Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1913-06-06
GOSSIP OF THE COURTS
BY FLANEUR.

A grande dame and leader of the
social world during the greater part
of the last century, Lady Dorothy
Nevill whose death recorded
recently, was famous for her
charm Of manner, incisive wit. and
brilliant repartee. She was the con-
fidante of royal personages. states
men, military leaders. and diplomats.
At her receptions one met the most
attractive people of the day. Her in
innate friends included such noted
men as Lord Beaconsfeld, Gladstone,
Wilberforce Golden, Bright, Matthew
Arnold. etc Her greatest friend,
perhaps, was Beaconsheld. He was
always Dear Dizzy" to Lady Doro-
thy, while he always addressed her as
MY Dearest Dorothy" Their private
correspondence provides many inter-
esting glimpses of the Tory states
man.
Perhaps one of the best stories
which she tells about Disraeli is that
concerning the request Of a photogra-
pher to pose for a photograph lean
ing on a chair. This aroused the in
dignation Of Mrs. Disraeh.
Il soon settled that" she said to
Lady Dorothy, when relating the in
cident, for l said that Dizzy has al
ways stood alone, and he shall con-
tinue to do So"
Here is an incident witnessed at the
Academy banquet Of 1881, when a
portrait for which Beaconsfeld sat
to Millais shortly before his death was
among the exhibits. The unfinished
work, pale to ghastliness, was in one
Of the side galleries. Gladstone, catch
ing sight of 1t, went and stood long
before It. Then he delivered a pane
gyric in his most feeling tones on the
great man who had passed away, He
told Of his admiration for the ster-
ling qualities of the man who, though
opposed to him in politics, was an op-
ponent in no other sense. He spoke
as only one Of generous heart and Of
broad mind could of another great
man.
On one occasion Lady Dorothy, who
was sitting next TO Mr., Gladstone, was
asked by the latter If she had ever
heard Lord Beaconsfield express any
particular fondness for the primrose.
She admitted that che had not, add
ing: The Gorgeous Lily / think
was more to his taste" She used To
toll a story which is illustrative of the
Grand Old Mans character. He was
discoursing to her of the perfect inn
munity of English public men from all
dangers of assault or assassination In
his day, and all the time two detec-
tives, dressed as footmen, we're In the
very room guarding him, while an
other was upstairs In the drawing
room ready to mi-gle with the guests
! Joseph Chamberlain, while talking
to Lady Dorothy of woman suffrage
said; Thank goodness, there are nc
female members Of Parliament. Of
} the two evils, prefer, Parnellites e
= petticoats."
, Lady Dorothy herself was equally
} severe IN regard to suffragettes, foI
7 sho writes; Heaven did not maxi
woman insinuating and persuasive
{ that they might be peevish. It did no
q make them feeble, that they might b
e imperious; Il did not give them softe
D voices than man, that they might raj
{ az him, nor delicate features to b
distorted by rage. Angry women forge
= themselves and the dignity Of thel
sex, which has never gained much b
y scolding,"
i Lady Dorothy had a good deal q
say about the change that had take
: place In the character and the Hah
ners Of women since her own earle
days. She considered that the moderi
woman Is spoiled, has too much tim
on her hands and takes Up too man,
fads. This struck the old Shah o
i Persia. Nasr-ed-Dln, very much, II
said: 1T seems to me that the Englisl
I and American husband Is nothing bet
= ter than a sort Of butler" The lad
:, was particularly severe on the "smar
: set" The elite" she said, "are fas
= and llppant People are less interest
ing to talk to- less sociable less bril-
liant In conversation, less interests
In things" And as an illustration &
q the life of a society woman, who toda
. thinks nothing OF spending 100
. pounds q year on her dress. she men
= tiHns how she and her sister wer
= given an annual allowance Of 3
q pounds and 40 pounds. respectively
by their adoring father.
D. She also refers to the fact that 4