New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-16
ANDERSEN.
HIS LIFE In OLD AGE.

SIMPLICITY OF CHARACIhh-WAahS AM SO>-
VIBRATIONS WITH FRIENDSHIPS STORIES FOR
CHILDREN.
irRom AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
LONDON Aug. 21.-A short five months ago every
rank of society IN Denmark. from the King on the
throne TO the poorest peasant the rough coast OF
Jutand Wed with each other in paying homage 70
their much-oved poet and writer Hans CHRISTIAN
Andersen. Ii was the occasion of his 1Oth Dlrth-
day. and the grand closing public scene OF long
and adventurous life. On that day deputatlohs NUN
oil parts of tie country arrived IN Copehiiascn "
express their admiration for their highly-glfted
countryman. The theaters performed his plays 'ne
King added still another honor TO hs arca'y much-
decorated subject and friend. money ior statue 10
be erected 10 his memory was raised IL was uecueu
that Mate inscribed with his name and the date Of
his birth should be put in the little cottage odense
where he was born, and last, but not least,
money was collected to found home for poor
children bearing Andersen's name. a lasting and
affectionate tribute of love to this world-famed
writer of chldrens fairy lore At the close or that
day when the old man weighted with all the
public honors that his grateful countrymen could
shower upon him, he met in private, at the house
of his dearest friend, all those whom lie personally
loved and called, in his own quaint language, ms
"daily friends"
Here he shook hands in his simple chldlkc man
ner with all those assembled, aud told them now
supremely happy he was to see how dearly they all
loved him. that their sympathy for him warmed his
heart and made him feel grateful to the " dear
Cod who had given him the talent and genius
which the whole world with one voice had
acreed to consider so good" Later on, when
the honored guests health had been drunk,
when the grand and simple "Skoal" OF the
North had been rung out in hearty voice oy
every tongue around the hosptabe table, the old
man rose, his tall. gaunt frame slightly bent Tor
ward and raising his hand, his musical voice broken
by emotion. the tears Of deep feeling running down
his checks he made his reply uttered his thanks Tor
oil the kindness shown to him. and then, in hs char
acteristic simple fashion, spoke Of the wonder he
felt within himself that he had been able to write SO
much and so truly the beautiful thoughts the good
God had been pleased TO put into his mind and soul.
The dear God loves me specially. and hat is why
love httle children. and have tried al my life to
write the stories knew would make them happy
and good to hear, he added stretching out his hands
toward the young ones present, and dropping Ills
voice to the tender tone Of pathOs which with him
was no art but the result of inward pure and true
feeling Ere he retired to rest that night, he said to
the few who were still around him: " / am tired,
dear friends very tired and weary but my hearts
wish is Tatifed. My own country thinks me great
and every other nation loves me-"
n rev d9s dEO uchiS Az NL"'O WIN A'N INV W
congratulate and honor him that happy occasion
gathered together again to mourn over his loss and
TO follow bIa 10 the grave. Dear Andersen as be
was generally called by all those who personally knew
him far and near had closed his eyes in death, and
quietly departed in the midst of every luxury and
comfort that the loving attention of friends could
procure to that realm of the happy land where all
his beautiful dreams to be realized, according
70 his own ideas of Heaven. He suffered a great deal
from weakness and general debility for months be-
fore he died, and often when feeling worse than
usual he would excam: d" Ali if could only Gle
and 20 to the dear God ~ But then soon as he
recovered again. and felt little stronger, he would
say: Yes, it is pleasant to live. do not want to
die nOww
HIs PRIDE AND SIMPLICITY
few Summers ago spent several weeks at
charming country house just outside Copenhagen
where this gifted author also a guest. He and
grew in time to be very great friends and naturally
had constant and continual opportunities both in
private and public Of reading the simple but pecu-
iarly contradictory character of this king OF fairy
tale writers. He was a tall gaunt man, very spare
of body, and stopped very much wien walking,
though when sitting he held himself much more
erect. His head was remarkably small in proper
ton to the size of his figure the back part looking
If slice had been taken from it, while the forehead
was extremely high, and the only point approaching
q beauty In his face. His nose very large and
prominent and his cheek-bOnes very marked, but
his gray eyes, though small and wanting in fullness,
had a bright sparkle and good humOr in them which
redeemed their dimnutive size, ard his mouth gen
orally wore a smile which was very winsome 10 the
little folks. As a whole, his appearance was neither
handsome nor attractive, but his manners were
genial and pleasant, and won the interest OF ell
those who came personally in contact with him. No
yVall I'M
SEN When in fine weather he sauntered along the
streets for one could hardly call his peculiar
shambng method of dragging one foot before the
other walking, every man, woman, ana child
would salute him as he passed, and receive III
return either a smile, wave Of the hand,
or touch of his hat; ard when he entered the
theater his reception was of the same universal
kind In fact, he accepted this public homage as
his right, and appreciated it to degree that any
one who did not understand the mans childlike
simplicity in expressing bis feelings might have
been inclined to think arose from vanity. once
accompanied a party to the old opera house where
Andersen had a seat of honor in the stalls given him
by the Government as a reward for his public
services to hear piece performed for the first
time The theater so close TO my friends house
in town that party walked across the road with
out any trouble of carriages or servants. At the
entrance TO the theater we missed Andersen, but
presently when We were all in our places, and
expectation 10 hear the music was at its high
est, Andersens tall figure appeared going toward his
seat He paused half way, turned awkwardly
round glanced over the crowded house and then as
calmly as if he had been royal prince about to
receive q welcome from his people he bowed TO the
audience right and left, and waved his hand 10 the
orchestra after which he went TO his chair and
sat down. The first act over l vontured to remark
81 him:
But what made you stay behind and not enter