CORRESPONDENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 November 1929, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

“PRECIOUS BANE,”

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—-In your issue of tbe 31st. ult. “M” asks for particulars of Mary Webb. St. John Adcock in his impressions of contemporary authors, collected under the title of “The Glory that was Grub Street,” gives quite a lot of information, regarding the writer of “Precious Bane.”

We read that she was born Mary Meredith, at 'Leighton, Cressage, Shropshire (in 1881), where her father was a schoolmaster, and in 1912 married H. B. L. Webb also a schoolmaster. She commenced writing at an early age and to obtain money for stationery and stamps grew and sold roses in Shrewsbury market.

Her published novels were “The Golden Arrow,” “Tbe Spring of Joy,” “Gone to Earth,’’ “The House in Dormer Forest,” “Seven for a Secret,” her final and best novel being “Precious Bane.” Until her death in October, 1927, her circle of admirers had boon small and it was not until the following year when the then Prime Minister, Mr Baldwin, referred to her at a. Literary Fund Dinner, as an unrecognised genius, that her works really came into their own. The authority above quoted states that Hie only one of her novels (except “Precious Banc”) now obtainable is “I’be Golden Arrow’’— all tbe others being out of print. I am, etc., K.O.M. Boss, 1: 11: 29.