1867] LADY DUFFERIN'S DEATH. 141 in the House of Lords of affairs in Bhutan, where there had been some fighting; and in July he spoke briefly regarding the Oudh Talukdars. But Indian affairs were not prominent during the session of 1865; and the few questions of administrative importance that came before Parliament were discussed in the House of Commons. In February 1866 he was transferred to the War Office, where he held the Under-Secretaryship until June, when the Liberal government resigned. In June 1867 Helen Lady Dufferin died, after a long and very painful illness. In the memoir prefixed to her "Songs and Verses," Lord Dufferin has recorded the fortitude and cheerful patience of his mother during the last months of her life, when she knew that the malady was incurable; and he has described how, on the morning of her death, she bade good-bye, calmly and tenderly, to his wife and their children. "Thus there went out of the world" (he says) "one of the sweetest, most beautiful, most accomplished, wittiest, most loving, and lovable human beings that ever walked upon the earth. There was no quality wanting to her perfection; and I say this, not prompted by the partiality of a son, but as one well acquainted with the world, and with both men and women. There have been many ladies who have been beautiful, charming, witty, and good, but I doubt whether there have been any who have combined with so high a spirit, and with so natural a gaiety and bright an imagination as my mother's, such strong unerring good sense, tact, and womanly discretion; for these last characteristics, coupled with the intensity of her affections, were the real essence and deep foundations of my mother's nature." 142 MR. MOTLEY'S LETTER. [CH. V Four months later he wrote to the Duchess of Argyll "We are all pretty well here, my wife and children especially so. It was terrible coming back again, but the hurry and pressure of so much business was a good thing, though God knows I missed her advice and sympathy more than ever. I do not find that time makes much difference in one's feelings; though occupation shuts out the remembrance of the past during long intervals, the intervening spaces of recollection are as keen and vivid as ever. Nor do I at all find myself inclined to shun them: on the contrary, the memory of so much love and excellence is a precious and eternal possession." Mr. J. L. Motley, the distinguished American diplomatist and man of letters, wrote to Lord Dufferin "I have really felt a longing to say to you in words that which I feel myself unable to do, except * In Mr. Motley's published Correspondence are several references to conversations with Lady Dufferin, among others her well-known description of the fantastic costume in which Mr. Disraeli made his first appearance in London society. For a specimen of overflowing whimsical fun see a letter from Lady Dufferin to her sister Mrs. Norton, who had written to enquire whether she would be expected to dinner one evening at Highgate, when there was a downpour of rain. "DEAR CAR, "Refuges have been erected at all the expoged parts of the road, pattens are provided for entering the dining-room; water souches and flounders will be the staple of the repast, with ducks, snipes, and other water birds. Beds-water beds are provided for belated travellers; in short, every aqueous comfort that can be expected. "I trust we shall be able to keep our heads above water, and have no doubt the little aquatic party will get on swimmingly. "Seriously, you will all be very welcome; and what signifies the weather to determined souls in waterproof soles ? 66 Your affectionate Naiad, [Motley's Correspondence, i. p. 346.] "H. D.' 1867-9] HELEN'S TOWER. 143 most imperfectly, by letter, how deeply I have sympathized with you in the irreparable loss which you have so recently sustained. "It was among my most cherished anticipations -when returning for a few weeks' visit to Englandto renew the acquaintance, the friendship even, with which I had been honoured by your mother. And I was the more shocked and saddened by the fatal news which I saw in the papers, because I had been erroneously informed that her illness had been taking a favourable turn. "During these few days at Frampton, with Mrs. Norton and the Sheridans-those to whom she was so near and dear that her image is inseparable from them-the atmosphere seemed full of her presence. It was difficult for me to believe that she was no more. I seemed still to hear the musical tones of her voice, to enjoy the never-ceasing play of her wit and her subtle intellect, to feel the spell of her dainty, sportive, kindly spirit. All those delicate and most feminine graces and fascinations, which none can ever forget who had the privilege of even a brief personal acquaintance with her, appeared realities still. I say no more, for it would be an impertinence in me to attempt the portraiture of one so distinguished -even in a family where beauty and genius seem a birthright-of one whom there are so many to weep for and to praise. But as I had the happiness to know her well during my residence in England, and to receive very great kindness, hospitality, and proofs of friendship from her, which are for ever treasured in my memory, I venture to write these few words to say to you how sincerely I always honoured and appreciated her. Very rarely have so much personal charm and so much intellect been united with such tenderness, devotion, and truth of heart." Helen's Tower, standing on the highest ground of the hill that slopes upward from Clandeboye, 144 HELEN'S TOWER. [CH. V commanding a wide prospect over land and sea, was dedicated by Lord Dufferin to his mother in her lifetime, and remains as a monument of his devotion to her. After its completion in 1861, Lord Dufferin laid some of the chief living poets of England under contribution for epigraphical verses. Tennyson's very graceful lines were acknowledged in a letter of enthusiastic admiration October 8, 1861.-"It is very rare in this world that we poor human creatures can make each other supremely happy, but that is what you have made me. I received your note this morning containing the inscription, and all the day I have had that elated feeling which only great good-fortune brings. It is a marvel to me how you have been able to understand so well the kind of thing I wanted. After I had sent off my letter, I felt as if the whole subject must still remain a blank to you, and that I had asked for an impossibility. Indeed I myself scarcely knew what I wanted. I only felt in a kind of blind way that somehow something beautiful might be written, but until your packet arrived I could arrive at no conception of what form it could take. But you have solved the mystery in a manner surpassing all my expectations. The thought is so grand and simple, and my tower speaks in such nervous granite-like words. I think I agree with Mrs. Tennyson in preferring the first form, though at the same time I half grudge every * "Helen's Tower, here I stand, Dominant over sea and land. To and thro' the Doomsday fire, And be found of angel eyes In earth's recurring Paradise."-Tennyson. |