Volume II Part 29 (1/2)
My dear Bankes,--My eagerness to come to an explanation has, I trust, convinced you that whatever my unlucky manner might inadvertently be, the change was as unintentional as (if intended) it would have been ungrateful. I really was not aware that, while we were together, I had evinced such caprices; that we were not so much in each other's company as I could have wished, I well know, but I think so _acute an observer_ as yourself must have perceived enough to _explain this_, without supposing any slight to one in whose society I have pride and pleasure.
Recollect that I do not allude here to ”extended” or ”extending”
acquaintances, but to circ.u.mstances you will understand, I think, on a little reflection.
And now, my dear Bankes, do not distress me by supposing that I can think of you, or you of me, otherwise than I trust we have long thought.
You told me not long ago that my temper was improved, and I should be sorry that opinion should be revoked. Believe me, your friends.h.i.+p is of more account to me than all those absurd vanities in which, I fear, you conceive me to take too much interest. I have never disputed your superiority, or doubted (seriously) your good will, and no one shall ever ”make mischief between us” without the sincere regret on the part of your ever affectionate, etc.
P.S.--I shall see you, I hope, at Lady Jersey's [1].
Hobhouse goes also.
[Footnote 1: George Child-Villiers (1773-1859), ”in manners and appearance 'le plus grand seigneur' of his time,” succeeded his father, ”the Prince of Maccaronies,” in 1805, as fifth Earl of Jersey. He was twice Lord Chamberlain to William IV., and twice Master of the Horse to Queen Victoria. He married, in 1804, Lady Sarah Sophia Fane, eldest daughter of John, tenth Earl of Westmorland, and heiress, through her mother, 'nee' Sarah Anne Child, of the fortune of her grandfather, Robert Child, the banker.
Lady Jersey for many years reigned supreme, by her beauty and wit, in London society,
”the veriest tyrant,” said Byron, ”that ever governed Fas.h.i.+on's fools, and compelled them to shake their caps and bells as she willed it.”
At Almack's, where, according to Gronow ('Reminiscences', vol. i. p.
32), she introduced the quadrille after Waterloo, she was a despot.
'Almack's', the very clever and personal picture of fas.h.i.+onable life, published in 1826, is dedicated
”To that most Distinguished and Despotic Conclave, composed of their High Mightinesses the Ladies Patronesses of the b.a.l.l.s at Almack's, the Rulers of Fas.h.i.+on, the Arbiters of Taste, the Leaders of 'Ton', and the Makers of Manners, whose Sovereign sway over 'the world' of London has long been established on the firmest basis, whose Decrees are Laws, and from whose judgment there is no appeal.”
Over this ”Willis Coalition Cabinet” Lady Jersey, as ”Lady Hauton,” is described as reigning supreme.
”She knew more than any person I ever met with, and both everything and everybody; she could quiz and she could flatter.”
”Treat people like fools,” she is supposed to say, ”and they will wors.h.i.+p you; stoop to make up to them, and they will directly tread you underfoot.”
Ticknor ('Life', vol. i. p. 269) speaks of her as a ”beautiful creature, with a great deal of talent, taste, and elegant knowledge.” He was at Almack's, in 1819, and standing close to Lady Jersey, then at the height of beauty and brilliant talent, a leader in society, and with decided political opinions, when she refused the Duke of Wellington admittance.
The lady patronesses had made a rule to admit no one after eleven o'clock. When the rule first came into operation, Ticknor heard one of the attendants announce that the Duke of Wellington was at the door.
”What o'clock is it?” Lady Jersey asked. ”Seven minutes after eleven, your ladys.h.i.+p.” She paused a moment, and then said, with emphasis and distinctness, ”Give my compliments,--give Lady Jersey's compliments to the Duke of Wellington, and say that she is very glad that the first enforcement of the rule of exclusion is such that hereafter no one can complain of its application. He cannot be admitted”
('ibid'., vol. i. pp. 296, 297).
Politically, Lady Jersey was a power. Such an entry as the following sounds strange to modern readers: Dining at Lord Holland's, in 1835, in company with Lord Melbourne, Lord Grey, and other prominent politicians, Ticknor notes that
”public business was much talked about--the corporation bill, the motion for admitting Dissenters to the universities, etc., etc.; and as to the last, when the question arose whether it would be debated on Tuesday night, it was admitted to be doubtful whether Lady Jersey would not succeed in getting it postponed, as she has a grand dinner that evening”
('Life', vol. i. pp. 409, 410).
Lady Jersey, whose mother-in-law, 'nee' Frances Twyden, had been a bitter opponent of the Princess of Wales, provoked the wrath of the Regent by espousing the cause of his wife. The Prince was determined to break off this friends.h.i.+p with his wife's champion, and sent a letter to her by the hand of Colonel Willis, announcing his determination. Some time later they met at a great party given by Henry Hope in Cavendish Square. Lady Jersey was walking with Rogers in the gallery, when they met the Prince, who
”stopped for a moment, and then, drawing himself up, marched past her with a look of the utmost disdain. Lady Jersey returned the look to the full; and, as soon as the Prince was gone, said to me, with a smile, 'Didn't I do it well?'”