Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-10-25
Personal SKETCHES.
Gorge Franc 8 Train.

Mr.. Train is indebted for his widespread
reputation to the speeches he made in Eu-
rope some years ago, and which were cop
led into the newspapers OF this country as
the novelty of the hour. Mr.. Train really
seemed by these ringing utteranceS to be
boarding the British lion in his den; but
the fact, which was made known in these
columns few days since, that these
speeches were delivered, for the most part,
to small circle of boon companions in a
little chop house down the Strand, has
served to dissiIate any lingering impress
sion that may have remained respecting
the importance of these dinner speeches.
Not that Mr.. Train would not have deliv-
cred the same style of speech in the pres
ence of the Queen herself, if he could only
have got the opportunity.
Like most men who speak with such ex-
traordinary fluency, on all sorts of occa-
sions, anywhere and everywhere. without
preparation, or even warning, Mr.. Train
sometimes gives utterance to good deal of
vocal rubbish. He is, however, we sincere
ly believe, thoroughly honest In his devo-
ton to whatever hobby he may stride.
whatever reform he may advocate. He has
the rare merit of being an earnest, outspo-
ken advocate of American institutions in
whatever land he may be, and in this res
pect differs from the bulk of travelled
Americans, who try to ape foreign man
ners, and come back to their own country
to sneer at its customs, its pronunciation,
it's dress, and all the rest of it-who think
aman is boor if he wears broadcloth trow-
sers in the morning and declines to say
,'hawf-pawst nine" when he means half
past.
Mr.. Train is a strict temperance ms1l,
averring that he has never once in his life
tasted intoxicating liquor-a statement
which those who have seen him at cere-
monious dinner can easily believe. Having
L Nla,, oh
when champagne was as free as water, and
other wines were lavishly provided, we
never once saw him taste drop, though
perhaps every other man in the room was
slightly exhilerated with these beverages.
But Mr.. Trains conduct in general is so
eccentric that we have ofsen heard him ac-
cused of being in state of wild intoXica-
ton; and when this was demonstrated i'm
possible, his erratic conduct was attributed
to insanity.
One of Mr.. Trains peculiarities is to talk
in rhyme, and the effect of this is sometimes
very funny, when he intendeds to be i'm
pressive. We once heard him ask lady
this double question:
ssHave you seen my chaming daughter,
the fairest maid across the water? And
have you seen my blue-eyed wife, the pret-
tiest woman l ever saw in my life?"
1t was impossible not to laugh at this,
and when the lady did so. Mr.. Train felt
yexed tone:
o "Why do you smile at my verses, prayi
You'd be very glad to make as good, l dare
say"
his respect for high sounding names, spite
of his strong republicanism, and the ques-
tionable position in which he is sometimes
content to place himself, in his endeavor to
show that he receives letters from distin-
guishcd personages abroad. As an instance,
during his residence in Liverpool he once
gave Fourth of July banquet, and with
GOODNESS that is very amusing, sentletters
of invitation to all the prominent men in
England, including the Prince Consort
Lord Elgin. Earl Russell, etc. 1t is need
less to say that no notice was taken by the
Prince Consort of Mr.. Trains offered hos.
pitality, nor indeed by any of the nobility
with one exception. Lord Elgin permit
ted his secretary to write note like this
..SirSYou are informed that Lord Elgir
will not be present at your Fourth of July
banquet"
Train was quite proud of showing to hi;
friends.
Still another amusing popularity of oul
subject is his style of visiting cards. Ii
Europe he used a card of superlatively
small size, on which was printed, in very
.George Francis Train,
Residences-New York, London, Liver
pool, Paris"
another was an immensely large card
with the following in huge type: -
"George Francis Train
Comopolitan.n
MANY people thought that the last wore
Indicated some hotel at which he was stay
ing.
the ..Tramway Man," and by his persistent
efforts to get London intersected after the
manner of Philadel phia, was led to be con.
sidered nuisance by our English brethren
His efforts were unsuccessful in the main
thcnoh there are one or two miles of track
laid down, we believe, near Kensingtor
Cate London, and some also at Birken.
head. near Liverpool.
In Paris Mr.. Trains efforts were equally
unsuecessful. The Emperor sent him word
that If: instead of laying down more tram
wavss he would abolish the Chemin de feI
Americain which runs to Neuilly. he would
he yery much obliged to him also, that
paris was a vile de luxe (city OF luxury)
and no American utility was wanted in it
Tn London Mr.. Train tasted the joys OF
imnrisonment on account of some financial
diff guilty arising out of the tramway busl-