The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-03-05
AND WORTH
SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF THE BARONESS
BURDETT-coUTTs.
Boston Herald.

MISS Burdett-Cout known as the rich
est single woman in England and as n per-
son Of such liberality in the distribution
of her vast wealth as to commend her to
the admiration of the civilized world, came
into the possession of her fortune in a very
interesting manner. She seems to prefer
the simple title of Miss Coutts to that oil
Baroness Coutts, conferred upon her by
Queen Victoria in 1871 in consideration OF
her munificent public charities.
Miss Coutts lived in rather straitened cir
cumstances during her early years, inherit
ing no property from her rich grandfather,
Thomas Con It's, the eminent banker, born
In 1881. At the death of his brother Peter,
Mr.. Coutts assumed the direction OF the
entire firm, which, under his control, rose
to its highest property. He was gentle
man in manno rs, hospitality and benevo-
lence, and counted among his friends some
of the first literary men and actors OF the
day. Soon after his settlement in London
he married Elizabeth Starkey, girl OF
humble origin. They lived happily to.
pether and had three daughters Susan,
who married the Earl of Gu,lford Fran
els. who married the Marquis of Butte. and
Sophia, mother of the subject of this
sketch. who married Sir Francis Buraett,
the member OF Parliament vino proposed
the celebrated inquiry into the state Of
| Coldbath Field Prison, which resulted In
the dismissal of the keeper and the com
plete reformation of this regulations OF that
prison. he doubtless transmitted to his
celebrated daughter many Of bis benevo-
lent virtues Soon after the death OF Mrs.
Coutts IN 1915, Mr.. Coutts fell in love with
the beautiful and accomplished Miss Har-
riett Mellon, q very popular actress IN CON-
edy in the early part Of this century. Thus
lady was born In 1775, and was SO much
Younger than ber opulent sutton that she
declined the match, representing that the
A years difference In their ages made too
great bartie- TO be surmounted. The en-
amored millionaire. however, successfully
psrsisted in his suit. and Miss Mellon be-
came the happy wife Of Mr.. Coutts. In
consequence of the violent opposition o.
his three daughtere, Mr. Coutts dis'nberit
ed them and made bis wife
SOLE MISTRESS OF HIS COLOSSAL FoRTTNE
At his decease. About five years after tb'
death of Mr.. Coutts his widow married thu
DIXIE Of St. Adams, Grand Falconer @
, England, who was much younger thar
Mrs. Coutts. At her death she left thu
Duke an income of $50, 900 year and |
life interest in some landed estate. Will
this exception she, from delicate sense o.
Justice, bedueathed the entire fortune
, which she derived from Mr.. Coutts to hi
, grand daughter, Angela Burdett, younges
! daughter Of Sir Francis Burdet'e.
, The Duchess Of Adams, in bequeathint
her fortune to Miss Angela Burdette, de
, sired her to take the name Of Coutts. Thi
: lady was born in 1914 and received th
vast legacy of $50, 600, 900 in 1887, sine
which time she has been conspicuous fo
, her charitable deeds and Humanitarian
: schemes. Her liberality In establishing
the corps of nurses under Florence Night
ingale at the Crimean war is familiar u
! every one. She is said to spend her entir
} income, 81 600, 900 or 81 200, 600 a'year i
her philanthropic projects. She ia an NJ
r failing friend to the poor, protector o
' dumb animals and founder Of charche
, and schools In 1S47, ten years after OF
|. tanning her fortune, she endowed church
: with parsonage and schools attached,
Rochester row, one of the most neglecte
parts of London. She also established th
8 drinking fountains, which are such blef
9 sing to weary pedestrians also, the COTE
: saloons, which are such aids to the temper
% ance movement. She is SO much revere
8 and beloved by all classes that the ver
d populace, when exasperated by poverty
l. extreme measures of violence, protected til
!: home OF MISS Coutts and declared that n
d hand should be raised against the peace I
/; their benefactcr. This beneficent lady, wi
d has spent her wealth SO freely for the IN
II provement OF human welfare, IL by 7
.. means averse to the pleasures OF life. 81
J. has Just been seeking little healthy recr
Is alton by q Yacht voyage up the Mediterr
IL mean.