New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-25
NETWORK DAILY TRIBUNE SATURDAY. MARCH Is, 1882

| the way to Longfellow's home. He tod her
| it distance down the street, but II che
would walk along with him he would show her.
When they reached the gate she said Do you think
can 90 in the yard ~ "Oh yes said signor Montl'
Do you see the room on the left That Is where
| Martha Washington held her receptions hundred
years ago. II you look at the window on the rlght
| you will probably see white haired gentleman
| reading paper Well. that will he Mr. Long'eiio"'
| She looked gratifed and happy at the uneA-
| pected pleasure Of really secing the man whose
| poems she said she loved Az Signor Mont drew
| near the house. he saw Mr.. Longfeow standing
| with his back against the window his head, OF
course. ont of sight. When he went in. the
kind-hearted Italian said: 60 Do look out
OF the window aud bow to that little
girl who wants to see you very much' A niue
girl wants TO sec very much. Where Is she !
He hastened to the door, and, reckoning with his
hand called out: Come here little GIRL
come here if you want TO see me.
She needed no second invitation and'
after shaking her hand and asking her name ne
kindly took her into the honse, showed her me on
clock ON the stairs" the chair made from the village
smIhys chestnut tree and presented to him by the
Cambridge children, and the beautiful pictures
and mementoes gathered in many years of
foreign residence. That child will carry all OF her
life delightful memories of her Christmas call at Mr..
ngfellow's.
This little incident shows how deep and genuine
was the love for children which found such ire
quent expression in Mr.. Longteow's verse. 1t was
love which was cordially reciprocated,
for no other poet Of the times has had more friends
and lovers among the " little people of God than
MI Longfellow. This love of the children for
him was symbolized in the pretty gift
which the children of Cambridge made to
him in 1S77-an armchair made from
the old horse-chestnut tree Brattie-st. Cam
bridge which Mr. Longfellow had celebrated in
his poem " The Village Blacksmith" The design of
the chair is very pleasant and in perfect
keeping The color is a dead black, an eff
feet produced by ebonizlng the wood. The
upholstering of the arms and the cushion is in
green Leaf her. and The casters are glass balls SET IN
sockets In the back of the char Is cir ular piece
Of exquisite carving, representing horSe-chestnu,
leaves and blossoms. lIorse-chestnut leaves and
burrs are presented in varied combinations at
other points Around the seat, in raised German
text, are the following lines from the poem
And children coming home from school look in at the
And catch The burning sparks that Gy Ike chat from
threshing floor
Underneath the cushion is a brass plate on which
is the following inscription
''To the author of he Village Blacksmith This
chair made from the wood of the spreading chest
nut tree. is presented an expression OF grateful
regard and veneratiOn by the children OF Cam
DIluge, NiO, Win Llcll JIAtH, JON III p'Sh "l9hN
and congratulations on tins anniversary cbruary
q, 1870
While Mr.. Longfeow had been ayerse TO public
testimonials and celebrations, bis birthday.
especially Of late years, has been the oc-
casIon of many pleasant DEMONSTRATIONS of
the affection in which he has b. On held
Particularly was this true of his last birthday on
the 27th of last month, when many schools through
ont the country gave the whole or part OF the day
to Study of his Writings and to essays
and addresses upon his character and life.
Ills native city of Portland desired to honor
MIN with . public reception upon the same occa-
sion, but falling health compelled hum TO decline
the honor The members of the Maine
Historical Society, however. held a special
meeting at which euloges, critical and personal
essays and a poem were read. At the Asylum for
the Bind III South Boston, there was pleasing Gel
cbIIiOn, in which the pupils participated: and IN
preparation for which volume in raised letters
bad been printed containing tributes to Dir. Long
frllnM aud anme pa.sages from his pOcms.