New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-19
A CHAT WITH WHITTIER.
SOME OPINIONS AND "REMINISCENCES.
THE QUAKER POET TALKS ABOUT HAWTHORNE,
LoNGFEILOw AND EMERSON.
fry TELEGGlF1f"f Z THE TRIBUSg.l

THE QUAKER POET TALKS ABOUT HAWIHOhNE,
LoNGFEILow AND EMERSON.
fBY TELEGElI-f'r ArHE TRIBUNg.l
BosTON, Nov. Io.-a writer in The Herald
describes pleasant interview with the poet Whittier at
the latters home in AmesDu w where he found hshost in
good he ath and more vlgOrout than would expect
from man Of seventysx years. The writer describes
the home and personal appearance OF Mr.. whittier VINO
greeted the visitor cordially. His fondness for Long
fellow everywhere apparent and when this was re-
marked upon, he said
eyes, we were warm friends. He was q delightful
man and great poet The last time he was here in my
house he came with Senator Sumner and Mr.
Charles Lanman of Washington. All saw little OF each
other during the last few of his life My health d
permit me to go about much. Not long before ne
died, he wrote for Inc TO come and see him. was not
able to 60 at once; but as could went to him.
was too late however, for when reached his house ne
was then unable to any one and soon after passed
away.
"Hawthone, Emerson, LOngfellOw and myself
were always friends There were no Jeai-
Ousies between us, and each took pr1ue
In the work and success OF the other. we "ouu
exchange notes upon our productions and II one ga"
kindly notice Of the other 1t always cut out and sent
him.
Hawthorne regarded the greatest master OF the
English language. He the superior OF Addison.
never knew nor read Of who could build SUCH bea-
tifu stories in words that the humblest could
understand.
Emerson was not only a great writer but
philosopher Our relations very close. He often
visited me here, and him We more OF
one another than did LOngfellow and l. Emerson has
written things that Will live forever. lhey are
The Problem Each and An and perhaps twenty other
pieces that could name He had simple easy way OF
writing that gave his work great power My sister used
TO say that she liked him than any who came
here because he never talked her head That was
really his strength"
THEIR METHODS OF WORK.
The conversation then drcd into the methods Of these
great writers while at work Mr.. Whittier said:
81 was unlike any OF the rest, l think,
for I never had any methods When | felt like
It wrote and neither had the health the patience
to work over aferward It usually went as 1t was
originally completed Emerson wrote with great care,
aud would not only revise his manuscript carefully but
have often heard him say that he would frequently re-
was Very careful writer. wrote and rewrote, and
would lay his work by and then revise it: He often
would consult with his friends about ms productions ne
fore they given 10 the world He therefore sent MS
work out as perfect as great care ana Drllat 'Teo
mostly secluded life with little patience 10 draw upon
and only few friends for associates What writing
have done has been for the love oft have ever ben
timid Of what have pcnncd II is really marvel To me
that have gathered any literary reputation from my
HIE DETECTS OF wHITHrR's EpucAHoN.
Much that have written wish deep in the
Red sea a. Pharaoh chariot wheels Much Of the bread
not fair 10 revive WRITINGS composed in the shadow OF
conditions that make even acccI able work impossible
Ia my carly life l was favored with good opportun
ties Limited chances Tor education and lack Of books
always stood In NY way. when | began to write had
seen nothing. and virtually knew nothing.
OF the world. OF course, things written
then could not have been worth much.
" my fathers house there were not dozen books,
ana tHry wcts OF S'rIe ,d i.tnr ~ KIM D2
written by contemporary ~ Gcorg" Fox, the quaker
There was poor novel IN The family. II belonged TO
en- aunt This secured one dsy, but when had read
half through discoYcIed and It WAS taken away
The poet laughed quite heartily a. he recalled those
early days ana hi nt attempt - read something that
suited Ia his youthful mind than the Bblo or
the history OF KIM David
TIE POETS EARLY WORK AND POOR rAY.
MY inst glimpse OF poetry was when ny old school
brought copy of Burnss poems and read nom
it at our house Ny first real work done when
George D. Prentice wac editing The Hartford Rcrsr al
though had written considerably before wrote and
sent him few things and De encouraged me. When he
recommended 10 take his place the publishers vIot"
ne and went down had then seen practically moth
ing Of the world and the years remained with
Tie Rcciec NY greatest effort to keep people from
knowing how little really knew. Il wa, pro, idontlal
opening. however for 10 gave me a start.
wrote continually; but there no market FOR the
work My Anti slavery convictions made my namo
yllu.lc,s to any of the magazines but strange may
appear, he Democratic R,rieic was always auNiou. Tor
Wa, there no market at ain No price -ct upon your
WOTkI
None lust wrote Tor any paper that would publish
ny matter and II Iougirlluw, Emerson, Hawthorne or
NY scf had been forced 10 rely upon the products of orr
pen our living would have wanted bread IN those
dave when most best work done. 10 this
h queer phase OF literary life; 10 find that the greatest
cCnI,r- that America has ever given To literature
should have oicd without IccOmpc-c, and been forced
10 wait until they old before rpug the fruits 81
their labor. Truly. ~ g. hard WORK FOR writer To gct
fouthold; but when De does 1t Is Il strong one"
TENNYsON NoT BEITrR THAN IONGrELrow.
The conversation turning upon comparison 81 tho
work Of American writers with that Of foreigners Nj
White. said:
At no time has Tcnuy written anything that
pd-.c, the production OF the best American poets.
"EvANGIiINE" AND THF ACADIANs.
This preference 10 Tcun naturally turned the
y,r,atinn upon Iongcllow, poems again; and IL ap
parent Mr. Whittier very fond not only Of the
man, but Of his works. 4" Eyaugcliuc l. favorio
with me" said he. think IT IL Of the most bcaati
u of poems. Lougfcllow had easy life aud superior
advantage association and education; and did
crron. II was widely different with me; and very
thankful FOR the kind esteem that people have given my
writings. Before EEaugclinc was Erttru had hunt
up the history Of The Punishment Of the Achdaus aud
had Intended 10 write upon myrcf but put II Of and
WthOTnc hold Of the story aud gave Longfr
low. | very glad hc did. Tor lac Just the
write IT, n had attempted It, shud have spoiled tho
artistic poem my indignation at the
mcut Of the CNilCE by the Colonial Government
4 FIRE or STSPICIOCS ORIGTN.