The New York herald., 1878-02-05
"Prince Hnrry's'' Return.

"Prince Hnrry's'' Return.
The scene in Judge Davis Court yes
terday was very pretty coup de Theatre, or
at least would have been, if a tribunal of
justice were a fit place for playing off sud-
den surprises upon the public. If Genet
had quietly surrendered himself to the
custody of the Sheriff and remained in
prison awaiting such judicial action as
might arise there would have been more
propriety in Mr.. Beach's neatly selected
phrase about his having "penitently" re-
turned TO the Court and submitted himself
to its discretion. It is the nature of peni-
tence to shun glare of publicity instead
of courting it. But Genet's sudden re-
appearance was skilfully contrived for
its purpose and evinced an accurate
knowledge of that part of the New York
public to which it was addressed. The
futter it produced was one Of that kind of
New York sensations which is always well
come. and popular. In the purlieus of the
court, and in those other purlieus which are
the great nurseries of the democracy,
"Prince Harry" seemed almost as much a
hero as he was in '+he high and palmy
days" when he was one of the brightest
satellites that revolved in their due orbits
about the heavier planets Of the old Ring.
The reputation he then acquired for hearty
good fellowship and chivalric bearing, and
which made him the peculiar pet of that
r<qime, laid good foundation for his dash
ing re-entrance upon that stage OF criminal
jurisprudence where the last act of a re-
markable drama has been for several years
in the course of performance.
The brilliant 'Prince Harry" is the ver-'
table hero of the hour, and that part of the
public which he always courted regards
him rather as successful stage character
than as criminal in the hands OF
Justice. The admiration excited by his
smart escape the adroitness with which he
has for four years eluded the efforts Of de-
tectives though frequently visiting the city,
and his voluntary and sensational surrender
eclipse for the moment the accusations on
which he was tried and convicted, and
make him as interesting character as any
depicted in the fctions relating to pictur-
esque bandits.
It is wonderful how much the vulgar esti-
mate both of virtues and crimes is influenced
by their accessories. "A saint in Grape is
twice q saint in lawn" and, on the other
hand, a robber on large scale, like Tweed,
or q rogue with romantic qualities, like
"Prince Harry" is judged more leniently
than obscure thieves who pursue the beaten
pathways of crime. modern school Of fic-
ton has taken advantage of this tendency
in order to render vice seductive by invest
ing the worst characters with noble and
generous qualities. In the pages of these
writer's you seldom meet an adulteress whom
you are not tacitly solicited to forgive by
display Of her soft human sympathies and
disinterested acts of self-sacrifce, nor
seducer, whose sense, wit, spirit and
accomplishments do not exhibit him
in favorable contrast to the tame
and plodding yirtuous characters that
figure in the story. These insnuating at
tempts to palliate vice and "bazou evil
deeds" which render so much recent fic-
ton, and especially French fiction, de-
more easily accord to men like Genet, who
parade their dashing and popular qualities
in mitigation of their crimes. His counsel
have no doubt advised him wisely in induc-
ing him to return, and shrewdly in making
the manner of his return so dramatic and
sensational. Public opinion has relented a
great deal during the four years Of his abb
sence. Even Tweed, who also ran away,
but did not return voluntarily, nor dramati-
cally, nor "penitently" (though he has pro-
fessed ,penitence since), hopes. for an
early release. Sweeny has escaped by the
surrender of some property from the estate
of his deceased brother, and most of the
lesser members and accomplices of the
Ring are at large. In this state of things
and the present temper of the public mind
the able counsel of Genet have advised him
to return and give himself up, and they
have no doubt good reasons for thinking
that this was the best thing lie could do.
"Prince Harry" belongs to type OF men
whom the public inclines to judge leniently
and easily forgives.
stiIl Another Agricultural Ignoramus.
We thought it our duty the other day to
warn country people against the Commits
sioner of Agriculture's recommendation to
plant tea, and thereupon comes to us from
Washington yet another recommendation,
to the same effect, signed civilian Saun-
ders Superintendent of Gardens &c De-