A Statesman’s Helpmeet.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXII, Issue I, 2 January 1904, Page 52

A Statesman’s Helpmeet.

Mrs Chamberlain is the daughter of an eminent American politician anti the member of one of the oldest and bestknown families in New England—the Endicotls of Boston. It was in Washington that Miss Endicott first met Mr Chamberlain, who had gone to the I nited States in the autumn of ISS7 to arrange a settlement of the long-standing fisheries dispute. The one treaty signed, Mr Chamberlain entered into another. How successful, bow entirely happy has been that compact, was all-sufllciently attested by him in those few simple, touching words with which Mr Chamberlain acknowledged how much he owes to the charming and accomplished woman whom he won from her Washington home. “She has sustained me by her courage and cheered me by her gracious companionship, and I have found her my best and truest counsellor. Higher tribute no man could pay his wifeMrs Chamberlain has indeed been a true helpmeet to her statesman husband. In accepting England as her future home. Miss Mary Endicott was but returning to the land of her ancestors. Two hundred and sixty years betore one John Endicott left his Dorsetshire home, and sailed in the good ship Abigail away to the West. He founded the New England family. He became Ihe Governor of the colony- He was a stern Puritan, but a just, man and a wise ruler. Mrs Chamberlain’s father was a Salem man, who studied law at Harvard, and beea-mo Associate-Just ice of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, a post which he resigned in ]BS2. At the time he became Mr Chamberlains father-in-law he was Secretary for War •in President ( le'w'L’UtL’s Administration. On her mother’s side Mrs Chamberlain is descended from the Peabodys, a famous Massachusetts family. It, was early in the now year of TSR9 when Mrs Chamberlain was formally introduced to her husband’s constituents, and the hearty Birmingham folks gave her an enthusiastic welcome home. There were lovely Oriental pearls strung into a beauteous necklet, and blazing diamonds and other material expressions of regard: but the warmth of the welcome was best, expressed in the, assurance that it was the lady’s “happy lot io be dowered with that wealth of interest, sy-mnathy. and kindly affection which Air Chamberlain’s fellow-townsmen offer as a marriage portion to his bride.” That, interest and kindly affection have never been abated so far as the Birmingham people are concerned though Mrs Chamberlain is probably not nearly so well known in the society of the midland capital as in London She is her husband’s constant companion, and both are to be seen at society functions and at theatres as frequently as the very’ scanty leisure oJ a Cabinet Minister permits. At all big meetings which the right . Inin, gentleman from time to time ad dresses in Birmingham and elsewhere Mrs Chamberlain has invariably beer

at his side. Indeed, the first and practically the only time which she has missed sharing in this way his public engagements was when she had just lost her father in 1900. The predominant characteristic of Airs Chamberlain's persoKality is a singularly winning charm of manner. Effusive paragraphists in society papers often describe her as a beautiful woman; but it is this charm of manner lather than mere beauty of feature that most impresses one. A brunette, with fresh complexion. bright eyes, and laughing lips, Airs Chamberlain combines dignity and vivacity, as well as the graces that shine in social life. She was, by the way, a particular favourite of the late Queen, standing higher, probably, in Her Majesty’s good graces than any of her countrywomen had ever done. The Sovereign’s favour was particularly manifested at the time of the Diamond Jubilee, when she conferred on Mrs Chamberlain, not the silver, but the gold, commemoration medal, which, with this one exception, was »nly given to members of the reigning house and to families of foreign monarchs. On the. writing-table in Air Chamberlain’s library stands her portrait; and in the gallery above the big hall at Highbury hang’s another painted by Alillais- Beside it is the picture of old Governor Endicott. The ex-Coionial Secretary’s house in Prince’s Gardens is situated in one of the most delightful spots in the West of London. It is quite close to the park, and has also in its immediate, neighbourhood tiie beautiful gardens which lie at the back of the houses along Prince's Gate. There is 110 brighter nor airier part of London. The house itself is externally plain, but it contains a good deal more accommodation than it appears to from the outside- A forfner tenant converted the stables, which used to be behind the house, into living rooms, with the result that besides the dining-room and a large sitting-room on the ground-floor Air Chamberlain has at his disposal, without the fatigue of mounting the stairs, a business room for his secretary, and a large light, airy and altogether charming library for his own use.