The trick of misspelling and the use of excessive exaggeration were his stock in trade, added to a certain plaintiveness and abounding good humor.
Browne was the only one of this group of American humorists, whose work was read in England, and he lectured over there with pronounced success.
ON “FORTS”
Every man has got a Fort. It’s sum men’s fort to do one thing, and some other men’s fort to do another, while there is numeris shiftliss critters goin’ round loose whose fort is not to do nothin’.
Shakspeer rote good plase, but he wouldn’t hav succeeded as a Washington coorespondent of a New York daily paper. He lacked the rekesit fancy and imagginashun.
That’s so!
Old George Washington’s Fort was not to hev eny public man of the present day resemble him to eny alarmin extent. Whare bowts can George’s ekal be found? I ask, & boldly answer no whares, or any whare else.
Old man Townsin’s Fort was to maik Sassyperiller. “Goy to the world! anuther life saived!” (Cotashun from Townsin’s advertisement.)
Cyrus Field’s Fort is to lay a sub-machine telegraf under the boundin billers of the Oshun, and then have it Bust.
Spaldin’s Fort is to maik Prepared Gloo, which mends every thing. Wonder ef it will mend a sinner’s wickid waze. (Impromptoo goak.)