Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-03-31

MS. CORNELIA ROOSEVELT.
The sudden and unexpected demise of Mrs.
Cornelis Roosevelt. on Monday last, has
east gloom over the American colony in
Paris that will not lightly he dispelled
There are but lew whose virtues and whose
talents have been reserved for the adorn-
ment OF private life, whose loss would be 80
deeply felt a. will be that OF this beloved
aud h0nOred lady. A queen OF society by
the night OF birth, beauty, wealth, and tai
ent. from her earliest wOmanhOod she had
been the centre and the ruler Of large and
brilliant circle. Her social gifts were of
The very highest order. She was the most
charming u hostesses, the most delightful
Of guests. Wherever she went, she drew
the world to her feet by the irresistible mag
netlsm Of her nature. Nor was she one of
those whose aitractiveness lies on the sur
face merely. To meet her was to admire
her-t0 know her was to love her She was
a striking exempllfeatiOn of the fact that
all social gifts and graces may be found
united with the nOblest of wOmanly virtues:
Tor the gentle sweetness of her manners
was but reflex OF the pure. true woman
linesS OF her soul. She was charity itself
IN the widest and truest sense of the term.
No tale OF suffering ever fell UNDECIDED on
her esr. Her heart was warm as summer
Sunshine, her hand open and bounteous
a. the autumn day. Nor would per
s0nal discomforts and annoyances ever
deter her from doing kindly act. The
writer OF these lines was witness of an ac-
cdent at a crowded watering place hotel
where two young ladies were mortally in
jured by being thrown from a carriage
while taking moonlight drive. They were
total strangers to Mrs. Roosevelt. Yet on
the mere report Of the accident, she left
her couch at midnight to watch and tend
the helpless and dying sufferers till kindred
hands, more loving perhaps but surely not
more gentle or more tender than her own,
came TO replace her ready womanly aid.
She carried this sweet womanliness into
every action OF her daily life. Often has ii
been SAID OF her that she never Willingly
offended or hurt the feelings of any one.
she possessed, moreover, mental gifts of
the very highest order. Her Quick and
ready appreciation of all that was admira-
bic in literature or in art. the charm of her
conversation, the fascination of her talents.
will not soon be forgotten. But it was in
the sacred circle Of home that she most
shone. Incompatible as wife, mother,
matron, slster-those who were nearest
and dearest TO her most keenly feel her loss.
FROM that centre Of pain, what widespread
circles OF sorrow run through the length
and breadth of our social world For one
80 loved, 80 hunored. so worthy of all love
and honor, what lameptation will suffice
She drew every heart to her in life-in death
she claims all our tears. Even time and
death confessed her winning charm. One
touched the silken locks and soft, kind
eyes into new and more hallowed beauty:
the other laid upon her his gentlest and
most reverent hand. Pain and anguish,
the dread certainty of coming doom, the
sharp thrill of mortal malsdy. stood aloof
at the last moment. And 10 'sshe was
not, for God took her," L.HH