New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-05-10
ODD CUSTOM AT LADY oRFoRD's FUNERAL

ODD CUSTOM AT LADY ORFoRD's FUNERAL
At Lady orfords funeral which took place few
DAYS ago the hearse was driven three times round
the church before the remains finally laid TO
rest I'm the churchyard CT Aylsham, in Norfokshre-
This was in Difference 10 family custom and 10 local
tradition according which latter Horatio second
Earl Of Oxford destroyed the tomb OF the Scamers,
former lords Of the manor. in order to make way for
the construction Of resting place for the Wal
poles. Il said that of the unhappy ladies OF
this Scalrner family haunts the churchyard always
searching for the remains OF her relations, and 1t
IS 10 mofy her restless spirit that this drive OF
the hearse three times round the churchyard takes
place on the occasion OF the funeral of every Earl
and Of every Countess of Oxford.
II is also alleged that, prior to the totally unex-
pected death Of Lady oxford. who was Miss Louise
Corhin. of New York Daughter OF D. C Corbn, the
phantom coach and four, which always make their
appearance just prior TO the death Of the head Of
the house of Walpole or of his consort, were seen
sn the neighborhood OF Aylsham. Just what the
origin OF this banshee is supposed 20 be an unable
70 say with any degree Of certainty. But the spec
sral coach and four a matter OF general belief
among the people Of the district, and there are
many among the older inhabitants who profess 10
have IL iust before the death of the late and
fourth earl in 1891 one old man. who pass
ins the entrance lodge Of wolterton Park at the
time stiu relates with dramatic detail how he
the coach turn and pass right through the iron
gates }ust as they offered obstacle At all
The late Lady oxford very popular IN Eng
land. having good viii by the pluck and 10y
silly which she displayed when. shortly after her
marriage and before hex husbands accession to
The ea-ldom. he was made the object Of the most
violent and extraordinary persecution in England
on the part Of an adventures Posing the role
q an innocent and grieless German Koverness the
woman charged him with first having ruined her.
under the promise Of marriage. and then deserted
her in order wed American heiress. The
prina facle case against Captain Wslpole, he
was then. was rather strong, and a number OF the
English newspapers took I'd the woman's cause,
The Pail Mall Gazette" indeed raising fund %
several thousand pounds 10 which even Queen
Victoria contributed 500. for the purpose Of de-
frayinE the legal expenses Of the plaintiff in her
suit for damages against the captain. who held
up public cbloquy in the press everything that
vile and profigate
Through all this tempest Of violent and extrava-
giant abuse Walpole's American wife stood Loyalty
by his side. remained his best friend perfectly in
different. and probably incredulous with regard TO
the charges 10 his conduct previous 20 her mar
rage. She -eaped her reward al last. For one
fne day Captain Walpole's legal advisers obtained
evidence OF the conclusive character showing
thsr the plaintiff. instead Of being guileIess gov
eroess. in reality a most dangerous sd-
ventures e15 notorious blacknsiler whose
career was well known throughout the Ievant. and
who had on one occasion been put under arrest
either at Algiers o. Tunis-I forget which-for hsv-
ing shot at ana wounded Count Crenneville. former
~ attached 70 the Austrian Embassy 8 Washing
rcT arC WHO Eac incurred Ile wrath OF the WoiTfan
by declining 70 continue his acquaintance with her
owing the expense which Il entailed- OF course
this exposure |as followed by revulsion OF popu-
Jar feeling in favor Of Captain Walpole. who. 81
,sa4. succeeded his uncle Earl Of oxford and as
chief 81 the historic House Of Walpole. which can
its ancestry back 20 those remote ages that
preceded the Norman Conquest. and which for the
last four centuries has played very important part
II English history
The late LADY Oxford was devoted 10 her Norfolk
shire home. where Oliver Cromwell had often been
s visitor, and which is full Of treasures among the
curious Of which is the key OF the great
stamboul Mosque OF ST Sophia IN the days when
81 stin place OF Christian worship: a manu-
script letter from George II 10 the first Lord Or
ford. concluding God bless you. Q. r.. the spurs
worn by King William III the battle Of the
Eoyne: Garrick's watch. given TO him by Horace
waipOle. and the silver inkstand used through
the greater part OF his political career by Sir
Robert Walpole. who while stin commoaer.
created knight CT the Garter. and who for his