receptions is given by them, to meet the President and Mrs. Harrison, and it is followed by receptions and dinners, which include as guests the notable officials and distinguished citizens of the nation's capital. Mrs. Morton has enjoyed unusual advantages socially all her married life, and has spent much time abroad. The American colony in Paris were proud of her refined manners and the elegant hospitality of the American legation when Mr. Morton was minister plenipotentiary to France. In the rooms of the Washington home there are many works of art and choice souvenirs. One of these is a life-size portrait of Mrs. Morton, in a crimson dress, by Bonnat. With honors, happy In >me life and promising children, Mrs. Morton is to be called one of the happiest of women, and she looks it. Her greeting to even the humblest of strangers crossing her threshold is always as gracious as to the most elegant of her visitors, and therein lies the secret of her popularity, her kindness of heart and gentleness of manner to all.
MORTON, Miss Eliza Happy, author and educator, born in Westbrook, Me., 15th July, 1852. She is the only daughter of William and Hannah
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ELIZA HAPPY MORTON
Eliza Morton. Her parents were teachers in their earlier years, and she inherited a taste in that direction. She was educated in Westbrook Seminary and began to teach at the age of sixteen. While teaching, she was impressed with the fact that many of the old methods of instruction were not productive of the best results, and she began at once to write articles for educational journals, advocating reforms, at the same time putting into practice the principles she advanced and securing remarkable results in her work. Her first article for the press was a prose sketch entitled "The Study of Geography.' She taught in various parts of her own State. In 1879 she was called to the entire charge of geographical science in Battle Creek College, Mich. The idea of preparing a series of geographies gradually assumed shape in her mind, while her name was constantly appearing in print in publications east and west. In 1880 she published a volume of verse entitled "Still Waters" (Portland, Me.), which was well received. Many of her best poetical productions have been written since that date As a writer of hymns noted for their religious fervor she is well known. They have been set to music by some of the best composers, and the evangelist, D. L. Moody, has used many of them in his revival work with telling effect. Among those published in sheet form, the most popular are "The Songs My Mother Sang" and "In the Cleft of the Rock." After three years of earnest work in Battle Creek College Miss Morton withdrew and began to gather material for her geographies. Hundreds of books were examined, leading schools were visited and prominent educators in America and Europe were interviewed as to the best methods of teaching the science. In 1883 her "Elementary Geography" was completed. It was published in Philadelphia as "Potters' New Elementary Geography, by Eliza H. Morton." It had a wide sale, and an immediate call was made for an advanced book, which was written under the pressure of poor health, but with the most painstaking care and research. The higher book was also successful. As a practical educational reformer Miss Morton has won public esteem. Her home is in North Deering, Me. She now has several important literary works under way.
MORTON, Miss Martha, author and play-wright, born m New York, N. Y., in 1865. Her parents are English, and in 1875 she was taken to their native town in England, where she lived and studied for several years in an artistic atmosphere. Her early studies included a thorough course in English literature, and she became a profound student of dramatic form and style in composition. Her studies of the English classics were earnest and wide, and her own literary tastes and ambitions soon began to take form. Returning to New York City, she made her first effort in dramatic composition a fine dramatization of George Eliot's "Daniel Deronda." Her effort was encouraged by the late John Gilbert. She then devoted herself to study and composition for several years. One of her plays was put upon the boards by Clara Morris, and it still holds a place in the repertory of that great actor. In 1881, when the subject of high-pressure living was occupying public attention, she wrote her now famous play, "The Merchant." She presented the manuscript to a number of New York managers, who read it and returned it to her labeled "unavailable." Discouraged by repeated rejections, she put away the manuscript, and only when her family suggested to her that she compete for a prize offered by the New York "World" for the best play sent within a given time, did she draw it forth from her desk. Carrying the manuscript down town one day, she absent-mindedly left it on the counter of a shop, walked off and forgot the entire incident, until reminded of the approaching competition. The manuscript was recovered after much difficulty, won the first prize, and, after production in a matinee performance, was again threatened with oblivion. By accident the play was finally purchased, but another delay of twelve months occurred before it earned real success. Miss Morton is a profound student, is ardently ambitious, works for pure love of the profession, and is keenly critical of her own work. She composes very slowly and her fastidious taste involves an immense amount of labor. She has a new drama ready to place on the boards and has work laid
