Hatchell in the
daytime out of his professional frock-coat and high hat. I know
that when he stayed with us in Scotland some years later, he went
out salmon-fishing in a frock-coat and high hat (with a
stethescope clipped into the crown of it), an unusual garb for an
angler.
In the spring of 1868, King Edward and Queen Alexandra (then, of
course, Prince and Princess of Wales) paid us a long visit at the
Castle. My father had heard a rumour that recently the Prince of
Wales had introduced the custom of smoking in the dining-room
after dinner. He was in a difficult position; nothing would induce
him to tolerate such a practice, but how was he to avoid
discourtesy to his Royal guest? My mother rose to the occasion. A
little waiting-room near the dining-room was furnished and fitted
up in the most attractive manner, and before the Prince had been
an hour in the Castle, my mother showed him the charming little
room, and told H. R. H. that it had been specially fitted up for
him to enjoy his after-dinner cigar in. That saved the situation.
Young men of to-day will be surprised to learn that in my time no
one dreamed of smoking before they went to a ball, as to smell of
smoke was considered an affront to one's partners.
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