Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-11-19
John q. Whittier.

This now venerable poet and philanthropy
ist holds very large place in the hearts of
whole English-speaking world, and we there
fore gladly comply with request to repub-
fish the following, from the Boston cores
pondence of the Springfield Republican;
Edgar Parker is finishing portrait Of John g.
painted with the fur-decorated overcoat by which
he Is best known. Whittier himself Is much
pleased with II, and another sitting will finish H.
The way by which the artist obtained the poets
consent to sitting Is interesting. Il Is well
known that Mr.. Whittier dislkes to ait for even
photograph, but Mr.. Parker went to see the
poet telling him frankly the object Of his GRAND
" But don't want picture Of myself" said
Whittier. know it, answered Parker, but
nonplussed Mr.. Whittier, and he said "Do You
believe II 2 Why, I never Thought OF such n
thing" Mr.. Parker wished to appoint the day
for sitting, asking the poet to suit his own conve-
nience, but the repugnance was again stirred, and
he said: " But do not want to sit There are
enough pictures Of me now, and who will care to
preserve any painting Of me2' a. That's not
question for you to decide, Mr.. Whittier" said
the artist. rs Some day, when II will be too late,
they will get together some OF those old photo
graphs floating about the country which YOU now
despise, and they will patch together a painting
which they will hand down to posterity as Whit
TIER, fOnletilinR tnat VIII NOT look any more ike
you than a crow. And you ought not to allow It."
This presentation Of the case staggered Mr.. Whit
tier, and he said "Why, never looked ut II In
in that light before SO the day was appointed
for a sitting. The day came, but not Whittier
Two months after Mr., Parker answered the studio
bell, and Mr.. Whittier stepped in with the saluta-
ton well, are you ready for me?' Fortu-
nately Mr.. Parker had canvas prepared, and he
answered: " Yes; sit right down. Mr.. Whittier
restless and silent, and remained about three
quarters OF an hour. The next time he stayed
longer, but, rs he Ia not communicative Mr..
Parker worked silently, not wishing to annoy the
sitter At the next sitting Whittier was inter-
ested in the work. and left his chair frequently 10
inspect 1t. This time he stayed contentedly three
| hours, and talked freely Although he always
avoids any mention Of his poems, the conversa-
| tion driited that way, and among much interest
| ing conversation, he gave the origin OF Maud
| Muller" He was driving with his sister through
York, Maine, and stopped at harvest field to in
| quire the way. A young girl raking hay near the
stone wall stopped to answer their inquiries.
Whittier noticed, as she talked that she basbfully
raked the hay around and over her bare feet, and
she was fresh and fair. The little incident left
| its impression, and he wrote out the poem that
| very evening " But II | had had any dea," he
said, THAT the plaguy little thing would be so
| liked, should have taken more pains with it,
| Yes, and probably robbed 1t Of its tender beauty
and spoiled it, TO the inquiry to the title,
MAUD Muller" he said it was suggested to him,
and not a selection. 1t came as the poem came.