The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-11
TWO GRAND OLD WOMEN.
Miss Anthony's Opinion of the Queen
of England,

|
| of England.
In referring TO Queen Victoria's receiving
the International Council OF Women last
summer in London, Miss Anthony said re-
Gently: English women told me the in
| vitation to Windsor was an endorsement
such as never before had been given by the
Queen TO any organization whose purpose
was to enlarge the sphere of woman. Yes,
/ think 1t was an event of marked signifi-
canoe. especially the hospitality Of enter
tanning us at tea in one OF the most beauti-
full halls OF her magnificent home, attended
by her own servants in the royal livery.
The Queen Is a close student of public ques-
tions, very conservative in speech and ac-
tion, and discriminates carefully in the
people and the affairs to which she gives
her personal sanction. This congress. repre-
senting a score of nat Qualities, stood
strongly and Enthusiastically for the new era
in womanhood. These were the uncom-
promising advocates of the highest educa-
ton, of the opening of all avenues Of en-
pioyment, including the professions, and of
the franchise on the same terms as for
men. The Queen was fully cognizant of all
this and her gracious and kindly reception
cannot have any other Interpretation than
approval of the aims OF this international
congress of women
1T was the more TO be valued because,
on account of her advanced age. Queen
Victoria seldom receives any considerable
number of people. She is victim of
rheumatism. which does not spare even
royalty, and walks or stands very little.
but, as she drove slowly through the court
yard in her handsome low carriage, the
ladies grouped around had ample oppor
tunity TO note her unwrinkled face, her
fresh pink complexion, and the sweetness
of her smile. i was very glad to be able
TO get photograph of her exactly as she
appeared that day. Most OF her pictures
have a sad and rather severe expression,
but she seemed really happy on this oc-
casion to greet the leading women of all
civilized nations"
How did Her Majesty happen to receive
you?''
We'll. toward the close of the congress
/ said TO its president: Lady Aberdeen. IL
this international conference were meeting
in Washington the women from all the
States in the Union and from every for
eign nation would want to see the Presi-
dent. and he and his wife would tender an
invitation for them 10 call at the White
House. All OF the women here have the
same feeling toward the Queen. Now,
isn't there some power you can invoke to
get the door open?' She said, Miss An
thony, ] will try:' and went straight away
and wrote her letter of request. In an
swer we were invited to Windsor
Il had been there sixteen years before,
but ] am never specially overwhelmed with
big piles of stone. II I were more familiar |
with their stories and those of their occu- |
pants ! might be more impressed. My |
study of English history has been con-
fined mostly TO economic conditions and de- |
velopment rather than to the building OF |
castles and the appearance and disappear J
ance of kings and queens. But there and
everywhere abroad. one feels all the time
that he is treading on the ground which
has been trodden by countless ages.
Now, as for Her Majesty. l thought she
was a mighty human looking woman-a
good, motherly woman. / think that is
usually ones first impression in Meeting
royalty or nobility-that they are much
like other people; that is refined and cul-
tured people. II was difficult 10 realize
her age. / always feel when I meet per
tons who are eighty. How very old that
isl and then all of a sudden i think,
Why. l am eighty myself and it seems
impossible. i had never seen the Queen
before but / always felt a close associa-
ton with her on account of her being SO
near my own age-she was born in May
and / the next February. She was married
at the same time my eldest sister. and
the Prince of Wales was born about the
time her first child was. The thought OF