Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-14
MRS. CHAMBERLAIN AT HOME.
She May Soon be the Social Leader of
London.

London.
London Special TO the New York Herald, Jan. IL.
American ladies araestablishing themselves
in the very strongholds of English society. Ten
years ago they were few and far between. Now
they abound. The number of Englishmen
who have gone TO America for their wives is
not to be ascertained by turning over the
leaves of the peerage. They are to be seen
throughout the comfortable, quiet ranks Of
English society. 1t is rare to go to a dinner
party without meeting one of them. Lady
Randolph Churchill, Lady Vaudeville, Mrs.
Phipps. Mrs. Leslie-these and their 'sets"
are known to everybody, but others may be
found in scores of unobtrusive English homes all
over the country. and all who know them adj
NIT that there are no better wives and mothers
In England. Now comes Mrs. Chamberlain,
and already there are people who are mapping
out a future course of life for her. Some
maintain that if she is destined to introduce q
little puritan element into the fashionable
Anglo-American circles it will do no great
harm. She will require more scope for her
accomplishments than can be found in the
city where her husband made so successful
career in the brass trade. 1t is her advent in
London that is so eagerly looked for. There is
a great unOccupied space ready for her, ten
acre lot, as il were, right in the heart of May
Fair, awaiting her occupation.
BADLY WANTED WOMAN.
What we want is a political salon presided
over by a woman at once charming, witty,
graceful, and possessing an inexhaustible fund
of tact. Since Lady Palmerston died and
Cambridge house was turned into club there
has been no recognized meeting place for all
sorts and conditions of politicians. What
would Palmerston have been without his wife?
Probably not prime minister of England. 1t
was his wife who made him so many friends
that when the time came for the tussle for
first place old Palms following was found ire
sistible. Down went all opponents, and Lady
Palmerston had the pleasure of seeing her
husband at the top of the tree, while John
Russell and Gladstone croaked away some
where on the lower branches. With this
shrewd old lady died the political salon. Few
shoots of it survive. Lady Dorothy Neville
has supplied place of refuge for distressed
politicians at her little house in Charles street.
Berkeley square, but people only drop in
when $50 disposed" 1t was de rigeuer to be
sc en- at Lady Palmerston's.
Mrs Chamberlain has ball at her feet and
can do anything she likes with it.
SOME POPULAR AMERICANS.
Lady Vaudeville and her sister, Miss Yznaga,
are the two best known American ladies in En-
glish society, but they prefer the bright and
amusing side of life and everybody would be
exceedingly astounded to hear that they had
taken up seriously with politics. Lady Ran
uOipH pOpuldr, anu sue
has shown that she is capable of cutting as dis
tinguished figure in politics as she has done
in society. No lady has presided at more prim-
rose league meetings or worked harder for the
conservative cause. Tory workingmen under
stand that and give her immense receptions
whenever she appears among them. In doing
this work she aroused some jealousy. Lady
Randolph can well afford to treat these jeal-
ousies with indifference, and whenever her
husband returns to power her house, no doubt
will be the political center of London.
Meanwhile a social political salon of the
'.judicious mixture" does not exist. That is
the great need of the day. Such of the younger
liberal members of parliament as are not well
connected never get glimpse of fashionable
life. They wander on the outskirts of the
now and then. but that counts nothing. Their
party is out of Office and no swell dinners
are given any more.
NO SOCIETY FOR GLADsToNIANs.
People with money belong chiefly to- the
seeding section of liberals known as unionists
Lord Harrington never did much in a social
way, but now he will do nothing Sir VIM
HarcOurt is not an entertainer. Mr.. Gladstone
has not the means: Lord Rosebery has the
means but he is in the house of lords. The
new salon must be opened by the wife of
member of the lower house. the depository of
all power in these days. Circumstances point
to Mrs. Chamberlain as the only lady who COM
Dimes all the necessary requirements. She is
young and highly attractive. accomplished
rich, for her husband is rolling in money. If
Mrs. Chamberlain wishes to do it. she can
eclipse the fame of all her fair companions
from Mrs. Washington to Mrs. John Bigelow.