New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-04
LONDON NOTES.
,x,DEAL COURIER AS LORD CHAMBER
LAIN-MORAI.S FOR SMART So
CIETY-A LANDMARK
SAVED
London. November %

LonOon November %
Tho burial to-day OF the Lord Chamberlain on
-. anniversary OF the tragic death Of the
countess Of Lathom is coincidence Of peculiar
,sthos Lord Lathom was an ideal courtier
ell and handsome with long. flowing. gray
heard. and singuarly graceful presence. He
had been a Lord in Waiting to the Queen. Cap
,s,n OF the Yeomen Of the Guard and Lord
chamberlain under three administrations. hav-
ing held the last office for longer period than
env predecessor during the Victorian reign. and
having been the chief Court dignitary at the
Two iuhilees Stateliness OF manner geniality
n disposition. and resources of tact provided a
complete equipment FOR q post Of unique diff
Guilty as well distinction. Lord Lathom was
the most picturesque figure at Court, and
master Of all the intricacies Of etiquette and
ceremonial: yet he was essentially a simple
minded home-loving Bnglishman. powerfully
swav,d by domestic affection. He never reoov-
cred from the shock caused by the sudden death
Of tho Countess a year ago by a carriage acct
den, when she was driving a party of ladies
r fl meet Of hounds. He could find diversion
neither in sea-voyaging. foreign travel nor sport
IN The hunting field. and after year of mental
depression and failing health the end came
barely in time for a burial on the tragic ami
vorsary
Tn four great functionaries Of the Court are
the Lord Chamberlain the Lord Steward the
Master Of the Horse and the Mistress Of the
Robes Among these the Lord chamberlain
enioys pre-eminence as the chief executive OF
the Court on State occasions and in all matters
OF atiauette and routine The Lord Steward at
the Board Of Green Cloth has a staff that is In
sieniecan, in comparison with the Lord Cham
berlain's department. The Master Of the Horse
.. the ROYAL News has the direction Of the
eouer~ies. honorary extra and in ordinary ser
vice and also OF staff OF pages OF honor.
coachrnen. storekeepers. veterinary surgeons
and the huntsmen and whippers-ir Of the royal
hunt The Mistress If the Robes is not peri
odicauv resilient al Court but Is In attendance
ut all great occasions; and the Ladies and
Women If the Bedchamber and Maids Of Honor,
While nominally under her control are APP
pointed because the Queen finds their presence
al Court source Of personal pleasure from init
mate acquaintance The Lord Chamberlain is a
hard-working official. who fully earns his salary
Of $4,000 year He is appointed by the Prime
Minister and resigns Office WIZ never the Min
istry Of the day is upset He is one Of the chief
links binding together Crown and Parliament.
and performs many fun .tions In the economy Of
Court and State.
A COMBINATION OF ALL TALENTS.
The Lord Chamberlain's department may he
said to include combination of all the talents
There is great staff of salared officials, and
all the arts are represented In the service The
rolls include the Poet Laureate. the Examiner
Of PLAYS the Librarian OF windsor. the Master
Of Music The Conductor Of the Band. the Sur
veyor Of Pictures the Marine Painter and the
Painter in Ordinary There is q Vice-Chamber-
lain who is always Member Of Parliament.
and under him there Controllers and Exam
iners OF Accounts. peYmasters and large stan
II clerks and accountants. The pageanuy or
Court ceremonial is directed by the Lord Cham
herlain The Master Of Ceremonies. the Mar
shall the Sergeant-at- Arms the Neomen of the
Guard the Gentlemen-at-A the Lords and
'Grooms In Waiting Black Rod and the ushers
and grooms Of the Prvy Chamber, the Con
stable Of Windsor Castle and all the other
func,ionaries. on State occasions receive their
orders from the Lord Chamberlain. There is
swarm OF minor officials. including Gentlemen
1-ebers Pages Of State the Back Stairs the
Chambers and the Presence. the Keeper OF the
levels at the Tower the Sergeant Trumpeter.
the Bargernaster and the Keeper Of the Swans.
There is also medical branch OF the service.
and attendance at the chapels royal is regulated
from the Lord Cham berlans office.
While the routine work Of this department Is
simple and methodical. the Lord Chamberlain
has one Of the most delicate and thanKlesS
Offices in the United Kingdom. The revision OF
the lists for presentation at Court requires I'M
oeasing vigilance. and inevitably causes intense
heart burning At drawing-rooms ana leVees
the most intricate details Of precedence ana ell
oue,,e have 10 be ordered Alright; and when
there is a great occasion Of State, Ike Jubilee
ear,ice q, Westminster Abbey or last years
series Of imperial fetes. the Lord Chahcellor
moods n have NOT only a large measure Of ex-
ecu,ive CAPACITY and Of organizing power, but
elso refnernent Of tact and sobriety Of judg-
,oent All these faculties and qualities Lord
Lathon possessed 10 high degree. Court Ell
ouette and Freernasonry were the passions or
his life and ne pro-grand master IN each
craft The Chamberleins Of the Continent are
never regarded with public Difference, but are
caricatured and ridiculed as vainglorious cour-
tiers favorites and snobs LORD Lathom i'm
parted dignity TO a thankless Office. displayed a
keen sense OF responsibility and commanded
the grateful affection OF his sovereign and the
rser.ct and admiration Of London society.
Lord Lathom was. indeed. fine example OF
tho hes, qualities Of the British peeraee. At
oxford he was o good oar and expert In out
door snort. he was graceful horseman and
rode fearlcsslv 70 the hounds he had travelled
widely. and was we'll Informed on all questions
O. the time: he good manager OF his es-
tate. he performed military service for long
period and acted for fifteen years as Conserva-
tie Whip in the House Of Lords; and he was
active in local affairs IN Lancashire. He was q
most conscientious worker with sense OF pub
lie obligation He was fond Of literature. music
and the theatre and was one of the most agree
able Of table companions and a most gracious
hos, To all these qualities was added an ardent
affection for his wife and children The countess
O.. Lathorn the second daughter OF Loro
Clarendon and one Of the most charming ana
accomplished women in England her nus
hands Interest in life was shattered when she