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26 June 1901 — 3 Savile Row | |
Wednesday. 26th [June 1901]. Mrs Ball came to see me in the morning & sat talking while I worked the sewing machine. Dr Wainwright lunched with us. He is now settled in practise at Henley on Thames. He regrets S. Africa & the way the military medical authorities forced us to shut up the Layard Home at Matjesfontein which he said was doing good work. He entirely condemns the Medical Army department. Ruth Du Cane also lunched here. She is living in London & doing Secy to the Anti lead poisoning Soy. Old Mr & Mrs Mansell Pleydell called—being up from Dorsetshire for their usual yearly jaunt. I went out to Onslow Gardens to see Connie who was lying on a chaise longue in the Gardens & though depressed was much calmer than hitherto. I came home to tea. Sir William Des Voeux came & sat talking a long time telling us stories of Lord Stanmore’s curious ways. They were both Colonial Governors in the same part of the world—Fiji, Bahamas &c. The funniest story of all was Sir Arthur Gordon (as he then was) having made a great fuss because he had taken into his head that in the prayer used for “H.E. the Governor” he thought they ought to use “thy servant Arthur”– Lord Normanton had showed Sir William a voluminous correspondence on the subject. He stayed so long chatting that I had at last to tell him I must turn him out as Nellie & I had promised to go to see Mrs Luke Fildes at 6 o’cl– The Fildes have a lovely home in (11) Melbury Road on the very spot where was the old Little Holland House a place I well remember & where one spent many pleasant afternoons & met many clever people. The Prinseps who lived there were most hospitable. Old Mr Thoby Prinsep who was an immensely tall powerful man was especially kind to me—& used to clasp me to him & kiss me on both cheeks. Tho’ I myself am a tall woman I used to feel like a weak reed when he put his great arms round me. He used to write me poetry at Christmas times of wh I was not a little proud. The Fildes is a charming house with an immense studio. When first we arrived there only Mrs Fildes was at home—but Mr Fildes returned & showed us what he is working at– There is a fine sketch of a portrait he is doing of Lord Penbright—& one of the King in his coronation robes. Aimée Cariati dined with us– | |
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