The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-06
GOVERNOR TYLER ABROAD.
Impressions Of Him as Gleantdby Prof.
John c. Bowman, D. D.
HOW He ROSE TO TRYING EMERGENCY.
Made speech Aboard Ship Repiete With
Humor and Good Cheer-At Glasgow
in Attendance Upon the Presbyte-
rian AIlinnce-Tourists'f ayorite.

Major j. Hoge Iyler, Who' on tho mo-
Of January. was inaugurated Governor or
the state Of Virginia. The sketch written
by Mr. Henry Litchileld West pald hlgh
tribute to Major Tyler. as man whose
private and political life emlnenuy merit
the high esteem in which he IS held by
the people Of his state. and especially by
those who best knew him In the imme-
date community Of his homo at East
Radford.
II NAV be Of interest 10 the friends OF
Major Tyler at his home % know what
impression the present favorte son OF
virginia makes upon those who have had
the honor OF meeting him away from
home.
II was my pleasure 20 have spent Sow
eral months abroad during the summer
Of 1896. In company with congenial party
Of ladies and gentlemen from my own and
adjoining states.
We sailed from Philadelphia on the
steamship Rhynland. Many of the passen-
gers were delegates. or visitors. % the
Alliance of Reformed Churches, which as
sembled al Glasgow.
SOCIAL FELLOWSHIP.
4 day or two after we set sail Major
Tyler and his small circle OF travelling
companions and our larger party came
together and throughout the voyage en-
joyed pleasant social fellowship.
During the twelve days on the Rhynland
(Which was retarded by severe Storm
7 had many conversations with Major Ty-
Ter which enabled me 90 know the man
II is peculiar 10 life az sea that men
disclose character more readily than on
land. In more than one sense do they
freely reveal their inner self on the
steamship men may be seen az their
worst and az their best Henry Ward
Beocher said. "Scasickness IS The severest
test Of n gentleman" Major Tyler can
admirably meet even that requirement
At sea there is much time for medita-
ton. The reflective powers unconsciousiv
dominate thought I'm conversation This
affords unusual opportunity for looking
INTO the mind and the soul or the yoy-
ager.
In the many conversations with the
new Governor on political, economic. and
RELIGIOUS topics. 7 recognized in him
man Of lofty ideals, sterling honesty. and
excited character.
As he mingled with his fellow-voyaecrs
in the social life Of the steamship hy
his genial disposition and anable manner
he drew around himself a large circle ~
friends who felt hCnored by his acquaint-
ance and companiorship.
During the raging o. the storm. WHOM
the hearts Of many We're depressed by
the perils OF the unbalanced ship the
calm and cheerful spirit OF Major Tyler
with IT'S even flow. seemed 20 rebuke and
stay tho violence Of the elements. and
aided largely in dispeliing the gloom that
cnveloped the Rhynland.
EQUAL To AN EMERGENCY.
An emergency which severely tried his
soul, and 20 which ho most happily proved
equal, was the part he WAS unexpectedly
called upon 10 take no am evenings enter
tainment. improVisod for the diversion OF
the passengers.
on flaming piacard was advertised:
"a Political Mass-Mectinr Addresses
by Hon. w L. Hcnsel. Attorncy-Gencral
Of Pennsylvania, and Other Distinguished
Orators"
Major Tyler was urged 10 lend his aid
20 the scheme but persistcnuy begged
on, as a "dlmdcnt farmer unaccustomed
TO such a role
The passengers or the Rhynand win
never forget that evening cntcrta.nmcnt.
when for fully an hour peals OF laughter
and rounds of applause were called forth
by tho inimitablo speech OF the dlst.u-
guished orator MT Henscl. who -umci
the manner and enthusiasm OF the old-
time stump speaker
The speech abounded IN eloquent flights.
keen irony. touching pathos. and brilliant
flashes OF wit.
From beginning 20 end II was master
" speech. and, OF rs kind. unsurpassed
on sea or land.
After the prolonged applause abatod.
the chairman OF the meeting announced
that the next curiosity TO Doe exhibited
for the amusement Of the audience was q
genuine southerner, VINO was going abroad
for the good Of his coun,ry-MaJor tA-
Ter. OF Virginia
QUICKLY RALLIED.
Tho unexrccted shot almost knocked the
Major off his feet. For "a moment he
glanced 70 the crowded doorway. then
10 the port-hole as possible way OF
escape. but quickly rallied at the loud
calls Of Tyler, Tyler" and. with sole
dicrly step. marched % the 'front.' Of the
saloon ard manfuliy faced what he told
me afterwards was the most trying posi-
ton Of his life. lie said:
well. ladies' and gentlemen. this Is tho
first time i'm my life that I ever attended
q circus that exhibited more than was
published on the show-bills.
The happy Introduction. which was fol-
brought the speaker and his audience into
close. sympathetic touch. Ills brief, viva
cious speech was replete with pertinent
"hits" and interesting anecdote. Every
sentence was mclloved by kindly humor'
and spoken with A suavity Of manner
which frightened the faces Of even the
most stubborn subjects Of sea-si 'kness.
Irnon the conclusion or the speech Major
TYLER was greeted with uproarous APP
plause. and was advanced 20 sim higher
rank IN the ships company.
on foreign tour scenes quickly change
like the constant variation Of the sea.
AT THE ALLIANCE.
We arc now ia the great cathedral az
Glasgow. where the sessions or the Re
formed Alliance are opened with solemn
and imposing ceremonies. Major Tyler
again appears now as deVout assistant
i'm tho distribution OF the elements az the
HOLY communion. In reverenual manner
he moves 70 and from the altar, and MIN
listers 10 the communicates as one by
nature and grace peculiarly htted 70 per-
form the functions Of the holy ministry
\ few DAYS later ! see him preside with
ease and dignity over the great council
coulposed Of distinguished representatives
from many lands, equally az home IN an
ecclesiastical assembly as in the councils
Of State.
Again we meet. 1t Is at high festival
I'm Glasgow, the greatest social event or
the wear. II is a reception given by Lord
and LADY Bell. Here representatives, from
all parts OF the world are cordially well
coined by sons and daughters OF nobility
bv men and women born 20 social rank.
and who prejudice aside adorn their