The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-19
ROSE TERRY COOKE.
Her Early Education. Personal Appear
auce Home Life and Literary Work.


ular writers Of the present day. none
have delineated more forcibly and COR
rectly the peculiar phase Of Puritauic
New England life, and the quaint char
acteristics of Che true Yankee Of the pas.
and present generations than Rose Terry
Cooke, whose graceful, versatile pen,
ready wit and keen insight into human
nature have won for her name and
fame among the best writers Of the age.
Not only has she the rare gift of being a
most instructive and entertaining writer,
and of making her characters seem to
the reader to be real personages, acting
and speaking according 70 their own in
dividual characteristics, instead of being
automatic machines 10 be moved by the
writer. like figures on q chess board. but
she possesses the gift of poesy rs well.
many of her poems furnishing unnis-
tableproof Of her acquaintance with the
muses.. SlS has n versatile genius, an
aesthetic taste. which must be Unborn in
an individual in order 10 win distinction
or success in the realm Of fancy. whether
it he in the department of romance or of
song.
She WAS born in Wethersficld. Conn.
and has always made New England her
home. She Il Of the best stock If which
that land can boast. her ancestors for
many generations having been Known
for their strict religious principles cul-
ture. wealth and high social standing IN
society g. an instance cxemplitylng the
rigid regime under which her oducafio
was commenced. Mrs. Cooke states that
hcrmothcr took charge of her carly stud
les. and that at . years of age she could
read ntclligiblv: while before the age of
Is wears her daily task in study WAS 20
mQmorigo g. column in Walker dietiou-
arv. rpcll and define the word correctly,
and write sentences ina which each word
thus defined was properly used. On
SUNDAYS she WIS required 10 repeat
psalm and hymn 10 her father
When 10 wears Of age. her parents
removed to Hartford. occupying fine
residence on Prospect street She then
entered the Hartford FSnalc seminary
under the charge Cf Mr.. John T. Brace,
who was n noted teacher Of that period.
and who bad among his pupils several
years previous while in Litchfield.
Conn. the one who subsequently became
the author Of Uncle Toms Cabin"
Financial reyerses ovcrtaking her
father. she was Obliged to graduate as
early rs practicable ut the seminary ~
order 10 support herself by teaching.
Her father entertained peculiarly strin-
gent ideas with regard 10 her mngling
in the society of young people, hence
Rose Terry was taught that the society
and attentions cf Young men were not 20
be tolerated by her. the restrictions thus
put upon her causing her tobecomc difli-
dent IN society and almost prudlsh IN ap-
pcarancc. while she sought companion
ship in books and her own Imagination.
roaming in the region Of fancy, and writ
ing at tins period many OF her best poems.
Her first magazine Vorl. was for Put
nam's Magazine. before she reached the
age of %. From this and OuhCr pubhra-
tons she became known 10 the readers
Of The Atlantic Monthly. llarpcrs Maea-
zinc. etc. She has contributed 10 ali the
leading Journals OF the country. besides
Publishing several Looks OF short stories,
sketches and poems. and IS coon 10 put
lish new novel entitled "Stcadiast. 2
story OF New England life ia colonial
times As IN instance &C the ialiihi'iiy
Of thcCditorial verdict. with regard 90 tho
merit Of q writer's efforts. and l.. g2vr-
mg public appreciation. one Of her Ec,t
st0ricsw0t the r0Cndsoi One bet uaga-
znoa Of thc country, lcilg 5uccocivciv
reiectodlmtil ~ lest an editor We found
who apprsC .atci it, worth o. the extent
o. ycntu.iag upon IL publication Il
proved ono at the greatest successes q
her literary lifo and was entitled "ircc-
dom Wheeler. Controversy. Since
their marriage. Mr and Mrs Cooke have
resided most a. tlc time in Nnatcd,
Conn. mt the Oh Cooke Homestead, uG-
ill % l.ttlc more thau year since. Whcn
they returned 90 iitt-Geld. Mass.. where
they have beautiful home. enc more
C0ngcnial to De- a.hctic taste II tins
woman of genius
Her husband. .ir. Rollin s. Cooke,
Is ENGAGED IN g. private lanking bu-inesf.
Mrs. Cooke has been welcomed o. hcr
new home rs appgo aiatiyc. iogiAg hearts,
and hes found many ~crm ircndj
among th0s. personally strangers TO Der.
vet who had long known ana admired
her through lT writings. Her nov
home iG the midst e the Berkshire hills
j. located I'D East street, in one ot tho
most desirable parts ri this charming
village. Thi pleagn street j. ciaaed
By double rows Of lorso, stately elm
tree. and the well kept lawns extending
from the buildings 20 the curb are
diversified by flowers and shrubs.
Her house is bright and cheerful cor
tanning many choice piece of quaint
old furniture and other relics Of ancient
manufacture among which IS her aecre-
tary of solid mahogany mounted ON legs
with singular brass commentators,
while it contains the greatest conycn-
fences in the form OF pigeon holes,
shelves, dainty drawers. and Ely hooks
and corners. Her library has q wide fire
place. i'm which. when the ri3 sufficient
IL chilly 20 render % Are desirable, logs
burn and cracl.lc. sending cheerful
flames dancing up the chimney, and
casting a cheerful glow over the room
and furniture
Her parlOr has @ straw mating almost
covered with large. soft rugs. The walls
are adorned With various pictures,
among which arc some choice old on
,,,.,,infes 81 fa.,- v-afgr color, and "A pho