Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-04-16
F. Won -BODENSTEDT.

Arrival OF the Great German Poet in ST.
Paula Reception and Serenade at the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. by Abort Wolff
and Response by the Guest.
Frederick Ivon Bodenstedt, the distinguished
German bard, novelist and historian, arrived
in this city at 80 o'clock, yesterday after
noon. The poet was accompanied by Messrs.
Albert Scheffer, Capt. j. Manner, j. j. PEN
ner, and Julius zahonyi, who joined the incom-
ing train of the Chicago, Milwaukee ST.
Paul railroad at Langdon, and there extended
the inequalities of st. Paul.
At the depot the party were met by the spe-
cial committee on reception, and after congrat-
ulations had been extended the guest was con-
veyed to the Metropolitan hotel. Upon their
arrival here dinner was in waiting, and the
traveller partook of hearty repast, being
Joined by several well known citizens.
In the afternoon a carriage was procured
and Herr Won Bodenstedt was shown over the
city accompanied by Messrs. Lienau, Manner,
Penuer, Scheffer, and Herr Schoenamann Pott,
a lecturer and free thinker from California. In
the evening GLOBE reporter had the pleasure
of an introduction to the distinguished visitor
at the Metropolitan hotel.
The poet was found alone bending over ia
BILE and industriously writing. A skull cap Was
lying on the table, and fine opportunity was
afforded for pen picture of his personnel. In
appearance he is not unlike what might be
looked for in one who had scaled the th0rny
sides of high Olympus to parley with the
muse. Outwardly he is venerable and almost
sage-like. One or two years beyond sixty, his
face is adorned with gray beard and mus.
tache while magnificent expose of forehead
is relieved by crop of thin and frosty hair.
Behind a pair of old fashioned spectacles
shone pair of bright eyes, which if not In fine
frenzy rolling, they were Enthusiastically indica-
tive of mellow culture and the brightest intel
lectuality.
He was attired in light trousers and velvet
jacket, buttoned up to the neck, which bore
the only attempt at display, viz: white
choker collar and neatly tied cravat.
The scribe held few minutes CONVEX
sation with the poet, during which the
latter happily monopolized the talking, in
choice, fluent English
As to his impression of America, he is per-
fectly delighted. He spoke highly of the
progress in educational matters and the sci
ence of government; astOnished at
broad acres, great cities and teeming indus
tries.
In social matters he was agreeably impressed
with the courtesy and regard extended to
women, and he was highly pleased at the
American system of educating the sexes to-
gether and allowing the young of both sexes
to freely cUmmingle.
In bellies letters, he spoke highly of Long
fellow, Holmes, Whittier and others, and is
delighted with Bryant.
In English poetry he is in love with Shaks-
peare, the writings of whom he has translated
into German, his work on this writer being
universally accepted standard in Prussia.
OF Burns, Tennyson, Byron and host of
others ne spoke in terms of high praise, and
when the conversation turned on gallantry his
remarks were illustrated by one of Moore's
songs, which he recited at length from men,
DRY.
Herr Won Bodenstedt was born in the king
dom of Hanover, but for many years has been
a resident of Weiesbaden. His writings are
voluminous, and have been translated into
many Of the languages, including Hebrew.
When asked what his future arrangements were
for travelling in this country, he replied that
after leaving this part of the country he would
proceed to Omah", and from thence, by easy
stages, to the Pacific coast.
After further desultOry conversation the
porter bowed himself out, highly edited and
most favorably impressed with the bard.
A sERENADE.
The feature of the evening took place at 8
o'clock, when complimentary reception and
serenade was given in honor of the bard.
Long before the hour named the spacious
Office and corridors of the hotel were crowded
with citizens, representing the foremost men
in German society.
At 8 o'clock the members of the German,
Arion, Mannerchor and Liederkranz Singing
societies filed into the Office and formed
circle at the foot of the stairs.
At this point the ladies in attendance were
assigned positions on the stairs, where they
commanded full view of the situation.
The societies, led by Prof Kerker, struck up
q note of welcome, which was the signal for the
appearance of Herr Won Bodenstedt, who took
position on the stairs accompanied by Capt.
Manner, Mr.. Lienau, Mr.. Wolff and Mr.. Albert
Scheffer. The societies sang in German q
beautiful air, which in English may be traus
lated Free Like the Eagles Golden Wings"
the song being excellently rendered
The poet was then introduced by Capt
Manner, after which Mr.. Albert Wolf, editor of
the VOtkzjetung, delivered the following ad-
dress of welcome:
I'm the land of the Dacota's the scene of the
beautiful legend, immortalized by the Ameri-
can nations most revered bard, in the home of
Hiawatha, no poet would be strang-
er. That in the youngest province won for
civilization in the West the German poet was
no stranger, the familiar sounds of German
sons ree3hoing the words of Mira Schaffy,'
(the poets chief work.
Working in rude fields,
Don't get rude yourself,
had heralded to him. And to these songs the
speaker would add his hearty welcome in tine
name of his fellow-cItizens, and in return of
the noble pleasures bestowed upon them by
the harmony muse of the poet, who-this was
most fervently hoped-would, among the rich
treasures of pleasant recollections, carry home
to the Fatherland very friendly one of his
friends, the German citizens of st. Paul"
In acknowledging the above, the poet said
that in coming to the land famous for its deeds
and immortalized in song, his hopes had
swelled with the fondest desires. In the East,
his soul had pUlsated to new awakenings of
the true and beautiful, but the sweetest in
SEPARATION was reserved for the grand and ever
lasting scenery of the Mississippi, where his
hopes had realized their utmost fulfllment.
The speaker adverted to scenery and events
that had immortalized the Dakotas in story
and song and closed with hearty thanks for
the cordiality of his reception.
The 'Fatherland'' was then sang by mem
berS of the society, after which the visitor was
introduced to the company.
To-day he will inspect st. Paul and to-mor-
row visit Fort Smelling, the Falls and other
places of interest about the city. Sunday
evening he will lecture at the Atheneum.