The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-02-04

| Kidd, ct decedee lie 10 Janvler, 1910, q
une heure apres midi au domicile du
Sieur Danny, Rue Franchise" She lies
in timber yard just outside the fortif-
cations, all that remains of Nelson's
witty, charming Lady Hamilton. No
loving friends soothed the last moments
Of this warm hearted, though hayward
woman, the only woman, perhaps, whom
our great hero ever loved.
From the lips of one of Nelson's old
tars, who fought at Trafalgar, we have
been told OF her kindness to those who
had incurred his disapprobation. Many
dozen lashes have been RENTED
through her powerful intercession. "Ah,
she was VERY nice lady "a very nice
lady indeed" said he. They are all
sleeping their last sleep now--Nelson,
Lady Hamilton and Billy-but her gem
uine sympathy and practical goodness
must not on that account be forgotten.
All who have carefully read her history
must have seen that she was one OF those
who were more sinned against than
shining" A Lancashire peasant lass by
birth. an orphan from infancy and
! brought up to gIrlhood at Hawarden,
she was sent out to service as nurse
maid when che was young and ignor-
ant child. From that time her self
education commenced. But the process
was slow, and meantime she WAS grow
ing into lovely woman full of energy
and animation. What chance had
simple country girl when assailed by
professions OF love and offers
OF comparative wealth from men
of rank and experienced She
fell, and became excessively the
concubine of naval captain, baronet,
the Hon. Charles Greville and Sir Will
liam Hamilton. After Sir William
married her she was received by Marie
Antoinette. She was the confidential
friend a the queen of Naples, and was
thus enabled on an important occasion
to give such information to our govern
ment that the intrigues of Napoleon
were frustrated and England was saved
from deep and dangerous scheme OF
attack. Hardy" said the dying Nell
son, "take care of my dear Lady Hamil-
ton" To the chaplain, at his last
moments, Doctor, remember that l
leave Lady Hamilton and my daughter
Horatia as legacy to my country.
Thank God 1 have done my duty"
These were his last words, but with his
death, her frailties only were remem-
bered; her services to the state and the
claims of his daughter we're disregsrded.
The painters OF England and Italy We'd
in portraying her. Romney. who
sdored her, painted her at least %
times.
We have touched on the representa-
tive concubines, for the whole number
would require volumes. In politics, art,
religion and social changes their inhu-
ence has been great in all times and
| nj hoa
beloved by Plato. Phryne's statue of
pure gold stood on pillar of white mar
BILE at Delphi, and at her own expense she
rebuilt Thebes after it had been de-
stroyed by Alexander. Deliah con-
quered Samson and destroyed the hopes
of Israel. Esther saved the Jews from
destruction. Helena, by the love OF
Constantius, enlarged the boundaries
of Christianity. 1t was said of Demos
themes, what he determines today
woman will undo tomorrow" Gabrielle
Angelique inspired the valor OF Henri
| Quatre.- Mile. de Ia Fayette in her
boudoir was as much match
for Richelieu as the Duchesse
de Longueville in the field
was for Cardinal Mazarin.. Alice Perrers
controlled the great Edward III, and
though banished for q time By the petit
ton OF the commons. returned to resume
her smay. The Countess of Carlisle
eaved "the Eve membera," and perhaps
the commonwealth. for the sake of
Pym. John Of Gaunt fostered the dawn
OF the reformation in England through
Catherine Swynford, and Anne Boleyn
brought it to completion. Lady Henri
eta Wentworth sold even her Jewels for
her Monmouth's unhappy instruction,
and thus assisted in the speedy downfall
OF the Stuarts. Wherever we turn we
are met by these women-the advisers,
the CONSIDERS, the helpmates of poets,
painters, philosophers. statesmen, war
riors and kings.
1t is idle to say that these men, the
foremost of their time and country,
have always been governed only through
the physical beauty of their concubines.
Beauty ever gives charm to a woman,
but nothing is more evanescent. 1t was
their mental excellencles, their knowl-
edge and tact, that, as rule, gave or
secured them their permanent empire.
Catherine Sedley, for example, had no
beauty, yet James was as puppet in
her presence. Her wit and skill par
alyzed his will, and made his oaths to
his confessors and his protestations to
his ministers utterly ridiculous. Apart
from their personal attractions, it was
because they had educated themselves
to be the COMPANIONS and equals of their
lovers, that concubines accomplished so
much in spite of social difficulties. Now
and then a wife may have equaled or
surpassed them, but more frequently
she has driven her husband to their
arms.
The insanity of ordinary wives is one
OF the chief causes OF modern estrange-
ments between married people. When
wives are intelligent they exercise
greater influence over gifted men than
Intelligent concubines can effect, pro-
vided their dispositions are also in &C
cord. There ie nothing in the nature of
concubinage that could make men ever
prefer it unless it be greater sense of
freedom. They know that if incompati-
bility should occur they can shake hands
and Say goodbye, whereas with incom-
patible wives they would have to drag
for life miserable chain. II women
will marry without any preparation or
knowledge of their future responsible
ties, and without ascertaining the dis
positions and nature OF men and the
sort they require for husbands. then
they are gambling recklessly with their
happiness and their husbands happi-
ness as the stakes. Marriage is not
furnished house and an income. 1t lie
love, sympathy in all things, everlasting
e.. IL - al