1
LAMBTON CASTLE, FENCE HOUSES. 21 Feb. 1916. My Dear Lady Londonderry, I am
very glad to hear
that the foal is satisfactory,
and I shall hope for a
flashing Corcyra colt next
year. The difficulty about
coming to see you is my
lack of chauffeurs & petrol.
2
We have only one man to
do all out jobs. Poor Ridley is a great loss.
He was the only active young
peer we had up here, and
would have been very useful
in the future. when Charlie's
military duties are over I
am looking forward to his presence in the north as
I foresee troubles in which
we can act together,( if I am
not suffering from senility!)
and the fact that he has
fought by the side of the
working classes will
enhance his position . I believe Edith, if I may
call her so for short!
3
is to be approached today
at the Executive meeting
of the Women's' etc. etc.:
about joining . I hope she
will be able to. N.E. wind
this afternoon which I never
like — especially as it suits
the cursed Germans. Ever yours Durham
This letter is part of a series of correspondence belonging to Lady Londonderry, a
large proportion of which concerns Sir Edward Carson and opposition to the Third Home
Rule Bill. Lady Londonderry was a prominent figure in politics and high society from
1890 until 1919. Her correspondence includes many important figures in literature,
the arts, the military, law and the church.The author of the letter is John Lambton,
3rd Earl of Durham and Lord Lieutenant of that county from 1884 until a few months
before his death in 1928. Among other positions, Lambton was a Knight of the Garter,
a member of the Privy Council, and Lord High Steward to the King.This particular letter
discusses various aspects of country life, including the rearing of horses, the trouble
of petrol shortages, and the workings of politics.