black glossy hair was a gilt crown of laurels. Her throat was bare, so were her arms, but they were covered with quaint jewellery. On her broad chest was fastened a series of large miniature brooches, evidently family portraits … this gave her the appearance of a walking family mausoleum. She wore white kid gloves, held a scent bottle, a lace handkerchief and a fan. Lady Wilde reminded me of a tragedy queen at a sub-urban theatre."
This is certainly not a flattering portrait, but those who really knew Lady Wilde soon got over her little eccentricities of dress, and learned to value her really fine qualities.
A scheme for the improvement of Ireland—the Small Proprietors' Society—excited her enthusiasm. In her earlier days, she says of it, writing to Gavan Duffy:—
"I read the pamphlet with great interest. If the design can be accomplished, it will make Ireland a garden of the Lord. Nothing so admirable has been yet suggested."
Lady Wilde was always a favourite with the Dublin crowds, who used to cheer her when she was on her way to the Drawingrooms at the Castle. Her husband was knighted in 1864 for his services in connection with the Census, and also for his distinguished ability as a surgeon. He died in 1876, and soon afterwards Lady Wilde left Dublin
