The Better Part, a Tale from Real Life translated from the French by Lady Blanche Murphy
NY, etc. Benziger Brothers, C. 1875. Hardcover. Likely first American edition, no date on title page, purple boards, good with general rubbing to edges, joints, inch loss of covering to bottom of spine. First blank has inscription from St. Mary's Academy, June 23, 1876 awarding this book to Miss Jennie Brady for her good schoolwork. A novel with Catholic themes. The translator herself is interesting: Lady Blanche Elizabeth Mary Annunciata Noel was born 25 March 1845 at Exton Hall in England, daughter of Charles George Noel, 2nd Earl of Gainsborough and Lady Ida Harriet Augusta Hay, and godchild of Queen Victoria. She died 21 March 1881. She married 6 March 1870 to Thomas P. Murphy. Although one source says he was "an Irishman," Thomas Murphy was probably born about 1847 in England and died 11 Oct 1890 (the census states his parents were also born in England). As the story goes... Lady Blanche fell in love with a "commoner," Thomas Murphy, the organist for the church on her father's estate. One story states her father did not approve, but allowed the marriage to take place in their house. A second source states she eloped with him. At any rate, they did marry, and moved to the United States, settling in a "cottage" in Bartlett, New Hampshire. There she wrote for many publications, including short stories that were published in Harper's, Atlantic Monthly, etc. Good. Item #H13173
Price: $45.00 save 33% $30.15