“ Ever a devoted student of the best books, with a mind enriched by extensive travel, a residence in foreign capitals, and acquaintance with intelligent society, with a brilliant conversational gift, and a fascinating personality, she soon won a host of devoted friends. The happy home in Mayfair received an awful shock in 1889, when Col. McMurdo died, without a moment's warning, from the bursting of a blood-vessel in the brain. ”

“ Their mansion in Charles street, Berkeley Square, a survival of the time of William III, into which they had introduced many modern comforts and luxuries, became the center of a generous hospitality, where scholarly, agreeable people, distinguished in letters, art or science, men notable for civil or military services, or for lineage and position, found congenial association. ”

“ Edward McMurdo, a brilliant Kentuckian, who fought for the Union throughout the Civil War. KATHARINE ALBERT McMURDO. In 1881 they took up their residence in London, where Col. McMurdo engaged in such important and far-reaching enterprises as to make his name a familiar one throughout the financial world. He was one of the earliest to recognize the commercial and financial possibilities of South Africa, and his investments and enterprises in that country gave him almost the importance and power of a potentate. ”