Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-03-29
LopgreIIou,s Love for Children.

New York Tribune Boston Special
Many pleasing anecdotes are told Illus
trating Mr.. Longfellow's kindly manner to-
ward strangers, and especially his gentle
ness toward children, Tor whom there was
always place in his heart. The following
story, told by Prof. Luigi Menti last year,
is fair example of the many that have
been, or that might be told. For many
years this gentleman has been in the
habit OF driving with the poet every Satur-
day.
On Christmas day, as he was walking
briskly toward the old historic house, he was
accosted by a girl about twelve years old,
who Inquired the way to Longfellows home.
He told her it was some distance down the
street, but if she would walk along with him
he would show her. When they reached the
gate she said; do you think l can go in
the yard?" sob, yes" said Signor Monti.
'Do you see the room on the left? That is
where Martha Washington held her recep-
ton a hundred years ago. II you look at
the window on the right you will probably
see a white-haired gentleman reading
paper. Well, that will be Mr.. Longfellow."
She looks gratified and happy at the unex-
pected pleasure OF really seeing the man
whose poems she said she loved. As Signor
Monti drew near the house he saw MIR. Long
fellow standing with his back against the
window, his head, OF course, out of sight.
When he went in the kind-hearted italian
said "Do look out OF the window and bow
10 that little girl, who wants to see you very
much" "a little girl wants to see me very
much. Where is She" He FASTENED to the
door, and, beckoning 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, he kindly took her into the
house, showed her the 'old clock on the
stairs" the chair made from the village
, smithy's chestnut tree, and presented to him
| by the Cambridge children, and the beauti-
| ful 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.. Longfellow's.
| This little incident shows how deep and
/ genuine was the love for children which
! found such frequent expression in Mr.. Long
! fellows verse. 1t was love which was cor
daily reciprocated, for other poet of the
/ times has had more friends and lovers among
! the "little people of God" than Mr.. Longfel-
low. This love of the children for him was
symbolized in the pretty gift which the chill
| dren of Cambridge made him in lS77-an
armchair made from the old horse chestnut
tree in Brattle street, Cambridge, which Mr.,
Longfealow had celebrated in his poem, "The
! Village Blacksmith" The design of the
chair is very pleasant and in keeping. The
! color is dead black, an effect produced by
ebonizing the wood. The upholstering Of
the arms and cushion is in green leather, and
the casters are glass set in sockets
Ia the back OF the chair is circular
piece of exquisite carving, representing
! horse-chestnut leaves and blossoms. Horse
chestnut leaves and burrs are presented in
varied combinations at other points. Around
the seat, IN raised German text, are the fol
lowing lines from the poem:
And children coming home from school look in a
| the open door,
And catch the burning sparks that fly like chat
| from threshing floor.
Underneath the cushion is brass plate
on which is the following inscription:
ITO the author of the Village Black,
smith this chair, made from the wood of the
| spreading chestnut tree, is presented an
expression of grateful regard and veneratior
by the children of Cambridge, who, with
their friends, join in best wishes and con
| CALCULATIONS on this anniversary. February
! 81. 1879"