Mrs. George Curzon is the latest addition to the group of American women which is now playing so prominent a part in English political society. The future Lady Scarsdale is the daughter of a great Chicago millionaire, whose home, however, has now been for many years in Washington. It was said at the time of the marriage that Mr. Leiter had settled on his daughter £10,000 a year.
As Miss Leiter, Mrs. Curzon spent several winters in Europe, and she met her future husband first in London, although their engagement and marriage took place at the bride's own home in Washington. Even in America, that land of beautiful women, Miss Leiter was distinguished for her exceptional good looks, and she was also said to be, as a girl, one of the best conversationalists in Washington. Owing to her intimate friendship with Mrs. Cleveland, she was constantly at the White House, and while there became acquainted with all the diplomatic world; indeed, at one time every foreign attaché in Washington was said to aspire to the honour of becoming Miss Leiter's husband. She speaks French and German perfectly, and has always been interested in literary matters; indeed, her interest in Mr. George Curzon's literary work first caused them to become friends. Their engagement lasted some months, and aroused great interest throughout the States.
The marriage took place in Washington four years ago, and ever since Mrs. George Curzon has entirely identified herself with her husband's aims and interests. When he was standing for Southport she was the most energetic of canvassers, and her beautiful London house is becoming quite a rendezvous of the Conservative party.
Of all the American women who have married Englishmen none has a more interesting house than has the Countess of Essex; indeed, Cassiobury Park, which is near Watford, is not only one of the loveliest country houses in the United Kingdom, but is said to date its name and fame from the days of the early Britons. The house itself is of recent construction, having been built by Inigo Jones, while the gardens were laid out by Le Nôtre, who was persuaded to leave Versailles for a brief period in order that he might lend his aid to beautifying the property of the Lord Capel from whom the present Earl of Essex is descended.
Lady Essex, née Miss Adele Grant, has fine taste. Her special hobby is the collecting of miniatures, and in her boudoir at Cassiobury are over a hundred exquisite portraits of the dead and gone beauties and beaux of a former day. Curiously enough, the title of Countess of Essex has been invariably borne by a beautiful woman, and one of the most charming pictures in the house is a portrait of the lovely Kitty Stephens, who became the wife of the fifth earl.
The Countess of Essex, although belonging to a well-known American family, has lived in London from her earliest girlhood, and she was at one time regarded as the prospective bride of the late Lord Cairns. Her marriage, five years ago, to the seventh Earl of Essex was a social sensation of 1893.
Alice Hughes, Photo
COUNTESS OF ESSEX AND BABY.