AN AMERICAN COUNTESS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 150, 16 June 1908, Page 4

AN AMERICAN COUNTESS

The Countess of Suffolk and Berkshire is devoting nerself to the betterment of the poor. AVith a. fortune in her own right of t!;t.OOO,OUO, a devoted husband with one of the oldest titles in England, an heir to her million* and her husband's rank, and a stately .Jacobean country scat, the Countess has elected to give up her time to teaching the little daughters of the how to make lace. The Countess is one of a, little band of noble ladies who are trying to revive the dying local industries among their tenantry. Years ago the Malmesbury lace-making trade was an industrial feature, but machinery elioked livelihood. As a practical step toward* its revival, Lady SufFold has started a class for the little girls of the district, at her stately home at Charlton Park, and in that school the Countess lias become one of the most tireless and expert, teachers. Some time ago the Countess took up horse-racing as a relaxation, and invested tjuite a little fortune in a stud. But the death of her sister. Lady Cnrzon. caused her to withdraw her colours, and now she has practically withdrawn from society. Lady Suffolk recently had an organ installed in the salon, at Charlton Park at an expense of :CM,OIM. The first use to which she put it was to give a concert for her poorer neighbours. She paid a round sum to have a band of professional singers and other musicians from London, and was delighted with the general appreciation.—Manchester Chronicle.