New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-27
AnglO-American Memories
CXXXIV.
THE LATE DUCHESS OF DevoNsHraE.
Copyright. 1911. George W. smaney3

TO fll his mind with visions of a great
future Of great service 70 his country.
She succeeded, and, having succeeded.
never allowed him to relapse into a mood
Of Indifference. England owes to her an
immense debt, for the kind of usefulness
there was in Harrington belonged to her
alone. Her ambition was to see him
Prime Minister. She ought to have been,
but l think was not, more than content
when, alone among all men like him. he
had the opportunity twice to refuse. and
did twice refuse. that great Office. But
no guidance could have been more deli
cate than hers; whether in his relations
with great affairs or in other matters
which required perhaps an even finer
touch. In all these she had and used
consummate skill. She never used bit or
spur She rode with light hands and
loose rein. OF other attachments she
was never-or never showed herself
Jealous London always cynical in such
matters. used to say she encouraged
them. and used them TO confirm her own
whether that could have been.
He rewarded her with devotion
which knew no limit. She was a little
older than he. but what did that matter?
He was from the beginning quite care
less how he showed his devotion or who
knew IT, Throughout their lives it was
the same and shown in the same way. II
YOU entered a drawing room where the
Duchess was. you looked about Tor Loro
Harrington. II he was not near her you
looked at the door and you would not
look long before YOU saw him enter. his
greeting to his hostess Accomplished ne
hardly noticed others He was quite
happy to stand in a throng and gaze OF
the Duchess from distance The heavy
Cavendish face lighted up. With all mis-
immobility Of feature you saw happiness
in his eyes. When he had found his way
TO her side. they might or might not
have much to say TO each other. But
speech was not needed. Presence was
enough. Affinity is a worn out word
but If ever there was an affinity between
a strong man and a woman with both
beauty and cleverness this was one.
II the Duchess was tolerant she was
not always tolerant knew OF case
A much younger and therefore lovelier
woman was their guest. Il befell that
this young woman and the Duke wan
dered away together one afternoon ana
returned after dusk. Said the Duchess:
MY dear I'm delighted you and Hart
ington should be friends. but you will
not again be out with him so long or so
late"
That is a good enough example OF the
tone she took with all sorts Of people
when things were not going 70 her mind
She was a law unto all her world A
guest asked for Monday did not arrive
till the Thursday: having telegraphed 10
excuse herself. she was -Aet by the
Duchess brandishing the telegram:
This is your wire; answer prepaid.
Did YOU think I was too poor 10 pay for
my own MESSAGE"
And for three days this temper con-
tinued. At the end Of the three days
the Duchess said:
My dear. you deserved your punis..-
ment and YOU have had IT, l love 10
have YOU here. but when YOU say .ou
will come I expect you to come.
After which. all smiles and sunshine.
Implacable she certainly was; often un-
forgiving; sometimes vindictive. A lady
whose position entitled her, you woul
have thought, TO be independent told
me the story of quarrel between the
Duchess and herself. The Duchess had
been overbearing and was in re wrong
but my friend had not the less surren-
dered
why did YOU give in?'
DO YOU suppose l was going TO make
an enemy Of the most dangerous wo. N
in london. and the most powerful"
So the doctrine of worldly prudence
prevailed.
When the Duchess gave Ter wonder
ful fancy ball in 1897 in honor Of the
Great Queens second Jubilee, sho asked
500 people and closed the list one 4
the unasked persuaded her Ambassador
~ intercede with the Duchess. She re
fused he reported the refusal TO his
countrywoman; who replied:
.You must go back 10 the Duchess.
II 7 am not asked 10 this ball my posi-
ton in Paris. in st. Petersburg.
Vienna. Will be ruined. My social future
is in your hands
The Ambassador returned and re-
newed his entreaty.
why do you bother me? You know I
never ask any one not on my original
list"
Duchess. I have left Nine. Y. in con-
,.rIsions on the floor of the Embassy
drawing room If you do not send h,r
a card l will not answer for the con-
sequences
Il will not send her a card"
Then a pause then:
IF she likes to come without card
she may come"
And she did.
This is not the Duchess's most amiable
side. but you must look at her on all
sides. She was never a woman 70 reign
and not govern. But when she chose TO
he charming she could be more charming
than anybody. When she talked her Ger
man accent was marked, but her mind
was English. She had unexpected felici-
ties of diction: in little matters and
great After an absence in America Of
some wears met her again at friends
house in London There was look on