Eytinge, Solomon Jr. (1833-1905)

Gunn includes a watercolor and pencil sketch of himself by Eytinge: "Sketched by Sol Eytinge. Pretty good all but the nose, which, I think, rather too solid and acquiline" (4).

Gunn describes his feelings of Sol Eytinge: "I have come to an open rupture with Sol Eytinge, which chanced thus. Bellew mounts to my chamber on Saturday night and invites me to go round to the Ornithoryncus, which I do. Banks and Wurzbach there, and anon W Waud and Eytinge. We drank and talked miscellaneously in the bar, a word or two passing 'twixt myself and Sol, after the usual style. For the last three weeks or so – ever since the return of W. W. he has adopted an invidious style of chaff, one part jest, three parts spite, towards me. I recognize the tone of W W in it. Now unless there's an undercurrent of goodwill, this diversion is always a dangerous one. When I am sick in body and mind, Sol, and sometimes others come off, (by the aid of friendly laughs on the art of their clique) comparatively triumphant. But let me be in time and I am as dextrous in word-fence as any of them, and resentment at the secret ill-nature dictating such repeated attacks helps me to a knowledge of where there's a row to be hit. Well – to return to the Ornithorycus. Bellew suggested a move to the club room. I had passed into the inner chamber on my way upstairs, when Eytinge, in reply to Bellews invitation said something about "somebody who wasn't a member having no right to go up! Thinking that I was aimed at, and that a deliberate insult before others was intended I turned back, and asked him what business it was of his. He alluded to W. W. as it proved, and that being explained, I went up. Since that time we don't speak. That subsequent evening was an agreablish one" (8-9).

Gunn says Sol Eytinge and himself are speaking again: "W W and Sol Eytinge have taken a room in Nassau Street, where they work diurnally. Sol and I are on speaking terms again" (20).

Gunn talks of Sol Eytinge's behavior since Will Waud's departure: "Sol is remarkably quiet, and little at home since W. W's departure. He is short of $ and engaged in one of his periodical feuds with Brown, so don't work for him. Has been away visiting his sister for the last day and a half. He has, also, some outstanding squabble with Haney about money – I suppose some loan business. Is working for Frank Leslie, when here, the office in Nassau Street being apparently abandoned. W. W. told me he owed some $80 or so, ere his departure for Boston. I question if he won't be back in New York, failing to make $ enough to return to England. After a home silence of over six months he got a letter from his mother, intimating severe sickness on the part of his father as the reason for cessation of correspondence – if reason it can be called" (43-44).

Gunn describes the decor of the hut, mentioning Sol Eytinge's unfinished drawing: "The hut was ornamented by Stone's lithograph of the Falls, published some two months back. Though not strictly faithful, and rather hugely wrought in point of effect – he's got midnight below, a storm coming on and, woods on fire above – 'tis, (thanks to the lithographer) every way better than I had expected, and so well done that Sol and Alf Waud's chance is smashed. The project was, originally, Alfs but Sol has delayed putting it on stone so long, that this anticipation has occurred. At present a day and half's work would have completed Sol's drawing." (51-52).

Gunn says that Sol Eytinge and Jesse Haney do not speak: "Sol and Haney don't speak, the former being engaged, exclusively, drawing on wood for Leslie. He is very quiet, and occasionally disappears for a day or so – presumably going into the country" (58).

Gunn describes a night with Sol and Wood: "Out to Wild's at night, with Sol and Wood, I leaving them to go to the candy man's and councellor. A rowdy, Rynderish, torchlight procession, boys, black- guards and loafers – in honor of Buchanan. At the Ornithoryncus for five minutes. Sol full of insult and chaff, lager-bearing with Wood and a foolish faced youth" (63).

Gunn describes Sol Eytinge's characteristics and background, including his feud with Jesse Haney: "I learnt this morning the true cause of Haney and Sol's non-intercourse. Sol has conveyed away "Allie Vernon" somewhere, and is now keeping her as his mistress. The husband Covill was yesterday at the Picayune Office, crying, and asking of Levison (who is my informant) the address of Sol's mother. It appears Haney took Sol to Street, and introduced him to Allie, and an intrigue immediately followed, resulting in her abandoning Covill. Hence Sol's championship of Allie against Watson is explained... Sol always speaks affectionately both of father and mother. She is a lady like woman, and has money of her own. There are, too, a number of handsome and accomplished sisters of Sols – one of whom has recently got married. Sol hates his brother in law like the devil" (65-67).

Gunn describes Sol Eytinge's relationship with Allile Vernon: "He (Sol) only appeared once, for a few minutes, going into the basement (of which he retains the key. Allie's trunk is there. I walked down the street in his rear, designing to pass him, leisurely, and thus ascertain whether he would chose to accost me. On gaining Broadway he dived into a Lager Bier cellar. Writing to Alf Waud during the afternoon, principally about cuts to book. 18. Thursday. Nothing but Sol's escapade talked of at the breakfast table. Covill below with a policeman wanting to effect entrance into Sol's room to seize box. I saw him. A puny, frail looking fellow, a mere boy. Mrs Potter, our landlady denominates Eytinge "a villain" and says the husband ought to hire a nigger to assault him. Mrs Levison suggests a pistol. Levison assumes a slightly moral perch, but asserts that anybody would have done the same "if they had the chance." Haney "feels bad about it" as he introduced Sol to the house of Allie's husband" (69).

Gunn says that Haney started to suspect Sol Eytinge's relationship with Allie Vernon: "Josey was a visitor, too, and Master Will Waud "was mad after her." He would fain have anticipated Sol's present rôle, and persuaded her to leave her husband; being only prevented by a hint from Haney, conveyed through Sol. Well, Haney soon began to suspect Sol's game. His absences from the boarding-house, when he was presumed to be visiting his mother at Long Island, were spent at a place in the "English Neighbourhood", at the back of Fort Lee, where Allie had gone to, for a summer week or so. And so the business grew to its present aspect" (71).

Gunn describes Soly Eytinge's agitation that Covill went to see his mother: "To the Post Office, and then, leaving a line of caution for Sol, I returned up town, to dinner. A letter from Hannah. I put this in a distinct sentence, that it may not be soiled with the foetid matter preceeding it. Ought opportunity to her pure self should receive reverence. Now to my puddle again. I sat drawing till sunset, Haney being sick and a bed in his own room, at the other angle of the attic floor, when Sol came up, and asked me about "that d__d mysterious letter," – as he called it. I told him what had taken place at the house, he appearing defiant and excited. "He knew what he had been about!" "He'd done what anybody would have done, under the same circumstances!" I told him Covill had been to his Mother's, and she knew it! "What?" He paced up and down the room uttering a string of blasphemies, and swearing he would murder the "G_d__m stinking little _____!" I never saw any face more frightfully excited. Allie, he said, had gone back to Forsyth Street, and her husband. He had seen Covill. Presently he went down stairs, but did not go in to supper, though the landlady invited him. Subsequently I found him lying on his bed, and presently he asked me to take the cars, go to his mothers residence, and get Clarence to come down at once" (71-72).

Gunn says that Wood is suspicious of Sol's actions: "He [Wood] guessed at some of the business Sol had in hand; and had met Will Waud walking with Josey, as she flaunted in Broadway" (72).

Gunn says that Sol Eytinge asked Jesse Haney for his forgiveness: "Friday. In doors all day. Drawing till sumset. Haney in his room, sickish, half the day. Sol had visited him yester-evening, asked his forgiveness, and "cried like a child." I'm glad that his mother and sisters do not know of it.Haney in his room, sickish, half the day. Sol had visited him yester-evening, asked his forgiveness, and "cried like a child." I'm glad that his mot- her and sisters do not know of it. This I ascertained on my last night's visit, from Clare and his sister's reception. Yet Covill had intimated his intention of seeing Mrs Eytinge, inquiring the address of Haney, and saying he could get it from the Directory, if refused information. The mother's anxiety had been excited by a newspaper description of a drowned man, which she fancied, resembled Sol. Of course I didn't enlighten Clarence." (72-73).

Wood tells Gunn that Covill had discovered Allie Vernon at a hotel and went to get her: "Saw Wood for some ten minutes in the basement, with Sol. During the latters temporary absence, the former told me that Covill had discovered whither Allie had been conveyed – to a Brooklyn hotel – took her back to New York, and when Sol presented himself the landlord "blew him up like h__l" for bringing the woman to his house. Wood had gone over, yesterday, to pay the bill. So ends the great Elopement of Allie Vernon with Sol Eytinge – if it end here" (74).

Gunn says Sol Eytinge received a letter from Covill, asking him to see his wife: "The Thursday evening proved an eventful one for Sol. As I was journeying up the Sixth Avenue, his mother was on the way to Bleecker Street, – under the mis-apprehension of her son's proving to be the drowned German. I fancy Sol's state of mind, as he lay on his bed, when his mother entered the room – he being fully persuaded she knew of his recent proceedings. The gas burnt low and he didn't want her to turn it up – so Wood says. "I've no doubt" added he "that she came to the conclusion that he was infernally drunk." The events of the night didn't end here. At a later period Sol received a visit from no other individual than Covill – who came to beg Mr Eytinge to step round to see his wife, as she was in hysterics &c!!! And Sol went. Wood believes he goes there every day, now" (75-76).

Gunn describes an encounter with Sol Eytinge: "Found Bellew and Haney dining in a restaurant opposite. Anon they left and Sol Eytinge came up. He talked with Alf awhile and then had a row with me, using any amount of foul language. I told him he was an ass and a liar, and anticipated a fight, but the matter ended with talk" (82).

Gunn describes a conversation with Alf Waud, in which he learns more of Sol Eytinge's affair with Allie Vernon: "I've learnt much from him of his brother, and Sol's affair with Allie Vernon. The intimacy is still continued; Sol visiting her. The husband, I suppose, is aware of it, and talks of going west. She don't want to go. Alf thinks Sol would give it up, but she won't let him. Eytinge is much down upon Will Waud, and talked of liking him, if he came to New York. Says that Will took all the money for a co-partnership lithograph, and spent it in a summer suit in order to fascinate Josey. Will declares Sol threw up the job, and he had all the trouble. (Between them I suspect they swindled the landlord of their office rent.) Will stoutly denies the Josey business, asserting that she played Mrs Portiphar to his Joseph, bundled the servant out of the room when he visited her and otherwise hinted accessability. Going out with her, or meeting her in Broadway, he took her down to some refreshment place, and popped upon Sol, Haney, Wood &c. He tells how when they were all in a boat together, Allie, her husband, Josey, Sol and Haney, the two latter cuddling the former, Covill roaring, and Josey sitting near him, she began to complain in her idiotically affected way that there was nobody to make poor ittle Jothey tumforthable, and to wish Mr Somebody wath there &c! Haney and Sol both are positive as to Will's Juanic intentions. I think him as innocent – as they are, and not a whit more. He corresponds with the girl he seduced at Sydenham. She is a mother, lives with her parents, who are – not without reason, I think – down on him. He sometimes thinks – he says – of bringing her to America, and marrying her. Says also that she is a fool, that 'twas her fault, she used to come in his room, that she went in the country and came back with the portrait of a cousin &c &c" (92-93).

Jesse Haney tells a story about a beggar he and Sol Eytinge encountered on the street, demonstrating Eytinge's charity: "It is extremely characteristic instance of Sol Eytinge's charity. Haney was accompanying him up the Sixth Avenue (on Sunday last) when an Irish beggar of very equivocal sobriety accosted them with the customary whine of mendicancy "Gentlemen have pity on a poor &c &c I'm cowld, – and hungry – and naked –! &c &c." "It's all right, – it's all right!" says Sol. "No, gentlemen it's not all right! I am cowld – &c &c!" "I know you'll be drunk and in the gutter in five minutes!" says Sol, giving him a quarter dollar, and moving on. Haney, who had been searching his pocket for cents, had also moved round so as to become over-conscious of the smell of spirits; and as he and Sol continued their walk remonstrated with Sol on his injudicious charity. "But," says Sol, quietly, and perfectly unconscious of the peculiarity of his reply, "he drinks, you know, and hasn't got any money. And I always pity a fellow who drinks!" Farther on some boys informed them that the man was "a regular old sucker!" And on Sol, presently, inviting Haney to drink, it appeared that he had but another shilling in the world" (114)!

Gunn describes Eytinge's lack of reaction to Allie Vernon being in an asylum and his desire to leave the boarding house: "Poor creature. What a life! what a conclusion! Her late paramour Sol Eytinge seems not much troubled by it. He consorts with Cahill, appears but little at table and talks of giving up his basement quarters, but hasn't energy enough to mention his desire to Mrs Potter. I think I might live two centuries in the same house with him without any desire to renew our acquaintance" (143).

Gunn learns of Eytinge's and Cahill's drinking experience in the basement: "To Bellews in the morning and returned to Bleecker Street with him. Kelly and, afterwards, little Edge called in the afternoon, the latter telling me how he had been in the basement, where the fellows (Eytinge and Cahill) had drunk up a quart of gin that morning and Sol was perfectly insensible" (166).

Gunn learns that Allie Vernon is not a lunatic after all, and Eytinge is supporting her: "The report about Allie Vernon's lunacy – Mrs Potter got it from Mrs Levison, who had it from her husband – would seem false. Sol Eytinge "keeps" her, paying for her board at some establishment. He designs leaving here – Mrs P supposes to commence house keeping with his mistress. Her child is with her, also. Her former paramour and Sol's precursor (by one or two) Watson the long-necked, vulturous looking engraver has been doing a new villany, as I read in the papers" (171).

Gunn says that Allie Vernon lives with Sol Eytinge in Brooklyn: "Sol Eytinge has taken a little house in Brooklyn, where he lives with "Allie Vernon" as his concubine. His brother, young Clarence knows of the affair, as he met me in Broadway and began talking of it. Alf Waud doesn't write to me" (183).

Gunn describes a letter Will Waud found from Allie to Haney: "I visit his office some twice a week, generally seeing Sol Eytinge at work there. Apropos of him, or matters in connection with him, while in Boston, of course the "Allie" business was talked over with Will Waud. He, Will, told me, in confidence, that he had once picked up a letter from Allie to Haney, in which she apostrophized him as "her little brown beauty" and invited him to "come to her arms", stating the time when Covill would be out of the way" (224-225)!

Gunn describes Cahill's intentions to break off relations with Sol Eytinge and the Vernon sisters: "Cahill finds visiting Sol's menage a bore and an infliction. Sol is imperious and expects his invitations to be accepted sans demur, resenting it, if otherwise. He went so far as to talk about punching Cahill's head and kicking &c &c because instead of going over to Brooklyn one Sunday to dine with him, Cahill preferred a trip to Sandy Hook or Shrewsbury with Haney. Sol has all the angry suspicions incidental to his position, thinking that his acquaintances fight shy of Allie and Co. Josey wants Cahill to assume the same relations towards her that Sol has to her sister. Allie wouldn't object to it, of course, and perhaps not Sol ––– for he'd got rid of the expense of keeping her. Cahill's been doing a little love making but decidedly objects to anything further, knows that Josey is a fool and a strumpet, and wants to sink the entire concern. So he invites Josey to go to the theatre anticipating Sol will propose accompanying him with Allie. This, he says, he shall demur against, expecting Sol will, then, ask him why he don't keep the girl if he wants her &c &c. Then Cahill will say perhaps he'd better not come to see them any more, and so snap off" (230).

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 describes a confrontation between Eytinge and Will Waud regarding Allie Vernon: "He went to Sol. Eytinge also, at the office of the "Illustrated News," when Sol refused his hand, saying he couldn't take it without "a few words" preliminary. He "understood" W. W. had written about his wife in a manner &c &c. Waud declares his only comment, in a letter to John Wood, about the elopement with Allie was, an expression of doubt as to whether Sol or Haney would be the miserable little quasi-husband, Cahill's successor. This letter Sol. saw. I suppose Wood, who is a good deal of a magpie, cackled a little in addition. Anyway Sol swaggered and talked of kicking of ____ and so Waud and he parted. Life Brown, Sol's old employer came up during the interview, having just returned fro China, Japan &c., and Waud went off to dine with him at noon, I going down-town" (83).

Gunn mentions that Alf Waud has been spending a lot of time with Eytinge since his arrival: "Alf is not popular, his general habit of obnoxious speaking at the expense of others notwithstanding. He has been a good deal with Sol Eytinge since his arrival; Sol's guest on Sunday and before. He speaks of Sol as "improved, &c.," says that Allie looks very old and haggard, that she can't see anything without spectacles. Sol's sister visited the house during Alf's presence" (121).

Gunn describes an evening at Serrell's: "Sol Eytinge came in, stood talking awhile with Bellew – nose and chin much more prominent than of old, looks more Jewish. Clapp came in, talked a bit, looked sinister and old-clothesmanish" (169).

Eytinge compares Clapp to a spider: "A not-bad thing of Sol Eytinge's saying, at the expense of Clapp. Seated at Pfaff's one night, Sol compared him to a spider, adding that he shouldn't be surprised if Clapp projected something sticky out of his stomach, affixed it, and ran up to the ceiling!!" (192).

Gunn describes a conversation with Will Waud, in which they talk of Waud's and Eytinge's reconciliation: "Will Waud came up after dinner and stayed the afternoon. Among other things talked of, he gave me the particulars of his reconciliation with Sol Eytinge, which was characteristic enough on the part of the latter. Waud was standing at the portal of Crook and Duff's when Sol approached, in company with Anthony, the engraver, and apparently "goaded to it by the recollection of his wrongs," seized Waud by the coat and began howling him about in a promiscuous manner. Sol was exceedingly drunk and irascible, Anthony pacifically so. Waud shook his assailant off and Sol was borne into the barroom, struggling with his friends, among whom was Mort. Thomson. Waud waited and walked about, being unwilling to leave under the imputation of avoiding Eytinge. Presently he emerged again, when there was another brawl, Anthony clamorously interposing, informing them they were both d____d good fellows and insisting that there should be no fight. Sol blustered, and declared that he could lick Waud in ten minutes, that Waud knew he could lick him, &c. &c. At length they were hustled into the barroom to drink together, when J. Wood appeared, whom Sol taxed with having received and talked about a letter from W. Waud, reflecting on his wife – the immaculate "Allie," telling Wood that he was a d____d liar and the like – to which Wood responded by telling Sol that he was d____d drunk. Nothing came of the affair but drinking and a reconciliation, as rational as the quarrel had been. The others insisted on Waud's accompanying them to Hoboken, and he had to give them the slip surreptitiously. Since then, he and Eytinge are as much friends as ever they were" (35-37).

Gunn annotates a newspaper engraving of Thomas Nast, likely drawn by Sol Eytinge: "Copied from a similar photograph to the one sent to 745, but on an enlarged scale – drawn probally by Sol Eytinge. Makes him took a good deal older more manly, and much too tall" (69). - ILL

Gunn describes a conversation with Jesse Haney about Sol Eytinge and Allie Vernon, alluding to Allie's affairs with various men: "Some chance remark brought up the subject of Sol Eytinge and "Allie Vernon," when a few facts turned up in elucidation of the past. Haney thinks that Allie was really not married to Covill; there was also another male favorite in possession, even when Sol was enjoying Allie's favors! She did the passional attractive business to all Sol's friends, both before and after the marriage, would lie between Sol and Cahill and squeeze the hands of both. Haney declares a visit to Sol's involved the utmost awkwardness and the dreariest experience. To escape from Allie's indirect importunities, he made love to Josey; which set her so conceited that she immediately imagined herself "in keeping," as her sister was, and quarrelled with Allie on the strength of it! Sol spoke to Haney about his presumed liking for Josey; would not have been unwilling to let him have her. Since their non-intercourse, Haney contrived to do Sol a service. Allie wrote a few things for the "Saturday Press"; had known Clapp before, in her Bohemienne days, when she was hawking her writings, and a more vendible commodity, about the low newspaper offices in New York. Well, Clapp affected to admire her verses, called upon Haney and incidentally, inquired for Sol's Brooklyn address. He didn't get it, however, and Haney told Cahill to give Sol a caution. No more of Allie's writings appeared henceforth in the "Saturday Press!" (101-102).

Gunn believes that Sol Eytinge is influential of Nast's opinion of him: "As, unless I took on armchair near them, I must have gone to the sofa, out of the social circle, I didn'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 of regarding 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 fondness 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." (23-24).

Gunn includes Wood's opinion of Eytinge: "Wood says that Sol Eytinge "sprees" a good deal; that he looks "soggy" drunk" (81).

Gunn and Alf Waud talk about disagreement between Waud and Sol Eytinge: "To Haney's office, saw him. Learning that the "Illustrated N.Y. News" folks wanted soe more of my Charleston photographs, I went there and found only Alf Waud, at work, in big boots worn knee-high, outside his trousers. He began to talk objurgation of Nast, proposing to caricature him as Sol Eytinge's dog. 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. They set on me, not long ago, but I shu shut 'em up so that they got mad and wouldn't speak to me for a day and a half, and then Sol came round again, as if nothing had happened." Sol has extraordinary powers of aggravation in chaff, but I think in positive verbal brutality Alf could lick him. The office has much the same hateful conversational atmosphere which Haney, Sol Eytinge, Bill Waud and I dwelt in, five years ago, in the basement of the house in which I write. Only it is worsened by the positions of Eytinge and Waud in their domestic relations; they are both irreparably damaged by them" (85-86).

Gunn describes a conversation with Alfred Waud about Sol Eytinge: "Sol, by the bye, did a generous thing; prices wh were cut down, not long ago, when he insisted that his salary and Alf's should be equalized; he got more than Waud heretofore. Alf had a family and needed it, he said. Here's a good anecdote of Sol. Editor Phillips (who is an ass, though in some respects a likable one) has an half- affected, Boythornish way of bringing a trip- hamer to bear on a ten-penny nail in talk; of firing off fifty pounders at butterflies. He came rushing into the aquarium, or artists' shop, one morning, doing the franticly- indignant against the South. Sol, who had been sitting drawing in moody assiduity, suddenly leapt to his feet and throwing his arms aloft, burlesqued Phillips' bogus excitement by the utterance of this extraordinary extemporized line; – "Hell-fire and Cats! Brimstone and Bitches!" and then returned to his drawing. Phillips retreated, utterly suppressed. Alf told this with immense exultation. I don't know whether Sol's line isn't as good as that of Fielding "Confusion! horror! murder! guts and death!" (88-89).

Gunn says that Alf Waud gave him a caricature of Eytinge and Nast: "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).

Gunn includes a pencil drawing caricature of Sol Eytinge and Thomas Nast, drawn by Alfred Waud (125).

Gunn writes that Wood had heard Eytinge wanted to go to war to get away from Allie: "J. A. Wood told me today that he heard that Sol Eytinge wanted to go, and charitably ascribed it to a disgust of home and the charming Allie – just as Bob Gun supposed that Bellew took his wife to England that the climate might make him a widower. I fancy there may be truth in Wood's supposition. Mrs. Galusha, neéSally Gay has visited Sol Eytinge's household" (131).

Gunn does not believe Allie has been faithful to Sol Eytinge: "And "Maggie," or "Allie's" Pearl comes in the same category. By the way, there was a certain Burr who had her as his strumpet, during her assumed "marriage" with the miserable little dentist; he, Burr, was mean, though a rich man and didn't care about keeping her, as he intimated in jocular conversation with Haney. She had met Clapp, too, at some "Free Love" haunt, before her marriage with Sol, hence, perhaps, his desire to renew the intimacy. I don't suppose she has been faithful to Eytinge, for sundry reasons. First and principally because she's a bad woman; secondly because it becomes a necessity with her class to go through the dreary formula of confidences about being unappreciated &c., to do the sham emotional, which Sol has grown tired of. For in that respect she is the gull of her own hypocrisy; always bidding for some liking which she cannot return honestly, or satisfy" (143-144).

Gunn includes a newspaper clipping by Mullen in which he writes: "Drawn by Mullen, from the (Comic Monthly.) Intended for sol Eytinge (bad) Wilkins. Intended for O'Brien./ George Arnold Mullen" (158)

Gunn describes an encounter between Will Waud and Sol Eytinge, in which he says Waud defended him: "Will had been up to the "Illustrated N.Y. News" office and seen Sol Eytinge, who talked about Will's enlistment, advising him to be careful &c., saying that it was a good thing he hadn't come back some weeks ago, during the excitement and abusing me as a Secessionist. Will championed me, as I did him, when, not long ago, Rondell told me how Sol had been talking about kicking Will's –– on his return; in response to which I commissioned the jolly Frenchman to tell Eytinge that I was willing to act as Will's deputy and to accept any consequences which anybody wanted to attempt inflicting" (241-242).

Gunns says Mrs. Waud doesn't like Allie Eytinge: "After a long time they returned, finding us at supper in the basement. They both looked well, "Mrs Waud" particularly so. They had got a letter from Alf, through Hayes. He expressed himself "disgusted – as usual." Sol Eytinge has visited at the house, and Allie – once; Mr and "Mrs Waud" returning the compliment. Mrs W. doesn't like Mrs Eytinge. She was very cordial to me, invited me to stay till the morning and the time passed rapidly enough till 11, when I left and returned to New York, past midnight." (14).

Gunn includes newspaper engravings of Thomas Nast, MCLenan, and Anthony, drawn by Sol Eytinge (16).

Gunn describes a feud between Eytinge and Nast, regarding their wives: "Apropos, I once ventured a prediction that the marriage would affect Nast's relations with Sol Eytinge; it has come true. There were propositions that the wives of the friends should become acquainted with each other and Maggie (she has dropped the name of "Allie" entirely, now) wrote a letter to Mrs. Tommy Nast, possibly inviting her to Brooklyn. Sally rather verdantly replied by saying that she didn't think her mother would approve of her acceptance, therefore &c., &c. Next day, at the office of the "Illustrated News," Sol (doubtless pulling his moustache and scowling) produced another letter from Maggie. "I shall not take it!" said Tommy (accurately informed of the contents of his wife's note; and having, in addition, devoted himself to inquiries about Mrs. Sol's character, with odorous results): "the letter did not require any answer!" Sol, indignant, despatches his wife's reply by a boy, to Nast's residence. Tommy immediately sends off another, with instructions to Sally not to receive any letter during that day. But either Sol's messenger did outrun that of Tommy, or Sally's curiosity induced disregard of marital behests; she got the letter and read it. Only one sentence has reached us: "I was amused," wrote Mrs. Maggie Eytinge, "at your reason for &c., &c., considering the character of those with whom you have been intimately associated with during the last year or two!" Since then a coolness has occurred between Nast and Eytinge. Poor Sol! what fierce nocturnal reminders he must be subject to! What a Nemisis this Allie Vernon business has involved more than one in! Jim Parton told Haney this: I can imagine how the latter felt at the prospect of Allie Vernon's introduction to Sally" (184-185)!

Gunn describes a nominal reconciliation between Eytinge and Banks: "Promiscuous chat and drinking. I noticed Sol Eytinge, Glover, Rosenberg, Bateman, (father of the Bateman children, a Baltimorean and rampant Secesh), Ottarson and others present. Sol stood with his back to the counter, looking soggily drunk and being talked to. I learnt from Banks that a nominal reconciliation has taken place between them, through Bellew. They have not spoken to each other for six years, since Bank's brutal or crazy insult at the expense of Sol's "devilish pretty sisters." Banks says he didn't care about the reconciliation – Sol did nothing but talk sarcasm to everybody. Poor Sol" (248)!

Gunn says Waud has replaced Nast at the "Illustrated News" because of a row between Nast and Eytinge: "W. Waud is at work on the Illustrated, replacing Nast, subsequent to a row between the latter and Sol, apropos of Mrs Nast's objection to receive Mrs Sol Eytinge as an acquaintance. Hayes' wife is with her friends down east. Alf Waud, according to his acquaintance, came back full of soldier manners and oaths" (170).

Gunn describes a visit to Sally and Thomas Nast, in which Gunn and Nast discuss their initial misconceptions about each other, primarily due to Sol Eytinge's influence: "Nast responded in friendly sort and we shook hands. He had got his original conceptions of me from Sol Eytinge, and I could easily imagine how just they were. Subsequent to Nasts marriage and refusal to allow Sally to associate with Allie (or Maggie as Nast called her) Sol led him a dog's life at the Illustrated News Office, and Alf Waud helped Sol to do it. Now, in Sol's estimation, Nast is "worse than I was," deposes Sally. Nast, I fear, hasn't had the fairest or most generous usage all round. Much of his apparent conceit is really the mask of his shyness and consciousness of his educational deficiencies. This and his predisposition againt Haney and myself by Eytinge, will account for the behavior we disliked in him. The young fellow knew himself to be ignorant of many things, but knew also that he had ability with his pencil and resented, often Awkwardly enough, our unjust treatment. He came of poor parents and has known privation. He has had to go to bed hungry because his mother had no food to give him," said Sally earnestly. At Leslie's he got $5 a week and was mortally apprehensive of losing his place. Sol he looked up to, immensely. He tells how much work on Sol's drawings he did, as he progressed. Sitting at the feet of such an artistic Gamaliel, it is no wonder that he contracted that offensive decendentalism about everything that, seven years ago, was so horribly rife in the basement of the building in which I write. The infernal things that Haney, Sol, and Bill Waud used to say to one another then – and how miserable we all were" (194-196)!

Sol Eytinge was an "original and deeply interesting character" who worked on the New York Illustrated News (62).

(Questionable whether or not this is him.) Mentioned in supporting roles on the stage (if this is him).

Eytinge is mentioned as one of Nast's colleagues at Frank Leslie's Illustrated Paper and as a frequenter of Pfaff's. Paine mentions that Eytinge was "celebrated for his humorous negro drawings of the 'Small Breed Family'" (21).