Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-04-04


The public is rarely gratifled in its eager
desire to learn something positive and defin-
ite about the private lives of its fayorites,
and always peeps with avidity behind the
domestic curtain which hides the hearth OF
the household Gods of great men, when
some favored hand-delicately or rudely;
good naturedly or impertinently ;-draws it
aside
We have an apt illustration Of this irrepres-
sible proclivity to play The woman, in the
constant inquiries of which that great wit of
the Arena, and truly estimable gentleman,
Col. Dan Rice is the unprovoking cause, and
being in something of that dissipated literary
humor to-day, bordering upon the chatty, we
are tempted to lay aside the pen reportorial,
political, instructive, argumentatiye, and
critical for the nonce, and, without attempt
ing the Geographic, amuse ourselves and sat
isfy the curiosity of many readers by play
ing narrative with the types, as far as that
proper courtesy, always regardful OF the
sacredness of home, permits.
After this philosophic and explanatory in
PRODUCTION it is perhaps, ifnot material, pro-
per to mention that Col. Rice is not, to any
alarming or inconvenient extent, defnnct, as
some of his envious professional brethren
in whom the wish may be father to the
foundless rumors have chronically announced
ever since this people forgot the sinlilitude
of a Mexican dollar, but is liable to repeated
attacks ofrobust health, and notwithstanding
his herculean labors in the amusement field,
in the very hey-dey of strength and vivacity
If possible more vigorous, brilliant, and
fascinating both on the Rostrum and in the
Arena than ever before.
Thus re-animated by us he resides at the
beautiful and thriving village of Girard, in
the county of Erie and State Of Pennsylya-
mia, where he has two large farms. The
fertile fields of the smaller one smile sunnily
into the honest faces of the worthy burghers
of the town; the other is some five miles
away, and the winter home of the famed
Sacred Cattle; the incompatible equine
wonder, Excelsior Jr., and the various other
trained animals which, during the Summer
months, abide in tents with Dan and his
acrobatic sons, that they may be seen Of all
people-as verify they are. a
The Colonel's residence stands short dis
tance back Of the principal village square,
modestly embowered in noble shade trees,
and surrounded by acres Of park, parterres,
and lawns, made labyrinths by sinuous
hedges bordering each drive and walk.
The house, thus embraced by neat para
disc, is most noticeable as suggestion OF
the unostentatious and happy domestic life
of its celebrated owner. There is nothing
pretentious or gingerbread in its appear
ance. 1t looks its best in looking just what
it is-the spacious and comfortable home o.
hospitable country gentleman. The latcf
string always hangs outside the door-let u'
pull it and step across Threshold.
You may, and probably will, expect thu
atmosphere of the ring to follow you, ant
to be unpleasantly reminded of the show
g shop" If such is the case, single glanc'
will serve to agreeably undeceivc you. Yo'
won't find even suspicion of the "saw
Dust" On the contrary, it is at once evi
dent that you are beneath roof wher
wealth and efinement-blessings so rarel,
united in these days of mushroom fortunes
harmoniously abide together.
So numerous are the works Of art rart
curiosities, and costly mementos, challeng
ing attention on every side, that the hous
would be almost a domestic musuem but TO
the intervention of exquisite arrangement
the work, one more than suspects, of gen
tier hands than those of the renowned jes
ter.
The walls are adorned with the works C
the masters, conspicuous among which ar
two wonderful mosaic pictures, which So
vans certify date as far back as the nativit
of the mummy with which Albert Smit
held poetic confab; and worth a sum ia
beyond an editors comprehension Of th
golden thousands.
The Picture Gallery is repository of glt
rious landscapes, portraits, cunning etcl
ings, and proof plates; and here and thei
the eye is caught by dainty bits of sculptur
life-like marble bust of the Colonel, IL
offering of the genius of Volk, and the foui
dation of his fame, is worthy the speci
study of the connoisseur.
Wisdom and Bellies Lettres are cost
domiciled in study, containing one Of IL
largest and best selected libraries in Il
country. You scarcely anticipated, schc
, astic reader, 10 meet SO many of your o
, and cherished thought acquaintance in Il
snuggrey of the great Disciple of Momus; b
there they are nevertheless, and you ms
perchance find them on quite us famili
: terms with him as with yourself.
As we don't do the upholstering busine
/ for fashionable novels, we shall not attem
| description of the magnificently furnishe
great Drawing Room, and the other apal
, menst. 1t is sufficient TO say that they a
1 all abundent means, and original and &C
< rect taste can make them, in short perfe
|. in their way.
And in this delightful home, surround
l by charming and estimable family, the A
s mirable Crichton of his Profession, enjO
E brief season of rest dispensing hospital
\ to the great and humble alike, with dig
s fled and yet winning courtesy. 1t is not
y much to say of him that his liberality q
u faultless life make him the idol of the co
9 munity in which he lives. His neighb'
! whose prosperity has been enhanced by
e public spirited enterprise and sagacie
$ counsel; and the citizens generally of We
: ern Pennsylvania have repeatedly press
g high offices upon him, but he has hithe
d decidedly declined all political position;
y claring himself to be man of the peop
a and as such not proper subject for pal
l. honors.
,e When his opinion is solicited, as il I
!. n quently is, and by those high in authori
~ with reference to the great questions OF
/ day, he freely and frankly expresses
D. views as to what is best for the prosper
e and happiness of the whole country, nett
" ingenious argument or captious opposit
N can tempt or force him beyond that.
, 1t is not in the arena alone that Col. X
,r preeminently charms, his profound kno
Iii