Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-08-30
VOLUME III.

Rice you will create a greater sensation III England
than any American that went to that country
DO you think 50 2" said he looking as serious as
parson.
Yes, you will"
Decentralization has been verified. He has outstrp-
ped Forest Hackett Yankee Hill, and the whole batch
Of our foreign exports The reason IS that Jim Crow
was an original, rare and unique
In the annexed maize letter, which written in
July last, he speaks like man and an American
Thrice welcome your native shores again. in
inltable Jim Crow
LONDON, July, 1887.
Mr. JAMES g. BESNETT-Dear Sir,-I believe it is
generally allowed that most persons who travel feel
desire al period Of their peregrnatons convey
10 their friends nay, if possible. To the whole world,
copous and succnct account OF their terrageeus adven
lures All sensations the of inability being quick
ly swallowed up in the noble and patriotic wish OF bene
fitting and improving the public. This, after all, is,
perhaps, but pardonabe vanity in which. circum
have tempted me TO indulge shall endeavor to-
be careful restrain mmoderate use OF the no
mliatye of the personal pronoun, proper
gard 70 truth viii allow me.
After having held for five years in my own country,
dear republican America an undsputed sway in the
peculiar line Of business had marked out for myself
as an actor nv ambition tempted me make for Old
England whether the vagaries OF poor Jim Crow
would amuse the lieges of Great Britain they had
done the unsophistcated ofthe United States and
happy to that my brightest dreams are reali-
zed-the venerable mamma has been quite es much
tickled as was her merry daughter.
Here let be serious. On the Sth of June sailed
from New York in the good ship Westinghouse name
ever prophetic of success to counrymen--and al
though buoyed up by the natural excitement of youth
with the anticipation OF new laures fresh changes OF
scene yet the vessel receded from that city, dear to
me by so many associations, felt my spirits sink and
effect could raise them With straning eyes still
gazed towards the then almost imperceptbe spotthat
spot speck-soon be lost in measureless space My
best wishes were calculated in a blessing the
ny worthy friends, whom, perhaps then quitting
for ever With heavy heart turned, and walked the
deck till the shades of night curtained the dark
bosom of the Atlantic.
II is my intention to dwell upon the details OF my
voyage in which was most Fortunate both with regard
TO the elements and the that constituted our
agreeable little society Therefore shall content my
self with noticing the circumstance of vessel having
overtaken the packets Sheffield and Columbus when
side by side the three sailed in majestic grace forming
a sight beautiful and while each strove in ho
gerable emulation oustrp the other had the plea
of making Liverpool some few hours in advance,
where landed, safe and WELL after glorious passage
of fifteen days
Within one week ofmy first stepping spoh British soil,
made my appearance the Royal Surrey Theatre the
attempt hazardous, for was then unknown, to in
troduce style of acting with which the public was to-
tally unacquainted. That public too. which had wit
messed the brightest efforts OF the hstrenc art but the
result was most gratifying; the house was crowded to
the ceiling, and my success complete.
The pleasure Of such event. was deuby enhanced
by the knowledge that the spontaneous act of
enlightened people towards stranger, who came ameng
them unheralded and imputed il is fact, that up
TO the night Of my debut, had other acquaintance
in England than Flynn" the manager Of the Nation
al at New York, himself an absentee of some years
from his native country.
Each succeeding night added my fame, and glo
rious reception" followed by continual ever1ows,"
carried my for eighty consecutive nights. Lib
eral offers of engagement from other theatres now pre-
scented themselves, and shortly concluded a treaty
with Mr.. Yates, of the Adelph where the Niger was
as heartily welcsmed the NIddlesex side of this
great city. he had previously been the Surrey.
trust that shall not be convicted OF objectionable vani
~ when state that Jim Crow was the rage of London
popular equally with the artisan and the peer IN
frrnation of which / may mention, that nobleman,
who stands foremost in fortune rank and taste,
his grace the Duke of Devonshire honored the Abel
phi theatre with his presence less than three times
during the first week Of the jumping Of Jim Crow
and here let offer my testimony the kind and'af
fable bearing Of arstocracy in general OF this country
indeed apprehend that the real English genteman'is
character that cannot he surpassed in any part of the
globe nor is the good old English hospitality quite fer
gotten in many families il is still To be met with in all
the freshness and yigor OF Old ptginny ncrer tire
had full opportunity Of testing this, when favored
by an invitation from the Duchess Of st. Adams at
OF her gay fetes Brighton. All brilliancy and
beauty-but shall not attemptto describe the scene
suffice say, il alike worthy OF the noble hos
tess, and her distinguished guests. The Duchess, who
possesses a than royal fortune, is beloved, am
happy say by all who know her blessed by the poor
to whom her gifts are ever on the munifcent and
general scale, and esteemed by the wealthy. | may
venture that her is uttered in her
immediate neghborhood but in sounds Of gratitude ard
respect more delightful evening think never pass
ed-oyous hlarity unettered by the freezing dis
tinction of rank-for the Duke himself principal
actor in our little piaisanerio-and mirth reigned with
undisputed sway. must omit that the re-
collections of the fee still wildly impressed
upon my memory, by complimentary present from
z r grace the next morning.
II is with pleasure / inform you that ! have every
where with the kndest atment the most generous
friendship. Englishmen have prejudces against
Amercans-on the contrary, may say that there is on
all sides inclination court society and acquain
ancc; any old heart bunngs, and jealousies that may
have existed, am sure have long since been buried in
the great tomb Of time Liberal and educated Britoms
new look upon brothers. They us ofthc same
their hearts are with Indeed have frequently
heard in large parties this sentiment exprcssedthat
should European politics lead another general
war, must be found fighting only on the side
the idea of being placed in hostile array secuted
as nonstrous and unnatural.
| was both delighted and astonished nj finding the
name Of late worthy and revered President almost
familiar in the mouths OF strangers, as is in our
cities and am happy to add, his character no less ap
preciated his simple and unostentatious manners
known and admired and he is spoken Of the Of
statesmen-the best Of patriots report having been
very generally circulated that il his intention to
visit this country, found upon my arrival great excite
ment ON the subject Upon each fresh introduction
was instantly asked When will Andrew Jackson be
here and had he visited this island, | am confident
that no crowned head would have excited curiosi
~, or commanded more attention and respect.
But IL has pleased Providence in ts wisdom 20 afict
him. and should the Omnipoten call him from the tu