Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-11-27


OF his mother-of French descent, with
the maiden name OF Abigail Huzzey-
Whittier says, in the Friends Review :
"All that the sacred word mother means
in its broadest, fullest significance our
dear mother was TO us: friend, helper,
cour selor, companion, ever-loviug, gen.
/ tie, and unselfish. She was spared to us
iu the seventy eighth year, and passed
away, alter 3 sickness OF about three
weeks, in the iull possession of her fac
ulties, in exceeding peace, and with an
unshaken trust in the boundless mercy OF
our Lord. 1t was beautiful and holy
death-bed. Perfect love had cast out all
tear" Another member OF the family
writes: Perhaps | may DO too partial to
the memory OF mother, though | confess,
| tor my part, | only fear do not sufficient
lS revere her memory; she was really
and truly good mother TO us. She had
no moods, was ever patient, affectionate,
aud firm. She so sympatnized with mis-
fortune and distress that she could no
wait to investigate, and consequently
sometimes gave to those who were un-
worthy; but, if that be weakness, it is
OF the order that no one will be ashamed
of before the Judge of all. wish every
one had more OF it."
Whittier himself was very sensitive
and difiident. He sent his boyish effusions
in a sly way to the nearest village news
paper, aud blushed to his finger tips when
William Lloyd Garrison, who edited the
paper, after a long and diligent search,
found him out but the hour had come, and
then and there in an obscure farmhouse in
East Haverhill. Massachusetts, these two
men-then in their teens, now so famous
aud beloved-first struck hands, and Tor
more than half century have pursued,
each in his own way, through evil report
aud good report, the path of conviction
ard rectitude, aud yet live TO reap rich
reward of appreciation and love.
In his extreme modesty, Whittier con-
siders his literary attsinmenls rather ac-
cijen,al and fortuitous. Indeed, as has
happened to moro than one of the men
" no have won he admiration OF their
fellows and achieved greatness, he was at
first without honor in the eyes OF his
mates at school and on The farm, and
their lidicule OF his attempts at verse was
so singing tbs, the passion for writing
wcl,-uigh died out OF him, for very yeXa-
ton and shame His own judgment OF
his writings, after the mature conSidera-
ton Of litty years, IS thus expressed in a
e'ler 10 friend lately Il have not been
abe 10 place very high estimate on my
writings | know too well their de-
icicrcits. Bat have given the public
the best had to give, and the measure
OF favor with which it has been received
has been conslan surprise 10 me. This
ct least, can say truly, that ! have been
actuated by higher motive than literary
success; and il has been my desire tha.
Whatever inflGence my writing may eN-
ert should be found on the side of morality,
freedom and Christian charity"
Mr.. Whittier has attempted other parts
from time TO time than that of poet, driven
thereto by that banc of literary men,
''rcs augusta domi." At eighteen he es-
sayed school-keepingi Ia: the rough.
harum-scarum boys OF the district were
too much Tor him, and he resigned. For
years thereafter he called himself an
editor. but never attained more than
moderate success ia that apparently easi-
est of all professions. Ilo has repre-
senled Haverhill and Amesbury occasion
ally in the Massachusetts legislature, but
il is believed that he does not pride him
self on his record rs a legislator or poll
ticiau. He never was very posr, because
his wants were small, and secause, with
the irugality and conscientousness char
acteristic OF Quakers everywhere, his
outgoes neve. exceeded his income. 1t
is related that years ago, when he was
not - popular rs be is now, be was walk
ing one day on Cornhiil when he met
Muzz +. the publisher and Pill-seller.
| Aver some conversation about poetry
aud one thug and another, Muzzey pro-
posed to pay bim 500 tor The copyright
OF MS productions, and percentage on
the sales. Mr.. Whittier was vastly as
touis4ed. lie thought pill and book
making had combined 10 make the man
crazy; out Muzzey was in dead earnest,
and at las. Mr.. Whittier, with reserved
feeling of compassion for the demented
publisher, consented 10 the arrangement.
Muzzsy brought out Tie hitherto Ill
dressed and obscure children OF the poets
brain, which ne picked up here and
there, in neat and attractive shape. The
sales which immediately followed aston
ished nobody SO much as the poet him
self; but he gradually reconciled himself
to them, and began TO put money in his
purse. lie realized, however, no very
great sum from his productions before
the advent OF Snow-Bound, which he
himself considers very indifferent bit OF
versification, It's sudden popularity being