Lady Hester Stanhope on...Political Hostesses' Hospitality

Lady Hester Stanhope was not a woman to hold her tongue, which was only more apparent when her doctor (and close friend) released her memoirs in 1845 - which was more like his memoirs of her.  In it, William Pitt's niece remembered the various environments created by the great political hostesses of the time:

"'I remember too what a heavy, dull business the Duchess of R[utland]'s parties were - the rooms so stuffed with people that one could not move, and all so heavy - a deal of high breeding and bon ton; but there was, somehow nothing to enliven you.  Now and then some incident would turn up to break the spell.

Now, at the Duchess of Gordon's there were people of the same fashion, and the crowd was just as great; but then she was so lovely, and everybody was animated, and seemed to know so well what they were about - quite another thing.

As for the Duchess of D[evonshire]'s, there they were - all that set - all yawning, and wanting the evening to be spent, that they might be getting to the business they were after.'

It may be mentioned that Lady Hester was always very  severe on the Duchess of D. and her friends, whenever her name or theirs was mentioned."'

A Good Whig

"Mrs. Crewe" was a name synonymous with "Whig."  Frances Anne Crewe, later Lady Crewe was a leading society hostess who could talk politics as well as any man...that is, if you could follow along with her fast-paced conversation.  By all accounts Mrs Crewe was bubbly, which none of her portraits seem to convey.  But luckily Mrs. Crewe had her own special legacy to leave behind.

When any toast was given at a Whig function everyone would raise a glass and boisterously cry,

"Here's buff and blue and Mrs. Crewe!"

Wherever Fanny just happened to be at the time; in the middle of conversation, at cards, etc; she would turn, casually raise her glass and with natural grace reply:

"Here' buff and blue and all of you!"

Cheers!