The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-30
HE sNUBBED LONGFELLOW.
Bulwer's First Meeting with the Poet From
Maine.


In 1856 Henry W. Longfellow. then in his
twenty-eighth year, made his second trip TO
Europe to air his German at Heidelberg. the
better to fit himself for the Office Of professor
of modern languages TO which he had been
appointed at Harvard. Before leaving he was
offered by Lewis Gaylord Clark, the editor OF
the Knickerbocker Magazine, letter OF IN
PRODUCTION to Bulwer. Mr.. Clark felt that he
was authorized to give such letter from the
fact that he had repeatedly in his magazine
written hattering notices OF Bulwers works
which be sent 10 the author. always receiving
formal note of acknowledgment in reply
Arrived in London, says New J ork Times
writer, the young professor in due course
went 10 Bulwer's residence, near Park Lane.
There was stanhOpe before the door to
which was attached fine blooded horse, at
whose head stood a diminutive tiger"
At this moment young man issued from
the house dressed in the extreme of elegant
foppery lie was proceeding to mount the
stanhope, when he was intercepted by his
visitor, who asked:
rs this Mr.. Buwer?"
He was answered by an affirmative stare.
II have letter of introduction to you"
said tue other handing him Mr.. Clark's
epistle. The dandy opened the letter. anced
at the signature, and instantly gave it back TO
the bearer, saying with an affected drawl:
Then he got into the vehicle and was off
No doubt Longfellow made mistake in
taking such an opportunity for an introduce
ton but il is doubtful if he would have Jared
any better inside the house. 1t is difficult to
conceive of such rudeness, but it was the era
of dandyism, Of puppylsm with q class OF
young men of fine. bright, cultured intellects
who represented the young England OF the
period. Bulwer and Disrael were the most
opto ~ p1 in nd fp
politics Count d'Orsay in society all affect
ing dandvism for which they had con-
tempt. The two former were hard workers
and serious thinkers and left their impress
upon their times.
In connection with the Longfellowincident
| should add that when our poet had become
famous. rivaling IL England Tennyson IN
popularity, and when Bulwer had thrown off
the assumed cloak Of efleminacy the two be-
came acquainted but no alusion was ever
made to that first visit, and il is doubtful if
Euwer ever recalled it.
1t was only few months after this, in 1886.
that saw Buwer for the first time. | had
Just lett Dartmouth, and at IL was on my
way to the Latin quarter" in Paris. | had
al the impulsiye ,eagerness Of youth to look
at celebrities. | had no letters of intrOduc-
ton 10 any Of them. had read and reread
my favOrtes "Phelham. " The Last Days of
Pompeii' and "Rienzi. and / longed to see
the author. stationed myself by the fash
ionsble drive-in Hyde Park and watched the
procession OF carriages A g0od-natured Eng
lshman who stood by offered TO point out the
most distinguished characters.
There that i Bulwer"
! looked in amazemeat saw slender
young man. dressed in extravagantly dandi-
fed costume, with hair positively in short
Jinglets at the back Of his head fine intel
lectual face, dshgured by an assumed air Of
languid friyolty and indifference He was
driving splendid animal. full of mettle He
appeared, however to pay little attention to
the management of his horse. This, too,
was sheer aaectation for he really did man
age him with carefulness and skill. waited
till he had passed and repassed several
times and | came away maryeling
IL was eighteen years before saw Bulwer
again. That was in 1854. when he was in his
ffty-frst year. had never sought an intro
duction. The idea of so doing, derived from
those first impressions, was distasteful
only knew him by sight.