The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1871-05-03
Theodore Iarker's study.

Theodore PHrkeT'S STUDY
From the Golden Age
Nv parker had one OF the finest private
III. w. los in Boston. II was begun when
bc he was 81 vet q, boy, and the flrst BOOB lie
M M rchsssd in the collection was q Latin
H;c,,onary. earning tlc money by picking
h"r ct Il is 10 his study still, slightly
veiIowed by age, but without n "dog-ear."
Ills appetite for books was Omniverous,
craving by what it fed upon; and one
Alter another came, now by gilt and now
nv purchase, until they filled his study
shelves, and Ovcrtlowed room after room
until the entire house was library. He
never forgot book that once excited his
curiosity, and pursued It as though it
were Wisdom itself, as Il dog chascs after
a fox, or III Indian tracks I'LL enemy. In
one instance he fancied that particular
small book contained information Of the
greatest value to him; he inquired every
where for it, and wrote to foreign friends
tn search the stalls for 10; but nIl in vain,
when fifteen years after his appetite was
first whcttct, he accidently found the
worI, that was to CRAFTY it in shop in
Rome. ,oooo
umes was given to the city, Mrs. Parker
retaining such books as she desired. His
study is kept just as it was in his lifetime.
His Srm.chair stands as he left it, turned
partly round US though its occupant had
Inst risen from it. His letters were ar
ranged alphabetically, and put in boxes
around the room, close to the ceiling, like
a border. The study.table is where he
placed it, and the books on 1t as he was
wont to have them. Here is the Bible
given 10 Martin Luther by the Queen 'ot
England, with its two large iron clasps
and course leather binding; covered with
green flannel much worn and somewhat
faded. lie used 10 write on book, to
raise the paper a little above the desk
nearer TO his eyes; and the book remains
on the desk, with the last quire Of paper
he wrote from, before going on his long
journey, lying upon it as placed by his
orderly fingers There are flowers, as he
loved 10 have them, fresh every morning,
his favorites culIed with dOintiest care,
Mrs. Parker keeps the room herself, al.
lowingno other 10 sweep or dust its sacred
precincts.
The study table abounds in indications
OF his taste and reminders Of his pres
ence. There is o photograph Of a little
Presbyterian church that he enjoyed at
tending among the picturesque hills. lr
the drawers are numerous keepsakes, such
rs pen.wipers, pin-CushiOns, and the like
given him.by young lady friends, some o.
them when he was young, and. nll pre-
served with choicest care; and he loved
to look at these heart.treasurers, and tel
of the friends whose remembrance they
kept bright. In one drawer is box o.
lead pencils sharpened at both ends, as h
left them ready for Use; and box oil q9il
pens prepared for writing. In another
drawer is u box Of pencil.ends, too shor
for use, labelled with the date when las
used and laid away. One large drGwe
contains toys Ofall descriptions. lie wa
excessively fond of children, and frequent
| " had n party Of them pt his house; ant
one specially interesting feature Of the en-
tcrtainment TO the young folks was TIL
visit to his study, where each found SOM
appropriate gift, and the noise Of whistles
trImpets, barking-dogs, Crying.dolls, AM
other things, sounded like anything rathC
than preachers study. When walking
in the city he used to keep his eye opel
for nice toys, labelling each when, pur
chased with the name Of the little fortu
nate for whom 1t was intended.
Mr. Parker was particularly fond q
bears The live animal interested hin
There WIS something about honest, home
", awkward Bruin That touched his heart
On his study walls n large painting OF
bears head hangs opposite beautiful en-
craving OF bear and her cubs. Iii
friends new his weakness in this rCspeC
and INDUCED It to excess. A bear
wrought into the tidy on his armchair
His inkstand Is u belr, whose raised paw
hold pencil and pen. His red pen.wipe
carries blnCk bear upon It; Ills pape
weight is sllrmounted with another, an
a hear stands guard upon the mantel.
And this was the workroOln Of one q
Americas great men. Not genius, no
Il philosopher, nor an orator, he wa
more than either orall these,-a true man
so full OF all sweet and noble humanihes
so completely alive anu terribly In car
nest, that theology. science, politics, re
form. literature, and religion, all ielt tn
impetus Of his mighty personality. II
made an impression, communicated n
influence, impaired virtue, gave push
which will never be forgotten. All hi
worksbear themarks Of haste; and thong
ireighted with learning, and aboundin
with passages Of exquisite finish, arc Ottc
rough, difEuse, and ephcmeral. But every
thing he ever wrote bears the stamp {
his strong, original, vigorous individual
ty; and whoever reads anythingOt hi!
feels the throbbing Of oneo the soundcs
kindest hearts that ever lived. Parke
the scholar, the powerful preacher, til
brave reFormer, the alIectionate fricn(
was always second to Parker the maj
The work he did needs no second doing
And the movement to which he commit
nicated such fresh impetus and powerft
aCCelcratlOn that it is often called by h
name, goes ever on with increasing 70
Nme and velocity Of influence.
US,,,n..n ,,LSn nI,,nHn,.