Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-09
TALES OF AN AUTHOR.
Blind Chaplain Milburn's Interesting
Stories of William Makepeace
Thackeray.
HE HAD TO HUNT PUBLISHERS.
His Family Life and How He Once Drank
New Years Glass to His Daughter
Across the Sea.
A MEETING WITH A LITERARY BORE.
Tb,.H 0.rlvls,s I--it, hli, ,-s p, T,,-;rts
HE BAD TO HUNT PUBLISHERS.
A MEETING WITH A LITERARY BORE.
ThonAs Carlylss IrrtabIy and HUv American Tourists
Bothered Him.
lcoErEsPoSpExcE OF rHK prsp1rcE.,

most remarkable characters connected with
Congress is the Rev. DR.. w. H. Milburn,
the blind chaplain of the House. For more
than 40 years he has been almost totally
blind, and for a generation and more he has
not been able to read a line in book or
newspaper. Still, during this time he has
left his imprint upon the people of the
United States, has been chaplain OF Con-
gress time and again, and now at the age
of 81 he is sound in body and limb and pos
sessed of a mental activity which has hardly
its counterpart among public men.
While in London Chaplain Milburn was
Intimately acquainted with William Make
peace Thackerav, and he had q closer asso-
citation with Thomas Carlyle than any other
American with the exception of Emerson.
His "reminiscences of these great authors
covering a period of six years which he
spent in Europe, are exceedingly interesting.
Last night, sitting In an easy char with
long meerschaum pipe in his mouth, he told
story alter story OF unwrtten literary his
tory, laughing heartily at times and again
growing pathetic as his perfect memory
turned in the past from gay to grave.
a GENIAL COMPANION.
Il met Thackeray during his visit to the
United States" said DR.. Milburn. "He
asked me to come and see him. 1 cannot
imagine more gentle, perfect courtesy than
he manifested toward me. In this respect L
think he was greatly misunderstood by the
public.
Indeed his usual bearing was such as to
Justify in a measure the general belief that
he was a misanthrOpe, a cynic. To those
who were so fortunate as to reach his heart
and his affections he was the farthest poss-
bic removed from such person. In con-
YersaIiOn his voice was as soft and kindly
and sympathetic as the voice o. woman. In
all my intercourse with him L never heard
him utter a harsh or bitter word. AT that
time Thackeray was perhaps 90 and at the
height of his fame and prosperity. We ex
changed visits and several times we met at
dinners. He impressed me profoundly. He
often alluded with evident pleasure 10 his
visits to our own country and the people
whom he met. He seemed to have a high
appreciation of our national greatness, pres
ent and future.
THACKERAY IN POLITICS.
81 remember that when L first met Thack-
cray he was about TO run as we Americans
say-'Stand' they express it in England-as
a candidate for member of Parliament for
Oxford. 4 would gladly give all possess,
he said TO me, for the gift of of-hand
speech.
You amaze me, answered L heard
you in New York and l thought 1 would
exchange all l had in the world for your
power Of uJterance.
All my dear, sir, l was only reading
then. Il l get upon my feet and try to talk
without manuscript L Immediately become
az idiot
"OE course laughed at this, but he as
sured me that it was strictly true. He ran
for Parliament as a Liberal, but was
defeated by Tory. believe this crushed
his political ambition, and he was not again
a candidate. Thackeray had already made
his reputation in literature. Most of his
books had been written and were being
read bv millions on both continents. About
this time be became the editor of Corn
6iH and subsequently he wrote Round
about Papers" and some minor works.
SELLING VANITY FAIR.
"His early experience was that common to
most authors. Ii was long time before he
succeeded IN obtaining recognition. He
told me he had a contract with the publisher
OF FrdSer'S Mdydzjne for Vanity Fair
1t was to be printed in parts, but he was re-
ouired to submit the manuscript of the en-
tire work before its publication was begun.
It was examined and declined. Thackeray
tried every reputable publisher in London,
lI,
some rudely.
" Remember he SAID TO me, 4 was an
author OF some reputation. 1 had written
several books and short stories, which had
been published and appeared to be popular,
bat l could only get Vanity Fair before
tie public by making an arrangement with
Bradbury & Evans, the publishers OF
Punch, by which l was to assume half the
peeuniary liability OF the venture. But,
really was under obligations to Fraser's
for declining it. 1 was 10 have received
from that magazine 81 per page; as it re-
suited have realized pound line for it, |"
UNFORTUNATE, BUT HAPPY.
"Thackeray's domestic life was happy in
the compauionship OF his two charming
daughters. There had been great deal of
care and sorrow in his life. You know his
wife became insane in early womanhood
and died after being for many years an in
mate in an asylum. ThacHeray died in 1868,
between my first and second visits to Europe,
literally worn out.
Let me tell YOU one or two incidents that
occurred when Thackeray was in Boston.
While there he spent much OF his time as
guest in the family of George Ticknor who
was celebrated in literary circles On New
Years eve be and Ticknor sat smoking to-
gether in the library. The latter's vie was
also present. Mr.. Ticknor's two daughters
had gone to party. They sat talking TILL
IL o'clock when Thackeray arose and said
be would 20 to his room.
You are not going to retire yet?' in
quircG his host.
'So,' was the answer, for 1 always at
the birth Of new year drink to the health
and happiness OF my daughters, but do not
wish to keep you up so late.
Pray stay with US and we will Join you
in health to your absent ones
A GLASS TO HIS MoTHERLESS ONES.
"Thackeray replied that he would be de-
lighted TO do SO ii it would not trespass
upon their hours of rest. He sat at the side
of the great fireplace and looked two or
three times at the clock upon the mantel, to
note the flight o. the minutes
"'DO not trouble Yourself about the time
said Mrs. Ilcknor. 1 will let you know
when it is Y o'clock
"At the moment the new wear. began
Thackeray took in his hand a glass of
sherry, rose to his feet and said in tremulous
tones. God bless my motherless girlsI God
bless them and all who are good TO them
Drinking the wine be bade his host good
night and without another word retired
from the room leaving me and Mrs. Tick
nor in tears
fremont House. A stranger called upou
Mr.. Thackersy at his room there. Placing
his hand upon his stomach and making a
urofoupd bow he said: Have 1 the great
honor TO address that celebrated man the
Honorable William Makepeace Thack-
cray?