New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-29
| "REMINISCENCES or ". d. HOWELLSS
| YOUTH
From The Oicreland Lcader.


II il we'll known that Mr. Joseph A. HoWells, the
elder brother of the novelist, resides az the old
Howells homestead IN ttrSQn. Tie Is edi!or OF
The Sentinel ana is assisted by his SON. Mr. William
d. HOwels, I'd in ITS management In addition 70
the paper he also holds the pOstmaStershiD of the
town, owns large country store and seems to be
the referee and adviser of half the village In
speaking of his brother recently, Mr.. iowels sald
"Nil never had what might be called pleasant
bovhOod. His lite. no to the time of his leaving
jefferson, was sombrc, and not a AL sue one as
most boys would sh. The early age NJ which he
was placed at work. cut of, IN large degree. his
association with others of his years, and thence
forth his cOmpanlonsbip was mostly with men. The
strong literary bent which he soon developed made
him care more for his books than for people,
and almost his entire recreation was found in ms
studies. Soon a ter he beg to publish sketches in
The sentinel he became dsheartened, as the village
critics were disposed To be somewhat harsh III ter
Indictment One man was so dispensed with one on
Wllns articles that he answered him, and there was
fora short time a battle of words between them.
In the end the boy wrote piece of poetry. very
satrica taking oil his critic. and though the verses
did their perfect work, still their style was one so
foreign to the gentle nature of the young aut hor
that his feelings were in the end more hurt by them
than were those of the person against whom they
were directed" The force of this incident Is well
shown in Mr.. Howels works. for IN mono of them is
the first touch OF sarcasm discernible, and while
they are not lacking III bright healthy humor 1t
Is invariably of that innocent character which,
while II amuSes does not wound.
From his graphic portrayal of character and incl
| dent, il ~ generally supposed that Mr. HOwellSs
novels more or less biographical but his brOthe
says that he is unable to find a scene in any one
| them in which he recognizes the author In shor
story published IN The atlantic he describes the buy
ing of family horse and with this exception Their
is scarcely to be found even trace of his expert
| encc az family man, and while he does not INTRO
| duce his own personality he studIousy avoids Dor
traying that of his friends Squire Hubbard, III "A
| Modern Instance" was q combination of two Old
| Jefferson lawyers neither of them especially dis
tngushed. and To neither OF them the character
particularly true.
Z" My brother" said Mr.. Howells, is a close OBJ
server of human nature ana he treasures up traits
| of character which he finally works up into kind
| of mosaic, but he never puts man bodily into a
| book"
lie never takes notes. and ANYTHING which
chances to catch his fancy, Is from the time OF its
observation indeby stamped upon his mind. He
| is as systematic about his writing a merchant
about his business and after breakfasting he goes
| to his study and writes a given number of hours
each day When this is done, it is entirely OF his
mind, aud he gives himself up to recreation. lie
has keen sense OF the ludicrous and is particularly
| fond OF tTequenting entertainments where he can
indulge i'll good. hearty, restfu laugh. lie enjoys
with which he does his work"
| Nr. Howells says that the literary taste of the
family cannot be traced 10 any particular ancestor
The novelists grandfather was Welsh woolen
manufacturer, who possessed good education,
though not collegiate one. The grandmother was
the daughter OF an English Quaker She was highly
educated, and woman of great force When she
married out OF the Society OF Friends, she dis
owned by them though she always Kept her dress,
and wore the quaint caps of the Quaker matron.
ne moIncr OF Mt. HOWells was woman OF good
mind and fine attainments. but not one who either
added to, or took from the literary tendency OF tho
family. She was the mother eight children, five
sons and three daughters, seven of whom are still
living. The TWO elder daughters are keeping house
for their father. who Is United States Consul at
Toronto. The younger daughter. Anne, is married
TO Mr.. frechette tho poet laureate of Canada Mrs.
Frechette's writings mostly poetcal and descrip
tive OF travel. HeI letters from Canada familiar
TO the reading public, and were she to cultyat her
talents rs asslduously does her brother there is
no doubt but that she might win lasting reputa-
much OF the ability that has made William ID.
Howells famous, but none Of them have his wonder
Jul versatility.