THE AUTHOR OF "HOME, SWEET HOME." (Dramatic World)

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 169, 7 June 1873, Page 2

THE AUTHOR OF "HOME, SWEET HOME." (Dramatic World)

I America as yet has produced no song writer. No on© has done for her what Burn* did for Scotlnnd, Moore for Ireland, and Beranger for France. Not cren the popular enthusiasm which shook nation to its centre during the late cixil war could ghe birth at the North to any finer inspiration than "John Brown's Soul," and " Hally round the Flag, Boys." | In " Mnrjland, my Maryland," we recognise a spark of the same divine fire which flashes forth in the " Marseillaise " and " Soots wha hao w l' Wallace bled." The country, thereI fore, owes no ordinary debt of gratitude to John Howard | Payne, who if he did not write enough to entitle him to a recognised place among the authors of this class, has at least I given us one song which is already far beyond the reach of chance or change— ~a household word, sacred and secure. If fame is to be eecured by wide-spread popularity, we had rather been the author of" Fome, Sweet Home," than nil the verses of all the poets our land has known from it§ earliest age to the present hour. There is little in the song when we subject it to critical analysis, and yet this very simplicity n n precious gem which hns snatched it from forgetfulness, and blended the familiar lines with the holiest associations uf tho fireside. How curious that this humble daisy, this " wee, modest, crimson-tipped flower," should grow and blossom into fair renown, when so many monarchs of the forest He prone in tho dust, unnouced or unknown. The more importaufc fnct o< Payne's life require but brief mention. Be was bom at New York, July 9th, and at an early age mani Tested decided literary and dramatic talent. When only thirteen veaii of ogf> he conducted a small per-odical called the Thespian Mirror, which attracted the attention of a gentleman named Seamen, who generously offered to defray the expensei of his education at Union Co'lege. Pecuniary difficulties which involved his father forced him to leave this institution before the completion of his studies, and in ordtr to support his impoverished family Payne went upon theBtage,makinghis(f^K^atthe Pans Theatre, New York, February 29, 1809, in the character of young Norval Hissuecess was so unmistakable that he continued in his new profession , performing in the principal eastern cities, and in 1813 went ts England, where he received a cordial welcome, and became a great popular favourite. He remained for nearly twenty years, leading a Bohemian life, and figuring alternately as an actor, playwright, and manager, gaining some reputation, but little money. " Home, Sweet Home," was penned in a garret of the Pnlais Royal, Paris, when poor Payne was so utterly destitute ai d friendless that he knew not where the next day's dinner was coming from. It appearad originally in a diminutive opera called " Olari, the Maid of Milan." The opera is seldom seen or heard of now, but the song grow 8 nearer and dearer to us as the years roll away, for " it is not of an age, but for all I time." More than once, the unfortunate author, walking in the streets of London or Pans, amid the darkness, hungry, houseless, and penniless, and the cheerful light gleaming through the windows of happy homes, and heard the music j of his own song drifting out upon the gloomy night to mock tho wanderer's heart with visions of joy whose blessed reality was for ecer denied to him. "Home, Sweet Home " was written by a homeless mnn. In 1832 Payne returned to this country, and after pursuing literary avountions with indifferent success for a few years, wis iinnlly appointed Consul at Tunis, where he died June sth, 1852. One passage in his ill-starred career tinges it with a hue of melancholy romance, and perhaps explains the »o< rot of Lis restlcs*, erratic character Maria Majo, afterwards Mis General Scott, was a great beauty in her youthful day, whose charm of person and mind made her the neknow lodged belle of that venerable State whose soil has been no less prolific of fascinating women than of gullaut men. The legend prevails in Richmond that Payne met Miss Majo and fell madly in love with her. The homage of a poet could liurdly bo other than flattering, even ; to qno whose shrine was worshipped by scores of richer ! devotees, and possiblj he mistook the smiles she gave him for the evidence of reciprocated passion ; but be this as it may, the same old, old story was enacted. He staked his happiness, his peace, on wonwn's love, and — lost. Thenceforth life no attraction for him, and he sought an e\ile to tho barren shores of Ainca, as a welcome relief from the bitter di-appointment which had crushed out hope and ambition here. The snnds of the desert have long since co\ered the grave of John Howard Payne, and the place where, "nfu-r hlo's fitful fever, he sleevs well " is unknown. " Home, sweet Home," i*. a monument which will carry his name and fume to the remotest posterity, and stand firm w hen i iligies of marble and of bronze shall hitu* sunk into indistinguishable doc-ay.