The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-24
Women Who Have Been Of Help
to Their Husbands
HISTORY Is FULL OF THEN,
And in Modern Times They Como
Nobly to tho Front.

ment to the young man ambitious for place in
the literary. social. or political world1
Under tho old regime the perfect helpmeet
was the careful housewife. she who looked
we'll to the ways OF her household" and was
wise In the science OF clear-starching linen.
in compoundinE pastry. and seasoning soups.
Under tho new dispensation tho literary man
whose companion cannot enter intelligently
into the deeper interests Of his life. the polit-
clan whose consort Is not diplomatic in the
treatment Of his political allies and enemies.
the lnancier whose wife cannot dispense with
elegant grace his bounty, are handicapped in
the race and rarely win the prize from the men
whose choice Of wives has been wiser.
It was q man Of most astute intelligence.
according to the woman's side. who said: AS
rule 1t is safe to say every public man Of
prominence owes his position largely. perhaps
chiefly. to his wife There arc exceptions. OF
course. which will occur to every one but
nevertheless this Is the rule Bright. studi-
GUS. we'll informed they not only perform all
their own duties. but they supervise corre-
spondence collect authorities and Informs
ton. draft and revise speeches. aud even whom
their ministry Is OF purely domestic charac.
tor its influence IL simply incaloulable." And
this man. whom may tho gods reward with
wife rs fair as Aphrodite. as wise 40
Athena. as faithful as Penelope. 10 gen.
erous enough to believe. and gallant
enough to say that Martha Washing
ton Is as worthy Of . monument a. tho i'm
mortal George or his mother. Woman 10 be-
ginning to realize that there IL no gift or grace
OF mind or manner. no logic In tho realm Of
philosophy. NO language dead or living. no
data known to the savant which may not be Of
service to her In the fulhlment Of her simple
wifely duty to tho man Of her choice. For
what she may be called upon to stand
and deliver It is difficult to determine
whom tho wedding ring Is fitted. OF
Josephine tho obscure and unpublished
soldier lover with neither rank nor title de-
manded as . wife the rare graciousness to
wear right royalty an Empress's crown. OF
tho talented Jane welch Carlyle tho great
scholar demanded devotion absolute to his
nerves and to his dyspepsia, and how much Of
the brilliancy OF his work Is duo to her vigil
ance in keeping at uudisturbing distance the
annoying small boy OF tho highway. or to pre-
pairing the food least Irritating to his stomach
the world will never know.
To the influence. the wealth. and the never
failing interest Of his wife. the great Premier
who made the Queen Of England Empress Of
India acknowledged that his political success
was largely due. and an impertinent ques-
toner who asked him what feeling could
bind him to wife older than himself"
WAS answered By Mr.. Disraeli with. "A feeling
unknown to your nature-that Of gratitude"
Very easily disturbed was this great man by
any diverting incident occurring before he de-
livered speech in the House. and 1t IL said
that his wife. who always accompanied him
when no spoke. rode the entire distance from
her homo to tho House Of Parliament
with her fingers caught beneath the
carriage window rather than put to
flight his carefully prepared periods BY
x.n;n III - hA al I'D and aChip
bers. Very pleasant it is to read Gladstone's
tribute to the wife who 10 the closest friend.
the best adviser. and the severest critic OF the
Grand Old Man. where he says: mo words
that could use would ever suface to express
the debt owe her in relation to all tho Offices
she has discharged on my behalf and on the
behalf Of those who ore nearest and dearest
to mo: not only is she the dearest Of compan-
ions. but the most devoted Of hepmeets. but
for whose self-consecration to the service
Of her husband and her children my
own public work must have been serl.
ously fettered and hindered." Over all
the domestic comfort Of the household she or
srcises untirIng watchfulness. feeling herself
responsible to the nation. as we'll as to her
own happiness. to preserve the health and pro-
long the life OF tho famous statesman. A
bright entertaining conversationslist It 10 In
her CHEEKY oompanionship that no seeks rest
and forgetfulness from the cares OF state.
Whenever no makes . great speech she 10
nr.sent To shsrs his triumph. and vhen the
sn..ch IA ovsr sbe II ia who wraps him In warm
garments and brings him hot tea. in loving
vifelv ministration, which has never failed
since the then beautiful Catherine Glynne
mora than Atty Years ago. Joined banda with
hi. At tho altar.
~, .-,, -, ~.
And Nine. CarnoI vile OF the french Presl-
dent who acts rs secretary to her husband
has the care Of his priyate eorresnondencc
100 s sne,aa ~. .h.o,oa 80. 49," ~,.sSI
ana curing Ms absence tAKes MS place. ana
transacts all current affairs with a perfect
knowledge OF business routine. In addition 70
thi. sba denntas ~ No ona IN. care ~ ov.r.
looking the menus for her household. desiE.
mating the apartme nts to be occupied by her
. H. .., .,s,I. - -, A.
guests and tho general supervision OF al DO
mestic details. She frequently expresses her
60. , .Iho. SoS To ~ 0 , D.au
lui neiehoorhooa Oh rontainepieau because