Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-11-06
BARONESS suapRrr- courrs.

Lady Burdett-Cout was born in 1914.
and is the youngest daughter of the late
Sir Francis Bnrdett, baronet. Her fortune
comes to her from her maternal grandfather,
Sir Thomas Coutts, and she assumed his
name when she inherited his property.
That was in 1887, upon the termination OF
the life interest of his widow, who was
Miss Mellon, the actress, before he mar
RED her as his second wife, and who died
the Duchess OF st. Adams. Sir Thomas
Coutts' first wife, the grandmother Of the
subject of this sketch, was Elizabeth Star
key, the daughter OF Lancashire peasant,
who was servant in the employ of the
bankers brother until her marriage made
her one of the first ladies of the kingdom
The Baroness received her title in 1871
She received the freedom OF the city of Lon
don in 1872, and Is months later the city
of Edinburgh similarly honored her. At
the end of the last Russo-Turkish war the
Sultan decorated her with the grand cor
don Of the Order OF Aldeiidie in reeog-
milton OF her service to the wounded. The
estimation in which she is held by the
people of England is shown by the fact
that when, in 1868, the reform procession
passed her house, and she was recognized
at the window, shout was raised, and for
over two hours the air rang with the cries
of the thousands who filed the streets
Ia 1871 the fortune Of the Baroness was es
timated at el0. 600 600, and up to this
time she had given away Tor charitable
purposes fully G5 coo 600. In other words,
after disposing Of S25 eco 600 Tor the edu-
cation and care of her fellow people, she
still held fully $50, 000, 600 in investment
She Is the richest single woman in England,
and her llberality II the distribution OF her
vast fortune has commended her TO the
admiration OF the civilized world. She
seems to prefer the simple title Of Miss
Coutts to that of Baroness Coutts, con
ferred upon her by Queen Victoria In
1871, in consideration OF her munih-
cent public charities. Miss Coutts lived
in rather straitened circumstances
during her earlier years, inheriting no
property from her rich grandfather, Thos.
Uoutts, the eminent banker, born IN l7+l.
At the death of his brother Peter, Mr..
Coutts assumed the entire direction Of the
firm, which, under his control, rose to its
highest prosperity. He was gentleman
in manners, hospitality and benevolenee,
and couuted among his friends some Of the
lifSI literary IlISG tlu uStOAo Va VIC istg
Soon after his settlement in london he
married Elizabeth Starkey, a girl OF humble
origin. They lived very happily together,
and had three daughters-Susau,w ho mar
ried the Earl OF Guilford Frances, who
married the Marquis of Butte, and Sophia,
mother of the subject OF this sketch, who
married Sir Francis Burde5t the member
OF Parliament who proposed the celebrated
inquiry into the state OF Coldbath Field
prisons, which resulted in the dismissal of
the keeper and the complete reformation
of the regulations of that prison. He
doubtless transmitted to his celebrated
daughter many OF his benevolent virtues.
Soon after the death OF Mrs. Coutts. in
1915, Mr.. Coutts fell in love with the beau
tiful and accomplished Miss Harriet Mel
Ion, q very popular actress In comedy IN
the early part of this century. This lady
was born in I775 and was so much younger
than her opulent suitor that she declined
the match, representing that the ID years
difference in their ages made too great
barrier to be surmounted. The enamored
millionaire, however, persisted IN his suit,
and Miss Mellon became the happy wife of
Mr.. Coutts. In consequence OF the violent
opposition of his three daughters to his
union with Miss Mellon. Mr. Coutts d sin
herited them, and made his wife sole mis-
tress Of his colossal fortune at his decease.
About five years after the death of Mr.
Cout5s the widow married the Dlke Of St.
Adams. Grand Falconer of England, who
was much younger than Mr.. C0utjs. After
her death she left the Duke an income OF
500 coo a year and a life interest
III some landed estates. With this ex-
ception, she, from adelIcate sense Of justice.
bequeathed the entire fortune which she
received from Mir Coutts to his grand
daughter, Angela Burdett, youngest daugh
ter al Sir Francis Bardett Tie Duchess
of ST. Adams. in bequeathing her fortune
to Miss Angela Burdett, desired her TO
TO take the name OF Coutts. This lady re-
ceived the vast legacy OF $50 coz, 009 in
1887, since viii 3h time she has been con
spicuous for her charitable deeds and hu-
manitarian schemes. Her liberality in es-
tablishing corps of nurses under Florence
Nightin gale, in the Crimean war, is famil-
lar to every one. She IS said to spend her
entire income 81, 000, coo to 81. 10000
year-in her philanthropic projects. The
Baroness IS probably the only person living
who would have found it necessary to deny
more than once that she had given s., co.,
900 for the relief of the distress in Ireland
but when the story was told Of her, the
largeness of her heart and her fortune alike
made it easily credible Her proposition,
which for some reason was not carried out,
was to apply 600 600 to the purchase
of lands of which industrious tenants
might in time become owners.
Among the very notable instances of her
generosity may be mentioned the endoW-
Iaent of three hishoprics lin Africa, Aus
tria and British Columbia) at a cost, it Is
stated, little less than the sum she was
said to have given to the Irish. She assisted
Dr. Livingstone when he was in his
greatest need and square of model
dwellings was built by her around the Co
presented to the corporation of London.
Even this list does not exhaust her public
charities, and in private she is reputed 60
be not less munifcent. For these and her
other numerous charitable services TO her
country the title of Baroness was conferred
upon her in 1871 by Queen Victoria, and in
1872, for her great charity to the poor of
London, the Common Council, in public
ceremony, presented to Baroness Burdett-
Coutts the .. freedom of the city, with an
aUGlGoS ihiAOsSI IA q JSUuNiiUt SNANR S~chSp
bearing her arms, etc. 1t was paueled in
compartments, on which were tableaux
representing her acts OF mercy Feeding
the hungry" sGiving drink TO the
thirsty, ~ Clothing the naked, -" Visiting
prisoners, "Lodgiug the homeless,
Visiting the sick, " Burying the dead.
A JOKE ON 1.-THE OLD MANA gen.
tleman returned home from his daily toll
and had pulled off his boots and was going
to put on his slippers, when howl of in
tense agony resounded through the hall
The affrighted family rushed to the door
and beheld their papa heaving the shadows
with wild gestures and frantic gyrations
Take it off, " he shouted, and made
grab at his foot, but, missing it, went on
with the war dance. "Walter !" he
shrieked, and started up stairs, three at
step, and, turning. came back in single
stride. "Oh, Pm stabbed p he cried, and
sank to the floor and held his right leg
above his head then he rose to his feet
with bound, and, screaming for the boot
JACK, held his foot out towards his terrified
family. "Oh, bring the arnica," he