The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-22

SPECIAL BY CABLE TO THE NEW YORK
HERALD AND H ST. LOUIS REPUBLIC.
London. Feb. 2l-(Copyright. l90S.)-Mrs.
George Cornwallis-West. better known as
Lady Randolph Churchill. occupies a unique
position in English society. She was one
OF the first American women to marry a
distinguished titled Englishman and to
come to London and attain e high social
position, having married Lord Randolph in
1874, one year before Miss Jane Frost of st.
Louis became the wife Of Sir Lewis Moles-
worth.
Consequently, anything Mrs. West has to
say about American women in Europe"
is Of much interest. and carries authority.
In this month's Pail Mall Magazine. Mrs.
George CornwaIlis-W est. under the advance
caption, writes:
Thirty years ago in England, as on the
Continent, the American woman was locked
upon as a strange and abnormal creature,
with habits and manners something be-
tween those of the red Indian and the
gayety girl. Anything of an outlandish ma
ture might be expected of her. If she
talked, dressed and conducted herself as
any well-bred woman would, much aston
ishment was invariably evinced. She was
usually saluted with the tactful remark:
7 should never have thought you an Amer
lean Dy IuOSe WHO lHttlutu II ds OiiPA
ment. As a rule. people looked upon her as
a disagreeable. even dangerous, person.
Her dollars were her only recommended
ton. and all were credited with the pos
session of them. Otherwise, what was her
'rais3n d'etre?
"Nor was distinction ever made between
Americans. They were all supposed to be
of one uniform type The young lady who,
refusing anything more to eat. says, I'm
pretty crowded just now or, in explaining
why she is travelling alone, remarks, Papa
don't voyage; he's too fleshy,' was thought
to be representative of the national type
."The steady progress of American women
in the minds of Europeans since then can
h~rpsauged by studying their present posi-
ton In Europe. 1t is not to be denied that
mighty! and the most carping. jealous crit
les cannot find fault with the ways In which
they fill them.
"fn the political, literary and diplomatic
worlds they more than hold their own. They
are q great success in the Old World.
WONDERFUL ADAPTABILITY.
There is no doubt that their success is
which they display without at the same time
losing their Individuality.
"a girl born and bred in the backwoods
ners and customs of her husbands country
to such an extent that after a few years
she might pass as one of his nationality.
The chief characteristic of the American
woman is her versatility. This is fostered
by ambition. Her active mind seems TO
open all paths to her.
England is her happiest hunting ground
for obvious reasons. Speaking the same
language, she naturally feels more at home.
Besides there Is no doubt that English go
ciety is much Predetermined and more ap-
preciative of individual merit than that of
any other country Beauty and charm in
woman or good fellowship In mar wifi a k
them into fastidious. refined circles in Brit
ain, where dull duches5es and rich bores
seek entrance in vain.
Compared with that of England, Amer
lean society is restricted, narrow and arti-
fetal. and 1t takes a long time to break
down the barriers.
Americans are often credited with loving
titles. In a sense, the criticism is true. but
only inasmuch as striving to have the best
of everything. including society, they make
the mistake of thinking that the aristocracy
of the country must represent the most cul-
frlred and refined of its inhabitants.
unfortunately, this is not always so, but
II 10 obviously unfair to reproach the Amer
jcan woman for seeking what In every 9th
or country in the world both sexes struggle
for social or material advancement. As
snobbery is cosmopolitan, the genius snob
has no nationality, so wsll-bred people speak
fhs same Language all over the world, while
in education the bringing-up of the average
American girl is in some ways far superior
10 that of her English cousin.
.YCertainly in the way Of book learning
.be is better read and. having generally
Travelled before she makes her appearance
In the world. BY the time she Is Ii she II