Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-03-16
AUTHOR OF A FAMOUS SONG
A Talk With the Composer of Kathleen
Mavourneen-In Need of Help.
Baltimore Sun.

Yesterday afternoon. in scantily fur.
nished room at No. 62 Parkin street. sat
an old gray haired man, lingering an
ancient piano. 1t was Frederick Nichols
Crouch, the author of sskathleen Mavour-
neen." His personal appearancei is strik-
ing. OF a short, compact figure, his
movements are astOnishingly quick and
active. He has a bushy growth of hair
and beard, his complexion is ruddy, and
from under rugged brows shine bright
hazel eyes. His dress consisted of an old
soldier coat, dark blue flannel shirt and
we'll worn pantaloOns.
He has been composer, musician, au-
thor, poet, journalist, soldier and laborer,
ana is now very poor. He was in cvnic
mood yesterday. Speaking OF the bring
ing of the remains Of John Howard PAYNE
to this country, he remarked: SIS it not
strange that philanthropists prefer to
honor dead poet rather than extend a
helping hand to the living? ] am old
and helpless now, and need bread more
than Payne's bones need new
resting place. Professor Crouch
spoke very kindly, however, of
Mr.. w. w. CorcOran. to whose
liberality the removal of Payne's remains
to the country is due, and mentioned that
he had been teacher in Mr.. Coreoran's
family. Professor Crouch saws lac knew
Payne, and led the music the night at
Drury Lane Theatre when Payne's opera
of ''Clari, the Maid of Milan was pro
duced. Sir Henry Bishop was the COM
poser. Payne wrote the words. Both
men were IN the wings and in full view
OF Prof. Crouch during the performance.
The song of "HOme, Sweet HOme,'' was
written for this opera
Prof. Crouch told how his own famous
song, "Kathleen MavOurneen," was COM
posed. He said the words had been sent
to him from London by Mrs. Crawford.
He was riding one day along the banks of
the lamar, in West England, when the
melody came to him. Il was so infatu-
ated with it," said Prof. Crouch, s'that |
sang the song to large audiences in the
Plymouth Assembly Rooms, Plymouth,
DevOnshire, and within a week. il began
to spread. Thus was my offspring begot-
ten and so became the child of the world !"
He also composed the songs ''Would l
Were With Thee, y ''The Widower," |'We
Parted in Silence" ''Sing to Me. Nora"
''The Widow to Her Child" and many
principally 'Kathleen Mayourneen" that
made his reputation.
Professor Crouch spoke freely of his
career. He was born in England, july
81, 1903, of good family. At nine years of
age he played the bass at the Royal
Coburg Theatre, which was erected in
honor of the marriage OF the Princess
Charlotte, only daughter of George ".
Working his way among the minor
theatres, he at last became attached to
His Majesty's Theatre, where he played
solo. on the violOncellO before Rossini.
The conductor was BOchsa, then in the
height of his glory, and he made young
Crouch his pupil. As his voice indicated
singing qualities, he was installed as one
of the Chapel Royal boys in Westminster
Abbey, and when the Royal Academy
of Music was established in 1922,
under the patronage of George ". he
was admitted as a student. After his
graduation he was made principal violOn-
cellist at Drury Lane Theatre. Professor
Crouch described his musical, mercantile
and literary life in England. He became
musical reviewer of the .NetrODOlitdn
Magazine, of which Captain Marryatt. the
novelist, was editor, and for nine consec-
utive years was a writer Of musical works
and contributor to various periodicals.. In
addition to his songs, he wrote the operas
Of ''The Fifth of November and 'sSr
Roger de COverly.' His companions
were the leading literary men of the
day, including Thackeray, In 1S49
he came to America with Max Maretzek.
They had previously been engaged in Her
Majesty's Opera House, Haymarlet,
LONDON. MaretZek'S operate venture
proved a failure, and the company was
disbanded. after performing in New York
and Boston. Crouch went to Maine, lee
tured on music, directed several concerts.
and then taught in that State for seven
years. lie then moved to Philadelphia
with the intention of coming TO BaIti-
more and going hence to California to try
his luck at gold-digging, but his wife
got sick and he went to Wash
lngtOn instead. He was Organist
at st. Matthew's Church, Washing
ton, during Buchanan's administration.
and went thence to Richmond to lead a
church choir. When the war broke out
he was one of the first to shoulder NUS
ket, enlisting in the Richmond Grays and
afterwards in the Richmond HoWitzers,
He served all through the war. At its
close. he made his way to Buckingham
Court House, Virginia, and worked on
farm as laborer and gardener. Then
he came to Baltimore, and has re-
mained here ever since. Finding that
he could not make a living for
himself and family by teaching music, he
accepted position in furniture store as
varnisher. He is now out of employ
ment and too old to help himself He has
a wife and five children. He tries 10
smile cheerily at fate, but the smile is
full of pathos. Several attempts have
been made in different cities to raise a
sum OF money for him, but they have ends
ed in mere talk. He has written an auto
biography and thinks that if he had
enough money to have lit published his last
days could be passed in comfort