Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-31
VIM. d. HowELns AT aosiE.
A Visit 20 the Noye!ist's Pretty House
in BOSTON.
Ero.n AZ W. ~ W9rLL


delights of Boston. On one side is the IA
nous old Common and the newer but
beautiful Public Garden, with its flower
beds. miniature lake boats IN the shape OF
swaus and handsome bridge. On the
other side the State House. the houses OF
nj lanes Nj. Beebe and Gardner Brewer
nm the site of the old Hancock House, ON
mast the home Of the old aristocrats of
Boston. This IS the avenue on which
lives Mr., William Dean Howells, the now
elst. 1t is the choicest location in all
this picturesque city. Beyond the Pub
lie Garden there are houses on both sides
the street. Mr.. Howells' residence is in
this part some distance out, on what is
called 1.-The Milldam." Strange name
for the most fashionable quarter, but Bos-
toniaus have " fOndness for old assOcia-
Mons. Sumptuous dwellings and massive
pubic buildings may be erected here, bnt
TO the Bostonians it will always be 1.-THE
Mlldam."
The Howells residence is one of a
block. Ii is OF red prick, with brown
atone trimmings. The entrance is
reached by long flight of stone steps.
The whole front is nearly covered by a
green clnging vine, festoons OF which
overhang the front door and serve to
screen it from the sun, as the house has a
grass plotin front, such as is usual to CITY
houses. The grass is closely cut, it is not
surrounded by any railing and looks all
the prettier lorit
The front door opens into large,
SQUARE hall, with wide oaGen staircase eX-
tending above. Here everything looks in
vlung. Rugs are upon the floor, hall
table, on which is small tray filed with
visitors cards, stands near the door, and
hOt, oh In ttsOn isJ
ton room, prettily and comfortably fur
nished, the prevailing color red, which
harmonizes well with the oak tinishings
and woodwork. Beyond and across the
hall Is the dining room, which looks out
on Mr.. Howells' flower garden. The
woodwork of this room is also of oak.
Engravngs hang upon the walls, and,
altogether, it presented cheerful PIC
ture, hei1htened by the shining light on
decanters, wine glasses and silver on
massive oak sideboard. MIR. Howells is
quite as hospitable as his surroundings
Indicate. There is very little of a bookish
appearance about the house. Its APP
pointments suggested the home OF a
wealthy banker or merchant, rather than
that of a literary man.
Over the reception room is parlor the
tull width of the house; no antique furni-
ture or attempt to carry out distinctive
BcIIUu III why o SShAO3
perhaps more, luxurious home; carpets
of light color, with bright figures, and
handsome upholstered furniture.
The staircase winds through the centre
OF the house, leaving much hall space.
AT the back of the house on the second
floor 10 Mr.. Howells' study. Here Mr..
Howells does his writing. 1t is the room
in which 1.-The Lady OF the Aroostook,"
Penelope" "Silas Lapham" and other
delightful creations were brought into be-
ing. The room is large and square, filled
with light from large window; all
around are books and papers, several en-
cravings and etchings hang upon the
walls. but no paintings. Authors seldom
care for color pictures. In the centre of
the room is large writing-table with
green blaze top, Uttered with pens, pa
pers, penwipers, stationery and all the
odds aud ends of real work table. A
leather-cushiOned arm chair is before the
table.
The window looks out upon the bright
shining water of Charles river, while be-
yOnd, Charestown. Cambridge and the
tops OF many OF Harvard College build
ings. church spires and smoking chin
neys of factories fill in the background.
It's, in fact, the view from Sllas Lap
HAMS new house ''on the water side Of
Beacon street," as Howells described it.
There is large garden in the rear of the
house, with gate opening on the waters
edge. 1t is filled with many oid-fash-
toned fowers-sweet peas, hollyhocks,
i gillyilowers, O'clocks, a sun1ower
and "marigolds all in row." Here
found the novelist, who greeted me cor
Il daily.
Il was a warm day before noon, and
81 Mr.. Howelis wore a sack coat and waist
4 coat Of Japanese silk little darker than
the usual pongee shade, a dark blue soft
silk tie and dark trousers. His hair an
II iron gray, though he is but little over
4 ~. He is rather stout and of medium
height.
You must have rebuilt Silas Lapham's
house and moved In," said.
81 An, you see If hadn't already lived
s. here l couldn't have built Lapham's
house in the first place." he replied.
Yes, on this spot before 1t burned
down was the home of happy family,
who suffered none of the blights that fell
81 upon poor Silas."
"Ob," said, looking about, show could
you burn up such home as this, even on
paperW
"Ididn't," said Mr.. Howells with a
laugh. II only burned an unfinished
house before the family had moved in or
any home been really formed. | am very
comfortable here" continued Mr.. How
eIls, land do not care to go out of town
PARTICULARLY. / can sit here and write
sSthout Interruption; my family are at
slaFon, and l join them frequently for
iewdays."
linen we talked of his books and other
.uings, and he was amused at criticism
VI olas Lapham' which had heard and
,slS'ed. 1t was that OF q young lady
VIM alter finishing it, said:
81 wen, these people are not a bit like
TSnIaFacters in novel; why, they are just
t tSe any of us. I've known just such
WAS as these always"
IN regard to the play written by Mr..
ToMehs in conjunction with Mark
,h""h' mat was to have been produced at
sad: =" Ne" A0iA' no
or me e. claimant may yet be brought
for nere was much TO be done to 1t to ttit
Il co,, 'le stage, and tue time never seems To
n u a,, IN which to attend to it. like best
n o,yn Wv nere by myself and write IL in my
II w." way. enjoy writing, here especial
Fl H. Ie sGld, after pause; sit seems just
II place. like the water, it is restful
j,t %ss very fond Of Venice; perhaps my
Viz .uere made me so fond of water
oil " W. Al night, when the lights twinkle
ima,ohg the river front, one can quite
mas etue ones self in Venice, except for the
watoa,e buildings and palaces at the
soma,i . edge. The boats splash along, and
row h, w. N.Y. parties OF Harvard students
4 a gpi,,re singing to the accompaniment Of