23 Grosvenor Square

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The house No. 23, next door to Beckford's, is notable as having been the scene of the 1797 wedding of Lord Derby and the beautiful actress, Miss Farren, who was then living in the neighbouring Green Street.

Lord Derby had awaited the death of his first wife for this event, and, according to the witty Walpole, had been "as constant as the wind." There was an indecent haste about the whole thing: the first Countess died on 14th March, Miss Farren took leave of the stage on 8th April, and on May Day was married to the head of the Stanleys.

One of Lord Albemarle's pleasant memories, he said, was of a ball given by Lady Derby in Grosvenor Square, in the house which continued to be the town residence of the Derby family until their move to St. James's Square in 1852.

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