Visit to the Countess of Warwick

VISIT TO THE COUNTESS OF WARWICK. BY LYDIA D. ALDER, ENGLISH MISSIONARY.

Early one morning, a letter arrived for me, stamped with a coronet, signed by Frances Evelyn, Countess of Warwick, contain- ing an appointment to meet her ladyship at 4 p. m. on Thursday, June 28, 1900, if that hour would suit. Of course that was just the hour that did suit, though we had to defer our departure for two days on that account. A few moments before the specified time, we reached the castle gates, and when the liveried servant was informed we had an appointment with her ladyship, we were permitted to enter. The walk is walled up with rocks to the height of perhaps twenty feet on either side, while high above and on its sides are trailing vines and plants; it almost struck a chill, it was so cold here, coming from the summer heat. After considerable ceremony we reached the castle doors, which are massive and strong, where the servant, taking our cards, ushered us into a high and large hall. Armored knights, mounted on horseback, guarded the entrance, standing in silence as others like them doubtless stood hundreds of years ago. On the sofas and chairs, soft, down cushions are piled so high that one is almost lost among them. The surroundings are costly and unique, all stamped with age and ancestry. Here royalty has long been entertained, even as today. A screen, once white, beautifully embroidered with gold, about twenty feet high, partly conceals a portion of the hall from the casual gaze. It is the work of some high-born lady of long ago. White roses and white carnations in profusion are placed in costly bowls, in different parts of the hall, their odor

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perfuming the air. A rustling of drapery, and the Countess is'

with us. We rise, step forward to greet her, and are shaking hands as though we had been long acquainted. We find her a charming, interesting lady of magnificent height and appearance, graceful in form, with a musical voice and a manner free from affectation. She asked many questions about Utah, her people, her women, and what we did to make the title "American woman" so justly eulogized the world over. Answering them, elicited many facts regarding our organiza- tions, both philanthropic and literary. We spoke of the press clubs of American women, and what they were accomplishing even in our own state, where woman holds the Ifranchise. She was assured that women were not unsexed by their stepping out of a carriage to drop their ballots in a box. Then was mentioned the odd thing that happened in England a year ago, while the Quinquennial Congress was in session, namely, the voting down of woman suffrage by parliament. We found that the Countess takes a lively interest in every- thing pertaining to America, paying her inhabitants many pretty compliments. She is woman herself, anxious that a progressive English women should be organized as we are, and hopes much for another generation, but not much for the present one. She spoke of her labors in connection with the pen makers of Birmingham, who are girls, and known as "unskilled labor." Their wage is five shillings a week, and for every imaginable thing, they are fined by their employers, thus reducing this paltry sum. This wage means everything to them, so they are bound in fear, and of necessity, she added, are in the streets. She is making heroic efforts in their behalf, and has secured the co-operation of all but two firms; she is not disheartened, but still forging on, determined to gain a victory. One could not help admiring the clear reasoning and the keen perception of this noble lady, who does so much for those in the humble walks of life. We were asked about our religion, too, and what progress we were making in proselyting in England, and what we did with converts when they reached Utah, all of which we answered to her seeming satisfaction. Then she asked if we knew Eliza Bond. Yes, certainly, we did, she is one of the War- wick Saints.

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"Well," the Countess continued, "I am much impressed with your religion, for I knew her when she was a bed-ridden woman for years. I myself have visited her, and administered to her needs, and I know she was instantly restored to health when no one ever thought she would rise again," We assured her that this case of healing was only one of thousands that had been performed in The Church, referring to some that we were personally acquainted with. We bore our sol- emn testimony to the truth of the gospel as'restcfred by the angel spoken of in the Apocalypse, who has flown through heaven, bring- ing to earth the fullness of the gospel. Standing thoughtfully, as we rose to go, she said, "I am im- pressed with your religion; I do not wonder that you love it." She also added that she had a number of our printed works, which she had read; that she once had solicited an interview with the elders who were here before; and that she was happy to meet us. She admires American women for their progress and advance- ment, yet withal, they were so tender and womanly. She had shown such lovely trait of character during the interview that a compliment sprang to our lips, which we honestly paid, having obtained her ladyship's permission. "Lady Warwick, you are so progressive, you have such an appreciative spirit that had we met anywhere in America, we would have thought, 'what a lovely American woman!'" She expressed herself as complimented, in- deed; and amid her smiles and warmest wishes for our future, both here and in America, we bade her a happy, yet reluctant, goodby. Leaving this historic home of grandeur, we were soon on the narrow streets, among the lowly and poor. We hope to meet again; such hearty and cordial wishes for success in the lines of work, in which we are mutually engage:"" may bring our paths of life to touch or cross again. Our hearts are mutually animated with the desire to better the conditions of our fellow-men, to bring rays of sunshine into otherwise grey and leaden lives, and to teach the fainting heart to look up and not to dispair; to aid the wage-earners temporally, and then bless them spiritually. This is a broad platform upon which the followers of the meek and lowly Nazarene may easily meet and converse. The Countess had said: "I belong to none of their creeds, so then I can

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aid them all; I will not be bound by their narrow confines; for I see each sect at variance with the other, and often hating all that will not see as it sees." There are hearts in the world who are starving for the truth; God grant they may understand it when it comes to them.