Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1855-05-01
THE story OF L. E. L,

Al
giving as il does, the authentic story OF one
whose pIalntiye sweetness and melancholy
fa,e have touched the strings of thousands
or hear,s. Even in her initials, the simple
l.. e. l.. OF her poems, Leutia +. Landon
willlive in the affeetionate memory OF the
world. -
We give portion Of the letter, which no
one can peruse without painful interest. y
withdraws the veil Of mystery that has SO
long hidden the hapiess singers Hte IN
Southern Africa, and shows that there are
earthly Noes too sorrowful for song:
"poor dear L. E l.. lost her fataer-who
was captain in the army-whle she was
vet child. He had married the widow OF
an army agenl--a woman not OF rehhed
habits, aud totally unsuited TO him. On his
death, his brother. the late Dean OF Exeter,
interested himself tor his nephew and neice
the sole children left by Captain Landon ;
aud, deeaaing il necessary TO remove them
from their mother, placed the girl (poor l.,
ELY at school, and the boy at another.
At an unusually early age, she manifested
the renius, for which she afterward became
50 descrvedIy popular. On leaving school,
her uncle placed her under the protection
Of her grandmother, whose esgence rend-
cred the life OF her gifted grandchid any
thing but happy one. Her first poeteal
efnsions were published many years ago,
ard the whole of the sum they produced,
was appropriated TO her grandmother.
Soon after l.. Z. L. became acquainted
with MI, who, charmed with her tai
ents, encouraged their exer,inn By inserting
her poems in literary journal, with all the
ecomiums they mcriled. This notice drew
the attention OF publishers on her, and,
alas, drew also the ctlumny and hatred oil
the envieus, which ceased not to persecate
her through her troubled life bat absolute
" drove her from her native land. IheFe
vas no SANDER too vile, and ~ assertion
too wicked to heap on the fame OF the IN
inred creature. Mfr, a married man,
and the father OF large family, many Of
whom were older than l.. L. h., vas said
to have been her lover; and it was publicly
stated tia, she had become too intimately
connected with him. Those who dsbeiteVed
the calumny, RETAINED not from repeating
is until It became a general topic OF con-
versati1n Her own sex, fearful 81 eensurr.
had'no courage to defend her and th's high
IL gifted and sensitive creature, without
having committed single error, found her
sell victim 10 SANDER. More than one
advantageous proposal Of marriage VS.
made to her; but no sooner was this
known. than anonymous letters were sent
TO the person who wished 10 wed her, filled
with chargas against her honor. Some OF
her sutors, wholly dlscrediung this caIum-
MES, but thinking 10 due To her to reiute
them, intsigated inquiries to truce them 10
the riginal source whence they came not
a single proof could be had OF even the
sembance Of guilt, though thousand were
furnished Of perfect innocence.
Wounded and Inundated, poor l.. f. l..
refused To wed those who could, however
worthy-the motive, seem to doubt her honor,
or insiigate inquiry into her conduct; and
from year 10 year dragged on life oil NOR
tifcation and sorrow. Pride led her to con-
ceal what she suffered; bat those who best
knew herwere aware that, for many months,
sleep could only be obtained by the aid OF
narcotics, and that violent spasins and fire.
quent attacks of the nerves lett her seldom
free from acute suffering. The effort 10
force a gaiaty she was far from feeling, in
creased her sutferiugs even to the last The
FIRST use She made Of the money produced
By her writings was to buy an annuity for
her graudmuther;- that grandmother whose
aeerbiiy oftemper, and wearing eriyeHcs had
embutered her home.
About this time Mr.. Mac!ean became
acquainted with her and after some months
proposed for her hand. Wrung to the quick
by the ISLANDERS heapad Upon her, she ac-
cepted his offer; bat he deemed it neccs-
sary to return to Cape Coast Castle for
yea before the nuptiais could be so!emni-
eel. lie returned at the expiration Of that
term, renewed bis offer, and she-poUr dear
soul informed all her friends, and me
among the number, Of her acceptance OF it,
and OF her intention Of soon leaving Eng
land with him. Soon after this Mr.. MacIean
went to Scotl nd, and remained there many
months without writing a single line to his
bethrothed. Her feelings un3e- this treat
ment you can well i'm 4gine. Beset BY IN
qUiries OF al her friends as to where Dir.
Maclean was, when She was 10 be married,
&c, &c, alb indicating strong suspicion
that he had heard the reports, and would
appear no more. A serious illness assailed
her, and reduced her to The brink Of the
grave; when hrr---wrJte aud demand,
Cd an explanation from Mr., Maciean.
He answered that, learing the climate Of
Area might prove fatal to her. he had ab.
andoned the intention of marrying, and felt
embarrassed in writing to say 50.
She, poor soul, m.stook the hesitation
and silence for generosity, aul wrote to him
letter lraught with affection the i'll
starred union was again proposed, but on
condition tina. it should be kept a secret
even from the friends she Has residing
With From the moment of his return from
/ S otlaud to that OF their departure, he was
moody, mysterious ami ill-humored-
/ tiuuaijy sneerng I. literary ladles-sPeak-
ing sllgttingIy OF her works and, in short
7 showing every symptom to disgust her.
Sr--remOusrated with her on his extra
! primary mode Of proceeding; so did all hhl
friends but the die was cast Her pride
sh-unk from tie notion Of again having il
said that another marriage was broken oil
and she determined moi to break it with him
BY stery on mystery followed; no friend oi
hs--thgugh an uncle and aunt were il
LoDdon-sanctonc the marriage; nay
more, il is now know that, Two days
previous 10 it, he on beiCg questioned By
BIZ. uncle, dcnied positively the fact Of hi'
intention to be married,
The mlrriare waS secret one, and mo-
avowei until few days previous It
their sailing for Africa; h. refused to per
init her own maid, who had ng served her
md L., H., a.