LADY LONDONDERRY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 97, 18 January 1935, Page 5

LADY LONDONDERRY

London’s Greatest Hostess Lady Londonderry is the greatest hostess of our time, writes “D.P.” in “Good Housekeeping.” Against tlie magnificent pageant of the London season she stands supreme as one of the last hostesses in the grand manner. The daughter of the late Viscount Chaplin, the famous old sportsman who was always known as “The Squire,” she was brought up in the heart of the great aristocratic tradition. The art of entertaining was part of her Heritage. The official hostess for the Conservative Party, Lady Londonderry's receptions for the Conservatives on the eve of the opening of Parliament are justly famous. Anyone who has ever attended these great political receptions will never forget the sight of Lady Londonderry standing at the head Of the great staircase at Londonderry House, receiving her 2000 guests, with the leader of the party standing by her side. For hero is English life and hospitality at its height—an animated and brillaint throng as they pass by their hostess, magnificent in all the famous Londonderry jewels, into the lovely green aud gold drawing-room beyond. A friend of Lady Londonderry’s once remarked: “Her genius as a hostess can be summed up in two words —No bores.” She was the first hostess to realise that a political reception need not be boring. Her guests are always varied and interesting. As she says herself, “Political receptions need not be dull,” and so she introduced dancing into the entertainment, and now, at all her great receptions, there is dancing afterward. Great Personal Charm. Lady Londonderry is that rare combination—a clever and brilliant woman and at the same time one of the best sportswomen in the peerage. The possessor of immense personal charm, she is a witty talker and has written a fine life of her father, Viscount Chaplin. Inheriting her father’s love of Hie Turf, ’ she is a great racing enthusiast and loves riding. Married to the Marquess of Londonderry, one of the greatest of the titled landowners, slie is the chatelaine of many great houses; but despite her manifold duties, she manages to spend a great deal of her time with her children. And she enjoys many a happy day at their lovely home in Northern Ireland—her favourite Mount Stewart —sailing on the lake and riding with her daughters. There is a charming story of how, when her daughter, Lady Mary Stewart, was a.' child, Lady Londonderry used to tell her old Irish legends as bedtime stories each night. Lady Mary loved these stories, and was disconsolate when her mother went away to Spain, so her mother used to write the ■ stories to her in letters. With the eagerness of a child, Lady Mary Stewart treasured these stories, and later they were collected and published by Macmillan under the title of “The Magic Inkpot.” And the book appeared dedicated to “Caprain” Stewart, which was the name which Lady Mary gave herself in her games. Intensely human, Lady Londonderry is passionately fond of animals, and at her favourite house, ■ Mount Stewart, which is an attractive old ivy-clad house built in the Classical style, surrounded by trees and overlooking a lake, she has as many as 15 Siamese cats and nine dogs. And she loves her gardens, which are among the finest in Ireland, with their fountain, shaded walks, and Italian ornamental garden and bathing pool. “Circe” to Her Friends. But it is as the hostess at Londonderry House that Lady Londonderry will be remembered. With her superb carriage, her magnificent brocaded dresses often made in the style of Queen Anne, her jewels, she is indeed the proper chatelaine of this splendid house with its wonderful pictures and rare collection of china, its gikled staircases, banked with mimosa and covered with red carpets. Modern women seem to have lost the art of wearing jewels and clothes, but Lady Londonderry, like the Queen, has a marvellous presence, aud can wear her clothes and tiaras in a majestic manner. She is like some splendid figure that has wandered among us from more spacious and leisured days. The intimate friend of ministers and kings, she is interested in all classes of people. Like all great hostesses, her influence is far-flung and powerful, and an invitation to her house still marks the approval and acceptance of society. A woman of brains and energy, Lady Londonderry did much good work during the war and worked very hard for the women left at home, organising many branches of war work. Known to her intimate friends as “Circe,” Lady Londonderry has much of the charm and fascination of that legendary lady, and as one watches her entertaining her guests—a handsome figure in her favourite amethyst colour —making them feel at home with a few words, one realises that Lady Londonderry is the perfect hostess and regrets that society does not own more such gracious personalities. HARDSHIPS ENDURED Women Living in Backblocks “In the speeches on pioneer doings which I heard recently in connection with an anniversary ceremony in Lyttelton.” said the Mayor (Mr. 1). G. Sullj.va.ii, M. 8.), speaking at the owning of the Dominion, executive meeting of the 'Women's Division of the Farmers Union at Christchurch on Tuesday, “I noticed particularly that there.was not one reference to the almost superhuman struggles of wives of pioneers, who. in the early days had. without the advantages and utilities to which they had been accustomed, borne their share of the difficulties. If we could have that story, it would be one of great dramatic intensity.” Just as women in the early days had endured many hardships, so in the backblocks of New Zealand there were still many enduring hardships almost as great as those of pioneers. To such the division, built on mutual sympathy, was of exceeding value. The fact that there had been no reference _ during recent anniversary celebrations in Lyttelton to the women’s part, was later referred to by Mrs. E. R. McCombs,M.l’., as merely demonstrating what had happened to women down the ages. It was only what they expected; nevertheless they had played tlieir part, no less willingly. Only in the last decade had there been any organisation of women. It had made tremendous strides. “They have responded to the idea of organisation as men neyer have!” cou- I eluded Mrs. McCombs very effectively, amid laughter.