Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1871-08-15
Phoebe Cary.

This gifted lady, whose death took
place at Newport, II. | Monday, Ju
~ 3lst, was born near Cincinnati il
1928 Her life was 80 inseparably
blended with that of her sister Alice
that their biography would seem al.
most identical They began to write
Tor the press about the same time
30 closely were they associated that
no one ever thought of one without
also thinking of the other. And yet,
in spite Of the mutual sympathy that
bound them to each other so closely
they were very unlike, not only in
| person but in mental constitution
Such was the difference in their style
that no poem of the one was ever,
even in n moment Of forgetfulness,
attributed to tho other. The poems
of Phoebe are marked by buoyant
faith, sunny philosophy, and a
hearty independence of manner,
which no one ever succeeded in affect
ing, and no one who possesses them
could afford to barter for wealth or
fame.
These songful sisters went to New
York IN 1852, where they lived to-
gether until they were 50 lately sep
arated by death. Their home was
very attractive to all who were so
fortunate as to share it's gracious
hospitality. Horace Greeley who,
by the by, does know something
about poetry as well as about politics
and potatoes, says Of the sisters, in
his work upon the Eminent Women
ofthe Age" "Their parlor was not
so large as some others, but quite as
neat and cheerful and the few liter
airy persons and artists who ocsas ion
ally met, at their informal invitation,
to discuss with them a cup Of tea and
the newest books, poems, and events,
might have found many more pretcn-
tious, but few moro enjoyable gather
ings. have a dim recollection that
the first of thes little tea-parties
was held up two fights of stairs, in
one of the less fashionable sections of
the city but good things were said
there, that | recall with pleasure ev-
en- yet. As their circumstances grad
ually though slowly improved by
dint of diligent industry and judi
cious economy, they occupied more
eligible quarters; and the modest
dwelling they have for some years
owned and improved, in the very
heart of this emporium, has long been
known to the literary guild as COM
bining one of the best private libra
rles with the sunniest drawing-room
(even by gas-light) to be found be-
tween Kings Bridge and the Bat
terry" La Phnbe's presence every
guest, however obscure or humble,
was made to feel perfectly at home.
Her repartee cut like a Damascus
blade, but her wit was never used 20
wound any one.
On the morning of August Sd, the
home OF Phoebe Cary was the gath
ering place of those who delighted to
do homage to genius and pay the last
tribute Of respect to one of Natures
noblewomen. The body was inclos-
ed in a rosewood coffin. The pail
bearers were Horace Greeley, Thorn
as w. Knox, o. j. Victor, and sew
eral other gentlemen of note. Theo-
dore Tllton, Barnum, Olive Logan,
were among the more distinguished
parties present. The funeral sorvic-
es were conducted in All Souls
Church, at Fourth avenue and TWEEN
tieth street, where the Rev. A. G.
Laurie, Of Erie, Pa, and tho Rev
Bernard Peters, of Brooklyn, officiat-
cd. The psalm beginning, "Lord,
thou hast been our dwelling-place in
all generations" was read. This was
followed by the reading Of a lesson
from the New Testament and the
delivering of very thoughtful SER
mon. After the benediction, all pres
ent were invited to take a last look
at the face of the departed Songstress.
Then the large congregation moved
slowly up the centre aisle. The cof-
fin lid was closed, and the remains
were taken to Greenwood Cemetery
for lnterment.