Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-09-17
LANCASTER DAILY NTEIIGENCER 1881
NOTES AND QUMIRa.


NOTES AND QUERIES.
Matters OF Interest ana Infofmauon.
GERNyANIsAs. Richard Grant White as
serts in one of his recent articles that, ex-
cepting few names of things, such as
sourcrout and "smearcase," there
are no words in our popular speech which
may properly be said to be of German
origin. It is evident that Mr.. White has
never been in Lancaster or he would be
familiar with the verb to "sprits," and
he would recently have heard a good deal
about "spritsins the Streets" Th ougb,
according to Webster, there is an absolute
English verb to esprit" it is evident that
our word is derived from the German verb
"spritzen to sprinkle.
have heard children call candy
- Sleek In fact, anything good to eat
is called ga good sleek" This word is
evidently derived from the German word
schlecken," to lick.
STRANGER.
OIL PAINTINGS. Several years ago l
purchased, at price evidently much be-
low their real value, two small, but we'll
executed paintings, which seem intended
to illustrate some story. Each picture
represents the front Of a house, which
seems to be in the course of repairs. as it
has a scaffOld before it. In one picture a
handsome and we'll dressed lady is looking
out of a window, talking with rough
looking man, who is lounging on the scaf-
fold. The other picture is very similar.
A plainly dressed, but matronly looking,
woman leans out of tho window, looking
at a workman, who is seated on the scaf-
fold eating his dinner. It is said that these
pictures were once the property of a fam
lily, which has removed from Lancaster
so can obtain no information concern
ing them. ] can, of course, guess at their
meaning, but I hope some one of your
correspondents will recognize tho pictures
by this imperfect description, and will be
able to inform me what they are meant to
signify, and especially what was the name
of the artist. J. H. ID.
PARMYTER PARMYTER. (See INTELLIGEN.
GER Sept. 7th.) l am able to inform your
correspondent that Parmyter Parmyter was
ono of our early attorney generals. He
was, l believe, connected with tho New
York family Of the same name. It is my
impression that ho had au interesting per-
sonal history, but can give no details.
Perhaps some one else can give us fur
thcr information. d. r. S.
1.-THE SWEET BY-AND-BY."
How Is Favorite flynn was Written and St
to Music In Thirty Minutes.
The compiler of the Franklin Square
Song Collection, Mr.. J. p. McCaskey, of
this city, desiring to learn tho facts as to
the origin of this popular hymn, few
days since addressed a note of inquiry to
the author. He has received the following
interesting reply which he hands us for
publication, that the paragraph of mis-
statements now going the rounds of the
press in regard to its origin may have
prompt contradiction.
Letter of tho Author.
RICHMOND, McHenry Co., ILL.,,
Sept. 9th, 1881.
.Kr. j. L. Nc Cdskey:
DEAR SIR-YOur favor of the Sd inst. is
at hand. Igladly comply with your re-
quest to furnish an account of the origin
of tho "Sweet By-and by, " rather than
have you compile anything from the ex-
traOrdinarily inaccurate statements of the
newspaper press. 1 am especially cha
grined at the account of an interview
reported for tho Chicago Daily Neacs in
which the writer not only made singular
misstatements rs to the conversation really
held, but reported much that was never
spoken.
Yours very truly,
S. FILLMORE BENNETT.
Au Account Of tho Origin of "The sweet
by and By
In the year 1861 became a resident of
the village of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, the
home of the composer, j. p. Webster, and
shortly after became associated with him
in the production of sheet music (songs)
and other musical works. In the summer
or fail of tho year 1867 we commenced
work on "Thc Signet Ring, a now Sabbath
school music book" afterwards published
by Mcssrs. Lyon & Healy, Chicago. ''The
Sweet By-and-By'' was one of the songs
written for that work.
MI. Webster, like many musicians, was
of an exceedingly nervous and sensitive ma
turc, and subject to periods of depression,
in which he looked upon the dark side OF
all things in life. had learned his pecu-
liarities SO well that, ON meeting him, l
could tell at a glance when he was in one
Of his melancholy moods, and had found
that could rouse him from them by CIV
ing him new song or hymn to work upon.
On such an occasion he came into my
place of business, and, walking down to
the stove, turned his back to me without
speaking. was at my desk writing. Pres
emily turned to him and said /:
Webster, what is the matter now ?"
eft is no NATTER" he replied " it will
be all right by-and-by."
The idea of the hymn came to me like a
flash of sunlight, and replied
"' The Sweet By-and-By p Why would
not that make good hymn %
Maybe it wOuld,' said ho, indiffer-
emily.
Turning to the desk, penned the fol-
lowing lines as fast as could write
There's a land that is fairer than day,
And by faith we can see 1t afar,
For the Father waits over the way,
To prepare us dwelling place there.
In the Sweet By-and.By,
We shall meet on that hnaufifn ShOre