The Washington critic., 1885-11-02
WIS. LANGrRYs AEFAIRs.
what u Prominent New Yorker Clalmi
To Know About Them.

MhS' LdNSIhl y 1tFdIhS'
what Prominent New Yorker Claims
To Know About Them,
The recent London lawsuits, which
resulted in the declaration that Mrs
Langtry paid her husband a salary on
condition that he does not modest her,
has caused some comment here, where
the facts of Mrs, Langtry's social ostra-
cism while in this country are still re-
mcmbcrcd. A prominent New Yorker,
who has considerable knowledge on
the subject, said to New York CORE
spondcnt of the Cincinnati Commercial.
GdscHo the other day:
Some two or three years ago Mr..
Iangtry you may remember, came to
this country, but refused to give any
very satisfactory reason for his visit.
During his stay in America he was for
the greater part of the time my guest.
lie talked with me very freely, and |
feel Mt liberty, under the present cir
cumstances, 10 give publicity to the
facts gathered from him According
to his story the first discovery of Mrs.
Iangtry In the Island of Jersey was
made by the Duke of Bedford. The
duke was very much struck by her
beauty and paid her great deal of at
tcntion. At that time Mr., and Mrs.
Langtry were living in afilucnt circum-
stances ON an income which amount
ed, he claims, to $40, 900. On his re.
turn TO London from his visit, the
Prince of Wales heard so much from
Bedford of the extraordinary beauty of
Mrs. Langtry that at his re.
quest that gentleman accom-
panied him on n trip to Jersey for the
purpose of meeting the beauty. The
Prince was as much pleased with
Mrs. Langtry as was her friend,
and he suggested that she
make her debut in London society,
Offering TO make ii his business to re-
quest certain ladies in London society
TO act as her sponsors. The offer was
accepted by the lady, whose head was
already little turned by the attention
her charms attracted None of these
proceedings were looked upon with
favor by Mr.. Langtry, who foresaw
that he was about to bid farewell for
ever TO his quiet, peaceful life.
Mrs. Langtry's London life was al
ways distastciul to her husband. His
wifc's extravaganza soon wiped out
fortunes. Mr. Langtry told her he was
ruined financially. This farce" he
said, lis played out You married me
for better, for worse; for richer, for
poorer. You have had all the fat. You
must now take the lean. have suf-
ficicnt influence to secure Govern
ment appointment. We will retire
rom society, take small house, and
cttle down together like respectable
people for the rest of our lives.
Mrs. Langtry refused to go, and de-
clared She would go on the stage first,
Mr.. Langtry informed her that if she
did 50 he would not live with her She
retorted openly that the only man She
ever cared for was Sir George Chef
wynd, and ended by running off to the
Continent with Chetwynd, where they
| travelled under an assumed name.
Naturally, when they returned to Lon
don the doors of society were closed.
Mrs Paget, the daughter of Mrs. Paran
Stevens, knowing these facts, saw to it
that Mrs. Langtry's introductions were
ignored, and that she was not received
in society in New York. At this time
Mr. and Mrs. Langtry separated. I'm
der the laws Of Jersey there is no such
| tLinu nc a livorpp