The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-11-03

Especial Corrcspondencc.I
NEW YORK, Sept 20.-From tho many
stories .,fioat, all OF them singularly con-
current, it appears entirely probable that
Mrs. James Brown Potter will soon adopt
the stage as profession. She has carried
amateur acting to such extremes that there
VII be very little difference between that
and entering the theatre regularly. She
has been rs conspicuous through advertising
as she is ever likely to become, perhaps much
more so. Any and all prctense of her pri-
vacy is palpably absurd under existing condi-
tions. She is as much talked and written
about, commented OH and pointed out as any
actress in the city. She knows it, too, and
enjoys it; for vanity, however it may bc dis
guiscd, is one of her leading traits. The
Browns and Potters, two of the most conser
vative families in town, can hardly relish the
idea; but tho change when it comes will
scarcely bc perccptiblc, and the lady herself
will be far more consistent Us II complete pro-
fessional than rs professional amateur while
assuming to be strictly in private life. Mrs
Potter is pretty and clever. as Cora Urgu-
hart, native belle of New Orleans, she was
much hattered and had her own way; and
she seems to have it still in the &ace of any
amount of orthodox and social opposition.
Very few persons who remember the
Church of the PuritaIis i'll Union square, in
which the Rev. George B. ChceTer preached
so eloquently and paSSionately against slavery
in the days before the war, have any idea
that it remains in the same form III another
quarter of tho town. TifHany's jewclry and
silvcrware establishment occupies its site.
It was familiar and pictorial structure with
its granite walls and clustering ivy, and was
remarkable for having one tower much
shorter than the other. The story is that,
while tho building was contemplated ~one Of
the members of the Congregational society,
while travelling in Europe, was particularly
struck with church in England. Having
some skill in drawing, and some idea of
architecture, he made copy of the English
edificc on paper, brought it home, and it so
pleased the building committee that they sub
stantially adopted the design Long after
they learned that the reason Of the short
tower OIL the other side was that the British
congregation had not sufficient money to
finish it. This greatly amused DR.. Chocvcr'S
congregation, but did not alter their opiil
ion Of the picturcsqucness of the ab
brcviatetl tower. The Church Of the Puri-
tans was sold, the stones marked and put into
the Mt. Olivcr (colorcdl Baptist church, in
Fifty-third street near Seventh avenue, an
exact reproduction Of the ivy-covcred pile Of
quarter of IL century ago in Union square,
minus the ivy, But i'll the street through
which the elevated railway runs it naturally
does not look half 50 imposing US it did III the
famous square Hardly any old New Yorker
recognizes it, suspect, when lie passes it,
DR.. Clcever is also extant, though gcner
ally supposed to be dead. He retired from
the pulpit during the civil war on account of
.lclicate health, and has been living most Of
the timp in one of the New Jersey suburbs
He has lad all active career. Born in Maine
graduate Of Bowtloin and Andover, lie was
pastor Of Il Congregational church ct Salem,
Mass Then, as ever aftcrwnrd, nn ardent
advocate Of temperance, bc published ut
~ a reputed dream, DEACON Giles
Distilery," in which the liquors werc
described as containing demons, ard colsti-
tutng an Internal pit. The article hal wide
popularity in the form Of temperance tract;
Deacon Gile was thought to he q wealthy
citizen. who was quite popular with certain
class. Consequently, Chcevers skit excited
wruth against him among the common peo-
plc, who attacked him, and handled him
roughly in the street. Ho WIS also tried for
libel and committed to Jail for thirty days
He has always taken profound pride in that
imprisonment rs the penalty for freedom Of
expression. For the last twenty years he has
taken no part IN public affairs. passing his
time among his hooks. and with some of his
old friends. FIe has himself Ucen prolific
author, but has written nothing for Il long
while lie is now 20. and wholly unknown
to tho rising generation.
JUNICs HENRI BROWNE.