Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-02-28
HONORING A POET.
The Maine Historical Society Appropri-
ately Celebrate
The Seventy-Fifth Birthday of Henry
Wadsworth LongfeIIow.
PORTLAND, Feb. %.


Poet Longfellow's seventy-fifth birthday
is observed by the flying flag on many public
buildings and private residences, and will be
celebrated tonight by the Maine Historical
Society.
The Historical Society of Maine met at
Reception Hall at 80 this evening. The
hall was crowded, many being turned away.
Several of Longfellows relatives were pres
ent, and many well known literary people.
Judge w. &. Barrows, of Brunswick, pre-
sided in the absence of Hon. J. W. Brad
bury, President. He paid an eloquent trib-
ute to Henry w. Longfellow. whose seventy
fifth birthday the Society had met to cele-
brate. He mentioned that for thirty years he
had occupied the house which the poet had
lived in when at college, and spoke Of the
hallowed associations connected with it.
f. II. Eiwell moved that telegram be
sent to Prof. Longfellow, and it was sent as
follows:
1.-The members of the Maine Historical
or of your seventy-ffth birthday, send you
James T. Baxter, Esq, then recited an
original poem. As he concluded amid much
applause, he crowned bust of the poet,
which was upon the table, with wreath of
leaves from behring's Oaks.
Rev. III. 5. Burrage then read clear and
full genealogical account of Longfellow's
family. He showed that the Stephenson
house, on the corner Of Fore and Hancock
streets. where the poet was born. was only
the temporary residence of his parents. while
his youth was passed in the Wadsworth
house, next above the Preble house, on Con-
gress street, now known as the Longfellow
house.
Hon. VIM. Goold, of Windham, followed.
with paper on Gen. Peleg Wadsworth, who
was Longfellow's maternal grandfather. He
showed that the poet inherits the blood of
five of the Mayflower pilgrims, including
Elder Brewster and John Alden.
Edward Ii. Elwell, editor of the Portland
Transcript then gave description of 1.-The
Portland of Longfellow's YOUTH He pic
tured the little village as it appeared at the
beginning of this century. The panic of 1907,
the embargo times. and the war of 1912,
when the poet had become old enough to
comprehend passing events. He gave a live
ly sketch of the town in the succeeding de-
cade.
The venerable DIR. Alpheus S. Packard, of
Bowdon College, then gave "reminiscences
of Longfellow's College Life" He was
warmly received. and his personal recollec-
tions were very interesting.
Hon. George f. Talbot of Portland, closed
the addresses with one on 1.-The Genius of
Longfellow. This was discriminating and
admirable eulogy of Longtellow's work.
The reply to the telegram was now read
CAMBRIDGE, Feb. ~.
"GOur telegram received. | return cordial
thanks to the members of the Society, and
am very grateful for this signal mark of their
remembrance and regard.
HENRY W. LoNGFELLow.
vote of thanks were passed to Mrs.
Pierce, of Portland. Mrs. James r. Fields
of Boston, Prof. Justin Winsor. of Harvard
University and Houghton, Mitfiin ( Co., for
the loan of valuable portraits. relics, books
ard manuscripts, and at the late hour of 10 ~
the meeting adjourned.