MRS MACKAY

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1514, 7 March 1901, Page 24

MRS MACKAY

Mrs Mackay sailed for New York lately (says “M.A.P.”), to spend the winter " -with her husband, Mr 3ohn M. Mackay. Mr and Mrs Clarence had preceded her "by a few weeks. The whole family will probably go later to California, wlxeie Mr Mackay’s monster interests constantly demand his presence. In Mis Mackay’s life there can be no application of the saying, “It- is more difficult for a rich man to enter the Kingdom or Heaven, than a camel to pass througn the eye; of a needle.” Riches have let & - tier absolutely unspoiled and unaffected. Her magnificent jewels, 2 vol ' til ,, a Oneen’s ransom, have been out or t e bank three times . in fifteen years, anc in preparation for her : trip to, Amenca e she got four new gowns and as man\ bonnets. , . A life-long friend, in speaking onoe jof Mrs Mackay, said “She is truer, far than any one that I have ever known beneath the sun— sinner, saint, or 1 harisee ” She is a woman possessed of - £ alm judgment, and having once given her friendship it is like marriage, tor better, for worse, until death, borne years ago a lady, by flagrant deceit and - disloyalty, forfeited Mrs Mackay s .■friendship. When, evil days came and the lady was obliged to earn her own living, a friend suggested getting up a little capital for her, and Mrs Machay at once offered to contribute some 'hundreds of pounds if it could he sent ■under the name of another person. She is a woman of strong will, .strong com- '• moil sense, and excellent judgment, but utterly incapable of spite or vengeance. Only eyes that have wept much can see clearly. Mi’s Mackay has wept, and her vision is clear ; so to' her a.re car-

riecl.,all flie*' troubles and trials of her friends, and to them, while her advice is kind and healing, she never shirks the truth.

Mrs Mackay is exceptionally happy in > her family relations. Her mother, Mrs Hungerford, is a wise and. accomplished woman. In spite of four grandchildren, Mrs Mackay is still a young woman, and a pretty one, with abundant, silken black hair and blue eyes. Her manners are quiet and distinguished, and she has very simple, cultivated, and artistic tastes. When in London, where her splendid big. house is enlivened by parrots, piping bullfinches, canaries, dog, flowers, and all the currentliterature of the day, she constantly entertains and keeps open house in an old-fashioned, hospitable manner.