The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-21
MOTLEY's DAUGHTER.
The American Wife of an English
Political Leader.

the collaboration of a wife ideal in the
circumstances. II it we're permissible to
flash on this page, in whatever severely
modified light, the frankness Of conversa-
ton which takes place in corners of
drawing room when, after dinner party,
the gentlemen are left to their wine, 1t
might be limited that Sir William is the
kind of man peculiarly in need OF the gem
tie influence OF a graceful wife, There is
in mis- ordinary manner and address no
medium between extreme urbauity and
Vitrlolic disagrceableneSs 1t is n very
old story how six men, uniting to give a
dinner at Brooks, agreed that each was
to ask as his guest the most disagree
able person he knew. No condolences were
to be exchanged, leaving untrammelcd the
curiosity that centered upon the meeting
when each man would be able to see
wherein his particular selection was eX-
celed Covers were laid for twelve, but
only seven sat down.
Each man had asked Vernon Harcourt.
OF course, the tale is apocryphal. and
being spiteful, is equally, of course, a
man story. TO me the point of IT lies
in the fact that the great man at whom
the venom is slung was known as Vernon
Harcourt. That shows II dates back
many years long before Sir William mar
ried, en- secondes noces, Mrs. Ives. She
has rained sweet influence over the house
hold, and Sir William Harcourt has be-
come quite bearable over a wide circle
of society. 1t is even said by those who
fiatter him that he reserved all the frost
of his manner for the occasional dinners
he gave to political supporters, while yet
he resided in Downing street as chan
cellor of the eXchequer. 1t has been said
that on these occasions, sitting at the
head. or rather in the middle, of his own
t,bI lo e
has dwelt In silence through six courses,
while his trembling guests have convers-
ed with each other in funeral whispers
Anything more awful than the picture
here roughly limned and boldly colored
the mind cannot imagine. In pleasing
contrast are the attitude, appearance and
manner of Sir William when, under the
same roof, stll weighted with the cares
of the treasury and the colleagueship OF
Lord Roseberry, he has acted as host,
whether at dinnar or through an evening
party, with Lady Harcourt beaming as
hostess
Lady Harcourt's charm is not wrought
or nourshed by anything approaching a
gushing manner. She does not set up as
brilliant talker, nor does she lay her
self out to be a leader of fashion, in dress
or other social matters. She is just a
woman, but one of innate good nature,
kindly feeling, high intelligence and per-
feet breeding. Though, as far as her
friends know, she never NEEDLES in liter
ature she inherits from her father-the
historian of the Netherlands keen lit
erary taste. She has read most books
worth reading, and is at home with those
who write books, even if some of the
products are not the best.
Perhaps Lady Harcourt is seen at her
very best as hostess at her country home
in the New Forest. The house parties
at MalwOod frequently, almost invariably.
have the piquancy of a melange of peo-
pie interested in various fields of publis
labor. Politicians naturally predominant.
But there is not to be found, as is the
case in houses of some political person
ages, only one party color A hard hitter
in the political arena, Sir William Har-
court probably has on his visiting list a
larger number of people from the other
political camp than has any man in an
analogous position.
How long that visiting INST is is indi-
Gated by a story the pleasanter to tell
since, though, again, it is ununged by
bitterness. In the middle of a busy sea-
son Sir William, In fulfillment of a long
standing engagement marked IN his pock-
etbook, went out to dinner on Monday
night. He fancied he observed on making
his entrance to the drawing room that his
host and hostess looked at him with some
surprise and even embarrassment. The
mood was, however momentary. He was
thereafter welcomed with accustomed eff
fusiveness, had an excellent dinner in
such agreeable company that he felt in
disposed to complain that the table was,
perhaps, a little crowded.
on the following Wednesday he kept
another dinner engagement, of which ne
had made careful note In his book. Again
he noticed with even less hope of mis-
understanding, an almost frightened look
passing between his host and hostess
when his name was announced Again
the embarrassment proved transitory, and
Sir william had another thoroughly en-
ioyable evening.
on Friday he went out to third tryst.
In the hall he came across the butler
an old acquaintance. The man, less mas
terful over his emotions than higher
trained people, started back when he rec
ognized the newcomer, gazing at him
mutely open-mouthed.
whats the matter?" asked Sir Will
lam; didn't you expect to see me to din
ner?"
Yes sir" said the butler; but it WASH t
tonight, ii was next Tuesday"
Closer investigation of his engagement
book explained the mystery. 1t was ar
ranged in pages, each one noting week S
enga gements. Sir William, in his haste,
had unknowingly turned over two pages,
which really fell due the week after.
Here was double trouble. He not only
imposed somewhat burly presence at a
table where no provision had been made
for him. but had in the course OF the
week broken two dinner engagements, and
was late in keeping his appointment for
a third.
Lady Harcourt Is absolutely free from
rancor Of any kind, above all from polit-
zeal rancor. Perhaps that might not with
full confidence be said of Sir william.
But he never carries political feeling into
the social circle. A well-known London
hostess, whose dining room is neutral
ground for politicians Of all shades, says
that Arthur Balfour having accepted an
invitation to dine with her on a particular
night her heart was filed with desire to
have Sir William Harcourt also. The idea
struck her as she looked down from the
atrocious accommodation provided for la
dies in the House Of Commons. II was a
time when Mr.. Balfour was still chief
secretary for Ireland and every night,
with his back to the wall fought with
beasts at Ephesus.
On the night she CHANGED to be there,
Mr.. Balfour reused by some more than
usually savage attack upon him from the
Irish quarter turned upon its DENIES, and
ran them through and through with pol
fuH MI William