The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-01-10
TWO VALUABLE MANUSCRIPTS.
Literary Life.I

respondents. How much of his valuable time he must have given to those who really had no claim upon it; and yet he seemed ever ready to say an encouraging or sympathetic word. If all his words of kindness and good will should one day be brought together, these, l am sure, would not be among those that were least appreciated.
 The letter was written in a beautiful, clear, round hand, very carefully punct uated-a good model for any school boy. and such "copy" as printer would de- light to see. A graduating class at public school in Chicago formed them selves into literary society, which they chose to call the Longfellow club. At the request of the club. the lady who had been the teacher of the class, wrote letter to Longfellow acquainting him with their proceedings. The following was received in reply:
 CAMBRIDGE, April 6, 1879.
 Dear Miss-If had time would write you long letter in reply to yours, which has greatly interested me.
 But alas lhave not time for though, as the Indian said, have all the time there is," it is not enough for the many claims made upon it.
 can only send you, and the boys under your care, friendly salutation.
 To those who ask how can write SO many things that sound as if were as happy as boy" please say there is in this neighborhood, or neighboring town a pear tree, planted by Governor Endi- colt two hundred years ago; and that it still bears fruit, not to be distinguished from the fruit of young tree in flavor.
 ] suppose the tree makes new wood every year, or that some part of it is al- ways young. Perhaps that IS the way with some men when they grow old. l hope it is so with me.
 l am glad to hear that your boys take so much interest in poetry. That is good sign for poetry is the flower and perfume of thought, and a perpetual de- light, clothing the commonplace of life with golden exhalations of the dawn"
 Give them all my sympathy and my good wishes and believe me yours very truly, HENRY w. LoNGFELLow.
 This is truly beautiful letter and the "boys will ever treasure it as a special message to them from America's most popular poet U'ikliana s. Lord
 LETTER FROM BRYANT.
 Long after the sun has disappeared behind the purple hills, we etten see the clouds rehecting the varied and beauti- ful colors of his imperial robe, as if to recompense us for his departure. His track gleams with light, and golden are his footsteps. We watch with raptured vision till the last furnished cloudlet has > disappeared.
 So, when from the grand literary frma- ment great intellectual star sets, he leaves above the mental horizon a glow ing track of beauteous thoughts behind, legacy of untold value to his race, as if to reconcile us to his exit
 The very smallest floating mental scud illuminated by his nobility of soul, or the brilliancy of his genius, all who have the gift of admiring the one, or appreciating the other, will hail with the greatest plea sure. Every crumb that falls from his mental table becomes transmitted into a pearl of great price.
 The simple tact that favorite author has written his last poem. and his last letter of advice, friendship and love, at- taches a manifold value if not a sacred ness to everything he has penned, from the loftiest inspiration down to the most matter of fact observation. He can add nothing to their beauties, he can cancel no imperfections,
 A poet is an intellectual philanthropist, scattering our paths with flowers as he passes along the highway of life.
 These are some of the thoughts that crowd my mind while gazing on a letter before me, received a dozen years ago from the beloved and lamented William Cullen Bryant; letter which have not the least doubt your readers will be very glad to see. Before transferring it for their perusai and benefit, however, it may be proper to state briefly what drew 1t from him, and afforded me the great privilege of receiving it. 1 had written a tale in verse, for which was anxious to md publisher, and so sought his as- sistance, or at least, advice, and he wrote it in reply.
 It shows the great innate goodness of his heart as well as his sound sense. Who but man of noble nature, with SO little time at his disposal, and at his time of life, would have taken the pains with his own tremulous hand to write so com paratively lengthy letter to an entire stranger! How many would have an. swered in two words, no time ;" or, per haps not have replied at all.
 ]: !: ::1e, had oompiimented his genius in a small volume of poems which l had published in Boston (under a nom de plume) But l doubt as to his ever having seen it, since was then inexperi- enced and void of tact in literary matters, and neglected to send him a copy.
 But l will detain the reader m lonosr with preliminaries. Here is the letter verbatim ct literatim. It will speak, and speak eloquently, for itself:
 NEW YORK, January 4. 1872.
 DEAR SIR-For various reasons can. not undertake to look over you, manu- script poem; and among these are want of time, want of eyesight, and the con- viction that anything l might say of it would do you no good. l have many applications of the same kind as yours {;