“’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the houseNot a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”
“’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the houseNot a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”
“’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the houseNot a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”
“’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”
Morris, George P.(1802-1864), began writing for the press when but fifteen years of age, and during his lifetime saw many of his poems attain international celebrity. In 1823, he, in conjunction with Samuel Woodworth, established theNew York Mirror, and in 1843, with N. P. Willis, theNew Mirror; and in 1845 himself founded theNational Press, afterwards theHome Journal.The Little Frenchman and his Water-Lots, a volume of prose sketches, published in 1839, was widely read; but his greatest hits were made by the songs, “Woodman, spare that Tree,” “We were Boys together,” “My Mother’s Bible,” and “Whip-poor-will.”
Morton, Thomas, born in England about 1575; died in America, 1646. During his adventurous life he caused Miles Standish and his Puritan followers a great deal of trouble, being many times imprisoned for misdeeds. He wrote a book, of which the following is a copy of the title-page:—“New English Canaan or New Canaan, containing an abstract of New England, composed in three Bookes. The first Booke setting forth the originall of the Natives, their Manners and Customs, together with their tractable Nature and Love towards the English. The second Booke setting forth, what people are planted there, their prosperity, what remarkable accidents have happened since the first planting of it, together with their Tenents and practise of their Church.Written byThomas Morton of Clifford’s Inne gent,upon Tenne years knowledge and experiment of the country. Printed at Amsterdam byJacob Frederick Stain in the yeare 1637.” This book is full of ridicule of all things pertaining to the Puritans.
M Quad.SeeLewis.
Mrs. Partington.SeeShillaber.
Munkettrick, Richard Kendall(1853), a writer of prose and verse, full of subtle and refined humour. He contributes to all the standard publications of America.
Nash, Thomas, born 1840, came into public notice during the Civil War by his strong caricatures, and has ever since been considered one of America’s best caricaturists.
Neal, John(1793-1876). “Yankee Neal,” as he was called, at the age of thirty, set sail for England, determined that the British people should no longer be able to say that no one reads an American book. This pioneer of American literature began writing in London, and was successful beyond his expectation. Among the twenty volumes from his pen areBrother Jonathan,The Down Easters,One Word More, andKeep Cool.
Neal, Joseph Clay(1807-1847). In 1831 he edited thePennsylvanian, and a few years later established theSaturday Gazette, a humorous and satirical publication, which was widely read. HisCharcoal Sketcheswere republished in London under the auspices of Charles Dickens.
Newell, Robert Henry(1836). His “Orpheus C. Kerr” papers, humorous and satirical, met with great success during the days of the Civil War, and still continue popular. After these papers,The Palace BeautifulandVersatilitiesare his best-known works Some of his verse is clever, and “The Great Fight” is to be found in most collections of American humour.
Nye, Edgar Wilson, born 1850. One of the most popular newspaper humorists of America. He studied law in Wyoming territory, but the farcical sketches which he contributed to different newspapers soon took the public fancy, and he removed to New York, where he now (1893) resides. He has published a number of collections of his sketches.
Orpheus Junior.SeeVaughan.
Page, Thomas Nelson, born 1853. Brought up on a Southern plantation; educated at Washington, and is now practising law at Richmond, Virginia. His negro dialect stories, full of the kindly humour of the South, have attracted much attention. His first volume,In Ole Virginia, was published in 1887.
Paulding, James Kirke(1779-1860). Making the acquaintance of Washington Irving, the two formed a strong liking for each other, and in 1807,Salmajundi, their joint production, was issued, and its success was great. In 1812 Mr. Paulding publishedThe Diverting History of John Bull and Brother Jonathan, and this was followed byThe Lay of the Scottish Fiddle,Letters from the South,John Bull in America,Chronicle of the City of Gotham,The Dutchman’s Fireside,Westward Ho,The Book of St. Nicholas, and many other works of exceptional merit.
Peck, George W., author of the “Peck’s Bad Boy” series of articles, began life as a printer’s devil, entered the army in 1863, and when peace was declared returned to Wisconsin and made his name as a humorous writer in the columns ofPeck’s Sun, Milwaukee. Since the famous articles were published Mr. Peck has entered politics, and for some years held the position of Governor of Wisconsin.
Pete Pareau.SeeWright.
Peters, Samuel(1735-1826), author ofGeneral History of Connecticut, a satire.
Petroleum V. Nasby.SeeLocke.
Pharmenas Mix.SeeKelly.
Pomeroy, Marcus Mills, born 1833. After an apprenticeship to journalism in the West, he founded in New York, 1868, theBrick Pomeroy Democrat, which for sensationalism was unsurpassed in the history of American journalism. He has the reputation of being able to tell a plainer lie—professionally, of course—than any man in America. His principal books areSense,Nonsense,Brick Dust,Home Harmonies, andPerpetual Money.
“Porte Crayon.”SeeStrother.
Riley, James Whitcomb(1854). Mr. Riley is writing the typically American verse of the day, and his work is now read by a larger public than any other American poet finds. His poems, humorous or otherwise, are full of tender feeling, and in them the tear invariably accompanies the smile. He has a perfect command of the country dialects, and pictures as no other writer seems able to do, the humorous and the pathetic side of American life. A number of his books have been published in England.Old Fashioned Roses, by Messrs. Longmans, Green, & Co., and other volumes by Messrs. Gay & Bird. In America the Bowen-Merrill Co., Indianapolis, publishThe Old Swimmin’-Hole, and ’Leven More Poems;The Boss Girl, and other Sketches and Poems; andAfterwhiles. Mr. Riley’s verses, “Old Man and Jim,” and “Little Orphant Annie,” are popular with reciters on both sides the Atlantic.
Roche, James Jeffrey(1847), editor of theBoston Pilot, and author ofSongs and Satires. Has written a great deal of humorous verse.
Russell, Irwin(1853-1879). According to Joel Chandler Harris, Mr. Russell was the first Southern writer to appreciate the literary possibilities of the negro character. Mr. Russell’s short life was one of hard work and disappointments, and it was not until after his death that his poems were collected and published. “Christmas Night in the Quarters” is the best of his poems.
Sanderson, John(1783-1844).The American in EnglandandThe American in Parisare works which attained wide circulation at the time of publication.
Saxe, John Godfrey(1816-1887), a humorist whose command of rhyme was as complete as that of “Ingoldsby.” He was a prolific writer of humorous verse, and also wrote much that is in a serious vein. Mr. Saxe was an ardent politician, holding the position of State Attorney for Cheltenden, co. Vt., and in 1859, and again in 1860, was the unsuccessful Democratic candidate for governor of that state. Many of his poems saw original publication inHarper’s Magazineand theAtlantic Monthly.
Scollard, Clinton(1860), a writer of fanciful and sparkling verse. His books of verse,Pictures in Song,With Reed and Lyre, andOld and New World Lyrics, have been successful.
Seccomb, John(1708-1793). Educated at Harvard, and settled as a minister at Chester, Nova Scotia, where he died. Author of “Father Abbey’s Will,” a humorous piece of verse, published in theGentleman’s Magazine, May 1732.
Shanly, Charles Dawson(1811-1875), born in Ireland and died in Florida. He is claimed as a Canadian, he having held a government office for fifteen years in Canada before going to New York to engage in journalism. He was editor ofVanity FairandMrs. Grundy, New York publications, and contributed to theNew York Leader,Atlantic Monthly, and other periodicals. He wrote “A Jolly Bear and his Friends,” “The Monkey of Porto Bello,” “The Truant Chicken,” and “The Walker of the Snow,” a well-known poem. See Lighthall’sSongs of the Great Dominion.
Sharp, Luke.SeeRobert Barr.
Shaw, Henry Wheeler, 1818-1885 (“Josh Billings”). In compilations of American humour “Josh Billings” has always been popular. His pungent paragraphs are very convenient to fill the chinks between longer articles. A great deal of his humour is in the spelling; but his “sayings” are full of philosophy andwisdom, to which the orthography gives a certain quaintness. His publications areJosh Billings his Sayings,Josh Billings on Ice,Every Boddy’s Friend, andJosh Billings’ Spice Box.
Shelton, Frederick William(1814-1881), author ofThe Trollopiad,Rector of St. Bardolph’s,Peeps from the Belfry, etc. Mr. Shelton was a clergyman who found authorship more congenial and profitable, and so devoted himself to writing.
Sherman, Frank Dempster(1860), author ofMadrigals and CatchesandLyrics for a Lute, volumes of dainty verse.
“Sherwood Bonner.”SeeMacDowell.
Shillaber, Benjamin P.(1814-1890). No series of newspaper articles in the humorous vein attracted greater attention than that written by Mr. Shillaber under thenom de guerre“Mrs. Partington.” These short articles were full of good-natured humour, and never failed to draw a smile from the reader.
Sill, Edward Rowland(1841-1887). His poems contain a few pieces of pleasant fancy.
Small, Samuel W., born 1851, a Southern humorist who published articles under the pseudonym “Old Si.”
Smith, James(1720-1806), a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Alexander Graydon, in hisMemoirs, says that Smith was accounted a consummate humorist by those who knew him.
Smith, Major Charles H., “Bill Arp,” born 1826. His humorous sketches, published in theAtlanta Constitution, have long been popular reading in the Southern States. He served in the Confederate army during the war.
Smith, Rev. William Wye(1827), a Canadian writer whose poems are popular in his native country. See Lighthall’sSongs of the Great Dominion.
Smith, Seba,nom de guerre, “Major Jack Downing” (1792-1868). A journalist who, after editing theEastern Argus,Family Recorder, andPortland Daily Courier, wrote during the presidency of Jackson the famous series of satirical letters which made the name “Jack Downing” celebrated in America. In 1842 he removed from Portland to New York city, and publishedPowhatan,New Elements of Geometry,Way Down East. He was all his life a journalist.
Spoopendyke.SeeHuntley.
Steel, Richard, famous paragraphist of Chicago from about 1870 to 1882.
Stockton, Francis Richard, born 1834. Educated in Philadelphia, he first became an engraver, but abandoned this for journalism. After some experience in newspaper work he joined the staff ofScribner’s Monthly, and subsequently was appointed assistant-editor ofSt. Nicholas. His first great success was made with theRudder Grangestories, and few short stories have attracted such a reading public as “The Lady or the Tiger.” All his writings are rich in quiet and quaint humour, and no writer can tell a more genial and interesting story. A convenient-sized and inexpensive edition of his works, includingRudder Grange, from which “Pomona’s Novel” is taken,The Lady or the Tiger? and other Stories, andA Borrowed Month, and other Stories, is published by David Douglas, Edinburgh. American publishers, Charles Scribner’s Sons.
Strother, David Hunter(1816-1888), an artist as well as a humorous writer. He wrote under thenom de guerreof “Porte Crayon,” and illustrated his own work. Published works,The Blackwater ChronicleandVirginia Illustrated.
Sweet, Alexander Edwin, Canadian, born 1841. After an adventurous youth he became editor of theSan Antoine Expressin 1869, and later, with Colonel Knox, conductedTexas Siftings. For a time the weekly was published in Texas, but afterwards the office was moved to New York.
Thompson, Benjamin(1640-16—). A native of Massachusetts, a graduate of Harvard, and generally credited with being the first poet born in America. He wrote in satirical veinNew England’s Crisis.
Thompson, Daniel Pierce(1793-1868). Began his literary career with a satirical novel entitled,The Adventures of Timothy Peacock, Esq.; or, Freemasonry Practically Illustrated, which caused quite a stir among Freemasons and others in 1835.
Thompson, Maurice(1844), author ofSongs of Fair Weather,By-Ways and Bird Notes,Sylvan Secrets, etc. An intense lover of nature and out-door life, as his poems show. See Professor Roberts’Poems of Wild Life, “Canterbury Poets.”
Thompson, Mortimer H.(1830-1875). Wrote under thenom de guerre“Q. K. Philander Doesticks.” His work for a time was popular in the newspapers of “the States.” Author ofThe Dodge Club.
Thompson, William Tappan(1812-1882). He wrote a number of articles known as the “Major Jones’ Series,” in which the humour is plentiful. He was the first white child born in the Western Reserve.
Thoreau, Henry David(1817-1862), one of the best known of the New England “transcendentalists.” He has a fine vein of ironic humour. HisWaldenandA Week on the Concord and Merrimac Rivershave had a wide circulation in England.
Timothy Titcomb.SeeHolland.
Trowbridge, John Townsend(1827). The most popular writer of stories for boys in America. His work usually appears in theYouths’ Companion, Boston. His pathetically humorous poem, “The Vagabonds,” is a favourite with reciters in England as well as America.
Trowbridge, Robertson, a verse-writer whose work has appeared in theCentury Magazine.
Turnbull, John(1751-1831), author ofThe Progress of Dulness and MacFingal.
Tyler, Royall(1757-1826), a lawyer who in 1794 was made Judge of the Supreme Court, and in 1800 Supreme Justice. He was the first to use the Yankee dialect in literature, and his play,The Contrast, has the distinction of being “the first American play ever acted on a regular stage by an established company of comedians.”May-Day, or New York in an Uproar;The Georgia Spec., or Land in the Moon; andThe Algerine Captive, are from his pen.
Vandegrift, Margaret, a frequent contributor of humorous verse to theCenturyand other publications.
Vaughan, Sir William(1577-1640), who established a small settlement in Newfoundland early in the seventeenth century, published in London, 1626, under the pseudonym of “Orpheus Junior,” a humorous poem, entitled “The Golden Fleece.” He was a Welsh physician, and died in Newfoundland.
Ward, Nathaniel, born between 1578-80, died 1652. He was a Puritan minister whose convictions got him into trouble with Archbishop Laud, and in 1633 he was deprived of his living. The next year he sailed for America and settled at Ipswich, and there compiled for Massachusetts the “Body of Liberties,” which was adopted in 1641. In 1645-46 he wrote “The Simple Cobbler of Aggawam in America,” a witty, stinging pamphlet, partisan and patriotic. This was published in England, and during the year 1647 four editions were sold. He returned to England and died at Shenfield, in Essex.
Warner, Charles Dudley(1829), a prolific writer of sketches and stories, through all of which runs a graceful vein of refined humour. He now does the “Editor’s Study” inHarper’s Magazine. His best-known books are,My Summer in a Garden,Back-Log Studies,Mummies and Moslems,Baddeck, and in collaboration with Mark Twain,The Gilded Age. London publishers, Sampson Low, Marston, & Co. American publishers, Houghton, Mifflin, & Co., and Henry Holt & Co.
Webb, Charles Henry(1834), a successful inventor as well as writer of humorous verse and prose. Some of his earlier work was published under thenom de guerreof “John Paul.”American Humorous Verse(“Canterbury Poets”) contains some of his best work.
Webb, George, an Englishman by birth, contemporary of Benjamin Franklin, author ofBachelors’ Hall. He studied at Oxford, took to the stage, failed, and, joining the army, was sent to America, where he deserted, and worked as a printer in Philadelphia.
Weems, Mason Locke(1760-1825), an eccentric character: clergyman, story-teller, fiddler, and historian and book agent. In the latter capacity, and with his fiddle always within reach, he travelled through the rural districts of America, present at every merry-making, and always pressing his wares on the people. He wrote much in the way of history, in which a little fact suffices to carry a great deal of entertaining fiction; and it is on his doubtful authority that the famous story of Washington and his hatchet has been given to the world.
Whitcher, Mrs. Frances Miriam, “Widow Bedott” (1812-1852). Her “Widow Bedott” papers, although not of a high type of humour, were immensely popular in her lifetime, and are still read.
Widow Bedott.SeeWhitcher.
Wilcox, Ella Wheeler(1845?), a prolific writer of verse; one of the chief literary women of America. Author ofDrops of Water,Maurine,Shells,Poems of Passion(which caused a great stir at the time of publication), andPoems of Pleasure.
Williams, John H., “The Norristown Herald Man.” His humorous writings were widely quoted during the “seventies.”
Willis, Nathaniel Parker(1806-1867). He edited theNew York Mirror, and under his care that weekly became the foremost literary paper of America, and continued to hold that position while Mr. Willis continued with it. He was the author of a large number of religious poems as well as many that were of a humorous turn.
Wood, William, born in England about 1580, died in America 1639. After paying a visit to Massachusetts in 1629, he finally settled at Sandwich in that state, and became town clerk in 1637. In London was published his book; the following is a copy of the title-page:—“Nevv England’s Prospect. A true, lively, and experimentall description of that part of America commonly called Nevv England; discovering the state of that countrie, both as it stands to our new-come English Planters; and to the old Native Inhabitants. Laying downe that which may both enrich the knowledge of the mind-travelling Reader, or benefit the future Voyager, by William Wood. Printed atLondonbyRo. Cotesfor Iohn Bellamie, and are to be sold at his shop, at the Three Golden Lyons inCorne-hill, neere theRoyall Exchange, 1634.”
Wright, Robert Wm.(1816-1885). HisVision of JudgmentandThe Church Knaviadare strong in satire.
Wright, Robert H.(1868), author of the “Pete Parean” papers, written in the French-Canadianpatois. The dialect is not first-class, but the papers are humorous.
Wyoming Kitheld a position on theDetroit Free Pressfor a few months, during which time he contributed verse that was quoted all over “the States.” He suddenly disappeared, and it is not known where he is now. His name was Adams.
THE WALTER SCOTT PUBLISHING CO., LIMITED, FELLING-ON-TYNE.
THE WALTER SCOTT PUBLISHING CO., LIMITED, FELLING-ON-TYNE.
THE WALTER SCOTT PUBLISHING CO., LIMITED, FELLING-ON-TYNE.
Transcriber’s Notes:Missing or obscured punctuation was corrected.Unbalanced quotation marks were left as the author intended.Typographical errors were silently corrected.