THE CHINA MAIL, OCTOBER 9, 1939
TO-DAY'S STRANGE STORY OF REAL PEOPLE.
THE PUZZLE OF PAMELA
In later years her devoted Mme, fair de Genlis maintained that her charge had been the daughter not of William Berkeley, but one of Sey-
BY VINCENT TOWNE There was high glee in the nursery of the Palais Royale, home of the Duc de Chartres, that near-kinsman of the king, who later became themour, an Englishman of good family, Duc d'Orleans. A beautiful child, a
who had run off to New Foundland vision of loveliness and
with Mary Simms, a Hampshire girl grace, а
account of humble birth, on whose he had suffered disownment after their soon died, marriage and who had leaving her to work for her living.
golden-haired, blue-eyed, mischievous, sprightly girl had been brought from England to be the playmate of the palace's royal youngsters. Her name
was Pamela,
Who was she? Why had she been brought hither? At court.nobles and royal personages questioned one an- other and shook their powdered heads suspiciously, but did not learn the secret of Pamela.
SOLD FOR 25 GUINEAS
But her poverty had been relieved by a gentleman of the Duc de Char- tres' household, who had come to England in search for a playmate for His Grace's children. According to Mme. de Genlis' story, Pamela had been
bought from Mary Simms, as an apprentice, for 25 guineas, this legal precaution being taken to pre- vent the mother's laying future claim to her.
LOVABLE CREATURE Pamela was born to be loved, The royal children of the household of Chartres, their governess, the amiable Mme. de Genlis; His Grace, the Duc; princes, princesses and ven their Majesties themselves, loved her from the Arst, She was one of the love- liest creatures ever known to man. And her loveliness increased as shewedding. reached maturity. When 16 she was described as "a creature born to win all hearts.
There was never a girl more fascinating. She is beautiful, accomplished," this worshipper con- tinued, "and the possessor of
par- the
A third version of Pamela's entage was, however, given in marriage record printed in the Ma- sonic Magazine the month after her
the This describes
con- Lord tracting couple as "The Hon. Edward Fitz Gerald, Knight of the Shire for County Kildare," and "Mme.
Caper,
His daughter of Pamela Royal Highness, the ci-devant Duke of Orleans." According to this re- heart which would make her a trea-cord, the former Due de Chartres and sure to any man who might gain Duc d'Orleans was Pamela's father her."
as well as her protector.
a
She became the toast of France, the favourite model of its artists, the chief inspiration of its poets. Many duels were fought on her account.
But who was she?
ANOTHER CLUE
A fourth clue was given by Moore
Edward in his "Life of Lord
Fitz Gerald." It states that "Pamela was the adopted, or, as it may be said without scruple, the actual daughter charms, and of Mme. De Genlis by the Duc their wagging tongues found few lis-d'Orleans."
No one cared save women who were envious of her
teners. There was not a princeling Which story was true? in all France who would not have "Life seems to me more like
j
than wed her, if he could. But to all their beautiful dream
reality. We race she said, "No." Her indifference are so happy that I sometimes ask broke many a heart.
myself fearfully, will it, can it last?” wrote Pamela to Mme. de Genlis after she had taken up her abode with her husband upon his estate in Ireland.
BECAME A POLITICIAN
Yet a young Lochinvar was to come out of the West and win Pamela. It was, at the opera, in Parls, while she sat in the box of the Duc de Chartres, one night upon the eve of Coming events had forecast their the French Revolution, that the Irish shadows in Pamela's fears. Lord Lord Edward Fitz Gerald, son of the Edward's ambition led him into the Duke of Leinster, first feasted eyes vortex of Irish politics. He became on this charming belle. He was the ruling spirit of the Sociéty of handsome, brave and young-still in United Irlshmen. He
played the his 20s. It was a case of mutual love same card that Sir Roger Casement at first sight. And despite the op- played. Crossing the Channel he position of Pamela's devoted gover-arranged for a French invasion of ness, now her duenna, Mme. de Ireland, but was betrayed. With a Genlis, the young couple were wedded price of £1000 upon his head, he at Tournay the following December. went into hiding, contriving now
DAUGHTER OF "MARY SIMMS" and then to steal into Pamela's lodg Then Britain joined with France ings and spend a happy hour with In asking who might be this ward her. But the night after he had re- of the Duc de Chartres--now daugh- | turned from one of these visits with ter-in-law of the Duke of Leinster? her his hiding place was surrounded. In the marriage contract, still pre- Dagger in hand, he flung himself up- served at Tournay, the bride was on his captors but was overpowered. described as "Stephanie Caroline
DIED FROM WOUND
Anne Simms, known as "Pamela," Pamela sold all of her bridal pre- native of London, daughter of Wil-sents and with the money tried to liam Berkeley and Mary Simms."
Witty Kitty
8-28
Now that Parle has dictated tha fall mode women are more at a loop than ever to know what to wear when.
bribe his jailers. Vainly she begged to be allowed to share his captivity. But she was ordered to leave Ireland immediately, and but a few days after her tearful departure Lord Edward died, not at the hand of the executlon- er but from a wound inflicted by one of his captors. She could not return to the Duc d'Orleans, that royal gen- fleman had lost his head by the guil- lotine.
FROM A PORTRAIT
UNCENSORED!
NEW ISSUE
SENSATIONAL!
The MARCH OF TIME
PRESENTING
"INSIDE
NAZI
GERMANY
55.
The Inside Workings of Hitler's Gigantic Propaganda Machine!
UNBELIEVABLE IN ITS REVELATIONS!
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OUTWARD: for SHANGHAI
A
After numerous wanderings HOMEWARD: for GENOA, NAPLES (London Overland)
and to save herself from poverty in later years she married one Pitcairn, in Hamburg, but he left her in want, which she endured until Britain re- lented and allowed her the money due from her beloved Lord Edward..
SPENT LAST DAYS IN PARIS, This enabled her to spend her de- clining days in comfort in Paris, where just before her death, at the age of 57, she was described as having been "still admired and sought after; brilliant in society, sprituelle and re- markable for liveliness of, fancy and playfulness of imagination."
Tourists who visit the famous ceme. tery of Montmartre come upon a modest, tombstone, flanked by monu- ments erected to the memory of par- Bonages whose pedigrees are given at great length, This simple stone bears not a date, only the one word:
"PAMELA"
Tourists ask, "Who was she?" And so does the world. But no one knows.
via MANILA, SINGAPORE, COLOMBO
"
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Agents, Canton-Messrs. Dodwell & Co., Ltd., Shameen
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