Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-08-04


per annum, and it is stated that her husband
being then in far less affiuent circumstance ;
than at present she transferred this to him in
order TO give him qualification for aseat in
Parliament. Her experience of the marriage
state was an unhappy one, and in 1885 Sc
)aration took place by mutual consent, Sir
Edward consenting to pay her e400 a year
during bis life, which has been her allowance
from that to the present time, notwilhstand-
ing he is. or is reputed to be. wealthy man,
bis annual income being estimated at from
$4,000 to eI0.000.
Four hundred a year being unequal to the
ordinary require ments of a lady who had
moved in the higher classes of society-leav-
ing luxuries out Of the question-Lady Lyt-
ton became involved in debt which Of late
has claimed about one half of her income,
and OF course every year saw her sink deeper
and deeper into the mire. One of her chief
complaints against Sir Edward Was the small
ness of the means he allowed for her support;
and certainly if, as is stated, his own income
is 100000, it was very unreasonable one-for
the allowance of eS year to his wife by
man whose income is goo would be Just in
the same proportions; and there are few who
wonld not decry and condemn the injustice
which such payment by a person having
goo year would exhibit. By the deed of
separation Lady Lytton was to possess in her
thereafter, which has been chiefly from her
publications-in some cases remunerative, but
in others miserable failures. She has been
severely censured for the bitterness displayed
in some of her writings but perhaps not al
together with Justice. Let those who would
condemn the use of harsh language first learn
under what circumstances it has l.een used,
and if they md the authors lite has been one
of excessive trial and sufering-that she has
either been compelled to quit. or has felt it
imperatively necessary to flee from the house
of her husband; that from position of pecu-
MARY ease she has been cast down to condi-
ton of humiliating poverty: that instead of
her society being courted by numerous
friends whose acts of kindness caused her
days to pass lightly and happily, she is shun-
ned by most of them as one no longer worthy
Of their regard; that while her husband still
moves among the gayest and the noblest of
society, she remains the occupant of two small
rooms in a country hotel-if they make in
her case the allowance which such an accumu-
lation of woes and miseries out to insure, they
will not fail to be very sparing of censure-
they will hardly express surprise. perhaps, at
the display of ill-feeling, however bitter or
general it may be. When person is treated
as an Ishmael, it is not TO be wondered at if
he regards himself as such: and the best of
tempers will at last be soured and ruined by
constant irritation and suffering. y not very
high authority has said Revenge is sweet es-
pecially 10 women" Perhaps he did not
1atter the sex when he so wrote; but asssur-
eddy if there are ever circumstances in which
the worm will turn, and may be pardOned for
turning, they are such as are here represent
ed. 1t is human so to turn, as ii is ito err
generally. When persons are under a higher
influence than any which belongs to mere hui
manity, they may adopt higher line of con-
duct, and submit patiently TO whatever befals
them, under a conviction that il is good for
them to suffer; but Lady Lytton has never
made any professions or pretensiOns that
would justify the application of the higher
standard to her case, and therefore should not
be too harshly judged. Divesting ones
thoughts OF the untavOrable effect produced
by her display of bitter feeling towards others
though there are those to whom she ascribes
treatment almost too dreadful for human en-
durance--her life appears unsullied aud blame
less. This is tribute which is undeniably
her due.
Lady Lytton has for some years past
end avored to obtain an increase of her
allowance, which, i'll consequence of the
liabilities she had incurred and was Obliged TO
meet as she best could, had fallen to about
ESQ per annum; but her appeals, if not
wholly disregardcd, were quite unsuccessful.
Continually smartng under the denial of her
claims, and rendered desperate probably by
difficulties, she determined to
adopt step which might possibly prove
more effective in this behalf than the means
she had previously employed. Sir Edward
having recently accepted Office as Cabinet
hii.i.t,,, .lIo scat he Lviu IlrIIauIcuI >
one of the members for Hertfordshire became
vacant, and according to custom it was
necessary Tor him to meet his constituents in
order to his reelection. Lady Lytton resell
god 70 h., cont a.
take conspicuous part in the proce, dIugs.
Before she left Taunton she caused handbiils
to he circulated in Hartford, in which it was
announced that she would address the assem-
bled electors on the day of the nomination;
and, accompanied by female friend, she
proceeded by railway to Oxford aud thence
posted To Hartford. Precautions seem to
have been taken to prevent the scandal which
had been thus threatened, aud on her arriving
ut the hotel and asking at what hour the
at the hastings would comm nee.
she was answered that it was twelve Clock
the fact being that eleven was the time ap-
painted. Shortly before twelve, still in the
company of her friend, she drove to the
lustlngs in hired carriage, and arrived there
just in time to hear her husband close his adj
dress with an eloquent tribute to the galaxy
OF beauty by which he was surrounded. The
scene which followed is thus graphically
described in London contemporary
Towards the close of the proceedings of the
election, just after Sir Edward
bad concluded his address with fervent
tribute OF admiration to the womanly beauty
exhibited in the long line of open carriages,
chaises. and vans drawn up in front of the
huStings, there was an unwonted stir in the
crowd. which parted To admit of the passage
Of hired brougham from one of the town
TxyA a oil
handsome woman of about forty-fve Years of
age, with fresh complexion and eyes of daz-
cling beauty. Evidently laboring under excite
m mt she advanced through the crowd towards
the hastings, and announced herself as the
wife of Sir f. Bulwer Lytton. She had come,
according to promise, TO confront her hus.
band and expose the wrongs described in
her works and in pamphlet. The appear
ance OF the lady was not unexpected, as her
coming had been announced in bills and
placards; but some rson in the town had
detained her while the election was proceed
ing in the vicinity. Recognized as soon as
observed. her voice was nearly drowned by
the shouts of Sir Edwards supporters: but
Sir Edwards eye caught hers, and his face
Daled. He looked like a man suddenly
attacked by paralysis. Those near him say
ne trembled exceedingly. For few moments
ne retained bis position in front of the hust-
ngs, but turned his back on the unwelcome
visiter. Then he suddenly disappeared below
the hustings platform, while his wife cried
" and he, having hastily signed the
usual declaration, escaped into the residence
Of the gentleman on whose grounds the cleo
ton took place Lady Lytton continued to
address the audience assembled for more than
\ quarter of an hour. Her ladyship sub
made an application to the Mayor
or the use of the Town Hall, for the purpose
Dt making public statement; but this being
refused her. she left the town early in the
Afternoon. Lady Lytton arrived in HEREFORD
At three o'clock on the morning of the election,
having posted from Taunton. where she
-esides. Ii is needless to say that the event
has caused the greatest possible excitement in