departurefromdublin

Farewell to Aberdeen

from National Library of Ireland on The Commons

• 6 older comments, and then…
• Niall McAuley said:

  I think this is his houseful of servants in the 1911 census. From wikipedia: Jokes Cracked by Lord Aberdeen, a collection of John Hamilton-Gordon's dinner party repartee, was first published in 1929. The "bafflingly unfunny" book, long out of print, gained a cult following in more recent times and was reissued in 2013.

• beachcomber australia said:

  We have met 'The Aberdeens' (and his bad jokes) before -

• beachcomber australia said:

  It seems "The Aberdeens" were very popular at the time ... A Model Viceroy and Vicereine. The Belfast "Irish Weekly," referring to the Viceroy's departure, says:—Reams of nonsense have been printed about the resignation of Lord Aberdeen and the appointment of Lord Wimborne. The retiring Lord Lieutenant has been the subject of a regular deluge of vulgar and ill-conditioned abuse; his successor has been credited with ideas and qualities that must astonish himself—if he troubles to study the performances of his admirers and critics in the Tory Press. The Marquis of Aberdeen and his wife were the most truly popular occupants of the Viceregal Lodge who ever lived in this country. They endeared themselves to the masses of the people, because the people recognised and thoroughly appreciated the sincerity of their affection for Ireland, the earnestness of their desire to improve the position of the poor, and the practical nature of the reforms which they planned, advocated, and effected. "The Aberdeens" had nothing in common with the despicable little gangs of natural-born toadies and mean-souled "Ascendants," who had infested Dublin Castle for generations— no matter what political party might have been responsible for the appointment of a Lord Lieutenant. They were just a man and a woman of high character, firm convictions, and healthy minds; consequently they were hated by the paltry cliques who had been accustomed to traffic in Castle "patronage" while grovelling before Viceregal personages willing to "play the game." Lord Aberdeen did not spend thousands on racecourses in the company of brainless snobs; he sought to promote the revival of Irish industries and to make the working people more thrifty and independent; Lady Aberdeen did not spend thousands on balls and ''routs" that snobesses might flaunt their silks and jewels and see their robes and ornaments fully described in the "Society" papers; she devoted herself to the cause of the people's health and the alleviation and prevention of suffering and disease; therefore the pair were "unpopular" amongst the worthless sections of the community. There never had been such a Viceroy and Vicereine in Ireland. "The Aberdeens" proved that an institution hated and despised in turn by four-fifths of the Irish people might be turned to good account. For that reason they will be gratefully remembered from end to end of this country for many years to come. ... Via Trove - see - trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/166424401?searchTerm=L...

• Suck Diesel said:

  beachcomber australia A little taster from that ‘joke book’ “Unsettled "I've seen better days, sir," said a tramp to an Aberdonian, who replied, "So have I – but I havna time to discuss the weather the noo." Dinna boast A young woman who had obtained a situation in the south of England was asked by the lady by whom she was employed: "Annie, I know of course by your tongue that you are Scotch, but you have never mentioned the part of Scotland from which you come. Which is it?" "I come from near Aberdeen, Ma'am," she replied. "Oh, indeed," said the lady, "but why did you not tell me before?" "Weel, I didna like tae dee that, Ma'am, because when I was leaving hame ma Mither said, 'Noo, Annie, be sure an' dinna boast.'" www.theguardian.com/books/2013/oct/03/jokes-cracked-lord-...

• John Spooner said:

  A picture similar to one in the Daily Sketch appeared in The Bystander (an illustrated weekly) a week later.
  I sense that the writer of the paragraphs below the picture wasn't such a fan of the Marquis as the Marquis was of himself.
  

  many expressions of regret the genuineness of which, on Lord Aberdeen's part at any rate, is attested by his woe begone looks (see above) on his last Viceregal progress through "dear, dirty Dublin."

  
  and

  Lord Aberdeen, as he showed in a message referring to his magnificent send-off and the "vast crowds" at his departure, is determined to view his Irish career through glasses of the rosiest tint.

  
  It is also pointed out that from the "imagined uncongenial land of Ireland" he managed to "cull" a Marquisate, the Thistle and the G.C.V.O.