The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1884-01-05
THE QUAKER POET.
A Chat with John G. Whitticr---Some
ofHis Opinions and Remi-
niScencPS

came upon house that is worthy OF q
picture 1t is white frame cottage of
that box-like architecture 80 common
to the country villages of this section.
The center is two stories high with one
story wings on either side. The marks
of age are apparent, though everything
is neat and tidy, in appearance it is
more like the house of a thrifty me-
chanic than a man of letters whose
fame Is world wide. Shade trees and
shrubbery fill the large yard, which
blooms in the summer with the check
cred green of foliage and the pink and
white of flowers; but in this "season of
mist and mellow fruitfulness," all this
color is turned by the pinching hand of
frost, and the greenwood is covered
with yellow leaves, harbingers of the
season of which Whittier wrote:
And Autumn in his lea6ess Bowers,
Is waiting for the Winter snow.
A graveled walk leads to the front
door of the house, and my pull at the
bell was answered by a tidily-dressed
lady, with round, CHEEKY, good-na-
tured face, the poets niece, l believe.
She extended pleasant welcome and
led the way into neat little parlor
opening from the hall. A moment
later there entered a tall man, six feet
or more high, should say. He walked
briskly across the floor with an elastic
step. His dress was the plain unpre-
tentious garb Of Quaker; the dark,
high-buttoned vest, the blga.cels, ourtaway
coat, having Just the faintest suspicion
O. veivet on the collar and facings of
the small, ear-shaped lappels His face
wears that peculiar expression denoting
quiet thought and gentle disposition.
Round and pleasant, 1t Is framed with
gray whiskers, shaved only from the
lips which are pressed firmly together.
The countenance is rather serious in
composure,, but brightens with the In
terest of conversation. The dark eyes
are set we'll back beneath heavy brows
and tho high forehead appears unusu-
ally long from the absence of hair on
the crown of the head. Although "
years old he has the step and bearing
of man of 90 had heard that he
was falling, and was pleased to find
how cheerful, entertaining and we'll
preserved he was.
This is John G. Whittier" invol-
unfairly exclaimed, as he took my hand
and shook it warmly.
Eyes; and thee Is from Philadelphia.
wonder if thee knows any of my
friends therep Hardly, / suppose, for
the people and the city have so chang
ed 1t has become metropolitan place,
and its distinctive Quaker features are
scarcely perceptible any more, | sup
pose. Even the friends who are left
have changed, The quaint old build
ings, believe are still there-simple
monuments, recalling the characters
tics of the people who at one time gave
the city its individuality
Whittier's fondness for Longfellow
was everywhere apparent, and when it
was remarked upon he said:
Eyes, we were warm friends. He
was delightful man and great poet.
The last time he was here in my house,
he came in with Senator Sumner and
Mr.. Charles Lanman, of Washington.
All saw little of each other during the
last years of his life. My health did
not permit me to 60 about much. Not
long before he died he wrote for me to
come and see him. Twas not able to
| 90 at once; but as soon as l could
went to him. was too late, however,
for when reached his house he was
then unable to see any one, and soor
after passed away.
| al nth I rfa 1lrx Vt
and myself were always friends. There
were no jealousies between us, anc
we each took pride in the work anC
success of the others. We would ex
change notes upon our productions
and if one saw kindly notice of thu
other it was always cut out and sen
to him.
Hawthorne regarded as the great
est 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 humblest could under
stand.
Emerson was not only great
writer, but philosopher. Our rela
tons were very close. He often visited
me here, and him. We saw more o
one another than did Longfellow and /
Emerson has written some things tina
will live forever. They are The Prob
lem Each and ALL. and perhap
twenty other pieces that could name
He has simple, easy way Of writin.
that gave his work great power. NJ.
sister used to say that she liked hin
better than any man who came here
because he never talked over her head
That was really his strength
The conversation then drifted int
the methods Of these great writer
while at work. Mr.. Whittier said:
II was unlike any Of the rest think
for never had any methods. When
felt like 1t / wrote; and never had tn
health nor patience to work over it al
forwards. It usually went as it wa
originally completed. Emerson wrot
with great care, and would not onl
revise his manuscript carefully, but
: have heard him say that he would fire
quently rewrite the article upon tn
i, proof sheets. Longfellow, too, was
4 very careful writer. He wrote and re
}. wrote and would lay his work by an
!. then revise it. He often would consul
il with his friends about his production
;. before they were given to the world
. He. therefore, sent his work out as pei
| Ia Ill ~ y