CHARMING MRS. CARNEGIE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 219, 20 October 1916, Page 3 (Supplement)

CHARMING MRS. CARNEGIE.

HOW SHE FIRST MET MR. CHAMBERLAIN. The marriage cf Mrs. Joseph Chamberlain to Canon Carnegie, the House of ComoiLs chaplain, recalls the romance of her first meeting with Mr. Chamberlain, and their marriage. In 1887 Mr. Chamberlain went to th© I. nited States as Chairman of the Fisheries Commission. The story goes that ho received a little note asking him t-j a girls' party, "if he wouldn't l>e t.oo nervous at being the only man there." Mr. Chamberlain accepted the invitation and the hostess placed him at °. table next to the charming Muss Marv Endicott, whom she "was silfc.' he would like." Miss Endicott, who was ine daughter of the Hnn. W. C. Endicott, Minister <>f War in President Cleveland's first Administration, was a popular society belle of twenty-two, and proved much to the liking of Mr. Chamberlain that a few months later they were married.

THE GIRL AND THE LOBSTER. Shortly before his man-age. Mr. Chamberlain wroto to Ladv Dorotliv vNevill : "I am going to the United States ti marry Miss .Endicott —one of thoso American girls whose importation into th s country you deprecated so strongly in my hearing. You said: > like th.> Americans very well, but ther»» are two things I wish they would keep to themselves —their girls and their tinned lobster!' 1 am ready to give up tiie lobster, so you must be prepare! to l'ke the girl." Mrs. Chamberlain was famous for her charm. It is said that Queen Victoria never liked the idea of second marriages, but she promptly forgave the great statesman for his third venture into matrimony—for M : ss Endicott was his third wife—when she met Mrs. Chamberlain. A woman of quiet, retiring disposition, Mrs. Chamberlarn, who is little known to the general public, prove! of the greatest assistance to her distinguished husband. So much so. ir fact, that on more than one occasion lie paid handsome tributes to his wite u admirable qualities. In the course of one of his speeches he said, alluding w his marriage and to Mrs. Chamberlain, who was on the platform:— "I have done all in my power to promote a union between this country and America."

"BEST AND TRUEST TOUXSELLOR." And it was on another occasion that he said, "I have found her my best ani truest counsellor." Although in political life Mrs. Chamberlain was little known, she has proved a real friend to the women and children of the poor classes of Birmingham, wlu'.le her devot:on to the grrat statesman in the last few years of his lifa when he was stricken and helpless, aroused universal admiration.