LADY HERBERT OF LEA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7979, 9 December 1911, Page 5

LADY HERBERT OF LEA

DEATH OF; A. CHARMING OLD-

TIME‘HOSTESS.

Lady Herbert of Lea died on October 80th. Lady Herbert (says the "Westminster Gazette") was a daughter of General Charles a’Court, brother of the first X*>rd Heytesbury, who, while he wasAjnbassador at Borne, lent his house at Heytesbury, which was near Wilton, to his brother. cr As a mere child," says Lord Stanmoro in his "Life of Sidney Herbert/* "Elizabeth was fascinated by Sidneys beauty-"and charm, and announced to her family, as children do, that when ehe grew up she would marry that boy and no other." As Miss a'Court grew up she was strikingly beautiful. and saw much of her future hus> band at Sir Robert Peel’s house at Drayton, which was near to her father’s place at Amington. She married! Mr Sidney Herbert on August 12th, 18-16, and during tho fifteen years of her married Hfe was tho most devoted of wives. JNover was there a happier or more harmonious couple. Both loved Wilton and its beauties, both were interested in the tenants and poor on their estates, both took an active part in the philanthropic, social, political, and religious life or the country.

Lady Herbert of Lea .in her Anglican days was a great friend of Bishop Wilberforce. Alike in London and the country, she would often drive him herself, and it was said at the time that she and Lady Mildred Beresford Hope, both splendid whips, vied* with one another as to which should ho his charioteer. She told the bishop when driving him to a function at Bournemouth of her intention to join tho Roman Communion, a step which grieved him much. She was intimately connected in its early days with St. Paul’s, Knightsbridge, in Mr Bennett’s and Mr Liddell’s time, and she was always liked in Belgravia. She took a great Interest in Mies Nightingale and her nursing sisters’ work in the Crimea, and through her influence her husband built tbe Nursing Home at Charmouth. Lady Herbert of Lea was on ideal hostess, besides being a brilliant conversationalist; and 'Wilton, with her charm and the wit and wisdom of old Lady Pembroke, was one of the pleasantest houses to stay in. Sho entertained largely there.

Lady Herbert of Lea has written many Interesting works, including a number of biographies of Roman Catholic dignitaries.