The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-31
BRITAIN s MOST
BELOVED WOMAN
PASSES AWAY

London. Dec. 31.-Baroness Burdett-
since Christmas Eve, is dead.
The death OF Baroness Burdett-Coutts.
occurring at the age of 92 years, besides
depriving the country OF one OF its great
est and most famous philanthropists, re-
moves from London a unique personality
and an interesting social figure. AS link
With the almost forgotten past her hfe
beginning under the reign of the Emperor
Napoleon. she lived during the reigns OF
five British sovereigns. Inherlting an Inn
mense fortune. she so used IL as TO die
beloved by the whole nation.
The Baroness Burdett-C -Coutts was pre-
eminent among the noted women OF Great
Britain. She was the daughter of Sir
Francis Burdett, one OF the most famous
liberal politicians OF HIS day. and her
bis fortune descended to her from her
grandmother. the wife OF Mr.. Coutts,
the banker. who. though she died the
Duchess of St Adams. bequeathed all
her wealth--l3 tons OF British sovereigns
to her favorite grandchild. Ninety mil
lion dollars was the amount the baroness
received. With the coming OF this for
tune the young woman was besieged by
people with charitable schemes and by
fortune hunters modestly proffered theii
hands and hearts. but she was interested
in the work OF Charles Dickens and often
accompanied him on his visits among
the poor. This was before Summing
became fashionable. bur she saw the
worst side OF London and as result
had devoted her life and fortune TO aid
ing the unfortunate.
Nearly 80 years have passed since the
hand weavers OF London were starving
from want OF work. yet It is remembered
how the baroness lent them money to
endgrate 20 Australia. All the money
was paid back by the grateful colonists.
Subsequently she helped the tanners in
similar distress The cholera epidemic
nearly 10 years ago gave her another
seized. ireland had benefited by her gen.
erosity; she had bought the fishermen
boats. had founded schools, reforma to-
rios. colonial bishoprics and churches.
The money she had spent In these works
is beyond calculation.
baroness Burdett-Coutts had lived in
five reigns: the Duke OF wellington was
her confidential friend and her house in
Picadilly had probably been visited by
more famous people than any other place
in London. IIonors had fallen fast on
the baroness. Tventy-four years ago the
queen elevated Miss Coutts to the peer
age--the first time the royal prerogative
had ever been recognized i'm favor OF
womans own merits. Others had been
raised 10 the degree OF honor Of their
husbands. but IL was Miss Coutts' mu-
nifcence and kindllness which won her
the gift
What caused tho baroness 10 get talked
about even more than she had been as
the result OF any Of her good deeds. how
ever, was her marriage at the age OF 81
TO a man OF 30 add--Wiliam Ashmead-
Bartlett, an American. He had been hel
private secretary for several years, ana
is now known as Mr. Burdett- -Coutts,
member of parliament for Westminster.
the baroness husband having assumed
her name At her request. Queen Victoria
was displeased. Il is said when she heard
of tho marriage. but there has never
been a suggestion of its having proved
anything but happy.