Diaries, Vol. 16

Gunn describes a conversation between English and Smith, "To the "Courier" Office, found Smith and Dunn English, both talking North and South and Civil War. English was proclaiming his pro-slavery sentiments, d__ning the "Tribune" and declaring his readiness to assist in hanging Dana. Smith, though a democrat" (98-100).

English tells his side of the row, "I don't expect he'll take it. Dunn English came up, talked about the Chauncey Burr row and gave his version of it. Burr is a friend of his; they sympathize politically. English made the affair to be a rowdy interference with Burr; said he had incurred the enmity of the Websters by "letting on" about "free love" and 14th street; that the head of the family is a policy-lottery dealer; which is true enough on Boweryem's admission. English attributed the "Tribune" account to the Websters. I fancy little Boweryem has what small right there is on his side in the matter; though he acted from glory and cockiness. Left English in Spruce Street;" (169-170).

Gunn describes a visit to Dunn English, "I went to Fort Lee, to visit Dunn English, who now occupies the house formerly tenanted by the Webster's. A ramble with him, returning to hear M.S.S. read and dinner. Other acquaintances of his appeared subsequently, and Boweryem, whom I returned to New York with, by the 6 o'clock boat" (202).

Gunn includes a newspaper clipping about Howland's picture "The Prisoners."

Gunn spends an evening at the Edwards', noting that Nast is back from a trip to Washington: "Evening, to 745, meeting Sally, Eliza, John and Nast on the threshold, going to Chapin's, the first not walking with the last, but with her brother. Didn't accompany them, descended into basement, found Mr. and Mrs. E. Matty, Haney and Parton's mother. Very soon Jim came and we got to talking until his departure, within a short space before the return of the girls and their companions. Nast was asked about his Washington experience, I talked with Matty and others, Nast with Sally and the evening wore on till 11, when we, visitors, departed. 11" (19).

Gunn describes a scuffle between Nast and himself at the Edwards': "As, unless I took on armchair near them, I must have gone to the sofa, out of the social circle, I didm't do the latter, and presently, on a remark of Sally's, cut into the conversation. Nast didn't like it, I think; the little beggar tried girding at me when I as I happened to be in good spirits and tonguey, he got his payment with a spice of pepper to it. He supposes I talk against him behind his back, half intimated as much. I could trace a spice of Sol Eytinge's influence in his pupil's way ofregarding me. Where did I hear it said that Nast has Jewish blood in his veins? one of the girls ventilated it, I think, when Sally demurred at crediting it. His hair, nose and physique, his fond- ness for the opera are not antagonistic to the idea. That would instinctively bring Sol and him together, in sympathy, though I know Eytinge is ashamed of his stock. I have been scrupulously civil to "Tommy," and want to continue so, for the chances are in favor of his having Sally to wife – though it's by no means a sure thing – and for no other reason; showing him, however, that I can keep the whip-hand of him in talk. He has come back with his organ of self-esteem considerably enlarged; his manner of talking of the work of other artists is evidence of it. Yet a good deal of this is natural enough, in a young fellow fresh from one of the most miserable of revolutions in history. I'd like the little beggar, for Sally's sake, if he'd let me. Not withstanding which I turned her laugh on him, which of course he'd like" (23-24).

Sally tries to lend Nast a book at yet another gathering at the Edwards': "I talked mostly with Eliza; Sally, sitting by Nast, was diligently employed in narrating the plot of the "Newcomes" to him, girl-fashion, having the volume in her hand; which she presently proposed to lend him. Little Tommy's literary tastes are of the rawest; I didn't wonder at his not taking it. Matty Bellew dislikes England. looking goodhumored, sat in the direction of Haney, Polhemus on the near side. Which young man is rather a slow coach in conversation, having a talent for silence. Presently Nast invited Eliza to the theatre, of course after Sally" (26-27).

Gunn believes Nast will win the court of Sally Edwards: "There are exceptions to Jerrold's axiom asserting that that position is the best one for taking aim at a woman's heart and Sally is one of them. Nast will win, in default of a better suitor" (32-33).

Gunn states that Nast talked Garibaldi to Sally at the Edwards': "Sunday. To Chapin's in the morning. On descending from the gallery found Jack, Matty and Sally waiting for somebody, probably Tommy. Mat got tired of it and I walked home with her, leaving her, her father and mother at the door – they had kept on t'other side of the way. In doors till evening, then to 745. Mr. and Mrs E. Matty, Anne and Haney present, Sally, Eliza, Nast and Jack at Chapin's, whence they returned in due time. And Tommy took up his position beside the "ravager" on the sofa, and talked Garibaldi to her till the time for breaking up" (33).

Gunn feels unwelcome while Sally and Nast converse: "Anne, too, is making up for her dep helping to deprive Sally of one lover by abetting another. When Eliza, at the piano, got tiffed at the talking, Anne wanted her to keep on, (for the benefit of Sally and Tommy; who conversed safely, under its cover.) They get along, as I augured, favorably – little Podgey will win, sure enough, and if he don't detest me it's a pity! Well, perhaps he has a right to – I'm almost inclined to justify him. Somehow, for, I think, the first time in my life in that basement, I felt as though I were unwelcome – as though my arrival had imposed some restraint on what was in progress" (53-54).

Gunn describes a brief encounter with Nast before feeling ignored at the Edwards': "There was also another inducement, a Mrs. Galusha, neéSarah Gay, being of the party; which person is she of Rochester habitation, whom Tommy Nast was once smitten with, a friend of the Thomsons' and of Jim Parton's sister. This, barring the personal item, Tommy told me in a constrained and grudging manner. I tried him with a remark or two, then lapsed into silence and looked over newspapers, finding my Fort Moultrie drawing in the "London News." So we three sat, in silence, except when Tommy said a word or two to Tousey, until the unlocking of the street- door and the girls' laughter was heard above...I wouldn't wonder if Tommy hasn't talked Eytinge about me to the girls; of course being angry with him I suspect the little beggar. If so, it's a good illustration of cause and effect: I tell Mort Thomson (on being asked, not before) the truth about Sol's immaculate wife – then strumpet – and, three or four years after, his resentment turns up in the basement of 745" (67-68)!

Haney confirms that Nast and Sally Edwards are engaged: "Talking of Nast and Sally Edwards, Haney confirms my impression that they are "engaged." It is curious to find that both he and I have inclined to backing Nicholas, wishing that the gentlemanly widower had given us an opportunity to volunteer a few words of advice in re Sally" (81).

Gunn quotes Alf Waud, who talks disparagingly of Nast: "He [Alf Waud] began to talk objurgation of Nast, proposing to caricature him as Sol Eytinge's dog (See 110-11). Nast, it appears, is a very cocky and captious little begger in the office; he comes there very early in the morning and is exceedingly industrious and would illustrate the whole of the paper, if they'd let him. "I told him," said Alf Waud, "that we (Sol and himself) should be discharged or get an offer of $10 a week, reduced salary. He toadies Sol and Sol likes it. He imitates him in everything, tries chaff, but is soon knocked over and dreadfully offended... "He's a mean little beggar," I said, catching the tone of Alf's manner – it does one good to abuse a fellow you don't like, you feel better afterwards. "Yes," said Waud, "though he did go to the expense of paying $33 for a diamond- ring to give to that girl he is fond of. I hear all about that, too, though they do make such a dreadful mystery about it." Alf had seen the ring, recommended the jeweller, indeed; Tommy got the thing a great bargain. Alf had spoken before of Mort Thomson's approaching marriage with "Fanny Fern's daughter," about which Nast and Eytinge conversed, affecting mystery" (85-88).

Gunn describes Nast's vulgar demeanor at the Edwards: "Sally and Nast and Eliza and Tousey were also church-goers; I did not see them until I had descended into the basement, where I was conversing with Haney and Mrs. Edwards, when they joined us. Tommy went over and sat, rather prominently and awkwardly, beside Sally in front of the piano. Haney, I and Mrs E. (paterfamilias never has much to say) found enough to talk of, and rather left the others to themselves. Tommy had tried a smart saying at and come off as usual, in consequence. I don't think the young fellow showed at all well, in his new relation. At such a time, if ever, a man – a young man, too – should be kind and friendly, disposed to goodwill to all around him, full of delicious humility, triumph, grateful for the happiness which has fallen to him; in short as good as his nature is capable of. There was none of this; I am deceived if there was not latent vulgar triumph, a tendency to insolent assertion of his luck; his conquest. Sally, too, didn't look too happy, or too much at ease, beside him. She flushed up occasionally, giggled and talked, with awkward intervals of silence. He did a little buffonery, too, with the girls in general, and, squat on a music stool, the whole of his podgy figure visible, didn't appear to advantage. I made a point to do only the initial courtesies to the girls, unless they indicated goodwill towards a little chat, which good humored Matty presently did, when I talked awhile to her, as did Haney, joining us. Eliza, on the sofa, cultivated Tousey, or laughed at Tommy's sallies – for she is temporarily of the Nasty faction" (91-92).

Gunn says that Sally Edwards has accepted Nast's marriage proposal, but doesn't believe it's a good match: "Jim Parton had asked him [Haney] today, "if he had heard the news?" Haney knew what news; Tommy's acceptation. Jim understood that it was to be a long engagement, in which case I wont ensure its consummation; for Tommy mayn't wash. Not that Sally has not a much more favorable estimate of him than Haney and I, who agree perfectly on that head; I have chronicled her view of Tommy's character, as confided to me at Grafton. But I do fear that the girl has gone miserably and wilfully into a match that won't result in her happiness... Mrs. Edwards has been very tender with him; her woman's nature comprehending his case and affording him quick sympathy. "I wish you'd have fallen in love with Matty," I said. "I can't!" he answered, though he averred that she'd be the most helpful mate of the three. So" (93-96).

Gunn mulls over the irony of Nast and Sally's relationship: "I should have liked to have felt friendly to Sally's husband; to have shaken him by the hand on the wedding- day and to have wished him happiness with all my soul; to have touched her cheek with a kiss, and have bidden God bless her! but it won't be so, and so let the matter rest. Possibly I do him injustice, after all. I hope so. For the hundredth time I observe how curiously events hinge on one another: Haney introduced Nast as a substitute for Cahill; that his absence mightn't be felt in our little circle. He thought Tommy might do for Mat or Eliza – never apprehending that he was thereby risking the realization of Benedick's simile; – "The flat transgression of a schoolboy who, being overjoyed at finding a bird's next, shows it to his companion, and he steals it" (96-97).

Gunn includes a caricature by Waud of Eytinge and Nast: "At 745. Morris, Nast and Polhemus there. Nothing of import transpired; Nast and Sally as usual. By the way Alf Waud gave me a rather felicitous caricature of Sol. Eytinge and Tommy, the latter represented as the dog of the former; Sol himself as an odious- looking Jew old-clothesman" (124-125).

Cahill exaggerates Nast's condescending manners: "Writing and loafing till 5, then downtown, passing Nast; whom Cahill met subsequently, walking with Eliza, Matty in the rear, and, relating it to me, burlesqued Tommy's assumption of the airs of a man about town. I thought his face looked flabby and Jewish. One always finds a man's face disagreeable when one dislikes him" (147).

Gunn comments again on Nast's behaviors: "The elder folks were cordial, as they always are. I think Nast has slackened his attentions to his future father and mother-in-law, even to half-ignoring their presence, and that the quick-sighted woman perceives it. When we left (I rose at a little before 11), Morris began abusing Tommy as a nuisance, saying that he did nothing but monkeyisms, and thinking it must "disgust" the girls. I couldn't help grinning to find how generally conscious everybody is of his offensiveness – or envious of his popularlity! I walked a few steps with Morris and returning, passed Nast and Tousey, who had just quitted 745. The little chuff saw me" (161-162).

Gun speculates that the Mort Thomson and Grace Eldredge marriage will escalate Nast's and Sally's: "Jim warned Haney on this score, once, intimating that Grace would develop like her mother. Maybe that Haney was flattered by the idea, as most men would be – I thought I detected this in his talk this evening. Both he and I agreed that this marriage would probably accelerate Sally's and Nast's, Haney fixing it for the autumn of this year" (181-182).

Hayes tells Gunn that the engravers like Alf waud because he keeps them busy: "Alf would go, though Nast wanted to; they (the proprietors of the paper) had either to quarrel with or let Waud go. The advantages he possessed over Tommy were extreme obstinacy and the capacity for writing letters. Tommy is very industrious and on a regular salary – gets, Hayes supposes, $25 or up ward a week. "We (the engravers) "like him;" said Hayes, "for he keeps us steadily busy. When we had nothing but geniuses to draw for us, we had to stand idle for two or three days sometimes; until they felt like working" (183).

Gunn believes that Waud's Charleston paper was merely recounted by Nast from the "Illustrated News": "Haney speaking incidentally of a story about Will Waud's starting an illustrated paper in Charleston, brought to 745 by Nast, I didn't scruple to characterize it as one of those inventions which had their origin in the artists' room of the "Illustrated News" and which Mr. Nast only retailed – which I've no doubt is the simple truth" (192).

Gunn believes that Haney holds a grudge against Nast: "Mr. Edwards read aloud Fanny's article in the "Ledger" about her daughter's marriage; all of us (barring Haney and myself) manifesting an inclination to sniff at it. Not much transpired this evening; I think Haney and I spoke only to Matty, of the girls; for Anne, she went and sat to'ther side of Tommy, only becoming momentarily prominent in answer to a gird of Haney's. (He will "not willingly let die" the rememberance that she was against him in his wooing of Sally)" (203).

Gunn says O'Brien has joined the 7th Regiment, "O'Brien has joined the 7th Regiment, on the chance of getting a free passage to England, during the visit to the Volunteers which Bellew is trying to engineer through" (18).

Gunn talks about O'Brien getting Boweryem in at Harper's, "O'Brien came in and talked of "the return of the poor prodigal"; of getting him something to do at Harper's – of which there is as much probability, under O'Brien's recommendation and endorsement, as of getting him into Heaven" (50).

Gunn annotates a newspaper engraving by Mullen, "Drawn by Mullen, from the (Comic Monthly.) Intended for Sol Eytinge (bad) Wilkins. Intended for O'Brien./ George Arnold Mullen" (158).

Gunn writes about O'Brien, "O'Brien (who was so drunk during a parade at Washington, as to oblige his commanding officer to order a man to conduct him to his tent [Burger (our ex-boarder) told Cahill this.] expects a captaincy. He, O'B. has "jerkked his little editorials and poems," as the Bohemians would say, in glorification of the Seventh, which certainly did all it undertook – but no fighting" (224-225).

Gunn describes a conversation he had with Stedman, "To the "Century" office, a talk with Stockton, then to the "World," talking with Conant, Stedman and a third person. Stedman attempting his wanted masterful habit of putting one into the witness-box and cross-examining a la Jaggers, I on the Secession business, I pitched-in, when he became quite affectionate, wrote down his address and invited me to visit him!" (11).

Gunn mentions Briggs and Stedman when documenting a talk about the Civil War between Thomas Dunn English and Smith, "Indeed the blotchfaced old hack wants a berth, and bellows partisanship in consequence. I wish such as he and Stedman were obliged to demonstrate their anti-Southern cackle in face of a few Carolinian rifles, levelled [sic] by such lads as honest Dan Miller's company! There are no bigger curs extant than these venal traders" (100).

Gunn expressses his views of Stedman, "An item about Stedman: Boweryem went the other night to a musical evening at the house of Phillips, of the "Post," and met there Miss Anna Dunn and her mother, the latter of whom behaved frigidly to the little man, and the former of whom told him, with latent triumph, that the Stedmans were going to board with them on Staten Island during the summer. And Warren of the "Phalanx," meeting Boweryem informed him that the wretched intimacy between Stedman and this woman is cackled about in the vicinity. The fellow came down from his wife one morning with the remark that it was astonishing how obstinate women were in adhering to some impressions, and when she appeared, she had evidently been crying, wanted to know how she could send a letter to him, and presently set off to New York after the scoundrel. He had been bullying her into acquiescence with his shameful resolve to live in the same house with his strumpet and the weak, affectionate, foolish wife succumbed to him! He is now in Washington; I suppose trying to beg or bully himself into office. Throughout the recent excitement he has been ultra-belligerent in talk, burning to head a regiment to march against the South; now, when innumerable really patriotic fellows are leaving their callings and volunteering, will the author of the ballad of Old Brown go? I trow not. If you asked him he would say, If it were not for wife and family – when it would be a fair retort to tell him that the best proof of his affection for them would be going off and getting shot" (101-103).

Whitman is mentioned in a newspaper clipping.