While it is very difficult to give an accurate comparison between monetary values in 1895 and the present day owing to fluctuations in currency values and the gap between relative values and purchasing power, we can estimate the figures based on the Retail Price Index to highlight the huge amounts of money that accompanied American heiresses to their new life in Great Britain. This also gives an insight into the money that was spent by Gilded Age hostesses on events like costume balls. In 1895 a British pound was equivalent to around $125 US dollars. One pound in 1895 could buy the equivalent of goods that in 2015 cost around £100. One dollar could buy the equivalent of goods that in 2015 cost around $30. To find out more about such comparisons, visit the website www.measuringworth.com.
We Britons born beneath a duller star,
Knew that her wit could blaze exceedingly bright,
But scarcely fancied it would reach so far
As literally make the house alight.
We hear of those who vainly do their best
By craft to set on fire our native Thames,
But here’s a charming lady from the West,
Whose intellect turns Warter into flames.1
POEM ABOUT MINNIE PAGET WRITTEN BY LORD CREWE DURING A STAY AT WARTER PRIORY IN 1896