The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-14
JOHN HOWARD PAYNE.
ELIMINATION of His Remains-A Touching
Scene in a Church in Tunis.

Tunis Dan. g. Correspondence New York Tribune.
The remains of John Howard Payne to-
day left the shores of Tunis, to be carried to
Marseilles, and thence to America. From
NJ. Chappellie, and also Mr.. Reade, the Brit
ish consul, under whose direction the disin-
terment took place, learned much of Payne's
last days and sickness. The narrative of
them is painful one Let it suffice if
write what l heard touchingly and heartily
said by the two or three gentlemen present
at the exhumation who had Familiarity known
Payne, that his character, through disap-
pointments, fancied loneliness and long brood
ing had become of sad soft and delicate
melancholy that was, while gentle and pitiful,
at the same time most winning and beauti-
full. His illness was long and painful one,
but he had most faithful.and loving friends
in NJ. Chappellie, NJ Pisani Mr. Reade,
! Mime, Chappellie Tan American-born lady
with an American heart), and a certain
now old-Arab dragoman whose attachment
to the poet was deep aud sincere. l saw this
thonest man at the exhumation, wearing his
Arab costume believing in the Mohometan
| religion, but full of Chrstlike humanity.
| The Europeans present at the grave on this
sunny Friday morning were about q dozen
| in number, several Arab gentlemen being
also on the ground in their rich and pictur-
esque dress and turbans.
The coffin was reached by the workmen at
| about IL o'clock, and was carefully lifted and
! placed on the broad marble slab which for
| thirty years had covered it, and which bears
the following inscription:
"E PLURIBUs UNUM.
| Shield and eage).
SIN memory of Colonel John Howard Payne,
| twice Consul of the United 8 rates of America for
the city and kingdom of Tunis, this stone is here
placed by grateful country He Died at the
! illness, April 1st, 1852. He was born at the city
of Boston, State OF Massachusetts, June 8th,
| 1892. His fame Poet ana Dramatist is we'll
known wherever the English language is spoken,
through his celebrated Ballad of Home, Sweet
| other similar productions"
On the four edges of this slab is also carved:
"Sure when thy gentle spirit fed
| To realms beyond the azure dome,
| With arms outstretched, Gods angel said,
Welcome to Heavens Home, Sweet Home.'"
The coffin was badly rotted, in spite of the
care taken by United States Consul Fish,
| who several months ago encased it in cement
! for its better preservation. A little, thread
| like root of the pepper tree had made it's way
into the grave and coffin, and was just about
| to pass across the forehead. Some of our
mother earth had got in the coffin and
mingled with the bones. The whole skele-
ton was obtained and laid reverently in a
new coffin, which was covered with lead ;.
soldered and sealed. This was then placed
in neat, native hardwood coffin, which
was secured by locks and keys, all then be-
| ing put III the strong, iron-bound outside
box, which bore the address: ITO U. S.
Consul Taylor, Marseiles, France"
| At o'clock in the afternoon the body was
| taken to the small and simple Protestant
| church and placed near the pretty little
chancel window, on which are inscribed
| these words:
sETo the Memory of
JOHN HOWARD PAYNE,
| Author of Home Sweet Home'"
This window was made in England and
placed here by few English-speaking resi-
dents of Tunis whose admiration and respect
| for Payne were decided and sincere. Indeed
found among the poets friends an affec-
tionate regard that was akin to enthusiasm.
| They grieved to lose the sacred bones that
| had lain here for thirty long years-the OBJ
| ject of their loving and ceaseless care. When
the body was carried into the church an
| English gentleman at the little American
made organ played the air and aSweet-voiced
| American lady sang the immortal song OF
the dead poet; and as the tender words trem-
ulously foated through and filled the holy
| place, hearts swelled, eyes were suffused, and
"And a charm from the skies seemed to hal
low us there"
Tongue cannot tell nor pen describe the eff
feet OF that song sung under the circum-
stances | have stated. The cleaning of the
| coming evening had crept into the chapel,
and the dim, religious light" that Payne's
| poetic temperament could have understood
and absorbed, bathed all, both living and
dead, in its mellow radiance. The twilight
came on apace and we left the poor remains
to lie there until the morrow, guarded by the
faithful dragoman who in life, as in death,
was stanch and faithful to the last.
A Disguised Friend