It’s time for another delve into the Butterfield archive with our volunteer Ian. He writes…
Amongst the Butterfield family letters and papers are a number of loose newspaper cuttings which pose a challenge to the researcher but can prove fascinating, not so much as in “who did it but rather why did they save it? “ and “when did it date from ? as its undated ”Henry Isaac Butterfield was very interested in the goings on in high society and several of the participants at this particular musical party were very well known to him. The notes below , almost as long as the article itself explain the connections and were the fruits of my detective work!
The Article itself first…
Mrs Mackay’s Musicale
“Mrs Mackay’s Musical Party certainly proved the most powerful social attraction in London on Thursday evening. Her house in Buckingham gate was charmingly decorated throughout with masses of flowers. Ferns and palms stood in the windows of her galleried ballroom where the concert took place. In an adjoining salon Mrs Mackay in white satin embroidered with pearls, welcomed her numerous guests.
Madame Nevada in very good voice sang “La Fleur du Foyer”, Prince Malcom Khan, the Italian Minister and Baron de Pinede represented the Corps Diplomatique. Sir Arthur Sullivan (1) came on from his duties at the Philharmonic, so did Colonel Cody from his evening show at the Wild West. Lady A wore black and diamonds.
The Duchess of Manchester (2) wore blue flowered silk trimmed with mauve and her splendid pearls.
Miss Henniker and her sister were both in black. Lady Hothsfield (3) in red velvet. Mrs Cavendish Bentinck in crimson silk, the Countess d’aubigny in old lace with a wonderful brocaded train. Lady Gosford in pink, Lady Romney in white brocade.
Mrs Ronalds (4) in pale blue and pearls, Mrs Von Andre and Mrs Jack Leslie in blue and silver and Mrs Arthur Paget were all much admired. Mrs Berens in black brought her daughters in blue and pink. Mrs Hughes – Hallett (5) also in black chaperoned Miss Butterfield (6) in yellow crepe and Mrs Selwyn in pink crepe and satin. After the concert supper was served on separate tables in the dining room below.
Notes – “Whos who”
(1) Sir Arthur Sullivan
The musical half of the celebrated Gilbert and Sullivan died in 1900.
oil on canvas, 1888, NPG 1325
© National Portrait Gallery, London
(2) Louisa Montagu, Duchess of Manchester (née von Alten)
The Duchess of Manchester became Duchess of Devonshire in July 1892 on her marriage to the 8th Duke , earning her the nickname of the “Double Duchess”.
A former mistress of the Robes to Queen Victoria she became the leading society and political hostess of the period. Lady Gosford is a relative of hers. The Duke of Manchester died in March 1890. This seems to date the cutting to 1891 as mauve is a colour worn in late mourning in Victorian society.
NPG x197130 © National Portrait Gallery, London
(3) Lady Hothsfield the wife of Sir Henry Jacques, owner of the Barony of Skipton Castle who became Baron Hothsfield in 1891.The Barony extended to Steeton so they are neighbours of H.I. Butterfield.
(4) Mrs Ronalds Prominent socialite and friend of H.I. Butterfield’s late wife Marie Louise.
(3) Lady Hothsfield the wife of Sir Henry Jacques, owner of the Barony of Skipton Castle who became Baron Hothsfield in 1891.The Barony extended to Steeton so they are neighbours of H.I. Butterfield.
(5) Mrs Hughes-Hallett, the former Emilie Von Schaumberg , a long time associate of H.I. Butterfield
(6) This particular Miss Butterfield must be C.T. Butterfield, known as Katie or Kitty in the family, the daughter of the late Fred Butterfield, younger brother of Henry Isaac and thus his niece.
Normally residing in New York with her mother Katie travelled widely in Europe and later settled in Dinard,France. You can read a blog about her here (the picture above is Kitty at a much younger age – but we don’t hold any later ones that we know about!)
Hopefully Colonel Cody star of the much travelled Wild West Show and pioneer aviator needs no footnote!