The political affiliations of her husband were not especially pleasing to Mrs. Arthur. She disliked having him mixed up with them, preferring that he devote himself exclusively to his legal profession. His admirers have claimed that he was born with a flair for politics, and from the time he reached his majority he was a politician entering into the activities of his chosen party with zest and enthusiasm. [Illustration: _Photo by G. V. Buck, Washington, D. C._ MRS. JOHN McELROY Sister of President Arthur] The great joy that descended upon the Arthur household with the birth of their first child, which they named for the gallant Captain Herndon, was turned to sorrow, as the babe died in infancy. Several years later, however, two other children came to them, Alan and little Ellen, to banish the grief and fill the household with life and childish voices. As time progressed, Mrs. Arthur became more and more a social favourite. Her voice, so often compared to that of a Southern nightingale, was the great attraction for countless projects for charity and church benefits. She gave to such appeals most generously of her talents and her time. Her mother, Mrs. Herndon, died in 1878 while travelling in Europe, and Mrs. Arthur went over alone to bring the body back to this country for interment. The shock of her mother’s death, her grief over not being with her, and the fatigue and strain of the trip undermined her health so that, when taken ill with pneumonia, she had no reserve strength with which to combat it, and died after a three-days’ illness on January 12, 1880. Her death, so sudden and distressing, was a bitter blow to her husband just as he was entering upon the most important stage of his public career. It was also a shock to the host of their friends, many of them being unaware of Mrs. Arthur’s illness until they learned of her death. Her popularity was evidenced by the sincere grief of the many over her death, especially in the circles where her quiet sympathy and charity had brought so much relief. The Mendelssohn Glee Club of New York requested to be allowed to sing at her funeral. Mrs. Mary Arthur McElroy, widow of the Rev. John McElroy of Albany, Mr. Arthur’s youngest sister, came to his aid and took charge of the desolate and grief-stricken household. Mr. Arthur would allow none of his wife’s belongings to be touched. Her room and everything in it was kept just as she left it, even to a bit of fancy work with the needle ready for the next stitch was left where she had dropped it.