The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1908-11-18
"Idlewild."

"Idlewild."
l never properly appreciated y, +.
Willis until recently. \ friend lent
me copy of "Hurrygraphs, which
has long been out of print. In this is
revealed a delicate touch, fine humor,
a spirituality, Il keen appreciation of
with Willis at once. One little essay
on painting the portrait of Jenny Lind
gets nearer To the soul of art than
niney-nne one -hundrcdths of the stuff
written on that much hackneyed theme.
Willis old home at Cornwall is Just
across the river. \ sketch of his life
gave me the story of how the romantic
spot received its name of ldlewild.
Willis bought the place of an old fish
erman. The fisherman did not put Il
high value upon II, saying apologetical
ly that 1t was only rough and idle
wild" An idle Wild 1t shall be-"
said the poet. adopting the name on
the spot.
Having caught II glimpse of Willis
rare soul through the window of his
book, | wanted TO see another view
through the window of his home. Go
ing to Newburg To visit Washington's
headquarters. ] came back TO Corn
wall by train. While waiting for the
Newburg boat in the morning told IA
f.t. I
lis place. "lou have heard the way II
came by its name?" he inquired and
without waiting to hear whether | had
or not went on to tell 1t. When | got
to Newburg | asked what time ! could
get back to Cornwall, remarking I'M
guardedly that | intended to visit n.
J.. Willis old home. The man of whom
| asked the question remarked joyous
~: Funny the way that place got Its
name. An old farmer owned ii, and
when Mr.. Willis asked the price he
said In Il deprecating sort of way, oh,
not mueh it Is only rough and idle
wild An idle wild 1t shall be said
Willis ana named 1t then and there"
On the train down the man In the
itAt stat stRhitd W mat vas
going 10 Idlewld and that my happi-
ness would not be complete till heard
how Ii got its name, SO he told me the
story once more Arrived at Cornwall.
! asked the way up to Mr. Wills old
place. and an attendant at the railroad
station said he thought II was up the
hill somewhere. There Is n good story
al nnt tho that tluan Inv Ito
name," he said was helpless and
had to hear about the old farmer, or
fisherman, whichever 1t was, once
more. On my way up two mile hill
had to stop two or three times TO In.
quire the way, and each time my In
formant courteously and dutifully told
me the story of how Willis came TO
name his place There were variations,
but I. was substantially the same old
story.
On reaching the top of the hill | had
To inquire once more of passing car
penter. "Why, yes" he said; II am
going right by the lane that leads into
1t" AS we walked along he grew To-
quacious. He did not know much about
Willis, but lie did know that deadly
story. / tried to hint to him that VIII
lis was Il very famous man and | had
heard the tale before, but he took this
only for bashfu,ness on my part and
went relentlessly on. l had now heard
the tale of how Idlewild came by It's
name at least seven times In one day.
The old estate itself Is on top of
great Hill overlooking the Hudson and
is II ver1table forest of pines The soft
cushion of needles underfoot, the piny
odor In the air, the sad but sweet
song IN the branches, combined with a
perfect day and the spell of the mem
DRY of him who had lived, loved and
wrought there. moved upon my soul
like an old song The roads wound
about, each new turn bringing Il new
surprise of beauty. Suddenly | came
out into view of the noble river. and
the house was before me. 1t is very
much as Mr.. Willis left 1t at his death
nearly a half century ago. 1t is now
occupied by II New York business man.
nameless here forevermore.
On my progress to the house under
the spell of the great spirit that was
incarnated IN the scene | ran on to n
"No Trespass" sign, five dogs and an
old gardener. | should have gone back
perhaps, but the gardener assured me
that 1t was all right and told me two
or three anecdotes Of Willis, the last
being the inevitable one concerning
the naming of Idiewiid. At this | fed
! could stand dogs and signs. but no
more Of that story.
One of the tales of the gardener
however, Is worth repeating. He said
that Mr.. Willis had a dog he loved so
much that he had buried him In state
and reared monument to his memory
In an idylic spot at the bottom of a
yerdure covered hill. This gave me a
new insight into the soul of Willis. 1t
IL not to be wondered ut that man
with love like that should move and