The book pretends to claim no literary merit; it is merely an humble and affectionate tribute, not alone to the great poet, but to the cherished friend. BLANCHE ROOSEVELT MACCHETTA. NEW YORK, April, 1882. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I.-Cambridge.-The Home of the Poet, H. W. Longfellow.-Entrance to his House.Longfellow follows the Custom of the Ancients. Reception by the Poet.-Introduction to the famous Study.-The beauty of the House.-The Craigie Mansion, once Washington's Headquarters.-Lady Washington's Room. - The Portraits.-Tintoretto and David.-A Remarkable Fire-place.-An Old Clock on the Stairs.-Luncheon, and Longfellow's Remarks on Jules Janin 10 CHAPTER II.—A second Visit to Cambridge.-Description of the Poet.—Longfellow as he appears at Seventy-four 43 CHAPTER III.-The Promenade on the Terrace.Longfellow will call Things by their Right Names.-Living in a Yellow House. Visitors, and his Reception of them.—An Autograph for a Namesake.-His last Visit to England.-His Call on Her Majesty Queen Victoria.-The Difference in Poets.-Longfellow a Poet of the People.-The Queen's Remark, "Why, even all my Servants read your Poems."-The real Dante.-Sketch of the Italian Poet.-A rare Autograph Album . 48 CHAPTER IV.-Nahant. The Poet's Summer Home.-How he spends his Mornings.-Modest Interior of the Poet's House.-A well-bred Gentleman living in quiet Luxury.-His Habits and Correspondence.-His Love of Fun 65 CHAPTER V.-A morning Occupation.-The Professor an early Riser.—The Ceremony used by the Family towards each other.-A Family Party at Table, and General Conversation on the Terrace.-The Poet's Letters.-His Handwriting. Accidental Discovery of a New Author.- Unearthing of a Poet.-Rubbish, and my Unfortunate Remark.-Description of the Poet's Laugh CHAPTER VI.-Longfellow Speaks of Poetical Influence.-The Works he never Reads.-Sketch and his Opinion of Alfred de Musset, the French Poet.-"A God-given Talent put to bad Uses." -Longfellow not Willing to lie awake at Night 80 to set a bad Example to a Class of thirty the 95 CHAPTER VII.-The Poet's Appreciation of Paro- CHAPTER VIII.-Longfellow visits Jules Janin, the French Critic.-The Impression made on his Mind by his Mode of Living.—In Doubt as to an old Acquaintance.-Byron and Swin- CHAPTER IX.-Longfellow with his Grandchild.- Youth and Old Age.-Sketch of the Late Victor CHAPTER X.-A Drive to Lynn.- Mr. Longfellow's Love of the Sea.- Where he Wrote his Poems CHAPTER XIV.-The Evening at Nahant.-Long- fellow's Love of Music.-Fond of Rossini. CHAPTER XVI.- Visit to Cambridge a Year later. -Christmas Dinner in the Craigie Mansion.- Tales of a Wayside Inn.-All Characters from Life.-Portrait of The Sicilian, Luigi CHAPTER XVII.-My Lost Youth.-Fen Portrait CHAPTER XVIII.-Looking over my Journal.- My last visit to Cambridge.-The Poet Ill and Suffering.-Hoping for another May . 237 |