TELL-THE-TRUTH PEERAGE

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 118, 14 November 1929, Page 21

TELL-THE-TRUTH PEERAGE

„ The seventh volume of this wonderful book (which has been more than fifty years in preparation, and, when complete, will be one of the finest works of reference that the century has produced) has made its appearance. A "Daily Mail" reviewer says that one of the qualities which make it so interesting is its candour. It does not pretend that all peers were saints or angels. Thus we read of the fifth Dukfi of Leeds:—"He was a light, variable young man of very moderate parts, and less principles."

Of the wife of the fourth Earl of Jersey a note states:—"Had she possessed more prudence with less vivacity; more affection with less inconstancy; more sincerity with less insinuation, she would have lived a pattern."

The Duke of Kent, father of Queen Victoria, and great-graudfather o£ the King, ran heavily into debt in his youth. In this volume the reason is revealed. He was placed under a German tutor, Baron Wangenheim, and sent to Hanover to serve in the Hanoverian army. Although an allowance of £5000 a year was provided by the King (George III.) for the Prince's education and maintenance, the Baron only let him him a guinea and a half a week as pocket-money, and intercepted his letters home. The Prince accordingly borrowed largely, and entered that state of debt from which he never escaped.