Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-01-08
LONGFELLOW'S FAMILY.

DauEhIer Edith to Mr.. Richard II.
lSana, Third.
Boston Cor. New York World.l
The quiet old homestead in Cam
bridge which Mr.. Henry W. Long
fellow has occupied so long, and
whose traditions, bright as they
are, are dimmed by the luster his
honored name confers, seems likely
soon to witness a succession Of
changes of more than passing inte-
rest. Mr.. Longfellow's wife died
many years ago, but since that time
his household has hardly under
gone a change, save hat years have
wrought their silent work, and the
children of a decade ago are
men and woman now. The parental
roof cannot much longer shelter
the family circle, aud already society
here is in something of a hutter
over the approaching marriage of
Miss Edith, the poets second
daughter, and fourth child, to Mr..
Richard H. Dana, third, a son of
Richard 81. Dana, ir., the celebrated
jurist, diplomatist and author. The
Longfellow family has not been
given to marriages, although all
the daughters are lovely, and both
of the sons very eligible sons.in-law
for any ambitious mother. 0nslow,
the eldest, is the only one who
has taken to himself a wife. The
poets household is one of the hap
piest possible to imagine. Oongenial
tastes, comfortable and even luxu-
rious surroundings, and that at
mosphere Of honor and literature
in which the family moves, make
their house a something which
none Of the children seem anxious
to leave, although offers of proud
alliances have not been wanting.
Miss Edith, who is about to break
from the charmed circle, is now a
young lady Of twenty-five. She is
Of medium hight, rather slight in
form, and her dignifed head is
crowned with a wealth of really
golden hair-hair such as poets are
won't to rave over and fashionable
DANES to look upon with envy.
Her afianced is a rising Young
lawyer of twenty-six, the third Of
the name now living. He is rather
tall, fine looking, and a Harvard
man, Of course. His grandfather's
ninetieth birthday was celebrated a
few weeks ago, and judging from
the appearance of the old gentle
man, it will be many a year before
the young man or Richard the
Third, as his friends call him-will
be permitted 20 end his signature
with DIR" The young people have
been together from their youth up,
aud their love has been a matter OF
the most natural growth. For a
long time he has been looked upon
as her especial attendant, and
there was consequently but little
surprise manifested when it was
known hat they had been formally
engaged last winter. The wedding
day is fixed for the second week in
January, and there will be but little
Of flourish and display attending
the ceremony. Miss Edith's tastes
are very practical, and even on the
occasion of her marriage she will
assert her independence of all tina
! fashion dictates by exercising hel
own will in the matter Of details
t There are to De no bridesmaid fol-
one thing, and what other innoya
tons she may indulge in, time alon,
car tell.
; The youngest child is Miss Annie
, renowned already for repartee ant
wit Of the keenest, brightest kind
t None of the children have giver
evidence Of having inherited thei
J fathers poetic talent, at least no
. to the world; but it may be tina
the modest voice of their muse i
lost in the world-echoing verses o
: the sire. Certain it is that Mis-
Alice, the eldest of the girls, is
. writer Of no mean power, and Mis-
: Annie ought to be able to shine a
: o,othar HarnaeE kbo oooo.l 90.