The Grange advance., 1875-05-25


Hans Andersen ,AcknoyvIedgesA = Gift
from Chfldren Of Anerica.
- ..... From the New York Tribune] ,s,.
We have received the following letter
from the Danish poet, Hans Christian Ar
dersen, in acknowledgment Of the Chill.
dren Christmas gift, semitic him through
the Tribune. Our young friends will see
that their present arrived at the most
opportune moment possible, on the day
when the whole world seemed to be unit.
ing to do honor to the aged story-teller.
We give his letter as it was written, that
Mr.. Andersen's young friends ii this
country may know at once how heartily
their present was appreciated, and how
simply and elegantly the great Danish
author is able to express himself in Eng
lish:
COPENHAGEN, April II, 1875.
DEAR SIR: During long period it has
weighed on my mind to address yeu--to
express my sincerest thanks for all the
sympathy you have shown me-but my
illness has pressed me down during this
severe winter, so that I have had, and
still have, great difficulty in
writing. 1t afforded me great
pleasure to receive the volumes about
America, with their beautiful illustra-
tions, after your having so heartily inter-
preted my utterances about the subscrip.
ton raised in my favor, when the dear
children broke their savings-boxes in or.
der to support their tale-teller, whom
they believed to be in want. Christmas
morning received the advice by tele.
graph. / expected the books ere long,
and had then decided Immediately to
send you, my noble, sympathizing friend,
letter in reply. In the meantime weeks
and months passed away. l therefore
wrote to my honored friend, Gen. Chris.
tensen, New York, in order to get inform.
alton whether the books were lying with
some bookseller, or perhaps at the bot
tom of the sea-. About simultaneously
with his friendly reply got advice that
the steamer had arrived, and exactly on
my 10th birthday received the books.
rejoice at this gift, the dearest that
could be granted to me, from the power
full country where / am happy to have so
many friends, young and old. Now, do
not only read about, but have before
my eyes this beautiful country, where my
age and delicate state of health will
never allow me to come.
How charming if it could have been done
next year, to the great feast; but this is
quite out os the question. I have how
ever reached greater happiness than
millions Of others. My 10th birthday
was day of sunshine and biss-from
my native country and from abroad. far
away came beautiful gifts, letters and
kilograms, and the charming present
from America arrived. I have to thank
the Lord for such infinite grace. Yes,
am child Of fortune. My life is the
most beautiful tale. But I felt myself
ovcrpowered; my delicate health could
not bear it. During the fortnight after
the birthday have been suffering, and
unable to write this letter, which I have
been very anxious to send you. Be con-
tent, pray, with my poor words, and give
my thanks in richer and better express
sions to young and old. lhe precious
work picturesque America is to me a
dear present, and will be preserved after
me as memory of the American youths
love of their old tale-teller.
HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN.
Whitelaw Reid, Esq, Editor of the
New York Tribune. New York.