Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-02-21

relief to the continual stiffness of the
architecture of the building. From the
roof of the house may be had a beautiful
prospect out over the vast expanse OF
Carca bay, dotted with countless rock
islets, and westward over the rolling
country surrounding the city.
The house is roomy and not luxuriousiy
furnished. but the rooms abound with
the numberless little domestic touches
which make it so pleasant and CHEEKY
home
Whenever Mr. Reed wants to do any
work he retires to little "den" on the
second floor 1t is very, very small
room, so tiny that the owner can almost
turn from his desk by the window, In his
revolving chair, and reach any OF the BOOKS
which crowd the walls of the room.
Every available bit of space is utilized for
book shelves and more works are piled IN
the corners of the little room, but the
owners COLLECTION has overfiowed these
meager accommodations and book cases
are to be found all over the house, filled
with books upon every conceivable sub
iect, law, politics, philosophy history
fiction and poetry, for Mr.. Reed retains
his early habit of omnivorous reading
and study, and is never happier than when
he is among his large and valuable col
lection of books.
The literary tastes of politician are
not usually the subject of much public
attention, but in Mr.. Reeds case they
are significant, as well as interesting.
He is great admirer of George Will
liam Curtis style, particularly because OF
the rhythmic quality of his prose, which
ne believes has aided him to a true appre-
citation of rhymth, without which no
speaker can become an orator Good
novels he is intensely fond of, and Balzac
and Thackeray are his favorites. a care
full and successful student of human ma
ture himself, he naturally delights in
those authors who have most truthfully
and forcibly presented that ever varying
and always delightful entity. Thackeray
is his favorite above all, and "Pendcn-
mis-" and 1.-THE Nirginians" he finds the
most interesting Of his novels, though he
believes that "Vanity Fair" is the great
est of the masters achievements. Charles
Rcade is another novelist in whom he
greatly delights.
Among the poets Mr.. Reed prefers Ten
nyson, though he reads constantly Brown
ing, Longfellow, Whittier and Holmes.
Horace is another author in whom Mr..
Reed delights, and certain poems of the
charming Latin poet he reads and rereads
constantly.
Outside of his own home Mr.. Reed is
seen to most advantage at his favorite
club, the Cumberland. This conservative
old club is one of the most delightful
places the privileged visitor will find in
the old New England city In the old
fashioned, square house it occupies Oh
Congress Square, one will find the cream
of the social and intellectual life of tht
city gathered 1t is the sort of club
which can exist only in staid, old New
England town, where all its members
know each other intimately, most of them
having been boys as well as men together.
Indeed, there is no place quite like
it, said Mr.. Reed once in describing the
Cumberland club. at is the most home
like club one can imagine. 1t is too small
to have cotcres, and is full of bright
sensible boys, quick at repartce. People
talk Of my wit but l tell you it's hard
to hold my own there. No one can safely
try to pose before us or attempt to
make fool of himself. Intercourse with
your fellow men in such milieu is the
best discipline | know of-except that of
political life.
Besides belonging to this club Mr..
Reed is member of the Portland Club
just across the square, which is the Re
publican social club of the city, but it is
at the Cumberland that he most enjoys |
himself and there he is most frequently
to be found when he is not at home in |
the bosom of his family.