The New York herald., 1873-04-11
SOTHERN'S LAST JOKE.
The Sequel to the Carnival in
Trinity Churchyard.
Another Threatened Duel Between VIM.
J. Florence and E. A. SOthern.
Who Invented the Flying Man
from Wisconsin?

'Lord Dundreary"-"D Garrick" Sothern,
who was for many years the terror OF the British
metropolis by reason OF his atrocious practical
jokes, has hung up another scalp in the Dundreary
wigwam. Again has william ]. Florence the
brilliant Irish comedian, been made the victim or
this INSCRIPTIONS demon OF a light comedian.
The readers OF the HERALD OF yesterday Will re-
member that an account was given in its pages OF
the congregation OF an assemblage OF nearly
ten thousand persons at and In the vicinity of
Trinity church, being led thither to witness a
repetition OF the feat mythologcally attributed to
Icarus-the melting OF the wax which en-
ployed to fasten artificial wings to his shoulders
resulted in his sudden immersion in the waves of
the blue Egean Sea. The following circular had
been widely circulated about New York and ada
cent cities for several days previous to the con-
templated hight Of the supposititous Wisconsin
professor
Professor Cantell A. Bglie, scientific School OF Wcon
he Will give an exhbltop o. his completed apparatus for
inst three o'clock precisely in the vicinity Of Trinity
@
Bowling and ana w onis as IN nsn tha
vicinity. An opportunity win be given after the exhibit
iuy II il invited '' VIC "pp"'A''' '' pN''''
or that immense concourse of people who assem-
bled to witness this impossible feat, not more than
forty persons were aware that huge joke was
being perpetrated. The individuals chiefly con-
cerned in the 'sell were Edward A. Sothern, eie-
giant comedian; william J. Florence comedian OF
the romantic Hibernan school; Charles Gaylor,
playwright and author, and the dismal sexton
of Trinity church These gentlemen were
present in the crowd enjoying hugely
the ''swndle" on the congregated idiots
Besides the foregoing persons, there were present
lii the assembage detachment OF twenty-five
members OF the "Ancient and Honorable Order Of
Egyptian Monks" who were present assisting as
auxiliaries. This mysterious body has but one spe-
cial characteristic, and that is ardent and con-
suming passion for the imbiDation OF intoxicating
ancholy BODY of PRACTICAL ioSers. The Grand Prior
the Great Pursuivant and the Grand Standard
Bearer OF the Order were present and engaged in the
distribution Of circulars The Ancient order OF
Egyptian Monks made frantic attempt to pene-
trate to the belfry Of Trinity Church, but were
man.ully repeled by Augustus, the sexton.
reporter OF the HERALD, VINO had on the occa-
slor.of the mock dinner given to Mr. Philip Lee
| actress, called upon Messrs. S0thern, Florence,
| Nelse seymour and Lee, was again commissioned
horrid hoax at Trinity church on Wednesday last.
Mr.. Sothern was vainly sought for at the Gra-
not be found The next person whom the reporter
| went in search OF was Mr.. w. j. Florence who at
a. tae asa tn Mvenme aoG noe o e
| found. Not dcspairing OF gaining the desired in
formation. visit was paid to mr.. Nelse seym monr,
street
The following letter was yesterday received at
| the HERALD ofice:-
To EDITOR OF THE HERALD-
Will kindly state that am not responsible for the
Bee1ns BE %in s ss
story will simply state that Florence did Il
GRAxERcY PARK, Thursday-Noon.
on calling at Bryant's opera House with this let
ter possession the usher, Billy Ricketts,. con-
| ductc the writer through an underground passage
stairs senna the WorS sGs1es to e res M
| Seymour and the latter in a few moments came
In or the stage, accompanied by Dave Reed, VINO
| was attired in the costume OF dandy
negro wench. Nelse offered his elbow to the
reporter to shake, as his hands hands were coated
! with pair OF sxteen-inch plan tation shoes and
a tremendous shirt collar encircled his swan-like
| neck. The following conversation then took
| place.
REpoRrER-I have called, Mr. Seymour, to asccr-
| OF that cruel joke at Trinity Church yesterday, by
which nearly ten thousand people were hum
NELsE sEYMoUR-'Fore God. I know nothing
| about it, never heard OF II until read about IL
In the HERALD. Am to DC persecuted In TINS 81 man
ner until my gray hairs are brought down In sor.
row to the grave9 ] suppose this is some more OF
the work OF MI. Sotnern or Mr. Florence. Igive
you my word OF honor that know no more about
/ 1t than the child unborn. That last "practical
| joke'' of the dinner to Philip Lee gave me an awful
lot OF trouble, and the account you published in the
heard the last OF it yet. Won't you take little
,Ge Just ns gov ar
| in thy resolves Please don't say anything about
Bryant was smart about the last joke; he got up a
play about 1t and the house was crowded night
after night. That Sothern is terrible man, hear
step In and take look at 1t. All the boys are COM
ing with boqnets to chuck at me. ! must say
anything about this practical Joke.
AS Nese Seymour had to go on the stage in the
Laughing Gasn scene at this moment the reporter
I bade him good evening and left the house.
The next visit was to the Arcadan Club, in Union
square, in search OF MIR. Florence, but he could not
be fsund. member OF the Club informed the re-
porter that probably Mr.. Florence could be found
at the Union square Theatre In company with Mr.
A. }. Palmer, the manager OF that pace OF amnse-
ment. Mr. Charles Gaylor was at the Arcadian
Club but kept himself carefully secreted from the
i reporter fearing that he might be interviewed"
| f1r his participation IN the hoax.
! the Union Square Theatre, and came out imme-
| aiately the message was sent to HIM by Mr.. Pal
IAer. lie carried ms usual cane, and was dressed
/ la the height OF fashion. The letter, signed with
| the name or Mr.. Sothern, was exhibited to him,
and the reporter asked him what he had to say in
his aclcnceS He carefully examined the letter and
passed 1t TO Mr.. Palmer Tor his pcrusal.
Mr.. FLoEENcE-I give you my word OF honor sir,
| thai | know nothing about this matter IL is
| another atrocious joke OF sotherns. say Palmer
| again examining the letter., that looks very like
! my handwriting doesn't tS sothern has initiated
/ my handwriting that is evident; what a rufiian he
is why. he gave me his word OF honor thai he
an wUpd now %o' ne e
another scrape. Blood WIN yet be she'd
| RsroIrER-Do you tnink that Charles Gaylor had
| ANYTHING To do with this joker
Mr. FLoRENCE-Ohi tits Just as likely as not that
be is at the bottom Of sothern sent three tons
OF coal to my house on Park avenue the other day
| and the gentleman who occupies my house at
| present was in terrible ,rage at having the coal
delivered without his orders and lying the side
walk for Il wioe day.
/ kEpORlER-Why do you not pay Sothern back in
| his own coiI I
| Mr. FLoaENCE--I wish coud think of something
] right away to pay nm out, but Will get square
| WIN hlm yet. / am going to Europe on next
| Wednesday to he absent Tor four months, aud
previous to my departure shall certainly dx Soth
| efn for his rufanism. Are you gong around TO
| wallack's to see Sothern 7
| REPoRTER--les, / am going there now. Can
i do anything ior Jour
Mr.. FLoREScE-Do, please, interview him and