THE LATE "DOLORES."

Manawatu Herald, 6 April 1895, Page 3

THE LATE "DOLORES."

T0 THB EDITOR OF THE MAHAWATO HERALD.

Sis,— A few days ago I read in your paper a statement by " a London correspondent," that the popular songs bearing the name of " Dolorei" as oomposer were the work of Her Majesty the Queen, who had " confessed "to the fact. How this story originated I cannot guess, but it is quite untrue. "Dolores," otherwise Miss Dickeon, died about eighteen years ago, since which date no new songs have appeared under that. name, but the popularity of •• WWgV' " The Living Dead," "Tha Fariea," "Clear and Cool," and other works, is unimpaired. The note of sadness in her songs and in herlffioien norn de plum* has been attributed to the fact that Ming Dickibn, who had reached middle age, bad long been confined to her coach with a painful spinal affliction. I oannot remember in what part o

England she dwelt, but she devoted the proceeds of her composition's, which were considerable* to the beautifioation df the church of her parish. Naturally of a retiring disposition, her physical weakness led her to shun publicity, and lew knew anything of the personality of the composer whose works tney. admired, and which she herself was inclined to undefate. Mad I the time to search through my old periodicals of 18?7 or thereabouts* I might give yoti further details, but these* which are from memory* you can depend tipotl, my aiitiioritjr tfcitlg one of_ the musical magazines of the period— fh Choir, if I remember rightly, published by Metzler & Co. Within a few months of the death of '• Dolores/ England had to mourn the loss of another popular lady Composer, Virginia Gabrielj who Was tbroWn from her Carriage in a London park, and died from the. injuries sustained. In this case the name was ilot as iiiany BuftJose; fl pseudonym, but the maiden name of the lady, who was daughter of General Gabriel, an officer in the army. — I am, &c, R. COUPLAND HARDINO. Wellington, Brd April, 1895.