MUSINGS OF A SCOTTISH GRANNIE By Ishbel, Marchioness of Aberdeen
and Temair As the title of this charming book of memoirs (Heath Cranton, Os.) suggests, the Marchioness of Aberdeen has aimed not at writing a formal autobiography, but simply at recalling the most memorable events of a long and full life. She -first tells of her early life at Guisachan, the Highland estate of her father, Lord Tweedmouth, in the days when the great estates were self-contained, isolated communities. In 1875_ she was prekented at one of Queen Victoria's drawing- rooms—" a terrifying event." Then followed all the solemn formalities of Rotten Row, of balls and receptions at the great houses (now swept away) of Park Lane, and dinners attended by the great Victdrians, John Bright, Browning and Mr. Gladstone. After her marriage to Lord Aberdeen, Glad- stone was a frequent guest.at their house. She tells how he described a time-table for a certain journey made out by Lord Abeideen as " perfect as the railway whistles," which was,' she explains, an allusion " to Lord Aberdeen's power of imi- tating the different kinds-of whistle used by different railway, lines, an entertainment :often :flailed for by Mr. Gladstone. Lord Aberdeen was Viceroy of Ireland in 1886, and later Governor-General of Canada, and the author recalls the work she did for the promotion of the Irish lace industry and in conziexion with the Irish Village at the Chicago World's Fair. of 11193, Lady Aberdeen has writtep an interesting record of an industrious life.
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