The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-22

Ing told that no could not even choose
his confidential secretary for himself.
but had to take him from his royal
spouse. He seems to have suspected
some machination on the part Of Lord
Melbourne. OF whom In the days OF his
engagement he was jealous. There are
given here the amusing letters In which
the Queen, while endeavoring to soothe
the ruffied susceptibilities Of the BRIDE
groom elect. yet showed that she needed
no mans help to stand up for her royal
prerogatives. II am distressed to tell
you what fear you do not like, but II
Is necessary. my dearest. most excellent
Albert. Once more tell you that you
can perfectly rely on me. In these mat
ters."
While still attached to the household
STAFF Of the Queen, Lord Suffield had
been becoming intimate with the Prince
down In Norfolk, where the Prince and
the Princess had been his guests at
Gunton. 1t was the Queen who in
formed him Of the transfer to the
Prince. my son has asked for you.
and you know I cannot refuse him any
thing" Henceforth Lord Suffield was
known to all who knew the Prince Of
Wales and thoroughly identified with
him. The social tact Of the Prince and
his kindness are known to everybody,
but for these qualities his major domo
was at least equally conspicuous. He
was custodian and guardian OF the
Prince during the long journey and So
Journ that the Prince made in India In
1875. at tho instigation OF Disraeli.
More pages are devoted to this journey
than to any other single subject. 1t is
clear that the reminiscent felt himself
charged with a special responsibility
for keeping the Prince out of mischief
and out Of danger. a responsibility
WHICH was really serious when the ex-
petition was so largely concerned with
the hunting OF big and fierce game,
beginning with tigers. For the rest,
the account here Of the journey. as OF
80 many other Journeys which he took
In the same company, Is largely q
sportsman's chronicle. Yachting. with
the chief Of the hou ehold as with the
Prince, was q favorite diversion. sec
ond only In the case of the chief to
riding to hounds. The only case In
which the major domo came into poll
tics was that on which, after Gladstone
had shown his intention to introduce a
home rule bill. Lord Suffield felt bound
to resign the place OF Master Of Her
Majesty's Buckhounds. which It ap-
pears Is or was a political appointment.
His duties were merely social, and adj
mirably II Is made clear that he per-
formed them. going everywhere and see
Ing everybody that was supposed to he
worth seeing. The volume gives an
unconscious portrait OF an innocent.
kindly and enjoying English gentle
man. and one can clearly understand
the great popularity which its author
enjoyed. At Cowes In 1909 he encoun-
tered the wonderful old Empress Eu-
genie. who kept me long time when
went to see her chatting about old
times. and telling me as a great joke
of cropper she had come on deck the
day before, as II she had been IS in
stead of about So" There was another
wonderful old lady there. Lady Cardi-
gan. as to whom the author processes
wonder and Indignation that she should
be cold shouldered at Cowes where so
many were making pasts as fast as they
could" The book Is un!mportant but
entertaining.