The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-05-18
Che 3utland daily Glohe.
TUESDAY, MAY 1S, 1875.
Correspondence OF the Troy Times.l
THE HERMIT's LETTER.

Correspondence OF the Troy Times.l
THE HERMIT's LETTER.
Something About the Tribune whitelaw
Reid and Theodore Tilton as Rivals John
Russell Young and G. C. Norvell-An Ancient
Wit-Fools-The Late s. r. Wells and
Phrenology o. s. Fowler Became a
Phrenologist.
NEW York, May IA.
am glad to see that the Tribune has let
a spacious Office on the main floor for the
handsome price of $4,000. THIS is the
most eligible part of the building, and the
rent will just pay taxes and insurance on
the entire property. The location is too
far from the money center to bring very
large return, and Its owners will do very
well at present to get five per cent Many
other owners will feel happy to do equally
well. Speaking of the Tribune, am re-
minded that just six years ago John II.
Young was managing editor of that jour-
nal, position which he lost by the publ
cation of private letters by the Sun This
was one of the basest acts on record against
the American press. Tilton was then on
the INDEPENDENT, but was DESTROYS of that
greater distinction found in the manage
ment of the Tribune. He had Greeley's
confidence to a very high degree. They
exchanged visits. Tilton was at Chappa-
qua as often as possible, while the Living
stone street cottage was one of the few
houses other than his own which Greeley
visited. 1t was Tilton that induced
Greeley to write for the Independent. Til
ton felt that his chance was good for the
place made vacant by Youngs resignation,
although Whitelaw Reid was an applicant
for the position.
AN ADRoIT MOVE.
Greeley stood between the two aspirants,
and in order to escape all imputations of
partially, he avoided decision by pro-
claiming that the office of managing editor
had been abolished. This was a capital
idea, and for time satisfied the public if
not the candidates but it was an impos-
sibility to do without such an officer, and
before the year had expired Mr.. Reid had
become the successful man. Tilton aCan-
doned the object of his ambition, started
the Colder, Age, and became a bankrupt,
while Reid retains his position, with a SAL
airy of $500 per year. Such are the
changes in the destiny of two brilliant and
highy-gifted men, born the same year,
educated in the same political opinions,
each of fine personal appearance, and bred
early i'll life to the editorial profession.
These men were both in Printing House
square at the same time, but alas how
their destines have since varied. If Tilton
ever gets back to the square it will be as a
Bohemian contributor, and if his work
ing powers are not shattered he may yet
he can never expect.
ANOTHER REVOLUTION.
While speaking of these changes in per-
sonal history am led to touch on the char
acter and misfortunes of another man who
once was prominent in Printing House
square, and who has since then gone
After the death of Henry j. kaym6uu- i
was in the office of the New York Times,
and noticed the Difference paid to G. G.
Norvell, its financial editor. He was the
only man on the staff who combined fine
personal appearance with a high order OF
talent. He had at that time a moderate
degree of wealth, and both he and Tilton
were in what might be considered an en-
viable position, and yet both were topping
and ready to fall into that ruin which has
since been their fate. The one started the
Golden Age, while the other started the
Repu5Hc. AT the same time John X.
Young was contemplating his own futile
effort, the Standard What failures these
journals have proved / need not say.
Young made the longest struggle, sinking
all his own money and all that his friends
would lend-a loss in all estimated al
$4,000. The Standard was two years il
existence, at a loss of more than $1,000 {
week. The Republic ran little over two
months, but in that time it had ruined il.
founder in purse and almost in health.
After settling up the details of his loss MIR
Norvell accepted position on the Com
mercidl Adcertiser, where he may possibly
earn 81, 800 year. Directly opposite il
the former office of the Republic. In ;
similar manner Mr.. Young, as membe
of the Herald staff, is directly opposite thu
spot where his paper saw its last struggles
The Standard died at the east corner o
Ann street and Park row, while the Herah
occupies the west corner. In the full view
of these scenes of conflict and ruin, thes
men are nobly endeavoring to renew thei
fortunes.
PREMIUM ON TRASH.
While these educated and laborious mel
have failed in disastrous manner, tn
publishers of trash have made enormou
fortunes. Two weeklies in this city, an,
addicted 10 sensation novelties, ar
among the most lucrative of periodicals
Another weekly paper, devoted to prize
fights, minstrelsy, cheap theatricals ant
similar records, is worth n quarter of
million. Dime novels are sold by tn
thousand and the lowest illustrated paper
have the largest circulation. When tai
ented and heightened editors fail in legiti
mate journalism, and then see the success
of these worthless sheets, it is then tina
they feel in the most piercing manner tn
perversion of judgment and degradation Q
taste. This, alas, is nothing new.
ANCIENT EXAMPLES.
While Homer is represented as begin
his bread, or perhaps trying to settle th
score by martial ballad, which must hav
been very humbling to the old gentleman
it is probable that Hierocles had goo
time of it. His jokes have an immortalt
more vivid than even the grand hexameter
of the Iliad. They are still in commo
parance, and even now ornament tn
funny column in the almanac. They sho'
that what is called the ''lrish bull' was
common thing in Greek humor, and ma
, have been among the coarser kinds of 'At
tic salt" To those who have read his joke
in the original, ] need not speak concerI
ing "the man who sat before mirror wit
his eyes closed to see how he looked whe
asleep" or of the traveller who when cross
ing river entered ferry boat on horse
back, giving as reason for riding, "thi
, he was in great hurry" How odd
think that these things are three thousan
years old. Then there is the man who m,
an acquaintance with the exclamation, g
heard you were dead" and when the repl