Sydney Morning Herald - Thirsday 22 February 1934 - Page 17
Streets of Memory
HOSTESSES OF SYDNEY—50 YEARS AGO.
WHEN POTTS POINT WAS SOCIAL MECCA.
(BY MRS. ZARA ARONSON.)
LONG before our fine women of Sydney enteredthe arena of national work and charity organisations, many of them were recognised as beautiful hostesses of the city & suburbs. & in both their ability for entertainment—beauty & keen enthusiasm—they had few rivals in Australia. Some fifty years ago, society dealt in hospitality in its truest sense & even without the invasion of cocktail parties, or midnight bathing eccentricities, both the matrons & girls, for I can write from experience, enjoyed every moment of their young lives.
For even I can cast my happy memories back to the splendid dances—with, if you please, dozens of willing & anxious partners—real enjoyable boating picnics, & pleasant evenings, where we met to indulge in what our grandmothers used to call "parlour tricks," a few songs, a recitation or two, with perhaps the game of "postman's knock" or even an odd charade or so.
Many of our present-day younger set may regard these facts with derision, but what matter if they do—we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly, & in those debutante days, felt that undiscovered happiness must be concealed in the hospitality offered.
In the late 1870's, just at the time of the first Sydney Exhibition, hostesses who "led," in entertaining were the Henry Dangar family—who, after building Grantham at Potts Point—enjoyed life & luxury for many years. The Navy was very popular at all their dances, the well-known Commander Charles Lewin, now RearAdmiral Charles La Primawdaye Lewin, RN, retired, choosing a daughter of the house as his life's companion. Mrs Henry Dangar was also one of Sydney's early charity workers. Further up Macleay St was Greenknowe, the residence of Fred Dangar, where dances were also the rule of the day. Grantham, like many homes of that district was sold after the death of both Mr & Mrs Dangar. Its castlelike exterior was a beautiful copy of an absolute British castle, & its immense reception-rooms & rather wonderful entrance halls, were further evidence of the historical knowledge & tradition of the noted Dangar family. But, alas, like many other famous homes of that Point, history & tradition were within a few years exchanged for that evergreen commercial enterprise,—superior guest houses Greenknowe, however, led a private existence for some years after the death of the Fred Dangar. Mr & Mrs Hugh McNeil living there for a period—he was a great golfer, while his wife was known for her dress taste & her lunches & dinners of perfect culinary experience. They were much travelled, & she never returned to Sydney unless she had collected 'dishes' of originality— whilst touring, & I frequently enjoyed themwith particular pleasure.
Larbert, a fine old stone house built by the convicts for Captain Lamb, and (inset) the late Mrs. John Lamb. with particular pleasure.
These years included the balmy days of the Griffith family, & when the Cecil Griffiths lived in happiness & affluence at Kenilworth, Macleay St, Potts Point, or to give it its aboriginal name of Carageen, was known as Point Campbell during the Macquarie regime—after Mrs. Macquarie, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Campbell. Captain Watson, the historical authority, says that in 1822 several acres of the Point were granted to Mr. John Wylde, the Judge's Advocate, who later sold several acres at the extreme Point to Mr. J. H. Potts, accountant of the Bank of NSW in the 1830's. Mr. Potts is said to have con-tinued to live in Hunter St, although owning what today is some of the most valuable land in Australia.
"In course of time," says Captain Watson, "Potts' name replaced Campbell's, as the title of the neighbourhood."
Rosemont, the home of the Alexander Campbells, at Woollahra, and (inset above) a
portrait of the late Mrs. Alexander Campbell.
Next to Greenknowe was Larbert—a fine old stone house built for Captain Lamb by convicts. It was in this historical social home with its beauti-ful gardens & its oldworld interior fittings, its fine reception-rooms, that many noted Sydney pioneers first looked upon life. Here, too, lavish entertainments were given by the Lamb family, which are still remembered for their attractive efforts of early Victorian hospitality—Captain Lamb's family included: Mr. J. De V. Lamb, Mr. Walter Lamb (the father of the late Mrs. Arthur Allen), Alfred Lamb, also Mrs. Henry Dangar & Mrs. Archie Cox.
Larbert must have some charm all its own, as, with one or two exceptions, it is the only mid Victorian mansion, of that street, which has neither succumbed to the land estate hammer or been metamorphosised into flats, or guest homes. For within a short period after the large Lamb family had wandered into matrimony or dispersed themselves generally, Larbert was rented by Mr. & Mrs. A. Hoffnung, commercial magnates from London, & not only were Mrs. Hoffnung's dances & receptions practically "the chat" of the early 1880's, but she was responsible for the birth of hospitality to the theatrical world from overseas. Larbert was the original home to welcome the first gaiety company with Nellie Farren & Fred Leslie, as the wonder stars; & never shall I forget that night, experience up till then, had not looked my way, but suddenly I realised what doors of stage interest were opened to me on that memorable evening. The beautiful reception-rooms were crowded with the company, & the clever hostess had in addition gathered up our own stars of the time, also a number of clever amateurs.
Hospitality to the Hoffnungs was the heart and soul of their life. So open were their doors that probably it was the first home of gate crashing. I remember on one occasion hearing Mr. Hoff-nung, when informed that some uninvited guests had taken advantage of his "glad hand" make use of the words made famous by Lord Palmerston. "Well, what of it? I hope they have enjoyed themselves."
The names of Sydney's great & popular hostesses & their homes of charm & happy contentment crowd around me. Perchance, however, there are a few which hold the reins of leadership.
Like Potts Point, Ocean St, Woollahra, can ring up a curtain on memories & splendid hostesses of old times.
Starting at the Edgecliff end of the street, who, upon reading these words of the past, can forget that fine old Edgecliff House, set in its avenue of wonderful trees, still flourishing & still growing to give shelter & coolness to the paths leading up that weary hill to the homes of so many noted residents of that lovely street of old days. In 1880, or thereabouts, Edgecliff House was the home of a popular family named Brown, who entertained frequently, & who were even rushed for their attractive hospitality. Why—you ask? Because the officers of the British Navy in all their pristine glory were the principal partners at the dances given for the girls of the period. Simplicity was the keynote of those cheery parties always so merry & happy. Remember, I am writing of 1880, when only muslins, rosebuds, shyness, & fragrance were exchanged for admiration, looks—that whispered of lovelight only, gentility, & joy. When any new ships visited Syd-ney these dances were always arranged as a wel-come, & I have a vague remembrance thatone of the Brown daughters married one of these naval visitors.
Arriving at Albert St & the corner of Ocean St, I can tell of Orielton (since only a few years demolished & now replaced by flats), which was built by the Nepean Towers Jenkins family, & who, in addition to giving frequent & fashionable dances, fitted into the fields of science & University interests.
The social history of this important suburb, Woollahra, goes back many years—more than half a century. & one of the great landmarks of that still fashionable district was a lovely old home with a long, winding path leading to the house, with ancient trees on either side of this avenue—at the end showing a burst of glorious roses, giving a view not easily forgotten.
This home, Rosemont, was owned by the much Merioola, the beautiful home of Mr. Arthur Allen, at Woollahra, built by Mr. John Manning, in 1857, & purchased by Mr. Allen in 1910.
respected Alexander Campbell & his family, a noted resident of Woollahra, & one of Sydney's most important Scotchmen of the late 1870's. As a girl I attended several dances given in this home of oldtime memories, where I met many dancing men who even today often chat of the famous Rosemont balls. One special one with over 500 guests remains vivid in my mind. It was given in honour of the Sydney Exhibition Commissioners (1879) & the captains & officers of the visiting fleets from British, French, German, & Austrian countries, & was one of the largest private balls ever held in Sydney.
Several sons were members of the Campbell family–Gerald, who was closely associated with the Australian Mutual Provident Society—also Murray, who married Carrie, the daughter of a near neighbours, Mr. and Mrs. Caird, of Lillingstone, & a sister of the keen antique collector, the late Colin Caird. Another brother, Sir Gordon Campbell, new resides in England.
Like many other old families in Woollahra, the Campbells built & died at Rosemont. & when this family was broken—& the younger members established their own homes—the Hon. J. T. Walker & his family entered into possession, & indulged in equally delightful hospitality, & joined the lists of the great hosts of Sydney's exclusive society. When the Walker family grew up, the youngest daughter, Nita, became quite a noted little beauty. She married Captain Verney, an A.D.C. of one of our Governors, whose official career was afterwards centred in India & London. The Walkers were very closely related to Dame Eadith Walker, probably one of the most famous women philanthropists of Australia. At one period, Rosemont was occupied by Sir Charles & Lady Mackellar.
But, retracing my thoughts back from Ocean St, Woollahra, to Albert St, I can still tell of several homes of beauty with glorious gardens & almost super interior fittings. All famed for clever hostesses, who, to quote the late Lord Rose-bery, often "sat between 19th & 20th century guests." Their stately mansions have frequently been admired for scenes of particular brilliancy.
. . . Among the older leaders, the late Lady Darley—the sister of "Rolf Boldrewood," was a hostess to be remembered. She was a gifted con-versationalist & popular in those social days. Quambi was the Sydney home of the Darley family, their country residence being at Katoomba, where their grounds were famous for wonderful beds of lily of the valley; it is said, the first of these flowers grown on the mountains.
Quambi, when the handsome Sir Frederick and Lady Darley died, & their family scattered to England, changed its hostesses several times. They also included Mrs. T. H. Kelly, quite an original idealist for entertainment.
After a few years the late Mr. Septimus Levy & his noted attractive wife became the tenants. They practically pulled the old home "inside out," making it very lovely with Mrs. Levy's charm of taste & adoration of colour. While the beautiful garden was a wealth of glorious blossom & many joys forever, Mrs. S. Levy, in her admitted perennial youth, may perhaps be accused of assisting to found the "younger set of Sydney." As a hostess, she had few rivals for her dances and sup-pers, her luncheons still remaining memories of epicurean originality.
After a period of some years the Levys migrated to a beautiful home in the Edgecliff Rd. And once again Quambi found another interesting host & hostess, Sir Kelso & Lady King, who even to these days still entertain in this historic social home of Woollahra.
Merioola, in the Edgecliff Rd, has perhaps a social history all its own—for in the early 1880's the still well remembered Mr. & Mrs. Prendergast entertained there quite frequently. Mrs. Prendergast was exceptionally handsome, & her admitted flair for lovely clothes was never questioned. Added to which her charm & her hand of charity cannot be forgotten.
Merioola, in Edgcliff Rd, was built in 1857 by the late Mr. James Manning, a nephew of the late Sir William Manning, who lived opposite in Wallaroy House. After several changes of tenants it was purchased by Mr. Arthur Allen, who, assisted by Mrs. Allen, was recognised for his wonderful & lavish hospitality, their ball arranged for H.R.H. the Prince of Wales standing out as a remembrance of amazing entertainment.
