FEATURES OP IRISH LIFE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13692, 7 March 1908, Page 5 (Supplement)

FEATURES OP IRISH LIFE.

LADY RANDOLPH CHURCHILL'S REMINISCENCES.

Lady Randolph Churchill continues her " Reminiscences" in the January number of the Century Magazine. The instalment relates chiefly to Ireland. When the Duke of Marlborough, father of Lord Randolph, was made Viceroy by Lord Beacon Lord and Lady Randolph accompanied him to Ireland. Lord Randolph went in the capacity of unpaid private secretary to the Duke. With his wife he took up his abode at the Secretary's Lodge in Phcenix Park. Lady Randolph found the Irish life very pleasant, and delighted in the genial character and ready wit of the people. Here are a few short extracts from a very readable article: NO EXCUSE FOR DUBLIN COURT. In India, the Eastern mind has to be. impressed with the glamour of royalty. In the distant colonics, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and others, Government House is a great feature, and the governors men of responsibility. But what excuse can be offered for the Dublin Court, which is within a. few hours of London and in direct communication by telegraph and telephone witli Downing-strect? The Lord Licuten-, ant, who is not in the Cabinet, is but a figurehead, a purveyor of amusements for the Irish officials and the Dublin tradespeople, on whom he is obliged to lavish his hospitality and his money, with no return and no thanks. The wives of the viceroys labour in good works, each in turn vying with the other in charitable ardour. But these philanthropic works could be earned on just as well it they did not emanate from the Castle. The ingratitude of the people must be very disheartening to each successive viceroy. "OLD MAGNIFICENT." The predecessor of the Duke ot Marlborough was the Duke of Abercorn, whose delightful personality and extraordinary good looks were long remembered. " Old Magnificent," us he was called, was very fond of effect, and when making his state entry into Dublin, insisted on the ladies of his family wearing long, flowing veils, that would stream behind as they drove in the procession through the street's. Stories are' told of his having the drawing-room stopped while he combed and scented his beard, disarranged by the osculations of the debutantes, who, if they were pretty, were made to pass the dais again. Of late years the Dublin drawing-rooms have become so conventional that they no longer afford the amusement they formerly provided. empress' indefatigable life. The great excitement at that time in the hunting field was the advent of the Empress Elizabeth of Austria, who had taken a place in Heath for a few months. The whole country was agog, and crowds used to flock to the meets to catch a glimpse ot her. The Empress, although her reputation for physical endurance and love of riding was great in the sporting world, astonished everyone by the indefatigable life she led. Arriving at Summerhill, from Vienna, without break she donned a habit in the train, got on a horse, and before going into the house, proceeded to ride around a schooling course which by her orders had been made in the park. Lord Langford, the owner of Summerhill, had, with much care and at considerable expense, furnished a boudoir for her which was hung in blue damask, and decorated with pictures' and china. However, before the Empress had been there 24 hours, disdaining such feminine frivolities, she converted it into a gymnasium, in which to exercise daily before going out hunting.

RODE GALLANTLY. With a wonderful figure and a beautiful seat on a horse Her Majesty made a fine appearance. She rode gallantly and knew .no fear, but her riding was of the " haute ecole" order, and like most women she could seldom make a horse gallop. This was a source of perpetual worry to her hard-riding pilot, Captain Bay Middleton, whose "Come on, madam, .come. on!" was, constantly heard in the field. The safety skirt not having as yet made its appearance, the Empress wore the tightest habits buttoned down and strapped in every direction. She found herself in many a, ditch, and whether she fell clear of her horse or not, it was impossible for her to stand up until the outtons and straps had been unfastened. Under the circumstances it was a marvel that she did not hurt herself. It was her invariable custom to ride with a large fan, which she held opened between her face and the crowd, whether against the rays of the sun or the stares of the people I never made out. Another curious habit of hers was to use sma'l squares of rice paper in the Japanese fashion instead of pocket-handkerchiefs; by these she could be traced for miles, as in a paper chase. THE JUBILEE WONDER. Lady Randolph visited the Viceregal Court during the Jubilee year of Queen Victoria, and thus describes an amusing incident :— Everything that year was dubbed Jubilee." from knights and babies to hats and coats. " God save the Queen" was heard "ad nauseam" on every conceivable occasion, until the tune became an obsession. This led to a practical joke at the Castle which caused much amusement. One morning, speaking of the Jubilee craze, I pretended that I had received as an advertisement a " Jubilee, bustle" which would play " Cod save the Queen" when the wearer sat down. This, of course, created much curiosity and laughter. Having promised to put it on, I took my hosts into my confidence. An aide-de-camp -was pressed into the service, and armed with a small musical box, was made to hide under the particular armchair. While the company was at luncheon I retired to don the so-called Jubilee wonder." and when they were all assembled I marched in solemnly and slowly sat down ...n the- arm-chair where the poor aide-de-camp ■was hiding his cramped limbs. To the delight and astonishment of everyone the ' National Anthem" was heard gently tinkling forth. Every time. I rose it stopped; every time I sat down it began again. 1 still'laugh when I think of it and of the astonished faces about me.