The Washington herald., 1912-06-30
Nathaniel Hawthorne from
His Youth Upward Lived
the Life of a ReCIuSe in
Massachusetts Topn.

The Fourth OF July should have a dou-
bic significance TO the people Of the
United States. Not only does that day
freedom from the tyrant's iron hand. but
it marks the birth of Americas greatest
romancer, Nathaniel Hawthorne. He will
have been born los years ago next Thurs
day. Independence Day.
Little recognition will the birthday an
niversary of the great literary man re-
Ceive, for the entire nation will cOncen-
trate its attention on the appropriate
celebration OF the birth of the country $
liberty. Scattered here and there over
the land. however. devoted readers OF
the romances Of Hawthorne will remem-
Der the double meaning Of the day. and
will recall the sad and secluded life Of
the author.
Hawthorne. from his youth upward,
lived the life of a recluse. He was born
in Salem, Mass, July 4. 1904. OF English
descent. When he was four years OF
age, his father, who was a sturdy sea
captain, left the New England coast on
a voyage, from which he never returned.
The sad and mysterious death OF the
father had a lasting effect upon the fu-
ture author and his mother. For over
forty years following the death OF her
husband. Mrs. Hawthorne lived in Sc
clusIon. remaining away from the fam
lily table most of the time, and having
her meals served in her room.
Kept AIOOf from Masses
Nathaniel. as he grew older. became
Of a similar temperament He kept aloof
from the masses Of children and de-
lighted in long, solitary walks through
the woods and along the sandy shore Of
the sea. At the age OF nine years he
was struck on the foot by a ball and
was rendered lame for about three years.
This period Of disability had a great
influence upon the future Of young Haw
thorne. II was during these three years
that he acquired the habit Of reading.
He was also very fond Of cats, and
divided his time between books and the
feline pets one old cat he loved so
we'll that he knitted several pairs of
socks for It.
When fourteen years old Nathaniel and
his mother went to the home OF an
uncle at Raymond, Ne. on the Sebago
Lake. Here young Hawthorne read
and spent much Of his time
roaming through the woodlands and COM
with Nature. During the win
tertime he would frequently skate alone
over the frozen surface of the solitary
lake until late into the night. He longed
to go to sea. and often told his mother
that some day he was going to sail
away, like his father, never to return
a gain.
During his lonesome latter days
referred to this period Of his
life in the following words: Il lived in
Maine like a bird. Of the air, so perfect
was the freedom I enjoyed. But il was
there I first got my cursed habits Of
With the first money that Hawthorne
earned he purchased a copy of Sponsors
'Faerie Queene," which he reread many
times. He had little taste for study and
less for music, but he was a true lover
If Nature. During his boyhood he was
haunted by the idea that he
would die before reaching the age Of
twenty-five years. .-..
Started Weekly Paper.
At the age Of sixteen Nathaniel started |
small weekly paper, which he termed
The Spectator" No copies we're sold, |
nd after running six issues, the paper |
vas discontinued It was with a keen |
ense of humor that Hawthorne an
Iounced in the last issue the discon-
inuance Of the paper.
I'VE are sorry to be under the neces-
ity Of informing our resders," he said, /
that no deaths Of any Importance have
AIKEN place, except that OF the publish