New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-01-23

ISI3-1S55. Edited by Mrs. Warrenne B lake.
With an Introduction by the LADY St Heher.
Illustrated Svo, PIP. 3eS. john Lane com
pany.
The domestic life of q well-bred British ram
fly in the first half of the last century may not
have had anything very exciting in it, but never
theless an unprecedented and artless picture OF
It set down IN private letters and diaries is an
Invaluable Offering to the social historian of
future years How did people think and act IN
the days OF our great grandfathers? What
were their sentiments, their habits, their pTeJu-
dIces their daily tasks and daily amuseInentsE
In this book the family OF Thomas knox, nrst
Earl Of Ranfurlv is made to live before us, and
we are translated into period which in many
directions was curiously unlike our own
In nothing was it more unlike than in the
relations of parents and children. The sternest
discipline was compatible with the deepest al
lection. The youngsters stood in the presence
of their elders, and always addressed them as
sir and Madam" Mrs. Blakes grandmother.
lane Hope We're the wife OF Edmond Knox. was
in her early youth handed over by her father
and mother TO the care Of Mrs Hamilton a
cousin % Mrs Hope We're. and until she mar
ried was the accomplishing victim Of her vile
tenopered guardians ruthless tyranny; appar-
entity she never thought of complaint, rebelnon
or escape. Stately dignity in a father did not
deaden his children's feeling for him. though it
deTlOnSITdlIOD
reveres his father" wrote Jane soon after her
marriage; and in truth the family affection re-
vealed in these letters beautiful and noble
thing II is recorded that Lord Ranfurly's de-
light was 10 gather his four sons and their
wives and children around him, and that their
lives together were most harmonious In one
particular the young people were Obliged to be
on their guard-the old gentleman would not
suffer slang in those about him. one OF his
erauddaughters' Mrs. Blake says. who reck-
lessIv said in his presence that she did not care
a button received a rebuke so severe that IT
became tradition In the family
Lord Ranfurly lived for many years in Paris;
thither. too. went Captain Edmond Knox and
his wife in order to educate their daughters.
English people Of standing whose incomes were
NOT large were in those days, apt to adopt
that plan for Paris then a comparatively
inexpensive place for study and entertainment.
The greater part of the letters in this volume
were penned there and they describe not only
the cheerful and affectionate family life with
its homely details, but many excursions into
society. The daughters of the house worked at
their accomplishments with vigor which in
sl,red them the happiest occupations all their
lives One Of Lord Ranfurly's progteges, by
the way who lived in his house, was gifted
Young Irish musician. George Osborne. Straight
way does that name bring up the close of a
chapter in Vanity Fair and its sound as Of
solemn music NO more firing was heard at
Rrlssels-the pursuit rolled miles away. Dark
ness came down on the field and city; and
Amelia was praying for George who was lying
on his face dead. with bullet through his
heart" It was the young Irishman who gave
2 name TO the soldier. Thackeray in his life in
Paris had net and formed q friendship with
Osborne Il want a name for my hero" said
the novelist one day when thinking about the
borner" said the musician and George Osborne
81 was though little Ameiia's husband bore no
resemblance in character to Thackeray's friend
Despite their years in the City Of Light and
their happiness there the Knox family re-
mained almost as insular as most OF their coun-
tr1-roeu There was report writes Captain
Edmond's daughter Elizabeth to her soldier
brother in Canada. that the heiress of the
Peilew Islands vas going TO be married 20
Monsieur de Noailles. But l have heard since
that her father would rather his daughter
dead at his zee; than married to a F-enchnan.
Cneie James says that he would rather see
Emily the wife of an English hairdresser than
like either" The young Elizabeth saw as few
attractions in Americans as in French dukes
She went to a ball at General Cass's house and
remarks that she was s'very much amused with
the unusual appearance OF the Americans who
certainly do not seem blest with what Byron