Leaves from the Note-Books of Lady Dorothy Nevill — John Shaqi
Leaves from the Note-Books of Lady Dorothy NevillNevill, Dorothy, Lady
History
Leaves from the Note-Books of Lady Dorothy Nevill
Nevill, Dorothy, Lady
Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 19th century; Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 20th century
When the late Sir Robert Peel was married to Lady Emily Hay (the
Duchess’s sister), the wedding breakfast took place at Apsley House, to
which, as usual, no Press representatives had been invited. What was the
Duke’s horror, therefore, to read the next day in his morning newspaper,
a full account of the proceedings, together with a report of such
speeches as had been delivered! He was absolutely furious, and knowing
that I was a friend of the proprietor of the paper, came round to see
me, in a towering rage, to try to get me to discover the culprit. “I am
sure,” said he, “one of these newspaper fellows smuggled himself in and
lay under the table whilst the breakfast was going on.” In spite,
however, of my strenuous efforts, the miscreant was never discovered,
much to the annoyance of the Duke, who for years would never speak to
the owner of the paper—a dear friend of mine, who happily is still
alive.
Some time after this the latter told me that, to avoid any other
incident of this kind occurring, he had given strict orders that no
report of any social festivities whatever should appear unless
accompanied by the written permission of the hosts, and I rather fancy
that the rule in question still holds good.
At that time, of course, the Press was not regarded quite in the same
light as it is to-day, and the majority of its representatives were
viewed with a good deal of suspicion. Mr. Delane, however, was an
exception to this, and was everywhere warmly welcomed in society. I
often went down to parties which he gave for Ascot races at a house
which I believe is now tenanted by the Jockey Club, and also used to see
a certain amount of him in London. Well do I remember his once saying to
me in connection with some troubles which he was describing: “Ah! you
have no worries; your path is strewn with rose-leaves, and those
carefully ironed out.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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