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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Herald, 1955-09-01, Page 7Her Books Sold By Tens Of Millions When the woman who had thrilled our grandparents with. the magic of her pen died, the cry went up, "Who Was Marie Corelli?" Everybody was eager for the truth ,that lay behind the mystery' tuilt up around this queen of best-sellers. But it was not easy• to dis- cover. One newspaper stated that Marie Corelli had been found • one wintry night, a blue- eyed baby with £10 pinned to her shawl, on the doorstep of a certain Doctor Charles Mackay, who had adopted her. Another announced the finding of a birth certificate proving without doubt that Miss Corelli was the daughter of Thomas Cody, a Marylebone . labourer. And yet a third paper entered the fray to publish an account of a. romantic meeting in a Stratford -on -Avon church .be- tween Doctor Mackay. and Maria Coralie Gonsalez, 'a beautiful Italian countess. Hence the name "Marie Corelli," they suggested. Marie herself always declared she had been adopted by Mac- kay. But a lifelong friend in- sisted that the doctor was the novelist's legal parent. Research has proved this last statement true, but although Marie was born on May lst, 1855 (thus the centenary of her birth fell this year), Mackay couldn't marry. her mother — an Englishwoman named Mills — until 1861, after his first wife died. From a letter found after Marie Corelli's death it is clear she did not know the truth about her birth until 1889, when the decease of her father revealed the facts to her. But she managed to keep the secret for the rest of her life, putting busybodies off the scent not only by declaring she was an adopted child, but by deduct- ing ten years from her age to snake the story more convincing. While yet in her teens Marie started to write, but she could Blot find a publisher. One editor even declared that fiction -writ- ing was obviously "not her forte." How furious hemust have felt a few years later when the novels of Marie Corelli burst upon a startled world. Like a daszling meteor this unknown writer sent -her works soaring into the blaze of publicity and became the famous author whose sensational books were the talk of the world, Queens, princes, prime 'tninis- ters and bishops, all were tre- mendously impressed by the thirty-one novels s h e wrote. Their subject -matter ranged from disembodied souls to ab- sinthe addicts in the Parisian underworld, and her imagination was so powerful that everything she touched was charged with rich emotion. Is it any wonder her world sales could be reckoned in tens of millions, and her earnings £10,000 for each book? But behind this astonishing success story lay years of grind- ing slavery for the sake of two worthless men. One was Marie's philandering father, Doctor Mac- kay; and the other his rascally son Eric. As soon as these jackals real- ized what a money -spinner they had in the young Marie they allowed her to support them in idleness for the rest of their days. Eric was a particularly nasty specimen; fat, flabby and lazy, he had been a sponger all his life. Blind to his vices, his step- sister financed his shady affairs, and permitted him to escort her to the various social functions she attended. On these occasions Eric dis- played such devotion towards her that tongues began to wag. It was whispered they were lovers and even secretly mar- ried. When, later, Eric showed his true colours by boasting that it was really he who had written all Marie's books, she did at last turn against him. Among Marie's many admirers were the Prince of Wales (after- wards Edward VII) and Mr. Gladstone. When the latter vis- ited her one day he brought Mrs. Gladstone, who was obliged to - sit outside the house in Earl's IMPRESSIONISTIC ART — Sculpture affects people in different ways, as witness young Ray Plummer. "Migrant,"one of the etrt treasures exhibited at the Bement Centennial, inspired Ray to make like a bird. The Theodore Roszack creation is valued at $7500. "COMES OF AGE"—Princess Margaret holds her pet dog as she poses for an informal 25th birthday portrait in the garden of Clarence House, London. In royal circles, a princess "comes of age" when she is 25. Court in an open carriage for over two hours while her hus- band chatted and laughed within. Marie Corelli was presented to the Prince of Wales when she stayed in Germany. He gave a dinner party in her honour at which he commented upon the smallness of her hands. "Out of small things what wonders arise!" he exclaimed admiringly. This was followed by a lunch- eon in which Marie was intro- duced to "my son, George, who is well acquainted with your books." When, eventually, the deaths of the two Mackaysrelieved her of much responsibility Marie moved to Stratford -on -Avon. Here she became so great a leg- end that more people went to stare at her house( with its cas- cading window -boxes, than to Shakespeare's birthplace. Coloured postcards of her were on sale in all the shops, and one tourist was overheard to boast .that she had seen "Shakespeare's daughter"! But Marie was no heroine to the townsfolk. She, threw her weight about. too, much and. was, not above, telling the shopkeep- ers how to arrange their goods. She drove around in a tiny car- riage drawn by Shetland ponies, with a footman perched up be- hind, and even bought a gondola to glide upon the Avon with a gondolierspecially imported from Venice\ To hit the headlines was ever. Marie's aim, and she went to great lengths to keep her name before the public. "Nothing suc- ceeds like excess" . was her motto and she kept inventing more fables to keep the interest from flagging. S h e refused to be photo- graphed, and all likenesses of her had to be faked. She announced that she belonged to a secret re- ligious sect not allowed to wor- ship in . church and - that she could speak Hebrew fluently. There was no truth in either statement. But so well did her self -adver- tising work that if she visited the Memorial Theatre the audi- ence rose to its feet as though she were the Queen; and when A great soul prcftrs moderation S C .A E B.C.-A.D.65 ) the j-touse of Seagram Nen who think of tomorrow practice moderation -today y "PRETTY PLEASE"—Yank's photo- genic catcher, Yogi Berra, is caught with an angelic expres- sion on his face as his prayers are answered with a neat snare of a pop foul at New York's Yankee Stadium. How to , P ck .A Name for Baby, Strange as it may seem, there are more ways of finding a name Or baby than by calling a fam- ily conference, thinking about characters in films and fiction, . or by sticking a pin in a list. For instance, what a Idindu in- fant will eventually be called Often depends upon the bright- ness rightness of a flame, The mother's choice of name for her offspring is usually ap- proved. But if her husband de- sires something different, each suggestion is written on a sep- arate slip of paper. On the twelfth day after the birth, two lamps are placed over the two names. And the, flame which burns more brilliantly de- notes which "label" the child shall bear. In Egypt, three pieces of paper resting under three wax candles are used in a similar ceremony. But, in this case, one of the three names under consideration is al- ways that of a god or martyr. And the candle which lasts the longest bestows a name on the little one. Mohammedans have for cen- turies employed an even more unusual system, which prevents any possibility of argument. The five most favoured name suggestions, inscribed on separ- ate squares of paper, are placed between the pages of the Koran, the sacred book of the Moham- medans. Then after an interval a priest is invited to bless the book, ex- tract the final choice and reveal it to relatives assembled round the child. More curious still is a custom Observed by the Ainos, inhabi- tants of Northern Japan, who do not name a child until he or she is five years old. When at last the auspicious day has dawned and the father gravely announces his decision, he also explains that he needed time to ponder Over the problem! In some Japanese regions a baby's name is changed four times, with irregular periods in- tervening. This wily plan .is adopted to confuse evil spirits who may be plotting to harm the youngster. In German rural districts, too, the poetess, Ella Wheeler Wilcox, called upon her, she knelt to kiss Marie's hand while her male es- ' cort stood behind her with bowed head. Little wonder the novelist was not amused when the following limerick was circulated: "There was a fair Siren of Strat, Who narrated the Sorrows of Sat., She'd a gond. on the Av., She was everyone's fay., Though she used Shake's trus- tees as a mat." Perhaps one of Marie's most ardent fans was Sir Thomas Lip- ton, and she often went yachting with him. But during the first World War this friendship land- ed her in a spot of bother. At her request Sir Thomas sent her quantities of sugar for • jam -making and the incident was reported to the police. The re- sult appeared in prominent head- lines: MARIE CORELLI CON- VICTED OF FOOD HOARDING. She, was fined £50 with twenty guineas costs. When Marie Corelli was fifty- oneshe fell in love with a well- known artist who was already married. For her it was a deeply emotional affair, but to him no more than a passing flirtation. She was blissfully happy until he dropped her like a hot coal. sThen she poured out her soul into her private journal. This was published, after her death, under the title: "Open Confes- sion. To a lvrPn from a (Emmen." During this affair she was startled one night by shots in her garden. A young man was arrested, the smoking revolver still in his hand. He had fired through the window of Marie's music -room , . , "only tO see Miss Corelli and bring her out to speak to lne," He was found insane, and Marie sent his mother a generous cheque. In January, 1924, Marie Cor- elli had a heart attack and, for four months, sat propped in a chair. One day she asked for a window to be opened so that she alight hear some children sing- ing, and, as a result she con- tracted congestion of' the lungs, As actress Ellen Terry placed a wreath of lilies upon the grave of the woman whose ,books had fascinated so many she was heard to whisper, "God bless the darling." parents are perpetually on guard against adverse influences, and they always pick a fresh namO for an infant who is stricken with serious Illness. It is generally believed that the new choice will bring better health to the unfortunate :Hite. European gipsies declare that a baby should never be named at - ter a dead brother or sister. As - cording to ancient Romany lore, parents who are foolish enough to do so are inviting bad luck. The Chinese have the oddest notions of all when selecting a name for junior. In certain provinces if asked howmany offspring he has, the Chinese father of a 'boy and a girl replies, "I have only one child." This extraordinary viewpoint is explained by the fact that baby girls are regarded as infe- rior to boys. Therefore, they are not considered worthy of a proper name, but are simply re- ferred to One, Two, Three or Four, according to their order of arrival on earth, HARD TOP — Yep, that's a tur- ban she's wearing — turban squash, that is. Mrs. Ralph Kramer, brought the seed from Vermont and' raised the turban squashes in her garden. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING BABY CHICKS NOT too soon to place your chick and turkey orders for Fall delivery. We have three special breeds that lay more eggs on less feed. Special lst. generation Broiler chicks that convert feed into meat quickly. Dual purpose breeds. Hatches every week in the year. Older pullets 12 weeks to lay- ing. Catalogue. TWEDDLE CHICK HATCHERIES LTD. FERGUS ONTARIO HATCHING EGGS HATCHING eggs wantedby one of Canada's largest and oldest established hatcheries. Eggs taken every week in the year. Big premium paid. For full details write Box 131, 123 Eighteenth St., New Toronto, Ontario. BROILER Growers, book your orders now for November, December, Janu- ary and February delivery. The de- mand is so great for our 1st. gener- ation Indian River Cross Arbor Acres White Rocks, Nichols New Hamps, that it is wise to book months in advance to be sure of chicks when you want them. Special Broiler Folder. TWFExDD E CHICK HATCHE IES LLTTD. FOR SALE 20 TON King Float with International • Tractor in first class condition.' Craig Equipment, 21 Chamberlin A v e., Ottawa. LANDRACE, boars for Fall delivery from our imported Goval Ingrid sow and daughters of imported Goval Elsa, sired by grandson of the famous boar Bluegate Polarid. Write: • FFergus, Ontario, S�Phonine Farm, 4,000 ARBOR Acre White Rock Pul- lets, disease free. Howard Rump, Carp, Ontario. Phone 618 R 22. CIGAR Store and Gift Shop. Fixtures, Walnut Floor Cases Pipe Racks, Wall aHGodsefinish hrStreet.BBrgain.tin's. 2Spak Ottawa, Ontario. HELP WANTED THIRD class for older storage pl plant in Ea• stern Ontario, Must be able to do building maintenance work. Please give age, marital status, education and salary expected. Box 134, 123 Eight. eenth Street, New, Toronto. SEW? Homeworkers urgently needed. Full or SERVICE, time 61 P Bastrop, Write: FOREMAN for cold storage plant in Eastern Ontario. Knowledge of cheese and apple handling would be helpful. Please give age, marital status. edu• • iorTot 123Eighteenth salary expected. Toronto. MEDICAL POST'S ECZEMA SALVE BANISH the torment of dry eczema rashes and weeping skin troubles. Post's Eczema vi • nt you.Itchngsrsealing and burn- leg eczema acne, ringworm, pimples and foot eczema will respond readily to the stainless, ordorless ointment, regardless of how stubborn or hopeless they seem. POST'S REMEDIES PRICE $2.50 PER JAR Sent Post Free on Receipt of Price, 089 Queen St.E., Cornet ret of Logan. TORO YOU CAN DEPEND oN Wion kidneys fed to remove okcess :Fields and wastes, book- itae, tired feeling, disturbed rest often fnlfow. Dodd's Kidney Pilia stlmv lett!, kidneys to normal duty. You feel bettor• --Abse better, work better. Oat DDtyodd', et any depend awe Dodd'w n MEDICAL DON'T WAIT — EVERY SUFFERER OT- RHEUMATIC FRHEUMATIC PAINS OR NEURITIS SHOULD TRY DIXON'S REMEDY. MUNRO'S DRUG STORE 335 Elain Ottawa $1.25 Express Prepaid OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEN AND WOMEN BE A HAIRDRESSER JOIN CANADA'S LEADING SCHOOL Great Opportunity Learn Hairdressing Pleasant, dignified profession, good. wages. Thousands of successful Marvel graduates. America's Greatest System Illustrated Catalogue Free Write or Call MARVEL HAIRDRESSING SCHOOLS 358 Bloor St. W , Toronto Brancbes: 44 King St., Hamilton 72 Rideau St.. Ottawa PATENTS FETHERSTONHAUGH & Company, Patent Attorneys. Established 1890. 600 University Ave.. Toronto. Patents mil countries. • AN OFFER to every inventor List of Inventions and fun Information sent free, The Ramsay Co., Registered Pat• ant Attorneys, 273 Bank St.. Ottawa. PERSONAL $1.00 TRIAL offer. Twenty-five deluxe personal requirements. Latest cats. Logue included. The Medico Agency, Box 124, Terminal "A" Toronto Ont. TEACHERS WANTED DARLING Township . School Area re- quires one qualified teacher. State sal- ary also name of last inspector. Har- old arold Devlin, Secretary, R.R.2, Calabogie„ Ont. ISSUE 35.... 1955 a