Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-06-26
DOWNRIGHT. 1881

who know the distinguished statesman.
The influence of his young and Deauu-
full wife, who was an American girl OF
the most sternly patriotic mold, is wen
known in London. She is an Endl-
colt, daughter of ex-Secretary or war
William C. Endlcott, and descendant
Of stern old Governor John Endlcott,
of Puritan New England days. IL IS
a family that in spite OF the turns OF
fortunes wheel has always managed 10
retain wealth and social supremacy
Mrs Chamberlain has a large fortune
invested in this country, and Mr..
Chamberlain is also said TO nave pur-
chased valuable interests botn at the
time Of his visit to America when he
came over in regard to the Venezuela
dispute.
No American woman residing on
Yankee soil is more devoted 70 her ma
tive land that Is the wife OF the great
Euglishman statesman. With ms IN
tensely democratic ideas Mr.. Chamber
lain has always been an admirer OF this
great republic. The cordial reception
given him by the press and pubic on
those occasions when he has visited
this country could but increase MS
cordlality toward the American peo-
pie.
His own career is strongly similar to
that of many American men. He IS
by birth man of the people, for, as
he himself says, his grandfather was
a wiltshire laborer who worked Tor
seven shillings a week. HIS father
was a manufactured OF wooden screws,
and to this business the son succeeded.
At 3S he retired an independently
wealthy man ard devoted himself TO
gratifying his ambition for political
power. He entered politics when about
80 years of age, and as one OF the
officials of his native city, Birming-
ham, placed it on the road to becom-
ing one of the richest municipalities
in the world He hes always pro-
claimed himself the friend of the poor
man and the workingman. He was
a friend of and pronounced the funeral
grafton Of the great commoner, Hon.
John Bright, also of Birmingham.
Once the friend of Mr.. Gladstone and
one Of the leaders of the Liberals, he
left the party with his adherents at the
time home rule was taken up by It,.
From the most radical of Liberalists
he became the most pronounced OF
Tories. SO much so that Queen Victoria
and the royal family regard him as
one of the bulwarks of imperialism.
He is on the most friendly terms with
the Queen, and he and his wife are
often asked to dine at Windsor Castle,
an honor coveted by peers of the realm
II he were prime minister of Eng
land. and it is acknowledged that the
premiership is the object of his ambi-
Ill . hn r
be greatly pleased Under Lord Sails
bury's government Mr.. Chamberlain
holds the position of secretary OF state
for the colonies. His stated object is
the cementing of the bonds of Eng
lands dependencies, the extension OF
colonial trade and commercial alliances
and the demonstration Of the statement
that "blood is thicker than water In
line with this policy is his speech in
favor Of union of the two great ma
tions of Anglo-Saxon origin. No Wo-
man in England probably exercises SO
great an influence on English politics as
does Mrs Cham berlain through the in
strumentality of her famous husband.
London society is now said to be
largely in the hands of American wo-
men of wealth who have married into
the oldest and noblest families of Eng
land To select from among these
beautiful and talented women the ones
who have or may have most to do with
bringing about an alliance between
England and America would be a very
difficult matter.
The daughter of Mr.. W. K Wander
bilt, of New York, probably represent
the most conspicuous title in England.
She Is the present Duchess of Mari
borough, the first holder of that title
having been the famous Sarah Jennings
noted for her beauty, her wit and her
bad temper. Sarah jennings was one
of the cleverest women of her time and
was practically the ruler of England
through Queen Anne, as she was of her
big, handsome. good natured husband,
John Churchill, who won the battle of
Blenheim.
Since the days Of John Churchill and
Sarah Jennings there have not been any
Marlboroughs who amounted to much,
and the presentation of Blenheim cas-
tie to the family by the English gov
eminent as mark of its appreciation
of Churchill's victories proved to be
verltable hoodoo. for the fortunes
of the Marlboroughs have been dissi-
pated in keeping I'D this magnificent
establishment. which in splendor
eclipses some Of the royal castles of
England. The last Duke of Marlbor-
ough, who was divorced from his first
wife, Lady Blandford, daughter of the
Duke of Abercorn and a very estimabie
lady, while on a visitfo America mar
ried Mrs. Hamersley. rich widow, who
knew pretty well how to take care of
her money
This lady took considerable interest
In the historic castle, but while Duchess
of Marlborough she had little chance
to shine in English society. as the
queen. owing to her friendship for
Lady Biandford refuses to receive her
at court. On the death of the duke
she married Lord William Beresford
one Of the most gallant soldiers of
England. and since she has possessed
greater influence and better social po-
sition
The young Duke of Marlborough
promises to be credit to his house. re-
Sembling as he does his mothers fam
,ly, that Of the Duke Of Abercorn. or,
of the Oldest and proudest in Scotti-h
history. Consuelo. the young Amer
can glrl who u the present Duchess of