1896, 16th May.
A great day for W.U.D.C. Lord Egerton
and his wife, Her Grace the Duchess of Buckingham and Chandos, were to
open recreation grounds in the district and afterwards be "entertained"
at the Town Hall, West Didsbury. The discussions and rivalries as to who
were to receive, to perform, and to make speeches were amusing, but when
the question was broached as to which of the wives were to sit with Her
Grace and attend to her situation became awkward, for neither of the heads
lived with their wives, and I, as deputy chairman, had the third chance.
I never had a wife, and flatly refused to get one for the day, or to say
anything all day, for after all the opposition I had done to so many of
Lord Egerton's plans, I could not be a persona grata to him and therefore
had better keep quiet. At each of the grounds members made speeches flattering
and beslavering Lord Egerton that must have been very irksome to him, but
we got through them all at last, and also the dinner. Then, as the guests
rose to go, I was surprised at the clerk coming to tell me Her Grace would
be pleased if I would accompany them as far as Stretford Station, wither
they were driving. I did so; we talked of the history of the district more
than anything. I never professed to be able to make myself agreeable, but
suppose Her Grace might think my company was better than that of a barmaid,
and try the lesser of two evils. |
