New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-27
BRITISH CONTEMPORARY EXPERIENCE

BRITISH CON1EMPORARl EAPERlENCE
In the current number of "The English Con-
temporary Review" in an article called the
brand of Cain in the Great Republic" there
appears the following astonishing paragraph:
Another instance happened to myself. had been
travelling I'm railway carriage in the South, in CON-
pany with two very pleasant men, who CHANGED to be
seated opposite to me at the end Of the crowded
and had got out to buy lunch' as they say, at
station my two fellow passenger having promised to
Keep my seat for me. When / returned to the car
found tail, gaunt man. In a broad slouch hat, APP
parerty about to take my seat, but yet net actually
taking it. glance at my acqraintances opposite
showed me why lie hesitated. Each Of them
holding cup of coffee to his mouth with his left
while his right graspcd revolver covering the
intruder. Time being short, they drinking their
coffee while they kept the Brtsher's scat The
tail stranger politely retired my returning, the
Others put their rcvolvers In their hippockets with
out any remark, and resumed our journey. What
amused me most Of all, though, was q glimpse got
Of a solemnloodng old man about half way down the
car, who had dawn out from somewhere enOr-
nous al tiquated ivory handled sixshOoter and
holding ii up with his finger the trigger, ready TO
take a hard In any festivity that might arise lie
looked disappointed when II all ended In nothing
that felt quite sorry for him.
In connection with this pleasant gem-had
gods or men ever better cause for bursting into
thunderous and protracted guffaw 1T is time
ly to recall an incident that happened some years
ago in the city of New-York. countryman of
Mr.. Edward Wakefield, the writer of "The Con-
temporary" article, Captain Lee, the husband of
Adelaide Nelson, the actress, was therein chief
figure. He was invited to an entertainment by
Mr.. +. A. Sothern. When the company were
duly assembled Captain Lee was gravely pre-
cd 10 ttvn fol hn
were described as the Hon. Horato Seymour,
then or lately Governor of the State of New
York. and Mr.. William Cullen Bryant, the dis
tinguished poet. Mr.. William J. Florence, who
conducted this memorable introduction, forgot
to mention that Mr.. "Nelse" Seymour and MIR.
"Dan'' Bryant, the famous negro minstrels ap-
peared in the character of their illusrious name
sakes on this occasion only but he did not for
get to enliven the board with no end of toasts,
witty sallies and merry anecdotes. and the fun,
in word, soon grew fast and furious.
But, alas it was soon dismally interrupted.
Artfully egged on by the ingenious Sothern and
stimulated by his no less adroit fellow-con-
spirator, the Hon. Horatio Seymour and Mr..
William Cullen Bryant pesentlye joined issue
in heated discussion. This passed from bad
to worse, until the disputants rushed from lively
personalities into the most frightful curses and
impncations. But the climax was reached when,
to the horror and fright of Captain Lee, bowie
knives and pistols flashed forth and all four OF
his companions fell to cutting and blazing away
like madmen At this terrific moment the
doughty captain sought refuge under the table,
whence it was with very great difficulty and an
inhnitude Of half-chOking reassurances and ex-
plantations he was ultimately induced, hem-
blingly, to emerge.
History repeats ITSELF and If his train could