The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-12-17
NJ. VATIEMARE-AR REMARKABLE MAN.

A Paris correspondent Of the Cologne Gazette
gives the following interesting particulars in
regard to q well. known gentleman, who had q
large acquaintance and many friends in this
country Zone of these days an auction will be
held Of the property Of the late NJ Vattemare,
which will draw, no doubt a great many cOlleo-
tors of autographs and other curiosties, to the
Hotel des Ventes. NJ Vattemare WAS a remark
able person, who, some thirty or forty years ago,
furnished the press with material for numerous
interesting paragraphs. Many of our readers
may remember him, under the name Of Alexan-
DIRE, performing as ventriloquist in the principal
cities of Europe, and exciting the admiration not
only Of tile masses, but of the most distinguished
men in art, literature, and science. His course
OF life was very curious one. When
young man he entered the French army as
surgeon, and fell into Prussian prison
after the overthrow of Napoleon. He lived
several years at Berlin, where his agreeable per-
son, his amiable, gentle temper, and his rare
social talents, attracted much attention, and
opened the doors for him to the highest circles.
His extraordinary talent for initiating different
voices, and to accompany them with appropriate
gesticulaon, won him so great reputation that
hs fIienos advised him, and he resolved accord
ingly, to make living by it, particularly as a
very honorable feeling forbade him to take ser
vice in the PTussian army, or to offer his services
to the Restoration. Thus he began his career,
VlkuDg all.tne larger tneat1eS IN Europe, perform
ing alone all the paris in the plays which had ex-
prtssly been written for him. In the same play
he acted ~ peasant, officer, fruit seller, coach
man, student, cObbler, drunkard-in short, in
the most Heterogeneous parts. Leaving the
stage at one moment as q position, he en-
tered II in the next as young, baShtul
maiden. In England he acted forty different parts
in enc evening. We see such things frequently
nowadays without being 2StOnisbed; but at
that time the spectators thought nothing much
short of sOrcery could enable aim TO change his
costumes, and to adapt himself to another part
at such miraculously short notice. He almost In
Yariaby performed in public on the stage in a
very few instances only could he be induced TO
show his skill before private circles in the palaces
OF princes. One of his great admirers was Sir
Walter Scott, whom he visited at Abbltstord,
in 1924, and who addressed him in clever poem.
Old Blumenbach was q wasm friend OF his.
Goethe became fond of him, and gave him a
gracious letter OF recommendation, which Is
still TO be found among hls papers. Princes
and pTincesses liked him, and admitted
him frequently to their presence. One Of
his pTin cples was to take no money pre-
Gents; consequently he received as marks
of favor rare autographs and drawings which,
in the course of time, have swelled to a con-
siderable collection. He was not without higher
aspirations, and liked 70 act as medium of inter-
national exchanges in mental productions he
tried TO bring about what railways and other in
Ventions are doing now, that every country
should know and possess al. the important pro-
ductiODs in science and litCru' ire OF other cOun-
tries. He pursued the same ljeCt in the United
S ates of America, where he spent many years,
enjoy ing the favor of the best men. For many
years past, Vattemare has lived retired, aud
quietly at Paris, solely in the intercourse with
sOme friends, for whose benefit he sometimes re-
called the adventures of his life, speaking OF
Gglbe, Teck, AleXandre Won HUMBOLDT Schleer-
maCber, and other literary nOtabilities, with
grateful remembrance. As - his collection, it ID
rot now what it used TO be, FOR his good nature
has often been abused. Ht could not refuse
easily, and this generous disposition was well
known by collectors who did not spare his trea-
suTes; yet so abundant were these that much is
left worthy Of attention"