Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-27
Hannibal Hamlin's Plcasurea.

Bangor letter in the Boston Globe
MIR. Hamlins present life is very quiet and
simple. Just outside the city he has few
acres of land which he calls his ''farm," and
the simmer morning find him constantly there.
Nothing delights him more than the exercise
and recreation which he obtains digging in the
loamy soil of that property. He owned a COW
for many years, and during his last term in the
Senate sensitive Bangoreans were given severe
most noted statesmen walking along the dusty
roadway driving cattle, his own and bis
neighbOrs'. from the pasture to the barn.
Mr.. Hamlin retains his dignity and commands
perfect respect in positions which other men of
his prominence would not occupy without sac
rificing both.
Not long ago went to his house to try and in
terview him on an important public question.
saw 'try" because few men ever succeeded
in that undertaking. The door was opened by
a maid, who said that Mr.. Hamiin was not at
home.
..IIe went down town for little WHILE" she
explained.
I accordingly retraced my steps and half
way down tOwnI saw very unique turnout APP
proaching--an old farm wagon loaded with
produce and drawn by horse aged enough to
be gray haired, but fat lazy and evidently well
kept. On the wagon seat was a. old gentle
man from the country, the proprietor of the
team, smiling and happy, engaged in earnest
conversation with companion by his side who
was none other than the ex-President of the
and the countryman, apparently on his way to
deliver a load Of produce, had Overtaken Mr..
Hamlin and asked him to ride.
hailed the odd-looking team, and the driver
stopped. In a few brief but comprehensive
words Mr.. Hanl!in answered my questions;
then resuming his conversation with his coun-
try friend, the old horse slowly drew him toward
his residence.
Mr.. Hamlin is great club man. He has been
president of the swell Tanatine Club since its
organization, and he seldom misses an after
noon there, where he is always found smoking
and playing cards with such men as the Hon
William p. Wingate, whom he made collector
OF this port; n. e. Aver and James II. Bowler,
the rich bankers; ex-MayOr A. d. Manson, J.. J.
Morse, a leading manufacturer; ex-AlayOr j. p.
Bass. who is as uncompromising democrat as
Mr.. Hamlin is a republican, and others.
The ex-Vice President abhors whist. Formerly
he was devotee of enchre, but within the last
few years has devoted his energies to pedro.
No man is fonder OF winning, and he battles
for the '.low" with almost desperate eagerness.
his partners never fails to draw from him re-
marks which are earnest to put it mildly.
His evenings are always passed ut home, un-
less there happens to be u ball or some social
event given by his church society.
His home life is as delightful as can be pic
tured. His youngest son has been practicing
law in Chicago for u number Of years. and
since his departure Mr.. and Mrs. Hamlin have
been alone. Mrs. Hamlin, who was known az
the greatest favorite in Washington society
when Mr.. Hamlin WAS Vice Presiden. is per-
fectly devoted to her distinguished husband
and is one OF the ioveliest women in Bangor.
Mr.. Hamlin has always been fond of dancing,
and believing that man is never too old fol-
such pleasures, late years have found him, more
than ever before q constant attendant Of the
parties. Only a few months ago saw him
dancing long after midnight at q great ball, ar.
ranged by some of the leading society men o,
the city, and which he and Mrs. Hamlin opened
In his religious beliefs he is not only very
liberal, but is the leading member and great
worker in the local Unitarian church and presi.
den. of the Maine Unitarian Association. His
dislike for music is intense and he is never seen
at a concert or the opera. and he enters church
after the opening musical selections and would
like to see church music banished altogether, &C
his friends say.