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Subscriptions or Advertisements for the “American Literary Gazette” will be received by the above Agents, and they will forward to the Editor any Books or Publications intended for notice. OUR ENGLISH CORRESPONDENCE. SEPT. 15, 1870. LONDON, 13th August, 1870. A BRIGHT, pleasing vision will rise to fade away forever from many of your readers' minds when I tell them Anna Cora Mowatt Ritchie is no more. Few women have won greater popularity on the stage than she possessed from June, 1845, to 1853. She was regarded throughout the United States with a passionate admiration, which she really deserved by her spirit, sprightliness, buoyancy, and energy. She was not a great actress, but she possessed that magnetism which attracts an audience, and in which youth, beauty, a delicate person, and good reputation, were no unimportant elements. She was born at Bordeaux, France, I suspect, in 1820. Although she has written her autobiography, she has shunned dates in it with ludicrous care; it was published when she had passed her five-and-thirtieth yearan age when most women shrink from chronology as if it were the sex's most hateful and most powerful enemy. While stress of fortune made France her birth-place, she was thoroughly American. Her father was Samuel G. Ogden, of New York; her mother was Eliza Lewis, a granddaughter of Samuel Lewis, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was a merchant of sanguine, ardent temperament, whose virtues, alternately successful and unfortunate, checkered his life with constant vicissitudes of wealth and poverty. It was during a season of the latter fortune he came to Bordeaux to better his condition. His efforts were successful, and in a few years he returned to New York. Anna Cora Ogden's childhood seems to have been passed in a state of constant excitement, which relieved itself with her in doggerel, and which prematurely forced her forward. When she was fourteen years old she was engaged to be married to Mr. James Mowatt, then a young lawyer of New York. He had met her eldest sister, Mme. Charlotte Guillet, at Rockaway-had fallen in love, and had proposed to her, thinking she was a widow. Informing him of his mistake, she added: "I have plenty of young sisters at home, and one of them very much resembles me. Call upon me in New York, and I will make you acquainted with her." The sister who resembled Mme. Guillet failed, however, to make the anticipated impression on his heart. 'Twas Annie who tangled those eyes. She was scarcely fifteen when they were clandestinely married, and for three or four years her life was extremely happy. Her husband, however, plunged wildly into speculation, and in 1837 wrecked his whole fortune. His clever wife supported herself by her pen, and sometimes by her paste and scissors, for some years, when additional disasters led her to try reading in public. She made her first appearance in Boston, where her attempt was most generously supported. She was successful. Mr. Epes Sergeant suggested to her greater success might be won were she to write for the stage. The favor with which her play "Fashion" was received, and the associates to whom it introduced her, led her to venture in person on the stage. She made her first appearance as Pauline, in The Lady of Lyons, in June, 1845, at the old Park Theatre, New York. She was again successful, and her popularity yearly extended until 1853, when she retired from the foot-lights. She was received with favor not only in the United States, but in England and Ireland. She made a great deal of money, but from various circumstances (some, the most powerful of them, quite beyond her control) she laid up a very inconsiderable portion of it. Mr. Mowatt, who had for years been a confirmed invalid, died of consumption during her Dublin engagement, and was buried in this country. Upon her retirement from the stage she wrote, in 1853, her autobiography, which Messrs. Ticknor, Reed & Fields, of Boston, published. Its great run led her and the publishers to anticipate an unprecedented sale of her next work, "Mimic Life, or, Life Before and Behind the Curtain." Explain it who may! the public protested the draft drawn upon it by that popular name, and almost the entire edition went to the paper-maker's vat. In 1856-7, or '8, she married Mr. William Foushee Ritchie, son of Thomas Ritchie, who conducted for nearly half a century the Richmond Enquirer with a brilliancy and ability still unequalled in the annals of the American Press. No newspaper in the United States has ever exerted an influence to be compared to that wielded by the Richmond Enquirer so long as Thomas Ritchie was its editor. She made Richmond her home for some years, wrote a good deal for her husband's newspaper (he had succeeded his father in the Enquirer's editorial chair), and made her new home a charming resort. By a strange coincidence her eldest sister Charlotte, Mme. Guillet, lived some years, died, and was buried in Richmond. Immediately before the war Mrs. Ritchie went to Italy, where she remained until 1866, when she came to this city. The war had shattered her husband's estate, and she again appealed to pen and ink to support her. She corresponded for the American newspapers, and many readers of the Home Journal still remember the interesting letters she contributed to its columns. Few correspondents received higher pay for letters than she received for hers; each of them brought her $25. She probably contributed to English periodicals, although I am unable to point to any article in them, as hers. She. drew around her in her home in Richmond, Surrey, as many warm friends as she had possessed at Richmond, Virginia, and as many sincere mourners followed her body to the grave as could have paid her this last tribute of respect in her American home. Here are some interesting particulars about the British Museum: There were, on an average, 356 persons a day, 103,884 during the last year (1869), admitted to the reading-room for study or research; the average number of volumes consulted by each reader was 13 a day. There were 460,635 visitors to the general collections. In 1869, 32,013 volumes and pamphlets, 26,331 parts of volumes or separate numbers of periodical publications or works in progress, 1181 complete files of newspapers (many of them American), 2582 pieces of music, and 5738 "sundries" were added to the museum. Among these are a volume of "Lord Mayor's Pageants and Poems," printed in the reigns of Elizabeth and James I., some valuable Mexican books which belonged to the Emperor Maximilian, or his secretary, and above 1100 volumes of Chinese classical works. The manuscripts added contain among them "Somme le Roy," a French theological work composed by Friar Laurent, confessor to Philip III., of France, in 1279; it contains illustrative miniatures on nine leaves, painted by a French artist about 1300. Two collections of Japanese manuscripts have been obtained; one consists of 11 works upon the history, constitution, and laws of Japan, and the other is formed by 131 volumes, containing not only specimens of various branches of Japanese literature, but many drawings, illustrating the manners, industry, arts, and natural history of Japan. Among the maps acquired is a photograph of the "Mappe Monde," made at Venice in 1457-59, at the suggestion of Prince Henry the Navigator, and at the expense of his uncle, King Alfonso V., by Fra Mauro, of the Camaldolese Convent of San Michele di Murano, and on account of which a medal was struck in his honor by the Republic of Venice, describing him as "Cosmographus Incomparabilis." The Prince of Wales enriched the Orienial antiquities with the SEPT. 15, 1870. 66 outer and inner coffin and mummy of Shepshet, form of words his solicitors advised him were a woman; each coffin is decorated in an elaborate essential to the validity of the will, Mr. Dickens manner, with different scenes and hieroglyphics, added: "I solemnly enjoin my dear children always representing the Goddess Nu, the judgment of to remember how much they owe to the said Georthe dead, the visit of the soul to the body, etc. gina Hogarth, and never to be wanting in a grateThese coffins were found in a tomb near the mono- ful and affectionate attachment to her, for they lith Colossi of the Plains of Gournah of the period know well that she has been through all the stages of the 26th dynasty, about B. C. 650, and with of their growth and progress their ever useful, the coffin and mummy of another woman named self-denying, and devoted friend. And I desire Bakrans or Bocchoris, with similar scenes painted here simply to record the fact that my wife, since in garish colors; it was found in the tomb with our separation by consent, has been in the receipt the former. from me of an annual income of £600, while all the great charges of a numerous and expensive family have devolved wholly upon myself. I emphatically direct that I be buried in an inexpen sive, unostentatious, and strictly private manner; that no public announcement be made of the time or place of my burial; that at the utmost not more than three plain mourning coaches be employed, and that those who attend my funeral wear no scarf, cloak, black bow, long hat band, or other such revolting absurdities. I direct that my name be inscribed in plain English letters on my tomb without the addition of "Mr." or Esquire." I conjure my friends on no account to make me the subject of any monument, memorial, or testimony whatever. I rest my claims to the remembrance of my country upon my public works, and to the remembrance of my friends upon their experience of me." The codicil leaves his interest in "All The Year Round" to his eldest son, Mr. Charles Dickens, Jr. He has purchased Gad's Hill Place and the neighboring eight acres, giving £6000 for the former, and £1500 for the latter. Mr. Dickens's library, which was advertised to be disposed of by auction, has been withdrawn from sale. Mr. Dickens had ten children; eight of them are still living; six of them are boys; the eldest is editor of “All The Year Round," one in the navy, two are sheep farming in Australia, one in India, the youngest is still at college. One of the two daughters married Mr. Collins (an excellent likeness of her may be seen in Mr. Millais's picture, "The Black Brunswicker"); the other is still unmarried, and is the Miss Mary Dickens mentioned in the will. Mr. John Forster, to whom Mr. Dickens bequeathed his MSS., is the editor of the "Examiner," the biographer of Walter Savage Landor, etc., whose library is quite famous here, not only from its extent and choice, but because it numbers among its treasures nearly all of Oliver Goldsmith's manuscripts. He bought at a recent auction sale here an imperfect manuscript of "Oliver Twist" in the author's autograph, giving £50 for it. There is a general impression he will write Mr. Dickens's life. The trustees of the National Portrait Gallery have just purchased Ary Scheffer's likeness of Mr. Dickens, which was painted in 1855, Mr. Dickens then being 43 years old. I have not yet seen it; it is described: "The countenance is manly and vigorous, with deep brown hair, a happy medium between the showy youth with exuberant locks, as painted by Maclise, and the rugged countenance with grisly beard, of his latest period; the face is seen in three-quarters, looking over his left shoulder; the hands are joined on the opposite side." Mr. Wm. Walker, a manufacturer of Murrayfield, Edinburgh, has just brought an action of divorce against his wife, alleging that she had committed adultery with Mr. James Grant, author of "The Romance of War," and other works. Evidence was adduced to prove the guilty parties had for a long time carried on correspondence by means of advertisements in the "Scotsman" (an Edinburgh newspaper); moreover, the husband had intercepted letters of a clandestine correspondence between the parties whose contents left little doubt of their guilt; further evidence proved that Mrs. Walker frequently alluded in conversation to Mr. Grant as "My dear wee Jamie," and "My darling," and had a locket containing Mr. Grant's likeness, which never quitted her, being by day around her Deck, and at night under her pillow, besides other particulars of less interest, but not less conclusively establishing guilt. The trial lasted seven days, and awakened a great deal of interest in Edinburgh; the witnesses consumed five days and the counsel two; the contention of the defence was, the correspondence was innocent, the inflation of the language being caused solely by a congenial predilection for romance and sentiment. The Court declined to read the evidence by this light, found the woman guilty, and granted the husband a divorce. Mr. Charles Dickens' will has been admitted to probate. It was executed May 12, 1869; the single codicil annexed to it was written 2d of June last. The will is written, not on parchment, but on a sheet of letter paper in blue ink (all of his correspondence and MSS. are in blue ink). The personalty is sworn to be less than £80,000. He leaves a legacy of 19 guineas to every servant; £1000 to Miss Ellen Lawless Fernan; £1000 to Miss Mary Dickens (his daughter), and, moreover, £300 a year while she continues unmarried. In the event of her marrying this annuity ceases, and she shares in the provision made for the testator's other children. He bequeaths to Charles Dickens, Jr. (his eldest son), his library of printed books, his engravings and prints, the silver salver presented to him at Birmingham, the silver cup presented to him at Edinburgh, and his shirt-studs, shirt pins, and sleevebuttons. To Mrs. Dickens (his wife) he leaves the interest upon £8000, which he conveys to trustees for her use during life, and at her death to be divided among his children. He bequeaths the gold repeater, presented to him at Coventry, and such MSS. of his published works as were in his possession at his death to Mr. John Forster. He gives to his executor (Mr. John Forster) and to his executrix (Miss Georgina Hogarth, his sister-in-law) absolute power over his estate. He bequeaths £8000 to Miss Georgina Hogarth, and "I also give to the said Hogarth all my personal jewelry not hereinafter mentioned, and all the little familiar objects from my writing table and my room, and she will know what to do with those things. I also give to the said Georgina Hogarth all my private papers whatsoever and wheresoever, and I leave her my grateful blessing as the best and truest friend man ever had." After copying the FRANCIS BLANDFORD. SEPT. 15, 1870. in them I strove to discover those prevailing beau- | French liberties. He hid securely for six months' ties which had made his name familiar to every but was at last arrested. Just as he was about to part of France, and welcome in chateau and cot- be conveyed to Lambessa friends interfered and tage. Before I confess my failure let me plead the obtained his pardon. He did not again touch polidelight I take in De Beranger and Désaugiers; tical themes. His wife died some years before. Clairville himself charms a quarter of an hour else She had implicit faith in his genius, and made sure vacant. In Pierre Dupont's works I see no ideas, he was to outshine Beranger. She sang his songs and no poetical expression or poetical sentiment. with great enthusiasm, though she had but a very They contain a great deal of nonsense in conse- thin voice of no great compass. Pierre Dupont quence of his poverty of language; the rhyming was ignorant of music, and, as he composed both word has sound but no sense. His comparisons words and air of his songs, he was obliged to emand images are almost always trivial. It is said ploy a composer to write in musical characters the De Beranger and De Lamartine admired him. I airs as he sang them. The composer likewise furam a little skeptical when I hear their admiration. nished the accompaniment. Pierre Dupont was In this country an eminent man, especially an emi- fortunate in making the acquaintance of M. Emile nent literary man, is obliged by his position to Reyer, composer of "La Statue" and other operas, feign admiration for a host of inferior men who en- and in getting him to undertake this labor. M. joy some popularity. But, there is no question, Reyer says, speaking of him as a composer, "There French of all classes were fond of squealing his was in his music some analogy with the composimusic. The French are extremely fond of songs; tions of Hypolyte Monhou. But let this be said some songs have brought $60,000 to the publisher. to his advantage: Pierre Dupont is a musician beOne may see in almost every square of the labor- cause he is a poet. A musician able to understand ing quarter of Paris a singer bawling songs which him was necessary in order to translate him. It he sells. He is surrounded by a crowd, the majo- took Pierre Dupont himself to sing his songs well. rity of whom have a copy of the song in their How he was listened to as he sang, with his admihands studying the air. These songs are wretch-rable, clear, well-toned voice, 'Les Louis d'Or,'' Les edly printed on miserable paper, folded to make Sapins,' 'La Musette,' 'La Fille du Cabaret!' four duodecimo pages, each page containing a song. His music and his poetry exhaled a balmy odor of Millions of songs are sold annually. Although the good wine and new-mown hay. Was he as ignoFrench have no ear for music, and the shrillest, rant of music as he pretended to be? One day I vinegar, thinnest voices in the world, they sing at doubted it. As I had just written, under his dictadinner, and two or three of them scarcely meet tion, a new melody, he looked over the manuscript, without singing. A great many workmen continu- and then, without saying a word, laid it on my ally sing while at work (faithful work they exe- piano. Nevertheless he was thoughtful. In a few cute!). In fine, I do not believe so many songs are moments he rose, again examined the manuscript, sold in any other country as in France. Pierre and, putting his finger on a note, said to me: Dupont might have derived an excellent revenue'Ought there not to be a natural there?' He was from his songs, but he seems to have been incapa- right; a natural ought to have been there. I reble of taking care of his affairs. Moreover, his paired this omission, and contented myself with habits of intoxication pulled him down into low smiling, and not showing too clearly my surprise. company, and he became careless of everything. Pierre Dupont, for some years past, lived far from He was born at Lyon-sur-Saône, in April, 1821. Paris. The tender care of his family, perhaps, His parents were hand-loom weavers. He early prolonged his existence, but failed to restore to his lost his mother, and was taken care of by his ma- impaired mind the brilliancy of his earlier days. ternal grandfather, who lived at Provins, and in He worked little and prayed a great deal; his relitime presented him to M. Pierre Lebrun, the vene-gious sentiments had returned to him like a perrable author of "Marie Stuart," who has all his fume of youth. Of a truth he had never been a life been universally kind to young literary men. skeptic, even at the epoch when he wrote, in one In De Beranger's correspondence there is this tri- of his best songs (Les Louis d'Or'), 'C'était le bute to his tact and good heart: "Hégésippe Mo-diable ou le bon Dieu;' for he had learned clearly reau is shy, wild, and I was unable to tame him. My friend, M. Lebrun, did everything to save him, but he gave time and pains in vain." M. Lebrun got a prize of the French Academy for young Pierre Dupont's "Les Deux Anges," and a place in the Committee of the Dictionary. The money of the first The war, as may easily be imagined, has proenabled him to buy a substitute, and so escape the duced a complete stagnation of the book trade. military draft; the income of the latter gave him A good business is done in maps of the seat of war. a livelihood during the novitiate of letters. He The edition of maps of Alsace and Lorraine, pubremained one of the secretaries of the Committee lished by the Topographical Corps, has been comof the French Dictionary from 1842 to 1847. In pletely exhausted. This is the only tolerable the latter year the success of his song, "Les Bœufs," French map published. This nation is too inacseemed in his eyes a sure pledge of fortune, and curate and superficial to publish good maps. The he resigned his secretaryship. "Les Bœufs," and call made for all men belonging to the Garde Mofive other songs, had been published in 1846. In bile has produced great confusion in all trades; our 1847 he published his song, "Le Pain," which, booksellers and publishers have lost many of their sung by Darcier, a popular singer of the day, had most useful clerks. Messrs. Hachette had thirty such success, and so excited the laboring classes or forty German clerks to manage their German of Paris by its socialist suggestions, that govern- business, which was very large. I am a little curiment interdicted the song, and for a moment con- ous to know what has become of them, for there is templated prosecuting the author. The revolu- an intense hostility against Germans. Their lives tionary turmoil of 1848-51 made him still more indeed are not safe here. I have not, however, made socialist in his tendencies, and his songs seemed inquiries, for the question is too delicate in times tinctured with such dangerous views, orders were like these. The French, who are the most ignoiven for his arrest and transportation to Lam-rant and superficial people in the world, are amazed ssa, Algeria, when the coup d'état confiscated by the thorough education of the German officers to distinguish one from the other. What a misfortune that admirable and gifted organization was unable to resist the greatest trial which can befall an artist: oblivion after celebrity-silence and loneliness after noisy success." |