第1章

byWilliamDeanHowellsWehadexpectedtostayinBostononlyuntilwecouldfindahouseinOldCambridge。Thiswasnotsosimpleamatterasitmightseem；fortheancienttownhadnotyetquickeneditsscholarlypacetothemodernstep。 Indeed，inthespringof1866theimpulseofexpansionwasnotyetvisiblyfeltanywhere；theenormousmaterialgrowththatfollowedthecivilwarhadnotyetbegun。InCambridgethehousestobeletwerefew，andsuchastherewerefelleitherbelowourprideorroseaboveourpurse。IwishImighttellhowatlastweboughtahouse；wehadnomoney，butwewererichinfriends，whoarestillalivetoshrinkfromthestoryoftheirconstantfaithinafinancialfuturewhichwesometimesdoubted，andwhobackedtheircredulitywiththeircredit。 Itissufficientforthepresentrecord，whichprofessestobestrictlyliterary，tonotifythefactthatonthefirstdayofMay，1866，wewentouttoCambridgeandbegantoliveinahousewhichweownedinfeeifnotindeed，andwhichwasnonethelessvaluableforbeingcoveredwithmortgages。Physically，itwasacarpenter’sbox，ofasortwhichisreadilyimaginedbytheAnglo—Americangeniusforugliness，butwhichitisnotsoeasytoimpartajustconceptionof。Atrimhedgeofarbor— vita；triedtohideitfromtheworldinfront，andatallboardfencebehind；thelittlelotwaswellplanted（perhapstoowellplanted）withpears，grapes，andcurrants，andtherewasasmallopenspacewhichI lostnotimeindiggingupforakitchen—garden。Ononesideofusweretheopenfields；ontheotherabrieflineofneighbor—houses；acrossthestreetbeforeuswasagroveofstatelyoaks，whichInevercouldpersuadeAldrichhadpaintedleavesontheminthefall。Wewerereallyinapoorsuburbofasuburb；butsuchisthefascinationofownership，eventheownershipofafullymortgagedproperty，thatwecalculatedthelatitudeandlongitudeofthewholeearthfromthespotwecalledours。 InourwalksaboutCambridgewesawotherplaceswherewemighthavebeenwillingtolive；only，wesaid，theyweretoofaroff：Weevenprizedthearchitectureofourlittlebox，thoughwehadbutsolatelylivedinaGothicpalaceontheGrandCanalinVenice，andwerenotuncriticalofbeautyinthepossessionsofothers。Positivebeautywecouldnothavehonestlysaidwethoughtourcottagehadasawhole，thoughwemighthaveheldoutforsomethingofthekindinthebracketsofturnedwoodunderitseaves。Butwewererichlycontentwithit；andwithlifeinCambridge，asitbegantoopenitselftous，wewereinfinitelymorethancontent。Thislife，sorefined，sointelligent，sogracefullysimple，I donotsupposehasanywhereelsehaditsparallel。 I。 ItwasthemomentbeforetheoldAmericancustomshadbeenchangedbyEuropeaninfluencesamongpeopleofeasiercircumstances；andinCambridgesocietykeptwhatwasbestofitsvillagetraditions，andchosetokeeptheminthefullknowledgeofdifferentthings。Nearlyeveryonehadbeenabroad；andnearlyeveryonehadacquiredthetasteforoliveswithoutlosingarelishfornativesauces；throughtheintellectuallifetherewasanentiredemocracy，andIdonotbelievethatsincethecapitalisticerabegantherewaseveracommunityinwhichmoneycountedforless。Therewaslittleshowofwhatmoneycouldbuy；Irememberbutoneprivatecarriage（naturally，apublisher’s）；andtherewasnotonelivery，exceptaliveryinthelargersensekeptbythestablemanPike，whomadeuspaynowaquarterandnowahalfdollarforaseatinhiscarriages，accordingashelostorgatheredcourageforthecharge。Wethoughthimextortionate，andwemostlywalkedthroughsnowandmudofamazingdepthandthickness。 Thereaderwillimaginehowacceptablethiscircumstancewastoayoungliterarymanbeginninglifewithafullymortgagedhouseandasalaryofuntriedelasticity。IfthereweredistinctionsmadeinCambridgetheywerenotagainstliterature，andwefoundourselvesinthemidstofacharmingsociety，indifferent，apparently，toallquestionsbutthoseofthehighereducationwhichcomessolargelybynature。Thatistosay，intheCambridgeofthatday（and，Idaresay，ofthis）amindcultivatedinsomesortwasessential，andafterthatcamecivilmanners，andthewillingnessandabilitytobeagreeableandinteresting；butthequestionofrichesorpovertydidnotenter。Eventhequestionoffamily，whichisofsogreatconcerninNewEngland，wasinabeyance。PerhapsitwastakenforgrantedthateveryoneinOldCambridgesocietymustbeofgoodfamily，orhecouldnotbethere；perhapshismereresidencetacitlyennobledhim；certainlyhisacceptancewasaninformalpatentofgentility。Tomymind，thestructureofsocietywasalmostideal，anduntilwehaveaperfectlysocializedconditionofthingsIdonotbelieveweshalleverhaveamoreperfectsociety。Theinstinctswhichgoverneditwerenotsuchascanarisefromthesordidcompetitionofinterests； theyflowedfromadevotiontoletters，andfromaself—sacrificeinmaterialthingswhichIcangivenobetternotionofthanbysayingthattheoutlayoftherichestcollegemagnateseemedtobegraduatedtotheincomeofthepoorest。 Inthosedays，themenwhosenameshavegivensplendortoCambridgewerestilllivingthere。IshallforgetsomeoftheminthealphabeticalenumerationofLouisAgassiz，FrancisJ。Child，RichardHenryDana，Jun。，JohnFiske，Dr。AsaGray，thefamilyoftheJameses，fatherandsons，Lowell，Longfellow，CharlesEliotNorton，Dr。JohnG。Palfrey，JamesPierce，Dr。Peabody，ProfessorParsons，ProfessorSophocles。ThevarietyoftalentsandofachievementswasindeedsogreatthatMr。BretHarte，whenfreshfromhisPacificslope，justlysaid，afterlisteningtoapartialrehearsalofthem，\"Why，youcouldn’tfirearevolverfromyourfrontporchanywherewithoutbringingdownatwo—volumer！\"Everybodyhadwrittenabook，oranarticle，orapoem；orwasintheprocessorexpectationofdoingit，anddoubtlessthosewhosenamesescapemewillhavegreaterdifficultyineludingfame。Thesekindly，thesegiftedfolkeachcametoseeusandtomakeusathomeamongthem；andmyhomeisstillamongthem，onthissideandonthatsideofthelinebetweenthelivingandthedeadwhichinvisiblypassesthroughallthestreetsofthecitiesofmen。 II。 WehadthewholesummerfortheexplorationofCambridgebeforesocietyreturnedfromthemountainsandthesea—shore，anditwasnottillOctoberthatIsawLongfellow。Iheardagain，asIheardwhenIfirstcametoBoston，thathewasatNahant，andthoughNahantwasnolongersofaraway，now，asitwasthen，Ididnotthinkofseekinghimoutevenwhenwewentforadaytoexplorethatcoastduringthesummer。ItseemsstrangethatIcannotrecalljustwhenandwhereIsawhim，butearlyafterhisreturntoCambridgeIhadamessagefromhimaskingmetocometoameetingoftheDanteClubatCraigieHouse。 Longfellowwasthatwinter（1866—7）revisinghistranslationofthe’Paradiso’，andtheDanteClubwasthecircleofItalianatefriendsandscholarswhomheinvitedtofollowhimandcriticisehisworkfromtheoriginal，whilehereadhisversionaloud。ThosewhoweremostconstantlypresentwereLowellandProfessorNorton，butfromtimetotimeotherscamein，andweseldomsatdownatthenine—o’clocksupperthatfollowedthereadingofthecantoinlessnumberthantenortwelve。 Thecriticism，especiallyfromtheaccomplishedDanteistsIhavenamed，wasfrankandfrequent。IbelievetheyneitherofthemquiteagreedwithLongfellowastotheformofversionhehadchosen，but，waivingthat，thequestionwashowperfectlyhehaddonehisworkuponthegivenlines： Imyself，withwhateverright，greatorlittle，Imayhavetoanopinion，believethoroughlyinLongfellow’splan。WhenIreadhisversionmysenseachesfortherhymewhichherejected，butmyadmirationforhisfidelitytoDanteotherwiseisimmeasurable。Irememberwithequaladmirationthesubtleandsympatheticscholarshipofhiscritics，whoscrutinizedeveryshadeofmeaninginawordorphrasethatgavethempause，anddidnotletitpasstillallthereasonsandfactshadbeenconsidered。Sometimes，andevenoften，Longfellowyieldedtotheircensure，butforthemostpart，whenhewasofanothermind，heheldtohismind，andthepassagehadtogoashesaid。ImakealittlehastetosaythatinallthemeetingsoftheClub，duringawholewinterofWednesdayevenings，Imyself，thoughIfaithfullyfollowedinanItalianDantewiththerest，venturedupononesuggestiononly。Thiswaskindly，evenseriously，consideredbythepoet，andgentlyrejected。Hecouldnotdoanythingotherwisethangently，andIwasnotsufferedtofeelthatIhaddoneapresumptuousthing。Icanseehimnow，ashelookedupfromtheproof—sheetsontheroundtablebeforehim，andoveratme，growingconsciouslysmallerandsmaller，likesomethingthroughareversedopera—glass。Hehadashadeddrop—lightinfrontofhim，andinitsglowhisbeautifulandbenignlynobleheadhadadignitypeculiartohim。 AlltheportraitsofLongfellowarelikenessesmoreorlessbadandgood，fortherewassomethingassimpleinthephysiognomyasinthenatureoftheman。Hishead，afterheallowedhisbeardtogrowandworehishairlonginthemannerofelderlymen，wasleonine，butmildlyleonine，astheoldpaintersconceivedthelionofSt。Mark。OnceSophocles，theex— monkofMountAthos，solongaGreekprofessoratHarvard，cameinforsupper，afterthereadingwasover，andhewasleoninetoo，butofafiercenessthatcontrastedfinelywithLongfellow’smildness。Irememberthepoet’saskinghimsomethingaboutthepunishmentofimpaling，inTurkey，andhisanswering，withanironicalgleamofhisfieryeyes，\"Unhappily，itisobsolete。\"Idaresayhewasnotsoleonine，either，ashelooked。 WhenLongfellowreadverse，itwaswithahollow，withamellowresonantmurmur，likethenoteofsomedeep—throatedhorn。Hisvoicewasverylullinginquality，andattheDanteClubitusedtohaveearlyeffectwithanoldscholarwhosatinacavernousarmchairatthecornerofthefire，andwhodrowsedaudiblyinthesofttoneandthegentleheat。ThepoethadafatterrierwhowishedalwaystobepresentatthemeetingsoftheClub，andhecommonlyfellasleepatthesamemomentwiththatdearoldscholar，sothatwhentheybegantomakethemselvesheardinconcert，onecouldnottellwhichitwasthatmosttookourthoughtsfromthetextoftheParadiso。Whentheduetopened，Longfellowwouldlookupwithanarchrecognitionofthefact，andthengogravelyontotheendofthecanto。Attheclosehewouldspeaktohisfriendandleadhimouttosupperasifhehadnotseenorheardanythingamiss。 III。 InthatelectcompanyIwassilent，partlybecauseIwasconsciousofmyyouthfulinadequacy，andpartlybecauseIpreferredtolisten。ButLongfellowalwaysbehavedasifIweresayingasuccessionofedifyinganddelightfulthings，andfromtimetotimeheaddressedhimselftome，sothatIshouldnotfeelleftout。Hedidnottalkmuchhimself，andI recallnothingthathesaid。Buthealwaysspokebothwiselyandsimply，withouttheleasttouchofpose，andwithnointentionofeffect，butwithsomethingthatImustcallqualityforwantofabetterword；sothatatatablewhereHolmessparkled，andLowellglowed，andAgassizbeamed，hecastthelightofagentlegaiety，whichseemedtodimallthesevividerluminaries。WhilehespokeyoudidnotmissFields’sstoryorTomAppleton’swit，oreventhegraciousamityofMr。Norton，withhisunequalledintuitions。 Thesupperwasveryplain：acoldturkey，whichthehostcarved，orahaunchofvenison，orsomebracesofgrouse，oraplatterofquails，withadeepbowlofsalad，andthesympatheticcompanionshipofthoseelectvintageswhichLongfellowloved，andwhichhechosewiththeinspirationofaffection。Weusuallybeganwithoysters，andwhensomeonewhowasexpecteddidnotcomepromptly，Longfellowinvitedustoraidhisplate，asajustpunishmentofhisdelay。OneeveningLowellremarked，withthecayennepoisedabovehisbluepoints，\"It’sastonishinghowfondthesefellowsareofpepper。\" Theoldfriendofthecavernousarm—chairwasperhapsnotwideenoughawaketorepressan\"Ah？\"ofdeepinterestinthisfactofnaturalhistory，andLowellwasprovokedtogoon。\"Yes，I’vedroppedaredpepperpodintoabarrelofthem，beforenow，andthentakenthemoutinasolidmass，clingingtoitlikeaswarmofbeestotheirqueen。\" \"Isitpossible？\"criedtheoldfriend；andthenLongfellowintervenedtosavehimfromworse，andturnedthetalk。 IreproachmyselfthatImadenorecordofthetalk，forIfindthatonlyafewfragmentsofithavecaughtinmymemory，andthatthesievewhichshouldhavekeptthegoldhasletitwashawaywiththegravel。 IrememberonceDoctorHolmes’stalkingofthephysicianasthetrueseer，whoseawfulgiftitwastobeholdwiththefatalsecondsightofsciencetheshroudgatheringtothethroatofmanyadoomedmanapparentlyinperfecthealth，andhappyinthepromiseofunnumbereddays。Thethoughtmayhavebeensuggestedbysomeofthetoysofsuperstitionwhichintellectualpeopleliketoplaywith。 InevercouldbequitesureatfirstthatLongfellow’sbrother—in—law，Appleton，wasseriouslyaspiritualist，evenwhenhedisputedthemoststrenuouslywiththeunbelievingAutocrat。Buthereallywasinearnestaboutit，thoughherelishedajokeattheexpenseofhisdoctrine，likesomeclericswhentheyareinthesafecompanyofotherclerics。HetoldmeonceofhavingrecountedtoAgassizthefactsofaveryremarkableseance，wherethesoulsofthedepartedoutdidthemselvesintheathleticsandacrobaticstheyseemsofondofoverthere，throwinglargestonesacrosstheroom，movingpianos，andliftingdinner—tablesandsettingthema—twirlunderthechandelier。\"Andnow，\"hedemanded，\"whatdoyousaytothat？\"\"Well，Mr。Appleton，\"Agassizanswered，toAppleton’sinfinitedelight，\"Isaythatitdidnothappen。\" OnenighttheybegantospeakattheDantesupperoftheunhappymanwhosecrimeisaredstainintheCambridgeannals，andoneandanotherrecalledtheirimpressionsofProfessorWebster。Itwaspossiblywitharetroactivesensethattheyhadallfeltsomethinguncannyinhim，but，aproposofthedeepsalad—bowlinthecentreofthetable，LongfellowrememberedasupperWebsterwasat，wherehelightedsomechemicalinsuchadishandheldhisheadoverit，withahandkerchiefnoosedabouthisthroatandliftedaboveitwithonehand，whilehisface，inthepalelight，tookonthelividghastlinessofthatofamanhangedbytheneck。 AnothernightthetalkwanderedtothevisitwhichanEnglishauthor（nowwithGod）paidAmericaattheheightofapopularitylongsincetoppledtotheground，withmanyanother。Hewasinverygoodhumorwithourwholecontinent，andatLongfellow’stablehefoundthechampagneevensurprisinglyfine。\"But，\"hesaidtohishost，whonowtoldthestory，\"itcawn’tbegenuine，youknow！\" Manyyearsafterwardsthisauthorrevisitedourshores，andIdinedwithhimatLongfellow’s，wherehewasanxioustoconstitutehimselfaguestduringhissojourninourneighborhood。Longfellowwasequallyanxiousthatheshouldnotdoso，andhetookaharmlesspleasureinout— manoeuvringhim。Heseizedachancetospeakwithmealone，andplottedtodeliverhimovertomewithoutapparentunkindness，whenthelatesthorse—carshouldbegoingintoBoston，andbeggedmetowalkhimtoHarvardSquareandputhimaboard。\"Puthimaboard，anddon’tleavehimtillthecarstarts，andthenwatchthathedoesn’tgetoff。\" Theseinstructionsheaccompaniedwithaliftingoftheeyebrows，andapursingofthemouth，inananxietynotaltogetherburlesque。Heknewhimselfthepreyofanyonewhochosetobattenonhim，andhishospitalitywassubjecttofrightfulabuse。PerhapsMr。Nortonhassomewheretoldhow，whenheaskedifacertainpersonwhohadbeenoutstayinghistimewasnotadreadfulbore，Longfellowanswered，withangelicpatience，\"Yes；butthenyouknowIhavebeenboredsooften！\" TherewasonefatalEnglishmanwhomIsharedwithhimduringthegreatpartofaseason：apoorsoul，notwithoutgifts，butalwaysreadyformore，especiallyiftheytooktheformofmeatanddrink。HehadbroughtlettersfromoneofthebestEnglishmenalive，whowithdrewthemtoolatetosavehisAmericanfriendsfromthesadconsequencesofwelcominghim。SoheestablishedhimselfimpregnablyinaBostonclub，andcameouteverydaytodinewithLongfellowinCambridge，beginningwithhisreturnfromNahantinOctoberandcontinuingfarintoDecember。Thatwastheyearofthegreathorse—distemper，whentheplaguedisabledthetransportationinBoston，andcutoffallintercoursebetweenthesuburbandthecityonthestreetrailways。\"Ididthink，\"Longfellowpatheticallylamented，\"thatwhenthehorse—carsstoppedrunning，I shouldhavealittlerespitefromL。，buthewalksout。\" InthemidstofhisownsufferinghewaswillingtoadvisewithmeconcerningsomepoemsL。hadofferedtotheAtlanticMonthly，andafterwehaddesperatelyreadthemtogetherhesaid，withinspiration，\"Ithinkthesethingsaremoreadaptedtomusicthanthemagazine，\"andthisseemedsogoodanotionthatwhenL。cametoknowtheirfatefromme，Ianswered，confidently，\"Ithinktheyarerathermoreadaptedtomusic。\" Hecalmlyasked，\"Why？\"andasthiswasanexigencywhichLongfellowhadnotforecastforme，Iwascaughtinitwithouthopeofescape。IreallydonotknowwhatIsaid，butIknowthatIdidnottakethepoems，suchwasmyliteraryconscienceinthosedays；IamafraidIshouldbeweakernow。 IV。 ThesuppersoftheDanteClubwerearelaxationfromtheseverityoftheirtoilsoncriticism，andIwillnotpretendthattheirtable—talkwasofthatseriousnesswhichdullerwitsmighthavegiventhemselvesupto。Thepassingstranger，especiallyifalightorjovialperson，wasalwayswelcome，andIneverknewoftheenforcementoftheruleIheardof，thatifyoucameinwithoutquestionontheClubnights，youwereaguest；butifyourangorknocked，youcouldnotgetin。 Anysortofdiversionwashailed，andonceAppletonproposedthatLongfellowshouldshowushiswine—cellar。Hetookupthecandleburningonthetableforthecigars，andledthewayintothebasementofthebeautifuloldColonialmansion，doublymemorableasWashington’sheadquarterswhilehewasinCambridge，andasthehomeofLongfellowforsomanyyears。Thetapercastjusttherightgleamsonthedarkness，bringingintoreliefthemassivepiersofbrick，andthesolidwallsofstone，whichgavethecellartheeffectofacasemateinsomefortress，andleavingthecornersanddistancestoaromanticgloom。Thisbasementwasaworkofthedayswhenmenbuiltmoreheavilyifnotmoresubstantiallythannow，butIforget，ifIeverknew，whatdatethewine— cellarwasof。Itwaswellstoredwithpreciousvintages，aptlycobwebbedanddusty；butIcouldnotfindthatithadanymorecharmthantheshelvesofalibrary：itistheinsideofbottlesandofbooksthatmakesitsappeal。Thewholeplacewitnessedabygonestateandluxury，whichotherwiselingeredinadimlegendortwo。Longfellowoncespokeofcertainoldlove—letterswhichdroppeddownonthebasementstairsfromsomeplaceoverhead；andtherewasthefableorthefactofasubterraneanpassageunderthestreetfromCraigieHousetotheoldBatchelderHouse，whichIrelatetotheseletterswithnoauthorityIcanallege。ButinCraigieHousedwelttheproudfairladywhowasburiedintheCambridgechurch—yardwithaslaveatherheadandaslaveatherfeet。 \"Dustisinherbeautifuleyes，\" andwhetheritwastheythatsmiledorweptintheirtimeoverthoselove—letters，Iwillleavethereadertosay。ThefortunesofherToryfamilyfellwiththoseoftheirparty，andthelastVassalendedhisdaysaprisonerfromhiscreditorsinhisownhouse，withaweeklyenlargementonSundays，whenthelawcouldnotreachhim。ItisknownhowtheplacetookLongfellow’sfancywhenhefirstcametobeprofessorinHarvard，andhowhewasalodgerofthelastMistressCraigiethere，longbeforehebecameitsowner。Thehouseissquare，withLongfellow’sstudywherehereadandwroteontherightofthedoor，andastatelierlibrarybehindit；ontheleftisthedrawing—room，withthedining—roominitsrear；fromitssquarehallclimbsabeautifulstairwaywithtwistedbanisters，andatallclockintheirangle。 ThestudywheretheDanteClubmet，andwhereImostlysawLongfellow，wasaplain，pleasantroom，withbroadpanellinginwhitepaintedpine； inthecentrebeforethefireplacestoodhisroundtable，ladenwithbooks，papers，andproofs；inthefarthestcornerbythewindowwasahighdeskwhichhesometimesstoodattowrite。InthisroomWashingtonheldhiscouncilsandtransactedhisbusinesswithallcomers；inthechamberoverheadheslept。IdonotthinkLongfellowassociatedtheplacemuchwithhim，andIneverheardhimspeakofWashingtoninrelationtoitexceptonce，whenhetoldmewithpeculiarrelishwhathecalledthetrueversionofapiousstoryconcerningtheaide—de—campwhoblunderedinuponhimwhilehekneltinprayer。Thefatherofhiscountryroseandrebukedtheyoungmanseverely，andthenresumedhisdevotions。\"Herebukedhim，\"saidLongfellow，liftinghisbrowsandmakingringsroundthepupilsofhiseyes，\"bythrowinghisscabbardathishead。\" AllthefrontwindowsofCraigieHouselook，outovertheopenfieldsacrosstheCharles，whichisnowtheLongfellowMemorialGarden。Thepoetusedtobeamusedwiththepopularsuperstitionthathewasholdingthisvacantgroundwithaviewtoariseinthepriceoflots，whileallhewantedwastokeepafeatureofhisbelovedlandscapeunchanged。 Loftyelmsdroopedatthecornersofthehouse；onthelawnbillowedclumpsofthelilac，whichformedathickhedgealongthefence。Therewasaterracepartwaydownthislawn，andwhenawhite—paintedbalustradewassetsomefifteenyearsagouponitsbrink，itseemedalwaystohavebeenthere。Longverandasstretchedoneithersideofthemansion；andbehindwasanold—fashionedgardenwithbedsprimlyedgedwithboxafteradesignofthepoet’sown。Longfellowhadaghoststoryofthisquaintplaisance，whichheusedtotellwithanartfulreserveofthecatastrophe。Hewascominghomeonewinternight，andashecrossedthegardenhewasstartledbyawhitefigureswayingbeforehim。Butheknewthattheonlywaywastoadvanceuponit。Hepushedboldlyforward，andwassuddenlycaughtunderthethroat—bytheclothes—linewithalongnight—gownonit。 PerhapsitwasattheendofalongnightoftheDanteClubthatIheardhimtellthisstory。Theeveningsweresometimesmorningsbeforethereluctantbreak—upcame，buttheywereneverhalflongenoughforme。 IhavegivennoideaofthehighreasoningofvitalthingswhichImustoftenhaveheardatthattable，andthatIhaveforgottenitisnoproofthatIdidnothearit。Thememorywillnotberuledastowhatitshallbindandwhatitshallloose，andIshouldentreatmineinvainforrecordofthosemeetingsotherthanwhatIhavegiven。Perhapsitwouldbewell，intheinterestofsomepopularconceptionsofwhatthesocialintercourseofgreatwitsmustbe，formetoinventsomeennoblingandelevatingpassagesofconversationatLongfellow’s；perhapsIoughttodoitforthesakeofmyownreputeasaseriousandadequatewitness。ButIamratherhelplessinthematter；ImustsetdownwhatIremember，andsurelyifIcanremembernophrasefromHolmesthatareadercouldliveordieby，itissomethingtorecallhow，whenacertainpotentcheesewaspassing，heleanedovertogazeatit，andasked：\"Doesitkick？ Doesitkick？\"NostrainofhighpoeticthinkingremainstomefromLowell，buthemademelaughunforgettablywithhispassiveadventureonenightgoinghomelate，whenamansuddenlyleapedfromthetopofahighfenceuponthesidewalkathisfeet，andaftergivinghimtheworstfrightofhislife，disappearedpeaceablyintothedarkness。Tobesure，therewasonemostmemorablesupper，whenhereadthe\"BigelowPaper\" hehadfinishedthatday，andenrichedthemeaningofhisversewiththebeautyofhisvoice。TherelingersyetinmysensehisverytoneingivingthelastlineofthepassagelamentingthewasteoftheheroicliveswhichinthosedarkhoursofJohnson’stimeseemedtohavebeen\"Butcheredtomakeablindman’sholiday。\" Thehushthatfolloweduponhisceasingwasofthatfinestqualitywhichspokenpraisealwayslacks；andIsupposethatIcouldnotgiveajustnotionoftheseDanteClubeveningswithoutimpartingtheeffectofsuchsilences。ThisIcouldnothopefullyundertaketodo；butIamtemptedtosomeeffortofthekindbymyremembranceofLongfellow’soldfriendGeorgeWashingtonGreene，whooftencameupfromhishomeinRhodeIsland，tobeatthosesessions，andwhowasamostinterestingandamiablefactofthosedelicatesilences。AfullhalfofhisearlierlifehadbeenpassedinItaly，whereheandLongfellowmetandlovedeachotherintheiryouthwithanaffectionwhichthepoetwasconstanttoinhisage，aftermanyvicissitudes，withthebeautifulfidelityofhisnature。GreenewaslikeanoldItalianhouse—priestinmanner，gentle，suave，verysuave，smoothascreamycurds，cultivatedintheeleganciesofliterarytaste，andwithacertainmeekabeyance。IthinkIneverheardhimspeak，inallthoseevenings，exceptwhenLongfellowaddressedhim，thoughhemusthavehadtheDantescholarshipforanoccasionalcriticism。Itwasatmorerecentdinners，whereImethimwiththeLongfellowfamilyalone，thathebrokenowandthenintoaquotationfromsomeofthemodernItalianpoetsheknewbyheart（preferablyGiusti），andsyllabledtheirversewithanexquisiteRomanaccentandabewitchingFlorentinerhythm。NowandthenatthesetimeshebroughtoutafadedItaliananecdote，faintlysmellingofcivet，andthreadbareinitsancienttexture。HelikedtospeakofGoldoniandofNota，ofNiccoliniandManzoni，ofMontiandLeopardi；andifyoucametoAmerica，oftheRevolutionandhisgrandfather，theQuakerGeneralNathanielGreene，whoselifehewrote（andIread）inthreevolumes：HeworshippedLongfellow，andtheirfriendshipcontinuedwhiletheylived，buttowardsthelastofhisvisitsatCraigieHouseithadapathosforthewitnesswhichIshouldgrievetowrong。Greenewasthenaquiveringparalytic，andheclungtremulouslytoLongfellow’sarmingoingouttodinner，whereeventhemodernItalianpoetsweresilentuponhislips。Whenwerosefromtable，Longfellowliftedhimoutofhischair，andtookhimuponhisarmagainfortheirreturntothestudy。 HewasoflightermetalthanmostothermembersoftheDanteClub，andhewasnotoftheirimmediateintimacy，livingawayfromCambridge，ashedid，andIsharedhissilenceintheirpresencewithfullsympathy。 Iwasbyfartheyoungestoftheirnumber，andIcannotyetquitemakeoutwhyIwasofitatall。ButateverymomentIwasassensibleofmygoodfortuneasofmyilldesert。TheywerethemenwhomofallmenlivingImosthonored，anditseemedtobeimpossiblethatIatmyageshouldbesoperfectlyfulfillingthedreamofmylifeintheircompany。