Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-03-02
LONGFELLOw IN COLLEGE.
Letter From Hon. j. w. Bradbury. lsivim Z
"Reminiscences OF the Poet.

Hon. James W. Bradbury of Augusta,
president of the Maine Historical Society,"
not being able to be present at the celebration
Monday sent the following letter to the Sec
rotary:
WASHINGTON, Feb. 18th, 1882
Dear Sir: | sincerely regret that cannot
be with you at the meeting of the society in
honor of our distinguished native author and
that have not the opportunity in the midst
of my occupations on my journey to the
South, to say what | would like to have said
on this interesting occasion.
We are all proud 20 recognize the fact that
Longtellow has won place in history; that
his name is enrolled with the names of those
who were not born to die; and it is pecu-
liarly appropriate that society devoted to
historic research should avail itself of an oc-
casion like this, in the city of his BIRTH to do
honor TO one who has reflected so much hon
or not only upon his native land but also upon
the republic of letters throughout the world.
Let us send him our congratulations that
he is spared by a kind Providence to receive
on the 18th anniversary of his birth the tes-
timonials of the love and veneration in which
he is held BY hosts of friends in the old
world and the new.
/ flrSt knew IpngIellOW NHtH L entered as
a Sophomore in the class of which he was a
member in 1872; and l like to think of him
as then knew him. His slight, erect figure
delicate complexion, and intelligent express
sion IT countenauce, come back to me indeli-
bly associated with his name.
He was always gentleman in his depnrt
ment and model in his character and habits
For a wear or more we had our ICONS out Of
college and in the same vicinity. and con-
scauentlv saw much more of him than of
MANY Others of our class. | recollect that at
our Junior exhibition discussion upon the
respective claims of the two races OF men to
this continent was assigned to Longfellow
and myself He had the character of King
Philip and | of Miles Standish. He main
tanned that the continent WAS given by the
Great Spirit to the Indians, and that the
English were wrongful intruders. My reply.
a. nearly rs I can recall il. was that the
ahnrigine. were claiming more than their
canal share of the earth. and that the Great
Shirt never intended that so few in number
should hold the whole continent for hunting
grounds and that we had right to share
OF il to improve and cultivate. Whether tins
occurrence had ANYTHING to do in suggesting
the subject for one of his admirable poems or
not one thing is certain that he subsequently
made a great deal more of Miles Standish
than did on that occasion.
As a scholar Lonsfellow always maintained
a high rank. in class that contained such
names As Hawthorne, Little. Cilley, Cheever,
Abbott and Others Although he was sup
po.ed to he somewhat devoted to the muses.,
he never came to the recitation room UMPIRE
narcd with his lessons. Hawthorne. on the
contrary. sliy and retiring in his habits, al
wavs apncared to be so much absorbed IN his
own thoughts, or occupied with one or the
other of his special friends. Franklin Pierce
or Uoratio Bridge that he paid little atten-
zion TO preparation for the recitation room.
anil to us superficial observers he did not
give much promise that he was to place NM
.le in the front rank of the best writers in the
English language.
Cilley was a Young man of great promise,
and nossesscd qualities that would have made
him eminent in civil and military life. had re
NOT heen prematurely cut of at the COM
mencement of his career.
AT commencement Lougfellow had one OF
the three English orations assigned 10 the
class. Josiah 5. Little from Portland having
the valedictcrv which was first in rank AT
Tho, time and for more than thirty years AT
forwards the English orations outranked the
atm in old Bowdoin. allude TO this tact
| N correct an error that occurred in biograph-
| zeal notice of our worthy class-mate Benson
! in giving him a rank he would never nave
claimed for himself. because he had me Latin
! salutatory ut commencement. =,
| find that I must now close abruptly WIN
ont adding anything more. or | shall iai ~
mail this letter OF excuse in season 10 reach
rnn please make nv apology to the society
far falling TO furnish them with such . letter
-, ans J. W. BRADBURY.