Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-02-22
ISLANDS PATRIARCH

George William Curtis is the first per
son every visitor to Staten Island IN,
duires for, and he forms the centrai
Ink Of the little chaiu OF literary celeb
rites who maintain their homes on
that quiet old island down the pay.
His residence is only ten minutes Walk
from the station at Livingston, and IL Is
easy 10 fiud, like other homes on Staten
Island. when once you know where IL
is. A likely as not the visitor VINO
Goes nrowling about Staten Island in the
afternoon may meet DIR. Curtis himself,
for he is fond of outdoor exercise, ana
takes a walk of several miles every
afternoon. As is frequently the case
with prominent men. he would not De
tocoenized from the grOtesque pictures
which the political cartoonsts spread
before the readers OF the country every
week. but he is even better known
among Staten Islanders than Erastus
Wiman, and would be certain TO De
pointed out to any inquiriug stranger.
To the residents and tradesmen lot
the numbsrlees little villages scattered
along the edge of the island, especially
on what is called the North Shore
(which ISN'T the north shore az all, but
faces the west, there Is nobody better
tuovn than the editor of Harper
Weekly. and with most of them he ID
nersopally ACQUAINTED. This is not TO De
wondered at when it is remembered
that he has lived among them for TIM "
wears, and what Is more remarkable
even IN that easy going suburb. without
once moving from his fist h1oltation
He has always taken personal interest
IN local affairs and is identified with the
lsocial. literary and commercial move
ments of the community, besides beina
connected with several charities about
/ West New Brighton. 49,.
lie has never mixed in local politics
and the statesmen who devote their tlm'
t, getting out a full vote among th'
| 'Snucs or to carrying Erastlnt
know him not as worker. This MAJ
oftsn besn source Of wonder TO tht
nnlitical mind Of Elm Park aud as fal
around as Observation-Disclosures mar
could be q great political leader with
ont belonging 10 the organization 10 ni'
disrrlct or getting some OF his follow
ars into the Custom House. They can
not understand where his pull comes
10 SIR. Curtis said:l > used I,
drop in frequently at the Century Clut
when [ lived in the city, and now
hardly ever go there. aud TO Keep al
evening engagement in New York IL IKE
Going 10 Philadelphia. Ii ! am to at
Ind n public dinner l have TO take bag
cage with me and 60 prepared to spen1
The night in town. for 1t Is disagree
lsbls thlug 10 have to hurry to eaten th'
last boat and then get down here at
say O'Clock. l. is great event whei
ueople here 20 up TO the opera or U
some theatre. but think they ENJOY I'd
treat more than you city people
uho have only TO step outside tsel
houses. Still, the advantages, take
altogether, are in favor OF the country
especially as in my case. where one
family prefer that life.
"Whilo | do not read works OF tictlo
30 industriously as | did IN forme
years. y said he, II still read the ne'
novels of q few authors. and sucn c
others as have some special merit. Ihu
| read everything written by MI no"
els and Mr. James. There ID DO Eps
lish writer at present whose WORKS
= consider myself in duty bound TO rea'
. ss was the case when Dickens an
Thackersy were alive. Then read a
new historical, philosophical and pioi
raphical works OF merit, and, indee'
! keen in toach with the intellectu
world in all its phases. New fo'
World