Page:Wives of the prime ministers, 1844-1906.djvu/286

WIVES OF THE PRIME MINISTERS how little she really mixed and rubbed shoulders with her fellow-creatures."

Nowadays, when the rights of small nations are the proclaimed preoccupation of both the Old World and the New, it is interesting to record Lady Campbell-Bannerman's firm conviction of their value in the international atmosphere, creating, "through their determined endeavour to remain independent, a healthy, stimulating effect on the world and life in general"—a conviction cherished by her at a date when it was anything but fashionable. Another observer, a man, confesses to having been at first "put off" by her appearance—to which allusion has already been made—and being caused to forget it by an "impression of a very sensible and even powerful intelligence." Many, it has to be confessed, never saw through the unattractive appearance. Mr. T. P. O'Connor noticed unfavourably the "nervous, fluttering eyelids" and "nervous, fluttering manner."

Lady Campbell-Bannerman was as marked in her preferences and dislikes of places as of people. She enjoyed being abroad, as has been said. She was devoted to Scotland, and especially to Belmont, the Scottish castle Sir Henry 246