New-York tribune., 1900-07-07
MRS. JULIA WARD HOWE.
AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF EXCEPTIONAL
INTEREST TO AMERICAN READERS.
"REMINISCENCES. BY Julia Ward Howe. Oc-
tavo, PIP 465. Houghton, Mifin & Co.

Among the most delightful volumes Of auto
biography Of American origin is Mrs. Julia Ward
Howe's "Reminiscences" Mrs Howe is one of
those rare people whose lives seem to epitomize
the notable movements Of their time. Born early
in the century in young country, she has par
ticipated in changes that, as we look back on
them. seem phenomenal. She has known many
Of the great figures OF her time. she has enjoyed
the best in American life, she has travelled ex-
tensvely. and she has from childhood main
tained habits Of study Consequently. she is
able TO write from a richly stored mind. She
has. moreover the good humor and the frank
OF the woman whose life has been long
series of successful and happy experiences. and
whose position is assured. Finally, she writes
with the ease that comes with long practice
To read her book is like hearing her talk
Mrs. Howe has for many years been identi-
fed with Boston that it seems odd to think Of
her as belonging originally TO NewYork Her
father was a prominent man of affairs here,
prosperous. fond of society. broad in his tastes.
4 was born on May %, 1919 in the city of New
York in Marketield-st., near the Battery. My
father of Rhode Island birth and descent.
One OF his grardmothers was the beautiful
Catherine Ray. TO whom are addressed some of
Benjamin Franklin's published letters. His
father attained the rank Of observation-disclosures in
the War Of the Revolution, being himself the
married TO a daughter of Governor Greene, Of
the same State. My mother was grandniece TO
General Francis Marion. OF Huguenot descent,
known in the Revolution as the Swamp Fox of
Southern Campaigns Her father was Benjamin
Clarke Cutler, whose first ancestor in this coun-
try John De Mesmekr of Holland"
The New-York Of that time was, of course
very different city from the New-York of to-
day From Mrs. Howes account it must have
been in many ways far more attractive as a
place Of residence. The house of my young
ladyhood q use this term as it was the one in
use at the time of which I write) was situated at
the corner of Bond-st. and Broadway. When
my father built it the fashion of the city had
not proceeded so far uptown. The model of the
house was noble one. Three spacious rooms
and a small study occupied the first floor. These
were furnished with curtains Of blue yellow and
red silk. The red room was that in which
took our meals The blue room was the in
which We received visits and passed the even
ings The yellow room thrown open only
on high occasions. but my desk and grand piano
were plsced in it, and was allowed to occupy it
will. This and the blue room were adorned
by beautiful mantelpieces, the work of Thomas
Crawford. afterward known as a sculptor of
great merit. Many years after this time he be-
came the husband Of the sister next me in
age, and the father Of F. Marion Crawford, the
now celebrated novelist" In her fathers house
Julia Ward met many Of the men whose names
are now distinguished in literature and art, as
well as the great figures Of business, like the
first John Jacob Astor, Of whom by the way,
she has some entertaining "reminiscences. Al
though the elder Astor led life mainly de-
voted TO business interests he had great pleas
ure in the society of literary Fitz-Greene
HaIleck and Washington Irving were familiar
ryiSi Of nj he wed 50
q regard for DR.. Joseph Green Cogswen as TO
insist upon his becoming inmate of his fam
fly. He finally went to reside with Mr.. Astor,
attracted partly by the iatter's promise TO en-
dow a public library in the city of New York.
This was accomplished after some delay. and
the Doctor was for many years director Of the
Astor Library. He used to relate some humor-
Gus anecdotes Of excursions which he made with
Mr.. Astor. In the course, Of one Of these the
two gentlemen took supper together at a hotel
recently opened. Mr.. Astor remarked. This
man will never succeed Why not?' inquired
the other Don't you see what large Jumps of
sugar he puts in the sugar bowl? Once. as they
walking slowly to a piotboat which the
old gentleman had chartered for a trip down the
harbor, DR.. CogsweT said: Mr.. Astor have
just been calculating that this boat costs you
25 cents minute Mr. Astor at once hastened
his pace, reluctant to waste so much money
IN spite OF Eer SagetN al the time, Julla Nard
led a very serious life for a young girl; she de-
voted her several hours day to the study OF
literature and of music. 1t was during visit
10 Boston that she first met Dr. Howe. With
Longfellow and Charles Sumner she paid visit
10 the Perkins Institute for the Blind, in order
TO meet Laura Bridgman. whose fame had just
begun to be exploited ''Dr. Howe was absent
when we arrived the institution. but before
we took leave Of IL Mr.. Sumner, looking out o:
q window, said, oh. here comes Howe his
black horse" I looked out also and beheld a
noble rider on a noble steed. The doctor dis
mounted, and presently came to make our ac-
quaintance. One Of our party proposed 10 give
Laura some trinket which she wore but Dr.
Howe forbade this rather sternly. He made
upon impression of unusual force
and reserve. Only when I seated be-
side Longfellow for the hornew. I'd drive
he mischievously remarked, Longfellow, I see
that your horse has been down. at which
the poet seemed a little discomfted."
The marriage resulting from this meeting
proved to be ideally happy Mrs. Howe found
Boston far more hospitable in its welcome
TO strangers than it had been reported TO
be. Before really becoming a part of
Boston. however, she travelled extensively
IN Europe with DR. Howe Here she had
many interesting encounters with celebrities, al!
Of which she describes with glowing apprecia-
tiOn tempered with humOr "A visit TO fhe poet
Wordsworth was one Of the brilliant visions that
1oated before my eyes at this time Mr.. Tick
nor had kindly furnished US with intro1uc-
tion TO the great man. who then at the
height OF his popularity. To criticise Words
worth and 10 praise Byron were matters equally
objectionable in the London Of that time, when
London was, what it has ceased to be. the very