The Washington herald., 1911-10-16
EARL OF CADOGAN
in THE LIMELIGHT

| hdS ouueTeO a variety Oh QOTDeSllC NlClS-
situdes OF a kind that do not tend to
stiften one either mentally or physically.
The final stand of the Lords in the fight
for their existence has brought the noble
earl into the limelight rather unpleas-
antly, and has shown him to be an OPP
portunist to whom a nod Is as good IS
wink when it comes from Lord Knollys,
or any other court emissary, for that
matter. Lord Cadogan has basked in the
| royal sunshine all his life. Extremely
wealthy, he is the heir OF n family who,
from being brave soldiers of the most
charming character, have come down in
the twentieth century to the level OF
race of place hunters. taking the crumbs
from the tables of royalty. This can be
attributed only to lack of incentive to
any sphere OF action. Too much wealth.
too little to achieve, everything already
at hand that makes life worth living
without having to do a turn of the hand
for it, is the cause. 1t always has the
same result, only in the case OF the
Cadogans it has been more than usually
conspicuous.
Few British peers can boast Of a more
distinguished origin than Lord Cadogan,
but not in point Of antiquity. Two and
half centuries ago a Cadogan was
lawyer with a record in the Four Courts
at Dublin. His son joined the army, rose
under the great Marlborough to high
rank, was wounded at Schullemberg
battle, and covered himself with glory
at Blenheim. When his great leader
was forced to retire, Cadogan went with
him.
The books say that on the disgrace of
his leader he resigned all his offices,
determined to share his chiefs misfor-
tunes, which sounds WELL and does no
harm. What. however. seems Hkelier
was that Cadogan knew more about those
bread contracts of Marlborough than
was convenient. In any case he did
the wise thing. for Duchess Sarah's little
day wasn't over, and a woman at court
can be a powerful friend.
Cadogan found II so anyhow, for he
lived to see himself again a victorious
general under the first of the Georges,
with barony. viscounty, and an earl
dom for his pains: and when Marlborough
died Earl Cadogan became the first SOL
dier in the land. His great-nephew,
Henry Cadogan. rendered equally gallant
service century later to Wellington in
the peninsula. and having offered a mag
nihcent repulse to the left wing of the
French army from the heights of La
Puebla, fell mortally wounded, but watch
ed the progress of the battle with in
tense enthusiasm until he expired On
story in stone of the dying moments of
this gallant Cadogan may be seen to this |
day.
But those days are over with the Cado- |
gans. Their representative to-day made |
himself the neighbor OF his King in East |
Anglia. a privilege which cost him EI75.- !
900. To the favor OF Queen Victoria. Lord |
Cadogan owed the Office which gives him |
the right TO a few words in Debrett after |
his death. As viceroy Of Ireland he was |
complete success. Gracious. smiling. |
tactful. and Open-handed he fulfilled |
Queen Victoria's ideal OF a viceroy to |
the letter Lord Cadogan could have |
had a marquessate had he so chosen. |
but he contented himself with the Garter |
knightship.
He left fine impression in Dublin of
an English Tory aristOcrat who instinct
ively did the right thing. His wife. too.
was born vicereine. The rest of the
family figured in his excellency's Irish
household, especially their daughter,
Lady Lurgan, whose husband when in
uniform was state steward and when
out of it sold wine. But the CadoRan
regime in Ireland was a success, and
II his lordship and his new count
soon as the present government is clear
ed out il would set all the tongues in
Dublin a-waging with pleasurable an
ticipation.
Lady Cadogan was a daughter OF the
Earl OF Craven, and n leader of society
for many years. Her activities in the
cause OF charity were innumerable. One
still remembers the stall, in the form of
great black shoe packed full OF dolls
the old woman who lived
in SHOE" which his lordship's daughter
in-law, Lady Chelsea, took at Lady Cad
oEan's Albert Hall fete in aid OF the
Victoria Hospital for Children Lady
Cadogan's daughter. Lady Lurgan. sold
lamp shades with her sister. Lady Sophie
Scott, and the Duchess of Marlborough
1t Is onlv few years ago, yet somehow
all these good Cadogans seem to have
gone to the land Of shadows. Lady Cad
ogan, her son. Viscount Chelsea; her
grandson, the next Viscount Chelsea, and
her daughter, Lady Lurgan, have passed
away. Lady CadOgan's eldest son, also
Viscount Chelsea. died many years ago
at the age of eighteen.
The last of the soldierly Cadogans was
Gen. Sir George Cadogan; X. c. B.. who
lid good service in the Crimea, and died
over thirty years ago. He left four
daughters. two of whom married Ital-
ANS The elder of these two. Olivia,
bdTIleu IN lSi count Ner1 Pelagi. She :
lied about two years ago. and a Few :
months later the then Lord Cadogan ,
married her daughter, Countess Olivia
oalagi. Clifford Hall. his Iordship's fine
eat near Bury st. Edmunds. now has a | )
lew chatelaine and a new era of useful I.
less. In days of yore Lord Cadogan was
Dften the host of the King at Culford. But :
fter the festivities in honor of the visit OF
ling Edward six years ago were interrupt ! !
d by the death of Mr.. Frederick Cadogan. |
/ blight settled upon the place. Death l
ollowed death in quick succession, and ]
he air of gloom at CulfoTd seemed never i
kelly to be dispelled
Now things have looked up. Lord Cad
gan used to be a great man on the turf, G
md his late son. Lord Chelsea, had n {
porting twist in his character. He once I
lad a quite remarkable run OF luck at
nty-three. But under the rule OF the
lew cousin-countess things have already u
AIKEN on a more cheerful aspect both ?
t Culford and at Chelsea House. The l
after place, which used to be the scene
4 SO many great entertainments, has
'een practically closed for years. Lord c
nd Lady Cadogan, In days of yore, were
n the very exclusive set who in the au- Q
umn used to find themselves at Sand
inghsm. When, therefore, Lord Knollys c
Earl Cadogan for the "antP'
ote in the House Of Lords, he had rea-
on to do so with complete confidence
which confidence was not misplaced
FLANEUR. v
(Copyrieht 1911. By Court Gossip syndicate.)