Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-22

Once, in a special meeting of the New
York Society for Egyptian Research, a
member addressed his companions in set
phrases as follows: Whatever one may
saw, gentlemen, there are dead people whom
we can never replace. Among the number
is be whom we mourn to-day. Who will
dare to propose himselfas a successor, in this
company of which one late friend was for
10 years one of the chief glories? Above
all, who will feel strong and patient enough
to 90 Oh with the History of Sebekoteph,'
that stupendous work to which he had con-
secrated his whole life, and which cruel
tate did not allow him to fnish?"
The speaker paused, for an unexpected
disarrangement of his notes prevented him
from finding his seventh and last page.
Then, without being disconnected, he passed
forthwith to his peroration, which he knew
by heart, and which ended with: Fare
well, dear and noble friend; tireless worker,
adieu. Sleep In peace, Solomon Bayard."
There was a moments hesitation and
silence. The Chairman waited few Sec
onds to see if this eulogy was the last. Then,
seeing that no one else spoke out, he closed
the meeting decorously. The scientists be-
gan to fo(n little groups and discuss the
literary success of the dead man. a success
achieved after many vain attempts, for DUR
assiduous in several specialties of culture.
He had Justly passed among his colleagues
1or a happy man. Never had a life
been more free from care and
anxiety than his, and from its modest.
beginning no one could have foretold the
high reputation in store for him. The son
of rich merchant he had but to succeed
his father and make for himself an honor
able name In trade. But he soon deserted
profitable business for the thankless pursuit
of literature. At the end of five years he
became discouraged by constant failures to
originate anything noteworthy. He tried
first painting and then philology. This
last attempt seemed likely to succeed, and
he was on the point of gaining some fame
with a small but exclusive portion of the
public, when he conceived the unlucky idea
OF publishing an erudite work uncer the
seductive form of a romance-an egregions
folly of which the world of learning soon
showed him the improperly. In short, at
the age Of 80 he produced few works of
doubtful value.
Bayard now married the youthful daugh-
ter of a celebrated or1entalist, recently de-
ceased. Wonderful to relate, this ILL
assorted match was decidedly lucky for the
husband. Not only was he respected by
his young wife, but, moreover, under the
guidance of that bright woman this much
abused savant, this scholar of many tall
ures, found himself rapidly transformed
into an Egyptologist of the highest ability.
Some Coptic translaJions found among the
papers o; his father-in-law, and which he
published soon after his marriage, operated
In his favor so as to produce a complete
change in critical opinion, and two years
later, at the mere announcement of his
forthcoming great work upon 'King Sebek-
oteph and the Second Dynasty of the Pha-
raohs," he was established in the literary
world as a genuine producer Of worthy mat
ter He worked at it ali day long with
jealous care, alone and without any help.
Nobody was allowed a sight of this work,
which was to number four big volumes, and
TO unveil to an impatient public the hitherto
mysterious history of the first ruler of
Egypt. But suddenly he died.
A lew days later the ChdHpOl Ollion, sthe
journal Of the orientalists, gave the follow
ing in ormation: sit is not yet known
whether the manuscript LETT unfinished BY
Solomon Bayard will be given to the pub
lie. It seems that the illustrious scholar
took care to signify his wishes IN this re-
spect. His instructions, it is said, were con-
lained in letter which is not to be opened
until ten months after his death. 1t may be
mentioned that the New York Society for
Egyptian Research must choose president
to succeed our much regretted fellow-worker.
The candidates thus far named are DIR. Den
ton Prof Springer and Arthur Hawsley.
There will be hot contest between the first
two. equally famous for the number and
importance OF their works. As to Mr..
Hawsley, we imagine that the mention OF
bis name is simply made to draw him into
prominence, for he is a young man, and his
comparative neWness 70 Egyptian study.