, 1875-08-08
HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN.
The Lately-Deceascd Danish Poet
aud Novelist.
a Few Weeks in His Company at
CoQntry-House in Denmark.
Sketch OF tie Personal characteristics Of
tie Noted Author.

(Hans Christian Anderson, tho celebrated poet and
uovela: OF Deurrsrk, whose thay1ntog writings A1s
vel known al over tho civilized world died ut Copeu-
hagen, last Wednesday, IN tho 7o:h year Of his &c.
0n]y few months ago present was usde to him Oh
behaf OF the children Of America in testimony Of the
pleasure so many Of them had derived froa his numer
QUA fascinating ales. He winter Of rare geuiua
intmab:e in It's particular bent md tho announce
nent Of his death las csrred 10 the hearts of
many thousands who knew him only through his
works. Temple Bar--a London magaztne-1ately con-
taned the following arte shout him, written by an
English lady who lcst year spent few weeks In his
company at country-honse IN Denmark The axn-
Gle Interesting In Itself, but Ia rendered Bn
"a by tho fact that Andersen has finished hjs life
work. und full Of years and OF honars, han laid down
hia pen forever.l
cannot describe the thrill Of inrenee pleasure
which scot the blood tingEing to my cheeks
when, on paying whit short while sanco to
Donmars, I Mas told that in faw days Hans
Christisn Andersen would become guest in the
house where I was s.aying. For days
after this announcement I could think
Of nothing else but the wonder and delight Of
really learning to know personally this klng OF
story y-teliers,
It was glorious day at the end OF Au-
gust, and the " names day. Of our charming
and accomplished hostesa
It was about II o'clock when the friends aud
acouainiances OF tho family began to arrive,
each with q bouquet in band, to offer their con-
gratulatious on the day, ana good wishes for the
future, according to the simple custom OF the
polite people Of Denmark
When joined ths company. little later on.
MI
and standing in the veranda snd on the Lawn,
enjoying the warm sunshiny day. Presently,
above the hum and buzz OF the conversation
which gave life AMI passion to the scene, heard
the rumb1e Of earriage-wheels cease on tbs road
and few moments after, from under the
trees OF tas private pathway, appeared tall
gaunt figure, carving in his hands huge basket
OF rather tray, OF BEAUTIFULLY arranged flowers.
Ho stood still for second, quietly surveying
the lawn aod it's occupants. hetore. suddoaly,
chorus Of VOICES exclaimed: 'Thers ha is
THERE 1s ANDERSEN"
Ha came forward smiling, TO our hostess
Madame T., and, presenting her the flowers.
offered bis grest1nga, and. as soon II the ray
w.s out Of his hands, seizlng both hers aad kisa-
ing them. Then every one pressed around
easer for shake OF the hand, and delighted to
givs him . welcome once more in their midst;
tor be had oaly that morning arrived from some
weeks' or months absence, and it had been
matter OF doubt il he would venture from homo
after such long Journey.
Rtood alone on the step Of the vecanda,
gazing at him, my heat 30 beating from excite
ment. was glad no one. in their eagerness to
sueak to him, had time to notice me. At last,
then, waa 10 ths preseuce Of the man whose
writings bad poen the joy Of my early life, dear
or 70 NE than anght o1ao in the world stood
still. scanning his features after while, and
wondering uncousciousS way such wonderful
genius need be so very. very plain in appear
auce~ Presently I felt, rather than saw. his
Look wander from his friends to my solitary
figure On the atep, and. a. ha moved forward,
heard him say, in q frank, simple ~ay. "Ah,
here ia new faca-ets does not know me-"
Madame e. tur:e1 aud. smIiag 10 me as tn
tutdsolr drew ncaE, answered gs:ly, Thla IL our
dear English guest, who has been 40 longing to
see you, dear Andersen, that shc las thought Of
nothing else for davs, I kuow.' Good. he
replied, holding out rls nand :; and, as put mine
iuto h;s With th1ill Of det1ghs-nay. almost Of
reverence sald IN his broken English:
"Ah, yoa would knoa me7 you love me-
darsen he poet Hava you read my stories ,"
hs aided, suddenly changing TO German, which
he speaks better than English.
'Ihey we1e the sunshlue Of my childhood"
answered warmly, all my shyness disappearing
before the mans simple, childlike manner. ~
loved them better than snv others. I slept with
them uude1 MY Pillow from tho time naa 6
years old aud could read"
'oH! THAT Is 0oop,"
he replied, rubbing h's bands. rs is hia vont
little; will give yon my portrait; va will be
trends, dear friepds-shaA we7 You arc glad
to know rne2 Every one likes mo, Anoersan.
But now must blk to all these go;Hi people,
aud tell them the story OF my trsyo1s' Come
aud listen, and, if you don't understand tho
Danish, will tranalate for YOU, Como" He
turned from me, and, with the same simple man-
uer IN wh.ch Ee had thus spoken OF himself 70
mo, he y,ok a srat, and as1ed the company II
they would not like to hear all about LIS adTen-
tutes since he had Deen away.
In q very few days he and became fast
friends. With delight that vea almost boyish |
he read to me various letters OF PRAISE and CON-
menaat,on ha had received from two Of thres Of !
the regning soyereigos OF Europe, ana from
men ot standing in the literary world, and one o.;
letter that he priced dearly, in large child's
Lis pockot-book, from Li!insstone'ss
little daughter OF 6, who hsd thanked |
hum for "his kindness n Tri.lns% 500 SO many ny! ptet 1;
drep tell me they love me-" be added, as he
folded the papcr and put it i'll lts place s. but |
thiuk ali the world loves me-, for they love my |
alec. aud my tales they sre me-"
bis il . simple nature, eas7 to read IN MS !
everyday relat1oua r. til his follows Iwaa charm
I'd With h,m as companion. Living in the same
house With him in the free, unrestrainod inter
cousse Of the country. spent many delightful !
honr BY his aide, drinking in the wondr:us faa-
uea Of bis b1an and listening to his quaint talk,
Which seemed to come from
SOME FAn-AW4Y WORLD.
into which be aloue, OF all I had ever
mek had gained admittance, In the
,ool Of tue afternoou, be liked to
walk In tho fields with any OF orr party Who
1ere 60 inclined. For the first quar,er Of an
hour be would not talk much, but snamola
dong, poking his stick into every hoo Or corner.
,r touching with it every odd thing that lay in
ais p,th. Theo something would attract hts A.
entiop,--a bit Of old glass, = faded flower, OF
half eaten inseck-no matter what It "as, be
would stoop and pick it up, touch 1t tende1lg.
,end over 1t careasiuglv. and then, in hnd Of
ow. haIf-resretful tome he would begin and tell
he story OF its life. it's joys, its surrows, and
,he SD destiny which brought 1t to the spot
where be had found it, till I would stand 1isten~
ne in husbed ave, looking at the thing In his
,snd. And then ut the dreamy fsce speaking so
,aroessIg, and wonder il the man had really
,ou aud body belonging to this same earth that
IL the rest Of US dwst in prosacalIy, or II be
vould nreeantt7 yap ah into the eplr1t-rHalm