Page:Dictionary of National Biography, Second Supplement, volume 2.djvu/247

 # 'American Humorists,' 1883. The family of Sir [q. v.] entrusted Haweis with the delicate task of writing his life, which he published in 1893. Haweis married in 1807 Mary, daughter of [q. v.] the artist. At the ago of sixteen she exhibited in the Royal Academy, and contributed also to the Dudley Gallery. She illustrated her husband's books as well as her own. She was an enthusiastic student of Chaucer, and compiled in 1877 'Chaucer for Children, a golden key'; with coloured and plain illustrations (2nd edit. 1882). The book was educationally valuable. It led to 'Chaucer for Schools' (1880; 2nd edit. 1899), which was equally original in plan and execution, and to 'Chaucer's Beads, a Birthday Book' (1884), and 'Tales from Chaucer, adapted by Mrs. Haweis,' published in Routledge's 'World Library.' Mrs. Haweis was a copious writer of articles upon domestic art and dress for the magazines. Endeavouring to establish some sound canons of taste in the minor arts, she embodied her views with vivacity and piquancy in 'The Art of Beauty' (1878, with illustrations by the author). This was followed by 'The Art of Dress' (1879); 'The Art of Decoration' (1881); and finally by 'The Art of Housekeeping: a Bridal Garland' (1889). All were illustrated by the author. She published also 'Beautiful Houses: being a Description of certain well-known Artistic Houses' (2nd edit. 1882), and 'Rus in Urbe: or Flowers that thrive in London Gardens and Smoky Towns' (1886). She accompanied her husband in his tours on the Continent and to America, and interested herself in many philanthropic causes. She was a director of Lady Henry Somerset's Mercy League for Animals and a strong supporter of the women's franchise movement. Shortly before her death she published a novel, 'A Flame of Fire ' (1897), 'to vindicate the helplessness of womankind.' She died on 24 Nov. 1898, and after cremation was buried at Boughton Monchelsea, Kent.
 * 1) 'The Dead Pulpit,' 1896.
 * 2) 'Ideals for Girls,' 1897.
 * 3) 'The Child's Life of Jesus,' 1902.
 * 4) 'Realities of Life: being thoughts gathered from the teachings of H. R. Haweis,' 1902.

 HAWEIS,. MARY, [See under .]

HAWKER, MARY ELIZABETH, writing under the pseudonym of (1848–1908), novelist, born on 29 Jan. 1848 at Inverary, Aberdeenshire, was elder daughter of Major Peter William Lanoe Hawker (1812-1857), of the 74th highlanders, of Longparish House near Whitchurch, Hampshire, by his wife Elizabeth Fraser. Her grandfather was Lieutenant-colonel [q. v.], author of 'Instructions to Young Sportsmen' (1841). Miss Hawker's education was desultory, but she read assiduously for herself. Her father died in 1857, and after her mother's second marriage in the autumn of 1862 to Herbert Fennell, the family lived for some years in Franco and Germany, and Miss Hawker became efficient in French and German. She was also an admirable pianist.

Miss Hawker early began to write, and a few stories and essays appeared in magazines and newspapers. Success did not come until 1890, when there appeared, as the initial volume of a series of novels issued by Mr. Fisher Unwin in the 'Pseudonym Library,' a story by Miss Hawker entitled 'Mademoiselle Ixe, by Lanoe Falconer.' The manuscript had been previously rejected by many publishers. The heroine was a governess in an English country house who was connected with Russian nihilists. The mystery was cleverly handled, and the artistic treatment showed a delicacy and refinement which were uncommon in English writers of short stories. The 'Saturday Review' declared it to be 'one of the finest short stories in England.' Success was great and immediate. Gladstone wrote and spoke the praises of the book, of which the circulation was forbidden in Russia; it was admired by Taine. Over 40,000 copies of the English editions were sold, and there were also continental and American editions. It was translated into French, German, Dutch, and Italian. Subsequently she published in 1891 'Cecilia de Noël,' an original and cleverly told ghost story, and 'The Hotel d'Angleterre.' But failure of health interrupted her work, and her mother's death on 23 May 1901 proved a blow from which she never recovered.

She died from rapid consumption on 16 June 1908, at Broxwood Court, Herefordshire, and was buried at Lyonshall in that county.

Other works by Miss Hawker are 'Old Hampshire Vignettes' (1907) and two short