The sun., 1908-05-10

Jim Crow was not the same negro seen il
this country. Wemyss says
That his financial affairs have been
improved by the trip there is little doubt
but his popularity in his native country has
been lost by his endeavor to engraft the
English dandy with the American negro
In London, where a black man is scarcely
seen, IL might be remarkably funny, but
the broad caricature OF the American negro
was the attraction Of jim Grow at home
who when converted into the English
gentleman was most insipid creature. Az
an actor Mr.. Rces reputation depends
upon his black face, and how he contrives
TO keep it white might be matter Of grave
debate, begrimed as it has been for the
last ten years at least three hours in each
Of the tWenty-four."
After his hit at the Pittsburg Theatre
Rice is said to have applied TO W. C., Peters,
who was well known as a composer and
music publisher in Pittsburg at that time
and later associated with musical affairs in
Cincinnati 10 prepare the music and pub
hsh the song. Some dificulty was ex-
perienced before Rice could be induced to
consent TO the correction Of certain trihing
informalities rhythmioal mainly. in his
melody; but yielding finally, the air as il
now stands, with pianoforte aooompani-
ment by Mr.. Peters, was put upon paper.
The manuscript was put into the hands Of
John Newton, who reproduced It on stone
with an elaborately embellished title page,
including portrait Of the subject Of the
song, precisely as II has been copied through
succeeding editions to the present time.
1t was the first specimen Of lithography
ever executed in Pittsburg.
While he was in England, where he mar
ried, Rice really was hon. 1t Is told that
the Duchess OF st, Adams, then at Brighton,
sent UP TO London for the actor and had
him make the trip TO her seaside place just
TO give his Jim Grow impersonation.
There was so large a crowd In the draw
ing room OF the Duchess that Rice had to
give his performance in a circle about six
feet in diameter. Much Of the effect, Of
course was lost, but the guests were de-
lighted to come in such close contact with
the celebrity
When Rice first appeared in London it
is said his popularity was 90 great that
Maoready for a time played to empty
benches, and other popular idols OF the
British stage slso suffered. In Dublin he
received $500 a night, and for several years
while he toured the provinces he met with
nothing but success.
H. -. -,
1888, he brought out a new play entitled
The Flight 10 America" farce by William
Lehman Rede in which Rice sang an
amended version Of Jim Grow. The play
was a very slight thing, and was only in
tended TO give opportunity for the actors
In this, a. Wemyss has
pointed out, the clumsy old Jim Grow
known 10 America gave place to the dandy
darky, and in consequence 1t may be
urged that Rice was the first TO give the
dandy negro TO the stage.
There we're . great many yeraas Of the
English Jim Grow. which was Of topical
nature. Here are q few Of them
In Lunnun all they wish for,
Or anything they dream.
Be II marrying or burying,
They do II all by steam
Respeotabes all keep a gig,
But all the vulgar shAbs
Drives about the Lunnun streets
In patent safety osbs.
When a gentleman wants money.
His purse Is rather low.
To get II how he'll wheel sbout
Ard jump Jim Grow
Since I'm getting rather tired,
So pray you let me 20,
I'll come again another night
And jump Jim Grow.
Rioe returned TO his native country in
ISSs and the next year had a slight attack
oi paralysis, from which he never seems
% have fully recovered although he was
,een on the stage for the next dozen yeaTs
Dr. more. his last appearance In New York |
being with Woods minstrels In August,
1853. On September 10, 1890. the creator
II Jim Grow died in his native olty.