The New York herald. [volume], June 25, 1878, Page 4, Image 4

About The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920

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DISASTROUS EXPLOSION.
Brooklyn Municipal Building Shaken
irora Ceilar to Roof.
ONE MAN KILLED AND ANOTHER INJURED.
Escaped Q-as in a Vault Ignited
by a Clerk.
Brooklyn, in view of Us ufore recent history, may
tot inaptly be termed the City or Sensation* A
frightful explosion occurred mere yesterday in the
auw Municipal Uuiidus, wblcti could scarcely have
sccusiunod more general oxcitemeul bad tbe placo
born visited uy an earthquake. Tbe repert or tbe ex
plosion, together with tta immediate cousequenees,
were auob us to strike terror into <bu stoutest beur>,
and the estimate of tuo then probable disastrous
results to ltfo and properly, assuming au exaggerated
orm, was carried Irom lip 10 lip throughout tbe city
vlth almost llgbtolng liko rapidity, startling all and
iccasioning not a little consternation to many,
tmong the flrat rumors that obtained ewin circuUt
iou was one scttlug lorth tliat tbo large structure In
floated bad been blown up, causing an appalling loss
jI lito among the ofiiciuis anil employes in tuo various
municipal departmeuis. This terrible news having
reached tbo immediate relatives ol those engaged iu lho
immense building produced, as muy be imagined, the
moat painful auxieiy on the part of the lornm, many
el wiioiu baatcued to tbo scene ol the accident, re
lusing on ibu way thither to be assured that the dis
aster was not so appalling as bud becu represented
to them. Meantime a crowd numbering many tuou
iands bad collected around tbo Municipal liuildiuv,
and wtien Immediately alter tho explosion tbe tire
hell rung out its ominous signal intense exciterooni
wua depicted on the laces ol the constantly increas
ing muititudo.
miRIIILK HxrlTBUK.VT.
it was about ball-past nine o'clock A. M. when
people in the Municipal Building, tbe Court
House, City Ilall and vicinity, wore startled by a loud
report accompanied by a shock, which left no room
to doubt that a tremendous ezploeion bad occurred.
The locality of the accideul was speedily determined
?y those on the street seeing several ol tho olerks
rushing panic etrickeu irom iho Municipal
Building, whiio others woro observed juuipiug
from (lie windows of tbo first floor to lbs
? ground. On every lloor of the building an undefined
feeling ol insecurity seemed to seize each pereou,
eoiiie being rendered motionless Irom terror, while
tubers lustincuvciy rushod toward tbe doors leading
out of the structure. By many lualde It was thought,
m the few moments ol mortal dread which succeedod
tho occurrence, that tho boiler located in the base
ment ol the bulldiug had beou blown up, aud that a
second explosion would bo sure to lollow. To
louie of those whose duties confino thorn to the
upper portion of the struoture the occasion
fc-usooe never to bo forgotten, uk tney believed an
twiul late, and oue which they oould not avert,
twailed them. The actual sceue o! the casualty wus
in what is known as too "'bill room,"
? the Department ol Collection, Bureau ol Taxes
"finch occupies Hie entire right wing on the ground
loor. The place iu which it occurred was a vault six
leet wide, eighteen leet Jong, and extended almost |
to tho ceiling, where its roof was formed
by a separate arch, leiving tho inside about
twenty feet high. This vuuit, or sale room, was built
sut irom lbs right wall of the main corridor, the walls
of the vault itself being eighteen inches in thickness.
Over the arch ot tho inner roof, which was what Is
known as a double backed one, was a quantity of
?uoriar, which had boeu placed on the arch
to lovel it lor the foundation of tha rest
?t the bricks, which were bitilt up from
it to the mnlu ceiling. Erected against tbe
inner walls of the vault were wooden partitions and I
tdeives, where were kept the cash books, books of '
record and important documents connected with the
Tax tilllcc, aud as (he books were constantly iu u.o
they were kept la regular order und arranged wltn a
slow to iiistunl uje aud ready access. From tho ceuire
01 the ..relied root uepondod a gas fixture containing
two ordinary humors. Tbo only way ol ingress
to the vault was by moans of a strong *irou
door some fivo leet high, and tins wis
alwuys secured, not only by lock and key, but also by
a combination bolt I he last time this door was
locsed was on Saturday alturnoon, ut two o'clock, and
thru by Mr. Hamilton ltucvee, in charge ol the re
ceiving room, be alterward delivering ihe keys to
Mr. ID sscrop, ibn Deputy < oil.ctor ol Taxes.
THK KXPI.OSIOS.
When the latter r* ached the olllco, at uboul nine
o'clock yesterday inomiug, the keys ol tbe vault
were returned 10 Mr. Beeves, who unlocked tbe iron
door, and on doing so detected a sligut odor of gas,
but a. tbe aiiuo.phcro of tbo v.mil generally was
more or lees close or impure, owing to a
total abtrnce ol ventilation, ne took no par
ticular nonce ol ll. A lew of tho Clerks went In
Htterw.ird to procurn the books over winch each had
coulro.; but it uoe- not appear Hut any ot them ob
Mrved au ni usual odor of gas. \t ithiii a lew minoiea
ol ball pint nine, however, a young iiuti named Oliver
S. Vincent, a clerk who searches titles, entered
the hill room, intending to examine an old cash
book wiib reference to u payment made sumo
years sine- He at once made known his
wishes to William F. Code, the stamp clerk, wheu
the latter accompanied him to ihe vault lor the pur
pose ol procuring tho book Mr Cote ctitured the
dooiwav. Mr Vincent either billowing bun in or
standing lust ouisi'io, as lite interior of tuo vault waa
quite dark. Mr. Cone then ignhed a match, und iu a
moment alterward an iiiuiicu-se voiumo o; tl ime burst
out, followed instantly by an explosion which shook
the entire huiluing. Theie wore ecmu seventeen
clerks in illi* lull room at ttin time, and iiacli ot litem
was stunned by ihe concussion. On recovering their
senses many ?' mem Jumped out ol the windows to
tbo around, distance oi to., or iwclvs leet, thoroughly
m..fined and not knowing what was going to come
licit.
lll'KI.KD ACROSS A ROOM.
Mr. Vincent ws.< hurled with terrific force acroM
the room and thrown against itie opposite walk Aftor
the dust c.iUk. O ijy the lulling ol the uu>er wall ol Hie
vault bail cioartil uwuv nu waa louud in au iiucuu
ic uoi male iiud bleeding freeiy from injuries to bia
hcau, which bml struck the wuit wuli kucii violence
that a portion ol the beavv in on nil nit udjoiDlng one ol
tha window* had been displaced. On line moulding
there waa a quantity ill Inn hair, ana the floor where
the tihlorionmo man lay waa covered with blood, tie
hud been hurled about twenty tlvo leet when the ex
pin,ion occur rod, una it in hclievi d lint' he ninit hivo
been torcr.1 through the purtltlon wnlcb tehee* off (be
desks ol ids clara* Iroin the outsiders. At ail events
tbat porilon 01 the partition immediately lo Iront ol
the vault was shuttered to atom* nod swept com
pieiely away. The poo> man had In* lace badly burned
and the *am appeared lo have beou peeled Iroin
hi* hand*. Nearly rvury article ol ciolhlng winch he
wore win blown away, the pocket* ol his clothing
torn to stoma and ins money tin y coutained -cailered
all over the Uoor. Willi the assistance ol aotue ol I lie
clerk* lie waa carried into the c isli room and jlier
ward removed In an amhulanoe 10 Mi. I'cter * Ho*,
pilal. Ou arrival at the taller pluco the attending
pli.vsiciao lewii that the nead, face, arm a ami hands
ol the still uuconkcioua patieiit, as well a* the lower
portion ol hia bony, were severely burned. There
was alao a deep gash ou hi* head. He died at a later
hour laal evening
MR. COOK'S I.VJl'KlfcS,
Mr. Code, when the explosion took place, waa
inruwn down inante the dour ol ilio vault and tbeu a
quantity ol tineas and uiartar failing upon hi in, bo
was wedged maud In thai poaiUon reutaihod notil tho
uuat caused by lha lading wall cleareo away, when he
waa extricated oy hit lelhtw clerks. tie ia Mitferlng
from the shock ami ia also severely ournuu ou the lace
nadneck. Mia injuries, inonjno: a pntalnitktfuiir,
are not considered serious Oilier* of the c orks re
ceived alight injuries or had their hair or eyoorowa
aoorchea.
Cossnqt-Rsern or tiir iiisastkr.
Several ol tne window Irame* in tlN(MiIfpMIM
the vault were blown compleioiy out or othcrwiae
badly shattered, and there w* scarcely a light ol
glass I' ll in the whole apartment, tine hall of the
Iron door of Hie vault waa blown away, aa wiia aiso
ou? ol tne bcavy doora leading to the norridnr, while
two or three otbejit were w renched on ihoir binges
Us tne next floor above the glass in windows and
doors wu extensively smashed ami one ol the latlor
torn if in Its bingrs. I he rear end ol the lull room
la wllbin about thirty leet ol thai 01 the Polytechnic
Institute, and In the latter ? several windows wero
broken by the icrce ol the explosion.
RTATKMRST OV Tllk hASKITTKR.
Tbe gnsfltter, Jonn Kenny, sa?s he is in the employ
ol the party who has the con tract for the got and
plum.in* worn ol ihc new M uincipnl Undoing; that
ou Saturday morning lia was putting In sumo llxturee
In the ofllce of the Suporiqpendeut ol Repairs and
suppues, on the third floor, rear,,and had oicaeioo lo
turn oil the gsa in ihe cellar. As lights were required
la aotue of the ollloes he turned the gas on again,
about ten o'clock, *ud It remained on uutil aboui one
o'clock, when ho shut It olf again. He did not flnieh
hie work until a quarter to live o'clock, and bslore
leaving the building ho turned ou the gsa, aa some of
the allucboe ol the l'Oiice Department said they
would require lights at night. I hat la all be knew
about the inntier. tie d>d not feel Unit lie was in any
way napoo*illle for Ihe explosion.
orm. ial arpoar or ooLUwfoa TA.v.vrr.
Collector James lannor aent in a communication lo
the Hoard ol Aldermen, winch hotly lout at lliren
o'clock in the afternoon, hi which, .titer recounting
tha mjuriea sustained ny the erapieyu* in hla office,
he givea ihe following version as to the cause ol the
disaster;?"Un Saturday last, at about one
o'clock P. M-, lb* two cm burners In the wait
wers lighted as u*uai during the :
TUB person ill Charge Ol lb# gas meter at ?bwH ttlbt
lima torn"* the CM u" ?' >be ?????? aoiHea
ituo to ibl? depart in euu When Mr. Coge.woo hud
charge ol I be shutting of the vauit, closed it on ? ?'
ur ay of course uo gnt was burning in ibe Tatt.i, ?nd
the bu'ruors beiug well up ihe es c-pv. L?<i tb?ie bMn
auy, would not have been noticed. Tbu morip
"ni; wbsu Mr. Reeve, chief clerk of the
mil room, went in tno mult, he u
itftfd a smell of gas ?n*l obneryou that in#
sua cocks were turned #n eud b# reached up sud
fumed Uieui off. line und undoubtedly been
all iho morntBK, nuu Hie upper part o tbejrauli muaj
Imvu been lull of it. About forty m uutes ?
Mr. Dodo went iu ibe mull with Mr. Vinecni. wtae
v\ ishrd to cgamin# od>i ol iho caali books, when sir,
Code hgLtod a matcb and lb. explosion ensued.
1 Have nad to oloao the office tor liie day. end' J"?*?
lakcu llio responsibility of directing Mr.
wtoider to proceed at ouceaud repair ibe damage idone
to tl.e lurnuuro ol tbe office, relying upou your ap.
precinlloo ol the exigency of itjeo^elo.udor.e my
action. U relation to rebuilding '"e vault, re
Dairiue the deora, casings and wludowe, I ?e
suecliully request you to lake aueti aolion us
Iiiav be ueceesary. I desire ttie gas fixturcu tuken
oiit of the vault. We sliall ueo cundles there bore
ulter. The department will bo open for general busi
ness to-uiorrowr at nine A. M."
Tbo oommuuicbtiop of Collector ?nd
ami reterrud to tho Committee on Public Lundhand
Uuildiug*.
UCKNK8 ASb IXCIDKXTS.
Detective David Uorwiu was in a closet on the sec
ond story just .ihove tbo vau't, when the explosion
?ook place. Be tbrowu forward by tbo shook,
which tore tbe door Irorn its hiugos. He says be was
paralyzed for a moment, and us ioou aa be comd
recover himself no cluicbed u man whobndbjsn
tbrowu down iu nu adjoiuiug apartment, and who ?u
ao tnrriQeU Hint be could not move, ibe detective
led titm out, unit they both recovered their wuniod
equilibrium suoeolueiitiy upou learning thai thejr had
ebcuuod uutiurmod, and that there was uo impediment
to their making good their escape troiu tho structure.
When the explosion occurred there ware a number
of persons in the Aasessmeul Department, ou the
second Hour, where tuoy were ougugod iu exumiulng
assessment rolls. Among the number were several
lomales, who screamed loudly and ran out
i iDn aiiitrliuoui and tluwu the nuiirs. A
strong curren? of I'?ed up tU.oagb
the air ahait Irom the vicinity ol tno vault, carrying
wilU it fragments ol glass, which were scattered in
Tvory direction, l'ho rfocrelary ol the Hoard ol Asses
sors Mr. Douiluio Koacb, woo was standing by his
d-Bg' ou a Uno between the air ahull uud the
EX* ?oadtug into the corridor wa. in the
rpl ol udmlnimaniig oal" 10 * .lH*
uuyer Ho wu# ?landing ou a lllilo piatlorro. wbicii
was overthrown by tho exploalon, und he was thrown
head loromost over his desk At the same
a ueavy wiudow wasfe, wlti#it waa hurled front ita po
?ilton by the concursiou, pasaod the P'aco where h e
had been standing and w-ould have struck Ul.n bud lie
not lost bts foothold.
LKKT IK THK OAUK.
Iu the Second District Couri, iu tho basement or
tbe Citv Hall, a crowd ol prisoners, lawyers, coui
tilaiuani's and idle lookera ou were assembled when
ibe explosion took place. Tbe concussiou caused
Um most intense excitement. The impre??i?o
lor a minute prevailed tbat the root of iho
hail bad fallen in. A policeman oa duty
in the court, excluiiuod, -'Hun lor your J{J?
building is coming down." 1'be prtsouers in the
"cage" beggeu to bo let loose, but their uppoal was
no? attended to. The reou. wras speedily vacated.
Justice Hioom, who was oai the bench, anxiously
made his way out in pursuit ol information aa to tn?
cause ot the panic.
KXTKNT OK TIIH PAJ,AUK.
The cliairniau ol tho UuihDng Dommitlee, Alder.
mau John franch, under wuoio aupervi.ion I;ho
structure was reercU, suid, tu nuawor lo lulerrogiit#nei
ol iuo Hskai.u reporter yeaterday alteruoou, ihut tiie
damage caused by the explosion would uol he more
than irorn $J,00t> to ?d,000. Ihe buildiug was not
aerious'.v injured, and iu wtrength wus in uo way
I fniuaired by the accident. Ihe gaa luruiahed the
building is supplied by toe Urooklyn City gaslight
I Company, ft was uol the design ol the commute*
w have gaa pipes placed in any ol the airtight vaults.
The pipe iu the exploded vqult was placed inora alttr
the building paascd out ol the control of the Aider
mauic Cummtuee.
POllT 110 YAL UAILUOAJD.
The first mortgage bondbojders of the I'orl Koyal
Hallroad Company met yesterday, in the buildiug ot
the Union Trust Company, to hear the report ol the
committee appointed on Saturday to perfect some
plan for the organisation of the bondholdara into a
corporation tor the purpose ot owuing and operating
the properly purchased on lite ttth Inst, in their be
half by the Uuiuu Trust Company. Mr. Cox presided
and H. H. Moody acted aa secretary. The number
of shares ropreeented was 2,1100,000 out of
'> 5U0 000. The committee did nut seem to
h'avo been of one mind on tnelr plan of organi
zation. aud consequently a majority und a minority
report were hauded in. The lormer, however, wis
adopted. It provides that the new corporation shall
he called the l'ort Hoy ad and Augusta Hallway Com
pany, and mat it be loimed puruuaul lo the laws of
South Carolina and Georgia. They reported lo create
stock to tue amount of $750,000, which shall be dis
tributed pro rtUu among tbe bondholders of the old
company; also bonus to tbe amount ol $1,760,000,
bear lug six P?r cent luierest, and payable twenty
years >>um date; o. which $250,000 .null oo a flr.t
lien upon all property und furniture of the
corporation, and* w.ll b. offered to boo..
boluera oi tno old compuuy lor ih.riy
uuvs anu II not acoepteu in that time
wut'ba eold in the markei. Tbe prooeeds of tuo
$?'50 000 are to be used?Kii.it, to pay tun lorecloaure
exue'nses and any olaims or debta ma Coorta may de
cree ae Deua prior to tue mortgage. The romaiuder of
tuo said $250,000, or so inuno as may oe louud oetea
aary will be u.ed for ihe purcbaae ot auppliea, ad.
dtuooal rouing stock und ouiilt for tbe now oorporii
tmu. The remaining $1,600,000 ol bonds ore t? be
distributed pro rata among Die uoudhoiders ol the old
corporation 10 extiiaugo lor tne bonds they uow bold.
Sl.tr. too. aw interest at s.x por c.nt
annum, payable out of tbe t-aralnga ol the com
ban* aud in case tbo earnings ol any one
year 'should be Insufficient lo provide ler tbe pay
ment of tne coupons ihereon iu lull aucu unpaid
portion is to remain a cfmrgo upou the company. In
bhori, tbo coupons are payable, in their o'tor, out of
tue ?uruiDga ol tbe road, sua tbe holders or bouds sr?
iicrnulted to loreclose only in case default ahall be
iiiiioe iu tbo paymeut ol the prlnotpal ot tbeao
$1,600,000 ol bonus. .
bt following Hoard or Directors of tha new
road was elected:?D. K. Applelou, h. H. Boody,
H A Kobbina, C. L. Kubsannu, A. Marcus, Hal
le'r SuttaoT K K. Appl.ton, K. H. Thayer, all of
New Yum, ana D. C. Wiinen, of l'ort Royal. Meisra.
Appleion, Marks and Uoouy were ai pointed a eemmit.
u.'to comp ete the organisation o. mo road and to
carry online measures adopted at the meeting,
edlourumeui was then takeu until to-morrow.
TilE COAL. COMBINATION.
ACTION or TIIK J OARU OF CONTROL? OCTl'U V
A Nil AM.OlM.NIH roll NEXT WEEK.
Tbo Hoard ol Cuniroi, comro?o.l ol refreie.tativea
of tbe various companies la the coul combination,
met yesterday to tbe building ol tbe Delaware and
Hudson Canal Company, Mr. Thomas Link sou, preai
denl ol tbo latter company, in the cbulr. Among
tboio present wero:?Thomas Dickaon, ol the I>ela
ware and Hudson Canal Company; K. it. Cowan, ol
tbe l'blludeipbia and Heading Hailroad; Samuel Moan,
ol Hie Delaware, Lackawanna and W.aiern;
Thomas lioyi, ol H.e 1'euusylvauia Coal
Company; Urn. Lludermau and W ilner, of
tbe Lehigh Valley Itailrond Company; Mr.
Cruel], representing tbe individual operatives on
the Philadelphia and Heading Hailroad; Mr. Clark, ol
the Lcbigb nud Wtikrab.irre, and Judge Latbrop, of
tbe Central Railroad ol New Jersey. All tn? panics
In tbe combination were represented, with the excep
tion el the PenuxylViiuin Railroad Collipsny, lor wiucb
road 1. U. Uow.iu. ol llie Philadelphia and Heading
Railroad, held proxies.
The Hoard decided to 111 the output of ooal lor tbe
uionio ol Jul) at 1,400,000 loua In 18*7 tbe amount
liniied lor Ibo same mould was 1,703,407 lous, aud iu
1870 1,360,474 tons. The output Used by tbo board
for tbls present mouth was 1,73.1,HAS tons, wbicn, aa
comparod wild tno ninouni lUou lor Juiy, shows a
decrease lor next month oi 7123,048 lous,
Jl'OV AM/jTMkMTS,
1 ho quota ol rati lua companies will be equalised by
July 1 Ibo following allotments ul coal were made
lor the month ol July
forts.
Philadelphia au '? Heading Railroad 4'."J,376
l.uhigh Valley Railroad 266,240
Central Hailroad ol New Jcrsej 163,676
Do.nw.irc, Lack twauu't and Western i.allroad. lUI,2olt
Delaware and iludsou Canal Coaipany 187.-0(1
I'eniisyIvuni . Htnroud Company 114,376
Rinusyivunia Coal Company 87,676
Total l,/.(>o,ixm
I'no question ol lueroasmg tbe price oi coal was
brought up heiore the board, uu. they declined lo
lake any aciloi. in that respect, on ibo ground that
they had no right to lis prices, that privilege belong
lug lo ltie companies alone.
Tbe meeting Iben adjourned.
Hubsequentiy ti.a representatives of Ibe Lehigh Val
ley road held a unsung end decided lo relee the price
el stove coal twenty o?nie and ol chestnut twsuiy flvu
cents per lou. All oth?r sisos remain at ilia same
prices. Tbe steainboat alias were not changed on
account ol the uoiiipcmiou with biluralnoae toel. It
iSMtnderaiood tbat tbe other companies will coolorin
to tneso rates. >
AttI! ESTED FOli HIUAMY.
Herman llolilmnn, of No, 63 Johnson avenue,
Brooklyn, was belore Juilgo Hlley, ol tbat city, y eater*
any to answer the charge of bigamy preferred
by Mr*. Amelia Hohltnan, of No. 60 1'ilt street,
this city, who accused him ol marrying Chris,
line Hell, in Ilalumore, lu 1888. Both women
were Di conrt The defsudani said ho lell hie
Drat Wile because sho was bau; that when h*
married her he supi o?ed i.er l.asi.etid wse de.id, but
he aiierward appeared at their residence iu Haiti
m.'fe. I he plaihi.n said that at the time sh<i married
iieleuiiant In- knew eho had another husumu living,
Due accused Hon hi m ul kicklug her sud xteaiiug 670
ol her mousy inat she had saved in the llowcry .lav
ibc" Hunk. The ezan.losiion was adjourned uutii to.
morrow.
O B IT U A R Y.
CIlAllLI 8 JAMES MATHEWS, COMEDIAN.
Tbo euble brings us news ol I hf ueatn ol Charles
Mathews, tbe veteran comedian, nl Manchester, Uug
Mtud.
To the present generation the name of Charlos
Mathows has an intorest that la at onoe historic and
personal Beiore the aged player (who died yesterday
in bis seventy-fifth year) was born tbo name was
known throughout the British Isles as that of an ac
complished comedian, nud for over thirty years
thereafter Charles Mathews, the older, held his place
In the profession and in sueiai esteem by sheer ability
as nn actor and geniality, wit and social accomplish
ments as a man.
TUB SLOSH MATHKWS.
It is difficult to find the memoirs of anv man dis
tinguished in tbe world of loiters lu England during
the Oral throe deoadss ol the century which do not
eoul.iin some allusiou to tlio elder Mathews, whoso
anecdotes, prsctioal Jokes, droll escapades, unfailing
good humor aud strong senso foreod tnolr way Into
classes of society which tew on the stage at the urao
could reach. Ho was the frland or Charles Litub,
Bantuel Taylor Coleridge, Leigh Hunt, sir Walter
Scott, Wilson Croker, Lord Byron, I'notuas Moore,
Theodore Hook, John Murray and hosts ol others.
01 his stage success It is oot uecossnty hero to spook,
ssvo that he played with continued public favor trora
1702 until 1836, a period of forty-three years, dying,
universally regretted, at 1'lymoutti, England, lu June
of that year. In 1822 he made a successful tour of
tbe United states, and uguin tn 1831 he oamelilihor
with bis entertainment, "At Home," ana mudo nts
Just appearance on any stage lu this city, on Febru
ary 11, 1836.
TUB TOtJXtiKR OHARl.K*.
From these few facts may bo inferred the advan
tages which surrounded the oneulng of the career of
Charles Malliews the younger; but to give the latter a
fair start biogrupbically we must go hack to the 27th
of December, 1803, when the elder Mathews wrote u
letter to his friend "Dear Jack" Laicbford from Liver
pool, England, soytng:?"It is with the most exquisite
pleasure that 1 iulorm you that 1 am the father ol a
One boy." Tbo happy father was then wedded to his
second wlfoand was playing his first cugagoment with
great success in tbe city by the Mersey, and it may he
Interesting to know boss lie looked at the
tune. Bays a local chronicler:?"Mathews was
ao slender that he appeared much taller than
he really was. Talking to Young one day
Lewis romarked:?'Why?u?a?a?he is tho tallest
man la the world and tho thinnest. He has no reg
ular mouth, out speaks Irorn a Iittlo hoio tn his
cheek.' Tate Wilkinson called htm 'a Maypole.'
and s.ud ho was loo tall lor low comedy. 'You're too
thiu, sir,' said Tate, 'tor nnythiag but the Apothecary
to "Romeo and Juliet," ' and he whs astouisned that
?anybody should be so thin and be alive.' But
Mathews wus only Ave feet leu mches in height, so
that lie was not excessively tall."
James Mathews, lather of the elder Churles, a
Calviuisilc bookseller of the Btraud, Loudon, was
atso uelightod at the birth ol a grandson, aud In
a letter to "Deur Churles" said:? "I wish you
would name the child by your own name or
both, but not William, lest It mlgbt excite your
mother's grtef." Accordingly the child received the
name of Charles James. The grandfather also wished
bun to be trained for the Church ; but added that "he
might he u good nan without beiug a clergyman, but
to force him to be a clergyman nugbt tend to rnako
him a bad tn?n."
11BST1NKD FOR TIIK CflUKCEL
Tbo babyhood ol young Churles wus tbe source of
inOuite pleasure to his parents, who determined before
he was a month old that be should be a parson. Ac
cordingly ho was reared in the most grave and decor
ous manner, and u portrait ol young Charley drossed
tu clergyman's robes, tuken In bis fourth year, was
ons ol the works ol art which tbe comeutan curctudy
preserved snd freely exhibited to his friends in his
later years. As early us practicable ho was entered
on tbe foundation of the Merchant Tailors' School
through tho appointment of the Recorder
of Loudon; but, owing to his dolicuto
health, he nad to bo transferred to
an academy tn tbe suburbs ol the great
metropolis. Ho progressed lulrly at his studies,
but the divine ol four years old began to exhibit ten
dencies toward anything but divinity by the time Ue
wag lonrteen. There was nothing specially bad about
the boy, but be was a light, airy stripling, too vola
tile to care aooul theology, and capable alone appar
ently oi cultivating drawing with auything like as
siduity.
STUDIES ARCHITKCTCKK.
Tbo design of having a bishop in tbe family was
wisely given up, nnil < buries was introduced to the
studio of ihe iuie Mr. Fugm and subsequently that of
Mr. Nash, whero be studltd architecture. While
thus ongageu he made his flrst appearance ou the
stage on April 20, 1822, at tbo English Opera Jloase,
with some other amateurs, lor the benetlt
or a Mr. Feuke, and played in Lamb's
"Mr. H ," "Lo Comcdien d'Euiupes"
and the '-Borrows ol Wertner." Ho was
suffering from a sprained unkle, but wa- much praised.
He did not pursue the theatrical profession regulurly
until thirteen years later, but continuod at bis
studies, gradually, however, widening out his ac
quaintance among the men and women ol the world
as tney were louod lu London society hfty odd years
ago.
A TO UK WITH LADT BI.KSSIXUTOK.
A coo pi o ul years later lio tell England (or a tour
of Italy la ttio train 01 the Karl una Couulesa ot
UlisMngtoo, tho famous Irish Countess and
authoress, to celebrated lor her brilliance,
bcr hospitality and tbs gatherings ol distin
guished literary people Irnut all pirls ol
Europe unoer her rool' ul Gore Hons", and whose re
lullena altcrwurd to the celebrated Count fJ'Orsay,
her dauab er'a husband, caused some scandal. Count
D'Orauy was of tbe travelling party on that occasion,
aud young Charles hud a quarrel with hi in resulting
in a challenge to the Count. The latter, leeling him
sell in tbo wrong, made a large aud generous auirn<l>-,
aud the matter pasred out ol sight. Mr. Malhew-uow
studied archill-dura very ciosely, as his c.iretuily
preserved drawings ol tbe monuments ol Italy utlesh
He passed some time in tbi- way at Homo and Naples
RKASKD IS PI.BA8AXTSKSS.
Talking of bla youth and its mrtuunco upon him In
slier lilo he said, not long ago, "As a young man I
enjoyed the great advantage ol spending my llino in
tho plcasuntesi company. D'Orsuy. my moinontary
loe, was a man who stood alone, llo was not a pro
fessional wll, but ibe most dciighllnl ol men. Ho wua
handsome, accomplished, well read, anpcroly dressed?
a dantly 01 tbe tlrst water, but Ibe best hearted man
and kindliest geuthrnau that ever breathed The
wits, too, did not, like the later generation, talk 10
make points, lor they had genuine gayciy. Lord
Alvauley aud George Culm.in, lor instance, never
cared to make points, lor ibe gayety o: their temper.i
ment carried ttiem ?wuy, and carried you sw.tr too,
lor their bright lun was too ethereal lo be bottled
up lor retail. It was nut any one pirtlcular bit,
but n blaze ol dreworks?tho magic, not ol matter, |
but ot inai.uer, wnicn constituted their peculiar :
charm. Terbupr their Jokes wore hot good unougb .
to beer long carriage. Very possibly But they !
poured out the r III lo pure lightness ol b"art, and I
dli net eat silent.y, like a wolverine, to pouueo
upon yon Wttb a savage sneer, and then relapse into I
nothingness lor the reel ot the eVebibg. They cn- !
Joyed themselves, and oommnolcaieu their enjoy
ment In otnera. It wua a peculiar phase ol wit, ut
terly dtlfersul lrom thai current n?w ; for plenty ol
good tnings are said to-day, but of n different kind.
Sydney ?nmb lor Inn was tuuai to any ol them, but
bo shooo moat in a very i,m sll circle?t lie smaller bla
; audience tbe better be talked?and there was more
| than mere Inn in his Jokes. Theodore
| Hook, too, was a wonder. Yon may think his fun tamo
I now when we are ovordone with connc matter ol all
| kinds, but you moat recollect Itiul the 'j ike was a
new thing in his lima and Tom lion 's. The wit and
1 lun 01 tne older school was, as I have tola you, en
I lireljr different in cnar.cur, aud mien Hood burst
I upon ua Willi his puna ttia town rang with the in.
| Hood's lun bus been depreciated of Itto, aud peril ips
was not ol tbe best kind, but no person who wiine-scd
Ills I til pi OV Isalinpa can doubt tit* k'tUlUa. It w us mar
vellons. t'he Italian intjuvvimlori ar? not lor uu in
stant to bo compared with them, fhrp sru h'ltotiugp.
Tliey recite the dullest trash In a language which
iilLirdd lul'mlio laCllny lor rhyme, but Hook Hashed
through tho most difficult metres and the most rapid
tunes without ever bioaking down."
ax kssar sr IU ILUISU.
on bla return to England ho sul to work nnd In
1820 matie his flrst essay in architecture npon a coun
try mansion In Wales, hut he was soon oat ol sympa
thy with the practice ul lua proiesstun Hu returned
to Italy, t here he led u gay 11lo aud w is strickea
with paralysis, iroin w hieh iu did not I ally recover
lor a couple ol years. 11" loi k to painting and exhib
ited a picture nt tbe 8ouu reel Hunan exhibition. It
tory doss not speak ol p. as ol any ps-ncu.ar MM'.
All this limn he bad no Idea III gti'ug oil ibe stage,
but he began lo Duay utmsolf with dramutic oomposi
lion, helping hie lather is the arrangement ol his
famous "At Home*."
PS A Til or ins FATIIKH.
Young Matnews was bow u proiniuent "man about
town,'' but (be death ol li a lailier brought borne to
bun tho necessity ol dm lis soiuoitnug lor hiuisell in
the world. Ho naturally turned lo ins stage. He In
herited a purl ownership in tbe Olympic Ihcaire,
which was men cenduu.u by tbo celebrated Mine.
Veatrie, a Isdy ol the siue- ol the lightest morals, va
ried acoompustimeiite, the liveliest bearing and,
although alia was ihenpri tty well on in years, of a
moat bewitching stylo oi henuiy.
rmsT PKorsxaioKAh aitbaramOT.
At the Olympic, Charles Maihea s m of" bis ddhot
en December 7, 1836. Ot that Bret appearance nnd
the impression ins aoltng created we oauuol do belter
iliab (piote lrom the clnptur devmed lo Matnews in
Ot org" Henry J,ewea' Iiook "On Actoraaud Hie art of
Aollng""ilia llrst appeal am s, In 'Old and Yoang
Stagers,' lonns a plea-ant landing place In my worn
ory ms 1 wiind. i" backwards. The Incomparable Listen
delayed his oepariuro lrom the stage in order lo pro
teol the ddbin ol tlis sou ol his old colleague and
Irisnd, and there havo beeu few ddonia more curiously
expected aim moreeordiuliy welcomed. It wax k jowii
to Hi" bosex' that Obsrles Mathews bad been man*
s ptt of iu many arlsl- crslie lamiltex, and had acted
In private nircrs at Hums, J-'lureuco and Naples
with sitigu ar success. It wx? known to 'tbe pit*
(iu those days there were no stall*) that the son
ol the puulie ixruriie, Moegb irainud as an srcui
te<l, bad reaoiveu to Tugib lor Tl.espis; aud as
metih ntpie, under tin management oi Mmu. Veetrla,
was the tbcalro ol Ibe eleg tuces usu the beiue ol
plrnxaoi inirthlnineas, the appearance of tbe yonng
artist at this theatre wsa in ilsell an evoni. flat ex
Vjpactsiious such ss tbsst art as perilous to weak pre-.
loneiou. a# inojr are eucouragiug to real laieut; ?uq
tl Charles Malbews triumphed 11 *u iu virtue o<
very nudeniable qualities.
now as aptbo.
"Anything so airy ana fascinating as this young
man bad uui been seen upon our stage. In general
theatres leel tbst lite Jruim pnutier is Ibuir wauk
point, lis is bsd enough in lion on; but ID Action we
do uot see btm, wheruss on tbe stage tbe weskusus ol
tbe onsrscter is usually aggravated by a 'bend in ilia
baoa'and uu implacable fatuity, liberies Matuows
was eminently vivacious, a nimbio spirit 01 inirtb
sparkled is bis eye sua gave airiness to
every gesture. He was lu luoassaul move
ment without ever becoming obtrusive or
fidgety, A oortain grace tampered bis vivacity;
an lunate sense ol uiegance rescued him Iroiu the
exaggeration ol uuiinal spirits. 'He wanted weight,'
as an old playgoer ouce reproachfully said of turn;
but bu had tbe qualities of bis dotrcu, and the waul
ol woiguts^iocaiuw delightful airiness. Whether be
dauced the Tsrautolla with tbe oburuibg Misslitz
pulrick or snatched up a guitar and suug, bu ueit-ber
danced like a dancer nor sung like a stager, but throw
the enartu ol a lively suture into both. 1 tbiok 1 see
bin now in 'Due Hour,' sou ted opposite Mme. V estria,
aud made to suuduu his iuipatienco while ue held ber
stems of silk?a very drawing roum version of Her
cules ul the feet ol Uuipbalo?and I picture to myself
bow the majority ol <<ur jrunai premier* would com
hurl liiomstilvok .tt Hint iin-i i mu !''
port tbemselvos in tout po-itiou 1
WITU VgsTH S l.v AktRIOA.
lu 183b be married Mine. Vestris, to the surprise
aud displeasure of bis trieuds, aud Immediately loll
lor the Uniiud duies. lie was not tu make his ap
pearance in Now Yort until tbe lull, uud tbe puir
spent ibo suuiuier up ibe Hudsou, but u number ol
injurious stories get'ing ubroad us to their mode of
life, their lusuli'uce uud airs, Ihov met with a very
coal recoptiou in New York. Ibey played lor it lurt
night to uluiasi empty benches aud tbuli wont to
i'biladuipbia, where tuey met with a similar recep
tion. TUey guvo up and resolved lo return to Eng
laud, but pluyod a fear nights hero while waiting lor
iho puukul. Malbews in a luruweli speecb doniod
ibe truth ot tue stories about biutsull aud the
.Mudaiue. It Is lair lo remember that the puulc of
1837 bad not spent us lorce, and this may bu bold to
acconut in sotue measure fur too bud business tboy
diu.
DKI1TS AM) MXTUAVAOANCK.
On tueir return tu Eugiaud tocy went book 10 tbe
Olympic, but were not loruusle in making money,
tout is uiouey enough. At auv rale iu 1843 Mrs.
Mathews went starring and Cburlca wont lu tbe
l.voeum, where bis history occoiuus much outungied
lu tbe web of tbe law. He mode various essays iu tbe
more ambitious Hue ol couiedie*, only to discover
that bis range ol character was very limned, ludoed,
Mutbuws lu one piece was vary nko Msiuews in sue
trior?ail uirv, volatile being without deep emotions ol
any kind, expressing humor in a twinkle ol the eye
or a lilting ol the eyebrow, giving Ibe idea ol a
mill iniriblui but not Jotiy uud impassive when not
mirtlilul. lie was duuued sud summoned; be went
into bankruptcy uud Wss lorced into it; uud every ox
perieuse wbieu uu inveterate debtor cun have, uud
uever seemed in any way oppressed by what bo uwud,
but, on me contrary, was always ready lor a Iresb
plunge iuio debt. Uuduuia Vestris rejoined him at
tboLvoeuin in 1841, but bankruptcy came and ended
tl.e experiment, iu 1864 sUe left Ibo stage, being
then nearly sixty years ot age. ahe died in 1860 ol
cancer.
WAiHxws?wusTim.
Tbe next year Cnariea came to Amorioa and tbe old
troublo being twvyly years under the sod be stood
on bia tuariia us u comedian aud was signally suc
ceaslul. He opened iu tins city on September 14,
1807, ul tno Did Hruadwuy l uoatre, near f curl street,
opposite tbe City Hospital, lu "Married lor Mouey"
aud "I'alter vs. Clatter," and plsyod star engagements
through Ibe Slates. But bu wassono in trouble uguiu.
He beouuie sum ten with the charms of Mrs. l.izziu
Westoo Davenport, the Oral wile ol the Juio "Doily"
Davenporu There was tnuob scandal. Mr. Duvcn
port obiuinod a divorce uu the 14th oi February,
1858, from bis wile, aud Mr. Mutbsws espoused ber
me same day iu Jorsey City. Mr. Davenport subse
quently attacked Malbows in Irout of She Mew York
Hotel, because tbe Eughsb comedian was alleged to
nave mude disagreeable allusion to tbe sx-liusbaud
on tbe subject ol tbe delioate difference betweeu
ibem. Mr. Malbews agaiusuilsd lor Kuglaud.
U.VDVI.NO TOt'TU.
In England bis successes weie renewed. He opened
so "At Home," on the model el bis father's, at Ibe
Bijou rueatreof Hor Majesty's in 1863, and was latrlf
suooesslut, Mrs. Malbews acting with It I in. He plsyed
at tue btst London Theatres in Ins old pans sud sev
eral now oues, but bis days ol return to bis eld parts
were always most keenly enjoyed. Matbuws w*a now
iu the sixties, but the extraordinary lad began to
duwu upon people that June bad no effect ou the
youlblui impersonations ol the actor. Let bun plsy
Sir Affable Hawk IB ibe "Game ot Bpaoulatiou," sj|r
Charles Coldstream In "Used Up," Daxsle in "Lundon
Assurance," Lavaler in "Not a Bad Judge," Clltzn
.saugiroid in "Delicate Ground," or any ol bis well
known juvenile parts, and be still lookeu as young, as
Iresb, as vivacious as a mau oi twuuty-Qve. Like
Mme. D4jazel la Fans, whose sexagenarian "yunuj
men" appeared ibo gayest of lellows, llutnews
seemed to have outlived ibo effects ot time upon tbe
stag*.
PLATINO I* FRENCH?HIS INDIAN TOOR.
In 1807, during the Paris Exposition, Charles
Mathews went to Paris ana played a succcssiul en
gagement in French, the laroe "Cool a? a
Cucumber" being rsbuplized "Un Anglais Timida"
lor the oecuBiou. In 1871 be weal to Aus
tralia and paid a third visit to the United
State*, and played at Wallack's la "London Assur
ance," with a remarkable east. Mrs. Mathews ac
companied Dim, but did uot appear on the stage. Not
long alter hi* return to England he started on a pro
fessional tour of ludia. I Ins was during the Prince
or Wales' visit, and the beir apparent jiaid a high
compliment to the veteran actor wliou they met in tho
far East. Since then he basbeeu playing, and Ml iff In
a lew years created the pari of Adonis Kvergreon in
?'My Awful Dad."
AN AMUBIXO f.RTTRR WRITER.
Tbe lightness of hie spirits was evident In bis enls
tolsry communications. We appeud a speoiraen,
which tell* Its own story, lie waa to have appeared
at a benefit to Jonu Parry, tbe sketch actor, both
as Sir fretful Plagiary and Pair in Sheridan's play of
"lhe Critic," but bo was too III and wrote as follows
to the manager:?
No. 50 Hslukadb Road, Feb. 6, 1877?4 P. M.
Mr Dkab IIollinosiikad?f cannot tell you how disap
pointed I nin at net oelni; able to assist At tbe benefit of
ray dear uld friend?Joint Parry?to-morrow, t should
have been delighted to put my beat leg forward, but, al is I
at tuL raomeut I liave no one leg that is better than tbe
other That agreeable complaint, * > airily spukon of
by those who never ha i it a? "a touch of tbe gout,"
lias Knocked me off my pins altogether. Your gout Is
a aad enemy to lirht eouieiiy (w young light cumeulana
are only men after all), ami how i-ould I, In the character
of Pnfl. talk to Sneer and Dangle el my "hopptov and skip
ping about the al taa With m? u-ual activity' while hob
bling on by Die aid of a sties il have ainnutlinos bean badly
supported evjn by two) t 11 is tbe Hrst time I ever ulsiip
pululad '.he public on a similar urea-Ion, and only comfort
myself witu the reflection thatl shall not be mis-ed miong
so many, mid that, alter all, so tliat the lllnstrlens John
be in good form. I lie audience will bs amply itr .titled and
pardon uir unavoidable anaence. I need not wish Parry
nieces*?uno wbo lias never known anything else?and can
only envy those who are ante once more to witness and en
joy il. ! send no doctor's certificate. I wish 1 was unable
to do so, Imt if any one doubts, all tbe harm I wish him is
that he should exchange places with mo for lour and
twenty uuurs. faithfully yours. C. MAfllhW.s.
"KKIP MO VINO."
Various statements about bis intention to retire
from tho stage were put forward of late years, but
thi y wero without authority. .Speaking last year ou
t!i!? subject he s.nd: ? "Our art, like others, has lis
eliaiiitea of lanlilon. bat it I*, at least to the artists, al
ways dcliytitta1. People wonder why I do not reilre,
and why I travel enormous distunes. Tbe answer
Is suupio: 1 like it. An siuatvur would go round lbs
world with pieusure, and pay his own expenses, to
play my parts: and do you suppose that I don't enjoy
the fuu as well as he? I huliere in tbe muxtra of
Yoang Rapid, 'Keep moving. It cannot Keep you
from growing old; but it docs keep you irom feeling
old and ge'ting rusty. Look at your inon who retire.
They crystallixe. I will not. The best end a man can
have is io die lu harness."
IN PRIVATE Lira.
In London Mr. Mathews when not on ths stage
lived a very delightful life, which be enjoyed with
keen goat io the IbsV. Ho resided In tho West EuJ,
surrounded by artistic r minders of his long lite.
CONSERVATION or POHCRS.
Ilia heu-se was inc expression of on* of his lavorile
thesrlpp that drawings .ire lost in porlfollos?the
nitre sarcophagi ol art. lie held that It is far mom
practical to cover the walls Willi them; to neatly at
and dovetail them togetber, so as to leive barJiy an
Inen ol wallpaper to spare, from top lo bottom ot
the house in H' lgmve fond the wail* wore covered
wiili thousands ol drawings, en nn.gr. si d e?graviii.s.
Many ol the drawings wi re made by young Charles
Mathews alien lie went to study I lie architecture ol
Italy Among ilia hundreds of nis owudraw.ng* wero
sketnlH a of tho nmpblthe lire El Pols and
others Of tho less known monuments of the
Roman i crlod. Hers olid tin-re one sees pic
tures presented by friends, such as the
portrait *?? Weuee, sketched by tbe late John Lewis; t no
lainnu* picture ol Mine. Vostris, by Cbslon, so l the
miniature baby hea'', eocirciod Willi sunny curls
ol tlariolozzi's granddaughter, by Cosway. There
waa another portrait of lime, Vostrls in "Lrist to tbe
Mill." N-'Xt to this wis the ettnoas drawing, oetore
alluded to, ol little (.'baric* Mulbcwa, rtnt, lour, In a
clergyman's robes?a very eoratasl little picture in
dOeu. I he.?o pictures, laciitdliig ?evoral ol ilie older
Mathews, formed altogether a series c tiled by In.- son
"My Journal,'' .is each ol tnem recalled noins parti- u
lar'seeneol an indnstrioiis and agreeable lile. Ilia
entrance hall was literally lined with portraits ol the
owner in every character played l>y b m during tbs
last thiny years, including rtir Charles Coldstream
and the I'henomciion in a Nmocrirock. Ill (he ahioking
room, at tne top ol tbe bouse, were other drawings not
leas interesting.
No ouu who saw tbe bowed form, lb* sparse whits
hairs, the aged lane, lbc|l*eblo gait, the trembling hands,
could tor u moment imagine mm to he (be same nun
who bustled ahum tbe siags the Bight beiore. looking
Olty years younger. That was bis seeret. He never
at any lime wasted much lore#; of late years ho
economised It by every means. People admired bis
elegant repose? ho was resting. In bis moment* ofT
tho stsgo it was only when tne blue eyes lighted up
sn-l sparkled as he tola s racy aoeedots mat one
could join the man to the actor. He d-llgbted In
romtnlsceuce and nnrcdoie, and what did he not re
inomlierf He boasted of n power of abstracting him
self from what was going on around him at
sny moment aud also ol the ability to sleep
at will. "In lhe difficult and wearisome part ol my
life when writ* and ncnous rained on me," lie lately
said, "I could always at will vanish into tne part I
was studying." No wondsr hs llv. d long iml had a
reputation lor Hurrurianet, He worked without strain
and never worried He was not n man of heart, lu
ih* finer sense ol tbe word, and his moral suscepti
bilities were of the bluntest, and yet he wss affec
tionately returned by a lirge class of lhe public
nnt fnE* or pi.at whitish.
"the object ot the theaire," no mi id io a friend,
?'appear* In be mistaken, lis lunctloii is lo amine,
net io teacli; people go to the play lor umu-emciit,
not lor instruction. An important consideration over
looked bjr tne critics is that the audience of to-dny is
net tbs audience for which Corncille and Kactn* wrote
tueir roaster pieces?is not ?tee lb* audience ol buy
I w
,u.r. ago. TM
recent times ol people wh > h*a . theatre
eKod lee*, sud who ?!??** lI>e> *?>, i think authors
could ueiiber see uor hear too Msenco ol drama
overlook ler too Irequoutly that lb# mse methlng,
r. that ib. personages ibouM do *>
not i?ik about it?that to giv V oon#,ruCted
illuitrotiou ibnt would b? * ai?0w *ud
dram* which could b? I'1**" 'J orsoD? ou the scene
tell its story complete y. J '? d explain what
should do things, uot talk, ? ?? M.e augc. It l?
is supposed to have boeu done off? . ^ ^| (ta p(aC0)
beloro the audlenc# that tho ecu on er Uooern
nod itie loftil talk tb?r* 18 a . v ar*' com
auil^oce? waul lo b? amuaed, a?U, uaYelled
tioaed to a groat extent of well-in^ tiurae as ib?y call
S?Eon. decline to Helen to oiuo,
it l'bey have enough talk nod to | ,, wanl nat
at the dinner table, everywhere, , au<s?to lor
b?yh^nu.n.a arsr- srwrw. -
suggestions ol the^cior^ ?r A,r
As an arilst he was wittiuut a bnnrflv,
ib, deep or even wartn eraoiton. H?w'" nowsr 10
wincing bis aftisllo way in sunllgb avuu ObafleS
flower He 1..M I. ?U?
iiurlaoe was beyond *>?? He w olcAr de-itwery, his
ior bis fine method, his rapid o vivacity bis easo
observing powers, bis J was adiui
and elegance. 1 tt,* ?"! ^f (tiraa ue atood wlioout a
ruble, and to u log ton of t ? lat? yosri, and
nv 'f. He suffered mueb irom gout /;? %.1>orts
was frequently reported ai1 t wlln Sir Charles
which he was always glad Uioorreot wit hl8
Coldsireaiu's remark ??JMU.ng mi ?
lather, he was lorty-three years eu the auge.
BROTHER ABTI8T81 RECOLLECTIONS - WHAT
JOHN BROUGHAM, JOHN T. RAYMOND A.
CHARLES FISHER SAY OF CHAULl S MA
Z7ol Brougham, who was Jusirecov.r^f^
a recent ait,-cko. Illness, hut had all the ap?prance
of vigor and health In his lace and ol sirengtn a
tenacity >n his mind, 'SITE I
ance ol Matnews was in a piece wbQ
Old and Young Slsg0^ 'oia ' ooach
man" and nlew? was ih'e tlgo, When Lieton
who'll id ih? most wonderially mobile face of nny r?an
Mai hews tho audienco bur.l out laughing,
wore about his neck the collar and t,o of the porta ,
r? tie looking like a gr.st white
though Listen did his best to remain grave"
an undertaker the audienco would insist os. ?P'?<
in laughter, but Mathews' reception was most gra t
iviig The memory o. his lather had much ted.
with It, but he himself was not behindhand In assert
ing his claims to public recognition.
apvaxtaoks.
.?He bad tho great advantage of having peo
Dl, to write plays lor him that were
a da pica to his peculiar abilities snd accidental
nd.ip.ca o) su(|ar ,.laying,
quolifloatlons 10 marvellous ituoueiancr both
dancing, fcc. Hebnd ^m ^ ^ aBVlb|0(t dlglurl>
on and ott the J1** ' on lou ol ,n omnibus as in a
him. He was as hsppy o(leu 8tt(d be bad
oarrisgo and lour ol bis O . ^ o( (bg
to study his PRr"'S/au. af . noOlvmpic, out be had
bslhffs. perioTmaios. sad m
played repeatedly in ol guoll ?,en as Lord
ifl'g'mTl Lart Norm.uby .odL .rd Blesslngton.
Mulgrave, no wvkbtms Ag A makause.
>'\ime Vestr's was at this lime tho manager ol tb
Kit, W-"Sir
married her boloro coming to America.
MATHSWS BOClAPhT. ??l|rpr
..in .octal ??'?h^"yllT.t?p.ttri"atX?.* to h.m
Ho had an g,w bmi onco hero, ta the iu
ou all occasious, uud 1 joke ana laugh aa if
tervals ol a m^ PalDtul Jor u menial pang in
liouevor ex. erleiioed e Pnv oven creditors
his wuolo lile. Fain nor uiaeaa. ^ |g deg<i n0w.
could kiU him. w r,garding the
Ho was u kind ol ? Sheri ? g uig ?? Was oue
class ol people known Uurned over to escape
eonilnunl comedy, wtnou , od cnm.dy in every
deprosSion and r'tattt. P happened to
*a msB ixiKKtblC.
QUO ??
si it isit i v a? WM iioBMiOie.
..... .?RgssSSr S41BS
Charles Surl.ces bul ho was ^ b,g|,grgoaaUty.
Cbsr.es ^''""^^^^^Tseli to bU persocalliy.
Coldstrsani, becauso it ausp? , Speculation'
Tbiawas demonstrated n th.. Uwmc ogap bo
ln which he was ?dV""lly0, C" own ind.vldu
displayed a P0'''?",g Haws. In the play
*'i'tyihe*" 'Cmi'c' he exhibited tho genius ol
#l 1 u nnlek and aalonishlug oitenges, al
bis lather lor ffd'? * ^ k'retful Plagiary almost
ternating from 1>u^ ldegmBO l fti. he lUeainosl tra
in a twinkling. He dMplset ""1" q( hunseif
dlttons. and gave ^Icu.rlea Mathews,
in vartoua pi a?as. He was b:mgel, gna preaeuls
When. " personation Ihe.. audience
When an actor gosj. out ? ;ud:,noe
an entirely diffsran ^ g ,endld Hamlot or
comes awar */v"rg|0|U.,? as tue case may be;
Hichard 111., or Virg i , ? thny gay *now
H,chard IlL, or Virgin.us ;
but wbon b? | \iacr?adf or Keinbl? otf Kota.
lound ne ^ r RAYgoNp's Rgoouustrriova. u
voyage Irom '[J''*xhero'waa"nc)1 conven"lou'aiisiu
vory .o?erlor sty ta Thero wa. ^ ^ on
about hi'"-"? " l0" prodi.es eflects. Wn.u
bimselt, more or less p no bbcJ ,or a
Mn hew* p y prompted bimssli and mate the
prompter becanae M l'r.??POW0 Ho w0s an adept m
character be | jy above the common pluno in
(M> "ulr^ w", bim-rn. Bachelor
tnat regard, l plav S(orm, uoJ oll|l,r pmcas
ol Arte, 1 he try oi my intercourse
"a, l?r Xw?.ataTi'ra" ornament to his
MiiUhowsia"Hw'alla^'.k|s"'ji^tao^Curious^aat^/^:>n<J^I
was'qo okVauyd -^mVo" f
nohouy could 'Vln0";.s/0^ ^w?. an atmosphere
no manor in wH..t *?'??. d ol anocdoie,
?r joliliy. U,? '"V * bcT lociety ol Kurop. and
having mixod tn tuo b 1 undorauud, no
travelled ?A1*""*''' " u,;,ug b.-eu brought up
prior irainiug lor the stage, navi"g ? an agree
to tne proleaamn ol " VTrv Dooular with the guild.
K-,r-"o
an Knglisn gontiemau.
DR. ISAAC L WELSH.
' Dr. Isaac L. Welsh, general ticket agent for tha
Albany day Una of steamboats, loot o( Vaalrjr alroot,
died on Sunday morning laai at bli residence, No. 331
Commuuipaw urcuno, Jersey Cliy, Iroin pulmonary
disease. Dr. Wolso bad beon suffering lor a consid
erable lime pant, but reluaed all proffers made to mm
to take a laava 01 absence to recruit bia health. Ha
remained at hi* peal until Thursday evening last,
wbau bo waa obliged to yield to incraaaing weaatoar.
At one time Dr Welsh was a pracliaing pnywlultu at
Cilway, Saratoga county, Una State, and aubse
?Iueuily nerved in tbe war as an newlatant anrgeon.
About ilia oioaa ol me war be became book
k'oper lor me Delaware and Hudson Canal
C in puny, and lor nina yaara pant oocupiad tuo
position of general ileaut agent on tlia Albany day
line. Ho was in the tiny lonrtb vear ol bia ago at tba
time al bia deatb He leav.-a a widow and lour etui
dren. The remain' will be takeo Una evening by
steamboat to Albany, wnare tbey will tm interred in
the family burial ground. Deceased waa highly es
teemed tb steamboat circle*, and tbe u.tga ol soveral
ol the uioamstiiri lines la tbe neighborhood ol llio
Allmnv day linn pior wern at hall-maat yeuerday out
ol respect to his luviuory.
m.oh .ei. onosz
Michael Cross, tho oldest m ioiiiacturer ol Iron In
tblv city, died suddenly on snneny evening ol apo
plexy. He commenced businuaa in tnia city forty
years ago and during that lime lie carried ou no-lues*
?nceea?lully, earning the respect and confloaoee of all
with whom be dealt. He bmll tho bang vault ol tlio
Cheintcul Hank and ins ltank 01 Anurias, two ol the
o.desl aud l|0?i known nistitullous lu tbe oily; alau
many lluo lion buildiug* lor tlia (iovleis. Koo.iveli?,
In# lata Jubu If -1'iuea end oiber*. Daring Ins long
carter as a m <uulaulurer tnara was never a strike
among bis workmen, snowing tbal lis traatsd ibem
wall end paid mem liberally. Mr. Urosx aaa a ualivo
ol ICi-tas and oame to Una country iorty-?lx years ago.
Ho was a charitable man, and uiany 01 tba deserving
poor will raise nun.
PIT Ell llh.KOKX.
Peter Uorgan, age l seventy seven yoars, dlod at
bis family residenoe, No. Si?4 Wyokoff slreei, Itrook
lyn, on Saturday. Ha was born In Uowsuue, wnere
bis lather owned and cnltlv tied an extvualvo turn on
the bey. Tba deceased, w.io Inherited ball tun (arm,
nl-pobad ol It to Ula brother, Mnrtenus Hergen, lu
Dtag. He tben engaged In gardening at New Utrecht.
11? was at on# tune capinin and lienlonanl oolonel ol
nrtiilery. From IMA to 1M7 be wits Alderman ol the
Klgbtn warn, and was Comptroller of lbs city of
Brooklyn in 18oO. He letbea m who nnd one dung liter.
AN ESTATE OF FilTV MiLLIONS.
The will ol tha late William 0. Rhlnclandar wna pro.
?anted to lbs Surrogate yesterday lor probate. Mr.
Kbioalaudar was one of tbe aaven largest real estate
owners in the city, and lalt an uat .le valued at about
|,">0,000.000. Altar making certain bequests hadirecia
mat lite residua ol the vast estate be given In triiwt
lo the vxectuore lor llie us# aid beurtlt ol hla cliii.
ilren?Mury 11. Slowart, Julia, Serena and William
ltblnalaudar. J'lia will bequeaths to.Udi) to eaali of
the fallowing inslltullone:?I he Orphan Asylum Soel
eiy in tbe oliy or New York, New York .Invanila Asy
lum, the orphan*' Hems and Asyluiaui thai'rot as taut
Episcopal Cbnreb In fi#w York, Si Luke's Hospital,
Society of im Now York Hospital aua tU<> American
Female Guardian Socieiv, 10 t?? applied for the benefit
ol too Homo for the Friendless. The bouse, lot an l
household effect* at No. 14 Washington square the tea
talor directs shall1 be u-edaslbo residence of bia
daughters, Julia and Serena, for two yeura from the
1st of May next, whan it shelf be sold and inn pro
ceed* divided .iihook the children. Eaeb el the ebll
dren receive $')0,U.H) In cash. The children are te
have the use of their kharaa during Ufa, and at their
de ah the properly shall be divided as anou children
direct, luatructious 10 ibu executors conclude th<
instrument. William Khinelaudar, John A. King and
William K. R-nwIck aro appointed executors. Tin
Will ia dated Juno 17, 1(170. and uas a codicil, exeoniM
November 27, 187T, revoking the appoiumeut ol Mr
Kiug and substituting in his stead Lispenard Stewart,
a grandson ol the testator.
WILLIAM M. VEBMI LYE'S WILL.
The will of the late William M. Vermilye, which
disposes ol an estate valued al$6d0.000, was yesterday
admitted to probate. The testator Rives his houao'
bold lurullure and tne use of his house, No. 09 West
Thirty-first street, to nie wlfo, Hester Ann, during her
lite, and at her death to the children. The executors
hold in trust $100 000, the Interest of which Is to b?
f> ild to the widow. At her death the principal reverts to
lie ebildrsu Robert G. Verinilye, brother of ibp
testator. Rots $(I,UU0, and bis married sister, Joanna
H. U. Rutou, bos tbe usa of $0,01)0, with principal to
her duiiRiiier wneu she dies. Another sister, Robecoa
Hawthorn, gets a similar amount, with the kudo con
ditions The residue of the estate Is to be divided
among the testator's children aud tueir heirs. Wash
ington Vermilye, William K. Vermilye, Robert M.
Vermilye and Charles A. Davidson arc (be executors.
IN MKMOBItM.
At a meeting of the St Nlebolas Society at
Deimonico's last evening Hobert G. Retneen, vice
president, In Ibe chair, tuo follow.og resolutions,
lu memory of tbo late William M. Vermilye, for a
long time president of the society, were read and
adopted and a copyb of torn ordered to be sent to
the family of tbo deooasod:?
Itm-olved. That bv the dsoea?e of William M. Vermilye
the city of New York lo?e? one of t lie most sskscIou>, nru
dent and Honorable ol liur men of finance. whose nsm >?
arn held throughout the World as the synouymo ol Integrity
and >i ol 11 i v.
Resolved, That the lontr and ueelul career of Mr. Ver*
mil.ve nourished by a constant practice and displayed a
brlvlit illu-lriuion ol those primitive Dutch virtues?hon
osty, thrift and iuuustry?wliiib our forefatliers planted lu
New Amsterdam and left as a heritage ever uobly main
'allied bv their descendants. '
/Kenilved, That the decease of their 1'resident while in
nflice toucbi'S the St Nicholas Society with a peculiar sor
row, when we rm all lite kindly courtesy toward his fellow
m-mhors, his dignity lu tin-discharge ol his official duties
and his warm and watchful interest in the welfare and
honor of the society.
THE OLDEST BATTEHY BOATMAN.
Patrick Oollms, better knowq as "Paddy" Collins,
the Battery boatman, died from apoplexy at bis re-i
, donee. No. 3 Whitehall street, on Saturday evening.
His fun oral took place yemorduy afternoon. It wai
attended by msnv prominent rcsidonts of the
First ward. Senator flogan. Assemblyman Barrl
gan. Police Juslloe Duffy, Civil Jusnce Callughan.
Kx-Corouer Flyon, Dr. Seine, Mr. H irt Jackson,
secretary ol the Board of Kiulyration, and others.
Collins Urn ntmmenced as u boatman at the Battery
thirty one yoara ago, wheu a mere boy. At
that timo tbere were only four boatmen en
gaged tu the business?vlx, Pat Collins,
Michael Qutgloy, Hugh Byrnes, alia* Kappa
hannock, ao called from his having won a celebrated
ri.ee of the ltappahanuuck crew in 1856, and James
D. Dee, who was niter ward appointed Superintendent
ol the Street Clesniug Department by Superintendent
H. W. Smith, and wuo died inree years ago. Thin
party had a monopoly of the rivor business at the
tmio when Jenny Lind was brought to this countrv
by P. T. Baruum, .nd made considerable money by
rowing residents of Lhe lowor wards into the stream
behind the old Castle Garden to listen to Jenny
Lino's concerts. At that time Mosea H. Boson
was the proprietor of a last sailing yacht oalled the
Buckingham, and Uichurd Marshall kept a yacht
called the Marshall. Ol both of these yachts Collins
had sole charge. He amassed a considerable fortune
during his experience as a boatman, but owing to btg
lavish manner of living uled comparatively poor, lie
was buriod in Calvary Cemetery.
MINISTERIAL VACATIONS.
WHAT THE BAPTIST CLERGYMEN THINK OP
THEIR VALUE TO BOTH FABTOBS AND
CHURCHES.
It was a rtraarkaoly touching teen* yesterday, el
the Baptist Minuter*' Coalerenoe in the old Oliver
Street Church lecture room, to bonold a group ol
about one hundred pal* faoed, wasted ministers ol th?
Baptist laltb, who appeared to be sorely In need ol from
one to tbreo months' vacation to recruit their wasted
energies. Brother Joy. of North Carolina, told tbegp
they did not look as if they needed muon rood*
perution |usi now, but he guessed they would In July
or August. The latter Is now taklag his own
vucuiioo. A great doal of excitement of
a certain kind was created by Brother
Rhodes (weight about 160 pounds), who thought
that because bo does not ueed vacation otbor brethren
do not. He could not see why ministers should need
vscaiious wheu lawyers, pbysiciaus, merchants uud
mechanics slay si borne and uitend to business right
aioug. Besides, thoru are more.doinauda, be claimed,
upou a minister's time in the summer than in any
oilier eeason ol the year. He wouid exebauge tor a
lew Sundays with some eity or country brother re
maining iu ibo oity, however, durtag the week, eave
that he would lake a day or two at Uookaway, (looey
Islaud or elsewhere, but always within call ol bit
parish. Vacations, he said, are fashionable, expen
sive, uticoiuluriabla and uuuealihfnl. He knew one
brother wuo cumo hack sick trom me last vacation
auu has h.en sick all tuo year, and hie ohuroh must
now sond him away suiuewuere else and lor a
luugor lime to recover. Dr. I'nrmly satd ba
seldom took s vaoatiou; he did not thiak preach
ing wore a msu out so much as lunorals.
Kev. William Rued lias not bad a vacation la thirty
live years. Reason: He keeps clear ol doctors and
tnemcine, lives uouservstlvoiy and eujoys good hoaitu.
Dr. Bumsun said he preaoucs live or six yeurs on a
sireich without vacaiiou ; then uko< a year la Kuropi
uud MM back vigorous and healthy, lie thinks it
good lor the Baptist cause lor city pastors to go into
the couutry and preach to some little church for a
few weeks id lbs sumtuor. It would do tbemselves
and two churches good. Dr. Maries thought til*
wrong iduu Had epouou on mis subjects. He needs
and will take a vaoatiou. Brother By moods said be
could do inure work iu eleven inontas witb vacation
than iu twelve without. Tb?ru is rust In change of
sceue, loud and scenery, even though ba should
preach right elouc. Ministers do uot get the day of
rosi In the week as lliey ought to have it, und tuore
lore vacation Is i.ooestary.
as.ssthktic ixrLL'BNCks or thb coxnissjics.
Brother Bnumons said be rusts in sicep uud cen
tleep anywhere, even under me ?liinuistin.i tufluenoes
ol the Mtolstui*1 Uouierenco. H? cau't go ofl ?n<l
leavo his people. Brother B. U. Smith's only regret
nuw is that ho is likely to have more vacation loan
ho ueeda. Brulhor Bwan believes in und takes lour
wsoka' vacaiiou every year. He usee up more vital
energy in thu dev then bo cau recuperato iu the
night, and he merely balances accounts by his Vaoa
tiou; hut be thinks miuisters make e mistake when
tuey all go out ol tuwn in one mouth. Brother Alien
wouiu take a vacation fur bis people's sake. Brulhor
I, Burroughs believes iu vacations as necessary evils.
Miulaiers are iu danger ot mukiou tneir business a
piulession, uud ne thought vacaliuus ought to he gov
erned by circumstances. Brother Foiwml, wuo was
a Junior salesman Id e large dry goods house in Phllaa
delplilt before ho became e minister, knew that clerk*
una employers, pbysiciaus and lawyers?except fourth
story specimens ol too lanor?take vacation inter,
cbaugeably one with another. The churches will b*
p ad to get new laces In their puipue and to Dear new
voices lor a lew .Sunday.. Dr. Wsvland Hoyt like*
lour or more weeks' vacation every year, uot t* re
cru l his body, out lo till bis mind with material for
the ensuing months.
VAN METER'S ROMAN MISSION.
Rev. W. C. Van Moler was introduced to the Bap.
tlst Ministers' Cuolerence yesterday, and addressed a
lew partiog words to tbo brethren on bis missions
and spools In Italy. He returns to Rome in August
wii-i ruouey enough raised her* to carry on bis work
until llttO Yesterday be got 1300 Irom n Pudo
Usptisi Church In Kingston, N. V. He declared hi*
adhrr*uco t* Baptist principles?cles* communion?
which n* bad huld lor thirtv odd years. But hi*
work In this oonntry had be** largely uudeuomt
uatiunal, and such It was also lo Italy, ilia missions
there are .under tbo charge at present ol Dr. Taylor
an English Baptist, und Mr. Piggott, ? Waaler an
Methodist. When Mr. Ve* Moter wont beooe lo Italy,
eight years agu, he Went under the umpicu* ol the
B iptist I'uhliaaiiun Society 01 Philadelphia. He was
u?t Haptiauo enough lor that society, and II With,
drew its name and lullueace* and oonstitutlous Irem
him and aatled him bumo to give an aooounl. He came
and Onding that he could not carry en bis work Hapm'.
Itcally be IUHSb*nla year hero begging lor It as an un.
denominational work. Ills Bible and day soliool* are
among the moat prosperous ol all in* Italian missions.
A com nil lee ol gentlemen In .New York and Phila
delphia receivo and diaburse the money, so that
Mr. Van Meter baa nothing lo do but write and preuoh
lor It. lit baa been misrepresented because he has
csrited on his work undenominatloiially. But ho
claims that lie could nut do otherwise. More than
hall the mousy needed oame from I'odo-Bipilsts
He sain be goes buck leeliug Dial Uud has culled hlra
to that work, and he asked the Couierenue'* prayers
tor its success.
?T. JOHN'S DAY,
The festival of St. John the Rtptist was observed
yesterday by appropriate services In me*y of tb*
Kpisoopai and Roman Catholic aliunde* ot Iho ally.
By ihe Masonic Paternity of this State the day is ro
garded with much interest, an It Is tno ocettiun when
the Brand Master makes imbiie hie ateUf lor the ensu
ing Masonic year. In Bngliud Be John's Day is
anxiously regarded by teeanu, as It is there kuowa
as on* ?( the ?'quarter days," wb*n rants ar* **i
l**t*4 lr*m thos* who khr* by th? j*sr,