The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-20
MINOR MENTION.

mINUh MEN llUNs
By reason of the inirmities of age Walt
Whitman. the New Jersey poet has not been
able to take his walks abroad, but has, for some
time past, been compelled to contemplate nature
from his door-yard. Hearing of this large
number of his literary friends, including Whit
tier, Charles Dudley Warner, Mark Twain, r.
W. Glider and Oliver Wendell Holmes.
'chipped in" and bought horse and phaeton for
his use. Considering the numerous list of con-
tributors it is not likely that any one of them
was out of pocket more than half dollar; but
the good Old poet did not look his gift horse in
the mouth, and, if gratitude has money value,
the donors have received compound interest in
return for their investment. Whitman rejoiced
with boyish delight over his new possessions
WHEN the daughter of Edwin Booth lately
married Jew. some oficious newspaper writer
made haste to say that the actor, out of respect
| to his son in-laws religion would never appear
on the stage again as "Shylock." Now comes
another writer, with taste for family histories,
and says that Booth himself is of Jewish origin,
his grandfather having been Cuban of that
faith and his father frequent attendant at the
of Venice" for the sake of his son law he will
show more Difference to that individual than to
his grandfather-a thing which, though very
natural, since the latter is dead is not by any
means to be commended.
CANON FARRAR who is now in Canada has,
it is said prepared a lecture on Robert Browning
which he will deliver nowhere but in Boston.
He regards Browning second only to Shak-
speare, and fancies perhaps, that in Boston
alone will he find sympathetic hearers. The
would-b literary people of Boston who have not
hitherto given the matter much thought will
now, if any exclusive distinction is to be gained
thereby at once decide that they, too, believe
Browning to be second Shakespeare In max
ing the announcement of a special lecture Farrar
evidently knew his audience. After the lecture
is over Browning can come to Boston and be a
successful candidate for Office.
THAT was thoughtful bridegroom down in
Pennsylvania who before committing suicide,
procured mourning garments for his wife and
hid them in his trunk, where they were found
after his death. 1t is getting to be so that no
man knows whether his widow will pay his
memory due respect or not and the forethought
which provides weeds for her use is equally COM
mendable with that which looks out for an ante
norton tombstone. IF man doesn't make sure
of these tributes of affection before he is dead
there is painful possibility that it will not be
done after he becomes remains"
MRS. CHARLES WILSON, a society belle, beau
tiful, accomplished and refined, of course, and
moving in the first circles of Montreal society,
has amused herself for some time by admins.
tering powdered glass to her husband. Having
been interrupted in this pastime while Mr. Will
son was yet alive, she has fed to the States for
refuge from the cruel persons who would inter
fere with her wifey privileges. Canada gathers
in the trustees and cashiers, and sends us in re-
turn murderers and playful beings like Mrs.
Wilson. The Canucks may consider this fair
offset, and they may be right.
THE mayor and his aldermen of Montreal
started on little junketing trip to Ontario the
other day, and upon entering the borders of that
province were overhauled on the train by the
health officer, who desired to know if they were
vaccnated. Two of the dignitaries were found to
be without the strawberry mark, and were forth
with compelled to submit to the lancet or to fore
go their fun There was loud protest against
this outrage upon their personal freedom, but
the two finally succumbed and were made small
pox proof.
THE papers are filled with accounts of suicides
of impetuous young persons who, being ''disap-
pointed in love-" felt that life was no longer
worth living. There are seasons when the mid
summer madness called love is like the small
pox more fatal in its effects than at other times
and this seems to be one of the bad years for the
complaint
THE New York World has lived in vain. After
raising 800 600 to furnish pedestal for the Bar.
tholdi statue, it has received letter from "a
constant reader" doubtless. who wants to be in
formed who Bartholdi is, and why a monument
should be erected in his honor. The editor of
the World tainted when he read the query
Boston is in the throes of religious revival.
The awakening began about the time Rev. Downs
made his bad break. Something had to be done
to offset that scandal and the clergy seem to
have decided with great sense to have revival
of the legitimate gospel as a novelty
SEPTEMBER, with its agricultural fairs SOL
diers reunions. and like festivities, is rapidly as
Stunning it's place in the rural mind as the giddy
month of the year.
BREAKFAST TABLE CHAT.
THE Souvelle Revue announces that Princess Bea-