Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-06-26
Habits and Tastes of Mr.. Bryant.

lue strongest point IN MT. Bryant
character was its simplicity. This is no
more true of his poems than of his prose
writings; no more true of either than of
his daily pursuits and habits. Travelling,
as he did, through many lands and among
the proudest monuments Of civilizations;
having. as he always did in his character
and position, perpetual passport TO all
society and every public place, his heart
remained fixed in its first love of nature.
Mr.. Bryant has told the story of his daily
habits himself Nothing could be simpler.
The Athenian, born on the poorest soil in
Greece, contented himself ut dinner with
the head of fish, an onion and II lew
olives. Even the rich were quite satisfied
with dish of vegetables; while people at
large were accustomed to eat meat on II
feast day for the whole year. Mr.. Bryant
in diet and in all the pursuits Of the day
was quite rs simple. In winter he rose
always nj half-past five; in summer from
half an hour to AN hour earlier With lit
tie clothing on his body he Immediately
began an hours exercise with dumb-bells,
a horizontal bar, and light chair swung
round the head. Sometimes he gave more
than an hour 10 this exercise, but never
less. When it WAS over he bathed from
head 10 foot In the summer, if living at
Roslyn, he usually shortened the exercise
in the chamber and went out of doors to
engage at some work requiring brisk exer-
else, such as pruning trees or cutting
wood. After the bath, if breakf,ts was
not ready, he sat in his library. No break
fast could be palmer than his-hominy
and milk, or brown bread, oatmeal or
l. ,,,l h.,
sweet apples. Bnckwheat cakes he did
not refuse, but coffee or animal food he
never took Occasionally be drank choco-
late, as il has no narcotic effect After the
meal was over he engaged for while at
his studies, and, if in the city, walked
down to the Evening Post Office, Il distance
of three miles.
After three hours passed thus he return
ed, always walking, whatever the condi-
lion of the streets or weather might be. If
living in the country, he studied or read
until weary, and then went inlo his garden
to prune pear trees, or walked through the
woods; he seldom drove. He dned early
on vegetables with little meat or fish
At supper he never drank tea. but was
satisfied with bread and butter and fruit
Fruit formed large part Of his diet, and
he ate it at almost any time without incoD-
venience. In the city, where people dine
later he only ate two meals day Water
was his exclusive drink. though he occa-
sonally took wine lie once said he was IL
natural temperance man. his mind being
rather confused than eXhiarated by alco.
ho. Milton once said, however, that the
lyric poet may d lux wine and live gener
ously; but The epic poet, he who shall sing
of the gods. and their descent unto men,
must drink water out of II wooden bowl.
According to Milton, then. Mr. Bryant
was more of an epic than u lyric poet, and
though his verses are not Of the epic order.
no one lacking the epic spirit could have
translated Homer us lie did. Mr.. Bryant
retired early: in town at lO-in the coun
try somewhat earlier. For several years
he avoided. in the evening, every kind of
| literary occupation which tasked he facul
ties, such as composition, even to the
writing of letters, because it excited hi-
nervous system and prevented sound sleep.
He never used tobacco. I" never NEEDLE
its use. | abuminate all drugs and mar
cotlcs, and hive always carefully avoided
everything which spurs nature to exe'tions
which she would not otherwise make Even
with my food do no take the usual con
diments, such as pepper and salt
When practcng law in Massachusetts
he Was elected justice of the peace, and
ut one time held the Office of village clerk,
He was often asked later in life To accept
office, but he steadily refused. His name
was once mentioned for the Italian mis-
sion and he Immediately responded, say
ing: "What would do in the foul atmos
phere of court society which derives It's
Tore from the sanction OF royalty? Give
me the pure air, the bright skies and the
green fields" In religion he Aas II deep
though unpretentous, believer. At Ros
lyn he regularly attended the little Plcsby
terian church, and partook of the sacra
ment.-Ne,O York Tribune.