The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-06-26
Copyright, 1881

lie Hull JOSSpu etufo-
cacy of an Anglo-American alliance is
scarcely a matter of surprise to those
who know the distinguished statesman.
The influence of his young and beauti-
full wife, who was an American girl OF
the most sternly patriotic mold, is well
known in London. She is an Endi-
colt, daughter of ex-Secretary of War
William C. Endicott and a descendant
of stern old Governor John Endicott of
Puritan New England days. It is a
family that in spite of the turns of for
tunes wheel has always managed to re-
tain wealth and social supremacy. Mrs.
Chamberlain has a large fortune in
vested in this country, and Mr.. Cham
berlain is also said to have purchased
valuable interests both at the time of
his visit to America when he met his
wife, in 1887, and later when he came
over in regard to the Venezuela dispute.
No American woman residing on
Yankee soil is more devoted to her ma
tive land than is the wife of the great
English statesman. With his intensely
democratic ideas Mr.. Chamberlain has
always D6e0 ill VI ILLS Sltil
republic. The cordial reception given
him by the press and public on those
occasions when he has visited this
country could but increase his cordiali-
ty toward the American people.
His own career is strongly similar to
that of many American men. He is by
birth a man of the people. for, as he
himself says his grandfather was
xxy;I+ot;ro borar xx,1,o work ad for Shil >,
lings a week. His father was a manu-
facturer of wooden screws, and to his
business the son succeeded. AT SO he
retired an Independently wealthy man
and devoted himself to gratifying his
ambition for political power. He en-
tered politics when about 80 years of
age and as one of the officials of his
native city, Birmingham, placed it on
the road to becoming one of the richest
municipalities in the world. He has
always proclaimed himself the friend
of the poor man and the worl<ingman.
He was a friend of and pronounced the
funeral Grafton of the great commoner,
the Hon. John Bright also of Birming
ham.
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 1t.
From the most radical of Liberalists
he became the most pronounced of
Tories. so much so that Queen Vic
toria 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.
If he were prime minister of Eng
land and it is acknowledged that the
premiership is the object of his am
billions, it is probable the queen would
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
lions of Anglo-Saxon origin. No wo-
man in England probably exercises SO
great an influence on English politics as
does Mrs Chamberlain 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 beau
tiful and titled 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.
yxT T%
bilt OF New York probably represents
the most conspicuous title in England.
She is the present Duchess of Marlbor-
ough the first holder of that title hay
ing 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
Blcnheim.
Since the days of John Churchill and
Sarah Jennings there have not been any
Marlboroushs who amounted to much,
and the presentation of Blenheim castle
to the Family by the English govern
nleht as a mark of its, appreciation of
Churchills victories proved to be a vef-
liable hoodoo, for the fortunes of the
Marlboronghs have been dissipated in
keeping up this magnificent, establish
anent, which in splcndor eclipses some
of the royal castles OF England. The last
Duke of Marlborough. who was divorced
from his first wife, Lady Blandford,
daughter OF the Duke of Abercorn and
q Very estinlablc lady, while On a visit
to America married Mrs. Hamersley,
n rich widow, who knew pretty well
how to take care Of her money.
This lady took, considerable interest
in the historic castle, bat while Duchess