The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-04-10

markable Depreciation Of Property-Fare-
we'll to the Poet Tupper
NEW YORK, April 6,
Steinway hall has the distinction of first
witnessing the telephone, but, aside from
this, it is of second rate position. The
fashion in respect to such places changes
almost as rapidly as IN other things. Stein
way hall was few years ago the favoiite
place for recherche concerts, but Chickering
hall is now the ton. The latter is new,
and is finished in the highest style of art,
and then being in the Fifth avenue, its To-
cality gives it special distinction. Meet
ing Cough lately, he told me that CHECKER
ing ball is the easiest place to speak in he
ever saw-next to this is the academy of
music ia Philadelphia. The telephone,
however, at present revives the reputation
o: Stelnway hall, whose builder (the orig
inal piano mani little dreamed that such
an exhibition ever would take place within
its walls.
COUGH NOTES.
Speaking Of Cough recalls some very in
teresting statements which he gave me in
reference to his professional life. He finds
five lectures week, for the season, none
too much for either physical or mental
powers, and this is his quota of service.
He informed Inc that he never bad what is
called the "minlster's sore threat" or any
ailment Of the kind. He ascribes much
of this difficulty 10 the custom of reading
sermons, and would therefore recommend
the clergy to cultivate the habit of speak
ing. He eats plain food, but avoids pastry,
and this enables him to keep up healthy
condition of the body. After lecturing he
spends an hour 10 reading some interesting
book, in order TO dseDgage his mind from
the theme of the evening, and then rubs
down his body with a crash towel, and finds
no difficulty in getting a good nights rest.
His lectures are made up of observation
and reflection, and nothing, as be says, es-
capes his notice.
PREPARATION.
In some instances much of the subject is
previously grouped together with the pen
in order to keep a distinction in the char
acter of the lectures, but the general mat
Vel ID llC 10 a VI
the Congregational church at Springfield,
and lives on his farm FIVE mil from that
place. He had st one time over 200 acres,
but has sold nearly one half and finds the
rest very expensive farming. Much has
been said Of his great variety Of fancy fowls
but he remarked to me that this was Mrs.
Coughs notion, and that it had been to a
great degree discontinued. He works his
own farm by hired labor, and his potatoes
probably cost HIM three times their price
in the market. If Cough would take Hor-
ace Greeley's theme, "What Know About
Farming" it would make very interest
ing lecture. In personal appearance Cough
is remarkably plain and his dress (oH the
stage, at least,) is of corresponding plain
ness. He might pass for respectable far
mer, but is the last man in the crowd to be
taken for the wonderful orator who has do
livered nearly 5000 lectures and has never
made failure. l may add that Cough is
also fine singer. He was born in Sand
Gate, England, and came to this city when
he was twelve. He learned the bookbind-
ing trade and also learned to drink. He
was in early youth very popular at the ga
looms in singing and telling stories, but in
his twenty y-sixth year he reformed, signed
tuC IuCuRc anu HiGht OtdtOE. llo
has no children, but has done so much for
orphans that be has a fatherly heart, and
his large receipts 60 rapidly in the service of
humanity.
IRVING NOTES.
April brings many pleasing associations,
and among others is the memory Of Irving.
Last Tuesday was the anniversary of his
birth, and had he lived to the present time
he would now be in his ninety-fifth year.
AS Irving's writings have the fresh glow of
youth, it is difficult to connect him with
any idea of extreme age, and hence it is
we'll that he did not live TO exhibit the weak
nesses of senility. Although seventy seven
at the time of his death, he had suffered but
little from in6rmity, and passed away while
in the full possession of all his faculties.
Irving's whole life seemed to be in harmony
with the spring tide which marked his birth.
His was sunny career, and although &C.
casionsl shadows fell upon it, they soon
gave way to the genial influences which
prevailed in his behalf. Two disappoint-
nents mark his history. One was the fail
ure of the commercial house in which he
had partnership; but had he succeeded in
trade he never would have teen great au-
thor. 1t was the calamity that fell upon
this firm that drove him to try his chance
in the publication of the "Sketch Book"
and the success of the effort confirmed him
in literary life.
LOVE MATTERS.
The other disappointment was Of vastly
greater bitterness. 1t was the death Of his
first and only love, Matilda Hoffman. She
was frail but beautiful girl of nineteen,
and lie was only twenty six, but was known
as the author of the "Knickerbocker His
tory of New York, and also as one of the
writers in "Salmagundl." The death of
this beloved one held an influence over Irv-
ing all his life, yet it does not follow that
the disappointment of early affections alone
prevented his subsequent marriage. Ii is
| TO be remembered that Irving spent seven
teen in Europe, and was In no condition
then to take wife. He never reached
a point of pecunlary success such as gave
| him home, or permanent support, until
| fifty, and had become a confirmed bache-
lor. During all his foreign life he looked
forward to home on the banks OF the Hud-
| son, and this was one of his most satisfac-
tory points Of success. This establishment
is one marked by simple beauty, and here
he passed the last quarter century of his
life. II is now owned by his nieces, who
| occupy 1t as summer residence, but in the
winter board in the city. The authors will
provides that the last survivor OF these la
dies shall beqeath the estate to some good
man by the name of Irving. Such an in
junction as this has never been made in any
other will in the American record, but be-
ing strictly legal 1t will no doubt be carried
out. All OF Irving's books and papers re-
main at his residence. His pen lies on his
writing desk and his hat 10 on the hall table
as though waiting for its owners use. Irv-
ing was born IN the spring and died in su-
tumn, just before the approach OF winter.
This fact is suggestive of his whole life.
His age CD double the figure which is said
to indicate completeness. He was the hand