The Letter-Bag of Lady Elizabeth Spencer-Stanhope — Volume 1
History
The Letter-Bag of Lady Elizabeth Spencer-Stanhope — Volume 1
Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 19th century; Spencer-Stanhope, Elizabeth Wilhelmina Coke, Lady, 1795-1873
One story is that Lord & Lady Grey went up followed by two sons &
three daughters, and that the King said, laughing heartily, "Did you
all come in the Slap-Bang?" The Duchess of Bedford was much scolded
for not bringing Miss Russell, Frank Russell's [22] sister. She was
sent for out of bed. When she arrived, the King met her at the door,
and presented her with a partner, & stood by her while she danced.
The King is going to the theatres to _feel_ the public mind with
regard to a coronation. The Queen stays to annoy him. She had written
in her own hand to say, "As I am not to partake in _our_ coronation, I
expect to have a Gallery for myself and Ladies."
Lady Worcester [23] was not expected to live thro' last night. She was
at the Birthday & at the ball, danced a great deal, felt unwell, and
was fool enough to take a shower bath before she went to bed. She was
seized with inflammation in her bowels & in great danger immediately.
Lord Conyngham is nicknamed the "Small toothcomb"--all back and teeth.
I hear there is a new version of an old story of the Duke of
Gloucester. He went to see Bedlam; a man called out--"Ha! Silly Billy!
Are you come here?" The Duke exclaimed--"God bless me! How odd he
should know my name!" Upon which the keeper remarked innocently--"He
_has sometimes_ glimmerings of sense, please your Royal Highness."
They are in a great fright lest Lord Worcester [24] should marry Miss
Belle Calcraft. [25] It is supposed there has been an intrigue between
them for some time.
Lady Worcester's sufferings were most extreme, her complaint a
twisting of the guts. She died sensible but screaming. On one side of
the bed sat Lady E. Vernon, on the other, Lady Jersey, also screaming
with grief. The Duke of Wellington had to drag them by force out of
the room. There were eighty people standing round when she died.
The Ministers are said to be very angry with the King. Lord Liverpool
sent to announce Dr Dodsworth's [26] death, and the Canonry of Windsor
vacant in consequence, to ask who his Majesty would choose it to be
given to. He said very short--"Oh, I have given it away already."
_May 25th, 1821._
The French Play is going down fast, the Patronesses never attending,
so poor Sequin wrote a memorial to the ladies to say he should be
ruined, and, in consequence, last Tuesday was very well attended. I
hear of no marriage excepting Miss Lockhart, who used to go about with
Lady C. Durham, to an Italian Count who had followed her from Italy.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account