JOHN HOPPNER, R.A. (1758-1810) THE LADIES SARAH AND CATHERINE BLIGH

   Canvas, 40 inches by 50 inches 

FULL length figures of two young girls, one kneeling, profile looking to the spectator's left: the other seated, looking full face out of the picture; both in white dresses, open at the throat, with short sleeves; background of foliage with glimpse of the reach of the Thames at Gravesend, as seen from Cobham Park, seat of Lord Darnley.

  Formerly owned by the Earl of Darnley.
  These young ladies were the daughters of John, the third Earl of Darnley. Sarah, born Feb. 10, 1772, died unmarried; and Catherine, born May 6, 1774, married  ( Aug. 8, 1804) William Stewart, third Marquis of Londonderry.  He was a couple of years younger than herself and had already distinguished himself  both as a soldier and diplomat.  He entered the army when only 14, and after being wounded in battle, was lieutenant-colonel of the Fifth Dragoons at 19. At 25 he was undersecretary for Ireland,  and occupied this office at the time of his marriage to Lady Catherine Bligh.  A year or two later he became under-secretary of war.  He commanded the Hussar Brigade under Sir John Moore in 1808, and was adjutant-general to  Wellington the following year with the rank of major-general.  He greatly distinguished himself during the Peninsula campaign, and was invalided  home in 1812.  The year his wife died, aged 38,  leaving a son, who became  fourth Marquis.
  Her husband,  who lived till 1854, and occupied  many important diplomatic and ambassadors positions, married again. His second wife was the daughter  of Sir Henry Vane-Tempest, his bride being 22 years his junior: a disparity that prompted Tom Moore to lampoon Lird Londonderry in a weak rhyme.

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