The morning times., 1896-11-29
A LONDON SUCCESS.
The Methods Employed BY an American
Girl in English Journalism.

Any woman is to be trusted these days
who frankly declares she hasn't a mission.
That is why felt a warm faith in Eliza
beth Banks, when, sitting in her study in
Queen Anne's Mansions the other evening,
she said, with perfect candor shining in
sher bright brown eyes, Yes, / did all
those curious things formerly, that's all
there is about it. I'm no philanthropist,
and / didn't come to London to reform
things. / came to make a living, and the
living was hard TO get at first on conven-
uonal literary lines, and, therefore, en-
tered this field of journalistic invest "a ton
Who is Elizabeth Banks?' many of my
American readers will toe asking and what
has she been doing to astOnish peOple?'
II you asked that question of LUnduncr
he'd lift his eyes in surprise and tell you
she had done the most remarkable things
of any American woman who has as Yet
made her home in Great Britain, and If
you knew the histories of all our great
women who have gone over there from
time TO time you'd certainly be imprcs sed
with the lmpOrtacne OF her achievements.
Her newspaper life in America was short,
but successful. Born in New England and
reared by strict Puritan aunt, at whose
knee she Was made to read five chapters
OF the Bible a day, il seems rather Won
derful that such an existence should have
nurtured 4 talent for the most hustling
style OF feminine journalist that this age
has produced.
She began making her living on the st.
Paul Globe as reporter and stenographer;
then. after that she went to Peru as private
secretary for an American minister. After
this she did work ON the Baltimore Times.
Tier she concluded 20 find her way to Lo-
don town. and there to cast her tent for
life. Her first hit was made by a clever
answer sent to The London Times i'll reply
FWfV
tlpling, and immediately the public had its
curiosity excited over a girl who could
write letter opposing so exalted genius
that the Times would be willing TO print.
After thisletter Miss Banks presented her
self TO the editor OF the Weekly Sun, and
proposed to him Il plan of an investigation
OF TIE servant question Of London.
But, my GEAR miss said the editor,
'what is your object?" Copy" she an
swercG shortly, and the editor. having him
self been reporter, smiled aIulably. and
told her 10 go ahead, or something to that
effect, for perhaps go ahead is not an
LTglIsh expression.
And says Miss Banks II went ahead
with vengeance. l entered service as
housemaiG in two different London estab-
lishincIts, and gave my experience in cap
and apron 10 the public | investigated
tine laundrieS as a worker, PLAYED the
part OF flower girl at PicadiIly Circus. and
last, but most reprchcnSibie of al, repre-
sented an American heircss in search of a
titled chaperOne and husband"
Here she threw her head back and laugh
ed heartily.
Ion. the anonymous letters received on
that score, How my readers seemed to
hate ile for showing up the power of the
American dollar. anG how wrctchcdly un-
comfortable some OF the grand danes who
had offered their influence TO me at
stipulated SUM looked when ! met them
out afterward at entertainments. -
nd have you ever seen the unDleaSa mt
mistress who employed you as housemaid?''
asked.
Yes, indeed; why just the other night
sat next to her daughter at the theater.
and the other day n friend asked nc ia
share her invitation to reception on Port
man Square, and, after accepted. She told
me il was at the mouse of Mrs. Allison, nv
former mistress. She didn't understand
the situation, when suddenly pleaded cx-
cuse of my immediate copy. OF course
the name of Allisonwas assumed. forI have
never breathed to 2 soul the real names OF
any of these people"
Because continued Miss Banks, 81
wrote that Mrs. Allison was an exacting
and unsvmpatlIetic mistress She seemed 10
be looked upon with particular pity by many
OF my anonymous correspondents, one OF
whom described her as sort Of martyr who
had been butchered to make "A journalistic
holiday
And how have the editors treated you?"
asked.
''oh, from them I have received the ut