New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-03
KISSED BY MAYOR HEWITT.
YOUNG HOFFMAN, SCORES A NEW TRIUMPH.
LITTLE JOSEF MAY PLAY FOUR TIMES WEEK
OFFERING TO EDUCATE THE PRODIGY.

mayor Hew1tts temporary offices in the Stew
art Building were invaded yesterday by crowd
OF reporters and people interested in the case Of
Josef Hofmann. 1t was said by the officials that
years had passed since so many ncwpapcr men
had assembled in the Mayors office They wero
at first inclined to be merry while waiting for
the arrival OF the pianist prodigy, but the Mayor
soon dampened their spirits by informing them
that no one except the parties directly interested
would be permitted to be present at the examin-
alton.
Elbrdge 1. Gerry with his philanthropic head
covered by sealskin cap of unusual form gaye
brief life to reportoral enthusiasm by exhibiting
formidable bundle Of printed and typc-writtcn
documents. But he too, proved unfeeling for
after telling how, interesting of the letters
were, he said he could not think of showing them
till after the hearing. and perhaps not even then
In the meanwhile as some faint compensation he
offered for inspection pamphlet written by
Thomas Bailey Aldrich, giving a touching and
graceful account Of the brief career and untimcly
death OF an infant vionst named James Speight
This child was born in London, and brought TO
this country to give concerts under the name of
Young America when only four years old lie
created marked sensation. and continued PLAYING
till. in 1877, when he was twelve years old he
died in Boston
DESERVING DEAD PRODIGY FOR 4 LIVING ONE
this to IIofmanns when there was am ex-
ctement at the other end Of the long room.
llofmann had arrived. rush made for him.
and poor Speight and the lesson OF his career
were shamefully neglected. But as an unfecling
spec'4tor observed "one living prodigy is worth
hundred dead ones" Josef had quite a retinue
which included his father, Henry L. Abbey, Mar.
Gus Mayer, Charles Wolf. w. II. Morton, and
DIR. Lewis A. Sayrc and Allan McIane Hamilton
Josef wore his furtrimmed overcoat and looked
NraI fa.fgs III hin faI Ia,
ance with the Mayors orders Josef and his suite
were taken into a room across the passage which
appropriately bore the initial II. With them also
went Drs. Joseph ID. Bryant and Il. D. Jancway.
Then the reporters waited patiently in the passage,
looking hopelessly at the ground glass in the door
on which an occasional shadOw-pantOmime was
enacted. The stern policeman who guarded the
door was named Gallagher, and many were the
entreaties to him to let her co. but even that
tender entreaty did not prove an open sesame
After about an hour, Josef, his father and w.
H. Morton came out The boy looked excited
and worried, and was got out as quickly as pos
sible to the Broadway entrance, and driven to tho
Windsor Hotel. Casimr Hofmann, JOsefs father
said that no decision had been reached. Then
there was another tedious wait while the Mayor
and the doctors conferred. AT last the faithful
Gallagher did as he had been so long adlured 10
do and threw open the door, and Mayor Hewitt
Immediately surrounded by an eager throng
of note-takcrs. lie announced the result in these
words
The conclusion that his physical functions are all in
good order that he Is child Of highly organized nervous
temperament and not therefore 10 be Judged as other
children There indication that he has sustained
any injury from his public performances, but is deemed
advisable that hereafter he be limited TO four performances
week. with, far possible days interval between
EACH Mr. Abbey boys father that they viii
adhere this rule after he has Ged this weeks engage
ments
OFFERING $50 00J FOR JoSEFS EDUCATION.
Mr.. Gerry then remarked that he was satisfied
with the result. lie also said that he had COM
municated to Mr.. Hofmann an offer to provide
fund OF $4,000 for Josefs education and sup
| port provided he was not allowed to play IN pup.
! lie till he attained manhood. 1t Is understood
that Mr.: lIofmann said that 100000 would be
needed for such purpose. Mr.. Gerry SAID that
! the offer made by New-lorker
DR.. Bryant said to a reporter:
| Josef is a splendid specimen of boyhood. There ia
nothing the with hin. Any parent might be proud
Of having such child
DR.. Hamilton was later at his house, No.
20 East Twenty -nlnth-st He said:
examined the boy in private very carefully, tested hi %
in every way and say that he is physically equally
we'll developed body and limbs His legs are proportion
lte strong his 0ay at the eAanlnhon NJ wa
greatly excited by the OF 50 many strangers, ana
wonder the doctors who him for the first time were
as fayOrably impressed they were few days ago
very carefully before, during and af'er
concert.
There was absolutely rise OF temperature and only
very slight acceea0n OF the pulse-beas' not more thAn
four or i've minute. This was the natural result VI
the physical exerton. playing does not appear 20
musical talents are special function independent ot "s
other mental PROCESSES You nave heard on known OF ys
who while possessing no other special talent ana perhaps
being even stupid had remarkable ability In mathematics
SO il Is with Iofndnns music Ny attention Was esiea
TO his eyes, which said be pecuar and show signs
of mental strain found the openings Of The eyes
were Of different size but that IS simply cone'nita MS
sight perfect with both eyes, fully up TO the Norman
standard Josef has, OF course hiey nervous e''p
ment lie would be a genius IL he had not HIS
daily work at the piano not 1.-THE as hard to him
that OF many children compelled TO practise one "
two hours day
Mr. ABBEY GREATLY PLEASED.
At Mr. Abbey's offices. he and Mr.. Wolf, Hor-
manns manager were found in consultation When
asked If he was satisfied with the Mayors decision.
Mr. Abbey replied:
perfectly The Mayor was very kind. He did noe
even nut his wishes IN form Of order, but as ro
quest. ami 1 once promised compliance Inc ""s"'
seemed very much taken with josef whom ne "' ne no
had not hear his duties had Teen so eNacS
ing He the boy on his knee and kissed him, ana
did his best 70 calm him excitement Of the doctors
examination
Mr. Wolf said:
Jcsef has been more excited to-day than he would have
been by twenty concerts The doctors examination In
nube affected his OF dcacy and he burst out cry
ing This ne first tire he nas c'ed since we were IN
Paris som, months When he got back 10 'he coo
he wrote On slip OF raper In herman! "hy won my
leave me alone 1t fortunate that JOSEF was not an
pounced for a concert to-day should not have allowed
him TO play Never before have seen him In sueh IN
extremely nervous condition.
VISITING THE STOCK EXCHANGE
Little Josef visited the Stock Exchange Iuse
before the close of business yesterday. lie was
seen in the visitors gallery, but one of his friends
on the floor recognized him and in few minutes
he was installed In the rOstrum lie seemed 10
he frightened by the shouts Of the brokers and
certainly was not much at home as he Is on
the stage Of the Metropolitan Opera House before
o much larger assemblage. ,,,,
Vice-Chairman Alexander Henriques is believed
70 have kissed the boy: at any rate he dId every
thing in his power to restore his courage As tho
%anGs NJ the official chronometer Oh the desk APP
nroachcd the closing hour he placed the handle
II his gayel in the boys hands, but was Obliged
to give more vigorous raps although the gongs
were sounding the close Of business.
pyvRrprOy MAN AMONG TEAM ROBBERS