The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-01-29
COUNTESS ABERDEEN.
"First Lady of Csnada," the Wife of the
Governor General.

The Countess Of Aberdeen, as the wife
Of. the Governor General of Canada, takes
precedence at all functions honored by
her presence in social or official life In
the Dominion. She is 'the leading
lady" of Canada. The Countess of Aber-
dsen, however, does not pose as "but-
t erfiy of fashion." She does not set the
fashion of Ottawa women, much less
the women of Canada; neither does she
hold court with the extravaRRncs OF
some of her predecessors. Nevertheless
the A berdesns are very wealthy ana
could we'll afford to dazzle the Canadian
people with magnificent entertainments.
Her ladyship's inolinations are toward
the elevation of her sex, and large
share of her time 10 devoted to the WORK
of the National Council Of Women. OF
which she Is president. 1t was she who
introduced that organization into Canada
and the numerous branches which have
been organized. are the result of Lady
berdeen's earnestness. She is good
woman, devoted to her family, and dis
charges the social duties of Rideau Hall
with the graoiousness expected from the
mistress of the noble house of Aberdeen.
She dresses with perfect taste, richly on
occasions, and very plainly In every Gay
life.
Isabel Countess off Aberdeen, Is q
dau Qhter of the first Lord Tweedmouth,
and long before she came to Canada was
prominently identified with movements
for the elevation and enfranohtsement OF
women. The Aberdeens Dame to Canada
in 1891 and spent the summer Of that year
In Hamilton, Ont. they travelled muon,
Lord A berdeen boughtsa tract of lo50O
acres in the avalloy of Lake Okanagan.
Before coming to Canada Lady Aber-
desn had founded the Onward and Up
ward Society, an association having Tor
it's object the PRESENTATION of higher
ideal Of life to working women. 1t was
in desire to improve the condition Of
her own servants that Lady Aberdeen S
idea firststook root. From this grew the
association which now has membership
approaching 10, 900. Thia busy woman
good work in@the establishment Of the
irish village al the Worlds Fair at Chi
oagoawas3only aacontinuation.o the work
in which she has been engaged for years
as president Of the Irish lndustrieH' As
ISOLATION. The labor involved was very
great. She visited towns, villages and
districts all over Ireland, selecting ex-
hibits and suitable persons to take kthem
in charge, and finally made 1t one Of the
most popular features on the Midway
Plaisunce. Better than that, substan-
tial benefits were reaped from the ad-
veritsing by many an Irish lacemaker
aud artisan ut home. Lady Aberdeen
was conspicuous figure at the World s
fair, whers she was elected president OF
the Worlds Congress for Women. and
lust before leaving England in 1893, for
Canada-Lord A berdesn having been
call sooner than WIS expected to accept
the most of Governor General-she &C
cepted, in succession to Mrs. Gladstone,
the presidency of the National Wcmen's
Liberal Federation. This is distinctly
partisan Office, and is largely honorary,
since she is prevented By absence from
active participation in the ante-electlon
| work of the society.
Lord A berdeen is a man of considerable
| wealth, as riches In England are con-
sidered, and has long rent roll. But the
noble mistress Of Haddo House does not
entertain with the lavishness of some
of her predecessors. FoI that reason
there can be no other-Lady Aberdeen is
not as popular in Ottawa IS he is else
where in Canada. But she Is devoted
wife, a fond and indulgent mother, and
her three children. Lady Marjory, and
the two handsome young Gordons, whose
frank faces are shown in the accompany
| ing picture, idolize her. -Ruffalo Express