The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1922-11-11
M|!!!!;S!'t!(!&!||!!'y''!:$'!M|!'|wt&efiies

|
e1a' particularly since those which
surround II are literally covered with
1acts and figures concerning the his
tory Of the persons who lie buried
there.
who was Pamela" ask the tourists.
turning lnquiringly TO the guide And
that parsonage merely shrugs his
shoulders, smiles and replies: THAT.
monsieur, is what the world would
IKE 10 knoW-for here is the grave Of
a remarkable woman, the idol of royal
ty. the toast of France. But who she
was or where she came from are
questions that have never been
answered
Pamela" continues tie guide, with
that quick grasp Of historical data
which is common TO those who direct
visitors in various sections of Europe,
was the name given to the beautiful
child brought from England 10 be the
playmate Of the little ones in the
palace Of the Due de Charities later
I the Duke of Orleans Golden haired,
| =.
| girl won all hearts, in spite Of the fact
that there was very evidently dark
mystery about her origin. There were
some mt court who shook their heads
and shrugged their shoulders EIean-
ingly when, rs she grew up. the giH
quests which were more and more
widespread. But the secrecy which
yelled her birth did not affect her
popularity in the slightest. She was
| the inspiration of countless poets, the
cause Of scores of duels and when her
heart was finally won by the Irish
Lord Edward Fitz Gerald son of the
Duke of Leinster, there were many
who left Paris because they could not
, bear to see her married to another.
"The announcement of her approach
ing marriage to Lord Edward brought
from London the same question which
Paris had been asking for many years:
who is PamelaY and In the marriage
contract, still to be seen at Tourney.
the bride Is described as 'Stephanie
Caroline Anne Smms known as
Pamela native of London, daughter
of William Berkele and Mary Simms.'
But this does not, by any means
dispel the mystery surrounding this
most charming of creatures, for the
gOverness Of the household Of the Due
de Charities maintained that she was
the daughter of British nobility, while
49, ia, In,
which appeared within a month after
her marriage, declared that she was
J the daughter. Of the duke of Orleans
himself Moore, in his Life of Lord
Edward Fitz Gerald, leans to this the
DRY, stating that the mother Of Pam
ella was none other than the govern
ess in the dukes family who took such
Market interest in the girl.
But no matter. These are only
rumors-reports, founded only on Cos
sip. History which Is vague In the ex-
IRENE about the origin Of the beautiful
Pamela. is only too explicit as to her
adventures after her marriage. Lord
Edward Fitz Gerald became prominent
in Irish politics and, like Sir Roger
Easement more than a century later,
decided to cast his lot with the French
against England. Accordingly, he
crossed the channel and arranged for
French invasion Of Ireland, only to
be betrayed and hunted, with price
Of thousand pounds upon his Lead.
Those who were searching for him
kept close watch upon his wife and
Lord Edward was finally captured in
the apartments Of the lovely Pamela
who sold her jewels and everything she
possessed in a vain attempt to bride
his jailers The Irish lord lived only
short time afterward, dying as re-
suit Of wounds which he received when
he was captured. and Pamela re-
turned to Paris where she lived unril
her death at the age of fifty-seven.
Even then, this woman of mystery Is
described as admired and sought after:
brilliant in society. remarkable for her
lcveliness of fancy and play of wit
creature born to win all hearts.
Here lies what is left of her, inferred
under the single word that cloaked her
true identity.
"WhO was 'PamelaY That. mon
sleur, is a question that will probably
not be truly answered until the Day Of
Judgment"