The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-09-08
The following sketch of Whittier was written
By James Russell Lowell:


The following sketch of Whittier was written
BY James Russell Lowell:
John Greenleaf Whittier was born in Haver.
hill, Mass, December IL, 1907. His parents were
members OF the Society of Friends. aud to the
principles and practices OF this sect he always
remained faithful, conforming even to its pc
cuarities of speech and garb in q community
where such observance, by being singular, must
often have been trying TO temperament SO shy
ana sensitive as his. His first American ances-
tor came to Massachusetts in 1888. and the con-
version to Quakerism took place in the second
generation OF the family, after the settlement of
sternly prosecuted. There may, therefore, be
something OF heredity in the answering
constancy OF Whittier to unpopular opinions AT
the date OF his birth Haverhill was still
farming village, one of the prettiest among the
many pretty hamlets which then gave q peace
1ui charm to the rural scenery Of Massachusetts
Born on farm, Whittiers first occupations
were those of farmers boy, driving the kline to
and from pasture. riding to mill, fetching in
wood Tor the undying kitchen fire, and helping
In the lighter labors Of haying and harvest He
was thus early brought into that intimate com
munion with Mother Earth and with Nature
which comes not by mere observation, and
Of o.
How much he thus learned and to how good
profit he put it, are visible in many of his poems,
but especially in his "Snow Bound" which, in
addition to its other merits, has now also
historical value as a vivid picture Of modes of
life even then obsoiescent. and now almost as
eaL tho BY not
both outward and domestic. live in his
verse, but II is worth remark that
the noeler qualities OF the puritans have mo-
where found such adequate literary expression
since Milton as in this member of q sect which
they did their utmost to suppress. Almost alone
among american poets he has revived the
legends OF his neighborhood in verse, and his
"Fioyd lreson" Is among the best of modern
ballads, surpassed by none save Scott IL even
by him. His schooling in other respects must
n N q n nn ia ny,fvy
tunity during boyhood would be the nearest
district school Caught commonly BY a college
student younger than some of his rustic pupils.
where he got such training in the simpler rudi-
ments OF knowledge as was posi- bic under the
conditions then existing. And this training, as
usual III the country, was limited to the winter
months, when farm work was necessarily sus-
pended. lie has recorded his Indebtedness
during boyhood to DR.. Elias Weld, of Haverhill,
who gave him the freedom OF his library.
farmland taught him shoemaking, the
common occupation during winter in the fish,
Ing and farming villages along the coast, and
by this means he earned enough to warrant his
months OF 1927. He was now sufficiently
learned. according to the simpler notions OF
those days. to be himself teacher, and taught
In the district school of West Amesbury during
the following winter. This supplied the means
Tor another SIX months ut the academy. In
Whittier's case. as in that OF so many other
New Engianders, nothing Is more characteristic
or more touching than the persistent resolve to
get the best education within their resch, at
whatever sacrifice.
The literary impulsd in him must have been
strong, Tor while yet in his l9th year he con-
tributed anonymous verses to the poets corner
OF the Free Press, journal edited by W. L. Gar
rison In Newburyport, aud enjoyed the furtiys
bliss OF print Garrison saw signs of promise in
these immature experiments, sought out the
author ana gave him the precious encourage.
ment OF praise and sympathy. This led to a last
Ing friendship aud, with the traditions of his
sect, may have had some influence in preparing
whittier TO enlist in the snti-slavery crusade
which began with the establishment of the Lin
orator In 1881 and afterwards caught SO much OF
It's inspiration from his fervid lyrics. The am
Dltlon 10 become poet was awak ened in him
appropriately enough by copy of Robert
lith year. ~
His father dying, he carried on the farm for
the next tive years, and in 1885 was sent to the
general court from Haverhill During all ,hesa