National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-02-10
INTERESTING GOSSIP.
An Evening With Garfeld-5Irs. Hayes
A Sage Remark.

In the spring of 1877 small CO.
| terie of artists, scientists, and writers as
sembled by invitation for the evening in
| the cosy, tasteful Washington home of the
we'll known artist, Peter Baumgrass. Music.
literature, and art themes of converse, as the
topics most congenial tothose present One OF the
| number was lady who had reached the advanced
age of eghy-ffve years. This lady was the sister
| of the exquisite German composer Franz, who,
| although she could not express herself in the
English language, most feelingly spoke TO those
present in the touching language of music, as she
rendered selections fronlthe musical productions
| of her gifted brother. General Garfield, who was
! one of Mr.. BaumgrasS' guests, watched the aged
| performer intcntly until he was himself
| called upon by the host to entertain
| the company. Although much fatigUed
| having that day made long, exhaustive
speech in the House of Representatives, he cOur-
teousIy complied with the request, selecting Mrs
! Browning's exquisite poem The Dead Pau"
which he read most teelingly. Perfect silence
reigned, and never had the soldier statesman.
more delighted or appreciatiye audience. Most of
those present had listened to the same voice he
led his party in convincing argument in legisla-
tive halls, yet how different the sound and modula
ton of voice as he uttered the wellknow refrain
of the poem Pau Pau is Dead" One lady who
sat next the aged sister OF the composer Franz,
speaks the whispered repetition of that lady,
" Pau Pau est mort"
The poem Mrs. Browning tells u.s. was suggested
by Schiller's "Gotter Griechenlands," and partly
founded on a we'll known tradition mentioned in
treatise of Plutarch, according to which, at the
hour of the Sayiour's sgony, a cry Of /" Great Pau
is dead" swept across the waves in the hearing of
certain mariners, and the oraces ceased. The
gifted poeteSs says: In all veneraton to the
memory of the deathless Schiller, 1 oppose a doc
trine still more dishOnoring TO poetry than to
Christianity. During the heated presidential con-
test of the past fall, when INSCRIPTIONS political
opponents were vainly attempting to Willy and
malign General Garfislds character, the forcible
and earnest manner with which the President
elect read several verses of this poem frequently
occurred to the mind Of one of those present. The
verses referred to are:
Truth is large-our aspiration
Scarce embraces half we be;
Shame to stand in his creation
And doubt Truths suffcienCy:
To think God S song uIlcXCel!iI:::
The poor tales of our own ;ei:i:~-
When Pau Is dead.
What is true and just ard honest,
What Is lovely, what Is pure
All of praise that hath admonish,
All of viTtueshall endure
These are themes for poets uses
Stirring nobler than the Muses.
Ere Pau was dead"
The God of nations has indeed shown US that
truth is large'-mightily it prevails.
Thought and converse of the rising presidential
sun recalls the setting sun of the Executive Man
sion, or, rather, little incident which the rusting
breeze of rumor brings concerning his "better
half. Somewhere during the travels of the Presi-
dent and Mrs Hayes the President was, as is most
usual and proper, rendered reception, which he
signifed his willingness to accept, and further
stated that Mrs Hayes desired to receive the people
also Accordingly, the dear people were told that
they could all have the pleasure of shaking the
hand of the present lady of the White House.
One after another came. paid their respects, and
were gone. Now approaches an old lady, wrinkled |
in face, bent in form, hair smoothly arranged; her
dress, however, could scarcely be called Ia mode
indeed it is said she appeared in tattered rather
than elegant garments Eagerly approaching, she |
grasped Mrs Hayes hand, and exclaiming, Mrs. |
Hayes am mighty glad to see yon; and how far |
do you think have walked to do SOL" 81 cannot |