The times., 1899-12-22
A HOME FOR WAR WIDOWS.
Hampton Court "a Refuge for Be
reayed English Women.
lErOIn the 81. Louls 81


Queen Victoria has offered a suite OF
apartments in Hampton Court 70 Lady Sy-
mons. widow of Gen Sir William Penn Sy-
mons. who was killed in the battle OF Glen
coe. Hampton Court is an ancient royal
palace. which is also home foT the Nid-
ows of distinguished British officers and
others who have earned the high regard
of the Queen. The greater part Of the PAL
ace is divided into handsome and cOnmo-
dious apartments, which are offered to
these widows of distinguished men as they
become vacant.
An occupant Of a suite ia Hampton
Court is not only free from rent, but from
paying local taxes. She also lives amid
beautiful parks and gardens kept in per
feet condition at the public expense.
1t seems only right that after q man has
died while performing q great service for
his country and left widow comparative
ly ill-provided for the country should at
least give her and her children a home.
England recognizes this obligation Hy sup
plying them with homes in Hampton
Court The plan has probably never been
thought of in the United States, but per
haps it will be some day.
The selection Of Lady Symons for the
next vacancy at Hampton Court is a we'll
deserved one. Her husband risked and
lost his life at the critical moment Of &
battle. which was necessary 10 cover the
retreat OF the British army and save it
from being cut of by an overwhelming
force of Beers.
One of the widows now living at Hamp-
ton is Lady CavagnaTi wife of Sir Louis
Cavagnari, who was slaughtered, together
with his whole army, in the retreat from
Crimi in 1879.
The dowager Lady Napier, of Magdala
also lives there Her husband was the
British general who invaded Abyssinia
In 1868. and captured Magdala, the chief
fortress of the Emperor Theodore. Ma
piers achievement was in its day consid-
cred more brilliant than Kitchener's march
to Khsrtum.
Another resident at Hampton is the
dowager Lady Mountmorres. whose hus
band was assassinated in Ireland IN 1850.
Other tenants are Lady GeorgiHa Grey
Lady William Phipps. Lady Albert Sey-
mour. Lady Augustus Hervey. Lady Cathe-
rine Lotus, and the dowager Lady Cliff
ford.
The apartments are eagerly sought for,
and it is considered a great honor TO re-
ceive an offer of them from the Queen.
Those who accept are not necessarily poor,
but merely in position in which hand
some residence free of charge is welcome.
Hampton Court is delightfully."- situated
on the Thames, about hfteen miles above
London The building is historic aud
beautiful, and yet looks like place where
one could find comfortable home, which
is not true of many great palaces.
The older part of Hampton was built by
the famous Cardinal Wolsey. He put
great part of the immense wealth accumu-
lated during his extraordinary career into
it. II was the dream OF his life 10 make
it the most magnificent residence ia Eng
land and to pass his declining years there.
When he had completed it his terrible
sovereign, King Henry III, paid him
visit there. The King liked the palace very
much and said so 10 the cardinal, and add
ed with a significant expression in his
eyes:
y would that / had a house one-half as
fine as this, my lord cardinal"
Accept il. sire, said the cardinal, con-
ceaIing his emotion in the manner habit
uaI to him Il have studied and labored
for years that l might make this a dwell
ing worthy to be offered to so great SOW
ereign, and now my reward and my happi-
ness are complete"