National Republican., 1873-11-18
JOHN HOWARD P4YNB.
Fresh Anecdotes OF the Author OF "iIomr,
sweet IIome.o

Sweet IIome.o
tFrom tho Lordon Dspatchl
IL may have boen IN 1910 or Ill cannot at
the present moment recall the exact year-that
was staying for few weeks at the house Of q
lady In Southampton street, In tho Strand. Shc
was an Irish woman, with what few Irish wo-
man are wilhout-a warm and anectionate heart.
She was, II remember right, ward OF Archibald
Hamilton Rowang. aud hcr sympathies were un
peu repubifeain. know she used to speak even
then, with tears and earnestnes, Of Wolfe Tone,
Napper Tandy and Oliver Bond, though many
years had passed away since they were conspicu-
out as reputed rebels. One day ut dinner she
chickens on a plate, desired that 1t might De
taken, with suitable etceteras, TO the poor young
gentleman lodging on the secold foor, VINO, as
she afterward told me, she knew wa. without q
dinner on that day. The landlady OF the house
had incidentally mentioned his poverty. Up 10
that time he had paid her rcgulafy, but his purse
was now empty, aud, for the fr-t time, he had
said he should probably dino out-moit likely,
but this she did not say, with Duke Humphrey.
On the following morning, after breakfast, the
landlady came In ~ ask II the 'odger on the two
moor back" might present himself. lie wished
| to introduce himself TO my fair hostess-a maiden
lady Of some thirty years or thcrcabouts. or
course he was adniitted. have him before me
brown hair and light whiskers lie spoke in a
gentle voice, and with some emotion. lie
thanked her generous thought OF rtrangcr, and
WlUtU tlul Ht tu%EthlUtu every nope OF being
ablc at no remote period TO offer soind substan
tlal proof OF his gratitude. lie was entreated 10
say nothing Of the trinlnR civillty Miss p had
taken the liberty OF showing to a fellow. iodger,
aud then commenced conversation which dis
closed the name OF the gentleman and his pur-
suits. lLwas John Howard Payne, an American,
an actor, and an author. The word "Anerican'
added 10 the interest taken In the visitor, for IL
was synonymous with rspublicanism, and as my
friend was enamored OF theatricals, compelling
me, with very little pressure, to accompany her
U1TU VlfV1aI In alA.N t.l a.
see kean, the fact OF the American being ike
wise an actor, carried the solcliule OF his wei
fare up to fever point.
Payne made his debut, think, In Young Nor
val. lie brought some ireo admissions 10 my
friend, and VIC saw him play the part. Probably
i should have retained more lively recollection
o. :, MS n,s manner, and me snect he produced. had
sonation, at later period, Of the meteor Kean.
We afterwards saw Howard PAYNE In ,,Adel-
grith; or, the Fruits OF a Single Error" one OF
the dreary plays popular At that time OF day.
Bot Payne appeared to me rather tame, Nv
visit to Southampton street coming to an end,
! lost sight OF the yonng American a. an actor.
Returning from India after an absence Of
seven years, dropped one evening into pro-
yincial theatre and saw "Ulari, the Maid Of MI
lan.' The performance was poor enough, but
the actress who played Clari sang q pathetic air.
which strongly affected me, as il would have
affected any one who had been long away from
home; and as 1t has since affected thousands
hsos Sn% moved the hearth q The
II rang In my cars, II echoed In my heart, for
days and weeks aftcrward heard 1t In London
again aud again, better sung. and have heard
y a thousand times since, but never without
some spice Of emotion.
Purchasing copy Of the drama "CIari," lust
as was on the point OF returning to India, was
surprised to ind on the title page the name OF
my old acquaintance, "J0hn Howard Payne,r
who had likewise made hit with the tragedy Of
"Brutus; or the Fall Of Tarquin." But he was
no longer before the public as an actor. Ills pen
was more profitable 70 him than the sock and
Duskin. lie passed away soon from the
lronblons stage OF life, and In England his name
mas been forgotten, though the offspring OF his
muse is still unconsciously cherished. Hut Ills
memory has never been banlshed from the
hearts OF his countrymen, and now, alter the
lhpse OF hilf century. monument has been
raised TO his honor by the Faust club, a coterle
OF American actors, Journalists, and artists
and placed 10 Prospect park, Brooklyn, opposite
and was unveiled In the presence OF twenty
thousand spectators, on the 2Tth Of last month.