The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-02-05

Who is the smartest American wo- man of title? asks the London corre- spondent of The Washington Post.
 That Is the question which has reused all London to a state of fever ish discussion. A newspaper started it, the fairs and bazars took it up, and all London is now discussing it.
 At voting contest held at the Irish fair the Marchioness of Ava received the greatest number of votes. Her husband. who was Lorn Terence Black wood. is Irish by descent. The Mar chioness was Miss Flora Davis of New York. She was voted ''the prettiest. the incest and the smartest."
 At a voting contest held at a baZar given for the benefit of the French Sisters the popular prize was awarded to the Countess of Essex, whose hus- band is the Earl of Essex. The Coun- tess was Adele Grant of New York. She was called the ''smartest" lady present.
 Lady Curzon has been given count less awards and prizes. all of them the equivalent of beauty prizes. for her brightness, beauty and generosity. It Is, indeed, hard to tell who Is the smartest woman in London. And no wonder that London pauses appalled, at having to decide.
 But, first, it would be well to know the English definition of smart. Smart, in London parlance, means a. great deal that is desirable in woman. It is the highest praise that can be be- slowed upon a woman. It stands for all virtues, all beauty, all generosity and a great deal besides.
 To be a smart woman in ' London means:
 That you must be well dressed
 That you must be handsome in face and stylish in carriage.
 It means chic.
 It means wit.
 It means social success.
 It means popularity.
 It means accomplishments and edu- cation.
 A smart woman must be vIvacious. rich, elegant, full of talent, and en- dowed with beauty. She must have an establishment, husband and a po- sition in society.
 And if she be a titled woman she must have the approval of the King Without this last element no titled American woman can be a success in London.
 Now. with these qualities given, the question arises, Who is the smartest woman in London? London is divided into cliques, and in the innermost cIiques are the Americans who, by vir- tue of beauty and wealth, have mar ried into the nobility of England. Who Is the SmaFtestf There are various sets, even of titled Americans, but those who are in the innermost cliques are the following: The Countess of Craven, who was Cornelia Bradley Martin of New York and Chicago.
 The Duchess of Manchester. who was Miss Zimmerman of Cincinnati. | The Duchess of Marlborough, who was Miss Consuelo Vanderbilt of New York.
 The Duchess of RUxburghe, who was May Goelet.
 The Dowager Duchess of Marlbor- ough, who was Mrs. Hammersley, and who is now Lady William Beresford She Is still called duchess" Once a 1 duchess always a duchess. The Countess of Essex, once Adele Grant of New York. Lady Randolph Churchill, now Mrs George COrnwallis-W West The Marchioness of Ava, a woman of | rare beauty.
 Lady Curzon, Vicereine of India.
 And Cora, Countess of Stafford. The Countess is noted for her jewels, which have been newly set and are wonder. l fully becoming to her. Across the channel over in France there are fifteen American girls mar. ried to French nobility. But London is taking no note of these in it's searct for the smartest woman in its ultra,