Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-12-20
..wALT wHITmAN.n

U1F first meeting with Walt Whitman
I occurred under peculiar and appropriate
I Circumstances top of BroadwIy stage
/ He had just returned from Washington for
/ aiew week absence, and II was bis first =p-
/ pearanee on Broadway. The greetings he
received from large number Of drivers as
they passed showed that his return was
4 welcome. Some were respectful, others
| jolly. but all acted ms IL the poet was sn eE-
pected and admired friend
Most frequensers Of Broadway are fanil-
lar with Walt Whiiman's appearance, so
that II scarcely needs description he ID Of
moderate hight, 7ery broad shouldered and
muscular, altogether Of che most massive
build, with magnificent head more like
Olymphian JoTe' 8 than anything else. His
features almost hidden BY gray whiskers and
mnstsche, but are strong aud expressive,
and he has fine, large, and clear blue eyes
with naturally mild expression, but look
lag as II aiatent tire Of tenderness and pas
Sion was concealed il their depths.
lie was dressed plainly. but not eoarselv,
III blue coat open at tiie neck TO display q
broad collar and Grayat, and wore an i'm
mense felt hat, from beneath which, as the
stage rolled up the crowded street, he calm
y gazed, looking, as ThoTsau once said, ike
born democrat, TO whom kings and aris-
tocracy go BY the boards as they have long
deserved TO-
His manner was dignifed and courteous,
Implying the natural gentleman; and he
spoke with an easy and natural gracefulness
he seemed as modest and unassuming as
any child, yet manly and self reliant. His
voice was quiet and pleasant, and when he
spoke his face bad winning and cheerful
expression. lie sEighe 9f Trcurt criticisms
m his poems particularly those Of Raaiter
and other Eaglish Writers-the former of
whom, as he expressed il, 'hits the nail on
the head. He said be was too thick.skin-
ned to let the unfayorable comments disturb
his rest, and had got quite accustomed TO
them. ln reply to-an inquiry whether be
th0ughtthere was any similarity between his
own poetry and that of Persian and other
Eastern writers, as mentioned BY Thoreau
and some other critics, he said he had never
seen much resemblance, and thought Thor
eau was mistaken in believing it. He
liked to read such poetry but did not care
particularly for it.
lie said he did not read much, and
thought the habit was carried to an excess.
Most books we're false and did not deserve
study. For his part he preferred TO study
human nature. 1t was foolish TO think of
reading all the new books that came out, as
some aspire TO do. One might as well at
tempt TO try all the new drinks that were
eoncocted. He had never read either OF the
Brownings. In reply to the question
whether young man should not improve
himself greatly BY literary society, he said
he did not belieys in eultiyating literary ae-
quaintances.
Such are few notes of his conversation.
The impression left on the mind was one cf
admiration he gave the idea of an heroic
nature, and inspired sympathy and regard.
Walt Whitman has attempted to solve a
problem of art; whether man of pure and
original powers, can dispense with the
knowledge derived from other men's expert
ence, and find sufficient support in the mem
tai sustenance derived from his own intui-
tions and observation. He has followed the
example of Burns, Wordsworth, and many
other poets, and sought for inspiration in
nature, human and physical, ignoring books
altogether. He has studied the American
people aud endeavored to embody the result
in poetry. While the latter Is lacking in
literary art, and in continuity Of thought, it
undeuiably possesses merit of a high order.
We offer our little word of encouragement
to the Good Greek Poe" and wish him
jov and success in his labor.-The EUeRiag
Uqi