Upper Grosvenor Street

Upper Grosvenor Street is in Grosvenor Street.

On 08 Apr 1788 Horace Beckford aka Pitt-Rivers 3rd Baron Rivers (age 10) and Frances Rigby were married at her father's house in Upper Grosvenor Street.

On 23 Jul 1802 Anne Maria Bonnell Duchess Somerset died in Upper Grosvenor Street.

On 04 Jan 1813 Henry Montagu Villiers was born to George Villiers (age 53) and Theresa Parker (age 38) at Upper Grosvenor Street.

On 01 Feb 1866 Robert Gresley 11th Baronet was born to Thomas Gresley 10th Baronet (age 33) and Laura Anne Williams Lady Gresley at Upper Grosvenor Street.

Adeline Horsey Recollections. One of my most amusing experiences about this time originated in my wish to see a rather risque play at the Princess's Theatre.

"Papa", said I one morning at breakfast, "I wish you would take me to the Princess's Theatre: every one's talking about the play. Do let us go this evening".

"Quite impossible", answered papa, with great decision. "Quite impossible, Adeline - I am dining to-night with General Cavendish at the Club, a long-standing engagement, and", he continued, in a tone of conscious virtue, "even if I were disengaged, I should not think of taking my daughter to see such a play; nothing, my dear, is so degrading as a public display of lax morals, and it is the duty of every self-respecting person to discountenance such a performance. Let me hear no more about it "; and he opened the Times with an air of finality.

The evergreen fabrication of "going to the Club", the most obvious and clumsy of lies invented by man to deceive woman, was as flourishing then as it is to-day. Perhaps it was more successful, as the telephone was not invented. I quite believed papa's statement, but I was deceived, as subsequent events proved.

I was very much annoyed. All the morning I brooded over papa's refusal, and then I suddenly made up my mind that I would go to the play in spite of him.

I rang for my maid. "Parker", I said, "go at once to the Princess's Theatre and bespeak a box for me, and be ready to come with me to-night".

"Alone, miss?" ventured Parker.

"Yes, alone, now don't waste a moment "; and no sooner had she set off than I wrote and despatched a letter to Lord Cardigan, who was a friend of papa, and asked him to come to my box at the Princess's that evening.

Parker and I arrived early and I settled down to enjoy myself. The overture commenced, and I was just about to inspect the audience when Lord Cardigan came into the box; he was rather agitated. "Miss de Horsey", he said, without any preliminaries, "you must leave the theatre at once".

"I'll do no such thing", I cried angrily. "What on earth is the matter? ".

"Well", reluctantly answered Cardigan - "well, Miss de Horsey, your father and General Cavendish are in the box opposite - with" (he looked at me apologetically) - "with their mistresses ! It will never do for you to be seen. Do, I implore you, permit me to escort you home before the performance begins".

I was seized with an uncontrollable desire to laugh. So this was the long-standing engagement, this papa's parade of morality ! I peeped out from the curtains of the box - it was quite true; directly opposite to me there sat papa and the General, with two very pretty women I did not remember seeing before.

"I shall see the play", I said to Lord Cardigan, "and you'll put me into a cab before it is over; I shall be home before papa returns from - the ' Club ' "; and I laughed again at the idea.

I spent a most exciting evening hidden behind the curtains, and I divided my attention between papa and the performance. About the middle of the last act we left. Lord Cardigan hailed a hackney-carriage and gave the driver directions where to go; he then wished me good-night and a safe return. It was a foggy evening, and the drive seemed interminable. I became impatient. "Parker", I said, "lower the window and tell the man to make haste".

Parker obeyed, and I heard an angry argument in the fog. She sat down with a horrified face and announced: "we are nearly at Islington [Map] - and the driver's drunk!".

Here was a pretty state of things!" Parker, tell him to stop at once". She did so, and I got out to ascertain what was happening. The man was drunk, but I succeeded in frightening him into turning his horse's head in the direction of Upper Grosvenor Street, and we set off again.

Theatres were "out" much earlier then than now, but it must have taken a long time to reach Mayfair, for I heard midnight strike when the cab stopped at the end of the street. I sent Parker on to open the door while I paid the man, and I devoutly hoped the "Club" had proved attractive enough to prevent papa returning; home before me. As I stood in front of No. 8 the door was opened - not by Parker but by papa. I felt I was in for a mauvais quart d'heure, but I walked quietly into the hall. "Adeline", said papa in an awful voice, "explain yourself. Where have you been.-* Is this an hour for a young lady to be out of doors? How dare you conduct yourself in this manner? ". The courage of despair seized me - and, let me confess it, a spice of devilment also. I faced my angry parent quite calmly. "I've been to the Princess's Theatre, papa, I said demurely (he started); and I saw you and General Cavendish there; I thought you were dining at the Club ... and I saw .. ".. "Go to bed at once, Adeline", interrupted papa, looking very sheepish, "we'll talk about your behaviour later". But he never mentioned the subject to me again !

Europe, British Isles, England, London, Westminster, Mayfair, 8 Upper Grosvenor Street

From 1830 to 1858 Spencer de Horsey (age 68) lived at 8 Upper Grosvenor Street.

Adeline Horsey Recollections. After mamma's death I kept house for papa at 8 Upper Grosvenor Street. My brothers were rarely at home. William (age 17) was educated at Eton [Map], and when he was sixteen years old the Duke of Wellington (age 73) gave him a commission in the Grenadier Guards. Later he went through the Crimean War, and he retired from the Army in 1883, on account of ill-health, with the rank of Lieutenant-General.

Algernon (age 16) entered the Navy in 1840 as a midshipman, and the same year took part in the operations on the coast of Syria. After the battle of Acre he received the Turkish medal and clasps: his promotion was rapid, and as Admiral, his flagship, the Shah, engaged the Huascar, which he forced to surrender to the Peruvian authorities.

Now that I was so much alone I occasionally found time hang heavy on my hands, and I welcomed any excitement as a break in the monotony, for of course our period of mourning prevented us entertaining or accepting invitations. One day my maid told me about a fortune-teller who had a wonderful gift for predicting the future. I was very much interested, and made up my mind to consult the oracle. My maid attempted to dissuade me, saying that the woman lived in Bridge Street, Westminster, which was not at all a nice neighbourhood. I have always had my own way and, disguised in a borrowed cloak, bonnet and thick veil, and accompanied by my protesting servant, I started off to Bridge Street late one November afternoon.

It was dusk when we reached Westminster and found Bridge Street, badly lighted and evil-smelling. We knocked at the door, stated whom we wished to see, and we were ushered through a dark passage into a dirty room reeking of tobacco.

The fortune-teller was a wrinkled old woman who was smoking a short clay pipe with evident enjoyment. When I told her what I had come for, she produced a greasy pack of cards, and after I had "crossed her pahn" she commenced to tell my future.

"Ah!" said she at last, and she looked curiously, "my pretty young lady, fate holds a great deal in store for you. You will not marry for several years, but when you do it will be to a widower - a man in a high position. You will suffer much unkindness before you experience real happiness, you will obtain much and lose much, you will marry again after your husband's death, and you will live to a great age".

I was quite impressed by my "fortune", but I was a little disappointed, for like most girls I had my day-dreams of a young husband, and the prospect of a widower was thus rather depressing.

Strangely enough, the prediction came true, for Lord Cardigan (age 45) was a widower, and nearly all the men who proposed to me were widowers ! I was asked in marriage by Lord Sherborne (age 38), a widower with ten children; by the Duke of Leeds (age 40), who was a widower with eleven children, and by Christopher Maunsell Talbot (age 39), once Father of the House of Commons, also a widower with four children. Prince Soltykoff, the Duke of St. Albans (age 41), Harry Howard, and Disraeli (age 38) were other widowers who proposed to me, so I suppose I must have had some unaccountable fascination for bereaved husbands.

Adeline Horsey Recollections. Among those who came to our house at 8 Upper Grosvenor Street, the Earl of Cardigan (age 50) was my father's (age 58) particular friend, and in consequence we saw a great deal of him. Lord Cardigan (age 50) has sometimes been described as a favourite of fortune, for he possessed great wealth, great personal attractions, and he was much liked by the late Queen Victoria (age 28) and Prince Albert (age 28). Commanding the 11th Hussars, he was the first person to welcome the Prince (age 28) at Dover, Kent [Map] when he arrived to marry the Queen (age 28), and his regiment was afterwards known as Prince Albert's own Hussars.

His Lordship (age 50) was a typical soldier, and after the Crimean War there was perhaps no more popular hero in all England. So much has been written about him that it is unnecessary for me to retell matters that are well known. I have often been asked whether he confided to me anything particular about the Charge of the Light Brigade, but the truth is that he never seemed to attach any importance to the part he played. Such matters are the property of the historian, and as his widow I am naturally his greatest admirer.

Adeline Horsey Recollections. The fresh Carlist war (managed from London) raged in the east of Spain under the famous Cabrera, and was continued through 1848, Montemolin remaining in London, much to the discontent of his party in Spain. In February 1849, Cabrera was indignantly demanding more men and resources to carry on the war, and, above all, the presence of the Prince (age 29) himself in the field. Montemolin (age 29), therefore was obliged to return to Spain, but he could not bring himself to remain there, and so he obtained a pass from Louis Napoleon which enabled him to come back to London.

He lost no time in at once seeing me, but I was shocked at his leaving Spain for my sake, as I had all a romantic girl's idea and love of one's country, and I was not even flattered that my beaux yeux had dulled the Count's sense of honour and rendered him a traitor to his cause. I did not hesitate to tell him so, and poor weak Montemolin (age 29) could not understand why I was so mortified. I also naturally concluded that after so lightly renouncing his obligations to those who trusted him and who gave up their lives and fortunes for him I, too, might one day be as easily forgotten, and the prospect did not please me.

In April 1849, the great Cabrera threw up the task in disgust, escaped to France and afterwards to England, where he married a rich English wife who still lives, and he determined to fight for Carlism no more.

After this my misgivings were augmented by the annoyance I was subjected to by innumerable Carlist spies, who seemed to regard me as the Delilah who had ruined Carlism. My footsteps were dogged by them everywhere; if I walked or rode, I encountered desperate looking Spaniards either in Grosvenor Street or hanging about the Row; if I went to the Opera, I saw dark faces glowering at me, and when I returned home from balls or parties I was sure to see a Spaniard waiting near our house.

My life became unendurable, and I told papa to inform the Count that I wished to break off my engagement. Papa therefore wrote him the following letter:

8 Upper Grosvenor Street,.

June 02, 1849.

Sir, - When you did me the honour of proposing marriage to my daughter, you will recollect I said that before it could be entertained it was absolutely necessary, in case my daughter should consider the proposal favourably, that three points should be fully and clearly ascertained.

First, that the marriage should be in every respect valid and legal by the laws of Spain.

Secondly, that it could only take place with the full and entire consent and approbation of your own family.

And thirdly, that there were the means of making suitable provision for my daughter and for any children she might have.

Upon the first of these points there is no doubt whatever that by the laws of Spain the marriage would not be considered as valid.

This being the case, there is hardly any occasion to enter on the other two.

With every feeling therefore of respect, sir, and every assurance how much I feel the honour done me, I have but one course to take, which is most respectfully and decidedly upon my daughter's part, and by her desire, to decline the proposal you have made.

With every wish for your future prosperity, I have the honour to be, sir,.

Your faithful and obedient servant,.

(Sgd.) Spencer de Horsey (age 58).

Adeline Horsey Recollections. I made the acquaintance of the Count Montemolin (age 29) in 1848, when he was staying with the Due (age 33) and Duchesse de Nemours (age 25) at Orléans House, Twickenham. He was a very distinguished-looking man, but his good looks were marred by the hereditary defect of the Bourbon Eye, peculiar to the family.

The Count (age 29) was a beautiful dancer, and we danced together a great deal at the numerous balls where we met, and after Montemolin had made my father's acquaintance he used often to visit us at Upper Grosvenor Street.

We had many tastes in common; the Count (age 29) was passionately fond of music, so we sang together in French and Spanish, and thus gradually friendship became love, at least on his part. I, myself, was dazzled by the romance of the affair, and by the rank of my would-be suitor, for I do not think any girl in my position could have been quite unmoved if a Prince of the Blood selected her for his wife instead of one of the Royalties he could have chosen.

The Count (age 31) proposed to me in February '49, but I quite appreciated the difficulties that beset such a marriage, and, after the Count's declaration, I hesitated to definitely consent to become his wife. He apparently was greatly distressed, and sent me the following letter:

Mademoiselle, - I am taking the liberty of writing to you to open my heart, but under the greatest secrecy, as without that I shall be completely lost. I was the most unhappy man in the world after what you said to me at the last ball. How could you believe me capable of deceiving you ! I should never have any peace of mind were I to do so. I did not dare to speak to you again, and nevertheless I sought by every means to meet you, because I could not live without at least seeing you, and also because I hoped for the chance of speaking to you and proving to you that I am a man of honour, and not such a one as people would have you believe. But your kind and gracious manner on Thursday last has dispelled all my fears.

Now, I am going to tell you what you must have felt for a long time; it is that I love you. You alone can make my happiness; any other marriage is impossible for me.

I hope you will grant me the happiness of marrying you one day, because I dare think you too love me. But above all things I desire your happiness, and if I thought you would ever become unhappy with me, I would rather suffer alone, although the greatest and most terrible sacrifice I could make would be to renounce your love. I should, however, wish before you decide definitely that you would grant me a secret interview in the presence of your father, in order that I can say certain things to you. I trust that you will grant me this interview, as it will decide my future happiness.

I beg you again to maintain the greatest reserve in the matter. It must be a secret from everybody, even from my own family, Nobody except your father must know anything about it; for if they did, believe me, I should be completely lost.

I will call at your house at three o'clock in the afternoon, and if you cannot be alone then with your father, you can send me word by him to the following address when it will be convenient to you.

M. LE COMTE DE MONTEMOLIN,.

Travellers Club [Map], Pall Mall.

I shall be there until two o'clock exactly. I am, with the deepest respect and attachment,.

Your devoted,.

Le Comte de Montemolin.

My father and I therefore saw the Count, who successfully overcame our doubts about the wisdom of his marriage to an Englishwoman in view of the political situation in Spain. Montemolin was so much in love that he easily waived every obstacle my father placed in the way, and at last it was settled that we were to be formally engaged, subject to certain conditions which my father insisted on the Count complying with.

Adeline Horsey Recollections. John Lyster used to visit us at Upper Grosvenor Street; he was very wealthy, but he speculated and lost everything he possessed. He came to dine with us one evening, outwardly as charming and cheerful as ever, but the next day, before people knew he was ruined, he left England and went to America, and was never heard of again.

Europe, British Isles, England, London, Westminster, Mayfair, 35 Upper Grosvenor Street

From 1769 to 1789 Henry Harpur 6th Baronet (age 50) lived at 35 Upper Grosvenor Street.