Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-08-20
GOSSIP ABoUT TOM MOORE.


Moore had higher affection for his own fam
lily than, in his most tuft-hunting fancy, he
ever cherished for princes, peers, and high
born ladies. He was as good son, brother
and father as ever breathed. While his mother
lived, and she was fifty-three when she died.
Moore wrote to her twice week, no matter
what were the other claims upon his time
He was not ashamed among his aristocratic
friends Of his lowly origin. There Is an an
ecdote, related by Lord John Russell, that
when Moore first sat at the table at Carlton
House, the guest of the Prince of Wales, charm
ing all by his companionable society, his
Royal Highness remarked, al suppose Mr..
Moore, you are of the same family as the Mar
qus of Bogheda 2 The poets answer was
No my father sells wine, spirits and gro
ceries, in little shop at the corner of Aun-
gier street, Dublin The Prince Immediately
looked round the table, saw some Of the
guests smiling at the brusque veracity of the
little lrishman, and called out in his most
impressive manner, Let-us drink a bumper
to the health of Mr.. Moore's father; am
sure he must be very excellent gentleman.
1t may be that a scene not much unlike this
occurred at the Princes table, in which Cur
ran distinguished himself, as Moore did, by
his candor. A discussion had arisen as to
the comparative status Of each profession,
and Curran happily concluded il by giving the
preference to the law, which, he added
has enabled the son Of an Irish peasant to sit
at the table of his PRINCE.
Nor, in considering Moore's character,
should it be forgotten that as hus-
band his conduct was not only Hnexcep-
tionable, but always affectionate, considerable,
reliant and kind-hearted. 1t is not worth
while to trace back the circumstances of the
courtship, but the marriage was one of pas
sionate love, upon both sides. Neither seems
to have given the other any cause to regret
the formation of the lfe-ties which bound
them. Mrs. Moore (whose death occurred only
few weeks ago) was beautiful and charm
ing woman, who went very little into society,
but concilinated the good will and kind regard
of all who knew her. The only cause for COM
plant she could have felt, was Moore's too
frequently leaving her, while he auttered
about in the gay and fashionable circles in
which he so much delighted. Nor indeed
should all the blame of this DE cast upon
Moore himself. His celebrity as writer
his flashing wit and Thorough geniality in
society, and, above all, the singular fascina-
tiOn of his singing, contributed to make him
not only acceptable, but a most desirable
guest in the highest and most fashionable cir
cles of London. Living, as he did, in the
country, yet within twenty minutes walk OF
Bowood, the Marquis Of Lansdowne S splendid
and hospitable country seat, Moore was as
much involved in high life as he would have
been in London. For the Marquis of Lans-
doune is nobleman of immense wealth, and
so much political power as to make him a
partisan, who though he cared not for place,
used to gather around him in the country, the
elite of all that was exalted, talented, and
fashionable among his own class, and on his
side of politics, and also the whig opposition.
Among these Moore became completely at
home, while his dearest Bessy would remain
in their pretty cottage at Superior, contented
among her children, and practicing the most
rigid economy to make both ends meet. By
the way, rs we have mentioned Mrs. Moore
let us give an epigram upon her. written in
1914. Moore's first two children were females,
Anastasia and Barbara. Announcing the birth
of the third, in a letter to Power, his musical
publisher, August, 1874 Moore wrote, II
think you will not grudge ten pence (post-
age y for the intelligence of Bessy's safety !;
it would be-worth tWenty pence if had boy
to announce to you, but unluckily il is
another girl AT the time ofths occurrence,
at Maryland Cottage, Derbyshire, Mr.. Joseph
Atkinson, one of Moore's oldest and truest
friends, was in the neighborhood, at Mattock,
and he wrote the following, which was not
given by Lord John Russell, nor, indeed, do
we recollect to have ever seen it in print
" Pm sorry, dear Moore, there's a damp to
your joy,
Nor think my old strain of my theology stupid
When say that your wife had right to a
boy,
For Venus is nothing without young Cupid.
But since Fate, the boon that you wished for,
refuses,
And granted three girls to your happy
embraces,
lie meant when You wandered abroad with
the MUSES.,
That your wife should be circled 1t home
with the Graces.''