Smyrna times., 1867-03-20
Obituary.
F. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS WARD.

q, a uiSPaUCn Ny Ine hllauIic OdOle gives ln-
telligence of the death of this popular Ameri-
can humorist, which occurred on the 9th inst,
at Southampton, England. 1t was generally
supposed that his disorder was merely tempo
rary but more intimate friends had long been
aware OF his dangerous condition, and by them
the information could not at any time within
the last year have been entirely unexpected.
Mr. Browne was somewhat over 33 years
old at the time of his death. He was born in
the town of Waterford, Maine, where his
mother still resides. His first connection with
any newspaper was in the capacity of printer
for the Skoiohegan Clarion of that State, and
it may be interesting to know that, before
abandoning this handicraft, he had rendered
himself one of the most if not positively the
most expert, of its followers in the United
States 1t was while engaged as a type-setter
for the Carpet Bag, a comic weekly journal
formerly published in Boston, that he first at
tempted anything in the form of literary labor
He was then some fifteen years of age, and
these early efforts were naturally Of the most
trl1ing and unimpOrtant character. In a Wes-
tern city, where he had risen to the position of
reporter for daily paper, he commenced the
publication of those sketches which, under the
name of ArtemuS Ward Sayings, have since
become so we'll known and have rendered the
name so popular. At the outset, these arti-
cles in the Clereland PLaindedler were care
lessly written in hasty moments of leisure, and
with no expectation OF attracting especial at
tention but finding that they rapidly attained
notoriety, he applied himself more earnestly
to their preparation, and presently gained for
himself the reputation of one of the cleverest
and most original humorous writers that the
country had produced While associated with
Vanity FAR he first turned his attention to
the lineof business which he afterward devel-
| .l-oll IL
ing lecture was delivered i'll Brooklyn, and,
with others" Babes in the Wood, Sixty
Minutes in Africa, " ETC., was repeated in the
principal cities of the Eastern and Western
States. The scheme of visit to California
and Utah, more especially with reference to a
lively illustration of the characteristics of the
Mormon province, was formed by him in 1862,
and was carried out with the good fortune
which from that time distinguished all his en-
terprises. Returning to New York in 1864, he
commenced series of lectures with panoramic
appliances-the last and the best entertain
ments with which his name is connected. OF
their peculiar kind, indeed, they were the best
ever attempted in America, ifnot, also, in Eng
land. Mr. Browne peculiar cleverness as an ac-
tor, and thequa ntdrollery of his appearance and
demeanor united to the mirth- provoking quail
tiles of the discourse itself, made the Nor
mon lecture" the most attractive of the light
popular diversions of the city. At this time
the first SYMPTOMS were observed of the dis
ease which has just proved fatal He gave
little heed to them, and, insenslble to the gray
ity Of these premonitiOns, neglected to modify
the somewhat free manner of his life in time
to rescue himself from danger. In the Spring
of 1866, finding his health in some degree i'm
proved, and full of that uncOnsclousness O
peril which the cOnsumptive invalid so Otter
shows, he determined to make a professional
visit to England. He arrived there in June
but in too exhausted a state to undertake i'm
mediately his new duties. When, however, il
November last, he did begin, his success wa
! so absolute and complete as to outshine tn,
, best of his American achievements. He ap
peared under singularly happy and advanta
geous circumstances. He was welcomed Ol
Q arriving, with the greatest courtesy and kind
ness by the young writers of London. The il
resistible fun of the lecture" at once satisfe
them all that their sympathy was we'll bestow
+ ed, and that their good Offices had not bee
misapplied. For about three months MI
Browne continued to delight the lovers Of hu
e NOR among the London populace, and was the
n compelled to seek the retirement from whic
e ne was destined never to reappear. He frs
|, went to the Island of Jersey, but, finding n
| improvement in his health, returned to South
J. ampton, whence he had hoped to be able to sa
3, Tor home. But this desire was opposed by th
e physicians. Letters dated the 23d of Februar
t. state that he was at that time fully conscior
m that his life could not be prolonged No e
= fort was spared, in any way, to render his la.
i. hours as tranquil and composed as human cal
~ could make them.
!. Of Mr.. Brownies personal qualities it is in
Il possible for any person who has ever know
e him to speak otherwise than with gentlenes
A more tender-hearted ana affectionate natu
# could not be imagined and the sweetness
If his disposition was always sufficient to atoI
/ for faults of manner which nobody ever denie
# and of which he was himself perfectly co
e scious. His sphere was fixed, though in it !
d was unapproachable.