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MAB-RI'AGKS OK f \ KYFOLK THE IDEA. OP THEIR. UNHAPPINESS DISPROVED. Notable Instances to the Contrary- Domestic Poets, Essayists and Biog raphers—Erroneous Report of James Russell Lowell’s Engagement Dr. Holmes’ Habit of Staying at Home. From the Chicago Tribune. The prevalent idea that literary mar riages are generally inharmonious is not sustained by American examples certainly. Longfellow was as much a poet in his life as in his profession. He was the embodi ment of gentleness and sympathy, and so considerate of everybody's feelings that he allowed himself, as his biographer recounts, to be overrun with charlatans and bores. Cambridge, where he lived most of his life, is full of echoes of his kindly words and deeds, and his memory is treasured there by every mature inhabitant. His career was specially serene and compensatory with one exception, and that threw a shadow on his spirit which was never lifted. The exception was the loss of his wife, a lovely and accom plished woman—she had been Miss Appleton —whose light garments, while dressing for an evening party, caught Are, and she was so badly burned that she died in a few hours in great agony. The distressing casualty was an inexpressible sorrow to the poet. He never recovered from it; it lent to his work that air of pensive resignation and placid melancholy which constitute no little of its charm. He never referred to it, and it was very painful for others to mention it in his presence. He bore his bereave ment like a philosopher, outwardly, bnt in wardly his heart was lacerated beyond power of healing. Asa father he was, after the blow had fallen, perhaps even tenderer, more devoted than before. His children al ways loved and revered him, finding in him many of the qualities which the mother had possessed. His friends often thought he would marry again, for he counted among his intimates a number of fine, attractive women. But a love like his, once given, is not apt to be given again. Lowell has been erroneously reported as engaged to a lady in England, where he is spending the summer. It is said that there was no basis whatever for the report, though such stories are likely to be circulated about men of his prominence who are as great favorites m society as he is in London. His private opinion probably is that he who is a widower for the second time at 68 would better remain such. His first wife (Maria White) was as beautiful and charming in mind as in person. She died nine years after her marriage, and she is still remembered by elderly persons as one of the rarest speci mens of complete and exquisite womanhood. A volume of ber poems, remarkable for deli cate flavor and delightful suggestiveness, was printed privately some years after her death, and the poems are not infrequently quoted to this day at Cambridge. The sec ond Mrs. Lowell was an invalid much of her life, and yielded to her broken constitu tion and delicate health while her husband was Minister to the Court of St. James. The delightful critic and the poet’s only child is Mrs. Burnett, of Southborough, Mass., where he spent much of his time be fore going abroad lately, his Cambridge home having been leased for a term of years. Despite his brilliant social talents and numberless close friendships, he has al ways been attached to his own fireside and the companions of early days. Dr. Holmes is anotlier poet and essayist of exceeding geniality and amiability, whose best beloved deities are the Lares and Pen ates. He has always been a home body, not having been abroad, until his late trip to Europe, for more than fifty years, the first visit being for the purpose of pursuing his medical studies. He is a Bostonian of the Bostonians, having taking firm root in the immediate vicinity of bis birth. But he is as broad and liberal as need be, and still a youth in feeling, despite his seven amd seventy years. His marriage was of the happiest, and has continued so. Who does not remember his capital essay in the Atlantic , “My Search After the Captain,” describing his hunt for his wounded son in the army of the Potomac? And how they met unexpectedly on the train with "How are you, boy?” “How d’ye do, dad?” His daughter accompanied him abroad last year, and took the best care of him, mindful that he did not see to many l>ei-sons. did not taik too much, or overdo in any way. What an affectionate father, what loving children! The little doctor's domestic life has been from the outset al most idyllic. No irritability, no discontent, no wrangles for him indoors or out. The stream of years flows ever smoothly and brightly, no brawling rocks to disturb the current, no shallows, no treacherous pools, no quicksands. His destiny has been as soft as his lays, as beautiful as his thoughts. Precious few poets have had experiences so nearly ideal. Parke Godwin, now past TO, married the daughter of William Cullen Bryant almost fifty years ago, and has followed letters and the peaceful life of home ever since. Ho and his father-in-law were long associated on the New York Evening Post, and he has peri odically published literary and jioliticftl es says, translations from the Gorman, expla nations of the doctrines of Charles Fourier, biographies, etc. His health has not been very good for some time; but apart from that, his friends think him indolent, which inav be looked for in a man pecuniarily in dependent. Doubtless, if he had felt obliged to work, he would have been more active literarily, and produced a largor number of clever hooks. Whether mentally indolent or not, he has been industrious in winning and preserving the affections of his family. Between himself and his two sons, who are connected with the New York Commercial Advertiser, in which he holds a layge inter est, a very cordial and sympathetic relation exists. The late Bayard Taylor married very young, before he had gained any reputation, ills wife died within a year, and for a good while beseemed, as do all men of distinction who decline matrimonial entanglements, to bo insensible to feminine charms. Generally supposed to be a bachelor, being handsome, Kitted, an admired author, and a popular lecturer, he was constantly urged by friends and acquaintances to take a wife. Many men in similar circumstances have under gone a similar oxjierience, and know that the assumed interest in their welfare, on the point of wedlock, soon becomes a great an noyance. Taylor found it such a bore that he printed something on the subject, ad dressed particularly to his solicitous but un known correspondents. Therein ho declared that he was not an ideal or fantastic crea ture, and suggested that he needed no coun selors for Ins guidance, connubial or other wise. While lie was Secretary of Legation at St. Petersburg he met Frauiein Marie Hansen, daughter of Peter Andreas Hansen, the Ger man astronomer, and discovered on intimate acquaintance so much in common between him and herself that they were married. As may lie inferred, the match did not please the American mammas, maiden aunts and others who had picket lout girls that would have suited him exactly. But .as it pleased him ho refused to be discomposed by their chagrin. The Taylors were excellently adapted to one another, anti the widow still mourns his too early death. Their only child, Lillian, to whom her father wa* ardently attached, has lately been engaged to a medical student in Germany, and will probably make her home there. Taylor was not only very domestic in his tastes, but singularly affectionate in disposition, having had a wide circlo of true friends in both worlds. George William Curtis married thirty odd years ago the sister of Col. Robert G. chaw, who fell at Fort Wagner while in command of a Massachusetts colored regiment. About that time he became connected with the periodicals issued by the Harpers, n con nection he still retains. He is another ex ample of a native author wedded to home. He was a good deal of a traveler in his youth ful d*v*—it U hard to believe ho is now K, — but he has not traveled any distance since ins mating. Of the calmest and most cheer ful temper, notwithstanding his interest and )iart.irijuuiou in politics, lie carries all his serenity and cheerfulness into the bosom of his family. No man is more thoroughly married than he. He clings to the hearth stone, seldom quitting Staten Island, near New York, over which he roams for exer cise. ami loving his pleasant uliodenear West New Brighton Letter than any spot on earth. It is impossible to imagine him having any differences or discords with wife or children. Under his roof there are no clouds; all is sunshine —the sunshine of the heart. Thomas W. Higginson, who has been preacher, soldier, politician, lecturer and author, has lieen it most exemplary husband. His first wife was Miss Mary E. Channing, daughter of Dr. Waiter Channing, of Bos ton. During the greater part of her married life she was a confirmed invalid, being unable to move or sit up, and losing in time her natural proportions. Her brilliant mind, however, was entirely unaffected; her rallies of wit entertained her husband and friends for veal's. He was always con tinually with her when at leisure; he took care of her as if she had been a child; ad ministered to her wants, read to her, and interpreted to her whatever he saw or heard of the outside world. It was a chivalrous consecration, for lie was, and is still at 63, in the enjoyment of robust health, and fond of athletic exercises. No man has ever more completely subordinated himself to a woman through sympathy and love.” After her death he married a younger woman, and has become the father of two children only one of whom survives. He seems, it is said, like a young man in his satisfaction with his loved ones at home. Deeply as he is interested in letters and everything that appertains to them he never permits these to draw him from the nearer and dearer ties of home. A prime favorite with nice women, and enjoying their society keenly, he has never had any distractions from domesticity. He is a fine type of genu ine American chivalry. James Parton, the famous biographer, is such a lover of domestic tranquility that he left New York, where he had lived since boyhood, to settle permanentlyat Newbury port, one of the quietest towns in Massachu setts or in all New England. Most literary men find it very hard, after having been in New York any time, to deprive themselves of metropolitan dissipations, pleasures and excitements. Bnt Parton had grown tired of them, and was anxious to isolate himself at the antipodes of the roaring capital. There he has his pleasant home, his wife, his children; he can do his routine contri butions to the Youths' Companion and the New York Ledger and such other and higher work as he chooses. Without any desire to be rich, despising ostentation of every sort, he is at tached to his friends, and likos to entertain them. He is a liberal philosopher,profound ly interested in humanity, and earnestly de sirous to aid the cause or progress. Parton’s ■ first wife was Fanny Fern, nearly eleven years his senior, an estimable and clever but unbalanced woman, rendered bitter by her experience of the world after her widow hood and her sudden change from independ ence to poverty. She tried to earn her bread by teaching, sewing, embroidering—to no purpose. At last she wrote for print; but not a publisher in Boston would take her articles. She was in despair, when one editor printed a sketch and paid 50c. for it. It struck the popular fancy; she sprang into demand, and * in less than two years her first volume of “Fern Leaves,” mainly composed of her news paper contributions, sold to the extent of 85,000 copies. The tide had turned and she found ready purchasers for whatever she chose to write. After her death Parton married her daughter (a far fitter mate for him), who took care of her little niece, the child of Mortimer Thompson (Doesticks,) who had gone to the bad generally. Parton had adopted the child, and was, after awhile, drawn to Miss Eldredge, ns she was a member of his household. It is so unusual for a man to wed the daughter of his wife that the fact caused much surprise and elicited wide comment. But under the pe culiar circumstances it was not so unnatural as it might seem. Parton has done the bulk of his work. His “Voltaire” was its crown —he spent twenty years on it—and his health is too delicate to warrant him in undertaking any more heavy tasks. His domesticity remains, however, a steady source of comfort, encouragement and joy. Richard Henry Stoddard and Elizalieth, his wife, are both literary' both poets, both independent thinkers; and yet few couples of the most commonplace order get greater satisfaction from marriage. Having their own opinions and theories they often present and discuss these with ardor and ability, as if each were the leader of a debating club. They are intellectual and social equsus, and their reasoning for and against some partic ular question is often interesting and profit able to listen to. They are about the same age, and have been married nearly thirty five years, all of which they have passed in New York, though both are natives of Massachusetts—he of Ilingham, she of Mnttapoisett. Only one of several children, a son grown to man’s estate, survives. Mrs. Stoddard is a devoted mother and still mourns for the loved and lost. Her mental endowments have not been appreciated, save by a few. Her three remarkable novels, “The Morge sons,” '‘Two Men,” and “Temple House,” Sublished twenty and twenty-five years ago, ave had so small a sale as to give her noth ing. They have long been out of print, and would no doubt bo read by a great many were they reissued, as they deserve to bo. According to the vulgar notion the Stod dards, being deeply inky, strong-willed, self assertive, should lie perpetually wrangling. But, according to the fact, they are close companions and the best of friends, which cannot be said of many pairs. Another literary brace who have not agreed—to show both sides of the connubial question —is Joaquin Miller and Minnie The resa Miller. She wrote verses, adopting the pseudonym Minnie Myrtle, as well as he; but hers gained no celebrity. lie married her, he says, at 22, and eight years after she obtained a divorce, when ho went to Europe. He declares that she had no cause for such a step; but she maintains that sho had abun dant cause. It is probable that she had. Ho seems to be the kind of man who would be likely to justify a woman in leaving him, judging by his own statements, which are, however, not always the most trustworthy, His former wife called him a pretender, a humbug and other hard names, which, if true, would make him an unpleasant com panion. He is not without gifts, but his gasconade and affectation tax one’s pa tience. Too Much Industry. From Washington Letter to the Baltimore Bun. Since the promulgation of the civil ser vice commission promotion rules, a habit has been acquired by government employes which is annoying the officials. Formerly it was difficult to got tho clerks down to work by 9 o’clock. There were always some stragglers, and the reports of tardiness were frequent This state of affairs has been re versed, and now there seems to bo some dif fleultv experienced in keeping the employes from putting in their appearance before 8 o'clock. Manv of them seem to be pos sessed with the idea that extra work will i. ; p them to get a high percentage for ef ficiency, so they are hard at work by 8 o’clock in the morning. This is especially the case in the Treasury Department. The officials have informed their over-industrious clerks that such devotion to duty will oor tainly undermine their health, and more over, it Is not the desire of the Secretary that tho rooms should be opened before the regular hour for the transaction of business. One civil service man who is somewhat slow in the execution of his clerical duties has been an eurly bird of the most con firmed typo. He desired to accomplish enough iu a day to compare favorably with his fellow clerks, ami was not confident that ho could do so within the regular hours. Remonstrances with him were of no avail, and finally the other day ho was peremptorily ordered not to put in Ids appearance before 9 o’clock. It is certainly a heretofore un known condition of deportment affaire that measures should be noceasary to curb the ambitious Industry of government clerks. THE MORNING NEWS: SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 1887—TWELVE PAGES. WALTER BESANT. A Staff Correspondent Has a Chat With the Great Novelist. ' I'Ve n the Philadelphia Press. London, May 18. — lost Saturday the name of Walter Besant was on everybody's lips. He was, indeed, the man of the hour. The Palace of Delights described in his novel with a purpose had at least in part been realized and the Queen of England had gone into the East End of London to open it. Some wealthy man named Jenks, or Jenkins, or Jennings, it is true, carried off the titled honors and was knighted for his experiment, but the people of England frankly and fairly gave the credit of the conception of the People’s Palace to the author of “All Sorts and Conditions of Men” and the “Children of Gibeon.” But is this conception to be carried out iu the various imposing structures now completed, and in course of completion, on the five acres of land acquired for this purpose iu the Mile-end road ! In such an undertaking involving the expenditure of upwards of $500,000, subscribed by all sorts of men, under all sorts of conditions, it is not for a moment to be supposed that the institution when completed will resemble the palace of delights which Mr. Besaut’s rich heroine is supposed to have planned and built with her own fortune. On the Thursday previous to the opening of the People’s Palace I was invited by a friend to meet Mr. Besant at lunch. As there was but one other guest present I was afforded a long wished-for opportunity to converse with Mr. Besant on the phase of his work which has gamed for him a posi tion in the hearts of the people of East Lon don which no other English novelist ever oc cupied. I found him to be a man whose broad, sturdy frame, ruddy skin and clear blue eyes conveyed an impression of health and strength. The shape of his head and even his features and the shape of his hands indicate the worker as well as the thinker. There is a certain sense of comprehensiveness about him and when he spealcs or moves it is with a cer tain force and decision that tells of a man who sees his end and works for it. Mr. Be sant lives in the beautiful suburb of Hamp stead, the favorite neighborhood of the scholar and the artist, in a quiet way, for he cares little for society. As the Secretary of the Society for the Exploration of Pales tine, he is at his office in the city at 10 a. m., and rarely leaves before 4p. m. His Liter ary work is done early in the morning and late at night. When the entire day’s work is done Mr. Besant takes a quiet pipe, and under its mollifying influence retires. He never smokes during the day In the “Golden Butterfly,” it will be re membered that Mr. Besant and Mr. Rice give some extraordinary sketches of Ameri can editors, especially Chicago editors, who are represented as working with cocked pis tols and sharpened bowie knives, etc. It happened that the other guest was a refined and rather delicate-looking lady, who for some years was a writer on the editorial staff or the Chicago Inter-Oeean, and as my own connection with that paper was known to the host, he facetiously remarked on in troducing us: “Mr. Besant, author of the ‘Golden But terfly,’ permit me to present two Chicago editors.” Mr. Besant saw the joke at once and joined heartily in the laugh, saying: “Now, really, S , that is too Dad. 1 ought not to be held responsible for Rice, who, you know, did all those wild American stories in my books.” And then turning to the “two Chicago editors” he greeted us in a most cordial manner, remarking that some day he hoped to see the United States with his owrt eyes and write about its people from notes taken by himself. Until then we must forgive him for some of the exag gerations which appeared in one of his earlier works. As the Queen was to open the People’s Palace within three, days and Mr. Besant. was himself to be presented to her majesty, the conversation naturally drifted onto Mr. Besant’s noble work in East London. In this, as in other achievements, he takes no credit himself, though his anxiety to have the People’s Palace a place where the people can amuse themselves as well as instruct themselves is apparent. In reply to the question: “What first suggested the East End as a field for a nov elist?” Mr. Besant said: “The idea first oc curred to me in my walks through that di vision of London. It has been my habit for years to spend a good deal of time 911 all sorts of nooks and corners in London. Noth ing interests me so much. Then the East End is a comparatively unexplored field by the modern novelist.” It was, indeed, fortunate for the 2,000,000 souls who occupy this part of London, and whose wretched homes and dreary lives arc being imperfectly pictured in the “Toilers of London,” that Mr. Besant directed his footsteps in that direction. No matter what the outcome of the Peo ple's Palace is, the attention of the empire has been called to the breadwinners of East Loudon, and much has been done, and much more will be done, to improve their condition. God knows they needed someone to champion their cause. They literally have no amusements except the vicious music hall, the wretched theatres and the dreary mission halls. The only palaces they have are the gin palaces, and they abound everywhere. It will be neces sary to teach these people how to amuse themselves in a wholesome way. In gener ations of toil, of sorrow and of neglect they have lost the faculty of amusing themselves. It is not certain, however, that the Peo ple's Palace, when completed, will combine instruction with amusement in a manner that will prove very attractive to a popula tion of this kind—u population that must first be taught how to play. In its present shape the People's Palace is primarily an institution for technical education. Nearly half the money has been, or will be, ex pended on the site or the trade schools. Another £IO,OOO is to be spent on the library. Four weeks ago the trustees had nothing actually subscribed for the social portions of the buildings, though the techni cal and educational branches wore all pro vided for. It has been truly observed that up to the present the delight is of a some what severe character, awl there is nothing in it that a man of Milton’s cast of mind might deem unworthy to make him happy. Organ recitals, conceits, gymnasia and a swimming bath are temptations to some, but it is doubtful if the average dweller in East London cares much about entertain ments of this sort. The religious element among its pro moters wanted to fly the temperance flag week days, find bolt and bar the entire in stitution’ up on Sundays. On the other hand, those who knew the real of the people regarded this a The dis pute ended in a compromise. The institu tion is to lie opened for certain hours on a Sunday, though no license for drink is to be applied for. It is a great pity that Mr. Besant’s Ideas aro not to bo entirely carried out. He is in thorough sympqdhy with the people. He is the popularize!'of the soteme and a standing security against pedaPrv and puritanism. If the promoters will Si be guided by him the people will |>stronlA the institution. If not, the people will stall away, and this new era of furnishing whole-" some amusement for the people, of which we hear so much, will end In a magnificent technical school and a useful educational institution. “Aye,” said a bystander in the crowd Sat urday, with a baby in her arms. “It's good business, this People’s Palace, though it sounds mighty funny to some of ’em, I'll be bound. Fancy tho people wot lives up courts and alleys ’avlng a |>alacc all to their selves.” “Ah," replied her companion, “they only gits it to look at, not to live in." "But they can go to it when they like,” rejoined the older woman, “and that's something.” That is ''something” I have no doubt, but unlees something more Is dono on tho side of recreation and amusement tho masses of the people In East London will not like to go to it often, and the experiment will be a stu pendous failure so tor as the popular Idea of its purooscs is concerned. BIRTH OF BURNT CORK. OLD CHARLEY WHITE'S STORY OF THE CALLING. “Jim Crow” Rice and His Wonderful Success- Origin of the Old Virginia Minstrels, Dumbleton’s Serenaders, and Other Old-Timers. From the Chicago Neivs. No one has done so much to preserve the records, record the history, and chronicle the rise and fall of negro minstrelsy as Charles T. White, himself an old performer, a man of great experience, wide observa tion, and intelligence. For over forty-five years he has faithfully kept a diary of the happenings in tho world of minstrelsy, re corded the formation and disbandment of companies, the first appearance of every member, jotted down anecdotes and per sonal reminiscences, and kept account of those who died or left for some other call ing. A reporter is to-day enabled to pre sent a few of Mr. White’s personal recol lections of the earlier and more important pioneers in this unique line of entertainment. They can be depended upon as accurate, for they are not dimmed by the mists of age ami memory, but are transcripts from his diary made in the early days of burnt-cork amusement. CHARLEY WHITE’S STORY. “The earliest intimation I can find in which individual negro business was done in character and met with a response of pop ularity was in Boston, Deo. 30, 1709. Rus sell’s Boston Gazette contains an advertise ment of the entire performance. The first piece was‘Oronoko, or the Royal Slave.’ At the end of the second act there is a ‘Song of the Negro Boy’ in character, and this was given Mr. Graupner, a member of the old Federal street company. The famous pantomime of ‘Gil Bias* had been intro duced that Christmas week, and, although the house was hung with mourning ut the time on account of the recent dreth of Washington, such was the applause given to the ‘Song of the Negro Boy’ that he had to bring in his little bench ami sing his story over and over again. In 1815 we hear of ‘Pig-Pie’ Herbert appearing at the Park theatre, New York. George Nichols, a clown. Bob Farrell, SamTatnali, Bill Hollar, Barney Burns, Enoni Dickson,Tom Blakeley, George W. Dixon, George Rice, Frank Brown, Charley White, John Sandford, and other actors and circus people appeared in negro character, singing the negro melodies of the day or doing breakdowns on platforms ’in circus rings. John Smith, Juba and John Diamond, the lat ter a card of Bamuin’s, also were pop ular. The late T. D. Rice (known as Daddy Rice) is the acknowledged father and found er of the Ethiopian comedy. He at once filled the bill, and every theatre that he played in as well, and sustained his success for thirty yors afterward. Rice was born in the city of Now York May 20, 1808. He learned the trade of a ship-carver, joined a dramatic association, and went to Ken tucky under the management of N. M. Ludlow, a well-known western actor and manager. While a member of this com pany he displayed considerable talent as an imitator of the negroes in their jieculiarities and eccentricities, and was at length an nouccd to make his first appearance in a negro character in the city of Louisville. Prior to this, however, he had played both in New York and in the west many low comedy parts with success, but not until he commenced his negro singing and burlesque operatic performances was he considered of sufficient note to render his name attrac tive. In the fall of the year 1832 he made his Ethiopian debut at the old Bowery theatre, New York, in the character of ‘Jim Crow.’ “‘I wish I was de president ob dese United States. I’d lick molasses candy, and swing upoi) de gates. Wheel about and turn about, an do jes so; And ebery time I wheel about I jump Jim Crow.' “This character, both on account of its novelty and the excellence of its representa tion, attained a popularity unequaled by anything of the kind before or since. Rice during that season is said to have brought more money into the Bowery treasury than any other American performer during the same period of time. After a most suc cessful career in New York, Boston, Phila delphia, and other cities, he visited England in 1836. and performed with great applause at tho Surrey (London), as also in DuWin and Cork, creating a furor unprecedented even in the annals of the British stage, and almost literally driving for a time from the boards such favorites as Macready, the Woods, and other distinguished performers. While in England he married a Miss Glad stone, the oldest daughter of a former manager of the Surrey theatre. He soon after returned to hisnatve country, appear ing at Wallack's National theatre of (Jtaurch and Leonard streets, New York, on Oct. 17, 1837, in his specialty the ‘Virginia Mummy.’ For many years subsequently Mr. Rice was oargerly sought after by the managers and played as u ‘star’ in nearly every theatre in the union. His popularity, however, waned in his latter days, though he appeared, eliciting much applause, as lato as 1854. Stricken finally with paralysis, his death occurred aftor'a season of prolonged suffer ing in the city of his birth Sept. 19,1860, at the age of's2. “Many suppose tliat negro minstrelsy originated in the palmy days of ‘Daddy’ Rice’s existence. That was not so, and Rice never was associated with a minstrel band. There was a number of burnt-cork artists, as alluded to in the preceding, that were doing negro specialty acts at various places in the country—some with the banjo, some without it, others having for their principal attraction only some simple negro melody such as ‘Coal-Black Rose,’ ‘Such a Gittin’ Up-Stairs,’ ‘Gumbo Chaff,’ ‘Sitting on a Rail.’ ‘Jim Crow,’ and one or two others of less popularity. THE FIRST MINSTREL COMPANY. “It was while Dan Emmett and Frank Brower were at the Bowery arnplii theater in December, 1842, that the idea of a min strel company was first put in motion by the following pei'sons —viz., Dan Emmett, Fronk Brower, Billy Whitlock, and Dick Pelham, who ail immediately went into a thorough course of rehearsals at tho board ing house of Emmett, 37 Catherine street, New York. The cause of their organiza tion was simply to make up a combination of negro fun for one night only, which was expressly for the benefit of Pelham, who at that time was dancing Iwtween tho pieces at the Chatham theatre. Their rehearsals were sufficiently encouraging to satisfy them that they had iiideed found a novelty. They styled themselves the Virginia minstrels, made their debut at the above-mentioned place (this was early in February, 1813), and were received with deafening plaudits. During the same week they played one night for the lienelit of Mr. John Tryon, then manager of the Bowery amphitheater. Their performance hero met with astonish ing succoss, so much so that they were secured by Messrs. Welch & Rockwell, then (managers of the Park theatre, New York, lit which place they performed two weeks in junction with ’the great dancer, John Diamond. This was about tho middle of February, 1843, and after this they proceed ed to Boston, where they played six weeks with wonderful success. They then re turned to New York and performed at the old Park theatre under the man agement of Welch & Mann’s Circus com pany. EXPORTING THE FUN-MAKERS. “Having now fairly introduced their nov elty and expecting every day to meet with opposition hero in Yankeoland, they deter mined on a trip to England, where all idea of rivalry was out of tho quostion, for a time at least. Accordingly, with Mr. George B. Wooldridge at their nead, they immediately embarked for Europe. They arrived in Europe on May 21 and gave two entertainments at the Concert Rooms, Con cert street. Liverpool. From thence they proceeded to tho Adolphi theatre, London, at vrhiob place thev performed six week* in connection with Prof. Anderson, the groat Wizard of the North, After this engage ment Mr. Richard Pelham left the company. The remainder organized in connection with Joe Sweeney, who lmd just arrived in the country, and in this way they traveled through Ireland and Scotland for six mouths with success. The company then disbanded and Whitlock returned to America. The others soon followed him, with the exception of Pelham, who remain ed in England up to his death in October, 1870. Another company arrived in Europe from Boston, known as the 'King and I’ark er .minstrels.' They performed in Liver popi apd Boston while the Virginia min strels ’were playing in London. One of the ibemfaMrt of the eofnpany personated the character of Lucy Long, which evidently must have been original with them. This rival party afterward performed at the Garrick street theatre, London. They ar rived in Liverpool in three or four weeks after tl>o Virginia minstrels. On the return of the Virginia minstrels to America they found, as they hail anticipated, minstrel companies in abundance all over the coun try. Hand after hand was organized almost ewh'yidU with various titles, and many of them VaKoxt navugi almost as suddenly as an April shoW&r. A vast improvement, however, had been made in the min strel business notwithstanding its short ex istence. BIRTH OF THE COLORXD SERENAIIERS. “Dmubleton’s Ethiopian serenaders was probably one of the most unique organiza tions among the first bands. They started in the spring of 1843, and consisted of Frank German, tambo; George Harrington, banjo; Moody Spin wood, accordion, and Gilbert \\. Pell, bones. This band played in Balti more in 1844. They also played in Wash ington before President Tyler and cabinet, and then went down to New Orleans. They returned to New York in the spring of 1845, and shortly after went to England where they played before the queen and royal family, the duke of Wellington, and others of tho nobility at Arundel castle by com mand of the queen. This party returned in 1848 and opened at Palme’s opera house ()ct. 4of tliat year. After playing thirteen weeks they disbanded. Pell took Juba, the real negro dancer (perliaps the best), and Tom Briggs the great banjoistof that time, and returned to England with them the same year. All of this party are now dead. It was this band which first introduced black coats and pants and white vests for the introductory performance. The Dumble tou party while in England played at the St. James theatre for one year and eight months. THE AUTHOR OK “OLD DAN TUCKER,” “Among the great banjo players and one of the original starters of negro minstrelsy was Daniel I). Emmett, who has done good work for the minstrel fraternity, perhaps more genuine musical niggerisms than any other man. Uncle Dan, os he is familiarly called, was born in Mount Vernon, 0., Oct, 29, 1815, and has consequently passed his three-score and ten. While with the Bryant’s minstrels in New York, city, he wrote these popular aire: ‘Root Hog or Dio,’ ‘Boatman Dance,’ ‘High Daddy,’ ‘Old Dan Tucker,’ 'Dandy Jim,’The Other Side of Jordan,’ Old Aunt Sally, ’Dixie’s Laud,’ ‘Early In de Morn ing,’ ‘Over de Mountain,’ together with a wonderful collection of walk around dances. Some have asserted that Joe Sweeney, a na tive of Louisville, Ky., wag about tile first to make the banjo famous as an accessory to negro comicalities. I am sure he was among the early ones. Earl Pierce, Tom Briggs, Dave Lull, Tom Vaughn, Frank Stanton. Billy Whitlock, High Rumscy, and Pupsie Keenan, all flourished successfully shortly after.” THE CITY OF MEXICO. Population and Business of the Mexi can Capital. From the Chicago Tribune. It is difficult to get statistics of Mexico, and even the population of its capital has tor years been a matter of conjecture. A Mexican firm, Messrs. Pridu, Navarro & Cos., some time ago took a contract, to get, statistics of the City of Mexico. They make the population out to be 292,716. They furnish also the following particulars: The City of Mexico contains 7,979 buildings valued at $114,738,000. These figures do not include public or government buildings, churches, * private hospitals, etc , which would greatly increase both the number and value of ediltees. There are in the city 7,047 commercial and industrial establishments, of ’ which the following are the most important as to numbers: 1,072 tobacco stores, 889 grocery stores, 670 pulque stands, 514 liquor saloons, 390 restaurants, 275 butcher shops, lOffbakeries, 144 groin stores, 130 barber shops, U 8 tailoring establishments, 171 car penter shops, 174 shoe stores, 88 blacksmith shops, 79 drug stores, 68 hardware stores, 56 printing offices, 55 bath houses, 72 dry goods stores, 48 banks (chartered and private), and 46 cafes. The 7,047 commercial and industrial establish ments pay an annual municipal tax of $445,758. Besides the National Monte de Piedud, or government pawnshop, there are 73 private pawnshops In the city, represent ing a capital of $483,872. In the second half year of 1885 these house loaned the sum of $1,383,796 on pledges of all kinds, on which an average monthly interest of 12 1-2 per cent was [slid, and for the same period they paid a total tax of $16,672. There are 9 cotton, 3 woolen, and 7 paper factories in the city and its suburbs. There ore 316 schools and colleges in the city, with 712 mal<‘ and 469 female teachers, and an aver age daily attendance of 12,775 boys and 10,- 385 girls, or a total daily average of 23,160. Fully one-half of the above schools are sup ported by the Federal and municipal gov ernments at an annual expense 0/ $816,640. Among those educational establishment* should be mention the Academy of Fine Arts, the mining, engineering and medical schools, and the military, law, commercial and agricultural colleges, where all who de sire, irrespective of religion, nationality, race, color, or social condition, may obtain good education and learn some trade or pro fession free of charge. There aro 32 lines of street railways in the city, besides 11 others which connect with suburban town, and 5 trunk railways entering the city from dif ferent directions. The Study of Character. From the Arkansan) Traveler. Prof. Fowler, the phrenologist, and a ydung student in whom the professor took great interest were traveling on a sleeping car. “The study of character, George, said the professor, “is the most important of all studies. A man may know all history, and may be a great scientist, but unless lie un derstands character he is at the mercy of the world. Without a knowledge of phren ology it is imossible to get a good idea of character, but with that knowledge, charac ter is spread out as a printed prge. I am never deceived in a man. No matter how winning his voice may l>c and no matter how tastefully Be may be dressed, ho would find it impossible to impose on me. Notice every man you see, study his face and try to ex plore his intentions. See that old fellow over there? He tries to drees like a mini of the world, but he cannot deceive mo. This Is the first time ho ever on a sleeping car, but. like all greenhorns, he tries to dis guise it. Let us move over and get into con versation with him. I just want to show you that 1 ant right.,’ They sat down near the old fellow. “Wo are having some very pleasant weather," said the professor. “Yea, sir, very.” “Aro you fond of traveling?" “Not very.” The professor winked at his companion, and said: “I have traveled considerable in my time, and enjoy it when I’m on a sleeper.” “Much more comfortable iu a sleeper," said the old fellow. “What business are you in?” the pro teasor asked, again winking at the young companion. “I am a sleeping-car conductor,” said the old fellow, “and am taking the first day off I’ve had for five years." The professor glanced at his young com panion, but did not wink. BILL NYE AND JAY GOULD. The Humorist Pays His Respects to the Rich Philanthropist. It has been ten long, weary years since I last met Jay Gauld until I called upon him recently to renew the acquaintance and dis cuss the happy past, writes Bill Nye in the New York World. Ten years of patient toil and earnest endeavor on my part, ten years of philanthropy on his, have l>een tiled away in the grim and greedy hereto fore. Both of us have changed in that time, though Jay has changed more than I luive. Perhaps that is because lie has been thrown more in contact with change than I have. Still, I had changed a good deal hose years, for when I called at Irvines yes terday Mr. Gould did not rente. > le. Neither did the watchful, but overt i, dog in the front yard. Mr. Gould in comfort, in a cheery home, surrounded by Hire t help and a barbed wire fence. By wearing ready mode clothes, instead of having his clothes made especially for himself, he has been enabled to amass a good many millions of dollars with which he is enabled to buy things. Carefully concealing the fact that I had any business relations with the press, 1 gave my card to the person who does chores for Mr. Gould, and, apologizing for not having dropped in before, I took a seat in the spare room to wait for the great rail road magnate. Mi - . Gould entered the room with low, stealthy tread, and looked me over in a cur sory way and yet with the air of a connois seur. “I believe that I have never had the pleasure of meeting you before, sir," said the great railroad swallower and amateur philanthropist with a tinge of railroad lronv. “\es, sir, we met some ten years ago,” said I, lightly running my Angers over the keys of the piano in order to show him that I was accustomed to the sight of a piano. “I was then working in the rolling mill at Laramie City, Wyo., and you came to visit the mill, which was then operated by the Union Pacific Railroad Company. You don’t renietpber me because I have purchased a different pair of trousers since I saw you, and the cane which I wear this evening changes my whole appearance also. I re member you, however, very much.” “Well, if we grant all that, Mr. Nye, will you excuse me for asuiug you to what I am indebted for this call I" “Well, Mr. Gould.” said I, rising to my full height and putting my soft hat on the brow of the Venus de Milo, after which I seated myself opposite him in a degage Western way, “you are indebted to me for this call. That’s what you’re indebted to. But we will let that puss. We are not here to talk about indebtedness, Jay. If you are busy you noodn’t return this call till next winter. But I am here just to con verse in a quiet way, ns between man and man. To talk over the past, to ask you how your conduct is and to inquire if I can do you any good in anyway whatever. This is no time to snook pieces and ask in a gram matical way, ‘To what you ore indebted for this call V My main object in coming tin here was to take you by the hand and ask you how your memory is this spring? Judg ing from what l could hear, I was fed to be lieve that it was a little inclined to be slug gish mid atrophied days and to keep you awake nights. Is that, so, Jay/” “No, sir; that is nflt so.” “Very well, then, I have lieen misled by the reports in the papers, and I am glad it is all a mistake. Now, one thing more tie fore I go. Did it ever occur to you that while you and-your family are all out in your yacht together some day, a sudden squall, a quick lurch of the lee scuppers, a tremulous movement of the main brace, a shudder of the spring boom might occur, and all be over?” “Yes, sir; I have often thought of it, and, of course, such a thing might happen at any time. But you forget that while we are out on the broad ami boundless ocean w-- enjoy ourselves. We are free. People with mor bid curiosity eanuot come and nail on us. We cannot get the daily newspapers, and we do not have to meet low, vulgar people who pay their debts and perspire.” “Of course, that is one view to take of it; but that is only a selfish view. Supposing that you have made no provision for the fu ture in casoof accident. Would it not be well for you to name someone outside of your own family to take upthegroatburden which is now weighing you down —this money which you say yourself has made a slave of you —and look out for It? Have you ever considered this matter seriously and settled upon a good man who would lie willing to water your stock for you, and so conduct your affairs that nobody would get any benefit from your vast accumulation, anil in every way carry out the policy which you have inaugurated? “If you have not thoroughly considered this matter I wish that you would do so at an early date. I have in my mind’s eye just such a man ns you need. His shoulders arc well fitted fora burden of this kind,and he would pick it up cheerfully ut any time you see fit to lay it down. I will give you liis address.” “Thank you,” said Mr. Gould, as the thermometer in tho next room suddenly froze up and burst with a loud report. “And now, if you will excuse me from off setting my time, which is worth SSOO a minute, against your, which I judge to be worth about $1 per week, I will bid you good morning.” He then held the door open for me, and shortly after tliat I came away. There were three reasons why I did not remain, but the princqial reason was that I did not think ho wanted me to do so. The Prince Not Hopeful. From a London Letter. The Prince of Woles is, perhaps, the firmest friend of America among the Eng lish. He is a man of the world, more Par isian when in Faria than the Parisians, but his open sympathy with Americajis is found ed upon a shrewd forecast of the future To one of his suite, now resident in New York, the Prim* stated in plain terms that he never expected to be the King of England, nor did he leave his interlocutor doubtful os to whether ho meant that his mother would outlive him or that England was destined to become a Republic. “Another nail in the coffin of the Monarchy,” he sentent iously remarked when the engagement of the Princess Louise to the Marquis of I/)rne was announced to him. The Prince is far from lieing the careless pleasure-seeker that ho is too often represented. He is a thought ful observer and student of events, and comprehends as well as anybody else the tendencies of the times. If be makes the best of toe present, it is evident that lie is anxiously making friends for the future, and seeking to stand well with all parties and all classes in case of'emergencies. This is one of the most pregnant lessons of the Jubilee year. LEMON ELIXIR. A Pleasant Lemon Drink. Fifty cents and one dollar per bottle. Sold by druggists. Prepared by H. Mozley, M. D., Atlanta. Ga. For biliousness and constipation take Lemon Elixir. For indigestion and foul stomach take Lemon Elixir. For sick and nervous headaches take Lem on Elixir. For slwpleesness and nervousness take Lemon Elixir. For loss of appetite ami debility take Lemon Elixir. For fevers, chills and malaria, take iymon Elixir, all of which diseases arise from a tor pid or diseased liver. A Prominent Minister Writes. After ten j eers of <m<n suffering from indigestion, with great nervous prostration, biliousness, disordered kidneys and constipa tion, I have boon cured by four bottles of Dr. Mosley's I/jnion Elixir; and am now a well man. Kev. C. C. Davis, Eld. M. E. Churclf South, No. 28 Tattnall Atlanta, Ga. PHILOSOPHY AND MUSIC. How Mr. Devine Intends to Effect • Praiseworthy Combine This Sum* mer. From the Chicago New*. “There is to be a school of summer phi losophy in Milwaukee next August,” said Mr. William M. Devine yesterflay. “I have just received this inqsirtant cir cular from the business managors of the affair.” Mr. Devine exhibited the following inters esting announcement: “Milwaukee, Wml, June I .—To All Whom. It .Mon Concern: Sealed proposal# for the supply of the following article# for the Milwaukee school of summer philosophy are hereby invited: “Two hogsheads pink lemonade. “Two hogsheads root beer. “One barrel of sweet-apple cider. “One bushel of cheokerberrie#. “Twelve gallons of tea (hot). “One cast' of condensed milk. “Fifty pounds A1 sugar (brown). “Two hundred and fifty pounds pork an<| lieans (cold). “Six dozen loaves graham bread. “Two hundred packages winter green lozenge#. “Twelve dozen dried-beef sandwiches, i “One barrel cucumlier pickles. ‘Twenty dozen apple pit's. “Twenty dozen dried huckleberry pie*. “One barrel of applesauce. “Two hundred pounds maple sugar. “One gross cold codfish halls. “Bids will he opened at high noon, July 12, 1887. Dexter Fisher, Manager." "I understand,” said Mr. Devine, “that this Mi 1 waukee sch<ml of summer philosophy is a high-toned doings—tiigh-toneder even than our Thomas summer concerts. I think that I shall have to put in a bid for these supplies; but I don’t expect ,to make any money by it, for if I get tho contract I shall hove to unpirt a good many of tiie articles* and with this infamous inter-state com merce bill in vogue that will be very ex pulsive. You see that brown sugar, dried beef, apph'saue'e, cold fish balls, and dried huckleberry pies ain't indigenous to any where but New England, and I don’t suppose that the railroad commission would give me special freight rates, would they ? “T am going to he the caterer for th Thomas concerts this summer,” continued Devine. “I have done so well in tho pastj tliat I have lieen retained. The last time he was here Mr. Thomas said to me: ‘De vine, me boy,’ says he, ‘your sandwiches and my music is gradually lifting Chicago up to the highest concert pitch of refines incut.’ Then he added: “Jest a Little more ham between the bread this season, please.” ‘And butter;’ I asked. ‘No, no butter yet,’ says he. ‘We must be careful not to spring too much refinement tooncet! Work it up, me boy; work it up as lam doing. A little more ham this season, and may be next season they w ill stand th butter." All on Account of the Baby. From the Ttrronto (Jlobc. A baby up on North avenue was the In nocent cause of a great deal of misery the other day. Its mamma had sat the little fel low down on tho floor to amuse himself, while she “cleaned tho house.” To keep the baby quiet, mnmnia gave him a small spool and a ring with a diamond in it. In a few minutes mamma turned around to see what made the baby cough so. and saw tliat he did not have either the ring or the spool. Hhe dropped a fine piece of Egyp tain jewelry, breaking it into as many pieces as there are freckles on the face of a red-headed girl, and then began to search around for the spool and ring. “I wonder what he did with them?” she asked, as she liegau searching under the infant. Just then he gave a tromendou# cough. His mamma grabbed him by the feet, held him upside down and beat his back, scream ing for help, for the doctor, and for every body at once. The baby gained his voice in the general excitement, anil began to exercise its lungs for all he was worth, mingling hi# tremendous howls with violent fits of cough ing. “O, my baby is dying; he is choking to death,” exclaimed mamma, as the neighbor* rushed in. “Will some of you ruu for a doc tor quickly? What shall I do? 0, my pet, my darling!” A young lady, as soon as she found outsj what the rapacious youngster had swal-i lowed, started off like a pin-,, of chain lightning to get adoctor, while her loosened hair streamed bravely out behind. Tho servant girl sailed away like a sound steamer after a stomach pump, wbilo five neighbors started off for vomiting materials. “Better nut him in hot water," said tbs old laily who talks alto. “Give him ipecac,’ said another. “Let me run my finger down his throat and feel for the tilings,” said another. Hhe pried the liaby’s mouth open liko, splitting a knot of vvisxi, and txgun to work her hand towards the immortal liver of tli* screaming infant. The Imby stopped cry ing for one brief moment in the astonish ment he experienced by feeling something going in the direction of hD youthful diges tive machinery. Then a look of pain came into his face, bis eyes bulged out and hi# jaws came together like a fox trap, burying his foui- new teeth in the lady's finger, cau+* iug her to make some hasty remarks which the old maid of the neigh borhood resolved to report to tho pastor. The lady stuck her finger in her mouth to suck the blood off, anil went for homo, remarking that a revolver would be the best thing for such a baby. In the meantime the baby cried louder, and his mamma hail fainted. The doctor came and felt of the baby 1 # pulse and found it beating a!! right, looked at the tongue, pried his mouth open with a lance handle, called another doctor in to consult, gave four powders, which he said were to lie given every fifteen minutes: to nauseate him by degrees, and left saying he’d call in an hour. Ail the ladies saia tho doctor was a brute, and that the little dar ling was sinking fast, which wm not borne out by tho ilower of the infant's yells as he was kept passing around in ai ms. His ratnci had arrived just before the doc tor left, and said: "I don’t lielieve anything is the matter with him except so much rough handling and pounding. ’ t “O, yon unnatural father,” said the mother, going into hysterics; “you'll feel sorry when the little fellow is no more, and repent of your hard-heartedness.” “Well, he don’t cry like it, anyway. I’m going to search him;” and all the ladies snrieltisl as he took his yelling heir and be gan to look all about him, while everybody protested that he was only hastening the end. The father opened one of the clinched fists of the baby and found the ring; in the other, after wrenching it open, be found the miool. “Beautiful mess you've all made of this! Two doctor’s bills and a big drug bill for nothing! And to have me to come tearing through Austin with no hat on, in my shirt sleeves, and one of my suspenders flying, while all the state had its eye on uie! Fine spectacle to make of your huslmnd, eh?” And lie put the now laughing tiatiy dov.-u and went off, while the neighbors all left and said: “It’s a sin the way some men do." Economy the Only Consideration. Scene at the South Florida railroad depot at Orlando, recently: “Gimme a ticket to Macon, Ga.” “Here you are sir; sl4 20," replied the polite ticket-seller. “Will I huve to have a health certiflcateP 1 “Yes.” “How much will It cost I” “Twenty-five cents.” “Whew! How much to Key WastP “Fourteen dollars.” "Will 1 need a ivrtiflcate?" ■ “No.” “Gimme a ticket to Key West." Static. the famous Yale pitcher, expect# to become a preacher of the Gospel. 11