New-York tribune., 1907-01-06

crowded columns to sketches Of the career of
Lady Burdett- Coutts, on the occasion of her
death Sunday last, yet vast and mani
fold was the range Of her benefcent activity
that numerous interesting episodes Of her life
were necessarj'r omitted. 1t is to these that
purposes to devote few brief paragraphs.
We have all read of her foundation and
dowment of the bishoprcs of Cape Town. in
South Africa; of Adelaide. in Australia. and Of
British Columbia, In Canada; Of her transforna-
ton of some of the worst slurns in the poorest
sections of London from plague spots into
healthy and prosperous districts. and of her
most successful championship OF the donkeys.
which until she espoused their cause we're
shamefully I'll treated by the London costermon-
gers, class by whom they almost exclu-
sively employed BY means of annual exhibit
tions of costers' jackasses and the grant Of
substantial monetary prizes for those animals
showing the most signs of careful and kindly
treatment she instituted new and altogether
happier era for the patient long-eared friend OF
mankind. and won for herself among the coster
class the picturesque name of Our Lazy OF
the Moke" But In none Of the obituaries OF TINS
marvellous woman, whose sagacious dispensa-
ton Of her extensive charities covered period
of more than threescore years and ten. can
find any reference to the fact that 1t is to her
that the civilized world is indebted for the sup
dian seas. The baroness was Justly celebrated
as a philanthropist But I doubt whether there
are many who know that her philanthropy over
took the form of exterminating Chinese. Malay
and Tongkingese pirates.
AWAY back in the second and third decade OF
the reign of Queen -rictoria, when s cam navi-
CATION was in its infancy, piracy played far
more serious role in maritime intercourse with
the Far East than people to-day can imagine
In fact every vessel that had occasion to ira
verse the Straits of Malacca was compelled TO
carry guns to repel those fierce buccaneers who
were the scourge OF the Of the Far Orient,
AS the British government did not see its way
TO devote the necessary ships to dealing with
this danger Lady Burdett-C t-Cour.s, at a consid-
cradle cost fitted out armed naval expedi-
ton, for the avowed purpose Of hunting / e
pirates TO their lairs and of exterminating them
She placed the expedition under the command
Of two young naval officers lent to her for the
purpose by the Admiralty, namely. Harry KEEP
pel and James Brooke. The expedition proved
erninently successful, much so that the Straits
of Maiacca are to-day as safe as the brltlsh
Channel: and while Harry Keppei returned
10 civilization, to die two CT three years ago as
admiral of the fleet and as Fet'is- Of the Eng
Iisb Navy. James Brooke resigned his commits
|. sion in the navy and, having become associated
with the Sultan of Borneo, eventually became
possessed Of the independent principailty OF
Sarawak. which occupies considerable por-
ton OF the island of Borneo. Lady Burdett-
Coutts played all-important role in this
strange venture Of Brooke, supporting him with
money, and especially with political influence In
England Of which he stood in great need in the
earlier days OF his Oriental sovereignty. as the
authorities at home were disposed 10 regard
with nlisgiving the attempt of a subject of the
So+h a c inleDen-
dent ruler Thanks TO this assistance, the prin-
cirality of Sarawak has prospered beyond all
anticipation and If to-day Sir Charles Brooke,
the nephew and successor of Sir James Brooke
is the monarch of independent. thriving
Oriental state, which IS exercising civiiizing
influence in those remote latitudes, il is al
most wholly owing the late Baroness Bur-
dett-Coutts
Nowhere is the name OF the baroness held in
more grateful regard than in ireland; and when
In 1857 she visited the Emerald Isle she was
everywhere received with enthusiasm and re-
3oicing. while there was not a cabin. no matter
how humble, along the coast. from Queenstown
TO Baltimore. that was not gay with tmprovised
bunting or Illuminated at night with impromptu
nonares in her honor For If that portion Of the
r5ihernian coast once the most poverty stricken
of the entire island. is to-day among the most
,,rosperous It is entirely owing TO the sagacious
generosity OF the kind hearted old woman who
has Just gone 10 her last est.
II was In the great famine Of 1862 that her
attention was first drawn to the distress that
existed in the Skibbereen districts and the
islands off Cape Clear. IL is said by Father
Leader the Roman Catholic priest OF RcthElore
and by the late Father Davis. OF Baltimore, that
beautiful little landocked town in the south Of
ireland. Her answer the dispatch Of w Y.
wills the trusted friend of Charles Dickens. who
was her own particular adviser In matters
iating TO the relief of the poor. He made the
misery and the want that prevailed in that
happy corner Of Ireland abundantly clear TO the
baroness, and she at once established numerous
fuel Several thousands she helped to emigrate
and to found new and prosperous homes in
Canada; and having ascertained that the natu-
raj wealth of the district lay In its fisheries and
that boats and fishing gear needed for the
revival of the almost abandoned industry, she
lent, through the Roman Catholic parish priests,
end particularly through the late Father Davis,
sums amounting TO about Sj000oO The effect
of this assistance on the people was well nigh
magical New boat succeeded new boat until
i've years afterward the fishing feet of BaltI-
moro alone valued at quarter of million
of dollars. and the wholesale fish dealers found 1t
TO their interest 10 establish regular service OF
steamboats, to Baltimore. in order TO carry off
10 the markets of the world the abundant
catches To-day Baltimore is one of the most
prosperous towns in Ireland, and II Is crafty
ing 20 learn that all Of the money advanced by
the baroness for the purchase OF boats and gear
punctually repaid by annual instalments of
10 per cent. only man deliberately tried to
default. =hcreupon Father Davis. who acted AS
her administrator and agent in the uaatter