DEATH OF A LEADER OF FASHION.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5444, 26 July 1879, Page 3

DEATH OF A LEADER OF FASHION.

A cable message from the London correspondent of the Evening Post announces the death of a notable leader of fashion in London — Frances, Countess of 1 Waidegrate. Her ladyship's history is in many respect 1 ? a remarkable one. She was the daughter of John Braham, the celebrated tenor singer, and composer of the "Death of Nelson," and at one time was herself a somewhat promising candidate for lyric fame. Her attractions, however, secured her the attentions of Mr George Harcourt, a gentlemen of considerable wealth, to whom she was married to the seventh Earl Waldegrave. At first, fashionable society in London iooked somewhat coldly upon her, not being altogether inclined to welcome " professional " persona into its arcana, but her ladyship's title, wealth, and personal attractions soon overcame all obstacles, andspeedilyshecametoboregardedasbeing of the very creme de la creme. After the death of the Earl the influence of the Countess rather increased than diminished, until at length her ladyship was looked upon as one of the foremost leaders of fashion. Her dinners at Carlton Gardens, and her garden parties at Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, the residence made famos by Horace Walpole, were regarded as being perfection, and the highest rank and fashion, including Royalty itself, flocked to her receptions. In 1863 her Ladyship again married, this time to the Right Hon. Lord Carlingford, then Mr Chichester Fortescue, President of the Board of trade under Mr Gladstone's administration. Her decease will leave a very noticeable gap in the ranks of London society, and she will probably be missed more than any other of the leading lights of fashion could been, her place being one which it would be peculiarly difficult to fill.