The Washington herald., 1912-06-24

The death, at the age Of sixty, OF Lady
Jesslca Sykes. wife OF Sir Tatton Sykes,
OF sledmOre, removes one OF the most
famous and most brilliant women in
London society Of the Victorian era
Lady Sykes, in the course Of her event
full life. made many bids for notoriety.
She married Sir TattOn, who was twen-
ty-six years her senior, when she was
only eighteen years Of age and Just out
OF school Eight years later she became
convert 10 Roman Catholicism, the
Duke Of Norfolk acting as her sponsor.
She was involved IN a series Of lawsuits;
went TO South Africa 10 nurse the SIX
and wounded during the last war; wrote
book upon her return criticising the
medical arrangements at the front; edit
ed a society journal, and devoted her
later years to social work and was great
ly revered by the poor.
Her gambling exploits and success on
the turf In the 'SOs Of last century pro-
Yided food for the gussips. Her extrav-
agance ultimately compelled Sir Tatton
to disclaim responsibility for her debts,
inserting a notice to that effect in all the
newspapers in 1906,
In this drastic action originated the
Iong-continued litigation which filled col
umns in the daily press. In one case. that
1893, against Sir TattOn and Lady Sykes
Jointly to recover the sum Of E13 100 on
lpromissory notes, some Illuminating
Elimpses into high life" were revealed.
Lady Sykes mentioned casually that out
OF a sum Of GlOOOO. which had been paid
into her bank, she Withdrew four
amounts, quite small. she called them.
one OF R2.sOO. which was paid TO a man
named Reynolds, turf commission agent:
q ,aNa Enua1rNs NEg n dress
maker, &C.
Sir Tatton declared that the money had
| not been borrowed on his behalf. nor
| did he sign any Of the documents, as his
| wife alleged. In fact, he was not in
England on the date when one document
| was alleged to have been signed by him
in London. He added that his wife had
committed a series OF fOrgeries, dating
hack TO the time OF their marriage. In
the end the case against Sir TattOn was
dismissed. Actions for forgery were
brought against Lady Sykes, but could
not be prosecuted. as under the British
law the husband could not be called to
| testify against her. On another occa-
| sion she took out an amalgamated life
Insurance policy with a Capt. Allen. The
amount for which her own life was in
| sUred was CIS,OOO. while Capt Aliens
4 bAdlG "HH uUlN @NNNV- LILAAdAlVl Nll-
sued. In the course OF which Lady Sykes
said that she knew the captain, hut not
| intimately. The circumstances Of that
| joint policy never were explained.
Sir Tatton Is very wealthy and a
great landowner. Sledmere, HIS York
shire seat. formerly vas ny far the best
known sporting and social center in
| that county. Here Lady Sykes enter
| tainsd lavishIy. Forty servants were
horses in England were bred in the sta
bles.
Her Iadyship won a reputation, both as
an accomplished nurse and for her gen.
erOsity in connection with the war in
| South Africa. Her book "Sidelights on
the War" was one OF the most inter
esting volumes Of its kind.
The Derby. which this time was won
by rank outsider" holds the record
as the first cinematograph picture ever
shown in London It was in 1895 that the
race was reproduced at the Alhambra
twenty-four hours after ii had been run.
It is recorded that this novelty and en-
terprise attracted more public interest
than the race itself Nowadays London
ers are able to see the Derby on the
evening OF the race.
The pioneer Of 1885. however. had his
difficulties He had neither official sane
ton nor many believers. He set up his
camera in a wagonette and a gypsy
Snowman threatened to upset the rival
cart. But he held his ground and got
his moving picture.
One would hardly think Of finding a
description OF a well run Derby in one
Of Disraelrs novels, And yet In "Sybil''
there is an excellent race. From start
to finish the novelist never faltered. He
got them well away with "Chifney