New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-06-18
4 VISIT TO WHITTIER.

From The Spra ctse Journal
The house is tar, well-Duilt Diich W 10
with wide piazza on three sides OF II, close to the
roadway but overlooking an extensive ana very
charming lawn. The recepton-room Is essen many
pretty things that have doubtless been made by
pretty hands. A piano stands IN one Corner. pY tue
omen fireplace, and | could imagine Nj. " hItter
prnsively listening to the good music which son4e-
6olv plays for him. as there is quantity OF 10
living at hand the fine instrument, by Tue Des1
composers Mr.. Whittier is tall, erect, ana some
what dlfrdent as bachelors OF his age are apt 10 De-
His greeting Is cordial and his line brown eyes say
" Welcome" before his lips utter tie gracious
words oar conversation drllteI INTO a tqPIc coul
mon at the time-the deaths OF Mt. loL gleIo" ana
Mr. Emerson both close friends or the quaker poet,
and both of whom he euloglZed IN ms peculiar
way. Naturally our talk passed on TO the mention
of the other world and the nearness many persons
experience of their dear ones VINO nave euleIeu C7
rest. " / have never felt the influence you de-
scribe said Mr.. Whittier; no one who mas passed
away seems near to me now. Life IS such mys,
terv that DO not ask 10 penetrate the ecrets OF
etrrnity-but can imagine that you and Others are
conscious of the unseen presence Oh those WHOM
Won have loved ana lost"
" Aud who are eternally happy"-I added;
Well, | am not certain about that ne con-
timed with an expression of abstractIon-'I De-
lIeve that we may have troubles there. as well as
here-if not the contrast would not be so sweet
The difference will be tnat we shall be letter en-
abled to bear them. Heaven IS place OF harmony
everything will be harmonized there"
"Then you do not admire state OF complete
bliss p r,,.o. L..
high tide land after joining me in a moment Oh
merriment he said: ~,
{. We ali have times of exquisite enjoyment; tho
beautiful because SO heetng ana IL is ior tne
contrasts in life OF pain and pleasure that such
experiences are priced Turning suddenly he
asked: ~
. When are you the happiest ~
"You will laugh, Mr. Whittier, but 1t IS when
hear the first note of robin IN the early Sprn
No, l shall not laugh, for L understand that
pleasure too" -
Then | described the meadows of Central Park
which he said was all new to hlm-and he haG not
song merry twinkle came IN his eyes as lie
!" / like Boston Common because they hung some
Ouakers there once upon time"
He remarked that he Is seVenty-iYe years OF age
and pOetica illusions could not be expected from
such an old man" But he seems III very toleraDle
health and bis poetic temperament IS still enkIndIed
sometimes. ,
genial old man, is the yivacious, handsome ana
gifted author, MIR J. T. Trow bridge, whose Naga-
bondsv has been the delight of so many public ana
private Rotations. Mr. Trowbrldge resides at
Arlington. also about twenty miles from Boston, IN
a pretty cheerful cottage, surrounded by lawn
that slopes down to little lake. lie Is brilliant
conversationaist, keen at reDartee, and fuli OF
anecdote Ills story OF Mr.. Horace Greeley
absent nindedness at a tea party Is TOO good TO De
Lost A cake basket being passed to that gentleman
on such n convivia occasion, he hooked IL on one OF
his forefingers and consumed ITS entire contents
Colonel HIgglns0n, one OF BOstohs DIlsutesJ
lights resides at Cambridge. 1t was he who
wrote-as you will remember" Ibe Procession Oh
Flowers and "MslbOne House" He Is wealthy,
but q great worker. He Is also very handsome,
having remarkably fine curling gray halr winch
surrounds and softens his ford face. lie went to
New-York ut the time of DR.. HOllands funeral and
author paying this most commendable respect
to his memory and genius.