The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-11
MIR. BLAINE'S HABITS.
Six Hours a Day Spent His Book-Tim
of Its Completion Uncertain.

Slx Hours Day Spent His B0ok-Time
of Its Completion Uncertain.
Interview with Robert Blaine in Pittsbure Dispatch.
The conversation turned upon the forthcoming
volume OF Mr. Blaines great work, Twenty
Years in Congress-
How is it progressingg asked the reporter.
My brother is working at it all the time, but
don't believe that he knows himself when it
will be completed. Hundreds Of people have
asked me that question: and one day asked
him. He said he could not tell me- What shall
tell people who ask mef inquired.
Why, Robert you had better tell them you
don't know he replied"
How is his general health now?n
II don't think it was ever better certainly
not in years. He tells me that he has not felt
better since he can remember. He takes a
great deal of exercise and is very regular in
his habits, and | think he has long life before
him."
What is his favorite mode of exercised
Walking. He is great walker, has a quick
springy step, and covers great deal of ground.
| rather pride myself on being good walker,
but he can walk right away from me- Some
times he picks up friend when he starts out for
a stroll, but is oftener seen alone"
What are his habits of work, Mr. Blainea"
They are very regular He breakfasts at
o'clock, not long after rising. After breakfast
he devotes half an hour to looking over his mail
then goes at his work, which holds his closest
attention until luncheon, which is about
o'clock. He then rests two, and sometimes
three hours, after which he works until the din
ner hour He does but little work in the even
ing. So you see his habits very methodicaL
lie uses tobacco In no form, and drinks no liquor
at ALL This, with the abundance of exercise he
takes conspres to preserve his naturally vigorous
constitution"
II understand that Mr. Blaine is a great
newspaper clipper, preserving everything which
interests him, Or which he thinks may be of
service
''Well, he may have it done for him. but Ihave
never noticed It, He can read newspaper through
quicker and with more thoroughness than any
other man ever knew, but as to preserving
clippings don't know how it is
docs Mr.. Blaine continue to take an active
interest in political matters?"
Indeed, sir, L could not answer that question
His book apsorbs so much of his time that he
cannot devote much of his time to anything
else?"
Are the rumors to the effect that he will
visit Europe the coming summer trues'
That don't know; but it is not probable that
he will go until he concludes his literary
Are any of his sons with him at presente"
X es, Walker Blaine, who is still attorney for
the Alabama claims, lives at home Emmons is
located in Chicago as attorney of the North
western railroad. His youngest daughter, Mag
gle, is with her parents in Washington. Her
elder sister, Mrs. Colonel Coppinger, is with her
husband at his Western post"
Mr. Blaine spoke with great deal of affection
of Pittsburg, his old home He was born near
Elizabeth, and was clerk in Pittshurg dry
goods house two years. He was afterward an
attache of an engineering corps on the Councils
vile railroad. until given position in Washing
ton under Colonel Walker
Just after the close of the presidential elee
ton, as will be remembered, it was quite gener-
ally believed that Mr.. Blaines defeat would have
a tendency to completely crush him. but his
brother states that it has left no pereeptible
traces in his life, his manners being character
lied by the same strong traits as of yore.