The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-06-26
TON REEDS.
LITERARY SIDE.

~----
Thomas Brackett Reed. statesman
and lawyer is a lover OF books. and
has been an omnivorous ,reader from
his earliest boyhood days. When a Lad
at school all hlslspare time was spent
In readinE. but he oftener turned to-
an absorbing novel or n book Of poet
ry than TO his text books Later al coli
lege he Is said TO have often neglected
his studies during the earlier part OF
his course in order TO crag his brain
with classic literature, as well as Win
some which, upon his own confession,
was not classic. In 1850 Mr.. Reed grad
uated from college. his commencement
Grafton on THE Fear OF Death" win
ming the composition prize.
In his long congressional career at
Washington Mr.. Reed showed his
knowledge of books and literature on
more than one occasion. The humor OF
his speeches was intensified by slow
drawl and high pitched. rather nasal
voice. In debate Mr.. Reed always pre-
served an even and tranquil temper.
, often one sentence delivered in. his
inimitable manner, would demolish. in
gust OF laughter. an attack upon
which an opponent had spent hours
of labor. On one occasion when an In
significant member from southern
state. which was also represented by
one OF the most eminent Democrats In
the country. had at great expense OF
the time of the house. roasted" Mr..
Reed, that gentleman got up and re-
marked quizzically that II was indeed
great honor for one state 10 furnish
two such representatives. zone TO
lead the house. and the other TO bring
up the rear" That was all he said. but
the ambitious member was completely
squelched.
His wit IL not only spontaneous and
nashing but IL IL also eplgrammatic.
mo other man. said Robert +. Por-
ter, recently. has his power OF con-
densin9 a whole argument in few
striking words. His eplgrams are
worthy OF the literary artist, i'm that
they are perfect in form Though
struck out on the spur of the moment.
you cannot take word from nor re-
cast them They have for a solid basis
profound knowledge OF human ma
ture and OF life, and they exhibit 10 a
luminous degree the possession by their
author or the prime quality OF a true
man-horse sense"
To blundering lieutenant he once
said. with almost brutal frankness:
You are TOO big a fool 10 lead, and
haven't sense enough 10 follow"
In his home. Nr. Reed Is never so
happy as when in his den among his
books. Every available bit OF space Is
utilized for bookshelves, and more
books are piled i'm the corners of the
little room. but bookcases are 10 be
found all over the house. filled with
books upon every conceivable subject
law. politics. philosophy. history. fic-
ton and poetry.
He is a great admirer of George Will
liam Curtis's style. particularly be-
cause OF the rhythmic quality of his
prose. which he believes has aided him
to true appreciation of rhythm.with-
out which no speaker can become an
orator. Good novels he IL intensely
fond Of and Balzac and Thackeray are
his favorites. A careful and successful
student of human nature himself, he
naturally delights in those authors who
have most truthfully and forcibly pre-
sented that ever varying and always
delightful entity.
Thackeray Is his favorite novelist.
and "Pendennis' and The Virginians"
he finds the most interesting OF his
novels. though he believes that Van
ity Fair" is the greatest of the mas
ter's achievements. Charles Reade is
another novelist in whom he greatly
delights
Among the poets Mr.. Reed prefers
Tennyson, though ne reads constantly
Browning, 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.
The catholicity OF his poetical taste
MIR. Reed illustrates by citing as one
OF his favorite poems the following
from the pen of Eugene II. Ware:
Once a Kansas zephyr strayed
Where a brass-eyed bull pup played,
And that foolish canine bayed
At that zephyr I'm a gay,
Semi-idiotic way. 10
Then that zephyr In about
Half jiny took that pup.
Tipped him over wrong side up
Then IL turned him wrong side out,
And II calmly iourneyed thence.
MORAL.
When communities turn loose,
Social forces that produce ~
The disorders OF gale;
Act upon well known law.
Face the breeze, but close your jaw
Its a pule that will not fail,
IL YOU bay X In n gay,
Self-sufficient sort ~ way.
II will land YOU, without doubt.
Upside down and wrong side out,
Literary Life.