"DISTANCE LENDS ENCHANTMENT TO THE VIEW."

North Otago Times, 1 August 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

"DISTANCE LENDS ENCHANTMENT TO THE VIEW."

Lady Hamilton, wife of a one-time Governor of Tasmania, has (says an exchange) won golden opinions from the English Press on tho eloquence with which she has both written and lectured on the charms of this "Pearl of the Seas." Entertainments at Government Houso during tho Hamilton regimo were of rather a limited order, as far as catering was concerned. That wealth supposed by the common mind to bo commonly and uninterruptedly in attendance on Governors and such lords of creation was, in tho Hamilton case, wanting to a quite awkward extent. People are still existent who mention sadly the length of the supper tables, So sparsely broken by triumphs of the confectioner's art; the longer length of the ovenings, never broken by tho popping of champagne corks. Tongues, male, uncooled by tho sparkling tide, commented warmly. Feminine palates, lacking Othellos, criticised unsparingly, Jjmlj Hamilton was nothing if not sociable. Sho dabbled in everything, from petticoats for old women to sketching parties for yonng ones, and people "dropped in" at Government House with a freedom and familiarity paralysing to tho dignity of a first baronet. On one occasion a lady and her little son called. "Would you liko A piece of cake, little man?" Lady Hamilton inquired kindly. The infant s face beamed. "Oh, yes!" he . ; i? l , did nofc tllink T woult l get »»y! Mother said there wal never anything to be got in tliis'house!"