Sir E. Egerton (who has just left Rome), the late Sir Michael Herbert (who went from us to Washington), Sir Maurice de Bunsen (now Ambassador in Madrid), Sir Rennel Rodd (lately appointed to Rome), the Hon. Reginald Lister (who has lately left for Morocco), Sir Charles Harding, Mr. H. J. O. Beirne, Lord Berwick, the Earl of Sheffield, the present Lord Monson (whom I married), and many others, were at the Embassy during my time, and with some of whom I was privileged to work in the various philanthropic and other efforts in the British Colony.
One of my greatest regrets in leaving Paris was the necessary severance of my connection with the Embassy, and the parting from those who had shown me so much kindness.
CHAPTER III.
MEMORABLE SERVICES.
During my chaplaincy there were several memorable services in the English Embassy Church. The first of these was the funeral of the late Earl of Lytton, Her Majesty’s Ambassador of France.
Lord Lytton died in November, 1891, at the Embassy. His death was unexpected and sudden. Upon hearing the sad news I called at the Embassy and saw Lady Lytton, who was naturally very much affected. I remember that she took me by the hand and led me into the chamber of death, and we both knelt down, and I prayed with her. The Earl was very little changed by death, and lay as if asleep. Each morning afterwards, until the funeral, I went to the Embassy and conducted family prayers. The relatives had gathered, and I had quite a large number. Several of the Balfour family were present, amongst whom was Lady Betty Balfour, the eldest daughter of Lady Lytton, who has since, as is well known, edited her father’s classic letters.
BRITISH EMBASSY CHURCH, FROM THE RUE D’AGUESSEAU.
The funeral took place on Saturday, November 28th, and was most imposing. The late Earl was very popular with the French, so much so that it had been decided that the funeral must be public, and of the “class” usually accorded to a Marshal of France. The scene in the church was very remarkable. The Embassy had taken the body of the Church for the Diplomatic Corps and the high officials of state of the French Republic. One gallery was reserved for the special and intimate friends of Lady Lytton, and the other gallery was the only space available for members of the English Colony generally. The body of the Church presented a striking appearance. All the Foreign Ambassadors and their suites were present in full diplomatic dress, and the Military and Naval Attachés in their brilliant uniforms. I remember that Colonel the Hon. R. Talbot (as he was then) was especially remarked in his English scarlet dress. The French Government, the Political, Naval, Military, and Civil Administrations were all represented, and many of the most distinguished men in art, science, and literature had come to pay the last tribute to the deceased Ambassador.