New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-09-25
LITERARY.

Mr. Bornum Is to publish in O few days his
ocond autobiography IL bears the title Struggles ana
rprnphs or Forty Years RecOllectiOns OF p T. Barnu
written by himself" and viii be sold by subscription In
this revised history OF his life he frank enough 70 con
fess that bis earlier volume of "reminiscences was nohs
but an advertisement OF the Museum. but nthe present.
work he inmates that he tells true tale ana hopes W
be Judged by postery the faith OF what he mere %
down One OF the most characteristic stories in II is inc
following:
Ithoroughlv understood the art OF advertising, not
merely by means OF printers ink. which nave always
dehed for nav success but by turning every possible CIR
cumstance 10 my account IL wds my d tovn talk
often seized upon opportunity by instinct even oGde
had very definite conception as 10 now ~ sn S r
uscd and Ii seemed, somehow, 10 mature Itself ana serve
nv purpose As an iintrallOn one morning STOUT,
hcarty 6okiDg man. came into my hcket-9hce ant
d srr his hyngi He replied that he could get moth
ing 10 do and that be would he gn1 OF any JOB az & 40
a dav handed him a quarter Of dollar tod nun 10
20 and get his breakfast and return and would enpi1y
him nj light labor u dollar and a half day. "heh he
returned I gave him five common bricks. -, n.
Now" said l. 90 and lay brlck on the SIDEWAYS az
IN Wnsenm. third diagonalY across the way at the
corner of Broadway and Veseyst, by the Astor House
R5nTS opposte then with the fifth brick in hand take
up rapid march from one point 10 Tue otneI,
the circuit, exchanging your brick at every po'' anu
say nothing TO any one"
What is the object Of this :" inquired the man.
"NO matter" replied a" all you need to know rs that
II brings Won fifteen cents wages per hour III II p OF
my fun. and 10 assist me properly you must seem 10 no
rs deaf as "A pOst serious cOuntenance; answer
no questions; pay attention to any one; Out at
tend faithfully To work and at the end OF every hOur
by St Paus clock show this ticket at the Museum door
enter, walking sOlemnly through every hal III the Duu
ing; pass out and resume your work"
With the remark that IL all one 10 him, SO long as
could ms living the man placed ms bricks ana Ds
gan round Halt hour afterward, atIeast nVe nunu
red people watching his mysterious movements
He had assumed military step and bearing and looking
as as judge he made response whatever to the
constant inquiries TO the object OF his singular con
duct At the end Of the first hour the sidewalks IN the
vicinity packed with people all anxious to solve the
mystery. The man, directed then went into the Mu-
scum devOting fifteen minutes to solemn survey OF the
halls and aerward returning To his round This was re-
peated every hour till suudOwn and whenever the man
went INTO the Museum a dozen or more persons would
buy tickets and follow him. hoping 10 crafty their curl
osity in regard to the purpose OF his movements.
This was continued for several days-the curious
people who followed the man into the Mu-
scum considerably than paying ms wages
till finally the policeman, TO whom L had
impaired my object complained that the obstruction OF
the sidewalk by crowds had become so serious that
must call in my brick man This trivial incident eX-
cited considerable talk and amusement advertised me-
aud IL materially advanced my purpose OF making
lively the Museum