Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-02-24
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 81. 1883.
COMING ROME ATLAsT.
The Remains of John Howard Payn,
Om their way 10 America.

TUNIS, Jan 6.--TO-day the remains or
the author of "HOme. Sweet Home" left
the shores of Tunis on board French
steamer, to be carried to Marseilles.
whence they are to be forwarded to
America. Yesterday, at 10 O'clock q. M, |
WENT to the nOtlunattractive and decided
ly neat Protestant Cemetery Of St.GeOrge.
situated on high wall-surrOunded ground
within the city. / was agreeably disap-
pointed in the appearance of this Gods
Acre, as had read in American news
papers that Payne's grave was neglect
ed one in NEGLECTED burial ground. On
the contrary, the grounds were planted
with flOurishing and fragrant rOsebush-
es, splendid clumps of heliOtrOpes, and
hedges of brilliant carnati0n pinks and
geraniums, while the walks were clean
and smooth, and the stones and mOnu-
ments snowy white in the morning sun.
should think the Enclosure contained
about an acre, and almost in the center
of it was the grave of Payne. At the
head of the grave was standing a large
and beautiful pepper tree, branches Of
which bent tenderly and drOOpingly
over the tomb. This, the finest and
nOblest tree in the place, was planted by
one of Pavnes truesL and best friends in
Tunis-M. Chappellie-wh was present
at the death and intermenJ of the poet.
From M. Chappellie and also Mr.. Reade,
the British Consul. under whose direc-
tons the disinterment took place,
learned much of
PAYNE'S LAST DAYS AND SICKNESS.
The narrative of them is a painful
one. Let it suffice if write what heard
tOuchingly and heartily said by the two
or three gentlemen present at the ex-
humatiOn who had Familiarity known
Payne, that his character through dis
appointments, fancied loneliness, and
long brOOding had become of sad, soft
and delicate melancholy, that was, while
gentle and pitiful, at the same time
most winning and beautiful. His ill
ness was long and painful one, but he
had most faithful ana loving friends in
M. Chappellie, M. Pisani, Mr.. Reade,
Nine. Chappellie Ian American-bOrn lady
with an American heart). and certain
now Old-Arab dragOman whose at
tachment to the poet was deep and sim
cere. / saw this honest man at the eX-
humation. wearing his Arab costume.
believing in The MOhammedan religion,
but full of Christlike humanity. Eu-
rOpeans present at the grave on this
sunny Friday morning were about a
dozen in number, several Arab gentle
men being on the ground in their rich
andspicturesque dress and turbans.
The coffin was reached by the work
fully lifted and placed on the broad
marble slab which for thirty years had
covered it, and which bears the follow
ing inscription:
e PLURIBUS UNUM.
(Shield and earle
In memory Of Colonel John Howard Payne,
twice Consul of the United States of America
for the city and kingdom of Tunis, this stone
is here placed by grateful country. He died
at the American Consulate, in this city,. after
tedious illness, April l, 1852. He was born at
the city of Boston, State Of Massachusetts,, June
8, 1892. His fame as poet and dramatist is
well known wherever the English language Is
spoken through his celebrated ballad Of ''Home,
Sweet HOme," and his popular tragedy OF
"Brutus," and other celebrated productions.
On the four edges of this slab is also
carved: f|fff'E
Sure, when thy gentle spirit fled
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 incased it in cement for its better
preservation. A little thread-like root
of the pepper tree had made its 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
skeleton was obtained and laid rever-
emily in a new coffin. which was covered
with lead, sOldered and sealed This
fIa, nj in har h
wood coffin, which was secured by locks
and keys, all then being put in the
strong, irOn-bOund outside box, which
bore the address,: ITO United States
Consul Taylor, Marseilles, France s-..--
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon the body
was taken to the small and simple Prot
estant church and placed near the pretty
little chancel window, on which are in
seribed these words:
To the Memory of
JOHN HOWARD PAYNE, /
Author Of "Home, Sweet Home.' ff 4
This window was made in England
and placed there by few English-speak-
ing residents of Tunis, whose admira-
ton and respect for Payne were decided |
and sincere. Indeed found among the
poets friends an affectiOnate regard that
was akin to enthusiasm. They grieved |
to lose the sacred bones that had lain
here for thirty long years-the object 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
A swEET-vOICED AMERICAN LADY
sang the immortal song of the dead poet;
and as the tender words TREMENDOUSLY
foated through and filled the holy place,
hearts swelled, eyes were suffused, and