Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-09-11
LoNcrELLow,s HOME.


pelling genius should be- It is such a
house as the untitled family aristocracy Of
America are wont to delight in, very an
Gent for the new world, built with that
substantial massiyeness and uDprstending
plainness which symbolic the characters
tics Of pre-revolutionary generations. A
simple, low, stone wall settled little BY
time, separates the square lawn from the
street; half way rises plain wooden gate
way. Looking with ease over the wall, the
passer-by may survey at leisure the resi-
deuce Of the poet and its surroundings.
On either side of the walk from the gate
to the house is pretty simple lawn, care
fully kept, UNMARRIED by trees. In the cen
tire is fountain, which, however, is covered
by moss, whether by neglect or through the
fancy Of the proprietor, we know not A
small terrace surrounds the house, which is
few feet above the lawn; steps conduct
one up to the huge, slightly ornamented
door. On either side, and at the back of
the house are some large, handsome elns,
beyond them a neat but plain garden.
Around the edge of the walls which sepa-
rate this estate from neighboring ones, are
groups Of tall lilac bushes, and other shrubs
At the side Of the house toward the Uni
versity, is a cool porch, rooted, supplied
with benches and chairs.
This porch is one of the favorite hauuts
of the poet; very often he is to be seen
there toward evening, bare-headed, walk
ing or conversing with his children. The
house itself is Of wood, high, with slightly
slanting roof, old-fashioned windows, fanci-
fully decorated at the top with an old look,
which is charming to the lover of antiqni-
ties, and by its homeliness without, seems
to invite to coy cheerfulness, to roaring
fires, to genial welcome within 1t has
long ago been painted yellow; the paint at
frequent intervals, has disappeared; stin
the house looks venerable not at all SLOW
enly.
If it did not possess its present occupant,
living and most interesting attraction, it
would still have charm to all, as a speci-
men of the mansions of the provincial aris-
tocracy, when Massachusetts, was still a
province; and to Americans because it has
a history connected with the events of the
Revolution The spacious old rooms now
occupied by the poet were once, at men,
Orable time, the abode Of Americas most
iIlustrious son; the writer of lyrics has ia
ken the place ofthe actor of epics. When,
in the early days of the war of Independ-
ence, Washington was elected by Congress
to the command of the colonial army, Eng
lish troops had possession of Boston. The
siege was formed by concentrating the pa
triot troops in tie neighboring towns.
Washington went to new England to di-
rect their movements in person, and fixed
his headquarters in convenient Cambridge
in this same venerable mansion where Long
fellow now lives. Thence be sent out his
orders, general and special; here convened,
in anxious deliberation, the little knot of
patriot officers, unskilled in war. collected
from farmhouses and laboratories, to drill
by manual and learn the art sof sieges.
Within this door passed the wealthy mer-
chant Hancock, who had turned his
thoughts to "rules" and "orders of the
day" gruff Samuel Adams, Puritan Mi
rabeau, putting his finger exactly on the
pith of the trouble; rewards for the capture
of these two had just been proclaimed in
Boston.
In these quiet rooms, given up now
these many years to the Muse, whence
come out ever and anon gracefulest gems of
the rhythmic art, plan Of campaign was
drawn up, experienced ex-royal Lieutenant
Washington supervising, ex-merchants,
doctors, farmers advising all agreeing, too,
and at last succeeding; unity, rare thing
iu revolutionary councils, ever prevailing.
Washington did not stir from this Long
fellows house till he could go in triumph.
It is no wonder, then, that Americans visit
this old place with mingled feeIngs-that
they find here Renaissance as well as an
attractive presence; and while gazing at the
home of the frstof our native poets, revert to
that troublous time when there was for
America but the grim poetry of war.
In seasonable hours, visitors are admitted
to see the interior; any one whom you may
meet on the way viii tell you that the poets
| hospitality is proverbial In taking advan-
tage of the privilege, you need not despair
of catching glimpse Of the poet himself
You may see him through half open door,
busy at his desk; you may find him froEck-
ing with his children In the hall; it is not
even unlikely he may come out, and welcome
YOU, though stranger, and with winning
courtesy offer to guide you through the rooms
which have peculiar interest. On the left
as you enter, is the poets study; on the
right, the parlors; at the back of the study
the dining-room.
There is little to describe; suffice it to say
that the interior is what the exterior has
promised-home-like simplicity and COM
fort. Low studded rooms; wide cheerful
looking hall; parlors substantial and coy,
with certain little indications here and there
of the presence of scholar, and Of home
ike womankind. The study of the poet is
simple and elegantly furnished; high
desk, near the window, where Mr.. Long
fellow sometimes writes, standing, is, it
may be conjectured, that piece of furniture
which win be most valuable as a rehc-h,
as may be the case, it is thereon that his
poems are written.
GENERAL GRANT.