New-York tribune., 1884-02-04
JULIA CONSTANCE FLETCHER.
rrom Erern OMer Saturday.

From Erery OHer Saturday.
The following biographical notes are furnished MS
nv q well-knOwn authoress. Their conversational
sfvle adds charm to the natural interest eXclted
by the subject. To those who have enjoyed Miss
re}Snep me s. novels Ksmet Mirage" and The Head
Of Medusa" this little insight into the early life and
personal character of the authoress VIII be peasant
reading Especially as are shortly 10 nave a
new novel. "Vestigia," from her pen,-a book which
those who are qualified TO know assert to be "a
believe j ulia Fletcher was born in Rio Janeiro,
where her parents then living, her father Ge-
ing personal friend of the Emper0rs, and engaged
in missionary work in Brazil, where he was also
attached 10 the United States Legation, as sec
retary. On returning, to the United states. Mr..
Fletcher actng oa o re Mass as con-
yenient headquarters while lie was absent on his
lecturng tours. Mrs. Fletcher, a woman oi wonder-
ful fascination, her face bearing strong resem-
bIance 10 the head of Antinous feIninized, was
native of Geneva, in SwltZeIland, ana daughter
of DR.. Caesar Malan, the learned ana ceeDraled
divine She was reared quite strictly, but with
pcturesoue variety in her fe her tather Delng tne
sniritnal adviser Of many interesting people. 10
him the Countess DOrsay came Tor religious help
when prOstrated by the sudden death OF the young
Duko of Orleans, remaining under his roOf ahu
his children sat at table WITH perhaps, the queen
of Wiirtemberg at one end OF the board ana poor
shoemaker from tho mountains at the other MT.
Fletcher, the son of wealthy American OanKeT,
going to Geneva to study divinity with DAuolgny'
married the young daughter and took her away
Julia was some four CT hye years OLD Wlen the lam
| iy came to Newburyport an airy little creature,
very slight and very fair, with large blue eyes ana
delicate features, and a quantity of fluffy, lying
| hair not exactly pretty but with an ndescroaDie
Charm about her. full of spirit and fire and sweet.
ness She led singUlarly healthy life, out OF
doors a great part OF the time; one saw her all
over the town, on the sea-Wal III the shlp-yards,
on the river, in the gardens, hand IN f,i hand
with her young brother aud the faithful
Swiss nurse; but not much out of doors that she
did not find time for her books, being III advance OF
most children in her studies ana at seven years %
| was already the intellectual companlon OF hef
| mother which is saying much Tor Mrs. tletcner
| was woman of uncommon intelligence the writer
of some unsurpassed descriptive passages, and able
| to do almost anything she had chosen to do.
Julia was keen mimic from her earIlest ua4 @ -
| persOnating perfectly at the moment, and with
! dramatic instinct, any individual OF the comhunl-
tv she kept the house gay with her wit and mis-
chief, and was poet from heI Dlrth "hat S are aie
| Won dong 7" her mother asked once when she was
hardly four years old and as she ran al9ng sloGped
| to sip the dew from the flowers. Drinking melted
| pllmlose," she answered Her mother, between
| whom and herself the most tender tie existed, fed
this poetIcal by the beauty Which she herself
| loved passiOnately and with which she always kept
| her surrounded Julia was but thirteen when
The GALAXY published these verses from her pen =
UNDER THE DAISIES.
| Above the daisies, the pure white daisies,
| We met, one year ago
| When told my darling loved her WELL
| The daisies were white as snow
One wear ago! | stand where / stood
| look at the daisies and weep;
| For under the daisies, the pure, white dalSes,
| My darling is lying asleep.
And longngly wait for that day to come,
When under the pitying sky,
| And underline daisies, the pure, white daisies,
BY the side of my darling, I'll lie!
wAt'about that time hermother left Newburyport
and except for two visits to the Young daug-
| tiers of Major Ben: Perley Po0re at Indian Hill,
those who were interested in her saw her no more.
But they hrve always followed her course with
affection been proud of her successes and sorry for
her sorrOws have fOretOld career for her, and are
| looking for work at her mature hands that shall
iustlfy their admiration for the brilliant child.