Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-06-03
s.HOME. SWEET HOME"

America as yet has produced no song writer.
No one has done for her what Burns did for Scot
land, and Beranger for France. Not even the
popular enthusiasm which shook the nation to its
centre during the late civil war could give birth al
the North to any finer inspiration than John
Brown Soul" and Rally Round the Flag, Boys. u
In Maryland, my Maryland" we recognize a
spark of the same divine fire which flashes forth
in the "Marselleise' and ''Scots who hae wi
Wallace bled." The country, therefore, owes nc
ordinary debt Of gratitude to John Howard Payne,
who if he did not write enough to enttle him to 9
recognized place among the authors of this class
has at least given US one song which is already be-
yond the reach Of chance or change-a household
word sacred and secure.
If fame is to be estimated by widespread popu
larity, we had rather be the author of Home
Sweet Home" than all the verses Of the poets oul
land has known from its earliest age to the present
hour There is little in the ballad when we sub
ject it to critical analysis, and yet this very sim
plicity is the precious gem which has snatched il
from forgetfulness, and blended the familiar lines
with the holiest associations of tho freside How
curious that this humble daisy, this 'wee, modest
crimson tipped flower" should grow and blossom
into fair renown when so many monarchs Of the
forest lie prone in the dust, unnoticed and un
known
The more important facts of Payne's life require
but brief mention. He was born in New Yorl
June 9, 1892, and at an early age manifested de
cided literary and dramatic talent When only
thirteen years of age he conducted small period
ical called the Thesp;an Mirror, which attracted
the attention of gentleman named Seaman, who
generously offered to defray the expenses Of hi
education at Union College.
Pecuniary difficulties which involved his father
forced him to leave this institution before the com
peton of his studies, and in order to support hi
/ Impoverished family, Payne went upon the stage
making his debut at the Park theatre, New York
February "a, 1906, in the character of Young
Norvel." His success was so unmistakable thai
he continued his new profession, performing in the
principal Eastern cities, and in 1913 went to Eng
land, where he received cordial welcome, and
became great popular favorite. He remained
abroad for nearly twenty years, leading Bohem
ian life, and figuring alternately as an actor play
wright, and manager, gaining some reputation
but little money.
"Home, Sweet Home" was penned in garre
of the Palais Royal, Paris, when poor. Payne was
so utterly destitute and friendess that he knew mo-
where the next days dinner was coming from.
1t appeared originally in diminutive opers
called "Cari, the Maid of Milan" The opera il
seldom seen or heard of now, but the song grow
nearer and dearer to US as the years roll away, fo
"it is not for an age, but for all time" More thar
once the unfortunate author, walking the lionel.
streets of London or Paris, amid the storm anc
darkness, hungry houseess, and penniless, saV
the cheerful light cleaning through the Windows
of happy homes, and heard the music of his OWL
song drifting out upon the gloomy night to mocl
the wanderers heart with visions of comfort ant
of joy whose blessed reality was forever denied tt
him. Home, Sweet Home, was written by
homeless man.
In 1882 Payne returned to this country, and af
ter pursuing literary avocations with indiferen
success for few years, was finally appointed Con
sui at Tunis, where he died June 1852. One pas
sage in his il-starred career tinges it with mel
ancholy romance, and perhaps explains the secre
of his restless, erratic career.
Maria Mayo, afterwards Mrs. General Scott was
oueenly beauty in her youthful days, whose charm
of person and of mind made her the acknowledge
belle of that venerable State whose soil has beel
no less proli6c of fascinating women than of gaan