Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-16

mlratlon OF two continents. She made her
debut as the presiding lady of her uncle's
household near the court of the queen of Great
Britain. She was the recipient of special royal
consideration, and was one of the most popular
ladies who ever figured at the English court i'm
the diplomatic circles of foreign countries
The queen by special direction gave her the
same social rank on ceremonial occasions az
that held by the wife of minister. She was
often invited into the closer relations of
family hospitality by England's sovereign and
IN the train of suitors for her hand were gen.
tlemen of ancient nobility and glorious deeds in
war and craftsmanship. A queen in her own
right. she preferred an American sovereign
when marriage engaged her thoughts to the
most distinguished of the titled subjects of a
foreign state
1t was due as much. if not more. to the tact
OF Harriet Lane than the diplomacy of Minister
Buchanan at the brilliant court of St James
that the popularity of that distinguished states
man was kept fresh in the minds of his coun-
trymen while he was experiencing a diplomatic
exile at foreign court.
HIS NOMINATION To THE PRESIDENCY
and his election was assured while he was thus
abroad. When he entered the executive man
sion the fifteenth President in the line of
political succession his niece was placed at the
head of the social regime of his official house,
hold. What history most delights to chroni-
chanan is the brilliant career of Harriet
Lane. At that time society was almost en-
tlrely made up of the wives and daughters of
the statesmen and planters of the south.
Northern society was not yet sufficiently rep
resented TO make 1t a controlling feature in
the fashionable life of the capital Miss Lane
represented the beauty and wit of her north
ern sisters, and had no rival in her claims to
supreme rank upon the merits of her own
individuality beyond the purely circumstantiaI
causes which led to her promotion to the post
OF first lady.
Mrs Johnston was born at Mercersburg, in
the valley Of Cumberland one Of the garden
spots OF Pennsylvania. Her mother lane
buchanan, was the favorite sister of the future
statesman and President. She married Elliott
l. Lane IN 1913, merchant, engaged in the
ousy trade which was carried over the noun
| tains between the Susquehanna and the Ohio.
Prom the earliest years of his sisters beauti-
fnl daughter Harriet's life. James buchanan
feit an interest III the child, and when
THE DEATH OF HER PARENTS
broke up the family circle, he became like a
father TO his niece, experimenting her educa-
ton and placing her of the head of his house,
hold through the most distinguished years of
his career. When, in 1865. she MARI led Henry
Elliott Johnston, she still superintendent her
uncle's home at Wheatland until his death three
years after. The most notable social event of
her reign at the executive mansion was the
VISIT OF the Prince of Wales to the United States
and his presence in Washington as the guest OF
the President and Miss Lane in return for the
numerous acts of special consideration shown
them during their reside nee near the court of
ST. James. During the last season Mrs John
ston visited Washington as the guest of
her Old friend, Mrs. Hornsby Her pleasant
experiences then in returning to the scenes OF
her former eonquests encour & ed her to make
nome Tor herself during the present season
d. Washington. She has been received with
great consideration in the circle of her friends
though she has taken no part in the gayeties of
the capital. The loss Of all her near relatives
makes her life to-day one of mourning rather