MRS. CHARLES S. FAIRCHILD. THE wife of the new Secretary of the Treasury was Miss Helen Lincklaen, of Cazenovia, New York. She is still young, and her husband was only forty-five the last of April of this year. She is a high-bred-looking woman of medium height, well formed, having a plump figure and graceful outlines. She would be observed even in a group of notable women, for united to a clear fair skin of a healthy natural hue she has large gray eyes full of expression, and features almost perfectly regular in their classic beauty. Her hair is neither blond nor dark, but of a shade of brown which perfectly harmonizes with her coloring. Her voice is especially sweet in its soft cadences, and adds to the pleasing impressions made by her conversation, for Mrs. Fairchild is one of those well-bred women whose voice is not heard beyond the circle in which she happens to be chatting.

In manners Mrs. Fairchild would serve as a model for young girls who are seeking for the highest type of what constitutes a lady. She is easy, self-possessed, and dignified. She comes of good stock, being a niece of the wife of the late ex-Governor Seymour, of New York. All the Seymour family, as well as the Lincklaens, were celebrated for personal beauty, graceful bearing, and high intellectual attainments. When it was known that Mr. Fairchild would occupy the position of Assistant Secretary of the Treasury under the present administration, the old friends and neighbors of the family in the State of New York said that Washington society was to be congratulated upon such acquisitions as Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild would prove.

Mrs. Fairchild was at once recognized as a member of the official family of the President, and commanded the same attention as was bestowed upon Mrs. Manning, the wife of the Secretary of the Treasury. Her receptions were perhaps not so formal nor as crowded as those of Mrs. Manning, but were almost too large for the courteous lady to return personally all the calls made on her. However, she did contrive to meet the requirements of politeness, for her kind, gentle nature prompted her to acts of civility which in some instances must have been a great tax upon her.

It would be impossible for a woman with Mrs. Fairchild's perfect organization not to dress well. Her toilettes are elegant, but never obtrusive in color or fashion. There is a delicacy and dainti

MRS. CHARLES S. FAIRCHILD.-PHOTOGRAPHED BY C. M. BELL.

ness about her gowns which are in striking contrast to the showy costumes often seen in Washington drawing-rooms. During the first years of Mrs. Fairchild's residence at the capital she was in mourning for her uncle and aunt-Governor and Mrs. Horatio Seymour. At official receptions at the White House she wore black illusion over black silk, with low corsage and short sleeves. This toilette, without necklace or jewelry, and with black gloves, proved that Mrs. Fairchild could look handsome and elegant in the simplest style of dress. At her first reception after her husband became Secretary Mrs. Fairchild filled her new rôle as lady of the Cabinet with exquisite tact and grace. Dressed in a charming costume of pearl gray faille, combined with rose-color and elegant white lace, she was a picture of feminine grace and refinement. There was a quiet repose in her manner of receiving congratulations for herself and husband which fascinated all who approached her. There was an additional sparkle in her eyes and heightened color in her cheeks, but no nervousness. She was surrounded with baskets of roses sent by admiring friends, and none looked fresher or lovelier than the gracious hostess. Her mother, Mrs. Lincklaen, and some lady friends from her old home received with her, and each visitor went away favorably impressed.

Both Secretary and Mrs. Fairchild are wealthy, and not many weeks ago purchased two pieces of property for which they paid $50,000 each. One of the houses they will occupy next winter, and doubtless will entertain hospitably. Up to this time they have occupied a pretty and quaint Dutch house, but its size is not adequate to the social requirements of the Secretary of the Treasury.

Mr. Fairchild, who was appointed to the office on the retirement of Mr. Manning in April last, was born at Cazenovia, New York, in 1842, and received his early education in his native town. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1865, after which he became connected with one of the largest and most successful law firms in the State of New York. In 1875 he was elected. Attorney-General, and served in that office for two years, after which he visited Europe, returning to practise his profession in New York city until he was called to Washington. He is a man of clear and practical views upon public questions; a firm believer in civil service reform, and in every way eminently qualified for his present position.