The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-08-16

admit them to the human family.
Joseph ChsmberIain in America.
1t u a stock popular opinion that
there was some special affinity between
the late Joseph Chamberlain and the
people Of the United States. He GER
tainly had a broad appreciation Of
things Americanp-and Americans gen
orally watched his career with an admi-
ration which was not materially les
sened by clear perception that he
seldom allowed scruple to interfere with
opportunity. The strong interest which
he excited In this country has recently
been revived by his death and there is
apt TO be no small curiosity as to the
contents OF book just published about
his visits to America, especially the
first one. But II will he we'll to observe
that the book. OF which Sir WnLouGHBY
MAY COCK. *. G. NJ. c. is the author. Is
entitled with Mr.. chan, beridM IN the
United states and Canada OLondon
Chatto & Windus) and that the prepo-
sition should have been UNDERSIGNED
Mr.. Chamberlain Is far less the hero
than Sir Willoughby, and those who
expect much new light on the eminent
statesman's character or doings on our
shores will fail to find 1t. At the same
time the book will not he altogether
disappointing to an American reader
Especially the first half is full of reml-
niscence OF the New York and Washing
ton OF quarter of a century ago and
touch here and there brings the past
back with a vivid flash.
Mr.. Chamberlain came to America in
1887 to negotiate treaty for the settle
ment of the Canadian fisheries dispute
which had been ranking sore since
1918. His mission embraced the i'm
provement of relations between the two
neighhoring peoples The treaty was
drafted and signed, but the United States
Senate refused to ratify II. Whether
or not there was any improvement In
the feeling between Americans and
Canadians, there was assuredly some
access of cordially between this coun-
try and England. notably in official
| relations. This was the net official re-
suit Of the visit. But there was a
personal outcome Of the most interest
| ing kind. Mr.. Chamberlain went home
engaged to be married to Miss Mary
f.. Endicott. daughter II William
Crowninshield Endicott, the Secretary
Of War in President Cleveland's Cabinet.
Naturally this is one Of the first topics
that the reader will look up in the
| chronicle of the momentous pilgrima &c.
and. sad to say. he will not find half as
many details az he might reasonably
| expect
The author, then plain MIR. Maycock,
rising young man in the British Fo:-
eign Office. accompanied the Chamber
| lain mission as assistant secretary.
THE Chief seems to have taken a
fancy to him and he made hit In New
York and Washington society. He must
| have known what was going on from
| the inside; indeed he intimates as
much: but in the most provoking way
he fails to give any particulars Of tho
wooing. Indeed we see more OF Miss
EndiCott In his own company than in
that OF the winning diplomatist How
ever. he gives day and date for the
! first meeting OF the couple and dispels
an historical Illusion. The encounter
was AT a reception given at the British
Legation by Sir Lionel Sackvillc West,
later Lord Sackville, in honor of the
Fisheries Commission. on the evening
of november 20. 1887. Il have often
writes Sir Willoughby, heard ire
sponsible people in society say that Mr.,
I Joseph Chamberlain met his present
wife long before his first visit to
America This. however, Is not fact.
He was introduced to Miss Endicott
by Miss West at this reception at the
legation. and with that quickness of
perception which is one of his strongest
characteristics he was at once most
favorahly impressed with her. I well
remember his telling me so one evening
as We were walking home together
from some party" The author does not
venture to sketch the young LADY, az she
then was in his own words, but he
quotes from Society in Washington
this description: she liz the embodiment
of New England feminine culture. Her
figure Is of a distinguished mould and
her manners the same. Her face is an
index to an intelligent and well stored
mind" Trite enough, but the book,
among IT. thirty excellent illustrations,
contains a portrait of Miss Endicott at
/ the time when Chamberlain met her, the
charm and grace of which fully account
for the romance.
! From this introduction down to the
voyage home in March, 1883. there is
only one line about the Chiefs atten-
tions and another of "scurrilous" hints
I'm newspapers coupling the names OF
the pair. II was on the night " the
Attn in the course of quiet smoke in
the captains cabin on the Umbria that
i Mr. Chamberlain told his important
secret" He unlocked his despatch box
and producing "a large and pretty
pilot graph" told OF the engagement
The marriage was not to take place till
after the Presidential election in No
vember and even the engagement was
to be kept dark for fear the alliance n
} a Cabinet Minister'S daughter to an
English NJ. p. might impair the chances
Of the Democratic party. The wait
must have been an impatient one. fol-
the bridegroom was already on the sea
upon his second voyage TO America
when the election was held He sailed
on the Aurania under Maycock's name
a proceeding which caused much news,
paper jocosity on his arrival here. Tho
marriage-a very quiet family affair
took place at Washington on Novembei
Is. three days after his arrival, and the
couple returned to Birmingham in tht
following January.
1t Is perhaps in the detailed account
of the great reception which MIR. Cham
berlain's fellow citizens gave To hin
and his bride that we get the stronges
land clearest picture of the man Sit