Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-03-29
Miasellann,
MIR. Lincoln as a Reader and
.& @ H Talker. tl n9


ln H Talker. b1 n9
Isaac N. Arnold's I" History Of Abra-
ham Lincoln and the Overthrow Of Sla-
very" is just published in Chicago by
Clarke & Co. Mr.. Arnold was long the
intimate friend Of Mr.. Lincoln, and his
narrative has a fresh and peculiar inter-
est.
The two books which he read most
were the Bible and Shakespeare. Will
these he was very familiar, reading and
studying them habitually and constantly.
He had great fondness for poetry and ell
oquence, and his taste and Judgment in
each was exquisite. Shakespeare was his
favorite poet, Burns stood next. Holmes
poem, " The Last Leaf" was with him
great favorite. The following verse he
regarded as equal to anything in the Ian
guage:
g The mossy marbles rest
On the lips that he has pressed
In their bloom.
And the names he loved TO hear,
Have been carved for many a year,
On the Tomb
He made speech at Burns festival
in which he spoke at length of Burns po-
ems illustrating what he said by many
quotations, which was listened to with the
greatest pleasure, but it was unfortunately
never reported. He was extremely fond
of ballads, and simple, sad and plaintive
music.
He was most admirable reader. He
read and recited from the Bible and Shaks-
peare with great simplicity, but remarka-
be expression and effect. Often when
going to and from the army, on the steam
ers and in his carriage, be took copy of
Shakespeare with him, and not unfrequent-
ly read aloud to his associates.
After conversing upon public affairs he
would take up his Shakespeare, and ad-
dressing his companions, remark, What
do you say now to a sc.ne from Macbeth
or Hamlet" and then he would read aloud
scene after scene, never seeming to tire of
the enjoyment. On the last Sunday of
his life, as he was coming up the Potomac,
from his visit 10 City Point and Rich
mond, he read many extracts fIom Shaks-
peare. Among other things, he read with
an accent and feeling which no one who
heard him will ever for OF. ex racts from
Macbeth, and among others, the following
"Duuean in his grave,
After lifes dtful fever, he sleeps wen,
Treason has done his worst steel, nor poison,
Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing
Can touch him farthern
After " treason" had done his worst,
the friends who heard him on that occa-
sion remembered that he had read that
passage over twice and with an absorbed
and peculiar manner. Did he feel mys-
terious presentiment of his approaching
fate
His conversation was suggestive, origi-
nal instructive, and playful; and by his
genial humor, fascinating and attractive
beyond comparison. Mrthfulness and
sadness were strongly combined in him.
HIS mirth vas exuberant, it spark led in
Jest, story, and anecdote and the next
moment those peculiarly sad, pathetic,
melancholy eyes showed man " familiar
with sorrow and acquainted with grief.
| have listened for hours at his table, and
elsewhere, when he has been surrounded
by statesmen, military leaders and other
great men of the nation, ana but repeat
the universally concurring verdict of all,
in stating that as conversaiionalist he
had no equal. One might meet in compa.
ny with him the most distinguished men
Of various pursuits and professions, but
after listening for two or three hours, on
separating it was what Lincoln said that
would be remembered. His ideas and il
lus rations were those that avould not be
forgotten. Men often called upon him fol
the pleasure of listening to him. / have
heard the reply to an invitation TO attend
the theatre, " No, / am going up to the
| White Houss-I would rather hear Lin
coin talk for half an hour than attend the