The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-05-10

hherlcanS VIII always remember MIN
with pleasure for episode in his career.
Had it not been for his rare enterprise
and Incompatible sagacity as man of
affairs we Americans, alas. now grown
old, might never have gazed enraptured
on the lovely Fanny Elssler. 1t was ow-
ing to his persistence that she was per-
suaded to visit this country. And this
is how it came about. Mr.. Stephen Price
Of the Park Theatre, New York, an old
friend of Wikoff's, was in financial
straits. The world had used him badly,
and in the autumn of his life he was com
PEELED to use his wits for living. lie
went to Wikoff and propounded big
scheme. 1t was to engage Elssler for
his theatre in New York for forty nights.
He sought and obtained Wiknff7s aid,
and that most ingenious gentleman pro-
cured an interview between Mr.. Price
also present. The Marquis de Lavalette
acted as the interpreter between the
manager aud Fanny Elssler. "She was
above medium height wrote the enrap.
tured Wikoff, ''and divinely formed, as
l had often seen on the stage. Her fea-
lures were well shaped and the eyes of
dark gray, wonderfully soft and gentle.
Her head was beautifully formed, the
countenance singularly sweet and win
ming. The voice, too, was low and must
cal. Every movement was the incarna-
ton of grace" After weeks of negotia-
ton the contract was at last signed, and
Fanny Elssler was bound to exhibit to
transatlantic eyes her splendid feats and
magnificent person or pay heavy for
felt" This was a great triumph for
Wikoif. With infinite skill he convinced
Fanny that we were not nation of saw
ages far remote from civilization. He
disarmed her fears, and became on init
mate terms with her and succeeded in
| fully gaining her cofidence. After every
arrangement had been completed, Mr..
Price died. His partner, Mr.. Z. Simp-
son, refused to ratify the contract, and
the engagement therefore fell through.
Wikof1 then undertook the management
and persuaded Fanny Elssler to embark
with HIM. and in April, 1910, she set sail
for this country in the steamer Great
Western. she had glorious reception
on her arrival and made her first appear
ance on the American stage at the Park
Theatre ON the evening of May II. The
house was packed. Never did any wo-
man meet with more magnificent man
Hesitation of applauding friendliness. As
is well known, tie trip through the
| States was most successful. Fanny
Elssler, during the two years she was in
this country, had the benefit of Mr..
Wikotf's counsel and though some very
hard things were said of that gentlemen
it is beyond doubt that he did all he
could to insure her success and that he
earned the gratitude Of the fair dancer
HIS NEWSPAPER VENTURE.
In 1914 Mr.. Wikofi entered into part
nership with Mr.. Duff Green, well
known journalist of energy and ability
They started paper called the Republic,
devoted to the advocacy of free trade
1t had only an ephemeral existence,
though a staff of editors and reporters
was imported expressly from London and
Paris. 1t was fortunate in publishing
| the first Of ho Of ha
monster gun on board the Princeton
which killed so many laading Washing
ton politicians. Mr.. Wikoff lost about
10000 on the Republic, and it then
passed into the hands of the Clay wings,
and was edited by John o. and Epes
Sargent. Soon after it died.
AMONG FRENCH CELEBRITIES.
In September, 1916, he had an inter-
view with Prince Louis Napoleon in the
citadel of Ham, to which the Prince had
been condemned for life. The interview
lasted four hours. Five years had
elapsed since Mr.. Wikoff had been in tie
habit of meeting the Prince in London
at the table of his uncle, King Joseph.
Mr.. Wikoff published the result of his
conversation with the distinguished pris-
oner, and very interesting article he
made of it. A correspondence ensued,
in which the Prince expressed himself as
grateful for Mr.. Wikof's sympathy.
Two years after he met in Paris Louis
Blanc, Lamartine, Theirs (whom he
called the chief accoucheur of Louis
| Philippe's dynasty), Chateaubriand and
the Able Lammenais. In iS49, when
Napoleon was President of the French,
the Chevalier renewed the friendly rela-
tions which had formerly existed be-
tween them. Napoleon invited him to
| dinner and introduced him to all the
celebrities. About this time he began to
write III the French newspapers and
formed the acquaintance of Emile dc
| GirarCin.
ROWING DIPLONATIST.
In the summer of 1850 Mr.. Wikoff was
all inler in Paris watching with keen
eye the course of political events. He
was not contented with being simply a
locker on, but occasionally diverted him
self by contributing to the French press.
He wrote an essay on the British consti-
tuition which caught the eye of Mr.. Ed
wardes, the Acting Secretary of the Brit
iSh Embassy at Paris. He sought Mr..
WikoiSs acquaintance and grve him
letter of introduction to Lord Palmerston.
The letter was accepted most gracious1y,
and cordial relations We're soon estab.
lisbed between Mr.. Wikoff and Downing
street. Lord Palmerston invited him
down to Broadlands, his country seat,
where he enjoyed the usual hospitality
of the place. Lord Palmerston, after
probing his depth and finding that the
witty and vivacious young American was
likely to be Of service to him, astonished
him by saying abruptly one morning.
Your views seem to coincide with mine,