Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-13

x The course OI Iue uuCueSS OI MATT borough, following the unhappy devel- lopments in her matrimonial venture with the titled Englishman, will com mend itself to right-minded people of the world, especially to those in Amer lea who have followed with peculiar in- terest the fortunes of the former Con- suelo Vanderbilt Instead of giving way to morose despair because the glitter of dukedom in England has been found to be a hollow mockery, or seeking to forget her sorrow and hu- initiation in the pursuit of gay, thought less pleasure, the duchess of Marl- borough has with true womanly grace worthy an American girl thrown her activities and her fortune into mis- sion whose object is the bettering of the lives of the women and children of imprisoned criminals. She has just completed her plans for carry on this unique charity on a big scale, and she has done 1t all in such quiet and un- ostentatious way that the facts have but just become known. Some Ameri- can papers have inaccurately stated that the duchess had joined the direc. torate of the Church army. She has not done so, neither will she work in its ranks, but proposes to carry on her worthy charity on independent lines.
 This new benevolent enterprise of the duchess takes the form of home in London for women and children of a special and previously almost neg llected class. They are the wives and children of imprisoned criminals-in nocent sufferers for the misdeeds of husbands and fathers-and to make a home for them, or at least some of them. the duchess of Marlborough has just taken 21 years lease of a roomy building in Endsleigh street, St. Pan, cras. This is being reconstructed en tirely by her orders, and negotiations are in progress for the use of two buildings on either side. When all these have been opened, and time has proved their usefulness, the duchess out of her American millions, may put up special buildings or add to her leases the adjoining houses on the same block. For with her this is not a new charitable occupation of the Len ten season, nor the passing and forced : duty of great lady of the land, but 8 life work in carrying out which she hopes to solve one of London's many social problems.
 Readers. of course, are familiar with the family troubles of the duke and duchess of Marlborough. The duchess has the friendship of Queen Alexandra By marriage her aunt is the marchion ess of Lansdowne, wife of the former foreign minister. She is the acknowl edged leader among women in political society. Lady Lansdowne also is great friend of the queen. and may be come mistress of the robes at court The queen and Lady Lansdowne deep ly sympathize with the duchess. They have eheered her up and advised hel on more than one occasion.
 Soon after the arrangement between the Marlboroughs the queen suggested that the duchess devote her time tC hard work in order to get her mind of her troubles. Her mother. Mrs. O. H P. Belmont. was with the duchess al the time. and together they went to the Church army and had talk with its leader, the Rev. Wilson CaTlile The duchess wanted occupation which would not bring her before the public Mir. Carlile took her to No. Banner street. St. Luke's. where. in the midst of the city slums. the army has its lit de branch devoted to the aid of pris oners' wives and families. The work is carried on in a modest way without publicity by Mrs. HOdder. wife of Capt Holder. the man in charge of the fire wood department of the Church army
 duchess was asked to help. and -eIp she did. She went feverishly into the work. She bought 200 blankets 1000 yards of cotton to be made into sheets and undercl0thing. boots and shoes-everything. in fact. that Mrs Holder said was needed. And she be gan visiting the wives Of the iaiIbirds-
 A short tine after the duchess had begun this work Queen Alexandra. who has taken deep interest in the duchess suggested to Mr Carlile that the v0rk De turned over to her entire contrCl
 Mr. Garlic immediately followed her majestyIs suggestion Tn his frsnticzI ly energetic way he rushed to Sunder