Volume I Part 26 (2/2)
”The most popular amongst these _grandes dames_ were unquestionably Lady Cowper, now Lady Palmerston. Lady Jersey's bearing, on the contrary, was that of a theatrical tragedy queen: and whilst attempting the sublime, she frequently made herself simply ridiculous, being inconceivably rude, and in her manner often ill-bred. Lady Sefton was kind and amiable; Madame de Lieven haughty and exclusive; Princess Esterhazy was a _bon enfant_; Lady Castlereagh and Miss Burrell, _de tres grandes dames_.
”Many diplomatic arts, much finesse, and a host of intrigues, were set in motion to get an invitation to Almack's. Very often persons, whose rank and fortunes ent.i.tled them to the _entree_ anywhere, were excluded by the cliqueism of the lady patronesses; for the female government of Almack's was a pure despotism, and subject to all the caprices of despotic rule: it is needless to add that, like every other despotism, it was not innocent of abuses. The fair ladies who ruled supreme over this little dancing and gossiping world, issued a solemn proclamation, that no gentleman should appear at the a.s.semblies without being dressed in knee-breeches, white cravat, and _chapeau bras_. On one occasion, the Duke of Wellington was about to ascend the staircase of the ball-room, dressed in black trousers, when the vigilant Mr. Willis, the guardian of the establishment, stepped forward and said, 'Your Grace cannot be admitted in trousers;'
whereupon the Duke, who had a great respect for orders and regulations, quietly walked away.
”In 1814, the dances at Almack's were Scotch reels, and the old English country-dance; the orchestra, being from Edinburgh, was conducted by the then celebrated Neil Gow. In 1815, Lady Jersey introduced from Paris the favourite quadrille. The persons who formed the very first quadrille that was ever danced at Almack's were Lady Jersey, Lady Harriett Butler, Lady Susan Ryder, and Miss Montgomery; the men being the Count St. Aldegonde, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Montague, and Charles Standish. The mazy waltz was also brought to us about this time; but there were comparatively few who at first ventured to whirl round the salons of Almack's; in course of time Lord Palmerston might, however, have been seen describing an infinite number of circles with Madame de Lieven. Baron de Neumann was frequently seen perpetually turning with the Princess Esterhazy; and in course of time, the waltzing mania, having turned the heads of society generally, descended to their feet, and the waltz was practised in the morning in certain n.o.ble mansions in London with unparalleled a.s.siduity.”--_Abridged from the Reminiscences of Captain Gronow, 1862._
CLUBS AT THE THATCHED HOUSE.
Mr. Willis took this tavern from Mr. Freere, about 1755; and, as a relative of Mr. Almack, afterwards succeeded to the celebrated a.s.sembly-rooms which bore his name. ”If the old saw, that 'practice makes perfect,'” writes Admiral Smyth, ”be correct, the _cuisinerie_ of the Thatched House ought to surpa.s.s that of all others; for besides accidental parties and visitors, the Messrs Willis ably entertain the following Societies and Clubs: [this was written in 1860.]
Actuaries, Inst.i.tute of.
Catch Club.
Club, Johnson's.
Cornish Club.
Dilettanti Society.
Farmers' Club.
Geographical Club.
Geological Club.
Linnaean Club.
Literary Society.
Navy Club.
Philosophical Club.
Physicians, College of, Club.
Political Economy Club.
Royal Academy Club.
Royal Astronomical Club.
Royal Inst.i.tution Club.
Royal London Yacht Club.
Royal Naval Club, (1765).
Royal Society Club.
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