Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https://archive.org/details/shadowsonwallorgOOhewi r SHADOWS ON THE WALL OR GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. V A Retrospect of the Past Fifty Years. SKETCHES OF NOTED PERSONS MET WITH BY THE AUTHOR. Anecdotes of various Authors, Musicians, Journalists, Actors, Artisans, Merchants, Lawyers, Military Men, &c. &c. Met with in Baltimore, Washington, Richmond, and other Southern Cities. ALSO THE HISTOBIGAL POEM OP DE SOTO, OR THE CONQUEST OF FLORIDA, AND MINOR POEMS. BY John EC. Hewitt, "And scenes long past, of joy and pain, Game wildering o'er his aged brain." —Lay of the Last Minstrel. BALTIMORE: TURNBULL BROTHERS. 1877. IKNES & COMPANT, Frinten* TO THE REMAINING FEW, THESE IMPERFECT RECOLLECTIONS OF THE PAST ARE CORDIALLY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR. SHADOWS ON THE WALL. INTRODUCTORY. The writer of these recollections is now treading the barren path of life winding its way beyond the limits allowed to man by the Holy Book — threescore and ten being the span of years allotted us. Though born in the city of New York, still he has always con- sidered Baltimore his home, for within her limits he commenced his career of life. Many changes have taken place since he first began his professional career, with a heart filled with hope and a laudable ambition to make his mark. Many of the friends of his youth have sought the dreamless slumber of the tomb; many bend under the weight of years, and, as they smooth their white locks, look calmly forward to the settling up of all earthly accounts. They are passing away, for decay is stamped upon the features of the most beautiful of other days, and, one by one, they leave us to make room for other travellers on the same highway. In a few short years those who were the children of our maturity, and made us rejoice in their innocent merriment, have grown up and become themselves mature. The laughing school- girl has become a staid matron, and desires no greater happiness than that which lights the domestic hearth. The wayward boy has become the dignified father, and, 6 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; bent on speculation, scarcely troubles himself about those silent monitors, gray hairs, which, through the workings of care and anxiety, are beginning to show themselves. These are melancholy reflections, and melancholy is not one of the ingredients of the writer's nature ; though there are times when the buoyant spirit, like the waves of the ocean, will settle down to the calm and even pleasant quiescence of melancholy. Though we are passing away, yet the city of our pride has been swelling in magnitude and improving in beauty. She has passed her ancient limits. Where the venerable oaks of the forest stretched their giant branches, and sheltered the grazing cattle beneath their ample foliage, stand the palaces of the wealthy, who, through industry and enterprise, have thriven and prospered with the city. To the fixed resident, these great changes are not so perceptible as to one who has been absent for years. Memory pains when it receives new impres- sions \ and, though these evidences of prosperity may prove cheering to the speculator and business man, yet to the solitary wanderer they bring with them the sad thought of his own evanescence. I presume there are still some people living who can remember our goodly city fifty years ago. If there are not, I am "the last man," and stand, like one alone, mourning over the recollections of the past. But there are many, for we meet them in our daily walks. It is true, the hand of time has pressed heavily on them, and the frosts of many winters have whitened their locks ; yet they live, the breathing chronicles of the past. I greet these remaining few, and speak to them of days past and gone, when the hot blood of youth ran riot in our veins^ and we gazed with pride on the growing strength of Baltimore. Let me carry the reader back to the period when, where now tower the magnificent dwellings of the wealthy, the majestic oaks of " Howard's Park " bowed to the strong winds of the storm, and the grand monu- ment, erected to the memory of the illustrious Wash- OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 7 ington, arose proudly above the crests of those mighty forest-sentinels. The noble shaft still stands; but where are the oaks that have bowed their heads as its shadow stretched out opposite to the rising and setting sun? Levelled with the earth! The march of im- provement has swept the works of nature before it ; the axe has prostrated the trees, and the pick and spade have levelled the hills. Old "shanties" have given place to magnificent mansions, and ancient " cow- paths " have become populous streets and avenues. The commerce of the city was then mostly confined to the coast trade, and steamboats scarcely ever ventured beyond the mouth of the Chesapeake bay. The slow coach bore its burden of passengers to cities and towns in the interior, and the dim street-lamps — burning wicks and whale oil — '^made darkness visible.'* It was re- markable that the more lamps the city fathers caused to be established, the more the streets approximated total darkness. Still, Baltimore was a prosperous city. She had her nabobs and her enterprising merchants. Her banks were in good credit, and her institutions bore an excel- lent repute. Year after year her trade and commerce expanded, and she swelled on until she became the third city in the Union. At several periods the ele- ments of rowdyism, from which no large communities are free, were nursed on her bosom, and came near destroying that fair fame for which she had so earnestly labored ; but the reproach soon wore away, and she now stands before the world free of tarnish. Let us change the picture. A new era has opened ; a new generation has taken the place of the "old fogies " of former times; new notions have crept into our social system, and we are not the people we were thirty or forty years ago. Competition has awakened the sleep- ing energies of man, and to be behind our sister cities was considered an abandonment of the race. With the new-fangled notions of the times came the spirit of enterprise ; and with enterprise, failure is disgrace. The unhappy war between the North and South kept Balti- 8 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; more stationary, and five years became a blank in ber existence ; but now, tbe clouds tbat sbadowed ber have passed away, and, as tbe mild sunshine of peace diffuses itself over tbe land, there is hope tbat she will move on and gather in tbe wealth tbat must pour in through tbe channels of commerce. Her rapidly increasing popula- tion is an evidence of ber prosperity. Capitalists, seeing the necessity of extending our means of communication directly with Europe and tbe Southern ports, in order that our merchants might fill orders that were crowding in upon them from the interior, established direct lines of steamships, foreign and coastwise, in order that the fabrics or products of distant lands might be brought to a mart so admirably calculated to supply tbe wants of the interior. Tbe establishing of a line of ocean steamers foreshadowed a great and beneficial change in tbe pros- pects of Baltimore. Tbe Baltimore and Ohio Eailroad now terminates at Liverpool and Bremen, and our city has become tbe depot for goods and wares tbat are destined for tbe Pacific coast. But my object in penning these papers is not to trace the rise and progress of tbe city of Baltimore : tbat has already been done by abler pens. My intention is to relate to tbe readers of tbe present period tbe experience of an author and composer; to draw sketches of well known personages who existed in former days, and to express my own views of that which I have seen and beard. In doing this I may touch a delicate chord in some bosoms ; but I eschew all ill-will or malice. OR, GLIMPSES OF THE FAST, 9 Literary Associations witli Rufas Dawes AND OTHEE POETS. Among ray first literary associates was Eufus Dawes, the poet ; a man of refined ideas, and a scholar of the first order. We became strongly attached to each other and were constant companions, for our tastes harmo- nized as well as our dispositions, and in the literary coteries of the day we ever stood side by side. Dawes was a wit — one of the refined order. He was a poet of sentiment and passion, though he was never fully estimated by the public at large. His volume of " The Valley of JSfashaway, and Other Poems,'* was a casket of gems, as pure and unsullied as the dewdrops embosomed among the white petals of a newly-opened lily. He never failed in his efforts to lead me aside from the dull speculations of this life of cares and disappoint- ments, for he was ever among the stars. The moon was a tablet on which he traced his thoughts, the bright blue skies were scarcely deep enough for his wandering imagination. He read volumes in the brooks and rivers, and translated the tacit language of flowers into the tongue of song. To use his own language : — " And I have found in poor, neglected flowers, Companionship for many weary hours; And high above the mountain's crest of snow, Communed with storm-clouds in their wrath below." No one doubted the inspiration of the Western muse after our pres-s put forth such beauties as are the off- spring of the pens of Hillhouse, Bryant, Percival, and Willis. The name of the former is not familiar to every reader, but his writings were such as will at some future period^ yield him undying fame. Dawes pursued a udicious course. He did not cause the press to groan 1* 10 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; w ith productions that might have sated his admirers by a perusal. His poems, like comets, appeared "few and far between"; though, when they came, they were robed in dazzling splendor all their own. In short, none of our native poets have gained so enviable a reputation upon so small a number of publications as Dawes, if I except Sprague and Richard Wilde ; the quality, not the quantity, placed him among the most favored of our bards. His earliest productions, which, I believe, first appeared in the United States Literary Gazette, won him a popularity which has never been in the least tarnished by those which subsequently appeared in the columns of the Baltimore Emerald, a weekly journal which he conducted with marked ability, and which was after- wards merged with the Minerva, Many of the readers of this retrospect may, doubtless, remember a series of poems published at the period of which I now write, under the title of the ^' Times," than which a more ex- cellent imitation of Byron's "Don Juan" has never appeared on this side the Atlantic. In these poems the characteristic foibles of the day were finely hit off, and gave clear proof of the author's satiric vein ; saying nothing of the beauty of the thoughts, and the brilliant stream of wit and humor that ran through every line. John Neal, with more liberality than was ever accorded to him, without knowing the name of the author, pronounced the series of cantos more racy and better written than Halleck's "Fanny," or Walters' " Sukey." The " Times " created a great sensation in Baltimore, though their locality prevented a wide read- ing beyond the limits of the city. They perished, with many other ephemeral productions of the day. The only strictly literary periodical published in Balti- more at the time of which I now write, was the Portico, a weekly, printed by a bookseller, Mr. Edward J. Coale, an amiable and popular gentleman. Many able pens contributed to this work ; among them were those of Edward Pinckney and Francis S. Key, whose " Star- Spangled Banner" seems to be linked with the glorious destiny of this country. The Portico did not live long j OR, GLIMPSES OF THE FAST. 11 for, after a brilliant though brief career, it went the way of all Southern literary journals. The daily papers published in Baltimore at that period were: the Evening Gazette, by William G-wynn ; the American, by Murphy, Dobbin & Bose ; and the Chronicle, by Peachin & Leakin. The Patriot, by Isaac Monroe, was established some years later. There were no quarterlies or monthlies. The failure of the Portico did not deter Dawes from founding the Emerald, which became popular with the then circumscribed reading class. It was handsomely printed in quarto form, by Benjamin Edes,one of the lead- ing printers of the day, and a good-hearted, though not strictly a business man. The Emerald continued about six months, and then took a folio form, and appeared weekly under the title of The Baltimore Minerva and Emerald, I being the sole editor, though Dawes con- tinued to contribute to its columns. It contained a large amount of original matter— tales, essays, criticisms, poetry and reviews — for its columns were opened to all writers of any pretensions, and not confined to a select few. This truly democratic mode of conducting a journal pleased the masses, and the Minerva became ex- tremely popular, though, in truth, there was no small quantity of trash published in it, and many of its original articles' were puerile, and such as might please the fancy of school-misses and boys. However, it eventually brought out hidden talent— writers who are now well known to the literary world, though but tiros then. The first efforts of Brantz Mayer were made through its columns. Timothy S. Arthur wrote for it ; also J ohn N. McJilton and Nathan C. Brooks. The early effusions of Elizabeth Bogart and Phoebe M. Clark likewise graced its columns, while many ladies contributed under various nommes de plume, Mr. Ford, the uncle of the present John T. Ford, the popular theatrical manager, was a voluminous contributor. lie was a carpenter, and his essays were always in support of the mechanic arts and the elevation of the hard-fisted/' The Minerva's BMCcess induced a restless M. D. who 12 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; could not "cramp his genius over a pestle and mortar/^ to inaugurate another weekly of the same kind in opposition. It was called the Wreath^ and the editorial department was under the control of Doctor Lucius O'Brien, a good-natured Irishman, but barely cut out for the responsibility of a journalist. The Wreath struggled through a sickly existence of half a year, and then gave up the ghost; not, however, without firing many a severe shot into the sides of its more successful rival. The journals published in Baltimore in 1829 (the population then being about 75,000) were as follows : — Annual, none; quarterly, none; monthly, none; semi- monthly, the Mutual Eights and Christian Intelligencer^ and the Itinerant ; weekly, Niles' Megister, the American Farmer, the Minerva and Emerald, and the Saturday Evening Fost ; daily, the Gazette, the American, the Chronicle, the Fatriot, and the Rejpuhlican, Total, 11. This was but a poor display when contrasted with Boston, which, with a population of only 50,000 souls, sustained 44 journals of various kinds. Baltimore, even now, is far behind Northern cities. The Editor. My fondness for the life of a journalist caused me to neglect, to a considerable degree, my sheet-anchor — music. In a country like this, where the periodical press flourishes free and untrammelled, and where almost every cross-road settlement boasts a press of its own, while the periodicals of large cities scatter their stores of information into the very heart of the most densely settled territories, the character and high standing of an editor are not so fully appreciated as they are in Europe, where journals are fewer in -pro- portion, to the amount of population, besides being subordinate to and under the supervision of the ruling powers. The cha,racter of an editor has its private stamp as OR, GLIMPSES OF THE FAST, 13 well as that of the poet, the painter, or the musician ; it is generally found on the summit of origmahty. lie is the oracle of taste, the umpire of fashion, the organ of his country's wants, the redresser of her wrongs, and the distributor of public reputation. He exerts, as it were, an extensive jurisdiction, and it is not without reason that pigmies in high places exclaim, " ihe pen is mightier than the sword." That journalism is a power, one with which they, in all their vigor and influence, have not the strength to wrestle, they can- not deny. The periodical press is their bane. Never- theless, no profession conceals, perhaps, so many thorns and thistles under the roses which adorn it. Con- tending with self-love, susceptibilities, and exigencies, the editor dares not even flatter himself to fill his house, like Socrates, with friends. What hireling was ever burdened with a more toil- some task? Hardly has he finished the "forms " for to-day when to-morrow's columns claim their material ; and, behold him, in spite of Minerva, bringing forth daily, without more hopes of filling up the created spaces than the daughters of Danaus had of finishing their task with the fatal sieves. Still, if he could promise himself, at some remote period' the sweet slumbers and good things of a fat office under the Government, or the lucrative appoint- ment to the duty of polisher of the public moneys, then might he glory in the sweat of his brow. But no; in this model Republic" he stands no better chance than those beneath him, save in the time of a sweeping reform, when he chanced to be on the right side of the fence. He cannot hope for immortality; for ephemeral works, like the insects of Hypanis, sur- vive not the setting sun that gave them birth m his rising; and the parent of those short-lived children, as fugitive as the leaves of the Sibyl, sees them rolled into spiral forms to hold pepper or ginger for a neigh- boring grocer, or torn into strips to bind up the stray tresses of a simpering schoolgirl. Fate, too, with stubborn malignity, incessantly causes 14 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; the pen and the temperament of the editor to be at variance. Should he be happy and joyous, he must lament some sad catastrophe. Has the partner of his life made him a proud father, he must write funeral obituary. Is he ordered by his physician to use plain diet, to cure dyspeptic complaints; he must describe civic dinners and the perfumes of electioneering viands. Has he a fit of the spleen, he is compelled to write humorous stories ; to laugh, as Horace tells us Ixion did at the music of Mercury's lyre in the abodes of the Shades. After pondering over his notes, he seats himself in his solitary sanctum, pale and thoughtful. Everything then becomes to him an object to comment on, for his summary must be filled ; all nature seems paraded before him; he has but one object in view, an item for his columns. All his ideas, all his feelings, are, by one sudden fusion, thrown into the periodical mould, and burn to spread themselves into pages and swell into volumes. See him— his eyes cast up, his mouth half open— ever on the track of events, and more eager in the pursuit than Eousseau after the periwinkle. Duels, assassinations, robberies, broken legs, sudden deaths^ bursting boilers, lamp-explosions, broken banks, re- movals, dishonest officials, ghosts, hailstorms, and thunder and lightning, are the precious spoils with which to enrich his summary— the fruitful harvest of pathetics which he garners up to excite the nervous irritability of his sentimental readers. He never fails to attend courts of justice, to watch and note the smallest events of the career of crime toward the dreadful issue so often accomplished by means of the gallows. The dramatic art belongs particularly to the editorial jurisdiction, and is sustained by the power of the press. The doors of the theatre are respectfully thrown open to the autocrat of the pen. Let him enter the green- room after some witty sarcasm on the talents of the actors or actresses has appeared in his journal. In a moment he is assailed with their interpretations; he OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 15 hears the clamor from all quarters : Ignorance ! " in- iustice'" malice!" &c. The dignified Eoman father throws aside his stage character; the pale Opheha bursts into a paroxysm of rage, and even the prompter assumes the voice of a Stentor. However, the commo- tion ceases by a wise forethought, and the dissatisfied become sycophants, by striving to be the first restored to the good graces of the arbitrator of their fate. Lear calms his madness; Othello foregoes his " pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war"; Macbeth drops the dagger to do the honors of the tobacco-box ; Audrey breaks loose from her archness, and Furies cast tender glances on him. But the true editor disdains all these decoys. ±ie courts inspiration for the sake of taste. Public opinion, Booner or later, disgraces the mercenary Aristarchus who barters his praises for a service of plate, or the base Troilus, bent upon railing against the superior talents ot a modern Eoscius. But, when his country's cause CTides his pen, then the editor's calling becomes exalted, and even sacred. Then is the time to display all the glories, the virtues, the impartiality and the independ- ence of the press. Then his columns, as it were, become the rostrum from which, like the Eoman orator, he points out to the people's animadversion the infernal plottings of the Catalines, or the extortions of the Verreses. . . . In the days when the rancor of party animosity is carried to excess, we have seen editors, bought up by the tempting bribes of demagogues, distilling from their pens the poison of anarchy, and veiling their original principles under the title of " The People's Friend." In a popular representative government, an editor should be the depository of the people's thoughts, the echo of national sentiment, and the advance-guard of public liberty. Entrusted with the watchword, he should bring abuses and usurpation of power^ to a stand, and shield the palladium of freedom. Among the editors with whom I freely associated was William "^Gwynn, of the Evening Gazette. He was a 16 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; w.ll^^*'''' ^"'^V °f *^ourse, not free from the characteristic weaknesses of bachelors. He lived pretty much by himself, and for himself, in a quaintly Constructed build.ng m the rear of his office%nd closely wedged agamst Barnum's City Hotel, on Bank Lane. His habits were rather staid, though he was sociable with intimate friends, and enjoyed a bottle of good wine with as much gusto as did John Palstaff his fack. At a repartee he ZZ.Tutr, ^"^1 avalanche of anecdote hn3 w u!T ^^'^ ^'P« ^'^en at the festive boaid He might have been classed with portly men • though he was not over-tall. His features were open and inte ligent. His editorials were not remarkable for their bnlli;incy, but they were solid and highly flavored To^ilnT'T- ^ ^^^y^^- by profes-sion, very popular, and a nian whose opinion was respected. He died poor, and the Gazette died before him Samuel Barnes, the leading editor of the Ohronicle, was a deep politician and a writer of some ability, though strongly tainted with old-fashioned notions. His politi- cal essays carried much weight with them: but his uneasily when he floundered out of his natural element. He was an enthusiastic Whig, and his political articles in favor of his party doctrines were dry and caustic: some people thought him even morose and misanthropic on account of his extremely luminous nose, which caused those who did not know him to suppos^ that he was intemperate. Quite the reverse: Mr. Barnes was a very abstemious man His misfortune, it was under- stood, was caused by the bite of a rat; the "feature" became inflamed, and he bore it thus to the grave He was a moral man, warm-hearted, liberal with the goods ot this world, and yet not extravagant. Thfouffh industry he accumulated a handsome property, thou|h he left no children to squander it away. ^ bheppard 0. Leaken, his partner in the Chronicle con- cern wrote but httle for the journal; the financial care oi tbe establishment was almost entirely under his Charge. He was a handsome man, extremely popular OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 17 with the people of all parties and classes ; assisted ma- terially in establishing a creditable military system, and rose to the rank of Brigadier-General. At different times he held the offices of Mayor and Sheriff of Balti- more. I have passed many a social evening with Gen. Leaken ; he was excellent company, witty, and remark- ably fond of a joke, even though it was perpetrated at his own expense. During the " Bank Eiot " he particu- larly distinguished himse^lf by his coolness and courage. He died near Lake Eoland a year or two ago, at an ad- vanced age, leaving children of whom a parent might well be proud. William Peachin— -familiarly known as Billy Peachin —was one of the veterans of the Press gang.'^ He established the Chronicle, was associated with the Ameri- can, and in some way or another connected with other journals. He was a bustling, mercurial little man, and for a long time after the article had gone out of fashion, wore a queue, which never failed to attract attention. In his political creed he was extremely ultra, and hammered his opponents without mercy. At hustings and other political gatherings, his shrill voice might be heard above all others, and his violent gesticulations were sure to draw the crowd, while — " So quick the words, too, when he deigned to speak, As if each syllable would break its neck." Mr. Peachin, however, was a very worthy man and a useful citizen. He entered heart and soul into many enterprises for the benefit of Baltimore, and reaped but little or no profit, certainly no thanks, for his exertions. In his decline of life, instead of being comfortable, he went down to the grave dependent on his children. Thomas Murphy, the senior partner in the American, was a short, thick-set man ; a most amiable gentleman, respected and esteemed by all who enjoyed the pleasure of his society. Quiet and unobtrusive in his demeanor, placid in his manners and unostentatious everywhere, he, of course, had numerous friends. He did not write 18 SHADOWS ON- THE WALL; editor' & tot^'^^r'" ^ P^^^t''^^' P^5»t«r than that hiAw .1 W''^''"'"'*^'^* «t™t economy Jess Mr^T^^S indebted for its suJ proper^ to hi?^ ^'^^ ^ a large property to his numerous relatives. The firm was origma ly Murphy, Dobbin & Bose. The latterTenTle- man retired some years since, and Mr. Dobbin Jhe onlv chSeTf "fhT';"; H^'k^ ^"^^'^^^ partnership,'took soK cnarge ot the establishment. It is, at the present writing, in the hands of Mr. C. 0. Fulton. TheTmm* can has always sustained an elevated posittfn among the daily journals of the country. It was for a lonf otthe" Wh?' ' ^'^'^"^ took up the causf admtistTat^on^'^'^- ^^^^^^ V-^blican J 5?pnp£ intimate associates was Dr. Edward aitric^fve' riL of the J-.^...on iBe/omer, a man of vSni f ^""^ ''"'"^"t education, though a violent and headstrong politician. His iournal was noted for its haphazard"^ style of promSatiW^ts pecuhar doctrines, and the editor was ZtSallf an prehensive of being waylaid on the streets orfiLlly disposed of by some revengeful assassin-an' apprehen^ sion which proved to be too well founded. In^a'^severe StS Onro/fr' """^^"^"^ family of t j: btuaits. One of the young men of that familv chal lenged him, but he declined Ihe meeting on aSnt of sa isf;"#ou;%.°'"r^t*''- ^'^^^ ^^'^'^ did not and shof h?,^^. \7^^,^^*^^^d his opportunity ana snot him one night while seatpH \r, ^.tfi^ North Gay street. ^ '"^ At that time I commanded the " Marion Eifle Corns " of which company Alcock was the surgeon On the occasion of his funeral the corps turned^ autwS full ranks and buried their friend and comrade\^ h miH T7a^:Z)\y.?l' f'''''^'''^ -^^^^"^^^ appearrd in the atSmS ! P^r^P^P"" established, or rather funeral Baltimore), on the evening previous to the OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 1^ " We come, to burv Ccesar, not to praise him:' In recording this instance of fatality, the writer of this article has endeavored, as much as possible, to divest himself of all party feeling (being politically opposed to the subject of his remarks), and to cool down the probably too excessive glow of friendly feeling the recent affliction may have created. It is well ^nown to the community that the death of Dr. Alcock was caused by a bullet fired from a pistol in the hands of a young man by the name of George Stuart, a young man of "a highly respectable family " The cause of this fatal act is also too well known to the Dublic. It originated altogether from party animosity. And, is it not a melancholy spectacle for every lover of his country to behold the 'maimed corpse of a warm and ingenuous patriot— to hear the sobs of relatives and friends, and feel the warm tear ol sorrow stealing down his own manly cheek? It is indeed a saa reflection to know that a valuable citizen, in the meridian ot iile, was cut off in his career of usefulness, leaving a bereaved and dependent family, through that bane of all social intercourse party rancor. When will the storm abate? When will Americans unite as a band of brothers, with hearts glowing m unison for the nation's glory and the general weal ? , o tt^ Edward J. Alcock had his faults— and what man has not i He was a warm advocate of the administration of Andrew Jackson. This we do not consider a fault ; yet his feelings frequently burst the bounds of control, and the excess constituted the tault. 1 ne violence with which he advocated the cause of State i^etorm is fresh in the memory of those who perused the pages of the Jeffer- son Reformer, a journal which he conducted with more talent than discretion. He was the stern and fearless advocate of the interests of the workingmen ; labored for the equal distribution of iustice; and strongly advocated the " levelling system, which he considered purely democratic. His impetuous disposition frequently led him into errors which his proud spirit would not allow him to acknowledge. He consequently created enemies, when his rare talents should have secured him friends and ad- mirers. In cases where public spirit was required for the estab- lishment or completion of any work which might prove of general benefit, he was always its warmest and most liberal advocate ; but, when he beheld the object abused, he was the first to raise his voice against the maladministration of those in POWer. 1 he poor have often blessed him ; his means were scanty, but what he gave he bestowed in the true spirit of charity. He has gone from among us in the prime of hfe, while the cheerful smile of content was on his lips, and his eyes beamed with all the pride and gratification of a father watching the pro- gress of his now orphan children. He had pictured many days of happiness yet to dawn; for, though he was aware of his danger from the open and bold position he had taken, yet he never anticipated such a result. Bequiescat in pace. 20 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; The Eev. Benjamin Kurtz, editor of the Lutheran mserver was a man of good, practical, sound enTe His writings were plain, but to the point; and he was S/ali; bis congregatiL and the puS geneiallj. He was said to be rather close in his dealings. When on a tour through Europe he ha^ penedto arry in an inland Germln tow?which w£ nifested with organ-grinders. The reverend gentle Jan had no particular fondness for music, and Se eTpe feSoi'wt'' P'*^'"'^^ ^^'^^^'^^^ organLts!^!' fellow, who was proprietor of a barrelled machine and a monkey of attractive appearance, seeing that his victim was a foreigner, as he sat on the hotd balcony on chairs, one for the body and the other for the egs immediately struck up "God save the King" head Th. ^'""^Patrtis™-" Mr. Kurtz shook his head. The musician then struck up « La Marseillaise " Again the American shook his head. Severa other national airs were tried, but with no better effect and the man and monkey began to think they had eneoun the f <^««^«P«Iit^> when a bright id^ea %hted up the features of both Jocko and his master, while the latter exclaimed, "Ah, ha!-Yankee Doodl^- and he wi^fT"'^ T l^o'^^ national melody Mr I^urtz, finding that he was cornered, threw the wan theedit, of. acquaintance with Samuel Harker, tbe editoi of a Democratic paper entitled the Republican ?eal of «^ ^"'^ unobtrusive man ; possessefa good deal of stamina as a journalist and politician. Horace I 7n tT'co^ took charge Jf the Bepum::, CM ^ o'^'^T® ^^^^ the hands of Col. Henry S. Sanderson, afterwards the recipient of several municipal offices. It finally eame S.ihl title of the Mepubhcan and Argus Mr. Eichardson is at this present writing still living to mv MnT' ^"r ^ resting-place ; and /feel disposed to pay him a compliment for his sterling patriotism, OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 21 his devotion to the cause of the South, and the noble patience with which he bore his persecutions. While editing the Argu8 (the name of Republican having been dropped), such was the firm and unwavering stand he took, that the pimps and spies of the Federal Govern- ment kept him in continual surveillance, watching his every movement, until they at length gathered suffi- cient proof to establish the charge of "treason" against the " purest Government under the face of the sun," and then he was banished from his home and many friends. The cause of his arrest is not generally known. It was this : At about the time when infants with their nurses were arrested for wearing Confed- erate colors — red and white — the Argus contained an editorial article recommending that the police had better arrest a cow whose hide displayed the objec- tionable colors. That hint was enough ; the chain- links were rivetted, not on the cow, but the editor, and he was thrown into prison, and finally sent into Dixie, where he was well provided for. Mr. Eichardson, on the ending of the fruitless struggle, returned to Baltimore, and became a contributor to the columns of the Methodist Protestant, a religious journal formerly conducted by the lamented Eeese. He was afterwards appointed one of the Judges of the Appeal Tax Court, but retired on account of ill health. He is an urbane and gentlemanly man ; a ready writer, and, no doubt, sincere in the expression of his sentiments. William Lloyd Garrison. William Lloyd Garrison, the Abolition firebrand, at the time of which I now write (1829), began to show his tushes. He was a delicately small young man, stiff in his demeanor, and of rather a sanctified caste ; though his religious sentiments were " neither here nor there." Nobody doubted his talents ; but they were of a dan- gerous order. He was ambitious for a reputation, no matter how obtained ; though many were of the opinion 22 SHADOWS ON- THE WALL; that the appearance of a halter made of Southern hemp would have frightened him out of his boots. Had he been disposed of when he ventured as far south as J3altimore, the unfortunate events which have occurred within the last decade might have been avoided. My acquaintance with this notorious individual was of short duration ; and, as it was brought about without a formal introduction, I will allude to it. There was a small anti-slavery journal published in J3altimore, and edited by one Benjamin Lunday. In this journal Garrison attacked the reputation of Mr. Francis Todd, of Newburyport, whom he accused of having acquired wealth by a base traffic in human flesh. Garrison was sued for a libel, and the case was brought before J udge Nicholas Brice. He was found guilty and fined $50 and costs, both of which he determined not to pay, and was consequently sent to jail. In the Minerva the following editorial appeared : ^ " Mr. Garrison is now a voluntary inmate of the Bal- timore jail ; for, notwithstanding the commiseration of the Northern and Eastern philanthropists, it does not appear that the gentleman received a direct sentence of imprisonment, except for the non-payment of the fifty dollars, a sum which he might easily raise among his friends, if it be not already in his pocket. We have always looked upon Mr. Garrison as a young man of talent, but wanting in discretion." He replied tartly to the charge, denying it in toto winding up his communication with the following lan- guage:— « I understand that his Honor Judge Brice opines that Mr. Garrison is ambitious to become a martyr; to which I beg leave to reply, that if the suspicion of his Honor be correct, he is equally ambi- tious to collect the fagots and apply the torch." The fact is, this extremely modest young aspirant after notoriety had just established his Genius of Uni- versal Emancipation in Boston, and was desirous of bringing his inflammatory sheet before the public. He succeeded in making himself world-renowned ; he suc- ceeded in exciting the sympathy of half the Northern OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 23 and Eastern people; he succeeded in obtaining money from a benevolent gentleman in New York to pay his way out of prison ; but he did not succeed in convincing the citizens of Baltimore that he was a persecuted man. His hypocrisy was exposed, and he had to leave the city post-haste, through dread of a coat of tar and feathers. His career has ever since been confined to the regions north of Mason and Dixon's line, and the good his pen accomplished might be seen in the wrang- ling and fiery debates in Congress, the gradual estrange- ment of one section of the Union from the other, and, finally, disorder, rebellion, anarchy, bloodshed and desolation. Mrs. Ann Koyall. Among the literary celebrities of other days was Mrs. Ann Eoyall. She is, no doubt, well remembered by many who may read these reminiscences. Mrs. Eoyall was one of the original strong-minded women of this country. She was not exactly a J oan of Arc or a Lucretia Borgia ; but she was— Ann Koyall, one of the corps editorial ; and, as such, merits a passing notice. How she came within the circle of my acquaint- ance will be seen by reading on. She was a squatty, round-faced, sharp-nosed^ thin- lipped little woman, who claimed the proprietorship of a tongue which was tied in the middle and vibrated at both ends at once. Her journal, the Suntress, was the leading organ of a motley party, existing somewhere, but to be found nowhere. She sketched the lives and limned the features of members of Congress, executive officers, and such as paid her the price demanded, with a skill and grace peculiar to herself alone. If a gentle- man, ambitious to appear in the front ground of popular preferment, did not bleed freely, he was sure to have a deformed picture — a sketch which I can only liken to the production of a photographer whose subject moves his face from forty-five degrees to five just as the shade is raised from the camera. But he who was liberal and SHADOH^S ON THE WALL; paid his subscription promptly in advance, was beauti- lully photographed, and received the encouraging smiles of the bland widow of Lieut. Eoyall, deceased. One morning, while I was seated in my sanctum, knee-deep m exchange papers, and flourishing the inevit- able scissors with all the importance of a drum-major when he flourishes his staff at a review, the gentle Ann took it into her head to make me a call. Good morning, sir," said she, puffing from the exer- cise of ascending the stairs, and dropping into a vacant chair. "Good morning, madam," I replied, rising and bowing politely, though I saw a squall ahead. " Pray be seated. Mrs. Eoyall, I presume. Glad to see you— an honor not expected — fine day " " Exactly so," answered the old lady, smoothing down her apron and placing her spectacles on her nose. know what you editors are—all deceit— all hyprocrisy ! You say one thing and mean another. You glad to see me ? I don't believe it. You wish me to the devil and, as to the honor and all that sort of thing, bah ! I know it's a fine day without your volunteering your information.** Delectable creature ! thought I, though for worlds I would not have contradicted her. " To what cause am I indebted for this friendly visit ? " I asked. " Business— purely business," was her reply. "You know, sir, we poor widows have an up-hill road to travel. Men can fight their way through the world ; they have the muscle, sir; but we weak females— oh^ dear ! I think sometimes that I shall drop down in the street, and I don't believe that there is a man gallant enough to pick me up. And I have so much talking to do, too. I am compelled to talk ; if I didn't, I don't believe people would listen to me. The more I talk, the more folks think I am worthy of their attention. Do you know, sir, that I have come across people who have told me to put their names down on my subscription list before I was half-done talking? Now, I want you to help me along: we of the fraternity should aid one OR, GLIMPSES OF THE FAST. 25 another. In the first place, you must subscribe to my paper and give me a smacking editorial notice. One good turn deserves another ; I can do you some good in my sketch-book." Here the lovely Ann stopped to breathe, while i thought of the harm she might do me. I receive jonr Huntress in exchange for my Minerva,'' said I, blandly. So you do, but that's not aiding the widow, rish! for your paper! You may be a very fine poet, a learned essayist, and all that, but what do I or the public care for that? You must make a sensation, sir — a sensation. You are young and have got to under- stand human nature. If you will subscribe and pay in advance, I will give a sketch of you." " That may do you no good and me much harm," replied I, smiling. Faith, I don't think it will do me much good; but for yourself, it will place you in honorable company; a position you cannot expect to reach by any other means." This sarcasm touched me to the very quick, and I, abstractedly, plunged my scissors through a sheriff's sale advertisement, clipped it out, and placed it among the other choice selections, while the old lady thrust her subscription list under my nose. ^'Here's the list," said she; " and now's your time to get your obscure name among the big bugs of the nation." I pushed the list from me, bitterly remarking that I had no desire to associate myself with individuals introduced by Mrs. RoyalL The match was applied to the powder magazine, and an explosion took place which came near knocking Minerva from her high niche, and scattering her frag- ments to the four quarters of the world. The gentle Ann arose in all her majesty, and such a volley of abuse and billingsgate eloquence never before poured from the lips of angelic woman. For at least a half hour she continued her battering, and did not cease until the "devil" drove her out of the office with an 2 26 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; ink-roller, after I had fled to the nearest magistrate's office for protection. The next number of the " Sketch-book " contained a graphic account of ^' the monkey who edited the Balti- more Minerva y Hezekiah Niles, the editor and proprietor of that useful weekly known as Biles' Register^ was a stout^ though short man, usually denominated "thick-set.'' He was of amiable manners, though somewhat taciturn. He was very industrious, and rather popular through- out the States. As a work of reference, or a record of past events, his journal was invaluable^ and may be seen at this day on the shelves of every statesman and politician, handsomely bound and carefully preserved. I passed many pleasant evenings at his house, and found him highly companionable. After the death of this gentleman, the Begister fell into the hands of his son, William Ogden Niles, and, after a languid existence of a year or two, perished. Its place was taken by Eives' Congressional Globe, Messrs. Skinner & Tenny established the first one cent daily journal in Baltimore. It was called the Evening Transcript, and made a very promising begin- ning, but was finally enlarged, and assumed the name of the Baltimore Post, being partly under the editorial charge of Thomas Beach, who was afterwards con- nected with the daily Sun, The Post did not stand as long as most posts usually do, though it was a spirited sheet and went with the masses. The well-known Duif Green attempted a daily paper in Baltimore, but it proved a failure. He was a keen politician, but rather unfortunate in his efforts to induce the people to wear the harness he had fash- ioned for them. !E, Horace Pratt. E. Horace Pratt, after resigning the editorial chair of the Bepublican, associated himself with me in the OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 27 literary department of the Saturday Visitor ; and, as I am furnishing sketches of the literary characters of the day, I might as well bring him into this part of my reminiscences. He was a good practical printer, as well as a writer of some force. A number of the late Baltimore Dispatch contained the following notice from my own pen : " 1 claim the privilege of a corner in your journal, Messrs. Editors, for the purpose of redeeming a pledge made some years ago to the lamented individual whose name heads this article. We were seated in the edi- torial sanctum of the old Saturday morning Visitor, which paper we jointly edited, with piles of exchanges on either side of us, and the friendly scissors lying idle on the table. Our daily task was done ; the paper had gone to press, and we were jcongratulating our- selves on the sensation a spicy number might create among its numerous readers, when our conversation naturally turned on poets and poetry — the slender encouragement extended to writers by the 'patrons' of literature, and the dim prospect of one or two American poets having a niche in the Temple of Fame. During this colloquy we pledged each other that he who outlived his associate should write the obituary of the departed one. A wise and merciful Providence has ordained that I should survive my friend, for poor Horace expired on Thursday evening last, in the 48th year of his age, and I now shall endeavor to fulfil my pledge. "Twenty-five years' acquaintance with the departed ought to make me familiar with his merits as well as frailties. He was a friend to every being save himself ; generous to a fault, trusting and forgiving. His po- litical notions were ultra, though he was always a good working member of the Democratic party, and edited the Rejpuhlican with some degree of ability. But his forte was satire. With a keen wit he would assail his opponent, and almost exterminate him, * Ho was a fellow of infinite jest,' quick at repartee, full of anecdote, and apt at quotations. In fact, the festive 28 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; board were but a dull scene, without the wit and song of Horace. As a poet he was wanting in the beau ideal ; his poems were smooth and flowing, though the gems of thought were rarely found sparkling beneath the unruffled surface. As a ballad-writer, he had not his equal among our native poets. I have wedded his ballads to music, and always found them easy of adapta- tion and pleasant to sing. In epigram or satirical verses he was particularly happy, and many of his hits are repeated with much zest at the present day. Chivalrous and honorable, he was never known to desert a friend, or even to take advantage of an enemy ; for, though his pen was caustic, he seemed to feel himself the wound he inflicted on others. " His life, of late, appeared to be a blank to him. Desolation reigned around, for many of the best beloved of his family had gone to their last repose, and left him comparatively alone in the world. JNo kind friend to smooth down his pillow of sickness or gladden his hours of loneliness. He was a solitary man ; the wit and humor of his younger days fled when the cold finger of Time began to trace furrows upon his brow. The cheerful smile of peace no longer illumined his features ; the warm press of his hand was no longer felt, and he passed quietly into the sleep that knows no awaking. ' Alas 1 poor Yorick 1 ' One by one they are passing away — the choice spirits of other days. Whose turn next? THE POET'S GRAVE. His grave is where the willow weeps O'er the brook that wanders by, Where niglitshade blooms, where echo sleeps, And zephyrs faintly sigh. His dirge swells on the forest breeze That slowly creeps along, And whispers to the leafless trees: " Here rests the child of song." His epitaph upon the sand Oblivion's hand may trace; While ocean waves leap up the strand, And every word efface. OR, GLIMPSES OF THE FAST. 29 The sleeper did not covet fame; An humble poet's lay Was all he craved to wreathe his name When he had passed away. The knell is rung, the dirge is sung, The poet calmly sleeps; His harp hangs lonely and unstrung, While Friendship o'er it weeps. George P. Morris. George P. Morris, the poet, and, in connection with N. P. Willis, the editor of the New York Home Journal, occasionally wrote for the Visitor, and corresponded privately. We had been associated in earlier days, and were considered the ballad-writers of the times ; though I had somewhat the advantage of my friend, being able to wed my verses to music, a science (or art, if the reader pleases) which the Brigadier" was not at all versed in, though remarkably fond of the "concord of sweet sounds." The great popularity of Morris's song of " Woodman, spare that tree," was mainly attributed to Henry Eussell's pirated music, and the peculiar manner of the composer's rendering it at his public concerts. There are several of the military bard's ballads which have been highly lauded, thoughphey possess but very common merit. I instance, in defence of the position I have taken, the songs of Near the lake where droops the willow " and " Meeta." The former was adapted to a negro refrain and beautifully harmonized by Charles E. Horn. The simplicity of the melody tallied with the words, and hence its popularity. The song of Meeta " was also adapted to an^Ethiopian air. It contains the following queer line : *' Her heart and morning hrolce together." However, Morris was a noble fellow, a generous, open-hearted friend, and an industrious and pushing man. He tried hard to be an honest critic, but^allowed his own judgment to be biassed by others who^^had no reputation to lose. 30 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; William T. Porter. William T. Porter, former editor of the New York hiptnt of the Times, was also an occasional contributor to the columns of the Yisitor, and a warm , friend of mme. Many a joyous hour have we passed together on piscatorial and gunning excursions. Porter was the Isaac Walton of the age. He was a perfect adept at setting a fly or coaxing a trout; and, on the green sea no eye more sure or arm more strong at shark or por' poise harpooning. With the fowling-piece he was likewise a terror to the feathered tribe. He was tall ' S.c t"1.V^'°"'*^1"^«n%' a great pet of the ladies particularly Miss Clifton, the noted actress, who figured in the great Forrest divorce case. Porter was a racy writer, as the nature of his journal required cor- rect reports of the sports of the turf, the ring, the stage, and the gun and angle. He wrote in a style that suited his readers, and the Times became so popular all over *^^^^o^»try that he made money, took to drink — and William H. Thompson. While editor of the Baltimore Clii>per I became acquainted with a young man of fine literarv talent who contributed several well- written articles to that paper. He seemed to be desirous of obtainin*? a posi- tion in some newspaper ofiice as an aide to the editor in- chiei. His conception of matters in general was clear and well grounded, and he was well cut out for a iour- nahst of the first water. The well-known John B. Owens at that time had control of the Baltimore Museum which was rather a popular resort for the friends of the drama, with a little sprinkling of good, moral people who suffered under no compunctions of conscience in witnessing a play when it was performed in a buildino- where curiosUies were to be seen. Thompson had written a humorous farce, and wished it to be brought before the public. He said the idea of the plot struck him on passing along Gay street early one morning and OR, GLIMPSES OF THE FAST. 31 witnessing the exertions of an Irishman in his efforts to roll a wooden Indian out of a tobacconist'-s store and place it in its usual position near the entrance. The farce was entitled the "Live Indian." I referred him to Owens, after having read the manuscript and com- plimented him on his abilities as a dramatist. The manager accepted the play, and, reserving for himself the most striking part, that of the used-up actor, had it mounted which, in theatrical parlance, means placed upon the stage. It proved a great success, and Owens has made a fortune out of it, though the real author's name was but little known to the pubhc. Colonel Thompson turned his face southward ; settled in Savannah, Ga,, wrote that everlastingly popular book entitled Major Jones' Courtship," and is now the con^^ trolling editor of the Savannah News. He is a man of superior talent, a ripe scholar and a genial companion. His paper is one of the leading journals of the South ; its proprietoi; is H. Estill, Esq., a man of perseverance and enterprise. James B. Kandall. I fear I am abandoning my first-conceived idea of tra- cing the "Shadows on the Wall," when I approach so near the present period, in mentioning the name of the author of Maryland, my Maryland," and " There's life in the old land yet." James E. Randall is the son of our esteemed fellow-citizen, John K. Randall, for many years known as a prominent merchant of this city. In early youth he displayed a great fondness for literature, and was so prone to sweep the strings of his tuneful lyre, that his father, who is a practical business man, had to abandon the cherished idea of training him up to the study of wharf-rats and spider-webs in a dmgy counting-room somewhere in the vicinage of our sweet- scented Basin. Young Randall was an enthusiast ; he burned to write his name among the stars ; so, when the reveille-drum of the South beat to arms, he doffed his beaver to the marble effigy of the immortal " Father of his country," and the other small memorials that 32 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; Sdm- JrS'^^'T' ^"If ""'^ ^ ^^'^-'''^^ Di^i^. Of araoi and btates-rights. The delicacy of his constitution prevented his takinsr an active position in the army ; so' he used his pen "f iipholdmg the " lost cause." He wrote for the io™ Is brought out songs that rang in the public haVs the HTvL'wm"rn' ^n'^-^^'"- ^^'tLA^mrod, Pa" 1 h! Mr r«lt « '"?°'"f Pike, Ee;. John C. McCabe Susan Archer Tulley, Mary J. Upshur and worn'siie^s^' "tT ^^^^^ of ?he b^tt^e worn soldiers. 1 have heard his "Marvland " suno- with stunning effect by upwards of five thois'and men.^ T^e Mag'Ianders,in particular, claimed it as their battle! At the conclusion of the war, Mr. Eandall took char<.e of the Augusta (Ga.) Canaitutionalia, old iouJnal con'dSts'lV"''"^!?"^"'^'" eontiCs ^o conduct Its literary dei^artment. The Southern atmo- sphere seems to agree with him; for, from the featured and dehcately built young'man, he has become the portly gentleman, full of life, bSt con iderablv tam^d down by the issue of the contest. ' Xeander Streeter. There are a few of my Baltimore and Richmond readers who may recollect a dapper little dealer in gen tlemen's wear who kept a store on Baltimore stS well furnished with undergarments belonginc. to the tt t "'^H Pr'^^^J^"- Ho waf on^e of the bisLs«?ntr?'''''''^ "gentlemen's furnishing" ke J ;i!t^'™'' shrewdness af d wit— kept customers away. One unlucky nio-ht tongue of the fieiy demoniicked up his eltL tock^n! trade; and what the flames did not lick up the wate?- fiend sipped up, and so soiled that no gentleman would wear "gents' wear." He had a lawsuit with the Fire Insurance Company he patronized, who refused to settle h s cla,ni for damages sustained. The Insurance Com! pany being the moneyed party, of course nonsuited OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 33 Streeter; and, as lawyers generally swallow the oyster and give their clients the shell, the poor fellow had to whistle for that which woald not come at his call. Streeter packed his carpet-bag, mostly with damaged goods, and took the earliest train for the city of the seven hills, Eichmond ; where, being aflicted with the cacoethes scribendi, he started a daily paper and called it the Eichmond Star. Being a good business man, and a wag withal, his racy little sheet soon became popular. Desirous of achieving a notoriety, he commenced a sham fight with the Clipper, which I conducted at the time. The lightning-flashes of wit darted merrily between the two cities, and for more than a year there was a con- tinuous fusillade kept up, which caused the contending papers to be sought after by the curious, if not the dig- nified. Jeux d'esprit, satires, puns, bon-mots and sharp repartees ran mad. The military title of " Corporal " clings to Streeter to this day ; while my princely nose will never cease growing or lose its crimson splendor. On one occasion he announced my contemplated trip to Eichmond by informing his readers that my body would occupy one railroad car and my nose the one preceding. A military reception was to be given by the "Star Brigade," composed of the corporal commandant, press- gang, and printer's devil, supported by the "chain- gang " and a battery of city garbage-carts ! Streeter's Star shone brilliantly for a few years, and then, like the lost of the Pleiades, dropped from the burning cluster forever. He was a rare wag, but rather too caustic for a Southern atmosphere. A severe phil- ippic having appeared in his columns, the offended party sought revenge in a most cowardly manner, by throwing snuff into his eyes and then attempting to use the cow- hide. He was, however, rescued by friends, and soon after the event left Eichmond and returned to his home in New England. Colonel Samuel Sands Mills. The present Sheriff of Baltimore (1876) was born in 2* 34 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; • His parents were of the old Maryland stock and he received his education at the public schools. slt.?c5 ^^"'^'^ '^^ apprenticed to fvZ lt r"'""' ^J^O'^hen a boy, set the type SnT f^V'^'"'', ^fPy °f S. Key's "Star- Spangled Banner." In the course of time he became the partner of his uncle, Mr. Sands, and, conjoint^ wUh fi •rt'cir«™'"''^!''' publication of the Rural RegUterX fsBue^nH.T''"'*;"''^',^""™^'' ^^^"^ continued to issue until the sectional war broke out. Previous how- Mr V«ndf"'''?.'"^ the i^,^,,,,,, he was connected wifh Ml. Sands in the publication of the American Farmer once famous throughout the United States. AboutTe breaking out of the war, he published, on his own responsibility, The South, an evening daily. Its 7ol Sze'd and"^ e^'T' GofernmLt ; H was seized and the Colonel imprisoned in Fort McHenry ^e had to commence the world anew; went to Wash- ington City and there worked as journeyman printer. He returned, however, to his native city, opened a job tCJ^/f 'f'.^""'^' Whitm^n.^estabHsied the Maryland Farmer,^ Bts.x.d2.vd agriculturkl work still flourishing In 1848 he was- chosen President of the Baltimore Typographical Union. He is a fine orator dent r?.f^WMl ''^^''^'"^ *° ^^^'^^^ ^ ^"'ogy on the thp Wnl- a grand banquet of ir^lT Typographical Society he delivered a Webs?;.^"r ""T complimented by such men as Benton, f ur l' ley, Eitchie, and Holmes. In 1858 he established the "Association for the Belief of Unem- ployed Mechanics and Working-men." To further this object he got the City Councillto appropriate $25,000 to the improvement of Druid Hill Pak, and thus many workmen were employed. •' Col. Mills identified himself with the military when quite young. While in the ranks of the Independent -Blues, he took an active part in the suppression of the John Brown raid on Harper's Perry. Under Colonel Augustus P Shutt he assisted in quelling the riot on the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Eailroad. He was OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 35 Professor of Military Tactics at the Bal imore Hi^h School He, at present, commands Comp my D, Fifth Eegiment, M. Gr. He was also an active fireman, and for some years represented the old Friendship Fire Company in the United Fire Department. He has been for many years an active member of the Maryland In- stitute. He is a prominent member of the Order of Free and Accepted Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Independent Order of Mechanics, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Knights of Pythias, the Schuetzen Association, and the Germania MM,nnerchor. He was one of the original founders of the Baltimore Lyceum, from which some of the most prominent citizens graduated, among whom were Charles Webb, Hugh Sisson, John Carson, John H. Ing, Henry Stockbridge, John W. Davis, W. G. Geckler, W. H. B. "Fusselbaugh, John E. Cox, and others. Col. Mills originated the Mechanics and Apprentices Library, and was also a member of the old Murray Institute. In 1867 he took an active part in the reorganization of the Maryland State Agricultural Association. Its present officers are Wm. H. Perot, President ; Wm. B. Sands, Eecording Secretary; John Feast, Corresponding Sec- retary, and E. W. L. Easin, Treasurer. CoL Mills was a member of the City Council from the Seventh Ward for four consecutive years. During the Mexican war, years 1846-7-8, he was sent to Monterey to exhume and bring home the remains of Col. William H. Watson, a mission which he performed handsomely. He also brought the bodies of Capt. Eidgely, Herman Thomas, of Harford county, and George Pierson, of Baltimore. In person, Col. Mills may be considered a handsome man, strongly built, active and ready for business. He is genial in disposition, urbane in manners, with sufficient dignity to make him respected by all, whether friend or stranger. After two efforts (the first Oj)posing Augustus Albert) he was recently elected Sheriff by a flattering majority, running far beyond his ticket. 36 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; Colonel Frederick Kaine. I have known Frederick Eaine almost from the days of his boyhood, and never found him wanting in those qualities of manners, disposition and bearing which make up the gentleman. In his early days he displayed a remarkable fondness for music and the fine arts generally. He possessed excellent business qualifica- tions, was a neat lecturer both in German and English, and a critic in the true sense of the word. In 1840 he founded the German Correspondent, and has for a period of thirty-six years been its proprietor and editor-in- chief. At the beginning of the Correspondent's career, It was issued weekly with but eighty subscribers; but this skeleton of a list did not discourage the young adventurer. He with prudence and energy pushed the work on ; and in 1848 it became a daily, and exercised vast control over the German population. The splendid marble building on the south-west corner of Baltimore street and Post-ofiice avenue was raised by Col. Eaine at a cost of $200,000 ; and, after its completion, the Correspondent was issued regularly every morning from that magnificent edifice. It is a great advertising medium, and almost every German in the city and State looks to it as the exponent of his sentiments and wants. In manners Col. Eaine is polite and alfable ; in person rather corpulent, but handsome. He is a man of exquisite taste, a fair writer, and a politician who is apt to be on the wrong side sometimes. The Gazette. ^ In February, 1858, a spirited daily journal bearing the title of the Daily Exchange was begun in Baltimore. It took a bold stand against political abuses ; and, of course, attracted attention. In 1861 this journal was suppressed by the Government, being too much tainted with the rebel doctrines. It, however, promptly ap- peared again under the name of the Maryland News Sheet, under which title it was published until hostili- OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 37 ties ended in 1865 ; when it came out in a new dress, and under the title of the Baltimore Gazette. Mr. Charles J. Baker, a gentleman of wealth and enterprise, united himself with Messrs. Welsh & Carpenter, and the paper took a position as the organ of the Demo- cratic party. At one time it took the quarto form, and was noted for its bold and outspoken language. Mr. Baker is now sole proprietor; the paper is reduced in size, but not in power; and the energy and tact of the owner will not fail to establish it on a firm footing. A. S. Abell. Mr. A. S. Abell, the original founder and proprietor of the Daily Sun, is a man of pleasant manners and social proclivities. He came to Baltimore in 1837, ostensibly for the purpose of obtaining a purchaser for a steam-press, the property of the Philadelphia Ledger. In order to bring about a quick sale, he, in conjunction with Mr. Simmons (since dead), established a small penny paper on Light street, entitled the Sun; this little affair was to be sold with the press, for which $2500 were asked. The paper met with a ready cir- culation ; the local news was spicy ; the magistrates' courts were visited by industrious reporters; as an important item of home intelligence^ the names of the " watch-house birds " were given. The notorious and everlasting John Smith's drunken frolics became known to the public ; the indomitable Jesse Eead rooted around in every nook and corner for an item to add to the morning's hodge-podge. So the Sun obtained a firm foothold. Its quarters were changed to the south-east corner of Baltimore and Gay streets. It went on suc- ceeding, notwithstanding the paper round and double- headed shot discharged at it by the trim Clipper anchored over the way. The burnishers-up of the rising luminary were right. They did not notice its rival ; it would not do to advertise the junior concern ; a reply would give it notoriety ; that would never do ! ^ The Sun was not the first cheap paper started in •"^S SHADOWS ON rilE WALL; Baltimore, as I have shown in the beirinninir It cer tainly has c aim to being the first slccessful one it TropjlrTif ^'^^^ enterprising proprietor had to move it into more spacious quarters strn.hT ^''Tk ' ^'••^•^ t'^^ magnificent iron its rival th^ '"'"'^ «f ^=^ltimore and South stree?^ Of rreti;Tot7nl!^^ - The New American Building. Rnf p''-^'"^'*'^ ^w«n<;a« no obstacle will shun But boldly runs ts columm up above the dai"y Sun ■ Wh.ch of the two aspiring sheets will make its way to heaven ? disf CttsHn? 'Ph ^f't™d« ^ P'-eacher of the Metho- witer not forcible I f A ''^^^ metaphysical, and fore- shadowed a serious bent of mind. In person he was rather prepossessing; aff-able in manners.Ssfightly fn- tiequently gave a check to momentary levity His K-^^-Tp''!?'^ mediocre. He became"^ editoi^ of The f^ffdist Protestant and continued in that position to the day of h.s death, which was brought about by his JsTl nt'T ^'''^"'^ ^-^^ tt.e revolJtio^n in Jufogium. '''' ^ ^•^''j^^*^ of Charles C. Fulton. istf of "Uh^"''''*-^".'!" ^"'i successful journal- IhTs ai-ti^le t'^^.g^'^t'e'^an whose name heads tills aiticle. He ,s now in the "sere and yellow leaf " ?nn of'. ' """"^ pronounced a hale and hear^^ man e?ec?ed bv¥m"'^ activity. The splendid iron building and South «r T ^OMth-M corner of Baitimort and South streets stands a lasting monument of his OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 39 enterprise. He purchased the American shortly after the demise of Mr. Dobbin, the only remaining partner of the firm of Murphy, Dobbin & Bose. This journal (the oldest in Baltimore) was established in 1773 by a Mr. William Goddard, under the title of the Maryland Journal and Baltimore Advertiser. In 1798 the title head was changed to the American and Daily Advertiser ; and in the year 1820 it was again changed to the Balti- more American and Commercial Advertiser. Mr. Fulton took charge of it in 1835 ; and, being an experienced journalist and a very ready writer, he wisely catered to the wants of the great lever of a rising city, the com- mercial interests. Its summary of news has always been noted for the able manner in which it was each morning spread before the public ; its market reports and prices-current have always been the oracles of the merchant and trader, and it is, and always has been, the commercial paper of this city. Its financial con- cerns since the year 1869 have been handsomely man- aged, and show plainly that the venerable journal, in keeping pace with the rise and progress of the city, has rejuvenated itself. The Saturday Morning Visitor and its Contributors. The Saturday morning Visitor was started in the year 1831. Mr. Charles F. Cloud, then publishing the Elkton Press, Cecil county, Md., made up his mind to establish a literary journal and newspaper in Balti- more, notwithstanding the ill-success of the ephemeral works that had preceded it. He secured a lease for three years on the building at the south-east corner of Gay and Baltimore streets, where, February 4th, 1832, the first number of his paper was issued, being a large and excellently printed sheet. He associated with him in the enterprise Lambert A. Wilmer. The Visitor was favorably received, and its list of subscribers increased gradually up to a large circulation. At the end of 1832, Wilmer withdrew from the concern. Mr. Cloud then entered into a co-partnership with Mr. William P. 40 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; Pouder a man of good business qualifications, but afflicted with a weak constitution and continued ill hea th. Charles F. Cloud is living at the present writing, hale and hearty. He was, and still is, a very popular nian with the masses, and was elected by a very handsome majority to the office of Sheriff I oniTf%^^ bas occupied other public positions since; one ot them School Commissioner. There are many literary characters now living, who achieved a reputation in the world of letters throusrh the columns of this journal. Their budding genius first developed Itself through its kind fosterinf. It was established shortly after the demise of the Minerva i was engaged to take charge of the literary depart- ment immediately on the discharge of Wilmer, who I be leve, obtained a position in the office of the Phila- delphia Sunday Mercury, to measure poetry as he would tape and judge of its quality as a ganger would the proof of whiskey. It was issued weekly, and intended lora family journal, as announced in the prospectus. Another effort to induce Ealtimoreans to encourage a literary periodical of their own ; and one, too, thit met with no more success than its predecessors. T brought with me a number of aspirants for literary honors ; these contributors I shall endeavor to sketch. Edgar Allan Poe, Who began to flourish about this time, was a thin spare young man ; pale featured, rather handsome, a fine eye, and high, intellectual forehead. He was a son ot a Mr. Poe, at one time a lawyer practising at the Baltimore bar; but who, having married an actress, became himself a treader of the boards. His parents dying in poverty Edgar was taken charge of by one Mr. Allan of Richmond, Va., a gentlemaS of wealth, who had him educated both in this country and Europe. Ihe boy displayed extraordinary talent, which began to develop Itself at an early period; but the generous indulgence of his foster-father spoiled him, and his OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 41 vicious habits were pandered to and nourished with a lavish hand. , 1 feel it my duty here to draw a veil over i oe s career; and though I have been frequently called upon by book-wrights to state what I know of him, yet I have always been guarded in my language, and placed no reliance in common report. The poet and scholar having incurred the displeasure of his benefactor, was cast out upon the world to seek a living as best he could. His literary acquirements were of little profit to him, for he had not then produced the "Kaven," and was comparatively unknown ; as he was almost up to the day of his death. He was of too excitable a nature to become a teacher, and, in fact, too proud to assume the position of an autocrat of the birchen rod. He visited Baltimore, where he had some highly respectable relatives, and, as a kind of feeler, published a small volume of poems, bearing the title of "Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane, and Minor Poems," wherein his wild and wayward imagery was given full bridle to. This volume was severely criticized by the Minerva, the editor not knowing the author; and to the day of his death, Poe exhibited the utmost dislike for me; at one time carrying his vindictiveness so far as to assail me on a public thoroughfare, though nothing serious re- sulted from the encounter. There was something quite original about Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane, and Minor Poems." The book was a literary curiosity, full of burning thoughts, which^ so charmed the reader that he forgot he was travelling over a pile of brick-bats— so uneven and irregular was the rhythm. It is said that poetry is the gift of nature ; if so, she hesitated in imparting to the author of " Al Aaraaf" that portion of inspiration essential to the formation of a poet of mediocre talents. Poe was not the poet he was said to be; he added but little to the literary reputation of our country. His **Eaven,"to be sure, gained him vast renown (particularly after he had rested in the grave for nearly 26 years !) ; but the idea 42 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; was not original— it was taken from the old Endish poets. The '^Manuscript Found in a Bottle," a com- position which won several prizes, was only a new version of the "Ehyme of an Ancient Mariner," " Al Aaraaf," the leading poem of Poe's first Volume seems to have no particular object in view. With all my brain-cudgeiling, Icould not compel myself to under- stand hne by line, or the sum total. Perhaps it alludes to the text which says:— A star was discovered by lycho Brahe, which burst forth in a moment, with splendor surpassing that of Jupiter; then gradually laded away, and became invisible to the naked eye " in one sense an apt quotation, indicative of the transi- tory glory of the poems that follow. To show the originality of Poe's conceptions, I will quote a few passages. In one of the poems we have the color of smell in the following line ; *'And thy most lovely purple perfume, Zante." Again, we learn that sound has form and body from the fact of its throwing out a shadow : ' " Flap shadowy sounds from visionary wings." Concerning the various hues of the atmosphere wo have lived to learn that the decomposition of blue will produce almost all the colors of the rainbow ; *|And red winds were withering in the sky." "With all thy train athwart the moony sky." ^|Up rose the maiden in the yelhw night." "Of molten stars their pavement, such as fell Through the ebon air.'* "A window of one circular diamond, there Looked out upon the purple air." Witness the murmur of the gray twilight." Poe deserved a premium for the invention of rhymes Witness the following: "'Till thy glance through the shade, and Come down from your brow, Like the eyes of the maiden Who calls on thee now." OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 43 The following stanza contains quite a curious thought: Now that the grass— O, may it thrive ! On my grave is growing and grown, But that, while I am dead yet alive, I can not be, lady, alone." The dead-alive is certainly a novel idea. If '/Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane, and Minor Poems " possess sufficient merit to iustify the erection of a monument to the memory of Edgar Allan Poe, I know many a poet of sensation periodicals who can put in a much stronger claim to an epitaph not writ on sand." But he is dead— let his faults perish with him. Our last meeting was in Washington City; he was then poor and almost friendless, and I extended to him the hand of friendship, partially relieved his wants, and parted with him on amicable terms. He was for a short period the editor of the Southern Literary Messenger, a monthly publication published in Richmond, and came very near ruining the reputation of that work by the bitterness of his articles and the vindictiveness with which he assailed the reputations of all who chanced to fall under his displeasure.^ Professor Nathanial H Thayer. Among the numerous writers for the Yisitor, during its palmy days, was i^athanial H. Thayer, the present Principal of the Eastern Female High School of Balti- more I have known him since the early days of boy- hood'; even as far back as the days of schooldom, for we trembled under the rod of the same schoolmaster, and snivelled over our primer in the same class. We are both in the winter of life now; but the memories of the past are still fresh and green. . oa^t i Mr Thayer was born in Boston in the year 1807, and is consequently now (1876) in his 69th year. Of the eight children of old Captain Thayer, a merchant and most worthy man, the only two now living are IN athanial *See Appeidix. ^ SHADOWS ON THE WALL; and Thatcher; the latter was educated at Tale, and has iad charge of the Second Congregationalist Church in JNewport, E. I., for many years. The subject of this article attended the Public Latin School in Boston at the same time with Wat Willis, who wrote as good poetry then as he did in his more mature age. Thayer's father intended him for a mercantile life, and he was placed in a store, where he remained two or three years. He however, altered his purpose, and took quarters in -t-hi lips Academy, Andover, from whence he went to Amherst College, and at the end of his studies was com- plimented with the degree of A. M. He came to the bouth in 1829, and took the position of private tutor in the tamily of Gov. Samuel Stevens, then residing on the ^.astern Shore of Maryland. Prom thence he went to ilent county, and then became a teacher in the Keisters- town Academy, at that time under the charge of Mr -Nathan C. Brooks. From Eeisterstown he settled iii Westminster, Carroll county, and there married a sister ot the Hon. Judge Hayden. After taking charge of the Manchester Academy, he succeeded Mr. Brooks as Prin- cipal of Eeisterstown School, which became quite a popular institution. While at this school he had the gratification of enlightening the quick intellect of one of his most merkorious pupils, Dr. W. C. Van Bibber, of Baltimore. Por seven years he had the control of the chartered Academy at Abingdon, Harford county. Among the best pupils of this school was Prof. James Webster, who for several years has held, with much credit to himself, a Professorship in the Baltimore City College. On the conclusion of his duties at Abingdon he came to Baltimore and entered the Eastern Female High School as an assistant. Here he has remained ever since, through good and evil report. On the retirement of his predecessor, he was elected Principal This occurred in February, 1850. His course during these twenty-six years has been steady and straightforward. He has given universal satisfaction and has always been loved and respected by his pupils -tuliy aware of the responsibility of his position, he has OR, GLIMPSES OF THE FAST, 45 looked to the moral as well as intellectual culture of the young ladies under his charge. Never petulant and stern, but always positive, he has succeeded in sending out from his school, to fight the battle of life, many ot our best and most accomplished females. Mr. Thayer is far from being a forward man ; the 2)ms5 *that lifts pretenders up to exalted positions is not an element of his composition. He has been but little connected with politics or public institutions out of his line. While residing in Manchester he was solicited to become a candidate for the Legislature, but declined. During the late war he was likewise requested to run for the City Council, and refused. Such positions were incompatible with the loved profession to which alone he devoted his energies. The only institution, because of its kindred character, he has ever been publicly asso- ciated with, is the Maryland Institute. Of this he has been Corresponding Secretary many years. In polite literature, Mr. Thayer holds a fair standing; he might have become eminent, had he attended to it more. Fanny "Wright. Among the occasional contributors to the columns of the Minerva was the celebrated Miss Prances Wright. She "was quite in the ascendancy at the time. She lectured in Baltimore, and I became acquainted with her through an intimate friend. She was not a hand- some woman; but her features were highly intellectual, her eyes beamed with intelligence, and her voice was sweet and musical. She was tall, for a woman, and rather masculine. When she spoke, it was with emphasis and marked energv. As a female reformer she was the Mary Wolstencroft of the age, and recruited disciples successfully in the cities of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and, in fact, throughout the Union. Her lectures rallied hundreds of intelligent females around her standard, not mentioning the tens of thousands among the enlightened and, apparently, Christian part of the sex, who filled the theatres and 46 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; public halls when they knew that her sentiments were not only opposed to Divine revelations, but almost if not utterly, subversive of simple theism. ' Who will deny that Christianity is the foundation of that superior happiness which the nations of Christen- dom enjoy above all other nations ? Who can observe the beautiful superstructure which the intelligence of man has erected on such a basis, or can look abroad on the world, and hft his eyes to heaven from the elevation already attained in that magnificent building of God's own architecture, without feeling a deep sense of grati- tude tor an institution that has grown up, not only to insure our temporal well-being, but to hold out high nopes 01 everlasting enjoyment ? We are a flourishing and mighty people. What made us so but Christianity? Without this, the Pil- grims would not have crossed the waters, and we, who enjoy so many privileges, would not have been able to otter an asylum to the oppressed of the world. Miss Wright was what might have been called a clever woman ; one above the mass of her sex in the variety ot her reading, and opportunities which travelling might have afforded her of attaining a thorough know- ledge of the world. Her belief was that the history of ages past and revelation are not worthy of belief because nothing can be Mown which has not been exposed to our senses. She rejected Christianity; and not only declared her disbelief in it, but asked: "What have 1 to do with a first cause? I know nothing of it " bhe was known to be a follower of Eobert Owen whose monstrous doctrines on the laws of marriage' now called "free-love," were alone enough to brand Him with Ignominy and disgrace. But Miss Wright-was said to be a learned, sensible, and eloquent lady,- and tor that reason husbands encouraged their wives to listen to sentiments which, if adopted, must have in- sured their dishonor, while children were made liable to the influence of their example. If Christianity be worth anything, it should be too sacred for pollution • and, if people profess Christianity, they ought not to OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 47 see it tainted with a shadow, much less suffer them- selves to run the risk of contamination by exposing themselves to evil influences. Miss Wright's lectures were delivered in a plausible style ; one well calculated to ensnare those who were not accustomed to follow a speaker with proper caution. Her language was good, but her discourses were entirely destitute of logic. Her premisses, in the first place, were bad and unsatisfactory ; and, even admitting them to be true, her conclusions were absolutely false. So inconsistent were the points of any one of her lectures, that they were not susceptible of analysis ; and, when she startled the ignorant, it was by making those in- quiries which could not he proved, but such as were felt by the common sense of the world. Brantz Mayer was a young lawyer of rare talent and superior education, a neat poet and forcible writer. He was, and still is, a gentleman, and that title compre- hends the greatest praise I could bestow on him. He was handsome in person, rather aristocratic, and a great admirer of women, wine, polite literature, and the fine arts ; saying nothing of his refined taste for music. He wrote considerably for the Minerva, and his contributions were eagerly sought after. In aftertimes he received from the Government the appointment of Secretary to the Charge des Affaires to Mexico ; and, shortly after his return home, published a book of notes on that distracted country, which was well received by the press and public. Subsequently, during the " little unpleasantness" between North and South, he was appointed to a high office in the Paymaster's Depart- ment. He didn't abuse the trust. Nathan (7. Brooks, at the present time of writing, President of a flourishing Female College in Baltimore, was also a contributor to the columns of the Visitor. He was an excellent poet, rather of the melancholy order, but exceedingly popular withal. In person he was tall, slender, pale, and sharp-featured ; but his countenance expressed benevolence and good nature; 48 SHADOWS OAT THE WALL; two qualities which, I think, never belonged to his nature. He published several works, and tried hard to elevate the literary reputation of the Monumental City." His "Scriptural Anthology," and many of his minor poems, won him quite a name. A souvenir, called the Amethyst, edited by himself, however, was a dead failure, and he lost money by it. It caused a spirited controversy between his anonymous friends and myself in the public prints, and for years there was a coolness between us. But time wore off the rancor of that inky conflict, and we are friends again. I will do justice to Mr. Brooks, and say that he is an accomplished scholar, a Christian, and a gentleman ; but entirely too sensitive for a public man and a litterateur, who places himself at the mercy of the critic. Timothy S. Arthur was originally a tailor. He very rarely entered the arena of song, his writings being mostly in prose, and of a moral character. His forte lies in the description of domestic scenes, the kindlier feelings of our nature, and the life of a Christian ; hence his great popularity in aftertimes as a story writer for temperance and religious journals. He was a young man of urbane manners, pleasant as a com- panion, but rather pedantic. He conducted two literary papers in Baltimore j one was called the Athenceum, the other the Young Men's Paper, both of which lived but a short time. In Philadelphia, where he now resides, he also edited besides publishing his domestic stories, which are numerous. The failing of sight is a sad affliction to this industrious and truly good man. In the publication of the Home Magazine, a most excellent monthly, he is aided by his sons and daughters, and a corps of experienced correspondents. John N, McJilton, recently an Episcopal clergyman, and in some way connected with the public sch'ools, of which institution he was always a warm advocate, was one of my most industrious correspondents. He was originally a cabinet-maker; but veneering and varnish did not suit a mind like his, and he took to the pen in downright earnest. His favorite signature was " Giles OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 49 McQaiggin "; his style was racy, but crude. He has published a volume of poems ; some of them are truly meritorious, and entitle him to rank among the first of our bards; while others want nerve, and might be placed in competition with the mental efforts of a romantic schoolgirl. He, in conjunction with Mr. Arthur, established a weekly called the Monument, which did not tower as high or bid fair to live as long as the shaft in Mount Vernon Place. In his associa- tions, Mr. McJilton was an amiable man, good-humored and modest. He was extremely popular with the pupils of the public schools, and took much delight in improving them mentally, physically, and morally. He died, much lamented, in the city of New York, in the latter part of 1875 ; having removed to that city to take charge of a congregation. Miss Buchanan (afterwards Mrs. Doctor Annan) wrote but a few poetical articles for the Visitor, but those few established her as a lady-writer of no ordinary merit. The ''Glen of the Butterflies " was full of delicate imagery, and won her much fame. She had the true stamp of poesy — full of love and the soft gushings of a woman's heart. In person, she was as lovely as she was brilliant in intellect. I believe she abandoned the muse after she undertook the sterner duties of wife and mother. Miss Modina (subsequently Mrs. Haniblin) was a wild and wayward writer, somewhat in the George Sand school. She crowded the columns of the Visitor with her mad reveries ; sliced the character of lordly man into small bits, and exalted woman to the rank of angels. One "Atrox Mars,"* a prosy and metaphysical essayist, undertook to defend the honor of his sex, but was almost exterminated by the galled pen of the literary giantess. The first interview I had with this singular, yet highly gifted woman, is worthy of recital. I had published several of her essays, when I received a note from her, requesting an interview at her suburban residence, about * These papers of " Atrox Mars " were known to emanate from the pen of the Rev. S. A. Koszell, a ripe scholar, and an eminent Methodist preacher. 3 50 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; half a mile from the city, on the old Belvedere road. It was a pleasant summer afternoon when I walked toward the house. As I ascended the steep hill on which the mansion stood, I observed a female form perched upon the uppermost rail of the fence which marked the road. She was dressed in a loose garment of white muslin ; her shoulders were uncovered, and her long dark hair was given freely to the breeze. She was truly a picture for the study of an artist ; no bad imitation of Jul! 3t in the balcony scene. Her hand supported her head and her knee her arm. As I approached, I lifted my hat, and inquired if Miss Modina resided in the house. "1 have the honor of being that genius," replied she, laughing ; and you are the editor of the Visitor, Take a seat, sir." I was at a loss to know whether she meant a seat on the grass or the rail ; but, determined to be as sociable as possible, I jumped up beside the sylph. " There is a song called ' Sitting on a Eail V' continued she. "I think you and I might sing it now with con- siderable truth and effect." And then she moved closer to me, and shook her hair from her forehead, while she distributed it most freely over her shoulders. After a very animated conversation, during which she handled the '^Baltimore scribblers" without gloves, she entered on the subject which conduced to the interview. ''Your avocation, sir," said she, ''places you in a position to do a poor little thing like me a good deal of harm or a good deal of good. My girlish writings have brought me before the j^ublic ; you have flattered me by highly complimentary notices, and — I have gained 07ie point. Now, I want you to help me to gain anx^ther. I desire to make my debut on the stage." ''Are you serious ? And are you aware of the diffi- culties you will have to encounter ? " asked I, taken all aback by the strange resolution of the girl. " Oh, I have weighed them all well "in my mind. I ana resolute, determined ; and, when I get to ]SIew York, I intend to put myself under the tuition of Mr. Hamblin* OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 51 He is my heau ideal of an actor, and I long to make his acquaintance." I promised to introduce her to Mr. Walton, then the manager of the Holliday Street Theatre, and, if he con- cluded to bring her out, I pledged my pen to her service in preliminary puffs. The introduction was brought about, but the parties never came to terms; she having selected Juliet for her dehut^ a part which, Walton contended, was beyond her reach, though her readings were beautiful. She, conse- quently, went to Kew York, where she entered into a theatrical engagement with Thomas Hamblin, which ended in a matrimonial one. While at the Bowery Theatre she wrote two dramas, which had an immense run and filled the treasury. They were " The Last Days of Pompeii" and "Eienzi"; both adapted from Bulwer's works of the same titles. She was found dead in bed by the side of her husband. Doctor Lofflin, the " Milford Bard," was a poet of quan- tity more than quality, Nature had been bountiful in her gifts of the ideal, and appeared to have constituted him a kind of machine for grinding out thoughts in rhythmical parcels. He may have felt what he wrote, but his ideas were commonplace, and the loose life he led belied his song. The harp-strings that are soaked in alcohol seldom give out refined tones. He published a volume of his rhymes, which met with a tolerable sale, for the reason that his name had been so long and often before the public that the collection was looked for by all who had read his "fugitive'' pieces. Among his best efi'orts was his poem in imitation of the journey of the renowned John Gilpin. He frequently, like Mc- Donald Clark, the "mad poet" of New York, used to demean himself by going into low groggeries, and writ- ing off a few stanzas on any subject the barkeeper might suggest, for a taste of the liquid fire. But I would speak well of the dead, and bury their faults with them. The subject of this sketch had his virtues. He was aware of the power the subtle enemy had over him, and in several instances became the vol- 52 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; untary inmate of the jail, in order that the mental and physical poison might be withheld from his lips. He was generous, though his extreme poverty gave him no opportunity of exhibiting his liberality. He loved his mother almost to idolatry, and his most touching lines were addressed to her. He looked upon a virtuous woman as an earthly angel, and always evinced the greatest respect for the sex in general ; for, through their bounty, he was often supplied with a good rheal or a clean suit of clothes. Lofflin died very poor ; for, like most poets, he did not know the value of money. No marble slab tells the spot where he sleeps ; and, like most of our native poets, his songs have perished with him. LMiSS Elizabeth Bogart, of New York, contributed many exquisite poems to the columns of the Minerva, She was a writer of ability, possessing strong womanly feelings, and gained an enviable reputation in the Northern journals over the signature of '^Estelle." Miss Phoehe M. Clarke also sent in several truly beautiful effusions from her prolific pen. She was a young actress of fair reputation, and died in Boston, having left the stage to fulfil a matrimonial engagement with a wealthy gentleman of that city. James Hungerford^ well known as the author of an excellent domestic narrative, descriptive of Southern country life, entitled the Old Plantation," commenced his early efforts as a modest contributor to the Visitor, His favorite nom de plume was " Fitz-James," and some of his pieces possessed considerable merit. Mr. Hun- gerford's talents are various. He studied law, taught school, plays prettily on the guitar, writes poetry and sensational stories, and, withal, is a fine elocutionist. Ibo T. Mayen, recently deceased, was a German scholar of more than ordinary capacity, and a most amiable man. His close translations of Schiller, Klop- stock, Goethe, and other German poets, first brought him into notice. His original poems were marked by great power of thought and rhythmic accuracy ; one poem I remember in particular as strikingly beautiful. OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 53 It was entitled the ^'Suicide/' and was worthy of a more extended notice than it received from able judges of the sublime and beautiful. Mr. Hayen was for a long time foreign clerk in the Baltimore Post-office ; for several years before his death he was an attache in the office of the German Correspondent, being a brother- in-law of Colonel Frederick Eaine, its editor and pro- prietor. The Fate of Baltimore Periodicals, After having established the Baltimore daily Clipper, in partnership with Messrs. Bull & Tuttle, and edited it, with Mr. John Wills as associate, for the space of three years, I found myself not only in debt, but with very faint prospects of again obtaining a foothold m the musical circle. People had lost sight of me as a teacher, and others had taken my place. I therefore sold out my interest in the concern to my partners. The proceeds of the sale barely covered my liabilities ; and, with a sad heart, I left Baltimore and took up my residence in the city of Washington. The Clipper was started in opposition to the Sun; but the latter had obtained too firm a footing, not only from the real business tact with which it was con- ducted—as it is at this day— but from its going with the crowd, and furnishing news at a rate which could be reached by the poorest. It was said to be the first " penny paper " established in Baltimore ; this was a mistake, as I have shown before. The JEvening Tran- script, published by Skinner & Tenny years before, was the first cheap daily journal. The Clipper was popular in its early days. I con- ducted it unbiassed by any party feeling or religious creed, and made it light and of a domestic nature. Its spiciness won it much favor with the people, and it was sought after, though it never paid, at least while I was connected with it. Mr. Wills was a very industrious writer, though not a forcible one — he being young then, and a mere tiro in journalism. Since then he has gained experience, having been editor of the Balti- 54 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; more Patriot, a spirited commercial and political journal, jointly with Mr. McJilton, and beinij^ at present the writer of the leaders for the Sunday Telegram. Au- gustus Eichardson wrote a great deal for the Clipper. He was an exceedingly bitter dramatic critic, and fre- quently brought the concern into trouble by the rancor of his criticisms. He would sometimes slip them in without my knowledge ; not as communications, but as editorials. At one time I had to stop the press when the edition was nearly half printed, and have one, or perhaps two, of his caustic editorials taken out. He was, however, a ready writer, and sometimes quite witty. Samuel Barnes took my chair in the sanctum, and conducted the paper in his usual old-fashioned and methodical style. After a while it assumed the name of Republican^ and became the organ of the Know- nothing, or, as it was styled, the American " party. In this capacity it flourished through the terrible excitement of those days, an excitement which may be remembered with pain by many who may glance over these papers. The era was one of riot and bloodshed (1857). The daily journals were burdened with records of assaults with intent to kill, riots, and street fights, diXid palatable programmes of rowdyism. Murder, theft, incendiarism, and vandalism stalked freely abroad in open daylight, without a murmur from the quiet citizens, who mourned over the fallen dignity of Baltimore. The arm of the law seemed paralyzed and powerless ] while order- loving citizens could devise no means of securing public safety. The result of the election was a wholesale violation of the chartered rights of citizenship. The ballot-box, the safeguard of freemen, was violated, the polls disgraced, and the right of suff^rage violently trampled under foot. Several Democratic and inde- pendent candidates for the City Council retired from the contest in disgust. They had the moral character of the city at heart, and abandoned their rights in order that the name of Baltimore might not again be OR, GLIMPSES OF THE FAST. 55 tarnished. During the election day respectable citizens were driven from the poils, deadly weapons were placed at their heads, and they had to forego the privi- lege of citizenship in order to save their lives. In some of the wards loaded swivels were stationed at the places of voting, in order to intimidate such Democrats as had the temerity to attempt the exercise of their rights. During the day, young men, in a state of beastly intoxication, were seen driving through the business thoroughfares, firing and deliberately loading their muskets and revolvers, insulting females with their peculiar slang, and defying all creation to battle. This outrageous conduct did not speak well for the reputation of a city that had, by strict order and quiet, wiped out former reproaches ; a Christian city, and a city, too, governed by a party who claimed to be native born patriots, whose motto was "Americans must govern America.'' On the second morning after the election, the Sun^ which, I believe, was neutral, made the following remarks : The Affair of Wednesday, — As we remarked yester- day, the nominal election on Wednesday last was nothing better than a mockery, riotous and bloody, of the elective franchise. The scenes of that day, though not so frightfully distorted with massacre and wounds as were those of the election daj^s last year, exhibit the political condition of our city at the very lowest depths of demoralization. InTo report, however var- nished, can relieve the fact that vast masses of the people are overawed, and that the city itself is politi- cally subjugated by an irrepressible and unmitigated intolerance of the principle of universal suifrage. . . , The polls are notoriously places of danger to life and limb, and there the rowdy and bully exult in the possession and exercise of supreme power. We say these things, perfectly willing that they should be hooted at and denied." In strong contrast with the foregoing, the following announcement appeared in the Clipper : 56 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; " The issue of yesterday is glorious to dwell upon ; not, indeed, from the paramount importance of the simple end achieved, so much as the withering condem- nation of our revilers at home and abroad, which the mighty result thunders forth to their consternation, and in tones not to be misunderstood. . . . The motley host has been * routed — horse, foot and dragoon/ and so sadly discomfited, that to rally again is impossible. Poor conglomerated Democracy is badly, ay, unmercifully whipped, and it will be a long time before we shall be seriously troubled with its impertinent hangers-on in our seats of public authority." Know-nothingism, like an ignis fatuus^ shone bright for a while ; misled the people by its false light, and then expired. The war broke out, and the Clipper (for which I alw^ays felt a parental atfection) turned recreant to the cause of the South. It became a violent anti- rebel paper ; obtained the patronage of the Government, and made money at the sacrifice of the private senti- ments of its proprietors. It dropped the name of He- publican, and again assumed that which I had given it. After a sickly existence of a year or so, it was sold out to a party, and became the Evening CommerciaL That, too, has gone to ^*the tomb of the Capulets." I shall now return to my literary contemporaries. I have hinted at the opinion I have always cherished, that no strictly literary journal published in the city of Baltimore will pay; and, if it does not pay, it cannot continue to exist. The following extract from the Clipper, while under my charge, will show that I have cause for expressing that opinion. The remarks were published under the editorial head of the issue of October 20th, 1840. It may be interesting to young readers as well as old ones; I therefore copy it entire: " Southern Literature. — Our friends of the Saturday Morning Visitor plume themselves not a little in having secured the aid of Professor Ingraham, 'a distinguished writer of the South.' That Prof. Ingraham is a dis- tinguished writer, so far as the production of a novel or two and a number of stories for periodicals will entitle OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 57 him to the term, we will agree; but we cannot perceive how he can be classed among Southern writers. In the list of the contributors to the columns of the Visitor, we perceive the names of several who are not Southerners; their contributions, of course, whether good, bad or in- different, should not be tbrown into the scale of Southern literature. As much affection as we have for the Visitor — an affection which springs from early associations — we cannot agree that the original writings which appear in its columns should be made the standard of excellence of the literature of the South. It is true, as the editor remarks, that his paper is ' the only periodical in Balti- more devoted exclusively to polite literature '; and, as far as Baltimore is concerned, it certainly displays a goodly list of contributors. It stands, as it were, a lone rock in the midst of the ocean, and the shipwrecked mariners are clinging to its sides, and, with desperate grasp, lingering out a brief literary existence. We will name these shipwrecked editors^ in the order given them by the Visitor, not presuming to rank them according to their deserts : "J. N. McJilton, Esq., late editor of the Monument, This should have read, editor of the late Monument, for that literar}^ work, reared on so stupendous an intel- lectual foundation, did not prove its durability equal to that of the towering memento which overlooks our city. It was a beautifully ^rm^e u n,^ These guardians of the night were called by the young bloods "Charlies," and cald be bribed at any time to say nothing about the matter, if a funny fellow was caught in the act of upsetting him and his watcli- box while he was " stealing forty winks." Several of us undertook a grand serenade on JNew ''^ SyS OMrZ'VM THE WALL; ' Iffh K ^^^-^ ^^^^sbed to usher in the young year with becoming solemnity, not exactly in thf form of a t umtt?'' wf'" ^'S" ^^^"^^'^^ °f musical in struments. We were all considered good musicians r.st. responsible for the bad-co^5 ioned instruments we used ; they being an organ with about a dozen asthmatic pipes, two cracked claf ionrts severa fish-horns, a broken drum, half a dozen penny t;umpets and a sheet-iron gono- 1 This banrl rvf ^1.7+1 '''^^'VP®'^^' started on their^e^enading ^f^ZZ'TZ city was the first victim, ifis Honor got aldose that made his ears tingle. * A Charley ^stood on the opposite side of the street listening to soft strains, and drinking in the exquisite harmony of the sj>ears. When we had concluded our to prS *^jV«'^"-y»dividual took it into his^'head to protest. He crossed over and said : (xintlemm, be me faith that isn't music at all at all You must be afther stopping it " ' _ " Pshaw ! my good fellow," I replied " you're no overture foLodoiS'' ..nn ^ r^'f ''^ overturn of a load o' whiskey for JnTteSLrii^e"'"^ ^-'^ -nd And so he subsided for awhile, and the band struck up again with a perfect chaos of sounds. ®^,<^P' stop. -'"exclaimed Charley. "I know enou2-h to tell what IS music and what isn't. By St Patr ck that isn't music at all." ^ -rairicK, That's the overture to Fra Diavolo," said I. musS'' ' «l^«^vyou the beautiful eenJill''t'?'^"f.*'''' rf**'' ^-^olently, while we made a St^H K ^'T^""?'''/'^ e^eept the unfortunate Jacob Bradenbaugh. who h..d the heavy hand-or<.an stranned betm:clpSs.^"""P°° ''"'^"^ -g- irish';^;n!':xuE:.if ' ^Yo^^l:lr ^^^'---^^ and disturbing th^'j^blic^prcilwIl^eH"^ "'^^^ OJ?, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. The poor fellow had to trudge off, but soon a lucky thought struck him and he stopped. "1 can't carry this heavy organ all the way to the watch-house," s^id he to the Charley and I cant leave it behind, because it's too valuable. " It's all right," replied tlie watchman ; " I'll bear the hnrden uv it meself. I will." . So he transferred the strap of the heavy instrument from Bradenbaugh's shoulders to his o^"- J*^^ ^J^f^f^ was this done than the prisoner gave leg-bai'. and lett 7he helpless Charley turning his rattle violently to no rmrpose^ for the pigLn had flown. The captured organ STreturned to M?. Cole's music-store the next morning. Ambrose, formerly leader of the Holliday Street Theatre oi'chestra, was a highly ^xcitabk ma^ a musical euthusiast, and extremely methodical in his fceSorship When the celebrated Fanny BUsler visited Baltimore, of course there was great excitement, particu- larly among the Germans. Ambrose had a good oichesia uSder his control, but the trombone player was a very nervous man, and timid withal. It a rehearsal of the " Tarantella," or mad dance, for which Fanny was so celebrated, there was much trouble with this neVvous trombonist. At a certain pomt of the dance there was a wild twirl of the danseuse, and then she threw herself suddenly on her great toe. At this point the trombone had a crashing solo of one staccato note, given just as the nymph poises herself. Fanny went through the movement several times for the accommodation of the trombonist and at last the effect was produced ; the toe and the explosive note ''''^Dlush'vere goot 1 " remarked Ambrose blandly to encourage the nervous man. "Now mind you do him ?o night'jes same so; if you do not, I will blows your nose wis my fist." ^ r^-i ^■ At night the house was crowded, and Chevalier Wikoff,who had brought the sylph over to this country on a speculation, surveyed the sea of heads with much 78 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; complacency. The fascinating Fanny bounded on the stage like a thing of air, the orchestra aided her in her frantic evolutions during the quick movements of the weird dance. The whirl was made around the stage, she threw herself gracefully upon the great toe of her right foot. At that critical moment Ambrose brought down his baton for the trombone solo ; but the con- fused musician was just then placing his lips to the mouth-piece of the instrument, and the dancer's foot fell about two seconds before the brazen blast was heard. The effect, of course, caused merriment instead of admiration. Ambrose, forgetting himself in the excitement, put down his violin and exclaimed : ^' Vill anybody pull my hair ? " while his usually good natured face expressed the utmost agony. It is hardly necessary to state that the dance was a failure that night at least, and the trombonist lost his place, and reputation too, for being tardy in taking up his note, Fritz Beiglin. Fritz was as generous and noble- hearted a German as ever sought an asylam in this *'land of the free and home of the brave." There are many now living who may remember him, for he died but recently. He had an uncommonly fine tenor voice, and sang in the Tyrolean style with considerable effect. He fre- quently sang at concerts for the benefit of friends, or same charitable purpose, for he was not a professional vocalist. Desirous of making a little money — at any rate suffi- cient to support his family — he built a "fish-house" on the borders of '^Spring G-arden," opposite the present terminus of Eutaw street. Here he welcomed his pisca- torial and musical friends with his perpetual smile, and served them with fish suppers and good cheer. His clear voice would ring through the rocky glens and on the bosom of the calm waters of a moonlight night, to the great delight of the visitors, while his amiable frau OR, GLIMPSES OF THE FAST. 79 and pretty daughter prepared the repast for the tired anglers. His daughter was a second Helen Douglas, as she was accustomed to paddle her light canoe" morning and evening along the shore, and sometimes even over the Patapsco river, much to the admiration of the disciples of old Isaac Walton, as they sat bobbing for eels. Her form was sylph-like, and her auburn hair, loosened from confining bands, waved freely on the breeze as she skimmed lightly over the surface of the waters, singing her merry song. Colonel Fitzgerald, the editor of the Philadelphia City Item, while on a visit to Baltimore, made quite a flattering notice of the beautiful naiad in bis journal when he returned to his home. It was at Fritz's rural dwelling that many of the musical characters of the day would gather and while away the sultry summer evening. The "Baltimore Glee Club;' of which he was a member, frequently met there, and made the night eloquent with their vocal harmony. ^ . „ The origin of the glee entitled "Bee's Wmg and Kish is not generally known ; I will, therefore, give it to the unenlightenedo One day, when the club had partaken of Fritz's excellent fare, it was proposed to celebrate the occasion by an original composition. Henry Dielman and myself were selected by the company to carry out the proposi- tion. In a few moments I furnished the words and gave them to Dielman, who stretched himself upon the grass, and with a lead-pencil composed the music on a loose sheet of music paper, and arranged the harmony for two tenors, baritone, and bass. In less than a half-hour a quartette party was singing it with pretty effect. They were Munroe, Owings, Thomas, and Burneston; and so pleased were the company present, including several ladies, that it was called for several times. It was sub- sequently published by Benteen, and I believe is sung to this da3^ Henry Kussell, the vocalist, was one of the party. The subject of this paper was generally known as 80 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; honest Fritz." He died about a year ago at the Aged Men's Home/' at the ripe age of seventy-seven, of chronic rheumatism, a complaint which clung to him during many of the last years of his life. Besides being one of the most active members of the Glee Club/' he attached himself to various musical societies, and was for many years a member of the choir of St. Martin's Church. Sandy Jemison. Everybody knows Sandy Jemison, the popular leader of the Holliday Street Theatre orchestra, and various other bands. He is not in the midst of us now, being in the far West, scraping his Cremona for a living ; but the vision of his ruddy face and snow-white beard still haunts us. Sandy is a rara avis, as full of fun as an alderman's paunch is of the good things at a Mayor's dinner. He is of Scotch descent, and has at this time probably passed the limits of life allowed to man by the Holy Book. When last I heard from him he was the nomm<^f leader of an Orchestra at Elsler's Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio. He once, while leading at the Howard Athenaeum " of Baltimore, slept through the entire overture to '^Tancredi," and was only awakened by the ringing of the bell for the rising of the curtain. On the nights of his benefits he invari- ably personated the fighting Jakey, and garnished the play with an exhibition of the manly art " in a scientific set-to with some experienced boxer. On one occasion he hired a number of tattered and shoeless boys to give efPect to a terrible fireman's row. The boys took the afi'air in earnest, and had a little by-exhibition of muscle on their own account while the great mill was going on. Sandy's temper got the upper-hand of him, and he pitched in with a vim, making his mark in bloody noses and black eyes. The curtain descended in the midst of great confusion, in order that the stage might be cleared of the maimed and bleeding heroes, and the audience were allowed time to "go out and see a man" and settle the bets. Henry RusselL The descriptive songs and ballads of this composer and vocalist are still much in vogue. He OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 81 spent much of his time in Baltimore, though New York was his headquarters. In person he was rather stout, but not tall. His face was quite prepossessing, of the Hebrew cast, dark and heavy whiskers and curly hair. He was an expert at wheedling audiences out of ap- plause, and adding to the effect of his songs by a brilliant pianoforte accompaniment. With much self-laudation he used often to describe the wonderful influence of his descriptive songs over audiences. On one occasion he related an incident connected with Woodman, Spare that Tree.'' He had finished the last verse of the beau- tiful words, written by his highly esteemed friend, Gen. George P. Morris. The audience were spell-bQund for a moment, and then poured out a volume of applause that shook the building to its foundation. In the nriidst of this tremendous evidence of their boundless gratifica- tion, a snowv-headed gentleman, with great anxiety depicted in his venerable features, arose and demanded silence. He asked, with a tremulous voice : " Mr. Eus- sell, in the name of Heaven, tell me, was the tree spared ? " " It was, sir," replied the vocalist. " Thank God ! thank God ! I breathe again ! " and then he sat do*wn, perfectly overcome by his emotions. This miser- able bombast did not always prove a clap-trap ; in many instances it drew forth hisses. Eussell's voice was a baritone of limited register; the few good notes he possessed he turned to advantage. His Old Arm-chair," for instance, has but five notes in its melodic construction. This was one of his most popular songs; its circulation was outstripped only by ^^Life on the Ocean Wave " and " I'm Afloat," two fine sea-songs. The history of the former is thus related: Some thirty years ago, Eussell asked Mr. Epes Sar- gent to write a song for him, leaving the subject to the author's selection. In a walk on the Battery, New York, the sight of the vessels in the harbor dashing through the sparkling waters in the morning sunshine, suggested the Life on the Ocean Wave," and the poet had finished it in his mind before the walk was completed. Upon showing it to a friend, himself a 4=* 82 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; song- writer, his criticism was that it was " a very fair lyric, but was not a song." Sargent, somewhat dis- heartened, put the verses into his pocket, concluding that they might do to publish, but not to set to music. A few days afterward he met Mr. Eussell in the music store of J. L. Hewitt & Co., and showed him the lines, informing him at the same time that they would not do, but that he would try again. "Let us go into the piano-room, and try it on the instrument," said Eussell. They went. Eussell sat down before the piano, placed the words before him, studied them attentively for a few minutes, humming a measure as he read, then threw his fingers over the keys ; tried once, 'twice, thrice, and finally exultingly struck out the present melody to which '^Life on the Ocean Wave ''is set. He certainly was not more than ten minutes about it, though he gave a day afterwards to scoring and writing out the music. The song became immensely popular on land, and many thousands were sold before the year was out. In England three different music-publishers have issued it in various styles. The parodies that have been made on it are almost innumerable. Eussell once called on me and asked me to write him a song on an " Old Family Clock," (he was remarkably fond of the prefix of old ; a wag of a poet once sent him some words addressed to an "Old Fine-tooth Comb.") I wrote the words. He then changed his mind, and employed me, promising good pay, to write a descriptive song on the " Drunkard," to stir up the temperance people. I pleased him much by beginning the song in this way: "The old lamp burned on the old oaken stool." He made a taking affair of it; and he made money on it too, but I never even got his promise to pay. He slipped off to England, and as nothing has been heard of him for many years, I suppose he is ^*down among the dead men." Father Heinrich. The eccentric Anthony Philip Heinrich, generally known as "Father Heinrich," visited Washington while I resided in that city, with a grand musical work of his, illustrative of the greatness OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 83 and o-lory of this republic, the splendor of its institu- tions and the indomitable bijaverj^ of its arm.y and navy. This work Heinrich wished to publish by subscription. He had many names on his list; but, as he wished to dedicate it to the President of the United States, and also to obtain the signatures of the Cabinet and other high officials, he thought it best to call personally and solicit their patronage. He brought with him a number of letters of intro- duction, among them one to myself from my brother, a music-publisher in New York. I received the old gen- tleman with all the courtesy due to bis brilliant musical talents; and, as I was the first he had called upon, i tendered him the hospitalities of my house — "pot- luck " and a comfortable bed ; promising to go the rounds with him on the following morning and intro- duce him to President Tyler, (whose daughter, Ahce, was a pupil of mine,) and such other influential men as I was acquainted with. -u- • Poor Heinrich ! 1 shall never forget him. lie im- agined that he was going to set the world on fire with bis "Dawning of Music in America"; but alas ! it met with the same fate as his Castle in the Moon " and Yankee Doodliad." . Two or three hours of patient hearing did I give to the most complicated harmony I ever heard, even in my musical dreams. Wild and unearthly passages, the pianoforte absolutely groaning under them, and *nhe old man eloquent," with much self-satisfaction, arose from the tired instrument, and with a look of triumph, asked me if 1 had ever heard music like that before ? I certainly had not. At a proper hour we visited the President's mansion, and after some ceremony and much grumbling on the part of the ^oliU usher, were shown into the presence of Mr. Tyler, who received us with his usual urbanity. I introduced Mr. Heinrich as a professor of exalted talent and a man of extraordinary genius. The Presi- dent after learning the object of our visit, which he was glad to learn was not to solicit an office, readily 84 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; consented to the dedication, and commended the under- taking. Heinrich was elated to the skies, and imme- diately proposed to play the grand conception, in order that the Chief Magistrate of this great nation might have an idea of its merits. Certainly, sir," said Mr. Tyler ; " I will be greatly pleased to hear it. We will go into the parlor, where there is a piano,, and I will have Alice and the ladies present, so that we may have the benefit of their opinion ; for, to confess the truth, gentlemen, I am but a poor judge of music." He then rang the bell for the waiter, and we were shown into the parlor, and invited to take some refresh- ments at the sideboard. The ladies soon joined us, and in a short space of time we were all seated, ready to hear Father Heinrich's composition ; I, for the second time, to be gratified. The composer labored hard to give full effect to his weird production ; his bald pate bobbed from side to side, and shone like a bubble on the surface of a calm lake. At times his shoulders would be raised to the line of his ears, and his knees went up to the key-board, while the perspiration rolled in large drops down his wrinkled cheeks. The ladies stared at the maniac musician, as they, doubtless, thought him, and the President scratched his head,^ as if wondering whether wdcked spirits were not rioting in the cavern of mysterious sounds and re- belling against the laws of acoustics. The composer labored on, occasionally explaining some incomprehen- sible passage, representing, as he said, the breaking up of the frozen river Niagara, the thaw of the ice, and the dash of the mass over the mighty falls. Veace and 'plenty were represented by soft strains of pastoral music, while the thunder of our naval war-dogs and the rattle of our army musketry told of our prow'ess on sea and land. The inspired composer had got about half-way through his wonderful production, w^hen Mr. Tyler restlessly arose from his chair, and placing his hand gently on Heinrich's shoulder^ said : OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 85 That may all be verj^ fine, sir, but can*t yon play us a good old Virginia reel ? " Had a thunderbolt fallen at the feet of the musician, he could not have been more astounded. He arose from the piano, rolled up his manuscript, and, taking his hat and cane, bolted toward the door, exclaiming: **No, sir; I never plays dance music! " I joined him in the vestibule, having left Mr. Tyler and family enjoying a hearty laugh at the " maniac musician's " expense. As we proceeded along Pennsylvania avenue, Hein- rich grasped my arm convulsively, and exclaimed : Mein Got in himmel ! de peeples vot made Yohn Tyler Bresident ought to be hung ! He knows no more apout music than an oyshter ! " He returned to New York by the next train, and I never heard any more of the " Dawning of Music in America." Mr. Heinrich died quite poor in E'ew York. He was, in his earlier days, a very wealthy and influential banker in the city of Hamburg. His fondness for music, however, drew him away from the less refined but more profitable operations in the money market. A Presentation. Good humor, and, consequently, good feeling, prevailed among the musical professionals in former times. A joke was given in perfect good-will, and received in the same spirit. Some years back a musical convention was held on the shores of the Chesapeake, during which a grand presentation took place. Among the delegates to this momentous convention w^ere Tom Damer, a noble- hearted Irishman and fine vocalist; James M. Deems, H. D. Hewitt, Frank Walters, J. E. Johnston, the artist; the veteran George Willig, and Messrs. W. and H. Gaehle, the piano manufacturers. I, of, course, w^as one of the company. With material like this, it is not at all strange that the treat should have been a rich 86 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; one, as they had with them one of Gaehle's best pianos, fine vocal and instrumental talent, and plenty to eat, without mentioning the " ice-water." Never before did the resrion of Curtis Creek awaken to the echoes of such delightful music. The country people from far and near were drawn together by the sweet strains that floated upon the breeze ; and so agreeably passed the time, that night closed in before the company were aware that Sol had crossed the meridian. Damer gave to the ears of the sylvan goddesses many a touching Irish ballad ; Deems made the wild woods echo with the silvery notes of his cornopean, and Johnston, then in his prime, charmed the water-nymphs with his sweet warblings. Before leaving the enchanted spot^ an incident trans- pired which will, doubtless, live in the recollection of all who were present, and be a source of pleasurable reminiscence whenever the subject is referred to.. This great event was the presentation of a trumpet to our talented and worthy friend. Professor Deems, who had just returned from Europe, and a pandean pipe to Professor Walters, who had never been to Europe. I made the presentation in an elaborate speech, compli- menting the recipients in the highest terms. The victims hardly heard my eloquent peroration, for their minds were busy in laying the groundwork for a re- sponse. But no reply was given to the listening elves of the forest, for the oratory of the two gentlemen was completely dumbfounded when I produced the costly articles, a penny trumpet, and a wooden whistle valued at the same sum. Deems was taken all aback ; but Walters joined the others in a good hearty laugh, and pocketed the insult as well as the instrument. Neither of the recipients of the honors of the occasion had the least inkling of the joke, but they submitted with good grace. Night's sable curtain slowly gathered around us ; the joyous party bade a lingering farewell to their country friends, and returned to the city, storing in their memory the pleasant incidents of a day so fraught with enjoy- ment. ORy GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 87 Fluting. Alexander Cole was as mischievous a wag as Balti- more ever produced ; as the common saying was (and still is), he was up to all kinds of tricks. One day a tall, raw-boned countryman entered the music-store of his father, while Alec was behind the counter ready to wait on the customers. ^' I want ter buy a flute instruction-book," said the man. Alec handed him one. ''How much may this be?" asked the Clod. ^' Fifty cents, and it's cheap at that. It's full of popular tunes." " Wall, I'll give yer fifty cents for the book, if yer'll play me the tunes." " I can't play," replied Alec ; but, right over the way there, you'll see a' card in the window, which says, * all kinds of fluting done here.' " All right," said the countryman, putting down the money and taking up the book. " I'll go over thar and see 'em. I s'pose they won't charge me nothing." .*-No, they never charge strangers," was the reply. The man entered the millinery establishment where the card was displayed, and, opening the book before the young lady who stood behind a pile of needle-work, fashionable bonnets, and baby garments, pointed to a tune and asked her if she would be so kind as to play it for him. The girl, believing the fellow to be drunk, called to the principal of the establishment, and she in turn called in her husband, who was about ejecting the musical aspirant through the door, when he exclaimed : *^ Dod rot yer ! hain't yer got a sign up thar which says: All kinds o' fluting done har? " There was a general laugh, and the countrjmian was allowed to depart. Noted Characters. David Crockett. The renowned David Crockett, with 88 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; whom I first became acquainted in Washington, and who some people of the present day believe to be a fabulous character, a mere myth, was a great humorist. He was remarkably fond of music, but his idea of the classic hardly went beyond the "Arkansaw Traveller,'' or '^Coony in a hollow." Lively airs or humorous Ethiopian melodies pleased him; but he could not abide what he called the scientific touches." He compared the Italian school of singing to the howling of a wild-cat. I remember him well ; we once made a trip to Baltimore together, while he was a member of Congress. A number of his admirers invited him to a dinner party. At the dinner he was introduced to Colonel H , a man by no means favored with per- sonal beauty ; and who, in order to hide the effect, or rather the defect of a blind eye, wore a pair of green spectacles. After the dinner we took a stroll through the streets of the city; during which Crockett's attention was attracted by the gambols of a monkey, which, in obedi- ence to his master, an itinerant organ-grinder, per- formed a number of tricks. Jocko," said Crockett, addressing the monkey, "you only want a pair of green spectacles to make you a perfect likeness of Col. H ." The Colonel happened at that moment to be at the speaker's elbow; and the latter, seeing that he was called upon to make an apology, made the matter worse by saying : " Why, Colonel, how d'ye do ? I didn't see you ; and I am at a loss to know whether to make an apology to you or the monkey Henry W, Bool was a very celebrated auctioneer at ' the time of which I now write. He was a Northern man, and settled in Baltimore in the capacity of vendor of second-hand books. His magasin was a cellar, and his assortment of mutilated tomes elicited much atten- tion on the part of the antiquarian book-worm. In the course of time he commenced the book-auction business, and finally took out a license as a general auctioneer ; OR, GLIMPSES OF THE FAST. 89 and, by his great business tact, accumulated a very con- siderable property. He was a man of very quick calculation, knew bow to humor the public, advertised largely, and made a great sputter in his advertisements. At one time he ad- vertised the Sale of a worthy widow lady in Old Town and at another he informed the world that he would put under the hammer the identical piano practised on by Martha Custis before she was married to George Washington." Many humorous scenes took place in his salesroom on Baltimore street, which was the loung- ing place of all the wags in the city, particularly when a pawnbroker's sale was advertised, at which numerous curious articles were exposed to a knock-down, such as second-hand female garments, family portraits, jewelry, medals of honor, and rare relics of antiquity. He once obtained a very high bid for a rusty old sword, which he averred was the very one Gen. Cornwallis surrendered to Gen. Washington at the battle of York- town. On one occasion he was trying to induce the company to bid freely on a volume of my poems, the last of a large edition, of which he had about fifty copies to close accounts with Hickman, the publisher. 1 stood outside the door, unseen by the knight of the hammer, and listened to his oration. " Gentlemen," said he, flourishing his hammer aloft as if he intended to split the rock of Gibraltar in twain,, "these poems are the mental offspring of a bard of Baltimore, a poor devil of a poet. In charity to his starving family, give me a bid. Did I hear ^ fip f Thank you, sir. A fip for the Baltimore bard. Going; once — twice — have you all done ? Three-e-e — seeing me, suddenly changed his tune: Gentlemen, there is the author of this beautiful casket of gems. It is with pride that I introduce him to you, the Byron of America, the adopted poet-laureate of the Monumental City ! Would you insult him by allowing this volume to go for a fip ? Shame on you ! Think of his feelinks,^' salesroom, and Bool, 90 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; This appeal was so powerful that the bids ran up to fifty cents a copy, with the privilege. It is almost need- less to say that 1 was the bidder and took the entire lot. I managed to get rid of them all, by distributing them, "with the author's compliments," amono- mv numerous jjairows o J' Poor Bool ! his eccentricities made him a noted char- acter. Jle had his enemies as well as friends. During the great panic, when the banks refused specie pay- ments, and the country became flooded with irresponsible paper issues, whether from despondency or a diseased mind, It IS not known, he put an end to his life One morning he went into the loft over his office and com- mitted suicide with a loaded pistol, leaving a wife and an adopted daughter, who subsequently became a great traveller and a noted writer. George Washington Parke Custis. loS't^*'^*'? ^^^'^'^ gentleman, in the month of October, ^ ' ^^"g'^* to my mind many pleasant reminiscences ot past days. While residing in the city of Washington, during the administration of John Tyler. I, on several occasions, enjoyed the pleasure of Mr. Custis's company at his beautiful residence, "Ariington House," on the southern bank of the majestic Potomac, and overiooking the city of Jackson, the rival, in a dream, of the national metropolis. I always found Mr. Custis ready to enter- tain company with a hearty, old-fashioned Virginia ho?- pitahty. There was nothing particularly striking in the outward man. He was plain in his attire, rather awkward in his movements, blunt in the expression of his opinions, and rough, though genial, in his manners, in person he was not above the ordinary height, stooped Slightly, of florid complexion, and gray-haired, for he was far advanced in life. He was remarkably fond of painting, dancing and music; and, even in his old age considered himself an expert at " cutting the pigeon- wing. An old-stylo Virginia reel seemed to act with elastic power upon his nerves, and he used often to tell, OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 91 with self-gratulatlon, how he shamed the boys in the old-time break-down or cut-out." His performances on the violin were not exactly on a par with those ot Paganini, Ole Bull, or Artot. His favorite tunes were " Washington's Trenton March " and Bonaparte Cross- ing the Rhine sometimes he ventured on ''Hamburg Ladies." On one occasion I was with a party of ladies and ^ gentlemen from Washington, a kind of fete champetre, who had chosen Arlington Spring for the purpose of pleasant recreation during a sultry July day. Among other luxuries, the committee of arrangements had pro- vided an orchestra, for the purpose of stirring up the drooping spirits to a merry dance on the greensward. This orchestra was composed of a stalwart negro, who concentrated in himself the entire band— leader, ballet- master, and chief caller-out-of-the-figures. He believed that but few in this broad land could excel him as a violinist, or rather a fiddlist. A great man was he in the crude judgment of colored society. The sound of music and merriment at the Spring was su.re to bring Mr. Custis from his portrait-gallery, where he generally passed the day. He made his appearance before the joyous company as the dance was going on, and watched with a hawk's eye the bow of the sable musician, as it flew rapidly back and forth over the cat- gut. His intelligent face was wreathed in smiles, and a slight twitching of the muscles of his legs might be ob- served when the violin was in "full cry," as the fox- hunters say. At the conclusion of 'the quadrille he mingled with the company, recommended the clear, cold water of the spring, warned every one not to molest its guardian (a huge bull-frog, who sat like a judge trying a case of murder in the first degree), and wound up by extending to all the freedom of the grounds. The indig- nation of the sable musician was quite apparent to all but the old gentleman when the latter undertook to show him how to handle the bow. He took the instru- ment, and, after tuning it to suit his own ear, yielded to the request of the ladies by striking up Washington's ^2 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; t^fSC volunteered six times during the day, and, by way of addenda, on three occasion! fhTewHh ^^^^^^^^^'^^ knecdotes conneSd Mr. Custis was seventy-six years of age when he died Ihe'^r? ""^^ '^^t^-'^ the Fathef- of hfs Country and the present generation was broken. He was' fond of boasting of bis ancestry, and well might hele. His of Mi^W ^f""" ^'k" the two childfen of Mis. Washington by her first husband, Daniel Parke foSo^n?:^"' 1."^^'^" ^^^^"^ ^ great Idness tor John Parke, adopted his two children, George W Parke and Eleanor Parke, immediately after ^^Lel; Jhe subiecro?- ""tTl ^""^^^ ^" -cestor of of MSni f ^ ^taff-officer of the Duke 01 Ma Iborough, and was presented by Queen Anne with T 'i''??'^.' ^'^^ ^o--issioned Sov ba?tTe S ^J.nJ' S*" bravery at the Datiie ot iilenheim, Germany. The Hon Tobn Pna+i-^ P^-k^s'tf ^^^'^•^'^ if"tle t'-'r^'^-f ^°"S-er disturbs thf sleepLg tw,. • ^''^""^^ ^"^^ desolation reign, and there ,s no voice to tell of the past. Eobert E. Lee! OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 93 who wedded the daughter of Mr. Custis, is dead. The inheritance of the companion of his life was sacrificed because she was the wife of a rehel^ and the ^oxd of Arlington has departed. Musical Snobs. Though music is considered all the world over as the handmaid of pleasure and the soother of our cares and sorrows, yet the professional musician — I mean the teacher — knows that it has its miseries. One of them is the mortification a master is subjected to in consider- ation of his being number two in the scale of society. There are legions of parvenus — aristocratic mushrooms — who hold the education of the teacher as naught, believing him to be a "one-idea" man, educated exclu- sively in the school of demi-semi-quavers. Now, with me music was made a mere stand-by ; I learnt it as an accomplishment, and it has proved a means of buoying me up on the ocean of life. I have always imagined that I could hold my own in science and literature; but with the purse-proud men of letters and science, I have always imagined I was thrown out of the scale as mere chaff — a man who, beyond the concord of sweet sounds, knew nothing. This reads like egotism, but I feel that I am reasoning for others of my profession whom I have met with — men and general scholars who follow the calling of music-teacher from inclination, or more probably because it is profitable. For instance, while sojourning in South Carolina many years ago, I was invited to a dinner-party given by a wealthy planter. Cards of invitation had been extended to some of the leading spirits of the South, and '*a feast of reason and flow of soul" was antici- pated. I prepared myself for an intellectual treat, and rejoiced in the thought that music, which was almost a drug to me, was, at least for a brief period, to be pUiced on the shelf I found the company everything that I could have wished for. The ladies were bright and beautiful, and 94 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; the gentlemen, among whom were John C. Calhoun George McDuffie Warren E. Davis, and other poHtSns of the South, full of that genial hilarity and warmth of heart so peculiar to Southerners. The dinner was sumptuous the wit brilliant, and the conversation edi- tying. All I had to do was to listen, for no one ever dreamed that I had an opinion to express, and therefore did not ask it. ^ 7 . Mr. Calhoun was an intellectual giant. I could not help admiring the flash of his large eyes when lighted up by the excitement of the moment; they seemed like living coals glowing under the shadows of his heavy arched eyebrows. He was not a handsome maa : his high cheek-bones and hollow cheeks gave him rather a haggard expression of features, but his winning smile threw a charm over his iron countenance, and his majestic bearing marked the gentleman. He had a peculiar manner of accommodating his conversation to the compass or ability of the one addressed. He con- versed with me familiarly on the science of music, its social influence, its power to smooth down the rough edge of our nature, and its divine origin. Still he con- tessed he had no ear for music, that he could distinguish but one tune, and that was "Yankee Doodle"; even that he had often tried to whistle, but as often failed in the eftort,* The host, perceiving that Mr. Calhoun was conversing ^ ^^^fuP^'''^ ?P ^""^ me a formal introduction JVlr. Oalhoun, this gentleman is one of your children " said he. ' The great statesman looked a little mystified at first but his features soon brightened up, and he exclaimed : UH — ah, 1 understand you; the young gentleman held^'co JSli,l''n wfth^?h'^i°.A^^^^^^^^ that a memnm requested, played the tune of T i^iv tVqIo »> ^^^4?' ^^^^ spirit, when It was evidently in violation of the copyrifhUaw.^^^ ^^''^ ^P""i^«» OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 95 iB from the West Pomt Military ^^^^einy which insti- tution has been styled my ' nursery,' and the cadets my children. A noble school, sir — a noble school. _ 'This exposure cau^d me to dismount -7 7;^^^ hobby, and I passed a truly agreeable talf-hour with the Secretary of War (which office he held f e time), who wormed out of me all the particulars of the re- volt " the regime and police of the Academy, and a detail of the grievances the students were subjected to He appeared to me much interested m the fate ot his ""Thr'Jiands of the table discussed, the dishes were removed and a variety of wines placed in their stead. The best part of the feast was of course in anticipation and the ladies, having no predilections for wine and cigars, adjourned to the parlor. Now, thought 1, tor an intellectual olla podrida, a highly seasoned j)0«-poMm, a well-savored medley. Vain hope ! I had barely lighted my cigar and drawn myselt up vis-a-vis with a bottle of sparkling sherry, when a servant informed me that the ladies desired my com- nanv in the parlor ; they wanted some music. I'olite- ness dictated that I should not say nay to an order , from that quarter, but the mortifying thought came y over me that the hospitality of the host was not genuine. I had been invited merely for my musical abilities. , . ^ I arose from my seat with a very bad grace and rather sulkily responded to the message of the lady 01 the house, who led me to the piano with many smiles at the same time whispering in my ear that i must " do my best," as there were two heiresses in the room, both passionately fond of music, and both marriageable, though she forgot to introduce me to them. I flayed and sang for an hour, while they conversed on trifling topics — the fashions of the day, the wedding of a mutual friend, the style of the dresses there exhibited, with an effort to solve the problem as to whether the bride and groom were destined to be happy together. No one thought of listening to me. SHADOWS ON THE WALL; I was compelled to labor on, for I had been Umred with an invitation to the fete only to amuse the com- pany. My mortification did not end with a solo or two or a ballad, for one of the heiresses proposed a quadrille which was heartily agreed to by all but myself I played, of course, for I was determined to do my best to prove myself a gentleman, if they lacked the requi- sites of the lady. I soon, however, had my revenare on the heiress. There is something truly annoying to an American, I mean a democratic American, to sit for an hour or two listening to the caterwauling of a band of jabbering foreigners, who have clothed themselves with the title of prima donna, prima donna assoluta, tenore prima prima basso profondo, et cetera, while attempting to give expression to our unpretending, yet, with us, pleas- ing ballads. I would ask if there are not words in the Anglo-Saxon language that can be associated so as to express what is, in the supreme affectation of fashion- able parlance, termed soiree musicale " ? It means, if I am not very much mistaken, <*an evening m.usical party," or social concert, either of which terms, may be used with far more propriety than the imported one. After the fourth quadrille, Miss C , the heiress, presuming on her rosy and yellow beauty, proposed a soiree musicale," in which all the company were to participate. She could sing in Italian, French, and German, and there were some gentlemen in the dinino-. room who would, no doubt, gladly lend their aid. Three foreigners, a German, a Frenchman, and an Italian, were invited into the parlor, and the '^soiree musicale" commenced. I was particularly edified by the abortive efforts of the German to render some of our popular songs in the German style, and equally ludicrous were the essays of some of the ladies at an Italian bravura. JSTot one of these latter understood a word of that which they sung. All the distortion of features, afi^ected twisting of the body, and agonizing distension of the lungs, requisite to the accomplishment of difficult operatic music, were exhibited in the most OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 97 disgusting degree; while the original language was tortured into mere gibberish. Miss c , in particular, who was proclaimed the prima donna of the evening, entailed upon herself no small degree of mortification, through ignorance of the language in which she attempted to sing. It seemed she had obtained a manuscript song from a friend, an officer in the navy, who had spent some time at Naples. This gentleman had heard it sung by the bright-eyed daughters of Italy, and became so much enamored of it that he determined to obtain a copy, cost what it might. He consequently employed a musician belonging to the frigate's band to write it down while one of the girls sang it. This native melody" he broug;ht to this country; highly esteeming it as a musical prize, he pre- sented it to the heiress. She learned the melody and words, and became so much delighted with both that she determined to bring it out that evening. She sang it, and, I must confess, with more feeling than I had been led to anticipate. The entire audience were charmed, and all begged a copy of the newly-im- ported musical gem. " What a sweet morceau ! " exclaimed the hostess. *^ How I do love the ballads of the south of Italy ! ^'The sentiments expressed by the poetry, I have been told, are in excellent keeping with the air/' said Miss C . "Pray do sing it again," begged the hostess, glancing her eyes over the treasured manuscript. Here the Italian amateur stepped up to the piano, and with much politeness, mingled with no small share of embarrassment, addressed the cantatrice in Italian. She shook her head, and observed that she did not understa,nd Italian. " You spike him nevere ? " asked he, still more con- fused. <*]Srot a word, sir. I don't know one word from another," answered the lady, anticipating a compliment for the uncommon chasteness of her pronunciation. "Ah I I am vere mush sorree! Zen you do not com- prehenda ze vords of ze song ? " 98 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; "Oh, no/^ replied the belle; don^t care so mnch about the words; the melody is everything. It is so rich, so original, so characteristic/' ''Ha! characteristic, vere. Suppose I translate zem - for j^ou, you blush vere mush." " Heavens ! " exclaimed the lady, coloring to the eyes. " You don't mean to say, sir — " "Pardonne, signorina ; I am not mush goot Englise scholere, but I know my own language. Ze song you haf sung should never pass ze lips of a beautiful and virtuous young ladee. It is ze song of ze Lazzaroni V This declaration threw the whole .company into a state of confusion, and the mortified "prima donna" soon retired, to hide herself from the half-prying glances of the gentlemen and the cruel jeers of the ladies. Henry Clay and the Billygoat. I once saw Henry Clay in an extremely bad predica- ment, and so fixed as to be compelled to seize both horns of the dilemma. In the year 1848 almost everybody in the city of Washington knew an old he-goat which inhabited Nay- lor's livery stables on Pennsylvania avenue. This animal was, in all probability, the most independent citizen of the metropolis. He belonged to no party, though he frequently gave passengers striking proofs of his adhe- sion to the levelling system ; for, whenever a person stopped anywhere in his vicinit}^ Billy was sure to make for him, horns and all. The boys took great delight in irritating this long-bearded gentleman, and frequently so annoyed him that he would make war on a lamp-post or tree, much to their amusement. One day the luminary of the West was passing along the avenue, and seeing the boys intent on worrying Billy into a fever, stopped, and with his characteristic humanity, expostulated with them on their cruelty. The urchins listened wuth silent awe to the eloquent appeal of the great statesman ; but it was all Cherokee to Billy, who, the ungrateful scamp ! arose majestically OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 99 on his hinder legs and made a desperate plunge at his friend and advocate. Mr. Clay, although he had not " slain a Mexican/' proved himself too much for his horned assailant. He seized hold of both horns, and then " was the tug of war," for Greek had met Greek. The struggle was long and doubtful. " Ha ! " exclaimed the statesman, " I have ^ot you fast, you rascal I I'll teach you better manners. But, boys," continued he, addressing the laughing gamins^ *^ what am I to do now ?" " Trip up his heels, Mr. Clay," shouted they. Mr. Clay did as he was told, and, after many severe efforts, brought Billy down on his side. Having accom- plished this herculean feat, he looked at the boys im- ploringly, seeming to say, " I never was in such a fix before. Help me out." The combatants were nearly exhausted ; goaty had the advantage, for he was gaining breath all the while the statesman was losing it. Boys," exclaimed he, pufiing and blowing, this is rather an awkward business. What shall I do now ? " Why, don't you know ? " asked a little fellow, mak- ing preparations to run as he spoke. All you've got to do is to let go and run like blazes ! " Mr. Clay followed the advice, and travelled at high speed up the avenue, with Billy after him. When Mr. Clay was in the zenith of his glory he visited Baltimore, and was, of course, made the cynosure for the curious as well as the political admirers of so brilliant a star. I was among the last mentioned ; so great was my admiration that on this occasion I was a constant attendant on him. I was not a sycophantic seeker after office, for I always had an utter contempt for one of that class. A sincere man never contracts a spinal disorder from too much bowing. Politeness is of a variety of characters ; some are polite because they wish to obtain favors, some by force of habit, and some because they are told to be so. Now, the latter class are the mere asses of society ; politeness becomes them about as much as fashionable garments do a baboon. I 100 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; have frequently laughed to see some of the 'pinks attempt to ape the agreeable, smiling and bowing to men in power. Mr. Clay was at Barnum's hotel. Several gentlemen of easy and graceful bearing stood around the city's guest, when a nondescript, dressed in the height of fashion, stepped up and was introduced. "How d'yer dew, swa ? " asked he, twisting himself into the shape of the letter S, at the same time driving one hand into his pantaloons-pocket, while he awk- wardly presented the other. " It does me proud to see you, swa. Huv you been well, swa ? " ^ Here the statesman replied as close to the point as circumstances would permit, adding something about the state of the weather. " Them's my wopinions/' continued the ape. " I've seed persons who've experienced sewere colds from the deleterious effects of sich a kwoind of atmosphere, swa." You seem to have a cold yourself, sir," replied Mr Clay. " Why, you see, swa, a sloit cold, prowduced from werry foolishly looking out of the window at a female wontan washing some werry damp linen. Changing the sub- ject, swa ; I was particularly desirous of obtaining your influence, swa, in Washington, for I am an applicant for a ofSce in one of the departments. I could not stoop to be a low understrappwa. The Government must have gentlemen, swa, gentlemen in offices of trust. You should have the first in the gwift o' the people, swa ; and I the second. Them's my sentiments." " I am happy to have your name on the list of my friends," remarked Mr. Clay, politely. Government offices are scarce now; and, if any are to be filled, the party at present in power will soon supply the vacancy." " No doubt, swa ; but it's my wopinion that you will have the broom in your grip some o' these days ; and a statesman loik jovl knows how to use it. Sweep all your enemies out, swa; and, of course, sweep all your friends in. Them's my sentiments, swa." Here the company were invited to partake of some OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 101 wine, which was handed around by a sable waiter. When this waiter came to the office-seeking exquisite of the rough order, he was astounded by a polite, but rather awkward bow, a flourish of his gloved hand, and the following burst of eloquence : " I say, fellar, what d'yer call this, eh ? Wulgar sherry ? Gwive me a gin cocktail, and be d d to yer ! I know what manners and gentility is. "We nevwa dwink woine afore dinnwa. Get along, colored indiwidual, and fetch me a hee's wing, — I say, Mr. Clay, it's confounded strange them fellers can't be teached etticwet. Nothink shocks my nerves worse than the widea of dwinking wine afore dinnwa. Ain't it so, swa ? " The dignity of the great Western statesman gave way at this appeal, and he had to turn his head aside to hide the smile the apish politeness of the polished cobble- stone had excited. As I have brought the name of Henry Clay into these papers, I might as well here relate an anecdote, tending to show the quick forethought of the eloquent statesman. During my residence in Washington I became per- sonally acquainted with many of the celebrated politi- cians of the period ; among them Henry Clay and Daniel Webster. Mr. Clay was a man to be loved by all who were thrown into his company. He was polished in his manners, free from ostentation^ ready at a repartee, and full of anecdote. He was, in all probability, the finest whist-player in the country. Like the popular states- man of the South, John C. Calhoun, he could always accommodate himself to circumstances, and mould his conversation to suit the person with whom he was con- versing, be the subject either the arts, sciences, agricul- ture, commerce, or politics. He was at home on every theme. I had composed a song in praise of him during the Presidential campaign, when political glee-clubs were all the rage. It was entitled " The Kentucky Gentle- SHADOWS ON THE WALL; man," and published in New York, with a lithographic likeness of him and an autograph letter. Being de- sirous that he should hear it well sung, I took Duffield (then a popular vocalist), with a printed copy of the song, and we both visited Clay's residence. He re- ceived us cordially, and introduced us into the parlor, which was filled with foreign dignitaries, Senators, Eepresentatives, and office-seekers. After a while I presented my song to Mr. Clay, and told him that I had brought with me a celebrated vocalist, in order that he might become acquainted with its merits. As I was lifting the lid of the pianoforte to put my desiga in ex- ecution, he took me by the arm and remarked : " Would it not be better, think you, to select some other opportunity ? I could hardly bear to hear my praises sung in the presence of foreign diplomats and members of the Democratic party." I at once saw the justness of his objections.- and post- poned the performance. I once heard an argument (not reported in the Con- gressional proceedings) between Mr. Clay and Daniel Webster, "the god-like Daniel " as he was called. The I' great expounder," though proud, stern and invincible in the Senate, was sociable in the convivial circle. Some of his stories were excellent, and told with an ease and grace that were sure to create admiration, if not merriment. He entered into an argument with Mr. Clay on the merits of two preachers of diflPerent persuasions. Clay contended that the Eev. Mr. Bascom, of the Methodist Church, was the finest ofi*-hand orator of the day, eloquent and persuasive; and wound up his eulogium by saying that he could preach a sinner into heaven as soon as any other living man of God. Mr. Webster, in opposition, brought up Mr. Flanders, of the Universalist Church, and remarked that, if Mr. Bascom could preach sinners into heaven, Flanders had an astounding knack of preaching them out of hell. OR, GLIMPSES OF THE FAST. 103 John Tyler, tlie chance President of the United States, whom the death of G-eneral Harrison placed in the chair, was a perfect Virginia gentleman ; urbane in bearing, sociable, and highly polished in manners. Though remarkably fond of poetry and music, he was a good judge of neither. I have set some of his effusions to music ; one, a serenade which was sung under ^ the window of Miss Grardener previous to their marriage. It was a beautiful moonlight night ; every one knows that moonlight adds greatly to the effect of a serenade. Mr. Tyler stood a short distance off in the company with F. W. Thomas, the White House poet-laureate, while the serenaders executed the President's appeal to the sleeping beauty, who was wide awake all the while. When the song of feeling, with an appropriate refrain, was finished, Mr. Tyler stood looking steadfastly up to the window of the fair lady, when, to his great satis- faction, down came a bouquet, which he quickly seized and pressed to his lips, but as quickly dashed to the ground. Thomas took it up and hid it under his cloak. The next morning he showed it to me, and we had a hearty laugh at the President's expense. The bouquet was composed of turnip-tops, a magnificent sunflower, several radishes and cabbage-leaves, tied around a turkey-gizzard. Years after, when I visited Mr. Tyler at his beautiful estate " Sherwood," on the James river, he spoke of this little episode and laughed heartily over it, adding that he still retained a copy of the serenade with the music, and treasured it very highly. Judge Bibb* If any man understood the philosophy of angling, it was Judge Bibb. He was in all probability the most inveterate angler in the country. His fishing apparatus was perfect in all its parts, and of the most costly kind. I remember when the Judge was in the Cabinet of President Tyler, having occasion to cross the Long 104 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; Bridge from the city of Washington to the opposite shore ol the Potomac (the site of the city of Jackson— in per- spective), I saw him seated on one of the piers, with his splendid rod properly balanced, patiently awaiting a bite ihis was about nine o'clock in the morning and the bright rays of a July sun gave promise of a warm day. "Well, Judge," I inquired, "what luck to-day?" "Tolerable,'^ replied he, scarcely turning his eyes from the float; «I had a nibble about an hour a'go. Ihere are fish about, sir, and I expect to hook one shortly." " How long have you been fishing ? " " Since six o'clock," answered he. "Good morning, Judge. I hope you will have that Bibbler by the gills before sundown." ^ I proceeded on my journey towards Alexandria, and m about three hours returned to the bridge. The Judge was seated in the same spot, and nearly in the same attitude. ^ " Well, what luck now, Judge ? " asked I Pretty much the same, sir. That fish bit again, but I could not hook him. I have just put on two new hooks and am almost tempted to try the sockdoliger'' " Ihis IS but sorry sport," I remarked. *'! wonder you do not give it up." *;By no means, sir," he replied, smiling. "I have enjoyed myself exceedingly. I have been watching that spider weaving his web from my rod to my line bpiders are industrious creatures, sir. With a slight motion of my hand I might destroy his dainty work but I won't do it. He teaches me a lesson. I am idling my time away, while he is working. He w^eaves his snare to catch the unwary fly. He works for his daily bread, sir; and he works hard, too. Eut what a fool he IS t^o stretch his flimsy net between my line and rod ! In a moment I could destroy him and all his hopes,- but I won't do it, for I am doing just what he 18. 1 have set my trap, and am waiting to ensnare the poor little fish that plays around the hook, driven by OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 105 hunger. We all prey upon one another, sir, from the strongest down to the weakest. May be you'll think I am "cheating the Government, by wasting time which bek^ngs to the duties of my office, such thing, sir. I have done more business this morning for the country than I could possibly have accomplished had I remained at the Department. I have settled claims; I have formed treaties ; I have given answers to knotty ques- tions, and concocted my report on the state of the Navy Department. That spider and myself have worked together — he physically, I mentally— and I have a fellow-feeling for him. No one has disturbed my medi- tations but yourself Had I been at my office, I might have been 'importuned by hundreds. It is not the angling that attracts me to this spot; it is the quiet of the beautiful river, the freedom of thought, and a few hours of alienation from the cares and turmoil of the world. This I call the philosophy of angling." I left the worthy functionary enjoying himself in his own solitary way, and had proceeded but a few rods on the bridge when I heard a shout of exultation, and looking back, saw him spinning out his reel and playing with a fish in true sportsmanlike style. I turned my horse's head and witnessed the scene ©f the angler's triumph. A fine bass had struck his hook, and it was refreshing to witness the skill and adroitness with which the old gentleman flayed out and coaxed in. At one moment the noble fish was at the surface of the water, and then summoning all his strength, he plunged to the bed of the stream, the rapid buzz of the reel giving evidence of his power. I watched the Judge's features during the exciting scene. They were calm, yet his lips curled with triumphant pride, and he spoke not a word until the victim of his skill and patience was brought safely in and secured. Then drawing himself up to his full height, and looking as if the world had been conquered, he said: "There, sir, what do you think of that? Did I sit here all the morning for nothing? I'll go to the De- partment now, for that is glory enough for one day.'' 5* 106 SHADOWS ON- THE WALL; ^u* uT^^* become of the spider ? " I asked. Uh blast the spider! You l^now the ^reat will prey upon the small The little weaver wts annihilated when the noble fish assailed my hook. It's so all the world over, sir." The Drama. Baltimore never enjoyed the reputation of being a good place for theatrical managers. As far back as ray memory goes, managers avoided establishing theni- selves here. Strolling companies would only venture to rent the theatre for a short season, the length of which depended altogether on the success they met with. Wood and Warren had their companies. Their headquarters were in Philadelphia, and at given periods they would produce fine old English comedies and tragedies, with humorous farces, in Baltimore, and sometimes in Annapolis and Washington. The Holli- day Street Theatre, then the only respectable dramatic temple m the city, was usually closed two-thirds of the year. I here were but three performances a week- admission to the boxes one dollar. This building be- longed to a joint stock company, and did not pay a heavy dividend-. Many desperate efforts were m^de to establish a regular dramatic company, one that could be called our own ; but every manager who undertook ^failed and became bankrupt. De Camp, Thomas Ward, Eobotham, Maywood, Walton and Lamb, with others, tried the experiment, but met with no encour- agement. I remember John Lamb's excuse for continuing the season « to a beggarly account of empty boxes " A friend remarked to him one day : "How is it, Mr. Lamb, that you manage to run the theatre night after night when your receipts cannot reach over twenty dollars ? " "My dear sir," replied Lamb, "I must support my ^^a 7;. , How could I go to market in the morning, if i didn't keep the theatre open ? " Thomas Ward used to pay off his creditors with his OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 107 I. O. U., a kind of obligation that no banking institu- tion would discount. De Camp had his wardrobe seized by the Sheritt a half-dozen times, and Tom Walton was always up before a magistrate on suspicion of being in debt.* Walton and Ward managed the Adelphi Theatre, (in former times called the Mud Theatre ") when it was almost entirely destroyed by a mob. This dingy little concern, located in a low part of the city, was built and owned by John Findlay, a rather eccentric chairmaker, but a well-meaning man. Some of the b€st actors of the day trod its boards, and at one time the elder Booth had it under control. Walton made an engagement with Mr. Anderson, a blustering English actor, who had made himself very unpopular with the American people by speaking his sentiments too freely while on board a steamboat. This Anderson was announced with flaming letters on the posters; and, though Walton was warned, yet he thought himself too popular with the crowd to antici- pate a riot. However, the result proved that he over- estimated his popularity. The night of Anderson's first appearance arrived ; the building was lighted and the doors thrown open. Some few curious people purchased tickets and took their seats, but by far the largest audience was on the out- side, and the mass was composed of elements that only needed a wink or a snap of the finger and thumb to send them to their work of mischief. The orchestra had struck the first notes of the over- ture, when a stone came through one of the windows with a crash, and struck the contra-basso of our friend, Eobert Bunyie. The Scotchman looked daggers ; but, on cool reflection, he shouldered his huge fiddle and •An old American, dated March 14th, 1810, has the following announcement : CIRCCJS. The Pantomime called, THE TWO RIVALS, Or the Death of Captain Must'ipha, hy Indians. In act l8t a shipwreck will appear ia view of the Indians. Between the Ist and 2d acttt, a yoani; lady will make her flrst appearance on tU14 stage, and dance a hornpipe, composed of more than twenty differe.nt steps. 8^ The whole to conclade with handsome fireworks, compjsed of three pieces by Mr. Codet. 108 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; made a very dignified retreat The rest of the orchestra tollowed his example, and the audience began to look uneasy. After the first shot the bombardment com- menced m downright earnest, and there was a iinding: of panes in every direction. ^ The curtain arose and Walton made his appearance just as the outside pressure became too much for the doorkeeper, and the roughs entered pell-mell. Fear or excitement made him forget even the usual set speech for which he was so celebrated. He stammered out something about the chivalric city of Baltimore his great desire to please his numerous friends, and linally wound up by stating that Anderson was not in the house, and hoped they would not destroy the prop- erty of a worthy and hard-working man. But, did any one ever know a mob to listen to reason or an appeal to their better feelings ? They only laughed, mounted to the stage and began their vandalism by cutting the scenery with their knives, ransacking the trunks and dressing-cases of the ladies of the company for iewelry and beating solos on the thunder-drum.; " - ^i,'"^^^^^^'^^^^ became highly agitated; he saw, or thought he saw, some unwelcome dead-Mads applyino- an Ignited match to the scenery ; so he said Vood- natu redly : ' ° "Fellow-citizens, I assure you, on my honor, that the lellow Anderson is not in the house. The ladies of the company have all gone to their homes, the orchestra has Ignobly iied, and I am left alone. Take your seats and 1 will sing you ' A Wet Sheet and a Flowing Sea ' and dance 'Fisher^s Hornpipe,' if any one will be so kind as to whistle for me." The stage was cleared, and the manager commenced his song, which was encored vociferously. A stout t,. ^^^^..^J'^" ^^^^ stand on the stage and commenced his hllibeloo, while Walton went through a sailor's hornpipe with more than his usual energy. The stratagem succeeded, the roughs got into a good humor gave three cheers for Tom Walton, and vacated the budding. OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 109 At the commencement of the gathering around the theatre, Walton, supposing that I was vastly popular with the masses, persuaded me to go to the vestibule and harangue the multitude. I foolishly yielded to his urgent solicitation, and presented myself before the excited people. Taking my hat otf, I commenced in the most approved style : "Fellow-citizens and friends," — heremy eloquence was brought to a stand, for a voice from the crowd arose on the night air, saying, '* Shut up, you blasted fool ! " w^hile a tolerably large brickbat came in close prox- imity with my head. I attempted to reason with the man*^ that threw that last brick," but the hailstorm thickened, and at length came with such force that 1 had to beat an inglorious retreat, and seek shelter in the lobby, quite discomfitted^ but much consoled by the expression of Walton himself, who congratulated me on my pluck, at the same time remarking that I ought to be thankful that the result was not worse.* Experience as a Manager, I need scarcely apologize to my readers for the allu- sions to self which may prevail in the chapters that follow. These reminiscences constitute a kind of auto- biography ; and, in order to sketch my characters faithfully, I am compelled to bring myself in as the second person ; thus opening myself to the charge of egotism, which I have endeavored, as much as possible, to avoid. If my friends will have a little patience, I will soon bring them back to Baltimore in olden times. While on theatrical affairs, I feel disposed to emulate * The Mud Theatre " (so called from its being located in a low, muddy section of the city called the " Meadows") was destroyed by tire on the 22d of June, 1876. John Findlay, who was somewhat of a visionary man, thought he saw millions in his enterprise; so, with his brothers. Hugh and William, lie put up the building, which seated about 800 people. Among the celebrities who at various times occu- pied the stage, were the elder Booth, Ilacketi, Macreadv. Farmer. J. K. Scott, A. A. Adams, James K. Murdoch, Eaton and Edmund Kean. Madame Celeste also figured on its stau;e, and Hervio Nino, the great man monfeey, proved a great card. Findlay subsequently turned the building Into a bath-house and reading-room, called the Colonnade. It then became a bazaar; and, finally, was metamorrhosed Into a livery stable and horse-mart. This was the last of it. At one time Lennox and Singer, both actors, became lessees. The latter made a fortune in the sewing- machine business. George Jordan, William Jordan, S. K. Chester, and John Albaugh, prepared for the dramatic profession on the boards of the " Adelphi." 110 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; Horace Greeley, and give the reader an idea of what I know about managing. In the early days" of my career I entered into a theatrical speculation at the South, with gorgeously bright visions of a splendid harvest. It is true I had but little turn that way, except as a dramatist anxious to become a second Shakspeare. The coT^s dramatique assembled at Augusta, Ga. It was composed mostly of tiros— the Hamlets, Richards, Ollapods, Juliets, &c., &c., of amateur actors of Phila- delphia and 'Nqw York. There is no actor more jealous of his reputation than a young beginner. His foot is on the lowest round of the ladder of preferment, and his eyes on the upper. Tell him of his faults and he will say that you are endeavoring to crush the germ of genius within him, that you are throwing barriers in his way; and, in short, that you are hypercritical and his enemy. Two aspirants to the upper walks of tragedy unfor- tunately were brought into the same arena, and neither of them would play second to the other, or even to the most accomplished tragedian of the day. In the absence of greater lustres, these promising youths would quarrel with each other as to who should enact the leading heroes. If the stage-manager happened to cast Eichard for one, the other would see the manage- nient to Tophet ere he would touch Richmond, snap- ping his finger and thumb at fines and penalties, and making the partiality a reasonable excuse for getting on a protracted jollification. On one occasion Mr. Snodkins, as I shall call him, thought to throw Booth into the shade by casting him- self for the part of Sir Edward Mortimer in the Iron Chest,'' on the occasion of his benefit. The character, according to the bills, was rendered at the particular request of numerous friends," and had been personated by him with universal approbation, before crowded audiences of the elite and fashion of the Northern cities, including the Tivoli Gardens of Philadelphia. The house was well filled with the hard-fisted friends OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. Ill and backers of the aspiring youth, and the applause was boisterous whenever he appeared on the stage. Every flourish of his arm, classic attitude, or explosive peroration, *^ drew down the house," with expressions of " Hi ! go it, old boss ! " These proofs of admiration on the part of the enlightened public spurred the young actor on. He put the steam on to the highest notch, without looking to the safety-valve. Sniggles, his rival, had declined performing that night, as he would play second fiddle to no one, not even Cooper, and had taken a seat among the audience, for the purpose of enlightening the benighted of the dress circle " by exposing the numerous imperfections of the personation. His " Bah ! fudge ! nonsense," &c., fell grating frequently on the ear of the sweating actor, and annoyed him exceedingly, causing him to cast many looks of indignation at the merciless criticisms of his enemy. This display of anger only impelled Sniggles to open and loud remarks ; and, near the conclusion of the play, he bellowed out : *'Look here, Snodkins, you know you have dropped an entire speech in that scene." Snodkins walked with tragic dignity down to the foot-lights. The audience maintained a breathless silence, and the leader of the orchestra, who was put- ting a new string on his violin, suddenly disappeared through the little door that opened under the stage, anticipating an " unpleasantness." Gentlemen," exclaimed Snodkins, seeing that there were no females in the house, " I throw myself upon your proverbial generosity. I have been annoyed dar- ing the entire evening by the braying of an ass, who has been eating shavings all his life, believing them to be grass, because he has viewed them through green spectacles." ''That's a fact! Pitch into him!" came from the audience. "Gentlemen, I have performed the part of Sir Edward Mortimer often and often before highly dis- criminating audiences, and never yet was inter- riipted " 112 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; '\ Because they never thought you worthy of notice " I his voice sounded like Sniggles's. ''I can whip that fellow; and Til do it too," shouted the actor. That's right ! give him goss ! " from the pit. " If Mr. Sniggles can render the part with more ettect, let him try it," continued Snodkins. "I am wilhng to leave the decision to the judgment of a com- mittee of gentlemen selected by yourselves." " There's no such person here "—from Sniggles. "Are there any police officers in the building"?" asked the beneficiary, looking around. "If there are I order them to take that ruffian out." ' Here the cry became pretty general, "Turn him out! " But Sniggles had his friends around him, and they seemed ready to meet the emergency. He arose from his seat, and was about uttering a rejoinder to the hostile remarks of Snodkins, when John Utt, the stage manager, made his appearance, and stated to the audi- ence that, as the two tragic aspirants had, ever since the opening of the theatre, kept up a continual war- fare, much to the injury of the company's reputation and the respectability of the establishment, the manage- ment had thought it advisable to discharge them both ; and as there was a spacious green in front of the build- ing, he hoped the rivals would proceed thither and settle the difficulties by a passage at arms, and backed by their respective friends. He pledged himself, for he was a powerful man and an expert bruiser, to thrash the victor when the combat was over. In a few moments the seats were empty, and Snodkins and Sniggles ended the evening's entertainment with a display of pugilism that did them more credit than their acting on the boards; both being carried off the field with honorable scars. A few nights after, the theatre was a heap of charred ruins. Juvenile Theatricals. Be it known that Baltimore, in former times, amply OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 113 encouraged the drama as conceived by the younger portion of the community. I remember having wit- nessed the performances of this kind once, which struck me as being quite unique and worthy of being recorded in these retrospective glances. Passing through an obscure street in Old Town, during the early part of the night, my attention was drawn to a crowd of boys collected around the door of a decayed and dilapidated hovel, through whose walls a bright glare of light shone, indicating that something out of the common order of things was on the ta'pis. My curiosity was not so overpowering but that I might have passed on, had not the following announce- ment been made by a lad who stood at the door like a single-headed Cerberus, seeming to be taking in tickets of admission : " Haint yer gwoin to come in, Jim ? Nick Eobbins performs to-night." This was enough for me. Nick was a star ; so I fol- lowed at the heels of Jim, and have never since thought my half-dime a loss. The introduction to this entertainment was rather tiresome — Sports of the ring " — for they had a ring, not a political one like those of modern times, and the renowned Nick Eobbins personated the clown, and re- peated the jokes of Buckley as often as Buckley had repeated them himself. After tumbling heels over head, and breaking each other's noses, to the no small amusement of the audience, which was largely juvenile, the cow-bell was rung, a dirty blanket pulled aside, and a rampart of packing-boxes and casks presented to view, doubtless intended to represent the fortress of Mont- gatz, as the play announced was " Tekeli," a drama then highly popular. The useful and highly talented Nick Eobbins again made his appearance, and was received with deafening applause. He bowed his acknowledgment with all the stiffness of the lever of a steam-engine, and after wiping his nose on the sleeve of his coat, he ordered the castle to be stormed, and brandishing his tin hanger, led the attacking party. A tremendous hubbub then ensued. SHADOWS ON 7HE WALL; domif'.h? l"''/' ^"^^ enthusiasm of their in- thPm ^^-i destraction around ^^o^fLViT:? ^^'^ ^-^^ ^- die^^ he; "why don't you « V yoii' you know." You don't come it over me in that way " reolied Sle/rv vf -dignation. " I'^ not gJln' tS be gS"^ ^ y*'^' though you be so thS'ff;b'^?^^'"f "''^ ^ *^ t«^t, swore doneU bat ^ ^ '^"^ '""''^ ^^^^ ur?,oiLt^S?h '•'"T^''-"^ ""^ exterminated, got Ittle^fr fi f'-'l'lT'^y^ r*^' blubbering, announced with fh J r^'^^^u h^^^ "^f^ing "lore to do Sitt nf T f r'-r self-possession and cSided wth '''"^ T'^ applause: and the piece concluded with a general explosion. Packinij.boxes crates and casks were hurled into the aTr wfth tre' of tiriT''- ^ '"'S'^'y sensational finale, on" a1di3n^:rSloVs'. '^'■^^^'^ ^^^--^'i "Gentlemen — no, and gentlemen, (seeing a little w'"/ spectators,) thSse what gVt through he bettei nn. r ^i""""' ^'''^ ^^^-^P^. ^nd had Ntk Eobh nT-'* '^7 '^"'^'t a licking, low night, as his mother says he shan't do it no more pe??orme1 T\ v""!-^'"'' ^'^^ ^^^^^^ performed Nick Eobbins will play the devil." llere tollowed a general stampede, and the company theCselye's V proceeL of the night Zon^^ themselyes I bent my way towards my home medf- tating on the budding talents of Nick EoE'sTho iT^' r^'t^ ^^^'^ " th<^ next night. Cw mly itluLtVJ'' '^^/k" *'^t ^''■''^ drama o?li?J! J- he stump orator, as he " breathes words of fire " into OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 115 the ears of the multitude, thinks he is playing the devil. The proud belle, as she skips from store to store on a shopping expedition, and sets the knights of the yard-stick crazy with her ''foreign airs and native graces," thinks she is playing the devil. The poet, as he brings forth his pet bantling, and praises the grace- ful turn of his fair one's nose, thinks he is playing the devil The editor, who plods and worries himself night and day to put together such matter as he thinks will please a few thankless subscribers, who turns his hat jauntily on the side of his head and struts when his journal is out, thinks he is playing the devil. It is so all the world over. -o , t . Some years after I saw the aspiring ISTick Kobbins on the stage of the Holliday Street Theatre. He took the character of the halberdier in Kichard IIL, who says to the crook'd-back, " Stand by, my lord, and let the coffin pass." An Old and Celebrated Theatrical Resort. The celebrated underground oyster and general eat- ing establishment, long known as Boyd's Cellar," was the resort in former days of the wags and hon vivants of Baltimore. It is now no more, having to give way to the march of modern improvement. In 1876 the massive buildinor of the Baltimore Safe Company, South street, was raTsed on the spot so long occupied by the well- known rendezvous of noted characters. John Boyd, a braw Scotchman, was the original pro- prietor of this underground temple of Bacchus and Momus, and made quite a fortune through bis industry and tact. Subsequently it fell into the hands of Joseph Keilly, a good caterer, who kept pace with the times in the way of improvements and conveniences; but when the change took place, even the ghosts of the departed did not haunt the dingy vaults ; the shadows of the jovial and free-hearted were not cast upon its walls, and the loud laugh and merry songs of other days were heard no more. In past times it was the retreat of all SHADOWS OAr THE WALL; Tt' e5dt"je'C:r W^' "^^'i^^^ ^^^^ «f 'J^e city. Bated there. Thev e]eoVrl t 1 ^""^ ^""^ '^"g^" the latter for the ^purpose of ^^^^^^ ^""^ secretary, jokes that were p]S°alI the hfn"^ • and all the storiei related ih J^ perpetrated, of this club, individStf-^ho ;UrtiS^ back against the wall othing at all, were disbanded and OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 127 retired on their laurels. Of course, there was a good deal for the veterans to talk about ; they loved to fight their battles o'er again/' and cherished an utter detesta- tion for sunshine soldiery. Consequently, military ardor was at a low ebb for many years; and, though niany organizations were kept up, yet they were strictly volunteer, for the militia law was in such bad odor with the people, that almost every law parade " was turned into a burlesque. Printed caricatures and travestied battle-songs were circulated all over the country. A print, representing a militia muster, from the pencil of a celebrated caricaturist named Johnson, so lampooned the whole affair, that even the uniformed volunteers were ashamed to be seen on parade, and there was little or no protection for lives and property for at least a decade. The military spirit began to rise during the year 1830, and kept up for many years after that period. The company organizations were numerous and varie- gated; every corps consulting its own taste as to the cut and color of its own uniform. A general parade exhibited every variety of hue, and looked like a straightened-out rainbow. It seemed to be a desire of every company to "show its colors." The entire division was under the command of Major-general Geo. H. Stewart, while the brigades were under the charge of Brigadier-generals E. L. Finley and Joshua Medtart. The regiments were well filled, and a great variety of splendid dresses, together with the excellent music of numerous bands, niade the display quite enlivening. On one occasion the entire division paid a visit to the city of Washington, and, of course, created quite a sen- sation in the ''city of acute angles." The Evening Transcript, alluding to one of these general parades, asks:— Why, in the name of flints and triggers, were the troops, in all their ' pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war,' marched to 'horse heaven'? After two hours standing in Gay street, they certainly might have had a more refreshing retreat. It was well the cavalry were not out on this occasion; many a spirited 128 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; Bucephalus would have kicked and snorted in venera- tion of the manes of the departed of his race." This display of the elite of the soldiery did not please the TIa ^^^^^^ ^•'^ atmosphere of the held offended high heaven with its stench. The volunteer division was composed of the following companies : ^ /n/oKfrz/.— Independent Blues, Captain G. D. Spurrier- Light Infan try^ Captain King; Lafayette Guard, Captain Laloup ; Old Town Volunteers, Captain Hennick ; In- vincibles, Captain J. M. Anderson ; Law Greys, Captain Bowers; Eutaw Infantry, Captain Charles Keyser; and Maryland Cadets, Captain Newman. .B2/?eOTen.— Sharpshooters, Captain Jacob Gross; Mor- gan Kiflemen, Captain James Maguire; Marion Eifle Corps^ Captain J. K. Hewitt; Columbia Riflemen, Cap- tain Dutton, and German Yagers, Captain Elterman. Anillery.-^^g\^^ Captain Watson; Junior, Captain McJiinnel. ^ Cat;a?r2/ -Butchers' Troop, Captain Thompson, and l*irst liight Dragoons, Captain Benzinger. _ A veteran ofiicer, one who has taken much interest jn military affairs, and who ought to know, furnished me with the organizations of 1835. Cavalry Eegiment, Owen Bouldin, Colonel ; Fifth In- fantry Eegiment, Ben. C. Howard, Colonel ; First Eifle Eegiment, James Medtart, Colonel. The companies stood as follows : First Light Dragoons, First Cavalry Regiment, Cap- tain Eenzinger; Junior Artillery, Artillery Eegiment, Captain Joseph Wiley ; First Baltimore Li^ht Infantry fifth Eegiment, Captain N. Hickman; Marion Eifle Corps, First Eifle Eegiment, Captain W. G. Cook • In- dependent Blues, Captain G. D. Spurrier; Independent Greys, First Eifle Eegiment, Captain J. M. Anderson ; Jialtimore City Guards (Independent), Captain Cheves. _ Ihis arrangement differs somewhat from mine; but It IS not at all surprising, when the reader learns that the organizations were continually changing, and in some instances, two or three elections for ofiicers took place in the course of a year. OR, GLIMPSES OF THE FAST. 129 The following history of that once celebrated com- pany, the Independent Greys, furnished me by an old member, will not prove uninteresting to many of my readers ; 1 therefore give it a place : The Independent Greys were organized August 14th, 1833, on the cellar-door at the corner of Gay and Exeter streets. James M. Anderson was chosen Captain, and their first parade was made March 18th, 1833. James O. Law was elected Captain, March 1837. At that time the company numbered about forty men. Eobert Hall, First Lieutenant; Augustus P. Shutt, Second Lieuten- ant ; Charles C. Egerton, Third Lieutenant ; George P. Kane, Ensign. July 4th, 1846, the company visited Philadelphia with 46 muskets, 3 officers, and band of 18 pieces. At that time it was the finest drilled corps in the country. --James O. Law died in June, 1847. Eobert Hall succeeded him in the command. Lieutenants : Charles C. Egerton, J. W. J. Saunders, Geo. M. Brown ; Thomas Bowers, Ensign. In the year 1847 the Greys sent a company to Mexico, commanded by George W. Brown. Lieuten- ants : Washington Hopper, James O'Brian and John H. Grenewell. In June, 1850, Eobert Hall, Captain, commanding the corps, numbering 60 muskets, visited New York and gave several exhibition drills, the like of which had never been seen in that city before. On the 2d September, Ensign Bowers and 22 of the most active members of the corps withdrew and formed the Law Grej^s. Many thought the star of the old organization had set; but, on the 12th of the said month, they paraded 44 muskets. The excitement between the old and the new companies continued, and each showed an increase every parade, till the 20th of October, 1851. That day the Independent Greys made the largest parade, for a company, that has ever taken place in the city of Baltimore. The muster-roll stood : 5 officers, 119 muskets, and 18 members in the band (regular members of the corps). In April, 1852, Eobert Hall 6* 130 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; resigned the captaincy, and was succeeded by Charles C. Egerton. Under Captain Egerton, in June, the com- mand was selected as a guard of honor at the Henry Clay funeral. They paraded 91 muskets. Capt. Egerton, being made Major of the 53d regi- ment, was succeeded in the captaincy by E. S. Eipley, (afterwards Major-general in the C. S. A.), July 8th, 1853! In ^^ovember, 1855, C. W. Brush was made captain. September, 1857, Captain Brush,, being commissioned Colonel of the 53d regiment, Lieut. L. B. Simpson com- manded the company till March, 1860. Under Lieut. Simpson the company changed its uniform, and also' under him it made its smallest parade, 13 muskets at Col. Davis's funeral. In March, 1860, J. Lyle Clark had the satisfaction of parading 61 muskets, and the increase of membership became so that on the 9th of February, 1861, a battalion of three companies was formed, officered as follows :— Company A: J. Lyle Clark, captain ; F. M. Kershner, first lieutenant ; James E. Herbert, second. Company H : B. L. Simpson, cap- tain ; William Gibson, first, and G. F. Eeinecker second lieutenant. Company I: Thos. B. Allard, captain; John H. Janney first, and J. JST. K. Monmonier second lieutenant. The ball on the 22d February was the largest and most successful entertainment of the kind ever known in this city. It was opened by a drill of Company A, Capt. Clark. The week following an exhibition drill was given at the Maryland Institute, for the benefit of the working-men of the city out of employment. On the 19th April the battalion reported promptly to the order of Col. C. W. Brush (commanding the 53d regiment), and remained on duty till the 8th May ; on that day they made their last parade. Many of the members went South and entered the 1st Maryland regiment, and were known as Company B, Independent Greys, Capt. J. E. Herbert. Others joined Capt. J. Lyle Clark's company of Maryland Guards in the 21st Virginia. Many who were Union men entered the Federal army under Col. B. L. Simp- OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 131 son, Col. Thos. B. Allard and Col. C. A. Ilolton. After the war no effort was made to reorganize the com- mand, and the matter remained quiet till 1874, when a call was made, inviting the former officers and members to attend a meeting for the purpose of reorganization. It was promptly responded to, and there was something over 80 names subscribed. The affair, however, failed in its object. A company of Independent G-reys did good service at Harper's Ferry at the capture of the XJ. S. workshops from the John Brown raiders. It is recorded that the 4th July, 1812, was celebrated by the military of Baltimore with unusual spirit. The thirst for glory was at its height. A war with the mother-country stirred up the chivalry of the youth, while the G-eneral Grovernment was arming to resist the assaults of a powerful foe. On the occasion alluded to, the display was made by the United Volunteers, Capt. David Warfield; Independent Company, Capt. S. Stump; Columbia Volunteers, Capt. C. Warfield, and Mechanical Volunteers, Capt. ; the Artillery Eegiment, under Col. Harris, was composed of the Volunteer Artillery, Capt. Buffon; Washington Artillery, Capt. Edward Denison ; Independent Artillery, Capt. Christopher Hughes, Jr. The calvary consisted of the First Baltimore Troop, under command of Col. Biays. Salutes were fired at sunrise, noon and sunset. During the day the different corps separated and enjoyed dinners at places of their own selection, where patri- otic speeches, sentiments and songs were rendered. How different from the celebration of our natal day at the present period! Reception of Lafayette. The reception of Marquis de Lafayette, which oc- curred in the year 1824, was a showy affair. The full force of the military turned out on that occasion, and their appearance was highly complimented by the aged hero, who was so elated with the warlike show that he freely bestowed his encomiums on his return to France. 132 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; A work of two volumes, entitled " Mons. Lafayette in America," published in Paris, gave an elaborate account of the Marquis's reception in the United States, and dwelt particularly on Baltimore. The infantry arm was specially complimented. There is no doubt that the work was arranged by one of the attaches to the staff of the nation's guest, and he himself sanctioned what was written. A friend relates an anecdote of I/afayette which may very properly be introduced here. The old gentleman, in the fulness of his gratitude, or, more properly, prompted by the characteristic politeness of Frenchmen, had contracted a habit of rub- bing his hands, smiling blandly, and exclaiming, when- ever a person was introduced to him^ Oh, I am so happy ! " Now, it happened that a serious-looking gentleman, dressed in a full suit of black, with a long piece of crape pending from his hat^ was brought before the Marquis by one of the " Committee on Introduc- tion." He was introduced, and the Frenchman shook him warmly by the hand. *'flow is your good madam?" asked he, with a smile. "Alas! sir," replied the gentleman, seriously, "I buried her two weeks ago." " Ah, I am so happy, so very happy ! " exclaimed the Marquis, abstractedly; while the mourner expressed more surprise than anger as he passed on, wondering how people could persistently laud the habitual politeness of the French. Remarkable Public Display. One of the most remarkable public displays on record took place in Baltimore in the year 1828, on the anniver- sary of our national independence. It was on the occa- sion of the laying of the foundation-stone of the Baltimore & Ohio Eailroad by the venerable Charles Carroll, of Car- roUton, the last signer of the Declaration. It is true the military, with the exception of an escort squadron of cavalry, took no part in it ; yet I cannot help refer- OR, GLIMPSES OF THE FAST. 133 ring to it in this part of my recollections. A full de- scription of this great affair would occupy too much space for a work of this kind ; I will, therefore, merely glance at it. It was a unique display of the mechanic arts, in which almost every trade and profession (save those of dishonesty) was represented, either by appropriate banners or machinery in full operation. Tailors, hatters, shoemakers, printers, shipwrights, carpenters, blacksmiths, machinists, farmers, barbers, in fact every trade and occupation, had its car with operatives in full work. The printers and shipwrights, in particular, gave the world of gazers a full idea of the mysteries of their craft. The printers had a light hand-press on a platform, type-cases and all the paraphernalia of a complete printing-office, from which they issued copies of the Declaration of Independence, which were scat- tered among the surging masses of people who followed the procession. Hezekiah ^iles, then in an advanced stage of life, presided over this establishment, attached to which were winged Mercuries, represented by hand- some boys, one of them the son of Gen. Benjamin Edes, a printer, and the grandson of the venerable Peter Edes, who sat upon the platform of the car, with spec- tacles on his nose, representing the proof-reader of the establishment. Mr. Edes was, at that time, the oldest printer in the United States. The shipwrights navigated through the streets a full- rigged ship, complete in every department, and fully manned with jolly Jack-tars, whose cheerful Yo ! heave ho ! " might be heard above the high martial strains of music. Ever and anon a sailor would heave the lead, and announce the soundings with '*Mark, quarter seven ! " while the boatswain's whistle kept up a shrill note and stirred the crew to action. A story is told of a couple of countrymen who came all the way from Alleghany County to witness the great display which inaugurated the prosperity of Baltimore. They arrived in the city during the previous night, and applied for lodgings at one of the Howard Street hotels. 13i SHADOWS ON THE WALL; Every room was occupied except a small chamber with- out windows, which was usually used as a convenience for stowing away the surplus sheets, blankets and bed- ding during the dull season. Besides a bedstead and a couple of chairs, this room contained no furniture but an old-fashioned wardrobe with drawers, and an upper section with glass doors opening to the right and left. The countrymen were shown into their apartment, and, without surveying the surroundings, blew out the light and jumped into bed. Their sleep was long and sound, for they were fatigued. The bright sun arose upon the busy city, but not a ray of its glorious light greeted the eyes of the travellers, who tossed and tumbled about, wondering at the length of the night. At length one of them suggested that the window-shutters might be closed. He felt his way cautiously through the dark and came to the wardrobe, the glass door of which he opened. Thrusting his head inside, he gazed into impenetrable darkness, looked toward the heavens, but could see no stars, or gentle moon or golden sun. Pitchy darkness and dead silence prevailed. " Consarn it ! " said he to his companion, as he re- turned to his pillow, *^ this is the longest night I ever knowed ; no nothing to be seen out o' the winder. I reckon they're not goin' to postpone the show. Well, we'd better sleep a little longer, and then, maybe, the sun'U come up, if it isn't the last day." So they slept again for an hour or two, and were awakened by strains of music, very faint, but still dis- tinct enough to let them know that something was going on in the outer world. The window was again opened, but the stars refused to shine, and the sky pre- sented the same inky appearance as before. " That 'ere music's some serenading party, I reckon," said the rustic astronomer, and again he sought his restless companion. They talked and tossed about for a brace of hours longer, when suddenly the door was opened by the colored chambermaid, with broom and bucket in her hand. A cheerful stream of light entered the gloomy apartment, and the countrymen simultane- ously exclaimed : OR, GLIMPSES OF THE FAST, 135 By jingo ! there's daylight ! They then asked the woman if it was not about time for the procession to begin ? Lor' a marcy, it's over long ago," was the un- pleasant intelligence communicated. "That's a consarned humbug! " roared one. "I looked out o' the window 'twixt sleeps without seeing a bit o' daylight. What the deuce do you keep your shutters shut for ? " The woman explained to them that they had been looking into the cabinet, and demonstrated that there were no windows to the room. They reluctantly paid their bill, and returned home without seeing the show. The following lines, by one of our home bards, were scattered among the people on this occasion. I pub- lish them again as a relic of the past : A KALLY OF THE PATRIOTS. Tune—" Hi! for Boh and Joan'' Join in the merry strain, sound the fife and drum, sirs ; Shout aloud again, the glorious day has come, sirs. Many years ago our country's sages Wrote down something new on history's golden pages. Chorus — Join the merry strain, &c. Johnny Ball on fire at our disobedience, Came wrapt in his ire to force us to allegiance; To our arms we flew, glory was our guide, sirs; Well each soldier knew he'd justice on his side, sirs. Empires on us gazed, filfd with admiration; **Lo!" cried they, amazed, " lo, a new-born nation 1 Freedom's altar burns, see her starry banner ; Gallantly she spurns slavery and dishonor 1 " Fill your glasses up, men of every station, Pledge the brimming cup to our happy nation. Tradesmen, leave your shops, 'tis no lime for business; Farmers, leave your crops for a little dizziness. Tailors, leave your boards, our board entices ; Blacksmiths, leave yonr forge, 'tis no time for vices; Doctors, tarry here, now there are but few sick; Teachers, come and hear our patriotic music. 136 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; Lawyers, look not dull ; put your fees in pocket, Freedom 'oersus Bull 's the greatest ease on docket; Printers, leave your case^ we're types of your profession : Should Bull again oppress, we*ll make a new impression. Join the rushing crowd, raise the cheering sound, sirs; For an iron road, our Carroll breaks the ground, sirs. Lo ! amid the throng, tradesmen, statesmen, sages, Push the work along, the pride of coming ages. The Battle of Vinegar Hill. The battle of Yinegar Hill may be remembered by some of my readers. It was an event in which several of our volunteer companies figured ; and, though they came off victorious, yet there was not a returned soldier who could display a scratch to boast of. It took place on the line of the Baltimore and Ohio Eailroad, either in 1833 or '34, in the neighborhood of the Eelay House, on a spot known as Vinegar Hill, which was sprinkled over with shanties and huts occupied by Irish laborers on the road. A very troublesome dispute had arisen among these laborers, whether religious or political I will not pretend to say ; but so severely did the contest rage at one time, that several murders were committed ; and, when the conservators of the law attempted to serve warrants on the suspected parties, they met with overpowering resistance. Besides, the work on the road was partially abandoned by the rioters, whom all the authority of the officers could not bring under con- trol. A call was therefore made upon the military of the city and county to aid the sheriff in making his arrests. There appeared to be two ringleaders who controlled the actions of the rioters, both of them powerful and daring men, by the names of Eeilley and Coyle. They had, through the aid of their companions, avoided the vigilance of the agents of the law, and even defied them. JSTot being cognisant of the operations of the other companies, I shall confine myself to the Marion Eifle Corps, who signalized themselves by — capturing Eeilley. OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 137 It was a dark, drizzly night when I was ordered to push my command into the very heart of the enemy's stronghold, arrest all suspicious characters, and seize all weapons of warfare that could be found, either in the hands of the people or concealed in their shanties. We found everything quiet in the settlement, except the occasional cry of a baby or the bark of a half starved cur. All questions were answered respectfully; inno- cence beamed in every countenance, and in all proba- bility there were never before congregated together such a number of pure and spotless saints as these blarneying children of Erin. They knew nothing of riot or murder, lived peaceable and quiet lives, and were, withal, great respecters of the law and admirers of the military, who greatly honored them by the visit they had deigned to pay them. Some muskets and pistols, with a large amount of shillelahs, were collected, however, among these innocent and unsophisticated people. While on our dreary march through mud and mire, we were joined by a tall, square-shouldered Irishman, who begged to be allowed to march under our protec- tion, as he was alone and dreaded his 'Mnimies.'' He was a pleasant fellow, told many jokes about the Far- down and Corkonian boys, and sung several of the ballads of Green Erin with touching effect. Besides these accomplishments, he cheered us on our march with tunes on a fife, an instrument he handled with con- summate skill. ''It's the music of this little pipe that will make your boys move their pins, Captain," said he, with a sweet brogue. "It helped the sojer-boys along at the battle of Waterloo, and the Mounseers scampered like skeered rabbits when they heard it whistle out Paddy O'Eafferty." At length he proposed to act as guide, and put us in the right way to capture Reilley, who, he said, was a big scamp, and richly deserved hanging for his many sins. Arrived at a store where they sold whiskey and to- 138 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; bacco, and which was dignified with the name of gro- cery, we encountered a large body of extremely peace- able laborers, who were innocently enjoying themselves over "a little of the crather." Oar genial fifer, it was remarked, kept himself from the light, and would not enter the store with the rest. " I heard your fifer playing some of the tunes of old Ireland, Captain," said an Irishman, stepping up to me with a military salute; "and it's a pleasant thing to hear the airs of one's home while one's in a furrin land." And then he whispered into my ear : — " Kape both yer eyes open, my mon. That fife sounded like the one we have often heard; there's no feller in these parts that can blow it like Reilley ; and he's the boy that can breathe his soul intil an Irish tune." When this intelligence was communicated to the members of the company, every one was for arresting the fifer at once ; but, on reflection, it was thought best not to molest him until he had got himself into a trap, as he might have friends and backers in the crowd who would attempt a rescue, and thereby cause bloodshed. Accordingly, the company took up the line of march towards the Washington turnpike, managing to keep the fifer in the centre, in order, as he was told, to guard him from the Reilley party, who were in search of him. As we approached the road, we found that the fellow became very restless, and looked around him as if he were in search of some object. After awhile he took out his fife and blew a loud cadence, which was quickly answered by a whoop, and then he made a desperate effort to break through the ranks, but was quickly seized and secured. It was Reilley himself! the prin- cipal leader of the rioters. He was brought to the city, and in the morning handed over to the tender mercy of the officers of the law. With the arrest of the second in command, Coyle, the troubles on the line of the railroad ended, and the construction of the work proceeded as usual. OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 139 A Burlesque Parade. In 1837 the "law-parade" of the Thirty-ninth Regi- ment Maryland Militia brought out a fantastical dis- play, which put everything of the kind, before or since, in the shade. The Major commanding looked -ugly enoug-h to frighten a host— ^M^eal meat-axe, wolhsh about the shoulders, and head all hearr The army con- sisted of a tattooed tribe of Indians, and the musicians sported the most splendid noses that could be produced through the agency of pasteboard and paint. They appeared to belong to the artillery arm of defence, for they dragged along an infernal machine upon wheels, m the shape of a steamboat smoke-stack. This species of parade was, of course, intended to ridicule the militia system, which then prevailed, and will always continue unpopular as long as we have no need for fighting men. Well organized companies, drilled by experienced masters, and uniformed with taste, are always an orna- ment to a community, and a safeguard to the lives and property of citizens. In 1837 a body of young men named the Baltimore Texan Guards," left this city to participate in the struggle of Texas for her liberty. They were composed of good stulf. When they left the city they were es- corted by Captain Stewart's Company of Washington Blues, and Captain Watson's Eagle Artillerists. TU City Guards.— The Baltimore City Guards, as fine a body of volunteer militia as an old soldier would like to gaze upon, was organized in the year 1832. Alexander Cheves, an accomplished lawyer and edu- cated soldier, was chosen captain; and by severe drilling and frequent exercise, he brought his command to a high state of perfection. Cheves served as captain until the year 1836, when he resigned, and William H. Watson took command. Under the control of this noble officer the company continued to attract atten- tion, by the neatness of their grey uniforms and the promptness of their movements. Watson did not retain the command long, as he took charge of a bat- 140 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; talion of Baltimore volunteers for tfee Mexican war, and fell gallantly at the storming of Monterey. The many excellent qualities of this gentleman will be re- membered by those who enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance. On the resigning of Captain Watson, James H. Millikin was elected to the office, and cdn- tinued^in command until 1843. While under the com- mand of Captain Millikin, a dispute arose between the Independent Greys, Captain Law, and the City Guards, as to which had claim to the right of the Fifty-third Eegiment, then under command of Lieutenant-colonel John Spear Nichols and Major S. O. Hoffman. Finally, after much bitter contention, the post of honor was given the Guards. The Fifty -third was a new and splendid regiment, and was, at the period of which I now write, composed of the City Guards, Captain Mil- likin ; the Invincibles, Captain J. M. Anderson ; the Independent Greys, Captain J. O. Law ; the Maryland Cadets, Captain Newman ; the Lafayette Guards, Cap- tain Laloup, and the National Guards, Captain Pickell. Subsequently the City Guards came under the com- mand of Captain Salmon, and in 1847 changed their uniform. The organization ceased under Captain Warner. Military spirit active. — At about this period the mili- tary spirit took a sudden rise. A fine company called the Eutaw Light Infantry, was formed in the western section of the city. The ranks were well filled, and their parades elicited much encomium. They were commanded by Captain Charles M. Keyser, a noble officer and accomplished tactician. This fine company did not last long. The Maryland Cadets were also organized about the same time. Captain Newman, a highly esteemed mer- chant, was chosen to the command. The uniform con- sisted of a dark blue, long dress-coat, and black belt and feather. They were remarkable for the ease and promptness of their movements, both in marching and the manual. Besides a fine band of music and drum corps, they established among themselves a glee-club, OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. I'll composed of some of the best singers in the city. Cap- tain Newman being a man of delicate health, was com- pelled to go abroad for the purpose of strengthening his constitution. During his absence, First Lieutenant Archer Eopes took command. Intelligence was receu'ed that their much loved commander would arrive in Bos- ton at a certain period. The company at once resolved to make a trip to the « Hub," receive their captain, and escort him back to his home in Baltimore, ihe trip was arranged, and proved one continued series ot ova- tions, as they passed through the various cities and towns, until they reached the objective point where they were to meet their commander. They did not meet him ; he had died on the return voyage, and was buried beneath the waves of the ocean. The German Yagers were organized in 1812, and lougtit at the battle of North Point under Captain Sadtler. At the close of the war in 1814, the company disbanded. On the 22d of February, 1837, some of the old menibers met, and, with the aid of new recruits, reorganized the company, electing G. W. Lurman captain, who served for about three years, when Captain Frederick was chosen to the command. In 1842 Frederick Blterman was promoted to the command, and the company pa- raded with well-filled ranks, and a fine military band, under the elder Volandt. Fritz Kummer, the popular and well-known bugler, was a member of this band. One of the popular refrains of the day was :— "When you bear the fife and drum, Then you know the Yagers come ; And when you hear Fritz blow his horn, Why— then you know the Yagers run ! A very attractive feature in Volandt's band was the presence of two girls, who wore uniforms and tooted on brass instruments in true manly style. The boys, how- ever, soon smoked them out. In 1848 <^aptain Jlilter- man was promoted to the rank of Major of the &^5d Kegiment, and Lieutenant A. C. Pracht took the com- mand. The next captain was Andrew Kauter, who was 142 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; succeeded by Philip Trayser, under whose charge the company ceased to parade. The Yagers participated in the laying of the corner-stone of the North Point monument in 1839, a still-born memorial, for even the stone and the reliques which it covered are non est^ some delving antiquarian or forest-robber having appropriated both. The Marion Rifle Corps. The most brilliant, if not the most ancient Company of the First Eifle Eegiment, was the Marion Eifle Corps, organized in the year 1823, immediately before the grand military parade in honor of the visit of the Marquis de Lafayette to this city. The senior company of the regiment was the Sharpshooters, who had signalized themselves at the battle of North Point. The Morgan Eiflemen, with a black uniform, made their first parade about the same time with the Marions. The published constitution of the Marions, which is now before me (having been furnished by my excellent friend, Mr. Jacob Bradenbaugh, secretary), bears date of 1831, and is signed by the members of that period. When the company was organized, Benjamin I. Cohen was unanimously elected captain, and accepted the command ; but the Adjutant-general refused to issue his commission, on account of constitutional restrictions, Mr. Cohen being an Israelite. This decision of the military department of the State Government created a great sensation at the time, and Mr. Cohen gave way in favor of Joseph Branson, who was chosen to the command by the members. Mr. Cohen and his friends, however, did not allow the affair to rest ; they, by their power, in the course of time, brought about the celebrated Jewish Emancipation Act," which placed Maryland foremost among the States in putting down intolerance, by giving the Israelite equal privilege with the Christian. Mr. Cohen always considered himself the father of the corps, and on many occasions gave public evidence of his friendly feeling. Capt. Branson was known to many persons of the present day as a whole-souled, good-natured member of society. Though OR, GLIMPSES OF THE FAST. 1^3 not a strict disciplinarian, he was a prompt and ener- P-etic soldier, and quite proud of his command, it is said that while leading the corps on a general parade, and as the column moved majestically along Baltimore street, he went from platoon to platoon and said: *^ Men, show yourselves off. Don't you see that the ladies are looking at you ? " . x On the resignation of Capt. Branson, which took place some years after the organization of the corps, Wm. G. Cook was chosen to the command, la Ibd^ the muster-roll stood as follows : Wm. G. Cook, Captain ; J. B. Wright, first Lieutenant ; Henry Starr, Jr., second ; Samuel Dallam, third. Rank and i^iZ^.— Washington S. Cook, Jesse W. Lee, E F Lupton, Wm. Hanna, J. W. Hagger, James Key- ser, Goddard Eaborg, G. W, McCabe, John F. Eeese, Thos O Sollers, Geo. W. McDaniel, John Cleland, Asa Holmes, G. L. Ay res, P. W. Toy, Thomas Carroll, Jr., Sam'l H. Gover, Alex. Hanna, Thos. H. Cooper, John N. Millington, John Dobbin, John Bruner, Wm. H. Fowble, S. Foley, J. J. Eeinicker, D. Monserat, J. France Wm. A. Everson, G. W. Nicholson, B. H. Cook, F S. Walter, J. O'l^eill, Geo. G. Presbury, Jr., James M Anderson, Wm. Perkins, Geo. H. Sanderson, Edward Grieves, William P. Pouder, Wm. H. McLaughlin, Allen Elder, Eobt C. Hasson, Jos. S. Pratt, John E. Simpson, Grafton D. Spurrier, Ed. J. Walsh, T. W. Jay, Francis G. McGinnis, A. J. Hanna, F. S. Stouffer, Wm. Eidgaway, Jr., Dorsey B. Baldwin, Hippohte G. Du- catel, James McConky, Ed. P. Starr, James H. Norris, Wm. T. Caldwell, W. H. Eobinson, Wm. B. Cram, Daniel F. Griffith, John H. Hewitt, John Hammer, James Carrear, W. G. Hagger, Joseph T Barron, C. Jenkins, John J. Eowles, G. W. Hynson, W. H. Kairie, J Bradenbaugh, Geo. W. Goforth, W. M. Oldham, F. A. Faulac, Eobert Baker, Henry Cline, Basil Wagner, Wm H. Eoss, George C. Frailey, Eeuben C. Stansbury, J H. Bayford, T. F. Boothby, Jacob F. Grove, I. T. Stod- dard, Wm. Boothby, Jr., George W. Webb, G F Heuisler, Wm. H. Peters, James Getty, E. J. Huzza, W. H. M.Hay- 144 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; ward, James Shedd, Geo. W. May, Geo. Barkman, Wm. F. Colston, J. W. Walmsley, Frederick Parks, Geo. W. Woodward, Joseph Tevis, Samuel Keek, S. C. Hoffman, E. Gerhard t, Owen Roberts, Ed. J. Alcock, Henry Story, Fred. Kriel, W. Heuisler, J. W. Durst, Joshua Harvey, Henry Bldred, Wm. Warren, Wm. Ford, John W. ISTiles, Sam'L S. Addison, William Addison, William P. Sturgeon, Samuel Lucas. It will be seen by the foregoing list that the Marion Corps furnished officers for many of the other compa- nies, and also field-officers for various brigades. The following lines were written under the muster- roll of the Marions by the company's secretary, Jacob Bradenbaugh, in 1866. The rejoinder was written in pencil by the surviving Captain in 1873 : — 1866. We are scattered, we are scattered, Though a jolly band were we ; Some sleep beneath the grave-sod, And some are o'er the sea. And Time has wrought his changes On the few who yet remain; The joyous band that once we were, We cannot be again. B. 1873. We are scattered, we are scattered. Yet a corporal's guard is left; Some with their hair as white as snow, And some of teeth bereft. For God, in His great mercy, Has passed their folHes by. And let them live so many years, To teach them how to die. H. In the year 1875 a call was made for a meeting of the survivors of the Marion Eiflle Corps. A few responded to the call ; they were all men advanced in life, but still active and vigorous. They met at the old Military Hall," which was formerly their headquarters ; it now bears the name of the " Eose House," and is located on OR, GLIMPSES OF THE FAST. N. Gay Street, Though this meeting was an informal one, yet there was a good deal of talk about the affairs of the past, and it was agreed that another attempt should be made to gather together the broken frag- ments of bygone days. The surviving members are, at the present writing : Captain John H. Hewitt ; Lieutenants Ed. G. Starr, James M. Anderson, and Goddard Eaborg; Sergeants W. H. Robinson, G. D. Spurrier, and G. JP. Heuisler; Corporals Geo. W. Webb and W. H. H. Hay ward ; and privates Thos. O. Sollers, F. G, McGinnis, Jacob Braden- baugh, Jesse Cline, Jacob F. Grove, I. T. Stoddard, James Getty, Samuel S. Addison, William Addison, and James Taylor. Edward J. Alcoek, whose name appears on the muster- roll, was surgeon of the corps, and was shot by George Stuart. His remains were escorted to the grave by the Marions and Old Town Light Infantry. Besides being conspicuous in the " battle of Vinegar Hill," the Marions aided in suppressing the riot on the Washington Branch road, near the Savage Factory ; also the Carmelite Nunnery riot on Aisquith street, and the great Bank riot ; but on the latter occasion they did not appear in uniform, but joined the Ward guards. A General Turn Out. On the 12th of September, 1839, there was a general turn out of the military, who, with the exception of the cavalry, were transported to the ground near the newly established pavilion, North Point, built by the well-known Jacob Houck, whose panacea met with a world-wide, but transient, fame. A number of com- panies from a distance were invited to participate in the great display, commemorative of the event which made the spot classic ground. The arrangements for the accommodation of thousands of visitors were on a gigantic scale. Steamers were decorated, and received their cargoes of human beings at a reasonable freight charge. Vehicles of all kinds bore their legions over- 7 146 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; land, and many footed it all the way. Orators, poets, and vocalists were snmnaoned to aid in the great "ova- tion. The entire Light Brigade brushed up their armor, and, with martial sounds, pressed the sacred soil with their heavy feet. The day was balmy, the sun shone brightly, and the bosom of the river became a mirror, reflecting the waving banners and nodding plumes. The forest elfins, anticipating a repetition of the con- flict of 1814, hid themselves in the hollow trees and rocky nooks; for all poets agree that sylvan sprites prefer solitude to noise and confusion. The foundation stone of the monument commemorative of the deeds of those who fought and died in defence of the city, was placed, amid great ceremony. The oration was pro- nounced, the cheers of the multitude echoed through the forest, the spirit-stirring drum rolled, and salvo after salvo of the artillery made the hills quake; but then there was nothing to eat! and the market price of water was a a glass! Houck's pavilion ran dry, as well as the canteens of the rank and file. The committee of arrangements had made no provision for the visiting companies, who wandered about with woefully long faces and empty stomachs. The Washington Light In- fantry, particularly, " swore like our troops in Flanders," and wondered what kind of stuff" Baltimore hospitality was made of. In order to make matters worse, the steamboats, which were waiting to receive their return freight, had forgotten to take soundings, and found that the tide had ebbed and left them sticking fast in the mud. The tide, however, changed toward midnight, and the overloaded boats reached the city with great difficulty. Every person was glad to get home, after having passed a day of unalloyed misery. The Bank Blot. Some years after the war of 1812, Baltimore bore the name of Mob Town "; but the honors belonging to that title gradually left her, and fell upon the brow of the "City of Brotherly Love," where riots of a most violent char- OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 147 acter disturbed the public peace for full a decade. The great Bank riot was a splendidly gotten-up affair, and cost no small effusion of human blood ere it was sup- ^""Se daims against the old Bank of Maryland were dishonored, and much distress was caused among the poorer class of people, who, having great «onfadence in that institution, had chosen it as a safe place to deposit their hard earnings. The bank closed its doors, and between two days removed all the specie in its vaults. The directors announced that its business would be wound up by two prominent lawyers, Eeverdy Johnson and John Glenn. The depositors became enraged and swore vengeance against all the banks Masses ot ex- cited people of both sexes collected before the closed bank,den!.anding their nioney ; but they were only re- pulsed by the police, and compelled to return to their homes and mourn their loss. t-^oiw The rioters organized themselves systematically. Nocturnal meetings were held, resolutions passed, and so perfect was their detail that even the authority ot the Mayor, Jesse Hunt, backed by his Police, was held at naught. The Bank of Maryland and other banks were assailed and fired ; the dwellings of Messrs. John- son and Glenn were torn to mere shells, their furniture and valuable libraries given to the flames, and their families compelled to flee to the country for safety. ^ or did the fury of the mob exhaust itself on the banks and the mansions of the two obnoxious counsellors ; many prominent citizens who had incurred the popular dis- pleasure, were hunted down like wild beasts and com- pelled to flee for safety. . \.^r.r.C. The Mayor abdicated, and left the city in the charge of Henry S. Sanderson, the Sheriff, who, finding his situation rather uncomfortable, left in favor of Judge Brice, who doubted whether he had a right ^ take con- trol of affairs. Finally, Gen. Benjamin C. Howard was called upon to take command, thus establishing military rule. The Light Division was ordered out by the iron- eral, and patrols established in various parts of the city. 148 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; The call for military aid to preserve law and order was sluggishly answered. The companies were mere skele- tons, for the popularity of the mob held them in awe. Arming the citizens with "rolling-pins" had been tried by Mayor Hunt, without eifect upon the mobbites ; so there was no alternative but the military force. I happened to be Adjutant of the Eifle Eegiment at the time, and, having received orders from Gen. Med- tart, I donned my uniform and went abroad, with the intention of notifying the several captains of companies. I had not proceeded far on my mission when I was as- sailed by showers of bricks and stones, and compelled to made an inglorious retreat towards my home. Cap- tain James M. Anderson* also appeared in full uniform, was assailed in a like manner, but attempted to resist the mob, and was severely handled. The companies, with but few exceptions, refused to do duty. A council of officers was held at Barnum's Hotel, and the conclusion come to was, that it was the safest policy to organize the citizens by ward's, as armed police ; a squadron of cavalry, under Captain Joseph Willey, having already volunteered their ser- vices to scour the city and disperse all riotous gather- ings. The Sixth Ward Guards fell under my com- mand. Some 2000 were supplied with arms from the State Armory, and the headquarters were established in Monument Square. In the meanwhile, the disaffected portion of the in- habitants gathered strength and confidence, for the city was given up to plunder; and there is always, in large communities, a class of roughs who are ready at any moment to join in an outbreak, particularly when there are spoils in view. This element of the popu- lation, of course, sided with the aggressive party, and swelled their ranks to a fearful magnitude. On a Sat- urday night, and during all the following Sabbath, the city was entirely at the mercy of the mobbites. The scene in front of the residence of Reverdy Johnson, in Monument Square, was truly thrilling. The splendid •See Append OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 149 marble portico was torn down and split into fragments ; brick after brick was thrown from the building, and every movement systematically executed at a signal whistle from an individual who was distinguished by the title of ^*Eed Jacket," and whose orders were obeyed with great promptness. A fire was kindled in the Square, immediately at the base of the Battle Monument, and its flames were fed by the valuable library of the distinguished lawyer and orator. Pianos, carpets, bedding, &c., were heaped on, and the figure on the monument seemed to blush every time a new volume of flames rose up amid the darkness of the night. This disgraceful scene was witnessed by thousands of citizens ; a large number of ladies and children swelling the crowd of spectators. Not less shameful, and still more appalling, was the drama enacted at the house of John Glenn, on North Charles street. A barricade of furniture was made across the street by the mobbites, at the corner of Fayette street, in order to prevent the cavalry from inter- fering. The building was completely gutted, and brick after brick taken from the front. The mob broke open the wine-cellar of Mr. Glenn, and abstracted therefrom a large amount of choice old liquors, which they made oif with, spending the night in carousing to such excess that they were placed liors de combat the next morning, and to th\^ frolic may be attributed the suppression of the disgraceful outbreak. While the destruction of Glenn's house was progress- ing amid the cheers and yells of the excited populace, the cavalry made a desperate charge down Charles street, upon the. mass of men, women and children. A wild shriek rent the air as the horsemen plunged toward Fayette street, with their sabres flashing on either side. Captain Willey led them on; but they were brought to a dead halt by the barricade at the corner of Charles and Fayette street, and compelled to wheel and retrace their steps, amid the jeers and hoots of the multitude and a volley of missiles. The brave Willey did not turn back, but driving his rowels into his 150 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; horse's flanks, cleared the barrier at one bound, and escaped several pistol-shots fired at him from Baltimore street. The ill-success of the cavalry in dispersing the mob caused the destruction of property to be expedited ; and the good cheer of the wine-vaults made the affair a matter of jollification. The entire destruction of the dwelling was in contemplation, when a company of infantry, under the command of Captain Grafton D. Spurrier, silently marched up Lexington street from Monument Square. They were resolute and deter- mined men, and their leader was a man who never had a particle of fear in him.* They wheeled round the corner b}^ platoons, and then halted. For a moment all was silent, save the crackling of the burning furniture. With a loud voice, Spurrier ordered all good citizens to disperse and go to their homes. He informed them that he would use balled-cartridges, and fire if his order was not obeyed. A loud laugh followed this harangue, and the fatal order was given to the first platoon to fire ; which they did, and then wheeling to the right and left, the second platoon advanced and delivered their fire. These volleys startled the mobbites, and their shouts and jeers were turned into wailing and lamen- tation, for a number of them had been killed and wounded, as the pavements the next morning were slippery with blood. The desired end was attained ; for the crowd, seeing that Spurrier was in earnest, soon dispersed in every direction, and what remained of the property was put under guard for the remainder of the night. During the whole of the Sunday following, drunken characters might have been seen staggering through the streets or sleeping on the cellar-doors. They were generally covered with mortar-dust, and displayed un- mistakable signs of having been hard at work during the night previous. They were not arrested, for the military police were not yet strong enough ; and the * Captain Spurrier afterwards entered tlie Confederate service, and became conspicuous among the " rebels," ranking as Colonel. He is still living, and like all war-worn veterans, loves to talk over the events of his military life. OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 151 crv of « rally ' " on their side would have brought strong parties to the rescue, and thus made matters worse ^hQ churches were closed, and timid persons kept within doors. , . „,•_„„ In the meantime the ward military organizations were preparing for the night's duty. Strong patrols were ordered o"ut and plactd at different points with established lines of communication with the mam torce stationed in Monument Square, under the comniand ot General Sheppherd 0. Leakin. A severe skirmish took place it -the corner of Calvert and Baltimore streets, and another near the Franklin Bank corner of North and Baltimore streets, which building for many years showed the bullet-marks. Several were killed and wounded in these engagements. „ . I had a strong guard at the corner of Fayette and North streets, opposite Backus's Presbyterian Church (where the United States Court House now stands.) Horace Pratt (heretofore mentioned in these papers) was a corporal of this guard. About midnight a rapid firino' was heard in that direction, and with a large force of men I hastened to ascertain the cause, i found Horace all alone, with six empty muskets placed against the wall or lying on the pavement. Where are the rest of the guard ? I asked. « Why, Captain," replied he, scratching his noddle, "I hardly know. Some of them went round to Billy Rose's to see if they couldn't get a drink ; some said they were sick, and Dutchy swore his wife would broom-stick him if he stayed out all night. I made them leave their muskets. In the meanwhile the mob came up South street; and, as they showed signs of an attack on headquarters, I thought I'd et em have a volley; so I emptied the six tubes. You 11 find a fellow lying comfortably over by the Franklin Bank and two others will find it extremely difficult to walk home. Sure enough, the body of a man was found near the bank with a bullet-hole through his lungs. He was taken to Boyd's cellar, but died before a surgeon could be brought. Horace was relieved and allowed to retire for the night. 152 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; The patrol was kept on duty every night for a week. The spirit of mobocracv was rampant until a public meeting was called in the rotunda of the Exchange. Such was the fear of prominent men of being " spotted,'' that the call was but slightly responded to. The few that were there called the venerable General Smith to the chair. Eesolutions were drawn up and submitted, but the chairman said he wanted no resolutions, except the resolution of men determined to uphold the laws. He called for the United States flag, which was brought to him. Seizing the staff, he uncovered his head, exposing his bald poll and his long silvery locks to the breeze, ordering those who loved their country and their city to follow him. Leaving the Exchange building, he walked up Gay to Baltimore street, followed by the^eheering crowd and canopied by the stars and stripes. The ranks soon swelled, and an immense body of citizens paraded through the city. From that moment mob rule fell prostrate, and our beautiful city again assumed its quiet and cheerfulness. It was never known how many were killed in the riot on the part of the rioters ; or, if it was, it was kept from the public. Some estimated the casualties at 36, others as high as 50. After the disturbance was quelled, and the laws recovered their supremacy, several schooners and sloops, loaded with strangers, were seen to leave the Patapsco river stealthily. Henc it was conjectured that the active rioters were not entirely residents of the city. The number of manuscript pages before me gives me warning ; and I am compelled, reluctantly, to bring my exhibition of the "Shadows on the WalP' to a conclu- sion. I had prepared an account of the Convent riot in Aisquith street, the military expedition to PooPs Island, and the bombardment of the excursion steamboats by the indignant people of the ancient city of Annapolis; also many personal sketches. The work has extended beyond the contemplated limit, and I am obliged to abandon the idea of giving the public (every reader is, OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 153 more or less, a critic) a chance to comment on my poetic productions. I make no apology for the ott- handed manner in which these papers have been scat- tered to the winds ; they are the recollections of a man in the winter of life, and submitted to his old and new friends for the purpose of giving them a chance ot ruminating over then and now, the past and the present. We are all travelling the same road, from the cradle to the grave, and " passing away " is marked upon the brow of every man, woman or child now living. During the progress of this work (portions of whicb appeared some years since in the Sunday Telegram, and Baltimorean), I have studiously avoided writing any- thing that would give offence to the living, or darken the memory of the dead. There are people, however, who will carp at the utterance of truth. 7* APPENDIX. Edgar Allan Poe. At the recent unveiling of the memorial stone placed over the remains of Mr. Poe, by the teachers and pupils* of the public schools of Baltimore, John H. B. Latrobe, Esq., in an address to the large audience assembled in the Western Female High School, made allusion to myself and my connection with the premium affair of the Visitor whioh brought the neglected poet before the world. The proprietors of the journal alluded to offered two premiums; one of $100 for the best storj^, another of $50 for the best poem. I was editor of the paper at the time. The committee on the awards were Mr. Latrobe (the only survivor), Hon. John P. Kennedy, the well-remembered author of "Swallow Barn and "Horse-shoe Eobinson," and statesman, and Dr. James H. Miller. These gentlemen decided that Poe's weird tale entitled "A Manuscript Found in a Bottle " should receive the first premium. There were two poems selected from the four-score offered, as worthy of the second award. They were " The Coliseum " by Poe, and " The Song of the Wind," by myself. The judges were brought to a stand, but, after some debate, agreed that the latter should receive the second prize, as the author of the former had already received the first. This decision did not please Poe, hence the "little unpleasantness" between us. Poe received his money with many thanks ; I preferred a silver goblet, which is now in my family. I make this note to gratify the curiosity, I may call it inquisitiveness, of many persons of the present day, who are constantly delving for some new fact relating OR, GLIMPSES OF THE FAST. to the departed poet. I have, over and over, been asked what kind of a man he was ; whether he was a drun- kard or opium-eater ; if he was a roue ; if his tempera- ment was sanguine, lymphatic, bilious, or morbid. In answer to all these questions, I say : I know but httle of the history or character of Edgar A. Poe ; for, though I mingled a good deal with the literary, musical, and military characters of former times, yet I never could become in the least familiar with the subject of this paper. He took a dislike for me, from the fact of my having penned a severe criticism on his poems contained in a small book published in 1829 by Hatch & Dunning, booksellers, Baltimore. Poe was then comparatively unknown to the reading community, and his poetry did not suit my ideas of the rhythmic or comprehensive. I admired the richness and smoothness of Thomas Moore and the grandeur of Byron ; the former, in my early days, I endeavored to copy, wedding music to my verses ; the latter was my idol. Poe was not like either. What kind of a man was he? I answer, handsome. A broad forehead, a large, magnificent eye, dark brown and rather curly hair, well formed, about five feet seven in height. He dressed neatly in his palmy days— wore Byron collars and a black neckerchief, looking the poet all over. The expression of his face was thoughtful, melancholy, and rather stern. In disposition he was somewhat overbearing and spiteful. He often vented his spleen on poor Dr. Lofflin, who styled himself the Milford Bard," and who outstripped Poe in the ciuan- tity of his poetry, if not the quality. Did he drink spirituous liquors or eat opium? I saw him drunk once, or perhaps under the influence of a narcotic. There are many stories about his being found drunk in the gutter. They are all hearsay ; I cannot endorse them. Was he a libertine ? While residing in Eichmond, I heard many romantic tales of his amours. I cannot vouch for the truth or falsity of these traditions, for the whole is mere gossip. Let the dead rest ; it is better that the faults of Edgar A. Poe should be buried with the bones now kept in the bosom of their mother 166 SHADOWS ON THE WALL} earth by the chaste memorial stone placed over them^ to brifi^hten his glory, not to perpetuate his shame. What was his temperament ? Undoubtedly sanguine, yet morbid. Eemorse brought the " Eaven " to the bust of Pallas, and created the weird forms that con- tinually flitted through his fancy. I always thought Poe a misanthrope, cherishing none of the kindlier feel- ings of our nature. His criticisms were bitter in the extreme. So freely did he dispense his gall that it was hard to induce publishers of periodicals to publish his essays. I owe my readers an apology for detaining them so long on a subject which has almost become hackneyed. History is at fault as to the life of Poe. He has rested in his unhonored grave more than twenty-six years, and has just been immortalized by a chiselled stone. While living, no one did him honor; no one even cared to relieve his wants ; and now he is " living, though dead." Much curiosity having been expressed to see the poems that contested for the prize, I have been induced to drag them from the charnel-house of the past. The first maybe found in every edition of Poe's poems; the second in the only edition of my poetic w^orks, pub- lished by N. Hickman, of this city, about thirty-five years ago. THE COLISEUM. By Edgak Allan Fob. Type of antique Rome ! Rich reliquary Of lofty contemplation left to Time By buried centuries of pomp and power! At length-^at length — after so many days Of weary pilgrimage and burning thirst, (Thirst for the springs of lore tliat in thee lie,) I kneel, an altered and an humbled man, Amid the shadows, and the dank within My very soul, thy grandeur, gloom and glory! Vastness ! and Age ! the memories of Eld ! Silence ! and Desolation ! and dim Night I I feel ye now — I feel ye in your strength— O, spells more sure than e*er Judaean King Taught in the gardens of Gethsemane ! OK. GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. O, charms more potent than the rapt Chaldee Ever drew down from out the quiet stnrs ! Here, where a hero fell, a column falls ! Here, where the mimic eagle glared in gold, A midnight vigil holds the swarthy bat. Here, where the dames of Rome their gilded hair Waved to the wind, now wave the reed and thistle. Here, where on golden throne the monarch lolled, Glides, spectre-like, unto his marble home, Lit by the wan light of the horned moon, The swift and silent lizard of the stones. But stay ! these walls— these ivy-clad arcades— These mouldering plinths— these sad and blackened shalts— These vague entablatures— this crumbling frieze— These shattered cornices— this wreck— this ruin— These stones— alas! these grey stones— are they all All of the famed and the colossal left By the corrosive Hours of Fate and me ? "Not all," the Echoes answer me,— " not all. Prophetic sounds and loud, arise forever From us and from all ruin, unto the wise. As melody from Memnon to the sun. We rule the hearts of mightiest men— we rule With a despotic sway all giant minds. We are not impotent— we pallid stones; Not all our power is gone— not all our fame- Not all the magic of our high renown— Not all the wonder that encircles us — Not all the mysteries that in us lie- Not all the memories that hang upon And cling around about us as a garment, Clothing us in a robe of more than glory." THE SONG OF THE WIND. By John H. Hewitt. Whence come ye with your odor-laden wings, Oh, unseen wanderer of the summer night? Why, sportive, kiss my lyre's trembling strings, Fashioning wild music, which the light Of listening orbs doth seem in joy to drink ? Ye wanton 'round my form and fan my brow. While I hold converse with the stars that wink And laugh upon the mirror stream below. " Oh, I have come fresh from the soft, sunny climes. With the richest incense of a thousand sweet flowers 158 SHADOWS ON THE WALL^ I have frolicked in many a forest of limes, And stolen the dewdrops from jessamine bowers. I have kissed the white crest of tiie moon-silvered wave, And bosom'd tiie sail of the light-skimming barque ; I have sung my mad dirge o'er the sailor boy's grave, And ftmn'd up the blaze of the meteor spark. I have warbled my song by the sea's pebbly shore. And wandered around young Andromeda's form; I have played with the surf when its frolic was o'er, And bellowed aloud with the shout of the storm. I have wildly career'd through the shivering shrouds. And rent the broad sail of the corsair in twain ; I have screamed at the burst of the thunder -charged clouds And laughed at the rage of the petulant main. * But erst, and I left on an ocean-girt rock That towered alone o'er the battering wave, The wreck of a ship, which the tempest's wild shock Had borne, with her wealth, to a watery grave. And lonely and sad o'er her quivering form, The last of her bold crew, an aged man, stood; He heard not the voice of the loud-piping storm. While he sorrowed alone in his wild solitude. I lifted the locks from his time-stricken brow, And I kissed the hot tears from his deep furrow'd cheek ; When he cried out ^'My comrades, O, where are they now I breathed in his ear:— "To tlie billow and seek!" He spoke of his home, of his own cherished ones. But the muttering thunder alone made reply; The lightning played 'round, like a myriad of suns. And the waves vaulted up to the dark, leaden sky. O, that sorrowing man! how he smote his broad chest! How he wept for the world he was going to leave! He shrunk from the grave where his bold comrades rest, And wept for life's joys only made to deceive. Then o'er his wan features a holy light spread, As he turned toward heaven a" sad, pleading eye; He muttered a prayer for the peace of the dead. While I whispered him softly " The soul cannot die:' A smile threw its light 'round his feverish lips, As on the hoar rock he laid down his head ; The icy hand fell, 'twas a moment's eclipse, A struggle, a sigh, and his life-spirit fled ! Where the citron-tree bends with its golden-hued fruit. And the coffee-plant shakes to my fiery breath, I have waken'd the song of the Spanish girl's lute. While I placed on her lip the cold signet of death. For the death-plague had perched on my shadowless wings. And the form that I touch'd became lifeless and cold; To the dirge I awakened the lute's sleeping strings. And it sung of the maiden whose days were all told. OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 159 I hurried me on, and the things of the earth Fell stricken with death as I wandered along; I blasted the joys of the board and the hearth, And I levelled to dust both the feeble and strong. But, shrink not ; Fve gathered the sweets of the flowers, And, laden with perfume, I come to thee now, To kiss the dew-lips of the rosy-wing'd hours, And play with the dark locks that shadow thy brow. Brigadier-general James M. Anderson. James M. Anderson was born about the year 1812, at the corner of Gay and Chestnut streets, of Irish parents, who migrated to this country during the close of the last century. At a very early age he exhibited great talent for drawing and sketching, and aimed to acquire a knowledge of engraving; to accomplish this desire he placed himself under the late Mr. Sands, and has ever since followed thaart. In his younger days he became a member of the Independent Fire Compan}^ For convenience, he afterwards joined the Mechanical Fire Company. Together with Mendez J. Cohen, he for many years represented the Mechanical and Patapsco's stockholding interests in the widely known Firemen's Insurance Company. Being remarkably fond of the military, he attached himself to the Marion Rifle Corps, and became its orderly sergeant, in which capacity he dis- played considerable military skill and address, being of handsome and commanding person and "every inch" a soldier. In 1834 he, with others, organized the Inde- pendent G-reys, and was chosen the first captain of that brilliant company. When Gen. Howard called out the military to sup- press the Bank riot, Capt. Anderson was one of the first to arm himself Subsequently he became commander of an infantry company raised at FelPs Point, called the Invincibles. Their uniform dress was of a brilliant red, and they were remarkable for their promptness of movement. Subsequently he took command of the new 53d regiment Maryland Volunteers, and finally rose to the rank of Brigadier-general of the First Light Brigade, 160 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; Baltimore Volunteers. He is a "hickory democrat" in politics; and never held an office of profit until he was appointed, by Mayor Joshua Yansant, Collector of taxes, the duties of which he discharged with singular fidelity. He is also a prominent Mason. In person Gen. Anderson Is of a commanding figure ; fresh looking for a man of his j-ears, and, the^ ladies say, handsome. In manner he is dignified, yet afi^able. He is so well known to the citizens of Baltimore, and enjoys their confidence and respect to such a degree, that further panegyric on my part would be useless. The Boys of Old Town. While I resided on High and North Gay streets, with my own children growing up around me, I could not fail to take interest in those of my neighbors; and I have followed the careers of some of the boys of that period with great interest, and a friendly regard I have reason to think is reciprocated. My opposite neighbor was the Mayor of the city, Samuel Brady, Esq., a native of Delaware, who came to Baltimore when a youth, and entered as a clerk in Mr. Wallace's store on High street below Gay. He subse- quently married Miss Stansbury, a sister of Mr. Wallace, and a cousin of Hon. Elijah Stansbury, afterwards Mayor, who had a large and influential family connec- tion in Baltimore County, where the Stansburys have been distinguished for their patriotism and public spirit from ante-revolutionary days. Mayor Brady was a hospitable gentleman, domestic and unostentatious, and friendly with the associates of his children of whom he had quite a houseful. ^ A few doors nearer Gay street, on the same side of High street as my own dwelling, resided the family of the great actor, Junius Brutus Booth ; the now famous Edwin being then a handsome lad of about fourteen years of age, and John Wilkes still younger. Eepresenting the Fifth and Sixth Wards in the Second Branch of the City Council, was Joseph J. OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 161 Stewart, Esq., of North Gay street, whose boys, with others from the surrounding neighborhood, found our locality attractive. Mr. Stewart was a native of Dela- ware, of ante-revolutionary stock, originally sprung from the Stewarts of Tyrone. His father was a volun- teer under Lafayette at the battle of Brandywine, and he was in service in New York for a short period in the war of 1812. He still lives, in the 83d year of his age, with a vivid recollection of events that transpired in the beginning of the century, and finds amusement in a ten-mile walk. Although at ages varying from twelve up to sixteen years only, our boys fell in with the spirit of the time, and got up a debating society, of which Benjamin F. Brady was president, and Joseph J. Stewart, Jr., secre- tary. They met in Miss Susan Hyde's schoolroom, on High near Gay street. Into the folds of this little society they gathered their intellectually disposed play- mates, and counted amongst them Geo. W. Childs, who lived below the bridge on Gay street ; Martin F. Con- way, then a poor boy in an apothecary store near the Belair market; Andrew J. George, J. Tisdale Talbot, and other lads whose names I cannot now recall. It is interesting to note how a disposition towards self-culture, so early manifested in a small coterie of boys, subsequently developed in their respective careers. Young Brady, notwithstanding his father's great pros- perity, which gave him assurance of success and posi- tion at home, was early seized with the California fever, went to the El Dorado in search of fortune, and I believe found it, as he has married and settled in that distant State. Joseph J. Stewart, Jr., had an early and chronic attack of the cacoethes scrihendi, and wrote for the press while he was yet quite a boy. He edited a Sunday paper published in Baltimore, named The Sunday Dis- patch, which was issued from the old Republican office on the corner of Gay and Baltimore streets ; but for want of capital, or because it was an experiment in a new direction, died in about two years after its birth, 162 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; B^d the city remained without a Sunday paper until I he Sunday Telegram was started durini^ the civil war. Just after attaining his majority, Mr. Stewart was elected chief clerk of the House of Delegates, and he was subsequently clerk of the Chancery Court, Col- lector and Assessor of Internal Revenue by appointment of President Lincoln, Union candidate for Congress in 1866, and nominated Minister to Constantinople by President Johnson in January, 1869. He was chief editorial contributor to the Baltimore American inl864-6 and to the Washington Chronicle in 1867-8, covering the period of Col. John W. Forney's absence in Europe, the impeachment trial of President Johnson, and the first election of General Grant to the Presidency. George W. Childs, whose reputation is world-wide, still seems but a young man to me, who remember him as a ruddy-cheeked boy of twelve summers. He is, in fact, only in his forty-seventh year; and when I look back upon his humble beginning, and subsequent re- markable success, I confess that it dazzles the imagina- tion like a story from the Arabian Nights, whose gorge- ous entertainments of kings and princes his own sur- passes in splendor. He and Stewart were inseparable friends in boyhood, and, with a rare fidelity, they still keep the lamp of their early affection trimmed and burn- ing. It is a trait of Mr. Childs' character never to for- get his early friends. He could hardly have been over fourteen years of age when he left Baltimore for Phila- delphia, where he entered the book-store of Peter Thompson, on the corner of Sixth and Arch streets, to learn the business. As proprietor of the Public Ledger, the history of his career has become so well and widely known that its repetition here would be a work of supererogation. He is, however, more than the pub- lisher of a newspaper ; he is a Philadelphia institution, who has carried the spirit of Baltimore enterprise, and the warmth of Baltimore sympathy, and the munificence of Baltimore benevolence, to the City of Brotherly Love. He has introduced to Philadelphia's acquaintance the most distinguished men of letters and position in the OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 163 world; entertained at his residence the monarchs of mind, Emperors of nations, Presidents of Republics, and leaders of the human race in war and peace tie nas disbursed, with a liberality not only unprecedented but unparalleled, the profits of his successful busmess, in furtherance of all good objects and in alleviation ot private suffering. The step from the little schoolroom over a carpenter's shop in High street, to his present eminence, seems a long one, indeed ; but he has made it. Not less distinguished, but in a different vr&j, stands out the name of Edwin Booth, before his countrymen and the world. I think he must be about a year younger than Childs, if there be any difference, ile was a comely lad, as I remember him dressed in a Spanish cloak (amongst the first to display that style when it came in), giving promise of the man he has turned out to be. Inheriting his father's genius for the mimic stage, he has achieved the first rank upon it, and it has been his good fortune to have lived in an era ot larger prices and more numerous audiences. He is so far different from his father in style and execution, that his greatest successes have been achieved in ditterent roles ; and while he stands unsurpassed in Hamlet, be will not find fault with an old friend of Junius Brutus Booth for standing by him as the greatest Richard iii.. Sir Giles Overreach, and lago, that ever trod the Ameri- can boards. But it is of Edwin Booth as one of our Old Town boys that I am now speaking; and i cannot permit myself to ramble off into reminiscences of his father which might lead me in the digression ot a lull chapter. He is still young enough to have a long career of success and usefulness before hira. His tame is already the property of his country, and cannot be taken from him. ' t • u Martin F. Conway was the son of an Irish army surgeon who died in Florida, leaving a widow witti several children, who came to Baltimore, she being a Mary lander. He was placed, at a very early age in an apothecary store, and afterwards learned the trade ot a printer in the American and Republican newspaper-othces. SHADOWS ON THE WALL; His mind was thoughtful, active, and original ; and with euabed hfm toT'^' ^''^^J^^ assofiations tS enabled him to develop it. He began with the little boys, and afterwards, with several of them, joined the XarTonS ^b'^ 'V^^^^ Jefferson.'' ihTeh met basement n^.i' ^^^^^^^y Institute, which met in the i-leasant and Calvert streets; the Minerva which met ?on strt:^ -^.called "Douglass Institute,' 'orLexSg- street, which embraced in its membership Eel ?r"7ohnTTo'''f.^'"7' H-^y S. WesLo^d; <^"d Town boys who have since grown eminent in their professions. ^ 7,-. ^°""g ^-'fnway became an able writer on the Hevuh- dur^rfhf ^^'^^^^^.^r- -"grated to Ssas Sh W« i,fl P®"^** '^'^r^er ruffianism and Sde of the L'^f'"'"^''^ '"''/^ S« t^-^^^ tl^e Free State t ve of "T'^' ^""^ fi'-^t representa- tive of Kansas m Congress, where he served with dis eart in Z '^'T' ^ remarkab^ pee h secede wttwr ^Tf f^''^*.*'"^ peacefully secede, which attracted attention not only all over this Tape 7of'prr *^""/'r^'^' ^^P'''"*^^ In tie Leading ?Snl ^"1^. ^^^""'^ny- It was a speech indU S fvt thought and confessedly able, but it lost him he sympathy of the Union men in Kansas and they left him out in the next election. He was after wards appointed Consul to Marseilles, in pTance bv President Johnson, whence he returned with fmind somewhat impaired; and he may now be occasioSv ?ormerTeS"w1th'h"V" Washi/gton. a ^rlTTl lormer sell, with his foxy hair floating about over his shoulders, a striking and melancholy spectacle. Andrew J. George still lives in Baltimore a popular inaucea him to take a proper part n political affairs He exercised the office of C^lerk of the Ci ^Court for SIX years, and has held other public position! J. iisdale Talbot was a Yankee boy from Massa- chusetts, broad-shouldered and with a good^-ip He OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST, 165 went back to his birth-place, and has now become an eminent physician in Boston. The only specimen of his literary work I have ever seen is an exceedingly graphic account of an ascent of Mont Blanc he made in 1855, attached to Dr. C. A. Bartol's Pictures of Europe/* and a very creditable specimen it was. I suppose, how- ever, Talbot was more of a Massachusetts boy than an Old Town boy, although he lived during the period of character-development amongst the lads I speak of. Older than these boys by a few years, which makes a great difference when they are in their teens, but still holding relations of friendly intercourse with them, were William A. Stewart, the eldest son of Joseph J., who began his public career as chief clerk of the Second Branch of the City Council when his father was a mem- ber of it, and since the war has been Speaker of the House of Delegates; and William H. B. Pusselbaugh, whose father was an influential citizen of Old Town, and, with John B. Seidenstricker, a great friend of Mayor Brady. Mr. P. is now Police Commissioner. The Debating: Societies. Quite a feature of the Baltimore of the past was its literary societies ; and so many of our public men re- ceived their training in public speaking in them, that they deserve a history of themselves. The oldest one in the city, which has continued almost down to the present time, is the old Jefferson Debating Society. Of this society Messrs. James Bryson and Marcus Wolf, the latter but recently deceased, have said they were members in 1811. During the period extending from 1836 to 1856, it comprised within its membership such well-known name* as those of James Bryson, Marcus Wolf, Samuel Brady, John B. Seidenstricker, Francis Gallagher, John Kettlewell, William Fell Giles, Kobert M. McLane, Samuel B. Williams, John H. Barnes, Lewis H. MuUer, John C. Legrand, William P. Preston, William A. Stewart, Joseph J. Stewart, Jr., Martin F. Conway, Dennis F. Sweeny, Major Sweany, and a host SHADOWS ON THE WALL; of Others whose names I cannot now recall. It was a free-and-easy debating club, and had existed so ]on^ in my time that its constitution and by-laws were for- gott^en, if it ever had any, and it was consequently lon^ lived and well administered. Its members were gener- ally grave men, interested in public questions, and dis- cussed them with as much gravity, and often with pro- founder wisdom than the Senate of the United States, ^ardly any man rose to eminence for half a century in iialtimore who had not been a member of the Jefferson which always met in Old Town, and mostly near the Independent Engine House. ^ The Murray Institute was an admirable literary asso- ciation, which met in the basement of the Universalist Church on the N. E. cor. of Calvert and St. Paul streets, and flourished for perhaps a quarter of a century Its president during the most of this period was John C Holland, Esq., who has held several representative positions and is now President of the Baltimore and Oatonsville E. E. Company. Its active members before the late civil war were Judge S. Morris Cochrane, now deceased; Henry Stockbridge, Esq., Perley E. Lovejoy, -Ur Jno E. Snodgrass, formerly proprietor of The Sat- urday Fz5z^or, Martin F. Conway, Joseph J. Stewart, Marcus Wolf, Levi Taylor, an amateur actor and de' claimer of ability, S. Sands Mills, our present exemplary and jovial SheriflP, Eev. James Shrigley, and others Ihis institute met on Wednesday evenings; the public were invited to its entertainments, which consisted of recitations, improvisations and debates, and for many years there was no place of entertainment more regu- larly crowded with an attentive and intelligent audi- ence than the Murray Institute. It ought to be revived. Augustus Mathiot. One of my highly esteemed neighbors was the late Augustus Mathiot, a man who commenced life at the foot of the ladder, and by his probity, energy and suavity of manner, rose to the top. He was one of the OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. original founders of the Independent Order of Odd FeHows in America ; aud, during a faithful membership of over fifty years, passed through the va"^"^, and at his death (which occurred on the 12th July, ?872) he bore the honors of P. G. M., P. G. P., and P. G E of the jurisdiction of Maryland ; P. G. O. ana Sec, and P. G. Treas. of the G. L. TJ. S. The originators of the Order on these shores were the hilarious and convivial sons of England and they met, as is pretty well known, at Wildey-s cellar, corner of Front and Gay streets. Thomas Wildey was the prime spirit of the Order, and visited England to obtain a charter. Mr. Mathiot finding t^ie Ordei. whose foundation rested on " Faith, Hope and Charity, was losing caste by indulging in bacchanalian orgies set to work to purify it, and at length succeeded m abolish- ing the bar-rooms attached to the lodges. The fine hall on North Gay street was built, and t^e society has thrived beyond precedent. Wildey, Welch and Mathiot were called the - three links " of Odd Fellow- ship The subject of this sketch was remarkably tond of books. He worked hard to establish the Odd Fellows' Library, and finally succeeded ; passing most of his latter days amid the musty tomes there collected and diving deep into occult lore. He mastered several languages, investigated cause and effect m the various phenomena of nature, studied the sciences, and was re- markably fond of argument, in which he generally came off victorious. In disposition he was mild and eentle, genial without conviviality, and always had an Spen purse to the cause of charity. Being a selt- educated man, he made it a boast that he was under no obligations to the schoolmaster, Morse's Telegraph. I was lucky enough to be at one end of the line when Professor Morse sent his first message through his tele- graphic wire. After several years of perseverance, he at length got an appropriation from Congress oi the sum 168 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; of $30,000, to try his ^* visionary " theory; and, as there are many conflicting stories as to who had the honor of sending the first dispatch, I feel desirous of alluding to the affair. I was in Washington, and witnessed the achievement which so astonished the world— an achievement which, at the present day, places us within twenty-four hours' communication with our antipodes. There were many persons present on the Capitol grounds; not a small number came to laugh at the experiment. The message was started from the Supreme Court chamber, I think in the early part of March, 1843. It was during the administration of John Tyler. It was said at the time that Mrs. Madison, the accomplished widow of Presi- dent Madison, wrote the first message, at the request of the Hon. John Wethered, our Eepresentative in Con- gress. The message sent was composed of these words : ''Message from Mrs, Madison. She sends her love to Mrs. Wethered:' In the space of fifteen minutes an answer was returned, acknowledging its reception. In the "Life and Times of Hon. Elijah Stansbury,'' the following paragraph appears : '' It was in May, 1844, that the first message was communicated through Morse's telegraph, from Wash- ington to Baltimore, by Miss Annie Ellsworth, daughter of the Commissioner of Patents; the words being: — ' What hath God wrought / ' " The reader may take either of these traditions. I am pretty confident that I did not hear the name of Miss Ellsworth connected with the affair. There were great rejoicings when the success of the experiment was announced. William H. H. Hayward. The recent death of this excellent gentleman, who for many years was one of my most intimate friends and associates, reminds me that one more link is broken in the chain that unites the present with the past. OR^ GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. 169 During my long intercourse with him I ever found him one of nature's noblemen, a gentleman in every sense of the word— possessing the finest feelings of our nature ; generous, affable, and genial. He commenced his career in Baltimore at the age of fifteen. He was a native of Lexington, Mass., and obtained his first employment here as clerk in the dry-goods and clothing establishment of Ing k Tucker, Centre Market Space, where he was noted for his urbanity and integrity. In 1864 he was appointed a magistrate, an office which he held with credit to himself for twenty-two consecutive years. He was also an excellent soldier, and for many years was a non-commissioned officer of the old " Marion Rifle Corps," At the period of the John Brown raid he received the commission of Colonel of the First Maryland Militia, and at the conclusion of the late war was appointed Brigadier-general. As a magistrate he was kind, yet firm; as a military man, neat and prompt ; as a poet, enthusiastic, though many of his lyric efforts were crude and needed polish. He was always found in the foremost rank on patriotic and charitable occasions; and, although the stern duties of a magistrate required severity, yet his heart always inclined to mercy. His best poetical productions were ^'The Flag of the Union Forever," "The Old Town Clock," " The Unknown Soldiers," and " Bury Me in the Sunshine." Thomas Kelso. Among the living reliques of past times, I may hero bring in the name of our worthy and truly philan- thropic fellow-citizen, Mr. Thomas Kelso. An Irishman by birth, he came to our city at an early age, and by close attention to business and honest dealing (a virtue which has become a rara avis) he accumulated a hand- some property. He is now in his ninety-second year, and can calmly look back through the long vista of a life well spent, and forward to a happy futurity. He is well known as a sincere Christian and a benevolent gentleman. Possessing ample means, he has made 8 170 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; liberal donations to charitable purposes, and given largely to the cause of the Christian chnrch. Age has not chilled the heart so warm in youth ; it has even intensified his ardor to do good to his fellow-creatures. On East Baltimore Street stands a living monument to his generosity— the "Kelso Methodist Episcopal Orphan Asylum," a spacious building which he purchased and endowed with one hundred thousand dollars. The institution is now in a flourishing condition ; and Mr. Kelso has the proud satisfaction of knowing that his benevolent object is fully carried out. Rev. Henry Slicer. Among the many eminent laborers in the broad acres of the Lord, whom I used to delight in listening o, in the foremost rank of my estimation stood the Christian and scholar whose name heads this sketch. It was said of Henry Slicer in his life-time : — That man has as much of the manhood of man as any other man in Maryland." He was born in Annapolis in the year 1801, and came to Baltimore in early life, serving as an apprentice to the printing business under Jacob Daly. Before he became of age, he was installed a preacher of the Gospel in the Methodist Episcopal Church ; and Mr. Daly generously released him from his indentures, in order that he might engage in the min- istry, where, by indomitable energy, persistency of zeal, warm-hearted Christian enthusiasm, he soon made his mark as a successful preacher of the Gospel of Christ. I first heard him at a temperance meeting in 1839, at the Wesley Chapel in Baltimore. He was then in the full vigor and freshness of his manhood. He was a champion of the temperance cause for many years. He was also a popular lecturer and preacher, presiding elder and delegate to the General Conference. At one time he was chaplain to Congress, and a leading member of the old Baltimore Conference, taking the position of leader in debate on the floor of the Conference. In person he might be called a model of manhood \ while OR, GLIMPSES OF THE PAST. his kindness, gentleness of manners and aifability to all — the children of the poor particularly — were only equalled by his greatness of soul. In 1842, a member of the Conference remarked :— "At one of our meetings of the Conference, an appeal case came up, at which Slicer and the lamented Cookman were the champions on either side. Slicer triumphed, and has been the leading man ever since." In 1845, Mr. Slicer was in charge of the jNorth hJalti- more Station. There were then three preachers. A poor man lost his only child, and in his aflliction desired Mr. Slicer to attend the funeral. He called on him, and^ expressed his wish. The reply of the noble soldier of the Cross was : . t -n " Yes, brother ; it is not in my district, but i will come." And he went ; foregoing his privilege. An endless amount of anecdotes might be related ot this truly good man; but, as I understand the Kev. John N. Dashiel is preparing a biography of him, I will bring my sketch to a close. Mr. Slicer died in 1871, and was buried from the Mount Vernon Church, Bishop Ames officiating. George Appold. Among the men of the past generation, who, by industry, energy and honesty, accumulated fortunes, and aided in building up the business of our city, was George Appold. He commenced the useful business of tanning hides, manufacturing leather, about the year 1812, with a small capital, and at only nineteen years of age. He leased a.lot on the Howard estate for his purpose ; afterwards purchasing the property, where his sons carry on the business at the present time. This place, on North Street, is known as Howard Tan- nery. George Appold was a useful citizen, an enter- prising and successful business man, a good husband and father, and an exemplary Christian. He was, for many years, a member of the M. E. Church ; a man of integrity, honest, hospitable and generous, as well as 172 SHADOWS ON THE WALL; prudent, economical and shrewd in business. He died in January, 1853, at about 62 years of age, leaving ten children, three sons and seven daughters. The sons have largely extended the business, and are now ranked among the " solid men " of Baltimore ; having invested largely in the northeastern section of the city, and built many houses in the vicinity of Appold Chapel/' which was founded in part by their liberality. John T. Ford. Among the younger portion of my acquaintances some thirty years ago, was the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was then in his prime, and no one would believe him to be an old nian at the present time, for he is hale and hearty, showing that time has dealt kindly with him. Mr. Ford was born in Baltimore in the year 1829, and is now in his forty-seventh year. After passing through our public schools he went to Eichmond, and obtained employment with the late William Greaner, a well-known tobacco manufacturer, and also a Baltimorean. Not liking the weed that so niany men laud for its narcotic virtues, Mr. Ford eschewed it by not using it in any shape, and abandoning its manufacture. He then, unfortunately, took up the book and periodical business, thinking that by turning over a new leaf he might better his fortune. In about a year he abandoned hook keeping as a bad investment. He was about twenty-two years of age when he became business manager for George Kunkel's Nightin- gale Minstrels, a truly excellent band of singers and humorists. He travelled with th^m through the South and West; and the tour proved to be highly profitable, under his expert management and genial deportment. He is a good writer, and furnished the press with excellent articles on the incidents of his travel. Be- coming tired of a roving life and the frequently long separations from his then young and interesting family, he planned a new business programme. He associated himself with George Kunkel and Thomas Moxley, the latter a favorite personator of colored belles, and OR, GLIMPSES OF THE FAST. leased the Eichmond Theatre ; also the Holliday Street Theatre of Baltimore. Kunkel and Moxley managed the former, while Mr. Ford remained in Baltimore and assumed entire control of the Holliday. The Eichmond concern was abandoned on the breaking out of the war, but new life was given to old Holliday by the tact and energy of Mr. Ford. The building was polished up, first cTass actors were engaged, and it became one of the most popular and fashionable places of amuse- ment in the city. He subsequently leased the Front Street Theatre, and erected in Washington a fine building known as "Ford's Theatre.'' Subsequently, the assassination of President Lincoln in this theatre by John Wilkes Booth extinguished it altogether, by order of Edwin M. Stanton, then Secretary of War. Mr. Ford, however, obtained $100,000 from the Govern- ment for the building. In 1871 he built and opened the fine structure on W. Fayette St., known as Ford's Grand Opera House. In addition to the Holliday Street Theatre, Mr. Ford was at one time lessee and manager of the National Theatre, Washington, the new Eichmond Theatre, and the Grand Opera House. In 1858 he was elected to the First Branch of the City Council from the fourteenth ward, of which body he was chosen president. At one time he acted as mayor of the city, a position which he held for several months. In 1867 he was prominently before the Democratic Convention for the mayoralty nomination, but was defeated by the Hon. Eobert T. Banks, by a small majority. In 1870 he was elected to the Second Branch of the Council from the nineteenth and twentieth wards. In the Council he was acknowledged to be one of its most useful and active members. He has also been City Director, for one term, of the Baltimore and Ohio Eailroad ; a commissioner of the McDonough Fund on the part of the city of Balti- more ; President of the Union Eailroad, and has frequently served in important enterprises of public charity. In fact, Mr. Ford is not only a self-made, but a popular man, kind, affable and genial. Of his specu- lations I know but little; he has made bold ventures, and, it is said, has realized a handsome harvest. DE SOTO OR THE CONQUEST OF FLORIDA A Historical Poem in Three Cantos. BY JOHN H. HEWITT. INTRODUCTION. The following poem is founded on the story of Co- fachiqui, a Princess of Florida, or, more properl}^ that wide region traversed by Hernandez de Soto during his expedition. This district comprised, not only the country now known as Florida, but also a portion of Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana. De Soto, in his wanderings toward all points of the compass, came one day to a broad and rapid river, beyond which, his In- dian guides informed him, lay the territory of Cofa- chiqui. The Spaniards were suffering from famine and the fatigues of a long march. The country through which they had passed was hostile, and they found it necessary to cross the stream. Marching up and dowA its banks, they at length came in sight of an Indian town, where, they were told, resided the rich and beau- tiful Princess of the country. Some of the inhabitants appeared on the opposite shore, and the Spaniards called out to them, saying that some friendly strangers wished to pay their respects to their sovereign and treat for an alliance. The natives, after gazing in astonishment at the horses of the Spaniards, ran away to the town, and shortly afterwards six magistrates came down to the shore with their attendants, embarked in t canoe, and crossed the river. The interview resulted in these am- bassadors accepting the Spanish general's offer of peace, and promising that their beloved Queen should receive them with every token of friendship. With this pledge they bade De Soto adieu. History gives an interesting account of the interview between De Soto and Cofachiqui. The air of the Spaniard was courtly, and, in return for a string of costly pearls which the young and lovely Princess handed him, he drew a valuable diamond ring from his finger and gave it to her. After these ceremonies, the Spaniards were quartered in the town, made perfectly at home, and passed the time in the pleasantest manner, 8* 178 DE SOTO. all their wants being supplied. The Indians built them lofty arbors of green boughs, and feasted and amused them by all the means they could devise. Cofachiqui had in her suite a young chief who loved her passionately, but who kept his love secret, prefer- ring to attend to her most trifling wishes, rather than risk her displeasure by a confession. He was about twenty years of age, and was highly esteemed by the Spaniards, whom he had, in obedience to his Queen's wish, treated with the greatest courtesy. The historian speaks in glowing terms of the elegance of his person and splendor of his costume. This youth died by his own hands, rather than betray his Queen. That Cofachiqui loved De Soto, there can be but little doubt. She recklessly gave him the keys to the treasures of the land, showed him where he might find pearls " by the bushels," and the yellow and white ore for which his greedy soul thirsted. Even the resting- places of the dead were ransacked for treasure: This generosity was repaid with the blackest ingratitude. The Spaniards abused tbe people, quarrels arose between them, and De Soto had the baseness to seize the person of his generous hostess and carry her olf. He compelled her to travel on foot, with the women of her train, for three hundred miles, during which march the Spaniards were everywhere struck with the demonstrations of reverence and love displayed toward her by her people. At her command, the Indians in every town through which they passed came out of their houses to carry the baggage of the Spaniards and procure them food. After being dragged a prisoner in the Spanish camp for two or three weeks, she found an opportunity to escape. She was never heard of afterwards. The historian of Florida, Garcilaso do la Vega, termi- nates his account of this Princess by declaring that she possessed a truly noble heart, and was worthy of an empire. Shame for his countrj^men has induced him to suppress all mention of tbe brutal indignity to which she was subjected by De Soto, and for wnich, as a Cas- tilian knight, he deserved to be deprived of his spurs. DE SOTO CANTO I. How beautiful is night ! each star Laughs iu its azure sphere afar ; The silent moon all pensive looks On heaving seas and murmuring brooks ; While, solitary and alone, The whip-poor-will, with plaintive tone, Sings to the gem-crowned night his lay. And woos the glow-worm's humbler ray. Hail, queen of night ! whose silver beam Kisses the riplets of the stream ! Heaven's jewelled front, in starry blaze, Is spread before the wandering gaze; And, on the river's sparkling breast The placid star-beams seem to rest. The round moon rose ; her silver ray Glanced, smiling, on the waves, that gay With boundless freedom danced along The shore, while their eternal song Crept stealthily to ears that listened, While love-lit eyes looked on and glistened. It beckoned love, that fairy scene! The song of waters, as between The reeds they crept, and kissed, and then Boiled back, delighted, to the main. There sat an Indian maid beneath A lofty palm ; her jetty eye Watching the laugbing waves, whose wreath Of liquid diamonds rising high Formed a pale Iris on the sky. Pensive and lone, her deep-drawn sighs Mingled with zephyrs as they passed j DE SOTO; While her dark eye read mysteries Hid in the deep. She slowly cast Leaves of a mystic flower upon The wavelets as they wandered on. How beautiful she looked ! how wild Her glance, as on the deep she smiled! The amorous wind-gods, as they flew, Wooed her dark hair ; the midnight-dew Fell on her lips, as if it were To mingle with the honey there. Still, grief's impress was marked upon Her shadowy brow ; the joy was gone That once illumed that eye ; fierce now The flame that played beneath that brow. The melancholy moon still smiled On sea, on shore, on woodland wild ; While from her taper fingers fell The mystic leaves that wrought the spell. " I love thy pale and pensive light Dancing upon the broad lagoon ; But, why shine out so fair and bright, Fair moon ! chaste moon ! Wild as thy bosom swells my heart ; I cast these charmed leaves on thee. While roll thy frothy waves apart, Glad sea ? bright sea I And canst thou hear my plaint, thou gem Of the Great Spirit's realm afar? Thou diamond of Night's diadem, Pure star ! lone star I To every wild nook bear my wail ; Where sleeps the tura,* bounds the hind, And gently fill the white man's sail, Mild wind ! soft wind ! The waves rolled on in all their pride, The wild song of the Tritons died ; *Tara. tbe Indian name for tlie alllgat