The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1883-12-13
Some Opinions and "reminiscences
The Quaker Poet Talks About Haw-
thOrne, LOngfenOw and Emerson

permit me to go about much. Not long
before he died, he wrote for me to
come and see him. 1 was not able to 60
at once; but, as soon as l could, went
to him. l was too late, however, for
when l reached his house he was then
able to see any one, but soon after passed
away.
Hawthorne, Emerson, Longellow
and myself were always friends. There
were no jealousy between us, and each
took pride in the work and success Of
the other. We would exchange notes
upon our productions, and if one saw q
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 of Addison. never knew
nor read of 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. He 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 mis-
work great power. My sister used to
say that she liked him better than any
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:
''I was unlike any of the rest, think,
for never had any methods. When l
felt like it wrote: and l 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 a
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 brilliant intel.
lect could make it. l was not so fortu-
nate. | have lived mostly a secluded
Illc VIII ttllC pdJlClCC W utdW upOus
and only few friends for associates.
the love of it. 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 h We written wish was
as deep in the Red sea as Pharaoh's
chariot wheels. Much of the bread cast
on the waters l wish had never been re-
turned. 1t is not fair to revive writings
cast in the shadow of conditions that
make even acceptable work impossible.
In my early life l was not favored with
good opportunities. Limited chances
for education and lack OF books always
stood in my way. When | began to
w-ite | 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
a dozen books, aud they were of 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 halfthrough
l 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 thar
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 oul
house. My first real work was done
when George D. Prentice was editing
The Hartford Review, although l had
written considerable before. l 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. l had then seer
practically nothing of the world and fol
the two years remained with The Re
view, my greatest effort was to keeE
people from knowing how little really
knew. It was provident'al opening
however, for it gave me start.
81 wrote continually; but there wa
no market for the work. My Anti
Slavery convictions made my name WI
ueless to any Of the magazines; GU
strange as it may appear, The Democra
Review was ALWAYS anxious for my writ
ings.
The conversation turning upon com
parison of the work of american writer
with that of foreigners. Mr.. Whittier said
cat no time has Tennyson writer
anything that s1rpasses the production
Of the best american poets"
This preference to Tennvson natural
turned the conversation upon Longfel
lows poems again; and it was apparen
that Mr.. Whittier was very fond, nu
only Of the man, Tut of his works
Evangeline' is a favorite with me, sal
he. 81 think it is one Of the most beau
tiful of poems. Longfelluw had an cas-
life and superior advantages of associs
ton and education; and so did Enc
son. It was widely different with mi
and am very thankful for the kind q
TEEN that people have given my wri
ings. Before 'Evangeline' was, written
had hunted up the history of the bal
ishment OF the Arcadians and had lntcnt
ed to write upon it myself; but put
off and Hawthorne got hold Of the stor
and gave it to Longfellow. ] an vel
glad he did, for he was just the one
writ. it. If had attempted it, shou
have spoiled the artistic effect Of tt
poem by my Indignation at the trea
ment of the exiles by the Colonial Go
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