Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-16

FIRST PUBLICATION OF HIS COLLECTED POEMS
Mr.. Whittiers miscellaneous poems were pub
lished in small and unpretendIng volume in
the year 1S45. Four years afterwards they were
| published by B. B. Mussey. OF Boston. in a mag
| nif'cent octave volume of nearly four hundred
pages, illustrated by steel engravings, and sump-
| tuously bound In morocco and gilt. So uncon-
| scious was Mr.. Whittier Of the increasing popu-
| larity of his poems that when Mr.. Mussey offered
him FIVE hundred dollars for the copyright OF
the proposed volume, with liberal per centage
| on the sales he actually thought, to use his own
| language, that the enterprising publisher had
| taken leave of his senses" The book was a
| complete success, several editions of 1t having
been rapidly disposed of.
After the death Of Mr.. Mussey. Ticknor &
Fields. wishing to publish blue and gold edi-
| ton OF MIR. Writers poems. 1t was necessary
to purchase of Mr.. Mussey's successors the copy
right OF the large volume, the estimated value
was promptly paid The new edition had a large
sale, but the price paid for the copyright alb
sorbed the entire profits
THE NATIONAL ERA
In 1877 Mr.. Whittier became corresponding
editor Of the National Era, weekly anti-sla-
very and literary newspaper. established In this
city by DR.. Gamaliel Bailey, formerly of Gin
| cinnati. To this paper, in which origin
ally appeared Harriet Beecher Stoves
thrilling story Of "Uncle Toms Cabin,
he was constant and liberal contributor, and
as he was then in feeble health. the amount OF
original matter In prose and verse which he fur
nlshed for Its columns was truly marvellous
Some OF his most popular poems, including
"Maud Muller and Randolph of Roanoke .
were written for that paper, besides several
serials In prose, among which was Margaret
Smiths journal, )" one Of the most delightful
DOCK OF Its kind in the literature OF America
REMOVAL TO AMEsBURY.
Mr. Whittier sold the old homestead in East
Haverhill, on which had resided seven genera
tions Of the family, and removed to Amesbury
IN 1910. Amesburyis small manufacturing
village In the northeastern portion Of Massa-
chusetts, four miles from Newburyport, and not
far from the line of New Hampshire. His house
Is plain, old-fashioned building, situated on
Friend street, and within few rods of a Quaker
| meeting house. There is nothing about the ex-
terror to attract the attention of passers-by, and
the Interior is plainly finished, and furnished
Win regard for comfort rather than for ele-
gance or display. few portraits of the poets
friends are displayed upon the walls and seve-
raj groups by Rogers occupy pedestals In the
paror. The poets study is cosy square room,
three sides OF which are occupied by books,
which reach from the floor to the ceiling. The
| number of autograph books sent to him by their
authors is very large, and would make an ex-
tenslve library. Mr. Whittier is much beloved
by his townsmen, who look upon him as true
| friend. kind neighbor, and Christian gentle
man; but of his literary requirements, and his
reputation as poet, they know but little
For many years Mr. Winters youngest and
only surviving sister, Elizabeth, was his house
keeper and companion. and the two were de-
voted to each other. So strong were the bonds
OF affection and sympathy by which they were
united that they were often compared to Charles
and Mary Lamb. Elizabeth was a gifted but
unpretending poetess and selection from her
poems is included in the recent editions Of her
brothers works. Her death, which occurred in
1864, was terrible blow to Mr.. Whittier. who
cherlsheS her memory with more than lovers
| tenderness and devotion.
OAK KNOLL.
For some years after the death of Mr.. Whit
tiers sister, the daughter of his only brother
was his housekeeper. Since her marriage he
passed much of his time with some cousins, who
reside in Danvers, Mass, on charming estate
very appropriately called soak Knoll" Here
he is surrounded with everything that can pro-
mote his comfort and happiness or cater to
his refined an elegant tastes. The house is
large and cheerful and furnished in excellent
taste. Each room on the lower floor has an
open fire place, which adds much to the pleas
ufe OF Mr.. Whittier, who is in his element when
managing wood fire. Over the parlor fire
place hangs life-size portrait of Mr. Whittier,
painted many years ago by Hoyt from which
an engraving was made for the Mussey edition
OF his poems. In nearly every room in the house
are works OF art In the shape OF paintings, en-
cravings. statuettes and busts, while the walls
OF the family sitting-rOom are literally lined
with books. Mr.. Whittier's study is a pleasant
little room In the northeast corner of the house,
and Is not only conveniently but elegantly fur
nlshed, conspicuous article of furniture being
a new and beautiful rosewood writing table,
which has recently come into his possession.
When visited him at this delightful abode In
September last l found him In rather feeble
health, but in excellent spirits. In the course
OF our conversation he spoke of his first visit to
Washington, and related his experiences i'm this
city, to which l have alluded elsewhere. He
listened with apparent interest to my account of
an accidental interview had in Farragut Square
last summer with an unknown gentleman who
was sitting alone, to whom addressed casual
remark concerning the statue which had but
recently been placed therein. This remark led
to conversation on the statues Of naval and
military heroes which occupy many of the public
squares Of this city, and the expression on nv
part of hope that the prominent poets, his
torans, statesmen and jursts of this country
would one day be similarly honored. This was
followed by an observation from my unknown
listener that he considered Whittier the leading
poet of this country. and that he had read MANY
OF his poems with deep interest and pleasure,
and had been particularly impressed with some
lines In ''SnOw Bound" which he quoted with
much feeling, little thinking how grateful to the
ear and heart of his unknown auditor was this
spontaneous tribute to the Quaker Poet As
| rose to depart after an hour passed in de-
lightful converse, requested of the gentleman
who had contributed SO much to my entertain
ment an interchange of cards. when discovered
that for the pleasure l had enjoyed I was in
debted to the honorable Secretary of State.
Mr. Whittier, as have said. listened with evil
dent pleasure to the recital Of the story of my
pleasant adventure in Farragut Square, and
when requested OF him. as special favor a
copy in his own handwriting of the lines which
had SO deeply impressed Secretary Frelinghuy-
sen, that might present them, in his name, to
that gentleman he at once took a seat at his
writing table. and without any hesitation
transcribed them from memory and in an ele-
giant hand, in which not the slightest evidence
of advanced age was discernable.
Notwithstanding the beauty and comfort of
his surroundings. in this charming rural retreat,
where every want is. anticipated, and where he
seems as happy as it is possible for man to be.
Mr.. Whittier, still considers himself citizen of
Amesbury and passes portions of each year at