Book Review: Lady Worsley's Whim

When you first begin to read Lady Worsley's Whim you may have to stop and recheck to the book jacket to confirm that it is indeed Non-fiction. Hallie Rubenhold, author of the acclaimed, The Covent Garden Ladies, elegantly writes her biography of both Sir Richard and Lady Worsley in a way which reads like a novel. Given the entertaining antics of the Worsleys and Rubenhol's skills with the pen, I read this biography in record time. I honestly could not put it down!

In an era that valued attractiveness above all other feminine attributes, no one ever raved about Seymour Dorothy Flemming's beauty. No poet ever sang in praises of her prettiness, no gossipy matron ever remarked on her fine figure and in the many printed paragraphs which appeared during her life, at no point did any writer mention her comely features. Although she was not plain, her blue, almond-shaped eyes and mousy hair were considered distinctly ordinary. She had inherited her small stature and later her predisposition to plumpness from her mother, Jane Colman. From her father, Sir John Flemming, she had inherited an enormous fortune.

So begins the story of "a girl called Seymour." If you may recall, Seymour was a tart of the week in May. Like many women of the time she was married at a young age and soon disappointed by her marital situation. This led Seymour to wander into the arms of quite a few men. Strangely enough, Sir Richard did nothing to deter her from doing so. In fact, it would appear he encouraged her infidelities for his own voyeuristic pleasures. He even invited one lover, George Bisset to live with them which is strikingly similar to the menage a trois between the Devonshires and Lady Bess Foster. However, when Lady Worsley decided to elope with Bisset and live a separate life with her lover, Sir Richard was outraged and pressed crim. con. charges against Bisset. However, Sir Richard never expected Lady Worsley to dampen her reputation further by actually inviting her lovers to testify at the trial in order to reveal her husband as a pimp and cuckold.

Rubenhold is not only successful in her style of writing but also in bringing an understanding to both individuals and their situations. She presents new, never-revealed information and makes some valuable assertions into the lives of the mismatched couple. I was delighted to find that there were no slow points in this biography and that Rubenhold's ability in storytelling made the chain of events easy to follow and understand. Other points in this book even had me laughing out loud. Even after the height of the couple's notoriety when they went their separate ways, Rubenhold can still keep your interest in their activities.

If biographies bore you and have deterred you from learning your 18th century gossip, Lady Worsley's Whim will be the right fit for you. If you love biographies or 18th century scandals you will also find this to be a delightful read and a breath of fresh air. Do check it out and get the juiciest of gossip on this tart and her husband's unique story.

The Westminister Election of 1784

Every liberal mind revolts at the wretched abuse now leveled at the most amiable of our country women! The base and blurring hand of calumny, however, is raised in vain against the lovely DEVON and her SISTER PATRIOTS, who at this juncture, so much resemble the fair celestials of the Grecian bard, whose attributes of divinity never appeared so brilliant as when forming a shield for the HEROIC LEADER of the OPRESSED PEOPLE!

The Morning Herald and Daily Advertiser, 24 April 1784

As the world watches in anticipation of the US election (I know that sounds pompous but unfortunately is true), I thought today would be an appropriate day to talk of an election that was very important to Georgiana. This election went down in infamy because, for the first time, it appeared as if women could make an impact in politics.

The 1783 election of Pitt as Prime Minister sent the Whigs scrambling to secure a dominance over the the Tory MPs. Charles Fox, perhaps the biggest Whig of all, decided a good way to do this would be to run for a seat in the borough of Westminster. Westminster was perhaps the most coveted borough due to its voter size and the fact that it could boast that every male homeowner could vote, unlike other boroughs. Two seats were up for grabs, and there were only three candidates: Fox; the naval hero, Lord Hood; and the rich landowner, Sir Cecil Wray. It was one Whig verses two Pittites and Fox needed all the help he could get.

Of course, this is the 18th century, so things were done a little differently...and maybe, were a little more fun. If you went to the theatre at this time you may have gone just for the circus of the elections. On one side the Duchess of Rutland would be screaming from her opera box, "Damn Fox!" while Lady Maria Waldengrave would retort with, "Damn Pitt!" Ladies, ladies, please; I am trying to enjoy La Reine de Golconde! Obviously, aristocratic women were getting more passionate about politics, despite not being able to vote.

Georgiana loved this circus and decided to put herself right in the middle of it. One can only wonder if she knew what she was getting involved in. She became the ringleader of aristocratic ladies canvassing night and day for Fox. Walking through the cobbled streets with foxtails in her hat, Georgiana would hand out medals to those who professed their support to Fox. Sometimes she would even go door to door into the middle and working class homes to talk to the voters who were on the fence. Her Grace was even known to thrown down a beer with Joe the Plumber Butcher and talk politics. The people of Westminster found that the tall, fashionable, celebrity wasn't all just feathers and faro; she actually presented some really good points. In the process the new mother worked herself to absolute exhaustion.

Georgiana wasn't the only one working her butt off. The person who was by her side almost every day was her devoted sister (to both her and the Whigs), Harriet. Other canvassing team leaders were Mrs. Crewe and Mrs. Damer. The women/tarts who made up these teams consisted of, The Duchess of Portland, the three Ladies Waldengrave, Lady Jersey, Lady Carlisle, Mrs. Bouverie, Lady Worsley, Mrs. Robinson, and Lady Archer.

Of course, being a woman in a man's world and a man's race made Georgiana the target for scathing lies about her methods of securing votes. When rumours came about that Georgiana had exchanged a kiss with a butcher for a vote for Fox, the press ran away with it. Although, Harriet (and maybe the other canvassers) did this, Georgiana always fervently denied doing it. In fact, a bunch of Hood supporters cornered her when she was in their shop canvassing, and demanded kisses of the frightened duchess. The male-driven press and opposing party just couldn't accept that Georgiana's wit and charisma were winning votes, and not her sexual abilities. In satirical prints, and all-out war erupted, with one side criticizing her for kissing butchers, and the other hailing her as an allegory for politics and justice. Hundreds of these prints were published (and are on my broken laptop) but what was and is noticeable is the absence of criticism of the few Tory women-canvassers. Apparently, the campaign was also a celebrity-competition.

After all the criticism and exhaustion Georgiana retired from canvassing. But the votes were so close she was begged to come back. Against her mother's wishes, she returned to canvassing and not a minute too soon too, Fox won the second seat over Wray by 200 votes. Georgiana and the other ladies' efforts did not go to waste.

I will make the argument that without these patriotic women's help, Fox would not have won the election. He was criticized for being quite lazy in the process while his canvassers blistered their feet campaigning for him. He also was behind in the polls many times, and would sulk and become a recluse at Brooks as a reaction, all while his supporters tireless converted voters. The 1784 Westminster Election upset many because it proved that women (shock!) could change the results of an election.

What a Nightmare!

Gentle Readers,

It is with great regret that I inform you that my closest companion-my laptop- is feeling under the weather and, after a strong fight, is in the laptop hospital. While it is being diligently cared for by "geeks" I am left with an old, crappy desktop that doesn't contain the same database of gossip as the pc in question.
So I fear the the beginning half of November will be filled with less gossip. I would like to compare this to when parliament wasn't in session so all the peers and aristocrats would retreat from London into their various country estates. The scandal still continued, but the gossip spread a little slower.
Thank you for your patience, and please do continue to check back!


PS-Of course, gossip is still being spread in France!

It's Marie's Birthday, Let's PARTY!

Happy B-day to a BFF of Georgie's, the Archduchess of Fabulous, Marie Antoinette. To celebrate, Joy over at Cupid's Charm is holding a Birthday Soiree, and everyone is invited! She asked us to post an item we have made or purchased, inspired by Marie. God knows, I have made many purchases in the sacred name of Marie Antoinette, but I thought I would post these shoes I whipped together for my Halloween costume this year. They are nothing spectacular but you get the picture!


So join the celebration and check out the soiree at Cupid's Charm today!