New-York tribune., 1907-12-04
"OLD PANS" HEIR.
Eue1yn Ashley, the Pioneer of so
cietY Journalism.

Evelyn Ashley. whose death has just taken place
in England. will be best remembered as the step
grandson private secretary biographer and heir OF
Lord Palmerston, the celebrated statesman ana
Premier of Queen Fictorias reign. and who hSures
so largely in the volumes of her letters and corre-
spondence just issued by John Murray. with the
authority and imprimatur OF the King, and the
names of Viscount Esher and of Arthur Benson as
its editors and complers. Over here in the United
States he is additionally known for having, at
Lord Pamerston's instigation and during the in
tervals Of the latter's of ministerial Office.
devoted almost entire year to extensive tour
of the United States ut a time when such trips
by Englishmen OF note were few and far between
He was here IN 1858, and had as his travelling
companion the present Duke of Devonshires
brother. the ill-fated Lord Frederick Cavendish.
who was afterward assassnated by the 1nvfncibles
In Phoenix Park, Dublin
Evelyn Ashley will also be recalled as one Of the
pioneers of what may be described society jour-
nalisn-that is say, of society Journalism OF the
order Of London TRUTH in which the news OF
the reigning houses and of the great world was
mingled with political satire The paper which he
started was entitled The OWL and his associate
in the matter the brilliant and eccentric Lau-
renee Olphant, while Lord Glenesk. proprietor of
The London Morning Post undertook the print
ing of the sheet. It created an immense sensation
while it lasted 1t seemed to have all the secrets
of the Foreign Office at its fingers ends and con-
founded and tautalized the official the political and
the social world by its extraordinary acquaintance
with life and events. and with its droll OF
treating them. Laurence Oliphant justly describes
it in of his writings having been "a wild
little bandit the press and while il eventually
came to grief. owing to people obtaining control
who regarding the matter from a purely business
point of view. restrained by sentiments of
honor. chivary social ethics in publishing it, II
served TO make Laurence OIiphant acquainted with
his own powers of the pen and to launch him upon
that literary career in which he to obtain such
great successes. To the most entertaining feat
about The OWL the idea that the favorite
of that most ultra pietst of peers the seventh
Lord of Shaftesbury, celebrated philanthropst
and churchman. and popular!y known as the
lay bishop could be identified with the birth and
existence of so wicked. satirical and worldly
a sheet, to which nothing sacred. 1t
odd in its way the close intimacy end mutual
appreciation of the seventh Lord Shaftesbury for
his kinsman Lord PalTnerston, whose career was
signalized by many feminine ronances. whose
language was more than picturesque. who preferred
the racecourse TO the prayer hall, and who was
about the worldest of his day.
In order TO explain Evelyn Ashey's relationship
TO Lord Palmerston and how he came TO figure
his heir it is necessary to state that the fifth
Earl Cowper married the Hon. Amelia Lamb. sister
Of that Lord Melbourne who was Prime Minister
when Queen Victoria to the throne. Lord
Pafmerston Of the most devoted admirers
Of Lady Cowper. Indeed their mutual attachment
was of the ronances OF the early part OF the
nineteenth century, and Lord Cowper's death
Lord Palmerston promptly married the widow. Lord
Palmerston devoted to the younger children
born his wife during her marriage with Earl
Cowper treating them in the most paternal fashion.
xhe one whom he particularly fond was
William. who created Lord Mount Temple and
who inherited most OF Lord and Lady Palmerstons
property including their country seat. Broadlands.
knowing that Lord Mount Temple would die child
less Lord Palmerston drew up his Will in such
a fashion that Mount Temples death without
issue the property should go 10 the younger son
of Lady Palmerston's daughter by her first mar
rage that is to say the OF that Lady Amelia
Cowper who had married the good Lord shaftes-
bury.