Disraeli’s Wife

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18757, 13 July 1935, Page 9

Disraeli’s Wife

I ADY BEACONSFIELD has not L always been kindly treated in tie volumes which have dealt with the life of Disraeli, but Mr P. E. Baily, in "Lady Beaeonsfiold and' Her Times,” pays a tribute which has for long been due. She was a great political hostess, but over and above all a devoted wife, and while all financial anxiety ceased when Disraeli married her, it was, as Mr Baily proves, a b ve match. '"Unfortunately people did not wait for the sound of wedding bells in order to make uncharitable comment,” says Mr Baily. "Directly it became obvious that he intended to marry Mary Anne, opinion in many quarters decided that Iter money formed tho chief attraction, for him. " ‘Why, otherwise, ’ inquired Etc wiseacres, ‘should a brilliant man of 34, with the political world more or less at his feet, want to marry a woman ol' 4ti i It is common knowledge that lie is always at the mercy of moneylenders. Why, during one of. his election; campaigns the opposition oven posted up a list of his debts, and suggested that he ought not 10 stand for Parliament, because he was bankrupt to all intents and purposes ! ’ "If gossip of this kind lefif Disraeli unmoved, it was not without effect on Mary Anne. Her women friends gathered about her and warned her. solemnly against becoming a prey of a political fortunehunter.. Who was Disraeli after all ' True lie had flashed like a meteor across, the /political skv, but ho pos-ser-st>d, no real standing in the world'.' Surely it- ill became a woman of iilary Anne’s charm and good looks; the widow of a man like Wyndhnm Lewis,'’to ally herself with, a mere adventurer, who no doubt, looked to hef to provide him with a roof over his head ant:' a means of staving off duns.” ' From that point Mr Daily tells the. story of Mary Anne’s life, revealing a fine sacrifice and devotion.