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

many OF them into the Spanish language and
his regard for the poet and his works has been
frequently manifested by letters addressed to
him in his own handwriting.
pleasant incident Of the Emperor's visit to
boston In June, 1875 was personal Interview
Win Mr.. Whittier at the house OF a distin-
guished lady OF that city. The greeting OF the
Emperor was Of the most cordial character and
he and the poet, for nearly an hour. enjoyed an
uninterrupted and animated conversation.
FoNDNESS FOR PETs-THE POETS PARROT
Mr.. Whittier, like most men Of genius. is very
fond OF pets, and for several years during his
residence in Amesbury was the possessor OF q
large gray parrot called " Charlie" who spent
much Of his time with the poet In his library.
and always stood on the back OF his chair at
the dinner table. The two seemed to under
stand each other pea fectly well. and frequently
held long conversations together. For some
months after this parrot came into the posses
sion OF the poet his department was I'm harmony
with his social surroundings; but the democrat
lzing influences to which he had been exposed
during an earlier period Of his life were made
| manifest one Sunday morning when he climbed
TO the ridge-pOle Of the house and from this
lofty eminence poured forth a volley of oaths at
the villagers who passed by on their way to
church. Mr. Whittier was deeply shocked by
this unseemly conduct of his pet and rushing
to the attic. endeavored to dislodge the culprit
Dy means OF rake. but was unsuccessful IL
being too short to reach the feathered bias
Phemer. few days after this unpleasant
occurrence this profane bird Climbed TO the
chimney-top. where he performed a dance pecu-
liar to his Species and for several days thereafter
was seen no more. He was finally discovered
the Kitchen fireplace. covered with SCOT and
nearly starved. From this shock to his pride
ana sensitive nerves he never recovered. but
gradually pinned away and died. dialogue be-
tween the poet and this remarkable bird is re-
corded In the poem entitled The Common
Question"
SENSE OF HUMoR-HIS FAvoRTTE NOVELS
Few men possess a keener sense of humor
than Mr. Whittier or relate a good story with
better effect. His favortes among works of
fiction are the novels of Dickens. especially the
Plckwck Papers, which are a source of endless
delight to him, and are read by him In all moods
In his poetry there are few indications OF that
Rich vein of wit and humor which enters largely
into his mental composition; but proofs of 1t
are found on almost every page Of his prose
writings. In his delightful volume entitled
Margaret Smiths Journal" are many capital
stories Illustrative of life and manners I'm the
early colonial times, which cannot fail to excite
the reader to laughter. and some of his essays
overflow with genuine humor.
HIS MANNER OF WRITING.
Mr.. Whittier writes with wonderful facility
and with great rapidity. The first drafts OF his
poems are rarely changed, and in the various
editions OF his writings is seen but little evil
dence that any time has been spent In their re-
vision. The thought which he wishes to ex-
press takes Its perfect shape in his mind. and as
soon as he seats himself at his table he puts It
into writing with little or no hesitation During
the antl-slavery movement his lyric genius was
sure to be aroused by the action of any eccless-
astlcal or political body on the subject of
slavery, SO that the poems of this period may be
READ as commentary, chrOnicling the exciting
events which were OF frequent occurrence Some
OF tnese poems must have been written on the
spur of themoment and thrown off at white heat,
YET are SO faultless in their melody and rhythm
that they seem to have passed through the fires
OF revision.
PERSONAL APPEARANCE.
Like his ancestors Mr.. Whittier is tall. be-
Ing nearly six feet in height, and as straight as
an arrow. Heis of slender build. with a high
and massive forehead, crowned once with locks
OF raven hue, but now with the silyery hair of
age He wears the costume peculiar to his sect,
ana MS speech is, to certain extent, character
lied by some Of the peculiarities of the people
among whom he was born and bred and whose
simple creed and forms Of worship he prefers to
those of any other body of Christians: although
MS opinions and convictions on matters of re-
liglon, 1t Is well known, require a broader plat
form than is to be found in the simple faith Of
his ancestors
CONCLUSION.
Although Mr.. Whittier has been popularly
known as the poet of the anti-slavery reform. he
has made for himself an abiding place in the
hearts OF his readers by the sweetness purity
and thoughtfulness of the numerous poems in
which he has appealed to the religious in
stincts, affections and domestic sentiments of
the people.
10 the traditions Of New England, MANY OF
which he gathered from the recitals of his aged
ancestors. he has given an ideal beauty. while
the perfection of his descriptions of the life and
scenery OF New England is universally acknowl-
edged. He is recognized as one of the nobest
and most inspiring of all the poets of our time,
and while he has helped to educate a nation to
righteousness, he has also given to our ltera-
ture words of such sweetness. bravery and truth
that they seem to have entered into the COM
mon speech Of men as the natural language of
the heart.
But not his strains with courage rife
Nor hottest hymns shall rank above
The hythmtc~ beauty OF his life
Itself cantfele of lOve