Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 21, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 December 1899 — LADY SALISBURY. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

LADY SALISBURY.

Her Death Remove* an Influential Factor in British Politic*. The death of Lady Salisbury, wife of the British premier, has removed a woman of high social prominence and one who exercised a great Influence on the political life of England. Lord Salisbury placed unlimited confidence tn his wife’s sagacity and judgment and in consequence she was a power in the councils of the Conservative party, and when that party was in office, in the councils of the nation. , Lady Salisbury was the daughter of Sir George Hall Alderson and was mar-

ried to Lord Salisbury—then Lord Robert Cecil—in 1857. Her husband wa® then 27 years old, while she was some years his senior. Four yean before, her husband had been elected a Fellow of AU Souls’ College, Oxford, and had been returned to Parliament for Stamford. The early years of their married life were passed in comparative obscurity. They had little money, and lived in lodgings off the Strand. The future prime minister added to bls slender income by writing for magazines and newspapers, his,wife acting as amanuensis. In 1865 Lord Robert Cecil became Viscount Cranborne, and heir to the Marquisate through the death of his eldest brother. It was then that his political career

really began. As her husband advanced in rank and station Lady Salisbury filled every place with grace and tact. With advancing years she grew to care less for social functions, but until her mness, some years ago, she was never remiss In her duties as a hostess, and when her husband has been In office these have been of the most onerous character. Lady Salisbury had five sons and three daughters, all of whom are living except a daughter who died in 1867. What effect Lady Salisbury’s death will have on the political condition of England is not definitely known, but Lord Salisbury is reported to have said that in the event of th? death of his wife be would retire as soon as possible from public life.

THE MARCHIONESS OF SALISBURY.