DEATH OF A LEADER OF FASHION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 899, 19 September 1879, Page 2

DEATH OF A LEADER OF FASHION.

A cable message from the London correspondent of the Evening Post announces the death "of a notable leader of fashion in London — Frances, Countess of Waldegrave. Her ladyship's history is in many respects a remarkable one. She was the daughter of John Brahara, the celebrated tenor singer, and composer of the *' Death of Nelson," and at one time was herself a somewhat promising candidate for lyric fame. Her attractions, however, secured her the attentions of Mr. George Harcourt, a gentleman of considerable wealth, to whom she was married to the seventh Earl Waldegrave^ At first, fashionable society in London looked somewhat coldly upon her, not being altogether inclined. to welcome "pibfessional" persons into its arcana, but her ladyship's title, wealth, arid personal attractions soon overcame all obstaoles, and speedly she came to be i regarded as being of th&»very creme de la creme. After the death of the Earl the influence of the Countess rather increased than diminished, . until at length her ladyship waß looked upon as one of the for most leaders of fashion. Her dinners at Carl ton Gardens, and** her Garden parties at Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, the residence made famous by Horace Walpole, were regarded as being perfection and the highest rank and. fashion, including Royalty itself, flocked to her receptions. In 1863 her Ladyship again married, this time to the Right Hon. Lord Charlingford then Mr. Chichester Fortescue, President of the Board of trade under Mr. Gladstone's administration. Her decease will leave a very noticeable gap in the ranks of London society, and Bhe will probably be missed more than any other of the leading lights of fashion could have been, her place being one. whichit would be peculiarly difficult to fill.