The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-21
Mr.. AND MRS. BURNETT.
Reason of Their Separation
and Coming Divorce.

WASHINGTON, March 20.-The an
pouncement that Mrs. Frances Hodgson
Burnett the well-known novelist, author
ess of Little Lord Fauntleroy" and other
well-known works, had filed suit here for
divorce from her husband, DR.. Swan NJ.
Burnett, a well-known occulist of this city,
caused considerable gossip The trouble
between the pair dates back many years,
and cannot be accurately learned. Proba-
bly, it consisted merely of the inability of
two strong natures to yield sufficiently to
enable them to get along together. One
story OF their separation is that DR.. Bur-
net has become intensely jealous of the fact
that his wife outshines him in reputation
Although originally proud of her success
the husband is said to have become very
sensitive on the subject, and to have seri-
Ousy objected to being second in the house
hold. This in spite of the fact that he is
specialist of no mean reputation and an
able scientific writer. Starting from this,
Mrs. Burnetts advanced ideas of the rights
of women and the duties of wives are said
to have widened the breach.
Mrs. Burnett began her literary career
when only sixteen years of age, and was
married two years later. She had two
children, one of whom died several years
ago, while the other, Vivien is now twenty
one and a student at Harvard. The latter is
said to have been the original of Little
that melted the heart of his stern English
grandsire just as his prototype has for
years softened the hearts of his parents and
held father and mother together. For his
sake they lived together for years after
all love between them had died out, and for
his sake the inevitable divorce was post
poned as long as possible. When Vivien
left the high school here and went to Har-
ward, DR.. Burnett removed from his wife's
handsome residence to another without ask
first public notice of their domestic infeIici-
ty. After two years, the time required for
a divorce for abandonment in the District
of Columbia, Mrs. Burnett decided to bring
the suit. The papers were all prepared
month or more ago, but were held back
She sailed for England ten days ago, and
then cabled her attorney from that country
to proceed with the case.
DR.. Burnett intimated that the case was
brought by mutual consent, and that he will
make no defense. In fact, the divorce is
more of a business proceeding than any
thing else, brought in order to avoid the
necessity of joint action in any real estate
dealings, requisite as long as they are hus-
siderable property and this necessity has
often proved irksome. Mrs. Burnett is
about forty-five, quite handsome, and of
commanding presence. DIR. Burnett is I'M
der-sized and cripple, but is a handsome
man.
AS a novelist Mrs. Burnett commands
y
Atlantic. Although classed as an American.
she is English by birth. She was born in
Manchester, and resided there until her
tenth year. Her fathers death led to the
breaking up Of the home and to the coming
of the family to this country. They settled
at Knoxville, Tenn, where lived uncle
of the future writer. The war had broken
up his business and Mrs. Hodson took
farm, but failed to make it pay.
Frances was given to writing stories and
one day she sent a sketch to a magazine.
The publisher said he would use it if she did
not look for pay. She ordered it back, and
when she was fourteen years old sent it in
company with similar productions to other
publishers. In 1868 she received $35 for two
stories Her pen had found a market, and
has never failed of one since. In 1873 she
was married to DR.. Burnett, then a young
physician of Knoxville, and soon after went
to England, where Dr. Burnett studied the
speciality in his profession in which he has
since made a reputation.
In appearance Mrs. Burnett is below me-
dunn height, with fair complexion and red
half conceal her forehead. Mrs. Burnetts
eyes are of a violet hue and are extremely
expressive and beautiful. Her form is we'll
rounded and suggestive of plumpness In
temperament she is eXcitable, enthusiastic
and ardent.
Her domestic tastes are as marked as her
artistic instincts are strong. She is-albeit
a society woman-a devoted mother. Mrs
Burnett is now hard at work on a new
novel which will be published this summer