The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-02-20

PELTED WITH NOVELS.
LORD LYTT0N'S DOMESTIC INFELICITY
AN OLD STORY EEToLp.

Lord Lyotton's married life, like that
OF several of his illustrious compeers in
literature, says the London Herald, was
rendered unhappy by the disturbing in
fuence which is prettily termed the in-
compatibility of husband and wife in
every case where the parties 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 wife was also
known in literature. The interest eX-
cited by the union of two such gifted
persons was much enhanced by NOR
bid sentiment, caused by the knowledge
extant that both of them were in deli
cate health. The description OF them
written at the time by IL. Z. l. g."
(Letitia +. Landon) increased this
sentiment. Lord Lytton was described
as ''pale and fascinating" and the bride
was depicted as surprisingly 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 unaware of the ap-
proach of death by the love that possess
sed them. But as time passed and the
weak couple grew in strength. the pop
ular interest in them, except as author
and authoress, departed, and was only
revived by the story of their separation.
Sir Edward had lost his ''pale and fas-
cinating" appearance, and the tender
tints on Lady Lytton's cheeks, that bad
been described at her marriage as "like
rose leaves crushed on ivory" had spread
over her countenance and given her the
ford complexion of a healthy matron,
when, in 1886, that event was announc-
ed. The attention that was thus called
to the life Of the intellectual couple was
short-lived. Lord Lytton settled on his
wife an annuity of G400, and she re-
tired to privacy, while he continued to
tread the slippery way of politics, -
Soon Lady Lytton found that her ex-
penses could not be met with her income,
and as her husband advanced in woridiy
prosperity, she began to utter complaints.
to which he gave no attention. Be
coming angered at this Indifference
she began to use her pen against him
publicly, and she issued several novels
and pamphlets, wherein he was depict
ed in any but pleasing colors. This
course was continued for years, but its
lack of effect toward her desired object
urged her to adopt different tactics. In
the spring of 1858 Lord Lytton became
a Cabinet Minister, and his seat in Par
liment for Hertfordshire becoming va
cant, it was necessary for him, in ac-
cordance with custom, to meet his con-
stituents there in order to be re-chosen.
Lady Lytton. then residing in Taunton,
Somerset, hearing Of his intentions, de-
termined to confront HIM before his
supporters, charge him with cruelty to
her, and thus defeat his re election
She circulated handbills announcing her
intention, and thus gave his friends an
opportunity to defeat her in it. She
arrived in Hartford early on the morn
ing of the election. Having asked at
what time the hustings would take place,
she was told at Il O'Clock, when the
proper time was II O'Clock This mis-
information was given her by her hus-
bands friends, who wished to avoid
scandal, consequently her ladysLip did
not reach the hustings till the election
was over, and Lord Lytton was just
closing his speech with fervent tribute
Of admiration to the womanly beauty
exhibited in the carriages about the
stand. Advancing towards him she
caught his lordship's eye. He immed-
lately left his station and went to the
house Of friend. As he disappeared
she cried o4t coward" and turning to
the people, for fifteen minutes rehearsed
her sufferings on account of his action.
The circumstance was unpleasant in its
consequences to herself. 1t engendered
belief that she had become insane, and
so, shortly after the incident, she was
conveyed to private asylum for the
insane at the instance Of her husband,
acting under the advice of physicians
It may be that Lord Lytton was deceiv-
ed by those doctors as to the state of
her Iadyship's mind. 1t was charitable
to believe that he was so deceived, 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 de-
gree Of interest throughout the king
dom. An investigation of her mental
state was Immediately made, and, hav-
ing been pronounced perfectly sane, she
was allowed to reside with her son.