The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-01-15

lions of Hume, Gibbon and Voltaire and
the Encyclopedias. Before her marriage
she lived alone 10 her house in London
On Der fortune of E600 year, which in
those happy times suificed to enable the
possessoT to keep good establishment
and carriage She went to France
also, and became very intimate with Con-
dorcet and his family, for whom she had
great admiration; and likewise knew
Nine. de Stael, Arthur Young aud most
of the other notablities of the time
Rather late in life she married her coun-
trymau, Mr.. George Hampden Evans, the
owner of Portrane, beautifully situated
estate on the Irish coast about ten miles
north Of Dublin. There her energy and
ability soon worked wonders. She in,
duced and aided her husband TO contest
and WIN the representation of the county
from the Tories, aud for many years Mr. .
Evans sat in parliament. affording on all
occasions loyal help to the Wings, aud
now and then modified support TO
O'Connell. Mrs. Evans was Nine
Roland to her husband in all his political
work. When he died the children and
widow cast about for means
TO PERPETUATE HIS MEMORY,
and hit upon the singular idea of building
new Irish round tower, precisely Ike
the old. The edifice has now been stand
ing for forty years on the summit of hill
10 her deer park, a useful landmark 10
sailors along that dangerous coast. Lett
with large sum of money Cos. 900 il
was reported besides her good estate OF
Portrane and her house 10 Eaton square,
Mrs. Evans devoted herself 10 the i'm
provement of her property and neighbor>
hood. She built two handsome schools,
and gave the children who attended them
each little garden. She planted extern
sively. made fine walks, and built great
greenhouses, One Of her pursuits was
conchology. She succeeded in making a
unique collection of Irish shells, in spec
linens of which her beautiful shore was
singularly rich. On this shore, under the
lofty black cliffs, are several very impos-
ing caves. In the largest, which is
which smugglers formerly drew up
their booty Mrs Evans on one
occasion gave great luncheon
party, The company were all IN high
spirits and thoroughly enjoying the pig
con pies and champagne, when some one
observed that the tide might soon be ris-
ing. Mrs. Evans replied that it was all
right, there was plenty of tine and the
festivities proceeded for another hal!
hour, when some one rose and strolled te
the mouth of the cavern and soon uttered
CRY Of alarm. The tide hau risen and
was already beating at a formidable depth
against both sides of the rocks which
shut 10 the caves. CONSERVATION OF
course reigled among the party. A night
spent IN the further recesses of that danny
hole, even supposing the tide did not
| reach the end (Which was very doubtful,
afforded anything but a cheerful pros
pect. Could anybody get up through tbs
shaft to the cliff? Certainly; if they had
long ladder But there were no ladder:
lying about the cave. aud finally every.
body stood mournlnlly watching the ri5-
ing waters at the mouth of their prison
Mrs. Evans all this time appeared sin.
gularly calm, and administered little
encouragement to some Of the almost
fainting ladies'. When the panic was al
its climax Mrs. Evans own large boat
was seen quietly rounding the rocks. and
was soon comfortably pushed up to the
feet OF the imprisoned party. who had
nothing to do but TO embark IN TWO OF
three attachments and be safely landed
in the bay outside beyond reach of the
sea. The whole little incident had il is
TO be feared, been PIE arranged by the
hostess to infuse
ALITTLE WHOLESOME EXCITEMENT
among her country guests.
Naturally Mrs. Evans, holding the
opinions VIC have described (tIIough
keeping them much to herseliy, was moi a
regular attendant at the village
church. Carriage loads Of her
guests, however, were frequently sci
down at the gates Oh Sunday, ard some
times she accompanied them herself tC
her large old fashioned pew. One day q
big dog belonging to one Of her friend,
followed his owner into church, and Law
extended on the wooden floor Of the pew,
which at intervals the beast proceeded 10
thump generously with his tail, after the
manner of big dogs in durancc This
disturbance was too muh for the poor
parson, who did not love Mrs. Evans. As
he proceeded with the service and the
rappings were repeated again ani again,
his patience gave way, aud he read out
this extraordinary lcssoa to his assonishcd
congregation; The Pharisee stood and
prayed thus with himself. Turn out that
dog, if you please! It's extremely wrong
to bring a dog into church" During the
winter Mrs. Evans was wont to live much
alone in her country house, surrounded
only by her old servants. When at last
in her old age she found herself attacked
by mortal disease, she went to Paris tC
profit by the skill Of some French physi
clan in whom she had confidence. and
there, with mistaken courage and calm.
ness and IN full hope of better life, she
passed away. Her remains, enclosed il
leaden coffin, were brought back tC
Portrane, and her poor dog, who adored
her, somehow recognized the dreadful
chest and exhibited frenzy OF grief
leaping upon it and tearing at the pail
with piteous cries. Next morning the
poor brute was in such state as to be
supposed to be rabid, and il was thought
necessary to shoot her. Mrs. Evans was
buried beside her beloved husband in the
little roofless and ruined church of Por-
trane, close by the shore On another
grave in the same church. belonging tc
the same family, dog had some year:
previously died of grief. -Mancheste
| Guardian