The New York herald., 1863-01-25
o = I = q A r =.
Grant Thorburu.

the city of New Haven VA wednesday morning, In the
niaesieth year Of hehge Pew mems lives have bees
marked by many nsuar occurrences lie arrived in
this city when wis s in It's infancy. grew up with t.
and became in shape another identified with nearly
all the remarkable events that transpired this locality
since the War OF Independence. For great number Of
years he carried the seeds business in the lower
par. the city, and many the old inhabitants must
rememser well the familiar figure of Grant Thosburn
with ni awkward gait but sharp eye Of the oldest
and yet Of tho ceverest associated with the
history Of the city. Grant was merry, good natured,
benevolent being with heart TO feel for the suerngs
Of his fellow and yet with tn shrowdnoss and
Of the OF business Besides carrying tho profess
sion Of florist and SCOTSMAN 'i,,nt was extensively
afflicted with the cdcoethes scritni' iewas exceedingly
fond Of scrbblng, and in his inspired moments got OH
good things, which stl carefully treasured up
by his descendant He wrote sketches for several
of the New York papers, amongst others, the HERALD,
his fortc lying principally in curious remncences Of the
city an1 little articles about his yongu adventures 10
America MIR Gait found Sufficient material in lhorburns
life to build up very interesting little story called
"Laurie Todd which with great favor in
England, and was rspublisheo by the iIarpcrs in mis-
GUY about 1880. From that tine fhorbarn tho
plum Of Laurie Tedd under which title hs
wrote most Of his sketches ' srfi Il
Inamuch as his career presents many incidents Of
striking interest, brief sketch Of bis life this time
must prove Interesting. N sas gssssr 's.-t- J.
Grant horburn born in Dalkcith tho city O.
Ednhurg, in Scotland the 18th Of February l773, OF
humble but honest and industrious parents. his father
having followed the occupation OF naimaker In the town
Of his nativity. Tho unprstending cottage which young
Thorburn first the light Of day stood within two miles
Of Davo Deans farm, and within three Of the Laird Of
Dumbiodike's mansion, both Of which celebrated in
Scots famous novel Of The Heart OF Mid Lothiann The
of Oup auh atad IN
genius or to foster the ambitious fances which cl i'd
hood is so apt 10 indulge in. His father was
strict Presbyterian devoted 10 religion and naimaking
and though very we'll meaning and well doing man
otherwise not at oil suited for the task Of rearing
children. To add TO his Anisoftunes. his mother died
when he only two years and half old leaving her
to the tender erces acareless nurse under VIII,
negligence young Thorbarn grew up in dwarGsh condi-
on-a weakly, delicate child, without proper clothing
| nourshnent. But this state Of neglect which would
have proved tho utter runaton mentally and physically
Of other children, only helped sharpen his natural
brghtnes, and enabled him to gain insight into the
mysteries of human which he might otherwise
have found difficult TO accomplish. Ii his decrepit limbs
would not let him be partaker in the pleasures which
he saw othar children enjoying they caused him.
Gait his biograhcr to sit the stool Of observation,
and to read with thoughulness the daily page of passing
tlne.o Thus ho remarkable while yet but Z" per-
rect ladde for uncommon keenness and cleverness
much indeed that tho minister (whose opinion those
days gospel all subects), made the strikingly
original remark upon one occasion that If he (young
Grant) was Q dwarf in body he surely had q giants
head"
~ hope no, reverend sir" the boys reply, I" for
heard that giants remarkable for sagacity
hut the fairies, KEN OF men in under
stand'ng.h In !" Laurie Todd which, how
over, it Should be mentioned, ~ generally con
sdered mere neton many Curious incidents related
Of young Laurie, or Thorburn, while be stIl in
early childhood Tho following extract viii serve as an
Those around, regarding me NaurIe) a. . hcedless,
harmless baby said and did many things in presence
Sro scene and avos secret sScss and precious have
witnessed amongst the lads and asses who used Of q
when my father, he being elder. tho session.
anent the crying consequences Of scike kittng In
uers.
In the life written by himself. he alludes ths nter
estinG period Of his career as follows
Children Of q larger growth (thinking ! had
played such fantastic tricks before high 'i1 Ses-
apt forget that children and before they
speak Suffice IL " say that, long before knew my
had learned the whole mystery Of "nippipR and
scartng'-scotch folks woong-( (Angiais pnching and
scratchng)-a Scotch mode or courtiag.
At the age Of eight years Thorbsrn placed under
the treatment Of gypsy female doctor, known by the
extraordinary subre4uet Of "Luck arhngs." This half
magician and half beggar had contempt for ordinary
drugs and drugging, and therefore, instead Of giving
"castor oil for obstacle in the stomach" sha pre-
scribed for the little patient plenty Of fresh exer
else, which had such good effect that Th sburn soon
gained strength and spirit and able In . ehor
time to walk and with tolerabe activity. The
Of emulation thcreupon began 70 animate him,
comrades which hs generally succeeded In dong He
applied himself with earnestness 70 his fathers business
nome Ds o n,s fellow worEm.n could approach nm Il s
said Of him that Ia day he manufactured with his
hands 1ree thousand tD0 hundred and f,o-ntytoo
nai between the hours Of six O'Clock In the morning
% ~ H. mixed up with som. po
usual. shot far ahead OF his coccnspira.
tors in audacity. The consequence was thaa
by an order from Ednburg and summoned 10 appear
before the Lords 70 answcs the charge Of high treassn
humorous Language According % that Sosrspssr The
contemplate appcarasce 6 tho patriots occastoned the
,nerimeu. ot their sosnrymen instead Of syokng sym
udc that vixen they were brought before the Sheriff Of
Edinbsrg tAey were unable 70 utter syIahc Of The
occasion The battles astoupded at the appearance
Of the prsoners, and one sa,: = passieaar-;a small
Thorbarn and bic comparisons charged with 'inagning
and comprising the death u the King" reported 70
have delivered the follow ing original opinion
'My Lord Advocate said he .4h's no possible it's 70
In the power Of nature, my lord that such poor uas
should be guilty OF anything Ike that That they might
haze dreamt Of reforming toe government, I'll no contes
for that's itch and malsdy common among the lower
orders and especially ao1g those o the sederunt crafts
Arc not their misguided lads Tor the part
And not well known 10 be sub oct TO ploso
ply which from the empty stomach to the brain,
aud infess II with ysporf Oh lord. look at that
Duddy Boyle (meaning Thorburn) can yc for posi-
| blity think that bee an orator d the human race,
though certain sense (neaning his dress he may be
| like Anacharss ci0uts.n
This tremendous judicial effort had the desired effect
upon tho Judges, and The result that the
spirators were es on bail, wiser, II not better men
Upon the OF Laurie, Ihorburn this
acontroling influence His native place being no longer
pleasant him. his father advised him seek his for.
tunes In America Accordingly, 10 the twentieth year
Of his age hs set sail for New York with heart,
twenty shlugs his pocket and chest toleraby well
filed with provisions aud clothing After tedious pas.
sage the vessel reached this city tho 10th Of June,
1Tp4 aud anchored IN the East riv,r New York made
sorry appearance In those days says Thorburn in hs
autobiography. 1.-The stores all frame build
| ngs, covered With shingles, only excepted;
II was owned by Governeur and Ke1be. and built Of
brick The city contained about sixty Thousand inhabt