New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-03
THE ONLY BARONESS IN CANADA.
WHY LADY MACDONALD RECEIVED A TITLE


WHICH WAS NOT GRANTED TO HER HUSBAND.
TO the Editor Of The TIL II n
Sir: It has Just been officially announced that Lady
Macdonald has been created baroness with the title
OF Baroness Macdonald Of Earnsclhe, the last worn
be,ng the name OF her residence in the Canadian capt.
tai. Since II was first rumored that Lndy MACDONALD
WAS about 10 receive this title number OF persons have
written I'm the newspapers saving how strange Ii was
that the imperial honor should have been reserved for
fine wife instead Of having been bestowed upon the
husband who consolidated the struggling provinces OF
british North America. converting them Into the right
arm OF the British Empire. But the motive OF the
British Government in Withholding the title from sr
John and giving II to his widow Is very PLAIN. had
Il been bestowed upon the late Premier it would have
descended 10 his son. and permanent peerage would
have been established. But Sir John left no fortune
and as his son Is only struggling barristcr the I'm
perla Government was unwilling to confer title the
dignity Of which the descendants Of The Premier might
not be able TO MAINTAIN. Mr. Goodwin Smith, at whose
house the Grange the late Premier was always guest
when he went b Toronto, said 10 me not long ago
when the question OF elevatng Sir John to the peerage
was discussed
"The thing Is out Of the question. Imagine the
third or fourth Macdonald possibly backing boots
But II Sir John Macdonald had devoted his attention
10 the accumulation OF fortune as much as he dld TO
the maintenance OF his political position he would IN
doubedy have ended his days I'm the House of Lords In
buried in Westminster Abbey. but the counsels of those
who stlll hold the cOnfederated provinces some
what in contempt prevailed and the only post
humous imperial honor that could have been con
ferred on the dead statesman was withheld. But the
ashes Of many a man not nearly worthy as Sir John
rcpose I'm the historic Abbey The usual orders con
feIred upon Canadians are comprehensive OF the Bath
and lnighthood: though I'm four five cases baron
etcies have been bestowed but never unless the re
cpient was a OF considerable fortune. | recall
the names Of Sir John Rose member Of the Engish
banking house OF Morton, Rose IL Co.; Sir George
stephen, head Of the Canadian and Pacific Railroad
sir Charles Upper, Canadian High Commissioner at
Downing Street. London, and Sir George Cartier the late
distinguished leader OF the French Canadians Nearly
a score of knights have been created since the Con
federation but title held 10 be rather cheap even
in Canada because OF late years II has been conferred
for almost 'trfing service TO the Canadian community
Alexander Mackenzie and Edward Blake each In turn
being the leader tho Dominion Liberals refused the
title.
As for Lady Macdonald her husband relied more
upon her for advice In political matters shan he did on
any else. lie married her twentyfou years ago.
she being then employed school teacher bnt she
had come OF somewhat notable Hebrew family her
father being the Hon. T. j. Bernard member OK Hef
Maesty's Privy Council OF the Island OF Jamaica. she
was and Is STILL q handsome woman, and being very
ambitious set herself Immediately after her marriage
to make thorough study Of all the political problems
| with which her husband was concerned she was his
second wife and there was but one child by the mar
| Rage an invalid girl, who engTOssed much Of her
mothers attention after her birth. 1t marvel to
those, who knew Lady Macdonald intimately 10 under
stand how she could give much OF her time to this
child to her husbands political affairs and interests
and nj the same time maintain her pre- eminent social
position IN the Canadian capital In good and evil ne
mort she stood by her hu,hand always his counsellor,
friend and devoted wife, t at last she triumphed In
knowing that his regard for herself and her advice
| greater than that bestowed upon any else. she
accompnn MED him on most of his eleconeerlng tours,
| taking care that he should not expose himself nor
| sneak too long at public meetings, wrapped him up
carefully when his work done, IL The weather was
| cold and accompanied him home. Just Lady Bea-
conseld did In the late years Of her husbands life and
A. Mrs Gladstone does 10 this day. II noted
uoItican Governor other conspicuous person whose
! fealty 20 her husband questioned came Ia the
capital. she ut once sent him note asking him TO
were usually only two three other persons present,
| her object being to have opportunity Of devoting
herself in conversation tho person whom II
iuporfant that her husband should have ally lie
wa cordially asked ~ come 10 another tea, and the
following Sunday she pretty sure to take him 10
church in her sleigh In some Of the most ini-
portant questions touching Canadian policy Sir John
was In the habit Of Withholding his concurrence and
opinion till had consulted his wife but after he
| had discussed the question with her nothing could
change his she attended to all his financial