New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-04
THE WORSHIP OF BEAUTY.
MRS. LANGTRY AND HER ADMIRERS.

FROM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUSE.I
LONDON, June 2O.-There is report really
cannot say at this moment whether well or i'll
founded-that Mrs. Langtry is going to America
in the Autumn If it be true, then you will be able
to test for yourself the English standard Of beauty
For Mrs. Langtry, though subjected during two
seasons TO the scyerest competition, remains the
ACKNOWLEDGED queen among those ladies to whom
society pays homage for their good LOOKS. She is
still at the bead Of the professional beauties,
people choose to call them. The name is misleading
and has an odous sound, but IL is convenient and
has passed into general Use. Ii must not be under
stood as conveying any reproach whatever. IL is to
he SAID Oi Mrs LanPiry-but for the word pro-
fessonal il would not require saynC-that her name
has BEEN for two years more, on evervb0dys lips
ana IN every gossipping paper without being ASSOC
cated with any scandal. THIS is true, absolutely
true, although it the Prince Of Wales who first
took note of her attractions, and who first brought
her into notice and made her the most famous
woman IN London.
don'. s,rupe TO write TINS freely about a lady
whose life IS, in the proper of the word passed
wholly liz private society don't scruple, Iray, be-
cause she has herself borne great deal of publicity
without object ion and even with some appearance
of liking the kind OF celebrity to winch she has
been exposed. For that matter, | have seen her
name often enough in American papers, and if she
goes to the United States she VIII be sure to find
that her fame has preceded her. Nor does Mr. Lang
try seem to dislike the enown which connects
itself with his wlfes beauty. The Tenown has long
since spread ali over the United Kingdom. | he I'd
a striking proof of 1t last Summer had been stay
ing as acountry-house in Scotland, and on
my way TO another part of the Scottish world was
passing through Inverness. Mrs. Langtry had been
there the day before. Inverness is pretty well in
the extreme north of Scotland, and is its last con-
siderable town in that direction. A friend whom |
met at the hotel told me then that Mrs. Langtry's
arrival had been announced in the local paper, and
that she had been met at the railway station by
great company of curious spectators. She had
ventured into the street little later, and had been
mObbed in true London fashion crowd followed
her wherever she went She made the journey next
day down the Caedonian Canal and had been
mobbcd in the boat. She had stopped, as most
people do. to see the Falls of 1owers-if recollect
the name rightly-and had been followed by a
multitude up the steep path which leads to them.
/ stopped there myself day later, and the beggars
who line the road had still something to say Of
Mrs. Langtry On the steamboat ITSELF passengers
appeared to have spent their whole time in adora-
tOn before the Langtry shrne-to the utter neglect
of the wonderful scenery through which the steam
boat passes for nearly the whole length of the
canal.
In London itself, long as Mrs. Langtry's reign has
lasted the curiosity to see her has never subsidized.
The occasions for gratifying it are, nevertheless,
many You may see her riding in the Row from II
to in the morning; remarkable always for the
faultcss fitting of her habit and for the thrOng of
cavalier about her. If not riding. she may be met
walking In the promenade by the side of the Row.
Later IN the day you may see her at fOwershow.
I n mic bIn a hpZ Her.
in request for charitable purposes, and the stall
over which she presdes is fountain of wealth to
the poor. At the last performance of this kind,
held IN the Duke OF Wcllingtons Riding School, she
appeared flower girl, and flowers from her hand
fetched fabulous prices. If You liked, she would
herself put them into your buttOn-hole; but that
was boon for which you paid still more dearly.
1t was darkly limited that one elderly ornament Of
the social world enhanced tno profits of this par
tIculaT charity by the sale of introductons good
for i've seconds TO Alrs. Langtry. BIT this is prob
ably no more true than that the Church of Rome in
former ages sold indulgenccs. And yet there have
been eye-wtnesses to both, and the price was
known and even the names of those who paid for
the privilege. If it be Sunday you have a chance
of finding her in the afternoon at the Geological
Gardens From to 1t is possible to contemplate
her in a carriage. slowly advancing along the drive
from HYDE Park Corner TO the Albert Memorial. If
all these fail you there are still the statOners and
photographers windows, where pictures of Mrs
Laugtry IN every conceivable costume and attitude
abound. dare say some of them may be had In
New-Iork. Mrs. Langtry with a quill thrust
through her hat; Mrs. Langtry with
dove IN her hands which she is tenderly
regarding-not. 1t is to be supposed as
reminisccuce of birmingham Mrs. Langtry in morn
ing costume aud again III evening dress Mrs. Lang
try with a japanese umbrella over her right
shoulder and another yet still the same Mrs. Lang
try with japanese umbrella over her left shoulder;
Mrs Lanptry in profile Mrs. Langtry's full face
or three quarters should you prefer that and eithcr
coored or plain; Mrs. LauGtry IN a conservatory
framed in tropical plants. or Mrs. Langtry on the
seashore listening to the plantiye murmur of the
waves among these and dozen more you have
only to choose.
The Photographic exhibition. l may say, has gone
to great lengths. Mrs. Langtry is far from being
the only beauty whose fame has been extended by
such means All her rivals are to be seen IN black
and white and many who are not her rivals Mrs
CORVALLIS West, Mrs. Hungerford, Mrs. Wheeler
Lady Jersey, Lady Dudley, Lady Lonsdale
are all there. In one window not long
since | counted twonty-nine photographs OF
different ladies, all Of them belonging to
society all ladies of fashion or rank or Doth. vi
Mrs. Langtry alone there were thirteen different
photographs in this same window pnt reckon the
thirteen rs only one in making mp the twenty-nine
nor did include any of the royal family. There
have always been portraits of the Queen. of the
Princess of Wales of the other Princcsses, and that
seemed only natural aliment for British loyalty
The royal family have kind of public characters
they are part of the Constitution and among
the supports of the Realm. Those who are ON
or about the Throne have in all countries
shown readiness to permit the vulgar to gaze upon
their features whether in life or in likeness. But