INDIAN SUMMER LOVE OF A STATESMAN

Radio Record, 10 June 1938, Page 29

INDIAN SUMMER LOVE OF A STATESMAN

MOST fascinating sidelight of history-to the average reader at least-is the romance in the lives of great men, which is not told in the bald political surveys of the textbook writer, but which has been for many years an inexhaustible gold mine rewarding the efforts of research workers. Latest couple to figure in the Hall of Great Lovers is Lord and Lady Palmerston, put there by: the pen of F. E. Baily, who has already achieved recognition with her similar work on israeli and the adoring Mary Anne. "The Love Story of Lady Palmerston" reveals the conventional Palmer-ston-bluff, obstinate, hard-swearing and fearless-in a surprisingly softer light. Emily Lamb was the sister of Lord Melbourne, Queen Victoria’s favourite Minister, and added to her extraordinary beauty all the graciousness and philosophic poise of the late eighteenth century-destined to be so cruelly snubbed by the repressive forces of Victorianism. As a young woman she married Lord Cowper and bore him five children-apparently without much interest. Then, after her husband’s death, love.for the first time entered her life, At the age of 52 she married Lord Palmerston, a bachelor of 55, and

her days became a saga of happiness that was not broken until the death: of the statesman 26 years later. It is a strange story-how in her middle age this lovely woman of fashion managed to tame the’ wild spirit of England’s most arrogant Minister and yet never to lose his love or conquer his personality. The writer has recaptured for us all the serene charm of that Indian summer, Nevertheless, as she herself too frankly admits, this book is no literary tour de force. The complexity of early nineteenth century politics in England makes careful selection of material a first necessity. Miss Baily is apt to digress, and indeed is very seldom concerned with her avowed sub-ject-the love story. Interesting and (Continued on next page.)

often charming though the blography is, it badly. needs those skilful tricks of light and shade which the _ literary ‘technician knows so well how to use-and-which the writer -seemg.to. despise. "The Love Story of Lady Palmerston" gives an excellent picture of the times in which it is set, and the péople in its pages are clearly portrayed. Illustrations are unusually good. All the same, this is rather a book for the historically-minded than one to catch the attention of the casual reader. {"The Love Story of Lady Palmerston," by EF. E. Baily (Hutchinson and Co., Ltd, London). Our copy from the publishers. }