New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-18
JOHN D|CELOW WELL At a
Author and Diplomat Shows No
Trace of Recent Breakdown.
GIVES VIEWS OF TARIFF
Talks of His Books and Proves
Delightful Host to Bevy of
Youthful Relatives.


1ob, Bieelow the venerable author anu
d,n,onoat has made a most remarkable re-
covery from his recent almost complete
breakdown. which had threatened to end
his eventful career. At the age OF ninety
four hts vitality and mental keenness are
amazing; all his senses and faculties are
acute. lie hears distinctly. reads and
writes without the aid Of glasses. and NJ
sense of humor is marked. His roous'
laughter and firm, steady tones or voice
startle those who come into his presence
expecting 10 see a decrepit old man, WIN
uuavering voice. sightless eyes and ears
that hear not. His mind is alert and ne
discusses the economic and political ques-
ions OF the day with the same keen.
shrewd acumen and intellectual force that
made him famous in his earlier days.
The old gentleman has kept thoroughly
abreast OF current events and can enter
intelligently and aggressively upon dis
cussion Of any live subject. while his mind
is as an open book on all matters Of
moment IN the turbulent times through
which he passed. and in which he took a
prominent part
Mr. Bigelow had not consented 10 see
newspaper men for some time. but re-
porter found him seated on the veranda
OF his summer home at Highland Falls,
known as The Squirrels. which overlooks
me Hudson from the summit Of a rocky
pronontory many feet above the level Of
yhe stream. The grounds are beautifully
laid out and form most delightful garden
spot for the old diplomats rambles. The
wide spreading branches Of giant oaks.
frs and pines form an encompassing
shelter from the summer suns and render
The always cool atmosphere OF the noun
tains even more delightful and the environs
Of his home more enchanting
Re was cool. serene. courteous and cor
dial. and was deep in volume Of Francis
Bacon. published in 1851 IN London. and
authorized 10 be sold on Fleet street"
The book was yellow with age. printed
in the old style Of English topographic
srt and spelling. with the long-looped g"
and Italicized letters. He said he had been
raad,nc il for some time. Il take the
greatest OF pleasure he said, in these
ola standard works They are couched in
such superb English and expressed such
noble thoughts
What I am reading now is letter 20
the King. written in such ornate and ex-
ouisite language that one marvels that such
English has not survived 10 the present
dsv Macaulays works are In matchless
English. and that is many years later than
the works OF Bacon, but there is no Eng
lsh to-day Ike that Of the earlier periods.
Mr. 5igeow as a Host.
M. Bigelow sent for cake and lemonade
and partook freely Of the refreshments
with MS guests, who Included besides his
two daughters, Miss Grace Bigelow who
is his constant companion. and Mrs. Hard
Ing. bevy Of pretty nieces who had driv-
- over from Tuxedo Park in their touring
ear. he evinced the greatest pleasure
in playing host for the lively lot Of young
people, and laughed and chatted with the
gayety OF youth. He cut the cake. poured
the lemonade and served the refreshments
himself
The old gentleman rises early in the
morning. as has been his custom through
out his active career IN the cool morning
cir he strolls about his place. which i'm
ued,ately adioins that Of Major General
Roe. commanding officer of the New York
state National Guard. and is only a short
distance from the summer home Of J.
Pierpont Morgan. Mr.. Bigelow takes much
interest In his gardens, where all the vege-
tables and fruits are grown in season.
in all his rambles Mr.. Bigelow is
accompanied by his daughter Grace. q
sweet faced woman. who has never mar
lied. and whose hair is as white as her
fathers.
When the breakfast hour arrives they re
turn 10 the house. and Mr.. Bigelow partakes
heartily Of his first meal OF the day. Many
& man much younger would be thankful
for the excellent appetite he enjoys.
After breakfast he goes to the veranda'
overlooking the Hudson and the beautiful
eastern shore and hills of the Berkshires'
thai extend for miles 10 the eastward.
Then he sends for some favorite volume
ana spends the rest II the morning read
!ng 10 himself. or aloud 10 one OF his
daughters or 10 both Of them. Sometimes
firing OF this he will have one OF his
daughters cad 20 him. In the afternoon ne
takes q short nap. and then resumes his
book on the veranda, where he sometimes
receives guests.
On some OF the leading political ques-
tons Of current moment Mr.. Bigelow eX-
pressed his views emphatically. While ne
agreed with Roosevelt and Pincnot in the
idea that the government should levy a
royalty on every ton OF coal mined, he
thought Il was not exactly the correct way
70 solve the problem.