New-York tribune., 1909-11-04
LONDON SOCIETY
n Famous Hostess-Reminis-
ccnces Without Tulgarity.
London, October - -

ard of decorDin and taste in her book of
social "reminiscences. There is not a
trace Of either vulgarity or snobbishness
I'm her pages. She writes with candor
and intelligence about the famous peo-
pie whom she has known intimately in
London and in country houses, and there
are no indiscreet revelations, no prurient
suggestions and there is no taint OF
scandal. No sleepers in quiet church,
yards viii turn uneasily in thei- graves
from anything that can be found be-
tween the covers; there will be no in
dignant denials in newspapers from
kinsmen friends of living or dead
celebrities. and there will be no arti-
fetal forcing of editions with the ad-
ventitious aid OF scandalous disclosures
in what was once high life.
In these respects Memories OF Fifty
Years" differs widely from Lady Car
digan's ''Recollections." which has sud-
denly obtained notoriety for the stark
naked candor of its presentation OF
social life in the early and mid Victorian
periods. Lady st. Heller in writing her
book has been under the restraint of
good breeding and refinement Of cour-
tesY. as she was at every stage of her
triumphal course as a London hostess.
She has strenuously resisted the tempta-
tion to vulgarize traffic in anecdotes and
"reminiscences of Interesting personal
ities by ma king herself the purveyor Of
irresponsible gossip and indiscreet rev.
elations. II is a wholesome book about
London society, and has the distinction
OF manner which has ever been Lady St
Helier's most attractive charm in her
drawing room
without attempting deliberate re-
view Of this book, ] may say something
about her qualifications for her leading
part as society hostess While she has
ever been strong partisan in politics
and has taken intense interest in public
questions. she has never been what is
known as a political hostess. Like Lady
WaIdegrave and Lady Dorothy Nevill,
she broadened her ideas of tolerance and
hospitality until her drawing room in
Harley street became a salon, where
men and women of all parties and creeds
met on terms of equality. and where it
was a matter of indifference whether
had talent. influence and individuality.
The prominent figures Of Westminster
were there cheek by jowl with labor
Rgitators, Irish Nationalists, distin-
suished foreigners. learned judges,
artists. actors. authors and journalists,
and whether 1T was a luncheon. Sun
day reception or an evening party, every
one was helped in becoming open
minded. tolerant and kiud-hearted.
The admission of all these cosmopoli
tan elements would have been haz-
srdous experiment If the hostess had
not been a worman of consummate tact.
she knew how to place her guests at
table where they would be Contented and
easily drawn out by their neighbors, and
the most jealous rivals in politics or
literature got on happily when she intro
duced them with a beaming smile
Her Highland birth carried with il an
endowment Of sterling good sense, which
liberated her completely from class
prejudice and snobbishness and armed
her with the resources Of sound judg-
Iuent She never concealed ner con-
tempt for fashionable idlers, w@o ere
rothing that was useful. She not only
preached effectively against inane think
ing and worthless existence, but she also
carried her ideas into practice by con-
Quoting charitable works with excep-
tional vigor and intelligence, by taking
an active interest in political work and
public movements and by constant Lse
of her pen. Even when she was e
most industrious entertainer in the me-
tropolis she found leisure for a vast
amount OF useful work. and could always
he approac ched by any one in need Of
sensible advice.
She was tolerant OF every vagaTy Of
opinion and peculiarity of manner, but
she could not endure idleness in man or
woman, and rightly considered it the
source of all evil in smart society. No
great lady has done more than Lady ct.
Heller To improve the condition and to
enlarge the influence # her own sex;
Yet she has worked in her own way and
has not coveted the rotoriety OF an agi-
tator That the franchise will be grant
ID TO women before long she is con-
ninced but she wisely puts them On
their guard against indiscretions and
10 gain it by continuing the municipal
and educational work. for which they
have shown marked capacity.
The Sunday receptions at Sir Francis
Jcunes were an institution for long
period. There was no substitute for
''cm when the Harley street house was
closed after his death. and possibly there
never VIII be one. The weekend ,Iabit
had already begun 10 thin out the at
tendance Of visitors, and the affectation
was coming i'm that il was not good
form for smart people 10 let anybody
hnoW that they were in London on SIn-
DAY. The time was-and il was a gra-
Cous and haIcyon period-when Lady
JcEnes-the old n2me seems more nat
ural and homelike than the new one
was crowded until O'Clock with po,iri-
cans of both parties. Who instead Of
hobDobbinF with one another. paid COM
IliIneEts to actresses and smiled over
The opigrams OF artists and literary
men il was show place for celebrities.
no sunneG themselves week after week
u tho hostess's genial presence.
II may be that acquaintance with the
great personalities was superficial and
that few permanent friendships we're