The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-15
THE BRADLEY MARTINS.
The london Daily Mail Satirizes Them
i'm n Long Editorial.

Cable Special TO New York Journal.
The Daily London Mail which is the only
paper read by all classes in London. sails
into the Bradley Martins by way of prepar-
ing a pleasant reception for that golden
family on its arrival in London. 1t de-
votes to them column article on the edi-
torial page. from which ] quote:
The pilgrims that fled in the Mayflower
are returning 10 flout Mayfair. and Bunker
British.
''rhe Bradley Martins are coming. The
before the last echoes have died away the
invaders will be enthroned in blaze of
inca inca es,,. Story showering dinner cards
Let us hear the story of the conquerors.
Bradley Martin does nor count for much.
name hints At hreve etie rank He is the
son of a good Albany family and of Il
prosperous. Woodworking business man.
of the German when New York society was
in transition period; when the knicker-
booker aristocracy was still proud and par
venus were looked upon askance.
But Bradley Martin of both camps,
and his marriage 10 old man Sherman's
daughter was dolefully alluded TO by his
less prosperous relatives as a come-down
for the family.
Isaac II. Sherman was homely in ap-
pearance. humble in origin ignorant of
culture. but shrewd in commerce. You can
find such men still, but they are getting
rare. 1t is disputed whether Mr.. Sherman
was cooper, but if he never made tubs
he certainly made barrels of money. He
exported slaves. founded bank and died
sixteen years ago. leaving his daughter ten
or twelve millions OF dollars He was quiet
and kindly. equally without polish or pre-
tence. He was respected citizen. an in
huential politician, and a warm friend of
President Lincoln.
1T was reserved for his ambitious and
remarkable daughter to turn the power of
his accumulated millions to the conquest
OF society,". Two houses in Twentieth street
we're knocked into one and furnished. re-
CARELESS of expense. three years were spent
by her husband and herself in European
travel. collecting objects of art and a
knowledge of the Old Worlds ways.
Whole contents of castles and churches
were bought. that the plumber might give
chase of Wardour street ancestors aided
in the constructive proof of ancient de-
scent. and lavish hospitality went far to
close the mouth of carpers.
Yet. in spite of years of toll. the thing
never quite succeeded. The truth is that
good as the Martins's reception in Europe
imprimltur of great courts nor had the
AnElicising of American society as yet
reached the point at which a London de-
gree was passport to q front place.
"A year or two ago. however came a
great change: for as her daughter grew up
new avenues of promotion were opened. So
when the young earl of an amicabe but
undistinguiShed family was found anxious
to marry wealthy wife. the next step 10
the Bradley Martin progress was obvious.
Now comes the beginning of the end.
With live countess for a daughter and
untold millions i'm the bank the way TO
greatness was made smooth. But the con-
quest of London. like the building of Rome
is not to he effected in a day. A year or
two had to be given TO securing the ont
works and couple of seasons 10 allowing
advanced guard to reconnoiter and en-
trench around the citadel.
1.-The Cravens were given carte blanche in
London. great house and one of the best
forests were taken in the north to under
mine the enemys country and win over
allies from his ranks Gradually recruits
came in. Dinners I'm town and shooting i'm
Scotland secured the allegiance of the so
open house at Balmacaan went far TO
honeycomb the serried ranks of great
women.
New York and the world reverberates yet
with accounts of it's splendor. IL was
master-stroke of advertisement. Were p. T.
Barnum alive he would one is sure. gerrr-
ously acknowledge defeat in a field once
peculiarly his own.
''--he Vanderbilt -Marlborough wedding
may have cost 100000. The Bradley-Mar;in
hall cost one-quarter of a million dollars
ana the difference marks the degree or re-
cenoancy that the latter function affords to
the givers.
and follow such imaginative magnificencer
The question IS superfiuous and the answer
is that hateur envy and ridicule will be
powerless TO withstand well planned a
campaign and such irresistible forces. AL
ready the victims of the great Amazon
queen are innumerable. but where Palma
caan slew its thousands Belgravia Will STAY
its tens of thousands.
yet Mrs Bradley Martin does not strike
one as a woman OF destiny She is neither
very clever nor very witty. and though
generous. good-natured and amidble she
possesses none of the overmastering charm
that should be the only explanation of so
superb a career II Is triumph OF organ
izing and advertising genius that she illus
trates. and in an age of breathless hurry
these are qualities that make for success.