New-York tribune., 1867-03-09
OBITUARY.

dispatch By the Atlantic Cable gives intam
gence of the death Of this popular American banos
ist, which occurred on the 9th inst at sonhan,ptop
England. The news that Mr. Browne had recently
been compelled by illness TO suspend bis entertain
ments in London was not sufficient to prepare The
public for the announcement Of Lis early death +,
was generally supposed that his disorder was merely
temporary and that he would presently be able TO re-
sumo his prosperous career. But more intimate
friends had long been aware Of his dargerous con.
diton, and by them the information which comes to-
day could not at any time within the last year have
been entirely unexpected.
Nir. Browne was somewhat oyer 80 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
in the capacity of compositor for The Skorksgaa
Clarion of that State, and it may be interesting for
those who acquainted with him only in bis later
characters of writer and public speaker to know that
before abandoning this handicraft he had rendered
himself one of the most u not positively the most
expert of its followers in the United States. IL was
while engaged a type-setter for The Carpet Bag
comic weekly journal formerly published ia Boston
that he first attempted anything in the form of liter
ary labor He was then some fifteen years of age.
and these early efforts were naturally of the most
trifling and unimportant character In Western
CITY, where he had risen TO the position Of reporter for
a daily paper, he commenced the publication of those
sketches which, under the name of ATtenus Wards
Sayings, have since become so we'll known and have
rendered the name popular At the outset these
articles in The CIereLdRd PdiHdsdic carelessly
written in hasty moments OF leisure, and with no
expectation OF ATTRACTING especial attentlon but
though unlocked for could not but be gratifying to
their author, he applied himself more earnestly 10
their preparation, and presently gained for himself
the reputation of of the cleverest and most
original humorous writers that the country had pro-
duced. He was persuaded by the proprietors OF
Vanity FAIR a comic periodical, Which had, . few
years ago, brief and brilliant existence IN New
York, TO become one of its regular contributors and
for time, 10 act as its editor. While associated
with PANTY Fair he first turned his attention to tho
line of business which he afterwaTC developed with
such remarkable success. Ills opening Lecture was
delivered in Brooklyn, and, with others" Babes in
peated in the prncipalci ofthe Eastern and West
ern States. The scheme Of "a visit 10 California and
Utah. more especially with reference TO lively Illus
tration OF the 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 enterprises. Returning 10 NewYOrk in 1854,
he commenced series OF lectures win panorainic
appliances-the last and the best entertainments
with which his name il connected. Of their peculiar
kind indeed, they were the best ever attempted III
America, If not, also, in England, br. browneSs
peculiar Cleyeness an actor, ana the quaint drOll-
cry of his appearance and demeanor. united 70 the
mirth provoking qualities of the discourse ITSELF
made the Mormon lecture the most attractive of
the light popular diversions OF the city After con-
Cnding his New York season. he reproduced u III All
the principal towns of the Union, North and South.
winning everywhere the same applause aud profit
At this time the first symptoms were ob.
served of the disease which has Just proved
fatal He gave little heed to them and, inscnsbo
modify the somewhat free manneE of his life in time
10 rescue himself from danger. During several
months, however, he was obliged to suspend hs per
formances altogether. But in the Spring Of 1856 find
ing his health in some degree improved. andIfu OK
that Inconsistencies Of peril which the consumptVe
invalid so often shows he determined to make pro-
To- Enf IA 1t-aHf i'm
but in too exhausted state to undertake. immedi-
ately his new duties. When, however, in November
last he did begin, his success was so absolute and
complete as To- Outshine the best of his American
achievements. He appeared under slDgullrly happy
and advantageous circumstances. His writings had
BEEN to say the least generally read and as popu-
larly appreciated as at home. His books, reprinted
By various publishers were on every city stall and IN
every railway station. He had been heralded by
many prominent and even distinguished, authors
AMONG them Mr. Charles Reade and Mr.. e. A.
Sala He was welcomed, on arriving. with the great
est courtesy and kindness by the young writer's or
IOndon-the contributors 70 PanGt, run, AH no
Year Round and the magaznes-aH of whom CO.
operated earnestly to place his success beyond inc
chance Of doubt. His few contributions to P9nch,
although in consequence of his illness, they exhibited
less spirit and energy than the earlier sketches were
faterngly received, and their popularity was halled
by his friends rs sure token that ms enterprise
would thrive. The irresistible tun or the lecture,
M once satisfied them all that their sympathy waS
well bestowed and that their good offices had nos
been misapplied For about three months MI. Browne
London pOpulace. and was then, as our readers ara
aware compelled to seek the retirement
from which he was destined never TO reappear.
He first went TO the Island of jersey, but, finding
no improvement in his health, returned to Sou hamp-
tom whence he had hoped to be able TO sail 70. home
But this desire was opposed by the physicians who
declared that it would be impossible for him even to
leave the harbOr alive shpbOaTd Letters dated tha
23d of February state that he was at that time fully
conscious that his life could not be prolonged He
received the kindest care from the gentlemen who
cordially received him in London, and during the
last month of his life he was closely attended, day
and night by sympathizing friends. Caps. Brltton.
the United States Consul at southampton. TO whose
generous s0licitude so many Americans have been
Indebted was unceasing in his endeavors 10 con-
tribute 20 the sufferers comfort; No effort was
spared. in any way, to render ms last houIS -
tranquil and composed IS human care could maSe
them. 49, -. . , "a,
OF Mr. Brownies personal qualities it is impossible
for anv person who has ever known him to speak
otherwise than with gentlenesS. more tender
hearted and affectionate nature eOuh not %
imagined: and the sweetness OF hls disposition was
ALWAYS sufficient TO atone for faults OF manner
which nobody ever denied, and of which he was
himself perfectly conscious. His sphere WAS nXed,
though in it he was unapprOachable. He viii very
widely and very profoundly lanented, and hls
memory will be cherished by all who ever knew HIM.
as that of a charming companion, generous friend,
and a man whose heart always warm and tus
TO the tenderest impulses of humanity.