28 JANUARY 1966, Page 11

Zt be %pcctator

January 27, 1866 Lady Palmerston has been offered by the Queen a peerage in her own right, with remainder to her son, the Right Hon. W. Cowper. But Lady Palmerston has declined the 0:ler;--she is content with the honour of being

ord Palmerston's widow. There is real dignity an _I nobility in this refusal. Nothing could ever make her more than Lord Palmerston's widow, and a peerage in her own right would have seemed to make her less so,—to separate her at least from him. The only reason for the least regret is, that the Hon. W. Cowper is the sort of man to be a peer,—courteous. thoughtful, mild, rich, and without push.