Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-06-09

ton.
RECEIVES HIS COMMISSION
Mr.. Payne received his commission as consul to
Tunis in the month OF February, 1851, but did not
leave washington until after the adjournment OF
Congress IN the month following. short time
before he left Washington for New York per-
suaded him to sit for a dagUerreOtype portrait,
and at about the same time he copied for me the
song OF Home, Sweet HOme,' and these memen-
toes OF our pleasant acquaintance are now among
my most valued possessions.
His chfrography was remarkable for its 1nenesl.
gracefulness, and legbiity each letter being per.
1ectly formed, and a page OF his manuscript con-
tanning nearly as many words as would be included
IN printed page of equal size. Although his corre
pondence was. Ia earlier life, very extensive, he
was In the habit OF copying his letters by hand,
aud placing the copies with the letters OF his
1 left Washington shortly after Mr.. Payne's de-
parture ana went to New York to assume the
Broadway and Leonard street, where he called on
me soon after my arrival In that city. He In
formed me that he Was busily engaged In prepa-
ratiOns for his departure for Tunis, and was max
ing purtnasas OF books, pictures and other
a few days afterwards noticed that his face wore
an axious look, but before had an opportunity to
inquire concerning the cause thereof he informed
convenient distance from New YORK, the trans
portatlon OF his purchases thither was attended
with much trouble and expense and he had also
several large trunks containing valuable books
papers and keepSakeS, which he was anxious to
tring TO New York for repacking, with view to
where to find room In which to place them until
they were ready to be sent TO the steamer In which
he had taken PASSAGE Fortunately | had large
AMI un0Gup ID room in the rear of the gallery to
which told him he could send them. and, at the
same time, requested him to make my rooms his
headquarters long as he remained in New
York His face at once assumed a cheerful ex-
preston, and after thanking me for my offer he
went away, but in few hours afterwards re-
turned with several large trunks, which were
carefully bestowed in the room which / had as
signed to his use.
LAST DAYS IN NEW YORK.
From this time until the day OF his final depart
ure from New York Mr.. Payne was with me sew
erai hours each day, and frequently remained
with me until late at night. He was busily en-
ployed most of the time during the day in
arranging his business affairs and in making pur-
chaSeS, which consisted principally OF books and
pictures. Among his pictorial purchases were
several large colored photographic views OF Amerl-
can cities, which were intended for presentation
to the hey OF TuniS- From the large quantity Of
books, pictures and other articles with which he
filled MS trunks. 1t was evident that he looked
forward to many. years OF pleasant life in Tunis.
lie was in excellent spirits at this time, and,
seemingly. very happy in the prospect OF return
Ing to his Old home In foreign land
When wearied with packing his trunks, in which
labor frequently gave him my assistance, he
would entertain me by his brilliant conversation,
which was intersperSed with "reminiscences Of his
life abroad and with anecdotes relating to himself,
to all OF which listened with absorbing interest.
One evening as we sat together, after he had be-
come exhausted by the labOrs OF the day and had
sunk into large armchair, he related, with deep
feeling, the story OF his attachment to beautiful
and accomplished lady OF Boston, by whom his
affection was rec1procated, and who would have
become his wife but for parental objections. This
lady belonged TO one OF the Oldest and Wealthiest
When he visited Boston some years after his re-
turn from his first residence in Europe he missed
city In former years. Conyersing, one day, with a
lady whom he had known many years before, he
remarked that times had changed since his last
visit, for now he received many invitations to
church, but very few to dinner "Will you dine
with me to-day. Mr. Payne?' asked the lady '.No,
with an old friend to-day"
could cite many more anecdotes related to me
by MI Payne, but have only space for the follow
ing: He once heard Of a parrot, belonging to a
hotel keeper in New York, that had been taught
TO sing Home, Sweet Home, and walked some dis
requested him to sing the song, when Polly
promptly replied, to the great amusement OF
Payne, II can't, I've got bad cold"
PERSONAL APPEARANCE
In person Mr. Payne was under the medium
height, and slightly built His symmetrical and
f1ney-developed head was bald On the top, but the
sides were covered with light brown hair. His
nose was large and dsproportionato to the rest of
his face, which was lighted by pair OF delicate
blue eyes that Shone from beneath a lofty brow.
lie wore a full beard, consisting Of side whiSkers
and mOustache, which were always we'll trimmed.
HeiwaS scrupulOusly neat In his Dress and usually
wore a dark brown frock coat and O black
vest, while his neck was covered with black
satin scarf. which was arranged In graceful folds
across his breast Despite his quiet and UMPIRE
tending manner, and his plain attire, there was
that nameleSS something about his appearance
which never failed to attract attention, and to
impress even the most casual observer with a
feeling that he looked upon man of no ordinary
character His voice was low ana musical, and
when conyersing on any subject In which he was
deeply interested he spoke with degree OF
earnestneSs that enchanted the attention and
touched the hearts OF his listeners.
POPULAR PICTIoNs.
1t has. for many years, been customary to speak
OF Payne as homeless wanderer, who knew
nothing Of the joys Of home and the love OF kin
dred; yet the popular opinion relative to thismat
ter has no foundation in truth 1t Is true that he
had no home In the sense that married man has,
homeless than any other bachelor who lives in
lodgings, or any foreign ambassador, whose Official
duties compel him TO reside in house provided
by his brothers and sisters ana always welcome
to share their home; but he preferred to live alone
or where he could pursue his literary avocatIons
In the solitude of his own apartments He was
and, in fact, did live with his brother, Thatcher
Payne, for many years after his return from his
nineteen years residence abroad
To many people who make literature their pro-
feSStOn, and who live much Of the time In an ideal
world OF their own creation, there come periods
OF encouragement and privat1On, and such, un-
d Io1y, was sometimes the fate Of Mr..
that was satisfactory to himself. During the nrst
nineteen years OF his residence abroad he realized
large sums OF money from hts dramatic perform
anceS and when he abandoned the stage he found
his pen source of liberal income. During most
OF this period OF his life he lived comfortably and
often luxuriOusly, and numbered among his intl-
mate friends and associates many OF the most
distinguished authors and artists Of the time.
Many or the stories current concerning the
straits In which he sometimes fOu!i himself
in consequence OF his impecuniosity. are pure
fiction, cOncOcted by that class OF writers who
rely upon their Imagination for their lGcts. or
course 1t Is pOetlcal to write Of the author of
Home, Sweet Home" as ''hOmeeSs Wall ierer"
but such was not the fact His natural Instincts
were nomad1c, and In his earlier year, he was
never so happy IS when travelling in his native
land or in Europe. This taste for travel began
with his early career as an actor, and the habit
then formed chung to him through life.
These frequent illusions to his poverty and
homeless condition are unjust to the memory OF
his brothers and sisters and must be painful his
few surviving relatives.
Payne was devOtedly attached to his relatives
and during his last residence in Tunis dsguer-
reotype OF his only surviving niece always stood
open on table In his room. before which his Mo-
hammedan servant used every morning to make
Salam. To this niece, OF whom Payne was re-
markaDly fond. 1t must be pleasure to remem-
Der her uncle with smile on his face, and neither
hungry nor cold, for, though the world may be
slow 10 believe II, there Were times when he was
warm and fed. and happy, full of fun. playing with
her as child, and well dressed, comfortable and
happy.
FAREWELL TO AMERICA.
On the 9Th day OF May, 1851, saw Mr. Payne for