1959-03-07 — Page 12

Page: 14-

ROBERT PITMAN'S book page

--The M.P's wife unearths a mysterious skeleton in the cupboard of the plous princess who died a recluge,

Was the tailor's adopted son of Royal

birth?

IN Weymouth the gruff King strutted along the har- bour sniffing at the ozone. And in the men-of-war beneath him straw-hatted sailors nudged each other and whispered,

But they were not discussing the King. Their roguish eyes were on the sweet-faced royal girl who fol- - lowed him.

For days the young Princess had been too ill to move from her room. Now she was suddenly better. Leeringly the sailors asked: "Whatever's been wrong with her?"

One hundred

What had been wrong with the Princess? and fifty-eight years after her strange illness a delightful new book takes up the point.

1 tle: LOVE AND THE Then something lippened in PRINCESS (Faber, 258.). Its Weymouth of which the King author Lucille Iremonger,

was never informed.

One night at a house on the wife of Mr Tom Iremonger, M.P. (a cousin of Sir Anthony Eden), caplanade a tullor's wite named The Princess in quesiton-Prin- Mrs Shorland gave birth cass Sophia, daughter of George III and aunt of Queen Victoria.

How much do you know of Princess Sophia? If you have relied on the history books, not very much at all. When she died at Kensington Palace in 1848. elderly, plous Sophla had been a recluse for many years.

But even in 1848 there were ruinours about her youth. There about a secret were whispe.s birth. It was even rumoured that she had a portly, legitrate son who sometimes visited her at Kensington.

Lucille Ironmonger has now investigated these rumours. She has osemnbted the evidence on which they are based. She has uncovered a story which makes the fletion of The history romance writers

palu seem indeed,

WASN'T TOLD

al

THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 1959.

Thore ware now two baby boys bawling..

staid British princess and her- self in such a predicament?

To find AB answer, auther Iremonger takes us on A brilliant short tour of Sophia's to family tree.

the ne boy. The dector: coninciment promptly sent the old nurso cut on an errand. When the old lady returned she found that there were now two baby boys bawling where there was only one before.

Who was the second baby? The Turse was told that it war

We look at her great-gront father George 11, who told his dying wife: "Your eyes are like those of a cow whosa throat has just bech cut"

We look at her grandfather, Frederick, trince of Wales. He fell in love, but gave up the

a twin which put in a surprise match on the the caders of his But u few days father, who said; "I did not appearance. later a new entry could be think ingrafting my half-witted seen in the parish register of cocomb upon a mad woman St Mary's, Weymouth, It would improve the breed,”

read:

Finally, we look at her father,

DELUSIONS

In order to explain Sophin's problem, Lucille iremonger now describes that madness

"Thomas Ward, a alranger, George I himself. in him all adopted by Samuel and Char- the mixed and violent qualities lotte Sharland. Dorn 5 August, or his forbears burst out. When 1800. Baptised 14 August, 1800." Sephia was 11 he had his first

That Was not all. At the boul of serious madness, same time, in the royal house by the harbour, young Princess Sophia suddenly recovered,

king went Innocently the round saying that she had been cured by a meal diet, which he stressed was "a very remarkable unusual detall. She describes thing.

the King with his head blistered by the docters (lo draw out the

poison of madness"), and with i his hands and feet strapped in monstrous madhouse chair,

She gives the record of his delusions noted by his attend- acts in 1788:

0

by

And Iftile Thomas Ward? He

eventually adopted Let us return to the summer was of 1800 when that story begins. General Gorth, prominent George I and family had left courtier. He took Garth's name Windsor for their usual seaside As Tummy Garth he became holiday at Weymouth. But one notoricus as an easy-spending

of the reysl daughters was not man rbcut icon in later years. enjoying herself at all,

He also went in Icr blackmall- Delicate pretty Sophie,

the lng his royal relations in King was told, was ill with modest way. dropsy. A: Weyerouth she had

royal

of

פורען

101

September 13. He signed death warrants for six of his sons.

September 19. He drafted an The: is no doubt, from the Act of Parliament for the

documents and dissolution all marriages. to be car.ted from the cunch to evidence

letters cited by Mra November 19. He gave Q her room at the royal hullday

was concert to

для Imaginary house. While the King went Iremonger, that Tommy

audience of ladies, many long walking, Sophia, then aged 23, Princess Sophin's DON.

But what

behind dead. slayed in her rum er days un

Tony's birth? How could a end.

When he recovered it is little wonder that his family decided against doing anything that could send him mad again. His six daughters longed to marry, but marriage was unfortunately one of the taboos.

Here's Proof: Nelson Was

A Good Husband

by OLIVER WARNER

Earlier. when the King's disreputable brothers made disreputable marriages he had forced Parliament to pass the Royal Marriages Act.

SO IRONICAL

Now, cubed both by the Aci and by the threat of papa'

dress, 110 turned bleak for the six girls. The eldest, Charlotte, having had to tum

eventually allowed to marry ot 30. The groom, n German princeling, was so fai that he

SEKVELE-NELSON'S LETTERS TO HIS WIFE AND:OTHER-DOCU-away-sultors by the score, was

MENTS 1785-1831. Edited by George P. B. Naish. Routledge and Kegan Paul. 42s.

HORATIO NELSON the endearing husband! It had dining tables specially built

is not a role with which t..e general publić is

familiar.

Yet it is plain fact that from the year 1787 when, as a young frigate captain, he was married in the West Indies in the presence of the future King William IV, and for many years to come Nelson was an attentive and delightful husband.

The proof iles in the extensive cover of the first of the volumes raries of letters which have now containing the originais. been edited by George Naish,

of

paunch. Plump,

Elizabeth vivacious was allowed to marry ni 50. Lovely Mary married at 40. Tha

other pathelic girls, including Sophia, were never to marry di

all

OWNE

Who, then, was the father of Sophia's child Tommy?

Could it have been her brother. the notorious Duke of Cumberland? Rumour suggested 50. But rumour credited Cumber- land with every possible sin. As the most cynical gossips of the Mrs Iremonger points out, even

time only inentioned the whisper de-about hima and Princess. Sophia. never said they believed it themselves.

Nelson always wrote vividly, the National Maritime and these letters to his wife are Muscum. They appear in honour in exception. of the bicentenary of the hero's "An active scene is my birth, which took place

at light." "Glory is my object and Burnham Thorpe on September that alone." "Young people 20, 1788.

have more goodness than old

It had been thought hitherto cats." "My poor hand cannot (chiefly for want. of huller execute what my head tells me evidence) that Nelson's mar- I ought to do." "Although ! rlage, was unsatisfactory from with to get home, my fair char

the start. That was not so

NOT CONTENT

It clear enough now that it Emma Hamilton had been con-

Or could the father have been General Grath, who becamo Tommy's guardian? The little general was not good-looking. His face was blotched by a claret-coloured birthmark.

But acter makes me stand forward he had opportunily enough. Loremala abroad."

Yet two things stand· against Not only do the letters show Gerth as father. He remained how close were at one time the on good terms with all the Royal ties which bound Nelson to Family--which would be unlike- Fanny, they also show the man. ly if he had caused them so

In the course of his last years much trouble.

OND descendants,

tent with admiration when Nel Bon lived at the British Embassy at Noples after bis return from Nelson persuaded Himself "that And his

the Nile, all might have been-11 was Thoma Hamilton who was relying an a family traditiori well. But Bráma wanted dom-responsible for his fame and handed down for over a contury, plete portion, and Nelson suc- glory. These letters show that claim that the man was not the cumbed.

Pred his utalure as a man of action general,

general's

Poor Fanny, righteous, well- would have been the same if Who, then, was the 'mysterious. bred, simple and straightforward, Emme had never lived, W lover? At, their country houian was left, with her memories, with His saccess, was derived from in Berkshire the the graceless; son, by her a Drst his own extraordinary character, descendants told Aira Iremonger" marriage, and with a bundle of revealed from his youth on that, although, they, Imewhe lettera which have never before wards. "Nelson will be® frst" name, their respect for confe been printed in their entirety... Emma affected only one side of demoes involving the "Royal"

It is touching to learn that here strange genius.

Family would not allow them to wedding ring is bound into the en Landon Exprém, Bereter), make it publle

What on

тайий

ironical ending to Sophia's sad tale it is. How fascinating that this deliciously solemn and discreet household in Brikshire should guard royal secret which even Royal Family may not share.

д

the

TOP DISCS REVIEWED

JAZZ....... By NOEL GOODWIN WHEN John Lewis and his celebrated Modern

Jazz Quartet toured Britain at the end of 1957, some of the most haunting numbers they played were taken from a film score.

POPS... BY JOHN LAMBERT

JUDY GARLAND: "Judy in Love" (Capitol L.P.) Nelson Riddle packs a subtle punch in this new Garland album. Judy has a big, brassy voice, which has sounded sharp before with a It was a score that pianist-composer Lewis had points up the best of Garland with gentle, bubbling blaring background. Riddle remedies that, and written himself earlier that year for a French handwork. Result puts Garland back at her peak movie produced by Raoul Levy and Roger and could give her a Sinatra-style series of Vadim called "Sait-on Jamais," "One Never | Knows."

successes.

"GIGI": Original cal re- time now, He gets it in thir Soon to be seen in Britain, it is a film which, for cording (M.G.M. LP). Tou relaxed and, refective, alburn, the first time, uses a complete jazz score tight- imitative by far of the last aiming at the atmosphere of Lerner and Loowe. hit, "My after-hours in a night club. The ly bound up with the action and setting.

Fair Lady," Louis Jourdan's roft rhythm background shows "For big soliloquy rounds, like a off a new facet of Ray's person- But it is striking and reward- PAUL QUINICHETTE: ing muste to hear in its own Basle** (Esquire 32-067; 12in. lavish take-off of Rox Har ulity with less of a sob in his Hson's "I've Grown Accustomed volée he is a good jazz singer. right. The six principal numbers L. P.), Five soild swinging num

to Her Face." Still, the music JOHNNY MATHIS "Swing ure now recorded by the quartet bera in the Basle style by a

und the Softly" (Fontana L.P.). After a trus month London LTZ-K. group who were all at one me does have charm,

Going soulful ind 18140; 12in. LP).

or another star players in the Maurice Chevalier contributions spell of

sorrowing in his album work Count's band. Splendid tenor are a vintage delight.

Mathis gets back to the swing wax by Quinichette and trum-

JOHNNIE RAY "Till Morn style that started his success. peter Shad Collins make up

Roy has It suits him better. ine front-line pair, with threeing" (Philips L.P.).

needed a.change for a long Basle'a, criginal powerful rhythm section behind them,

It is a five-slar winner for John Lewis as composer and musician. It ideas and techni- que it keeps him streets ahend ut any other jazz musician in pointing the way that Jazz is heading for the future.

LAVERN BAKERI "Lavern kings Bensle Smith"

BOOKSHELF

-Landon Express Service),

BRIEFS

ERROLD GARNER: "The laker Most Hlaupy Flano" (Philips (London LTZ-K. 15139; 121. BOL 7282; 12ln LP.). Latest LI'.), A dozen many-moody and best of Garner's incompar- Blues, some of them Bessie • OUT of NOAH'S ARK. • A DOCTOR'S, STORY. Viktor able plano, a poli-winning disc Smith's originals from 40 years Herbert Wendt Weidenfeld and Henrikson, Miobael Joseph, 186.

369.. Whence the Dr Henrikson, in the Axel, In America and a certain hit oko, lustily sung by a sultry Nicolson.

those

admire vocalist with a skin too much unicorn and whither flying sh Munthe tradition, mixes who Among

medical true

Jazz artistry and vivid sophistication, but vibrant teel--the freaks are the best part irresistible blend of Ewing, Eleven numbers, backed ing and the right spirit, Good of this long, highly readable case histories, autobiographicai

backing led by story of man's by bass and drums infused with instrumental

zoological dis- candour and spiritual overtones coveries, nlight-hearted sense of fun. Buck Clayton's feree trumpet.

(London, Express Service).

JACKY'S DIARY

BY JACKY MENDELSOHN AGE 31%1⁄2

ON FRY DAY DADDY TOOK ME TO VISIT HIS OFFICE WHERE HE WORKS

OFFICE BUILDING

FROM DADDYS WINDOW THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND LOOK JUST LIKE AUNTS ONLY WITH CL OTHES ONG AND IF YOU SPIT IT NEVER REACHES THE GROUND BUT JUST GETS TINYER + TINYER

NOT AUNTS BUT PEOPLE

00

ΠΟ

00

ROAD ON AN ELEVATER & WASNT SCARED AT ALL BUT THE OTHER PEOPLE WERE BE CAUSE THEYDGET ON THEN THEY WANT TO GET RIGHT OFF AGAIN

MET DADDYS BOSS, HIS JOB DADDY'S SECRETERRY IS IS TO SMOKE A CIGAR + PAY DADDY KIND OF PRETTY BTS

TOO BAD SHES A GIRL MONEY ONLY NOT ENUFF

DADDY HAS A NADDING MACHINE WHICH WOULD BE GOOD. TO DO HOME WORK ON ONLY THE TEACHER WOULD KNOW

IT WASN'T MY HAND-RIGHTING ADDED UP 43627 +9158+ IT CAME OUT RIGHT.

1020

A DIFFRENT GENERAL TOOK US DOWN ON THE ELEVATER HE LET

ME STEER WHICH WAS FUNGEX CEPT THE PART WHEN GOT SICK

THINK

5-5

THEN IT MUST OF BEEN BED TIME BECAUSE EVERY BODY SAD GOOD NIGHT BUT THEY ALL SNEAKED OUT OF THE BUILDING & DIDNT) GO TO SLEEP AT ALLO

GOOD GOOD NIGHT

NIGHT

WE ROAD HOME INA BUS BUT THERE WERENT ANY SEATS SO ITS ALL MOST

LIKE WALKING HOME ONLY YOU DON'T MOVE YOUR FESTO EXCEPT WHEN PEOPLE WANT TO GET PAST THEN THEY STEP ON THEM ANY HOW

BUS LINE

GOOD MGHTO

GOOD

NIGHT

Good WIGHT

ADD VICE FOR

CHILDREN.

WHEN YOU VISIT YOUR DADDYS OFFICE LOOK UNDERINS SECRETERRY'S CHAIR ASTHATS WHERE THE FRESHEST CHENS ING GUM IS KEPTO

DONT TRYADA 999999+99 99.9 CNA NAODING MACHINE TWAL GETSTUCK & NOT FOR

MORE YOUR FRIEND JACK

on