Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-28

About the only things that can Inc
said with certainty Of Mary Robinson,
whom London came to know I'm 1119 and
thereafter Perdita, is that she lived,
loved and suffered, and was wtthal n
woman of surprising beauty. OF the lat
ter there can be no doubt. for IL was i'm
mortalized on the canvases of Sir Joshua
Reynolds. George Romney and host of
lesser artists.
Mary was born to ill-luck Her father.
Capt Darby, was a visionary 1rishman
with the sanguine temperament and
cheerful irresponsibility Of his nation. 4
moderate fortune that he possessed was
ventured in a scheme worthy of Col.
Sellers. This was nothing less than the
establishment of great whale fishery OF
the coast of Labrador, and incidentally
civilizing the EsauimauX of that region
and employing them In useful occupa-
tions for the profit of his stockholders.
But the whales refused to be caught in
numbers sufficient to make a commercial
success, while the EsquimauX not only
rejected his civilizing overtures but en-
phastzed their preference for barbarism
by burning his settlement and massacring
many of his people.
Stage Suggested by Poverty.
The promptings OF poverty suggested
that Mary, now lovely girl Of sixteen,
should go on the stage. An introduction
| to the deputy manager of Covent Garden
and the recital to him Of a part from
Jane Shore won an audience from the
manager. the great David Garrick.
Charmed by her beauty and the spirit OF
her elocutiOn, he readily agreed to take
her on. She had figure mature beyond
her years, and with sublime audacity
GArrick cast her at once for the part OF
Cordelia in King Lear" having appar-
emily perfect confidence in his ability to
make a tragic actress out of a child in a
few weeks training This was her first
great opportunity but the inevitable man
interviewed before her first stage appear
ance and the chance was lost.
The lover was an articled clerk in a
solicitors Office across the way from the
Darby home, and spent much time in
making sleeps eyes at Mary through the
window. Soon he Won an introduction
and began violent lovemaking to the
daughter, showing most filial devotion to
the mother, whom he presented with a
| magnlficently bound copy of Hervey's
Meditations Among the Tombs''-a melan.
| choly book much affected by elderly
women of the day. Marriage was soor
talked of and determined upon largely by
| the mother, the young ladN seemingly
taxing no interest IN the dnalr. IL dp'
peared that complications and romance
beset the swain. If he married before he
| completed his term with the solicitors he
could not get his articles. If his wealthy
uncle in the country heard he was mar
| ried he would surely be disinherited. Sc
| he pleaded for a secret marriage. tC
which the Robnsons foolishly agreed
| Soon after the honeymoon the rich uncle
| was discovered to be myth, though
| there was an old gentleman in Vale:
| whose illegitimate son Robinson was
| thought to be. and whom he afterward
visited with his bride. AS for his appren
| ticeship, it never was completed nor cou.t
| he ever enter his profession. Mary was
| of course, obliged to withdraw from al
arrangements with Garrick. who was no.
| too we'll pleased at losing pupil witt
| whom he had taken so much trouble.
Two Years of Luxury.
| After marriage the two lived for tim,
| life of eXtravagant luxury. Where thu
money came from is the problem which
| has aroused the sneers of the hostile
biogra pliers. Mary was much with mer
of large means and licentious habits, anc
NAV have solved Becky Sharp's problem OF
how RI live on not hing a wear much as tnd1