Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-10-07
HOWELLS AT HOME.
His Rouse Like One He Built in
Novel.
How He Looks at Work and What FL,
Thinks About the Coming Story
Our Books Are Ourselves
Written Down.

A drive down Beacon street and
short distance beyond in the direction
OF what is known as the Back Bav ex-
tension is one of the delights of Boston.
On one side is the famous old common
and the newer but beautiful public
garden, with its flower miniature
lake boats in the shape of swans and
handsome bridge. On the other the
State House, the houses of James M.
Beebe and Gardner Brewer on the site
OF the old Hancock house, on past the
homes of the old aristocrats of Boston.
This is the avenue on which lives Mr..
William Dean Howells, the novelist. 1t
Is the choicest location in all this pict-
nresque city. Beyond the public gar
den there are houses on both sides the
street. Mr.. Howell's residence is in
this part some distance out, on what is
called 1.-THE Milldam." Strange name
for the most fashionable quarter. but
Bostonians have tondness for old
associations. Sumptuous dwellings
and massive public buildings may be
erected here, but to the Bostonians
1t will always be "the Milldam."
The Howells residence is one of
block. Ii is of red brick, with brown
stone trimmings. The entrance is
reached by long flight of stone
steps. The whole front is nearly
covered by green clinging vine, fes-
toons of which overhang the front
door and serve to screen it from the
sun. as the house has "a full southern
exposure. There is small grass plat
in 'front.' such as is usual to city houses
The grass is closely cut, it is not sur
rounded by any railing and looks all
the prettier for it.
The front door opens into a large,
square hall, with wide oaken staircase
extending above. Here every thing
looks inviting Rugs are upon the
floor, hall table, on which is small
tray filled with visitors cards, stands
near by the door, and mirror hangs
above. In front is reception-room,
prettily and comfortably furnished, the
prevailing color red, which harmonizes
well with the oak finishings and wood
work. Beyond and across the hall is
the dining-room, which looks out on
Mr.. Howells' flower garden. The wood
work of this room is also of oak En-
cravings hang upon the walls, and, al
together, 1t presented cheerful picture,
heightened by the shining light on de-
canters, wine glasses and silver on a
massive oak sideboard. Mr.. Howells
is quite as hospitable as his surround
ing indicate. There is very little of
q bookish appearance about the house.
Its appointments suggested the home
of wealthy banker or merchant,
rather than that of literary man.
Over the reception room is parlor
the full width of the house; no antique
furniture or attempt to carry out dis
tinctive period in furnishing, only a
comfortable, perhaps more, Luxurious
home; carpets of light color, with
bright figures, and handsome up
hoistared furniture.
The staircase winds through the
center of the house, leaving much hall
space. At the back of the house on
the second floor is Mr.. Howells' study.
Here Mr.. Howells does his writing. Ii
is the room in which 1.-THE Lady Of the
Aroostook," Penelope "Silas Lap
ham," and other delightful creations
were brought into being The room is
large and square. filled with lightfrom
large window; all around are books
and papers, several engravings and
etchings hang upon the walls, but no
paintings. Authors seldom care for
color pictures. In the center of the
room is large writing-table with
green baize top. Uttered with pens,
papers, pen-wipers, stationery and all
the odds and ends of real workable.
A leather-cushioned armchair is be-
fore the table.
The window looks out upon the
bright, shining waters of Charles river,
while beyond Charleston, Cambridge
and the tops of many of the Harvard
College buildings, church spires and
the smoking chimneys of factories fill
in the background. 1t is, in fact the
view from Silas Lapham's new house
ION the water-side of Beacon street, +"
Is Howells describes it. There is a
large garden in the rear of the house.
with gate opening on the water $
edge. 1t is filled with many old-fash-
Toned flowers, sweet peas, hollyhocks,
gilly-howers, four-o'clocks, a sun.
flower and "marigolds all in row. y
Here found the novelist, who greeted
me cordially. a
II was warm day before noon. and
MIR. Howells wore a sack coat and
waistcoat of Japanese silk little
darker than the usual pongee shade. q
dark-blue soft silk tie and dark
trousers. His hair is iron-gray,
though he is but little over forty. He
is rather stout and of medium height.
= You must have rebuilt Silss Lap.
hams house and moved in, I" l said.
All, you see if hadn't already
lived here | couldn't have built Lap
hams house in the first place" he re
piled. 'Yes, on this spot before il
burned down was the home of happy