Some Notable Women.

White Ribbon, Volume 1, Issue 8, 1 February 1896, Page 2

Some Notable Women.

By K.W.S.

It was my privilege and pleasure when in Englr »id to meet with many of the world’s best workers in the cause of Humanity, and it may interest the readers of the White Ribbon to learn a little about them from a visitor’s point of view. I had not been many days in London when, on forwarding my letters of introduction to LADY HENRY SOMERSET, I received an invitation from her to visit Reigate Priory on the following day. As this was not the only opportunity I had of seeing her in her beautiful home, I can speak of her as a hostess; and a very charming hostess she was, being quietly thoughtful for her guest’s comfort, and judiciously neglectful when occasion warranted. Her per-: sonal appearance is so well known through her many portraits that it is unnecessary to describe her in detail. Although in repose her fact, is somewhat sad, yet when speaking it lights up :n a remarkable way, and she possesses the happy faculty of seeing the comic side of things quickly. On the plattorm she is easy and dignified ; her w’ords flow readily, and are well chosen. Her voice, even when she speaks in a low tone, “ carries ” well, and is rich in quality. She is clear as to her points, and logical in argument; and, as she speaks on the wrongs of suffering humanity, the listener is bound to acknowledge that, while her utterances evidently come straight from a full, loving heart, her brain is of no mean order, and head as well as heart does duty in her varied work. MISS FRANCIS WILLARD, our World’s W.C.T.U. President, is also well known to us by her portraits, as well as by her remarkable organising work in connection with the Union for many years past. She is a born organiser and a born leader. While her physique is somewhat frail, her brain is strong and her vision clear. Her American accent is, to my mind, quaint, and has a strong fascination about it. In private she is bright and merry, and seems glad to “ let go” from the strain of public work. As Chairwoman of Committee she is a model As precise in technique as the veriest devotee of red-tape, she does not allow' this precision to hamper free utterance, while, on the other band, she does not allow time to be wasted. On the platform she is quite at home. If she is in the chair, her apt, quaint, witty remarks keep everything rolling smoothly, and when delivering an address one cannot but be struck by the breadth of her outlook, her faith in humanity, and her love for the race. Her style is epigrammatic and uncommon, and she is a curious mixture

of hard-headedness and emotional fervour. She is invariably listened to by the largest audiences with an eager, earnest attention, alternated by occasional outbursts of enthusiasm. I believe that one of the secrets of her successes is that she never sees obstacles. Once convinced that a thing is right, she goes straight on. And yet she is a born diplomat. And, now that I think of it, she is very difficult to describe, and I had better give her up, and turn to some one less complex. MISS ANNA GORDON, the World’s W. C. T. U. Recording Secretary, travels everywhere with Miss Willard, and is her devoted friend and co-w’orker. She has a sweet, earnest face, and a gentle, yet manner. Besides her secretaryship, wh.'h is no light work, she has been superintendent ot the Loyal Temperance Legion for many years, and has been very successful in spreading the idea of the Legion in other countries, and giving them hints for carrying on the work. Like Miss Willard, she is not very strong physically, but she has a good brain, and gives heart and soul to Temperance work. Naturally of a retiring disposition, she does very little in the w’ay of public speaking, excepting what is necessary as an officer of the Union. MISS SLACK, the World’s Corresponding Secretary of the \Y. C. T. U. is strong physically and mentally, bright and vivacious in manner, and enthusiastic and ardent in temperament. She is most energetic in Temperance w’ork. Her letters are short and to the point. When on the platform she works up to a point of enthusiasm, and carries her audience with her perforce. Her style of speaking is quite parliamentary. MRS WARD POOLE, for many years secretary to the 8.W.T.A., has lately become Lady Henry s Private Secretary. She is a pretty, graceful woman, with a clever brain, and a great deal of natuial tact and good feeling. She speaks well in public, and without any pretence to oratory, is able to express herself with clearness and force. She is a general favourite. MISS HELEN HOOD, the Organising Secretary to the 8.W.T.A., is an American by birth and education, and has a little of the quaint accent of that countiy. She is one of the busiest of the busy workers in the Temperance hive. She is often obliged, at very little notice, to travel to different parts of England, Scotland, and Ireland, for the purpose of organising fresh branches of the 8.W.T.A., and eni f.husing flagging branches. A large pari of her work is necessarily done by correspondence She is warm-hearted to the core, and loyal tc those

tfith whom she works. During the Convention meetings in June last, her zeal was unflagging. I was very much struck at the manner in which she and Mrs Ward Poole answered to all the demands that were made on them; nothing came amiss to them, and their courtesy was unfailing. Miss Hock! is esteemed and loved by all her fellowworkers. (To be continued).