of my journal and publish a book of Reminiscences. Having thought long and seriously on the subject I prepared more than half of the present work, and on the twenty-eighth of last December, in response to the following letter, I went with my sister to Cambridge, where we spent the day with the poet: “CAMBRIDGE, December 27th, 1881. “DEAR Pandora :*_I have just received your telegram and am so glad you are coming, and so sorry that I cannot come in to welcome you. Alas! I am still confined to the house, and mostly to my room. “Please come and see me tomorrow forenoon at eleven, if possible; not in the afternoon, as I have to sleep. “How delightful it will be to see you again. I wish I could give a better account of myself. I improve very, very slowly. “ Yours faithfully, “H. W. LONGFELLOW." Mr. Longfellow expressed himself as very much pleased with my idea and what I had done. He said we would call the work “Reminiscences of a Poet's * "Pandora” was the title with which the Poet usually addressed me. Home Life.” He corrected with his own hand many lines, and made many suggestions. I wrote them down in full. He reviewed and revised all that was written most thoroughly, and remarked on the chapter containing his personal description : “Why, that is my portrait; flattered certainly, but it is me, and I will never have another taken better than that." He rather objected to the description of his visit to Queen Victoria, but finally withdrew his opposition. It would have been a pity to overlook so salient a point in his character of an American poet. It was decided that I should bring him the manuscript (the last six chapters were only sketched out) in its entirety, when he would make necessary corrections, and revise it completely. His sudden demise hastened the appearance of this little work. My husband and myself dined with Mr. T. G. Appleton the evening of March 28th. I then read to him the entire work, receiving at the time many newer suggestions and several important facts from the poet's brother-in-law, which are here incorporated. My thanks are tendered to Mr. T. G. and Mr. Nathan Appleton for their kindly interest and suggestions, and to Miss Fannie A. Tucker. 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 1.-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 Head- Portraits.—Tintoretto and David.-A Re- markable Fire-place. An Old Clock on the CHAPTER II.-A second Visit to Cambridge.—De- scription of the Poet.—Longfellow as he appears 43 Visitors, and his Reception of them.- An Au- tograph for a Namesake.--His last Visit to England.—His Call on Her Majesty Queen Vectoria.—The Difference in Poets.-Long- fellow 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 - Ilow he spends his Mornings.-Modest Interior of the Poet's House.—A well-bred Gen- tleman living in quiet Luxury.—His Habits and Correspondence.- His Love of Fun . 65 CHAPTER V.-A morning Occupation.—The Pro- fessor 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 Hand- writing.- Accidental Discovery of a New Author.-- Unearthing of a Poet.- Rubbish, and my Unfortunate Remark.- Description of CHAPTER VI.—Longfellow Speaks of Poetical In- frience. The Works he never Reads.—Sketch |