Letter #9
My dear father and mother
I am beginning this today though it will not be finished before Saturday's mail. Sent a few hurried lines from Dublin.... The going up to Dublin was quite an afterthought when I came over here. I telegraphed to Scotter to send my White ball dress which is covered with sparkles and trimmed with lilies of the valley -- a train. She sent the latter -- white, lined with delicate shade of green and trimmed with tall lilies and white and green bows of ribbon. It was so very spring looking as a girl of seventeen could have worn it.
I did not mean to have a bouquet for the Drawing Room as it is not necessary if one has a fan and I had the Annie Pooles one but when I found Effie had ordered one for me with theirs, I did not like to say anything. I was sorry as it cost 2.2pounds, it was very lovely, quite bridal, white and green lilies, orchids, roses, gardenias with maiden hair fern -- etc. and long trails. I don't know what you will say to all this extravagance.....
I was rather nervous about the ordeal of being presented -- had so many instructions about curtsying first and then presenting your left cheek for the -- Lieutenant to kiss and I was told to do it all very slowly as some people get so frightened that they rush past the dais where all the Vice Regal party are standing. I gave my card to the Officer at the Throne Room door who said "Curtsey first, won't you" in a sort of sympathizing tone and then I heard my name simply shouted, which was rather disconcerting in itself.
But when I got in front of Lord Cadogan a -----in the party said "The young lady from British Columbia" and one of the aides performed a sort of war dance. I entirely forgot about the kissing and his excellency seized my hand and drew me towards him. They say he never really kisses anyone, which is very wise of him I think. Then I made my bow to her excellency and passed on. She smiled most sweetly and when Sir Richard told her at the ball how I had been half frightened and half amused at the conduct of the aides. She was very much annoyed and said she wished she knew who had done it.
The Drawing room was a very pretty sight. The rooms and corridors of the Castle are simply beautiful and perfect for entertaining..... Jessie had one of the most beautiful dresses and looked as well or better than most people there, the Dublin Court Journal said lady M. and her beautiful Canadian sister were among the best dressed at the first drawing room. Jessie wore the same dress to the one she took me to but Effie had a nice one, all pink, very beautiful, but she herself in not looking well.
We had rather a rush all the time, we were in Dublin, there was so much society going on, the first day we went to two afternoon at homes.... ON Thursday afternoon we went to the skating rink which is the fashionable thing to do.... the band played....After skating we went to tea at Lady Emily's....I enjoyed the small dance at the Castle on Thursday, more than the ball in St. Patrick's Hall on Friday... I wore my sparkly white dress on Thursday(the one I wore at the Drawing Room) and the white, (I had for Lady Aberdeen's ball and which now has blue ribbons on it) on Friday. There were some magnificent dresses and diamonds and some beautiful women, but not so many of the latter.....
Much dear love and loving thanks for your letters
your loving Pussy
Letter #9