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Social Victorians/Timeline/1885

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"In 1885 the Queen conferred a peerage on Nathaniel Rothschild, and against much opposition from the landed aristocracy the Prince of Wales had become intimate with the Rothschild family and admitted them into his circle" (Baring-Gould II 568, n. 20).

There was a general election, won by the Liberals but not with enough seat for a majority, which meant that the Irish Nationalists held the balance of power. A split in the Liberal party over Home Rule for Ireland meant that another general election was held in 1886.[1]

January 1885

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George Bernard Shaw and Annie Besant met at a meeting of the Dialectical Society in January 1885 (Holroyd, vol. 1, p. 140).

1 January 1885, Thursday, New Year's Day

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22 January 1885, Thursday

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Wedding of George Buckle and Alicia Payn.

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On Jan. 22, at St. Saviour’s, Paddington, by the Rev. Prebendary Buckle, Rector of Weston-super-Mare, father of the bridegroom, assisted by the Rev. Harry Jones, Vicar of Great Barton, Bury St. Edmunds, George Earle Buckle, M.A., Fellow of All Souls’ College, Oxford, and of Lincoln’s-inn, barrister-at-law, was united in the bonds of matrimony to Alicia Isobel, third daughter of James Payn, of 43, Warrington-crescent, Maida-vale. The bride's toilette was a white plush petticoat, with embroidered crêpe de chine drapery trimmed with white fox fur; and she wore a wreath of orange blossom and tulle veil, and carried a lovely bouquet. The bridesmaids were the Misses Madeline, Jessie, and Lilian Payn, sisters of the bride, and Miss Earle and Miss Beatrice Earle, cousins of the bridegroom, and their dresses were of yellow silk, with cream lace fronts looped with dark brown ribbon, and brown velvet beefeater hats with yellow-shaded plume; bouquets of white and yellow with brown leaves and buckles and pearl brooches, the gift of the bridegroom. The best man was Mr. Edmund Buckle, brother of the bridegroom. Among the guests were the Earl of Rosebery, Sir William Anson, Col. Sir Edmund and Lady Du Cane, Sir Charles and Lady Locock, Sir Edwin and Lady Saunders, the Assistant-Judge (uncle of the bride), General and Mrs. Payn, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Stephen, Mr. Fred Lehmann, Mr. William Black, Mr. Henry James, Mr. and Mrs. Du Maurier, Mrs. Alexander Goschen, Mr. MacDonald, Mr. J. R. Robinson, Mr. George Smith, and Miss Isabel Smith, Mr. and Mrs. E. D. J. Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Thursfield, Mr. and Mrs. Chadwyck Healey, Mr. and Mrs. Humphry Ward, Mr. Anstey Guthrie, and Mr. John Roget. The wedding presents were very numerous, including four silver tea services, the gifts of Mr. and Mrs. Walter, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lehmann, Mr. and Mrs. George Smith, and Mr. and Mrs. Buckle; a large pen and bistre drawing by Rubens, the gift of the Assistant-Judge; a diamond ring, Mr. Alex. Shand; a ruby and diamond ring, Mr. and Mrs, Oswald Wrigley; a jewelled necklace from the sisters of the bride; a travelling clock, Lord Rosebery; a diamond bracelet, Mr. and Mrs. Bompas; a handsome Japanese screen, Mr. and Mrs. William Black; some point lace, Mrs. Leslie Stephen; silver dessert knives and forks and antique spoons[,] Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Carr; a travelling clock, Mr. and Mrs. Ascherson; a Japanese screen, Mr. Raleigh; a lace fan, Mrs. Cashel Hoey; handsome silver candlesticks, from Mr. and Miss Lethbridge, Mr. Brett, Mr. and Mrs. Chadwyck Healey; portfolio from Mr. J. R. Robinson; antique cabinet, Mr. Algernon Bourke; and many other handsome presents. The bride went away in a green travelling dress, trimmed with grey astrachan, and felt hat to match, with grey feathers.[2]

26 January 1885, Monday

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Arthur Collins meets Bret Harte "at the home of Lord Alfred Paget" (http://books.google.com/books?id=WEDewmUnapcC, p. 240).

February 1885

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March 1885

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14 March 1885, Saturday

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Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado, Or the Town of Titipu opened at the Savoy.

April 1885

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3 April 1885, Friday

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Good Friday

5 April 1885, Sunday

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Easter Sunday

6 April 1885, Monday

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On 10 April 1885, the ILN says this: "An excellent variety entertainment was prepared at the Royal Victoria Hall and Coffee Tavern, Waterloo-road, for Easter week, including the "Night Watch in Egypt" — the usual science lecture and ballad concert being discontinued in its favour. These will, however, be resumed next week, and be continued during the rest of the season." (Illustrated London News (London, England), Saturday, April 11, 1885; pg. 373; Issue 2399, Col. C)

18 April 1885, Saturday

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"The remains of the late Lord Mayor Nottage were placed in St. Paul's Cathedral last Saturday after a very impressive service, at which a large congregation attended. The present Lord Mayor and Sheriffs went in their state coaches, accompanied by a procession of City officials, and all the way from the Mansion House the streets were densely thronged by spectators. The coffin, which was covered with flowers, was placed on a catafalque beneath the dome until the conclusion of the service, when it was removed to the crypt." (Illustrated London News (London, England), Saturday, April 25, 1885; pg. 440; Issue 2401, Col. C; Royal Visit to Ireland (Supplement)). "Primrose Day, in memory of the late Lord Beaconsfield, was celebrated last Saturday in London and throughout the country even more generally than on any former occasion. On Sunday, the anniversary of his Lordship's death, a wreath of primroses sent by the Queen was placed on his grave at Hughenden. Lord John Manners presided on Saturday evening over a Primrose League banquet, in St. James's Hall, at which upwards of 600 gentlemen were present. The toast of the evening, "The Primrose League," was proposed by Lord Randolph Churchill. Viscount Bury, Sir H. Hoare, M.P., Mr. Sclater-Booth, M.P., and other well-known Conservatives also spoke to toasts." (Illustrated London News (London, England), Saturday, April 25, 1885; pg. 440; Issue 2401, Col. C; Royal Visit to Ireland (Supplement))

May 1885

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24 May 1885, Sunday

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Whit Sunday

June 1885

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3 June 1885, Wednesday

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Derby Day.

According to the Morning Post, <quote>New Club Dance. / Chevalier L. Desanges and Mrs. Desanges' at home at 16, Stratford-place, four till seven. No cards. / Royal College of Music 10th annual pupils' concert, West Theatre of the Royal Albert Hall.</quote> ("Arrangements for This Day." The Morning Post Wednesday, 3 June 1885: p. 5 [of 8], Col. 5B).

26 June 1885, Friday

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There was apparently a regular celebration of Arthur Collins' birthday, 26 June, by Bret Harte, George Du Maurier, Arthur Sullivan, Alfred Cellier, Arthur Blunt, and John Hare (Nissen, Axel. Brent Harte: Prince and Pauper: 239. [1]). Choosing 1885–1902 as the dates because those apparently are the dates of the close relationship between Harte and Collins, ending in Harte's death in 1902.

July 1885

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7 July 1885, Tuesday

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Wedding between Lady Eva Bourke and Windham Wyndham-Quin:

The marriage of Lady Eva Bourke, sister to the Earl of Mayo, with Mr. Windham Henry Wyndham-Quin, 16th (Queen’s) Lancers, eldest son of the late Hon. Wyndham Henry Wyndham-Quin, second son of Wyndham Henry, second Earl of Dunraven, was solemnised on Tuesday morning at St. Mary Abbots, Kensington. There was a large attendance of friends of the two families present, and amongst those who occupied the principle pews were — The Duke and Duchess of Leinster and the Ladies Fitzgerald. Marquis of Headfort and Lady Adelaide Taylour, Earl and Countess Spencer, Earl and Countess of Dunraven, Earl and Countess of Bandon, Earl and Countess of Caledon, Earl of Mayo, Lord and Lady Harlech, Lord and Lady Charles Lennox-Kerr, Lord Emly, the Hon and Rev. and Mrs George Bourke, Major and Hon Mrs Edward Bourke, Hon Robert and Lady Susan Bourke, Hon Mr and Mrs Henry Bourke, Hon Algernon Bourke, Hon Terence Bourke, Mr and Lady Fanny Lambart, the Hon Mr Montgomery, Mr and Lady Jane Vivian, Sir Edward and Lady Guinness, Major and Hon Mrs Barton, Mr and Miss Vivian, Mr and Mrs Forbes, Mr and Mrs More O’Ferrall, &c., &c.

Shortly before 11 the bride arrived. She was accompanied by her mother, and was conducted to the altar by her brother, the Earl of Mayo. She wore a magnificent costume of stamped broche silk, trimmed with Brussels lace, and veil of the same material to match, fastened with diamond stars and wreath of real orange blossoms. Her bouquet was composed of very beautiful white flowers. Her long train was borne by two pages — the Hons Reginald and Hugh Wyndham, who wore very effective white satin suits slashed with yellow, and turban hats to match. The bridesmaids, mostly children, were Lady Florence Bourke, Lady Rachel Wyndham-Quin, Lady Eneid Wyndham-Quin, Lady Edith Douglas, Miss Anne Bourke, Miss Madeline Wyndham, Miss Edith Forbes, and Miss Smith-Barry. They wore dresses of white Swiss embroidered muslin, with broad sashes of yellow[,?] silk hose and straw hats, covered with muslin and trimmed with yellow ribbons and white feathers with aigrettes. Each carried a large bouquet of yellow roses, tied with a bunch of ribbons, and wore a diamond harp-shaped brooch entwined with shamrocks, the gift of the bridegroom. The Honourable Margaret Wyndham, who was to have been a bridesmaid, was prevented attending by illness. Captain Chetwynd, 16th Lancers, acted in the capacity of best man. The ceremony was performed by the Honourable Rev George Bourke, uncle to the bride, Rector of Pulbaraugh, and Chaplain to the Queen, assisted by the Rev Edward Tyler, uncle to the bridegroom. The wedding breakfast was served at the town residence of the bride’s mother, in Palace Gate, Hyde Park. Late in the afternoon the new-married couple left town for Dunraven Castle, Glamorganshire, where they intend spending their honeymoon. The bride’s going-away dress was of brown canvas, with hat en suite.

The wedding presents numbered nearly three hundred, and included the following: — The Duchess of Leinster, Irish lace collar and cuffs; Miss Taylor, majolica jug; Mrs Forbes, pearl and coral brooch and earrings; Lady Eva FitzGerald, hunting sandwich case; Miss Gertrude de Robeck, brown and white chi[na te]a service; Mrs Emily Ormsby Gore, diamond fly pin; Major J H Garrett, American fishing rod; Rev James and Mrs Adams, green satin basket work table; the Hon Terence Bourke, eastern yellow silk quilt; the Church Choir at Kill, Church hymnal; the children of the Kill school, the daily round prayerbook; the Misses Kate and Bride Donnelly, satin pincushion, embroidered with silver and pearls; Mr George Finch, silver-mounted hand mirror; Miss Eleanor Scott, silver-gilt sugar basin and spoon; Mr and Mrs Langrishe, silver sugar-tongs; Miss Florence Sartoris, red Russia leather purse; Miss Rosa Lawless, four brass photo frames; the Duchess of Marlborough, two silver-gilt match vases; Lady Sarah Spencer Churchill, silver pen and pencil, in case; Mr Robt Kennedy, two gold bangles, engraved inside "Palmerstown”; Mr and Mrs Maurice de Burgho, Dresden China cup and saucer; Mrs Queener, five volumes of Beethoven's works; Mrs Stewart Duckett, silver-mounted cut-glass scent bottle; Colonel and Mrs Lawless, silver cruet-stand; Lady Castletown, silver flsh pepper-castor; Lady Cochrane, a pair of silver boxes, with trays; the Misses Louisa and Nunne Cochrane, ivory paper knife, with silver handle; Lady Margaret Bourke, diamond kitten brooch; Col. the Hon. Charles Crichton, silver Queen Anne sugar basin, with spoon; Julia, Marchioness of Tweeddale, silver inkstand; Lady Fanny Lambart, glass bowl for flowers; Mr. George Finch, silver sugar bowl and tongs and cream jug, Cupid pattern; Captain Chetwynd, silver cream jug and sugar basin; Mr. Stuart Wortley, small heart-shaped silver tray; Baron de Robeck, clock and barometer; Miss Hilda Graham, 4 shamrock salt cellars; Mr. T. Ritchie, 2 cedar photo frames; Lady Margaret Hamilton, antique silver purse; Mr. J. Surviton, mahogany work table; Captain de Robeck, Swiss bookstand; Lord Leconfield, cheque for £500; Lady Margaret Bourke, Brussels lace wedding veil and old Brussels lace flounce; Major and Mrs. St. Leger Moore, Lanterne clock and barometer; Miss Mary Ellis, pair of brass candlesticks; Hon. Robert Bourke, diamond bee brooch; the Misses Isabel and Mabel Mills, two scent bottles in case; Lady Susan Bourke, diamond star brooch; the Marquis and Marchioness of Drogheda, Wedgewood and brass inkstand and candlestick; Lady Emily Wyndham-Quin, Doulton ware biscuit box; Mrs. Davis, silk pockethandkerchiefs [sic]; the Countess of Wicklow, china snuffbox; Lady Maurice Fitzgerald, blue bird china tea service; the Countess of Bective, Spanish bee mantilla; the Hon. Dick Dawson, 2 china flowerpots; Mr. and Mrs. H. Brocklehurst, octagon Sheridan table; Mrs. Rowland Winn, calendar in silver frame; the Ladies Alice and Albreda Fitzwilliam, silver oval box; Mrs. Bishop, sarin sachuet, shells embroidered; Miss Bishop, brass pincushion; Miss Montgomery, silver punch ladle; Lady May Jones Lloyd, 6 little silver boxes; Mrs W Kennedy, 2 hunting-sketched photo frames; Mrs Kenyon Slaney, 2 oval lamps; the Hon Harry and Mrs Bourke, a brougham; Mr C Brinsley Marlay, lacquer card case; Major and the Hon Mrs Barton, pearl and diamond crescent and star brooch; the Hon Guy Dawnay, silver paper knife; Lord and Lady Harewood, glass screen; Lady Leslie, egg and claw seal; Mr Jones Lloyd, antique workbox; Lady Edith Maull, photograph screen; Miss Weyland, silver pincushion; Lady Catherine Weyland, Sheridan tea tray; Lady Rachel Saunderson, yellow china flower jar; the Marchioness of Queensberry, diamond and sapphire bangle; Lord Emly, pearl brooch; Lady Susan Sutton, gold and turquoise thimble; Mr Henry Doyle, Worcester tea service; the Hon Mr de la Poer, two silver dessert spoons case; the Earl and Countess of Bandon, green scent bottle; Mr and Mrs Dawson Danver, gold and pearl horseshoe bangle; Mr and Mrs T Fowler, silver casket; Mr and Mrs Hugh Wyndham, Egyptian screen; Miss Peggy Finch, oak table; Mr and Mrs Hugh Seymour, gold mounted umbrella; Mr Walter Bourke, despatch box; Lady Maude Conyngham, white china ornament; Lady Blanche Conyngham, red and green feather fan; Lady George Hamilton, green china vase; Lady Margaret Bourke, diamond bracelet; Lord and Lady Harleach, silver paper cutter, with agate handle; Captain Greville, grandfather’s clock; Mrs Arbuthnot, silver tea caddy; Mrs Montgomery, brass candlesticks; Miss Dida Paget, silver button hook; Sir Owen Burne, gold Roman necklace; Mrs Hamlocke, china and gold inkstand; Viscountess de Vesci, silver goblet; Earl and Countess of Roden, two scent bottles, in velvet case; Lady Gertrude Astley, square silver pin tray; Colonel Kingscote, little silver saucepan and lamp; Lady Constance Coombe, white china bowl, ornamented with cupids; Mr and Lady Jane Vivian, white glass scent bottle, with silver top; Sir Astley Eden, silver-mounted Russia leather blotting book; General Dickson, salad bowl, spoon, and fork[;] Sir Seymour Blane, grandfather’s clock; Colonel and Mrs. Patrick Boyle, long silver scent bottle; Mr. Robert O'Hara, gilt goblet; Countess of Mayo, four of Sir J. Reynolds’ prints, piece of Irish lace, a diamond ring, ruby ring, and an emerald ring; Miss Sibyl Capel, umbrella, with whistle handle; Lady Florence Bourke, gold heart bangle; Hon. R. Grosvenor, "The Earthly Paradise;” Lady Maud Seymour, "Wise, Witty, and Tender Sayings" of George Elliot; Mr. and Mrs. George Baird, small silver teapot; the Misses Barton, plush photo frame screen; Captain and Lady Cecilia Webbe, old silver cremler; Sir Edward and Lady Guinness, diamond and pearl comb; the Misses Perry, opal flower vases; the Hons. Mande and Jessy Wyndham, pair of silver-backed brushes; the Hon. Edward Wyndham, three bamboo trays; Captain Warren Peacock; Mrs More O’Farrell, white mother of pearl and ostrich feather fan; Lady Selby Smyth, old silver sugar tongs; Miss Beresford Hope, ivory and silver paper knife; Earl of Dunraven, diamond lily brooch; Miss May Leslie, white painted heart shaped box; Lady Leconfield, diamond and pearl necklace; the Hon Terence Bourke, diamond and pearl crescent; Mrs Wynne, horseshoe bangle; Lord Headford, two silver egg cups, [sic] Lord and Lady Cloncurry, diamond star; Sir Albert Sassoon. [sic] Mr and Mrs John Follet, oval china bowl; the Hon Terence Bourke, diamond stud earrings; Captain Alfred Byng, diamond daisy spray; Mrs Wyndham-Quin, pony, cart, and harness, pearl and diamond ring, ruby and diamond ring, antique pearl and enamel watch, walking stick, silver match box, pearl heart bangle, gold and silver seals, and diamond heart pin; the Earl of Mayo, cat's-eye locket; the Earl of Clonmel, silver handbell; General Fraser, silver sugar sifter; and Lady Florence Bourke, embroidered white satin toilet set.

A sumptuous feast of tea and cake was given by order of Lady Eva Bourke, at Palmerston, to about 160 of the children of the district schools. Several kinds of amusement were enjoyed throughout the afternoon, and before the children separated three hearty cheers were given for the generous donor. The catering was most satisfactorily carried out by Mrs. Walsh, Naas.[3]

9 July 1885, Thursday

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The Men and Women's Club was rededicated "to focus on the relations between the two sexes."[4] The inaugural address was given by Karl Pearson, his paper "The Woman's Question" (Walkowitz 145); members included Pearson, Robert Parker, Ralph Thicknesse, Bryan Donkin ("doctor" of Eleanor Marx Aveling), Olive Schreiner, and the Sharpe sisters (Elizabeth, Maria and Loetita), plus enough to make 14 members when the club began; there were more women than men at first. Also present seem to have been a Mrs. Brown, a Miss Mills, and Emma Brooke; they corresponded with Elizabeth Cobb about the paper (Walkowitz 150). Charlotte Wilson read it and critiqued it in an essay of her own; she was not a member (Walkowitz 150-51). Henrietta Muller read her own paper to the club "The Other Side of the Question," at the next meeting, October 1885 (Walkowitz 151).

13 July 1885, Monday

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Arrival of Lord Wolseley in London from Egypt

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Lord Wolseley, with his staff, arrived in London on Monday afternoon from Egypt. A distinguished company had come down to the Victoria Station of the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway to meet him, and warmly greeted the General as he alighted from the train, while crowds which can be roundly estimated only by thousands that filled the station yard and stretched far beyond, taking up the welcome, hailed him with outbursts of acclamation. Summoned by the new Government in order "to confer as to any further orders which it may be advisable to give for the adequate defence of the frontier of Egypt" — that is to say, in addition to completing the railway from Wady Haifa, to Ferket — Lord Wolseley left Cairo on tho evening of Monday, July 6. He was accompanied by General Buller, Colonel Grove, Lord C. Beresford, Major Cremeagh, and Lieuutenant Childers. They embarked, with the exception of Lieutenant Childers, who proceeded by mail, on board Majesty's despatch vessel Iris, which steamed out of Alexandria harbour at daybreak on Tuesday. Venice was reached on Saturday morning, and Lord Wolseley hastened on the same day for London. It may be noticed that the despatch of the Secretary of State for War expressing the desire of the Government that the General should return to this country as soon as his duties in Egypt would permit was dated July 2; he left on the 6th, having in the interval completed the necessary arrangements, including the transfer of the chief command of the British force in Egypt to Lieutenant-General Sir F. Stephenson. The gallant party left Paris at an early hour on Monday morning, and on arriving at Calais a special steamer, the Breeze, awaited them to convey them across the Channel.

The arrival of Lord Wolseley and staff at Dover was marked by a most enthusiastic reception. Many hundreds of persons assembled on the Admiralty Pier to witness the return of the gallant officers from the Soudan campaign and to give them a welcome on their setting foot upon English soil again. The weather was beautifully fine. The special mail packet Breeze (Captain Bennett) left Calais at 12 50, but owing to a slight haze in the Channel was not sighted by those awaiting her arrival until about 2 o'clock. The lower part of the pier was reserved for the friends and relatives of Lord Wolseley and his brother officers, and for those who had been fortunate enough to obtain the necessary order. Among those assembled on the pier were Lady Wolseley and her daughter, who arrived by the early morning boat from Calais and had been staying at the Lord Warden Hotel. There were also among those on the landing Lady Charles Beresford, Lord Henry Beresford, Major-General Fielding, C.B. (commanding the South-Eastern District), and the following members of his staff, Colonel Goodenough, C.B., R.A., Major Newcomb, R.A., Major Gunter, Captain the Hon. P. Sidney (aide-de-camp), Sir Thomas Brace, R.N. (Admiralty Superintendent), Mr. Mortimer Harris, and Captain Morgan, R.N., representing the London and Chatham Company. As the boat put alongside the pier at 20 minutes to 3 the gallant officers were quickly distinguished, and a cheer was given. Recognitions between those on the boat and these on the landing were both cordial and frequent, and the spectacle was altogether a most interesting one. Lord Wolseley by no means escaped the attention of the spectators, but Lord Charles Beresford seemed to attract the most attention. His lordship, as he stood on the bridge between Lord Wolseley and Sir Redvers Buller, with a long Inverness cape hanging carelessly over his shoulders and a countenance which was the very picture of cheerfulness, conveyed at once the idea of a man capable of doing the plucky deeds he accomplished in the campaign. Lord Wolseley, although looking cheerful, appeared to be somewhat fatigued and careworn. On the gangway being fixed Major-General Fielding went on board at once, followed by Lady Beresford, Lord Henry Beresford, and the rest of those standing on the landing, among them being several ladies. Lady Wolseley and her daughter did not go on board, but met Lord Wolseley as he crossed the gangway and reached the landing. A cheer was given for the gallant officers as they stepped on shore. The party at once proceeded to the special London and Chatham train awaiting them. The train left the pier at eight minutes to 3 o'clock and proceeded direct to Victoria, which was reached at 4 43 p.m.

For a considerable time before that groups of persons had began to congregate about the precincts of the station, the news having got noised abroad that the commander of the Egyptian expedition was about to arrive. Inside the station and on the main platform, where the arrangements were under the charge of Mr. Matthews, the station superintendent, many brother officers and other friends also assembled betimes. The Prince and Princess of Wales had left the station only about half an hour before in order to open a convalescent home at Swanley. The Commander-in-Chief was also unable to be present. Ministers having at that particular hour to be in their places in the Houses of Parliament to answer questions, were likewise conspicuous by their absence. Still a very large company crowded the platform, among whom were noticed Prince and Princess Edward of Saxe-Weimar, the Duke of Teck, the Marchioness of Waterford, Lord Marcus Beresford, Maria, Marchioness of Ailesbury, Lord Alcester, the Earl of Minto, Lord Airlie, Mr. Childers, M.P., and Mrs. Childers, Mr. Goschen, M.P., and Mrs. Goschen, the Baroness Burdett-Coutts, Sir Archibald Alison, Sir Owen Lanyon, General Newdigate, Sir Arthur Herbert, Major Blade, Major Dickson.[sic] M.P., Surgeon-Major Fergusson, Major Adye, R.A., Colonel Hale, General Bulwer, General Fraser, Colonel Bushby, General Ewart, R.E., Major Rhodes, Lord Algernon Fitzgerald, Lady Sykes, Lady Humphrey, General Riley, Major Rose, Colonel Swaine, Lord Arthur Russell, Major Keller, Colonel Ness, Mr. [Rain?], M.P., Lieutenant-Colonel Morey, Sir John St. Aubyn, M.P., Admiral Garcia, Lady Leslie, Major Hutton, General Sir F. W. Hamilton, the Hon. Algernon Bourke, Captain Doherty, R.A., Colonel Blundell, Colonel W. Butler, Lieutenant-Colonel Alleyne, Sir Charles Hutton Gregory, Sir Allen Young, Colonel Griffin Voyse, Colonel Malleson, Sir Charles and Lady Saul, Captain Rhodes, Admiral Fremantle, Colonel Le Measurier [?], Sir Z. Sullivan, Colonel Lindsay, Colonel Blood, Colonel Foster, Colonel Butler, Colonel Sir Cromer Ashburnham, Commissary-General Sir E. Morris, K.C.B., and Lieutenent-General Sir Henry Havelock-Allan, the Rey. Henry White, &c.

As the — special train drew up at the platform the crowd pressed towards the saloon carriage in which the General sat with Lady Wolseley and Miss Wolseley. Hats were lifted and some cheering broke out as the congested mass of people caught sight of the distinguished soldier. Dressed in a modest Tweed suit, with low felt hat, looking well, if a little jaded and tanned by the broiling sun of the Soudan, his eyes beaming with gladness as they lit once more upon familiar faces, Lord Wolseley was literally dragged along by the process of hand-shaking. In the excitement and confusion it was impossible to see who was the first to welcome him, but at all events among the first was his old colleague in the very beginning of the Egyptian imbroglio, Lord Alcester, who gave a vigorous seamanlike shake of the arm to his former associate in the bombardment of Alexandria. Quite ten minutes elapsed before Lord Wolseley could get through the narrow living avenue that pressed upon him from either side their greetings. At length his lordship and his wife and daughter were enabled to reach their carnage, and this was the signal for the much vaster crowd outside the elation to take up the welcome by giving vent to rounds of cheering and by the of hats and handkerchiefs. The ovation, which Lord Wolseley acknowledged by bowing with uncovered head, continued till the carriage rolled away in the distance.[5]

24 July 1885, Friday

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Ball at Marlborough House

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The Prince and Princess of Wales hosted a ball at Marlborough House.

August 1885

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11 August 1885, Tuesday

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Lord Houghton (Richart Monckton Milnes) died of a heart attack at Vichy (Pope-Hennessy Lord Crewe 23). The funeral was "in the little marshy churchyard of Ferry Fryston in the West Riding" (Pope-Hennessy Lord Crewe 24). There must have been a number of social events around this funeral. Richard Milnes then became Lord Houghton.

31 August 1885, Monday

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Summer Bank Holiday

September 1885

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10 September 1885, Thursday

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Farewell banquet for The Right Hon. Charles Robert Carington, third Baron Carrington:

Lord Carrington, the newly appointed Governor of New South Wales, was entertained at a farewell banquet by the county of Bucks at Beaconsfield on the 10th inst., Mr. E. Lawson, the lord of the manor, being the host. The Duke of Buckingham and Chandos occupied the chair, and Mr. Lawson the vice-chair. Lord Carrington's health was cordially drunk, and his Lordship replied in an interesting speech, speaking of the extent of our colonies and the importance of the mother country cultivating close relations with them. Lord Rosebery, proposing "The Empire," dwelt on the importance of a closer [Col 1–2] union between the mother country and the colonies. He proposed the health of the Agents-General for the several Governments of teh Colonies, those present being Sir Saul Samuel, Agent for New South Wales; Sir Arthur Blyth, Agent for South Australia; Sir Charles Mills, Agent for Cape Colony; Mr. R. Murray Smith, Agent for Victoria; the Hon. J. F. Garrick, Agent for Queensland. The toast was responded to by Sir Saul Samuel, who expressed teh ardent feeling of loyalty entertained amongst the people of Australia for the mother country. He was convinced that no fear of separation need be harboured so long as England continued to respect the rights and privileges of the colonies. He [Col 2–3] greeted Lord Carrington inthe name of the colony over whose government he was about to preside, and predicted for him a pleasant sojourn at the Antipodes. We give an Illustration of the scene at this farewell banquet. The Right Hon. Charles Robert Carington, third Baron Carrington (the title is thus spelt differently from the family name), was born May 16, 1843, was educated at Eton, and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took his degree of B.A. in 1863, and was a Captain in the Royal Horse Guards. In 1868 he succeeded his father in the peerage, which was created in 1797, the first Lord Carrington being Mr. Robert Smith, M.P. for Nottingham, whose son, the second Peer, in 1839, [301, Col. 3 – 302, Col. 1] assumed the name of Carington, by Royal license, instead of Smith, and married a daughter of Lord Willoughby D'Eresby. The present Lord Carrington, during three years before his elevation to the Upper House, was M.P. for High Wycombe, and is attached to the Liberal Party. He holds, in right of his maternal ancestors, the office of Joint Hereditary Lord Great Chamberlain. He accompanied, as Aide-de-Camp, the Prince of Wales in his visit to India ten years ago, and has since 1881 been Captain of the Queen's Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms; he is Lieutenant-Colonel of the third battalion of Oxfordshire Light Infantry Volunteers. Lord Carrington married, in 1878, the Hon. Cecilia Margaret Harbord, daughter of Lord Suffield, and has children. He seat is Wycombe Abbey, Buckinghamshire.[6]

26 September 1885, Saturday

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Ealing Conservative Club fete and meeting supporting Salisbury's government and condemning "the dictates of one man" — Gladstone — for Gordon's death:

Visitors to the Albert palace on Saturday had the opportunity of sharing in a fete given under the auspices of the Ealing Conservative club, in which the Lord Mayor, Mr. Ashmead Bartlett, Mr. W. E. M. Tomlinson, M.P., Mr. F. D. Dixon-Hartland, M.P., Sir Robert Carden, M.P., and the Hon. Algernon Bourke took part. The following resolutions were passed at a meeting held in the afternoon:— "That this meeting admires and approves of the courage, the devotion, and the patriotism of the present Government in accepting office under circumstances of grave political difficulties, and records a hearty vote of thanks to the Marquis of Salisbury and his colleagues for the good already done during their short tenure of office; and this meeting expresses confidence in the ability of the present Cabinet to govern the country, and pledges the Government a united and hearty support at the coming election;" [?] and "That this meeting views with horror and disgust the loss of life and the useless shedding of blood, and the heavy taxation caused by the reckless policy of the late Government in Egypt and elsewhere, and desires to place upon record a protest against the system pursued by the Liberal party in Parliament, of yielding up individual opinion and blindly following the dictates of one man — a policy which led to the desertion and death of General Gordon, the indelible disgrace of the late Cabinet, placed England on the brink of a huge and expensive war, and is the cause of all the depression in trade and of distress and want amongst the poor classes."[7]

October 1885

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The second meeting of the Men and Women's Club; Henrietta Muller responded to Pearson's paper of 9 July 1885 with "The Other Side of the Question" (Bland 12).

1 October 1885, Thursday

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Emma Nevada and Raymond Palmer married in Paris.[8] Here is the article published in the New York Times: "Marriage of Miss Nevada. Paris, Oct. 1. — Mlle. Emma Nevada was married to-day to Dr. Raymond Palmer, of Birmingham, England. The civil service took place at the English Embassy and the religious ceremonies at the Church of the Passionist Fathers. The bridesmaids were Misses Morris, Johnston, Everest, and Tift, of America. Signor Salvini, the Italian tragedian was the 'best man.' The attendance was large, American, English, and Parisian fashionable society being well represented. The occasion was marked by much enthusiasm, and the display of flowers and elegant costumes lent an air of gayety to the scene. The whole of the American colony and a large number of notabilities attended the ceremonies. The Rev. Father Michael Watts-Russell, of the Passionate Order, Rector of St. Joseph's Retreat, Highgate Hil, London, delivered an eloquent oration. A string band furnished music for the occasion, Miss Laura Moore sang a solo, with harp accompaniment. The wedding breakfast was served at the Hotel Athenee to the bridal party and guests. Signor Salvini placed a diamond bracelet upon the bride's wrist, and many eulogistic speeches were made."[9]

31 October 1885, Saturday

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Halloween

November 1885

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There was a meeting of the Men and Women's Club in November 1885.

3 November 1885, Tuesday

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The Earl of Mayo and Miss Geraldine Ponsonby married.

5 November 1885, Thursday

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Guy Fawkes Day

24 November – 18 December 1885

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There was a general election, won by the Liberals but not with enough seat for a majority, which meant that the Irish Nationalists held the balance of power. A split in the Liberal party over Home Rule for Ireland meant that another general election was held in 1886.[1] The first soscialist party, the Social Democratic Federation, led by H. M. Hyndman, had 3 candidates, but none won.[1]

27 November 1885, Friday

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Election day.

December 1885

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"At the December meeting [of the Men and Women's Club], club member Dr. Reginald Ryle" gave a paper, on "some physiological facts which bear upon the relations of the sexes" (Bland 15).

19 December 1885, Saturday

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Sneyd-Ellis Wedding

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The Prince of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh, and Princess Louise (Marchioness of Lorne) and the Marquis of Lorne were present at the marriage of Mr. Ralph Sneyd, of Keele-hall, Staffordshire, and Miss Mary Ellis, eldest daughter of Colonel Arthur Ellis, C.S.I., Equerry to the Prince of Wales, at St. Peter's Chapel, Vere-street, Cavendish-square, on the 19th inst. Mr. Albert Baillie was the best man, and the two youngest sisters of the bride, Misses Evelyn and Dorothy Ellis, and two Misses Ponsonby, all children, were the bridesmaids. Colonel Ellis gave his daughter away. Immediately after the ceremony the young married couple left the chapel, and shortly afterwards the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh, attended by the Hon. H. Tyrwhitt Wilson and Captain the Hon. D. J. Monson, and the Princess Louise and the Marquis of Lorne quitted the chapel and drove off to Colonel and the Hon. Mrs. Ellis's residence, Portland-place, where the majority of the wedding party reassembled. Among the guests were the Austrian Ambassador and Countess Karolyi, Lord Arran and Lady Alice Gore, Lord Kenmare and Lady Margaret Browne, the Dowager Lady Mayo and Lady Florence Bourke, and many others.[10]

25 December 1885, Friday

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Christmas Day

26 December 1885, Saturday

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Boxing Day

References

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  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "1885 United Kingdom general election". Wikipedia. 2025-07-05. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1885_United_Kingdom_general_election&oldid=1298853046. 
  2. "Buckle — Payn." Lady's Pictorial 31 January 1885, Saturday: 9 [of 30], Col. 1b [of 3]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0005980/18850131/021/0009. Same print title, p. 103.
  3. "Marriage of Lady Eva Bourke." Kildare Observer and Eastern Counties Advertiser 11 July 1885, Saturday: 5 [of 8], Col. 4a–c [of 5]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001870/18850711/059/0005. Print title Kildare Observer, p. 5.
  4. Gillham, Nicholas Wright. A Life of Sir Francis Galton: From African Exploration to the Birth of Eugenics. New York: Oxford UP, 2001. P. 274.
  5. "Arrival of Lord Wolseley in London." Evening Mail 15 July 1885, Wednesday: 1 [of 8], Col. 6a–b [of 6]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003187/18850715/017/0001. Print title: The Mail, p. [1].
  6. Dinner to Lord Carrington. Illustrated London News (London, England), Saturday, September 19, 1885; pp. 301-302; Issue 2422, p. 301, Col. 2 – 302, Col. 1.
  7. "Pleasure and Politics." Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper 27 September 1885, Sunday: 7 [of 12], Col. 2c [of 5]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000079/18850927/032/0007. Print title Lloyd's Weekly London Newspaper, p. 7.
  8. "Chronology of Events in the Life of Emma Nevada." https://www.msu.edu/~graye/emma/chronolo.html (retrieved 14 April 2010).
  9. New York Times. 2 October 1885, Online: http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9E01E5D8153FE533A25751C0A9669D94649FD7CF.
  10. "The Court." "Home Intelligence." London and China Express 25 December 1885, Friday: 6 [of 28], Col. 1b [of 2]. British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003527/18851225/030/0006. Same print title, p. 1259.