The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-07-31
A PERFECT WIFE,

Disr"eli's Estimate of the Critical Partner
OF his Successes and Disappointments.
When Benjamin Disraeli married
Mrs. Wyndham Lewis she was his
senior by sixteen years. Yet five years
after his marriage he gave her this
character: "The most severe of critics,
but-a perfect Wife" Great men, and
small men, too, do not usually take
kindly to the criticisms of wife, even
when they are assured of her love and
have confidence in her Judgment. A
man on his return home from an as
sembly or club, where he has been
listened to as an oracle and referred to
as leader, is not usually in a mood to
be criticised even by his affectionate
wife. That Mr.. Disraeli listened with
meekness while Mrs. Disraeli told him,
after great debate in the House of
Commons, what he ought to have said
and what he should have left unsaid,
indicates that she was q woman of ex-
qulslte tact, and that he-loved her de-
votedly.
She was loved helpmeet, for their
union of thirty-three years was one of
unbroken harmony, confidence and af-
fiction. She believed in her husband,
lived for him, studied his views and
wishes and served him with the zeal
of an intelligent companion. The av-
erage husband is contented if his wife
shows herself a good housekeeper, an
attractive hostess and wise mother.
BGrfsenjamin Disraeli, not being an
average man, made his wife his COM
panion and treated her as his intel
lectual comrade. She became 1.-The
most severe of critics" because of her
intense love and admiration. She was
made a "perfect wife" by her husband
placing her on an equality with himself.
When Dislaeli delivered his great
speech in the Gree-Trade Hall at Man
chester-a speech which helped the re-
turn of the Conservatives to power
she sat in boz Immediately opposite
the platform whence he spoke. The
interest of those seated on the platform
was often transferred from the speech
to the sympathetic face of the orator.
wife, and then to the way which, from
time to time, he lifted his head as if
seeking her smile ofapproval
When the Grafton was finished she
drove rapidly to the house of their host
in the suburbs Of the city to receive her
husband. No sooner were the carriage
wheels heard grinding upon the gravel
than she hurried to the hall. As she
entered she rushed into his arms and
exclaimed: 30, Dizzy! Dizzy This
is the greatest night of ALL This pays
for all!' At that moment she knew
she could not live out the year--for
three months before her physician had
pronounced her death warrant-and
every step of her movement to the door
produced the acutest pain.
A well-knoWn story also illustrates
her strength of will and power of self
control when her love made them nee
essary. When Disraeli, as Chancellor
Of the EXchequer rode to the House tG
introduce his last budget she accom-
panied him. On getting into the car.
riage one of her fingers was crushed
between the door and its frame. She
maintained her composure, though the
pain was eXcruciating, through the
ride, and until she saw him pass through
the ''members' " entrance, and then
tainted.
The man who makes his wife com.
panion may hear severe criticisms, but
he will be "known in the gates. y
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