Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-04-04
NO. 80.
Misfellaneous.
Lady Blanche sMurphy's Life.

Mrs. Ellen Mason of North Conway, sends
To the Boston Sunday Courier a sketch Of
the late Lady Blanche Murphy. From it
we copy some account of her life in the pleas-
ant New Hampshire village, Mrs. Mason
writes:
Lady Blanche Murphy; N l write the
name do not think of the eldest daughter
of the Earl of Gainsboroush, the proud pos
SCISSOR of long name and fine sounding title,
but of the graceful little figure wrapped in =
gray waterproof, walking with quick. elastic
step. the fresh, rosy face, fair as a flower,
framed in thick, golden-brown hair, Lady
Blanche as | first saw her on the sidewalk
at North Conway one rainy day in the au-
tumn of 1873. Mr.. Murphy had then just
come 10 teach music in Mr.. Fred Thompson's
military school and Lady Blanche was board.
ing with him there. No one knew her rank
at first, but il was soon told that the letters
of the unassumng little woman were direct
ed to Lady Blanche Murphy. Her story be-
came known and people talked Of the ro-
name of her life.
But il is of her simple. sweet. brave life At
North Conway that l would speak. Though
her marriage had been romantic, there was
nothing of the sentimentalist about Lady
Murphv's teaching in the school had expired.
they kept house, she doing most of the house
work herself, while yet managing to do great
deal of writing for the Atlantic, Scribncr's
Monthly, the Galaxy, the Catholic Review,
Catholic World, and other publications. And
with all this she remembered the poor, the
little children, all to whom she could give
comfort or pleasure. Will the children whom
she took to Dianas Baths, and fed with din
.er cooked by her own hands, ever forget that
famous Fourth of July, or cease to ever after
reverence the day chiefly for her sake? Her
interest in the dwellers of the mountain valley
was Just as real as her love of the scenery. and
that was intense; so making petticoats for
babies who needed them. and feeding happa
children, was just as much an outcome, a man.
Hesitation, an expression of her genuine self, ~
were the long walks she made, the botanizing
expeditions, the hours she spent in the open
air and in the woods. She was always mod
est, almost shy. in the good she did. She
made many plans for future good works in
which some other person should seem to be
taking the lead, while she, really the origina
tor and chief worker. ''would help all she
could" II she had lived. the benefit Of her
presence would have been deeply felt in years
to come. But il was not to be. and when
last Monday morning it was known that gen
tie Lady Blanche was dead, every heart was
heavy, and every face was sad. She was i'll
only four days; then full Of life and hope.
never thinking of death. her words and
thoughts the very last night of her life being
words and thoughts Of kindness and loving
care for others. she died.
1t will be long, very long. before she is
forgotten here. Exceedingly simple, natural
as child in her manner, the poorest person
was at once at ease in her presence, nor
thought of rank OF title Said n friend Of
hers, who knew her very we'll: ~ think
her conscientiousness in little acts. in little
things which tell what n persons real cbarac-
ter is. was her strongest quality" Another
friend said ''She always seemed so sturdi-
ly content. so practical, so joyous in making
the best of things"
Lady Blanch had rather striking lace.
the features irregular, the countenance eS-
pressive, with the greatest beauty in the win
some. sweet smile OF her mouth. Her skin
was beautiful, the checks the flesh. deep pink
Of the trailing arbutus, and she had hand
some head greatly resembling her fathers
as shown in his photograph.
She had peculiarly sincere. hearty, merry
little laugh, and wish the Earl of Gains
borough could sometimes have heard that
laugh. II would have comforted his heart.
sad. no doubt, very often for the want Of his
child. Lady Blanche spoke often Of her
father. whom she seemed TO love very tender
lv, and from whom she was separated n.
New England people find it hard to under
stand. Last summer she bought a small
farm on the beautiful road leading around
by Humphreys Ledge, and built little
house just without the shadow Of the ledge.
which wa. hpiuU uoat arfisficatly Auished