New-York tribune., 1911-02-25
LORD ''CREENGAGE'
enoIish Baron Claims Rights as
an Irish ViSCount.

"a Gage. who. not content with his
&c, in the House Of Lords as an English
ION is endeavorins to establish his right
- = vote at the election of representative
lars Of ireland as an irish Niscount. has
s,rain Of American blood in his veins.
~. Of his ancestors was governor and
commander in chief of King George ITS
,orces in North America at the outbreak
- ,he War Of independence. This member
~ the House OF Gage. Thomas by name.
married in 1757 Margaret. daughter OF Peter
-,enhle. president Of the Council Of New
Jersey. her mother being a daughter OF
s,ephen van Cortlandt Another ancestor
~ Lord Gage. Sir William Gege. seventh
haronet, who fourished IN the reign OF
c.orge I. introduced into EnSland the plum
known as the greengaGe, which was in con-
sequence thereof named after him. and l
NAV add that the present Fiscount Gage is
popularly known among his friends and
cronies by the nickname Of "Greengage.
TIE viscount. who is a small man, OF
barely middle stature. slight in build'
had such reputation for frivolity
that when the report was published OF
his engagement 70 the lovely Leila
Peel. daughter OF the Rev. Frederick
Peel. sister of Arthur Peel. British envoy IN
siam. and a grandniece Of the famous Sir
Robert Peel. no one would believe it She
has Inherited much Of the fascination Of her
grandmother. Lady Elizabeth Peel. one Of
the most celebrated English beauties OF
the early part Of the nineteenth century.
who was the only woman not Of royal
rank with whom Nicholas l Of Russia
danced during his visit to London Her
devoted admirers included the late Earl OF
Dysart. grandfather of the present earl
who. when she refused to accord him her
hand. locked himself up in small house
OF the Strand. from which he never
emerged during the remaining forty years or
his life In this house he led the existence
Of hermit. having his food conveyed TO
him through a hole in :he door OF his
APARTMENT and never permitting any one 10
have access 70 his lodging. not even SER
wants. His business WITH his lawyers he
transacted entirely by means OF writing.
snd he left q fortune estimated at $4,000 900.
Another unsuccessful suitor was Prince
Paul Esterhazy. then Austrian Ambassa-
dor in London. He, however, did not take
his failure so much to heart for he not
OrIN ATTENDED llt NfN04ASs ull dCNudllg
handed the beautiful Lady Betty INTO the
carriage as she was starting on her honey
moon. Moreover this accomplished cour-
tier actually reappeared on the scene when
the Young couple arrived at their destina-
tior. on the night of their marriage. and
again had the horor Of Offering his arm to
the bride as she alighted from her car
riage. at the door Of the country seat
which had been placed at her disposal and
that Of the bridegroom. Prince Esterhazy
had gained his end by bribing the post
boys 10 learn the locality Of the honey
moon. and then by hiring relays Of fast
horses. that he might ar ticipate the bridal
journey.
Lord and Lady Gage havc a grand old
place near Lewes. in Sussex. known as
Firle Park. which has been in the posses
sion Of the Cages since the reign Of Ed
ward VI. It resembles an old French cha
teau and is situated on an eminence Of
the Southdowns. commanding extensive
land and sea views. and inclosed in a finely
wooded park Of several thousand acres.
The picture gallery contains many notable
historic portraits. including one Of Sir
John Gage. painted by Holbein 10 the order
OF Henry VIII. who hello Sir John in spe-
cial favor, creating him Constable of the
Tower OF London and a Knight of the
Garter The family claims descent from a
Sire de Gaugi, who is named on the roll Of
Battle Abbey among those who fought
under William the Conqueror al the battle
mis- name from the seignory of Gaugy, near
Rouen, IN Normandy.
Robert Cage was beheaded for his in
fstuation with Mary Queen Of Scots.
Colonel Sir Henry Gage greatly distin-
gished himself as Governor OF Oxford. as
one Of the most devoted adherents of
Charles I. and after twice relieving Basing
House. was killed by the Roundheads at
Cullum Bridge. Another OF the Cages.
John by name owner Of Firle Park. was
created d baronet by James I. and the
eighth baronet was, by reason Of his great
territorial possessions and of the political
influence which they commanded, raised TO
the peerage a. Viscount Gage.
II was his younger brother Joseph who
acquired such a colossal fortune by the
Mississippi bubble" scheme. His wealth
VAS estimated at the then fantastic figure
Of sso.c00co, and II is no wonder that his
mead was turned, 70 the extent of leading
him 10 make unsuccessful attempts 20 pur-
chase first Of all. the crown of Poland,
and after that the crown Of Sardinia.
Ultimately he lost all his money. and then.
making his way 10 Spain. he devoted him
self 10 developing the mineral wealth of
that kingdom, with such success that ne
acquired another great fortune, becoming
srandee Of the first class and commander
N chief OF the Spanish army in Lombardy.
he left no sons. but only two daughters,
oy his marriage with the daughter Of the
second Marquis Of Powis