Lady Randolph Churchill.

Otago Witness, Issue 2808, 8 January 1908, Page 73

Lady Randolph Churchill.

— Some Early Recollections. — Lady Randolph Churchill, now Mrs George CoirmraUis- vVest, commenced in the November Century some reminiscences of her eventful life. The first instalment deals mainly -with her recollections of the 'ihird Empire, just previously to the great downfall -which was to plunge the gay capital of France into impotent grief. Though born in Brooklyn, little Jennie Jerome spent her childhood days in Trieste, where her father, Leonard Jerome, was American Consul. Wearying of his diplomatic post, he presently returned to America. "For four or five years my family lived in New York, where my father, La making and unmaking several fortunes, and at one time virtually possessing the whole of the Pacific Mail line, found plenty of scope for his ambitions and his active brain. He founded Jerome Park and the Coney Island Jockey Cub, the first of the 7 two great American race" counses, and with his friend, August Belmont, made good his claim to being called the father of the American turf.' "

— Paris in 1869. —

It was Mrs Jerome's illness that brought them to Paris, with the object of consulting an American * doctor who practised there. This was in 1869, practically on the eve of the debacle, yet outwardly there appeared no sign of impending disaster. "Never had the Empire seemed more assured', the Court more brilliant, the fetes more gorgeous. ' The light-hearted Parisian revelled in the ' daily sights of royal processions and cavalcades. The Bois de Boulogne and the Champs Elysees, where we were living at that time, were crowded with splendid equipages. I remember often seeing the Empress Eugenic, then the handsomest woman' in Europe, driving in her "daumont,~"the green and gold liveries of the postilions and outriders making a brave show." ' :

— Dining With the Emperor. —

In November the Empress Eugenic made her 'celebrated journey into Egypt to open the Suez Canal. The Emperor remained in France. "During this month he gave what were fated to be the last of his famous parties at Compiegne, at which Princess Mathilde helped to do the honours. Lady Randolph Churchill gives a vivid picture of one of these Court dinner parties: — "Every night from 60 to 100 guests sat down to dinner, the Emperor never permitting it to last more than three-quartern of an "hour. . . . Before dinner the company assembled in two n ong lines: The Emperor took in Princess Mathilde, sitting opposite her at the centre of. the table, a few' seats of honour being reserved on each .side, while the rest placed themselves as they wished, the ladies choosing the gentlemen to take them in, according to the custom of Compiegne. After dinner there was dancing, in which the Prince Imperial, then only 13, was allowed to join until 10 o'clock, when his tutor would approach nini, saying, 'MonseigneuT, votre chapeau,' meant going to bed. At the close of the visit there was a grand lottery in which all tickets were prizes. The Emperor stood near two great urns from which the numbers were drawn, and as each guest received one he would wish them 'Bonne chance.' "

The summer of 1871 was spent in England. The joys of Cowes made a great impression upon Miss -Jerome. Cowes, in those "days, however, was very different from what it is now. "In those days it was delightfully small and peaceful. No florified villas, no esplanade- or pier, no ands or nigger minstrels, no motors or crowded tourists "steamers — 'no nothing,' aa the children say. The Royal Yacht Squadron Club lawn did not resemble a perpetual garden party, or the roadstead a perpetual regatta. Yachts went in and out without fear of losing their moorings, and most of them belonged to the Royal Yacht Squadron."

It was at Cowes in 1873 that Miss JeTome was presented to the present King and Queen and made the acquaintance of Lord Randolph Churchill, whom she was afterwards to marry.