The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1883-12-13
A CHAT WITH WHITTIER.
Some Opinions and "reminiscences

six years. The writer describes the
home and personal appearance of Mr..
Whittier, who greeted the Wis tor cor.
daily. His fondness for Longfellow
was everywhere apparent, and when
this was remarked upon, he said:
Eyes, We were warm friends. He was
a delightful man and a great poet. The
last time he was here in my house he
came with Senator Summer and Mr..
Charles Lanman, of Washington. All
saw little of each other during the last
few years of his life. My health did not
permit me to go about much. Not long
before he died, he wrote for me to
come and see him. was not able to 20
at once; but, as soon as could, l went
to him. l was too late, however, for
when reached his house he was then
able to see any one, but soon after passed
away.
Hawthorne, Emerson, Long'ellow
and myself were always friends. There
were no jealousy between us, and each
took 4 pride in the work and SUCCESS of
the other. We would exchange notes
upon our productions, and if one saw a
kindly notice Of the other it was always
cut out and sent him.
"Hawthorne Regarded as the greatest
master of the English language. He was
the superior ofAddison. Ineyer knew
nor read of IL man who could build such
beautiful stories in words that the hum
blest could understand.
Emerson was not only great writer.
but philosopher. Our relations were
very close. lie often visited me here,
and l him. We saw more of one anoth-
er than did Longfellow and I. Emerson
has written some things that will live
forever. They are the "The Problem.
Each and ALL and perhaps twenty 9th.
er pieces that could name. He had q
simple, easy way of writing that gave his
work great power. My sister used to
say that she liked him better than anv
man who came here, because he never
talked over her head. That was really
his strength"
The conversation then driited into the
methods Of THESE great writer's at work.
Mr.. Whittier said:
Il was unlike any of the rest, / think,
for never had any methods. When 1
felt like it wrote: and I neither had
the health nor the patience to work over
it afterward. 1t usually went as it was
originally completed. Emerson wrote
with great care, and would not only re-.
wise his manuscript carefully, but have
often heard him say that he would fire.
Quently rewrite the article upon the
proof sheets. Longfellow, too, was q
very careful writer. He wrote and re-
wrote, and would lay his work by and
then revise it. He often would consult
with his friends about his productions
before they were given to the world.
He therefore sent his work out as per-
feet as great care and a brilliant intel.
lect could make it. 1 was not so fortu-
nate. | have lived mostly a secluded
and only few friends for associates.
What writing l have done has been for
the love of it. I have ever been timid
of what have penned. 1t is really q
marvel to me that l have gathered
any literary reputation from my pro-
duction.
Much that l b We written I wish was
as deep in the Red sea as Pharaoh's
chariot wheels. Much of the bread cast
on the waters wish had never been re-
turned. It is not fair to revive writings
cast in the shadow of conditions that
make even acceptable work impossible.
In my early life was not favored with
good opportunities. Limited chances
for education and q lack Of books always
stood in my way. When I began to
wife l had seen nothing, and virtually
knew nothing of the world. OF course,
things written then could not have been
worth much.
Sin my fathers house there were not
dozen books, aud they were of a Sc
we're type, The only one that approach.
ed poetry was rhymed history of King
David, written by conte mporary of
George Fox, the Quaker. There was
one poor novel in the family. 1t be-
longed to an aunt. This l secured one
day, but when had read it halfthroush
I was discovered, and it was taken away
from me-"
The poet laughed quite heartily as he
recalled those early days and his first
attempts to read something that was
more suited to his youthful mind than
the Bible or the history of King David.
MY first glimpse of poetry was when
my old schoolmaster brought a copy of
Burns poems and read from it at our
house. My first real work was done
when George D. Prentice was editing
The Hartford Review, although had
written considerable before. I wrote
and sent him few things and he en-.
couraged me. When he recommended
me to take his place publishers wrote
me and | went down. I had then seen
practically nothing of the world and for
the two years remained with The Re-
view, my greatest effort was to keep
people from knowing how little 1 really
knew. It was providential opening,
however, for it gave me start.
II wrote continually; but there was
no market for. the work. My Anti.
Slavery convictions made my name VII
ueless to any OF the magazines; ou'
strange as it may appear, The Democrat
Review was ALWAYS anxious for my writ
ings.
The conversation turning upon com
parison of the work Of American writers
with that offoreigners. Mr.. Whittier said
"At no time has TenAyson written
anything that s1rpasses the production
Of the best american poets."
This preference to Tennvson naturally
turned the conversation upon Longfel
lows poems again; and it was apparent
only Of the man, cut of his works
"Evaneeline' is favorite with me" saiC
he. 81 think it is one of the most beau
;iful of poems. Longfellvw had an cas-.
life and superior advantages of associa
ton and education; and so did Emer
son. It was widely different with me
and 1 am very thankful for the kind es
TEEN that people have given my writ
ings. Before 'Evangeline' was, written
had hunted up the history of the ban
ishment OF the Arcadians and had intend
ed to write upon it myself; but l put
! off and Hawthorne got hold of the stor.
and gave it to Longfeliow. an YER
| glad he did, for he was just the one t
write it. If had attempted it, shout,
have spoiled the artistic effect of tn
poem by my Indignation at the treat
ment Of the exiles by the Colonial Gov
ernment."
The nearest public industrial school I
New York city is at Sing Sing, wher
the youth committed to the warden
Z