The morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, June 12, 1887, Page 11, Image 11
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