The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-08-24
Concerning Mr.. Blaine.

IT. c. Crawfut in the New York World)
Mr.. Blaines cottage is on the crest of one
Of the highest points overlooking French
mans Bay. 1t is not palace, as some ex-
travagant writers have called it. 1t is
handsome sea shore house, which might be
duplicated many times along the coast in
any of the fashionable sea shore towns. 1
have no idea what the land upon which it
was built did cost, but the house could eer-
tainly be built for $4,000.
All the members of the Blaine family are
now at home, with the exception of the mar
ried daughter, who is at Fort Hayes, Kan.
Emmons Blaine is here for short visit.
When he goes back to Chicago, his brother
Walker Blaine will go with him. The
younger brother, James G. Blaine, Jr, will
enter Harvard College this fall. This will
leave at home this winter only the two
younger daughters, Miss Margaret ard Miss
Hattie.
During the two or three days that | have
been at Bar Harbor, l have heard as much
gossip and comment about the Blaines as L
did two years ago, when / was here in the
midst of presidential campaign where he
was one OF the principal figures. There IS
today as lauch interest in ~hfs movements
and what he says as thep. Few believe that
Mr. Blaine's pubic career IS at an end.
Mr.. Blaine's year of retirement ana resi-
has renewed rs youth. The last time that
saw him was llst before his leaving Wash
ingtOn in June, 1885. He came to WaShlng-
ton soon After the election and remained
there duYing the winter. In June OF that
wear he vent to Augusta. He has been out
of Maine only once or twice since, and then
for tbe purpose of consulting with his Con-
necticut publishers. He came forward to
meet me with the energy and alacrlty OF ms
best days. The quiet days at Augusta, the
reposeful life of literary student, have
swept from his face every sign of nervous
care or annoyance. His color is as clear and
pink as that of a young boy. His eyes are
bright with the light of high health and
contentment During the talk that had
with him in the morning. he occasionally
would change his position and walk up and
down as if the superauous energy of his
physical vigor required action. Mr.. Blalne's
beard and moustache are now nearly snow
gray tones through it. But the freshness of
his color, the alertness of his look and the
XggSTo gS o Of bft tnat ape would be suggested by the
whiteness of his beard and hair. He does
not look day older than his real age-55
years.
Mr.. Blaine has not done any literary work
since he finishrd his second volume of his
finished last winter. Since that time he has
been simply resting. reading the newspapers
and visiting with his friends. He does not
intend to write any more books at present.
The life of subscription book extends
through an average period of six years. Con-
trary to rumor, Mr.. Blaine has no new book
in hand, though his Maine friends believe he
will begin one next year. His history has
had very extended sale throughout the
country From his friends | have learned
hot tha a1rpa1U sold hnVOnd
| the publishers anticipations. Mr.. Blaine
| receives so cents volume from his publish
| erS. The history will net him snug fortune:
Mr.. Blaine was asked what he thOught
would be the issues of the coming campaign.
| He said 81 think the fight will be made upon
| the old lines of 1884. The parties are now
more closely united for and against the pro-
| tective tariff system than ever before"
| Mr. Blaine was asked what he thought of
the Cutting case. He had hoped, he said,
that the affair might have been arranged
| with less friction. Mexico is most peacea-
| bly, inclined toward this government, and is
constantly seeking to promote her CONNER
cial relations with us. She is constant
| taken by the Mexican authorities that MI.
| Cutting could be held and tried in Mexico
| for an offence committed on American soil is
| of course wholly untenable. But he had
| hoped that the surrender of Cutting could
have been arranged through the kindly Of
fees of Minister Romero. In addition he
i said that he should regard a war between
| the United States and any American repuD,
lie deplorable in the last degree. 1t would
be a lasting injury to the development OF our
commercial interests on this continent.
Mr.. Blaine does not intend to go back to
Washington this winter. He will remain al
Augusta. He went to Washington year
ago last winter because it was necessary FOL
him to consult the authorities in the Con-
gressional Library i'll completing important
chapters of his book. There is a large cot
tage colony at Bar Harbor: His cottage Is
constantly besieged by political and fashion
able callers.