, 1883-03-22
"HoME. SWEET HOME"

The body OF JOhn Howard Gayne Is
on its way to this country from the
cemetery of Tunis. Mr.. ". w. Cor
coran, who made the poets acquaint-
ance in 1S40, and saw him first in
1909, will bear the total expenses Of
the removal and reinterment. The
body of the author of ''Home, Sweet
Home" will be placed in Oak Hill
Cemetery, Georgetown Heights, near
Washington, on June 9th next A
simple monument will be erected over
the remains, bearing the inscription:
John Howard Payne, author of
Home, Sweet Home Born June
9th, 1892. Died April 10th, 1852"
John Howard Payne was not born
in Boston, as is stated ON the monu
ment at Tunis, but in New York City.
His father removed to the capital of
Massachusetts, when his son was very
young, and opened a boarding
School in that city. The future poet
was clever, ambitious boy. While
still at school he published a weekly
newspaper, The Fly, which is said to
have given promise of great literary
ability. He was a good elocutionist,
and loved things theatrical. One of
his sports was as commander of a
military company known as the Bos-
ton Federal Guards. When thirteen
years of age he was placed in n
counting house in New York, stu
alton most distasteful to him, the
tediousness of which he relieved by
acting rs the editor of The 1hespian
Mirror The excellence of the dra-
matte criticism contained in this
journal made him some influential
acquaintances. among them u Mr..
Seaman, who sent him to Schenecta-
dy College to - educated. While
there he o. Pdstime, a weekly
no" number of which
In 1903 he re
tul = prepare for the
stage and led literary labors
there as edit, the Mirror. His
first appear on the stage was made at
New York in February, 1909, and was
success. 1t was followed by en-
gagements in New England, thesouth
and west. In 1913 he went to Eng
land, and on June 4th of that year
appeared in the Drury Lane Theatre,
London. He continued an actor Sc
veral years, after which he devoted
himself to literature. His editorship
in London, of a theatrical journal
called the Opera GiUss did not last
long BY the year 1925 he had com
posed several dramas of merit, includ-
ing "Brutus," his masterpiece, and
"Clari, the Maid of Milan, (which con-
tanned Home, Sweet Home" This
drama was included in manuscripts
sold in the year 1926, to Charles KEN
bic, of Convent Garden Theatre, Lon
don, for thirty pounds. Miss Tree,
a sister of Ellen free, sang the song
,upCl its first production, 1t was
popular immediately. A hundred
thousand copies We're sold in one year
but not one cent was paid tho author
by the fortunate publishers. 1t has
been distributed by millions OF cop.
les since thel and the greatest sing
e's have delighted myriads Of hearers
with its simple and touching music
and sentiment. M. Payne's literary
work while in Europe was carried on
sometimes in London and sometimes
in Paris. 1t was precarious as to its
financial results, and the gifted auth
or is said to have endured cruel hard
Ships by reason ofpoverty. He re-
turned to America in 1881. His liter
ary schemes roved Improbable.
President Tyler appointed him con
sui at Tunis, in 1871 He was re-
called during the administration Of
Polk. President Fillmore reappoint
ed him, and he held the position Of
consul to Tunis at the time Of his
death.