Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-12-19


The Hand which Threatens Victoria
Jane Grey sWisshelm in Chicago Trlbune.l
PITTsBURG, December 1.-THE
accounts of the recent marriage of
the Duke of Norfolk, followed by
your correspondents letter on the
rapid increase of Catholicism in
England, recalled a conversation l
had when in that country. The
lady-or rather woman, for she is
not titled-with whom | talked is
in the court circle. Her name APP
pears in the published lists Of those
who have paid homage to her
majesty on such an occasion, or
dined with the Duke of H on
such another. Her family belonged
to the nobility of England in the
days of Elizabeth, and was ban
lshed with Charles II. She is a de-
voted subject Of the crown, feels
that the principal business Of life is
to maintain its prerogatives, and
could not quite understand how we
poor Americans get along without
a royal family. She is also one of
the most sincere, affable, unpre-
tending, earnest women / have ever
met. Her good. judgment and
knowledge Of affairs are quite up
to the standard of a firSt-class
American farmers wife, and l was
greatly interested in her. remarks on
the politics, social customs and ag.
riculture of her country.
One subject on which we talked,
and which filled her mind with
grave apprehension, was the rela-
tions of the queen and the Hast,
ings family.
remembered the scandal caused
by the young queen dismissing hel
maid Of honor, the Lady Flora
Hastings, in disgrace. We talked
it over; and to her it was an event
of great national Importance, and
one which was deeply deplored by
the friends of her majesty, as hay
ing alienated from the crown ont
of the most powerful families il
the realm, and given an impetus t.
Popery, the hereditary foe of thu
reigning family.
According to her account, tn,
nation was divided into parties b,
Lady Flora's dismissal. Her famil,
believed her to be deeply wronged
and espoused her cause as that 0
the family honor. Her behavio
after her disgrace intensified tn
feeling in her favor. She never az
peared in society, "never smile,
again." and soon died Of a broker
heart.
Her nearest female relative, t,
whose protection she returned aGte
t her dismissal from court, was al
imperious, powerful woman.
, forgot whether she was her mother
sister or aunt; but think the Lad
Flora was an orphan, and that
was an elder sister who devote
herself, in life and death, to re
venge. All her influence was use
against the queen. She never aI
peared at court, or suffered any 0
her family to 90. All her energie
: were concentrated on the one oh
; iect--ruining the woman who ha
insulted her house, and wounde
to death gentle girl who locke
n to her for protection, On he
deathbed she called her famil
about her, and exacted Of each
solemn oath Of personal enmity t
Victoria.
Among those who took the oat
!. was the young Marquis of Butte
} and none of them ever appeared
court.
b The avenging lady directed thi
r she should be buried in sight
. the palace, l think the one fro
which Lady Flora was expelle
T and that from her tomb shoul
arise q marble hand pointing t.
!. ward the royal residence as a stanc
'' ing menace and reminder of the il
II dignity offered TO the blood Of Il
Hastings. She was buried accor'
ing to her wish, and my informal
Y. spoke with a shudder of havir
:, often seen that threatening marb
y hand pointing in defiance at Il
queen as she sat in her own char
he Der; of her being obliged to see
on loolyino nut of windoWa she n,