GEORGE IV AT THE PAVILION.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 May 1924, Page 4

GEORGE IV AT THE PAVILION.

ODD HABITS OF OTHER DAYS. LONDON, February 28. “The Journal of the Hon. Henry Edward Fox," afterwards fourth and Inst Lord Holland, is one of the most interesting volumes of memoirs published in recent- years. Jr has been excellently edited by the Karl of Tlchesler, a remote connection of the Hollands, and covers the years immediately alter the Napoleonic Mars, from ISIB to IS.JO. Fox. as the son of the famous l.ady Holland, knew everybody that counted iu England and on the Continent. Be was himself a “.'park. in the slang of the time, and there is not a dull page in iii.s journal. Indeed, the leader's regret will he that it is all too short, though it fills some 380 pages. It is the work of a young man. as he was born in 1802. MORDANT SKETCHES.

He does not mince words, but gives mordant little sketches of well-known people. Here are a few specimens: Reel (Sir Robert); His manner is odious and it is impossible not to hate him. Lord Aberdeen: Never opens Ins month but to contradict sarcastically and insolently.

The Ladies Fitzpatrick : Hateful and hideous, stinking, spitting, and howling. Lady* Scott (wife of Sir A\ alter, the novelist and poet»: Is nearly an idiot with great marks ol her love for the bottle in her face. Ilallam (father of the Author of “To Memoriam”): An odious man in society. Frere (great- friend "f C'unfnug): •‘Grown sottish, dirty, and indolent. l.ady Blo.ssington : Tells the same things thirty times over.

Ut extreme value is the account he .jives of Napoleon's l.iindy alter the great catastrophe. They were living in lLalv, where lit- saw them constantly and lived on terms ol clo-e fiielidsliij' with them. YANISH ED MEMOIRS.

11l- reveals one fact of capital importance : that Jloitense, Napoleon’s stepdaughter. wrote Memoirs. I hey have never been published and have vanished though search ought to he made tor them now that their existence is known.

She told, me sin* had written her .Memoirs from tin- hour of her cailie-t to. collection. that she told every tiling jusl as ii happened, and as it happened and as it stria k her; therefore it could not ap]e'ir for many years. Having wrilieil it Mils a relief to her inintl. which v-as l-i-fori- ojuiicssed with recollections so painful.

Ilortense hor.scll wa~ still grace!ul and charming, if a little faded: Her manner-, an* easy and almost la in i! i:'- :*: she assumes no royalty airs and is vety preveunnte to visitors. Her articiiiation is rapid and her conversation unusually frivolous. Mad-one Mere, Napoleon's mother, looks clever; lias sliarj). small dark eves. Her lignto L small anil -lirivel--1: 1 1. She n-oeivt-d me with civility and indeed cordiality: spoke of Napoleon with all'eotion and emotion. Her l-'relieli is 1 1 n 1 1. Pin- Napoleons were poor: Madame More ha- -ml'- £3.099 a year rial saves, hut the oiliers are very, very poor and live by selling jewels mid hits of old finery that they have saved in the wreck, hut which cannot last long. Pauline Biuiiipurte. said to hare boon the most I i-aill ii’nl woman of her day. i' thin described: Her iaie is very beautiful hot angular. ’Pi:e ex|*ivssion of her countenance is very “vi!‘ and full of talent. I was far from being disappointed. Her manner is very royal GEORGE IY. Then- are one or two j eeps at George !Y in the journal. One of the most i urioiis is that - I him at a ooneert at th" Pavilion. the-i his Brighton I’d-Tl-e Kin;;'marie a tool ol himself by i. i ll i■ i g in the choruses mid the llalVli:ia!i \et'c:n. stamping his font and over; iiivi-i in:; all with the loudness of They wire mil always refined in those days. At a great ttohle’x mai : The chief amusement we- slipping (billing, down Mis I.Miul-y's hail; and t'.-en fishing them out. All's Lumb-v links very J r< -1 tv wh-.-il dancing. hut I(o, dei's her icw • ami I’.iints her eyebrows.

As Ini' dinm-'s, we are given an ae-ei',u-!l. of one cjijuilliug meal given by l la- Duchess of St. Albans which lasted 111 ecu lnmrs:

\\V had Imrs d’o.'iivros liver and bacon. Irish .stew, rumj) steaks, of each of which Sir F. Hiirdett | a Hunk frcelv. The moio '. as I'.ozmi and the champagne cnhl.

ft ar-i ears that Talleyrand was not ihe aniiior of the famous epigram that Enjglmal Trs r thou-and religions and old. one xmi'v". The real father oi ii v,:-, Cnraeciiili. Neaj'olitmi Aliui■ii r in J ouilmi 3.9 years or > In-loro ’Palli-y : am! lirst visited Loudon.

All"gelher this is a look which tm nm- .Jioidd ov(-:look. Ilirse who have ;il t!,,. ut her Hull.ml and Byron memoi-.s will find ihemsclver, among a circle <.f I’tii-nds.