New-York tribune., 1890-01-03
GEORGE Fl. BOXER DEAD.
MAN OF LETTERS, PATRIOT AND DIPLOMAT.

MAN OF LETTERS, PATRIOT AND DIPLOMAT.
Philadelphia, Jan. e.-The Hon. George II. Boxer
ex-Minster TO Turkey and Russia, died at his home
here this morning. Some eight weeks ago ne was
prcstrated by an illness which it supposed would
readily yield to medical treatment But such was not
the case, for Mr.. Boxer was confined TO ms Ded wt
out relief for fully month"; and at one time brought
10 the verge of death. There then. however,
alying of strength and II was announced only short
time ago that he convalescing The vlruehoe
of the disease however, broke out afresh rev Gays
since. and this morning eliminated fatally
The Boxer family. which has for many years been
conspicuous in Philadelphia had its origin in FRANCE
Thence ii removed to Holland, and thence AGAIN 10
Nottinghamshirc England In the iaSt-namco hono
IL became identified with the Society OF Friends ano
thus on migrating TO America, naturally se''led ae
Philadelphia. The father of the subject OF thls
SKETCH Charles s. Boxer, was an eminent hhahcier'
and MANY years ago did valuable work in recognizing
and establishing on sound basis the monetary AFFAIRS
Of that city.
George Henry Boxer was born at Philadelphia in
1923, and was educated at Princeton College, along
with Theodore l.. Cuyler, John p Stockton Seha'or
Coqntt and Charles Godfrey Leland AT nineteen years
of age he graduated, and soon thereafter weoueo
a Miss Riggs and went abroad. AT college ne hao
been a rhymester and during his travels he wrote
numerous poems, which he published IN io4', Oh ms
return to this country. The next year ne proush'
out the first of his works that scored real success
This was "Calayno,s tragedy based on spanish
tale 1t was played with much approval, nrst IN
England and then in this country. "The Betrothal
and Francesca da Rimni" later poetic dramas
which were successfully enacted upon the stage inc
recent production Of the latter by Mr' La"ren0o
Barrett being stin in the public MIND anne noicsH
was stIll another drama in verse, Dut IL was ioO
played Mr. Boxer also wrote many miscellaneous
and Iopp
Hunt as the foremost living sonnet writer ono vi
his sennets was addressed to England III 1907
Lear and Cofdelia Twas an ancient tS'e
Refore tly Shakespeare gave it deathess ianiei
The times have changed the moral Is inc same
So like an outeast dowerless ana paie'
Thv daughter went; and in a foreign gaze
snreod her Young banner till its sway became
A wonder to the nations. Days OF shame
Arc close upon thee prophets raise their wall
When the rude Cossack, with an outstretcned manu.
Points his long spear across the narro" sea
ia there is England =" when thy destiny
s,orns OH thy stewcrowned head and thou aoss s'~nu
Weak helpless mad, a by-woro IN Ihe lanu-
Il God grant thy daughter Cofdena pc
q, hoS singular experience with that sonnet
aid Mr. Boxer on occasion 10 Mr. 1' r. La,iAop
81 once heard il reeited by Daniel Webster III was
az a dinner-party which he gave in Washington anu
Xvas prcsent as one OF the guests. lie led the con
,,ergo.ion IN our relations with England and then-
10 my utter amazement-turning TO me anu hAins ms
black ewes on me, he said: i think you' MI bohei'
have expressed the true sentiment concerning un'
s,hect I'm that admirable sonnet OF yours Ana uhen
ne began Lear and Cordelia in great resonant
,oica and went on TO recite the whole thing, letter
perfect and with delicacy and force OF elocuuoh
that eouldnt have been surpassed III gave !usV 'ie
right effect TO every word was hsroIy more 'iiah
a bow them and you can imagine my confusion ae ''e
compliment he paid me and the attention he drew
upon me- ,,, .,o
Az the outbreak of the Rebellion, although there
was at first much Southern sentiment at Phiiaoephla'
Mr. Boxer espoused the National cause most Ier-
vently. In November, 1862, he, WIN Morton do
Michael and a ether gentlemen. formed the ohioh
CLUB as a headquarters for loyal men, anu le"
weeks later developed it into the Union League. lie
had in earlier years been Democrat. But, ne once
said, when the manner in which tne sonIh was
disposed 10 press US, took the hrst step from uic
PARTY with stephen A. Douglas. After that Wheh lho
sword drawn, it struck me that pOhucs hSi van
ised entirely from the scenethat it was mere ques-
ton of patriotism or disloyalty. Then ranged my
self on the side Oh which l am now found" lie was
thereafter an ardent Republican, ana was for years
the leading spirit of the Union League IN Pladephls'
acting as its secretary In the troubous days OF the
war his life often in danger On more Ihah oho
occasion attempts made to assassinate hin' Du1
he escaped actual harm. He wrote at this time many
patriotic poems and songs which attained great popu
larity such as sheridan Sheridanl Cavalry sIefi-
danl"
Mr.. Boxers services TO the Union cause made it
most fitting that he should be honored with heh ONCE
under the Government. Accordingly in 1872 he was
sent by President Grant as Minister TO turkey Mlo
at Constantnople he instrumental IN securing
those judicial reforms in Egypt whereby tne aonnI9-
tratiOn of justice was given 10 the Egypuahs ueh
selves and taken out OF the hands Ol lOicgh cWSuls.
ON his uniting Eastern mission, the sultan
Droffered him gifts aud decorations In token o1
xpersonai esteem: but these the Minister OF course
declined The Khedive, through friends, OHereo SIM.
Lar testimonials, and learning that lney wouu ioO
be received proposed present OF 9ianiOnus 70 tne
Minister'S wife. But this Mr. Boxer would hOt
listen TO- and he departed unburdeneo py any spois
of the Egyptians. =, - o.,o+oa
FROM this Lost, after four years. he was promoted
10 The Russian mission and on his writing nCte
of thanks for the unsolicited FAVOR secretary f!sh
replied You owe thanks TO the government.
Your promotion has been fairly earned py your our
service al ConstantinOpe. President Grant wishes me
to say this, and 10 add that as 10 iavo@ ueA lpo
reciprocaIs While accredited to the Porte, Mr. Boxer
had sundry skrmishes with General IgnateH, the
Russian arIas and the St. Petersburg Govern
ment telerIsphed to IgnatiefT, inquiring abont him.
I. Te IS a n an" answered the Russian, composer
of tine diplomatic stuff" 1t through Mr. Boxer,
by The way, that Egypt Turkey and Russia Were ieu
ro narticspae officially in the Centennial EXpOsltoh
dinlornacy that Russia induced to take strong
s,des with America against Spain in the Nlrginius az
fair He was such favOrte at the RUSSIAN CouIp
that both the Emperor and Prince GOTtschahoH per
and when despite their appeals Mr.. stonghton wa MsS
Cent as his successor. Ii Is related tat Plnce troI
chakof said to the Minister: u cannot say ulat
am clad 10 see YOU In fact I'm not sure tIat see
of the departure of our friend Boxer VIII Try 10
dry your tears said the new Minister 10 WHICH lhe
FRINGE replied, gravely II you can" -,
inee his return TO this country, Mr. Boxer mas Dcen
with The best social life of Plade hla and has ousled
with literary