Diaries, Vol. 10

Gunn describes Clapp's hatred toward Brisbane: "I believe he admires Stephen Pearl Andrews and hates Brisbane – he was always saying infernal things of the 'meanness' of the latter" (15).

Aldrich is described as having left the Saturday Press : "O'Brien's left the Saturday Press, which, he says, owed him some $100 and more. Wilkins supersedes him and does better. The paper is horridly in debt, the milch-cow having gone south. So the hideous little 'free-lover' and Socialist (Clapp is both) has it all his own way – Aldrich having left, too" (103).

Gunn describes an encounter with Briggs: "from Briggs, who tapped me on the shoulder one morning and complimented me on my(!) article in the Constellation. I believe he was trying the dodge in order to get confirmation, or information, as to the real writer, though he stuck to it that he supposed me the author. Shrewd man is Briggs, and an ugly."

Gunn describes Clapp's hatred toward Brisbane: "I believe he admires Stephen Pearl Andrews and hates Brisbane – he was always saying infernal things of the 'meanness' of the latter."

Gunn discusses the friendship between O'Brien and Henry Clapp: "O'Brien consorts with Clapp, and affects to admire his powers of conversation. Morally they are on the same level, basing their every act on utter selfishness. They swindled their landlord in this (Bleecker Street) of some hundred dollars or so and the man came to a smash in consequence. This I had from Mrs Potter. Some acquaintances of hers, seeing Clapp and O'Brien entering this house in one of their visits to Haney, warned Mrs P. against them, thinking they might design boarding with them. By the word swindling I mean they owe that amount to their unlucky entertainer" (15-16).

Gunn describes Eytinge’s and Waud’s distaste for the bathroom situation at the boarding house:“During the hardest part of winter, when going downstairs to the water-closet might be considered cold – not to hint at the chance of old Patten (a perfect beast in that respect) having pre-occupied it – the Martin family actually made a cloaca of a closet for weeks and weeks, and the servant girls used to leave, one after another, demurring at having to empty the chamber pots, Mrs P, of course, backing the nice family! Sol Eytinge and Bill Waud were so indignant at the nastiness of this revelation, that they tried for another boarding-house. I remember one of ‘em figuring the boy Daniel sitting stinking in the closet, with the rest of the family occupied in singing a hymn, around him!!!!” (41).

Gunn states that Sol wouldn’t attend Anna Thomson’s funeral: “Sol wouldn’t come to the funeral – “he couldn’t bear to be present” said Allie. I know his sensitiveness to such matters, half feeling, half selfishness” (58).

Cahill tells Gunn that Eytinge has left the “Illustrated News”: “Cahill came up to see me this afternoon. Looks in better health and general condition, is living at Thomson’s, employed by Mort on some “History,” written to order, with more work in perspective. Says that Sol Eytinge has left Leslie, and threatened to lick him when he has paid up $60, which is owing to Sol. The row was about unpunctuality in cashing up, of course. Sol has seceded to the Harpers’” (72).

Gunn says that Rosenberg and Brightly found a better artist than Eytinge: “Rosenberg came and separately, Brightly. The latter vilified Sol’s artistic abilities and said they had a better artist from Philadelphia on the paper” (74).

Gunn describes Eytinge’s departure from the “Illustrated News”: “Sol Eytinge, it seems, isn’t engaged by the Harper’s. He’s drawing at Hitchcocks place. Little Nast seceded too. There was a row at Leslie’s – of course about money – Leslie charged Sol with idleness and drunkenness and the latter responded by bidding Leslie go to h¬¬__l. Swinton says Sol got paid up” ‘(74).

Gunn and Wood talk about Sol Eytinge: “To Houston St, for Bob Gun, not there, Arnold & Sears at whist – went to the House of Lords, found only Wood – F. Leslie’s Wood. Talk of Sol Eytinge, who won’t make so much now he’s “off” Frank Leslie’s. Hitchcock with whom he works, is a spreeish fellow, goes on his “bursts” and can knock up Sol in it. And Sol is as bad as Cahill, when temptation comes. His intimacy with Doesticks, too, will a little accelerate his proclivity, for Mort knows too many people and drinks with too many. Both he and Cahill “swore off” some time back – Cahill’s “on” again, I know. Well, if Sol don’t bring home the game, as beseems a warrior, his squaw will give him Candle, I know. Dear Allie – Margaret, they call her, now, – her “maiden” name was Margaret Inskip – has, Wood is confident, made a purse for herself. Sol’s mother tries hard to believe in her, but justifies the sisters in holding aloof though Allie has tried, persistently, to do the gushingly- affectionate sister to them, written sonnets &c after her fashion. (I recollect when she got married to Covill – a perfectly illegal business, like her union with Sol, for she is a divorced wife – divorced on the ground of adultery – her writing poems to his sisters – talking of her having, at length, found beings to sympathize with and love and such rot. This time she has poured out her soul in the Home Journal “Over the Way” – Wood says pretty verses – (don’t believe it!) Josey lives next door to Sol and has “no perceptible means of getting a livelihood.” O’Brien came in while I was talking to Wood. Didn’t volunteer or obtain greeting” (96-97).

Gunn says Eytinge had caricatures of Frank Leslie in his office: “Whiting, of Frank Leslie’s paper bored us. This fellow is notorious as a sponge or “sucker,” and used to be caricatured as such, and as a leech – with his head on – on the walls of the office in Sol Eytinge’s time” (109).

Wood tells Gunn about Sol Eytinge’s intentions to fit Leslie: “Wood told me he had met Arnold subsequent to his (Arnold’s) being drunk for a week. So they drift. Cahill’s no better than of old. One hears of him swaggering round to F. Leslie’s, with Sol Eytinge, Hitchcock, Mc Lenan &c, Sol being “on the fight” with evil intentions towards Leslie” (127).

Gunn says that Eytinge has talked negatively of Watson: “To return to Watson. He is shortish, bearded and mustached, red haired – that sort of hair which always looks rather wet. Altogether, I should say, he fills his position well enough. I’ve heard Sol Eytinge talk against him but Sol alway affected decendentalism in conversation, as indicating shrewdness" (128-129).

Banks and Gunn talk of Allie Vernon’s divorce: “Allie Vernon, Banks says, used Watson as a tool to allow her husband to get a divorce from her –“sold” him completely. He always assumed the injured party in speaking of her while she painted him as a monster to beguiled and begulled Sol. In Watson’s odious talk about the drab, he let out the secret – the only one – of her attractions to him, as, perhaps to Sol – physical sensuality” (160).

Gunn says that Eytinge and Allie Vernon are miserable living together: “Sol and Allie live miserably together, now, as is inevitable. They can retain no intimates. Which is also the lot of “Fanny Fern.” Indeed, the natures of the two ^|women| are intrinsically the same, but the one is the more overpoweringly selfish” (186).

Gunn speculates that Getty Gay had an affair with Charles Gayler, "which together with his wife and family – four or five children – he abandoned for a married woman of the Allie Vernon stripe with whom he lives now, miserably enough. Levison and Haney met him once, when he intimated his intention to commit suicide, saying he 'was going to hell direct'. He is not constant to his mistress nor – in all probability – is she faithful to him. He had an affair with 'Getty Gay' – another little, literaryish [sic] strumpet of the Allie V. order who writes idiotic bosh in one of the Sunday papers. I believe he got into a quarrel with Underhill about her."

Gunn describes meeting Gayler: "Met Gaylor. Banks has supervised him in editing(!) Strong's Yankee Notions! Gayler did little else than abuse Mc Lenan, saying that John had no notion of fun, never had an idea in his life &c – that he, Gayler had put 'hundreds of dollars' in Mac's pocket, by suggestions &c – that Mac had been 'ungratified' to him – with much more. Judging from the stupidity of Mac’s notions, I should think it highly probable that Gayler had favored him with the ideas and cursedly bad ones. I defended Mac, on principle, for he is an artist and can put splendid effect in his drawings. Gayler is a tall, burylish man with an over-rich complexion, (something of an Irish voice – I always suspect him of Celtic descent) and plenty of self esteem which manifests itself unpleasantly when he’s conversing with those whom he considers his inferiors. He sings a good song, makes puns, and wouldn't be a bad tavern-king were he not prone to attempting rough-riding over others. He can write parodies and dogged – nothing else. Born (so he gives out) in New York he once had a good position on a Cincinatti [sic] commercial paper (hence probably his intimacy with Mac Lenan who was born in Hogopolis) which together with his wife and family – four or five children – he abandoned for a married woman of the Allie Vernon stripe with whom he lives now, miserably enough. Levison and Haney met him once, when he intimated his intention to commit suicide, saying he 'was going to hell direct.' He is not constant to his mistress nor – in all probability – is she faithful to him. He had an affair with 'Getty Gay' – another little, literaryish strumpet of the Allie V. order who writes idiotic bosh in one of the Sunday papers. I believe he got into a quarrel with Underhill about her. Cahill recollected something of it as occurring at the Ornithoryncus. Also Gayler was especially down upon Wilkins of the Herald, and used to talk of him as 'a d____d' Life in Boston 'black mailer' &c &c. Gayler can sing a good song. All his instincts and characteristics are Irish. Strongs Notions could hardly have been more stupidly edited under his own control. Banks will be a spectacle for gods and men on assuming the editorial(!) chair. He'll swear Bai Jove! he’s been keeping quiet for the last five years, and now, Bai Jove! he’s got the chance he's been looking for and people shall see what is in him!! Left Mort & Gayler – the former goes to Boston to night – and to Bleecker" (34-35).

Gunn talks about Jackson, Herbert's wife's lawyer: "To Hitchings' in the evening; Oliver there, Jackson the sculptor and a lawyer – jolly fellow. Songs and stories. This lawyer had Henry William Herbert's wife for a client. The woman, not herself unexceptionable, flightyish &c, had a horror of her husband. He had struck and sworn at her. She told a wild story of 'the Cedars,' the house at Newark having secret rooms and passages. Oliver says the current rumor as to the crime which compelled Herbert to leave England was incest with a sister Fellow was a bad lot anyway."

According to Gunn, Grant owes Matilda Heron money: "Story of Richard Grant White, 'Shakspeare's scholar' and editor. He borrowed $1,800 of Matilda Heron and wont pay her. Not the first Scoundrelism of that sort he has been guilty of."

Gunn believes the Saturday Press won't last without Howland's money: "The paper will last just as long as the milch-cow Howland sinks money in it. And – God save the mark! – before the ineffable trash appeared, if they didn’t talk of it's going to be equal in merit to the Atlantic Mag, in point of literary production! B–––ah!!

Gunn mentions Laura Keene's Theatre: "Wrote a note to Wilbour & Underhill, latter came over, had talk with Roberts, undertook the job of reporting, phonographically, the piece 'Our American Cousin' which has been played for over so many weeks at Laura Keene's. Roberts proposes printing it in next 'Constellation.' (It is a kink of Benjamin's – and speaking editorially, a 'smart' one)"(79-80).

Gunn describes Underhill and a friend's trip to Laura Keene's gallery: "They yesternight went to the gallery of Laura Keene's, and had jotted down half of the play when Lentze, Laura's 'fancy man' came and stopped 'em. All the actors were on the qui vive, too. Underhill now proposes to complete the thing by taking a private box, filling in the front of it with three women, while he and his phonographic chum squat behind during the latter half of the piece, scoring down the remainder. Wants to see Roberts about it, that he may be assured about money" (84).

Gunn writes about Mackenzie's letter: "Talking of Irishman, there's that old 'blower' Shelton MacKenzie, in a 'London letter' written at Philadelphia, to the 'Constellation,' vilifying and lying about Thackeray in a thoroughly Celtic manner. Reason; Thackeray's Irish Sketchbook and Irishmen in his novels; which Irishmen can not forgive. And when they hate they lie: they can’t be fair to an evening. Some time ago MacKenzie put Doyle above florious John Leech(!) as an artist; attributing Punch’s decadence to the Irishman's retirement. Bah! Erin go Brag! Brag! Brag! I wonder how many Generations it takes to graft something like veracity, and fair play into the Celt – whether it can be done, after all!" (108)

Gunn describes Mackenzie's article about Fitz-James O'Brien: "Old Shelton MacKenzie has written an article on O'Brien, in the Constellation; just the sort of article one Irishman would write of another. There's one lie in it, I know, that asserting the precedence of Doesticks Witches of N.Y over O'B's fortune tellers. All the rest I've heard before. The assumed baronetry has caused much mirth to those who know the man. It's in accordance with his principle of when desperately cornered to do some- thing audacious. 'When in doubt, play a trump.' Not being known in Boston and anticipating that a real live baronet might get the entree to 'society' – O'B[rien]'s constant aspiration – he has trumped up this characteristic lie" (137).

Gunn attaches a newspaper clipping written by Mackenzie, regarding the rumor that O'Brien is the heir to an Irish baronetcy (139).

Gunn discusses the friendship between O'Brien and Henry Clapp: "O'Brien consorts with Clapp, and affects to admire his powers of conversation. Morally they are on the same level, basing their every act on utter selfishness. They swindled their landlord in this (Bleecker Street) of some hundred dollars or so and the man came to a smash in consequence. This I had from Mrs Potter. Some acquaintances of hers, seeing Clapp and O'Brien entering this house in one of their visits to Haney, warned Mrs P. against them, thinking they might design boarding with them. By the word swindling I mean they owe that amount to their unlucky entertainer" (15-16).

Gunn describes O'Brien's Saturday Press theater column: "The 'Dramatic Feulleton' by Fitz james O'Brien, with his distinguished name to each article (why wasn't English good enough for their paper, I wonder?) is cleverish, but infernally conceited. O'B[rien] actually reviewed his own two-act farce of the 'Gentleman from Ireland' (plot hocked from the French – a thing that even the venial Wilkins of the Herald has the grace to refrain from in similar cases)" (18).

Gunn talks about O'Brien breaking his word to write a story for Frank Leslie's Stars and Stripes: "O'Brien's break of with Frank Leslie, the particulars of which I heard the other day, is funny and characteristic. He had agreed to furnish a serial story for the 'Stars and Stripes,' which they had announced grandiloquently in circular & advertisement. Well time came for copy, O'B said he had no place to write in &c, so they fixed up a room for him in the building. He loafed awhile, then declared he must have a bottle of Heidseick and cigars, when he would incontinently blaze away. Cigars and champagne were procured. He drank the latter, smoked the former, wrote ten pages and then left – taking M. S. with him. Next day Clapp, who has heretofore officiated as O'Brien's jackal, comes round, says that O'B[rien] can't write without money in his pocket and must have $100! This ended the affair. Doesticks declared, before his loss, that he wouldn't write for it, Brougham will do scarcely anything – so Watson confessed to me – and I won't write unless I get money paid when I bring in copy. It's time to break off with bad paymasters" (66).

Gunn describes an encounter with O'Brien at the Saturday Press office: "At noon went over the way to the Saturday Press office. There I found not Clapp, but O'Brien standing with back to the stove, in a small, rather dingy and decidedly unventilated room, two others being present. O'Brien chose to assume his ultra-insolent, supercilious airs towards me, wherefore we had a little conversational spar" (82-84).

Gunn recounts O'Brien's departure from the Saturday Press: "O'Brien's left the Saturday Press, which, he says, owed him some $100 and more. Wilkins supersedes him and does better. The paper is horridly in debt, the milch-cow having gone south. So the hideous little 'free-lover' and Socialist (Clapp is both) has it all his own way – Aldrich having left, too" (103).

Gunn reveals O'Brien's falsification, "Apropos of "House hold Words," I must put down something characteristic of O'Brien, on the authority of Briggs of the Courier and Times, a very reliable one. When O'Brien came to this country he claimed the authorship of certain admired articles in Household Words and other English publications, and got some credit on the strength of the representation. In due time a volume was published comprising, among its contents, the very articles claimed by O'B with the true author's name attached!" (105-106).

Gunn tells a story about O'Brien trying to escape a creditor, "Looking accidentally at the list of arrivals at the hotels, the other day, I saw chronicled Fitz-james O'Brien, at the "Everett house!" O'B is out of luck, I know, hence probably this Barry Lindon proceeding. Heard a characteristic thing of him, too. I was not the only person who noticed his name in the papers. That unfortunate old man in blue specs, whom he owes $125 or so, for board, who must have become quite an "old man of the Sea" to O'B for one meets this equally unlucky and pertenacious creditor everywhere, in newspaperdom, when he launches out into his piteous and prolix details to anybody who will listen to him – this old man, then, goes to the hotel and tells his story to . Word is conveyed to O'B. "Man wants money? send him up!" is the order. Man is shown up accordingly, an employee accompanying him, probably to see how the land lay. "Good morning, Mr O'Brien," says creditor. "You have the advantage of me, sir!" says O'B. "Isn't 'your' name O'Brien, sir? don't you recollect me? – owe me so and so," says creditor. "Never saw you before in my life!" says O'B. And he persisted in denying his identity, and the poor man had to go away, making nothing by the visit. Pretty recently O'B was so hard up, he had to camp in Clapp's room. They both vilify each other now. O'B is every day a dropper in at Haney’s office. Wonder what he expects to make by it?" (111-112).

Gunn describes a quarrel between Clapp and O'Brien, "Talk, incidentally of O'Brien, who it seems, has quarreled with Clapp or something like it. O'B sent a lawyer's letter apropos of money owing to him for his "feulleton"izing in the Saturday Press, which Clapp related as an excellent joke. Then he passed into general comment on O'B. "He was too d____d infernal selfish altogether – there was no denying he was a smart man though, and he could stand anything but a fool – give him a rogue, a smart rogue, rather. He don't believe in the good, amiable, Christ like men" (how the ugly countenance grew uglier with spite and unbelief as he said the words) "like Greeley." (113-114).

Gunn journals about O'Brien's departure to Boston, "Mort says O'Brien has gone to Boston, having entirely used up all his chances here. He was shewn the door at the Everett House. The "Diamond Lens" theft ended all his chance in the Atlantic Mag – so a man connected with it told Thomson" (117-118).

Gunn talks about an article that MacKenzie wrote about O'Brien, "Old Shelton MacKenzie has written an article on O’Brien, in the Constellation; just the sort of article one Irishman would write of another. There's one lie in it, I know, that asserting th precedence of Doesticks Witches of N.Y over O'B's fortune tellers. All the rest I've heard before. The assumed baronetry has caused much mirthto those who know the man. It's in accordance with his principle of when desperately cornered to do something audacious. "When in doubt, play a trump." Not being known in Boston and anticipating that a real live baronet might get the entree to "society" – O'B's constant aspiration – he has trumped up this characteristic lie. He started it first in a letter to the Times, as I learnt from Briggs, who tapped me on the shoulder one morning and complimented me on my (!) article in the Constellation. I believe he was trying the dodge in order to get confirmation, or information, as to the real writer, though he stuck to it that he supposed me the author. Shrewd man is Briggs, and an ugly. I wish O’Brien had got a baronetry. It would be delightfully funny to see him under the influence of it. He would give dinners to his acquaintances, pay his debts (or a tithe of them) with the most magnificent flourish contract the times as many and in a word, be, if possible a still more insufferable puppy and snob than now. Marry his coronet would be spouted in a week or two" (137 & 141).

A newspaper engraving depicting O'Brien wearing a crown, alluding to the rumor that O'Brien is the heir to an Irish baronetcy (138).

Gunn includes a newspaper clipping about the rumor that O'Brien is the heir to an Irish baronetcy (139).

Gunn includes a newspaper clipping written by Mackenzie regarding a rumor about O'Brien (140).

Gunn describes a feud between Picton and O'Brien, "He kicked up a row at the Office, after Haney's temporary secession, when O'Brien and the "Bees" were present, chiefly in consequence of his dislike to O'B. Picton and his "crowd" were drunk and averse to the "G_d__n English hole" as they called it. His feud with O'Brien arose thus. When cashier to the Nassau Bank, Picton having recently been introduced to O'B, on the following day got a note on Sedgwick (the Crystal Palace man) for some $30 or $50, with a request that he would cash it. Mistaking the signature for Bellew's, whom Picton knew and good-naturedly wished to oblige, he complied. It proved to be O'Brien's and there was considerable difficulty in getting Sedgwick to take it up, which however he did for value received (I suppose in Times puffs) from O'Bouncer. Picton believes he risked "being stuck" himself" (143).

Cahill inquires about O'Brien at the Parker House, "Cahill has been on to Boston, appropos of some of Doesticks book-making business. Inquiring at the "Parker House" as to whether O'Brien lived there, he got a very emphatic "No Sir–ee!" from the bartender as answer. O'B had run up a bill of over $100 there; has been giving "literary breakfasts" and conducting himself after his usual Barry Lyndon fashion. Bellew gave him an introductory letter to Emerson and he had others – I question the honesty of endorsing the swindler. He was living at Cambridge, said to be "literary editor of a Boston paper" (150).

Gunn wonders aloud how Whitman manages to support himself: "Monday. To New York again – passing the 'kosmos' Walt Whitman by the way. How does that man – a unique character in his own way – live? He has a mother, an industrious brother and one idiotic. I sup[pose] the second maintains the family. Then too, there is or was some middle aged Philadelphia lady a widow of indifferent character, who admired him and whom he spunged from. And [Sara Willis] Partons [aka Fanny Fern] $200 might have sufficed to let him 'loaf and lie at his case' for a long time" (79).

Gunn describes seeing Whitman: "Down town with it after dinner &c. Saw Walt Whitman at Brady's entry, with another. Hardly knew the 'Kosmos' who had partly shaven himself. His pale grey eyes looked more protuberant than usual" (231).