LADY BLANCHE MURPHY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 27, 24 October 1884, Page 23

LADY BLANCHE MURPHY.

Dbivikg in North Couway. New Hampshire, says a correspondent of the Boston Transcript, one may cross a little bridge and soon come to Echo Lale, Cathedral Bock an*! Diana's Baths, and after driving again through the pine woods come out by a sudden turn in the road at Humphrey's Ledges, made famous by Lady Blanche Mnrphy. The view, to my mind, surpasses anything in the whole mountain region. On the right, looking towards'the north, are Thorn, Double Head and Carter Mountains, with a view of Carter's Notch, Wild Cat, Madison and Adams Mountains. On the left, Mt. Webster, Willey, Crawford and Giant's Stairs. We have now arrived at the home of Lady Blanche Murphy, a little house just without the shadow of the ledge, with a pretty little garden in front, enclosed by a rustic fence. Everything wears an sir of neatness and taste. Back of the house a meadow stretches off at a distance, with the tall grass waving in the wind, and the whole makes one of the mo9t picturesque spots to be seen anywhere. Lady Blanche, as everybody knows, was the daughter of the Karl of Gainsborough, a graceful little figure, with a quick, elastic step, a fresh, rosy face, and golden-brown hair. The family name of the Earl of Gainsborough is Noel. Since 1682 the Noel family have had the title, but it is within a century that it has passed to the present branch. Her mother, who died before she was twenty years of age, was Lady Augusta, eldest daughter of the Earl of Errol.. Born in March, 1845, eldest daughter of a noble bouse, Lady Blanche bad every advantage which wealth and rank could provide, and great natural ability gave her the power of improving her opportunities to the utmost. The Earl, who was a Roman Catholic, had a private chapel at Exeton Hall, where divine worship was celebrated daily, and Mr. Murphy, a handsome young Irishman, came to the manor as teacher of music to Lady Blanche, as well as organist at the chapel. Lady Blanche, who possessed a Bweet, flexible voice, sang in the choir, and was thus brought in daily contact with the stranger. It came about in the most natural way that after service was over and the rest of the family had- left the chapel, she would remain and practice with the young organist, and thus an intimacy grew up between them. Mr. -Murphy is well known as a musical composer, and is a wonderfully fine performer on the piano. While in Conway I had the pleasure of his acquaintance, which resulted in quite a correspondence, which is still kept up. He is sympathetic, cordial and warmhearted in his manner, besides being well educated, so that to American perception, at least, it is nothing strange that in the hours spent singing together after matins and Vespers in the chapel, the " glad young voices " pouring through the chapel windows, the young and enthusiastic Lady Blauche and the young organist fell in love with each other. The Earl observed nothing. Lady Blanche had no mother, and the young people were left to weave around themselves a net of .dreams and tender fancies undisturbed. A relative visiting the family noticed this intimacy and warned the father, pressing proofs upon him, but he became indignant and refused to listen. Lady Blanche knew that her family would never consent to her marrying below^ her rank, but she was too intellectual to value overmuch the oppressive dignities of English high life, or take pleasure in their restraint ; so in March, 1870, she eloped with Mr. Murphy, turning from the honours due to the eldest daughter of a great house, and after a short time spent in London, where they were m?rried, they came to America, where all are declared free and equal, to live under a go-verninent which Lady Blanche said she always admired and respected. The Earl in his anger disowned and disinherited her, forbidding her ever to return or see his face again. While in New York the young wife became known as a contributor to the magazines, Father Heeker, editor of the Catltolic World, having found her out, and through his influence ass : sting her. Her husband was also helped to a position as organist in New Rochelle. It is hard to conceive of a more discouraging lot, yet Lady Blanche made her v?ay; nobly. She contributed to the Galaxy a series ef essays on English high life and the English nobility, which attracted much attention, and are weU remembered by magazine readers. Also to the Catholic World, Atlantic Monthly, and Idppincott's Magazine. In the latter part of May, 1877. she wrote a series of chapters, l< Up the Rhine," but her writings generally were on deeper snbjects.

It was in the autumn of 1875 that Mr. Murphy came to North Conway to teach music in Mr. Fred Thompson's military academy, and the couple took board there. No one knew the wife's ra»k at first, but her history soon became known and people talked much of the romance of her life. She was exceedingly simple and childlike in her manners ; the poorest person was at once at ease in her piesence, nor thought of rank or title. She was very kind to the poor, the little children — all to whom she could give comfort or pleasure. On a Fourth of July she took the children of the town to Diana's Baths and gave them a dinner cooked by her own hands. Her interest in the dwellers of the mountain valley was just as real as her love of the scenery. She was always very modest in the good she did. After the completion of her tasteful house — which, though new, does not look so — she made many plans for future good wpvk, and "if she had lived, the benefit of her presence would have been deeply felt in years to come." But it was not to be so. She was taken suddenly ill. and in the spring of 1880, after an illness of only three days, Lady Blanche passed away. As soon as it became known, every heart in the village was heavy and every face sad. It will be very long before she is forgotten by the people of North Conway. Lady 8., as they described her, had rather a striking figure, the features irregular, the countenance expressive, with a sweet smile of the mouth. Her skin was beautiful, her cheeks of fresh deep pink, and she had a hearty little laugh which, if the stein Karl could sometimes have heard it, would, no doubt, have comforted him in spite of his displeasure with his child. She often spoke of her father whom she seemed to love very tenderly. Her funeral took place in Portland at the Cathedral ; and her body was placed in a receiving tomb, and at a suitable time taken home, at her father's request, and buried \n the family vault in the chapel. The Sari never recovered from

the shock of his daughter's death, but died in two or three days after her remains were brought home. On his dying bed he gave consent that the yearly sum he had allowed his daughter (after all his entreaties for her to return home had proved unavailing) should be allowed to go on with the son-in-law. Mr. Murphy still lives in the little house on the farm bought by his wife a few months before her death. He, too, is a great favorite in the country round, living the life of the gentlenvn of the old country in a modest way, with his half-a-dozen dogs, his books and music. The first winter that he passed here he taught singing in school for the towns round about, but would take no pay for his service. So the people of Kearsage village bought him a horse and country waggon and presented it as a tribute of their appreciation. Genial, companionable, finely educated, musical, he is a universal favorite. He has composed much church music since his residence in Conway, and some pleasing songs, and is reckoned in the neighbourhood one of the' finest pianists in New England. His farm, one year, produced thirty-five tons of hay, and has extensive sheep pastures. The place is only about twenty minutes' ride from Sunset Pavilion, in North Conway, on the road passing Echo Like' and Diana's Baths. The little town of Jackson is a short ride, but a very pleasant one. from Mr. s£arphy ; s ; the scenery is charming and the drives are delightful.