Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-21
LADY BEACONSFIELD.
TRANSFERRING HER TALENTS 10 POLITICS
AND LITERATURE.


From The CarliG Times.
Mr.. Lewis, in 1920, was in practice
as a solicitor mt Cardiff. He has Il
very extensive connection, and became
engaged in the litigation pending the
estate of Col. Niney Evans, uncle of
Miss Evans of Devonshirc. With this
estate benjamin Disraeli was also in
some way connected. Mr.. Disraeli's
great ambition was to become mem
ber of Parliament. Being on intimate
terms with Wyndham Lewis, who was
known in Kent as the "Welsh jew"
owing to his great wealth, Mr.. Lewis
took him by the hand and promised to
secure his return with him for Maid
stone.
In all probability Lord Bcaconsfeld
owed the high political position which
he attained to the introduction which
the accident Of Il lawsuit gave him to
Wyndam Lewis. The author of"Viv-
ian Grey" would not have probably
been known to the political world but
for this. Mr.. Lewis was "A man Of
considerable wealth, and this was the
Keystone to success with almost every
constituency at that time. He was
charmed by the power of language
which Mr.. DisraeIi then possessed.
The Maidstone election cost Wyndam
Lewis over 100000, but he had prom.
i-cd to carry Mr.. Disracli in, aud he
kept his word Mr.. Dsracli did the
speaking part Of the business, while
Mr.. Lewis found the money. Mr..
Lewis was no orator, and, though
proud of the title VI. T., he did not
take much interest in politics
He was quiet sharp business man,
and took a pleasure in hunting, shoot
ing, etc, and it is said that in one of
these hunting partic- he met with Mis-
Mary Ann Evans, of Braniord Spoke,
Deyonshrc, and who ultimately be.
came Mrs. Lewis Neither Captain
John Evans, l.. y, nor his brother,
to whom Miss Evan. was hcir.atlaw.
possessed any considerable property,
and though there were some law pro.
ceeding- in connection with it the re.
suit was not one that added very ma
tcrially to Mr.. Lewis great fortune.
On Mr. Lewis ccasing to represent
Cardiff he spent the great portion of
his time at his almost palatial resi-
dcucc, Gro-vcnor Gate, London. The
Heath was also part of his property,
aud thee were numerous other c-tatc-
belonging to him in the county, the
income from which enabled him to live
in style Of luxury surpassed only by
a few.
Long before the Maidstone election
Mr.. Disracli was an almost constant
visitor at Grosycuor Gate. In early
life Mrs Levi, was much attached
to fashionable society, attending dur
ing the summer a series of excursions
or pleasure parties. picnics, etc, and
IN the winter n succession OF balls
aud parties, and when Mr.. Lewi-'s
health prevented him from accom-
punying her Mr.. Di-raoli became her
cavalier. She was also q politician.
and Was present at the Maidstone cleo
ton. where resided some Of her friends.
Mr.. Lewis health broke down short
~ after this election. and he only ap-
pcarcd in Parliament few times.
The whole of the Welsh estates were
willcd to his brother, but he settled on
them a rent charge Of $500 TO be paid
annually to his widow during her life.
Mr.. Lewis died at his residence in
London, in March, 1888, and Mr..
Disraeli married Mrs. Lewis in Sep
tcmber, 1889.
Mrs Disraeli was a totally different
lady from Mrs. Lewis. Surrounded
by different associations, all the gay
frivoiities Of her younger days were
laid aside, and it is stated that she
was often consulted by him on poliii-
cal questions, and that she also assist
ed him materially in his literary ca
rcer. One evening she returned home
to Grosyenor Gate. II was during the
time of the great political crisis which
preceded the resignation Of Mr.. Dis
raeli's administration. Lord Mayo
had that evening called to see the
Premier, who was, however, absent.
Lord Mayo, who was on very intimate
terms with Mr.. Disraeli, walked in
aud waited for him. While waiting
he fell asleep. and he was awakened
by some one coming behind his chair
aud kissing his forehead. 1t was Lady
Beaconsfeld, who had thought that
the sleeper was her husband.
THE goodness and greatness of men
comes oitener from the mothers than
the fathers. In families where there
Il a female inHuence n happy home il