MRS LANGTRY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2624, 4 September 1882, Page 3

MRS LANGTRY.

From the Livernool “ Porcupine” we make the following extracts of this renowned beauty : Mrs Langtry is the ideal beauty of modern society. She represents the taste of the nineteenth century, and, if you do not agree with the verdict of the public, you need not bo ashamed to dissent from it, nor need you necessarily condemn that verdict as mere tuft-hunting and sycophancy. On such a point as this we all have a very good right to our own opinions and to respect the ideas of others. In Japan, for instance, the beauties of the court gild their teeth, and in Q-uzurat they dye them black, in order to enhance their charms and their effect upon the susceptible masculine traest. Mrs Langtry’s pearly rows would doubtless be regarded with great contempt by the Lily of Yokohama, and her <i; oidedly largo feet would be simply ridiou loos among the professional beauties of Hong Kong and Pekin. Picture to yourself this little simple, bright-eyed Jersey maiden. One fine afternoon in a long annnylday, far away on the hazy horizon, appear the big, outstretched white wings of a graceful yacht. She is beating up against a light breeze, and before

tho night close* In she will be Ijing quietly at anchor under shelter of the Jersey ahore. There is nothing nnmnal about such a oironmitanoe a* this. On board of her is one —Major Langtry by name—who is destined to exert no little influence for better or for worse orer the fortunes of the young Jersey maiden now blooming ont in all the charm, of radiant beauty. The gentlemen on board the yacht—one or two young aristocrats of rank and name, a military man, and a man of fashion—land. They ramble somewhat idly about the place for a day or two, until a more chance introduces our yachting party to the pretty Jersey girl. After a time the yacht sails away, dips her wings in the bine horizon, and is lost. Bat again and again one who went away on board her comes sailing in from the sea in the girl's dreams, until at last one happy day be actually returns. The wooing of the " Lily of Jersey" was much in tbe manner I have described it, and is as pretty as poetical, as fascinating as most else that surrounds her. The world knows tbe ro.it. The proud possessor of one of the most beautiful women in Europe was a man of some fortune—rumour says some £3O 000 or more. Mrs Langtry was the one thing necessary at every garden party, every ball, every afternoon tea with any claims to social distinction. Wo know how the photographers have lived upon her, and how sue has been photographed in every imaginable attitude. The Prince of Wales gave the last final impetus to the “ rage” by showing marked attention—in which it is only fair to say the Princess joined—to the new Court beauty. Again, I say, picture to yourself tbe tremendous contrast between tho early life of this little Jersey girl, with her winning smile aod pretty childish innocence—and the meteoric brilliancy of the acknowledged Court beauty, adulated upon every hand, flattered by princes, surrounded by the jeunesse doree of the age, and most attractive guest at the most brilliant gatherings of the season! How the old fishermen of Jersey would have stared could they have seen the pretty lassie who used to trip along the quay with her bright eye and sunny smile, sweeping rcajer* tioally up the grand stairsase of some old duoal mansion in the metropolis, arrayed in garments costly and tasteful enough for an empress, and attended by a following of rank and fashion for whose hearty admiration aod sincere attention a princess royal has often sighed in vain. Mrs Langtry won the favour of the Prince and tbe Court by her artiest, fresh, and natural beauty both of person and manner. One of the society gossips has stated that she rather offended “Wales’ 1 by inadvertently—or in jest—slipping a piece of ice down the baok of bis neck. The story is probably false, but tho favour of princes is very fickle. Beauty Langtry might hold her own—and lose it—much as easily. The awkward fact for the story seems to be that Mrs Langtry has not lost tho favour of the Prince of Wales or the Princess either. She seems to have emerged from the Court as fresh, piquant, and with as fair a fame as she entered it. Turning from the uncertain favour of tbe Throne to tbe admiration of the People, she challenges scrutiny and criticism. Few Court favorites could have dared so searching a trial, bat that Mrs Langtry has not hazarded it foolishly or in vain it proved by her undoubted popularity wherever she goes.