The Kansas herald of freedom., 1859-11-12

''hCi SiOcpcis ldelciuiil tTdlucu duu neat
ly trimmed, traverse the porch ard climb
'he clapboards in delightful disorder
Utilitarianism has transformed even the
Sapless tree-trunk into pedestal, to sus-
tain vase whose oyerhauging fringe of
vines wells what else were an unsightly |
stump. To enter the house you pass be
meath living verdant portico of flower
ing reepers-Nature'sa own architecture
which supplies a grateful shade, while
far SURPRISING, in its, simple beauty, the
more pretentious product of mere me-
chanical skill. rsss-s..+.-- -.---
The poet owner of all this loveliness
vas from home at the hour of our visit
While awaiting his return we were debt
ors to the courtesy Of Mr.. Goodwin, whose
cottage is pleasantly situated at con-
venient distance just outside of Mr.. Bry.
ants inclosure. With Mr.. Goodwin for
our guide, we made tour of observation
through the flower garden and adjacent
grounds. September is an unpropitious
season for buds and blossoms, but culled
enough to form a small bouquet-a slight
reminder of what that garden must have
been which now lies so beautiful even in
its ruins. q s-t1 4
The south wind searches for the flowers whose
fragrance late he bore,
And sighs TO ind them in the wood and BY the
stream no more"
Here, happily placed, a pretty arbcr
invited the passer-by to indulge in loves
young dream or some maturer reverie,
and suggested the query whether. this
were not the cradle of Bryant's BRAIN
children-those glorious hymns to Nature
so frequently found amoug his pub
fshed poems. q or such spot how ap-'
propriately can hesiDg, as
Though forced to drudge for the dregs of men,
And scrawl strange words with the barharous
And mingle among the jostlinE crowd,
| Where the sons of strife are subtitle and loud
often come to the qEiet place" &c. --.,-.,.
A cold grapery, covering vines laden
with ripening clusters, and dwarf pear
trees of choicest CRAFTS bending beneath
an i'll proportioned burden of golden fruit,
are among the attractive, features of the
garden. In fact, the grounds around the
house are orchard like in the number and
variety Of fruit trees everywhere notice.
able. ,Fnr3 lers. aag "-
Before we had finished the inspection of
these pleasing externals, Mr.. Bryant re-
turned and welcomed us to the house.
Crossing the threshold we entered upon
and enjoyed scenes that tempt the pen
into personal details. But generalities.-
"glittering," however, it is hoped, must
prove me not unworthy of the hospitable
welcome received. I have already said
that the house is rooniy and antiquated
The hall is in the center, and is wide
enough to excite the envy Of the deni-
Gems Of New York's one-el cd modern
dwellings. On either side are two large
apartments; nthe left, the parlor and the
poets library; on the right, the dining
room and another. A rare refinement Of
taste is .everywheee evident. An air of
comfort pervades the entire house, and
"home" seems inscribed on every thing
around The parlor wears not that fixed
and frigid look SO frequently noticed in
country parlors. Here easy-chairS abound,
fashion and form find no favor and cere-
mony is SUNNI arily banished. Choicest
eugravings, statnettes, and other works of
art adorn the walls, OF estupon the man
tel. The poets portrait, by Durand, hangs
IN good light in. one corner. This is the
original of the ine engraving. recently
published by the Century Club. Near the
portrait is a Catskill Mountain Scene, also
! painted by Durand, in which the poet and
the artist Cole, his whilom. congenial COM
panion, are depicted in sportsman's garb
standing upon rock that overhahgs a
mountain torrent. A portrait of Mrs.
Goodwin, by Iuman, is suspended in an
other part of the room. Articles of Uertu
portfolios of etchings, and books are scat
tered profusely arouhd-Art and Litera-
ture vieing with each other in their liberia
contributions to the rational adornment O.
this rural retreat.
The Library was, l corfess, principa
point d'dttrd1 to me, and embraced tn,
first opportunity to gratify not unnatura
curiosity respecting the poets bibliologica
tastes. Like the parlor, this room is taste
fully ornamented with objects Of artistic
4 interest, so far as its lining of shelves vii
allow. The collection of books, although
less extensive than Mrs. Kirkland had lee
me to expect, is valuable and Of great va
riety. In poetry, it is unusually rich
comprising the works of all the bes
writer's of different nations. The poets o
Italy and Spain occupy considerable space
as might be expected, Books of reference
dictionaries, cyclopadia, and the like, ar
numerous, many of the books being rar
and costly. Horticulture and Botany ar
largely represented on the shelves. Thes
have been favorite studies with the poet
to the book of Nature he has devoted
many years Of close attention, and re
specting her works can truly boast of pos
sessing much practical knowledge. Th,
address delivered by him, before the New
York Horticultural Society, few year
ago, has placed his name enviably higl
!, among the fruit and flower culturists of thi
country. There is little literary lumbe
in Bryant's library, and few books. of th
kind yclept slight reading" cumber tn
shelves. -'' ga '',s i','''''
|. A "Secretair," conveniently arranged
both for comfort and light, occupies
prominent position in this room. Sur
rounded by such an assemblage of book
/. EN- baimed worthless, and amid so man,
appropriate appliances, this would seen
to be just the spot in which TO give be
ing to the noble thoughts and thick com
ing fancies of that teeming brain. Tn
very atmosphere is redolent of poetry
Nature peeps in coyly at the window, ant
the raysrof heaven, refrscted by the foil
age, finally reach the chambers of imagery
, lighting up the waiting mind and rainbow
, hueing every thought. Smile not, good
4 natnred reader, when l add that, from tn
position of his.desk, the great poet write
by the help OF, the Northern Lights!
i What wonder that he writes so well?
? Here, in the enjoyment, of Nature,
, loyeliest smiles, and surrounded by fam
lily group, the venerable poet passes tn
!, summer months. Here, in the evening o
: life, it is his privilege and right to know
the luxuryo leisure, and in the seclusiol
|; Of these quiet scenes, to forget the care
] of journalism, the sinuosities of politics