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Title: Struggles and Triumphs: or, Forty Years' Recollections of P. T. Barnum
Author: P. T. Barnum
Release date: October 2, 2015 [eBook #50115]
Most recently updated: October 22, 2024
Language: English
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS: OR, FORTY YEARS' RECOLLECTIONS OF P. T. BARNUM ***
Some typographical errors have been corrected; a list follows the text. List of Illustrations (etext transcriber's note) |
STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPHS:
OR,
FORTY YEARS’ RECOLLECTIONS
OF
P. T. BARNUM.
WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.
A U T H O R’S E D I T I O N.
[BIOGRAPHY COMPLETE TO APRIL, 1872.]
“——a map of busy life,
Its fluctuations, and its vast concerns.”
Its fluctuations, and its vast concerns.”
BUFFALO, N. Y.
WARREN, JOHNSON & CO.
———
1872.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by
P. T. BARNUM,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
Entered also at Stationer’s Hall, London, England.
TO
MY WIFE AND FAMILY
I DEDICATE
THIS STORY OF A LIFE WHICH HAS BEEN LARGELY
DEVOTED TO THEIR
INTERESTS AND SERVICE.
CARD INTRODUCTORY.
To the Public:—Although the large octavo edition of Struggles and Triumphs, upon fine paper, has enjoyed an unprecedented large sale at $3.50 and upwards, according to styles of binding; yet determined to supply the popular demand for a cheaper edition, and thus in a measure render to the great American people, who have lavished upon me so many favors, a due recognition of their claims upon my gratitude and esteem,—I have purchased, of the original publishers, the electrotype plates of text and engravings together with the copyright of the work; and, now enabled to control the publication myself, I give the same precise text with the original, (together with an additional chapter bringing the biography down to April 2d, 1872,) at the low price of $1.50.
Copies of the cheap edition can be had on application to the American News Company, New York, Warren, Johnson & Co., Buffalo, and elsewhere.
Your obedient humble servant,
PHINEAS T. BARNUM.
No. 438 Fifth Avenue, New York City, April 2d, 1872.
PREFACE.
THIS book is my Recollections of Forty Busy Years. Few men in civil life have had a career more crowded with incident, enterprise, and various intercourse with the world than mine. With the alternations of success and defeat, extensive travel in this and foreign lands; a large acquaintance with the humble and honored; having held the preëminent place among all who have sought to furnish healthful entertainment to the American people, and, therefore, having had opportunities for garnering an ample storehouse of incident and anecdote, while, at the same time, needing a sagacity, energy, foresight and fortitude rarely required or exhibited in financial affairs, my struggles and experiences (it is not altogether vanity in me to think) can not be without interest to my fellow countrymen.
Various leading publishers have solicited me to place at their disposal my Recollections of what I have been, and seen, and done. These proposals, together with the partiality of friends and kindred, have constrained me, now that I have retired from all active participation in business, to put in a permanent form what, it seems to me, may be instructive, entertaining and profitable.
Fifteen years since, for the purpose, principally, of advancing my interests as proprietor of the American Museum, I gave to the press some personal reminiscences and sketches. Having an extensive sale, they were, however, very hastily, and, therefore, imperfectly, prepared. These are not only out of print, but the plates have been destroyed. Though including, necessarily, in common with them, some of the facts of my early life, in order to make this autobiography a complete and continuous narrative, yet, as the latter part of my life has been the more eventful, and my recollections so various and abundant, this book is new and independent of the former. It is the matured and leisurely review of almost half a century of work and struggle, and final success, in spite of fraud and fire—the story of which is blended with amusing anecdotes, funny passages, felicitous jokes, captivating narratives, novel experiences, and remarkable interviews—the sunny and sombre so intermingled as not only to entertain, but convey useful lessons to all classes of readers.
These Recollections are dedicated to those who are nearest and dearest to me, with the feeling that they are a record which I am willing to leave in their hands, as a legacy which they will value.
And above and beyond this personal satisfaction, I have thought that the review of a life, with the wide contrasts of humble origin and high and honorable success; of most formidable obstacles overcome by courage and constancy; of affluence that had been patiently won, suddenly wrenched away, and triumphantly regained—would be a help and incentive to the young man, struggling, it may be, with adverse fortune, or, at the start, looking into the future with doubt or despair.
All autobiographies are necessarily egotistical. If my pages are as plentifully sprinkled with “I’s” as was the chief ornament of Hood’s peacock, “who thought he had the eyes of Europe on his tail,” I can only say, that the “I’s” are essential to the story I have told. It has been my purpose to narrate, not the life of another, but that career in which I was the principal actor.
There is an almost universal, and not unworthy curiosity to learn the methods and measures, the ups and downs, the strifes and victories, the mental and moral personnel of those who have taken an active and prominent part in human affairs. But an autobiography has attractions and merits superior to those of a “Life” written by another, who, however intimate with its subject, cannot know all that helps to give interest and accuracy to the narrative, or completeness to the character. The story from the actor’s own lips has always a charm it can never have when told by another.
That my narrative is interspersed with amusing incidents, and even the recital of some very practical jokes, is simply because my natural disposition impels me to look upon the brighter side of life, and I hope my humorous experiences will entertain my readers as much as they were enjoyed by myself. And if this record of trials and triumphs, struggles and successes, shall stimulate any to the exercise of that energy, industry, and courage in their callings, which will surely lead to happiness and prosperity, one main object I have in yielding to the solicitations of my friends and my publishers will have been accomplished.
P. T. BARNUM.
Waldemere, Bridgeport, }
Connecticut, July 5, 1869. }
CONTENTS.
| CHAPTER. I.—EARLY LIFE. | |
|---|---|
| MY BIRTH—FIRST PROPERTY—FARMER BOY LIFE—GOING TO SCHOOL—EARLY ACQUISITIVENESS—A HOLIDAY PEDDLER—FIRST VISIT TO NEW YORK—LEARNING TO “SWAP”—MISERIES FROM MOLASSES CANDY—“IVY ISLAND”—ENTERING UPON MY ESTATE—CLERKSHIP IN A COUNTRY STORE—TRADING MORALS—THE BETHEL MEETING-HOUSE—STOVE QUESTION—SUNDAY SCHOOL AND BIBLE CLASS—MY COMPOSITION—THE ONE THING NEEDFUL, | 25 |
| CHAP. II.—INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES. | |
| DEATH OF MY GRANDMOTHER—MY FATHER—HIS CHARACTER—HIS DEATH—BEGINNING THE WORLD BAREFOOTED—GOING TO GRASSY PLAINS—THE TIN WARE AND GREEN BOTTLE LOTTERY—“CHARITY” HALLETT—OUR FIRST MEETING—EVENING RIDE TO BETHEL—A NOVEL FUR TRADE—OLD “RUSHIA” AND YOUNG “RUSHIA”—THE BUYER SOLD—COUNTRY STORE EXPERIENCES—OLD “UNCLE BIBBINS”—A TERRIBLE DUEL BETWEEN BENTON AND BIBBINS—FALL OF BENTON—FLIGHT OF BIBBINS, | 38 |
| CHAP. III.—IN BUSINESS FOR MYSELF. | |
| MY CLERKSHIP IN BROOKLYN—UNEASINESS AND DISSATISFACTION—THE SMALL POX—GOING HOME TO RECRUIT—“CHARITY” HALLETT AGAIN—BACK TO BROOKLYN—OPENING A PORTER-HOUSE—SELLING OUT—MY CLERKSHIP IN NEW YORK—MY HABITS—OBSERVANCE OF SUNDAY—IN BETHEL ONCE MORE—BEGINNING BUSINESS ON MY OWN ACCOUNT—OPENING DAY—LARGE SALES AND GREAT PROFITS—THE LOTTERY BUSINESS—VIEWS THEREON—ABOUT A POCKET-BOOK—WITS AND WAGS—SWEARING OUT A FINE—FIRST APPEARANCE AT THE BAR—SECURING “ARABIAN”—A MODEL LOVE-LETTER, | 48 |
| CHAP. IV.—STRUGGLES FOR A LIVELIHOOD. | |
| PLEASURE VISIT TO PHILADELPHIA—LIVING IN GRAND STYLE—THE BOTTOM OF THE PILE—BORROWING MONEY—MY MARRIAGE—RETURN TO BETHEL—EARLY MARRIAGES—MORE PRACTICAL JOKING—SECOND APPEARANCE AS COUNSEL—GOING TO HOUSEKEEPING—SELLING BOOKS AT AUCTION—THE “YELLOW STORE”—A NEW FIELD—“THE HERALD OF FREEDOM”—MY EDITORIAL CAREER—LIBEL SUITS—FINED AND IMPRISONED—LIFE IN THE DANBURY JAIL—CELEBRATION OF MY LIBERATION—POOR BUSINESS AND BAD DEBTS—REMOVAL TO NEW YORK—SEEKING MY FORTUNE—“WANTS” IN THE “SUN”—WM. NIBLO—KEEPING A BOARDING-HOUSE—A WHOLE SHIRT ON MY BACK, | 59 |
| CHAP. V.—MY START AS A SHOWMAN. | |
| THE AMUSEMENT BUSINESS—DIFFERENT GRADES—CATERING FOR THE PUBLIC—MY CLAIMS, AIMS AND EFFORTS—JOICE HETH—APPARENT GENUINENESS OF HER VOUCHERS—BEGINNING LIFE AS A SHOWMAN—SUCCESS OF MY FIRST EXHIBITION—SECOND STEP IN THE SHOW LINE—SIGNOR VIVALLA—MY FIRST APPEARANCE ON ANY STAGE—AT WASHINGTON—ANNE ROYALL STIMULATING THE PUBLIC—CONTESTS BETWEEN VIVALLA AND ROBERTS—EXCITEMENT AT FEVER HEAT—CONNECTING MYSELF WITH A CIRCUS—BREAD AND BUTTER DINNER FOR THE WHOLE COMPANY—NARROW ESCAPE FROM SUFFOCATION—LECTURING AN ABUSIVE CLERGYMAN—AARON TURNER—A TERRIBLE PRACTICAL JOKE—I AM REPRESENTED TO BE A MURDERER—RAILS AND LYNCH LAW—NOVEL MEANS FOR SECURING NOTORIETY, | 71 |
| CHAP. VI.—MY FIRST TRAVELING COMPANY. | |
| THREE MEALS AND LODGING IN ONE HOUR—TURNING THE TABLES ON TURNER—A SON AS OLD AS HIS FATHER—LEAVING THE CIRCUS WITH TWELVE HUNDRED DOLLARS—MY FIRST TRAVELLING COMPANY—PREACHING TO THE PEOPLE—APPEARING AS A NEGRO MINSTREL—THREATENED WITH ASSASSINATION—ESCAPES FROM DANGER—TEMPERANCE—REPORT OF MY ARREST FOR MURDER—RE-ENFORCING MY COMPANY—“BARNUM’S GRAND SCIENTIFIC AND MUSICAL THEATRE”—OUTWITTING A SHERIFF—“LADY HAYES’S” MANSION AND PLANTATION—A BRILLIANT AUDIENCE—BASS DRUM SOLO—CROSSING THE INDIAN NATION—JOE PENTLAND AS A SAVAGE—TERROR AND FLIGHT OF VIVALLA—A NONPLUSSED LEGERDEMAIN PERFORMER—A MALE EGG-LAYER—DISBANDING MY COMPANY—A NEW PARTNERSHIP—PUBLIC LECTURING—DIFFICULTY WITH A DROVER—THE STEAMBOAT “CERES”—SUDDEN MARRIAGE ON BOARD—MOBBED IN LOUISIANA—ARRIVAL AT NEW ORLEANS, | 86 |
| CHAP. VII.—AT THE FOOT OF THE LADDER. | |
| DISGUST AT THE TRAVELLING BUSINESS—ADVERTISING FOR AN ASSOCIATE—RUSH OF THE MILLION-MAKERS—COUNTERFEITERS, CHEATS AND QUACKS—A NEW BUSINESS—SWINDLED BY MY PARTNER—DIAMOND THE DANCER—A NEW COMPANY—DESERTIONS—SUCCESSES AT NEW ORLEANS—TYRONE POWER AND FANNY ELLSLER—IN JAIL AGAIN—BACK TO NEW YORK—ACTING AS A BOOK AGENT—LEASING VAUXHALL—FROM HAND TO MOUTH—DETERMINATION TO MAKE MONEY—FORTUNE OPENING HER DOOR—THE AMERICAN MUSEUM FOR SALE—NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE PURCHASE—HOPES AND DISAPPOINTMENTS—THE TRAIN LAID—SMASHING A RIVAL COMPANY, | 104 |
| CHAP. VIII.—THE AMERICAN MUSEUM. | |
| A TRAP SET FOR ME—I CATCH THE TRAPPERS—I BECOME PROPRIETOR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM—HISTORY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT—HARD WORK AND COLD DINNERS—ADDITIONS TO THE MUSEUM—EXTRAORDINARY ADVERTISING—BARNUM’S BRICK-MAN—EXCITING PUBLIC CURIOSITY—INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES—A DRUNKEN ACTOR—IMITATIONS OF THE ELDER BOOTH—PLEASING MY PATRONS—SECURING TRANSIENT NOVELTIES—LIVING CURIOSITIES—MAKING PEOPLE TALK—A WILDERNESS OF WONDERS—NIAGARA FALLS WITH REAL WATER—THE CLUB THAT KILLED COOK—SELLING LOUIS GAYLORD CLARK—THE FISH WITH LEGS—THE FEJEE MERMAID—HOW IT CAME INTO MY POSSESSION—THE TRUE STORY OF THAT CURIOSITY—JAPANESE MANUFACTURE OF FABULOUS ANIMALS—THE USE I MADE OF THE MERMAID—WHOLESALE ADVERTISING AGAIN—THE BALCONY BAND—DRUMMOND LIGHTS, | 116 |
| CHAP. IX.—THE ROAD TO RICHES. | |
| THE MOST POPULAR PLACE OF AMUSEMENT IN THE WORLD—THE MORAL DRAMA—REFORMING THE ABUSES OF THE STAGE—FAMOUS ACTORS AND ACTRESSES AT THE MUSEUM—ADDING TO THE SALOONS—AFTERNOON AND HOLIDAY PERFORMANCES—FOURTH OF JULY FLAGS—THE MUSEUM CONNECTED WITH ST. PAUL’S—VICTORY OVER THE VESTRYMEN—THE EGRESS—ST. PATRICK’S DAY IN THE MORNING—A WONDERFUL ANIMAL, THE “AIGRESS”—INPOURING OF MONEY—ZOOLOGICAL ERUPTION—THE CITY ASTOUNDED—BABY SHOWS, AND THEIR OBJECT—FLOWER, BIRD, DOG AND POULTRY SHOWS—GRAND FREE BUFFALO HUNT IN HOBOKEN—N. P. WILLIS—THE WOOLLY HORSE—WHERE HE CAME FROM—COLONEL BENTON BEATEN—PURPOSE OF THE EXHIBITION—AMERICAN INDIANS—P. T. BARNUM EXHIBITED—A CURIOUS SPINSTER—THE TOUCHING STORY OF CHARLOTTE TEMPLE—SERVICES IN THE LECTURE ROOM—A FINANCIAL VIEW OF THE MUSEUM—AN “AWFUL RICH MAN,” | 133 |
| CHAP. X.—ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SPECULATION. | |
| PEALE’S MUSEUM—MYSTERIOUS MESMERISM—YANKEE HILL—HENRY BENNETT—THE RIVAL MUSEUMS—THE ORPHEAN AND ORPHAN FAMILIES—THE FUDGEE MERMAID—BUYING OUT MY RIVAL—RUNNING OPPOSITION TO MYSELF—ABOLISHING THEATRICAL NUISANCES—NO CHECKS AND NO BAR—THE MUSEUM—MY MANIA—MY FIRST INTERVIEW WITH CHARLES S. STRATTON—GENERAL TOM THUMB IN NEW YORK—RE-ENGAGEMENT—AN APT PUPIL—FREE FROM DEBT—THE PROFITS OF TWO YEARS—IN SEARCH OF A NEW FIELD—STARTING FOR LIVERPOOL—THE GOOD SHIP “YORKSHIRE”—MY PARTY—ESCORT TO SANDY HOOK—THE VOYAGE—A TOBACCO TRICK—A BRAGGING JOHN BULL OUTWITTED—ARRIVAL AT LIVERPOOL—A GENTLEMAN BEGGAR—MADAME CELESTE—CHEAP DWARFS—TWO-PENNY SHOWS—EXHIBITION OF GENERAL TOM THUMB IN LIVERPOOL—FIRST-CLASS ENGAGEMENT FOR LONDON, | 156 |
| CHAP. XI.—GENERAL TOM THUMB IN ENGLAND. | |
| ARRIVAL IN LONDON—THE GENERAL’S DEBUT IN THE PRINCESS’S THEATRE—ENORMOUS SUCCESS—MY MANSION AT THE WEST END—DAILY LEVEES FOR THE NOBILITY AND GENTRY—HON. EDWARD EVERETT—HIS INTEREST IN THE GENERAL—VISIT TO THE BARONESS ROTHSCHILD—OPENING IN EGYPTIAN HALL, PICCADILLY—MR. CHARLES MURRAY, MASTER OF THE QUEEN’S HOUSEHOLD—AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE BY COMMAND OF HER MAJESTY—A ROYAL RECEPTION—THE FAVORABLE IMPRESSION MADE BY THE GENERAL—AMUSING INCIDENTS OF THE VISIT—BACKING OUT—FIGHT WITH A POODLE—COURT JOURNAL NOTICE—SECOND VISIT TO THE QUEEN—THE PRINCE OF WALES AND PRINCESS ROYAL—THE QUEEN OF THE BELGIANS—THIRD VISIT TO BUCKINGHAM PALACE—KING LEOPOLD, OF BELGIUM—ASSURED SUCCESS—THE BRITISH PUBLIC EXCITED—EGYPTIAN HALL CROWDED—QUEEN DOWAGER ADELAIDE—THE GENERAL’S WATCH—NAPOLEON AND THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON—DISTINGUISHED FRIENDS, | 173 |
| CHAP. XII.—IN FRANCE. | |
| GOING OVER TO ARRANGE PRELIMINARIES—PREVIOUS VISIT TO PARIS—ROBERT HOUDIN—WONDERFUL MECHANICAL TOYS—THE AUTOMATON LETTER-WRITER—DION BOUCICAULT—TAX ON NATURAL CURIOSITIES—HOW I COMPROMISED—THE GENERAL AND PARTY IN PARIS—FIRST VISIT TO KING LOUIS PHILIPPE—A SPLENDID PRESENT—DIPLOMACY—I ASK A FAVOR AND GET IT—LONG CHAMPS—THE GENERAL’S EQUIPAGE—THE FINEST ADVERTISEMENT EVER KNOWN—ALL PARIS IN A FUROR—OPENING OF THE LEVEES—“TOM POUCE” EVERYWHERE—THE GENERAL AS AN ACTOR—“PETIT POUCET”—SECOND AND THIRD VISITS AT THE TUILERIES—INVITATION TO ST. CLOUD—THE GENERAL PERSONATING NAPOLEON BONAPARTE—ST. DENIS—THE INVALIDES—REGNIER—ANECDOTE OF FRANKLIN—LEAVING PARIS—TOUR THROUGH FRANCE—DEPARTURE FOR BRUSSELS, | 186 |
| CHAP. XIII.—IN BELGIUM. | |
| CROSSING THE FRONTIER—PROFESSOR PINTE—QUALIFICATIONS OF A GOOD SHOWMAN—“SOFT SUP”—GENEROUS DISTRIBUTION OF MEDALS—PRINCE CHARLES STRATTON—AT BRUSSELS—PRESENTATION TO KING LEOPOLD AND HIS QUEEN—THE GENERAL’S JEWELS STOLEN—THE THIEF CAUGHT—RECOVERY OF THE PROPERTY—THE FIELD OF WATERLOO—MIRACULOUSLY MULTIPLIED RELICS—CAPTAIN TIPPITIWITCHET OF THE CONNECTICUT FUSILEERS—AN ACCIDENT—GETTING BACK TO BRUSSELS IN A CART—STRATTON SWINDLED—LOSING AN EXHIBITION—TWO HOURS IN THE RAIN ON THE ROAD—THE CUSTOM OF THE COUNTRY—A STRICT CONSTRUCTIONIST—STRATTON’S HEAD SHAVED—“BRUMMAGEM” RELICS—HOW THEY ARE PLANTED AT WATERLOO—WHAT LYONS SAUSAGES ARE MADE OF—FROM BRUSSELS TO LONDON, | 208 |
| CHAP. XIV.—IN ENGLAND AGAIN. | |
| LEVEES IN EGYPTIAN HALL—UNDIMINISHED SUCCESS—OTHER ENGAGEMENTS—“UP IN A BALLOON”—PROVINCIAL TOUR—TRAVELLING BY POST—GOING TO AMERICA—A. T. STEWART—SAMUEL ROGERS—AN EXTRA TRAIN—AN ASTONISHED RAILWAY SUPERINTENDENT—LEFT BEHIND AND LOCKED UP—SUNDAYS IN LONDON—BUSINESS AND PLEASURE—ALBERT SMITH—A DAY WITH HIM AT WARWICK—STRATFORD ON AVON—A POETICAL BARBER—WARWICK CASTLE—OLD GUY’S TRAPS—OFFER TO BUY THE LOT—THREAT TO BURST THE SHOW—ALBERT SMITH AS A SHOWMAN—LEARNING THE BUSINESS FROM BARNUM—THE WARWICK RACE’S RIVAL DWARFS—MANUFACTURED GIANTESSES—THE HAPPY FAMILY—THE ROAD FROM WARWICK TO COVENTRY—PEEPING TOM—THE YANKEE GO-AHEAD PRINCIPLE—ALBERT SMITH’S ACCOUNT OF A DAY WITH BARNUM, | 223 |
| CHAP. XV.—RETURN TO AMERICA. | |
| THE WIZARD OF THE NORTH—A JUGGLER BEATEN AT HIS OWN TRICKS—SECOND VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES—REVEREND DOCTOR ROBERT BAIRD—CAPTAIN JUDKINS THREATENS TO PUT ME IN IRONS—VIEWS WITH REGARD TO SECTS—A WICKED WOMAN—THE SIMPSONS IN EUROPE—REMINISCENCES OF TRAVEL—SAUCE AND “SASS”—TEA TOO SWEET—A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE—ROAST DUCK—SNOW IN AUGUST—TALES OF TRAVELLERS—SIMPSON NOT TO BE TAKEN IN—HOLLANDERS IN BRUSSELS—WHERE ALL THE DUTCHMEN COME FROM—THREE YEARS IN EUROPE—WARM PERSONAL FRIENDS—DOCTOR C. S. BREWSTER—HENRY SUMNER—GEORGE S. AND LORENZO DRAPER—GEORGE P. PUTNAM—OUR LAST PERFORMANCE IN DUBLIN—DANIEL O’CONNELL—END OF OUR TOUR—DEPARTURE FOR AMERICA—ARRIVAL IN NEW YORK, | 239 |
| CHAP. XVI.—AT HOME. | |
| RENEWING THE LEASE OF THE MUSEUM BUILDING—TOM THUMB IN AMERICA—TOUR THROUGH THE COUNTRY—JOURNEY TO CUBA—BARNUM A CURIOSITY—RAISING TURKEYS—CEASING TO BE A TRAVELLING SHOWMAN—RETURN TO BRIDGEPORT—ADVANTAGES AND CAPABILITIES OF THAT CITY—SEARCH FOR A HOME—THE FINDING—BUILDING AND COMPLETION OF IRANISTAN—GRAND HOUSE-WARMING—BUYING THE BALTIMORE MUSEUM—OPENING THE PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM—CATERING FOR QUAKERS—THE TEMPERANCE PLEDGE AT THE THEATRE—PURCHASING PEALE’S PHILADELPHIA COLLECTION—MY AGRICULTURAL AND ARBORCULTURAL DOINGS—“GERSY BLEW” CHICKENS—HOW I SOLD MY POTATOES—HOW I BOUGHT OTHER PEOPLES’ POTATOES—CUTTING OFF GRAFTS—MY DEER PARK—MY GAME-KEEPER—FRANK LESLIE—PLEASURES OF HOME, | 255 |
| CHAP. XVII.—THE JENNY LIND ENTERPRISE. | |
| GRAND SCHEME—CONGRESS OF ALL NATIONS—A BOLD AND BRILLIANT ENTERPRISE—THE JENNY LIND ENGAGEMENT—MY AGENT IN EUROPE—HIS INSTRUCTIONS—CORRESPONDENCE WITH MISS LIND—BENEDICT AND BELLETTI—JOSHUA BATES—CHEVALIER WYCKOFF—THE CONTRACT SIGNED—MY RECEPTION OF THE NEWS—THE ENTIRE SUM OF MONEY FOR THE ENGAGEMENT SENT TO LONDON—MY FIRST LIND LETTER TO THE PUBLIC—A POOR PORTRAIT—MUSICAL NOTES IN WALL STREET—A FRIEND IN NEED, | 270 |
| CHAP. XVIII.—THE NIGHTINGALE IN NEW YORK. | |
| FINAL CONCERTS IN LIVERPOOL—DEPARTURE FOR AMERICA—ARRIVAL OFF STATEN ISLAND—MY FIRST INTERVIEW WITH JENNY LIND—THE TREMENDOUS THRONG AT THE WHARF—TRIUMPHAL ARCH—“WELCOME TO AMERICA”—EXCITEMENT IN THE CITY—SERENADE AT THE IRVING HOUSE—THE PRIZE ODE—BAYARD TAYLOR THE PRIZEMAN—“BARNUM’S PARNASSUS”—“BARNUMOPSIS”—FIRST CONCERT IN CASTLE GARDEN—A NEW AGREEMENT—RECEPTION OF JENNY LIND—UNBOUNDED ENTHUSIASM—BARNUM CALLED OUT—JULIUS BENEDICT—THE SUCCESS OF THE ENTERPRISE ESTABLISHED—TWO GRAND CHARITY CONCERTS IN NEW YORK—DATE OF THE FIRST REGULAR CONCERT, | 286 |
| CHAP. XIX.—SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT. | |
| HEAD-WORK AND HAND-WORK—MANAGING PUBLIC OPINION—CREATING A FUROR—THE NEW YORK HERALD—JENNY LIND’S EVIL ADVISERS—JOHN JAY—MISS LIND’S CHARITIES—A POOR GIRL IN BOSTON—THE NIGHTINGALE AT IRANISTAN—RUMOR OF HER MARRIAGE TO P. T. BARNUM—THE STORY BASED ON OUR “ENGAGEMENT”—WHAT IRANISTAN DID FOR ME—AVOIDING CROWDS—IN PHILADELPHIA AND BALTIMORE—A SUBSTITUTE FOR MISS LIND—OUR ORCHESTRA—PRESIDENT FILLMORE, CLAY, FOOTE, BENTON, SCOTT, CASS, AND WEBSTER—VISIT TO MT. VERNON—CHRISTMAS PRESENTS—NEW YEAR’S EVE—WE GO TO HAVANA—PLAYING BALL—FREDERIKA BREMER—A HAPPY MONTH IN CUBA, | 301 |
| CHAP. XX.—INCIDENTS OF THE TOUR. | |
| PROTEST AGAINST PRICES IN HAVANA—THE CUBANS SUCCUMB—JENNY LIND TAKES THE CITY BY STORM—A MAGNIFICENT TRIUMPH—COUNT PENALVER—A SPLENDID OFFER—MR. BRINCKERHOFF—BENEFIT FOR THE HOSPITALS—REFUSING TO RECEIVE THANKS—VIVALLA AND HIS DOG—HENRY BENNETT—HIS PARTIAL INSANITY—OUR VOYAGE TO NEW ORLEANS—THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD ON BOARD—I SAVE THE LIFE OF JAMES GORDON BENNETT—ARRIVAL AT THE CRESCENT CITY—CHEATING THE CROWD—A DUPLICATE MISS LIND—A BOY IN RAPTURES—A MAMMOTH HOG—UP THE MISSISSIPPI—AMUSEMENTS ON BOARD—IN LEAGUE WITH THE EVIL ONE—AN AMAZED MULATTO, | 319 |
| CHAP. XXI.—JENNY LIND. | |
| ARRIVAL AT ST. LOUIS—SURPRISING PROPOSITION OF MISS LIND’S SECRETARY—HOW THE MANAGER MANAGED—READINESS TO CANCEL THE CONTRACT—CONSULTATION WITH “UNCLE SOL.”—BARNUM NOT TO BE HIRED—A “JOKE”—TEMPERANCE LECTURE IN THE THEATRE—SOL. SMITH—A COMEDIAN, AUTHOR, AND LAWYER—UNIQUE DEDICATION—JENNY LIND’S CHARACTER AND CHARITIES—SHARP WORDS FROM THE WEST—SELFISH ADVISERS—MISS LIND’S GENEROUS IMPULSES—HER SIMPLE AND CHILDLIKE CHARACTER—CONFESSIONS OF A MANAGER—PRIVATE REPUTATION AND PUBLIC RENOWN—CHARACTER AS A STOCK IN TRADE—LE GRAND SMITH—MR. DOLBY—THE ANGELIC SIDE KEPT OUTSIDE—MY OWN SHARE IN THE PUBLIC BENEFITS—JUSTICE TO MISS LIND AND MYSELF, | 334 |
| CHAP. XXII.—CLOSE OF THE CAMPAIGN. | |
| PENITENT TICKET PURCHASERS—VISIT TO THE “HERMITAGE”—“APRIL-FOOL” FUN—THE MAMMOTH CAVE—SIGNOR SALVI—GEORGE D. PRENTICE—PERFORMANCE IN A PORK HOUSE—RUSE AT CINCINNATI—ANNOYANCES AT PITTSBURGH—LE GRAND SMITH’S GRAND JOKE—RETURN TO NEW YORK—THE FINAL CONCERTS IN CASTLE GARDEN AND METROPOLITAN HALL—THE ADVISERS APPEAR—THE NINETY-THIRD CONCERT—MY OFFER TO CLOSE THE ENGAGEMENT—MISS LIND’S LETTER ACCEPTING MY PROPOSITION—STORY ABOUT AN “IMPROPER PLACE”—JENNY’S CONCERTS ON HER OWN ACCOUNT—HER MARRIAGE TO MR. OTTO GOLDSCHMIDT—CORDIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN MRS. LIND GOLDSCHMIDT AND MYSELF—AT HOME AGAIN—STATEMENT OF THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF THE CONCERTS, | 344 |
| CHAP. XXIII.—OTHER ENTERPRISES. | |
| ANOTHER VENTURE—“BARNUM’S GREAT ASIATIC CARAVAN, MUSEUM, AND MENAGERIE”—HUNTING ELEPHANTS—GENERAL TOM THUMB—ELEPHANT PLOWING IN CONNECTICUT—CURIOUS QUESTIONS FROM ALL QUARTERS—THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN MY NOVEL FARMING—HOW MUCH AN ELEPHANT CAN REALLY “DRAW”—SIDE-SHOWS AND VARIOUS ENTERPRISES—OBSEQUIES OF NAPOLEON—THE CRYSTAL PALACE—CAMPANALOGIANS—AMERICAN INDIANS IN LONDON—AUTOMATON SPEAKER—THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON—ATTEMPT TO BUY SHAKESPEARE’S HOUSE—DISSOLVING VIEWS—THE CHINESE COLLECTION—WONDERFUL SCOTCH BOYS—SOLVING THE MYSTERY OF DOUBLE SIGHT—THE BATEMAN CHILDREN—CATHERINE HAYES—IRANISTAN ON FIRE—MY ELDEST DAUGHTER’S MARRIAGE—BENEFITS FOR THE BRIDGEPORT LIBRARY AND THE MOUNTAIN GROVE CEMETERY, | 358 |
| CHAP. XXIV.—WORK AND PLAY. | |
| ALFRED BUNN, OF DRURY LANE THEATRE—AMUSING INTERVIEW—MR. LEVY, OF THE LONDON DAILY TELEGRAPH—VACATIONS AT HOME—MY PRESIDENCY OF THE FAIRFIELD COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY—EXHIBITING A PICKPOCKET—PHILOSOPHY OF HUMBUG—A CHOP-FALLEN TICKET-SELLER—A PROMPT PAYMASTER—BARNUM IN BOSTON—A DELUDED HACK-DRIVER—PHILLIPS’S FIRE ANNIHILATOR—HONORABLE ELISHA WHITTLESEY—TRIAL OF THE ANNIHILATOR IN NEW YORK—PEQUONNOCK BANK OF BRIDGEPORT—THE ILLUSTRATED NEWS—THE WORLD’S FAIR IN NEW YORK—MY PRESIDENCY OF THE ASSOCIATION—ATTEMPT TO EXCITE PUBLIC INTEREST—MONSTER JULLIEN CONCERTS—RESIGNATION OF THE CRYSTAL PALACE PRESIDENCY—FAILURE OF THE CONCERN, | 371 |
| CHAP. XXV.—THE JEROME CLOCK COMPANY ENTANGLEMENT. | |
| THE EAST BRIDGEPORT ENTERPRISE—W. H. NOBLE—PLANS FOR A NEW CITY—DR. TIMOTHY DWIGHT’S TESTIMONY—INVESTING A FORTUNE—SELLING CITY LOTS—MONEY-MAKING A SECONDARY CONSIDERATION—CLOCK COMPANY IN LITCHFIELD—THE “TERRY AND BARNUM MANUFACTURING COMPANY”—THE JEROME CLOCK COMPANY—BAITING FOR BITES—FALSE REPRESENTATIONS—HOW I WAS DELUDED—WHAT I AGREED TO DO—THE COUNTER AGREEMENT—NOTES WITH BLANK DATES—THE LIMIT OF MY RESPONSIBILITY—HOW IT WAS EXCEEDED—STARTLING DISCOVERIES—A RUINED MAN—PAYING MY OWN HONEST DEBTS—BARNUM DUPED—MY FAILURE—THE BARNUM AND JEROME CLOCK BUBBLE—MORALISTS MAKING USE OF MY MISFORTUNES—WHAT PREACHERS, PAPERS, AND PEOPLE SAID ABOUT ME—DOWN IN THE DEPTHS, | 384 |
| CHAP. XXVI.—CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE. | |
| FRIENDS TO THE RESCUE—MONEY OFFERS REFUSED—BENEFITS DECLINED—MAGNIFICENT OFFER OF PROMINENT NEW YORK CITIZENS—WILLIAM E. BURTON—LAURA KEENE—WILLIAM NIBLO—GENERAL TOM THUMB—EDITORIAL SYMPATHY—“A WORD FOR BARNUM” IN BOSTON—LETTER FROM “MRS. PARTINGTON”—CITIZENS’ MEETING IN BRIDGEPORT—RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT AND CONDOLENCE—MY LETTER ON THE SITUATION—TENDER OF FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS—MAGNITUDE OF THE DECEPTION PRACTICED UPON ME—PROPOSITION OF COMPROMISE WITH MY CREDITORS—A TRAP LAID FOR ME IN PHILADELPHIA—THE SILVER LINING TO THE CLOUD—THE BLOW A BENEFIT TO MY FAMILY—THE REV. DR. E. H. CHAPIN—MY DAUGHTER HELEN—A LETTER WORTH TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS—OUR NEW HOME IN NEW YORK, | 395 |
| CHAP. XXVII.—REST, BUT NOT RUST. | |
| SALE OF THE MUSEUM COLLECTION—SUPPLEMENTARY PROCEEDINGS OF MY CREDITORS—EXAMINATIONS IN COURT—BARNUM AS A BAR TENDER—PERSECUTION—THE SUMMER SEASON ON LONG ISLAND—THE MUSEUM MAN ON SHOW—CHARLES HOWELL—A GREAT NATURAL CURIOSITY—VALUE OF A HONK—PROPOSING TO BUY IT—A BLACK WHALE PAYS MY SUMMER’S BOARD—A TURN IN THE TIDE—THE WHEELER AND WILSON SEWING MACHINE COMPANY—THEIR REMOVAL TO EAST BRIDGEPORT—THE TERRY AND BARNUM CLOCK FACTORY OCCUPIED—NEW CITY PROPERTY LOOKING UP—A LOAN OF $5,000—THE CAUSE OF MY RUIN PROMISES TO BE MY REDEMPTION—SETTING SAIL FOR ENGLAND—GENERAL TOM THUMB—LITTLE CORDELIA HOWARD, | 406 |
| CHAP. XXVIII.—ABROAD AGAIN. | |
| OLD FRIENDS IN OLD ENGLAND—ALBERT SMITH AS A SHOWMAN—HIS ASCENT OF MONT BLANC—POPULARITY OF THE ENTERTAINMENT—THE GARRICK CLUB—“PHINEAS CUTECRAFT”—THE ELEVEN THOUSAND VIRGINS OF COLOGNE—UTILIZING INCIDENTS—SUBTERRANEAN TERRORS—A PANIC—EGYPTIAN DARKNESS IN EGYPTIAN HALL—WILLIAM M. THACKERAY—HIS TWO VISITS TO AMERICA—FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH THE NOVELIST—I LOSE HIS SYMPATHY—HIS WARM REGARD FOR HIS AMERICAN FRIENDS—OTTO GOLDSCHMIDT AND JENNY LIND GOLDSCHMIDT—TENDER OF THEIR AID—THE FORGED LIND LETTER—BENEDICT AND BELLETTI—GEORGE AUGUSTUS SALA—CHARLES KEAN—EDMUND YATES—HORACE MAYHEW—GEORGE PEABODY—MR. BUCKSTONE—MY EXHIBITIONS IN ENGLAND—S. M. PETTINGILL—MR. LUMLEY, | 419 |
| CHAP. XXIX.—IN GERMANY. | |
| FROM LONDON TO BADEN-BADEN—TROUBLE IN PARIS—STRASBOURG—SCENE IN A GERMAN CUSTOM-HOUSE—A TERRIBLE BILL—SIX CENTS WORTH OF AGONY—GAMBLING AT BADEN-BADEN—SUICIDES—GOLDEN PRICES FOR THE GENERAL—A CALL FROM THE KING OF HOLLAND—THE GERMAN SPAS—HAMBURG, EMS AND WIESBADEN—THE BLACK FOREST ORCHESTRION MAKER—AN OFFERED SACRIFICE—THE SEAT OF THE ROTHSCHILDS—DIFFICULTIES IN FRANKFORT—A POMPOUS COMMISSIONER OF POLICE—RED-TAPE—AN ALARM—HENRY J. RAYMOND—CALL ON THE COMMISSIONER—CONFIDENTIAL DISCLOSURES—HALF OF AN ENTIRE FORTUNE IN AN AMERICAN RAILWAY—ASTOUNDING REVELATIONS—DOWN THE RHINE—DEPARTURE FOR HOLLAND, | 430 |
| CHAP. XXX.—IN HOLLAND. | |
| THE FINEST AND FLATTEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD—SUPER-CLEANLINESS—HABITS AND CUSTOMS—“KREMIS”—THE ALBINO FAMILY—THE HAGUE—AUGUST BELMONT—JAPANESE MUSEUM—MANUFACTURED FABULOUS ANIMALS—A GENEROUS OFFER—VALUABLE PICTURES—AN ASTONISHED SUPERINTENDENT—BACK TO ENGLAND—EXHIBITIONS IN MANCHESTER—I RETURN AGAIN TO AMERICA—FUN ON THE VOYAGE—MOCK TRIALS—BARNUM AS A PROSECUTOR AND AS A PRISONER—COLD SHOULDERS IN NEW YORK—PREPARING TO MOVE INTO MY OLD HOME—CARELESS PAINTERS AND CARPENTERS—IRANISTAN BURNED TO THE GROUND—NEXT TO NO INSURANCE—SALE OF THE PROPERTY—ELIAS HOWE, JR., | 441 |
| CHAP. XXXI.—THE ART OF MONEY GETTING. | |
| BACK ONCE MORE TO ENGLAND—TOUR THROUGH SCOTLAND AND WALES—HOW I CAME TO LECTURE—ADVICE OF MY FRIENDS—MY LECTURE—HOW TO MAKE MONEY AND HOW TO KEEP IT—WHAT THE PAPERS SAID ABOUT ME—PRAISE OF THE LONDON PRESS—LECTURING IN THE PROVINCES—PERFORMANCES AT CAMBRIDGE—CALL FOR JOICE HETH—EXTRAORDINARY FUN AT OXFORD—THE AUDIENCE AND LECTURER TAKING TURNS—A UNIVERSITY BREAKFAST—MAGNIFICENT OFFER FOR A COPYRIGHT—SUCCESS OF MY ENTERPRISE—MORE MONEY FOR THE CLOCK CREDITORS, | 456 |
| CHAP. XXXII.—AN ENTERPRISING ENGLISHMAN. | |
| AN ENGLISH YANKEE—MY FIRST INTERVIEW WITH HIM—HIS PLANS BASED ON BARNUM’S BOOK—ADVERTISING FOR PARTNERS—HOW MY RULES MADE HIM RICH—METHOD IN MADNESS—THE “BARNUM” OF BURY—DINNER TO TOM THUMB AND COMMODORE NUTT—MY AGENT IN PARIS—MEASURING A MONSTER—HOW GIANTS AND DWARFS STRETCH AND CONTRACT—AN UNWILLING FRENCHMAN—A PERSISTENT MEASURER—A GIGANTIC HUMBUG—THE STEAM-ENGINES “BARNUM” AND “CHARITY”—WHAT “CHARITY” DID FOR “BARNUM”—SELLING THE SAME GOODS A THOUSAND TIMES—THE GREAT CAKES—SIMNAL SUNDAY—THE SANITARY COMMISSION FAIR, | 506 |
| CHAP. XXXIII.—RICHARD’S HIMSELF AGAIN. | |
| AT HOME—EXTINGUISHMENT OF THE CLOCK DEBTS—A RASCALLY PROPOSITION—BARNUM ON HIS FEET AGAIN—RE-PURCHASE OF THE MUSEUM—A GALA DAY—MY RECEPTION BY MY FRIENDS—THE STORY OF MY TROUBLES—HOW I WADED ASHORE—PROMISES TO THE PUBLIC—THE PUBLIC RESPONSE—MUSEUM VISITORS—THE RECEIPTS DOUBLED—HOW THE PRESS RECEIVED THE NEWS OF RESTORATION—THE SYCOPHANTS—OLD AND FAST FRIENDS—ROBERT BONNER—CONSIDERATION AND COURTESY OF CREDITORS—THE BOSTON SATURDAY EVENING GAZETTE AGAIN—ANOTHER WORD FOR BARNUM, | 516 |
| CHAP. XXXIV.—MENAGERIE AND MUSEUM MEMORANDA. | |
| A REMARKABLE CHARACTER—OLD GRIZZLY ADAMS—THE CALIFORNIA MENAGERIE—TERRIBLY WOUNDED BY BEARS—MY UP-TOWN SHOW—EXTRAORDINARY WILL AND VIGOR—A LESSON FOR MUNCHAUSEN—THE CALIFORNIA GOLDEN PIGEONS—PIGEONS OF ALL COLORS—PROCESS OF THEIR CREATION—M. GUILLAUDEU—A NATURALIST DECEIVED—THE MOST WONDERFUL BIRDS IN THE WORLD—THE CURIOSITIES TRANSFERRED TO THE MENAGERIE—OLD ADAMS TAKEN IN—A CHANGE OF COLOR—MOTLEY THE ONLY WEAR—OLD GRIZZLY UNDECEIVED—TOUR OF THE BEAR-TAMER THROUGH THE COUNTRY—A BEAUTIFUL HUNTING SUIT—A LIFE AND DEATH STRUGGLE FOR A WAGER—OLD ADAMS WINS—HIS DEATH—THE LAST JOKE ON BARNUM—THE PRINCE OF WALES VISITS THE MUSEUM—I CALL ON THE PRINCE IN BOSTON—STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS—“BEFORE AND AFTER” IN A BARBER SHOP—HOW TOM HIGGINSON “DID” BARNUM—THE MUSEUM FLOURISHING, | 529 |
| CHAP. XXXV.—EAST BRIDGEPORT. | |
| ANOTHER NEW HOME—LINDENCROFT—PROGRESS OF MY PET CITY—THE CHESTNUT WOOD FIRE—HOW IT BECAME OLD HICKORY—INDUCEMENTS TO SETTLERS—MY OFFER—EVERY MAN HIS OWN HOUSE-OWNER—WHISKY AND TOBACCO—RISE IN REAL-ESTATE—PEMBROKE LAKE—WASHINGTON PARK—GREAT MANUFACTORIES—WHEELER AND WILSON—SCHUYLER, HARTLEY AND GRAHAM—HOTCHKISS, SON AND COMPANY—STREET NAMES—MANY THOUSAND SHADE TREES—BUSINESS IN THE NEW CITY—UNPARALLELED GROWTH AND PROSPERITY—PROBABILITIES IN THE FUTURE—SITUATION OF BRIDGEPORT—ITS ADVANTAGES AND PROSPECTS—THE SECOND, IF NOT THE FOREMOST CITY IN CONNECTICUT, | 549 |
| CHAP. XXXVI.—MORE ABOUT THE MUSEUM. | |
| ANOTHER RE-OPENING—A CHERRY-COLORED CAT—THE CAT LET OUT OF THE BAG—MY FIRST WHALING EXPEDITION—PLANS FOR CAPTURE—SUCCESS OF THE SCHEME—TRANSPORTING LIVING WHALES BY LAND—PUBLIC EXCITEMENT—THE GREAT TANK—SALT WATER PUMPED FROM THE BAY TO THE MUSEUM—MORE WHALES—EXPEDITION TO LABRADOR—THE FIRST HIPPOPOTAMUS IN AMERICA—TROPICAL FISH—COMMODORE NUTT AND HIS FIRST “ENGAGEMENT”—THE TWO DROMIOS—PRESIDENT LINCOLN SEES COMMODORE NUTT—WADING ASHORE—A QUESTION OF LEGS—SELF-DECEPTION—THE GOLDEN ANGEL FISH—ANNA SWAN, THE NOVA SCOTIA GIANTESS—THE TALLEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD—INDIAN CHIEFS—EXPEDITION TO CYPRUS—MY AGENT IN A PASHA’S HAREM, | 560 |
| CHAP. XXXVII.—MR. AND MRS. GENERAL TOM THUMB. | |
| MISS LAVINIA WARREN—A CHARMING LITTLE LADY—SUPPOSED TO BE THE $30,000 NUTT IN DISGUISE—HER WARDROBE AND PRESENTS—STORY OF A RING—THE LITTLE COMMODORE IN LOVE—TOM THUMB SMITTEN—RIVALRY OF THE DWARFS—JEALOUSY OF THE GENERAL—VISIT AT BRIDGEPORT—THE GENERAL’S STYLISH TURN-OUT—MISS WARREN IMPRESSED—CALL OF THE GENERAL—A LILLIPUTIAN LOVE SCENE—TOM THUMB’S INVENTORY OF HIS PROPERTY—HE PROPOSES AND IS ACCEPTED—ARRIVAL OF THE COMMODORE—HIS GRIEF—EXCITEMENT OVER THE ENGAGEMENT—THE WEDDING IN GRACE CHURCH—REVEREND JUNIUS WILLEY—A SPICY LETTER BY DOCTOR TAYLOR—GRAND RECEPTION OF MR. AND MRS. STRATTON—THE COMMODORE IN SEARCH OF A GREEN COUNTRY GIRL, | 582 |
| CHAP. XXXVIII.—POLITICAL AND PERSONAL. | |
| MY POLITICAL PRINCIPLES—REASONS FOR MY CHANGE OF PARTIES—KANSAS AND SECESSION—WIDE-AWAKES—GRAND ILLUMINATION OF LINDENCROFT—JOKE ON A DEMOCRATIC NEIGHBOR—PEACE MEETINGS—THE STEPNEY EXCITEMENT—TEARING DOWN A PEACE FLAG—A LOYAL MEETING—RECEPTION IN BRIDGEPORT—DESTRUCTION OF THE “FARMER” OFFICE—ELIAS HOWE, JR.—SAINT PETER AND SALTPETRE—DRAFT RIOTS—BURGLARS AT LINDENCROFT—MY ELECTION TO THE LEGISLATURE—BEGINNING OF MY WAR ON RAILROAD MONOPOLIES—WIRE-PULLING—THE XIV. AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION—STRIKING THE WORD “WHITE” FROM THE CONNECTICUT CONSTITUTION—MY SPEECH, | 609 |
| CHAP. XXXIX.—THE AMERICAN MUSEUM IN RUINS. | |
| A TERRIBLE LOSS—HOW I RECEIVED THE NEWS—BURNING OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM—DETAILS OF THE DISASTER—FAITH IN HERRING’S SAFES—BAKED AND BOILED WHALES—THE NEW YORK TRIBUNE ON THE DESTRUCTION OF THE MUSEUM—A PUBLIC CALAMITY—SYMPATHY OF THE LEADING EDITORS—AMOUNT OF MY LOSS—SMALL INSURANCE—MY PROPERTY—INTENTION TO RETIRE TO PRIVATE LIFE—HORACE GREELEY ADVISES ME TO GO A-FISHING—BENEFIT TO THE MUSEUM EMPLOYEES AT THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC—MY SPEECH—WHAT THE NEW YORK SUN SAID ABOUT IT—THE NEW UP-TOWN MUSEUM—OPENING THE ESTABLISHMENT TO THE PUBLIC, | 638 |
| CHAP. XL.—MY WAR ON THE RAILROADS. | |
| SCENES IN THE LEGISLATURE—SHARP-SHOOTING—PROPOSITIONS FOR A NEW CAPITAL OF CONNECTICUT—THE RIVALRY OF CITIES—CULMINATION OF THE RAILROAD CONTROVERSY—EXCITEMENT AMONG THE LOBBYISTS—A BILL FOR THE BENEFIT OF COMMUTERS—PEOPLE PROTECTED FROM THE PLUNDERERS—HOW SETTLERS ARE DRAWN INTO A STATE AND THEN CHEATED BY THE RAILROAD COMPANIES—EQUAL RIGHTS FOR COMMUTERS AND TRANSIENT PASSENGERS—WHAT COMMODORE VANDERBILT DID—WHAT THE NEW YORK AND NEW HAVEN RAILROAD COMPANY WANTED TO DO—EXPOSURE OF THEIR PLOT—CONSTERNATION OF THE CONSPIRATORS—MY VICTORY—AGAIN ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATURE—UNITED STATES SENATOR FERRY—EX-GOVERNOR W. A. BUCKINGHAM—THEODORE TILTON—GOVERNOR HAWLEY—FRIENDS AT LINDENCROFT—NOMINATED FOR CONGRESS AND DEFEATED, | 649 |
| CHAP. XLI.—BENNETT AND THE HERALD. | |
| THE AMERICAN MUSEUM LEASE—ITS VALUE—BENNETT OF THE HERALD BUYS IT FOR $200,000—HE PURCHASES THE PROPERTY—OVERESTIMATE OF ITS WORTH—MAX MARETZEK—MISS CLARA LOUISE KELLOGG’S ESTIMATE OF CERTAIN PEOPLE—THE POWER BEHIND THE HERALD THRONE—THE HERALD’S INFLUENCE—AND HARD EXPERIENCE—HIS LAWYER INSISTS UPON MY TAKING BACK THE MUSEUM LEASE—I DECLINE—BENNETT REFUSES MY ADVERTISEMENTS—INTERVIEW WITH MR. HUDSON—WAR OF THE MANAGERS UPON THE HERALD—BENNETT HUMBLED—LOSS OF THE HERALD’S PRESTIGE—MONEY DAMAGE TO BENNETT’S ESTABLISHMENT—THE EDITOR SUED—PEACE BETWEEN THE HERALD AND THE MANAGERS, | 665 |
| CHAP. XLII.—PUBLIC LECTURING. | |
| MY TOUR AT THE WEST—THE CURIOSITY EXHIBITOR HIMSELF A CURIOSITY—BUYING A FARM IN WISCONSIN—HELPING THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES—A RIDE ON A LOCOMOTIVE—PUNCTUALITY IN MY ENGAGEMENTS—TRICKS TO SECURE SEATS IN THE LADIES’ CAR—I SUDDENLY BECAME FATHER TO A YOUNG MARRIED COUPLE—MY IDENTITY DENIED—PITY AND CHARITY—REVEREND DOCTOR CHAPIN PULLS THE BELL—TEMPERANCE—HOW I BECAME A TEETOTALER—MODERATE DRINKING AND ITS DANGERS—DOCTOR CHAPIN’S LECTURE IN BRIDGEPORT—MY OWN EFFORTS IN THE TEMPERANCE CAUSE—LECTURING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY—NEWSPAPER ARTICLES—THE STORY OF VINELAND, IN NEW JERSEY, | 676 |
| CHAP. XLIII.—THE NEW MUSEUM. | |
| A GIGANTIC AMUSEMENT COMPANY—IMMENSE ADDITIONS TO THE NEW COLLECTION—CURIOSITIES FROM EVERYWHERE—THE GORDON CUMMINGS’ COLLECTION FROM AFRICA—THE GORILLA—WHAT THE PAPERS SAID ABOUT THE MONSTER—MY PRIVATE VIEW OF THE ANIMAL—AMUSING INTERVIEW WITH PAUL DU CHAILLU—A SUPERB MENAGERIE—THE NEW THEATRE—PROJECT FOR A FREE NATIONAL INSTITUTION—MESSRS. E. D. MORGAN, WILLIAM C. BRYANT, HORACE GREELEY AND OTHERS FAVOR MY PLAN—PRESIDENT JOHNSON INDORSES IT—DESTRUCTION OF MY SECOND MUSEUM BY FIRE—THE ICE-CLAD RUINS—A SAD, YET SPLENDID SPECTACLE—OUT OF THE BUSINESS—FOOT RACES AT THE WHITE MOUNTAINS—HOW I WAS NOT BEATEN—OPENING OF WOOD’S MUSEUM IN NEW YORK—MY ONLY INTEREST IN THE ENTERPRISE, | 692 |
| CHAP. XLIV.—CURIOUS COINCIDENCES.—NUMBER THIRTEEN. | |
| POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS—UNLUCKY FRIDAY—UNFORTUNATE SATURDAY—RAINY SUNDAYS—TERRIBLE THIRTEEN—THE BRETTELLS OF LONDON—INCIDENTS OF MY WESTERN TRIP—SINGULAR FATALITY—NUMBER THIRTEEN IN EVERY HOTEL—NO ESCAPE FROM THE FRIGHTFUL FIGURE—ADVICE OF A CLERICAL FRIEND—THE THIRTEEN COLONIES—THE THIRTEENTH CHAPTER OF CORINTHIANS—THIRTEEN AT MY CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY—THIRTEEN DOLLARS AT A FAIR—TWO DISASTROUS DAYS—THE THIRTEENTH DAY IN TWO MONTHS—THIRTEEN PAGES OF MANUSCRIPT, | 708 |
| CHAP. XLV.—A STORY CHAPTER. | |
| “EVERY MAN TO HIS VOCATION” AND “NATURE WILL ASSERT HERSELF”—REST BY THE WAYSIDE—A HALF-SHAVED PARTY—CONSTERNATION OF A CLERGYMAN—NATIVES IN NEW YORK—DOCTORING A CORN-DOCTOR—RELIGIOUS RAILWAYS—THE BRIGHTON BUGLE BUSINESS—CASH AND CONSCIENCE—CASTLES IN THE AIR—A DELUDED ANTIQUARIAN—GAMBLING AND POLITICS—IRISH WIT—ABOUT CONDUCTORS—DR. CHAPIN AS A PUNSTER—FOWL ATTEMPTS—A PAIR O’ DUCKS—CUTTING A SICK FRIEND—REV. RICHARD VARICK DEY—HIS CRIME AND ITS CONSEQUENCES—FOREORDINATION—PRACTICAL JOKING BY MY FATHER—A VALUABLE RACE-HORSE—HOW HE WAS LET AND THEN KILLED—AGONY OF THE HORSE-KILLER—THE FINAL “SELL”—FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC FRENCH—COCKNEYISM—WICKED WORDS IN EXETER HALL, | 718 |
| CHAP. XLVI.—SEA-SIDE PARK. | |
| INTEREST IN PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS—OLD PARK PROJECTS—OPPOSITION OF OLD FOGIES—THE SOUND SHORE AT BRIDGEPORT—INACCESSIBLE PROPERTY—THE EYE OF FAITH—TALKING TO THE FARMERS—REACHING THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE PAPERS—HOW THE LAND WAS SECURED FOR A GREAT PLEASURE-GROUND—GIFTS TO THE PEOPLE—OPENING OF SEA-SIDE PARK—THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GROUND BETWEEN NEW YORK AND BOSTON—MAGNIFICENT DRIVES—THE ADVANTAGES OF THE LOCATION—MUSIC FOR THE MILLION—BY THE SEA-SIDE—FUTURE OF THE PARK—A PERPETUAL BLESSING TO POSTERITY, | 758 |
| CHAP. XLVII.—WALDEMERE. | |
| MY PRIVATE LIFE—PLANS FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT IN BRIDGEPORT—OPENING AVENUES—PLANTING SHADE-TREES—OLD FOGIES—CONSERVATISM A CURSE TO CITIES—BENEFITING BARNUM’s PROPERTY—SALE OF LINDENCROFT—LIVING IN A FARM-HOUSE—BY THE SEA-SHORE—ANOTHER NEW HOME—WALDEMERE—HOW IT CAME TO BE BUILT—MAGIC AND MONEY—WAVEWOOD AND THE PETREL’S NEST—MY FARM—THE HOLLAND BLANKET CATTLE—MY CITY RESIDENCE—COMFORTS OF CITY LIFE—BEGGING LETTERS—MY FAMILY—RELIGIOUS REFLECTIONS—MY FIFTY-NINTH BIRTHDAY—THE END OF THE RECORD, | 768 |