Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-23

In 1s49 the wings again took charge Of the
government and President Taylor, in 1851, re-
appointed the poet to his former post, his old
friend Webster again working in his behalf.
But he did not long survive this appointment,
having died at his post Of duty on April 8,
1852. in the sixty-second year of his age.
His remains were inferred in the Protestant
cemetery at Tunis, modest monument being
erected over his grave by friends and ad-
mirers.
ButWashington is now the proud possessor
OF his remains, which were, through the mu-
nifcence of the late Mr.. Corcoran. removed to
Oak Hill cemetery on the 9th of June. 1885,
The ceremonies attending the reinterment
were such as are rarely bestowed upon man,
President Arthur and the members OF his cab
met, military and civic societies and citizens
eminent in all pursuits of life turning ont to do
honor to the memory and genius of the poet
The handsome monument erected over his re-
mains stands Immediately in front of tho
chapel. near the main entrance. to the ceme-
terry, and has the following inscribed thereon:
nm lin memory Of John Howard Payne author q
o. ISL Erected A. D. isss "''' . AVA 0'|D AVN
The above is on the south front On the
opposite side is this
Sure, when thy gentle spirit fed
WITH arms oSSe9S che a1a5s ,os
Welcome to Heavens Home, Sweet Home"
A feature Of the dedicatory services at the
unveiling OF the monument was the singing of
Home, Sweet Home" by chorus Of 100 voices,
accompanied by the full Marine Band.
The monument was badly shattered by a
falling tree during the hurricane that visited us
last November, but it will soon be repaired.
PAYNE's CHARACTERISTICS.
Erroneous ideas prevail concerning Payne's
personal characteristics. The general impress
sion seems to be that he was absolute, care
less character; a wanderer without any social
ties or high aspirations Such are not the fac Is.
1t would be difficult to point 10 O more precise
or methodical person than John Howard Payne
was up to the declining years of his life. 1t is
true he was llnprovident, but lmprovidence, I'M
fortunately, is no stranger to genius He was
particular about his person, his penmanship
was model Of neatness and his papers were
kept in the best of order. During the early
years of his eventful life his spirit was buoyant,
but the reverses and disappointments attending
his maturer years disturbed his better nature.
Look at this pen picture from an old Tunisian
friend:
He was small man, with fine, intelligent
face, but OF very serious and melancholy ex-
preston. He spoke slowly, with great dignity
OF manner. He was highly educated and very
well informed. His conversation was ex-
tremely pleasant and interesting. Though
rather cold and reserved In his manners, he
had strong temper and will. The many ups
and downs he had in his life have made him
rather skeptical and given him strong touch
=
years. He never spoke of his theatrical life
before me- Politics were the ordinary topics
OF his conversation, as it is generally with
United States Americans. He spent
nearly all his time in writing and studying
He had, in the last year of his life, be-
come OF very sedentary habits and very gloomy
in his ideas. / remember to have seen him
many times sitting in his armchair, by red
hot stove, drinking brandy and water and
looking very sad. He seemed to have no ties
left in the world"
And here is another picture from another
friends pen: His expressive face, sad voice
and graceful manners graspad your attention
and sympathy just as some beautiful child or
flower would. His conversation, highly inter-
esting from its variety of subjects, would always
incline you to listen rather than to talk. His
memory was remarkable and his language was
picturesque"
Having lost the object Of his love Payne
never married. GEORGE SIMMONS.