Daily Republican., 1879-09-29
TILDEN,s ANCESTRY.
AS Amusing Little Story COnceru-
ing His Family Tree.

Mr.. Cyrus w. Field'has written an
other letter concerning Mr. Tilden's
dark practices, in which he says:
AS my tale may be long, it may
leave the dry discussion to relate, after
the manner of Mr. Lincoln, "a little
story" Mr.. Tilden is kind enough to
inform the public that ! went abroad
from pure benevolence-on a kind of
missionary enterprise-"conte plating
the benefaetion Of the lords of England
by sparing to them most of my stock"
This is both witty and polite, and l
must needs return the compliment by
saying that Mr.. Tilden was willing to
spare to "the lords of England" not
only his stock, but also to give them a
certain right and property in himself,
by tracing back his lineage to an an
oient family of the realm. There is a
story current in London which has
furnished much amusement in diplo
matte circles, though little mortiica-
ton to our countrymeu.
1t seems that when Mr.. Tilden went
to England in 1877, he was very..curious
about his ancestory. He wished to
know who could be the progenitors of
so great man. He conceived the idea
that he must be descended from q
race of eminent Englishmen. He look
ed about him for proofs Of this, and ac-
cidentally hearing well-known mem
ber of our diplomatic corps allude to
the greatHgenealogical skill and knowl-
edge of an American gentleman long
resident in London, he sought his ac-
quaintance, and asked this gentleman
to investigate his pedigree as profess
sional matter, and to make out for him
a handsome family tree, should he find
any golden English branch on which to
hang the descent of the American TIL
dens. In due time the ancestral line
was traced. A branch gilded, if not
golden, was found in Kent, in family
OF Kentish squires; and the affiliation
having been established to Mr.. Tilden's
great delight, he pressed for the en-
blazonment of the discovery without
regard to expense. Accordingly a
noble parchment was prepared and sent
to him, accurately and beautifully fill
ed out, on which he saw with pride
the family tree-a fine old English
oak-hung with Tildens great and
small, with himself perched upon the
topmost bough. ... .
He received with rapture the precious
charter Of his illustrious origin, and
lavished his praises upon the author
of his happiness, but omitted to inclose
a check in his note of acknowledgment.
The genealogist had been at work 3
month or two, making his researches,
and rendered minute account of his
expenses, which with a reasonable
charge for his own time and labor
amounted to about one hundred pounds.
After decent interval, he ventured to
call the attention of Mr.. Tilden to his
slight omission; and finally, as the time
drew near for the latter's return to
America, the former lost patience, and
called upon the Democratic President.
elect of the United States, and in Ian
guage more positive than polite, insist
ed that he should pay for his progeni-
tors. He was finally compelled to do
so under direct threat of proceedings,
which arr apt to BE- less dilatory in the
courts of London than of New York.
THIS cesrainiv is an incident to make
us rr1Ga ~ i,- man who was "elected"
President, and to mourn that he could
IL 'aS- his s"1'. 1t is trife, but
fritl.s ShnE character,