Henry W. Longfellow; Biography, Anecdote[s], Letters, Criticism (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1895 edition. Excerpt: ... 'Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra, And Edith with golden hair.' "From this room we pass into a long, narrow hall, running the length of the house. At its head great Jove looks before him with big, unseeing eyes; while on either side are those lovely marble women, who, in spite of Lord Byron's couplet, -- 'I've seen more beauty, ripe and real, Than all the nonsense of their stone ideal, ' still hold their own -- as embodied ideas in human shape -- against their living sisters. "The library is the most beautiful room in the house, --dark and rich in tone, with a look of spacious elegance and home-like comfort. On three sides the walls are lined with books. The bronzes and Japanese screens are studies. "Here hangs a portrait of Liszt. The background is dark, and he is dressed in the long black convent robe. High above his head he holds a lighted candle. The rays shape themselves like a halo round his head, and throw into fine relief the thin, spirited face. "Mr. Longfellow saw him thus for the first time as he stood in the convent-door peering out into the night. The vision impressed itself upon the poet, and he persuaded Liszt to have his picture painted. "From the library a passage leads to the billiard-room, now fallen into disuse, and converted into an aesthetic lumber-room, where one would delight to dream away a rainy day. "The rooms up-stairs are as full of interest as those below. "One suite has been fitted up by Mr. Longfellow's son (Charles Appleton) in Japanese style. The wallpaper is of neutral tint, ornamented with Japanese fans in groups of twos and threes. The heathen gods frown at you, national arms are collected, tables are heaped with Japanese books made on the principle of cat-stairs, and photographs of Japanese beauties, ...