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full of life as to be its very embodiment； should leave us； it will take time to fully comprehend。 If； in the world； his demise leaves a striking and peculiar void； to a multitude of friends it comes with a tender sorrow that shall tincture indelibly many flowing years。 J。 B。
Among letters that have come to hand we select the following as the tribute of a representative American divine： BROOKLYN； April 16th； 1891。 Dear Mr。 Benton：
There was a Mr。 Barnum whom all the world knew； and whose name is familiar in every civilized land； but there was another Mr。 Barnum whom we； his intimate friends knew； and regarded with a hearty affection。 That he was a most courteous gentleman and the entertaining companion at his table and hospitable fireside； is but a part of the truth。 He had a big warm heart that bound all his friends to him with hooks of steel。
I first met him on the platform of a grand temperance banquet； in Tripler Hall； New York； thirty…nine years agowhere he and Mr。 Beecher； and Dr。 Chapin； Hon。 Horace Mann； Gen。 Houston； of Texas； and myself were the speakers。
A gold medal was presented that evening to the Hon。 Neal Dow； of Maine； the father of the 〃Prohibitory Law。〃 Mr。 Barnum made a very vivacious and vigorous address。 In after years he delivered several addresses in behalf of Total Abstinence in my church； and they were admirable specimens of close argument； most pungently presented。 He indulged in but few witticisms or amusing stories； for； as he well said； 〃The Temperance Reform was too SERIOUS a matter for trifling jokes and buffooneries。〃
During the first year of my married life； 1853； Mr。 Barnum visited me at Trenton； N。 J。； and he often spoke of the happy hour he spent at our table； and the cozy dinner my young wife prepared for him。 In after years he often sat at my table； and on two occasions he entertained me with princely hospitality at his Bridgeport mansion。 On one occasion he invited the leading clergymen of the town to meet me。
We differed very decidedly in our religious creeds； and never fell into arguments about them。 I honored his conscientious convictions； and his staunch adherence to what he believed to be the right interpretation of God's Word。 With the scoffing scepticism of the day he had no sympathy； and utterly abhorred it。 His kind heart made him a philanthropist； and in his own peculiar way he loved to do good to his fellow…men。 Surrounded by innumerable temptations； he maintained a clean； chaste； and honest life； and found his happiest hours in the society of wife and children； under his own roof…tree。 Had Mr。 Barnum devoted himself to political life he would have made an excellent figure； for he had keen sagacity； vast and varied observations of human nature； and sturdy common sense。 In conversation with intellectual men he always held his own with admirable acumen and vigor of expression。 He was altogether one of the most unique characters that his native State has produced； and when his name ceases to be connected with shows and zoological exhibitions； he will be lovingly remembered as the genial friend； the sturdy patriot； the public…spirited and philanthropic neighbor； and the honest； true…hearted man。 Yours respectfully； THEODORE L。 CUYLER。
THE FUNERAL。
April 10th； 1891； was the day set for Mr。 Barnum's funeral。 The morning was cold； gray； and dismal。 Nature's heart； with the spring joy put back and deadened； symboled the melancholy that had fallen upon Bridgeport。 No town was ever more transformed than was this city by one earthly event。 On the public and private buildings were hung the habiliments of woe； flags were at half mast； and； in the store windows were to be seen innumerable portraits and likenesses of the dead citizen； surrounded by dark drapery； or embedded in flowers。
Nor was this all。 The people on the street and in the windows of their houses seemed to be thinking of but one thingtheir common loss。 The pedestrian walked slower； the voices of talkers； even among the rougher classes； were more subdued； and in their looks was imprinted the unmistakable signal of no common or ordinary bereavement。
The large church was not only filled； with its lecture…room； a considerable time before the hour set for the services； but thousands of people crowded the sidewalks near…by for hours； knowing they could only see the arrival and departure of the funeral cortege。 The private services at the house； 〃Marina；〃 near the Seaside Park； which preceded the public services in the church； were simple and were only witnessed and participated in by the relatives and immediate friends。
DR。 COLLYER'S TRIBUTE。
The immense congregation that filled to repletion the South Congregational Church； while the last services were being held over the remains of Hon。 P。 T。 Barnum； were deeply impressed with the touching tribute which was paid the great showman and public benefactor by his old friend； Rev。 Robert Collyer； D。 D。
It was a pathetic picture which met the eyes of the vast throng。 The aged preacher； with long white hair hanging loosely on his shoulders； and an expression of keen sorrow on his kindly face； standing in a small pulpit looking down on the remains of his old and cherished friend。 The speaker's voice was strong and steady throughout his sermon。 Each word of that sad panegyric could be distinctly heard in all parts of the edifice； but in offering up the last prayer； he broke down。 The aged preacher made a strong effort to control himself； but his voice finally became husky； and tears streamed down his wrinkled cheeks。 The audience was deeply touched by this display of feeling； and many ladies among the congregation joined with the preacher and wept freely。
The immense gathering were unusually quiet when the aged minister took his place in the pulpit； and his words were strangely clear； and distinct in all portions of the church； In his feeling tribute； Dr。 Collyer said：
〃P。 T。 Barnum was a born fighter for the weak against the strong； for the oppressed against the oppressor。 The good heart； tender as it was brave； would always spring up at the cry for help and rush on with the sword of assistance。 This was not all that made him loved； for the good cheer of his nature was like a halo about him。 He had always time to right a wrong and always time to be a good citizen and patriot of the town； State； or republic in which he lived。 His good； strong face； was known almost as well on the other side。 You may be proud of him as he was proud of his town。 He helped to strengthen and beautify it； and he did beautify it in many places。 'It is said that the hand that grasps takes away the strength from the hand that ought to give；' and that such a man must die without friends or blessings。 He was not that man。 He was always the open and generous man； who could not do too much for Bridgeport。 He often told me of his desire to help this place； and he was not content to wait until after death。 What he has done for Bridgeport is the same as he has done for othe