Cambridge. Normy has passed out of the Military College, and has finished his studies for the Army
102 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1889
until he goes into the Guards. R. and I dined at Sir Wilfred and Lady Lawson's. It was the first teetotal London dinner party at which I had ever been present.
July 20th. An M.C.L. meeting at Stainforth House, the Bishop of Bedford's, Upper Clapton, in London. The Branch had been in rather a sickly state from want of meetings. I had not been here since we had one to start it in the former Bishop's and Mrs Walsham How's time, both now long since dead. In the evening we dined at Lord Balfour of Burleigh's. He took me down to dinner and we had a long talk about the Temperance question. He is a tremendous supporter of moderation, and the teetotallers, by their extreme views, seem to have offended him greatly, which is unfortunate, as he has a good deal of influence, and is now concerned in local option for Wales. Returned to Ottershaw by late train and did not get home till i a.m.
July 2ist, Sunday. Very glad to have got back for my Sunday afternoon duties, which were carried out under difficulties, as I had to go to the Workhouse with one of the ' Home ' boys in pelting rain, but the poor Workhouse folks were very kind, and glad to see us."
On August 5th, 1889, we started for Ireland and slept at Kingstown. Next day Jeanie records that she travelled into Dublin with the Irish Lord Chancellor, Lord Ashbourne, who, she says, " spoke of R. as having done more in legislating this year for the country than any other private member/'
"August 1.2th. Went to Coolattin (Lord Fitzwilliam's) for a night. A large party amongst whom were the Lord- Lieutenant and his wife, Lord and Lady Londonderry,
COLONEL THE HON. CLAUD BRABAZON Lady Meath's third son.
1889] COUNTESS OF MEATH 103
August i^th. Left Coolattin and returned to the ' Cop- pice ' " [our shooting-box in Wicklow], "where we found a nice little party of Workhouse children, who had tea and ran races, which was very satisfactory/'
On Friday, August 23rd, we left Killruddery for an American trip and slept at Queenstown. Jeanie writes :
" Seldom could travellers have started on a brighter day and with such a calm, beautiful sea visible from the hotel windows. The little Jackal brought us to the big ship Servia. The vessel did not look large until we came close up and went on board. We speedily sighted our friends who were to travel with us, Mrs Goldingham and her little nephew, Neukie Smith.
August zjth. On the previous evening at the hymn singing, a Dr Cuyler, an American, who, I was told, was a well-known and most eloquent preacher, had very politely offered me his seat which I declined, R. fetching another for me, so next morning I got into conversation with Dr C., thanking him for his civility. That evening he gave a lecture, which was very well attended, on ' Men whom I have met/ He was listened to with great atten- tion as he related some of his experiences with Words- worth, who was then an old man, Carlyle, Dickens, Gladstone, Spurgeon, etc. He, the lecturer, must have a wonderful memory, and he had no end of anecdotes to relate. When he had finished, R. got up to thank him on behalf of the English on board for the entertainment he had given us, and said how glad he was at the good feeling which lectures such as these tended to foster between the two countries. Dr Cuyler responded in
104 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1889
very complimentary language to R., and ended up by saying ' God bless the Earl of Meath/ There were sports during the day, a tug-of-war between the English and Americans. R. coached the former, and they came out victorious, and he also acted as umpire during races in which the sailors also took their part.
August 2gth. Dr Cuyler had a talk with us, and R. told him that I should like to tell him about the M.C.L., and he was very kind about it. He afterwards introduced me to his wife, and I felt less shy in telling her about it. I gave her papers which she promised to show to him. Later on he came and talked to me about the League, and said he thought it was very similar to an organisation which he had at work in his own parish, ' The King's Daughters/ He had a long and interesting talk with me, which I only wish I could remember (he is fearfully deaf, and his conversations are very one- sided). He spoke about having known Lord Shaftesbury, and also of the wonderful work which he had done. Dr C. considered him a model philanthropist. He thought Hodder ought to have left out of the biography a few not very kindly remarks which Lord S. may have made upon persons, which it might pain them to read. Dr C. thought such little defects, as ill-natured comments, were like flies in the ointment. He thinks Dr Barnardo is one of the six (I think that was the number) men who are doing the most good in England. He had lent Dr Barnardo the use of his pulpit, and the people had much appreciated him. Dr Cuyler had a great appreciation of Dean Stanley, and of his loving heart. The Dean went over to America, and the sailors all liked to come and have a word with him. Dr Cuyler told me that the
1889] COUNTESS OF MEATH 105
last day that Stanley spent in America he passed with Mrs Cuyler, who showed him the grave of her little boy. Dr Cuyler had written some lines on the death of this child, and they had touched the Dean, and when he was leaving America, where he was so much feted, he chose to spend the time in going to see the little one's grave instead of accepting other engagements. I had another nice long talk with my Congregationalist Minister, who, with the aid of another gentleman, conducts the singing.
August $ist. Had a restless night with the heat. Got up early and wrote a short article on the M.C.L. which I am anxious to get inserted into one or more religious papers. Had a talk with Mrs Leech, the wife of a Method- ist Clergyman, to whom Mrs Cuyler had shown the League papers, and who took an interest in the Society. She thinks she can start it in Albany and in Saratoga amongst the Methodists, and she will get my little paper inserted in some Methodist publication. She told me a great deal about their Church in America, which differs from that of the ordinary Methodists in England. She told me that she would not care to attend their services in our country. In theirs they have a sort of prayer-book much resembling ours, and they have Bishops at the head of their Church who ordain their ministers. They also have Deacons. Mrs Leech is a very active worker, and our meeting seems to be a most happy occurrence. Had much talk with Mrs Cuyler, who was as kind as ever. A concert was given in the evening. There were songs, recitations, etc. Dr Cuyler also made a speech which throughly ' fetched ' the people. His store of anecdotes is wonderful, but sometimes he tells some which touch too much on the
106 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1889
profane, at any rate to my mind, as a Clergyman especially needs to be careful.
September ist. We again had a somewhat restless night on account of the fog-horn. The ship went so slowly that we imagined that all chance of reaching New York the same evening was over. However, the fog lifted, and many and various were the statements made as to whether we were, or were not, to reach our destination that even- ing, which we eventually did. Before landing we had a short service principally taken from the Prayer Book. Dr Cuyler told us afterwards that it was very delightful to find different creeds and different nationalities all worshipping together, as it seemed like a foretaste of the hereafter. Dr Cuyler spoke again very beautifully on various subjects. Telling of the impossibility, according to his mind, of humanitarianism being a cure for the evils to which human nature is prone, he said that there were lots of dirty souls living in very clean bodies, and in very handsome houses. He also spoke about the way in which he thought it a mistake to defend the Bible. He thought that God could take care of Christianity, and that he had been struck by a saying of an English preacher that they were propping the Cross, when they ought to be pointing to it. Dr and Mrs Cuyler were both very kind, and we parted from them with an injunction on their part that we should let them know when we came to New York in the autumn. To my immense surprise when dinner time came and I went down to my usual place, I saw Mr O'Conor, whose acquaintance we had made when last in America, seated at the table. He had most courteously come all the way from Newport to welcome us, and be of assistance. Truly, the Yankees
1889] COUNTESS OF MEATH 107
are very kind ! We had not long to wait in New York before experiencing further American kindness. Mr Jesup's Secretary arrived as we were seated in an im- mense dining-room at the Windsor Hotel. Then the Bishop of Dakota was announced, and much to my delight he seemed quite anxious to hear about the M.C.L. and began talking about it himself. I spoke to him about Dr Cuyler. He thought Dr Cuyler was a man who was greatly respected, and who had done much good. This was high praise from an Episcopalian, the fault of this Church being, I should imagine, exclusiveness. The Bishop told me how difficult it is for him to compass the distances over which he had to travel. He has a Diocese the size of England, and he hopes to have a railway car fitted up which is to be a sort of church on wheels. Confirmations and services are to be held in it, as the car is to be large enough to accommodate sixty people. This is certainly the most original church or mission-room of which I have ever heard." [This idea materialised.] " Mr O'Conor very kindly escorted us to Newport, and rooms had been taken for us in one of the fascinating little cottages belonging to the Cliff House Hotel. Our old and kind friend, Mrs Dehon, invited us to tea. Mrs Gordon, Mrs Goldingham's married sister living at Toronto, arrived in the evening. We met again Dr Weir Mitchell whose acquaintance we had made during our last American trip. Mrs O'Conor gathered together that afternoon all those whom she thought we would like to meet. Their house was so pretty with a piazza forming an extra room. Everyone was supposed to be introduced to us. One lady's conversation greatly interested me. Her young daughter, Elsie, though only twelve years of
io8 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1889
age, is president of an M.C.L. branch in New York, called ' The Busy Bees/ and these children have under- taken to raise a thousand dollars to build a chapel for the Indians, within three years ! " [This was accomplished.] " They have got 600 dollars together, and Mrs Cleveland, my informant, seemed to think that the money would all be obtained. She thought that the M.C.L. was doing her child good. Very encouraging ! R. called on the dear old lady, Mrs Bruin, whose acquaintance he made when last in America. She is now not very far off from being a centenarian. Miss Dehon, who was with him, was complaining of the ingratitude and unsatisfactoriness of the inmates of the Belle Vue Hospital. The old lady turned round to her, and said, ' Are you always thankful for the good things which the Almighty gives you ? ' A reproof which Miss Dehon was able to appreciate, and she said she would never forget it. R. called on Mr Bancroft, the historian, now a very old man. Spent some time in the evening with Mrs Pruyn (also a former American acquaintance) who has lately lost her mother, and the poor old husband, Judge Parker, has been terribly forlorn.
September $th. Soon after breakfast Miss Perkins appeared — the pretty girl whom we had admired so much on our previous visit to America. She looked charming in her pink cotton dress, most tastefully set off with a black sash. It was a relief to see someone whose dress was not costly. I drove off with her to her mother's and grandmother's house, the latter a wonderful old lady, lacking, it is thought, only a few years to be 100. She is full of mental vigour. R. has been to see her and she was very pleased with his visit, She is a Christian
1889] COUNTESS OF MEATH 109
Socialist and is filled with a desire to reform the world. She seems to have high and happy thoughts, and she gave me to understand that through her losses, she had been brought very near to the invisible world. Mrs Bruin has an immense idea of the position which woman now holds and of that which she will yet acquire. As she sat talking to me in her Bath-chair in the grounds outside the house, she held my hand in hers. Her face was very thin and shrivelled but her eyes were bright. Her mind is most active. Mrs Perkins said good-bye to me, and told me that perhaps I should see her daughter in London in December. She is to be married to an English officer (Admiral Beaumont), and a very nice specimen of an American bride she will become. She belongs to a highly gifted Bostonian family. Had a nice little talk in Mrs Dehon's cottage until it was time to be off, leaving pleasant memories of kind friends behind. On the way to Boston we stopped at a station, on the walls of which was placarded in large letters ' No loafing in or about this Building/ An inscription which delighted me. If it could be put up near thousands of buildings at home and enforced, it might be of great advantage. We went to the Hotel Vendome at Boston, where we had been before. Mrs Twing and Miss Emery came to dinner and talked over M.C.L. in America. It was depressing to find that Miss Emery, our present Secretary, really must resign. She is very efficient, and though she has not been able to give as much of her time to it as might have been wished, yet very good results have been attained.
September 6th. We admired the flowers and plants in the Public Garden. R. looked at them with an eye to see
no THE DIARIES OF MARY [1889
if any improvements could be introduced into the Parks of London/'
I was at that time Chairman of the Parks Committee of the London County Council.
From Boston we went to pay our friends, Mr and Mrs Chase, a visit at Chesham, near Dublin, in the mountain- ous district of New Hampshire. We greatly enjoyed our stay there, and then paid Mr and Mrs Jesup a visit at Bar Harbour, Maine. There we met a Mrs Hobson, a most agreeable person, with a very wide experience gathered from many countries. She went to Valparaiso after she married, and she told us of the great tidal wave which passed over that coast and did such fearful damage. She saw the ship which had been carried three miles inland. Professor Peabody and his wife came to dinner, and also another Professor from Harvard College. The former had just returned from England, where he went to hear about charities and social questions. He seems to have come back impressed with the fact that a good deal is being done to improve the lot of the poor. He saw something of the Socialists, and was struck by the want of sincerity amongst some of their leaders. He said that someone whom he knew had walked home with Hyndman after he had delivered one of his violent addresses, and that the former had taxed the Socialist with not believing all that he had been declaiming to the people. Hyndman had acknowledged that such was the case, but apparently he wanted to keep the people stirred up !
On the i6th September we left Bar Harbour, and went to Montreal in Canada, en route to stay with Mr and Mrs
1889] COUNTESS OF MEATH in
Gordon at Toronto. Jeanie was delighted to find that the seed she sowed when there last year had produced a fine crop of M.C.L. branches. Our party took train by way of Hamilton to Niagara Falls, and on the morning of September 20th Jeanie writes : " Opened the shutters in the morning to find myself face to face with the glorious spectacle of the waterfall/1 After a day spent in visiting and thoroughly exploring the wonders of the great falls and rapids, we returned to Toronto and renewed our visit to Mr and Mrs Gordon. The latter most kindly invited friends and associates of the M.C.L. to listen to an address from Jeanie, who discovered to her surprise that on that very day, September 22nd — four years before — the M.C.L. was first introduced to the people of Toronto at a G.F.S. meeting in Mrs Gordon's house, at which Jeanie was present, and spoke, and that Niagara had been visited on both occasions on the same date, and the same Sunday in September had been spent in Toronto.
On the 27th we went to Buffalo, and Jeanie was pleased to find that there were four branches of her organisation in that city. The 2nd October found us in Chicago, where I made the acquaintance of General Stockton, who was at the head of the Parks Committee of Chicago. He most kindly showed me the whole park system, each separate park being united by broad avenues of trees. We drove for three and a half hours through these continuous parks and boulevards. Jeanie, in the meantime, held several M.C.L. meetings, and we dined with a Miss Arnold, who assisted her greatly in her propaganda. Her next visit was to Grand Rapids, where she was entertained by a Mr and Mrs Sweet. Thence she went to London (Ontario)
H2 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1889
and was encouraged to find a flourishing branch, which she addressed. She was entertained by Mrs Small- man.
On October loth, Jeanie visited Hamilton, and then rejoined Mrs Goldingham at her sister's, Mrs Gordon, in Toronto.
October I3th found her in Ottawa. She says :
" Mrs Allan (President of the M.C.L.) called for me in a little pony carriage, and drove me off to the M.C.L. Hospital for Children. It is just outside the town, and stands on a bank overlooking the Rideau River. It is a pretty little house about the size of our Ottershaw Home, standing in its own grounds. There is a drive up to the door, and on entering you come first to a small dining- room for the nurses, then into the children's wards consisting of two rooms with folding doors in between them. They contained ten little beds, and there is a delightful piazza outside. Here the children can play about, and in summer time have their meals outside. The Matron is said to be a very nice person, and took a great interest in the Institution. She was dressed in uniform, and had a badge on her arm with ' Children's Hospital, Ottawa ' on white silk, and in the centre a Geneva Cross and ' M.C.L.' printed. The Hospital makes money by taking in cases and charging 10 dollars a week, and also by sending out trained nurses. Until this Hospital was established there were no trained nurses to be had. There were none in the larger Hospital already established in Ottawa. The nurses are paid 20 dollars a week, but the charge for them is double that sum, so this adds to the resources of the Institution. Poor cases
1889] COUNTESS OF MEATH 113
are, I think, nursed here. They expect to have five nurses. So excellent work is done, and there is great cause for thankfulness that the little Hospital has been established. The charity was begun as a Convalescent Home in memory of Mrs Lewis (the first President of the League in Ottawa), and a brass plate with this information is placed on the outside of this building.
At an M.C.L. meeting held on the I3th, it was decided that I should go and see Lady Macdonald, the wife of the Premier, who is a great lady here. Mrs Bogart and a Miss White were to accompany me. Lady Macdonald was very gracious. She had read in the papers something about our Association, and she said that she had been hearing a very nice account of Brabazon Home from a lady who had been staying in London, and who manages the sixty or seventy children who belong to a sort of Guild in which her daughter is much interested, and who work for Missions. Lady M. was all in favour of these being linked on to the League. This was far more of a success than I had at first anticipated. A railway journey of about three or four hours brought us to Montreal. Drove to the Windsor Hotel, where I found kind Mrs Goldingham and Neukie. Had some supper and then went down with them to the Vancouver, a ship belonging to the Dominion Line, in which they are going to return to England ; it was arranged that I was to travel as far as Quebec with them.
October i6th. On board the Vancouver. Went upon deck about 6.30 a.m. hoping to see the sunrise, but it was up before I could get out. The morning was perfectly lovely, and I walked up and down in the sunlight whilst we were going down the beautifully wooded St Lawrence
H4 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1889
River. Felt happy and thankful. Quebec, when it came into view, looked very well/'
After seeing Mrs Goldingham off to England, Jeanie accepted the kind hospitality of a Mr and Mrs Robert Hamilton, and was delighted to find that unbeknown to any connected with the M.C.L. either in England or in Canada, a very flourishing branch of the organisation had been in existence for three years, numbering thirteen associates and members. She returned to Montreal on the 24th October, and Jeanie was fortunate enough to sit at dinner next the distinguished scientist, Sir William Dawson, who gave her much interesting informa- tion. In her Diary she recorded, that he said that the Canadian " robin " was a thrush, and that it was doubtless so named by people from the Old Country, who liked to call the bird by a name with which they were familiar. Some birds which had puzzled her, and which she described as resembling starlings, he thought were blackbirds ; he said they have no yellow bills and their cry rather resembled the starlings. During dinner Sir William was speaking about the age of the Bible and of whether it was as old as some of the sacred Books of the Hindoos and Persians. " He thought that Moses made use of writings already in existence, and showed his inspiration by not enveloping his facts in a cloud of myths and legends, such as the priests in other religions did when writing about such facts as the Flood, or the story of Cain and Abel, which have been recorded else- where as well as in the sacred narrative. Sir William said that the older a religion, and the further back it could be traced, the purer it was. He instanced the
1889] COUNTESS OF MEATH 115
Egyptian religion, which was originally monotheist, but afterwards became corrupted. He thought there had been a time when all religions were the same, but after the Flood, and through the descendants of Noah's sons, religions became divided. There was an ancient legend of a goddess weeping over her children drowned in the Flood. Sir William's opinion was that this same goddess appeared under different names, such as the Athor of the Egyptians, Ashtorath, and Diana of the Ephesians, who were one and all meant for one person, Eve, the mother of mankind, and that the same worship was in a measure contained in that of the Virgin Mary. He thought of drawing public attention to this, if no one else did. Sir William said that about a year before this conversation a discovery had been made of writings dating from about Joshua's time. They were letters by a king of Canaan to a king of Egypt, whose name was given. All these new proofs of the authority of the Scriptures, he thought, dealt heavy blows on the sceptics." He told Jeanie that he did not think there could be any doubt about the authenticity of the mummy of Rameses II which we saw in Egypt, and that there was a cast of a statue of his, which was very like the mummy's face. Having heard a sermon on the previous Sunday from a Dr Norton on the doctrine of Purgatory, which he argued was an Egyptian belief which had been grafted on to Christ- ianity, Jeanie asked Sir William whether this statement was accurate, and he said it was. After dinner Sir William read some of the New Testament very impressively, and the Bishop of Montreal gave an extempore prayer, in which he introduced a petition for the prosperity of Jeanie's work, that she might be given wisdom to do
n6 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1889
aright, and that she might be kept safe from all harm on her journeys. Next day, the 23rd, she started for Albany, and I joined her there, and we paid a visit to our old friend, Mrs Pruyn, whom I had known years ago as Miss Parker when my friend, Sackville Stopford (afterwards Sackville) and I were on our first visit to America, during the Civil War. Lady Shrewsbury and Lady Selkirk, who had been travelling through the Far West, arrived to stay in the house as visitors. Jeanie held a very successful M.C.L. meeting. Next day we started for New York to stay with Mr and Mrs Jesup at 197 Madison Avenue. From there we paid Dr and Mrs Cuyler, whom we had met on the Servia, a visit at Brooklyn. Jeanie was much distressed as the American " Women's Auxiliary " have decided not to adopt the M.C.L. as the Episcopal Church Society for Children, but to organise " Juvenile Auxiliary Bands/1
October 27th. Jeanie writes :
" Woke at 5 a.m. Much disposed to worry about the fact that we have no good M.C.L. Secretary. Miss Emery is resigning, and can now do very little for us, and if we have no head we shall do badly, moreover other societies are coming in and our poor little one is in danger of being pushed to the wall/1
Mr Jesup invited me to a " stag " dinner party of men only. We were fourteen in number, including Mr Chauncy Depew, Mr Lord (a leading lawyer) and Dr Huntington. On leaving the Jesups we went to Phila- delphia, where Jeanie was at first disappointed, as she could not find traces of the M.C.L. branches she had
1889] COUNTESS OF MEATH 117
established, but afterwards she was greatly encouraged on finding many more than she had expected.
On November 7th we went to Baltimore and from thence to Washington, where we were welcomed by Miss Grace Litchfield, who had a very narrow escape from death during an earthquake in Mentone. At that time she was an invalid lying on her back, now we found her comparatively quite well, and able to get about, though still looking pale and suffering from want of sleep. I went on the gth to see Richmond, the capital of the Southern Confederaqy during the Civil War, and Jeanie went by boat to Mount Vernon just as she did four years previously. She says : " Went upstairs to the little room where on the former occasion I remember praying that God would prosper the League, and now that prayer is coming very true, and there is a Branch belonging to Washington's old church which seems to be a power for good in the place. We pray for things, and our faith is so weak that we wonder when what we ask for is given ! 'J
On the 1 2th Jeanie saw a specimen of a small Virginian town, Alexandria, which is a remnant of the past. The rush of American life does not reach it. The streets are called by names no longer to be found in the United States, such as King Street and Princes Street, etc., reminding the people of the days when it belonged to England! She found here a lady, a Miss Henrietta Johnston, who had already started a very flourishing and active M.C.L, branch in this old-world town. Not- withstanding my remonstrances, Jeanie started off on the I3th to address M.C.L. branches at Annapolis in pouring rain. She held two meetings, one for whites
u8 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1889
and one for blacks, as in the States the two races never mix, and then returned the same day to Washington. By some mistake two meetings had been arranged for Jeanie to address on the same day and hour at New York and at Princeton. So I came to the rescue, and took the latter meeting for her. I thought I had secured an excellent M.C.L. Central Secretary for America for her in the person of a Mrs Osborne. Afterwards we visited Professor and Mrs Osborne, and on second thoughts Mrs O. said she feared the work would be more than her health could stand, unless a second lady could be found to help her. Ultimately, Jeanie found a Mrs Benedict of Brooklyn to undertake the duties. On the 2oth we paid a visit to Mr and Mrs Ingersoll at 85 Turnbull Street, New Haven, Connecticut, and on the 23rd went to Boston, and saw Mrs Twing, of the Women's Auxiliary Society. Jeanie was pleased to find that she was not at all antagonistic to the M.C.L., as some belonging to her association seemed inclined to be. We paid a visit in the evening to our very old friends, the Chases. We met at dinner Dr Everitt Hale, founder of the " Lend-a-hand Clubs " and a literary man. While staying at the Ven- dome Hotel, Jeanie overheard the following remark : " She is a Countess. She can't be an Earless." The good folks did not know that the " Earless " was close to them.
On Thanksgiving Day, 28th November, Jeanie was fortunate enough to hear Dr Phillips Brooks preach on visiting the fatherless and the widow in their affliction. He thought some men's religion was deep, but not broad. Such is that of those who are content to pray for their own salvation, whilst the religion of the philanthropist,
1889] COUNTESS OF MEATH 119
who does not give enough time to his own devotion, errs on the opposite side. I was invited by a Ladies' Club, the " Saturday Morning Club," to address them on the Irish question, which I did, and my remarks were very well received.
December 2nd. Our last day in Boston. We went with Mr Chase to see Helen Keller, the wonderful child of nine who neither hears nor sees, and yet who is a most intelligent girl for her age.
Jeanie describes our visit thus :
" The other day she wrote a delightful letter to R. She is staying in the same Institution in which the famous Laura Bridgman lived, and Dr Howe is still the head of it. Helen has to keep up communication with the outer world through her teacher, who is very devoted to her, and luckily in the asylum there are others who can speak to her through the medium of the hand. It is curious how fast she tells her ideas to her teacher, spelling out the words on one hand. She reads to her- self, passing her fingers rapidly along the raised letters. She told me, through her teacher, that she would like me to come to her home in Alabama, and she would show me the flowers and the birds. She would be a pretty child, but for the fact that one eye has been dis- figured. She wanted to know what the Earl did in his Castle. R. seems to have made an impression on her. She is a dear, sweet child with a good disposition. It seems very strange, that though she can read so well they have not taught her any religion apparently. It was time to say good-bye to Mr and Mrs Chase, our old friends and kind entertainers, and we were off on our last railway journey in America, arriving at New York late
120 THE DIARIES OF MARY [i!
at night. We dined next day at Mr and Mrs Jesup's, and met the ex-President Cleveland and his pretty wife. It is wonderful that she should be so simple and unaffected considering the high position she has held.
December gth. We dined at Mr and Mrs Lord's (the famous lawyer) and met a lady whose diamonds were said to be worth £100,000. I was very much astonished when I saw such j ewellery . Great , large solitaire diamonds studded about her dress.
December loth. We had a beautiful day for the last one which we spent in the States. Our American friends were kind to the end. One lady, Mrs Parsons, sent me a beautiful lace hood, Mrs Cuyler, grapes, Miss Dehon, lovely fruit, Miss Butler, sweet roses, Mr Patterson, a book, all of which we found waiting for us in the Teutonic, a Belfast vessel belonging to the White Star Line."
And so ended our second, and my third visit to America.
On the day of our departure kind Bishop Potter of New York cheered my wife by sending her the following letter :
160 W. 59TH STREET, NEW YORK.
December ioth, 1889. DEAR LADY MEATH,
To educate children to think of others and to make sacrifices for them, is to do more for their happiness and welfare than anything else can do, unless it be the religion of Jesus Christ.
I am glad to think that you have not failed to find,
THE LADY»VIOLET BRABAZON, AFTERWARDS COUNTESS OF VERULAM Lady Meath's youngest daughter.
1890] COUNTESS OF MEATH 121
on this side of the Atlantic, those who sympathise with you in this endeavour, as it has taken shape in the " Ministering Children's League/' and I am very sure that no good work among the children, whatever may be the name it bears, can be otherwise than helped and quickened by the movement which you are seeking to promote. May God abundantly bless and prosper it ! I am, dear Lady Meath,
Your faithful servant,
H. C. POTTER,
Bishop of New York.
On the I2th a heavy gale arose, but abated next day. Jeanie writes : " There is a Mr Trask on board whose place at dinner is opposite ours, a very pleasant, benevolent American gentleman. We sit next the Captain." Later on she writes : " Had a very nice talk with Mrs Trask, who seems to be a most superior woman. I felt happy to think that I could do something to cheer her, for she has lost three children. I tried to make her feel the happy side of her life. She has lost her children, but she has a husband who is quite devoted to her and she to him/' We afterwards saw a good deal of Mr and Mrs Trask and Jeanie continued as long as she lived to correspond with her. Arriving at Liverpool we crossed over to Ireland and drove to Killruddery on the 20th, where we were greeted by my mother and sister, Arthur, Claudie, May, Ernest, and baby Violet. Jeanie ends her Diary by the remark, " I prayed that the journey might be useful, and it has apparently been very much so/'
We spent Christmas at Killruddery, and the ist January, 1890, found us at Ottershaw. In the meantime, Normy
122 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1890
(Ardee) had entered the Grenadier Guards, and Jeanie writes under the above date : "I saw Normy for the first time since he has entered the Guards. Glad to find him still the same simple-hearted boy.1' We shortly returned to Ireland, and spent a good deal of time between Killruddery and the Coppice, as an almost universal epidemic of influenza was raging, and in turn attacked almost all the family. Whilst at the Coppice I received a telegram to say that Lady Lauderdale was seriously ill, so we started off that evening — February I4th — for London, en route to Cannes. Miss Bellson accompanied Jeanie, and I followed later. Mr Trask, whose acquaint- ance we had made on board the Teutonic, happened to be staying with his wife at Cannes, and hearing of Lady Lauderdale's serious condition, and that Jeanie was expected, very kindly met her at the station, with the news that there was some improvement in the condition of the invalid. But alas ! this did not continue and she died on February i8th, 1890.
On March nth, we left Cannes and returned to England.
Jeanie on May 3rd went to St Albans for an M.C.L. meeting. She says : " There was no one to meet me at the station, and it was a somewhat forlorn proceeding arriving at the place where the meeting was to be, and to find empty chairs, but it turned out that I was too soon, and when I came back nearer the time, people were coming. Lord Grimston was in the chair. He was very kind but knew very little about the Society. There was no one but myself who seemed able to speak about our League." I have quoted the above as it is interesting to think that no one knew at the time that some years
1891] COUNTESS OF MEATH 123
later another Lord Grimston, the son of the Chairman, would marry our youngest daughter Violet, then a child of four years old.
On the 2ist June, 1890, the second M.C.L. Home, the first stone of which had been laid by the Countess of Lathom, was opened. Jeanie writes : " Baby Violet did her part admirably in laying the foundation of the third building on this day/'
In this year, 1890, we were honoured in Ireland by a visit from Carmen Sylva, the Queen of Roumania.
On October 8th, 1890, we started for Neuwied on a visit to the Dowager Princess of Wied, mother of the Queen of Roumania.
With the exception of Normy (Ardee) we all spent the New Year at Killruddery. Jeanie had caught a cold in Germany which went to her lungs, and this was for several years the cause of much trouble to her and of anxiety to us all. She writes :
" On January I3th, 1891, we dined in Dublin with Lord and Lady Ashbourne, the Lord Chancellor of Ireland. Lord Wolseley was there. Lord A. spoke about fame, and how soon a man, after he is gone, fades out of recollection, but the effects of his life, alas ! live on for good, or for evil."
One of the first things on our return to Ireland in 1891, in celebration of Ardee's coming-of-age, was to entertain the whole of our Irish tenantry and employees, between three hundred and four hundred in number, at a dinner on January isth. Ardee was absent, with his battalion of the Grenadier Guards, in Bermuda.
Jeanie during the course of this year contributed an article to Great Thoughts on the " Little Sisters of the
124 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1891
Poor/' and a second on "A Good Work in Germany/1 She also sent a third to Mr Stead's magazine, called Help, on the work of the Grand Duchess of Baden, a fourth to the Parents' Review on " The Ministering Children's League/' a fifth to Great Thoughts on " A Day's Outing in the Sunny South," and a sixth to the Quiver on " A Noble Work in Germany," being an account of our visit to Pastor von Bodelschwingh's philanthropic institutions.
On February I3th Jeanie left me in London, and stop- ping at Marseilles, where she visited the institution there of the " Petites Sceurs des Pauvres," she went on to Cannes and on the i8th, the anniversary of her mother's death, she drove early to Christ Church, where the funeral had taken place. She writes : "I drove on with Ehret " [her maid] " to the Cemetery. It looked very lovely, and the cross had just been put up over the grave. It was made by an Italian in Florence. Madame de Bunsen had asked me to luncheon. I came back and worked at a little article I was writing on the ' Petites Sceurs.' '
In this connection Jeanie received the following en- couraging letter from the Bishop of Wakefield :
OVERTHORPE,
THORNHILL, DEWSBURY.
March iqth, 1891. DEAR LADY MEATH,
Your letter has interested me greatly. Thank you so much for writing to me. Your plans seem maturing rapidly, and I shall watch your efforts with deepest interest. Yes, we do want some system like that of those
LORD ARDEE
Lady Meath's eldest son.
1891] COUNTESS OF MEATH 125
devoted " Petites Soeurs des Pauvres," and I do not like that we should suffer the reproach of not having the love and zeal and self-sacrifice of Roman Catholics. God grant you may be allowed to wipe off this reproach. The name is difficult. One wants a good taking name, which is not a mere imitation. How would " Daughters of the Aged Poor " do ? But it wants thinking about. I wish you could in any way associate or affiliate the plan to the Deaconesses, who are not of any party, and are doing such good work in London, but perhaps it would be difficult. One thing I have learnt from long experience, which you may find a little hindrance, namely, that ladies who want to give themselves to work for God, so very often crave the more stimulating and (as they feel) more satisfying system of the High Church Sisterhoods. But there must be many content to work on simpler and more sober-minded lines. Still we must not be shy of enthusiasm, and it would perhaps be better to welcome workers of all shades of view, making a rule, as the Deaconesses do, to avoid controversy rather than to try to get all to be of the same tone of mind in Church
matters.
Always yours very sincerely,
WM. WALSHAM WAKEFIELD.
To return to my wife's Diary :
"February 1891. Just at the sunset hour I thought of my mother. The sunsets behind the Estrelles Hills are lovely at Cannes. Then came a thought into my head which seemed as if God had given it to me, and that was, to start a Home in England, to train our people to act the part of the ' Little Sisters of the Poor/ and care for
126 THE DIARIES OF MARY [1891
the aged. I thought I might draw money out of the ' Artizans' Dwellings Co ' in Dublin, and spend it on a House, and I thought that Mr Stead, the Editor of the Review of Reviews, might perhaps take the matter up.
The idea of all this made me feel quite happy, and I thanked God for the thought. I had a long time to wait before I could explain, except by letter, my idea to R., or get his opinion, but on the following Tuesday, the 24th February, he arrived with May and Miss Stephenson (governess) and then I told him about it, and he approved. Next day I sent off an article to Great Thoughts in which I roughly sketched out the idea. On the 26th I sent off a letter to Mr Stead on the subject, and I received from him, as it seemed by return of post, an answer. He was evidently pleased with the idea, and apparently anxious to go on with it. He asked me to write an article for his paper Help which he is just starting as a means of ventilating the views of people interested in philanthropic objects. In the meantime a House had been suggested to me by Miss Cazenove for the housing of Epileptics. I thought it much too large and expensive, but when the idea of the ' Home of Comfort for the Aged ' was mooted it seemed to me that it might just suit, and I asked Mr Hichens, Vicar of Ottershaw, to look at it for me.
March jth. A letter arrived from Miss Cazenove saying that a Schoolmaster or Mistress wanted to take the house, Westbrook, at Godalming, the one which I wanted to secure for the new scheme. The same letter gave such a satisfactory account of the house, which had been seen by a Dr Napper — the man who started Cottage Hospitals — that we settled to make the venture, and we telegraphed
s
1891] COUNTESS OF MEATH 127
to Miss Cazenove to take it for us, and felt very happy about it.
March 8th. Spent a delightful Sunday with dear R. Went to Church at Mr Percy Smith's, and sat next my darling and had happy thoughts about the work which may be before us/'
This house afterwards became the Home of