(Transcription) Royal Cornwall Gazette • 06 Sep 1906, page 6

REJOICING AT PORT ELIOT.
SILVER WEDDING AND COMING OF AGE.
Presentations and Festivities.
At the beautiful seat of Port Eliot on Thursday two interesting events were celebrated, amid much rejoicing—the coming of age of Edward Henry John Cornwallis, Lord Eliot, and the silver wedding of the Earl and Countess of St. Germans, Lord Eliot's honoured parents. The celebration of the silver wedding should in reality have been on October 18th next, but on that day functions similar to those of Thursday will be observed on another of the Earl's estates, at Downampney, Gloucestershire. Thursday was a beautiful day for such an event. It was a day, naturally, of much rejoicing, and the visitors, who numbered about 1,150, were unstinting in their praise of the lavish hospitality provided for them. A large marquee, capable of accommodating several hundreds of people, was erected in the park, and in this meals were served. The grounds were open at 1.30, and luncheon was provided from 1.30 to four o'clock, and tea from five o'clock till seven. Both at the luncheon and tea the house party sat down in the marquee. During the afternoon and evening the bands of the 1st Battalion D.C.L.I. (under Mr. H.M. Reilly) and the 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade (under Mr. Richard T. Stevens) played selections of music.

Those comprising the house party at Port Eliot were:— The Earl and Countess of St. Germans, Lord Eliot, the Hon. Jno. Eliot, the Earl and Countess of Mount Edgcumbe, The Earl and Countess of Dartry, Lady Mary Dawson, the Earl of Morley, Lady Mary Parker, Lady Margaret Boscawen, Miss Boscawen, Sir Arthur and Lady Hardinge, Miss Eliot, Miss Evelyn Eliot, Mr. Montague Eliot, and Mr. Ed. Stanley.

Other who were present included Lady Ernestine Edgcumbe, Colonel Edgcumbe, Canon and Mrs. Hammond, Miss Hammond, Canon and Mrs. W. Westmacott, Colonel Wodehouse, Drs. Gill, Kerswell, and Harman, Mrs. and Miss Somers-Cocks, Miss Pole-Carew, Mr. H.Y.B. Lopes, Mr. And Mrs. Penwell, and Mr. Digby Collins. The principal tenants who attended were:— Messrs. W.F. Creber, W. Paige, J.J. Tucker, Cyril G. Tucker, R. Banbury, T. Penwell, J.A. Bersey, W.J. Creber, Edgar Matthews, R. Oliver, W. Brenton, E.G. Palmer, E. Body, G. Mortimer, and J.H. Blamey.

The programme arrangements were in the hands of Mt. C.I.L. Allix, chief agent, assisted by Mr. G. Brenton, surveyor at Port Eliot, and were well carried out.

Shortly after four o'clock the Earl and Countess of St. Germans and Lord Eliot were asked to surmount a raised platform in the park, and surrounded by the chief guests of the day, and amid the lusty cheering of the multitude around, and presentations were made. The first of these was made to Lord Eliot by Mr. W.F. Creber, in the form of a handsome silver vase standing 22in. high, and of 16th century pattern. It was an exquisite piece of workmanship, and in addition to Lord Eliot's arms was inscribed with the words:— "Presented to Lord Eliot on his 21st birthday by the tenantry of Port Eliot Estate. 30th August 1906." —Mr. Creber said he had been requested by the tenantry of the Port Eliot estate to ask his lordship's acceptance of a silver vase on the gratifying occasion of his attaining his majority, an event upon which they most heartily congratulated him (applause). Having attained to man's estate, they trusted that he would be so guided as to uphold the traditions of his ancestors, among whom were some of the brightest examples of England's distinguished noblemen. The third Earl of St. Germans, Lord Eliot's grandfather, acted in the capacity of Postmaster-General, Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, and Lord Steward of her Majesty's Household, and was chosen by their late beloved Queen Victoria to accompany their present King (then Prince of Wales) on his tour through Canada and the United States of America (applause). They hoped that the present Lord Eliot might also deserve the same good opinions, and strive to add laurels to the already honoured name of Eliot (hear, hear). They asked his lordship's acceptance of the vase as a pledge of their good wishes, and hoped that he might be blessed with good health, happiness, and long life (applause).

Lord Eliot, who was greeted with loud cheers, said he was indeed greatly obliged to the tenantry for their magnificent present. It was not very difficult for landlord and tenant to get on together, and the relations which existed between Port Eliot and the people were most friendly (hear, hear). He hoped it would always be so (applause). Of course they could not always hold the same political opinions, but that should not create any ill-feeling between landlord and tenant on the estate (applause). That day was a great one for him, for he felt that he was making his real, his first appearance among them. In return for their kindness, he could only wish that they would have many more prosperous seasons on his father's estate, and not regard it as a place where the rent was ground out of them, but a place where all their interests were common (applause), and where they would continue the entente cordiale (applause).

Mr. Creber then made a presentation of a similar gift to the Earl and Countess of St. Germans. The inscription on the vase was:—"Presented to the Right Hon. the Earl and Countess of St. Germans on the occasion of their silver wedding, by the tenantry of the Port Eliot Estate, 18th October, 1906." Mr. Creber said he was desired by his brother tenants to ask the acceptance by Lord and Lady St. Germans of the silver vase on the occasion of their having attained the year of their silver wedding. He was sure that one and all offered their sincere and hearty congratulations, trusting that they and their sons might be blessed with good health and happiness for very many years to come, so as to enable them to take continued interest in the welfare and happiness of the tenantry and others. It was in testimony of the good feeling that had always existed between his lordship and the tenants that the gift was made (hear, hear).

The Earl of St. Germans was received with loud cheering. His lordship said it was a long time ago, just twenty-five years, since Lady St. Germans had first come among them as a stranger, and during that time she had lived the greater part of the time among them, surrounded by many kind friends. She had done her best—and he thought she had not been unsuccessful—in winning the esteem and affection of all (hear, hear, and applause). During that time they had to regret the loss of many of the tenants who were there when they first married, but most of them had been succeeded by sons or other relatives. There had, of course, been new tenants, and he trusted that they felt satisfied with their farms, and that in time they would grow into old tenants, and be succeeded by their sons and their sons' sons, so that the custom which had existed so long, of keeping the farms in the hands of the same family, might be continued. He hoped the friendly relations that so long had existed between landlord and tenant would always continue, and he tendered to them the hearty thanks of his wife and himself for the handsome present they had given them, and to all present for the goodwill they had shown.

Hearty cheers having been given for Lord and Lady St. Germans, Lord Eliot was next the recipient of a further gift, in the form of a semi-hunter gold watch and chain made especially in the pattern of one used by Lord Eliot's grandfather. On the watch was chased Lord Eliot's coat-of-arms, with the motto "Precedentibus Insta," and there was also this inscription:— "Presented to Lord Eliot by the household and estate staff at Port Eliot. August 30th, 1906."

Mr. G. Brenton made the presentation. They tendered to his lordship their warmest congratulations for the present, and hearty good wishes for the future (cheers). Twenty-one years ago, when the news came "It is a boy!" the good old homely remark came instinctively to every lip, "Let's hope he will make as good a nobleman as his father" (hear, hear). They wanted to wish him very many happy returns of the day, and to accompany their good wishes with a small present. They could not allow the occasion to pass without referring to the happy relations which had existed, and continued to exist, between employer and employed on the estate (applause). He did not hesitate to say that there was not a man on the estate who would not respond at any hour of the day or night to do his noble master or mistress a service. Honest and faithful service in their various capacities was duly appreciated; they voted how they liked, and they prayed where they liked, and they hoped that in the distant future, when his lordship inherited the fruit of these happy circumstances, he would be prompted to secure the continuity of the noble traditions of his family (cheers).

Lord Eliot said he would always remember their kindness.

The Earl and Countess received as a memento of their silver wedding a miniature reproduction of the antique Bacchanalian vase in the possession of the Earl of Warwick, and known as the "Warwick Vase." It was inscribed as follows:— "1881– Oct. 18th – 1906. Presented to the Earl and Countess of St. Germans by the household and estate staff at Port Eliot."

Mr. Sidney Dowling asked the acceptance of the present with their sincere and hearty congratulations on the approaching anniversary of their silver wedding. They trusted that they would both be endowed with many years of continued health and happiness, surrounded by those who were nearest and dearest to them, and in the grateful esteem of those who served them.— Mr. Dowling also handed to the Hon. Mr. Eliot a gold, diamond and pearl scarf pin given "by a few friends and the household as a souvenir of this auspicious occasion."

The Hon. Mr. Eliot, who intimated that he was quite taken by surprise, thanked them from the bottom of his heart.

The Earl of St. Germans said his wife and himself were very much touched by their kindness. Very few of the household and estate staff who were there in 1881 were left. The years since then had passed speedily and happily. He could not hope to see many more anniversaries, but he hoped that they would always see the same mutual friendship and goodwill existing between them and those who employed them (hear, hear).

The Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, in moving a vote of thanks to Lord and Lady St. Germans, said he had always been deeply interested in the progress of Lord Eliot since his earliest childhood, and could speak of his fine character. The life of such a young man with such a promising future was not only a matter of interest to the family and to the tenantry and neighbours, but to the county in which they hoped to see him taking a leading part, for which he was qualified by his position and his undeniable ability (cheers).

The Earl of St. Germans having expressed the appreciation of his wife and himself felt at the presence of the Lord-Lieutenant, thanked him for making so eulogistic a speech. — The band of the D.C.L.I. then struck up "For he's a jolly good fellow," in which the people joined, after which cheers were given for Lord Eliot, the Earl and Countess of St. Germans, the Hon. Mr. Eliot, and the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. The band afterwards played "A Fine Old English Gentleman."

In the evening sports, a comic costume cricket match, and dancing were indulged in, and the proceedings terminated with a magnificent display of fireworks by Messrs. Brock, of London.

A presentation of a private character was made to Lord Eliot by the S.E. Cornwall Liberal Unionist Association, in the form of a beautifully illuminated address on mounted vellum.

The text of the address is appended:—
TO LORD ELIOT.
We, the undersigned officers of the South-East Cornwall Liberal Unionist Association, beg, on behalf of our party, to tender to your lordship our warmest congratulations upon the attainment of your majority.

We remember with feelings of deep gratitude the eminent services rendered to our cause by your noble father, who for nearly twenty years has been our leader and president of the South-East Cornwall Liberal Unionist Association.

The Countess of St. Germans has also earned our lasting regard by the interest which her ladyship has invariable shown in the political welfare of the division as president of the South-East Cornwall Women's Liberal Unionist Association from the time of its formation.

We wish to take this opportunity of recording our hearty appreciation of the active part taken by your lordship in the political life of South East Cornwall during the past eighteen months, and we trust that the Association thus happily formed with the constituency may be long continued.

In assuring your lordship of the high esteem in which you and the members of your family are held, we desire to express the sincere hope that you may be spared to enjoy many years of happiness and health, and that your career may add further distinction to the name you bear—a name which for many centuries has been honourably and closely identified with the history of our country.

F. Buller Howell, Edward St. Aubyn, J. Jago Trelawny, Major-General, Lewis Molesworth, W.L.S. Trelawny, W.H. Stanton, W. Nettle, Edward Jago, Horace B. Grylls, Vice-Presidents.
Charles W. Jewell, Hon. Treasurer.
W.T. Snell, Secretary.
Liskeard, 30th August, 1906.

The presentation, which was suitably acknowledged by Lord Eliot, was made in the house in the presence of a distinguished gathering by a deputation representing the S.E. Cornwall Liberal-Unionist Association, and composed of Mr. E. St. Aubyn, of Glynn, who headed the deputation, Mr. W.H. Stanton, Dr. Nettle, and Mr. W.T. Snell (secretary), who read the address.

The gold pin, set with pearls and diamonds, which was presented to Mousie (later 6th Earl St. Germans) as a memento of the great occasion, is still a treasured possession of Mousie's grandson, David Herbert, 19th Baron Herbert – and he kindly shared a photo of the tie pin as it looks in 2019.

Photos of the celebration were taken, as well as another extensive (and more descriptive) report written for the "Western Morning News." Click on the buttons below to view the photos or read the article.

— "Western Morning News" 03 Sep 1906, page 6:
The replica in silver of the Warwick Vase presented to the Earl and Countess of St. Germans on Thursday, on the occasion of their silver wedding, and the pearl and diamond pin presented to the Hon. John Eliot were supplied by Messrs. Page, Keen, and Page, of Plymouth.