Excerpts From Kathleen's Letters
…"The going up to Dublin was quite an after thought when I came over here. I telegraphed to Scotter to send my white ball dress which is covered with sparkles & trimmed with Lilies of the Valley & a train. She sent the latter white, lined with delicate shade of green bows of ribbon. It was so young looking a girl of seventeen could have worn it.
I was rather nervous about the ordeal of being presented and having so many instructions about curtseying first and then presenting your left cheek for the ? Lieutenant to kiss & I was told to do it all very slowly as some people get so frightened that they rush past the dias 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 sympathising tone & then I heard my name simply shouted which was rather disconcerting in itself but when I got in front of Ld.? Codogan, a man in the party said "The young lady from Br. Columbia" & one of the aides performed a sort of war dance. I entirely forgot about the kissing, & his Ex. sized my hand & 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 Ex. And passed on. She smiled most sweetly & when Sir Richard told her at the Ball how I had been half amused at the conduct of the aides. She was very much annoyed & 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 & perfect for entertaining I daresay…
Jessie had one of the most beautiful dresses & looked as well or better than most people there the Dublin Court journal said Lady M. & 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 new one all pink very beautiful, but she herself is not looking well. We had rather a rush all the time we were in Dublin…
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 Pooley 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. 2. 0. And it was very lovely - quite bridal white & green lilies, orchids, roses, and gardenias with maiden hair fern ? etc & long trails. I don't know what you will say to all this exporting…
Your loving Pussy, love to Frank and Jack."