The Shadow of Mary Deane
Story of the Famous Box Author

Patricia Whalley
January 2016

We don't usually have a review of new books about Box for obvious reasons, but this issue is an exception. The chance discovery of the journals and diaries of Mary Deane led Patricia Whalley to record the life of a gentlewoman who for many years lived at Cheney Court and in The Ley and who gave us a snapshot of life in Victorian and Edwardian Box.

All photos courtesy Patricia Whalley
Mary Deane was the quintessential Victorian gentlewoman of many abilities. She published fourteen novels and books, including Mr Zinzan of Bath, and was an accomplished artist. She never married and there are no photos of her but word pictures do exist because she was the aunt of PG Wodehouse and is immortalised as Bertie Wooster’s Great Aunt Agatha, the nephew crusher.

Life in Box
Mary Deane lived in The Ley, Box, from 1915 to 1917 and her diaries give rare insight into the minutiae of village life. Familiar names and places crop up on almost every page: Mrs Twistleton has a very good gardener now - Southard, To Rich’s for plants, To Bence’s for wood, Sat with Mrs Goulstone, at farm. She continues: Across the fields to Heleigh, To Pontings for nails, Eyles the shoemaker, Talked to Mrs Gingell from Ashley, Tea at Benmead, To Washwell to call on Mrs Collis - wonderful view, like Switzerland, Paid Hulbert, post, eggs, and Walked to Hatt. - far too many references to quote them all.[1] 
Right: Mary's illustration believed to show Cheney Court
News of World War 1
Mary recorded the war news, especially reports of deaths or potential tragedies:  Horror, the Lusitania torpedoed off Queensland, Mr Asquith - if the Kaiser sends over more Zeppelins - threatens he will resign. There was worse: Dismal talk of Germans coming to Box and Two German spies said to have been taken near the Melksham arsenal. Social life in Box continued unabated. Mary Deane delighted in her social connections particularly with Lord Sherborne and she refers to him frequently and with delight. There are also mentions of the Mrs Northey of Cheney Court, Mrs Langton of Box House,  Miss Peto at Ardgay and Mrs Collis of St Patricks, Washwells.

Want More?
There is a lot more to enjoy about Box in The Shadow of Mary Deane. If you would like to buy a copy it is now available price £12 from Stop Press (Box Post Office), Corsham Book Shop or by contacting Patricia via the Contact tab.
References
[1] Many of these people have stories recorded on the website, including Mrs Goulstone, Mrs Twistleton and the Southard Family.