The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-10-26
MRS. GIELow ON
AMERICANS ABROAD.

The following has been received from
Mrs. Martha s. Gielow. formerly of Ala
bama, now living in New York, in reply
to some questions concerning Americans
abroad. She has spent the past few
months enjoying the best element In
social and artistic circles in England.
Mrs. Gielow writes:
Yes, there are a great many Americans
in London and great many different
sets of Americans.
There's the Diplomatic" set of official
position hand in hand with the moneyed
and annexed titled set. There's the
Literary set. the artistic set and the
society of American Women set" and
the set where private homes are as sweet
and refreshing as a breath of the fra
grant lavender blooming on the English
hill sides.
The Society of American Women in
London" has for its President Mrs Hugh
Reed Griffin, a very charming woman. 1
was many times the guest of the Society
and enjoyed delightful programs on each
occasion.
Among many acquaintances from home,
whom | met at their last tea were Cen
eral Wheeler and his lsvely daughters,
our Consul General Evans, Mrs. Evans
and their daughters. Mrs Morris Black
OF New York, Madam Vandever Greene.
Mr.. and Mrs. Lafayette Defriese of Ala
bama, Miss Florence Nightingale and
her cousin, Miss Mai Burdge of Cali
fornia.
Mrs. Griffin is a woman who feels the
responsibility of her position and in fact
believes that all Americans should seri-
ously realize their responsibility while
sent before the world. Her desire is that
they should be a credit to our dear land
and that to be an American woman"
should be no empty boast. but a precious
heritage which she should grace with
pride.
Mrs. Griffin has gathered together a
very pleasant society of Americans in
London whose meeting at Princes are
ever beneficial as well as delightful.
The American society of men lis also a
pleasant set, but carries with it a certain
amount of selfishness inasmuch as they
exclude the ladies and hence the Ameri-
can women set. And now General
Wheeler has begun to organize the PHI
grim set, a club of reciprocity which
will no doubt be very nice and genial
set
But to enjoy the Americans in London
one meet visit the studios OF the artistic
and literary sets and be a guest in the
charming salons of the home loving set.
For while one would not like to miss the
functions at the American Embassy. nor
the AT homes" of the Joseph Chamber
lains the Clovers and Marlboroughs, but
here the English contingent is over whelm-
ing and the Americans present are SO ex-
tremely English in effect that one would
hardly know it to be an American affair
in any way. To meet the Americans,
who flood London, as well as the charm
ing English people one must attend the
Monday receptions of Mr.. and Mrs. l. +.
Ford and the Sunday musicales of Mr..
and Mrs. r. H. Chamberlain, Eevern
Square. Mrs. Chamberlain is most
charming woman and her home per-
feet delight her American friends, she
herself being the main attraction, and
that Is saying much.
The most beautiful old furniture adorns
Mrs. Chamberlain's salon and dining
room-chalrs, tables and buffets two hun
dred and fifty years old. of the First
Empire style, and in her halls and bed
rooms ara to be found the most rare
pieces of Louis XIII time and many an
tique treasures.
1t is<a privilege to be guest or an
artist at Mrs. Chamberlain's Sunday
evening musicals for the music is always
the best and among those present the
most delightful OF the American London
set.
Among the distinguished artists whom l
had the pleasure of hearing at Mrs.
Chamberlains were Mr.. Louis Arens,
from the Imperial Opera of Moscow. who
is now on tour with Melba; Mr.. Andre
Kaya, the celebrated baritone of Poland;
Signor Porte Carlo, the Italian singer;
Mr.. Lloyd Rand, tenor, who will be heard
in America this winter; Signor Morelli,
chelist, Of the Royal quartette of Rome
and musician for Queen Marguerite;
Signor Ernesto Baraldi, the Italian COM
Morris Black of New York; Mrs. Eleanor
Clever. Mrs. Birmingham of San Fran
cisco and Eleanora Jackson, the violinist.
The theatrical element was also usually
well represented by such as Mr.. and
Mrs. Martin Harvey, Mr.. and Mrs. Frank
Mills. Mr.. Holbrook Blinn, Mr.. and Mrs.
Edwin Barron, Alice Fischer, while Julian
Ralph and many other writer's and read
ers professional and unprofessional were
usually present.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ford have one of the
rare old round head" homes, with it's
white paneled walls, and secret passages,
looking upon St. James Park on old Queen
Street. From the tall tower at the en-
trance the United States flag floats on
all State occasions with beautiful Ameri-
can assurance. The literary and artistic
set also frequent Mrs. Ford's charming
Mondays, and it is with pleasure one can
chat informally with Mr.. and Mrs. Hall
Game, Thomas Hardy, Mrs. Craigie and
listen to Irving. Abbey Shannon, Alfred
East and others and members of His
Majesty's Government, such as Nindahue,
eminent people, set great store by Mr..
Ford, because of his great Judgment and
tact. The Earl Marshal, Duke of Nor
folk, sent him an invitation to the Abbey
for the coronation, as a special mark of
esteem. At Mrs. Ford's you will meet
also the heroes for the moment, whether
in literature, soldjery, or craftsmanship,
if their distinction rests upon merit
One has seen DR.. Jamison discussing
South African politics with Maurice
Hewitt, across the Ford's table. The
American Embassy of course frequent
this delightful household; our Mr.. White