The Washington herald., 1913-06-06
1cwyaeht, lsls, b. A. D. J.coo.oo.,


A grande dame and leader Of the social
world during the greater part Of the last
century, Lady Dorothy Nevill. whose
death I recorded recently. was famous
| for her charm Of manner, incisive wit,
and brilliant repartee. She was the con-
fdante of royal personages, statesmen.
military leaders, and diplomats At her
receptions one met the most attractive
people of the day. Her intimate friends
included such noted men as Lord Bea-
consisted. Gladstone, wilberforce. Cob
| den, Bright, Matthew Arnold, &c. Her
greatest friend, perhaps, was Beacons-
field. He was always Dear Dizzy to
Lady Dorothy, while he always addressed
her az my Dearest Dorothy" Their
private correspondence provides many in
teresting giimpses Of the Tory states
i man.
Perhaps one of the best stories which
| she tells about Disraeli Is that concern
/ ing the request of a photographer to-
pose for a photograph leaning on
chair. This aroused the Indignation Of
Mrs Disraeli.
II soon settled that" she said to
Lady Dorothy, when relating the Incl
dent, for I said that Dizzy has always
stood alone, and he shall continue to
| do So"
Here is an incident witnessed at the
trait for which Beaconsfield sat to Mil
lais shortly before his death was among
the exhibits. The unfinished work, pale
| to ghastliness, was in one OF the SIDE
galleries. Gladstone, catching sight OF II,
went and stood long before IT. Then he
delivered a panegyric in his most feeling
tones on the great man who had passed
away. He told of his admiration for the
sterling qualities of the man who, though
opposed to him in politics, was an OPP
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 II she had ever heard
Lord Beaconsfield express any particular
fondness for the primrose She admit
ted that she had not. adding: THE
Gorgeous Lily I think, was more TO
his taster She used to tell story
which is illustrative Of the Grand Old
Mans character He was discoursing TO
her of the perfect immunity of English
| public men from all dangers of assault
or assassination in his day. and all the
time two detectives. dressed as footman,
were in the very room guarding him,
while another was upstairs In the draw
mgr ready to mingle with the
guests.
Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain. while talk
ing to Lady Dorothy of woman suffrage,
said: Thank goodness, there are no fe'
male members of Parliament OF the
two evils, 1 prefer Parnellites in petit
coats
Lady Dorothy herself was equally Sc
we're in regard to suffragettes, for she
writes: Heaven did not make woman
} insinuating and persuasive. that they
} might be peevish. 1t did not make them
| feeble. that they might be imperious;
II did not give them softer voices than
, man, that they might rail at him, MOI
delicate features to be distorted by rage
/ Angry women forget themselves and
the dignity of their sex. which has never
gained much by scolding."
Lady Dorothy had good deal TO say
? about the change that had taken place
in the character and the manners oil
women since her own earlier days She
considered that the modern woman Is
, spoiled. has too much time on her hands
, and takes up too many fads. This struck
the old Shah of Persia, Nasr-ed-Din
very much. He said: 1T seems to me
, that the English and American husband
Is nothing better than sort OF butler
The lady was particularly severe on tbs
, smart set" The elite" she said. 'ar'
fast and fippant. People are less inter
a esting to talk to, less sociable. less bril-
. liant in conversation, less interested II
, things" And as an illustration in thu
, life of a society woman, who toda!
thinks nothing of spending e1,oo0 yea
on her dress, she mentions how she ant
, her sister were given an annual allow
ance of sS5 and SO respectively b!
their adoring father.
She also refers to the fact that in he
/, Younger days parents were very particu
lar about the matrimonial alliance
. made in their families, and she tells al
amusing story of one old peer who wa
|, surprised TO be told by his sister tina
= she had developed a great affection 10
g a weil-known scientist of humble birth.
I The peer sent for him, and SAT-
brusoueiy, Now, sir, I should like 4
know something about your family"
II think it will be sufficient" replies
the scientist, who was OF Semitic ex
e traction, ito say that I descended from
the iIlustrious blood of Abraham. Isaac
and Jacob"
The peer was taken back. oh" n
said, of course. my family has nothing
\ to compare with that: therefore. II n!
1 sister really likes you. you'd better tax
her"
And the Jewish scientist did.
This recalls another story concernlnl
y an East Anglican clergyman, who wa
i visited by a lady parishioner and aske'
{ | whether he believed that woman
d any circumstance might propose 10
s man. The poor rector replied he though
= that there might be circumstances whici
n would make such a proposal justinanie
Upon which. without the slightest hesi
a tation. the lady exclaimed: 'As Nathal
d said unto David, Thou art the man.
t And. seeing no possibility of escape N
= /