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Dr. George Chismore (1840-ND) http://tinyurl.com/Chismore

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Norton Imperator

From Norton Imperator, 1880.

Reader: Jessica Teeter

Have you had it with democracy? Think California should have a monarch? Then all hail Emperor Norton!

Eccentric Joshua A. Norton resided in San Francisco for nearly ten years before proclaiming himself Emperor of the United States by will of the people. Norton's walks through the city earned him a special place in the hearts of his "subjects," who were sorry to see him pass away in 1880.

No more through the crowded streets he goes,
With his shambling gait and shabby clothes,
And his furtive glance and whiskered nose—
Immersed in cares of state. . . .
Let us contrast his fate
With other rulers and other reigns,
Of royal birth or scheming brains,
And see if his crazy life contains
So much to deprecate.
No traitorous friends, or vigilant foes,
Rippled the stream of his calm repose;
No fear of exile before him 'rose,
Whose empire was his pate;
No soldiers died to uphold his fame;
He found no pleasure in woman's shame;
For wasted wealth no well-earned blame
Turned subjects' love to hate.
No long and weary struggle with pain;
One sudden throe in his clouded brain
Closed forever his bloodless reign,
With every man his friend.

Dr. George Chismore's tribute, "Norton Imperator," was included in the 1927 volume Emperor Norton: Life and Experiences of a Notable Character in San Francisco 1849-1880 by Albert Dressler.

–Contributed by Sarah A. Tkach.