Introduction
Born: March 4, 1836, Westerfield (near Ipswich), England.
Died: January 4, 1919, Hastings, Sussex, England.
Pseudonym: R. Free.
Born: March 4, 1836, Westerfield (near Ipswich), England.
Died: January 4, 1919, Hastings, Sussex, England.
Pseudonym: R. Free.
Matilda was the daughter of Edward Edwards and Barbara Betham (1749–1839), niece of poet Matilda Betham (1776–1852), and cousin of Egyptologist Amelia B. Edwards.
She was educated in Ipswich and Peckham, and traveled extensively, especially in Germany and France.
Sweet friends, why do you grieve that I am dying?
Our farewells should be made with smiles, not tears.
I go, and bear no fears
Into the unknown world before my lying.
Since death is but a bridge from earth to heaven,
Linking two worlds, and heaven is most fair,
For we shall gather, there,
Glad harvests of repose after much sin forgiven.
Upon that bridge stand angels waiting for me,
Lost friends who wait with smiles of welcome sweet,
To guide my trembling feet
Into the presence of my Master’s glory!
Oh, very radiantly that bright transition
Prophetic breaks upon my wondering mind!
Till all I leave behind
Is shadows by the splendour of the vision.
Farewell, oh friends beloved! a glad to-morrow
Treads close upon the footsteps of to-day;
Soon ye shall pass away, like me,
Into a world where friendship hath no sorrow!
Matilda Betham-Edwards
Poems, 1884
If you know Betham-Edwards’ burial place,