COUNTESS OF ROSSLYN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21708, 25 January 1934, Page 4

COUNTESS OF ROSSLYN

OLDEST LIVING PEERESS Many friends have been concerned bv tho report that lately Blanche, Countess of Rosslyn, has been far from well. Sho was born two years after tho accession of Queen Victoria, and is tho oldest living peeress. Sho is also probably tho last of the great Victorian ladies who can claim to liavo been the intimate friend of both Disraeli and Gladstone. Disraeli, it will bo remembered, had several clo,so friendships with women, but very few with men. An exception was Lord Itosslyn, grandfather of the present peer, whom he appointed to be High Commissioner of tho Church of Scotland. In later years Disraeli could never bo in Loudon for long without calling on Lady Rossl.vn. Ludy Itosslyn is fond of recalling her friendship with tho two Primo Ministers. Gladstone, sho says was always at the top of his form. Ho would entor hor crowded drawing room and at oneo dominate tho conversation. Disraeli, on tho other hand, was moody. Ho never attempted to bo gay or witty when he was feeling depressed. Guests meeting him for the iirst time would often express disappointment. Yet more than xmco Disraeli called again the very next day and, though tho drawing room was almost emptv. ho would talk like ono of tho most brilliant characters in his novels. Owing to hor advanced years, Ladv Rosslyn was unable to attend tho recent wedding of Lord Warwick and Miss Bingham, both of whom are her great-grandchildren.