The Washington herald., 1910-05-29
By Ex-ATTACHE.

Lord Stamford. who died on Tuesday
last, a quiet. unassuming man. OF pro-
nouncedly Evangelical tendencies. en-
joyed to very marked degree the sym
pathy and regard OF his fellow-peers in
tho upper house OF the national legis-
lature at Westminster. For 1t was
through his exertions, and at the cost
OF no end OF trouble and money. that he
preserved the House of Lords from be
Ing compelled to receive in their midst.
and 10 accord a seat beside them, a
particularly woolly and negro-looking
mulatto.
The eighth earl who was a distant
cousin. shortly after becoming clergy
man Of the Church Of England. magied
a domestic servant, and became involved
in difficulties which rendered his eS
patriation necessary. He migrated to
South Africa. his wife abandoning him.
After her death he married again, in
South Africa. white woman. also Of
humble station, who died two years later.
Thereupon he lived for a number Of
years with coal-black Hottentot woman.
who occupied the position Of cook and
laundress IN his household.
Eventually some Of the missionaries Of
the district in which he lived persuaded
him 10 legalize his relations with her by
marriage. and she was thus transformed
into Il peeress Of the realm. as Countess
Of Stamford and Baroness Grey. Of
Groby. This marriage took place after
she had given birth 70 a son. John Grey.
who was. however. rendered thereby legit-
innate. according 10 the terms OF the
old Dutch law. still in force IN that pOr-
ton OF South Africa where he was born.
On the death OF the eighth earl this
mulatto son Of his assumed hts honors as
ninth Earl Of Stamford. and proceeded
70 England with his coal-black mother,
the widowed Countess OF Stamford, TO
take his seat In the House OF Lords and
70 present himself al court. The peers
Old not relish the idea. and were, there
fore. immensely gTatifed when a claim
was put forward by a colonial school
teacher Of the name OF William Grey 10
the earldom Of Stamford and q protest
fled against the succession OF the mu-
latto. The litigation. WAS both lengthy
and tHesome.
But eventually the committee OF privi-
loges OF the House OF Lords decided that
succession 10 English peerages was gov
erned by English law exclusively. and
that. although the marriage OF the eighth
earl and Of HIS Hottentot cook had been
sufficient 10 legiumlze the aDte-nuptlal
birth OF their son, John Grey. according
70 the Dutch law Of South Africa. II did
not have the effect Of leg.timizing him
sufficiently 20 meet the requirements Of
English law.
He was. therefore, barred from taking
HIS seat in the upper house. and the earl
dom was awarded 10 William Grey. who,
born on this side OF the Atlantic. in New
foundland. had spent the greater part OF
his life until then earning his living as
school teacher IN the colonies, especially
at Barbados. where he considered himself
lucky 10 be making $500 a year.
The negro Countess Of Stamford re-
turned with her son and her daughter
twho. born subsequent 10 her marriage.
Is fully entitled 10 the name and style Of
Lady Mary Grey 70 South Africa. where
they met with a sorry reception on the
part OF those who had advanced money
70 them on the strength OF their BELIEF IN