The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-12-08

Ion 3 pop u drlJy
chiefly rests on these two works of fiction
although he is something more than a
novelist, having written History of
Life in the United States" and other val
liable books on various topics. But the
two books first mentioned will undoubt-
edly live the longest of any he has writ
ten AS fresh, original. and striking
pictures of American life in its homelier
aspects, they have never been surpassed.
They reveal, more than any other writ.
ings of Dr. Eggleston, the authors gen.
erous faith in the common people, and
his deep, intelligent sympathy with com.
mon life
In his famous stories DIR. Eggleston
drew largely upon his own early impress
sions and experiences He is himself
native of Ohio, but was born of good
Virginia stock, inheriting the high spirit
and the distinctively old time culture of
that people. He inherited also delicate
constitution, which made it impractical
BILE for him to spend his boyhooo within
college walls. He educated himself, and
has never ceased to be an earnest stu
dent. His early life had considerable
spice of adventure. He was circuit
preaeher at the age of nineteen, and it is
said that he always kept a good supply
OF books in his saddle bags, and in his
long rides between preaching stations
might often be seen with volume in
his hands. He also had some experience
in country school teaching. He had
literary ambitions, and carefully marked
out for himself literary career He had
not long to wait, and the steps upward
were rapid. In 1866 he became associate
editor Of the Little Corporal, Chicago
publication, and not long after he was
placed in editorial charge of the National
Sunday School Teacher. In 1870 he
joined the editorial staff of the New York
Independent, and in the following year
became editor of Hearth and Home.
This same year (1871) marked the advent
also OF his masterpiece 1.-THE Hoosier
Schoolmaster. It struck the popular
fancy at once. and Immediately ran into
several editions. The author fame was
now secure. Then followed in success
sive years "The End of the World" THE
Mystery of Metropolisville." and "The
Circuit Rider" Roxy came out in
1878, and 1.-The Hoosier School Boy" in
1881. In recent years DIR. Eggleston has
been frequent contributor to the mag.
azines. has edited several books, among
them being series under the title "The
Delights of History"
DIR. Eggleston has winter home in
Brooklyn, but spends much of his time
in New York and Boston, where he finds
himself near the great public and private
libraries. But the novelist is at his best
when seen at home in his delightful Sum-
mer retreat on Dunham' Bay an arm OF
Lake George. Here in 1882 he built
himself an abiding place which he calls
"The Owls Nest"
The decorations of the buildings were
done largely by the hand of his daugh-
ter Allegra, who is an excellent artist,
Another daughter, Elizabeth, who has
inherited her fathers literary abilities,
is known as the author of the "Story of
Columbus" which appeared last year
with illustrations by Allegra. DIR. Egg
lesion has made speciality of colonial
history, and has gathered an immense
amount of valuable material bearing up-
on this subject from the libraries and
book stalls of Europe and America The
library building at the "Owls Nest
contains altogether about four thousand
volumes, besides large number Of
pamphlets. One Of the many privileged
persons who has visited the Nest" on
the shores of Lake George, writes thus
of the library.
1T is into this stronghold that one is
conducted on Sunday afternoon after
the usual hearty handshake, especially.
if ones visit relates in any way to things
literary, or to questions that are easiest
settled in an atmosphere of books. You
are led through a door opening at the
rear of the building toward the cottage.
Immediately opposite to which upon en-
tering appears the entrance to the artists
studio; thence along narrow passage
traversing the length of the west wall
and lined to the ceiling with books,
through doorway concealed by pair
of heavy dropping curtains. and into the
authors study, occupying the south end
of the building. Here you are seated
in a soft chair beside deep. red brick
fireplace (adorned with andirons and
other appurtenances of ancient pattern
captured from some old colonial man.
sion), and before modern bay window
opening to the SOUTH"
1t is among such happy aud congenial
surroundings that the best work of DIR.
Eggleston has been done in recent years.
He is still in the vigor of life, and the
American public seems likely to hear
from him yet many times again.