Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1892-07-31

An Ideal Gentleman and the Perfect
Blossom OF American Manhood.


An Ideal Gentleman and the Perfect
Blossom OF American Manhood.
SpecsaI Correspondence oyths Sunday gistsr.
WASHINGTON, Conn, July 2s.-With
the public life of George William Cur
tbs, now believed 70 be, unhapplly, near
his end, every cultured American is
acquainted: but comparatively few OF
his countrymen have known OF him In
hfs private capacity, for be has always
been extremely modest and reserved, as
men of his rare stamp proverbally are.
As a man he IS more remarkable, more
exceptional than as a journalist, an
author or IN orator.
Since he first drew attention In youth
By his brilliant and scholarly letters
from the east 10 the Tribune until his
recent illness be has been wholly de-
voted 70 principle, TO wholesome re-
forms, to the diffusion Of liberal ideas.
He has been on the right side OF every
question, and yet has ever shown-with
all his Observation-Disclosures, toler-
ance and generosity. This is so unus-
ual that those who did not understand
him have sometimes styled him rose
water advocate, dandfed defender OF
dainty convictions, and the Ike.
4 nature so sensitive yet so firm, so
generous YET so uncompromisinS, so
consider5te yet so courageous, is entire
" beyond the comprehension OF the av-
erage mind-unwilling 10 accept what
II cannot explain. Above everything
else, Curtis is instInCtively and COM
pletoly q gentleman, In an ideal sense,
the fncts Of whose unpretending life
would put reproach on the pompous
chronicles OF many q trumpeted hero.
BE is the elimination and perfect bios
som Of the highest and truest American
manhood, unsurpassed fequaled By that
Of Older and more resounding ctviliza-
tions
While public man and In the Hottest
sense q politician. he has never filed
any public Office, which is severe re-
lection On the republic, since no
American OF HIS time has been better
qualified for the most exalted positions.
What national senator, what O gov
ernor of the great state OF New York,
whata minister to any foreign court he
would have madel What honor he
would have reflected on his native land.
What laudable pride the best OF us
would have felt in him! And when we
remember many Of the men who have
occupied such places we must admit,
With 8 sense of shame, that In the great
democracy Of the world the best fitted
arc the least likely 10 be chosen.
Nevertheless, HIS influence for good
mus have been strong and felt IN count
less quiet ways, less directly than indl-
rectIy, not by his writings and speeches
alone but By hls uniform kindness and
courtesy ana what may bo called the
salubrity OF his example. Such lie as
bis can never be iu vain; rs mental and
moral beauty cannot fail u wide pro-
ductivitP.
II bus been by no means eventiul
His brief connection With the Tribune,
his editorship, with others, OF the first
Pufrdp'S RugI-tue, in which he had a
pecunlary interest, and his long associa-
ton with the Harpers comprise It's main
features, exclusive Of his lectures and
literary and political addresses.
HIS most representative work, per-
haps, is "Prue aud T. originally con-
trlbuted 20 Putuam's, which no appre-
clative reader can readily forget. IL IA
one OF the choicest, daintiest speci-
mems OF our literature ana must become
an American classic. The reveries and
reflections OF the old bookkeeper con-
vey a clear and eloquent impression OF
the mind and temperament % the au-
thor. who has in 4 special degree the
uncommon and precious gift OF sympa-
thy.
The financial failure of the publish
ers Of the magazine in which Curtis was
O silent partner, though not, II IS said,
LEGALLY responsible, swallowed up his
private fortune, Inherited from his
father, and left him wholly dependent
on his own eXertions. he might easily
have avoided responsibility for the debts
OF the house, but he preferred poverty
TO the slishte,t blur on his escutCheon.
After the loss Of his fortune he was
still heavily in debt, and to discharge IL
he lSbored faithfully for some twenty
years.
When Henry J. Raymond died sud
denly, the New York Times offered Cur
It's three times the salary he was
reputed to be receiving from the Har-
pers. Ho declined the generous offer
and made no mention Of IL 70 bis en-
ployers But having heard OF II through
others, they voluntarily advanced ii to
the figure that had been named by the
newspaper.
Although poor, in a New York sense,
most Of his life, he has again and again
declined all compensation for elaborate
addresses for academic anniversaries,
for euloqies on distinguished men, etc.
No amount of persuasion would induce
him 10 change bis mlnd. Generosity
has ever been one OF his shining viz
tues.
He has always been ready to lend
anybody IL need, whether actual or i'm
agined, helping hand. The amount
OF service he bas rendered gratutously
every year TO oil manner Of applicants,
TO every worthy object proposed, Is be-
yond calculation and the belief OF ordi-
nary selfshness. Young authors and
aspirants for literary fame have taxed
his time and patience most unreasoDa-
bly,. without the slightest rebuff or
SymptOm Va A4i'ot'Ou' 110 0P" ~ "
courtesy and chivalry is incarnate in
him. His fine eulogy Oh Lowell-his
lstt public appearance in New York
would apply almost word for word to
himself. II he should die his death
would be a loss 10 the nation and hu-
mauity. Men OF his order are not born
once in q generation.
JUEIUs HENRI BROWNE.
Kitchen Coolers.
Cold tongue is, as usual, one OF the