Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-02-22

@LDER men in national public life
and the older residents Of Wash
ington have a personal interest in
the news that comes from England that
Ri. Hon. Joseph Chamberlain. lovingly
attended by his American wife, lies at
deaths door.
1t was in the summer Of 1887 that Jo-
seph Chamberlain came to Washington
to spend several weeks here at the head
of the British delegates to the interna-
tional maritime conference. Not only
by reason Of his high position IN British
politics. but also by reason Of his odd
personality, did he attract much atten-
ton at the capital. And then, when he
began to pay assiduous court to Miss
Mary Endicott. only daughter of w. C.
| Endicott of Massachusetts,, then Secre-
| tary of War, interest in him redoubled.
The wedding of the two a year later
was one Of the first great international
matches.
Mr.. Chamberlain whenever he appeared
on the streets Of Washington, which was
| frequently, invariably was attired in q
| frock coat, high silk hat, huge orchid.
of which flower he was Unfortunately fond.
| in his buttonhole, a monocie in his eye
and a fat walking stick in his hand. a
| big black cigar in his mouth added to
| the effect. In those days silk hats and
frock coats We're no more common for
everyday street wear in Washington than
| were orchids, big cigars, big sticks and
| monocles.
| A few Of the older correspondents, vine
were youngsters in those days, retain rec
elections of the unusual experience the
newspaper men had with Mr.. Chamber
lain. He did not comprehend the Wash
ington correspondents and tried to KEEP
from being interviewed, but finally sur
rendered and sent word to the newspa-
pers that he would see their representa-
tives in a body at o'clock on a certain
iafternoou Mass meetings of correspond
ents to get a story. though common in
recent times, were new at that period.
| At o'clock some dozen newspaper men
| assembled at the Arlington and were ush-
cred into a reception room. Profound ST.
lence prevailed. Every man acted as II
he were attending a funeral. Presently
the door opened and a turnkey appeared.
| Silently he placed box of cigars at each
end Of q large table, and then deposited
a decanter Of whisky and some siphon
bottles in the exact center, after which
he retired.
The correspondent for New York pa
per began to giggle. then to snort and
finally to shout with laughter. BY the
combined efforts of the others he was
suppressed.
Again the door opened and Joseph
Chamberlain, monocle. air Of solemnity
and all, appeared followed by the menu
bers Of the British delegation, fourteen
in number. They seated themselves In
silence. That is, the important ones DID,
the minor ones stood behind the chairs
Of the more important, one man benlnd
each seated figure. Mr.. Chamberlain had
the interlocutor's place in the middle.
Once placed all turned their eyes on the
newspaper men, Mr.. Chamberlain screw
ing his monocle more firmly than ever
into its place.
well, gentlemen" he said, at length,
what can do for your"
In sheer desperation. to prevent an
other hysterical outburst. the New YORK
man put the usual inane question. What
do you think Of America" and then
choked himself.
you make mo think OF Lily Iangtry 8
answer to a similar question when she
first came to America" said Mr.. Cham
merriam, weightily. when Mrs. Lang
try was coming to this country the first
time a newspaper reporter met her ship
down near Sandy Hook and sought her
out. The ship at the time was in a thick
lfo4. What are your Impressions of
America? he asked her, She looked