The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-07

~SSNsht ObitOA vi ALW ptf Du~Vg MhOoO
death was announced last night, had been
suffering for some time past with bron-
chial troubles. Six weeks ago she made
arrangements TO take two months leave
of absence from her desk at Harper Broth
ers, and prepared for trip to the Ber-
mudas, even going SO far as to purchase
tickets. Her bronchial affliction, how
ever, became chronic; the disease caused
heart trouble, which rapidly grew worse,
until 1t resulted in her death. The funeral
services will be held at her late resi-
dence on Friday morning next, at 10
o'clock. The body will be Inferred at Cy-
press Hills, in the family plot.
The life Of Miss Booth has been one of
toll, yet one Of great beauty, and crowned
with successes. She was born in Yaphank.
Long Island, on April 10, 1881. Herfather.
William Chatfield Booth, descendant OF
John Booth, who came to this country in
1649 and established the first public school
In Brooklyn. Mary Booths mother was
granddaughter of an exile of the French
Revolution. When but mere child Mary
Booth displayed great literary. tendencies.
At seven years OF age she was an eager
Latin scholar and had read many OF the
great historians. Her tastes inclined natu-
rally toward the study OF languagesand nat
ural sciences, and in these directions she
worked earnestly. Before she reached the
--rge OF twenty years she began the work OF
TRANSACTIONS, which was one OF the most
important OF her life. She was at this time
contributing literally to newspapers and
magazines, and collecting material for the
most elaborate work OF her life, "A Com
plete History OF the City Of New York"
The first edition Of this work appeared in
1909. The reception Of the book every
here was cordial. Second and first edi-
tons we're printed, enlarged and illus
trated. The last edition brought down to
date was printed in 1850. The work which
gave Mary Booth the greatest national
reputation was done during the civil war.
just after srmtersgun had sent forth its
ultimatum she received an advance copy
OF the Count de Gasperin's famous up
rising Of q Great People" She took il at
once to Mr.. Scribner and urged him to
publish n translation, but he told her the
war would be over before il could be
brought out. He finally said il the manu-
script could be ready in a week he would
publish It, By writing almost twenty-four
hours day, only stopping for food, she
completed her task. The work was read
from one end Of the country TO the other
and created the greatest enthusiasm.
Charles Sumner wrote to her: at is worth
n whole phalanx in the cause OF human
FREEDOM" She received grateful letters
of thanks from Lincoln, Phillips, Garrett
and other great men Of the time. Through
out the war Mary Booth kept up her patri-
otto work Of translating and publishing the
comments Of European sympaihizers with
the Union. Such eminent French sympa-
thizers rs Gasperin, Cochin, Henri Martin,
.Laboulaye and Monialembert, kept her
supplied with material.
After the war she continued her transla-
tons, the most important being six vol
umes OF Henri Martins Unabridged His
tory Of France. In 1867 she was called TO
the editorial chair Of Hdrpcr's Bdsdr She
held That position when the first copy was
issued and has held IL ever since, seldom
leaving her duties. except for brief yaca-
ton. She was the most constant and hard
working Of the many celebrated contribu-
tors TO that paper to the day Of her death.
In this position she displayed remarka-
BILE faculty for recognizing buried talent,
and many Of the now famous women
writers OF the country owe IL 10 Mary
Booth that the budding talent they dis
played was encouraged aud nurtured into
blossoming In spite Of her incessant toll.
ing, the social life OF Mary Booth has been
one Of the greatest beauty. She had sister
living In Brooklyn, a brother in this city
and another brother in active service In
the United States Army. For many years
past she has lived with an adopted sister.
Ms. Anna w. Wright Her house has
always been Mecca for literary people.
Her Saturday evenings have for years
been famous, as in her parlop gathered
artists, authors, statesmen and the gifted
Of all professions. Her home was flied
with choice tokens from European celeb
rites, who, while visiting, had enjoyed her
Saturday evenings. These gathering
were, In fact, unique In the amount VI
genius they embraced.
One Characteristic OF Mary Booths ma
ture was continual delight 10 those who
knew her. She was woman in the ten
dercst and trucst sense OF the word. Sh,
never would allow her name TO be idcnti
fed with any so-called woman's move
ment "Stfong.mindedncss' was foreign
TO her. For the elevation Of her sex
higher education, she worked continually
as an individual and with her pen, bu
viewed with repugnance the suggestion o
many OF her women friends that the balo
x.ua tho mamma IN tho haatruI anil