Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1880-01-08
No. 8

been given, for every one at al familiar with
New York society recognized her portrait at
once, and the paragraph has since been the
theme of a good deal of amusing comment:
According to VIII Stuart, who is always
picking up this sort of thing, this New York
lady figures as the heroine in as many anec-
dotes as those told of poor Mrs. Swanbor-
ough, of London, by that reckless wit, Nj. j.
Byron, only the American subject being by
no means a Mrs Malaprop, and the point of
the stories is not wholly of a verbal charac-
ter All manner Of celebrities, from Charles
Dickens to the Grand Duke Alexis, have
laughed at her utter lack of conventionality,
her infanile atfectations, and the way in
which she sets at defiance the fashions OF the
day in regard 10 dress, not to speak of the
etiquette that governs society IN other re-
spects withal, she is a good hearted woman,
and her hospitality ie cordial to a degree; %
clever, quick-Witted person she is, too, and it
is constant source of wonder to her friends
! how she can ''go on So" The latest anec-
| dotes about her are as follows: One day she
was entertaining some friends at luncheon.
There is certain formality about all the
meals at her house, and the company were
not, therefore, surprised when she remarked
to the maid servant: .What! no more milk
| in the house! tell you what, Jane, just run
| up TO the nursery and fetch me the babys
bottle" On another occasion her husband
gave dinner party to twelve distinguished
men, including Hamilton Fish and Others
Henry" said she to the butler, ''just ask
the gentlemen if they'll have champagne be-
fore you pour it out, for that's all there is in
the house, and you see it's only a small bot
tle!" But the neatest story introduces Mrs
A. T. Stew art. It was not long after the
millionaire remains had been stolen, and the
widow was receiving her very intimate
friends Nevertheless, Mrs. - presented
herself at the marble mansion one fine morn
ing, and On being told that Mrs. S. was mot
at home to any one" pushed past the servant
and saying, Il am Mrs. -. l wish to see
Mrs Stewart" made her way into the house
Mrs S. was too startled to protest, and the
conversation went on something as follows:
"Well, have you found it yet?" Mrs. Stew
art gasped and was dumb. because if you
haven't found it," the visitor resumed, II
should like your box at Niblo's to-night
don't suppose you'll care to CO."
Since Mrs. Stuart withholds the name of
this eccentric lady will not give it; suffice it
to say she is the wife of one of our ex-Min-
listers to France and is almost as we'll known
abroad as she is here. Last Sunday l went
to hear the Rev. Mr.. Collyer preach at one of
the fashionable churches, and sitting near
me was the woman in question dressed in
costume that would have evoked smile from
Zulu chief. Her white hair was banged,
and topping that offence was mounted a
child's hat tied in an infantile manner under
her fat chin with narrow red ribbon strings.
She wore no wrap and the sleeves to her
shabby old silk dress were of lace-although
the day was very cold-through which show
ed her big bare arms. Last winter | met her
one evening at grand full-dress reception
where she appeared in a sham trained skirt
trimmed on the bottom with silk ruft1es, and
silk basque, evidently having either forgot
ten her overskiIt, or had found it too much
trouble to put it on. However that may be,
the fact of its not being there did not dis
turb her in the least, and l think if she had
forgotten some more of her dress it would not
have ruffled her serenity one whit. With all
her peculiarites though, as Mr.. Stuart says,
she is great favOrite.
We have been having a delightful season
of Italian opera which, unfortunately, is soon
to draw to close. 1t has been very sue
cessful one Notwithstanding Nine. Gerster
was undU0iddbly detained at home by circum-
stances over which she says she has had no
control. Mile Marimon has taken her place
and carried the public by storm. The Daily
Times, in commenting on her voice and exc
cutiOn, said that New York audience had
never before witnessed performance of such
absolute perfection as was Mile Marimon's
ssDinorah." Her voice is said to be marvel
ously clear and sweet, and in addition she
has fine dramatic instinct and ability.
Gilbert and Sullivan have been giving US
''Pinafore" in English style, with all of the
stage business which was adopted at the first
performance Of the piece in London, but al
though these performances have been well
attended, the critics and public like the au-
thors' conception of their characters less than
they did that of some of our native singers.
Last night "Princess Toto" was produced at
the Standard for the first time with great
success, and it promises to become as popu-
Lar as its predecessor, "Pinafore.'
'French Flats" is having long run at the
Union Square Theatre, and Wallack is doing
well with ''Estelle," new American play.
Last night Maurice Grau's French opera
troupe took leave of their New York audi
ences at a sacred concert at Booths and will
soon start on Western tour.
At Haverly's BARLEY Campbells play of
the sGalley Slave" is drawing well. In fact
this hitherto ill-fated theatre seems to have
realized change of fortune under Mr.. Hav-
erly's management and has become one of the
favOrlte places OF amusement with our pubic.
Booth and Southern have been playing
very successful engagements here and were
both most cordially welcomed by their old
friends.
had intended telling you about delight
full Bohemian dinner we had at Moretti's not
long since, and of grand wedding which
occurred in literary circles few weeks since,
but this letter is already too long, so will de-
fer these themes until my next, and, wishing
you all happy New Year, spare you fur
ther remark and close ahrnntiY.