Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-18
graceful and scholarly,

compositions were '.Brutus or. The Fall Of Tar
gum q!Gss",. There's T. the Orphan Of Geneva
''Love in Humble. Life;" "Clari. the Maid Of
Milan." for which he wrote "Home. Sweet
Home" and other. plays of less renown. The
elder (and the yoqngerl Booth have appeared
frequently in "Brntus." Edwin Forrest often
acted that character, as well as '.Carwin. :" the
advocate. in ''TheEese, and nearly all the lyric
artists of fifty years or less agone have produced
"Clari," notably, however, Peter and Caroline
Richjngs.
Tie tragedy Of ssBrutns or. The Fall Of Tar
quin, was written by Mr. Payne in London,
about the year 1917, and was produced original
ly at Drury Lane. with Edmund Kean in the
title role, in 1918. The inimitable acting Of
that great dramatic genius made a profound
impression. He was then in the zenith of his
fame. The part had been carefully adapted to
his varied and peculiar powers BY the young
American author and he appeared to have
thrown the whole force of his mighty genius
both into the conception and embodiment of
the character; and his success in the delineation
almost surpassed any of his previous efforts
great as they were. The delivery of the famous
speech in the third act, Lets to the capital and
shout for Brutus!
BRUTUs-I your king?
BrutuS your king? No. fellow-citiZens!
If mad ambition in this guilty frame
Had strung one kingly ffbre-yea. but one
BY all the gods, this dagger which hold
Should rip it out, though it entwined my
heart"
Was one of these electric and brilliant speci-
mems of his transcendent genius which have
never been surpassed by any of his contempo-
raries OF successors. Nor was he less trium-
plant in the closing scene where he condemns
his son, and ends:
Justice is satisfied, and Rome is free!"
1t was six or seven years later surrounded by
penury, in an attic in Paris, faint and i'll for
the need of nourishing food. when he wrote
Carr, the Maid of Milan." and gave the world
within it Home. Sweet Home:'
Mid pleasures and palaces though we may
roam,
Be it ever SO humble, there's no place like
home.
charm from the sky seems to hallow us
there,
Which, seek through the world, is ne'er met
Home. sweet home
There's no place like home.
In one year this song had sale of one hun
dred thousand copies. Since then it has grown
into millions. 1t has been sung by Jenny Lind
and every other songstress of the last half
century of the English lyric stage For it Mr.
Payne received nothing except fame.
After residence of nearly 20 years abroad
Mr.. Payne returned to this country in 1882
he had very cordial reception, and on the
Goth of November of that wear he was the bene-
ficiary of the first complimentary benefit ever
given by the citizens of New York The admis-
sion was five dollars to flrst-cass seats, and one
dollar to the gallery. The performance was his
own play OF "Brutus." B'utus, Mr.. Forrest;
Scott Lucretia, Miss Warning with katherine
and Petruchio." Pe:ructio. Mr.. Chas. Kemble;
Grurnio Mr.. II. Placide; Katherine Miss Fanny
kembe; Curtis, Mrs. Wheatey, and his own
comedy of ''Charles the Second" Captain
Copp; Mr.. Wallack. Qhe elder; Mary Copp,
Miss Hughes.
Mr.. Cooper, the distinguished tragedian (af-
forwards father-in-aw to Robert Tyler) recited
''Alexander's Feast" The receipts were 81 200;
the place the Park Theater. In 1910 Mr.. Payne
was in Washington. where he made the personal
acquaintance of Mr.. w. w. Corcoran, which
continued on very intimate terms during the
remainder Of his life. In 1S41 he was appointed
by President Tyler consul to Tunls, where he
Ofliclated with credit to himself and country
Recalled by Mr.. Polk, he was again appointed
under President Taylor's administration and
after brief illness died at his post on the 10th
of April, 1852.
A writer at that time commenting upon his
life said: His buoyancy of manner his rich and
varied stock of information. his brilliant wit
and general amiability and good nature made
MN the most agreeable of companions. His
Criticisms evlnced the incest taste and iud gment
and his ordinary conversation was not only
faultless but perfectly fascinating" 1t is the
hope Of his friend Mr. COrcoran, to see Payne's
remains buried in this, his native country on
the ninety-first anniversary Of his birth. Mr.
CorcOran has secured the active intercessiOn
and aid of Mr.. Frelinghuysen, the Secretary Of
State. In having the remains of Payne disin-
tered at Tunis and brought to this country with
proper honors under the authority of the United
States. He has also selected the spot where the
poets remains are to rest. 1t is triangular
plot near the eastern entrance Of Oak Hill GEM
| etery, on the crest of hill overlooking the
valley of Rock creek, near Georgetown. The
place is marked by nature with solitary mag
niflcent beach tree. The remains will be in
| tered with appropriate ceremonies, and plain
| massive monument erected above them, bearing
only the inscription:
JOHN HOWARD PAYNE
Author of Home, Sweet Home"
Born June 9, 1892.
Died April 10, 1859.
In answer to an inquiry, Mr.. Corcoran made
reply that he preferred to bear all expenses. as
due by him to the memory of his friend. when
the suggestion was made that the dramatic
fraternity would gladly contribute the monu-
ment. The actors. however, will be represented
at the reinterment. and the monument over the
greatest OF American play and song writer's will
be likened unto the tablet at StratfOrd-On-Avon
by all the players and all the lovers of the drama
who will visit Washington in the fut ure.-Bali-
more Sun.
THE DEFAULTING RAILROAD PRESIDENT
George j. Rice ex-president of the Utica Ithaca
and Elmra railroad, charged with the fraudu-
lent hypothecation of the bonds and stocks of