The San Francisco call., 1905-02-27
Lady CheglGSInOPe Sister Of Mrs Alfred Vanderbilt
Holds Rank of MaUOPeSS of Westminster
Considered One of
the Handsonest
Women in Smart
English Society

LONDON, Feb 26.-sincs her hus-
bandss election as civic head OF that
ancient portion Of the metropolis.
which proudly clings to its old desig-
nation, the city OF Westminster, that
lesnors has been winning golden opin-
aons for herself by the tact, grace and
generous benevolencs she has dis
played n her role OF Mayoress. She
was formerly Miss Elizabeth French,
daughter OF the late T. c. French Of
New York. and her younger sister Is
ehe wife OF Alfred Vanderbilt.
She stiu retains the good looks which
made her the reigning belle OF the
-Four Hundred OF New York before her
marriage. She is tall Of figure, with
q stately presence and features Of
more imposing beauty than is associat-
ed with the type here regarded as
characteristic Of American femininity.
Lady Cheylesmore is one of the most
popular OF hostesses and at her town
residence IN Upper Grosvenor street
has frequently entertained royalty.
The late Duke of Cambridge was
frequent guest at her dinner parties.
Bat she is far from being a drawing
room exotic. She is exceedingly fond
OF country life in Ireland and Scotland
and especially favors North Berwick
IN Scotland, where she bought a house
with her own money and christened
ii Cheylesmore Lodge. When not re-
siding there she generally lets il TO
advantage, for she is an excellent busi-
ness woman.
When in Ireland she started the rag
doll industry by which many deft-
fingered pea SAINT women are relieved of
the necessity of being dependent on the
family pig for the rent. She remains
true TO the Stars and Stripes and iden-
tifies herself with everything American.
even to the selling of American candy
At charitable bazaars.
ROMANCE IN BERMUDA.
AS the first Baron Cheylesmore. Lord
Chavlesnanra.s-ssaelaa elaaEsxaar7ied amer
ican woman, daughter OF Thomas
Leader Harman of New Orleans, il
was eminently appropriate that his son
should follow his example. But the
marriage was not lacking in romantic
features Some dozen years ago mild
sort Of nutiny broke out in the Second
Battalion of the famous Grenadier
Guards, and under charge Of Lord
Nhfylesmore, who was then Colonel
Herbert Eaton, they were packed of to
Bermuda by way Of punishment.
As il was hoped and expected, the
Tomnlies found Bermuda a dull place
and speedily repented Of their insubor-
dination, which had led to their BAN
ishment from the delights Of London
town But the officers discovered that
the place was not without its compen-
sations in the winter season when
Americans flock TO it to escape the rig
ors Of a Northern climate. 1t was
there the future Lord Cheylesmore
met, wooed and won his beautiful wife.
Thus it came about that what his
brother officers had regarded as the
worst possible stroke Of luck for him
turned out to be one OF those rare
blessings which are so effectually dis
gulsed as to be unrecognizable. The
marriage took place in 1892. ten years
before Lord Cheylesmore succeeded to
the family title and estates.
HANDSOME COUPLE.
Lord Cheylesmore is a fine figure Of
q man that well accords with his mill
tary carriage. His features are of the
most approved martial type, too, and
he and his wife are regarded as the
handsomest couple in London society.
He is q keen sportsman and an excel
lent shot. He rejoices in the posses
sion Of what is said to be the finest col
lection Of British war medals in the
world. They date from the earliest
known examples, those struck off by
Queen Bess to commemorate the defeat
Of the Spanish Armada, down to the
present time. Among other treasures,
they contain no fewer than nine ex-
amples of the Victoria Cross
His family seat, the Manor of
Cheylesmore Coventry, at one time be-
longed TO the Black Prince. but as
country residence he prefers Hughen-
den, which formerly belonged to Lord
Beaconsf7eld- His marriage had
brought him two children, both sons.