New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-06-16
OBITUARY.
LADY STIRLING MAXWELL.


Lady Stirling Maxwell, better known as the
Hon Mrs Norton, Ia dead 10 may be remembered that
this lady the weknown poet and novelist, was married
on the st of March last 20 william Stirling MAXWELL
Bart Member of Parliament for Pertbshire The bride
at the 20 years OF age, and confined TO her
chair with rh eumatism. Sir william Maxwell was %
years OF az
The beauty, genius, and domestic sOrrOws OF
Mrs Maxwell have invested her career with singular In
terest She was second Of three SISTERS daughters
OF Thomas Sheridan the OF tho gifted drainatlst
and orator. Richard Brnsey Sheridan She was born in
England in 1905 While infant her father went
ahroad IN recrnt hfs health but died after four years
absence at the Cape OF Good Hope. His widow re-
turned home and, living in secuson, devoted herself
with untng assiduy TO the education OF her chareh
In her girlhood Miss Sheridan gave proof OF poetic
genius having composed verses as early as her lztn
year In 1s23-when only 17-she wrote 1.-The Sorrows
OF Rosalic-a poem which excited favorable criticism
Two years later she married to the Hon
Gooroe Chapplo Norton, OF mediocre
ability He had proposed for Miss sheridan
when she was 49, but her mother deferred her decision
three years that her daughter might be better fuaea
10 act Tor herself In the time Miss Sherdans anec
lions were by another, but hs death prevented teir
marriage When Mr. Norton renewed his proposal he
was accented Mrs Norton bore her husband two sons
one of whom Is Lord GrantIey. The union was how
ever an unhappy one In $50 Mr.. Norton whose tes-
ousy had excited by the admiration ana distinction
which h,s " ifc had In society accused her OF adu
tory with Lord Melbourne, then Prime Minister Ane1cit
ing public trial followed resulting In the yndioaon OF
Mira Norton This quarrel led 10 their separation bulae
In life a rrco ncation was effected When the commotion
attending her husbands lawsuit had subsidized Mrs Nor
ton devoted herself assiduOusy 10 literature TAX
Ing up tho cause Of the oppressed workpeople.
she laid bare their grievances IN " Voice IRON
the Factories" as well In series OF
letters To Tie London Times This theme also found ex-
preston In The Child Of the Islands"-a poem pub
lished in 1916, winch was warmly commended by Lock
hart ls47 size published her best novel" stuart OF
Duneath "a dismal, but vigorous and striking story,
wherein he workings of adverse destiny portrayed
IN later years Mrs. Norton continued 70 manifest inter-
est III SUOMI problems. particularly such as affect the
condition the poor and the position OF women She
expressed her views these subjects in several publ
cations She likewise occasionally brief poems,
one OF which, Bingen the Rhine" has attained
worldwide popularity. In March last Mrs Norton was
married 10 Sir william Sterling Maxwell, with whom she
had maintained close personal friendship for upward
OF nuaiter Of century. She was at that time an IN
valid, suffering from chronic rheumatism B0tb
OF Mrs. Maxwclls sisters attained distinction In
British society. The eldest married IN 1874 10 the
Hon Mr. Blackw0Jd, afteryard Lord Dufferin, and be
came the mother Of tic present accomplished Vceroy OF
Canada The youngest married III 1890 Lord Seymour
son and ber OF the eleventh Duke Of Somerset and nine
year. later was crowned the queen Of Beauty at
the grand tournament at Eglmton Castle.