The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-10-05
"reminiscences Of he Late Henry A,
Wise. rl..

Captain Goldman contributes the fol.
lowing to the New York Evening Post
Many years ago, when Henry A. Wise
was United States Minister to Brazil, /
frequently met him in Rio de Janeiro.
He was of joVial disposition, and of.
ten came on board our ships to lunch,
or " assisted" at the dump pitching
and yarn-spinning at Carbarga's ship
chandlery. He maintained the dignity
of cOurtier at the palace of St.
ChriSteyal, and unbent himself when
among his own countrymen, At all
places and in all conditions he was at
home. Indiscretion, however, was al
ways a part of his nature. This trait
was displayed on a memorable occa-
sion, when, on account of an arrest by
the police of some drunken sailors be
longing to a frigate, he instructed the
Commodore not to join the ships of
other nations in firing a salute for the
baptism of an imperial princess. He
still further offended the Government
to which he was accredited by insGgat-
ing mock royal christening of baby
born on board an American merchant
ship in the harbor and causing salute
to be fired in its honor. -.
1t was the custom of all the great
mercantile establishments in the port to
keep open house. Their bounteous ta-l
bles were spread daily with dinners, not
only for. themselves and their many
clerks, but for shipmasters, strangers
and whoever chose to avail themselves
of an unlimited hospitality. In this way
was one day dining at the table of
Maxwell, Wright & Co. A whaling
captain just arrived from a long cruise
sat at my side. The old skipper was
naturally very inquisitive about news,
and having recently arrived from New
York / gave him all the political intel
igence and social gossip that l could
call to mind.
90 But how about this row that's been
going on here about babies and dsalutes?"
asked Captain Cudworth.
"Oh, that's all over now," replied.
"Yes,n he persisted, ''but what got
it up? Come, tell US all about it."
/ touched him sharply on the knee,
under the tablecloth, as hint to quiet
him, but instead of subsiding, he ex-
claimed, with an oath or two:
"What are you punching me for? l
want to know how our Minister came to
make such a fool of himself"
BY this time there was general roar
of laughter, the gentleman opposite
joining in most Justify.
"Who's every body laughing at?'
exclaimed the old whaleman, sorely
puzzled. .f -r.r. .lt.r.f -..s
''Well, Captain" 1 replied, ''I think,
for one, Mr.. Wise there before you is
laughing. at you"
Captain Cudworth looked at him a
moment, and then calculated:
elbow! Are you Mr.. Wise?n
The Minister nodded assent. The old
skipper rose from his chair to his full
height, and looking his Excellency
square in the face, said:
" Mr.. Wise, did not know you were
here, or l wouldn't have said what |
did; but can't apologize, because, so
so far as know now, it was true"
Wise then rose also, and reaching
across the table, said:
"Give us your hand, my old buck!
like an honest man. Come up and dine
with me tomorrow and we'll talk over
the baby matter between ourselves"
Cudworth went and dined with the
Minister, and when he came rolling
down to the hotel late at night he swore
that "Minister Wise was a gentleman,
and if he wasn't Just right on the sub
ject of babies he was sound on every
thing else, especially on champagne. F"
From that time, 2S years ago, until
last year had not seen Henry \. Wise,
but, being then on visit to Richmond,
could not deny myself the pleasure of
renewing the acquaintance of days
gone by. Considering those many
years and their vicisstudes time had
dealt gently with Mr. Wise. His figure
was erect, his movements active, md
his face, though thin, had healthier
glow than it had more rha1 n quarter
of century ago. On my commitment
ing him upon this, he observed: eyes,
sir, ten drops of spirits Of turpentine in
wineglass of water three times day.
That did it. The greatest medicine in
the worldi 1t supersedes quinine.
Quinine gives one dyspepsia; turpen-
tine cures it." Having thus cordially
received me by volunteering this gratu-
itous prescription, he entered upon the
discussion of all sorts of subjects with
an amazing volubility. But he bad
nothing to say of his defense of the
t'Sacred soil of Virginia." He better
evineed his patriotism during his latter
years by schemes to make tnat soil pro-
ductive He had almost every thing on
the brain, but agriculture pressed it
most closely.