The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-01-09
From Littell's Living Age.
ANDERsEN's FRIENDSHIPS.
BY ANNIE WOOD.


passed away, that bis memory must still be
fresh and green in the minds Of those who
knew hip personally but to the much wider
outer circle, who only knew him through his
marvellous fairy tales, some slight account
of his strong personal attachments may
neither be out of place nor without interest
at the present time.
Two very marked features in Hans An
dersen's character were his intense belief IN
himself, and his infatuated love of admira
ton. His lonely childhood, struggling boy
hood, and the stein hardships of bis early
career as young man fostered in him be-
lief in his own powers which his success IN
after years perhaps fully justified, and which
rendered him SO keenly eager for the appre-
citation and the expressed affection of all
those who crossed his path in life, whether
young or old, rich or poor, of high or OF low
estate. Being the centre of his own interest
through life be never ceased to live In a
world of fancy and Imagination, the exis-
istenoe of which was accepted by those
around him, but only vaguely understood
hence it was natural that he impaired to
those with whom he stayed a touch of the
simplicity of his own nature, and won in re-
turn the affection he oraved from every hui
man being with whom he came in contact.
As years went on, and his fairy-tales be-
came the charm and delight of homes all over
the world, Andersen not only accepted as his
rightful reward the expression of personal
gratitude and admiration for his efforts to
please his readers, but felt hurt and neglect
ed if be did not receive it privately as we'll as
publicly. He was child in all things, with
a mans power of expressing the genius with,
in him, and had a child's delight in praise
with child's eager belief in its geruineness,
no matter how humble the source whence it
came, or how simple the language in which
it was conveyed. In his own county ADder'
sen was loved and welcomed in every house
hold, but children especially wOrshpped him
wherever he went Ugly and ungainly as
he was in outward appearance, he had a pc
cular power of fascinating the young that
was quite remarkable. A touch of his hand
would soothe the most fractions child, angry
passions or sullen tempers would disappear
like magic under the sympathetic influence
of this strange, unoouth being, who seemed
to possess the key to that most mysterious
thing, childs mind, and to be able to un'
derstand and adapt himself to all their vary
ing moods, and inborn but undevelOped
thoughts. Much as he courted the notice Of
the great and lordly, and delighted in their
expressions of praise for his works and affec
ton for himself, Andersen loved best to know
that his tales pleased the children, and that
they thought it good of him to take 80 much
trouble to amuse them.
81 will show you one of the dearest treas'
ures | possess, said he to me one day, after
recounting the fine things kings and princes
had given and written TO him, and reading
to me many charming letters, from the gifted
and great eff Europe. 81 carry it next my
heart; it keeps me warm, and l love it more
than words can express"
From a pocket inside his WaiStCoat he pro
duced worn, crumpled paper with writing
on it in large childish hand.
"NO, you must not touch it, it is for me
alone" he said, in his vain, simple manner
when 1 put forth my hand to take it. {"
shall read it to you, and you shall hear how
the children love me in Eugland.
1t was from Living stoneS little daughter,
and was as follows -
Dear Hans Andersen,--I do like your
fairy tales so much, that | would like to &C
and see you, but l cannot do that, 80
thought l would write you when papa comes
home from Africa, will ask him to take me
to see you. My favorite stories in one book
are " The GolOshes of fortune" and some
others. My papa'S name is DR.. Livingstone
l will say goodbye to you, and happy
new year. l am your affectionate little
friend, ANNA MARY LIVINGSTONE.
P. S.-Please write to me soon; my ad.
dress is on the first page, and please send me
your card.
When he had finished reading it, he kissed
it softly, and putting it tenderly back in it;
place, said:
Don't you think l am happy man, to
have all the world love me like that?'
Then he went on to tell how he had an
swered the letter, and continued the CORES
pondence with the little English maiden
whom he had never seen, and how bitterly
disappointed and grieved he felt when he
heard that the great traveller her father was
dead, and he knew for certain that he should
never be able to "press his hand " in this
world. For his "dear little Anna's" sake
be had often hoped to become personally &C.
uuainted with the renowned explorer, and
the tears rolled down his old furroWed cheeks
in genuine sympathy as he read the daugh-
ter's letter to him giving an account of her
fathers funeral. Nothing perhaps is more
characteristic of the dear old mans Unborn
vanity aud appreciation of his own merits
than his remark as he folded up the letter
"Yes. Livingstone was great man, and
did much good, but he is not loved in the
hearts of the world as am. When 1 die
every one will come and put flowers on my
coffin.
And sure enough every one did who could
get into the church year after, during the
funeral service read over the remains Of the
most unique man who ever lived.
The letter is as follows
September 24th, 1874.
My Dear Hans AaderSen,-I have often
thong ht of you since you wrote to me last,
and wished to write to you, but could not
do so before. You would see from the
newspapers the great sorrow we have had
this year. l did so expect to have had papa
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