Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1878-12-26
Home of Ralph waldo Emerson.

The home of Emerson is in Concord,
Mass, as everybody knows. 1t is 8
plain, square, wooden house, standing
in grove of pine trees which conceal
the front and side from the gaze OF
passers. Tall chestnut trees ornament
the old-fashioned yard, through which
road leads to the plain, yellow barn
in the rear. A garden fills half an acre
at the back, and has for years been
famous for its roses which are the es-
pecial pride and care Of the mistress OF
the house and are freely given to all
who wish them; this garden also has a
rare collection OF hollyhocks, the flow
ers that Wordsworth loved, and most
OF the Oldtime ANNALS and shrubs.
From the road gate, which is always
open, leads over marble fiag>stOnes to
the broad, low step before the hospit-
able door.
A long hall divides the centre of the
house, with five large square rooms on
each side; plain, solid table stands at
the right OF this entry, over which is an
old picture of Diana.
The first door on the right leads to
the study, plain, square room, lined
on two sides with simple wooden
shelves filled with choice books; large
mahogany table stands in the middle,
covered with books, and by the moroc.
CO writing.pad, lies the pen VIII ich has
hsG so great an influence for twenty
five years on the thoughts of two con-
tinents. A large Fireplace, with high
brass andirOns occupies the lower end,
over which hangs fine copy of
Michael Angeles Fates, the facts OF
the strong-minded women frowning
upon all who would disturb with idle
tongues this haunt of solemn thought.
On the mantle shelf are busts and
Istatuetts of men prominent in the great
reforms of the age, and u quaint, rough
idle brought from the Nile. A few
choice engravings hang upon the walls,
and the pine trees brush against the
windows.
Two doors, one on each side of the
great fireplace, lead into the large
parlor which fills the southern quarter
of the house. This room Is hung with
curtains of crimson and carpeted with
the same warm color, and when, u
bright fire is blazing on the broad
hearth reflected in the large mirror op-
posite. the effect is cheerful In the ex-
treme. A beautiful portrait of one of
daughters of the house is hung in this
pleasant and hOmelike room, whose
bone circle seems to reach around the
world; for almost every person of note,
who has visited this country, has en-
joyed its genial hospitality, and listen
ed with attention to the words of wis
dom from the kindly master of the
hOuse-the most modest and most gift
ed writer, and deepest thinker of the
age. Years ago the chatty, little
Frederika Bremen paid long visit
here, brisk old lady, as restless as her
tongue and pen. Here Margaret Fuller
and the other bright figures OF the Dial
met for conversation and consultation.
ThOreau was daily visitor, and his
wood-nOtes might have been unutter-
ed but for the kind encouragement he
found here. The Alcotts, father and
daughter, were near neighbors, and it
was In this room that Mr.. Alcott's
earliest Conversations" were held,
now 80 well known. Here, too, old
John Brown was often to be met, a
plain, poorly-dressed old farmer,
seeming out OF place, and absorbed in
his own plans until some allusion, or
chance remard, would fire his soul and
light up his rugged features, Hawt
horne, the handsome, moody, despair.
ing genius, there woke from his morbid
reveries; and here Curtis, the graceful
writer, the silver-tongued orator, in
dulged In his merry satire, which
spared neither friend OF fOe.-C. B.
BARTLETT, in Jan. Wide Awake.
NJ, No0,-- T------- n. A..