Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-08-24
A POETS HOME.
The Cottage of Edmund G. Stcdman-
The CONVERSIONS CcrcmOnics-A
Poem from Mr.. Albce.

FOem from IWr. AIDce.
1.-THE island of New Castle has lately
become widely known as the site of the
fashionable Wentworth House," says n
correspondent of the New York Tribune,
(Which occupies one of its highest points,
and whose electric lights are seen these
summer nights by voyagers far out at sea.
The island is the outermost one of the
group, connected by bridges which span
gle the harbor of Portsmouth, making
the broad Piscataqua, of which Aldrich
has so often sung. look like companion
to such lakes as George and Winnipiseo-
gee. There is no spot on the coast where
one can place himself more equally be-
tween an ocean in front, and II tidal ar
chipelago, marvellous for beauty, to the
landward. The three miles drive from
Portsmouth is over romantic road, fire.
quented by Bostonians who wish to pass
their summers within a few hours of the
Hub, yet far enough away to escape the
hustle OF its suburbs.
The corner stone of the new cottage of
the poet Edmund Clarence Stedman was
laid here with pleasant but informal cere-
monies ON Monday last. His lot is situa-
ted OH Jatfrey Point and is approached
from the main road through lane bor-
dered with old gray stone walls, covered
here and there with wild roses, just now
in full bloom. A more fitting spot than
New Castle for poet to build his house
in could scarcely be found. Although for
the past hundred years. until the erection
Of the Wentworth, this picturesque is
land has been given over to solitude, ex-
cept for the little fishing village perched
on one side, it is as historic as beautiful.
The first settlement of New Hampshire
was made on its coast in 1923 its mod
ern discoverer was John Albee !; and ii
was for many centuries the scene of some
important events in history. During col
onial days Newcastle was at different
times the residence of the royal Cover.
nors and the council chamber of one OF
them, Gov. Cranfeld, still remains il
perfect preservation, the house of which
it is n part being owned by the poet AL
bee. He and Professor Bartlett, of Har
ward, are Mr.. Stedman's nearest neigh
bors, and the only other occupants of til,
Point. Another neighbor, directly oppo
site, six miles away, is Mrs. Thaxter, til,
songstress of the Isles of Shoals. Th
records of early days show long process
sion of distinguished men touching n
these shores-discoverers warriors, states
men, kings and presidents. First amonI
t them are the names of Captain Johl
: Smith, whose monument may be seen o.
Star Island, and Samuel Champlain
t later, Washington and Lafayette, Talley
= rand and Louis Philippe.
: MIR. Stedman's house, which is to be n
8 Artistic one, is designed by the young al
t chitect, Mr.. L, NJ. Wheelwright, of Boz
i ton, who has Just completed the mansion
It situated near by, of Mr.. Jacob Wendell
II of New York. A conspicuous feature {
y it will be tower looking seaward, bui
y of the native gray stone of the islam,
e 1t stands on rocky point, the found'
II tions OF the tower rising from n ledge
+ which it seems to be part. 1t will be
1t composite structure, largely made up
70 resemblances, in its stone work, to Il
A. Norman style, and in its wood work
lc that of Queen Anne, though the who
ot design is an original creation on the pa
n of the architect. 1t seems peculiarly 4
Of ting that Mr.. Wheelwright should be Il
,r architect of the new houses on this
IN land, as it was here that his ancestor
'g the Frosts and Blunts, built their hous
le early in the seventeenth century, tn,
I'd names being still decipherable by the c
rious on the old moss covered headstor
n of the village graveyard.