Talented,
Educated,
Productive,
Brilliant
Those are (lie words for
>lary ICayard Clark, one
of
Лог
Hi Carolina's inosl
versatile women.
Few North Carolina authors have
rivaled Mary Bayard Clark in versa¬
tility or quality of work accomplished.
At sixteen she wrote her first poem.
"Nemo Semper Felix Est," which was
rarely equalled by more mature per¬
sons. "Tcnclla." one of her best
poems, still remains a favorite among
Carolina bards.
"And oft in love a friendship
ends
Though lovers rarely change to
friends."
She was born in Raleigh on May 13.
1827, daughter of Thomas Pollok
Dcvcrcux. a distinguished lawyer and
wealthy planter, who owned 1,500
slaves. Her mother was Katherine Ann
Johnson, of Connecticut, who was
descended from five colonial gover¬
nors. Jonathan Edwards of theologic
fame, and Samuel Johnson, first presi¬
dent of Columbia University. Her
grandfather was John Dcvcrcux. of
New Bern, an Irish gentleman of
White Church, in the County of Wex¬
ford, Ireland.
On her father's side she was de¬
scended from Colonel Thomas Pollok.
who came to North Carolina in 1683.
and was the leading colonist for a
number of years. He received a grant
of land on the Chowan River from
King Charles II. Bal Cira. portions of
which remained in possession of his
descendants until 1865.
Mary Bayard was thoroughly edu¬
cated. She took at home, under an
English governess, the same courses
pursued by her brother in his studies
at Princeton. An excellent linguist, she
not only wrote and spoke, but made
translations for papers and books from
the German. Spanish. French, and
English languages.
On one occasion the Honor¬
able Miss Murray, lady-in-waiting to
Queen Victoria, visited this country.
She paid acclaim to the merits of the
Raleigh girl, and declared that she
was the only woman she had met in
America who. without being a blue¬
stocking. was thoroughly educated.
Mary Bayard was married in 1848
to Captain William J. Clark, who was
a distinguished soldier of the Mexican
War. and afterwards an officer in the
War of Secession. The ceremony was
performed by her uncle. Bishop Leoni¬
das Polk, at his home near New Or¬
leans.
Л
Tireless Worker
Threatened with consumption. Mary
Bayard Clark traveled extensively,
staying some time in Cuba and the
West Indies, where she was the
cynosure of all eyes at afternoon par¬
ties. But her creative work never
lagged: she continued to write her
poetry, compose her prose. She
made many warm, personal friends
wherever she went, counting among
the number General and Mrs. Robert
E. Lee. also General Albert Sidney
Johnson.
From New Bern, she wrote in 1868:
"I am busy editing my paper. The
Literary Pastime', corresponding with
others; contributing to two magazines;
translating a French novel; added to
which I am composing the libretto for
an opera, and writing Sunday-school
hymns at five dollars apiece."
A woman of seeming indefatigable
constitution, she supported herself and
those she loved with the pen. The war
had destroyed her family's affluence,
and she was compelled to take over
the added duty of editor of Southern
Field and Fireside. In addition she re¬
viewed books for Harper. Scribner, and
Appleton.
During her last years, she was wont
to go for an afternoon canter on her
beautiful horse, which had come from
one of her father's Roanoke River
plantations. Although her health was
far from good, she continued her lit¬
erary work, often writing while
propped in bed.
Her life was full of sentiment and
the havoc left by the Civil War must
have borne heavily on one who had
been reared in luxury. She frequently
recalled the old days in Raleigh, which
bore the added charm of dignified sur¬
roundings.
At the passing of General Robert E.
Lee. Mary Bayard Clark was much
affected. Her ode to him contains the
following: "Earth to earth, and dust to
dust; Sore the trial, sweet the trust."
Her own death came on March 31.
1886, two months after the death of
her husband. She evidently had him at
heart when, just before the end. she
asked to Ik raised a little higher in bed.
Then she wrote:
" Though ‘tis raining on the hills, love.
' I is raining on the hills.
Not the shadow of a cloud, love.
The smiling valley fills."
Here are found a few of the con-
tibutionsof Mary Bayard Clark:
Wood Notes, 1845.
Reminiscences of Cuba. 1855.
Mosses from a Rolling Stone, 1866.
Social Reminiscences of Noted
North C 'an di nians.
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF NORTH
CAROLINA S10.00
First published tor the author in Dublin
in 1737, this is the fullest description of
the natural, social, and economic condi¬
tions in the colony of North Carolina; rich
in folklore. A photo-offset reprint of the
1911 reprint by the Trustees of the Public
Libraries of N. C. with original copper
plates, and addition of biographical sketch
of the author and comprehensive index,
xxviii. 424 pp.— a must for the modern
library.
JOHNSON PUBLISHING COMPANY
Murfreesboro. N. C. 27855
THE STATE. SCPTEMSER 15. 1969
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