Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-07-01

WASHINGTON LETTER.
PIE Author or msme. sweet Home NJ
Rese..Jehn Howard Payne...Obse.
ssies. Incidents and Reminescenees.
correspondence Posr-IsrELLroENcER:l
Sometimes circumstances and Incl
dents lead US to fear that the American
people are becoming too practical. Too
suuch rush of business and not enough
leisure. "Not enough holidays" say
those who have studied the habits and
sustoms Of the Europeans as compared
20 0ur own.
But the last Saturdays spectacle has
satis6cd the veriest croaker that senti-
mert ia not buried in debris, never to
Yiss; but only rests dormant subject to
The siren voices of music aud poesy,
With touches OF nature.
The final interment Of all that 70.
Mains Of John Howard Payne at Oak
Hill Cemetery WAS one Of the most in
tsesstin1 occAsious Of the kind recorded
10 our brief history as n young nation.
Not, perhaps. since the re-interment Of
General Washington has anything oc-
cured 80 world. wide in sentimental in
tsrsst. Ga that occasion, even, the cir
cumstances being 90 different, very diff
fsrsnt feelings existed. There was the
changing of an old family vaclt for q
(. new, stronger, safer and inner sepulchre.
moro acceptable aud In harmony with
the laws of decay and repair. But here
comes the wandefer after resting the
dreamless sleep for thirty-one years
In q foreign land; the homeless. who
touched land ever will touch a. long
a. time lasts) the hearts OF millions In
the whole world with his "Home, Sweet
Home" at last brought home and laid
70 fnal rcst In the very grounds he loved
10 Vell 20 ling = IN when living here;
the very ssme grand old trees stretching
their projecting arms, the same music
Of tho waterfall, the beauties OF which
his eye and ear drank in with delight.
Laid away by tender hands who knew
him and we'll remembered his histrionic
and poetic gifts and rare sensibilities.
Laid 10 rest al homo by the gentle
charity of man whose open palm these
many years has never held back from
dispensing blessings everywhere. As
Mr.. C0rc0ran receives, 10 he Rives--un-
a&intingly. Every arrangement, from
the disinternlent In Africa to the final
bsnedictiou by the venerable Bishop
Pinkncy at the closing grave, was mr.
ranged by Mr.. Corcoran and his aids
With tho greatest skill. Every plan was
peefeCt in construction and execution.
bslecling the ninety third anniversary
Of the authors birth, the venerable
philanthropist reserved that date for
5he final obsequies having the monu-
meut finished and set and tho vault
halt beneath Il with the bier prepared
for the occasion, decorated with beauti-
ful flowers and evergrecns, that sem
blanCes of death and mother earth be
hid from sight. Representatives of
homo and foreign Governments were
present. President Arthur sat between
Bishop Pinkney and Mr.. Corcoran. Just
behind him was his cabinet, and next
the diplomatic corps. A fine portrait II
The author, painted with the handsome,
youthful face Of 10 years Of age (the
days Of his great success in his stage Ca
Seer) hung in front Of the orators stand
framed In one Of the most beautiful
6oeAl designs Of roses, carnations and
pansiee. Among the magnificent floral
oontributions the most unique and en-
hlematic was q piece representing q
asld Of wheat, cut and standing In a
shsaf, with the sickle resting beside il
On the stubble. all surrounded by a
border OF everlastings, with words writ
tsn In violets.
The procession starting from the Cor
eeran Art Gallery and passing from
Warrington TO Georgetown West
Washington) to the cemetery, vas partly
military in character with their accom-
panying bands. The Marine Band was
the escort for the burial party and
played "Home, Sweet Home," as the
6ulsmn corteee slowly followed from the
eate-wAy ON foot with uncovered heads;
among whom we're Ave or ak relatives,
90 niece of Mr.. Payne. A. the heart
mslody rsverbcrated through grove and
valley In the "Caty OF the Dead" many
shed toara from the old associations
th1s recalled by the familiar air % in
tsevoveu In everybody's homo life.
4vsu nature sympathssica shed few
6fopo Of rain FROM stray summer
elesd, but was quickly followed by all
~ eloriss Of June sunset, reminding
- of the joys that may follow
MT tears IN we'll spent life.
II shs sadness OF the presence Of
mn eussov was not there and We may
. pardoned IL We say that IL was a
ennd occasion, and fully appreciated
y " thousands present, with its pa
tAstie poem from Robert 3. Chiffon,
teoe ams person Who wrote the epitaph
q The tomb at Tunis), q soul stirring
esatiou by Leigh Robin son, Of Virginia,
md grand music from the Philhar-
nenic Society with accompanying organ
~ marine band.
:. An elderly gentleman who knew
nyne In his later years came out In q
mminincence In the Erssiag Star which
eolllded with the poetic recitals Of thu
o1eos In some points.
Oue says he wrote "Houe, Sweel
noms"--its first lines by the street lamT
g nobleman's palace steps in London
jo9 from debtors prison.
Ine other says he wrote while Raxine
trom his lone window In Paris lodgins
eooas upon the happy thrOuQ moving
oesow, and never rsated upon palace
eeep "homeless." One Gays his goOdI
end steols were seised for debt atmos'
before his eyes closed iu-death. Ths
oenes says that he had every oomfor
20 many friends around him; that Z
taishful draQ0man never left him, and
!oor sisters OF charity attended him sAy
me he vaa - gentle and thoughtful o
S!neI that IL vAs pleasure 20 care TO
Uni" that Mrs. Heap, An estiuaAhl,
ne!iah lady, read 10 him often from
~ tavoiite books.
Ihns his friend and bioeraphsr dis
poeseaeos the story Of some OF its 10
nances Tor u has ever bean psthssi'
.mpenny 10 the hearth and hons con,
49, " homsls0 wanders. wrote is U
~ osspourinRs OF . ysarninQ hsars
vs MOI cling % the osntimou
t1c1Gh ~ indulge shs fsiond &
aaaa = peeaaiasy vanA TAsr