The Washington critic., 1889-04-13
MRS. STOVES HOME LIFE.

%'sf's R'N"N ''s'o hN' t3's'N w 'Na
home this winter, but is living quietly here
with her two daughters.
Although we read from tlmeto time In
The newspapers That there IS no loss OF
mental vigor on Mrs. stoves part, IL Is
quite apparent TO all who meet her that
there is marked diminution oil intellect
uaI power She sees only her family and
most Intimate friends, and .is constantly at
tended by nurse. Although there are
times when Mrs. Stowe seems quite herself,
IT is sad to record the fact that the great
authoress Is gradually lapsing into second
childhood.
Ihe cottage which she built here some
years ago is situated in one OF the pleasant
est parts OF Hartford. There Is fine view
OF miles oil the surrounding country 10 be
seen from her windows. Then she has FOR
near neighbors the genial Mark Twain and
the scholarly Mr.. Charles Dudley Warner.
The cottage itself is most unpretentious In
appearance, but thoroughly homelike in
every particular. The front door opens
into pleasant hall; from this you enter
the room, where the family spend most Of
their time.
ibtio nt Bithbl VI boOhb htiCt ttbJ
chairs, and plenty Of pictures many OF the
latter are the handiwork of Mrs. Stowe her
self, and were painted In leisure hours.
Although the house is heated by furnace,
there are open crate fires in every room,
which adds TO the picture Of "homeliness."
The drawing-room has one or two copies
OF old masterpieces. There is the Sistine
"Madonna," Fra Angelco's "Angels" and
Correggio's "Magdalene.n Some rare bits
of porcelain stand on a quaint little old
fashioned table. In one corner are two
or three easy chairs, and one can easily
imagine II just the place to sit and take a
cup Of "afternoon tea.n Blue is the pre-
vailing color Of this room. The dining
room has some fine family portraits and
some handsome furniture, which has been
In the family for many years. The morning
! called there the maid was just preparing
the table for the MONDAY meal. Two
young colored girls preside over the des-
TIMES Of the kitchen. They have lived with
Mrs. Stowe for some years and are devoted
TO their mistress.
Mrs. Stoves room, on the second floor,
Is made the most cheerful one in the house.
It faces the south, and In the bay-widow are
plenty OF growing plants, while vase OF
flowers always stands ON her writing table.
A canary bird sings his best and most lively
tunes. The family cat purrs beside the
open fire, and probably tries to forget what
a tempting morsel Master Canary would
make. One or two dogs also crouch be-
side the fire, and altogether 1t is veritable
happy family. Mrs. Stoves love for all
dumb animals is well known.
Every morning, when the weather per-
mits, accompanied by her attendant, or one
OF her daughters, she takes short walk.
! met her the other morning as she was re-
turning from her sisters, Mrs. Hooker,
who lives on the same street. She was
leaning heavily on the arm OF her attendant
and walking very slowly. Her pedestrian
powers, In her stronger days, were very
good, walk OF five or six miles being part
OF her daily exercise; but now she is able to
go only short distance without being over
powered with fatigue. Her son, the Rev.
the town and Mrs. stowe is no longer able
to walk the distance, but she often drives
over there Tor visit, as her grandchildren,
Lyman Beecher Stowe and his little sister,
Hilda, are great pets with her.
As her mind becomes weaker, there is
more and more apparent a strong love and
sympathy for all mankind. As George
Sand said OF Mrs. Stowe, her genius is the
genius Of humanity. A love for all that is
great and good and noble has always been
one OF her strong characteristics. As an
illustration Of her broad charity, the fol-
lowing incident is related by member of
her family. Some time ago friend was
saying how shocked she had been the Sun
day before at church to hear "a godly and
pious" hymn sung to one of the airs from
the opera Of "Erminie."
"a think beautiful tune" said Mrs.
Stowe, very quietly, and as If to herself,
sis the property of the human race, and 1t
is right to use II for the best aud highest
purposes"
She seems TO live good deal on that
beautiful hymn of DR.. Holmes, 80 Love
Divine" and one Of her favorite quotations
10 that one from "The Ancient Mariner"
"He prayeth best who loveth best"
The last thing Mrs. Stowe wrote for pub
lication was the introduction TO Florida
annual. She retired some years ago from
active literary life, for, as she said, 1t is
better for authors to stop writing before
readers stop reading With the pictures of
Puritan life, as set forth In some OF her
novels, Mr.. Gladstone, in letter to Mrs.
stowe, expressed himself much pleased,
and SAID that ne considered "Ihe Minister'S
Wooing" one OF the best novels he had
ever read, as there were fine, perfect char
actefs In II.
On little stand in her drawing-room are