New-York tribune., 1879-10-15
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
THE LATE HENRY C. CAREY.

IHE LAIE HENh1 4. tAkt1.
LrrrER FROM EUGENE l. DrDIER-A PLEASANT
PICTURE OF THE VENERABLE ECONOMISTS
HOME LIFE.
To the Editor Of The Trtbane
SIR; 1t is just two weeks since the present
writer spent an hour OF two with the late Henry C.
Carey Of Philadelphia. The venerable man was recln-
ing in his armchair In his library, surrounded BY his
favorite paintlngs representing several OF the best
modern The delicate genius OF Charles T. Les
e-whose sister Mr. Carey married-appears IN a scene
from Twelfth Nght." where Olivia represented after
the drawing aside of the curtains exposes her face
also in charming group from As You Like It.
personatug Tombstone Audley and the Clown; por-
trait OF M Carey Of thirty Il also by Leslie
The collection il particularly rich In portraits by dis
tingmshed artists the following being the
most striking: Macaulay. by Inman; Fanny
Kembie, by Suy Mathew Carey, by Noagle portrait
Leslie, by himself Edward LCarey. by sully Lady
by Gilbert stuart The genius % Daniel Huntington II
displayed IN Mercys Dream and other scenes from The
Pilgrims Progress" and gems from the brushes oil
sanfeld. Eastlake Rembrandt Peale. Cooper. Pyne,
Macse and Others adorn the walls of these interesting
rooms.
Carey fll Of anecdotes OF the past. his MEM
going hack more than ghty years. His h:st visit
TO New York was in 1902. when he accompanied bis
father the first Literary Far ever held in this country
II was imitation OF the celebrated Book Fairs OF
Lepsc Frankfort and other German cities. tbs was
anticipating present sales which were inaugu
rated IN New-YOrk in 1924 Mr. Carey said be was
much Impressed by the struggling character OF New
York in 1902, and he specially remarked the
Old-fashioned appearance OF the City Hotel. with
sheets hanrns in front of the door" This hotel with
the Tonine Coffee House the only places of pubic
entertainment al that time IN New-York. Although he
was only eight years old he made this visit he
prepared for business having brought with MN -VV
conlrs OF the Universal Merchant" whcn were given
him by Francis Bailey. the Repuohcan Printer during
the Revolution These books he u AIDED Il for more cur
rent literature. and called the bookseller In MIN
iature" Matthew Carey. the father of Henry. nad a
branch store IN BaltimOre which was under tue man
agement Robert Patton. In 1904 the latter deter
mined to 10 West. and Henry Carey, although not
twelve years cld sent to Baltimore 10 take charge
II there. which he did for SIX weeks unti
man was sent 10 relieve him. The boy grew up
among books-they were his toys. hs playthngs, his
first aud best companions. He could not remember
when he did not know books
In the course of couyersaon, Mr. Carey said be had
lived long-tha; ought To live beyond eighty
aud he told auecGoe OF William short. near rclaye
OF Thomas Jefferson Mr. suort was in France during
the Reign OF Terror. ana amassed large fortune by
coming into the possession OF the estates O persons
who were guillotined and who lett TO heirs 10 clam
their property. Returning 10 Tie United states, NJ
Snort led what il now called fe ~ elegant ease ou
/ as Pope said d" easy writing was d--G bard reading
30 be found an H. ife very hard living When be awoke
in the morning. be at ioss how TO pass tie day
Ike the poet Garth tired OF putting on and tax
ing n his and stockings. Life 70 him bore
al intoerabe and he said when he heard Of
man dropping dead III the street, II made his mouth
wateI."
Although Mr. Carey expressed himself as tired OF life,
stl ne took lively interest IL books. IN business. aud
p all those things that had long Interested him. He
IA ked upon his favoriie topics wi'h animation ana
vehemence and spoke OF some public men with extreme
bitterness lie had watched the giowth OF Philadelphia
with great personal satisfaction aad condemned IA ut
measured the closing up OF BroaCst bY pubhc
Dmldng winch. lie SAID. would Ike 10 see blown uD
! Mr.. Clreys sunday evening receptions. IRON 10
o'clock, brought tlcetAer tDc ulpst ASetApl, p,oi e
! Philadelphia, Or distinguished -tauEcrs Vsiuug Tue
city. Ariists authors nus.rans. nalisis ETC. there
met upon Tree nnd ni'ud iOltlhS. We uA'e4Ss
/ everything ana decide notnlng.' SAID MI. Carrv 80
Mr.. Carry publisher from l-i4 20 ISIS. hls
house acquired a National distncu' ON AL ~ alse
pent made N 1925 years ace Of tue then
ait"ry oi the Sketch
Book" BTacebrldge AL" and tle " Tales " lrav-
| 5000 per anuum. profitable was this arrinsement
taat in s35, when the first term expired Ar Carey
| Was glad To renewtt al c1lJO per annum For the
lease the copyright OF tHe Conquest 0t 1idnaua
for years NJ paid the author el1oO ana S3O,O Tor
The privilege OF Publishing $500 copies The Alham-
80 -. IN months from tae date of tne con
tract and - 600 paid the right OF publishing
5OOO copies OF Astoria In referrins TO The mr.. con-
| tract, Washington Irving wrote rom span; " | am
right glad have such spirited, Onhand booksellers 10
dea with in America a. the Carey
Tue house of Carey paoshen me hr-t eoiiectrc & si
tiOn essays Of Macauay' sydney sml.n carlyle
and others The Enensn su.hor- we're were pnd Tor a.. lne
privilege Of issuing their works N TINS country. MI
Carlyle acknowledged the courles! III a eAarac ersue
letter. Ia which he said " cannot conclude without
EXPRESSING INV sincere ackno wledmenfs. my hearty
/ probation your honorable conducts accept the
Mt very frequently aa-who do not need the ajmon-
ton o the constable TO do wnat beseems them IN mat
Lei us hop Inar Henry C. Carey at last found that
life Of eishiyseveu years wac not without prepara
ton FOR nfe that has no end. EUGENE l. DIDIEH-
Aee York, Oct IA 1873