The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-04-26

TAXED MBATs OF THE FUNERAL. C0LLECTIoN
OF ESSAYS, PoBMs, SPEEoHBs, HIS s-OsIEs AND
BANQUITs. BY Private Miles OReillY. New
York Carleton. Philadelphia Agent:
The unique title OF the work before us is taken
from the famil ar lines of Hdnlet:-
'nhe funeral baEed meats
Did ooldy furnish forth the Wedding breakfast"
and we must confess that the name is pecu-
larly happy one. On the return of peace it is
most appropriate to serve up papers on the
war az baked meats of the funeral at the joyous
wedding feast. The collection OF viands placed
before us is go varied, that we greatly doubt
whether all can be denominated baked. There
seems dish dress IN every variety known to
literary cuisine; we have seldom seen q more
thoroughly disiointed book. 1t comprises every
thing-the articles written by Halpine in the
Herald and Tribune his poems, dashed off on
the inspiration of the moment, and some of his
older works. The most interesting chapter in
the work Is that one in which he clears up the
mystery about the authorship of the famous
poem on the "Flauntng Lle." He removes all
imputation Of Mr.. Horace Greeley being the
writer and assumes the responsibility himself
Of saying that MIR. Greeley never wrote the
verses. 1t is rather a matter of conjecture, from
the body of the book, whether Mr.. Halpine de-
sires his readers to have the impression that ne
wrote them or not" In his preface, how
ever, he is emphatic. he says, In it, that
in connection Herewith the author would only
say that he was at all times ready to assume its
authorship, but was restrained by the sugges-
ton of Mr.. Greeley that in politics a lie well
stuck to is as good as truth, and that ''no mat
ter what avowals were made in regard to the
song, Mr.. Greeleys enemies would still continue
IN hold I'M raonnnaihla tharafor % th1ai in,
teresting question is now satisfactorily solved.
The whole work is of interest 1t is written in
the genial style of the Private" and is a spicy
reminder of the events of the days which are
still SO fresh in all our memories
We have always desired to see a spirit of
courtesy manifested by Cultivators of letters,
in their intercourse with each other. AS a
general rule the public can seldom find fault
with writers because of any lack of politeress
in their dealings with their own craft. We fear
that candor is too often sacrificed TO courtesy.
But there occurred yesterday lamentable in
stance OF positive rudeness. The literary critic
OF the Press, in recent review of Mrs. Ann s.
Steohens' late novel, the "Gold Brick under
took to express a doubt in regard to the proba-
bility of certain portions of the narrative. In
that doubt we sympathiZed. In our eXamina-
ton of the book we stated that it was ''per.
fectly unnatural, its extreme disregard for any.
thing like probability being its chief merit" On
this expression Mrs. Stephens took the trouble
to write a letter, giving proofs that the
instances stated by her as facts we're
truths of history" She gave the dates,
and added the confirmation of her
signature, as guarantee to her words. Under
such circumstances, it Is only natural to suppose
that the Press would have published her letter,
and let her thus speak for her own defense,
without going behind her assertions. On the
contrary only extracts are given, and to these
statements are added comments expressive of
doubt. Connecticut editors no doubt will
verify or correct this statement" 'We accept
Mrs. Stephens statement, subject, as before, to
any admission, explanation, or denial from Con-
necticut." Such is the manner in which the
critic of the Press receives letter from a lady.
Some may term 1t caution, we see it only as
gross discourtesy. We accept the facts as given
by Mrs. Stephens in good faith and before her
explanation most of the improbability of her
work disappears.
THE AMERICAN NEWS CoMPANY.-The origina.
tor of the American News Company was Mr..
John Hamilton. He was born in New York
city in 1888, commenced work by selling papers
in the streets at the age of eight or ten years,
and may be said to have grown up with the
newspaper business of this city from Its infancy.
He had energy, tact, and foresight and soon
developed the characteristics of a successful
| dealer; he subet TO other boys, and gradually
attained position and influence among the ira.
| ternity. When the era of cheap publications
commenced, and Park Benjamin, Wilson, Win.
chester, and a host of other enterpris.
| ing publishers flooded the land with
their cheap reprints, young Hamilton avalled
| himself of this new branch of business, and met
| with his usual success. In May, 1854, he es
| tablished hImselfl IN the news business at No 80
Ann street, and during the same year entered
| into partnership with Mr.. s. W. Johnson,
under the firm style of Hamilton & Johnson
Later in the day he added to the firm Mr. P.
Farrelly. In the tall of 1864, they united their
business with that of H. Dexter & Co. In Feb
ruary, 1864, the firm was joined with its rival
Tousey & Co., under the title of the American
| News Company. Mr.. Sinclair Tousey was Presi.
dent, and Mr.. Henry Dexter Vice-President
The amount of business transacted by the con
eern is proven by the following authorized ex
| hibit:-
Sales. No Of Copies
| Zach dayl New ork daily papers. ......., al ON
Weekly papeis published In New ork, 584 800
Weekly papers published in Boston. :. 60O00
| Weekly papers published IN Phiade-
| phla. .'..,',,.....,..... .....',ss'''.,.'''. DOW
Total of each ISSUE .......................65O 0O(
| Monthly magazines published in New
Monthly magazines published in Boston 1880
| Monthly magazines published in Phlla-