National Republican., 1883-03-23

ing its growth aud character Nor docs an
examination into Paync's character his
brilliant but versatile intellect his
quick temper but kindly nature, his
freedom from at least the grosser
vices his love of pleasure, yet his untiring
indu ty--neither does let IL be repeated, an
examination into his many sided character
and intellect throw any light upon the diff.
Guilty. But fact it was that his friends loved
him and slandered him, praised him and
c0ioled him, respected and despscd him,
recognized his great abilities, contdod i'm his
honor. placed themselves in his power. and all
the while robbed him both of money aud
fame. Even the immortal song which has
made him known to all the world was
claimed by and for score of others in the
teeth of evidence rs positive as that Of any
physical truth. II is a strange, psychological
mystery.
Aftcr the failure Of his arrangements with
tho Old Drury Payne made liberal terms
with the Covent Garden. They promised
him $3.50 for each translation of u French
play $1,000 additional If the translation was
played, and q regular salary of $1,000 the sea-
son for his general attention to the business
of the theater. Ii was promised to bring him
out as an actor. As usual, from some mystic
rious reason mono of these promises were
kept. Then Payne wrote his famous tragedy
of "Brutus' for the great Edmund kcan,
and il was accepted The production of tho
made all the plans for the scenery and
stage sets. overlooked the making of the prop
critics and costumes. aud placed the piece upon
the stage with such historical accuracy as had
very seldom been seen upon the English stage.
1t was produced for the first time Thursday,
Dec. 3, 1915, and was performed to crowded
houses for twenty-three consecutive nights,
interrupted by the holiday season, it was re-
produced Jan. 13, and had a continuous run
of hlty-thrCc nights. 1t was wonderful sue
cess. The fortunes OF the thCater and Of kcan
were redeemed, aud the great thcatcr packed
every night 1t brought thousands to the
treasury. Kcan was paid $3.50 extra
week for playing it, 1t brought to the
author ISLANDERS, charges of plagiarism,
the envy and hatred of those most bene-
fited by IL, and in money only GlS3 Cd or E2O
less than the established reCompcnso for
successful afterpiCCc! kean even went so far
in his hatred of the man who had rosurrectcd
him from the grave of neglect TO the life and
sunshine of u renewed fame as TO get him to
write "a play on the subject of Nirguius, and
then betrayed him into the hands of another
man whose play on the same subject was paid
for handsomely, played thirteen nights, and
then forgotten forever.
Payne then appeared in the role of u mana
ger. After several attempts which were rem
dered abortive by treachery, he leased Sadler's
Wells theatcr. The venture was unfortunate.
He lost over $1,000 and was lodged IN debt
or's Jail 1t is probably this circumstance that
has given rise 10 the stories that frequently
he was without food and shelter, both in
Paris and in London. This is not
30. At no time was Payne in want of the
nccessarics of life. lie always maintained
the status of gentleman in society, and
never became so reduced us TO be without
food or shelter. 1t is timo that this story,
based upon the above incident and used in
antithcsis to the idea of Home, Sweet
ell hp ppla p1
place among the mists of fancy or Of false
hood.
In the debtors prison M. Victor, the
French dramatst sent him comics of "Caas
and " Thercse.' "Calus" had long been Il favor
ite of the British stage. Mr.. Payne immc-
diately translated and adopted "Thercse; or,
the Orphans of Geneva received permission
TO attend rehearsal and production of it, and
it was, as most Of his productions were, a
great success. lie paid his debts and laid by
u goodly sum from his share of the
profits. From this time on, rs long rs
he remained in Europe, he vibrated
between London aud Paris and
worked very industriously as n playwright.
On one occasion he played Richard III with
his uniform brilliant success. He was always
kept on poor pay by his employees, however.
Mr. Charles Kcmblc, on securing the
management of Covent Garden thea
ter, engaged Paynes services. The latter,
lnCu III IuElS, StHI u DdlCu VI
TO Komblc, charging for the lot 81, $50. Among
these was "a musical drama called "AngiO-
lettu." Changing the name 10 ClariI or, The
Maid of Milan," MI. Payne demanded $3.50
torit, which was instantly paid. In this drama
or opera appears the famous song of Home,
Sweet Home; and ii will be seen, from the
above statement, Of what foundation is the
story that Payne wrote it when Il houselcss
wanderer and never received cent for it..
The opera was brought out at COvent Gar
den, Miss NJ. Tree, sister of the celebrated
Ellen, aitcrwaId Mrs. Charles Kean, perform
ing the part of Clari Her exquisite singing
of" Home, Sweet HOME" won her a husband
the wealthy Mr.. Bradshaw. The song has
had wider circulation than any other even
written before or since. IL Is sung in every
language on the globe 1t is Chantcd by the
Yakuts NJ the mouth Of the Lena, aud cronCd
by the African BalObalc around the sources
of the Zambcse. Perhaps the Australian
Papuans and the Terra del Fuegiaus do not
sing 1t, but they have heard it often. EN
cepting these all tongues and climes and
scenes know it we'll and intimately.
Henry Il. Bishop, atterward knighted by
Queen Victoria for his share in this great song
composed the music. Mr.. Payne on one oc'
casion in 1886 while at New Orleans, when
questioned on the subject told his personal
friend, Mr,James Rccs, ,ofPhiladelphia,t that the
air was not wholly original with Mr.. Bishop
and related the following anccdote concern
ing it, He said IL first heard the air il
Italy. One beautiful morning as l was stroll
ing along amid some delightful scenery
my attention was arrested by the sweet
voice of q peasant girl, who was carrying
n basket laden with flowers and vcgeta
bles. This plantive air she trOlled out
with so much sweetness and simplicity that
the melody at once caught my fancy. ! nc
costed her and after II few moments conver
sation l asked for the name of the song, which
she could not give me, but having II sligh
knowledge OF music myself, barely enough
for the purpose, | requested her L
repeat the air, which she did, while
j dotted down the notes as best l could
1t was this air that suggested the words o.
Home, Sweet Home" both of which l sent
TO Bishop at the time | was preparing the
opera of "Clari" for Mr. Kemble Bishop hap
pened to know the air perfectly well anC
adapted the music TO the words"
During his residence in Europe, from ISL
to 1882, Payne wrote the most popular trag
edy, comedy, melodrama, opera, and song o
the day, "Brutus,' in tragedy; "Charlc
drama; "Clari," in opera, aud the immOrta
song, Home, Sweet Home" will live as lonl
as the English language is spoken.
He came back to America, landing in New
York July %, 1882. His evil star still main
tanned lis baleiul ascendency. lie found tn,
cholera raging in the city aud an Indian wa
ON tho frontier. After awhile, however
people returned 10 New York, aud he wa
given benefit at the Park theater Nov. 20
1882, when Brutus, " Charles | )" part o
"Clari," and Shukspeares comedy Of Rather
ineand PetruChio" $50 named in the bills) wcr
played. The cast was strong, cmbraCinl