Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-12
\ GIFTED. cuARM,NG GIRL.
Gertrude Hall, Poet and Translator OF
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idea as to what the translation should be,
relates the Times Herald The actors first
step after receiving the play was TO engage
MISS Gertrude Hall, a talented Boston girl,
well known in Chicago literary circles, to
translate Rostand's play into English prose,
adhering closely to the original. As she sent
In each act for his approval Mr.. Mansfield
expressed himself as entirely pleased with
the result, as, indeed he was. Upon further
consideration, however he came to the con-
clusion that blank verse was better adapted
to stage production, and, while keeping his
financial contract with Miss Hall to the let
ter, accepted the rhythmic rendering for his
own Interpretation. Miss Hall reserved the
| copyright Of her translation and had no diff
Guilty in finding a publisher.
Miss Hall is the daughter of the late
Nine. Edna Hall, for many years one Of the
leading vocal teachers of Boston-and a
sister of Marguerite Hall, the charming can
! tatrice so well and favorably known in Chi
cago. Early realizing what European edu
cation would mean to her three gifted daugh-
| ters, Mrs. Hall took her little family abroad
when Gertrude was only Z years old and
placed them in a superior boarding school in
Florence, where they remained for nine
years. Here they received exactly the kind
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diversified talents. Italian, naturally, be-
came kind of second mother tongue, and,
as all educated Italians speak French quite
as well as their own language, they learned
to turn from one to the other with ease and
facility. German was also well taught in
the school, and, as only short journey took
them across the water into the "Vaterland" j"
their vacations we're spent in the lovely
mountains of Germany, talking the language
of it's people. At the age, therefore, when
the average American girl emerges from the
high school, these young women returned to
America with fluent and critical knowledge
Of four languages and a cultivated taste and
appreciation for their literatures In art,
music and composition they had had a su-
perb drill, and better than all, had breathed
an artistic atmosphere during their most
plastic and impressionable years. Their
young souls from the beginning fed upon the
best in music, art and literature.
Miss Gertrude has SO decidedly the all
around artistic temperament that she might
have achieved distinction either as a mu-
sician or artist had not the love of litera-
ture dominated. She began writing when
mere child, her first productions being in
French and Italian. For a few years after
her return to America. while continuing to
WIilt, Sue utNGltu lUuS LUuiS W lSduihS
the classicists OF many countries, taking that
prolonged, delicious draught at the springs
of literature which, If one misses in his
youth the leisure for, alas, never seems to
come at all.
Her first published book, "Verses" was
brought out in 1890 by Lowell in America
and Heineman in London. These poems won
immediate recognition. Unfortunately the
edition was small and soon exhausted and
the tragic death of Wolcott Balestier, who
had the entire management of their publica-
tion, prevented the issuing of a second edi-
ton Miss Hall is, however, at present at
work revising, editing and adding to the
original collection so that the public may
soon look for an improved edition of her
first, and, as some think, her best work
In 1892 appeared Far From Today" a
collection of powerful, imaginative, exqui-
site stories. In altogether a different vein
was the dainty little volume of verse de 60
ciete in 1894, under the name Of 'Alle-
gretto," and most admirably and sympa
thetically illustrated by Oliver Herford.
Foam of the Sea- was one Of the successes
o. 1896 "The Hundred and Other Stories,
published by Harper & Brothers in 1897 are
much more modern in spirit than her pre-
vious stories. '..H
Tall, slender and graceful, with we'll
poised head and beautifully modelled oval
face, Miss Hall is frequently thought to
somewhat resemble Mary Anderson in ap-
pearance. or her character and personal
charm it is difficult for her friends to speak
in moderation, FOR 1t belongs to few to be
so beloved.
Miss Grace Hall, the youngest member of
this clever family, has exceptional artistic
talent. which she is developing to the ut
most, and will doubtless one day rank with
her two older sisters in the great world of
art. Having studied for several years with
the best Boston masters, she is now at work
in the atelieres of Paris. Before entering
upon this later work. however, she had
painted most successfully both portraits
and miniatures to order, number of which
have found their way to Chicago. Her first
order was from Mrs. Frances Hodgson Bur-
nett for the portrait CT her sister Gertrude,
who is Mrs. Burnett's most dearly loved
friend. The picture was brilliant success
and now adorns Mrs Burnett's drawing
room in her beautiful home in Portland
Place, London. 1t was Mrs Burnett by the
way, who suggested that most fitting title,
Far From Today" for Miss Halls first
collection of stories and later Foam of tho
Sea" was dedicated by Miss Hall to her dis
tinguished friend.