nmiHHHnnB^ LI B RA FLY OF THE U N I VERS ITY Of ILLINOIS PRESENTED BY Franklin W. Scott 1946-1947 928.1 D44? 1884 Presented to The University of Illinois Library of Journalism Franklin W. Scott Mr: h tit r j -i i i i i "t l ~T~1 • .if j~i LuT-T-l' lilt. U-i-J 4 • !-h- 1 r v : .-juL'm::-:. abfcrrsV^ « * •;«'?*: xSJrfy --L , - - ■ ■ -*. -Th'V - r - ■■ • r\ ■ ■ • • ; r jnrj M r ;TD ; .j- •••+•» ■t#; * - .v-': a VjWff - Return this book on or before the Latest Date stamped below. A charge is made on all overdue b0 ° kS ‘umversity of Illinois Library Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Alternates https://archive.org/details/fiftyyearsamonga00derb_0 Eng * cy GecE. Perms ,N York. FIFTY YEARS AMONG AUTHORS, BOOKS AND PUBLISHERS. J. G. DEEBT. all of which I saw, And part of which I was.” NEW YORK: COPYRIGHT, 1884, BY G. W. Carleton & Co., Publishers , LONDON I S. LOW, SON & CO. MDCCCLXXXIV. TROW'S PRINTING AND BOOKBINDING COMPANY, NEW YORK. Stereotyped by 8amuel Stoddbk, 42 Dey Street, N. Y. A>44 4- I 2 2 4 CONTENTS. INTRODUCTORY. A Book Clerk at Fifteen — Why and how this Volume was written — Early Business Career— Becomes a Book Publisher — Origin of Bancroft’s California Bookstore — Author’s removal to New York — Continues a Successful Book Publisher — The Book Publisher’s Festival — United States Agent for Paris Ex- position — The Century Club — Commodore Vanderbilt’s Steamship — William Orton and other Friends 21 HENRY IVISON. Early apprenticeship to William Williams of Utica — Opens a book store in Auburn — S. Wells Williams — Ex-Gov. Throop, and the Albany Regency — President Van Buren on a fence — Mr. Seward and AVashington Irving — Ivison removes to New York — Mark H. Newman & Co. — Newman & Ivison — Sad death of John C. Ivison — Ivison, Phinney, Blakeman & Co. — The thirty-day credit system — He astonishes Trubner & Co., London — Immense sales of school-books — Retires with an ample fortune 49 WILLIAM H. SEWARD. Early recollections of Mr Seward — He meets General Lafayette and Washington Irving — Elected Gov- ernor of New York — Seward, Weed, and Greeley — Writes Life of John Quincy Adams — General Taylor advised — Solomon Northrup kidnapped — Murder of the Van Nest family — Eloquent defense of William Freeman — The Trial published in book form — Gladstone’s compliment — Irrepressible Conflict and Higher Law — J. G. Whit- tier’s poetical tribute — Author appointed U. S. dispatch agent — Attempted assassination of Mr. Seward — Dr. Verdi’s thrilling ac- count — Interesting anecdotes — AVonderful journey around the world — Mr. Seward’s death — His monument in Madison Square 56 HARPER & BROTHERS. First call on Harper & Brothers — Their early business hours — Anecdotes of their early home — James Harper’s fund of Humor — Elected Mayor — His lesson to hackmen — Accident causing his death — John Harper’s fondness for horses— Will [vii] 8 CONTENTS. not work on Sunday — Honored life and peaceful death — Wesley Harper the beloved brother — First visit to a theatre — Fletcher Har- per’s great achievement — Thurlow Weed’s shrewdness — Fletcher Harper’s noted Monday dinners— His death greatly mourned — The present firm — Traditions of the founders 86 S. G. GOODRICH. Peter Parley’s celebrated stories for chil- dren — Mr. Goodrich’s first experience as a publisher — Is sold himself instead of the book McFingal — Early aid to Nathaniel Hawthorne — How Twice Told Tales was published — A child thinks Peter Parley a humbug — Older heads disenchanted — His Natural History and Prof. Agassiz — Drinks wine with Walter Scott — Lockhart's opinion of Cooper’s novels — Wonderful circulation of Peter Parley’s Tales — Mr. Goodrich’s sudden death 110 FRANK B. GOODRICH. DickTinto and New York Times — The Court of Napoleon — Beauties, Wits and Heroines — Women of Beauty — Magnificent Tribute Book — Literary talents inherited.. .123 HORACE GREELEY. Horace Greeley’s New Yorker — Founder of the New York Tribune — Meets Thomas McElrath — Writes Author about Loco-Focos — Solon Robinson’s Hot Corn — His American Con- flict — Recollections of a Busy Life — Home at Chappaqua — Phoebe Cary visits Him — His Opinion of Thurlow Weed — Robert Bonner Captures Horace Greeley — How Greeley and McElrath crossed a Ferry — Closing Incidents of his Life — Death of Horace Greeley — Banker Poet Stedman’s Tribute to his Memory 127 THOMAS McELRATH. McElrath and Bangs — First American reader of “Don Juan” — Practices Law with Judge Daly — Enters Methodist Book Concern — Partnership with Horace Greeley — Great success of the Tribune — Prominent Seward Whig — Tribune Building Destroyed by Fire — Escape of R. M. Strebeigh — McElrath as an Author — President of Nassau Bank — Official Positions — Anecdote of Greeley — Preparing Reminiscences 141 WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT. The foremost American citi- zen— Grand reception at the State Capitol — Visits Governor Tilden — Habits of daily life — City and country— Never knew a sick day — His Autobiography — History of the United States — Library of Poetry and Song — Picturesque America — President of Century Club — Grand testimonial by its members — His Opinion of Tilden and Hayes — Prob- ably voted for Tilden — “ Thanatopsis ” — “A Pagan Poem ” — “The Waterfowl ” — Relations with Weed and Greeley — Statute of Mazzini — Delivers his last Oration — Fatal accident to Mr. Bryant — His Death — Impressive Funeral Services — Feeling Address by his Pastor, Rev. Dr. Bellows — Commemorative Services 150 D. APPLETON & CO. The Infinitely Great and the Infinitely Little — Daniel Appleton and Jonathan Leavitt — A Sailor calls for a Peck of Gospel Seeds — William H. Appleton’s Two Voyages to CONTENTS. 9 Europe — Interesting Anecdotes — Timely Advice of a Friend — A Cor- dial Appleton Embrace — Daniel Appleton goes to Europe— Astonishes John Bull — Secures great Bargains in Paris — Author’s first Call on the Appleton’s — Publication of Picturesque America — The American Cyclopedia — Cost over Half a Million Dollars — Enormous Sales— Pusey and Darwin raise a Storm — Warning from Bishop Whitting- ham — Immense Sale of Seward’s Travels — General Sherman on Book Canvassers — Beaconsti eld’s Lothair Secured by Cable — Profes- sor Y ouman’s Scientific Enterprise — John A. Appleton’s business Habits and Christian Character — Generous Church Contributions — “ John was the best of all of us ” — His peaceful Death 173 GEORGE RIPLEY AND CHARLES A. DANA. Mr. Dana suggests a new Cyclopedia — Becomes, with George Ripley an Editor in chief — “A walking Cyclopedia ’’—The American Cyclopedia illustra- ted — Quarter of a million dollars copyright — Literary Editor of the Tribune — Death of Mr. Ripley — Only Poem ever written by him — Mr. Dana Assistant Secretary of War — Return to Journalism — Purchases the New York Sun — Dana’s Household Book of Poetry — “The Sun which shines for all.” 193 ROBERT BONNER. Founding the Ledger — A Million Dollars Paid for Advertising — His Country Seat for Sale, Mosquitos, Fever and Ague included — His Pluck and Persistency Captures Fanny Fern — Brilliant List of Contributors — Pays Henry Ward Beecher $30,000 for writing “Norwood” — Fanny Fern’s Child and Grandchild Con- tributors — Bonner’s Liberality to Authors — His Novel Way of Adver- tising — The Ledger Captures Fletcher Harper’s Children — Bonner’s Two Mottoes — His Test of Authors by their MSS. — Why he Drives Fast Horses — Generous Aid to Mr. Beecher 200 FANNY FERN. — Fanny Fern’s bright and pungent Sketches — Witty, tender and touching — Living in destitution in Boston — A Proposition which surprises her — Oliver Dyer, the Friend in Need — How Derby & Miller became her Publishers — Why she called herself Fanny Fern — Great success of her first Book — Soliloquy to her old Inkstand — Fanny Fern sends Burglars after Bonner — Visits Beecher’s early Home — Beecher’s Recollections of Fanny Fern’s School Days — Letters to her Publisher — Supposed Portrait of her Brother, N. P. Willis — “ I like you and your writings.”. 208 JAMES PARTON. A modern Plutarch — First literary effort — N. P. Willis his first patron — Mason Brothers’ liberal offer — Writes Life of Horace Greely — His other famous biographies — A pains-taking Historian with “British pluck.” 220 THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH. Calls on the Author with his first Verses — A Friend who never had so much of one Thing he wanted so little of — Becomes Reader of MSS. for his Publisher — Gets Five Dollars for “ Baby Bell ” — The young autocrat Editor taken by Surprise — Desk of Edgar Allen Poe — Aldrich pays for his Morning 10 CONTENTS Naps — How Carleton’s Trade-Mark was selected — The “ Story of a Bad Boy,” his own Career — Hawthorne’s delicate Tribute — Memento to his lirst Publisher — Nocturne 227 GEORGE W. CARLETON. Publisher, Author and Artist — Two Little Cherubs with a big load to carry — Immortalization of Miss Flora McFlimsey, of Madison Square — Authorship disputed — Carleton adds fuel to the fire — Professor Ingraham’s Tragic Death — Publishes Aldrich’s “ True Love,” and finds his Trade-mark — Victor Hugo’s “ Les Miserables,” and Michelet’s Translations — Carleton in the Crockery business — Artemus Ward takes Brandy and Water — Lecture to Brigham Young and One Wife — Enormous sale of Josh Billings’ Alminax 235 ALICE AND PHCEBE CARY. Sweet and Musical Name— Alice Earns Her first Ten Dollars — Pictures of Memory — Griswold, Greeley and Whittier — Noted Literary Writers — Reminiscences of Savage and Wight — Mary Clemmer’s Memorial — Alice Cary Wades in Clover — Her Countless Little Namesakes — The Carys at Husking Bee — Phoebe Cary’s Witticisms — The Yankee in China — Her Beauti- ful Hymn “Nearer Home” — Monument to the Cary Sisters 245 H. O. HOUGHTON— HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN & CO. River- side Press and its founder — The “ Printer’s Devil ” and Noah Web- ster — Young Houghton becomes Editor — Burning of the Ocean Monarch — Houghton raises his first Capital — Timely aid from Ala- bama — “ I married your Wife’s Cousin ” — Founds the Riverside Press — Consolidation of Firms — Atlantic Monthly is Born — Meets Alice and Phoebe Cary — Three Famous Festivals — Whittier Dinner — Holmes’ Breakfast — Stowe Party — Disappointed lady Contributors — Riverside Press Employees — Cambridge a Happy Home 271 JOHN WILEY. John Wiley a familiar name — His Father travels with Cooper — Publishes his “Spy” and Pioneer” — The Bread and Cheese Club — Bryant, Paulding, Halleck among the Mem- bers — John Jacob Astor too poor to buy eggs — Forms Partnership with Putnam — Publishes John Ruskin’s Works — Successful Pub- lisher — His Golden Wedding 292 GEORGE PALMER PUTNAM. In the Front Rank of Publish- ers — Fellow Clerk with William H. Appleton — Becomes an Author at Eighteen — Starts a Branch in London — Effectually refutes Allison, the Historian — Bayard Taylor applies for aid — Beginning of a long- lived Friendship — Edgar A. Poe astonishes the Natives — James Rus- sell Lowell’s Fables — The “ Wide Wide World” and “Providence” — Becomes Irving’s Publisher — Astonishes John Bull with “ Sketch Book” — Establishes Putnam’s Magazine — First Advocate of Inter- national Copyright — Prince Albert, Irving and Putnam — Irving’s First and only Love — Thackeray Lectures at Yonkers — Mr. Putnam’s CONTENTS. 11 Sudden Death Mourned and Greatly Regretted — G. P. Putnam’s Sons 299 GEORGE BANCROFT. Bancroft’s History began fifty years ago — Author states his plans at the outset — His steady application and persistence — Important literary assistance in Europe — Meets Thiers, Guizot and other historians — Lord Byron gives him Don Juan — Makes an Effective revenue Collector — Gives Hawthorne his first clerkship — Prescott’s Appeal and Daniel Webster’s rebuff — Ban- croft and Emerson, like brothers — Meets Washington Irving in France — Sees the Sketch-book in MS. — Mr. Bancroft’s great library — Its possible destination — Founds the United States Naval Academy — Completes his History of the United States 321 GEORGE WILLIAM CHILDS. Name of Mr. Childs a household word — Becomes a bookseller’s clerk — Author first meets him — Metes out retributive Justice — Gives a great banquet at Continental — Early characteristics of Childs — He never lost a friend — Despises meanness and hates a liar — “ I shall yet be owner of the Public Ledger” — Publishes Dr. Kane’s famous book — Allibone’s great Dictionary of Authors — Mr. Child’s boundless Charities — Interesting letters re- ceived at the Banquet — Wonderful Success of the Ledger — Haw- thorne sends Childs the Scarlet Letter — James T. Fields gives its History — Death of William D. Ticknor — Nathaniel Hawthorne soon follows — Charles Dickens invites Childs to Gad’s Hill — Childs erects a Monument to Poe — Childs and Drexel not unlike Cheeryble Brothers 333 HENRY J. RAYMOND. Four great Editors who became Au- thors, Bryant, Greeley, Weed and Raymond — Founding the “New York Times” — Raymond contributes “ all he owed ” to the Capital Stock — George Jones an Albany Bookseller — Raymond elected Lieut Governor of New York — Challenged by William L. Yancey — Ex- tracts from Raymond’s Journal — Nominates Andrew Johnson for Vice-President — Great Sale of Raymond’s “ Life of Lincoln” — Fare- well Dinner — Miles O’Reilly got all down and more too — Beecher’s Letter to Dana — Raymond’s Speech at Dickens’ Banquet — His sudden death — Beecher’s Eloquent Tribute at his Funeral 352 GEORGE JONES. George Jones assumes control of the Times — When $100,000 would have been cheap — Edwin B. Morgan his chief associate — Breaks up the Tammany Ring — Tweed wanted to buy the Times — Not for sale at any price — The Tribute Book — Hud- son’s Splendid Tribute to Jones 363 CHEVALIER WII^OFF. Thurlow Weed’s Letter about Wikoff — The Latter’s Courtship of Jane Gamble — Becomes a Roving Diplo- matist — Meets Many Celebrities — James Gordon Bennett Startles Him — Brings Fanny Ellsler to America — Charles Sumner and Fanny 12 CONTENTS. Ellsler — Intimate Friend of Napoleon — Chevalier Wikoff finds his Publisher — The Consequences of his Courtship — Imprisoned for Abduction — Reminiscences of an Idler — Dies at Brighton 368 G. & C. MERRIAM. Author first meets them forty years ago — George Merriam surprises the author — A great undertaking — Well advertised — Get the Best — Three thousand engravings added — Untold number of copies sold — Busy fingers of girls, women and men — George Merriam visits negro schools and churches — “ Do it now ” — “ Done it now ” — “ Do it yesterday ” — A good man dies — Present members of the firm — Splendid Summary of the Unabridged. . . .377 J. B. LTPPINCOTT. Early Business Experience — Buys out Grigg & Elliott — Important Publications — Pronouncing Gazetteer of the World — Secures Publications of Prescott’s Works — Angry War Threats of Southerners — Lippincott’s long look ahead — Builds Spa- cious New Quarters — Allibone’s Dictionary of Authors — Discovers “ Ouida ” to be a Woman — “Held in Bondage” — Prefers Thack- eray’s writings to all others — Mr. Lippincott a good traveler 382 AUGUSTA J. EVANS WILSON. A Young Southern Author ess MS. of “ Beulah ” accepted — A fiery Young Southerner — “ Didn’t I tell you so?” — Immense Success of “Beulah” — Macaria appears in War Time — Liberality of Lippincott — “A Lady is waiting to see you ” — The Author agreeably surprised — St. Elmo — Vashti — Infelice — Nearly $100,000 Copyright — Happy Home in Mobile — Woman Suffrage — Good Influence of her Books 389 JOHN ESTEN COOKE. Best representative of Southern Au- thorship — Whole edition of first book burned — Novelist, Historian and Biographer — An Author with many Publishers — Poets and Poe- try of the South — Stonewall Jackson’s Life written on the Battlefield — General Lee gives His Consent — “I have Loved thee ever dearly, Florence Vane” — Washington Irving’s gardener says, “ It’s Twins ! It’s Twins !” — Anecdotes of Thackeray and G. P. R. James — His happy Home in Virginia 400 B. P. SHILLABER (Mrs. Partington). How Mrs. Partington looks — Ancient Motherly Woman with Cap and Spectac les — Wonder- ful Popularity of her Sayings — The Origin of her Book — How a Bonanza struck the author — Rich as Vanderbilt or Gould— Artemus Ward — Miles O’Reilly — John G. Saxe 407 MIRIAM BERRY WHITCHER (Widow Bedott). Joseph Neal’s Charcoal Sketches — Charles Dickens appropriates them — George P. Putnam’s Statement — “Widow Bedott” discovered — Miriam Berry, a young country girl, the author — “ Bursting into tits CONTENTS. 13 of laughter ” — Alice B. Neal becomes Alice B. Haven — Popularity of “Cousin Alice” — One hundred thousand Bedott Papers sold — “ Widow Bedott ” a household god 413 GEORGE D. PRENTICE (Prenticiana). Prentice and the Louisville Journal — Brilliant wit in paragraphs — A few Specimen Bricks — Encourages young Writers — Author first meets Prentice — Prentice defies Mike Walsh — “ You have skinned me from the crown of my head to the sole of my feet ” — “ I cannot kill a disarmed man ” Prentice gives Whittier his first start — “ We’ve shared each other’s smiles and tears” 419 CHARLES G. HALPINE (Miles O’Reilly). A Young Irish Poet appears — Chuck full of Wit and Humor — Lyrics by the Letter “H” — “Haul down the Starry Flag” — Sambo’s right to be kilt — Private Miles O’Reilly settles it — Major Halpine warns Lincoln — A night ride with Miles OTteilly — “Oh ! Chemisette ! the fairest yet ” — Miles O’Reilly elected Register of New York — Halpine’s unexpected Death — Forney’s Tribute to his Memory 426 JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS. Best Delineator of Negro Cha- racter — A Successful Writer of African Humor — Author of “Uncle Remus ” not born in Africa — Folk-lore in the Old Plantation — Squir- rels, Jay-birds, and Wood-peckers — A Printing-Office in the Woods — General Sherman wipes it out — William H. Seward teaches School in Georgia — Harris meets author of Major Jones’ Courtship — Charles A. Dana and John Bigelow — Wonderful Tar Baby Story 433 CHARLES SCRIBNER. A. C. ARMSTRONG. Baker & Scribner embark in the Book Business — The old Brick Church and Times Building — Andrew Armstrong as a young man — Wonderful Success of Headley’s Books — N. P. Willis’ Queer Book Titles — Ik Marvel a Successful Author — A $100,000 Undertaking — Death of Charles Scribner — Marion Harland’s “Common Sense” — Death of Blair Scribner and Edward Seymour — Encyclopedia Britannica — Five Million Dollars’ Worth Sold — Charles Scribner’s Sons 441 THE BEECHER FAMILY. Lyman Beecher and his Gifted Children — Remarkable family of Authors — Six Sermons on Intempe- rance — The aged Pastor’s Return — A young Wife at seventy-five — Catherine Beecher as an Author — Gayest, kindest and merriest of Women — Tragic Death of her Lover — Her success as a Teacher — Yankee Girls go West to get married — Edward Beecher as an Author — “We’re going to give you Hell to-morrow ” — A religious and com- mercial standpoint — George Beecher’s wonderful Memory — How Henry Ward was cheated — Tragic Death of George Beecher 446 HARRIET BEECHER STOWE. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s fame as an Author — Immense Sale of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” — Its Publi- cation in all Languages — Magnificent Testimonial to its Author — 14 CONTENTS. “ Uncle Tom was given to me -“ I will have some supper” — Arch- bishop What eley, Gladstone and Dean Alford — They praise “The Minister’s Wooing ” — Professor Stowe an Author 452 HENRY WARD BEECHER. Henry Ward Beecher as an Au- thor — Great Success of his Star Papers — Beecher and Randolph the Publisher — Beecher’s fame in England — Rev. Dr.vParkers Testi- mony — Rather be executed than read the Book — How Henry Ward began to buy Books — Martin Van Buren hears him preach — “Trousers did not set very well ” — Beecher’s attachment to Bonner — He smokes cigars with Stanton — Washington Irving hears bass to the tune of Thunder — A Texas Tribute to Henry Ward Beecher — Charles Beecher as an Author — Henry Ward Beecher and his Nephew — Mrs. Beecher’s “Dawn to Daylight ” — “ Motherly Talks ” — “All around the House ” 461 GEORGE E. BAKER. A Political Historian and Modern Bos- well — Life and Works of Seward — Founder of Prison Association — Disbursing Agent for State Department — An Excitement in the Cab- inet — Author startles Government Officials — James Gordon Bennett, Sen. — “ 1 guess it’s true, we’ll prent it” — Kossuth makes Daniel Web- ster Weep — Greeley proposes Bryant for Secretary of State — Splen- did Tribute to Seward’s Works • 477 FRANK B. CARPENTER. A great Historical Painter — Opens a Studio in New York — Conceives a Grand Picture — Friends appear in Time of Need — Reception by President Lincoln — “ We will turn you loose in here ” — The Cry of Ethiopia for Help — Pope’s Disaster at Bull Run — Emancipation Proclamation Issued — Immense Sale of the Picture — Mrs. Thompson’s Munificent Gift — Original Painting presented to the Government — Abraham Lincoln and Artemus Ward — Six Months in the White House 485 JEFFERSON DAVIS. “ Rise and Fall of the Confederate Gov- ernment” — A Visit to Jefferson Davis — Hospitable Reception at Beauvoir — A Yet Unfinished Book — Judge Tenny Comes to the Res- cue — Sarah A. Dorsey’s Bequest — The Ex-President’s Compliment- ary Letter — Ravages of Yellow Fevor — Noble Action of Northern People — A new Version of the Capture of Davis — Beautiful Home at Beauvoir 493 ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS. Stephens hears Seward Speak in 1854. — A Visit to Liberty Hall — It does not Belie its Name — “Re- tract, or I’ll Cut” — “Never ! Cut” — Devotion of Former Slaves to “Mars Aleck” — John Quincy Adams writes Verses to Stephens — The latter Opposes the War, then follows his State — Becomes Vice- President of Confederacy — Negro not equal to White Man — Illinois “ All Noise ” — Speech on Carpenter’s Picture — His Death while Gov- ernor of Georgia — Eloquent Tribute to His Memory 500 THURLOW WEED. Albany Evening Journal Fifty Years ago A Modern Warwick — Wiley & Putnam’s London House — Thurlow CONTENTS, 15 Weed’s Autobiography — Walking Barefoot through the Sno*7 — Ad- vocates School Libraries — Paulding and the Dutchman’s Fireside — Thurlow Weed writes a novel — Fenimore Cooper gets a Verdict — Noble Charity to Edwin Croswall — Thurlow Weed Barnes’ Final Me- moir Thurlow Weed and Abraham Lincoln 506 LEE AND -SHEPARD. A well known and popular Firm — William Lee as Clerk and Partner — He Sells out for $65,000 — John P. Jewett and “ Charlie” Shepard — Lee and Shepard become Part- ners — Anecdote of Emerson — “ I am waiting for the inspiration ” — “ Mrs. Emerson wants some Money to-day Phillips Sampson & Co. decline “Uncle Tom ” — Mrs. Stowe writes “ Dred” and takes a Glass of Wine — The Origin of the “ Atlantic Monthly” — Prescott, the His- torian, changes Publishers — Underwood as an Author — President Wayland finds a Publisher — “Oliver Optic’s” popularity — Lee, Shepard & Dillingham 517 ELIZABETH CLEMENTINE KINNEY. Mother of Stedman the Poet — Marries an Ambassador to Italy — The centre of Literary Society — Griswold’s Tribute to her Genius — She spends a day with the Brownings — Browning’s Romantic Marriage — Beautiful Tribute from her Son 526 EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN. The Poet as a Lad— Re- lated to Distinguished Authors — Famous Yale Class of ’53 — Seeks his Fortune in New York — Wakes up to find himself Famous — Old January and Young May — Challenged to fight a Duel — Romantic ending of Diamond Wedding — Ballad of Lager Bier — How old Brown took Harper’s Ferry — First meets Bayard Taylor and Stod- dard — Wall Street’s place in Poetry — New Literary Enterprise. . .530 FREDERICK S. COZZENS. Pleasant Memoirs— Irving, Hal- leck and Thackeray — The Sparrowgrass Papers — The Horse that had the Heaves — Richard Hayward and his Friends — Irving’s opinion of Sparrowgrass — “It Drops from him like Whiskey” — Thackeray at the Century Club — “The Song that Martin Luther Sung ” — Washing- ton and Astor’s Spectacles — “Please give me some Gapes” — Hal- leck’s opinion of Cozzens — “ To my big Sweetheart ” — “ But the Bit- ter keeps on and on” 538 ELIZABETH OAKES SMITH. Literary Celebrities Forty Years Ago — “ The Sinless Child ” — Charles Fenno Hoffman — Edgar Allan Poe’s Criticisms — “Gentle she was and full of Love” — Poe Talks about the “Raven” — A Love-letter to the Poet — Mrs. Smith as an Author — Tribute from George D. Prentice 545 ABRAHAM HART. Popular Publisher of Standard Works Books — A Clerk at Thirteen — A. Partner at Eighteen — A stage-coach full of Books — Triumph over Harpers — Fenimore Cooper makes a failure — David Crockett “ Fodder, or no fodder” — Crockett’s Adven* 16 CONTENTS. tures in Texas — Captain Marryat makes a failure — Fanny Kemble’s Portrait on a finger-nail — Longfellow collects copyright promptly — Griswold and his poetical volumes — Grand Dinner to Abraham Hart, Washington Irving and Moses Thomas — Abraham Hart’s quiet Retirement 550 HENRY CAREY BAIRD. Becomes Partner at Twenty — Earliest Publisher of technical books — A Student of Political Economy — Fenimore Cooper — Dr. Francis Lieber — “No Right without its Duty” — “No Duty* without its Right” — Baird meets William Wordsworth — Copyright Laws a bundle of Absurdities 558 MARION HARLAND. A call from the Father of the Author — “ Marion Harland ” a young Virginian — Enormous sale of “ Alone ” — • “ The Hidden Path,” another success — Tribute of Anna Cora Ritchie — A big fire and an Author’s loss — “Common sense in the Household ” — What one Publisher gains another loses — Copyright of one book, and Governor’s salary — A Christmas visit to Richmond — Letter from Marion Harland to her first Publisher 5G8 MIRIAM COLES HARRIS. How Manuscripts should come to Publishers — Rejected by one House, Accepted by Another — A Heroine without a Name — “Rutledge” an instantaneous Success — Attributed to many Authors — Her Portrait in “ Vanity Fair ” — Mrs. Harris a suc- cessful Writer 568 MARY J. HOLMES. Immense Sale of her Novels — Large Sums received in Copyright — A Precocious Writer — Early Marriage and Literary Success — Income from Authorship, Ten Thousand a Year — Why so Popular an Author — Like Topsy, “She growed so” — The Author’s Elegant Home — Beautiful Tribute from her Pastor 571 ALFRED S. BARNES. Friendship of Half a Century — Singular Coincidences — Young Barnes finds a New Home — Begins his Book Career — Professor Charles Davies — Becomes a School-Book Can- vasser — Afterwards a Large Publisher — His Motto — “ Good Books Only ” — A Successful Book House — Retires from Active Business — A Silver Wedding 575 CHARLES S. FRANCIS. A Book Publisher Eighty years old— A famous Boston house — Shakespeare Works and “ Mother Goose ” — De Witt Clinton, Aaron Burr and Audubon — A thousand-dollar publication — Southern planters buy expensive books — “ A new home, who’ll follow A notable Bookseller’s Festival — “I say, Mister, I guess you’re stuck !” — Washington Irving’s famous Speech — Mr. Francis gives a Toast. 580 J. S. REDFIELD. Another Veteran of the Book Trade — William Gilmore Simms and his Romances — Rufus W. Griswold’s friendly aid to Authors — Edgar Allan Poe finds a Publisher— Red- CONTENTS. 17 field’s defense of Griswold — “Give these young Scriblers Jesse” — Poe tells how he wrote the “Raven” — “You have more Brass in New York than we in Philadelphia ” 585 DANIEL BIXBY. A Publisher can keep a Hotel — A famous literary Resort — Fenimore Cooper’s city Home — Fitz Greene Hal- leck, and the Astors — Interesting Letter to Bixby — He meets Lon- don Celebrities — “ You see him before you now” — Bixby’s Retire- ment 590 RICHARD HENRY STODDARD. Mary Russell Mitford’s Trib- ute — Writes for Jack Downing’s “ Rover ” — Finds a Friend in N. P. Willis — Meets a Friend in Bayard Taylor — “ 1 am he” — “ My name is Stoddard ” — Stoddard receives his first Ten Dollars — Prints a Book and sells two Copies — Baron Humboldt and Bayard Taylor — Loves and Heroines of the Poets — Oliver B. Bunce and “ Don’t ” — Wittiest Woman in America — Distinguished Compliment from Bryant — The Wife of a Poet 595 REV. S. IRENEUS PRIME, D.D. Five Generations of a Book- Making Family — An Author who never sought a Publisher — Author- ized Life of Professor Morse — Dr. Prime on his Travels — A thousand a year from Harpers — How a Profound Secret is Kept — Printing Of- fice Destroyed by fire — Narrow Escape of the Editors — Quick Writ- ing and Quick Printing 604 REV. HENRY MARTYN FIELD, D.D. The Observer and the Evangelist — Early Life of Dr. Field — First Visit Abroad — Is a Wit- ness of the French Revolution of 1848 — “ Letters from Rome ” — Be- comes an Editor in New York “ History of the Atlantic Telegraph” and other Books — Becomes a Great Traveller — Journey round the World — Publishes “From the Lakes of Killarney to the Golden Horn ” — “ From Egypt to Japan ” — “ On the Desert,” and “ Among the Holy Hills.” 610 WILLIAM D. TICKNOR. A Publisher half a Century Ago — Begins to issue Belles-lettres Books — Pays Tennyson the first Copy- right — Manufacturing and Financial Partner — Intimate Relations with Hawthorne — “The Life of Franklin Pierce, I believe ” — Haw- thorne’s Travelling Companions — The “ Old Corner Book-Store. ”.616 JAMES T. FIELDS. The Author’s Friend, the Poet Publisher — Literary Landmark of Boston — “ This is the new Sensation book ” — Young Field’s early literary Habits — E. P. Whipple’s interesting Reminiscences — “ A few Verses for a few Friends” — Literary Circles thirty years ago — Letters to Miss Mitford — Retires from publishing Books — Successful career as a Lecturer — Death, and tributes to his Memory Memories of George William Curtis 619 SOME WASHINGTON FRIENDS. Hawthorne’s early Friend — How “Twice-Told Tales” was published — “We were lads to- 2 18 CONTENTS. gether ” — “ Journal of an African Cruiser” — Hawthorne’s 1 St Visit to Washington — Interesting letter from Commodore Bridge — What I saw in London — First Life of General Pierce — Hawthorne writes another — On the Ocean with Beecher and Chapin — Beecher sea-skk but “ Always abounding ” — Secretary of Chinese Embassy — Chilton’s Author and Artist Friends — Anecdote of Thackeray — “Knick Knacks from the Editor’s Table ” — Shelley’s Widow in love with Irving — Amusing Anecdote of Elliott — The progress of half a Cent- ury — Interesting letter from Frances E. Spinner — How an old Court was abolished and a new one Created — “A woman’s Letter from Washington ” — Mary Clemmer and Charles Sumner — A Novelist and a Poet — Death of Mary Clemmer Hudson — The Librarian of Con- gress — Spod'ord’s long Experience — The right Man in the right Place 630 NEW YORK VETERANS OF THE BOOK TRADE. A Pat- riarch among Publishers — A School-teacher turns Bookseller — Cheap- est book ever Published — Pluck and Enterprise Successful — Books for Sunday School Libraries — Peter Carter and Scotia’s Bards — Ran- dolph’s Letter to Irenseus — A Favorite Bookstore for New Yorkers — Two Donkeys for Motive Power — Randolph a Good Talker — “ What an Old Fellow You Are I” — Van Nostrand’s Military Books — Impor- tant Engineering Works — A Monarch in his Chosen Field — A fam- ous Law-Book House — Favorite resort of brilliant Lawyers — A book Clerk leaves the printing trade Agreeable relations with Authors — An historical Book House — The record of many Firms — “ In print or out of print ” — Oldest Book Printer in America — Trow’s City Di- rectory — Made University Printer — John Keese, the Witty Auction- eer — Fried, Roasted and Stewed — Charles Collins continues Busi- ness alone 649 JAMES R. RANDALL. The Author of “My Maryland ” — A Reconstructed Rebel — “ I see Thee ever in my Dreams” — Massa- chusetts Troops through Baltimore — A Famous Poem in Half an Horn- — One Hundred Dollars in Confederate Money — He heard it sung by a Russian Girl — An incident at Arlington 661 MARY ASHLEY TOWNSEND. “ The Most Brilliant Woman in New Orleans ” — An Author meets Her First Publisher—" XarifEa” and the “ Captain’s Story ” — “ And You Should Kiss My Eyelids ” — Down the Bayou and other Poems 667 LITTLE, BROWN & CO. Oldest book house in Boston — Augustus Flagg becomes a Partner — Death of James Brown — “ The Business he loved so well ” — Hillard’s Memoir of Brown — Mr. Flagg assumes Control — Active Career for quarter of a Century — Anecdote of Charles Sampson — Important Publications of the house — Russell of Charleston, and Berry of Nashville — Anecdotes of Story and Kent — “ And then look out for thunder !” — Choate not to be dunned for 3,000 years — Augustus Flagg retires from Business 670 JOHN BIGELOW. The Pathfinder to the Rocky Mountains — Charles A. Dana Protests — Bigelow has his Way — Both friends of CONTENTS. 19 Tilden — United States Minister to France — Extraordinary Discovery of Franklin’s MSS. — Bigelow Edits Franklin’s Autobiography — Friendly Advice to the Author 676 PARKE GODWIN. Interesting History of France — George Ripley's Literary Tribute — “ Out of the Past ” — Fine Sonnet to James T. Fields .'...681 GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS. The Howadji calls on Harper & Brothers — “ Stop, Young Man, don’t be in such a Hurry” — Lotus- Eating and Kensett — The humorous Potiphar Papers — The Lovely Young Maiden “ Prue ” — Editor-in-Chief of Harper’s Weekly — Author, Journalist, Statesman and Orator 683 BENSON J. LOSSING. A “Pictorial Author”— The Field- Book of the Revolution — General Putnam chased by British Troopers — Artistic and literary Life — Anecdote of Daniel Appleton — Contracts with George W. Childs — General Robert E. Lee and wife — Lossing’s History of New York City 686 MIRIAM FLORENCE LESLIE (Frank Leslie). “From Gotham to the Golden Gate ” — The Founder of Illustrated Journal- ism — Commodore Vanderbilt and Saratoga Lake — “ Go to my Office and sit in my place ” — “ I hear you want a good deal of Money ” — A fifty thousand dollar Friend in time of need — Excitement caused by Garfield’s Death — A Brave Woman and the Printer’s Strike — Rev. Dr. Deems and Rev. Dr. Talmadge — Thomas Nast and Jos. Keppler Employed by Leslie — A Woman’s capacity for Business 692 WILLIAM A. HAMMOND, M. D. An eminent Surgeon in a new Role — “Knows how to tell a Story” — Suppresses his first Novel — Great Book on Nervous Diseases — Dismissed as Surgeon- General — Restored to Office by Act of Congress — “ The best Friend the Soldier had” — “ A long-delayed but complete Triumph.” 697 FRANK VINCENT, JR. The Land of the White Elephant— Nehemiah Adams and the “Golden Fleece” — One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Miles of Travels — “ As many Burmese Wives as I wanted” — “ Through and through the Tropics” — Wonderful ruins of Cambodia — “New York the best place of all.” 701 ROSWELL SMITH— THE CENTURY CO. One of the pro- jectors of the “ Century ” — Bold enterprise in the publishing business — “ What hath God Wrought !” — Dr. Holland an experienced Jour- nalist — Great Success of the “ Century ” — Sport with Gun and Rod — President, Secretary, Treasurer and Editors .704 SOME GENERALS WHO BECAME AUTHORS. The hero of Lundy’s Lane — Author calls on the Lieutenant General — “ How do you spell it, sir ?” Interesting Letter to Thurlow Weed Sherman’s 20 CONTENTS. Army marching into Washington — The General salutes Secretary Seward — Sherman’s “Memoirs written by himself” — General Joe Johnston a modest Historian — Interesting letter from General Sher- man — “Military Operations of General Beauregard ” — An “ Indepen- dent ” opinion of the book — Editor of the Evangelist interviews Gen- eral Beauregard — “Oh, yes — I ’ear of Li— I spek of ’im to Bo’rgar” An interesting Biography — Rev. D. X. Junkin, D.D. — A Presiden- tial Candidate — “ The Democrats have made no Mistake this time ” — The Battle of Gettysburgh — “Trust in God and fear noth- ing.” 709 CONCLUSION. My Publisher’s Reminder — T. S. Arthur — Anna C. Botta — Laura C. Holloway — Rossiter Johnson — Richard B. Kim- ball — Albert Mathews — O. J. Victor — Metta Victoria Victor — Pro- fessor O. W. Wight — Emma De Long — Barry Gray — Curtis Guild — Jane Crawford Campbell — Ann S. Stephens — A. S. Roe — John Sav- age — Charles Nordhoff — General A. S. Webb — Margaret J. Preston — Madame A . de Chaudron — Maria Darrington Deslonde — Mary E. Bryan — Henry Watterson — R. M. Johnston — Madame Le Vert — A. J. Requier — H. L. Flash — Paul H. Hay ne— Gail Hamilton 719 INTRODUCTORY. A Boole, Cleric at Fifteen — Why and How this Volume was Written — Early Business Career — Becomes a Book Publisher — Origin of Bancroft's California Bookstore — Author's Removal to New York — Con- tinues a successful Book Publisher — The Book Pub- lisher's Festival — United States Agent for Paris Ex- position — The Century Club — Commodore Vander- bilt's Steamship — William Orton and other Friends. N the 10th of September, 1883, occurred the fiftieth anniversary of the day on which I was apprenticed to the bookselling business. Fifty years before, I had entered the bookstore of H. Ivison & Co., of Auburn, N. Y., to learn the business, for which I had a natural liking and in which I have been engaged to the present time.. It had been my purpose, at the suggestion of my chil- dren, to collect and place in order the numerous data and memoranda accumulated during my long and not unevent- ful life in the book world, that they would have what gratification and possible aid, my experience, through two busy generations might afford. My plan was to take ad- vantage of the perfection attained in stenography and by the use of the type-writer give each of my children a copy of my reminiscences. In the progress of my labor of love I submitted my manuscript to some of my most intimate friends, who in- sisted on a multiplication of copies beyond the prov- ince of the active type-writer. Added to this, my friend Carleton became so interested in the matter that he begged that he might publish the work in book form, and the [ 21 ] 22 INTRODUCTORY. result is the issue of this volume of my Recollections and Experiences. Thus an old Publisher makes his maiden bow to the public as an Author ! Auburn, as I recollect it, was an incorporated village of about five thousand inhabitants, and the bookstores consequently were not on a very large scale. Our store was well appointed, with a fair assortment of miscel- laneous books and stationery, to which was added a book- bindery in the rear. Although it was originally intended that I should also learn the bookbinder’s trade, my employer soon ascer- tained that I “couldn’t bind worth a cent,” but was better adapted to wait on customers in the store — to sell books rather than to bind them. About four months later he wrote my mother as follows : “Auburn, Jan. 4th, 1834. “ To Mrs. Derby : “Your son James has been with us a sufficient length of time, for him to determine whether he will be satisfied with the book business, and whether he will be sufficiently fond of it to warrant him in pursuing it. We are of opinion that if a boy is attached to his business he will invariably succeed, provided he has health and opportunities; if he is indifferent he never will succeed. As far as I have conversed with James he appears to think that he will be satisfied, and I am happy in saying that I have no cause for complaint in relation to him. With exertions which he has it in his power to make, he bids fair to become a useful man. It remains for you to determine whether he will still continue with us. We can arrange hereafter in relation to the terms.* “ Respectfully, “ H. Ivison & Co.” * Fifty years later Mr. Ivison writes me as follows : “ 12 West 48th Street, New York, Jan. 16, 1884. “Dear James : “I return the letters and papers much as you left them. You see I do not improve in my handwriting; that of yours is ex- cellent. I wish you every success with your enterprise. “Yours, H. Ivison.” INTRODUCTORY. 23 My mother called without delay and closed the con- tract with Mr. Ivison, which was that I should devote my- self during business hours to their interests, and receive a salary of fifty dollars per annum, including board in my employer’s family. Business hours in those days included all the hours from 7 a.m. until 9 o’clock in the evening. The bookstores were the natural resorts for the intelli- gent class of the community, who usually met there to dis- cuss the topics of the day or to learn of what was new in the book world, and among those who frequented our store were the professors and students of the Auburn Theologi- cal Seminary, who were good patrons as well. The books most in demand besides theological and school books were the then famous Waverly novels and the works of Fenimore Cooper and Washington Irving. After four years* experience in the bookselling business Mr. Ivison associated with himself a partner, from Conn., who very soon made it anything but agreeable for me to re- main with the new firm. My experience, however, soon gave me employment in the rival bookstore, then carried on by the Hon. Ulysses F. Doubleday, a prominent politician who had been twice elected to Congress from the Auburn district. On leaving my first employer, I received the following : “ To all whom it may concern. “ The bearer of this letter, James C. Derby, has been in my employ as a clerk during the last four years and I can cheerfully recommend him as a young man, honest and industrious, of good moral character and habits and of sound principles. I have al- ways found him trustworthy, and consider him as being possessed of fair business talents and as being a good salesman. “ II. Ivison, Jr. “Auburn, Nov. 28, 1837.” I remained with Mr. Doubleday about one year, when Mr. Ivison invited me to return to my “ first love/* he having severed his partnership with the gentleman from 24 INTRODUCTORY. Connecticut. My year with Mr. Doubleday was very pleasant, and, I believe, profitable to both parties. One of my daily companions was his son Abner, then preparing for the West Point Military Academy, from which he grad- uated with honor a few years later.* On leaving Mr. Doubleday (who soon after retired from the bookselling business), he gave me the following letter : “Auburn, August 31, 1838. “ This may certify that Mr. James C. Derby has been employed as a clerk in my bookstore for the past year, and by his activity, zeal and attention to my interests, has merited my highest appro- bation. He re-enters the employment of H. Ivison inconsequence of my discontinuance of business. “ U. F. Doubleday.” After my re-engagement with Mr. Ivison, he placed me in full charge of the bookstore, he devoting a large portion of his time to the book bindery, now grown to large propor- tions. In the year 1838 I was deputed by my employer to visit the East to purchase fresh supplies of stock. This was no small undertaking, as the journey had to be made by stage coach, there being, in those days, no railroads. It took about three days to reach New York city, and having no experience whatever in this new undertaking Mr. Ivison placed me in charge of Edward Bright, then of the firm of Bennett & Bright, booksellers, Utica, N. Y., under whose guidance and in whose company I proceeded on this, my first visit to the Metropolis. Mr. Bright subsequently retired from the book business, to enter the ministry. He removed soon after to New York, * Captain Doubleday afterwards became famous as one of the heroic defenders of Fort Sumter, under Major Robert Anderson, and still later was promoted to the rank of major-general for bravely leading the Union column at Gettysburg after General Rey- nolds was killed and Generals Hancock and Sickles were wounded. General Doubleday published through Harper & Brothers, in 1876, his “Reminiscences of Fort Sumter in 1861.” INTRODUCTORY. 25 where he became the editor of the Examiner, a religious weekly of large influence, which position he has filled with ability and great credit to himself and honor to the influ* ential religious denomination which his journal represents. The following note is a reminder of half a century ago : “New York, January 22, 1884. “ My dear Mr. Derby: — I was in the book business in Utica as one of the firm of Bennett & Bright about ten years. I have a distinct recollection of our coming to New York together within those ten years, but I don’t believe I have half so vivid a recollec- tion of the incidents of the trip as you have. I know I thought you to be a very clever young man, and you have since proved in many ways that my impressions were right. “Very truly yours, “Edward Bright.” My trip to New York and Philadelphia was a memor- able one to me. In those two cities I first met with most of the noted publishers of whom I speak further on. I remained with Mr. Ivison as managing clerk until July 1840, when a good opening for another bookstore oc- curred at Auburn, and Mr. Ivison contributing sufficient capital as special partner, the firm of J. 0. Derby & Co. was formed. I find among the letters written to my mother at that time the following, dated August 6th, 1840. “ I have at last succeeded in getting into business under the name and firm of J. C. Derby & Co., at the old stand of U. F. Doubleday, and have opened with an entire new stock purchased in New York in July. My partner is H. Ivison, Jr., and our partnership is to continue for five years and two months. I have gone into business there under very favorable auspices, yet, not- withstanding if brother Henry had arrived a month earlier Ishould have gone to Columbus, Ohio, and started there. I never knew before that there was so fine an opening for a store as there ap- pears to be at the Ohio capital, and I only regret that I was not sooner apprised of the fact. I am tied here now, and there is nothing to be gained in complaining, and how uncharitable would I be, with my own good luck, to complain !” 26 INTRODUCTORY. My book business was successful from the start, and continued so until my removal to New York thirteen years later. My two brothers soon followed me in the same line, having been trained mostly by myself in the methods of buying and selling books. The following letter, written by my mother in 1844, was published in one of the religious papers at the time. A Mother’s advice to her Children — booksellers— on the PURCHASING AND VENDING PERNICIOUS BOOKS. “As you are soon going on your accustomed journey, I will ask you once more to consider my plea regarding the policy and character of some portion of your business. The selecting of books for a reading community is a peculiar responsibility; and if the matter therein contained be good in its wholesale and retail consequences, it will rise up for you, if bad, against you, even here in this partly Christianized America. “You now stand upon the pivot of general improvement in al- most everything, and it is your special province to go forward in this particular branch of progression, provided your religious principles, high moral character, and self-denial be such as should be worthy the patronage and confidence of the world, and more especially your own conscience. “ Consider now, I pray you, and take the choice whether you will be men who greatly improve and exalt the moral faculties and unsubdued hearts of this intelligent but inconsistent people, whose God and kingdom should not be of this world — or as one regard- less, principally of all that is, has been, and will be said, but who is in favor of many good operations, and help to sustain and en- courage orthodox institutions, yet at the same time are trafficking the disgusting, heart-sickening literature of moral corruption, which of its own inherent nature, undermines more or less the very ground-work of those blessed institutions, which you other- wise help and wish to have supported, and which are our own individual, as well as national safety, and the strength and hope of perpetual happiness — strange contradiction! And is this all for money? Can it be? Think of the impolicy and sin of an im- pure press and those who sustain it! “ I intend to be brief but plain, and how can I let you alone as INTRODUCTORY. 27 long as a mother’s blood runs in my veins, and my heart is con- strained by the love of Christ to act for the good of souls. “ The mind of man is a soil that God has made highly produc- tive of greatness and goodness provided it is beneath the refresh- ing showers of healthful and exulting influences ; and it is your peculiar privilege to administer, in the books you put into their hands, such influences to fallen and rebeUious man I would, therefore, have you come out on the right and on the safe side, and to extend your usefulness, make your principles publicly known and your reasons for them, then your names may be written in letters of gold, as the first booksellers re- solved to put nothing but that which is good and healthful upon your shelves and counters. “Your affectionate mother, “ Lezetta Derby.” We were not unmindful of the advice of our mother, and I can confidently say that in the long and varied experi- ence of my brothers and myself, not a single volume lias ever been sold of a doubtful moral tendency. Early in the year 1844, my first publication made its appearance in a small but neat volume bearing the title “ Conference Hymns, with Tunes, adapted to Religious Meet- ings for Prayers.” The authors were Rev. Josiali Hopkins, I). D., then pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Auburn, and Henry Ivison, Jr., who about that time had removed to New York. Mr. Ivison was leader of the choir in the church of which Dr. Hopkins was pas- tor. A single copy of this book still remains in my pos- session. In March, 1848, Norman C. Miller,* one of my trusted clerks, who understood very thoroughly all the details in the printing and binding of books, was made a partner in my business. Up to the year 1853 inclusive, the firm of Derby & * Mr. Miller is now connected with the extensive New York book-binderv of John A. Somerville, whose father, the late James Somerville, was one of my earliest and most valued friends. 28 INTRODUCTORY. Miller had printed and published more than one hundred different books, consisting of school and law publications, standard histories, biographies, and miscellaneous works of a popular nature, among them were the “ Life of General Zachary Taylor,” prepared for us by Henry Montgomery, editor of the Auburn Journal, soon after the General’s nomination to the Presidency. The books were brought out in attractive styles, and met with very large sales. It is an interesting fact that for forty years — through ten presidential elections, — I have published or had charge of the publications of the lives of one or more of the several candidates for the Presidency; the first. General Harrison in 1840, and the last, General Hancock in 1880. Another successful venture was the publication of the “ Lives of Mary and Martha Washington/’ by Margaret C. Conkling. This work was the first biographical account of the mother and wife of George Washington, published in book form, and was written in the graceful style, which that author inherits. Miss Conkling was also the author of a novel, “Isabel, or Trials of the Heart,” and a translation of Florian’s “ History of the Moors of Spain,” both works having been published by Harper & Brothers, the latter being adopted into their School District Library Series. Miss Conk- ling resided near Auburn with her father, Hon. Alfred Conkling, at his beautiful residence, Melrose, overlooking the placid waters of Owasco Lake. He was at that time a judge of the United States District Court, a position which his grandson, Alfred Conkling Coxe, now holds-. Soon after the succession of Millard Fillmore to the pre- sidency, Judge Conkling was appointed United States Minister to Mexico. He was one of my earliest patrons, and a good adviser at the commencement of my business career. He was the author of the best Admiralty Practice known to the courts. His son, Eoscoe Conkling, was then a youngster residing with his father, bidding fair at that INTRODUCTORY. 29 early day to become what he now is, an eminent statesman and famous lawyer. Another successful book was Seward's “ Life of John Quincy Adams,” published soon after the death of Mr. Adams. Among the other popular publications of Derby & Mil- ler which reached the sale of forty thousand or more copies, may be mentioned Headley’s “ Life of the Empress Joseph- ine” the ‘ 4 Life of Rev. Andoniram Judson,” “ Lives of the three Mrs. Judsons,” “Jenkins’ History of the War with Mexico ” — and last, but not least, “Fern Leaves,” by Fanny Fern, referred to elsewhere. Of the “Life of George Washington, by Jared Sparks, LL. D.,” a very large number were sold, so large that a complimentary letter was received by the publishers from that eminent historian. Among the important law-books published, were the “ New Clerks’ Assistant, or Every Man his own Law- yer,” by John S. Jenkins, of which more than thirty thou- sand copies were sold; “The General Statutes of New York with notes and references by Samuel Blatcliford, Esq.” The latter was a personal and political friend, then a practicing lawyer in Auburn. He removed his large legal business to New York a few years later. Upon his subsequent advancement to his present eminent position, as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, I sent him a congratulatory note, to which he responded as follows : “ New York City, March 15th 1882. “My dear friend Derby: “Nothing could be more acceptable to me than your kind words. Old friends and old wine are not picked up in a day. You have known me and watched me for nearly forty years, and to have ‘ God speed ’ from you, is to have true gold. “Very sincerely yours, “Samuel Blatchfoud.” 30 INTRODUCTORY. The firm of Derby & Miller also published the first vol- ume of “ Blatchford’s United States Circuit Court Reports ” — the subsequent volumes of which have been published by Baker, Voorhis & Co. Another important law-book was “ The New York Civil and Criminal Justice,” edited by the late Christopher Morgan, and Clarence A. Seward, Esq., who, like Mr. Blatchford, subsequently removed to New York city. Goodrich’s “ History of all Nations ” an account of which is given elsewhere, was, I believe, the first subscrip- tion book published west of New York City. In the year 1847, I was nominated by a Whig County Convention and elected — Treasurer of the county of Cay- uga — the first Whig ever elected to that office in that county. On the same ballot, — one of which is now in my possession — are the names of John Young, for Governor, Hamilton Fish, for Lieutenant Governor, Millard Fillmore, fur Comptroller, and Christopher Morgan, for Secretary of State. It was the latter’s brother, Colonel Edwin B. Mor- gan, who rescued Charles Sumner from the cruel attack by Preston Brooks of South Carolina ; Colonel Morgan was a member of Congress at the time and present when the assault was made. Edwin B. Morgan was one of my most valued friends for nearly half a century. At the time of his death, he was one of the two largest owners of The New York Times, being one of its founders. He was highly esteemed as a philanthropic Christian gentleman, co-operating with the late Wm. E. Dodge, each giving $100,000 to erect a library building for the Auburn Theological Seminary. Mr. Fish was subsequently elected Governor of New York, then U. S. Senator, and afterwards became Secre- tary of State under President Grant. He has thus been crowned with the highest honors in the gift of the people, save only that of President of the United States. Millard Fillmore was elected Vice President on the ticket with INTRODUCTORY. 31 General Taylor, the following year, and became President on the death of the latter in 1850. Early in the year 1852 when the gold fever excitement was at its height in California, my brother George, then head of the firm of G. II. Derby & Co., in the hook-selling business at Buffalo, N. Y., in connection with myself, at that time his partner, decided to start a branch book and stationery store in San Francisco, which had then just emerged from scarcely more than a Mexican settlement to a thriving young city. We believing, as the result finally proved, that it would be a profitable undertaking, it was decided to stock the store with about five thousand dollars worth of merchandise, and the goods were duly shipped, by a sailing vessel, around Cape Horn. At the same time our firm sent to San Francisco to take charge of the business two of their clerks, Hubert H. Bancroft and George L. Kenney, both of whom my brother had trained to the book business in Buffalo. Before the goods arrived in San Fran- cisco, however, the young men, who were already there, re- ceived the sad news of the unexpected death of my brother, of cholera, in September of that year.* As it became necessary to settle up my brother's estate with dispatch, the administrator directed an immediate sale of the con- signment, the avails of which were subsequently sent to Buffalo to my brother's family. Young Bancroft and his fellow clerk continued business in San Francisco, on their own account, in a modest way. In 1855 my brother's widow determined to assist this enterprise and carry out her late husband's plan in regard to the founding of a book and stationery store in San Francisco. She therefore advanced a loan * “He possessed all the requisite elements of character, both in- tellectual and moral, and was also a Christian gentleman, faithful in all t he relations of life, and beloved by all who knew him. It is believed that the mother of the Derby Brothers is entitled to much credit for their success in business.” — From Blake’s “Bio- graphical Dictionary.” 32 INTRODUCTORY. of all her available funds, — about $10,000 — to her brother, Hubert H. Bancroft, for that purpose. He came east to Buffalo and brought with him to New York a let- ter of introduction from Mrs. Derby to her late hus- band's friend John 0. Barnes, at that time of the firm of Ames, Herrick & Barnes, and brother of A. S. Barnes the "well known publisher. Mr. Barnes took a lively interest in young Bancroft, introducing him to many of the old publishing houses of New York, who at once gave him all the business credit he desired. Thus the San Francisco house of H. H. Bancroft & Co. was started, an immense business was built up, and Mr. Bancroft, in a few years, found himself possessed of an ample fortune. The book and stationery store and publishing house of Bancroft & Co. is to day the most extensive establishment west of New York, and has a reputation and trade in the Old World which rivals that of the largest Eastern houses. Giving place to his younger brother Albert L., to attend to the active business management of the concern, and leav- ing in the firm sufficient capital, Hubert H. Bancroft was enabled to satisfy a desire for foreign travel, intellectual culture and literary fame, the outgrowth of which was, after twenty years of persevering research and hard study, his elaborate “ History of the Pacific States of North America," now in the course of publication. Young Bancroft early saw the importance of preserving the pre-historical records of the Pacific States. He saw also how important it was to secure, as early as possible, the material for a history of this new Empire, as there were but few living witnesses who knew where the Mexican manuscripts were to be found. He began to purchase everything that could be found pertaining to the Pacific Slope, Mexico, and Central America. In this way he secured over ten thousand volumes, purchasing every book, map and manuscript printed or written in this territory or Empire relating to it, that could be found in Mexico, Central America, or in the Eastern States, even visiting INTRODUCTORY. 33 Europe several times in search of needed material. He also secured from the pioneers and settlers man} 7 interest- ing reminiscences. Hubert II. Bancroft came to my brother in Buffalo a Buckeye boy of eighteen years, with no other capital than health, perseverance, industry and integrity; and although self-educated, he now ranks with the few famous histori- ans of our day. He has erected a fire-proof building for his library of books and manuscripts pertaining to Amer- ica, which consists of over 36,000 volumes, the building and books costing him over half a million dollars. In the early part of my clerkship with H. Ivison & Co., I became seriously ill from a severe attack of fever, so' ill, that it was deemed best that I should be removed to my mother’s residence, in Moravia, a quiet village, about six- teen miles from Auburn. Although convalescent I was unable to sit upright, so I was taken in a close carriage, in charge of a young physician who conveyed me in safety to my mother’s care, through whose careful nurs- ing I soon recovered, and returned to business. A few years later that same physician removed to Buffalo, where, in 1852, he, in connection with Dr. Austin Elint, attended my brother George in his last illness — this young physician was Frank H. Hamilton, who afterwards with his celebrated collaborator, removed to New York City, where both became eminent in their profession. The assassination of President Garfield, and his long attendant sufferings, brought this eminent surgeon promi- nently before the nation, and Frank Hastings Hamilton, the youthful doctor of my boyhood days, is now acknowl- edged one of the most celebrated surgeons in this country. He is the author of several valuable medical works, the most important of which is, a f< Treatise on Fractures and Dislocations,” which has also been translated and pub- lished in the French and German languages. In the month of December, 1853, having disposed of my interest in the Auburn store, I established myself in 34 INTRODUCTORY. New York City as a publisher, at No. 8 Park Place, the late George P. Putnam occupying, at that time, an adjoin- ing store. I received a friendly welcome from the book trade and editorial fraternity, and soon had an abundant supply of manuscripts from authors in every department of literature. I early secured as a critical reader, the late George Ripley, then the literary editor of the New York Tribune , who was not only a good judge but a safe adviser as to the best kind of books to publish, and as the MSS. multiplied I engaged Thomas Bailey Aldrich, as an assistant reader. In the year 1855, Edwin Jackson, who had been brought up to the book publishing business in the establishment of H. and E. Phinney of Cooperstown, — then famous as publishers of Quarto Bibles and school books — became my associate in business, and the firm of Derby & Jackson was established. Derby & Jackson, had a prosperous career until 1861, when they discontinued business. Their list of publica- tions at the time numbered more than three hundred vol- umes, most of them new and successful books, by American authors, who afterwards became famous, and of many of whom I give an account elsewhere. In addition to these original authors, we were the publishers of the works of Joseph Addison, Oliver Goldsmith, Henry Fielding, Tobias Smollett, Laurence Sterne, Dean Swift, Samuel Johnson, Daniel De Eoe, Charles Lamb, William Hazlitt, Thomas Hood, Leigh Hunt, Captain Marrvat, Jane Austen, Char- lotte Bronte, Hannah More, Jane Porter, Ann Radcliff®, Francis Burney, Lord Chesterfield, Madam de Stael, Mon- taigne, La Fontaine, Chateaubriand, Pascal, Fenelon, and other standard classics, in all over two hundred volumes, issued in uniform library editions, in fine bindings, which soon became well known in the book world. The most delightful occasion which I can recall in my publishing career is that of the complimentary fruit and flower festival, given to authors by the New York book INTRODUCTORY. 35 publishers, in September, 1855. The gathering took place at the Crystal Palace, which had been erected in Reservoir Square, under the direction of the American Institute, through whose courtesy the exceptional accommodations for the festival were secured. The whole scene itself was one of great splendor, and will linger long in the memory of those who participated. Such a gathering was unpre- cedented then, and has never been equaled since. With several of my contemporary publishers, I was one of the vice-presidents of the occasion. Among the distinguished authors were the following : Rev. William Adams, D. D., Thomas Bailey Aldrich, George Bancroft, William Cullen Bryant, Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, Cath- erine E. Beecher, Rev. Horace Bushell, D. D., Rev. J. L. Blake, D.D., Alice and Phoebe Cary, George William Curtis, Lydia Maria Childs, Henry C. Carey, James E. Cooley, Frederick S. Cozzens, T. R. Conrad, Rev. George B. Cheever, D. D., Rev. E. II. Chapin, D. D., Rev. Orville Dewey, D. D., Professor Charles Davies, Judge Charles P. Daly, Fanny Fern, Caroline Gilman, S. G. Good- rich, Richard Hildreth, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Fitz Greene Halleck, Washington Irving, Caroline M. Kirkland, James Rus- sel Lowell, B. J. Lossing, J. P. Kennedy, Henry W. Longfellow, Prof. S. F. B. Morse, John L. Motley, Maria J. McIntosh, Rev. W. H. Milburn, Rev. Samuel Osgood, D. D., James Parton, T. Buchanan Read, Rev. Edward Robinson, D. D., Professor Benja- min Silliman, Frederick Saunders, Rev. Gardner Spring, D. D., Richard Henry Stoddard, Catherine M. Sedgwick, Rev. W. B. Sprague, D. D., Ann S. Stephens, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Eliza- beth Oakes Smith, Seba Smith, H. R. Schoolcraft, H. T. Tuckerman, Rev. S. H. Tyng, D. D., Bayard Taylor, John G. Whittier, N. P. Willis, and Rev. Theodore D. Woolsey, D. D. About six hundred invited guests were present, chiefly authors and booksellers. Mr. William H. Appleton, Pre- sident of the Publishers* Association was made chairman, and in his opening address said : “ Under the guise of a light floral banquet, it is very possible that we may be inaugurating a new era in the history of that trade 36 INTRODUCTORY. which ministers to the intellectual wants of a great and powerful people. Our present social gathering of authors and publishers, in;iy lead to unanticipated results. It can hardly fail to promote a good understanding among those who exert an important in- fluence on the education of the national mind, to elevate their views, and give additional union and vigor to their efforts, in the great cause to which they are devoted. “ Sensible of the importance of the bookselling trade, considered simply as a branch of industry, and aware that many of its most important general concerns have hitherto been left to chance or the narrow views of private interests, a number of the booksellers of this city decided to form the present association, not to con- trol or influence their brethren, but to accept the charge of such general interests as are usually confided to similar associations by other trades, guilds and professions. I am happy to announce to you that the effort on our part has met with a cordial response from our brethren throughout the country, who have promptly recognized the absolute necessity of such an association by fur- nishing material for its first operations in the great trade sale which is now just terminated. Hence the genial gathering of kindred spirits to which I now bid you welcome — an assemblage such as this country has never seen before, where genius sitting in its appropriate high place at the banquet, looks down with kind regard on the ministers of its power, and where female talent and beauty, hitherto excluded from such festivities, shed a holy and ennobling influence over the scene. In the name of the associa- tion, ladies and gentlemen, I bid you welcome.” Mr. Appleton was followed by the secretary, the late George P. Putnam, who, in responding to the toast “ American Literature opened an admirable address, as follows : “We do not, in proposing the regular toasts, offer our re- spected guests choice Johannisberger or Imperial Tokay or spark- ling Catawba, with which to pledge us, for we booksellers are law- abiding citizens. (Cheers.) But though we provide only such juice of the grape as is pure, beyond suspicion, and in its original pack- ages, yet that we trust the flavor of the mocha — the celestial bev- erage — or the crystal Croton, or better than all, the inspiration of the sentiments themselves, and the presence of those whoso emi- INTRODUCTORY. 37 nently illustrate them, will touch responsive chords in generous hearts, and prompt the eloquence of tongues of some whose names are as familiar in our mouths as household words. (Applause.) “Eighteen years ago a gathering of authors and booksellers took place at the old City Hotel. Our recently- formed association came to the sensible conclusion that it was quite time to have another such a caucus, or rather mass meeting. The interests of writers, publishers and sellers of books are daily growing in magnitude and importance, and these interests are and should be mutual and identical. Friendly social intercourse between each other is one of the prominent objects of the association of publishers, and surely it is pleasant, proper, and profitable to extend and strength- en this intercourse between publishers and authors. (Cheers.) On the occasion referred to, in March, 1837, it was remarked by Mr. John Keese, speaking of the progress of American literature, that ‘ our once infant intellect now walks with giant strides.’ ” Mr. James T. Fields read an exceedingly humorous poem, adapted to the occasion. Among the notable speeches made on that occasion one of them is still fresh in my memory — that of Bev. E. IT. Chapin, responding to the toast : “ Editors of the News- paper Press — Guardians of our Literature and sentinels on the ivatch-toiuers of our Liberties , they wield a power which might dethrone a monarch or elevate a people.” Dr. Chapin’s address, which occupied nearly an hour, electrified the audience, who were spell-bound, by his elo- quence and the power of his speech, which was a masterpiece of oratory. He had not written a word on the morning of the day on which it was delivered. Before preparing it he went down to the office of Harper & Brothers to see a power-press and to gather inspiration by looking at the machinery. He was conducted over the establishment by one of the members of the firm, and the result proved the use which he made of the information thus obtained. By some mistake the same toast was sent to Bev. Henry Ward Beecher, and to which he expected to respond. I recall now how unequal to his usual efforts Mr. Beecher’s address appeared at that time, — he said but little — and 38 INTRODUCTORY. that little was disappointing to such an audience. In a recent conversation with Mr. Beecher, referring to this event, he said: “ Thirty years ago, Chapin and I were invited to speak at the booksellers’ festival. By some mistake the toast to which we were expected to respond was sent to us both. He preceded me, and he made a speech that was like a fourth of July pyrotechnic exhi- bition. The whole heaven was full of rockets, it was a brilliant, magnificent speech. When I found he had had my toast, and used it all up, I saw it left me nothing, and the only thing for me to do was to get up, own the corn, and sit down again.” The celebrated author and orator Rev. W. H. Mil- burn, responded to the toast, “ The Clergy — Promoters of useful intelligence and Christian patriotism , their in- fluence on the minds of men should entitle them to the gratitude of all sensible booksellers.” In his response, the eloquent blind preacher said : “ Gentlemen booksellers, the leaves that you scatter are from the tree whose fruit is for the healing of the nations. Gentlemen publishers, the well-heads opened in your press-rooms may send forth streams to refresh and gladden the homes of a continent, so that the parched land shall become as a pool, and the thirsty land ? springs of water, and in the habitations of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with weeds and rushes. “ But if I magnify the office of a maker and seller of a book, how much more the authors. As Wolfe sadly and sweetly recited 1 Gray’s Elegy ’ upon the St. Lawrence the night before his glorious fall on the Plains of Abraham, he said, ‘ I would rather have the honor of writing that poem than taking Quebec to-morrow.’ “ Were I to paraphrase his thought to my wish it would be thus: Could I have written the ‘Sketch-Book’ (turning to Mr. Irving), or could I have sung that ode commencing ‘The groves were God’s first temples ’ (turning to Mr. Bryant), cheerfully would I go through life, binding this badge of infirmity upon my brow, to wear it as a crown ; or groping in the unbroken darkness, so were it the Father’s will, for threescore years and ten of man’s appointed time !” INTRODUCTORY. 39 Soon after the close of the festival I proposed to Mr. Milburn to publish a collection of his lectures, which had become very popular in all parts of the country. Among other topics of which they were composed, were those on “The Symbols of Early Western Character,” “The Tri- umphs of Genius over Blindness,” “ An Hour’s Talk about Women,” and “Early Discoveries in the South West” — Mr. Milburn accepted the proposal, and Derby & Jackson published for him in 1859, a volume comprising these lec- tures under the general title of “The Rifle, Axe, and Saddle-Bags.” Two years later we published for him an- other volume of an autobiographical character, entitled “Ten Years of Preacher-Life,” which was very entertain- ing, giving a graphic account of the early struggles of Methodist preachers in the far South-west. Another vol- ume followed in 1860, with the title “Pioneers, Preachers, and People of the Mississippi Valley.” All these volumes were well received by the critics and the public, and passed through several editions. Mr. Milburn has recently been delivering a new cours§ of lectures in some of the Southern States, where he has passed a great portion of his interesting ministerial life. In referring to The Publisher’s Festival, the late Morton McMichael, then the distinguished editor of the Philadel- phia North American, gave the following account in that paper December 14, 1855: — “The last time we had the pleasure of seeing Washington Irving was at the publisher’s festival in New York, in the autumn of 1855. All who were present on that occasion will remember how fresh was his appearance, and how genial his manner, and with what a hearty welcome he greeted the friends, old and young, who gathered around him. Among the former was our townsman, Mr. Moses Thomas, and in reference to the interview between these gentlemen, the American Publisher’s Circular said : — “ One of the interesting incidents at the recent festival was the meeting of Washington Irving with his old friend Moses Thomas, the veteran and much-respected ex-publisher of Philadelphia. 40 INTRODUCTORY. Mr. Irving, in his younger days, had been intimate with Mr. Thomas, and cherished for him the highest regard, but it so hap- pened that they had not met for more than a quarter of a century. A month or two later Mr. Irving addressed the following letter to Mr. Thomas which we are tempted to reprint as at once showing his disinclination to public display, and his cordial recognition of the claims of private friendship: — “Sunuyside, Dec. 14, 1855. u My Dear Thomas, “I thank you heartily for your kind and hospitable invitation to your house, which I should be glad to accept did I propose attending the Godey complimentary dinner, but the annoyance I suffer at dinners of this kind in having to attempt speeches, or bear compliments in silence has made me abjure them altogether. The publishers’ festival at which I had the great pleasure of meet- ing you was an exception to my rule, but only made on condition that I would not be molested by extra civilities. I regret that on that occasion we were separated from each other, and could not sit together and talk of old times. However, I trust we shall J have a future opportunity of so doing. I wish when you visit New York you would take a run up to ‘Sunnyside.’ The cars will set you down within ten minutes walk of my house, where *my ‘ woman kind ’ will receive you (figuratively speaking) with open arms, and my dogs will not dare to. bark at you. “ Yours, ever very truly, “ Moses Thomas, Esq. Washington Irving.” During my winter in Washington in 1862, 1 saw much of the late Emmanuel Leutze, the famous historical artist, whose genial friendship I had enjoyed for many years in New York. He was at that time under contract with the government to paint his wonderful mural picture, “ West- ward the Star of Empire takes its way,” for which he was paid $20,000. One day while in his studio, the artist said to me : “ Derby, I want your beard for one of my figures in the picture, and if you will sit for me, I will paint your por- trait,” which proposition, on such flattering terms, I read- ily accepted. The portrait is now in the possession of my family, a copy of the beard he transferred to one of the INTRODUCTORY. 41 pioneers of the emigrant train. The painting itself adorns the walls of the Capitol at Washington, placed above the magnificent marble stairway at the north end of the west corridor of the House of Representatives. About this time I occasionally met at Leutze's studio Nathaniel Hawthorne, while sitting for his portrait. He conceived as great a liking for the famous artist, as the painter did for the great romancer. In April, 1862, Hawthorne wrote his friend, James T. Fields, as fol- lows : “ I stay here only while Leutze finishes a portrait which I think will be the best ever painted of the same unworthy subject. One charm it must needs have — an aspect of immortal jollity and well-to-doness; for Leutze, when the sitting begins, gives me a first-rate cigar, and when he sees me getting tired he brings out a bottle of splendid champagne, and we quaffed and smoked yes- terday, in a blessed state of mutual good-will, for three hours and a half, during which the picture made a really miraculous pro- gress. Leutze is the best of fellows.” % On the 9th of October, 1865, I was appointed by the Government, United States General Agent of the Paris Exposition of 1867, and although not familiar with the duties which such a position devolved upon me, and Con- gress being very late in providing the necessary appropri- ation for the expenses attendant upon such an undertak- ing, the American display at the Exposition was very grat- ifying to the country, which had so recently emerged from an exhausting civil war. The products of every State except one were on exhi- bition at Paris, and the American exhibitors carried off some of the most important prizes awarded in this compe- tition of the best products of all nations. This satisfactory result was reached by the care taken, in surrounding my- self with competent committees, specially qualified to ad- vise in the selection of exhibits belonging to each group and class. Among my advisory committee were the fol- 42 INTRODUCTORY. lowing well known gentlemen, each of whom was chair- man of one of the ten respective groups : William J. Hop- pin, Charles A. Joy, Richard M. Hunt, Elliot C. Cowdin, Samuel B. Ruggles, Francisco W. Evans, Frederick Law Olmsted, William S. Carpenter, Thomas McElrath and Charles L. Brace. For the success of the Paris Universal Exposition of 1867, much is also due to Hon. John Bige- low, at that time United States Minister at Paris, and to N. M. Beckwith, Esq., United States Commissioner Gen- eral, without whose early, able and persistent efforts, the United States would have been without representation. A complete account of the origin, progress and result of the Exposition has been published by the government, in six large volumes. At the close of the Exposition I re- ceived from the French Government, a gold medal and also one in bronze with the following inscription. Napoleon III. Empereur. Exposition Universelle de MDCCCLXVII a Paris. J. C. Derby. Pour Services Rendus. In the year 1855, I was elected a member of the Cent- ury Association, or as it is more commonly called “ The Century Club.” This association, which was organized in the year 1846, was originally composed of one hundred members, from whence it derives its name. The members as a rule are composed of artists, authors, publishers, scientists and other gentlemen of culture and literary taste. Its first president was the late Gulian C. Yerplanck, who died in 1870, full of years and literary honors. His successor, the Hon. George Bancroft, resigned, soon after his appoint- ment as United States Minister to Berlin. William Cul- len Bryant was elected to fill the vacancy, remaining in that office until his death in 1879, when Daniel Hunt- ington was elected to succeed him. Mr. Huntington INTRODUCTORY. 43 is also president of the National Academy of Design, of which institution I became a “Fellow” in the year 1860. Mr. Huntington was one of the original founders of the Century, and with Mr. A. B. Durand, the venerable artist, Mr. John II. Gourlie, well known among men of letters, and Mr. W. J. Hoppin, who fills the post of “Charge d* Affaires” of the United States Government at London with so much credit, alone survive. Since I was admitted to the Club one hundred and thirty members have died, all but eight of whom joined since my admis- sion to membership. Among them I recall many well known in artistic, literary, scientific, legal and mercantile circles, most of whom were my valued and personal friends. Of the many privileges of which during my business career, I have been a sharer, I look back to none fraught with more pleasure, profit and advantage, than my mem- bership with the Century Association. In the year 1864, while holding a confidential position under the Government, I was deputed by the Secretary of State to deliver to Commodore Vanderbilt, the following resolutions, which had been passed by Congress, and ele- gantly engrossed and mounted in a handsome frame : “A Resolution presenting the thanks of Congress to Cornelius Vanderbilt for a gift of the Steam- ship Vanderbilt. “ Whereas Cornelius Vanderbilt, of New York, did, during the spring of eighteen hundred and sixty-two, make a free gift to his imperiled country of his new and stanch steamship ‘ Vanderbilt/ of five thousand tons burden, built by him with the greatest care, of the best materials, at a cost of eight hundred thousand dollars, which steam- ship has ever since been actively employed in the service of the Republic against the Rebel devastations of her com- 44 INTRODUCTORY. merce, and whereas the said Cornelius Vanderbilt lias in no manner sought any requital of his munificent gift nor any official recognition thereof ; “ Therefore, Resolved, by the Senate and House of Rep- resentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the thanks of Congress be presented to Cornelius Vanderbilt for his unique manifestation of a fer- vid and large-souled patriotism. “And, be it further Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, which shall fitly embody an attestation of the nation’s gratitude for this gift ; which medal shall be for- warded to Cornelius Vanderbilt ; a copy of it being made and deposited for preservation in the Library of Congress. “Approved, January 28, 1864. “Abraham Lincoln, “ President. “ Schuyler Colfax, “ Speaker of the House of Representatives. “H. Hamlin, “Vice-President of the United States and President of the Senate. “W. Hunter, “ Chief Clerk. “Executed at the Department of State by Henry Westerland.” In accordance with instructions, I conveyed the same, and after reading it carefully, the Commodore looked at me and said, in his well known decided manner : “ Con- gress be damned! I never gave that ship to Congress. When the Government was in great straits for a suitable vessel of war, I offered to give the ship if they did not care to buy it ; however, Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Wells think it was a gift, and I suppose I shall have to ‘let her go.’” The medal referred to in the resolution was not ready for a long time afterwards ; it was subsequently delivered, INTRODUCTORY. 45 however, and was very elegant, bearing the following inscription : A GRATEFUL COUNTRY TO HER GENEROUS SON, Cornelius Vanderbilt. (His profile.) Reverse side: Bis DAT QUI TEMPORI DAT. 1885. (Ship,) (Slave,) (Liberty,) (Eagle.) The proffer of the vessel happened in this wise : On the 14th of May, 186?, Commodore Vanderbilt wrote a letter to the late W. O. Bartlett, a gentleman of well known and wise in diplomacy, father of the present Judge Willard Bartlett, in which he said that he had offer- ed to dispose of the ocean steamer “ Vanderbilt ” to the Government, but had received no answer to his communi- cation. He further added : “ You are authorized to renew this proposition with such ad- ditions thereto as are hereinafter set forth. I feel a great desire that the government should have the steamer ‘ Vanderbilt,’ as she is acknowledged to be as fine a ship as floats the ocean, and, in consequence of her great speed and capacity w r ould, with a proper armament, be of more efficient service in keeping our coast clear of piratical vessels than any other ship. Therefore you are authorized to say, in my behalf, that the government can take this ship at a valuation to be determined by the Hon. Robert F. Stockton of New Jersey, the only ex-commodore in the navy, and any two commodores in the service to be selected by the govern- ment; and if this will not answer, will the government accept her as a present from their humble servant ? “ Yours very respectfully, “ C. Vanderbilt.” Owing to the fact that a portion of the “ Vanderbilt’s 99 machinery was above deck and would be exposed to the enemy’s shot, the Navy Department was for a time unwil- 46 INTRODUCTORY. ling to accept this vessel, but afterwards, when better pro- vided with long range cannon, which would enable her to use her own guns at a safe distance from those of the ene- my, she was accepted by the Government, converted into a powerful man-of-war and sent upon a cruise in search of privateers. The vessel did excellent service, and proved a most valuable acquisition to the navy. The gift was worth in money, not far from three-quarters of a million of dollars. My acquaintance with the late William Orton began in 1850, when he was a clerk for my brother George, then a bookseller at Geneva, N. Y. When my brother removed to Buffalo he placed young Orton in charge of his Geneva store, and it was afterwards conducted by the firm of Prince, Orton & Miller. After the death of my brother in 1852, the business at Buffalo and Geneva was carried on under the style of Derby, Orton & Co., the firm consisting of William Orton, N. C. Miller and myself ; Mr. Orton having taken charge of the Buffalo store. Subsequently the business was removed to New York, continuing under the style of Miller, Orton & Co., until 1857, when the firm • went into liquidation. Soon after this Mr. Orton became managing clerk for J. G. Gregory & Co., where he developed a marked and ex- quisite talent in the art of fine book- making, he was the embodiment of industry and cultivated taste and a thorough hater of all vicious literature. Mr. Orton soon became active in politics ; being a man of fine personal appearance and a good debater, he was elected to the Common Council of New York, where his first undertaking was the exposure of the many fraudulent practices of the city government. He was appointed by President Lincoln collector of in- ternal revenue for one of the New York districts, where he displayed a rare capability for finance which soon led to his appointment by President Lincoln, on the recommen- INTRODUCTORY. 47 dation of Secretary Chase, to the important position of United States Commissioner of Internal Revenue. Subsequently the Western Union Telegraph Co. offered him the position of vice-president, which he accepted, and filled with such entire satisfaction to the directors that he was soon elected president of that great company. From this time forth Mr. Orton became a recognized power in the great enterprises of the day. This was so evident to him that he had a profound sense of the trust and honor of his position ; his devotion took on a new intensity, of which but very few fully knew or understood. Ilis ad- ministration was energetic, brilliant and successful ; no one could watch him closely without feeling that the brain which worked so intensely was in constant danger. The over-worked man finally broke down, and the world lost by the death William Orton, a man of sterling charac- ter and Christian manhood, one that it could ill afford to spare. In the year 1860 the firm of Derby & Jackson pub- lished a volume entitled “ Five Years in China, with some account of The Great Rebellion under the insurgent chief Tai-Ping-Wong.” The author of this book, Rev. Charles Taylor, M.D., was my schoolmate more than half a cen- tury ago, when his father, the Rev. Oliver S. Taylor, M.D., — to whom the volume was dedicated — was a teacher in the Auburn Academy, and one of whose pupils a few years later was Frederick W. Seward, late Assistant Secretary of State. Reverend Dr. Oliver S. Taylor, is still living in Auburn, in the one hundredth year of his age* In recent letters received from him he says : — “ Although my health is good, yet my right arm and hand are much disabled, and on most occasions I am unable to write a legible hand. Though my mind and memory remain in a good state, as you know I have been long deaf. * Ke was born in December, 1784. 48 INTRODUCTORY. and now my eyes are failing very fast, so that I fear I shall be utterly blind/’ . . . . “ I’ve worked harder than any man I ever knew. I have never been sick but a day and a half in my life, and that was seventy-three years ago, and X want you to know that nine of us, five daughters and four sons, all were strictly temperate, total abstainers from alcohol and tobacco in every form. The ages of six of us average ninety years and ten months each.” Dr. Taylor graduated from Dartmouth College in 1808 . His health still remains good. It is believed that he is the oldest inhabitant in the State of New York, and the oldest college graduate in America. Both Mr. Carleton, and myself were at one time asso- ciated in a business way with the celebrated photographic artist Napoleon Sarony. The portrait on steel of Geo. W. Carleton, which graces this book from Sarony’s photo- graph, I can vouch for as a “ speaking likeness” of my Publisher, who has modestly consented to thus let his genial face be seen “ as others see it.” He alone is respon- sible for the introduction of the Author’s portrait, also from a Sarony imperial, as a frontispiece. I am greatly indebted to Mr. S. B. Noyes, the accom- plished librarian of the Brooklyn Library, for his courtesy in furnishing me with valuable books of reference, and especially for that noble monument of his scholarly taste, the “ Catalogue of the Brooklyn Library,” which is so admirably classified by “Authors, Titles, Subjects and Classes,” in a folio volume of over eleven hundred pages. To Miss Mary F. Seymour, — the head of a large and well-equipped stenographic and type-writing bureau, well known as a skillful stenographer, — and also for her rare culture and correct literary taste, I am indebted for relief from many of the laborious details which the preparation of a work of this nature necessarily involves. HENRY IVISON. Early apprenticeship to William Williams of Utica — Opens a booh store in Auburn — S. Wells Williams — Ex- Gov. Thro op, and the Albany Regency — President Van Buren on a fence — Mr. Seward and Washington Ir- ving — Ivison removes to New York — Marie II New- man & Co. — Newman & Ivison — Sad death of John C. Ivison — Ivison , Phinney , Blakeman d? Co . — The thirty day credit system — He astonishes Trubner & Co., London — Immeyise sales of school-books — Retires with an ample fortune. TT ENKY IVISON recently retired with an ample fortune from the head of a firm, undoubtedly the largest school-book publishing house in the world. It is pleasant to write thus of him, who took me as an apprentice, when a youngster to learn the business of book-selling. Mr. Ivison came to this country from Scotland in the year 1820, in company with his father's family, but they, returning soon to their native land, left their boy behind, to learn the trade of book-binding, apprenticing him for that purpose to William Williams, of Utica, then the largest book-seller west of Albany. It was with William Wil- liams, that the late Thuriow Weed at one time worked as a journeyman printer. 8 [ 49 ] 50 HENRY IVISON. Young Ivison was received into the family of his em- ployer where he was treated as one of the children, Mr. Williams having conceived a fancy for him, because of his tender years, and from the fact of his being left alone, a young stranger in a strange country. He remained with his employer for nine years, and then, in the year 1829, after he had served his apprenticeship, he said to Mr. Wil- liams, “ Now I am out of my time, I hardly know what is the best thing for me to do.” Mr. Williams replied, saying, “ Henry, keep right on and remain with my family. I should be glad to have you continue in my employ.” About the year 1830, Mr. Williams had occasion to visit the western part of the state, and stopping at Auburn, he there met his old friend, the late James S. Seymour, then Cashier of the Bank of Auburn, a man of great worth and influence. Mr. Seymour asked, “Haven't you a young man you could send out here to start a book store ?” There were stores already located there of that nature, but they were not satisfactory to the better class of people, especially to the professors and students of the Auburn Theological Seminary, in which Institution Mr. Seymour held an official position. Mr. Williams at once replied, “I think I have a person with me who would suit you — a young man just out of his time with me.” After the return of Mr. Williams to IJtica, he called young Ivison into his office and said to him, “Henry, I think I have got an opportunity for you to go into busi- ness. A friend of mine at Auburn wants another book store there.” Mr. Ivison replied, that he had no experi- ence in a book store, although he did know how to bind books. “That is true,” said Mr. Williams, “but you can soon learn. You can go right into my store to-morrow morning, and my head clerk will give you all the facilities you need to get acquainted with the details of the book- selling business.” Accordingly Mr. Ivison spent about six months at this new business, and then went with a letter of introduction HENRY IVISON. 51 to Mr. Seymour at Auburn, who had agreed to furnish six- teen hundred dollars capital, the net profits to be divided equally between them. Mr. Williams purchased the first stock for the young book-seller, and with it sent his son Wells, who had experience in the book store. Mr. Ivison was about two years his senior. Rev. S. Wells Williams, D. D., subsequently went to China as missionary printer, becoming famous as the historian of that country, and useful as a diplomat in negotiations made from time to time between China and our own country. His work “ The Middle Kingdom, '* has become the best authority on all that pertains to the Celestial Empire. His recent death while President of the American Bible Society, caused uni- versal regret. He remained with Mr. Ivison several months, leaving him then, to prosecute the venture alone. A large business was built up, not only in Auburn, but embracing surrounding territory. The store at Auburn had only one counter, but one side was completely filled with books. One morning, a green, country-looking young man walked in, and looked around among the books on the shelves, and was finally attracted by a copy of Thucydides. Calling for Mr. Ivison he asked, “ Will you please tell me what kind of book is that Thuck-a-di-des \” Mr. Ivison relates a good story of a visit of President Martin Van Buren to Willow Brook, the residence of Go- vernor Throop, near Auburn. He was accompanied by what was called the Albany Regency, a syndicate of re- nowned politicians, consisting of Azariah C. Flagg, William L. Macy, Silas Wright, and Edwin Croswell (editor of the Albany Argus). The Governor owned a large and well- cultivated farm on the banks of Owasco Lake, near Auburn, and was anxious to have the President view the beauties of the place. After walking half way around it, they all climbed a fence, and sat down on the top rail to rest. “ Throop !” said the President, “ have you a map of this place ?” “ I think I have at the house !” was the reply of u. OF iLL LIB. 52 HENRY IVISON. the Governor. “ Well/’ continued the President, “ If you have no objection I will look at the map for the rest of it. I have traveled quite far enough.” The Regency then ad- journed to the house for refreshments. I remember one day, Mr. Seward, then Governor of the State, came into the store, accompanied by a fine-looking gentleman. The former asked Mr. Ivison if he had a copy of Washington Irving's latest work, receiving an answer in the affirmative, at the same time being furnished with a copy which he purchased, turned to his com- panion and said, “ I want your autograph in the book.” The gentleman then took a pen from Mr. Ivison's desk, and writing his name in the volumes, handed them to Mr. Seward. That was the first time I had ever seen Washing- ton Irving. After a moderately successful business of sixteen years, Mr. Ivison removed to New York. During one of his busi- ness trips to that city, he became acquainted with Mark H. Newman, then a successful school-book publisher. Mr. Ivison not only bought supplies from Mr. Newman, but books purchased at other houses were packed there. Mr. Newman's health at that time was very poor. One day he saw Mr. Ivison carrying large parcels to be packed at his store, and stopping him said, “ Ivison, I see you are not afraid to carry your own bundles. Now I want just such a good strong man as you are to come to New York, and help me, as my health is failing, and you have health, experience and capacity.'' Mr. Ivison replied that there were two obstacles to overcome before he could give a posi- tive answer : One was, the necessity of consulting his wife, and the other, the question of capital. Mrs. Ivison favored the removal to New York. The next question was : What to do with the Auburn Store. It was finally decided that Mr. Ivison's brother, John, should take charge of it, and continue the business. The latter was a young man at that time, about the same age as myself, and formerly a fellow clerk in his brother’s HENRY IYISON. 53 book store. He was very fond of hunting, and one day went alone to shoot ducks on one of the neighboring lakes. On the following day, his body was found near his boat, with his unloaded guu, evidently accidentally discharged. Thus a bright and promising young man was suddenly ushered into another world, leaving a fond young wife, and infant son ; the latter, thirty years later, also became a bookseller in Auburn. In the year 1846, Mr. Ivison removed with his family to New York, becoming a partner with Mr. Newman, con- tributing a moderate amount of capital — the style of the firm being Mark H. Newman & Co. The most important books published by them, were Saunders’ Readers, the first consecutive set of readers published in this country, be- ginning with the primer and spelling-book, and then graded from that, up to five readers in the set. The sale of these books was very large at that time, and has steadily in- creased each year, until the sale of the series is enormous. At the expiration of five years, a new partnership for three years was formed, under the firm name of Newman & Ivison, but before the end of the first year, the senior partner died, leaving the business entirely in Mr. Ivison’s hands, who carried it on in accordance with the partnership articles, by the consent of Mr. Newman’s executor. Mr. Ivison then bought out the entire interest of the concern, re-organizing the business, and admitting thereto, H. F. Phinney, of Cooperstown, N. Y., an experienced book- seller, and son-in-law of J. Fenimore Cooper. The firm of Ivison & Phinney is perhaps better known to-day, than any other with which Mr. Ivison has been associated. Mr. Phinney’s health failing, Mr. Birdsey Blakeman, Augustus C. Taylor and Mr. Ivison’s oldest son, David B., the latter having been born at Auburn when I was a clerk for his father and member of the household, were admitted as partners in the year 1866, the firm being known as Ivison, Phinney, Blakeman & Co. One of the first acts of the new concern was to reduce the length of credits to 54 HENRY IVISON. wholesale buyers. Instead of allowing the usual six months* credit on purchases, the time was reduced to thirty days, a change which has proved of great benefit both to buyer and seller, bringing all transactions so much nearer to a cash basis, large sums having been previously lost by too extended credits. Their example in this respect has been generally fol- lowed by the school-book publishers. When Mr. Ivison visited London, in the year 1866,' soon after the close of the civil war, he called upon Messrs. Trubner & Co., from whom his firm had purchased large quantities of paper, and owing to the great scarcity of rags in America, saved thereby from ten to fifteen per cent. On giving a large order for further supplies, Mr. Trubner said : “ What on the face of the earth do you do with all the paper you buy of us ?** u We make it into school-books/* answered Mr. Ivison. Said Mr. Trubner: “ I should think that you had school- books enough to furnish the whole world.** Messrs. Trubner & Co. themselves were publishers of a series of school-books in use largely throughout Great Britain, and Mr. Trubner told Mr. Ivison that their firm published more school-books than any one else in London or elsewhere. Mr. Ivison told him in return, that of Saunders* Pic- torial Primer, they never put on the press at one time less than 100,000. Saunders* readers have had a phenomenal sale ; perhaps the largest of any series ever published. The present firm of Ivison, Blakeman, Taylor & Co. publish more than three hundred different school-books, among them Webster*s School Dictionary, Dana*s Geology, Gray*s Botany, Robinson’s Mathematics, Fasquelle*s French Course, Wells* Scientific Series, and the famous Spencerian copy-books, and last but not least, Swinton*s series of School Readers, the sales of which have reached a magni- HENRY IYISON. 55 tude that would astonish my readers, were I permitted to give them. Mr. Swinton is the author of several interesting volumes on the late Civil War, which have been received with marked favor in military circles. He was military editor and army correspondent of the JV. Y. Times , and was present at many of the battles which he vividly describes. Successful school-book publishing represents immense capital, sagacity and enterprise. Mr. Ivison attributes the success of his firm, under the blessing of Providence, to steady industry, economy, strict adherence to the one line of publication undertaken, without turning to the right hand or to the left, to the avoidance of all speculations, liberal and judicious advertising, well-organized agency plans and thoughtful treatment of their patrons. Mr. Ivison being no longer in active business life, re- sides part of his time at his elegant residence in New York, and during the summer at his charming home at Stockbridge, Mass. In closing this sketch of one I have known so well for more than half a century, I will add what is fittingly said of him in the language of another: “ Among the characteristics of Mr. IvisoiPs business life, the finest qualities of head and heart were ever con- spicuous. To his partners and employees he was like the head of a family, and his sunny influence pervaded every department of the concern. It is said that he never had a harsh word with a partner; that he never sued or was sued in his life ; and that no piece of his business paper ever passed maturity. Those who succeed him will still have the benefit of his counsel and experience. Mr. Ivison will carry with him into his retirement the cordial wishes for many years of health and happiness of the trade and of hosts of people who have received instruction from some one or more of the text-books which have borne his name." II. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. Early recollections of Mr. Seward — He meets General Lafayette and Washington Irving — Elected Governor of New York — Fails to be nominated President — Sew- ard , Weed and Greely — Receives John Quincy Adams — General Taylor advised — Solomon Northrup kid- napped — Murder of the Van Nest family — Eloquent defense of William Freeman — Gladstone’s compli- ment — Irrepressible conflict and higher law — Anecdotes — J. G. Whittier’s poetical tribute — Author appointed XT. S. dispatch agent — Attempted assassination of Mr. Seward — Dr. Verdi’s thrilling account — Interest- ing anecdotes — Wonder fid journey around the world — Mr. Seward’s Death — His Monument in Madison Square. O HOTTLD I dwell longer on this record of my recollec- ^ tions of William H. Seward, than, perhaps, that of any other person of whom I may write, it is because I knew him so well in my boyhood days, my early manhood and later years. He was my life-long friend and patron, and I do not hesitate to say that I owe more to his kindness and friendship than to any other man I ever knew. In the year in which I was apprenticed to Mr. Ivison, Mr. Seward had formed a partnership in law with Nelson Beardsley, under the firm name of Seward & Beardsley. At that time I was but fifteen years of age. I well remem- ber the little white building, with green blinds, on South Street, where they had their law office. It was only one story in height, without any attempt at ornament or dis- [ 56 ] WILLIAM H. SEWARD. 57 play. Wood stoves were used to heat the building, as in those days the use of coal and steam for heating purposes was unknown in that locality. Mr. Beardsley retired from the practice of law many years since, in order to devote himself to his large finan- cial interests, and his duties at the Cayuga County National Bank, of which he has been president for more than forty years. Mr. Beardsley was at one time a special partner of mine in connection with Dr. Sylvester Willard of the same city. They are still living at Auburn, two of the wealthiest and most respected of its citizens. They have been my steadfast friends for more than half a century. Mr. Seward, although a young man, had just served a term as State Senator at Albany, and returned to Auburn, where he resumed his practice. It was about this time that he delivered an eloquent eulogy on General Lafayette, whom he had met the year previous in Paris. In his autobiography Mr. Seward speaks of his last in- terview with Lafayette, which occurred in 1833, as fol- lows : “I took my leave of the General and his family that night at ten o'clock, preparatory to a departure at six the next morning. I was surprised while taking my coffee be- fore daylight, by a summons to his bedroom, where I found him in a white flannel underdress, engaged with his corre- spondence, of which he showed me a letter which he had just received from Madame Malibran. I said to him, 4 We constantly cherish a hope that you will come back to the United States.' 44 4 My dear Sir,' said Lafayette, 4 it would make me very sad to think I should never see America again, but you know how it is. I am confined to France for two or three years by my office as a member of the House of Dep- uties ; and in that time what may happen only God knows !' With these words he threw his arms around me, and kissing me affectionately, bade me good-bye. He died during the next year." 3 * 58 WILLIAM H. SEWARD. Auburn about this time was but a village of some 5,000 inhabitants and the book store was generally the resort of cultivated men of the stamp of Mr. Seward. As a clerk there I often waited upon him, especially when any new or important book was received and appeared for sale. Cooper's novels, especially the “ Last of the Mohicans” and “ The Spy,” the Waverly novels and the new volumes by Washington Irving, were the books most sought after among the current literature of the day. Mr. Seward's purchases, however, were of books of the more solid kind — the classics, history and law books. The young men who were interested in politics gathered around him with much devotion as their leader. In those days parties were classi- fied as Whigs and Loco-Focos. Mr. Seward had received the nomination for Governor in the year 1834 ; he was de- feated, however, by William L. Marcy. He was nomi- nated again for the same office in 1838, and elected over Governor Marcy by a majority of over 10,000. The elec- tion was a very exciting one, and as we had no railroads or telegraphs, it was some days before the result could be positively ascertained. Although not of age, and consequently not a voter my- self, I was nevertheless very much interested in the success of the Whigs. On the Friday night succeeding the three days' election which began on Tuesday, myself with other of Mr. Seward’s neighbors and friends, was with him in the office of the Auburn Journal , the Whig organ of the county. All were waiting with much anxiety for the re- turns from the counties in western New York, or, as the phrase went, ‘‘the returns from over Cayuga bridge.” They were at last received by special messenger, assuring Mr. Seward's election as Governor beyond all doubt. I can well recall the expression Mr. Seward used as he read the mes- sage, “ God bless Thurlow Weed ! I owe this result to him.” The Whig paper issued an extra headed : “ Go ring the bells and fire the guns and fling the starry banner out. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. 59 the Empire State is redeemed.” A procession of the friends of the then newly elected Governor called upon him at his residence. A hundred guns were fired on successive days as the returns from different parts of the State increased his majority, and thus William H. Seward became Gover- nor of the Empire State at the early age of thirty-seven, being the youngest Governor ever elected in the State. Mr. Seward was again elected Governor in 1840, at the time General Harrison was elected President. I had just become a voter, and, like many young Whigs, was in- strumental in organizing glee clubs, where campaign songs were sung. The most popular of these, which was sung at all the Whig conventions, was the following : “ What has caused this great Commotion, Motion, motion ? Our country through ? It is the ball a-rolling on — chorus : “For Tippecanoe and Tyler, too, For Tippecanoe and Tyler, too. And with them we’ll beat little Van, Van, Van, Van is a used-up man; And with them we’ll beat little Van.” “ Who shall we have for our Governor, Governor, Governor ? Who, tell me, who ? Let’s have Bill Seward, for he’s a team. “For Tippecanoe and Tyler, too, etc.” At the close of Mr. Seward's term as Governor, he again resumed his law practice in Auburn. In the year 1843, the Venerable John Quincy Adams, who had been President of the United States before Andrew 60 WILLIAM II. SEWARD. Jackson, came to Auburn to visit Mr. Seward. On hia arrival he was escorted to the Seward residence by a large gathering of the people, including those from neighboring towns. The speech of welcome as delivered by Mr. Seward, which I remember, was a most eloquent one, Mr. Adams being evidently much affected by the reception tendered him and the feeling of affection manifested by those around him. As is well known John Quincy Adams, although an Ex-President of the United States, was again elected to Congress. While serving in that office he was suddenly stricken down in the very act of rising in debate. He died shortly after, his last words being : “ This is the last of earth. I am content.” Mr. Seward was invited by the Legislature of the State of Hew York to deliver a Eulogy on the deceased Ex- President before that body. He accepted the invitation and delivered his oration in the State Capitol at Albany. It is a singular circumstance — indeed a striking coinci- dence — that a quarter of a century later, Charles Francis Adams, the son of John Quincy Adams, was also invited by the Legislature of the State of Hew York to deliver a Eulogy on the death of Mr. Seward, to which eloquent ad- dress, it was my privilege to listen. Soon after the death of Mr. Adams, I proposed to Mr. Seward to write for publication, a life of John Quincy Adams. Although much engrossed in legal business he accepted my offer and undertook the work. He wap greatly assisted in its production by the Rev. John M. Austin, a writer of several popular books, and in whom Mr. Seward had the utmost confidence. The work reached a sale of over 40,000 copies. This was one of my earlier successes as a publisher of that class of books. Booksellers throughout the State of Hew York became very much interested in the passage by the Legislature of a measure, in the year 1841, relative to libraries for the public schools, which had been recommended by Governor Seward, WILLIAM H. SEWARD. 61 The sum of 155,000 was to be annually appropriated for five years, provided each school district where the appro- priation was allowed, raised an amount equal to that ap- portioned to them by the State. The act was passed, and became a rich harvest for Messrs. Harper and Bros., then, as now, the leading publishers in this country. They issued from their press with great rapidity, over two hundred volumes, in the various depart- ments of science, history, biography and travels, especially designed for school libraries. As an equal sum was raised by each school district, the amount disbursed was an inter- esting item to booksellers in those days. During Mr. Seward's administration as Governor, the legislature also enacted a law on his recommendation to es- tablish a depository for the preservation of specimens illustrative of the natural history of the State. The Geological Survey which was made in accordance with the provisions of this law, saved the people, Mr. Seward said, millions of dollars in proving that there were no coal regions in New York State, thus preventing ex- pensive explorations and useless mining. Another result of the Geological Survey was the pub- lication of thirteen large quarto volumes to which Mr. Seward prepared an elaborate introduction which he called “ Notes on New York," somewhat after the plan of Jeffer- son’s “ Notes on Virginia." This historical essay is written in a style of admirable clearness and abounds in valuable information.* He was greatly aided in the preparation of this State paper by his private Secretaries, Samuel Blatcli- ford, then of Albany, and Henry Underwood of Auburn. The former was afterwards Mr. Seward's law-partner, and at present an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court at Washington. In the years 1847-8 the whole country ~was electrified by * See Seward’s Works, lately published by Houghton, Mifflin & Co., in 5 vols. 62 WILLIAM H. SEWARD. the brilliant war victories achieved by General Taylor, over the Mexican forces. He became immensely popular with the people, and was early considered the most available Whig candidate for the Presidency, Mr. Seward favoring his nomination. He was elected over General Cass, the Democratic candidate for the same honor. At that time, Mr. Seward represented New York State in the United States Senate, and became the chief adviser of the new President. Immediately after the termination of the Mexican war, my firm engaged the services of Henry Montgomery, then editor of the Auburn Morning Journal , to write a biography of General Zachary Taylor, or “ Old Rough and Ready,” as he was called by his admirers. This book, which was a stirring account of the GeneraPs brave achievements, became very popular, and had an extensive sale, receiving the approval of the latter and friends. Soon after the inauguration of General Taylor, it was my good fortune to have the pleasure of his acquaintance, through the kindness of Mr. Seward, who presented me to the President one day at the White House. I was also most fortunate in this visit to Washington in seeing and hearing for the last time, those great men, Henry Clay, John 0. Calhoun, and Daniel Webster. Mr. Caihoun died a year after, and the other two illustrious statesmen two years later. While Mr. Seward was Governor of the State of New York, a law was enacted on his recommendation for the recovery of colored citizens of the State, kidnapped into slavery. It was under the provisions of this act, that in January, 1853, H. B. Northrup,^of Washington County, N. Y., procured the liberty of Solomon, a colored man, formerly living as a member of his family, who twelve years previous had been inveigled to the City of Washington and there kidnapped and sold into slavery. Although a freeman, Solomon was sold under the hammer by slave-traders and taken south as far as Louisi- ana. His whereabouts were providentially discovered and WILLIAM H. SEWARD. 63 immediate measures were taken to restore him to freedom. On his return north, by the aid of his former employer, he prepared a narrative, relating to his twelve years of cap- tivity, under the title of “ Twelve Years a Slave,” by Solomon Northrup. This book was brought out by my firm, and Solomon's thrilling experiences caused quite a sensation among the reading community, the book meeting with a rapid and large sale. Another important book published by Derby & Miller about that time was entitled — “The Trial of William Free- man, reported and edited by Hon. B. F. Hall.” It will be pertinent to my subject to mention this trial, giving a brief synopsis of the facts in the case, which will show to my readers how strongly the character of William H. Seward partook of those higher qualities of true man- hood which are seldom found among men. William Freeman atone time, previous to the perpe- tration of the horrible deed described below, had been com- mitted to jail, charged with horse-theft, and being con- victed, was sentenced to the State prison for the term of five years, although it was subsequently proved he was entirely innocent of the act. The boy, knowing his inno- cence, and smarting under his unjust incarceration, was not a willing prisoner, and consequently was frequently punished for his disobedience. It was on one of these occasions that lie was brutally struck on the head with a piece of board in the hands of one of the keepers. This cruel treatment evidently affected his reason to some extent, or, to use his own description, “knocked all the hearing off, so it never came back again.” That blow, no doubt, was the indirect cause of the horrible butchery of the Yan Nest family, which occurred a short time after the prisoner's discharge from the State prison. As soon as his term of imprisonment expired, he was permitted to go at large. Some time afterwards he visited the home of the Yan Nests, asking them for pay for five years' 64 WILLIAM H, SEWARD. work. Having had nothing to do with his imprisonment, and not owing him the money, they naturally refused to accede to his strange demand. He departed much incensed at their refusal. That same day he sharpened a large carving-knife, and fastening it to the end of a long pole, returned at night to the Van Nest farm-house, just as the family were about preparing to retire. Meeting them one by one as he entered the dwelling, he stabbed five in turn to death, and then fled the county, escaping on one of the horses, which he took from the stable. He was found in Oswego County, about forty miles distant, and conveyed back to Auburn, where he was met by a mob that had assembled to mete out summary vengeance upon the prepe- trator of such diabolical work. Being at that time a per- sonal friend of the sheriff, I assisted him in arranging for the safety of the colored boy, by taking him, by a back entrance, into the County Jail. The prisoner thus, by a ruse, escaped death at the hands of the infuriated throng, though I was necessarily locked up with him. To my question why he had committed the dreadful deeds, he simply replied, “ I wanted my pay.” After the mob had dispersed, the sheriff released me from my voluntary im- prisonment. The trial of this negro was conducted by John Van Buren, Attorney- General of the State, for the prosecution, and William II. Seward appeared for the de- fense, without fee or reward, thus consuming his valuable time, as it then seemed, to no purpose. Mr. Seward early became satisfied that Freeman was an irresponsible person, and notwithstanding the indig- nation which the people would and did visit upon him, he decided to act as was natural to him — on the side of humanity. This determination on his part caused the ut- most excitement. He was denounced publicly and pri- vately, and his friends, including Thurlow Weed, remon- strated with him, saying that to attempt the defense was but to incur public odium. But all in vain ; he was deter- WILLIAM H. SEWAKD. 65 mined to do his duty. In a letter to Thurlow Weed, dated Auburn, May 29, 1846, he says : “There is a busy war around me, to drive me from defending and securing a fair trial for the negro Freeman. People now rejoice that they did not lynch him, but they have all things prepared for nn auto-da-fe, with the solemnities of a mock trial. No priest (except one Universalist*) no Levite, no lawyer, no man, no woman, has vis- ited him. He is deaf, deserted, ignorant, and his conduct is unex- plainable on any principle of sanity. It is natural that he should turn to me to defend him. If he does, I shall do so. This will raise a storm of prejudice and passion, which will try the fortitude of my friends. But I shall do my duty. I care not whether I am ever to be forgiven for it or not.” Mr. Seward, actuated by the highest motives govern- ing humanity, closed his most remarkable defense by an address to the jury, which, as a specimen of forensic elo- quence has seldom if ever been surpassed. Soon after Charles Sumner's return from Europe in 1849, at a gathering of some of his friends in Boston, he spoke of William E. Gladstone, then the coming man in Great Britain, as the most accomplished orator in Europe. Mr. Sumner said he heard Mr. Gladstone give his opinion of Mr. Seward’s argument in the Freeman defense as follows: “Mr. Seward’s argument in the Freeman case is the greatest forensic effort in the English language.” An English gentleman present replied: “The greatest? Mr. Gladstone, you forget Erskine.” “No,” replied Glad- stone, “ I do not forget Mr. Erskine. I repeat, Mr. Seward’s argument is the greatest forensic effort in the English language.” The following extracts are from Mr. Seward’s defense of William Freeman: “ For William Freeman as a murderer I have no commission to speak. If he had silver and gold accumulated with the frugality of Croesus, and should pour it at all my feet, I would not stand an hour * Rev. John M. Austin. 66 WILLIAM H. SEWARD. between him and the avenger. But for the innocent it is my right, my duty to speak. If this sea of blood was innocently shed, then it is my duty to stand beside him nutil his steps lose their hold upon the scaffold. ***** “ I should be guilty of murder if in my present relation I saw the executioner waiting for an insane man, and failed to say, or failed to do in his behalf all that my ability allowed. I think it has been proved of the prisoner at the bar, that during all this long and tedious trial he has had no sleepless nights, and that even in the day-time when he retires from these halls to his lonely cell, he sinks to rest like a wearied child on the stone floor, and quietly slumbers till roused by the constable with his staff, to appear again before the jury. His counsel enjoy no such repose. Their thoughts by day and their dreams by night are filled with oppressive apprehension that through their inability or neglect he may be condemned. I am arraigned before you for undue manifestations of zeal and excitement. My answer to all such charges shall be brief. When this cause shall have been committed to you I shall be happy indeed if it shall appear that my only error has been that I have felt too much, thought too intensely or acted too faithfully. ***** “I plead not for a murderer. I have no inducement, no motive to do so. I have addressed my fellow citizens in many various rela- tions when rewards of wealth and fame awaited me. I have been cheered on other occasions by manifestations of popular approbation and sympathy, and w T here there was no such encouragement I had at least the gratitude of him whose cause I defended. But I speak now in the hearing of a people who have prejudged the prisoner, and con- demned me for pleading in his behalf. He is a convict, a pauper, a negro, without intellect, sense or emotion. My child with an affec- tionate smile, disarms my careworn face of its frown whenever I cross my threshold. The beggar in the street obliges me to give, because he says — ‘God bless you,’ as I pass. My dog caresses me with fondness if I will but smile on him. My horse recognizes me when I fill his manger. But what reward, what gratitude, what sympathy can I expect here ? There the prisoner sits. Look at him. Look at the assemblage around you. Listen to their ill suppressed censures and their excited fears and tell me where among my neigh- bors or my fellow-men, where even in his heart, I can expect to find the sentiment, the thought, not to say of reward or of acknowledg- ment, but even of recognition. I sat here two weeks during the pre- liminary trial. I stood here between the prisoner and the jury nine hours, and pleaded for the wretch that he was insane and did not WILLIAM H. SEWARD. 67 even know he was on trial, and when all was done, the jury thought, — at least eleven of them thought, — that I had been deceiving them or was self-deceived. They read signs of intelligence in his idiotic smile and of cunning and malice in his stolid insensibility. They read a verdict that he was sane enough to be tried — a contemptible compromise verdict in a capital case, and then they looked on, with what emotions God and they only know, upon his arraignment. The District Attorney, speaking in his adder ear, bade him rise, and reading to him one indictment asked him whether he wanted a trial, and the poor fool answered : ‘ No.’ Have you counsel ? ‘ No.’ And they went through the same mockery, the prisoner giving the same answers, until a third indictment was thundered in his ears, and he stood before the court silent, motionless and bewildered. Gentle- men, you may think of this evidence what you please, bring in what verdict you can, but I asseverate before Heaven and you that to the best of my knowledge and belief, the prisoner at the bar does not at this moment know why it is that my shadow falls on you instead of his own.” The prisoner, however, notwithstanding the efforts of his eloquent defender, was found guilty and sentenced to be hanged. Subsequently, the former judgment having been set aside by the Supreme Court, a new trial was granted, and Mr. Seward was to have appeared for the prisoner again, but before the new trial had been commenced Freeman was visited by the Circuit Judge who tried him, and examined with reference to his mental condition, in order to determine the propriety of a second trial before the court. The prisoner was found to be in a gradual decline of health and strength, and as unconcerned regarding his fate as when upon trial for his life. The judge then declined to re-open the case ; the prisoner was never retried, and died shortly after. After his death a post-mortem examination was called for by the whole community, as those who believed in his guilt as a responsible being were anxious to know the real truth of the case, which medical science alone could reveal. Dr. A. Brigham, the State Superintendent of the Lunatic Asylum at Utica, being summoned after the autopsy, gave 68 WILLIAM II. SEWARD. an elaborate opinion, of which the following is a brief ex- tract : “ His appearance since liis trial has been that of a person nearly bereft of his intellect. I saw him the last week in June, and found him more demented than he was the year previous. During the trial he was almost totally deaf and speechless, and apparently affected by general paralysis. Never scarcely have 1 seen such a mere fragment of humanity, so far as mind was concerned. At the time of the trial of Freeman, I was confident that he was insane and that the heinous crime he committed was the consequence of mental derangement. I can now have no rational doubt of the correctness of that opinion.” Dr. Blanchard Fosgate, of Auburn, himself an author and a writer of a volume on the Philosophy of the Mind, well says in a letter : “ How much the cause of justice and philosophy is indebted to the unwearied perseverance of the eminent advocate, who withstood the tide of popular indignation in conducting the prisoner’s defense, is left for other hands to register ; but true it is, that over prejudice and error, science has gloriously triumphed, saving in this instance by its generous application, the life of an unaccountable agent from sacrifice.” Two of Mr. Seward’s most famous expressions are those known as “The Irrepressible Conflict” and “The Higher Law.” One contained in a speech delivered before the United States Senate in the year 1850 ; the other in an ad- dress at Rochester, N. Y., 1858. It has been asserted that both these sentiments had been used on some previous occasion, and were therefore not original with Mr. Seward ; but it is not generally known that he uttered the same expressions in speeches made, one at Cleveland, Ohio, October 26th, 1848, in which he says : “ There are two antagonistical elements of society in America — freedom and slavery. Freedom is in harmony with our system of government and with the spirit of the age, and is, therefore, passive and quiescent. Slavery is in conflict with that system, with justice and with humanity, and is, therefore, organized, defensive, active, and perpetually aggressive.” WILLIAM H. SEWARD. 69 Although this speech was delivered during the cam- paign of 1848, while General Taylor was running for the Presidency, the bitter attacks on the sentiments as quoted were not made until he delivered his Rochester speech in 1858, when the Democratic papers attacked him bitterly. Again, in a letter written from Albany, March, 1840, he asks : “ Why should an American hate foreigners ?” Then says: “For myself, so far from hating any of my fellow citizens, I should shrink from myself if I did not recognize them all as worthy of my constant solicitude, to promote their welfare and entitled of right by the Consti- tution and laws and by the higher law of God himself to equal rights, equal privileges, and equal political favor as citizens of the State with myself. ” The famous so-called “Higher Law Speech” was made by Mr. Seward, March 11, 1850, on the admission of California to the Union. Although the same sentiment was expressed in 1840, it then attracted but little attention, as the ques- tion of slavery had not been agitated. The following are the words which produced such a sensation throughout the country, and for which Mr. Seward was condemned by all the pro-slavery journals and politicians. “ But there is a higher law than the Constitution which regulates our authority over the domain, and devotes it to the same noble purpose.” The anti- slavery people, more especially among the Methodist churches, sustained Mr. Seward. The Rev. Wm. Hosmer, editor of the Northern Christian Advocate, was the author of a volume entitled, “ The Higher Law,” in which he sustains the position taken by Mr. Seward. The volume was well received, especially among the denomina- tion to which Mr. Hosmer belonged. Mr. John W. Forney, in his Anecdotes of Public Men, says : “ I heard an anecdote of Mr. Seward's patient temperament a few days ago, that deserves mentioning. In June of 1856, after Preston S. Brooks committed his brutal assault on Charles Sumner, Mrs. Seward was ex- ceedingly anxious for the safety of her husband, and ad- 70 WILLIAM II. SEWARD vised him to protect himself. “Well, my dear,” was the answer, “ what shall I do? I am a man of peace ; I never reply to personal attacks. How am I to defend my- self ? Shall I go to the Senate with a musket or rifle on my shoulder ? If I use pistols, I am sure you will not ask me to shoot anybody without notice. You say no. Well then, it will be my duty, if I carry revolvers, to lay them on my Senatorial desk so that all men may see that I am ready to kill anybody at a moment's notice. I think this is my best weapon,” he said, as he closed the interview and picked up a whip he carried as a metaphorical help to the old horse that carried him to the Capitol. Ex-Senator G-win, of California, tells the following anec- dote of Mr. Seward, which illustrates his power at the din- ner-table : “ When Seward came into the Senate, I also entered there. It was about the year 1850. He was re-elected, and so was I. Ho was very much disliked in the Senate, when I found him there, as an Abolitionist. “ Seward said to me one day when we were trying to get tli rough some measures for the development of California, ‘ Mr. Gwin, I want you to invite me to dinner at your house with your leading Southern senators/ “ ‘ I said, ‘ Seward, I'm afraid they won't come.' “ ‘ Oh yes,' said he, f they will if you invite them. When we get at your table, I will manage them.' “I went to Butler, of South Carolina, and to other Senators and said, f I want you to come to my house to dinner, and Seward is going to be there too/ “ They came, and it was wonderful to see how that little fellow Seward managed that table. I never saw his equal at a dinner-table.” “ He could tell tales that would make everybody laugh, and a good many of them were about himself. He would reflect on himself. In point of fact, Seward was a wonder- ful man, both as a table companion and as a student.” As soon as Mr. Lincoln had been formally notified of his WILLIAM H. SEWARD. 71 election as President of the United States, lie offered to Mr. Seward the chief position in his Cabinet, that of Secretary of State, which was accepted. At the Chicago Convention which nominated Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Seward received the largest number of votes on the first ballot. Mr. Lincoln was finally nominated and subsequently elected. Hon. William M. Evarts, chairman of the Hew York delegation, made on that occasion the following eloquent address, which well represented the feelings of the Repub- licans of the Empire State : “ The State of New York by a full delegation with complete unanimity of purpose at home, came to this convention and present- ed to its choice, one of its citizens who had served the state from boj^hood up, who had labored for and loved it. We came from a great state with as we thought, a great statesman, and our love of the great republic from which we are all delegates, the great Ameri- can Union, and our love of the great Republican party of the Union and our love of our statesman and candidate, made us think that we did our duty to the country and the whole country in expressing our preference for him. For it was from Gov. Seward that most of us learned to love republican principles, and the Republican party. His fidelity to the country, the constitution and the laws, his fidelity to the party and the principle that the majority govern, his interest in ihe advancement of our party to its victory, that our country may rise to its true glory, induces me to assume to speak his sentiments as I do indeed the opinion of our whole delegation when I move you as I do now that the nomination of Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, as the Republican candidate for the suffrages of the whole country for the office of Chief Magistrate of the American Union, be made unanimous.” The disappointment of Mr. Seward’s friends was even greater than his, in the failure of a nomination, so confi- dently expected by all. The following is a brief response to my letter to him : “ Auburn, May 27th, 1860. “ My Dear Derby : “ The kindness of my friends overwhelms me. You are one of the earliest and most constant and among the most esteemed. “Faithfully, “ William H. Seward.” 72 WILLIAM H. SEWA11D. There is little doubt that the active opposition of Hor- ace Greeley caused Mr. Seward's defeat. The former had grievances, which were set forth in his famous letter dis- solving the firm. Mr. Julius J. Wood, an old and devoted friend of Mr. Seward's, has recently told me that the latter related to him the occasion of the receipt of the celebrated document known as the Seward, Weed and Greely letter. He said that Mr. Seward, after reading it, told his wife that Mr. Greeley was in a pet ; that he was dissatisfied and angry, but that he would get over it, saying which he threw the letter into the waste-basket ; but Mrs. Seward's quiet intel- ligence saw that it meant more than he thought and she carefully put it away for future possible reference. Mr. Weed first saw the letter in the New York Times , where it was published by Mr. Raymond, who had called on his return from the Chicago Convention and made a copy of the celebrated epistle, so carefully preserved by Mrs. Seward. On January 12, preceding the inauguration, Mr. Seward, still Senator of the United States, and being, as supposed, the mouth-piece of the incoming administration, made that memorable speech in the Senate “ On the state of the Union," which created a profound impression throughout the country. He commenced as follows : “ I avow my adherence to the Union, with its integrity and with all its parts, with my friends, with my party, with my State, with my country, or without either, as they may determine, in every event, whether of peace or of war, with every consequence of honor or dishonor, of life or death." The speech closed with these words : “ I certainly shall never, directly or indi- rectly, give my vote to establish or sanction slavery in the common territories of t'ie United States, or anywhere else in the world." A writer in one of the N. Y. papers describes the scene as follows : WILLIAM H. SEWAKD. 73 “Mr. Seward's speech was the event of the week, and is the topic of discussion in all political circles. The scene before and during the delivery of the speech was almost unparalleled in the Senate. By ten o'clock every seat in the galleries was filled, and by eleven the cloak-rooms and all the passages were choked up and a thousand men and women stood outside of the doors waiting to catch the words of the speaker when he should commence. Several hundred gentlemen came on from Baltimore to hear it, and the curiosity among all the Southern men here, to listen to it was intense. The southern Senators and Representatives paid the utmost attention and the galleries were as quiet as their suffocating condition would war- rant. It was the fullest house of the session and by far the most respectful one. During the delivery of portions of the speech, Sena- tors were in tears, when the sad picture of the country divided into two confederacies was presented, Mr. Crittenden, Senator from Ken- tucky, who sat immediately before the Orator was completely over- come by his emotion and bowed his white head and wept.” The following glowing tribute by Whittier, indicates the enthusiasm which this speech created among the friends of liberty, throughout the country : — TO WILLIAM H. SEWARD. “ Statesman, I thank thee ! — and if yet dissent Mingles, reluctant, with my large content, I cannot censure, what was nobly meant. But, while constrained to hold even Union less, Than Liberty and Truth and Righteousness, I thank thee in the sweet and holy name Of peace, for wise calm words that put to shame Passion and party. Courage may be shown Not in defiance of the wrong alone ; He may be bravest who, unweaponed, bears The olive branch, and strong in justice, spares The rash wrong-doer, giving widest scope To Christian charity and generous hope, If, without damage to the sacred cause Of freedom and the safe-guard of its laws — If without yielding that for which alone We prize the Union, thou cans’t save it now From a baptism of blood, upon thy brow A wreath whose flowers no earthly soil has known, Woven of the beatitudes, shall rest ; And the peace-maker be forever blest ! ” 4 74 WILLIAM H. SEWARD, During the summer of 1861, I was appointed by Mr. Seward, Librarian of the Department of State at Washing- ton, which brought me into confidential relations with the Secretary. While filling this office, he frequently intrusted me with important despatches to our ministers abroad, which I was to submit to Mr. Lincoln for his approval, before they were forwarded to their respective destinations. I usually called on the President for this purpose about noon, his hour for luncheon, and was at such times struck at the simple repast of a sandwich and a cup of tea, with which that great man refreshed himself, while looking over the despatches. This was generally done in a cursory manner. Once he remarked that “ Mr. Seward knew what was the right thing to say, and how to say it. " In the month of November, 1861, Captain Wilkes, of the U. S. steamer, San Jacinto, intercepted the British mail packet boat, Trent, arresting James M. Mason, of Va., and John Slidell, of La., late U. S. senators from their respective states, but at the time of their arrest, ambassadors from the Confederate States to England and France. The captives were sent to Fort Warren, near Boston, where political prisoners were confined. When the arrest became known by the British Government prepara- tions for war were at once made. The Secretary of the Navy, Gideon Welles, publicly applauded the action of Wilkes, and even the House of Bepresentatives did the same. The whole country was elated at what was deemed an important capture. Mr. Seward, on the contrary, sail that a great blunder had been committed, and resolved that the captives should be returned to the protection of the British Flag. President Lincoln and Charles Sumner, then chairman of the Committee of Foreign Relations, both concurred in this resolution of Mr. Seward. I first learned of the decis- ion of the Government on being sent for by the Secretary to read with him, for verification, a copy of his letter to Lord Lyons, then British ambassador to this country. WILLIAM H. SEWARD. 75 Much surprised at the nature of the despatch, I quickty saw the wisdom of the course Mr. Seward intended to pursue. The moneyed interest of the country having become alarmed at the prospect of a war with Great Britain, gold hud reached a fabulous figure. The news soon spread to Wall Street. “ Bull Run Russell/'’ as the correspondent of the London Times was called, telegraphed to a friend in New York, “Act as though you heard good news.’* Mr. Russell was known to be on intimate terms with Lord Lyons, and, as a natural consequence, received the earliest information concerning the amicable settlement of, perhaps, the most formidable question arising with any foreign government during the period of the civil war. On the 7th day of April, 1865, I was appointed by Mr. Seward U. S. Despatch Agent at New York, the most val- uable appointment within the gift of the Secretary of State. As few arc aware of the duties of such an office, the follow- ing extracts from the letter of instructions accompanying my appointment may be interesting. “Department of State, Washington, April 7th, 1865. “James C. Derby, Esq., U. S. Despatch Agent, New York. “ Sir : — “You are hereby appointed despatch agent of the department at New York. . . . The following is a statement of the principal duties pertaining to your office and of the instructions by which you will be governed in its administration. You will receive from Europe, the East and from South America all despatches or other packages directed to this department and transmit them with all possible despatch by mail, or through one of the express lines, and will attend to the transmission of all despatches and other matter from this department to the legations, consuls and commercial agents of the United States abroad. . . . It will be necessary that you should make an arrangement with the post-office in New York, by which all despatches directed to your care may be delivered to you immediately after their arrival, that no loss of opportunity may occur 76 WILLIAM II. SEWARD. for their speedy transmission to the points to which they are addres- sed, and to enable you to be punctual in the discharge of this par- ticular duty it will be necessary for you to keep yourself advised of all anticipated departures of vessels, so that advantage may be taken of the earliest opportunities. You will keep a tabular state- ment of all matter sent to you from this department, noting the date and mode of transmission and take monthly returns of them in book form. In case of detention of the steamers or packets at quarantine, the despatches are to be sent for at the expense of the department. The despatches from the department consist principally of communica- tions and newspapers to the Ministers, Consuls and Commercial Agents of the United States abroad. . . . It is highly important that the department should receive the despatches, as early as prac- ticable, after their arrival, and you will adopt such means as will enable you to obtain them at least as early as private letters are obtained. . . . You are to consider your duties confidential and keep all despatches remaining over, in your possession. That you may receive all practicable facilities, a letter has been addressed to the Post-Master of your City, and one is hereby inclosed to the Col- lector of Customs at New York, asking such aid on the part of their respective offices, as may be necessary for the prompt discharge of your duties. I am sir, Your obedient servant, (Signed) F. W. Seward, Assistant Secretary. Among the earliest despatches forwarded by me to London was the following to Minister Adams, via Portland, the only steamer leaving on that day — which the New York papers published at the time. “Washington, April 15th. The sad duty devolves upon me to announce the assassination of the President at Ford’s Theatre last night, by a pistol shot, from a person who entered the box for the purpose. The assassin escaped, but it is supposed has been arrested. The President died at 7 :30 o’clock this morning. Vice-President Johnson has assumed the functions of President, having been sworn in by the Chief Justice. About the same time an attempt was made by (it is believed) a different person to assassinate Mr. Seward, but the murderer only succeeded in inflicting painful and severe wounds principally upon his face.” WILLIAM II. SEWARD. 77 “ Mr. F. W. Seward was beaten over the head with a heavy weapon in the hands of the person who attacked his father, and grievously hurt. His brother was also wounded by the dagger of the assassin, as was Mr. Hansell, a messenger of the department who was with the secretary and the male nurse in attendance.” (Signed) William Hunter, Acting Secretary of State. A short time previous to this attempted assassination Mr. Seward was violently thrown from his carriage, strik- ing on his face and breaking his jaw-bone ; his son, F. W. Seward, then became acting Secretary of State, and sent the following despatch to Minister Adams : Department of State, Washington, April 10th, 1865. Sir : — I regret to state that a serious accident has occurred to the Secretary of State and that his injuries are so severe as to render it impossible for the present, that he should give any attention to mat- ters of official business. It is hoped that in a few days he will so far have recovered from its effects as to be able to resume in some de- gree his official duties. Your recent despatches will then be submit- ted to him. Until that time their consideration is necessarily deferred. I am, sir. your obedient servant, F. W. Seward, Acting Secretary. Dr. Yerdi, the family physician had just returned from dressing the fearful wound when be was again suddenly summoned to a more dreadful sight. The following is DR. VERDI’S ACCOUNT OF THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINA- TION OF MR. SEWARD AND SONS. ******** “ When I reached the door of Mr. Seward, I ascended quickly and when I got up stairs I met the blanched face of Mrs. Seward, who, in an agonized tone, said — “ Look to Mr. Seward ! ” Mr. Sew- ard lay on his bed with pallid face and half closed eyes, he looked like an exsanguinated corpse. In approaching him my feet went deep in blood. Blood was streaming from an extensive gash in the swollen cheek, the cheek was now laid open and the flap hung loose on his neck. With prompt applications of ice-water I checked the hemorrhage and then examined the extent of the wound. The gash 78 WILLIAM H. SEWARD. commenced from the high cheek-bone down to the neck in a semi- circular form towards the mouth, it was probably five inches long and two inches deep. It was a frightful wound. It seemed as if the jugular vein or the carotid artery must be wounded, so great was the loss of blood. I was greatly relieved to find that they were not. Mrs. Seward and her daughter almost paralyzed, were waiting and watching for my first word. Relieved to see that the secretary had so miraculously escaped the severing of those two vital vessels, I said : “Mr. Seward, even in your misfortune I must congratulate you, the assassin has failed and your life is notin danger.” He could not speak, but he made a sign with the hand for his wife and daugh- ter to approach, took hold of their hands, and his eyes only spoke and bid them hope. I had hardly sponged his face from the bloody stains and replaced the flap, when Mrs. Seward, with an intense look called me to her. “ Come and see Frederick,” said she. Somewhat surprised, I said, “ What fs the matter with Frederick ? ” In a pain- ful whisper she muttered, “He is badly wounded, I fear.” With- out adding another word I followed her to the next room, where I found Frederick bleeding profusely from the head. He had a ghastly appearance, was unable to articulate, gave me a smile of recognition and pointed to his head. There I found a large wound a little above the forehead and somewhat on the left of the median line, and another further back on the same side. The cranium had been crushed in, in both places, and the brain was exposed. The wounds were bleeding profusely, but the application of cold water pledgets soon stopped the hemorrhage. I feared these wounds would prove fatal. Mrs. Seward was again haunting me with that intense look of silent anxiety. I gave her words of encouragement. I feared they were unmeaning words. Again she drew me to her with that look I had seen in the other room. As I approached almost bewil bered she said, “Come and see Augustus.” “For Heaven’s sake, Mrs. Seward, what does this mean ? ” I followed her in another room on the same floor and there found Augustus with two cuts on his forehead and one on his right hand. They were superficial. As I turned to Mrs. Seward to give her a word of comfort she said, “Come and see Mr. Robinson.” I ceased wondering, my mind became as if paralyzed ; mechanically I followed her and examined Mr. Robinson. He had four or five cuts on his shoulders. They were superficial. Again I turned to Mrs. Seward as if asking, “ Any more ? ” yet unbelieving that any more could be wounded. She answered my look. “ Yes, one more.” In another room I found Mr. Hansell, piteously groaning on the bed. He said he was wounded in the back. I stripped him, and found a deep gash just above the small of the back, near the spine. I thrust my finger in the wound WILLIAM H. SEWARD. 79 evidently made by a large bladed knife, and found that it followed a rib, but had not penetrated the viscera. Here was another miracu- lous escape. . . Let us now recur to some of the chief incidents of the attempted assassination. At or about ten o’clock of the even- ing of the 14th of April, thirty minutes after I had left Mr. Seward, the bell of his house gave a ring. William Wells, a colored lad, who usually attended the door, answered that ring. A man holding a little package in his hands, presented himself, saying, I must go up to Mr. Seward, to deliver him the medicine and a message from Dr. Verdi. The lad tells him he cannot go up, but would deliver both medicine and message himself. No, the stranger cannot trust the important message, he must go up himself. In vain the lad remon- strates. In his testimony before the court he states, “ I told him he could not go up it, was against my orders. That if he would give me the medicine I would tell Mr. Seward how to take it.” That w r ould not do, he started to go up. Finding that he would go up, I stepped past him and went up the steps before him. Then thinking that such might be the orders of Dr. Verdi and that I was interfering, I begged him to excuse me. I became afraid he might tell Mr. Seward and the doctor of my interference. He answered, “All right.” As he stepped heavily, I told him to walk lightly so as not to disturb the secretary. In the adjacent room to Mr. Seward’s Frederick is lying on the sofa, resting. He hears steps and voices ascending, he comes out on the landing and there meets the stranger. Frederick inquires, “What do you want?” “I want to see Mr. Seward, I have medicine and a message to deliver from Dr. Verdi.” “ My father is asleep, give me the medicine and the directions, I will take them to him.” “No, I must see him, I must see him,” he repeats in a determined manner. “ You cannot see him; you cannot see him. I am the proprietor here. 1 am Mr. Seward’s son. If you cannot leave them with me you cannot leave them at all.” The man still insists. Frederick still refuses. The determined tone of Fred- erick causes the man to hesitate, he even turns to go down stairs, the lad preceding, telling him to walk lightly. He descends four or five steps, when suddenly he turns back and springs upon Frederick, giving him a blow — doubtless with the heavy pistol, on the head, that fells him to the ground. The lad seeing the brutal assault runs down crying “ Murder ! Murder ! ” He flies to the corner — Genl. Augur’s headquarters. He finds no guard. In the meanwhile, Robinson, the nurse in attendance on Mr. Seward, hearing the unusual noise, opens the door and sees the stranger and Frederick thrown on his hands and bleeding; before he has time for thought the assassin is on him, striking him to the ground, he quickly rises but before he can clinch with him, the assassin is on Mr. Seward, who having awakened and 80 WILLIAM H. SEWARD. comprehending the scene at once had risen in his bed. The assassin plunges an immense knife in Mr. Seward’s face, he attempts another strike at his neck, but Robinson is upon him and the knife is par- tially arrested. He tries to disengage himself from Robinson by striking him with the knife over the shoulders. The daughter, who, too, is watching in the dimly lighted room, screams “help” and “ murder ! ” . . . Lewis Payne is arrested under suspicious circumstances. William Wells, the colored lad, was sent for; being shown to a room containing several people, he is asked if he recognizes the assassin among them ? No, he does not see him. Several other people are then brought in, when suddenly he walks towards Lewis Payne, and in an excited manner exclaims, “ There he is ! I knew I could never forget that lip.” The recogni- tion was complete. Mr. Seward lay prostrate, his wounded cheek had tumified and inflamed. His nervous system had received such a shock that even without that excessive loss of blood, had dimin- ished the natural resources for action. His sleep was restless and interrupted by terrible dreams. We feared that even his strong constitution would finally yield. But no — his power of existence was truly extraordinary it was principally due to his mental strength. This man, so foully dealt with, would struggle and conquer in adver- sity. He treated his case from a high standpoint of philosophy. He spoke of it as of an historical fact, avoiding individualism, and treated it as another instance of the madness that overcomes weak minds in great national convulsions. It was sublime to hear this stricken-down man with jaws screwed together by surgical art, speak- ing through a hole made in the apparatus that held his mouth fast, not a word for himself but the words of a sound philosopher who will not despise human nature for the act of a madman. With nothing but misery, suffering agony, and with death staring him in the face, he was calm, submissive, even forbearing. All his solicitude "was about his son. Of the calamity to Mr. Lincoln, his fellow-co-laborer, he knew nothing for several days. The wounds of Frederick excited the greatest solitude. The brain was exposed in both places, in the anterior one fully a square inch of the membranes of the brain were exposed to view. A lacerated vessel on the interior surface of the cranium would from time to time bleed so profusely as to put his life in imminent jeopardy, and yet it could not be reached for a liga- ture. We w T ere constantly kept in fearful apprehension of these hemorrhages. With noble fortitude did that family bear the anxie- ties and the fatigues of this long and sad period ; Mrs. Seward, so delicate in frame, so feeble in health, unceasingly supervising all the nursing that required such fine judgment and unremitting care. Human endurance, however, has its limits, and Mrs. Seward finally WILLIAM II. SEWARD. 81 succumbed. The little flame that lighted that body expired on the 21st of June. Like her life, her death was the calmness of a heaven- born spirit. Overcome by these multiplied trials her daughter at length sank into a nervous fever that consumed her. Her body could not bear whatever soul had borne, and in a year’s time she added one more to the number of victims to the terrible plot of Booth, Surratt and Payne.” Mr. SewarcLs only allusion to “casualties” which de- prived the department of the services of both secretary and assistant secretary of state for several weeks, was drawn out by way of an excuse for an omission to fully acknowledge the manifold expressions which were transmitted to the department from governments, public authorities, civic, ecclesiastical, educational corporations and associations as well as from public assemblies of citizens, and from individ- ual citizens, of their feeling of sympathy and condolence which the government and the people of the United States in the calamity which they had suffered in the lamented death of the late president, Abraham Lincoln. “ Owing,” says Mr. Seward, “ to some peculiar casualties, the effi- ciency of the department was impaired at the time the des- patches were received, and they obtained only a simple and formal acknowledgment from the presiding secretary.” Mr. A. D. F. [Randolph, the well-known publisher, al- ways a great admirer of Mr. Seward's statesmanship, ad- dressed to him, on several occasions, well-turned sonnets. The following appropriate poetic tribute was at the close of his long term of service as Secretary of State : W. H. S. “Eight years of service, such as greatest kings Might seek, yet be unable to perform ; Thou hast rode out from first to last the storm That shook the Nation. Now the day that brings To all the land the crowning act of Peace Takes off thy burden, gives thee glad release. How through these years m silence has thou borne, The cruel doubt, the slanders of debate — The assassin’s knife, and keener blade of scorn 4* 82 WILLIAM II. SEWARD. Wielded by party in its narrow hate, How couldst thou pause each step to vindicate Of thy surpassing work ? Lo ! it is done, Freedom enshrined in our regenerate state, And they who were divided made as one.” March 4th, 1869. Mr. F . B. Carpenter, the artist, in a letter to the JV. Y. Independent, describing a visit to Mr. Seward, in July, 1870, thus vividly pictures the latter’s residence at Auburn: “ South Street a brick house of the style of forty or fifty years ago, painted yellow, large, roomy, most hospitable looking, situated in the midst of some three acres of lawn and sliubbery, a row of Lom- bardy poplars like grim sentinels bordering the street in front of the house, couchant lions in stone crowning the solid columns which support the iron gates, a broad carriage-way, and stone stables in the rear — such were the outward appearance and surroundings of the home of Ex-Secretary Seward. “ The ‘ gates ’ to this delightful retreat seemed ever ‘ ajar.’ Dis- tinguished strangers, friends and neighbors were constantly calling to pay their respects to the venerable statesman, who, at the age of seventy, bore so remarkably the years and cares of his eventful life. “ The house is a museum of curiosities. Relics, mementoes, testi- monials, innumerable works of art abounded everywhere. In the reception-room are the family portraits. Those of Mr. Seward’s father and mother at once attract the visitor, not alone on account of the quaint costumes and the striking resemblance disclosed between father and son, but for the remarkable character and sweetness of expression embodied in the countenance of Mr. Seward’s mother. It was one of the faces that always arrest attention — a face sure to lin- ger long afterward in the memory.” Notwithstanding the injuries received at the time of his attempted assassination in 1865 (from the effects of which he still suffered), his infirmities and his advanced age, Mr. Seward started on a journey around the world in the year 1870, which he completed the following year, then returning to Auburn, where he passed the remaining days of his long and patriotic life. The reception tendered him all along the route of his WILLIAM H. SEWARD. 83 travels was remarkable. In almost every clime he was greeted with enthusiastic demonstrations by the people generally, and was the recipient of many affecting marks of individual esteem. By sovereigns and ministers he was universally welcomed as one with whom they had been in friendly intercourse ; and not only was every courtesy ex- tended to him by his own countrymen whom he met abroad, but the various nations through which he jour- neyed seemed to vie with each other in doing him honor. Once in 1871, during Mr. Seward's remarkable journey, he said : 44 Passing through the great library of an English nobleman with Sir Henry Holland, we came upon an al- cove, where an author sat surrounded by a pile of tomes. 4 There,’ said Sir Henry, 4 is an illustration of the methods of the human intellect. That is the way books are made — out of books. Here are 800,000 volumes on these shelves, slowly and laboriously reproduced out of each other during successive centuries. And they will continue for centuries to come, evolving others in which an original thought or fact will be the exception, while the great mass of their ideas will be selected, copied and rearranged with more or less skill from their predecessors/ 44 4 And that,’ he added, 4 induces me to think that the destruction of the Alexandrian library, that the world la- ments, was, perhaps, no great calamity after all. Probably nearly every valuable thought in it has reappeared since somewhere else/" At another time he said: 44 In Guadalaxara, Mexico, there is a great treasure, which the world passes by un- noticed and unknown. The convents and colleges there were two centuries accumulating libraries containing all manner of rare and valuable books and manuscripts, in va- rious languages and on all subjects. When the revolution took place these institutions were broken up, their prop- erty confiscated and their libraries became the property of the several States. So the State of Jalisco found itself the possessor of a vast accumulation of books, containing 84 WILLIAM H. SEWARD. a multitude of duplicates. These duplicates it would glad- ly sell or exchange and still retain a library such as few European capitals can boast. But Guadalaxara is so re- mote, so cut off from communication with the literary world, that the great treasure still rests there, in the dim and dusty seclusion of the upper rooms of the university.” After finishing his wonderful sight-seeing abroad, he decided to write an account of his travels, in response to an evident popular desire for the same. Seward's Travels Around the World, edited by his adopted daughter, Olive Risley Seward, was the result of this conclusion ; they were published in 1873, by D. Appleton & Co., at which time I was connected with that house. It had an immense sale, yielding the estate a copyright of more than fifty thousand dollars. In the year 1871, I received a letter from Mr. Seward, an extract from which is given below. “ I am clearing away from my table an accumulated business and correspondence, with a view, if lean find the necessary aid, to prepare an account, not of my life and times, but of my own particular part in the transactions and events of the period in which I have lived." He soon after began his autobiography and told the story of his life down to his 34th year. It was his intention to complete the work, but his death left it unfinished. This autobiography is incorporated with a memoir of Mr. Seward's life by his son Frederick W. Seward, published by D. Appleton & Co., in the year 1877. The second volume, completing this most interesting biography, we may hope soon to see from the pen of this worthy and accomplished son, who was associated so long with his father as assistant Secretary of State, and which position he subsequently filled under the Hon. William M. Evarts, with great credit to himself and satisfaction to the public. The death of Mr. Seward, occurred on the 10th of October, 1872. His funeral was attended by a large con- course of his neighbors and distinguished friends from all WILLIAM H. SEWARD. 85 parts of the States. The tomb in which his remains rest, in Fort Hill Cemetery, at Auburn, is of white marble, sup- porting a cross upon which rests a wreath of oak and laurel. At the head is a cinerary urn of classic design, around which is entwined a vine of ivy. On the face of the tomb is simply inscribed : WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Borh May 16th, 1801. Died October 10th, 1872. On the base of the urn is the inscription which he desired : “He was faithful” Passing up Broadway, to Madison Square Park, one of the first objects of interest to attract the attention is the fine bronze statue erected to the memory of Mr. Seward by prominent citizens of New York. The commission to produce this monument was given to Mr. Randolph Rogers, a personal friend of the subject of his model ; and of his work, the London Art Journal says : “ The sculptor has executed a life-like portrait statue of the late eminent American Statesman, Mr. Seward. The statue is in every w’ay naturalistic, there has been no at- tempt to make it anything but a portrait of the man, and this it may fairly lay claim to. He is seated in an attitude of meditation, and in a costume, such as in all probability, he was daily accustomed to wear." The statue was completed and formally presented to the city the 28th of September, 1876, before assembled thou- sands, who witnessed the unveiling. Hon. John Bigelow, making the formal presentation of the statue on the part of the citizens, the Mayor, Hon. W. H. Wickham, accept- ing the same in the name of the city. The orator of the day was Hon. William M. Evarts. The inscriptions are of the simplest nature. On the upper tablet is inscribed the name, William H. Seward, on the larger tablet beneath —Governor — United States Senator — Secretary of State. III. HARPER & BROTHERS. First call on Harper & Brothers — Their early business hours — Anecdotes of their early home — James Harper’s fund of Humor — Elected Mayor — His lesson to hack- men — Accident causing his death — John Harper’s fondness for horses — Will not 'work on Sunday — Honored life and peaceful death — Wesley Harper the beloved brother — First visit to a theatre — Fletcher Har- per’ s great achievement — Thurlow Weed’s shrewdness — Fletcher Harper’s noted Monday dinners — His death greatly mourned — The present firm — Traditions of the founders. "V/TY acquaintance with the house of Harper & Brothers began in the year 1838, when I was a clerk for Mr. Henry Ivison, who at that time was a bookseller and book- binder in the village of Auburn, 1ST. Y., and who probably never dreamed that he would eventually become the head of the largest school-book house in the world. In the year mentioned, Mr. Ivison sent me to New York, having con- fidence in my knowledge of the trade, to lay in a stock for his book-store, and gave me a letter of introduction to the Harpers. At that time they were doing business at 82 Cliff Street. I shall never forget the feeling of awe with which I entered their door and presented my letter, nor the kindness and cordiality with which they welcomed the youngster on his first visit to the great city, put him at his ease, and made him feel at home. The impression made upon me at that moment will never be effaced from my [ 86 ] HARPER AND BROTHERS. 87 memory ; and I recall now, as though it were but yesterday, the pleasant smile and courteous manner with which I was greeted by each of the four brothers. The acquaintance and friendship thus begun suffered no interruption during the lifetime of the brothers, and have continued on in the most pleasant and cordial relations with their successors. In the year 1840 I began business on my own account in Auburn, and had occasion to visit New York twice a year for the purchase of supplies. Of course, no booksel- ler’s stock was complete without the publications of Har- per & Brothers, and for many years I was one of their con- stant customers. However early in the morning I might call, I rarely failed to find each member of the firm at his post. This habit of business punctuality clung to them through life ; and thinking of it reminds me of an inci- dent of his clerkship in the house, told me, not long since, by a member of the present firm. In common with his cousins, he was not quite so rigid as were his father and uncles in observing the homely old proverb that inculcates the advantages of being early at business. Sauntering into the counting-room about nine o’clock one morning, smok- ing a cigar, he was thus greeted by his uncle John : “ When your father and I were of your age, Joe, we used to be at the office at half-past seveu, and remain until six.” “Ail right. Uncle John,” replied the young scion ; “you did it so that we might not be obliged to do it when it came our turn.” “ Yes,” said Uncle James, “and I sup- pose, Colonel, the boy will make it up by leaving earlier.” The Colonel evidently felt that the point was against him, and, with a comical look of reproof at the incorrigible over his glasses, he resumed the reading of his Courier & En- quirer. The four brothers, to whom I was thus pleasantly in- troduced nearly half a century ago, were the children of Joseph Harper, the eldest son of James Harper, a native of England, who came to this country about the middle of the last century, and settled as a schoolmaster at Newtown, 88 HARPER AND BROTHERS. Long Island, where he married. His body rests beneath the pulpit of the Sands Street M. E. Church, in Brooklyn, which, in all its mutations, has preserved the plainness and simplicity of the good old-fashioned Methodist Meeting- house. Joseph, who was born in 1766, was a sort of uni- versal genius. He was a house carpenter by trade, culti- vated a small farm, and, for the convenience of his neigh- bors, kept a small retail store in one room of his house. In his absence the store was tended by his wife. The old homestead, somewhat altered, is still standing at Middle Village, and the farm forms part of the Lutheran Cemetery in that town. The carpenter’s trade was not very lucrative, but inci- dentally it helped Joseph Harper to what was better than a fortune, an excellent wife. While engaged in building a house for a well-to-do Dutch farmer of the vicinage, the young man fell in love with his employer’s daughter, a comely young damsel. Her father, a sturdy Lutheran, objected to the match on religious grounds, there being a strong prejudice against the followers of Wesley among the Dutch burghers at that time. But the young man’s affection was returned ; the father at length yielded, and in April, 1792, Elizabeth Kolyer became Mrs. Joseph Har- per. Soon after her marriage she joined the Methodist communion ; and to the day of her death she continued to exemplify the beauty and sweetness of a pure, simple and devout Christian character. Their house was always open to the visits of Methodist preachers, who were welcomed with open-handed hospital- ity. The best room was reserved for them, and it was called “the Preacher’s bed-room.” In it stood a high-post bed- stead ; a snow-white counterpane, fragrant with the odor of lavender, covered the bed, and the room was pervaded with an air of simplicity and comfort. Every quarter-day, the presiding elder was made at home in their house, and treated with as much reverence and respect as if he had been the Archbishop of Canterbury ; indeed, he was a sort HARPER AND BROTHERS. 89 of pope in those days, and wielded an authority, which has become a matter of tradition. As a rule, the preachers were men of fine physique, earnest, genial, and kindly, delightful guests and not insensible to the charms of hos- pitable entertainment. The following incident will serve to illustrate Mr. Harper’s strength of character. One day he was remon- strating kindly with, a neighbor who was given to indulg- ence to strong drink, when the latter, looking him full in the face, interrupted him with : “ Neighbor Harper, you don’t like the taste of liquor, but you are as much a slave te tobacco as I am to rum, and you couldn’t break off that habit any more than I could break off drinking.” Mr. Harper made no immediate reply, but the retort made a deep impression on his mind. He thought the matter over, and determined that no self-indulgence on his part should be an excuse to his neighbor. That very day he put his pipes and tobacco away on the topmost shelf of the closet above the old-fashioned kitchen fire-place ; and from that time to the day of his death, nearly thirty years after, he eschewed the use cf tobacco. The self-denial, as every one who has been addicted to the habit knows, was a severe test of resolution. Mr. Harper said nothing about it, but quietly and conscientiously carried out the idea long after- wards expressed by Emerson : “ Nor knowest thou what argument Thy life to thy neighbor’s creed hath lent.” Of the four brothers the first to quit the paternal roof was James, the eldest. He chose to become a printer, and at the age of sixteen was apprenticed to Messrs. Paul and Thomas, whose place of business was at the corner of Bur- ling Slip and Water Street, New York. His next brother, John, soon followed him, and was apprenticed to a printer by the name of Jonathan Seymour. Both the brothers, being young men of great energy, capacity, and courage, 90 HARPER AND BROTHERS. and possessing a noble ambition to excel in everything which they undertook, soon became accomplished workmen. James was acknowledged to be the best and quickest press- man in New York, at a time when steam had not been applied to machinery. One of his fellow apprentices was Thurlow Weed, and the young men formed a warm friend- ship, which was broken only by death. Late in life Mr. Weed, speaking of these early days, said of James Harper : “It was the rule of his life to study not how little he could work, but how much. Often, after a good day's work, he would say to me, e Thurlow, let's break the back of another token [250 impressions] — just break its back.’ I would generally consent reluctantly ‘just to break the back’ of the token ; but James would beguile me, or laugh at my complaints, and never let me oft until the token was completed, fair and square. It was a custom with us in summer to do a fair half-day's work before the other boys and men got their breakfast. James and I would meet by appointment in the gray of the morning, and go down to the printing-room. A pressman who could do twenty, or even ten per cent, more work than usual was always sure of a position. James Harper, Tom Kennedy (long since dead), and I, made the largest bills in the city. We often earned as much as fourteen dollars each per week — liberal wages when you remember that good board could then be obtained for ten dollars per month." James Harper possessed an inexhaustible fund of hu- mor, was very fond of harmless jokes, and, like President Lincoln, was a genius in the art of telling a good story or apt anecdote. He would keep the counting-room in a roar with his shrewd and witty sayings. It used to be playfully said of him that although he was a strict “ teetotaler," he was hardly ever known to be “sober." It was characteristic of him to approach a person, whether friend or stranger, in an odd and eccentric, but always genial way. James Harper was elected Mayor of New York in 1844, HARPER AND BROTHERS. 91 and many stories are current that illustrate his humorous eccentricities. There was an ordinance then in force, or rather on the books, for it was constantly disregarded, that hackmen should not board the River or Sound boats as they came to their wharves. Rival hackmen, in their eager- ness to capture a fare, were accustomed to board the steam- ers with the ferocity of an old-time press-gang, seize their victims and carry them by main force to their hacks. One morning James Harper arrived in Hew York by the Al- bany boat. The hackmen sprang on board, shouting, “ Carriage, sir ! carriage, sir !” thrusting their cards into the very faces of the passengers. James engaged seven or eight carriages. “ Yes, my son/’ he replied to their im- portunities, “ certainly, give me your card ;” and as he beamed benevolently upon them through his spectacles, they thought they had captured a most affable old gentle- man, who was taking carriages for a large party. On reach- ing the dock, he got into the last carriage, and ordered the driver to take him to the City Hall. There he gave the cards to his clerk, imposed a fine on each of the hackmen, and directed that their licenses should be revoked. I will give one more instance of the sly humor in which James Harper delighted to indulge : One day it fell to him to entertain a visitor at the office, who had come in with no object save to satisfy his curiosity ; one of those dull-witted “ bores ” to whom the parody of Ben Jonson’s famous line might be aptly applied : “ He was not for a time, "hut for all day. After a great many questions about the business and the part taken by the several brothers, the visitor remarked: “ You say, Mr. Harper, that your brother John sees to the accounts, that your brother Wesley superintends the cor- respondence, and that your brother Fletcher keeps the business moving ; but you haven't told me what you do.” ‘ ‘ Oh,” replied Mr. James Harper, “ they leave me an 92 HARPER AND BROTHERS. enormous amount of work. I have more to do than all of them put together." “ Indeed ! That is very curious. Allow me to ask what it is ?” “Why, my dear sir, between you and- me, they leave me to entertain the bores." The obtuse visitor appeared to consider this a most capital joke, and was the only one who heard it without perceiving its application. James Harper was tall and athletic, and to the last noted for his great physical strength. His kindly humor, his generosity, and affability endeared him greatly to all with whom he came in contact. It was his daily custom to pass from one department to another of the business estab- lishment, chatting and jesting with the men, women, and children at their w T ork, and having a pleasant word for each. He knew by name the persons employed in the various departments, interested himself in their family his- tories, and won their confidence. On the 25th of March, 1869, Mr. James Harper went to his place of business in his usual health and spirits. He had almost completed his seventy-fourth year, but he was as erect of figure and as buoyant of spirit as a boy. After making his usual visit to the departments, he took his leave, as it proved, forever. On his way up town he sat for his photograph, the best and most characteristic ever taken of him. Then having dined, he drove out with his daughter. When at Forty-fourth street, and nearing Central Park, the pole of the carriage suddenly broke, and the horses, though docile and well-trained, were frightened, and at once were beyond control. Mr. Harper was thrown violently to the pavement, and was taken up insensible. He was so seriously injured that he was carried into St. Luke’s Hospital, where he died two days after the accident, without having regained consciousness. It was remarked that for some time previous to this sad occurrence Mr. Harper had omitted at family prayers the petition to be HARPER AND BROTHERS. 93 delivered from sudden death, and when asked for an ex- planation he had replied, “ The Lord knows best.” The death of Mr. James Harper was deeply lamented, and his funeral drew together a very large attendance ; but the most touching tribute to his memory was paid by the poor men and women whose affections had been won by his sympathy and charities, and who bent to kiss his calm, benignant face as he lay in his coffin. John Harper, or “ the Colonel,” as he was familiarly called, attended to the finances of the firm. This would have been of itself business enough for any ordinary man ; but the Colonel also took in, as a sort of by-play, the pur- chase of the large supplies of printing paper and other materials used in the manufacture of books. While an ap- prentice he had acquired the reputation of being an excel- lent compositor and accurate proof-reader. “ At an early age,” says one who knew him well, “he developed that intuitive taste in typography which was so marked that as long as he remained in active life at the office a specimen page of every important book issued by Harper & Brothers was always submitted to him for examination. He was quick to detect a typographical error. If there was but a single mistake in a page, were it nothing but a turned letter, his keen eye was almost sure to catch it. He was especially critical in the matter of title-pages ; and it was characteris- tic of him that whenever one was submitted to his inspec- tion he always felt in his waistcoat-pocket for his pencil before looking at it. Not infrequently a title-page was revised a dozen times before it received his imprimatur .” The striking habit of his mind was that of quick de- cision. He never hesitated, and with him to plan was to execute. A remarkable instance of this quickness of pur- pose was his action immediately after the great fire of 1853. It so happened that on the day of this disaster I was sitting in the counting-room of Harper & Brothers, negotiating for the use of some of their stereot} r pe plates. The four brothers were present, with several of the sons. Suddenly 94 HARPER AND BROTHERS. everyone was startled by the cry of “ Fire and in an instant the whole building seemed to be in a blaze. It was soon evident that little could be saved ; and having satisfied themselves that everyone employed in the establishment was safe, the four brothers joined the excited throng in the street, and calmly watched the heroic but futile efforts of the firemen to quench the flames. John Harper was the first to break the silence, as they stood together. Drawing out his watch, he remarked, in as cool a voice as if he were sitting in his parlor, that it was time to go to dinner, and that it would be well for the firm to meet at his house in the evening for consultation. At this conference it was decided that, although there was an ample competency on which they could retire, the business was too valuable to be given up, especially as they' all had sons to follow in their footsteps. “ We must show them that we are not old fogies/’ said Mr. John Harper. Temporary arrangements were made at once to carry on the business ; and the erection of the large buildings now occupied by the firm was immediately begun. The plans were designed by Mr. John Harper, and the buildings were constructed under his personal supervision. It is said that he went over the whole establishment only once after its completion. I find in the Booksellers' Advertiser of January, 1834, the following statement : — We have ascertained that the number of works printed and published by Harper and Bros., is 234, making 413 volumes, a single set of which cost, at trade price, $252.38. Of Harper’s, 192 volumes, from 18mo to 8vo are stereo- typed, and the stereotype plates alone, exclusive of copy- right, paper, printing, and binding, could not have cost less than $75,000. Ten years ago these brothers worked the press with their own hands, and it is within that time that they have com- menced publishing, now they give constant employment to nearly 200 persons, and, indirectly, to many more. They HARPER AND BROTHERS. 95 are diffusing knowledge to millions, and their names are familiar wherever the English language is spoken. So much for industry, enterprise, and perseverance. Let not other worthy, but less successful publishers be forgotten, as honest Dogberry says, “Comparisons are odorous.” Twenty years later the number of publications published by Harper and Bros., had reached fully two thousand. These were all destroyed by the fire. Thirty years later from the latter date (January, 1884), the list of books published by them numbered fully five thousand different works. By a singular coincidence the last book published by the original firm of Harper and Bros., was “Seneca’s Morals,” with notes by Bishops Hurst and Whiting. This was May 26, 1877, Fletcher Harper dying on the 29th of May, 1877. It will be remembered that “ Seneca’s Morals ” was the first book published by J. & J. Harper. Mr. John Harper was very fond of horses, and his familiar figure was seen almost every afternoon as he took his daily diive through Central Park and in the roads beyond. He was one of the earliest owners of a fast team in New York, and often entered into a friendly trial of speed with Robert Bonner or the late Commodore Vander- bilt. Neither he nor his brothers ever worked on Sunday ? even during their apprenticeship. It is told of him that, one Saturday afternoon, when he was a journeyman printer in the employment of Jonathan Seymour, he was informed that he was expected to work the next day on the cata- logue of an auction sale ; which was to be held on the follow- ing Monday. “That I will not do,” was the sturdy, though respectful reply. “I will forfeit my papers, but I will not work on Sunday.” When the clock struck twelve that night, John Harper laid down his composing stick, and went home, regardless of a threat to discharge him. On Monday morning Mr. Seymour, who admired the pluck and moral courage displayed by the young man, apologized for having spoken harshly to him, and made him foreman 96 HARPER AND BROTHERS. of a department. When in business for himself Mr. Harper never allowed any work to be done in the estab- lishment on Sunday ; and this has uninterruptedly con- tinued to be the rule of the office. One Saturday afternoon the Colonel, then in the mellow autumn of his life, and his two sons were enjoying their after-dinner cigars together, when the old gentleman inquired whether they were going to attend church all day on the morrow. “ Well,” said the elder son, “ I think I shall go to church in the morning, and in the afternoon take a f constitutional ’ in the Park.” “ Tut, tut !” replied the Colonel, “ when I was a young man of your age I worked fourteen hours every week day. After all that, on Sundays I went to Sunday-school in the morning at nine o’clock, and to church at half-past ten. I came home to an early dinner, and again attended Sunday-school and church in the afternoon ; and, very likely, I went to church in the evening. What do you think of that, young gentlemen?” “ Well, father,” answered the younger son, “ I dare say we shall be saying the same thing to our children one of these days.” “ You impudent young heathen,” replied the Colenel with an amused smile, “I have the truth on my side.” George William Curtis says, in the “Editor’s Easy Chair,” that when James Harper met with his fatal acci- dent, “John’s self-command withheld all excessive expres- sion or loud lamentation, but those who knew the intensity of his nature and the closeness of the life-long affection, and the undisturbed harmony of their common interests and purposes for more than fifty years, knew also the cruelty of the blow, and watched painfully the result. From that moment his active interest in business declined. He continued, indeed, to appear for a little time at the office, but one day in returning home he had a slight attack, which seemed to him possibly to indicate some failure of his powers, and nothing in all his life was more character- istic than the injunction which he then laid upon his part- HARPER AND BROTHERS. 97 ners that he was never again to be consulted upon the conduct of the business. During the leisure of his last years he found enjoyment in driving, until a severe stroke of paralysis deprived him even of that pleasure and finally rendered him helpless. He lived, however, to be nearly eighty years old, when he met a peaceful death.” At a meeting of the book trade association, held on Saturday, April 24, 1875, Mr. A. D. F. Randolph, in his eloquent eulogy upon the life of Mr. Harper, said, “ To prosecute successfully, as he did, the details of his*business, required conspicuous ability and untiring industry ; nay, he must have possessed absolute genius. He lived to see mighty results as the fruit of his arduous labors. He lived to see the business of a small upper room in Dover Street grow into the magnificent proportions of that in Franklin Square. Throughout his entire business career he has maintained the integrity of his name and the noble sim- plicity of his character, and deservedly reaped the reward which he labored for, by seeing completed the house of which he had laid the foundation. It seemed a beautiful pic- ture to see this man, after enduring and overcoming many trials and disasters, sitting in the twilight of life waiting for the opening of the gateway through which he was to pass to meet his Maker.” Joseph Wesley Harper, the third of the four brothers, was of slighter physique than the rest. It is told that when he was a child an old Presiding Elder said to his mother, “ Sister Harper, why don't you give one of your boys to the Lord, to be a preacher ?” “ Why,” said she, “that is just what I expected to do, and I have already selected one of them.” “ Which one have you selected ?” inquired the gratified Elder. “ I have selected Wesley,” was the reply. “'And why Wesley rather than James, or John, or Fletch- er !” “ Oh well,” replied Mrs. Harper, “ Wesley seems to be the most feeble and delicate in health, and he is rather lazy — ” Then, perceiving from the Elder's perplexed and rather mortified look that he had put a wrong interpreta- 5 98 HARPER A1STD BROTHERS. tion on her motives, she hastened to add : “ I thought that if I gave Wesley to the Lord, he would take him and make him over again, so that he would be all right. ” Gentle, refined, and affectionate in spirit, Wesley pos- sessed a natural inclination to the literary culture which distinguished him in after life. His mind was quick, sub- tile, and at the same time broad and catholic. He had an intimate acquaintance with the productions of the best authors, and few men were better read in the current liter- ature of the day. As his part of the business, he for many years managed the literary department, receiving authors' manuscripts, and frequently reading them himself. His manner was invariably courteous and affable, and no one could be long in his presence without feeling at home. The most sensitive author found in him a sympathetic friend and adviser. If a MS. was to be declined, the decli- nation was always made in the kindest manner, and the disappointment softened, not infrequently, with sugges- tions and advice that gave the unsuccessful applicant fresh heart and hope. Wesley also attended to the literary cor- respondence of the house, in which position he was suc- ceeded by his son, Joseph W. Harper, Jun., one of the senior members of the present firm. For several years previous to his death Wesley was in feeble health. One afternoon his three brothers paid him a visit at his house. What took place during that inter- view has never been told. It was the last meeting of the four on earth. The next day James met with the fatal accident already described. Wesley, deeply affected by the break in the harmonious circle of brotherhood, predicted that he would be the next to go. The heart trouble, from which he had long suffered, became rapidly worse ; and on the 14th of February, 1870, the “best beloved” of the four brothers passed quietly away. A little after sunrise he asked that the window should be opened ; then, after taking a slight refreshment, he thanked his attendants with his usual courtesy, lay back on the pillow, closed his HARPER AND BROTHERS. 99 eyes and died. Four of the pall-bearers at his funeral were men who had been for many years in the employment of the firm. The late Dr. George Ripley, who was for a long time a reader of manuscripts for the Harpers, was brought into intimate personal relations with Wesley ; and I take pleas- ure in transferring to these pages the following just and heartfelt tribute from the pen of one who knew him so well. Writing to Mr. Joseph W. Harper, Jun., from Catania, Sicily, in March, 1870, Dr. Ripley says : “ One of the last visits which I made before leaving New York was to the sick chamber of the invalid. I did not bid him a formal fare- well, for he appeared so full of cheerfulness and courage, that I could not bring myself to believe that he would not recover strength and remain with us a few years more. My hope was strong that I should yet look upon his kindly face again. But now that he has gone from us forever, 1 look back upon that visit with peculiar gratification. It left an impression on my mind which I shall always love to cherish. It blends graciously with the recollections that remain after the twenty years during which I felt myself honored with his intimacy. He was constantly the same to me from the first to the last of our acquaintance. I never heard a passionate or inconsiderate word from his lips. Without any formal demonstrations, his manners were of the very essence of kindness. His conversation never failed to be pleasant and instructive, in harmony with his candid and affectionate bearing, and enlivened with quiet humor that sprang from the gentleness and goodness of his nature. It is a great consolation, in the loss which we suffer in common, that this whole earthly course has left so serene and pure an image in the mem- ory." As a young man Wesley Harper visited a theatre but once, and his experience, as described by himself in later life, was anything but agreeable. “ One evening," he said, “some of the boys persuaded me to go to the theatre with 100 HARPER AND BROTHERS. them. We went together and took our seats in the pit. The performance had not begun. The people were assem- bling, and my companions sat joking and laughing ; but I could not enter into their fun. A dreadful feeling came over me. It seemed as though all the prayers of my mother, all the instructions of my father, rushed across my mind at once. I felt as though I was at the very mouth of perdition, and that I could hardly hope to escape alive. At length, I could endure it no longer, and, remembering that the hour of family prayer was approaching, I seized my hat and fled from the house.” He did not enter a theatre again till many years afterward. His children say, that while this story of his boyhood illustrates the reverent sim- plicity and filial devotion which never left him, yet ho really possessed a thorough acquaintance with the best plays and a keen appreciation of the highest dramatic represen- tation. In the simple Methodist Church in Sands Street, Brook- lyn, where, beneath the pulpit, lie the remains of his stur- dy English ancestor, James Harper, and where six gener- ations of the family have worshipped, there is a mural tablet with this inscription : JOSEPH WESLEY HARPER, Born Dec. 25, 1801. Died Feb. 14, 1870. “ Everybody who knew him loved him ; everybody, that is, who loved modesty and generosity and honor.” These words were written by a great master of fiction, in affectionately describing his hero — one of the sweetest ideals in English literature. And wdio shall say that Colonel Newcome, in his manliness, simplicity, and reverence, does HARPER AND BROTHERS. 101 not represent to us many noble souls who have departed this life in God's faith and fear ? Fletcher Harper, the youngest member of the firm, was the last to go. His death occurred on the 29th of May, 1877. The first break in the family of brothers had deeply affected the remaining three ; the death of Wesley was a peculiarly personal loss to Fletcher, the affection between them having been very strong ; and after the Colonel had passed away, Fletcher appeared to lose interest in his life-long business. He rarely visited the office after that bereavement. I last saw him in the summer of 1876, play- ing croquet with his grandchildren at his beautiful summer residence at Irvington-on-the-Hudson. I had known him nearly forty years, and during all that time he was to me a wise counsellor and a good friend. Fletcher Harper possessed great administrative abil- ities. His judgment was quick, decisive, and rarely at fault. Writing soon after his death, Mr. George William Curtis said of him : “In all his business relations, Fletcher Harper showed the quality of a great administrator. He was a man of the truest modesty, and gayly said that he was a ‘ passable ’ man of business ; but he would have been distinguished in any chief public trust demanding immense energy, sagacity, quick and unerring judgment, and easy and efficient mastery of men. He had the instinct of a leader. He knew at once what was to be done, and his shrewd estimate of men enabled him to choose his instru- ments. . . . Fletcher Harper was always quiet, and appeared always to be at leisure ; but his electrical energy, his controlling will, made him seem, for all that, the organizing force of the huge factory that swarmed and hummed around him. . . . Like all such masterful men, he abhorred ruts and routine, and was constantly and quietly testing the readiness and intelligence of those around him. He dropped a pregnant hint. The hearer saw the scope and purpose, made thorough and ample pre- paration, supposing the thing was to be done. Mr. Harper 102 HARPER AND BROTHERS. came, saw with satisfaction that a hint could be correctly taken, but announced that the thing would not be done. What he wanted were the habit and faculty of readiness, and thus he surrounded himself with minute-men.” When John C. Spencer was Secretary of State at Al- bany, in 1839, it became his duty to supervise the selec- tion of books for the School District libraries. The alert mind of Fletcher Harper saw the opportunity for an im- portant stroke of business, and, going to his brother James, he said, “Boss, give me a letter to your friend Thurlow Weed, and ask him to introduce me to Mr. Spencer.” Armed with this letter, the “boy,” as James called him, took the next boat for Albany, and on arriving there put up at the old Eagle Tavern. He then sauntered out to find Mr. Weed, who was then editor of the Albany Journal , and a man of very great influence Mr. Weed received him in the kindest manner, and having read James Harper's letter, said : “ Well, Fletcher, I shall be very glad to do what I can for you for your own sake, as well as on account of my dear friend, your brother. How, Mr. Spencer is a very difficult man to approach. He is very sensitive and always suspi- cious of possible jobs ; he requires to be approached with some delicacy and caution.” He then added, suddenly, “ Why ! he is coming to my house to-night. The Gover- nor will be there, and the Lieutenant-Governor, and Mr. Spencer and some senators and assemblymen.” Said Fletcher, impulsively, “ That is the very time I can meet him.” Mr. Weed shook his head and said, “How, don’t be in such a hurry, my boy ; don’t be in such a hurry. I will manage that. I don’t think it would answer for you to meet him at my house. Let me arrange it for you.” Accordingly, during the evening, and in the presence of a number of friends, but not directly to Secretary Spen- cer, Mr. Weed casually remarked that he had had a pleas- ant interview that day with a young man from Hew York, HARPER AND BROTHERS. 103 a hard-working, intelligent, industrious, straightforward young printer, and that he was the youngest brother of his old friend and fellow-pressman, James Harper. Mr. Spencer, overhearing Mr. Weed’s remarks about the young man — as he intended he should — turned to Mr. Weed and said : “ Who is this wonderful young man, this young printer? Where is he, and why didn’t you have him here to- night ?” Said Mr. Weed, “ Why, Mr. Spencer, he is very sensi- tive. He has come to Albany expressly to See you on business.” “ Then, why not have him here to-night ?” asked Mr. Spencer. “Because,” said Mr. Weed, “he is not that kind of a man, and he is too proud to avail himself of a social occa- sion for business purposes.” The secretary immediately said, “ Well, you make me very desirous of seeing him. We must see him early to- morrow. Bring him up ; where is he ?” “He is down at the Eagle Tavern,” said Mr. Weed. “ I will bring him up to-morrow ; but mind, he is very proud and very sensitive.” Accordingly, the next day, Mr. Weed presented him to Secretary Spencer. The Secretary was very favorably dis- posed towards him. He said, “I understand, my young friend, that you want to furnish the State with the school district library books.” Fletcher replied, “Yes, that is what I have come for, Mr. Secretary.” “ How do you propose to do it ?” asked Mr. Spencer. “ I propose to do it under your direction,” said Fletcher. “ You haven’t all the books,” said Mr. Spencer. “We will buy them, then,” replied Fletcher. “But suppose you cannot buy them?” said Mr. Spencer. “We will make arrangements about it of some kind,” said Fletcher. 104 HARPER AND BROTHERS. “How about the price ?” asked Mr. Spencer. “ That,” said Fletcher, looking the Secretary squarely in the face, “you shall decide. Whatever arrangements you may make will be satisfactory to my brothers and to me. We shall put ourselves in your hands.” The result of this interview was that Mr. Spencer gave the house the making and supplying of what soon became known in every household in Hew York State as “Har- per’s School District Library.” “ Many of the elements that make a good diplomatist,” says a writer that knew Fletcher Harper, “ entered into his mental composition. On one occasion, early in our civil war, the publication of Harper' s Weeldy was suspended by order of Secretary Stanton, on account of the printing of some views of our works before Yorktown, which Mc- Clellan was then besieging. Following the order was a telegram from the Secretary, stating that the firm had been guilty of ‘ giving aid and comfort to the enemy’ (an offense punishable with death), and requesting that some member of the firm -should immediately proceed to Washington — whether to suffer that extreme penalty being left in doubt. The delicate mission devolved upon Fletcher Har- per. He found the Secretary of War in a very belligerent mood ; but before five words had been exchanged he con- trived to put Mr. Stanton on the defensive, on a matter en- tirely foreign to the object of his visit. Before leaving the War office he secured the revocation of the order of suspen- sion, and received the Secretary’s thanks for the support which the Weekly was rendering the country and the gov- ernment.” Harper’s Weekly was the creation of Fletcher Harper. It was essentially his enterprise, and until within a few months of his death the best energies of his controlling mind were devoted to its management. The first editor of the Weekly was the late Mr. Theodore Sedgwick. Early in the war, Mr. George William Curtis became the political editor of the paper, a position which he continues to hold with com- HARPER AND BROTHERS. aos manding ability. About fourteen years ago Mr. S. S. Conant succeeded Mr. Henry M. Alden as its “ executive” editor, on the transfer of the latter to the editorship of the Magazine. The idea of the Magazine originated with James Har- per, but the management of this most successful and widely circulated periodical was by common consent left in the hands of Fletcher Harper, as later was that of the Weekly and the Bazar. As a political journal the Weekly has been a strong advocate of the principles and course of the Republican party ; but it has always maintained the char- acter of an independant observer of politics, and refused to be bound by party trammels, or to be considered a party “ organ.” One of the most touching tributes to the memory of Fletcher Harper was from the pen of Mr. Curtis, in the “Easy Chair and I cannot forbear quoting a portion of it : “ The tributes to him on all sides agreed in the recog- nition of his remarkable power and strength of nature — a noble manliness made sweet and mild by the freshest affec- tion and the most tender sympathy. His modesty, like all his qualities, partook of a native greatness. He resolutely, but with entire unostentation, pursued his way. He never held an office or wished for one. He was not seen on pub- lic meetings or on great occasions ; and no man of equal mark in the city more instinctively avoided every kind of notoriety. His home, thronged with affectionate kindred, was happy beyond the common lot ; and at his hospitable table sat friends from far and near, to whom his sweet and sunny welcome was a benediction like the summer air. Time passed ; his brothers — the cheery James, the indomit- able John, the gracious Wesley — died. The famous brother- hood was dissolved, and Fletcher stood alone amid his memories and younger men. Too strong to despond, with a high and keen relish for life, he yet could not but feel, 5 * 106 HAEPEE AND BEOTHEES. ‘ The old order change th, giving place to new.’ ” The tie between him and Wesley had been peculiarly tender ; and as Fletcher sometimes sat in the office, where for a long life they had been so intimately associated, and gazed out of the window, with musing and melancholy eyes, his strong face seemingly steeped in infinite tenderness of feeling, one who had known them long and knew his heart who remained, could but interpret his looks in the words of Henry Vaughn : ‘ They are all gone in the world of light And I alone sit lingering here : Their very memory is fair and bright And my sad thought doth clear. I see them walking in an air of glory, Whose light doth trample on my days — My days which are at best but dull and hoary, Mere glimmerings and decays.’ ” I have dwelt thus long on my recollections of these well- known gentlemen, not merely because they were my fast friends, but because the story of their career is instructive in many ways. They cared not so much about business success, or the accumulation of wealth, as of leading happy and useful lives. Success and wealth came to them, but neither was the chief object of their ambition. The present firm name was adopted in 1833. It is a singular fact that the “American Cyclopaedia/’ which contains more than twenty-three thousand titles of subjects, gives but one title of a business firm, and that reads “ Harper and Brothers.” The reason for this exception is probably the fact that the four brothers acted as a unit in all their business transac- tions. They were known, individually, as exemplary Christian gentlemen ; but, collectively, the brothers were inseparable. Their firm name was probably more widely- known among English-speaking people than that of any other business house in existence. Their business was con- ducted on the basis of absolute trust and confidence in each IIARPER AND BROTHERS. 107 other. There was no system of checks between them, and no necessity for one. So close, indeed, was the intimacy, and so unbounded the common confidence, that for many years no accounts were kept between the brothers. Each one took what he needed for himself, and the others neither knew nor cared to know how much each one drew out for his own use. This state of affairs continued till within ten years of the death of James Harper. Ho enterprise was ever undertaken which any one of them disapproved. Of this, the establishment of the Bazar is a notable illustration. The project originated, as already mentioned, with Fletcher Harper ; the others were at first indifferent to it. At length, he said he was so sure of its success, that, if the others were willing, he would undertake it alone. But John Harper said, “Ho; we have never done anything separately ; we won't make this an exception. I think brother Fletcher shall have his way, and we will start the Bazar.” It was sometimes asked, “ Which is the Mr. Harper, and who are the brothers?" and the invariable answer was, “ Either one is Harper and the rest are the brothers." As Mr. Curtis aptly said : “With them honors were easy, and it was hard to say where James ended, and John, Wesley, and Fletcher began." The divis- ion of labor, by which each superintended certain depart- ments of the establishment, was one that grew naturally out of their individual tastes. The four brothers were lifelong and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; but they were men of broad, catholic minds, and their predilections for their own form of religious worship did not prejudice them against other forms. Their ardent veneration for Wesley descended to their children, several of whom, I may add, have dis- played, perhaps, an even closer conformity to the example and the spirit of his ecclesiastical teaching, by adhering to the church in whose communion the great reformer lived and died. They all shared the happy faculty of .leaving business behind them when they left the office. There was 108 HARPER AND BROTHERS. no trace of asceticism in their character. For many years Fletcher Harper’s informal Monday dinners drew around his hospitable board many of the literary men of the day. Clergymen were frequent guests at these pleasant entertain- ments. Among them were the Rev. Dr. Prime, of the New York Observer (who succeeded Lewis Gaylord Clark as edi- tor of the “Drawer” in Harper’s Magazine ); the Rev. Dr. M‘Clintock, the eminent Methodist divine and scholar ; the Rev. Dr. Samuel Osgood ; the Rev. Dr. Milburn, the blind preacher ; the Rev. Father Cumming, of St. Stephen’s, and many others, whose anecdotes of books and authors were a delight to hear. The attachment of the four brothers to the persons in their employment was remarked by every one who was at all familiar with their establishment ; and, in turn, they were served with a fidelity and zeal that spring from reciprocal good-will and confidence alone. Many men and women have been for years in their employment, and have been followed by their children and grandchildren. I remember being in the office one day when old Mr. Far- rington, still hale, despite the weight of years, came in to remind Mr. Fletcher Harper that it was just fifty years since he had entered the service of J. & J. Harper. It is a pleasant thing for me to say of the present firm* that the friends of the four brothers are also their own. It is enough that a man enjoyed the friendship and esteem of the founders of the house to establish like relations with their successors. I may mention, as an illustration, the case of Mr. Sampson Low, the venerable English pub- lisher, who became the London agent of the house in 1845, and whose personal as well as business relations with the four brothers were always most friendly and confidential More than once, since the death of Fletcher Harper, Mr. * The firm at present consists of Philip J. A., Fletcher, Jr., Joseph Wesley, Jr., John Wesley, and Joseph Abner Harper, all sons of the founders of the firm, and J. Henry Harper, the latter a grandson of Fletcher Harper. HARPER AND BROTHERS. 109 Low has asked to be relieved from his agency ; but the present firm invariably replied that they were unwilling to sever the relations so long ago established, and maintained with mutual regard and confidence. They sent him, when he had reached the ripe age of eighty-three, an assistant, to relieve him of the hard work of the position, but declined to accept his resignation. I am also permitted to mention having seen a letter from Mr. William 0. Prime to Mr. Joseph W. Harper, Jun., in which the writer, after allud- ing in feeling terms to his long friendship with the broth- ers and the present firm, expresses his regret that he has no sons to continue that friendship with the coming gene- ration. Thus pleasantly do the present members of the firm maintain the traditions of its founders. The atmosphere of kindly sentiment remains unchanged ; and in conclud- ing these desultory recollections I cannot do better than quote the lines written by Mr. Curtis, which are inscribed above the fireplace of the private office in Franklin Square, and which seem to me to express, in the most felicitous manner, the traditional spirit of the house : “ My flame expires ; but let true hands pass on An unextinguished torch from sire to son.” IV. S. G. GOODRICH— F. B. GOODRICH. Peter Parley’s celebrated stories for children — Mr. Good- rich’s first experience as a publisher — Is sold himself instead of the book McFingal — Early aid to Nathaniel Hawthorne — How his Twice Told Tales were published — A child thinks Peter Parley a humbug — Older heads disenchanted — His Natural History and Prof. Agassiz — Drinks wine with Walter Scott — Lockhart’s opinion of Cooper’s novels — Wonderful circulation of Peter Parley’s Tales — Mr. Goodrich’s sudden death. TpORTY years ago “ Peter Parley^ Tales, or Stories for Children," were the best known and most popular books for young people published at that time. The author, whose real name was Samuel G. Goodrich, was at one time a publisher and bookseller himself. In the year 1820 he published an edition of The Poetical Works of Jno. Trumbull, LL.D., which contained the famous epic of McFingal. It is stated in the memoir, which prefaces the edition, that it was first published at Hartford before the close of the year 1782, and as no author at that period was entitled by law to the copyright of his productions, the work soon became the prey of every printer and bookseller. Among more than thirty different editions, one only at any subsequent time was published with the permission or even the knowledge of the writer, and the poem remained the property of newsmongers, hawkers, peddlers and petty shopmen. For this Mr. Goodrich paid the author one [HO] S. G. GOODRICH. Ill thousand dollars and one hundred copies of the work for the copyright. Booksellers advised him against the venture, hut he secured subscriptions enough, as he supposed, to indemnify himself against any loss ; but when the book was published fully one-half of the subscribers declined to take the work. It has been frequently said, especially among writers themselves, that publishers always profit by the productions of authors, while the latter generally receive little, if any, compensation for their literary efforts. So thought Col. Trumbull, the poet, who surmised he had sold the copy- right for his poems too cheap and that his publisher had made too good a bargain ; but the result proved that Mr- Goodrich was sold instead of the books, there being no de- mand for the poems. To Mr. Goodrich belongs the credit of first introducing Nathaniel Hawthorne to the public in book form. He tells how this was accomplished in his interesting