Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-03-28

The dust Of John Howard Payne, the au-
thor Of Home, Sweet Home" was brought
back to his native land last week. The
song which has made his name immortal
was written In Paris and formed part of
an opera which be called "Clari, the Maid
of Milan" 1t was first produced at Gov.
ent Garden, London, in 1923. The music
was adapted from Sicilian air. The song
was sung by the Maid of Milan, when con.
trasting the splendid apartments in which
she finds herself with the home she has
abandoned. The following is given in the
biography of Payne as being in Accordance
with his "original manuscript, with bis own
precise punctuation"
mid pleasures and palaces though wemay roam,
Be It ever 40 humble there's no place like homel
Which, through the world ne'eI met with elsewhere
Moms, Home, Sweet, Sweet Homel
There's no place like Home
There's no place like Homel
An exile from home, spendor dazzles in vain
hs Ss ss sSy ai hS c SEe & &c my
Give me them and the peace Of mind deater than all
H FSsps Home nn q. Sweet s s s%sst Homel
There's no place like Homel
This song has had greater circulation
than any written before or since. Upwards
of one hundred thousand copies were issued
by its publishers in London in less than one
year after its first publication. Payne was
born in 1902. lie early developed literary
ability which attracted the attention Of men
of letters. He entered Union College, but
having passion for the drama, he left col
lege before the completion of his course aud
appeared on the stage in this country and in
England. A critic of the times says he had
81 face almost too beautiful for man and
voice the clearest and most bell-like we re-
member ever to have heard" In Paris he
was the roommate of Washington Irving.
His literary productions were quite numer-
GUS, but neither these nor his theatrical ven.
lures saved him finally from the pinchings
of poverty. In July, 1882, he returned to
the United States. He made New York his
home for some time, engaging in literary
work, which proved to be not very remu-
nerative. In 1871 President Tyler appointed
him consul at Tunis. In the course Of Folks
administration he was recalled. He was
again appointed to the same post by Fill
more, which position he held at the time of
his death in 1852. The removal of his re-
mains to this country is the work of w. w.
Corcorsn, Esq, Of Washington, an old
time friend of the poet. The body lay in
state in New York on Friday. During the
day constant stream of visitors passed in
and out of the room where tlsy. Some OF
the ladies scattered flowers on the casket.
At four o'clock Gilmore's band ranged itself
on the steps of the City Hall, and minute
later the strains of Home, Sweet Home T"
were borne tenderly over the three or four
thousand uncovered people on the broad pi-'
azza in front of the hall. As the pathetic
melody died away many an eye was dimmed
as tribute to the poet whose remains lay
there, wrapped in the national colors
Nearer, My God, to Thee was followed
by I" The Lost Chord" and the Doxology."
As the coffn was slowly borne to the hesrse
to resume its journey to Washington, again
was sounded the music of the song that has
made the dead mans name loving house
hold word all over the world. On the OH of
June, the ninety-frst anniversary of the pc.
cts birth, his remains will be finally en-
tombed in Oak Hill Cemetery in Washing
ton, with appropriate memorial ceremonies.