Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-10-02
NELSON'S TRUE HISTORY.
HER BIRTH AMID EARLY LIEg--UOw SIZE
WAS EDUCATED FOR TIE STAGE.

HER BIRTH AMID EARLY LlFg-HOw SIZE
WAS EDUCATED FOR TIE STAGE.
A great deal OF nonsense is being pub.
lished, writes Mr.. Joseph Hatton to the
New York Times, about Nelson's early
life. II 10 romantic 10 ret il forth that
she WAS born Of Spanish mother in
saragosa. The truth is, she was born
at Hull, Of poor but honest Yorkshire
parents. She came to London about
seventeen years ago. a gentleman OF
position met her quite accidentally in q
West end street. lie took a personal
interest in her and became her PRO.
tector and friend" She then called her
self Lille Gordon. Her London friend
advised her to enter upon some useful
occupation. She said she had left home
through family misunderstanding. lie
placed her under the care Of an old lady
at Brixton, a third.rate suburb of Lon.
don. Here she commenced her early
education which had to be begun from
the very rudiments Of reading and writ
ing. She manifested q desire to 20 on
the stage. Her friend placed her under
the tutelage of Mr.. John Ryeder, the
well known English tragedian. After
six months Of study, Mr.. Ryeder pro.
nounced his pupil "bopeless." Her man
ner, habits and pronunciation, aitoge-
tber untitled her, be said, for the PRO.
fsssion." She spoke in a strong York
shire dialect, and was both awkward
and ungainly. Honest Johu Ryeder de.
clined to waste further time upon her.
and refused the liberal drafts OF made.
moisellss patron. At tho same time, he
pointed out to the girl her defects, and
explained to her what she should do in
Der earnest efforts to surmount them.
She went into comparative retirement
and secluslou to practice Ryeder's les
sons. Six or eight months later, she
went back to him, and be said: "My
dear child, find in you 80 much pluck
and energy, 10 much homes, industry,
and also 30 much improvement since
last yon read to me that ! give you
hopes Of success" She was bis pupil
again for few months, and then she
went to Paris under the care Of Mrs.
Stirling, the eminent actress, for the
purpose Of combining with her artistic
studies, that Of languages. Here, for
months she worked night and day, and
returned to London greatly improved,
speaking and writing French, and de-
monstratiDg to Ryeder that her courage
and industry were strong enough to
conquer even her worse physical defects
OF pronunciation. Her London friend
spared no expense to advance her inter.
es.s, and at last she made her mark
as an actress. On the night of her
great success in Amy Robsart (after she
had relinquished tho protecting care Of
her first friend in town, she gave a sup
per at her house in Argyle street. 1t
was attended by the elite of artistic
society, in SO far as the male represen-
tatlVes OF art were concerned. Her early
patron was there. In presence of the
assembled guests, she crossed the room
to where he stood, flung her arms round
bis neck, and, in food Of tears, thanked
him for her SUCCESS. Since then, she
nas had a brilliant career. There a,e
Incidents in it which may be lamcnted
out Nelson was more SHINING" In
'pite of her wealth and her fame, they
carried her in wicker basket the other
lay, dead, from Paris restaurant to
he morgue. Admiral Glyn, her latest
'dmirer, followed her thither. His gris
ouched even the French reporters, and
xcited the respectful sympathy Of the
rowd Of lockers on. Nelson's death
las excited deep and widespread
orrow in the theatrical circles of
london.