 | Lady Layard’s Journal Go to a Date Search the Journal |
|
Previous Entry
|
Following Entry
| |
20 June 1911 — 3 Savile Row | |
Tuesday. 20th [June 1911]. I went today to lunch with Miss Grigsby the American who has taken a house for the season at 47 Hertford St. Met Lady Ward wife of the U. Secy for war & Mlle Dussau—just we 4 women– We had Southern American cooking done by Miss Grigsby’s black servants—beginning with clam juice soup into wh we put whipped cream—then chicken with rice & ham lightly season—& prune soufflé & washed down with diaphano champagne wh none of us cared to drink. Mlle Dussau had to hurry back to Buckingham Palace to accompany the C. Princess of Germany out shopping– I came home & rested with a view to being out late in the evening. Miss Chaffey arrived to stay here– The town is gay with decorations but traffic easy. I had ordered a M. Stuart cap & ruffle for tonight’s ball cut it did not come till after 9 when it came the cap was found not what ordered so I wore my usual coif with my diamonds down round—the rest of my costume was black velvet adorned with false diamonds & white gauntlets trimmed with ditto. I started at 9.30 & went to Claridges to join Blanche & go with her to the Shakespeare Ball. Cornelia had given a dinner to all those dancing in Corise’s quadrille (Henry V). They practised over the quadrille before starting. It seems odd to me that no one now knows how to dance it—when we danced it every night in my youth—& all are learning it for this evening’s ball—as one does a minuet or pavanne! I took Miss Connollan with me in the brougham & we drove thro’ the Park to the Albert Hall—quite easily till we got near to the last gate where there was a long pause but one got thro’ & across the Knightsbridge Road at last & down the road by the Imperial Institute without difficulty. We soon found our way to the box No 17 on the first tier where I rejoined Blanche & sat to admire the glorious spectacle. The dancing (valse) was going in the centre & a motley crowd walking round—the boxes were full of fine costumed ladies & in the centre boxes of the Grand tier were a goodly array of Princes & Princesses looking on– The lighting of the Hall was bright but not over dazzling & the parquet floor very good– The effect altogether was splendid. After sitting some time in the box Blanche & I walked into the arena—& spoke to such of our friends as we could recognise thro’ their costumes. It was quite easy to circulate & it was very amusing. At a little before midnight the arena was cleared & we returned to the box—a flourish of trumpets heralded the entry of the great procession of those who were to dance in the different quadrilles. Each party was preceded by one bearing the name of the quadrille aloft & the band played a march. We were close to the door of entry. Mrs W. James representing Q. Elizabeth & her Court took up their position at the opposite end & all the rest filed past her & then took their places for the dance. This all was down in perfect order & the quadrilles were well danced apparently quite correctly—after which the usual walz was resumed. Blanche & I went up to the top gallery in quest of supper which was included in the price of the ticket. It was not easy to get anything to eat as the crowd was so great & there were few waiters. After a time 2 ladies offered us their chairs & even procured us food—an act of courtesy from perfect strangers most touching. We thanked them most warmly & shook hands with them on leaving to return to our box. It being then past 1 a.m. I left for home Blanche having to remain to chaperone her girl Gweneth. | |
|
Previous Entry
|
Following Entry
| |