The Portland daily press., 1882-04-27
A Call Upon Longfellow.

Mr.. EDITOR: Three years ago, accompanied
by my daughter and her friend, Miss G.,
called upon the poet Longfellow at his home
in Cambridge. On my card I announced my
self as resident of Camden and graduate
of Bowdoin. He cordially received us into his
library, remarking, as he did 80, that Camden
was not an unfamiliar place 10 him, as he had
on one occasion enjoyed its delightful scenery
and had an old friend resident there, William
IL. Goldman, his schoolmate at Portland and
subsequently college-mate in Bowdoin.
As he invited us to seats, said that we had
merely called, as admirers of his poems, to take
him by the hand but not to intrude upon his
time. With that graceful simplicity of man.
ner, SO characteristic of the man, he said:
"But cannot permit these young ladies to
cave without showing them my mansion.
They will be Interested to see the rooms
once occupied by General and Lady Washing
ton." He then took US over his residence,
pointing out and explaining to us his favorite
pictures, statuary, go.
Learning that the ladies we're interested in
music, he said he must show them his por-
trait of Liszt, the great Hungarian musical
composer, rsmarking in q predatory way, that
the first time he saw Liszt, he entered the
room holding in front OF him burning taper
lighting up his face as represented in the pic
ture. He then thought it was one OF the most
bewitching faces he had ever seen, and SO ex-
pressed himself to his friend who had arranged
his meeting with Liszt. His friend, appreclat.
ing his enthusiasm, had the portrait painted
for him lighted up as he first saw it, To give
better effect to the picture, small, full length
portrait, Longfellow lighted jet of gas and
gave us the full expression OF truly fascinat-
ing, though not handsome face
Ny daughter remarking to me soto yoce:
hearing her, naiyely enquired: "To whom?"
She replied, ''To us, of course" "Not SOL
said he, for deem it equally an honor and
pleasure as well to have my readers desire to
see me-" told the poet the young ladies had
always seemed to them like mythical and
not real person. "Well, you see that am
quite substantial being il I am poet" said
he, land this reminds me of an Englishman
once introduced to me who id he had al
about the time that Washington did"
Before we left, he invited us to try his
birthday chair presented to him the week pre-
vious by the school children of Cambridge,
with which he seemed particularly pleased as
it was made from the sold horse chestnut tree
beneath which
"The village smithy stood"
He presented each of the ladies, at parting,
small bouquet of flowers, selected and arranged
as he chatted with them, and gave me as
souvenir quill pen made and recently used
by him.
This reception, SO cordial, simple and enthu-
siastic, we all appreciated as delightful sur
prise, the recollection of which will, like sweet
odors long linger in our memories. This is
not given as exceptional sor matter of person
al pride, but as one of the many similar dis
plays of that warm and graceful hospitality so
iva nf aho ~ 4
fallen asleep;
Whose simple life, complete and without flaw,
Was part and parcel OF law.
T. r. S.