New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-26
A "CAFE DES FLEURS."
LADY BROOKE'S NOVEL ENTERTAINMENT.
NOTES on A BEAUTIFUL wOMAN-A CHARITABLE
IDEA NORTH INITIATING.

NOTES on BEAUTIFUL woMAN-A CHARITABLE
IDEA WORTH INITIATING
To Lady Brooke belong, the credit OF having In
auguraed In England n and decidedly picturesque
form OF charitable entertainment Some time ago
She was appealed TO by the managers Of the Essex
branch OF the Society for the Prevention OF Cruelty
! to Animals to devise means Of raising funds
for the association, and In response TO their aprca
ton she suggested and organized Cafe dcs Feiirs,
which was held In the Corn Exchange Of Chelmsford
This "Cafe dcs Fleurs- consisted OF number oil
beautiful tents and dainty bowers. apparently con
strncted entirely OF flowers: around each OF these
there were number OF small tea tables, 'lvshly De-
decked with multi coor,d blossoms. Each booth ana
set OF tables arranged, decorated and served by
Of tine leading ladies of the county Lady BrooNe
Lady Rayclgh, Mrs Dcnison and the Hon. Mrs Strut
being among the most prominent. Each chose nil-
ferent flower. Thus. Lady Brookcs tent and tables
were decorated with nothing but margucrltes ana as
paragus fern. while the decorations OF her neighbour
the COmtesse d'Epineul. consisted of hcar'ease. n
flower which likewise embroidered in the most
artistic manner on her dress, as well aS on the 'oeS
OF her assistants. Another stall shaded By mag
nfcent palm, was adorned entirely with 10rSe'-ne-
nOs, as were also the surrounding tca-tables. The
services OF the prettiest porcelain, and the pub
lie had the opportunity OF enjoying the cup mat
cheers but not inebriatcs. served by the most pa
trcan ladies OF the most exclusive county OF Engano
At the further end OF the hall and in full view oil
the tea tables stage, which. curing 'lc
entire time that the entertainment lasted. were Pre-
sencd attractions OF the French cafe chantant oro'r
Including skirt dancing, reciiations banjo solos,
performing dogs and cats and conjT'ing. me h'"'
decorated with fcngc and flowers from Lady Brookes
extensive gardens at Easton Lodge was hrons'd
throughout The afternoon and evening with a large
and orderly crowd. and altogether the scheme proved
an immcrse success, especially from financial point
Of view
There are few women who have been more talked
about OF late years than Lady Brooke who has been
content to remain Indifferent to the macvolcct gossip
and calumny which she has been subjected, and
Ike Il tue great lady" that she H. has taken 10
notice OF the many totally unioundcd stories that
have been printed about her. Most Of these tals
originate In London where It Is perfectly true that
she Is far from popular, and where SHE has many
bitter enemies. But in Essex, her own county, she
Is universally ard justly beloved alike by rich ana
poor for there few women who have done so m'ch
as she has TO improve the condition Of those lcs'
literally endowed and less oi iunaely situated than
herself. At Easton her country SCAT sac mas or
canhcd and maintained at her expense school wher"
ever hundred girls Of the neighborho0d are cduca''d
and taught dainty ard fcminn" trades, such rs la'c
making embroidery Of underwear. ETC., commanding
good remuneration Tor the present. and Il pleasant
livelihood for the future; AMI many arr the icuneS
Premiere of the London modis"S aId mililn'r' WI"
are indebted for their present uri"v" positions TO
Oh. education with which they were proVnu Ds liz
bounty Of Lady Brooke.
Iady I;roohc does not make friends eisif, mas
horror. which she docs not attempt TO ssgui'"'
for all lor,s and for everything commonplace and
sham and possesses n mind Of much originality,
which ~ rs active and vigorous Us Ter phi 'ipie SIC
I, somewhat Indifferent 10 the conventional laws "t
English society. especially when they ran counter I"
her incnati on, and thi., coupled with her utter IN
difference 10 rulic opinion. has perhaps. constituted
Ia. u.rfl1
which have been told about Ter.
Lady Brooke + "A far more beautiful woman thnn
her photographs make her appear Her ir''flS "a!
that they have never yet seen portrait tit I'll" '
Justice with her wealth Il chrNEu, tr"wn hair
n,r ,islc,.bu, eyes aud her exquisite complnN'on
,. ms away, seemed III" perfection OF fresh diict'
and nly.ihc English lovene,s. H. OIL" thing, how
eyer She Is entirely unEnelish. and that Is In her
,o.,. for dr.s. There are few women In London
whose toilets arr more perfect In every way an"
more ir harmony with their weaIer Than 'h"'" o'
oav urcohc sls IS one OF the best whips In
England and drives fourth hand. hnnuhhS ''
ribbons In a delightful manner. sl" also rid"' TO
nounds. her well u,dc pink habit being one Of the
mos, s,rlAing objects In IN. Essex hunting h'ld.
model hostess she Is never seen to greater anVahase
than when ministcring 10 the comfort OF h'r guests
I'm her Louis Quatorze drawing room, where she Keeps
20 many Of Lcr wedding presents. She mas u7''s
formed the school OF her childhood into Queen
Ammo bouioir and Ea,ton Lodge Is. Il, regards iur-
niturc appointments and equipment OF every KIM one
OF the most perfect country houses In England.
Like the M,rchIoncss OF CRANKY, She Is clever
artist md some OF her wateTcolprs have attracted
pnbIc attention By their delicate beauty She Is
endowed with charming voice, with much llgh'n''s
OF touch piano and with facility for languages
French. German and Spanish p'ihe aS i''"''r ~
her as her native tongue.
I'm vicw therefore, OF her strong and origlnh In
diyduallty OF her Indifference to public opinion ana
Of her briliancy the article which she IS contributing
IN Mr. Astors new Pail Mall Magazine on society
IS certain to prove both instructive and striking.