Racy Memoirs

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 810, 2 November 1929, Page 20

Racy Memoirs

I WHEN DAME ETHEL SMYTH j ] CHANGED BEHIND THE I I RUSHES! ... A VISIT TO f THE EMPRESS EUGENIE. \

DUCHESS AND KING EDWARD HIXGS, emperors, princes, statesmen, prelates, poets, musicians ‘ admirals and field-mar-shals pass in a wonderful procession in one of the most extraordinary books of memoirs published this season. The authoress is the Duchess of Sermoneta, an intimate friend of British Royalty. Her book, Things Past,” is published by Hutchinson. One of her stories concerns the famous composer, Dame Ethel Smyth, whom she met frequently at lamborough Hill, where Dame Ethel used to visit the late ex-Empress Eugenie. “Ethel Smyth often dined at 1 arnborough Hill,” says the Duchess, - and it was her custom to bicycle over fiom her cottage, take up a good strategic position behinU some bushes when once in the park, and proceed to change into evening clothes, atter which she would walk up to the front door and ring the bell.” On one occasion, when the Empress called attention to Dame *Etliel's dress, the Duchess helped her to rearrange it, and the famous composer is quoted as remarking, “I bought a new pair of stays at the grocer s. I

believe he sold me a birdcage by misThe Boisterous Kaiser The ex-Kaiser, says the Duchess, ■was the only German she ever met “who was agreeable and light on hand. His spirits were rather too boisterous. There was an old gentleman on the Royal yacht who had been very friendly with my ffither-in-law in the past, and was, therefore, interested in meeting us (the Duchess and her husband, who had left a pleasure steamer on which they were cruising to visit the Kaiser on the Hohenzollern). When the moment came for us to leave the old gentleman had wandered oK and was not to be found. The Emperor yelled for him and search parties were organised. Finally, he came hurrying along the deck of the Hohenzollern. “Hurry up.” said the Emperor, “they are just off.” And he aimed a kick at the old gentleman, nearly precipitating liim down, the companion. This mark of Imperial condescension convulsed his suite.”

There are tales of war-time meetings -with. Lord Asquitli, Lord Reading and Lord Harcourt, to which is added the comment: “All these political men seem to imagine that the war will be over in the autumn, some even talk of May. The Dardanelles venture is entirely Winston’s. He says it is all plain "sailing now (not the Dardanelles, but the war) . . . only a question of when the Germans will be licked. 0 “Asquith, 0 says the Duchess, “was less emphatic than Winston on the subject of our coming in, but very keen on it, too.° After recalling memories of King Edward there comes this passage: The memory of King: Edward remains a golden ray in my picture of English life, and I am glad that I saw the last years of his reign, foi* with his passing something died which can never return. He had the grand manner of Louis XIV., the tact and courtesy, and the same enjoyment of tithe best things of life as "le Roi Soieil.’’ Knowing this, people offered him their best, and were glad to give it. . . . England's roses and sweet peas, her carnations and lilies were massed in his path. The loveliest woman in England decked themselves in their most carefully chosen dresses and their most beautiful jewels to meet him. For King Edward the best only was good enough, and the best was Joyfully provided.