Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-10-31
interview with Poet Whittier.

During summers ramble among
the green hills of New England,
diversified with msny interesting
incidents, is one Of peculiar inter-
est-a visit to the Quaker poet,
Whittier:
Upon pleasant morning in car
ly summer we left Newburyport, a
large old fashioned town in Eastern
Massachusetts, for Amcsbury,
small manufacturing town, chiefly
noted as the residence Of Whittier.
We rode along by the side of the
silver Merrimack as it hastens on
to seek the ocean, near old Salisbury
whose white sands are visible, ly-
ing eastward few miles. Situa-
ted upon the left bank of the river
is a fine estate known as the Laurels,
from the beautiful plant of that
name which adorns the entire re-
gion.
Upon an emincnce overlooking
the river is palatial residence
which was occupied for the season
by the English ambassador, Sir Ed
ward Thornton. An hours drive
through this beautiful country
brought us to the residence of the
sweet bard of the Merrimack, John
G. Whittier.
At his plain, unpretending man.
sion we alighted, feeling somewhat
doubtful of an interview. But our
fears were soon dispelled by the ap-
pearance of pleasant little girl who
upon our inquiry for Mr.. Whittier,
Immediately ushcred us into his
study. There sat the poet beside
a small table, over which hung an
old-fashioned mirror, which once
graced the walls ofhis immortalized
homestead, and oft reflected the low
ed form of the dear sister "whose
large, sweet asking eyes are now
bathed in the fadeless green of par
adise."
Within the open fireplace were
the charred remains of wood fire,
by whose light, doubtless, the poet
mused the chilly evening past, re-
calling the scenes Of childhood; the
faces of loved ones once gathered
around the tireside in the dear old
homestead, among them, perchanco,
the sweet Maudi Muller Of his boy
hood dreams.
Upon our entrance he arose, and
with calm dignity greeted us with
the cordiality Of a friend.
Allusion being made to our tres
pass upon his time, he replied.
s'My time is worth nothing. Sit as
long as you wish; | am very happy
to see YOU"
After a brief conversation con-
ccrning his old homestead, Ire said,
with much feeling: at is in the
possession of a man who has not
driven a nail, in the way of repairs
for years. l am trying to get it in
to my hands. If do not succeed l
hope it will burn down."
Speaking OF autographs, he said:
all Sui IIoCu a. viz NSS''SN NA PSA
sons for autographs. l am the re-
cipient OF 500 requests annually for
mine."
In form and feature the poet is
well represented by his pictures.
but they fail to portray the refined
and spiritual expression which H.
Eliminates his countenance in con-
versation. His eyes are deep set,
with Al earnest light in them, which
beam very kindly upon you, yet in
dicate fire in reserve for an occas-
ional demand. His hair is grey,
"As was his eire's that winter day"
He combs it smoothly back from
his lofty forehead. His whole ap
pearance is spirituelle-in matter
and mind true poet.
After half hours pleasant con-
yersation we took leave, with n
hearty response in our hearts to his
fervent "God bless thee" God
bless thee, Whittier" We reiter-
ate Pjttsbur0 EyeninO Chronicle.