The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-11-23
JOHN G. WHITTIER.
Brief Talk with the Quaker Poet-Kint
Woods for His Friends


Woods for His Friends
Boston Special to Chicago Tribune.
During the talk upon literary matters Mr..
Whittier said:
Hawthorne, Emerson, Longfellow and
myself were always friends There were no
jealousies between us, and each took a pride
in the work and success of the other. We
would exchange notes upon our productions
and ii one saw kindly notice of the other
1t was always cut out and sent to him. Haw-
thorne | regarded IS the greatest m1ster of
the English language. He was the suptt,or
of Addison. | never knew nor read of a
man who could build such beautiful stories
in words that the humhlest could under
stand. Emerson was not only great writer
but philosopher. Our relations were very
close. He often visited me here, and | him.
We saw more of one another than did Long
fellow and |. Emerson has written some
things that will live forever"
The conversation then drifted into the
methods of these great writers while at work.
Mr. Whittier said:
Il was unlike any o. 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 it over atterward. It
usually went as it was originally completed.
Emerson wrote with great care, and would
not only revise his manuscript carefully, but
| have often heard him say that he would
frequently rewrite the article upon the proof
sheets. Longfelow, TOO, was a very careful
writer. He wrote and rewrote and would
lay his work by and then revise it. ]
was not so fortunate. | have lived most
ly a secluded life, with little patience
to draw upon, and only few friends for
associates. What writing | have done has
been for the love of it. | have ever been
timid of what | have penned. Ii is really a
marvel to me that have gathered any liter
airy reputation from my productions Much
| | W wa nc in q
Red sea as Pharaoh's chariot wheels. Much
OF the bread cast on the waters L wish had
never been returned 1t is not fair to revive
Writings composed in the shadow of condi-
tions that make even acceptable work inn
possible In my early life was not favored
with good opportunities. Limited chances
for education and lack of books always
stood in my way. When | began to write [
had seen nothing. and virtually knew moth
ing, OF the world. My first glimpse of poetry
was when my old schoolmaster brought
copy OF Burns's 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 considerably before. l wrote
and sent him few things, and he encour-
aged me. When he recommended me to
take his place, the publishers wrote me and
l went down. l had then seen practically
nothing of the world. and for the two years [
remained with the Review my greatest effort
was to keep people from knowing how little
l really knew. 1t was providential open
ing, however for it gave me start. wrote
continually, but there was no market for the
work. My anti-slavery convictions made
my name valueless to any of the maya
zines, but strange as it may appear, the
Democratic Review was always anxious for
my writings"
WAS there no market at all-no price set
upon your work?'
"None. 1 just wrote for any paper that
would publish my matter and if Longfellow,
Emerson, Hawthorne or myself had been
forced to rely upon the products of our pens
for our living we would have wanted bread
in those days when most of our best work
was done. To me this is a queer phase of
literary life to find that the greatest ge-
muses. that America has ever given to litera-
ture should have toiled without recon-
pense and been forced to wait until they
were old before reapins the fruits of their
labor Truly, it isshard work for a writer to
get foothold, but when he does it is a strong
one"
The conversation turning upon COMPARE
son of the work of American writers with
that of foreigners, Mr.. Whittier said;
"At no time has Tennyson written any
thing that surpasses the production OF the
best American poets"