Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-17
HELPED HIM TO RISE
Universal Sympathy for Sir
Henry Campbell Bannerman.
DEPARTED WAS ABLE WIFE
Gibson Girl is to Wed the Hon.
Bruce's Eldest Son.
STORIES OF THE KINGS HUMOR
Duke of Westminster Expected to Re-
turn From South Africa in
Few Days.
STORIES OF THE KINGS HUM0R
Special Correspondence of The Star.

LONDON, September II, 1906.
Universal sympathy is felt for Sir Henry
Campbell Bannerman in his hour of be-
reavement For the premier the blow will
not be the less heavy because it was inevi-
table. At one time during the parliament
tary session 1t was feared that the end
was near and Sir Henry aged visibly under
the double strain of domestic affection and
the responsibility of his position as the
head Of the government. Political friends
and opponents alike have Joined In offer
ing their condolences with him in his great
sorrow.
Lady Campbell Bannerman took no public
part in politics, like many English women.
but che had a deal to do with her hus-
bands rise to the premiership. A woman
of splendid judgment, she was Sir henry
constant adviser and helper, and she used
to assist him in the preparation OF all his
more important speeches. Indeed, their
married life resembled that of Disraeli and
his wife, and again that of Mr.. and Mrs.
Gladstone. SO often and on so many and va
ried political questions did Sir Henry con-
suit her. Lady Campbell-Bannerman was
soldiers daughter. her father being Gen.
her greatest interest was in military mat
tiers. When her husband was war minister
she was of the greatest assistance to him
in dealing with the mass OF documents
Lady Campbell-Bannerman was not
woman to trust her personality upon the
multitude, and she never achieved or
wished to achieve the popular familiarity
which came to the wife of the late Mr..
Gladstone But it is no secret that Sir
Henry placed high value upon her ad-
vice and guidance, and there Is little doubt
that her share in molding her husband
destiny has been considerable. The prime
minister sought her opinion in every prob
lem which he was called upon to solve. and
he found in her a heipmate who combined
science and a practical insight into the
heart of affairs.
Outside politics. also. she Joined Sir
ures The love for things French was COM
mon to both. and they were the center OF
many a brilliant and cultured gathering In
Partisan society. The zest with which both
entered into the delights of Gallo literature
is we'll known to their intimate friends.
and even the bulldogs, in which she took
the highest pride, were of French extrac-
ton.
She displayed all the best qualities of
hostess and cultured conversationalist in
the gatherings which she welcomed at Sir
Henry's town house, and the wealth Of her
husband enabled er to indulge her delight
in seeing others happy in an unusually
brilliant way.
When the marriage took place, forty-six
years ago.; Sir Henry was without his title:
but in a few years he was to inherit the
fortune of Mr.. Henry Bannerman, Man
chester merchant and his maternal uncle,
under whose will he assumed the additional
surname. For some years their home was
in Kent, but in 1884 Sir Henry purchased
Belmont, their lovely house in the middle
of Strathmore.
Before becoming a confirmed invalid
Lady Campbell-Bannerman was conspc-
uous figure In society, and when their town
house was in Grosvenor square, she enter
tanned largely, but Of late years she was
forced to seclude herself into absolute pri-
svacy, and a sad feature of the removal into
Downing street, In the beginning of the
year, was the number OF Invalid chairs
carried into the house. Two years ago Sir
Henry gave up the magnificent place in
Grosvenor square, on which he expended
quite s50,OO0 for a smaller house in Bel
grave square.
1t is a sad reflection that in the radical
party's hour Of triumph fewer than
three Of it's leaders have suffered great
private bereavement. Sir Henry Campbell
Bannerman is the third minister to have
been widowed since his party took office
The contrast between political success and
private sorrow is indeed a melancholy one.
The announcement of Miss Camille Cliff
ford's engagement to the Hon. Henry Lynd-
hurst Bruce, eldest. son and heir of Lord
Aberdare, has caused a great sensation, and
is regarded by society as almost the last
straw in matrimonial complications. Miss
Clifford's photograph has for the past two
years been weekly and almost daily before
"Gibson Girl" and she has not been thought
of as an actress. though the stage. Of
course, claims her.
OF all the romantic alliances with the
peerage none has been quite so interesting
as the one now in prospect. When Miss
Clifford first came to London as one Of the
Gibson Girls in 1.-The Prince of Pilsen," at
the Shaftesbury, she spoke freely of her
career in an interview at the time. AL
though she came here from America, she
was born, SO she said in Antwerp, her
father being half Dane, half English, and
her mother a Norwegian Her early years
were spent with aunt in Christiania, and
she was just fourteen when she bought a
steerage ticket with her savings and went
to America Since that time she has earned
her living as parlor maid, dressmaker and
cook.
II want to do something real good one
of these days. Even when was a little
girl away there in Christiania / had ideas
and Dreams" said Miss Clifford. and her
candor, pluck and independence are, II all
goes well, to make her peerless In October.
So far as the stage is concerned, she may
be said to owe her success entirely to her
figure, since cannot recall that she had a
speaking part in London until she appeared
in THE Belle of Mayfair few months
ago at the Vaudeville and even in this her
lines were very few.
|. If Mr.. Bruce goes into the motor car
business, as he is understood to be con-
templating, he will not be the first aristo-
crat to do so. The name of the Hon. c. s.
Rolls may already be seen over a West End
garage. Mr.. Rolls is the younger son of
Lord Llangattock.
Lord Aberdare, who is represented by his
son as furiously angry at the. match. is an
enthusiastic playgoer and with Lady Aber-
dare is a regular box holder at the Opera.
1t is not SO long sinceea cousin of his lord
ship married a well-known South Wales
dentist. Another cousin, Archdeacon Bruce,
only missed the BishOpric Of LANDAU when
1t was recently vacant because he could not
speak Welsh.
Tn HE vounper DAVIS hefore he succeedad