The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-11-14
ROYAL LEADERS OF SOCIETY.
MRS. Frank Leslie In the stockbrloee
Course.

Mrs. Frank Leslie has been prominently
brought before the public of late as a leet-
urer. She Is lady whose business capacity
mas been highly spoken of in connection
with the illustrated journal established by
her husband. and whose advance notices
have referred to her beauty, her rich dress
Ing and her magnificent Jewels. Last eve
ming she furnished the fourth entertainment
In the Stockbridge course at City Hall to
good sized audience.
Mrs. Leslie has a good stage presence,
dresses very richly, as has been stated. gilt
tiers with diamonds like a jewellers shop.
and will not cause futter ia Portland on
account of her beauty, as the women of this
city have too established reputation in that
respect But she has very agreeable voice,
a very clear, distinct enunciation, and can
be heard without any difficulty in the
farthest corner of the hall.
Mrs. Leslie began her talk with several
personal anecdotes concerning expresses
and Queens. She stated that the Empress
| Freoerick had the sleeves of her mourning
gowns made transparent because" Mrs.
Leslie said, 'the Empress Frederick's arms
are noted for their dazzling beauty" The
young Emperor William, she said, had forced
his wife to have her gowns made 10 Germa-
ny, with the result that the Empress was.
excepting Queen Victoria, the worst dowd
10 Europe" Leaving Queen Victoria for
the nonce Mrs. Leslie futtered back into the
reign Of Henry VIII. The lecturer seemed
to find much to admire in the character of
this large, fat man, who was, she said
clever dancer and the author of many bon
mots. One Of these she repeated. "When,"
she said, this mighty monarch divorced
himself from his fourth wife he said to her,
Il will be brother to you,' which accounts
for the origin of this familiar expression"
Coming down to recent days, she spoke of
Queen Victoria and Empress Eugene and
other royal ladies. Both of these ladies
Mrs. Leslie admired very much. She said
that either of them was we'll fitted to rule
over great people. but at the same time she
found much in their character to condemn.
Eugene was frivolous and Victoria's clothes
didn't fit her, the struck up thing. ReferrL
ing to the leaders of society in America, she
said that only two Presidents of the United
society-George Washington, who was sur
rounded with all the elegance that those
early days could command, and Chester A.
Arthur, who was not only regarded as the
Chief Magistrate, but as the first gentleman
During the course of the lecture Mrs. Les
lie recited poem on Christopher Columbus,
written for her.. This recitation was one of
the best features of the lecture. At its close
bouquet was presented her by the Press
Climb of Portland.
After the lecture an informal reception
was rendered Mrs. Leslie in the parlors of
the Falmouth Hotel, which was largely at
tended and memorable affair. Those pres
ent were in turn introduced and all had an
opportunity to meet this talented women,
the charm of whose manner. as she greeted
each new conner with pleasant word and
smile, will be remembered for long time to
come. A coincidence of the reception was
the presence of a well known Portland gen.
tleman who had met the lady in Paris, and
whose residence in this city was quite I'M
known to her. Mrs. Leslie will leave here
this morning for Boston, appearing at
Providence this evening, and at fremont
Temple, Boston, next Monday evening.