Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-31

explorer of Africa, whose sixtieth birthday
preceded Mr.. Townsends by two days,
wrote to him from Furzethll, Pirbright,
Surrey, January >, 1901, as follows:
II am really very glad to know that you
still keep your pen occupied, for I honor
greatly that pen. At one time it was
among the most envied things on earth to
me- There was such Verve and uplifting
power in its grand. rolling lines, it de-
scribed in unequaled style the shock of
battle and the thunder Of war Every
scene you touched upon stood out boldly,
as 1t were, from the page There were
giants in those days, the days Of my
youth but you bore the palm for splendid
descriptive writing. | shall never forget
the eagerness with which | accepted the
honor Of reporting your lecture on Europe
Armed at St. Louis, for the old Demo-
crat 1S6f). nor the impressive manner with
which you concluded it with Galileo's words
The world goes round Goodbye
for time. my dear Gath. May your allot-
ment be large slice of this new century
and with II q long continuance Of good
health and that bravery of spirits which
animated you in your glorious prime.
Proved His Activity.
Letters poured in from everywhere con-
graduating Mr. Townsend upon his
tanned activity. which he proved was still
active and youthful by reciting a dozen
stanzas of "A bright. original poem he had
indited under the inspiration of the occa-
sion, AT Sixty Years. of which the OPEN
ing verse was as follows:
''J'a soixante an"
Said an old Frenchman
When was but twenty-five.
And then thought that to die he ought,
Having lived his whole life through.
But now that | span
My soixante an.
see reason to die.
And wonder why the girls are 50 shy
When m just at maturity:
1t was most happy family and friendly
grOUD. Resides himself and nd
| in-law and daughter. he had with him his
son and three grandchildren. The many
friends who doubted the accuracy of times
record in regard to the youthful gentleman
congratulated him nevertheless, and the
evening was a most enjoyable one in every
respect The parlors We're beautified with
floral congratulations sent from abroad and
at home. Mrs. Townsend was gowned in
gray brocaded silk. and Mrs. Bonaventure
wore yellow silk with handsome diamond
ornaments.
sketch of Mr.. Townsend.
Mr.. George Alfred Townsend born
at Georgetown. Del, the county seat OF
Sussex county, January 80, 1871. His father
was there Methodist preacher and pastor.
When babe the son was taken to Sails
bury, on the eastern shore of Maryland of
which he has no recollection. His first
"reminiscences date from Delaware City,
where he learned to read, but cannot recol-
leCt from whom. About 1915 he lived at
Port Deposit. near the mouth of the Sus-
Quehanna and first went to school at CO.
lumbia Pa. This schooling was continued
In the imperfect petty schools of that day,
till the spring of 1S49 at Marcus Hook,
about twenty miles below Philadelphia,
and then Mr.. Townsend moved with his
father at eight years of age to Chester
town. the eastern shore OF Maryland
where he had excellent tuition till 1851 in
college named for Gen. Washington. and
to which that chieftain had contributed.
For two following years Mr.. Townsend at
tended the academy at Newark, Del. and
about 1853 his father. still clergyman
removed to the vicinity of Philadelphia,
where his son remained about eleven years,
attending local schools and graduating in
February, 1860, at the Philadelphia high
school.
The night before he graduated he was
asked to go upon the daily press of that
city, through some prominence ne attained
as composer and speaker at the high
school His first published composition, in
the High School journal in July, 1851, al
most forty-four years ago. was exhibited
| last night. a little book in which was
| biography of Mr.. Townsend, published "a
! little later than the above date, was also
| shown.
Career as Correspondence.