Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-11-29
LORD LyTTON'S DOMESTIC INFE.
LICITY.
An Old story RetOld-A Noble Lady
who Pelted Her Husband with
Novels.

Lord Lytton's married life, like that of
several of his illustrious compeers in litera-
ture, says the London Herald was rendered
unhappy by the disturbing influence which
is prettily termed the incompatibility of hus-
band and wife in every case where the par
ties are of high station. He was married in
1927, when his literary life had just been
tinted with the first flush of appreciation.
She whom he selected for a wife was also
known in literature. The interest excited by
the union of two such gifted persons was
much enhanced by morbid sentiment caused
by the knowledge extant that both of them
were in delicate health. The description of
them written at the time by al. E. L. "
(Letiha l.. Landon), increased this sentiment.
Lord Lytton was described as pale and fas-
cinating, and the bride was depicted as sur
passingly lovely. And there came to
many who read this an enhancing
vision Of two beautiful beings gliding
through life, reluctant to leave the light of
each others presence, and made almost una
ware of the approach of death by the love
that possessed them. But as the time passed,
and the weak couple grew In strength, the
popular interest In them, except as author
and authOress, departed, and was only re-
vived by the story of their separation. SIR
Edward had lost his ''Dale and fascinating"
appearance, and the tender tlnts on Lady
Lyttons checks, that had been described at
her marriage as like rose-leaves crushed on
ivory" had spread over her countenance and
given her the ford complexion of healthy
matron, when, in 1886, that event was an
nounced. The attention that was thus
called to the life of the intellectual couple
was short-hved. Lord Lyttou settled on his
wife an annuity of four hundred pounds ster-
ling, and she retired to privacy, while he
continued to tread the slippery ways of poll
tics. Soon Lady Lytton found that her ex-
penses could not be met with her income,
and as her husband advanced in worldly
prosperity she began to utter complaints,
to which he gave no attention. Becom-
ing angered at this Indifference toward what
she deemed her suferings, she began to use
her pen against him publicly, and she issued
several novels and pamphlets, wherein he
was depicted in any but pleasing colors
This course was continued for years, but It's
lack of effect toward her desired object urged
her to adopt different tactics. In the spring
of 1858 Lord Lyttou became cabinet minis
ter, and his seat in parliament for Herttord-
shire becoming vacant, it was necessary for
him, in accordance with custom, to meet his
constituents there In order to be rechosen.
Lady Lytton, then residing in Taunton,
Somerset, hearing of his intentions, deter
mined to confront him before his supporters,
charge him with his cruelty to her and thus
| defeat his reelection. She circulated hand
bills announcing her intention, and
thus gave his friends an opportunity
to d-feat her in it. She arrived in
Heitford early on the morning CT
the election. Having asked at what time the
hustings would take place, she was told at
twelve o'clock, when the proper time was
eleven o'clock. This transformation was
given her by her husbands friends, who
wished to avoid a scandal, and consequently
her ladyship did not reach the hustings TIL
the election was over, and Lord Lytton was
just closing his speech with a fervent tribute
of admiration to the womanly beauty exhlb-
tied in the carriages about the stand. Adj
vancing toward him she caught his lordship's
eye. He Immediately lett his station and
went to the house of friend. AS he disap-
peared she cried out Coward and, turning
to the people, for fifteen minutes rehearsed
her sutferings on account of his action. The
circumstance was unpleasant in its conse-
quences to herself. 1t engendered belief
that she had become insane, and so,
shortly after the incident she was con-
veyed to a private asylum for the insane
at the instance of her husband act
ing under the advice of physicians. 1t may
be that Lord Lytton was deceived by. these
doctors as to the state of her ladyship's mind.
1t Is charitable to believe that he was de-
ceiyed, and, as he acted almost entirely under
the direction of his solicitor there is some
basis for the belief. The incarceration of the
lady excited much indignation among her
friends in Taunton, who were sure OF her
sanity, and great degree of interest through
out the kingdom. An investigation of her
mental state was Immediately made, and,
having been pronounced perfectly sane she
was allowed to reside with her son.