 | Lady Layard’s Journal Go to a Date Search the Journal |
|
Previous Entry
|
Following Entry
| |
7 June 1886 — 1 Queen Anne Street | |
Monday. 7th June [1886]. Connie came in the morning & I went out shopping with her & she stayed lunch also Mr Stewart, Mrs Hanson, Miss Boyd & Fred L. were also there. At 3 I went out driving to see Mrs Rate & also Lady Somers & came home to tea. Lady Kemball, Blanche, Mrs Bronson & her brother Mr Kay, Miss Bronson, Mme d’Antas came to tea. I was just going out later to see Mama when Ivor came in & then Edward Ponsonby. The latter came to say he had got me a seat in the House to hear tonight’s debate. We went to dine with Maria & met there 2 young men friends of Lewis & Mama. At 10.30 the carriage came for me & I went to 15 Queen Anne St & called for Blanche & Edward & May & we drove down to the House. Blanche went to the Speaker Gallery, May & I had 2 chairs placed for us in the passage of the Stranger’s Gallery by permission of Mr Erskine. We heard & saw beautifully & enjoyed our evening. We were opposite the Speaker’s & so saw the treasury bench– Gladstone wound up the debate with not a very able speech wh lasted 2 hours & then came the division at 1– The excitement was breathless & when the result was told—the defeat of the Govt by a majority of 30 a great cheer was raised. Someone gave “one cheer for the Grand old man”—& hisses for Chamberlain. An Irish member got up & began a fierce speech of rage at the defeat & was speedily called to order in a severe manner by the Speaker & Mr Gladstone prorogued the house till Thursday & the House broke up & May & I hurried down & across the Lobby to find Edward. We found him at the door of the Speaker’s rooms & the Speaker was there himself & asked us in. He seemed as pleased with the result as we all were but said he did not consider that Gladstone had made a good speech. While waiting there for Blanche the Dss of Albany passed through with her sister having been with Mrs Peel. As soon as Blanche appeared we drove home. While stopping at No 15 to drop the Ponsonbys 2 policemen came up & asked the result of the division. Henry was in bed but I woke him up to tell him all about it & how the Home Rule Bill was thrown out. | |
|
Previous Entry
|
Following Entry
| |