The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1902-04-05
JOHN HOWARD PAYNE.

In the record of events as they have
been waited in on the tide, and car
ried out on the flow when the waters
receded, we have read in the moving
sands incidents here and there which,
tied together, make the story of a
life, city, nation.
In Oak Hill Cemetery, across Rock
Creek, in Georgetown, lie the remains
of Francis Scott Key, the author of
the "Star Spangled Banner ;" and
the same foliage covers the monument
to another man loved by the Ameri-
can people because he, too, was the
author of song which in the hearts
of Americans rivals the "Star Span
gled Banner '-' Home, Sweet
Home" Glory enough it is for either
of these men to have left these songs
to posterity.
John Howard Payne, author of
Home, Sweet Home" was born in
New York City, June 9, 1892. At a
very early age he manifested taste
for literature and the drama. He was
a student at Union College until his
sixteenth year, when he appeared as
"Young Norval" at the old Park
Street Theatre. His remarkable tai
ent soon brought scores of admirers,
and with bound he became a fa-
vorite.
For his benefit in 1909 he appeared
as Romeo" The receipts were
bountiful. He then appeared in Bos-
ton, Philadelphia and Baltimore. It
is said the prices of seats in Baltimore
ranged from SIS to SIS. He was
greeted throughout the States as the
American juvenile wonder. He play
ed for the last time in New York in
1871, and in Boston ia 1872, in Ham
let," to Mrs. Duff's "Ophelia.
He was persuaded by George Fred
eric Cooke to go to London in 1873.
There he was manager, actor, play
wright, with varying success for twen-
ty years. He wrote, translated and
adapted over sixty plays, among them
"Brutus," "Mahomet," Married
and Single" "The Spanish Hus-
band" "Paole, " "Clari, or the Maid
of Milan"
His "Brutus" was produced in
Drury Lane Theatre, with Edmund
Keane in the title role. 1t ran for
fifty nights in London, and in Amer
lea 1t became a favorite character OF
Cooper, Forrest and the elder Booth.
When Charles Kemble became the
manager of Covent Garden Theatre
he applied to Payne for aid. Mr..
Payne offered manuscripts for $3.50,
$50 being the price offered for "Clari,
or the Maid of Milan" Mr.. Kemble
made the purchase, and at his request
Payne turned "Clari" into an opera.
An older sister of Ellen Tree took
the principal part, and sang for the
first time "Home, Sweet Home, "
which was written for the opera. It
need not be said that the opera was
most successful. The part of "Clari'
Miss Tree made a great success
through this song.
1t seems that everybody realized a
fortune out of it except the author.
Charles Kemble was the father oi
Fanny Kemble and Adelaide Kemble,
who became famous opera singers and
made a brilliant debut at Covent
Garden.
In I843 Fanny Kemble married
Mr.. Edward Sartoris. Her son, Al
gernon Charles Sartoris, in 1874, mar
ried Nellie Grant, the wedding taking
place in the White House during the
Administration of President Grant. II
it really materializes that daughter
of Mrs. Sartoris, whom rumor says
has an Unsuitable desire for the stage,
should be found before the footlights,
she certainly came to her inheritance
honorably. For nearly a century the
name and family of Kemble have hon
ored the stage. From Mrs. Siddons,
the oldest child, to Fanny Kemble
and Adelaide Kemble, twelve brothers
and sisters comprise the original fam
lily, and all were more or less dramatic
characters. 1t is very evident this
family was most influential in helping
on the name and fame of John How
ard Payne.
After his great success with "Clari'
he wrote "Charles H." a very popu-
lar play but fortune still refused to
smile upon him, and he returned to
this country almost penniless-every-
thing he touched turned to ashes.
When in New York benefit night
was given, in which he appeared as
"Brutus." 1t is said to have beer
the first complimentary night evei
given by the citizens of New York.
During the evening Mr.. Cooper, the
distinguished actor, recited "Alexan-
der's Feast"
In I841 Mr.. Payne was appointed
Consul to Tunis by President Tyler,
and we are very sure the friendship
of the Coopers must have played
some hand in this. 1t will be remem-
bered that President Tyler son mar
ried the daughter of the distinguished
actor, Mr.. Cooper. She had from
childhood been surrounded by the
best society in New York, and was a
girl of culture and refinement. The
Presidents wife was in delicate
health, and Mrs. Robert Tyler was
called upon to take the position of the
first lady of the land.
Where Mr.. Cooper sometimes i'm
personated the characters of Mr..
Payne's plays was in a theatre on the
corner of Eleventh and D streets. II
burned down, and was rebuilt in 1872,
and was called "The Assembly
Rooms" Mrs. Priscilla Cooper Ty-
ler has left graphic description ol
one of these gatherings:
81 went to the Assembly last night
matronizing FIVE young ladies, all
dressed in rose color, all so lovely toe
-C1ementiua PleasontOn. and Belle