MISS ADA LESTER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6496, 22 December 1881, Page 5

MISS ADA LESTER.

[COHKKSXOATBD.] Amongst the unfortunates drowned in the sod wreck of the Clan Macduff is Mis* Ada Lester, whose versatile and graceful talent* a* an actress must have impressed themselves on the minds of many in this city. But, 1 believe, few out here knew Miss Lester in her private character. She was at once one of the noblest and purest of Earth’s daughters, with a keen intellect and power of reasoning that is rarely found in one who is thoroughly womanly and refined. Of a good family, and possessed of comparatively ample means, she adopted the stage solely from a real love of the drama, with the noble ambition of giving her life to do all that lay in her power to moke the stage purer and better than it is. "Many a time and oft” ha* her buoyant spirit sank in witnessing the imparities and immoralities that would seem to he part and parcel of the lives and conversations of the generality of acton; and at such times she has talked seriously of giving up her heart’s anjbilion. The last year of her life she devoted to her father, tending him in a severe bronchial affection. It would seem that on hie death she decided on accepting a theatrical engagement in Bombay. In that awful scene on the English coast, 1 am quite certain that Miss Lester would be first and foremost in inspiring hope and courage in the breasts of her companions in the illfated boat. Peace be to her brave, true heart! Would there were more like her! 1 quote two or three lines from a recent letter of her**. . . “ No, I must wait a few yean longer to give the story stronger interest j and 1 will depute to you the task of compiling my funeral sermon, to dose the last chapter with a wreath of immortelle* at the bottom of the page. Dreams! Dreams! Dreams I 1 wonder what is in store for me? Marriage, no; good, doubtful; death, certain.” Did any presentiment of early death cross her mind, I wonder ? My heart is too full to write more. I shall ever proudly bear in mind that so talented, eo noble, and so good a woman sought me out for her friend in this new land, and that she told me 1 was to her one of the pleasant recollections of New Zealand. LUOILLA.