It is not attempted here to give the current of Mr. McWatters' life as
it occurred, in successive steps; indeed, the writer is not sure in
respect to dates in all cases, possessing only the facts in substance.
But not long after Mr. McWatters' first engagement with Miss Keene was
determined, he became the exhibiting lecturer accompanying a grand
panorama of a "Journey to California by Water and back by Land," and it
is not difficult to conceive that with his experiences as a traveller,
his residence in California, and his gifts as a public speaker, he made
the "Journey" a matter of great delight to his audiences. The panorama
was exhibited in the chief cities and towns of various States.
Subsequently Mr. McWatters became the agent of the late Countess of
Lansfeldt, more generally known as Lola Montez, which he continued to
be until nearly the time of her death. Much has been written about
Lola,--much which is false, as well as much which is true. She was, in
some respects, particularly social ones, a great woman, but had her
weaknesses, like other mortals. Lola, like many, was inclined to
occasional religious fits; and this fact suggests an incident worthy of
recital, since it illustrates something of the life of persons of much
public note.