Newspaper Accounts of Emily Harriet, Countess of St. Germans

These article transcriptions are arranged in chronological order. To see a full biography and portraits of Emily, Countess of St. Germans, just click on the button in the right-hand column.

"The Sun" 28 Jun 1844, page 4:
On the 24th inst., at Datchet, the wife of the Right Hon. Henry Labouchere, M.P., of a daughter.

"London Evening Standard" 02 Mar 1863, page 2:
THE DRAWING ROOM
Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Prussia (Princess Royal of Great Britain and Ireland), by command of the Queen, held a Drawing Room on behalf of her Majesty on Saturday afternoon in St. James's Palace.
Two hundred and fifty ladies had the honour of being presented to her Royal Highness, the presentations, by her Majesty's pleasure, being considred as equivalent to presentations to the Queen.
. . . Hon. Emily Labouchere, by Lady Taunton.

"Morning Post" 21 Mar 1864, page 6:
By command of the Queen, a Drawing-room was held on Saturday, at St. James's Palace, by her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales on behalf of her Majesty.
The following ladies attended the drawing room . . .
Hon. Miss Emily Labouchere – Train of white glace, trimmed with ruches of pink glace; dress of pink and white tulle bouilionne over glace. Headdress, plume and veil.

"Morning Post" 24 Mar 1875, page 5:
Lady Taunton and the Hon. Emily Labouchere, who have, since leaving Nice, been on a tour in Italy, are staying at Rome, but are expected to return home about the 15th proximo.

"Morning Post" 11 Mar 1878, page 5:
Lady Taunton and Hon. Emily Labouchere left Eaton-place on Thursday last for the South of France and Italy for about two months.

"London Evening Standard" 08 Aug 1881, page 5:
The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Countess Granville entertained the Spanish Minister, the Marquess of Northampton, the Earl of Bessborough, the Earl and Countess of Airlie, Earl and Countess Beauchamp, Lord Alington, Lord and Lady Ardilaun, Lady Taunton and Hon. Miss Labouchere, Hom. P. Stanhope and Countess Tolstoy, Hon. F. Leveson-Gower and Mrs. Hartman at dinner on Saturday at their residence on Carlton-house-terrace. Later Earl and Countess Granville held a reception, at which were present the eminent foreigners attending the International Medical Congress, and others.

"Western Times" 07 Sep 1881, page 2:
A marriage is arranged between the Earl of St. Germans and the Hon. Emily Labouchere, youngest daughter of the late Lord Taunton.

"Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette" 10 May 1883, page 6:
On Saturday the Countess of St. Germans gave birth to a daughter (stillborn) at 13, Grosvenor-gardens.

"Royal Cornwall Gazette" 12 Oct 1883, page 8:
The sale of work recently held at Port Eliot, in connection with the Ladies' Home Mission Association of the Archdeaconry of Bodmin, realised the sum of 92 pounds 5s. 7d., which, considering the inclement weather upon the occasion, was far better than expected. The kindness of Lord and Lady St. Germans enabled the committee to avoid many of the ordinary expenses of such an event.

"The Western Antiquary" Vol. 9, page 65:
St. Germans Church Restoration.
The harvest thanksgiving services at St. Germans Church celebrated on Wednesday were of a more interesting character than in former years, consequent on the work of restoration which is in progress. It is remarkable that this large and ancient edifice, thought once the Cathedral church of the Cornish diocese, is without a chancel. This neglect of its architect, or it may be the work of later renovators, has now been remedied, at least temporarily. Miss Eliot, elder daughter of Colonel the Hon. C.G.C. Eliot, having designed a beautiful screen, the eastern part of the church is separated by it, and forms an unique and effectual chancel. The screen, which is a work of artistic skill, was placed in position by the Countess of St. Germans and the lady visitors at Port Eliot. Holy Communion was celebrated at half-past eleven service; those held during the afternoon and evening were fully choral. Prayers were intoned by the Rev. E. Buck, curate-in-charge, the lessons being read by the Revs. D. Jenkins and H.N. Wheeler. Two appropriate and eloquent sermons were preached, and the one in the afternoon by the Rev. Sylvanus Gregory, that in the evening by the Rev. Joseph Hammond, vicar of St. Austell. A public tea, partaken of during the interval between the afternoon and evening services, was largely attened, and the arduous efforts of Mr. Buck and his co-helpers in the parish met with well-earned success. Collections made on behalf of the Organ Restoration Fund amounted to over ten pounds.
W.M.N., September 13, 1889.

"Royal Cornwall Gazette" 21 Mar 1901, page 4:
Lady St. Germans has received the following letter from the Colonel in command of the D.C.L.I. in South Africa: -- February 13th, 1901.
Dear Lady St. Germans, – I was glad to get your letter of the 15th January about the 800 pillows we received, for it now enables me - on behalf of the officers, N.C. officers, and men - to return our very warmest thanks to you in particular for originating the kind present, and to those who so kindly contributed thereto. The pillows were most acceptable, especially as we are living on hard rocky ground at present.
Yours truly,
G.A. Ashby

"Royal Cornwall Gazette" 01 Aug 1901, page 4:
Lord and Lady St. Germans are at Port Eliot, where they will stay a week or two before going for a short time to the seaside.
The Countess of St. Germans has consented to present to Messrs. W. Bennett, W. Creber, and J. Hawke, volunteers of the parish, who have recently returned from South Africa, a handsome timepiece near the north entrance of Port Eliot, on Bank-holiday, the day of the Cottage Garden Show.

"Exeter and Plymouth Gazette" 9 Jan 1906, page 2:
Lord and Lady St. Germans have been entertaining a party at Port Eliot, where they have been since before Christmas. Their eldest son, Lord Eliot, will come of age on August 30th next. He is going into the Army. Lord St. Germans was at one time in the Navy, and afterwards entered the diplomatic service, in which he remained until he succeeded to the title.

"Exeter and Plymouth Gazette" 17 Apr 1906, page 2:
Lord and Lady St. Germans are spending Easter at Port Eliot, where they have a small house party, including Dowager Lady Bessborough, Lady May Ponsonby, and Mr. Burton. Dowager Lady Bessborough is a sister of Lord St. Germans.

"Royal Cornwall Gazette" 24 Jan 1907, page 4:
According to the 'Court Journal,' Lord and Lady St. Germans have recently had a very successful fancy dress ball at Port Eliot. Nearly 200 guests were present, and the scene in the famous Round Room when dancing was in full swing was very beautiful, the dresses being very handsome, and showing a rich profusion of colours. Music was supplied by the band of the Royal Garrison Artillery from Plymouth, and dancing, which bagan soon after ten o'clock, was kept up with spirit until the early hours of the following morning. Supper was served in the dining-room, and the decorations of the ball-room were of a most artistic and effective kind. A cotillon was arranged with great success by Lady Mary Dawson and Mr. Christian Eliot. For the ball Lord and Lady St. Germans had a large house-party at Port Eliot.

"Royal Cornwall Gazette" 24 Mar 1910, page 4:
The Countess of St. Germans will make her first public appearance next week since the tragic death of Lord Eliot, when she receives purses at the Guildhall, Plymouth, for the benefit of the Benevolent Fund of the National Union of Teachers, which holds a conference, the opening day being March 31st.

"West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser" 09 May 1912, page 4:
Lady St. Germans will not be in town during the season, and she has, says 'The World,' let her house in Grosvenor Gardens to Mr. and Mrs. Pitt Rivers for three months.

"Berks and Oxon Advertiser" 5 Dec 1913, page 2:
Lady St. Germans and her son Lord St. Germans have been entertaining a shooting party at Port Eliot, where there is some of the best pheasant and wild fowl shooting in Cornwall. Lady St. Germans spent the autumn at Port Eliot, and house in Grosvenor-gardens is for sale. Lord St. Germans has been paying visits for shooting in Scotland, and he will spend most of the winter at York, where his regiment, the Royal Scots Greys, is quartered.

"The Cornish Telegraph" 8 Oct 1914, page 8:
FOR THE TROOPS IN CORNWALL.
Sir,– I should like to appeal for help, either in money or garments, for the troops now quartered in the western section of Cornwall. They are stationed, many of them, in very exposed places, and are at present very inadequately provided with blankets and warm clothes.

I will gratefully receive any contributions that may be sent, which I will acknowledge and at once forward to Colonel Lyle, R.A., Section Commander, Maker Barracks, Western Section, Maker, or, if preferred, they can be sent direct to him.
Emily St. Germans.
Port Eliot, St. Germans, Cornwall, October 5, 1914.

"Cornishman" 17 Dec 1914, page 3:
COMFORTS FOR TROOPS.
Sir,– I should like to cordially thank all those who have so kindly responded to my son's appeal for the troops.

I have been able to write to all those whose names and addresses I know, but many gifts have been sent anonymously, and it is to these that I wish to express my gratitude, through your columns.

Owing to the very hearty and generous response to Lord St. Germans' letter, I have been able, after sending several hundred things to the Scots Greys, to help the Army Flying Corps recruits, and other regiments who were in need of warm clothes.

Emily St. Germans.
Port Eliot, St. Germans, December 10, 1914.

"Western Morning News" 24 May 1918, page 3:
The marriage of Lord St. Germans and Lady Blanche Somerset is to take place at St. Margaret's, Westminster, on Tuesday, June 11. Lady St. Germans has been residing at Port Eliot, the family place in Cornwall, for several months, and will probably stay there during the summer and autumn, as her house in Grosvenor-gardens has been taken over for the Canadian Club.

"Western Morning News" 11 Feb 1932, page 2:
The Countess of St. Germans requires Parlourmaid, under a butler, age from 20 to 23 years; 3 months London. — Apply Penmadown, St. Germans.

"Western Morning News" 16 Feb 1932, page 2:
The Countess of St. Germans requires a Kitchenmaid, age 17 to 19 years; 3 months London. — Apply Penmadown, St. Germans.

"Cornishman" 19 Oct 1933, page 5:
Countess of St. Germans
Loss That Will Be Widely Felt
The death occurred on Wednesday, at Penmadown, of Emily Harriet, Countess of St. Germans. Lady St. Germans, who was the daughter of Lord Taunton, was the widow fo the fifth earl, who died in 1911.
The late Lady St. Germans was 89 years of age and was greatly loved and respected. She was a great social worker, and readily gave her personal services and material aid to practically every movement for the good of the district and community.

"Western Morning News" 23 Oct 1933, page 6):
Cornish Funeral Tributes
Crowded Church
Late Countess of St. Germans
Emily Harriet, Countess of St. Germans, widow of the late Henry Cornwallis, fifth Earl of St. Germans, was on Saturday afternoon laid to rest in the family grave at St. Germans, in which also like the bodies of her husband and sons. The service in the beautiful parish church, in which she took so great an interest, was attended by several hundred sympathizers. Many were unable to find seating accommodation, and the space inside the west door was crowded.

Her ladyship passed away at her residence, Penmadown, St. Germans, on Wednesday afternoon, at the age of 89. She was taken seriously ill on Good Friday, but recovered sufficiently to resume her active interest in the affairs of the neighbourhood.

The service was conducted by the Vicar (Rev. G.M. Webster), and the Archdeacon of Bodmin (Ven. M.B. Williamson) read the lesson. Canon W. Westmacott, of Torquay (a former vicar of St. Germans), officiated at the graveside. The hymns sung were “There is a land of pure delight,” “Hark! hark, my soul! Angelic songs are swelling,” and “On the resurrection morning.”

Other clergy present were Canon Leverton (Menheniot), Revs. C. S. Fleet (Newquay), C. G. Roffe-Silvester (St. Agnes), L. Wilkinson (Hessenford), and C.H. rogers (Tideford), former vicars of St. Germans; and Rev. A.S. Pack (Wesleyan minister, St. Germans). Miss D. Goard was at the organ.

The family mourners were Lady Blanche Douglas, daughter-in-law; the Hon. Montague and Mrs. Eliot, nephew and niece; Lady A Hardinge, Mrs. Kerr, Maj. A Ellist, and Mr. E.A.V. Stanley, nieces and nephews. Lady Douglas arrived to attend the service by air, landing at Roborough Aerodrome.

"Western Morning News" 24 Oct 1933, page 7:
ST. GERMANS LOSS
VICAR'S TRIBUTE TO THE LATE COUNTESS
Tribute to the late Countess of St. Germans, whose funeral was reported in yesterday's "Western Morning News," was paid by the vicar of St. Germans, Rev. G.M. Webster, in his sermon on Sunday.
"She found," he said, "her help and inspiration in this church, which she loved so well, and which bears so much evidence of her love and thought for its welfare. Only a fortnight ago she chose a frontal and vestments, which have not yet been completed, for use in the church. Here she brought her sorrows and joys, and took the Lord's own presence and charity away with her. If you wish to keep sacred the memory of a great lady, you must try to do what she did, and make the place of your abode Christ's own."