Real memorial obituaries – Combe Down, Monkton Combe, Midford

In memoriam et celebrationem

In memorial and celebration

Sudden Passing at Combe Down of “Rita”

GIFTED NOVELIST WHO MADE BATH HER HOME

End Tragically Hastened by Fall

FAVOURITE WRITER OF QUEEN MARY

The literary public in general and the people of Bath in particular will regret to learn of the sudden death on New Year's Day, at her home at "West Brow," Combe Down, of that popular and esteemed author, Mrs. W. Desmond Humphreys, who wrote under the pen name of “Rita.”

Rita's passing was as unexpected as it was tragic. She had been ill since November but was making good progress towards recovery and was out walking in Milsom Street on Christmas Eve.

THEN SHE HAD A FALL IN HER BEDROOM AND THE SHOCK OF THIS HASTENED THE END, FROM HEART FAILURE, OF ONE WHO HAD LIVED A STRENUOUS LIFE OF LITERARY ENDEAVOUR.

A prolific and versatile writer of novels, short stories, plays and other works, "Rita" was a "born storyteller" from early girlhood. After the publication of some fifty books, she brought her literary activities to a close in 1936, when she published her “Recollections of a Literary Life.”

One of Queen Mary's favourite writers, "Rita" had lived in Bath since just before the War and for the last 12 years of her life had resided at "West Brow," her beautifully situated house at Combe Down.

One of her most notable successes was "A Grey Life," a classic romance of Bath, published in 1913.

She was eighty-seven years of age.

HOW "RITA" CAME TO BATH

"Rita" was the only daughter of John Gilbert Gollan, whose family estate was Gollanfield. Inverness- shire. Her mother was a daughter of the manager of the Bank of Bengal. and the marriage took place two years before Mr. Gollan left India. When "Rita" was of an early age, the family went to Australia, and she educated at Sydney. She later returned to England. "Rita" began to write at the: early age of ten. She was a great traveller.

"Rita" was twice married. Her first husband was a musician, son of a German baron who had married an English lady. There were three sons of this marriage, two of whom are still surviving. Her second marriage was to Mr. W. Desmond Humphreys, of Ballin Temple, County Cork, and of this marriage there was a daughter. Mrs. Dorothy Smith. of Oxford. "Rita's passing is mourned by her husband two sons and her daughter.

"Rita's" Autobiography

"Rita's" autobiography, "Recollections of a Literary Life," had a foreword by Sir Philip Gibbs, in which he said: "In the history of English fiction. the name of "Rita" will not be for- gotten, and now. before this final judgement of fame, there will be great numbers of readers who will be reminded, in this autobiography of a woman novelist, of all the pleasure and enchantment they owe to her novels belong to the youth of minds now out of tune, perhaps, with much of this modern fiction. so stark in its realism, or so jazz-like in its style and rhythm.

"They will remember many of "Rita's books as part of their pre-war life, when they still had a touch of romance untouched by the sharp anxieties of this post-war world, and when she stirred their imagination, and their curiosity about life itself. without painful violence, and gave character touched by humour and pity and sentiment.

Pioneer of Freedom

"Very old-fashioned now, they would seem, I suspect, to our young realists who find reticence ridiculous or very boring and tear away all veils from the ugly aspects of life. Yet in her own young womanhood "Rita' was considered very 'daring' by her critics and was trounced by many of them for dealing with characters and subjects not considered very 'nice' in those days. She was, in fact, a pioneer of freedom in using fiction as a medium for truth and reality at a time when England was still very "Victorian,' and when editors and publishers were easily scared by any departure from strict conventionality.

“Such novels by ‘Rita’ as ‘Peg the Rake' and 'Souls' were regarded on their first appearance as bordering on the danger line. but their immense popularity encouraged the publishers to ask for more. They always wanted her to repeat her successes on the same line, but 'Rita' never worked to a model and disappointed them by striking out into a different theme. Over and over again she made a new hit with her public and became what is now vulgarly called a 'best seller.'"

Earl's Literary Experiences

Sir Philip expressed his indignation at the way publishers took advantage, of her youth and inexperience, and said it was her misfortune to start her literary career in the days when "Barrabas was a publisher.' convinced that he was conferring a favour on genius by risking the cost of publication and taking all the profit. But Rita' had from the start the reward of the homage and affection of a great public, and of the joy of creative work. "I think I have never written a book without enjoyment." she wrote in her autobiography.

"It is this unfailing flame of creative spirit," commented Sir Philip. “Which gives to these 'Recollections of a Literary Life' a psychological value and interest which will appeal to all writers and to many readers. Here is the adventure of a story-teller's mind. and in this book 'Rita' reveals the secret background, as it were, of all those novels which have given good hours of self-forgetfulness to a great public of Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian readers... but her novels are post-war as well as pre-war. Her, mind has always moved with the times, and she is interested still in all new problems which change or touch our human character.”

Sir Philip described the autobiography as a “kind of Cavalcade of English social life, beginning in the good Victorian days.”

Continued in page 13

VIOLETS IN HER GRAVE

SIMPLE FUNERAL SERVICE AT ABBEY CEMETERY

Under the grey skies of a winter morning "Rita" was on Tuesday borne to her last resting place. Her grave in the Abbey Cemetery, which was lined with ever- greens, is only separated by a large cypress tree from that in which are buried Mr. and Mrs. C. N. Williamson, who collaborated in so much popular fiction, and who were "Rita's" neigh- bours at Combe Down. The coffin bears the simple inscription: "Rita L. Humphreys, beloved wife of W Desmond Humphreys, died Jan. 1st. 1938."

The funeral took place very quietly in accordance with the expressed de- sire of the family. The Archdeacon of Bath (the Ven. S. A. Boyd) conducted the service held in the cemetery chapel and officiated at the committal. The family mourners present were her husband Mr. W. Desmond Humphreys; her only daughter, Mrs Dorothy Smith, of Oxford; and Mr. Percy Booth, one of the two surviving of the three sons of her first marriage.

There was also present Capt. Ludlow Wood.

Beautiful Flowers. The flowers were few but beautiful. Mrs. Smith carried in her hand a basket of flowers from the garden, and these were placed in the grave. She was seen to be comforting her father when he appeared to be on the point of collapsing from the sad ordeal as the committal sentences were being read.

At the conclusion of the service each member of the family threw into the grave bunches of violets. memory, the wreaths included the following:

The basket of flowers, carried by Mrs. Smith; In sweet from Alice; With deepest sympathy, from Ann; In deepest sympathy, from Singers-Bigger; With sincerest sympathy, Mr C. E. A. Ermen, Sarawak; Dear Rita, with deepest sympathy, M Hambidge; Sympathy, from Ada Bennett; With sympathy and regret, the Appleby family; With deepest sympathy, from Mr and Mrs. G. Mannings and family. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. C. J. Mannings, of Messrs. G. Mannings and Sons, of Combe Down

View From West Brow

"In my wanderings over the downs above Bath, I had come upon an old stone house, entirely detached, and shut within an old garden.

I fell in love with the view, and so did my husband when I brought him here. I had never possessed rooms in which I and hills with uninterrupted vision could sit and gaze at charming valleys | But here I found them.

I made up my mind I must have that house. Happily, it was to be let furnished for My friends in Bath six months. thought I would get tired of living so far out of the city. than ever delighted with my "find." months sojourn only left me more "To be restored to health was much; to be equipped and ready for work was more.

Bath all shows its influence and have made many friends for me there. But of all I wrote, "Grey Life" stands supreme as a favourite."

The books I wrote in Rita," in later pages of her biography, described how the marriage of her daughter finally induced her to consider the prospect of returning to Bath, and of once more securing the old grey house at Combe Down.

The author told her readers how effectively she was captivated by the incomparable views obtainable, the wealth of sunshine, bracing air, and the unspoilt beauty of Nature The owner, an Irish lady from Rosconnor, eventually agreed to sell, and "Rita" thus became a Bath resident.

Bath Activities

"My old friend, Sarah Grand, was now Mayoress of the city ("Rita" continued), and through her and the kindly Mayor's (Mr. Cedric Chivers) good offices, 1 was introduced into many pleasant circles of acquaintance - the civic entertainments for which ship. I was usually a guest at any of that hospitable and most popular of Mayors was famous,

"I found Bath a city of many interests. Art, literature, music, drama all had representative places Such names as Frederic Harrison, Professor Saintsbury, Fred Weatherly, Sarah Grand, bore their own significance. Shakespeare Societies, a Dickens circle, of Corse, and Trish circle and various minor societies, notable feature of the city, and what must, not forget Citizen House, it could do in the shape of Communal drama. To the talent and indefatigable - Bath owed this desirable enterprise. able work of Miss Consuelo de Peves, it eventually developed into a real theatre and an established company. It has all the possibilities of local talent and general interest. Its originator deserves all praise and gratitude for her work and her untiring energy in the matter.

BATH WAS TO HER A "GREY LADY" "Rita's" Eulogy of our City Recalled

"Rita" (Mrs. Desmond Humphreys), whose death we announce with regret in another page, was one of out city's most ardent admirers.

Not only was this revealed in many of her books, but also in an article which she contributed to our columns a few years ago. she wrote:

In this my first impression of the "City of Healing Waters" might well be gathered from my novel "A Grey Life," which is in a sense what Bath meant to me on first acquaintance. Greyness. Mystery. A strange old-world atmosphere. Then a gradual awakening to beauty; an unending interest; a tender subtle attraction destined to draw my thoughts and myself again and again to a place which had once only meant a casual visit.

To appreciate Bath, one must know Bath. One must tread its streets and gaze on its encircling hills with eyes of understanding, not mere passing curiosity.

Historic? So it is; but historic in a sense of interwoven sentiment; of personal histories. Of an art that has gathered past and present into a net of soft entanglement, so that you meet and recognise not only what has gone to make history, but what has set streets and buildings to the key to romance.

The poet, the dramatist, the painter, the author has all united in praise or commemoration, have all left their impress on street and house and square, where great names meet one with that regard of greatness which marks true appreciation. Here is no rattling of dry bones. mere dust of bygone celebrities, but memories fresh and green; for ever garlanded with praise, for ever hallowed by remembrance.

To anyone with a sense of poetry, or beauty, the situation of Bath makes instant appeal. Mellow grey stone buildings set amidst a circle of hills, of blossoming orchards, and sheltering woods That is Bath in springtime its time of greatest beauty. Yet autumn is no mean rival, when the flame and gold of leafage crown every hill and make one glad of woods spared the merciless destruction of modern “improvement.”

IN ancient times, hills were the parents of cities, on account of the protection they afforded. Perhaps

A Bath Friend

"I joined the Dickens Fellowship and became vice-president of the Bathavon branch of the B.E.S.S., which leads me to make mention of its gifted founder and president, Miss Louise Regnis. It seemed rather a wonderful experience that she should have been associated with my own first appearance as a dramatist”.

This was the dramatization of her Bath novel, "A Grey Life," which. under the title, "Daughter of Eve." was produced in Manchester by Mr. H A. Saintsbury, who played the Chevalier. Miss Louise Regnis played Fanny, the youngest of the three Irish sisters.

One of her plays, "The Devil to Pay," written in collaboration with Mr. Robert Whitehouse, received its first public presentation at the Bath Theatre Royal in 1925.

In a pioneer effort to improve and perfect the art of short story-writing, "Rita" published a volume of short stories," Episodes." concealing her identity using the pseudonym. "E. Jayne Gilbert." Her experiment brought the success its courage de- served.

Sold 160,000 Copies

"Rita sprang into sudden fame with her wonderful Irish story, "Peg the Rake, which has run into in- numerable editions and sold some 160,000 copies.

Following this success, she wrote novels with an Irish background, notably "The Sinner," which thinly disguises real personalities in the revealing of a crime which once shocked all southern Ireland.

Many of her later books were concerned with Bath or the surrounding districts.

One of these "Our Miss Acadee," has for locale the lovely valley and views seen from her own windows at West Brow.

Satires on society and social vices and follies are commemorated in "Souls," "Queer Lady Judas," "Half a Truth, "The Masqueraders." "Diana of the Ephesians," and one of her most brilliant achievements-"The Great Perhaps." This book was the outcome of a play which the author produced at the Theatre Royal, Bath.

Queen Mary's Appreciation

"Rita" was one of Queen Mary's favourite novelists and she had many appreciative letters from her Majesty. So fond is Queen Mary of her works. that a few years ago she ordered a complete set of her books, specially bound for her private bookcase.

"Rita" travelled many countries. including America and met and knew many famous people. She was a woman of outspoken views and had the courage of her convictions. In her retrospect "Rita" included some outspoken, indeed, devastating criticisms. of her own sex, as represented by the modern woman.

Her comments on modern sex-relationships were notably provocative. some such premonition of defence led to the choice of Bath's most enviable position.

I know no city, save Florence, so beautifully situated. A mythical legend crowns that beauty though its appeal to modern aviation enterprise might almost seem prophetic!

However, be that as it may, we get ancient Britain and conquering Rome before an after-civilisation left us the great Roman road to London and Bath blossomed into fashion. To "take the waters" became then almost as necessary as our modern craze for foreign "Cures" and foreign health resorts. For a period of seven centuries the City of Healing Waters was left to neglect, or indifference. It was to wake to a splendour of recognition and be endowed with charters and privileges.

For uncounted centuries the wonderful hot springs may have been gushing forth their messages of health. Nature making mute appeal to foolish humanity, pointing to relief from sickness, from disease, from much that meant pain needlessly born, or despair needlessly evoked. But at last the discovery was made, and the wise Romans in gratitude for "benefits received" founded the City whose glories have come down the ages, immortalised by art and beauty, by legend and memorial.

Such things made the ancient city a place of romantic interest in the past; they grant to it an unending interest in the present. It is not only a case of historic records, of mural tablets, but of great lives lived here, and great works accomplished here. Lessons of heroism and perseverance and endurance are the records of every street and building that command attention.

THE situation of Bath is nobly aided by its architecture, and that architecture owes much to the material so happily granted by its own famous stone quarries.

Brick for building purposes owns the true commercial asset of ugliness. Stone-speaks for beauty and reverence; for mellowing grace of passing centuries; for what is lasting as well as for what is essentially commemorative.

The two Woods, to whom the City owes so much, and of whom Royal Crescent and the Circus, Queen Square and Gay Street are representative memorials have well deserved the fame that surrounds their name. So does Prior Park, beloved of Ralph Allen; still breathing of dignity, of grace, of grave and austere importance such as all great houses should possess. Alas! that the hateful memories of recent years have desecrated all its former meaning. longer can it stand for itself. It has degenerated into a commercial article; bargained for and sold for industrial purposes. One could have wished to see it given a place in the City's records. A memorial of what it once represented; the treasure-house of a great name and a good life. But a world suddenly hurled into strife, faced with horrors and terrors of a great war, has lost in those five years of bloodshed much of what meant reverence for the past.

Utility, commerce, aggrandisement are the cries that hound on achievement. The beauties of leisure are the gifts of peace, and alas! little of peace or leisure have been left to makers of laws, or municipal authorities.

CHANGE is in the air and change though sometimes beneficial, leaves often more to regret than to be thankful for. Even in my few years' memory of Bath I see much to regret. though much to admire.

I loved it first for its wealth of memories, its difference from all other cities. I revelled in those 17th and 18th century records and traced them down to 19th and 20th with varying sensations of surprise. Now I see my beloved Aquae Solis transformed into all modern meanings of "improvement." The Fame of the Past makes the tragedy of the Present.

What is gained by the one means a sacrifice to the other, and the present popularity of the City of Healing Waters is a striking advertisement of means used in the service of popularity.

To-day it clasps hands with all modern ideas, But I loved best its old grim streets and quiet waterways. Its heights far-removed from whir of tramcars and hoot of motor. Useful these and necessary, even as fine shops and spacious hotels, and the glitter of electric light are necessary. But they have broken the spell of old times and dashed the whitewash of innovation upon the mellowed splendour of antiquity.

Lovely she was, that Grey Lady. standing with her brocaded skirts and powdered hair amidst the memories of Assembly Rooms; the staid progress of Sedan chair or two-horsed coach. Old times, we say. Days long gone by!

Historic, wicked, fascinating. intriguing, such they were, such their memories remain; yet even as memories they are alive while Bath lives; even as regrets they weave their spell around the old time-worn places. the old, scarred buildings. The prosaic mind may take little heed of such things. Spells and memories are not for it. But for the dreamer and the thinker and the poet they are interwoven with every scene they halo every record of the Past.

IT is not only to the sick and ailing that Bath holds out arms of invitation; not for their ears alone that the Healing Waters whisper so persistently of things that change not neither can be changed. To the sad of heart, the brain-weary, the scientist, the thinker alike its message comes-"Oh! ye weary and heavy-laden I can give you Peace."

And Peace indeed is here, and beauty such as eye and heart can never behold unmoved. The spirit of Beauty such as only kindred spirits may recognise. A Shrine before which the stubborn knee must bend, and the weary soul grow thankful.

For there comes a time in every life when the turmoil and stress of laborious days demand cessation When the beauty that is Nature's, and the Peace that is God's scheme the only things left to desire. or to be grateful for.

Here in the shadow of these hills is Peace, and on every side the fair clothed beauty of Nature's generous giving. Be wise enough to let their spell steal over you; drink deep, un- questioning of aught save what the draught bestows. To you of modern days as to those great ones of past centuries shall steal the message of those Healing Waters; the message of that fair City, "Girt about with beauty of days and nights that creep- Soft as breathless ripples that softly shoreward sweep…

Continued from Page 3

“A Grey Life”

In her "Recollections of a Literary Life," "Rita" related that her original settlement in Bath was dictated by the considerations of health. A bad attack of rheumatism brought about her first real acquaintance with our city, and the authoress's personal gratitude for a complete cure finally invested that acquaintance with residential permanence.

"But before then," the author proceeded, "I had won for myself a literary welcome by the writing of 'A Grey Life. That book meant one of my notable successes, but its success was nowhere more notable than in Bath itself. It has become a classic romance of the beautiful city and has a place in every bookshop there. Yet how I came to write it was quite an accident.

"It was in the dreary autumn of 1912 that I first stayed there for the 'cure." It was to mean a month of baths, massage, and rest. I remember a first lonely evening in an hotel facing Queen Square and hearing two garrulous old ladies discussing all they had done and seen or were going to do and see. I listened with a sort of apathetic interest. After Buxton and the brine baths of Droitwich, I was only wondering what benefit this new health resort would essay on my behalf. But those old ladies had made | their 'cure' quite successfully and were now so established in health that staying in Bath meant only sight- seeing. They talked of the old legends associated with the city and of the Roman baths which were among the show places. These ladies were a positive mine of information and knew Bath as a second home. Their own abiding place was Dublin.

City's Fascination

"The fascination of this City of books connected with Bath, glorified by great names of Restani or visiting celebrities but despite all this, it never occurred to me that proximity to that same Prior Park which had so aroused my interest on my first visit.

"I began to think that I would like to write a book that should make Bath its central interest, without going too far back into traditions. Most of the books that employed this ancient city as locale were of the powder and patches' days. It seemed as if writers could not get away from Beau Nash and the Pump Room, I did not wish to use them, save as mementoes of the past.

"My book was a simple enough story of three Irish sisters and their reduced fortunes. But anything like dullness' was speedily dispelled by the advent of my Chevalier, a character who came suddenly to life as I viewed the then broken portico of Sydney Gardens. (Presumably this reference is to the present Holburne Museum) He absolutely made the book for me It was published in due time, and Bath people, as I have said, read it and loved it, and for sake of it gave me such warm welcome that in time I resolved to live there altogether. This, however, was not until the Great War and its disaster had ended in the sale of our Bournemouth house and our final departure from the Hampshire town.