Social Victorians/Timeline/1898

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Sometime in 1898

Sometime in 1898 MacGregor Mathers translated The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abra-Melin the Mage, as delivered by Abraham the Jew unto his son Lamech, A.D. 1458.

Sometime in 1898 the Local Government Act was passed, and Gerald Balfour was "largely responsible for putting [it] through."

January 1898

A party at Blenheim Palace, home of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, in January 1898 used some of the costumes worn at the ball for a tableau:

Dramatic entertainments in aid of the restoration fund of Woodstock Parish church were given on Thursday afternoon and evening in the long library at Blenheim palace. The first portion of the entertainment consisted of a series of tableaux, in which whose who took part included the Duchess of Marlborough, Lady Sarah Wilson, Lord Chesterfield, Lord Churchill, Lord and Lady Curzon, Lady Blandford, Ladies Lilian and Norah Spencer Churchill, the Hon. Mrs. A. Bourke, Mr. and Mrs. Henry White, and Mr. H. Milner. Except in two cases the tableaux were of historical character, and they were picturesquely portrayed. Many of the costumes were those worn at the Devonshire house fancy ball last June.

3 January 1898, Monday

Bertie and Alex visit Chatsworth:

A truly loyal welcome was accorded the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Princess Victoria upon their arrival at Chatsworth on Monday evening as the guests of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire until Saturday. The people assembled at Rowsley Station and on the road to Chatsworth in their thousands, but unfortunately for the would-be-spectators dusk had fallen when the Royal visitors arrived, and very few were afforded an opportunity of gaining a satisfactory glimpse of the genial features of the Heir Apparent or his gracious Consort. The Royal party left Sandringham at 1.40 and travelled by the Great Eastern to Peterborough, leaving at 2.55. From Peterborough the train was worked on the Midland Railway Company's line to Rowsley. The officials of the Midland Company who travelled from Peterborough were Sir Ernest Paget, chairman of the company; Mr. G. H. Turner, general manager; Mr. S. W. Johnson, locomotive superintendent; Mr. L. Mugliston, superintendent of the line; Mr. C. H. Jones, assistant locomotive superintendent; and Mr. Loveday, chief inspector. Rowsley Station was most elaborately and tastefully decorated by the gardeners from Chatsworth, and Mr. Pitt, stationmaster. From the platform to the entrance crimson cloth was laid, and the booking hall was adorned with choice plants. Shortly before five the Duke of Devonshire, accompanied by Lord Stanley and Mr. Dunville, the Duke of Devonshire's private secretary, entered the station. There were also present Mr. Gibson Martin, the Duke of Devonshires [sic] agent; Captain Holland, Chief Constable of Derbyshire, and a number of railway officials. A portion of the platform was reserved for privileged spectators, amongst whom were Mr. R. W. M Nesfield, J.P., agent to the Duke of Rutland, the Misses Cross (Bakewell), Mr. H. Deeley (Rowsley), and others. The train was not a minute late. The first passenger to alight was the Prince of Wales, who smiled very pleasantly as the Duke of Devonshire advanced to meet him. The Prince, who looked remarkably well, wore a brown hat and Chesterfield coat. The Princess of Wales and Princess Victoria having alighted, Sir Ernest Paget and Lord Stanley were introduced to the Prince of Wales. The Princess of Wales wore a sea blue grey travelling coat trimmed with white fox, and Medici collar and toque to match. Princess Victoria was attired in dark velvet, with a double-breasted ulster of dark velvet trimmed with pearl buttons and toque to match.

Little ceremony marked the reception of the Prince and Princess at Rowsley Station. The approaches to this somewhat primitive-looking, though modern, building were kept by quite an imposing contingent of mounted constables, whose duties on the whole may be said to have been chiefly ornamental in effect. With dowers and palms and foliage brought from the famous conservatories at Chatsworth, the arrival platform was made positively radiant, whilst bright coloured flags and draperies served to relieve the normally prosaic aspect of the station walls and pillars. As time wore on, and the hands of the clock pointed towards the hour that was to witness the Royal visitors [coming? arriving? Fold in paper] the loyal villagers, who had gathered in the vicinity grew quite [restive?] with expectancy. It was interesting to hear fall from the lips of [some?] of those present recollections of that day, never forgotten seemingly in this part of the country, which saw the first appearance therein of the Princess of Wales. But soon a 1ull in the pleasant chatter of the village folk indicated that their interest in the event to which all had been looking forward had reached its acutest stage, and in another moment the Royal "special" had come to a standstill, and a couple of hundred voices or more proclaimed the loyalty of the restful little Rowsley.

In the faint glimmer of the lights the Princess of Wales, dressed wholly in black, could be seen leaning on the arm of the Duke of Devonshire and walking towards the carriage in waiting, followed by the Prince of Wales and Princess Vic[t]oria, who was also attired in black. With their Ro[y]al Highnesses were Captain Holford and Miss Knollys. Preceded by outriders and driven by postillions arrayed in splendid liveries of dark blue and silver, the Devonshire colours, the equipages made their way at a rapid pace through the little streets of Rowsley, in which but for the lateness of the hour many a loyal inscription emblazoned on trim house-front or across a balcony, would have greeted the eyes of the distinguished visitors. As it was, nevertheless, the familar [sic] signs and tokens of devotion were not wanting, and there fell upon the ears of the occupants of the ducal carriages hearty and enthusiastic cheering[.] Holding aloft bright torches, moreover, the presence of the children of the parish schools, assembledon [sic] either side of the roadway imparted a picturesque element to the welcome accorded to their Royal Highnesses. A like reception was extended the guests of the Duke and Duchess as they passed through the old-world village of Beeley; whilst flambeaux, borne by the young tenants on the estate, shed their fitful light on the carriages as they were driven through the beautiful park itself, near the ornate gates of which a large throng had assembled to shout their welcome upon the arrival of the Prince and Princess at Chatsworth. At this moment arc lamps of electric light were making bright the terraces and grounds over- looked by the windows of the old house, the fountains were plashing, and the waters of the cascades falling beneath lights of many brilliant colours, which illumined for the nonce the beautiful gardens of Chatsworth, and proclaimed to all in its neighbourhood that the Royal guests had arrived.

The company invited to meet their Royal Highnesses consists of the Earl of Rosebery, Earl and Countess De Grey, the Countess of Gosford, Viscount Acheson and Lady Alexandra Acheson, M. de Soveral, Count Mensdorf, Lady Randolph Churchill, Lord and Lady Elcho, Lord Stanley and Lady Alice Stanley, the Right Hon. Arthur Balfour, Lord Charles Montagu, Mr. and Mrs, [sic] Grenfell, Lord Stavordale, Mr. and Mrs. Menzies, Miss Muriel Wilson, Mr. Mildmay, M.P., Mr. and Mrs. W. James. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Sassoon, Captain Jeffcock, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Leo Trevor, Mr. Strong, Mr. Malcolm Bell, Captain Holford, and Miss Knollys.

The week's programme will be largely influenced by considerations of weather, especially as a visit to far-famed Haddon Hall is included for the benefit of the Princess. There will be three days' shooting, and the Baslow, Paddocks. Birchill, Stan Wood, Hare Park, and Bunker's Hill preserves have been expressly reserved for this week. A large marquee will be erected near the scene of the shooting. A prominent feature of the week's amusements will be the theatrical performance, which is to take place on Friday night. That performance is to be repeated for the benefit of the local nursing charity on the Monday night following. In the cast of "His Little Dodge," a three-act farce, are Mrs. W. James, as Lady Miranda Little; Lady Randolph Churchill, as Candy(a maid); Mr. Mildmay, as Sir Hercules Little; Mr. Leo Trevor, as Mr. Hobb; Captain Jeffcock, as Mr. Pollaby Pitlow; and Mr. Malcolm Bell, as Grice (a gardener). The trio of characters in "Kitty Clive," Frankfort Moore's comedy, are taken by Miss Muriel Wilson, who is in the title role; Captain Jeffcock, as Jack Bates (a provincial actor), and Mr. Leo Trevor, as the Landlord of the King’s Head, Thatcham. Mr. Johnston's string band, from Manchester, which is engaged to play at the house every day during the week, will provide the orchestra, the performance taking place in the ballroom.

28 January 1898

The Gentlewoman reports that Mr. Schreiber was a member of the house party at Ecton, Northampton, at the Sotheby's:

A Small and Early Dance was given by General and Mrs. Sotheby at Ecton, Northampton, on January 28, the night after the Pytchley Hunt Ball. The houses round brought parties. The house party at Ecton included Mr. and Lady Agnes de Trafford, Lady Sinclair, the Master of Sinclair, and the Hon. Ada St. Clair, Lady Ida Dalzell, Hon H. Lee-Dillon, Miss Blois, Miss De Capell Brooke, Mr. Innes Ker, Mr. Schreiber, Miss MacMillar-Scott, Mr. Herbert Sotheby, Mr. Alfred Sotheby, and Mr. Harold Russell.

February 1898

22 February 1898, Tuesday

The ball at which Lord Rosebery’s daughters debuted:

The smartest members of London society were present at the ball given on Tuesday by Lord Rosebery in honour of his daughters, Lady Sybil and Lady Peggy Primrose, who affected their début under exceptionally brilliant auspices. Both looked wonderfully nice and fresh in twin frocks of white satin and chiffon with white flowers, of simplest make, but yet so pretty and so picturesque. The Prince of Wales looking all the better for his trip to the seaside opened the ball with Lady Sybil Primrose, while Mrs. Arthur Sassoon danced in the same quadrille with Count Mensdorff. The Duchess of Devonshire, in pale green and white with embroidery of roses; the Duchess of Marlborough, in white with her magnificent pearls; the Duchess of Buccleuch, in black; the Duchess of Montrose, in pale pink, trimmed with satin of a deeper hue, and wearing a superb diamond coronet; the Duchess of Roxburghe, in black, glittering with diamonds and jet; Lady Spencer, in grey satin, with pink roses, and wearing a tiara and necklace of brilliants; and Lady Tweedmouth, in beautiful rose colour, were only a few of the great ladies present. There was a sprinkling also of foreign Ministers and representatives, including the Russian Minister, the Portuguese and Brazilian Ministers, and Chargé d'Affaires of the United States and his pretty wife. Perhaps the débutantes attracted most attention. The prettiest dress in the room was that worn by Lady Marjorie Carrington, a little soft white dress with garlands of pink roses; and Lady Tweeddale’s daughter, Lady Clementine Hay, was dressed white tulle over satin, with roses and white satin baby ribbon. Among other girls who looked well were Lady Beatrix Taylour, in white satin and tulle embroidered with diamonds, and Lady Helen Stuart, in white and silver with turquoise and diamond ornaments. Miss Muriel Wilson wore white satin with a bright red sash, and her hair threaded with a ribbon of red satin. Lady Katharine Egerton worn white, and Lady Katharine Stanhope wore pink veiled in white embroidered net. Everyone had nice things to say about the young debutantes, who are charming girls, so fresh and unspoiled, entering into everything with the utmost enthusiasm; they have been brought up in such seclusion that all ordinary pleasures are to them as a surprise and a delight. The beauty of the night was Lady Helen Vincent, who looked simply lovely in turquoise blue with pale blue twisted in her soft, fair hair, and a beautiful diamond crown. She is so tall, so slender, and spirituelle in appearance, that everyone turned to look at her as she passed by; Lady Granby was also very noticeable on account of her slender height and picturesque appearance; and she brought with her Miss Pamela Plowden. Mrs. Arthur Pagent [sic?] was a brilliant figure in black, glittering with sea-blue sequins; she wore a rtviere [?] of diamonds on a blue ribbon round her throat, and a diamond comb with trembling diamonds in her hair; while Georgiana Lady Dudley, always beautiful, was dressed all in white, with a pearl coronet on her head and ropes of pearls round her throat; and Mrs. Grenfell was also beautiful in white. Lady Sassoon had a beautiful bow of diamonds glittering in her dark hair; the Marquise d’Hautpoul looked the essence of elegance in pale green satin, with emerald and diamond embroidery; Mrs. Hwfa Williams was in black satin, veiled with jet-embroidered net and embroideries [?] in silver; and Mrs. Asquith wore bright ruby velvet. A very beautiful dress was worn by Mrs. Charles Wilson of black fish net over jetted tulle and glittering chains as sleeves; and Mrs. Henry White wore a handsome dress of pink satin, ornamented with big bunches of purple and white flowers, and in her hair large wings encrusted with diamonds. Among other noticeable in the throng were Mr. and Mrs. Leo Rothschild, Lady Suffield and her daughter, Lord and Lady Carrington, Lady Minto, Lady Romney, in cerise; Lady Cole, looking none the worse for her successful efforts at the Brighton Ice Carnival; and Mrs. Maguire, in black, with little white bows tastefully embroidered all over the skirt. The many men included Lord Cork, Lord Rowton, Lord Stavordale, Lord Hyde, Mr. Ronald Moncrieffe, Mr. Henry Foley, Mr. Chaine, Mr. Montague Wood, Mr. Haldane, and Mr. Gaston Fox [?]. The front staircase leading up to the ball room was at one time completely blocked by two streams of people passing in and out; but the ball room was spacious and prettily decorated in bright red, while the staircase leading to the supper room beneath had little nooks and corners, which were very popular as sitting out places; and the tables in the supper room were beautifully decorated with festoons of pink tulips intertwined with lilies of the valley and Lental lilies mingled with mimosa.

April 1898

8 April 1898, Friday

Good Friday

10 April 1898, Sunday

Easter Sunday

14 April 1898, Thursday

W. B. Yeats went to Paris to see MacGregor and Moina Mathers (Harper 74 18).

25 April 1898, Monday

"On [1898,] 25 April, Yeats wrote to Lady Gregory from Paris, where he had been 'for a couple of days', that he was 'buried in Celtic mythology' and would be 'for a couple of weeks or so'. 'My host', he said in a postscript, 'is a Celtic enthusiast who spends most of his day in highland costume to the wonder of the neighbours.'" Maud Gonne was also in Paris.

May 1898

2 May 1898, Monday

The Annual Dinner of the Incorporated Society of Authors was held on Monday night at the Holborn Restaurant. The Bishop of London presided, and among those present were Colonel Hay, the American Ambassador, Sir Martin and Lady Conway, Mrs. Lynn Linton, Lord Welby, the High Commissioner for Canada, the Servian Minister, the Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University, Sir Richard Temple, Mr. Anthony Hope, the Agent-General for New Zealand, Sir W. H. Russell, Mr. Sidney Lee, Lord Monkswell, Professor Michael Foster, Professor Skeat, Sir Walter Besant, the Rev. T. G. Bonney, Lady Greville, Lady Colin Campbell, Mr. T. S. Townsend, Mr. F. D. Beddard, Mr. Oscar Murray, the Rev. H. R. Haweis, Mr. H. Rider Haggard, Mr. J. Scott Keltie, Mr. A. W. à Beckett, and Mr. J. M. Lely. After the toast of ‘The Queen, which was enthusiastically drunk, [sic]

The Chairman submitted the principal toast— viz. “The Society. He said he believed it was generally supposed that a meeting of authors was a meeting of persons whose one desire was to read to one another their own compositions— but he assumed they had all on this occasion left their latest manuscripts in the coat-pocket of their other attire. Of course the most comfortable form of conversation was that of criticising the imbecility of everybody else, and he could only suppose that after-dinner speaking was introduced for that purpose. It was there. fore with a profound consciousness of what the guests might say about them that the speakers would address them that evening. In submitting the toast of the society, he would like to say that authors, in spite of what had been said about them, were a very harmless class of the community. That truth was at all events permeating the youthful mind. He heard the other day of a boy who had arrived at the conclusion that he would go into the Navy, but after hearing his father talk about the probable results of the warfare that was now going on, and suggestions as to what might happen to the ships, he assumed a peaceful air, and approaching his father said, ‘I do not think I shall go into the Navy after all.’ ‘Indeed, said his father, ‘what will you do?' The boy replied, ‘I shall be a poet, it is less dangerous.”

Referring to the work of the Society, Dr. Creighton said a good deal had been done, though not all that its most zealous members expected, and he wished it every success. He hoped the time might come when all publishers would compete for the honour of publishing their works.

Sir Martin Conway, in responding, said very little had happened worth recording in the past year. They had added the usual 100 members, and they hoped to follow their rule by electing the chairman of their dinner a member. They were, of course, very much interested in the two copyright Bills before Parliament, and, although they could not hope to see them passed into law in the coming session, the fact that they were before Parliament would attract attention to the many questions connected with copyright which demanded attention and solution. With regard to the Canadian Bill, they were likely, owing largely to the energetic and able help of Mr. Hall Caine, to have an Act passed which would be eminently satisfactory to all English authors and to the Canadian people. The Society, he believed, would continue to prosper, and they would ultimately [Col. 1–Col. 2] include all the authors of any importance as well as all the young beginners in authorship that the country contained.

Mr. Sidney Lee, in submitting the toast of 'The Guests,' mentioned the names of many who had honoured the Society with their presence. He put the American Ambassador first in the list; and the name of Colonel Hay was received with loud and long-continued cheers.

The toast was responded to by Lord Welby.

The toast of ‘The Chairman' was proposed by Mr. Anthony Hope, who, in the course of a humorous speech, complained that authors should have been signalled out from all other professions as the class upon whom the doctrines of Socialism should be tried.

The Chairman, in responding, remarked that he could hardly claim to be recognised as an author. It was true he had written a few books, but his experience had not been particularly happy, for he had never made enough out of his books to pay for those he had to buy to enable him to write them. (1898-05-07 Publishers' Circular).

17 May 1898, Tuesday

Daisy Countess Warwick and Muriel Wilson were at the May Drawing Room: <quote>Lady Warwick's appearance at Tuesday's Drawing Room caused great excitement; she certainly looked most beautiful, and was most graciously welcomed in the Throne Room. The Queen had gone before she passed [through], but the Prince and Princess of Wales and Prince Christian evidently congratulated her on her reappearance after her illness. Mrs. Chamberlain looked exceedingly well, and so did Miss Muriel Wilson.</quote> (1898-05-21 Bridgnorth Journal)

Lord and Lady Wimborne hosted a dinner party at Wimborne House that evening. Mr. Schreiber was there, as was Muriel Wilson, among others.

Lord and Lady Wimborne entertained at dinner last evening, at Wimborne House, Arlington-street, the Duke of Roxburghe and Lady Margaret Innes Ker, the Countess of Erne and Lady Evelyn Crichton, Mr. and Lady Theodore Guest and Miss Guest, Lord and Lady de Ramsey and the Hon. Alexandra Fellowes, Lady Ulrica Duncombe, Lady Muriel Parsons, Lord Percy St. Maur, Viscount Villiers, Mrs. Arthur Wilson and Miss Muriel Wilson, Baron and Baroness Emile d'Erlanger, Mr. and Mrs. George Cavendish Bentiuck, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur James, Mr. Penn, M.P., and Miss Penn, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Bingham, Mr. and Mrs. Adeane, Captain and Miss Keith Fraser, Miss Bernard, the Hon. Robert Grosvenor, the Hon. Claud Willoughby, the Hon. Rupert Guinness, Mr. Montagu, Mr. Schreiber, Mr. Brassey, the Hon. Dudley Marjoribanks, and Mr. Du Cane.

25 May 1898, Wednesday

Derby Day at Epsom Downs, so the Luise Friederike Auguste Montagu, Duchess of Devonshire, hosted a ball that night?

28 May 1898, Saturday

Gladstone's funeral in Westminster Abbey. The NY Times erroneously reported that he was laid next to Disraeli, but only Disraeli's bust was there; Disraeli was buried in Hughenden.

29 May 1898, Sunday

Whit Sunday

June 1898

Summer 1898: WBY summered with Lady Gregory at Coole Park 1897-1917 or so, until WBY bought the Tower at Ballylee. (I got this from Wade?).

14 June 1898, Tuesday

Ascot.

<quote>House Parties. The largest of the house parties for Ascot is that which is given by Lord and Lady Alice Stanley, who have staying with them Lady Gosford and her daughter, Lord and Lady Derby and their daughter, Lord Curzon and Lady Georgiana Curzon, and Lord and Lady Wolverton; while Mr. and Mrs. Grenfell are bringing over a coach-load from Taplow Court, including Lord and Lady Londonderry and Lady Helen Stewart. Lord and Lady Uxbridge have a party, including Sir George Chetwynd and Miss Olive Chetwynd and James and Lady Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Wilson and Mr. and Mrs. Henry King (who have taken Warfield for the week), are also entertaining parties. Mrs. Bischoffsheim’s party includes Sir Edward and Lady Colebrooke, Lord and Lady Rossmore, Lady de Trafford, Lord Elcho, and M. Boulatzell; while the Duke of Portland, Sir Arthur and Lady Hayter, and Mr. Cassel are also entertaining.</quote> (St. James's Gazette 1898-06-14).

21 June 1898, Tuesday

<quote>ANGLO-AFRICAN WRITERS' CLUB.

The monthly dinner of the Anglo-African Writers' Club took place last night at the Grand Hotel. Mr. Rider Haggard presided over a large attendance, which included as the principal guest of the evening Mr. J. G. Kotze, late Chief Justice of the South African Republic; Dr. Lyne Stivens, Major Ricarde Seaver, Mr. R. F. Hawkesley, Mr. F. Dyer, Mr. W. Carr, jun., Baron Zedlitz, Mr. W. Garland Soper, Mr. J. H. Huddart, and Mr. G. E. Matheson, hon. secretary.

The Chairman proposed the toast of "The Health of Mr. Kotze," with whom twenty years ago he was closely associated in Transvaal affairs. He said they had heard of strange things happening in the Transvaal; they had heard of corruption; but it had never been suggested that there had ever been anything that savoured of corruption or partiality in the High Court of the Transval while Chief Justice Kotze presided over it. (Hear, hear.) Chief Justice Kotze was, however, dismissed with as little ceremony as might befit the dismissal of a defaulting usher. (Shame.) He was dismissed because he stood up for the rights and liberties of Justice as represented by the persons of those who administered it; because he stood up for the rights and liberties of civilised men. He now appealed to the only power to whom he could fitly appeal, the Government and the people of this country. (Cheers.)

Mr. Kotze, who was accorded a most cordial reception, said he had passed through a very varied experience. In 1877, when for the first time he presided over the High Court of the Transvaal, in his address to the practitioners he stated that the motto on which he would act would be "Onward and upward," and true to the line, he had never deviated from or falsified that motto. (Hear, hear.) Those in England who had been trained to look on the law as laid down by those great lawyers who had made the British Constitution as inviolate could hardly realise in these days the possibility of an onslaught being made on the independence of Justice or of those whose duty it was to administer it. He, as one of the Judges of the Transvaal, was appointed for life, and could only be dismissed after trial before a properly constituted Court, yet in consequence of a question which was submitted to the Judges a new Law was hurried through the Volksraad in three days against the advice of its own legal advisers. The Judges said they would stand together to maintain the independence of the Court in accordance with the Constitution of the Transvaal and in defence of the liberties, the lives, and the property of the people of the country. He was dismissed summarily for the action which he took, and had been denied the right of trial, to which he was entitled, and failing that he had appealed to the British Government and the British people, in whose sense of justice and of right he had every confidence. (Hear, hear.) </quote>

26 June 1898, Sunday

There was apparently a regular celebration of Arthur Collins' birthday, 26 June, by Bret Harte, George Du Maurier, Arthur Sullivan, Alfred Cellier, Arthur Blunt, and John Hare (Nissen, Axel. Brent Harte: Prince and Pauper: 239. [1]). Choosing 1885–1902 as the dates because those apparently are the dates of the close relationship between Harte and Collins, ending in Harte's death in 1902.

July 1898

23 July 1898, Saturday

Helena Keith Fraser's wedding:

MARRIAGE OF LORD STRADBROKE AND MISS HELENA KEITH FRASER

The marriage of the Earl of Stradbroke with Miss Helena Keith Fraser, daughter of the late General Keith Fraser, and granddaughter of Madame de Falbe, was celebrated in St. Paul's Church, Knightsbridge, on Saturday afternon [sic]. The Princess of Wales was present at the wedding, accompanied by Princeess Victoria of Wales and Princess Marie of Greece, and attended by the Dowager Countess of Morton and Major-General Sir Arthur Ellis. Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein also attended, with Major Martin and Miss Emily Loch in waiting. The bride was accompanied to the chancel by her brother, Captain Hugh Fraser, 1st Life Guards, who gave her away. The bridesmaids were Lady Evelyn Crichton, Lady Constance Grosvenor, Lady Kathleen Cole, the Hon. Ethel Fraser, and Miss Honor Leigh (daughter of Mr. and Lady Rose Leigh), and Miss Kitty Leigh (daughter of Mrs. Gerard Leigh), the two little cousins of the bride. The bride was attired in a Brussels lace gown with train of satin trimmed with chiffon and lace. She wore a Brussels lace veil and a crown of orange blossoms. Her ornament was a small diamond pin, which belonged to her father, and she carried a small bunch of lilies of the valley. The bridesmaids wore picturesque dresses of white chiffon, with fichus and narrow blue sashes. Their hats were drawn chiffon, with a blue Louis Seize knot in front and a large pink rose. They carried loose bunches of the same flower, and wore turquoise bracelets given by the bridegroom. The service was choral, and on the entrance of the bride the hymn, "Blest are the pure in heart,'* was sung. The hymn after the address was, "Peace, perfect peace,” and the anthem by Sir John Goss was, ‘‘Praise the Lord, O my soul.” The Bishop of Norwich conducted the service, assisted by the Vicar of Henham and other clergy. Earl Sondes acted as Lord Stradbroke’s best man. Among those present, in addition to their Royal Highnesses, were the Danish Minister and Madame de Bille, the Duke of Abercorn, the Marquis and Marchioness of Hamilton and Lady Gladys Hamilton, the Marchioness of Hastings and Miss Chetwynd, the Countess of Rosse and Lady Muriel Parsons, Lady Alington, Lady Angela Forbes, Lady Templemore and the Hon. Hilda Chichester, the Dowager Countess of Shrewsbury, Lady Savile and Miss Helyar, the Dowager Countess of Lonsdale, the Dowager Lady and the Misses Blois, Isabella Countess of Wilton, the Countess of Uxbridge, Lady Hartopp and Miss Wilson, the Countess of Enniskillen, Lady Virginia Sanders, Admiral and Miss De Horsey, the Countess of Westmoreland, the Countess of Kilmorey, Lady Baker, Count and Countess de Torre Diaz and Miss Zulueta, Sir W. and Lady Barttelot, Mr. and Mrs. F. Hartmann, Colonel Rowley, Captain Hugh Fraser, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hotham, Miss Gye, Captain and Mrs. McNeil, the Hon. Mrs. Maguire, Mrs. Beresford Melville, Mr. Willie de Falbe, Mrs. and Miss Flower, Mr. and the Hon. Mrs. William West, General and Mrs. Stewart, Mrs. and the Misses Wormald, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Colvin, Mr. G. F. Clarke, the Hon. Mrs. R. Greville, Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont Hotham, Lady Maud and the Hon. Randolph Capell, Miss Tatlock, the Rev. J. and Mrs. Patrick, the Rev. A. R. and Mrs. Upcher, Lord Huntingfield, Mr. and Mrs. Kerrison, Miss Sybil Drummond, Colonel and Mrs. Bence Lambert, the Hon. Constance Hamilton Russell, Mrs. Ewart and Miss Bulkeley, Viscount and Viscountess Boyne, Mr. Percy Whittaker, Mr. George Farnham, Miss Hawkes, Mr. Cross, Mr. and Lady Gwendoline Colvin, Lady Jane Combe, Colonel and Mrs. Bagot-Chester, Colonel and Mrs. Burnaby, Captain Hotham, Major Taylor, Mr., Mrs. and Miss Verey, the Hon. A. Yorke, Sir George Hutchison, Mrs. Langenbach, Mrs. C. and Miss Murray, Gen. and the Hon. Mrs. Talbot, Colonel and Mrs. Cavaye, Mrs. Sandham, Major and Mrs. Sclater, Lady St. Oswald, the Hon. Mrs. and Miss Dudley Ward, Helen Lady Forbes, Mr. and Mrs. Gaussen, the Rev. and Mrs. Claude Hope Sutton, Lady Cunard, Mr. Walter Bonham, Lady Wolverton, Captain Heaviside and Mrs. Fane and the Masters Fane, Mr. and Mrs. Lucas, Lady Du Cane, Miss Anna Cassel, Lady Constance Gore, Lady Inchiquin, Mrs. Bischoffsheim, Captain and Mrs. Halford, Captain Darby-Griffiths, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hall, Miss Wormald, Lady Swansea and the Hon. Miss Vivian, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Walker, Mr. Morrice, Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone, Mr. Remnant, Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, the Hon. G. Hamilton Russell, Mrs. and Miss Verschoyle, Alicia Lady Buchanan Riddell, Georgina Countess of Dudley, the Hon. Lady lngleby, Lady Augusta Fane, and many others. Sir William Fraser was prevented from attending by illness.

The reception was held after the ceremony at 19, Grosevnor-square [sic], the town residence of de Falbe, and the Earl and Countese Stradbroke left later for Carlton Curlieu Hall, near Leicester, the seat of Lady Hilda McNeil, sister of the bridegroom. The bride’s going-away dress was of silk in cream shade of pale lilac, trimmed with point d’Alencon lace, pale blue vest, and tocque to match.

The "Lady's Pictorial" gives the following description of the dresses, etc.: —The bride was attired in a most beautiful gown and veil of exquisite old Brussels lace in a rare design of roses and leaves (the gift of her mother). The lace dress over satin, slightly trained, fell full graceful folds at the back, while the bodice, transparent at the top, formed a small open V between the beautifully scalloped border, and the lace below the waist was drawn into a short soft drapery. Deep flouncing of the lace, which cost a small fortune, was laid on all round the Court train, almost covering it except in the centre, where there was a soft drapery of mousseline-de-soie. The lace veil surmounted a coronet of orange blossoms, and was fastened with diamond pins. The bridesmaids’ dainty and beautiful costumes consisted of white silk muslin dresses over white satin, with over skirts of the muslin sweeping round to the waist in front, and bordered with a flounce hemmed and put on with ruching. Frilled fichus trimmed the bodices fastened in front with large single pink roses on the stem, and their sashes were of pale blue inch-wide satin ribbon with long ends at the back. Their transparent drawn chiffon hats bordered with frill caught up with narrow blue ribbon bows, had a large rose at the side, and a long spray of lovely leaves almost encircling the crowns. The little girls looked quaint and charmingly bonny in similar costumes, their skirts just touching the ground; and their presents from the bridegroom wore gold bracelets set with turqouises and pearls, and loose posies of pink cabbage roses. The Princess of Wales was present in a pale grey gown with a white satin bodice trimmed with lace, and pale pink in her toque; Princess Victoria of Wales was dressed in pale mauve and white, and Princess Marie of Greece wore pale coral pink chiffon and a white hat; Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein wore a handsome black lace gown over pale cornflower-blue silk and white lace at the neck, ruches of the soft blue silk trimming her toque. After the ceremony a reception was held at Madame de Falbe's residence, 19, Grosvenor-square. Mrs. Keith-Fraser was handsomely gowned in delicate peach-colour pear de soie, scarves of lovely old point d’Aloncon lace trimming the skirt, and the fichu drapery on the bodice of peach-coloured mousseline de soie bordered with lace matching the scarves; lace was also carelessly wound round the muousseline sleeves, and pansies trimmed her peach-coloured gauze toque. The bride’s travelling costume consisted of cream-coloured serge, the skirt trimmed with a cluster of rows of stitching, outlining a deep flounce. The coat, with strapped seams, and outlined with rows of stitching, had the fronts arranged in narrow diagonal tucks. The draped revers were of white batiste let in with lace heading and hem-stitched, and the vest was of lace insertion and muslin over pale blue. The sleeves were tucked at the top, there were handsome blue fancy buttons on the coat, and the hat was in blue and white. The wedding presents, numbering over 400, included the following:— From the Prince and Princess [Col. 1c] / [Col. 2a] of Wales, ruby and diamond bracelet; Prince and Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein, gold-handled parasol and tortoiseshell handled umbrella: the Maharajah of Cooch Behar, diamond and ruby brooch: bridegroom to bride, diamond and opal necklace, diamond and ruby ring, gold sovereign locket, hunting crop, etc.; Madame de Falbe (grandmother of the bride), diamond crown, diamond solitaire earrings, diamond riviere, trousseau, set of Russian furs, Russian fur cloak, diamond tiara, brougham; Lady Stradbroke, diamond and turquoise tiara, grand piano, set of silver spoons; Mrs. Keith Fraser, old lace, jewels, etc.; Sir William Fraser, cheque for one thousand pounds; Mrs. George Falbe, handsome diamond ring; Sir John Willoughby, diamond and sapphire bracelet; Duke and Duchess of Abercorn, sapphire and diamond ring; Captain and Mrs. Leigh, diamond and opal pendant; Captain Hugh Fraser, large diamond ring; Lady Dudley, diamond and turquoise ring; Earl of Wemyss, sapphire and diamond bracelet; Lady Edmonstone, travelling bag with yellow tortiseshell and gold fittings; Lord Kenyon, old fan; Mr. and Mrs. George Dawkins, diamond butterfly; Countess of Erne, gold vases; Duchess of Sutherland, silver tea caddy; Lord Crichton, large silver and tortoiseshell box; Lord Stavordale, antique silver box; Lord Ava, marble and bronze inkstand: Lord Lovat, silver box; Lady Alexandra Hamilton, inland [sic] table; Mrs. Markham, silver looking-glass; Madame de Falbe's household, inlaid satinwood table; choir of Luton, hymn book; schools at Henham, Prayer Book; employees at Luton, silver inkstand, etc. Mrs. Mason, New Burlington-street, made the wedding dress, bridesmaids’ costumes, and Mrs. Keith-Fraser’s gown, and Madame Kate Reily made the travelling dress.

Photographs of the bride, bridegroom, and bridesmaids were taken after their return from the ceremony at church by Mr. F. Thurston, F.R.P.S., of Luton.

1898 July 27, Wednesday

The same article from the Herts Advertiser and Times on Helena Fraser's wedding, which took place on Saturday 23 July 1898. finishes with this description of the servants' dinner hosted by Madame de Falbe on Wednesday:

In honour of the marriage, a supper was given to the servants at the Hoo on Saturday, and very pleasant time was spent, toasts, songs, and dances being order of the evening. On Wednesday a dinner was given by Madame de Falbe (who was unavoidably absent) to all the estate servants, the catering being done by Mr. Harris, of the Leather Bottle, who undoubtedly gave every satisfaction. Tbe table was beautifully laid out with a large variety of flowers, etc., and the place of honour was occupied by a portion of the bride cake. Mr. R. Halsey (steward) occupied the chair, and was ably supported by Messrs. Cole and Pigott (vice-chairmen). About 200 sat down. The Chairman, in giving the toast, "The Queen and Royal Family," made sympathetic reference to the Prince’s accident. The next toast was that of Madame de Falbe, submitted by Mr. B. Cole, and received with three cheers. The Chairman replied. Mr. Pigott in felicitous terms proposed the health of the bride and bridegroom, and Mr. Halsey responded on their behalf. During the very pleasant evening, songs were given by Messrs. Maycock, Timms, Whitehead, Coote, Anderson, Dedman, Turner, Brewer (father and son), Nash, Hawkins, Eames, Elder, Cain and Eldred. After the usual votes of thanks to Mr. Harris and family for the excellent catering, and to the Chairman for the very able manner in which he had presided, the happy party broke up at 10 p.m.

26 July 1898, Tuesday

Muriel Wilson was a guest <quote>at the wedding of Miss Keith Fraser to Lord Stradbroke</quote>, as were Mrs Arthur Wilson, who was in black embroidered with jet, and a black toque, and was accompanied by Miss Muriel Wilson in ecru muslin and a blue hat with blue feathers; while Lady Hartopp, in cream-coloured muslin with a black sash and black toque, chaperoned Miss Enid Wilson, who was in white and blue, with a large white hat.</quote> (1898-07-26 Hull Daily Mail)

29 July 1898, Friday

The Goodwood Meet (sports event, racing?): <quote>Mr and Mrs William James’s party at West Dean Park for the Goodwood Meeting includes the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, Lord and Lady Wolverton, Viscount Curzon and Lady Georgiana Curzon, Lord Stanley and Lady Alice Stanley, Lady St. Oswald, Lord Charles Montagu, Mr and Mrs Arthur James, and Mr and Mrs John Menzies and Miss Muriel Wilson.</quote> (1898-07-29 Sportsman)

August 1898

29 August 1898, Monday

Summer Bank Holiday

October 1898

31 October 1898, Monday

Halloween.

November 1898

1898 November, the Duke and Duchess of Portland hosted a visit of the Duke and Duchess of Connaught and a ball in Welbeck, which Muriel Wilson attended ("Girls' Gossip").

5 November 1898, Saturday

Guy Fawkes Day

11 November 1898, Friday

Edith, Lady Cromer had died in Cairo, having gone back although she knew she did not have long to live. Evelyn, Earl of Cromer was Agent and Consul-General of Egypt had to stay in Cairo, but the funeral was in Bournemouth:

FUNERAL OF LADY CROMER.

The funeral of Lady Cromer took place at Bournemouth on Friday in last week, the interment taking place in a newly constructed doublebrick grave in Bournemouth Cemetery. At 11 o'clock a Requiem Mass was said in the Church of the Sacred Heart, where the coffin had been placed overnight. Viscountess Pollington, sister of Lady Cromer, and Lord and Lady Cromer's two sons occupied seats near the bier. The clergy officiating at the service were the Rev. Father Redman, S. J. (celebrant), the Rev. Father Arthur, Christ Church (deacon), the Rev. Father Dowsett, Poole (subdeacon). In the choir were the Rev. Father de Zulueta, S.J., the Rev. Father Bearne, S.J., the Rev. Father Foxwell, and Rev. the Hon. E. Arundel. After the Requiem followed the absolution. Some of the mourners were to arrive by the 12.30 train from London, but the train was half an hour late, which delayed the service, and in the interval the choir sang the Dies Iræ. The Earl of Northbrook arrived before 11 o'clock, the Mayor of Bournemouth, the ex-mayor, the town clerk, and several of the aldermen being also present. It was nearly half past one (the time fixed for the funeral at the cemetery a mile distant) when the mourners from London arrived. Among those present at the funeral were Viscount Castlerosse, Lord Revelstoke, Mr. Thomas Baring, Lady Suffield, Mrs. Moberly Bell, Mrs. Clinton Dawkins, and Mr. C. R. Spencer. The Queen sent a beautiful wreath, consisting of white Cape everlastings and lilies of the valley, interspersed with foliage, and bearing the / inscription, "A mark of respect from Victoria, R.l." This and another beautiful one from Lord Cromer, composd chiefly of lilies of the valley, Roman hyacinths, white chrysanthemums, and other white flowers, were the only wreaths deposited upon the coffin inside the church. The hearse and two carriages, however, were entirely covered with beautiful floral emblems. Among others who sent wreaths were: Prince Ibrahim Hilmi of Egypt (a large oval wreath of orchids, lilies of the valley, and palm leaves); Sir Philip and Lady Currie, the Marchioness of Ripon, the Marchioness of Queensberry, the Earl and Countess of Gosford, the Duchess of Grafton, the Earl and Countess of Dudley, Prince v. Hohenlohe, the Duke and Duchess of Wellington, Countess Cowper, Lady D'Arcy Godolphin Osborne, and Lady Ada Godolphin Osborne, Lord and Lady Hothfield, Lady Sykes, Lady de Tabley, the Hon. Francis Baring and Lady Grace Baring, Lord Glenesk, Lord and Lady St. Oswald, Lady Swansea, Lady Anne Murray, Lord and Lady Haliburton, Lady Thorold, Lady Stanley-Errington, Lady Lyall, the Hon. Charles and Lady Alfreda Bourke, Sir Mountstuart and Lady Grant Duff, Mrs. F. Baring Dupré, Sir George and Lady Allen, the Hon. Mrs. Edwardes, Major and Mrs. E. Stuart-Wortley, and many others. At the cemetery there were about 3,000 persons present.

SERVICE IN LONDON.

Simultaneously a Requiem was sung at St. Mary's Church, Cadogan-street, S.W. The celebrant was the Rev. M. A. Kelly, who was assisted by the Rev. Septimus Jones, deacon, and the Rev. J. A. Mills, sub-deacon, the master of ceremonies being Father W. J. Davies. The music was harmonized by Father Charles Cox, who also led the choir. A catafalque was erected in the chancel which was covered with a pall of black and gold velvet. There was a large congregation, those present including Major the Hon. Charles Harbord, representing the Queen; Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, attended by Lord Edward Cecil, Sir Henry Rawlinson, and Captain Watson, his aides-de-camp; Lord Suffield and the Hon. Judith Harbord, Lord and Lady Hastings, the Dowager Countess of Albemarle, the Countess of Galloway, the Marchioness of Queensberry, the Earl of Desart, Lady and Miss Williams-Bulkeley, Mr. H. St. George Foley (Foreign Office), Lady Du Cane, Lady Grace Baring, the Hon. Hugo Baring, the Hon. Alexander Baring, and the Hon. Susan Baring, Major-General the Hon. R. Talbot and the Hon. Mrs. Talbot, the Hon. Mrs. Henry Edwardes, the Hon. Lady FitzGerald, Lady Swansea, Lady Dorothy Nevill, Mr. White, the United States Chargé d'Affaires, Lady Sykes, Major the Hon. Edward and Mrs. Bourke, the Hon. Mrs. C. R. Spencer, Lady Alfred Spencer-Churchill and Miss Fitzclarence, Lady Hillingdon, the Hon. Mrs. Oliphant, the Hon. Mrs. Derek Keppel, Lord Glenesk, Lady Carrington, Lady Macdonald, the Hon. Mrs. George Napier, Colonel and the Hon. Mrs. Newenham, Lady Stanley-Errington, Lady Euan-Smith, Isabella Countess of Wilton, Sir Charles A. Cookson, Lord St. Oswald, Mr. Moberly Bell, Mr. P. Ralli, the Hon. Mrs. Henry Edwardes, Miss Amy Paget, Mr. F. W. Verney (Siamese Legation), Mrs. John Biddulph, Mrs. Rennell Rodd, Mr. W. B. Gair, Lieutenant-Colonel and Mrs. W. Heskett-Smith, Major and Mrs. Marriott, Captain Jessop, Mrs. Henry Bentinck, Mr. F. B. Hoare, Lieutenant-Colonel Settle, Mr. Arthur Stanley, and Mr. F. S. Clark. At the end of the Requiem the Bishop of Emmaus gave the absolution. R.I.P.

December 1898

17 December 1898, Saturday

On Saturday 17 December 1898 Arthur Collins and Bret Harte planned on going to the Brooks' Club and then to the theatre, either the Alhambra or the Empire. On 15 December 1898 Bret Harte wrote Arthur Collins: <quote>"Dear Arthur, — Yes. Saturday 'suits' and looks auspicious. I have had the cook examine the [280/281] entrails of a fowl, and find the omens propitious! Let it be Saturday, then.

"You will give me 'bread and pulse' at Brookes', and I will lead you to Arcadian stalls at the Alhambra or Empire. For heaven's sake let us go somewhere where we can laugh in the right place!

"I have not yet dared to face my Christmas shopping, but I'll pick up your offering at the Club and send you mine. It is so difficult to find something sufficiently idiotic and useless, to keep up our fond, foolish custom with. — Yours always,

Bret Harte"</quote> (Pemberton, T. Edgar. The Life of Bret Harte. Dodd, Mead, 1903. Pp. 280–281.)

25 December 1898, Sunday

Christmas Day

26 December 1898, Monday

Boxing Day

Works Cited

• [1898-01-05 Derby Mercury]
• [1898-02-26 Christchurch Times]
• [1898-05-07 Publishers' Circular] "The Society of Authors. Annual Dinner." The Publishers' Circular 7 May 1898 (No. 1662): 514, Col. 1A–2A. Google Books: https://books.google.com/books?id=b-Y1AQAAIAAJ.
• [1898-05-21 Bridgnorth Journal] "From The World." Bridgnorth Journal 21 May 1898, Saturday: 2 [of 8], Col. 3b [of 6?]. British Newspaper Archive (accessed July 2019).
• [1898-07-26 Hull Daily Mail] "Social Record." Hull Daily Mail 26 July 1898, Tuesday: 2 [of 6], Col. 5c [of 7]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000324/18980726/005/0002 (accessed July 2019).
• [1898-07-29 Sportsman] "Vigilant's Note-Book. The St. Leger. The Goodwood Cup." The Sportsman 29 July 1898, Friday: 2 [of 4], Col. 4b [of 8]. British Newspaper Archive (accessed July 2019).
• [St. James's Gazette 1898-06-14] "House Parties." St. James's Gazette 14 June 1898, Tuesday: 8 [of 16], Col. 2c. British Newspaper Archive (behind paywall: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001485/18980614/044/0008) (accessed May 2019).
• ["Girls' Gossip"] "Girls' Gossip." Truth 17 November 1898 (Vol. XLIV, No. 1142): 1255, Col. 2a – 1256, Col. 1a. [Right before the ads.] Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=kVExAQAAMAAJ (accessed July 2019).