Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-11-28
JOHN HOWARD PITNE.

JOHN HOVARD PITNE.
The movement of Mr.. W. W. Corcoran.
the Washington city millionaire, to remove
the remains of John Howard Payne from
Africa, for interment in cemetery in
the District of Columbia, is directing
special attention to the deceased and his
history.
The GLOBE proposes to give some de-
details of his career, which was
full Of touching interest. 1t is a sor-
rowful reelection that the author of Home
sweet home" was never blessed with
home, its comforts, or congenial supports.
By this pathetic ballad he entranced and
soothed the hearts OF millions, while his
own heart was ali unsoothed, and saddened
the more.
Mr.. Payne was born in thecity of New
York, and died at Tunis, the capital of one
of the Barbary states in Northern Africa,
in 1852, in the sixtieth year of his age. He
early developed literary tastes, and became
Il member of Union college, which institu-
ton he was obliged to leave before gradu-
ating, owing to the financial failure of his
father.
In 1909, at the age of seventeen, he
identified himself with the Park Street
theater, New York, and appeared in the
play entitled Young Norval'' In this he
was successful and was thus lured to en-
gagements in the theaters of Baltimore.
Boston. Philadelphia and other places. In
1913 he sailed for England, and
appeared at Drury Lane theater.
London. He remained in England many
years, supporting himself as writer of
plays as well as an actor. He helped
many others to fame and reputation, but
was, himself, never honestly dealt with. He
seemed to be the last one thought of, when
dividing the income from his plays, of
which were very popular, and were adopted
by the leading actors of that day.
The most popular of all his plays was
the one in which his immortal ballad.
Home, Sweet Home" appeared; it was
entitled ''Clari.' This play which was at
first intended merely as a drama, but
which was afterwards transformed into an
opera, surpassed all his other plays in
dramatic power. As part of this opera
''Home, Sweet Home" first became popular.
Payne wrote the words and adapted them
to an old Sicilian air. Both words and
music seemed to be made for each other:
they seem to come out of one mind, and it
is not at all to be wondered at that they
quickly became popular. Kemble's sister
in-law, Miss Tree, became quite fayorite
nv i,,f ]
houses greeted her every evening, and
enthusiasm ran high. Over 100000 copies
of the song were sold during the single
year of 1882. The manager, Mr.. Kemble,
having claim on the song, cleared 1000
guineas from its sales during the first two
years of its publication. Alas! poor Payne
was again forgotten when the question of
financial benefit was considered.
In England and the United States he
edited at various times several periodicals,
but none of them reached a remunerative-
ly paying basis.
In 1882, after having acquired high
reputation in England, he returned to his
native country. In 1871 he received from
the United States government the appoint
ment of consul-general to Tunis. But
few literary men, at that day, were re-
warded by official appointments. Soon
some seeker after the ''spoils
of Office" wanted the posi-
ton OF consul-general at Tunis, and
poor Payne, the author of ''Home, Sweet
Home," was relentlessly recalled. He
came back poor indeed. He essayed the
publication of another periodical, but it
was failure.
Six years later he again appeared at
Washington, begging for an official ap-
pointment. Once more he was appointed,
in 1851, as consul general at Tunis. whittier
he repaired, but to find grave. He died
there the next year, in April 1852.
That Payne was a homeless wanderer on
earth, we have his own statement to verify.
in letter written to friend about a year
before his death. The following is the let
ter:
"WAsaINGToN, March 8, 1851.
''MY DEAR SIR-It affords me great pleasure
to comply with your request for the words of
Home, Sweet Home.
'Surely there is something strange in the fact
that it should have been my lot to cause so many
people in the world to boast of the delights of
home, when never had home of my own, and
never expect to have one, now-especially since
those here at Washington who possess the power,
seem SO reluctant to allow me the means of earn
ing one! In the hope that may again and often
have the qualification of meeting you, believe me,
my dear sir, Yours most faithfully,
"JoHN HOWARD PAYNE.
s'Hor. c. E. Clarke''
Enclosed with this letter, in ] is own
handwr ting, were the folio ng words