New-York daily tribune., 1856-03-27
FROM BOSTON.
From Our Own Correspondent

dearth Of noteworthy events. can think Of Only
three things 70 write about bamely: "A Bourbon
among us," in the shape Of Nubian Prince
lecture by Rufus Choate. snd-Melien!
The Prince of Nubia is ga small black man Of
"Dsat figure, short hair bright eyes, and some
what wiry walk He has lived in Boston for
some years working ss jOurneymiu barber, under
the name OF Baker, and respectable cOlored cit-
gems assert that he ia nothing more nor less than
"nigper" from Kentucky. He himself claims to
be ''the only son of the late King Of Nubia." and
in virtue Of bis roy al descent has been diligently
raising funds for the purpose of cOnquering his
native kingdom not with the arms of carnal war
fare, but with the persuasive weapons Of civilizs-
ton and Christianity. The respectable colored
citizens aforesaid alsge, on the other hand that
the Prince 10 not only humbueging hut swindling
the public, and that the money which bis Highness
raises is iDcontDently expended on fast horses,
oyster suppers fascinating damsels, and such like
more royal than reputable amusement.
TIE effect of these damaging statements being
unpleasantly felt in the Treasury Department OF
Nubia, Prince Leo L. LlOyd-as with heroic con-
tempt for philoOgy he styles himself-prOmptly
called upon the Editor Of The Boston Journal
and volunteered an explanation, which | copy for
Won in The Journals own language:
"He does not DENY that be has been barber
waiter &c. but claims that tAis does not inyalid9te
the account which he gives aud reigiousy believes,
of bis origin. He claims that his father ant mother
died on board o veseel upon which they had taken
passage for America, r0y0gc undertaken ruth a de-
sgn of pvrch0sng firearms that he then an infant,
was given to a woman named Baker, who took him 10
one Of the Spanish colonies, and aferward brought
Elm TO this country. Hesays also that be has Travelled
10 Africa and exhibits a certificate from William j.
Ivcrson, Henry c. Livingston, John Whit head, Pro-
fessor Matthew Dawson, Petro Metann and Captain
Il aaAa tffra
with whom be Travelled servant, and who testify
10 his zeal fidelity and powers Of endurance. ne also
erklbds n certificate from tTadcr and hunter on me
Western Coast Of africa, testJying 10 his 6el'g hG'
sor of the late King Of NaJi0 He has another GER
tifcdte from Bayard Taylor expressing the opinion from
certain ply sica marks that he IL Of Nuten blood lie
has also certificates from the Rev. f. \. Kirk, the
Rev. +. H. Chaplin, the Rev. 5. X. Lothrop, Horace
Greeley, George VIM. Curt-, and numerous other
well known gentlemen EDWARD Everett, Rufus Caoate
and Robert {. Winthrop, expressing their conhdence
in him. Ard last, but not east, he asserts-and we
see no to doubt the truth of his statement for
its falty if it false, would Immediately be ex-
posedthat he is being educated under the direction
Of a committee Of gentlemen, of whom Professor
Agassz one, with view making bis talents avail
able TO his African cOuntrymen."
TIE Journal, on receiving this explanation, pre-
=" fers to believe that the assistance which the pub
lie may render Mr.. Leo L. Lloyd will be well
bestowed"
lisa great pity that the Prince did not furnish
to TIE Journal the name of the port in Nubli from
which his father and mother embarked for Amer
lea, (by way of SPAIN as he says in subsequent
statement, for it would certainly have been found
identical with that famous seaport in Bohemia
which has so long puzzled the commentators on
Shakespeare. The confusion Of ideas about AT
rican geography betrayed by The Journal, and by
Mr.. Leo l.. Lloyds patrons in general. Is truly
amazing. In the first place, there is no such po'
tentate as the King of Nuba, and there has been
none for at least four centuries. Nubia has no na-
toDal existence; it is merely geographical term
for region inhabited by multitude of petty tribes
to whose mslekS chiefs the name of king is never
given, and who for the last thirty byc years-that
is probably, before Mr.. Leo l.. Lloyd was born
have been subject to the fasha of Egypt The
King of Nubia is as imaginary parsonage as the
King Of Europe. the Governor of New EnglaOd, or
the President of South America. And If a King OF
Nubia really existed he would be just about as likely
TO undertake yoys &c TO America for the purpose OF
purchasing firearms, as the Governor OF New-En-
gland would be to embark for Nubia Tor the Pur-
pose of purchasing tobacco furthermore,
- trader and hunter on the western coast OF Al
"rica" would be not quite as competent to testify
to the identity of Nuban as trader to the coast
of Patagonia would be to the identity OF YER
monter On the coast of Patagonia 1t would be
possible TO learn something of Vermont. On the
west coast of Africa they know less OF Nubla than
they DO OF the Moon.
Looking at the matter, therefore. in the light OF
geography history, and philology, am reluctant
iy compelled TO side with the respectable colored
citzenf, and TO reject the lofty pretenslons OF the
enterprisDg Leo. Why didn't he call himself
Prince Of Congo, or Corramantee or Borroboola
Cha ANY of these would have served his turn
better than Nubia.
OF Choate's lecture, (Which was nominally
upon Rogers, but really upon the English lltera
ture of the last sixty or seventy years can tell
Won nothing from my own knowledge. did not
hear il. But have been wonderfully impressed
by the accounts of those who did, as they are gwen
in the newspapers. Let NE quote you couple
of examples. First from notice in IAe Tran
script: 49,,
of such Performance. As well might mortal painter
endeavor TO catch upon canvas those hues Of heaven
which kndle into beauty and vanish in the trail OF the
descending day. No imagination could recall those
shapes OF caprCiOus l0velineSs momentaniy shifting
and finally melting INTO that uutathomao,e ocean OF
golden light. Those who have attempted 10 icPUur.
Lis great orator have thus found the vvldneSs the
glow the rapdty, the sparkle OF his utterly
dis sgonasms quite beyond the reach of Their e6ty 10
set down. Whoever has been in the habit OF hearing
Mr. Choate at the Bar upon occasions oil puoAc In-
terest could not fail to be prepared to listen TO dls.
course instinct with thought gerng with the tire OF
genius bubbling and boiling over with the sur ana
rOtous action OF teemiGg and ire lresSlbe fancy.
We thought Il quite equal to bis best efforts, ana
not vet sunerOr to what other men could 10. 1t eX-
hibied all those points whIch sometimes accounted
among the faults Of this eminent Orator-it ghttered
with the fervor and showerng fire of genus-hingng
out word, here aBd there, which spurAed ID us place
Ike some diamond of Incompatible lustrc-drawing
H. illustrations out of cave!ns Of the rock inaccessi
be TO the flight OF ordinary thought, or from phs u
the sea- which only the imagination OF t." hardest
diver would venture TO explore
Here you have vivid idea OF he lecture Wewed
1 oTWA