Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-10-26

pressed with the aged couple. and they
had fixed themselves on my mind"
"Haye you any objection to saying
what YOU received for the poem"
Moo, think there is no harm IN say
ing that Mr.. S. S. Conant, for many years
editor OF Harper's Weekly, sent me
check for $50 for it. For Betsy and
never received anything, as the Blade
was not distinctive literary paper, and
paid its contributors only in kind treat
ment and editorial encouragement.
Are these poems favorites with you, a.
they are with the publicP ?"
"Well, confess to paternai weakness
for them, but believe there is really more
in The First Settlers Story than in any
other of nv verses, and indeed | hear Il
oftenest ommended. If have favorlte
| think that ia the choice
"what are your methods of compost
ton ?"
II have no regular or stereotyped meth
DDS, not being believer in the mood theo'
~, as some OF our poets are. My princi-
pie is to work fo- a mood rather than tc
wait for one (barring fatigue or preoccu
pation) and one time is the same to me
as any other for work. ! never lind as
much difficulty in transferring my
thoughts to paper as | do in transferring
nv feelings into thoughts. Words are
nothing but the vehicles of thought | dc
not allow myself to be governed by any
system. At times poem will be entirely
outlined in my mind before | sit down %
write: at other times | go to my desk
without the least idea of what the effort
will result in. System may become ty-
rant if not itself controlled. and therefore
refuse to be governed absolutely by any
plan. Unlike some who write verses,
do not often dash Off my lines. They do
not come to me hastily. Productions that
are dashed off hastily often dash off as
hastily into oblivion. The construction OF
a poem with me is labor of care, and is
often slow work"
what portion of the day do you think
is the best adapted for work p
"Well-I can of course only speak for
mvself-the morning is by far the best
time, and | generally employ that part of
the day. No. never do any work before
breakfast. am an early riser, being
generally astir by halt past five or six
O'Clock, unless | have been up late the
night before but aside from reading for
a few moments, never do any work be
fore breakfast. | get my coffee and rolls
as soon as possible after rising | agree
with Mr.. E. P Roe that the night is a poor
time for work, and unless one is compelled
to do so he should never toll with the
brain after 6 O'Clock. General reading,
music and home and hall amusements are
II, -
What form of exercise do you indulge
in ?" Mr.. Carleton was asked.
81 swing pair of Indian clubs every
day for fifteen to thirty minutes, and find
this exercise verv beneficial. | firmly be-
lieve in outdoor exercise, walking es-
pecially. Daily and persistent initiation of
the lungs with fresh air saved me from
consumption. am fond of rowing, sail
ing and horseback riding. and indulge in
them all. But one should be careful new
er to lake excessive exercise, tor this will
greatly impede the progress of the brain
and rob it of much of its energy. AS a
rule, indulge in short nap after lunch
every day, and unless one has tried it no
this is. No, use no stimulants or mar
cotics. drink very little tea and cot
fee, but, as for that, could work just as
well without them
The poet is fond of music, although he
himself plays on but one instrument, the
cornet. The domestic atmosphere of his
home is exhilarating. He has no children,
but divides his love and devotion between
his wife and his aged mother, who resides
with him. The poets mother, who is 20
years of age, is proud of her sons sue
cess, although she never praises his abili-
ties to strangers. The wife is the poets
almost constant companion, and by her
advice he is often guided. Although am
bilious for his further success, she invari.
ably counsels moderation in work.
Mr.. Carleton's home is in the upper
portion of Brooklyn. generally termed
bedford. The house is a three-story
brown stone front, and the furniture and
pictures that embellish the rooms End
walls are evidences of wife's refined
taste. On the upper story, in the from
pant of the house, is the poets study, tC
which every morning when at home he
retires to read or write. He employs &
secretary tor most of his correspondence
thus allowing him the more time and CD
portunity for literary work.
| The poet is Al years of age. though to
stranger he appears much Younger. He
has an especially youthful countenance
and in his laugh resounds the glee of 6
boy. Time has made its greatest inroad
upon his wealth of hair, in which the sill
yer is gradually creeping. His figure is
more that of an athlete than one who per
forms indoor work, his step is light anC
! quick. and all his actions remind one o
the agility of youth.
Notwithstanding certain unauthorized
newspaper paragraphs, Mr.. Carleton will
not visit Europe this autumn. but will re
serve that pleasure for the spring. wher
he will probably undertake an extensive
lecturirg tour throughout Great Britain
The poet is exceedingly popular as a lee
turer. and will appear on the platform
during the coming winter as in previous
| years. Travelling on business having
| however, no fascination with him. his ap
pearances on the rostrum will not be s.
frequent this year, his preference for liter
AIRY work being greater than for the plat
| form. Mr.. Carleton believes that his lee
lures have had most salutary effect OF
/ his published works, and in almost ever
city where he appears his works immedi
ately thereafter have had large and revive,
sales. His Farm Billiards. have thu
far had slightly the largest sales of any q
any of his works, although his subsequen
volumes are enjoying numerous an
steady sale. His four books combined
have had a circulation of over SOC. O0
! comes Many of his most lannon's ballad