Mrs. Straton
Gentlewomen at Home. No. CCCXXXVL
Mrs. Straton
IN the "good old times" a journey from London to the Isle of Man was doubtless a serious undertaking, but thanks to the facilities now enjoyed by tourists, it is possible to leave Euston on a summer morning and find oneself before the shades of evening fall safely landed in the island, which has of late years been brought so prominently before the reading public. But although I had formed great expectations in connection with the scenery of Manxland, the reality far surpassed my anticipations - wood and water, mountain and glen, a genial climate, in which vegetation is luxuriant and, in some districts, almost semi-tropical — Nature has indeed been lavish to the land which, despite its close proximity to England, still preserves much of its former independence, and is rich in traditions and relics dear to the heart of the historian and antiquary.
Leaving Douglas by train for Kirkmichael, one passes through a succession of lovely views, and the clear pure breeze from the mountains on the right seem doubly invigorating after the exhausted air of the great metropolis in August Arrived at Kirkmichael, a short drive brings you to Bishop's Court, which is approached by a winding avenue, and surrounded by magnificent trees, fine shrubs, and brilliant-hued flower-beds dotted through the velvet sward, which all make an appropriate setting to the stately old building. For, although part of the house is new, it is in complete harmony with "King Orry's Tower" built six centuries ago. Very picturesque is the exterior taken en masse, and once inside you soon observe that artistic talent of a high order has made Bishop's Court an ideal house.
The Hall at Bishop's Court
The lofty hall has a dado of oak, and all round the delicately tinted walls hang portraits of former bishops of this ancient See, the painting over the mantelpiece depicting Bishop Wilson, who was a notable prelate in the 18th century. The antique table in the centre belonged to him, and you pass from it to inspect a quaint print of Bishop Farrar, dated 1545, and then engravings or prints of many of his successors down to the present Bishop, following in order.
You note, too, a brass tablet under the gallery, which bears the following inscription :— "The central portion of Bishop's Court, having been destroyed by fire on May 16th, 1893, was, on being rebuilt, faced with stone at the cost of several friends of the Rt. Rev. Norman D. J. Straton, D.D., Lord Bishop ef Sodor and Man, in token of their affection and esteem."
Bishop's Court
However, the place owes even more than this to your host and hostess, who, throughout the restoration, lived in one of the wings, and under their capable supervision not a few improvements were effected. For instance, the curious 16th century stained glass window in the hall bearing portraits of Henry VIII. and one of his numerous wives was found by the Bishop in a somewhat dilapidated condition walled up in the tower, and was sent to Manchester for restoration. Then, in different parts of the house, oak was substituted for inferior wood, so that, although the Bishop and Mrs. Straton lost much valued personal property, the house actually benefited by the disaster.
The chapel (where punctually at 9 a.m. the household assembles for morning prayers) can be reached through the hall, and from it you also gain the dining-room, with its oaken dado and creamy-hued walls, on which hang some good engravings, one of the beautiful Duchess of Rutland, the great grandmother of the Bishop (after Sir Joshua Reynolds), being specially noteworthy. The drawing-room is situated in the oldest part of the building, and here Mrs. Straton's excellent taste has had full scope to display itself. She has managed to retain a delightfully "old-world" air while by no means disregarding modern comfort, and the numerous heirlooms and objets d'art in her possession helped in no small degree to beautify the apartment. In an alcove at one end (formed by the great thickness of the walls) stands a Manx spinning-wheel, sombre of tint, and the small cabinet of ebony and olive wood came from Italy years ago—on it stand two ivory vases "turned" by an ancestress of the Bishop's—Lady Clanbrassil—when over eighty. Her portrait is in a recess above the buhl writing-table, and near a group of attractive miniatures framed in deep ruby velvet, surmounted by gold initials, amongst which you see the Bishop's grandmothers, Lady Emily Straton and Lady Elizabeth Norman, and equally well executed portraits of his mother and aunt as children. A picture of a former Lady Roden and of the Countess of Massereene also merit notice, and the large signed phtograph of the Prince of Wales was sent to the Bishop by H.R.H., to replace one destroyed by the fire, which had been given to him by the Prince in their Cambridge days Several presentations to Mrs, Straton, on her departure from Wakefield, are in the drawing room, including a reproduction of a famous picture from her Bible-class, and a handsome cabinet given by some of her husband's former parishioners, There is also a considerable amount of rare Crown Derby and other china in evidence, and the effectively grouped flowers and plants are another evidence of Mrs. Straton's artistic skill
Very reticent about her own achievements, she ackowledges that art in its varied forms has ever had a fascination for her. But it is only by seeing some charming pictures of English and Scotish scenes in the Bishop's study that you learn how cleverly she can use her brush. An excellent needlewoman, she has been a generous contributor to bazaars, and her art work was certain to find prompt purchasers wherever it was sent. Very fond of flowers, she knows a good deal about their culture, and the spacious, well-planned gardens at Bishop's Court are a source of continual pleasure to her, but she can also enjoy and see beauty in the simplest things.
The lover of old china and pictures would again find in Mrs. Straton's boudoir—a particularly bright, dainty little room—some choice specimens, and there is a very nice inlaid cabinet which belonged to her mother. Photographs of friends appear on the muntelpiece and tables, and a large easy chair was the gift of members of the mothers' meetings at Wakefield, over which she presided for seventeen years. During that period Mrs. Straton took a very active part in parish affairs, and one can readily understand how her practical sympathy with every useful scheme must have endeared her to those she lived among. It is impossible to meet her without bemg impressed by her high sense of duty and her evident sincerity and steadfastness ; you imstinctively feel her friendship would be well worth having, and that no "fair weather friend" is she. Her judgment is invariably sound, and she has in a marked degree a trait which, alas! is somewhat uncommon in women—a strong sense of justice. Singularly free from prejudice, she regards things from an absolutely impartial point of view, and her advice may always be relied on. Mrs. Straton's prominent position in the Island necessitates a busy life, and she is of great assistance to the Bishop in his diocesan work. The local charitable institutions have a staunch supporter in her, and branches of the Girls' Friendly Society and the Young Women's Christian Association are flourishing under her fostering care.
Mrs. Straton entertains frequently, her garden-parties being a feature in the social life of the island—as many as 500 people are sometimes present, and the train service is specially arranged for these occasions.
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A view in the grounds at Bishop's Court
House parties at Bishop's Court are also delightful social gatherings, and the Bishop and Mrs. Straton are never seen to greater advantage than in the role of host and hostess. Time goes all too quickly under that hospitable roof, and the visitor to Manxland, whose first impressions are gained at the Episcopal residence, must ever cherish the pleasantest recollections of a sojourn in the Island.
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