The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-03-10
Wives OF Distinguished Men

There is much laughter here, writes
London correspondent, at the simultaneous
absence Of the liberal and conservative
leaders, who happen at the same time to be
the two most married men" of this nation
atty. Mrs. Gladstone, who is one of the
best and kindest women in the world, has
the unhappy knack of dressing herself
aoomlna6ly, and committing the still
greater sin OF txcuSing her eccentric cos
tune. l shall never forget her appearance
IN sky-blue silk at the wedding OF the Duke
of Albany. On ordinary occasions she is
clad in rusty black silk, well worn and with
a dragged look about the petticoat which
barely concGals pair of shapeless boots
actually down at heel. Her gloves match
the boots, and she has been heard TO exult
III well-mended pair for the rsason that
the money which would have bought new
ones was better applied to the succor of the
poor and needy. This union of asceticism
ana extreme high church principles with
advanced liberal, almost Communstic po-
| lltlcal views is remarkable characteristic
OF the Whole family OF the Premier. Lady
! salisbury, although Il strictly religious wo-
man, Is not asCetiC in matters OF costume,
and dresses richly, albeit tastelessly. She
is remarkable woman, nevertheless, this
daughter OF the last Baron Anderson, for
she rules all around her absolutely aud is
the queen OF Hertiordshire without any sis
ter near the throne to dispute the allegiance
of her vassals. Lord Deaoonsiield had as
| everybody knows, a wife who worshipped
him and made bis fortune, but who was re.
markable neither for beauty nor culture or
refinement. Lady SherbrooSe, again, who
has made Bob Lowe" an admirable wife,
is very clever woman, who paints in
water-colors," but hardly merits the con-
Guiding eulogium upon the gifted Irish
lady, "ot such is the kingdom of heaven"
She is very agreeable in the society of per-
sons like the writer, but is hated by her
own sex with an exceeding great and bitter
hatred. Why, | cannot imagine, for the
only fault can find with her is the bizar-
rerie OF her costume, which is very staring
Lord Sherbrooke in his venerable
Inverness cape, and his wife in
her indescribaDle raiment, make pair.
Statesmen's wives certainly are not ut once
the most brilliant and beautiful OF their sex
The poor Empress Eugene was undoubt,
ed'y handsome once, but a silly devotee;
her husband's--by a contradiction in terms
evil genius, and ultimately the cause o!
his ruin. In our present cabinet two of the
youngest members. Sir Charles Dixie and
Mr.. Chamberlain, are widowers, and beyond
Mr.. Gladstone the wives of the others are
not remarkable-saving two. Lady Derby
who was the widow of the late MARQUIS OF
Salisbury, can give the premler's vile sew.
eral points in general dowdiness of attire
In fact, she and her husband make rs un.
conth-looking couple as could be found in
England. The remaining lady is the mag
niticent exception. Lady Spencer, wife OF
the former president OF the council and
present lord.lieutent of Ireland, is a cele
brated beauty, one OF the lovely Seymours
famous Tor the short upper lip known o.
the arc de Cupldon. So beautiful was she
that when Lord Spencer went to lrelauC
with her, several years ago, they were ncE
named beauty and the beast" So thert
is one superbly handsome wife among thos,
Of our statesmen-that is, il Lord Spence
be one of them.