The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-09-16
WALT WHITMAN. .es
The Bohemians at PfaH-s-How the Poet
Passes His Days Now.

Mr.. Walt Whitman, talking with
correspondent of the Brooklyn Eagle
says: Il used to go to Pfalf's nearly
every night" Mr.. Whitman went on.
at used TO be Il pleasant place TO 90 in
the evening after taking Il bath and
finishing the work of the day. When it
hogan TO grow dark Pfaff would politely
invite everybody who happened to be
sitting i'll the cave he had under the
sidewalk to some other part of the res
taurant. There was long table extend
inc the length of the cave; and as soon
as the Bohemians put in an appearance
Henry Clapp would take n seat ut the
head of this table. l think there was as
good talk around that table as took
place anywhere in the world. Clapp
was very witty man. Fitz James
o Brien was very bright Ned wilkins,
! who used to be the dramatic critic of
the Herald. was another bright man.
There were between twenty-five and
thirty journalists, authors, artists, and
actors which made up the company
that took possession of the cave under
the sidewalk. Pfaff himself l took
dislike to the first time / ever saw him.
But my subsequent acquaintance with
him taught me not to be too hasty in
making up my mind about people al
first sight. He turned out to be very
agreeable, kindly man in many ways.
He was always kind to beggars and
gave them food freely. Then he was
easily moved to sympathize with any
one who was in trouble. and was gener-
Gus with his money. believe he was
at that time the best judge of wine of
anybody in this country"
When the talk drifted around to in
quiries how Mr. Whitman passes his
time at present. the lady visitor asked
him If he was writing anything.
No" he said, Il don't write any,
thing now. Any little task exhausts me.
keep up my spirits, but my strength
won't stand any extra demands. L go
out to ride with my horse and carriage
! two or three hours every day. don't
know how | could get ON if l could not
have that ride. 1t refreshes ME great
! deal. When at home read much of
the time, chiefly newspapers and maya
zines. Books tire me nowadays. l have
got volume of Scott's poems, however,
that | bought fifty years ago, which |
read still more or less every week. A
| great many persons send me regularly
| papers, magazines, and various publi-
cations. Mr.. Glider sends me the Cen
tury, which l find much pleasure in
reading. read everything that find
interesting, and try to keep abreast
of modern literature"
"Did you read Froude's Life of
Carlyle'P" was one of the questions
| asked
"Yes, l read it with great interest,
| and sent Froude a letter of thanks for
the work. l think he executed a diff
! cult task nobly. He has given won
derfully vivid portraIture of Carlyle. l
have read the "Reminiscences Mrs.
Carlyie's Correspondence and much
of the other work that has been pub
! Iished about Carlyle since his death. 1t
hasn't altered my respect for him in the
| least. On the contrary, it has increas-
ed it can accept him, ill temper and
all, Just as he was"
Mr. Whitman did not care to express
any opinion about who of the present
generation of American authors would
be likely to be remembered fifty years
hence. Don't ask me any questions,
he said, 'for | can only answer you rs
l de people when they ask me about
what | think happens after death. |
have no opinion 10 offer. | have cur
iosity to know He reads the novels
of Howells. James, Miss Murfree, and
others. and whatever poetry comes
along in the magazines. He had found,
however, that james is growing rather
tedious. Iowells' Apprenticeship of
Lemuel Barker" he considered enter
tainrng, and he thought The Prophet
of Great Smoky Mountain" by Miss
Murfree. an exceptionally strong and
interesting book.