The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1869-10-22
HcDenald Clarke.

MANY years ago, there lived in New
York city a simple, unsophisticated child
OF Nature, named Mcdonald Clarke. He
had handsome face and person, as the
engraving prefixed to volume of his
poems, from a portrait by Henry InmaD,
shows. He had prominent nose, fine
blue eye, noble forehead, and a winning
smile. His collar was turned down in the
Byronic style, and in winter he usually
appeared in blue cloak of large dimen-
sions, thrown carelessly around the
shoulders. When he walked ON Broad
way, striding along with an air of con-
scious pride, naalgrs his miserable gar
ments and faded cloak, he never failed TO
attract the attention of strangers. His
career was one prolonged struggle with
poverty, his income barely sufficient to
keep body and soul in companiOnship.
For three long summer months he slept in
hearse, for lack of better lodgings
Among the very few persons to whom
Clarke's pride would occasionally permit
him to apply for temporary relief with q
certainty of obtaining it, was his always
kind and considerate friend Fitz- Greene
Halleck. Awakening, one morning, with
keen sensation of hunger, but with no
cash, Clarke called at the lodgings of his
brother-poet, in Warren Street, and re-
ceived from Mr.. Halleck a twO-and-a-half-
dollar gold piece to relieve his necessities !;
but, before reaching restaurant, he met
a wandering minstrel, and gave him the
gold for playing some favorite air for him.
A few moments after, the mad poet rushed
into bookstore en- Broadway, where he
was well known, and asked to be allowed
to conceal himself from Mr.. Halleck,
whom he had seen coming, and who had
witnessed the whole transaction. At the
same time, the organ grinder ran off at
double-quick time, supposing he had re-
cclved the gold by mistake, and that he
might be requested to refund it.
Clarke was of simple and credulous
nature, and, beginning life as litterateur
and lover of the human race, fell into the
delusion of believing that the fairer por-
ton of that race was always disposed to
fall in love with him. His life, therefore,
was series of adventures, in none of
which did the course of true love run
smooth. The most beautiful and fashion
able ladies of New York society were the
heroines that his gerius sought to immor-
talize, and the shrincs to which he swore
eternal fidelity. His extreme vanity was
easily flattered, and the small wits Of the
town, taking advantage of his weakness,
often led him to believe that wealthy
young ladies were madly in love with
him. A notable instance occurred in the
autumn of 1921, when poor Clarke was
persuaded that the proud and high-born
Miss Mary - cherished q passion for
him. The cross gathering of Malvolio was
nothing to the pranks they made him
perform to win the notice of his lovely
inamorata. The plot eliminated in a
forged invitation to visit the lady at her
mansion. Borrowing a suit
for the occasion, and neatly gloved and
booted, he proceeded to the residence of
the lady, and rang the bell. The damsel,
annoyed, and forewarned, had given direc- |
tions, if he ever appeared. to thrust him
from the door, which, it is said, was done
rudely, and with cruel contumely
Poor Mcdonald Clarke now sleeps in q |
sweet and romantic spot, close by "Sylvan
Water" in the beautiful cemetery of
and his fine face, carved in |
on his monument, makes |
love to the Indian Princess who reposes
by his side On another side of his tomb
are fitly inscribed these lines, written by
himself:
For what are earthly honors nowi
He never deemed them worth his care,
And death hath get upon his brow
The wreath he was too proud too wear"
-ADDlStOn'S Journal