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poet's portrait; a precious souvenir of that morning passed at Craigie House.’1
Lord Ronald, Gower then quotes the words used long since in regard to Longfellow by Cardinal Wiseman,—words which find an appropriate place here.
‘ “Our hemisphere,” said the Cardinal, “cannot claim the honor of having brought him forth, but he still belongs to us, for his works have become as household words wherever the English language is spoken.
And whether we are charmed by his imagery, or soothed by his melodious versification, or elevated by the moral teachings of his pure muse, or follow with sympathetic hearts the wanderings of Evangeline, I am sure that all who hear my voice will join with me in the tribute I desire to pay to the genius of Longfellow.”
’2
‘We have but one life here on earth,’ wrote Longfellow in his diary; ‘we must make that beautiful.
And to do this, health and elasticity of mind are needful, and whatever endangers or impedes these must be avoided.’
It is not often that a man's scheme of life is so well fulfilled, or when fulfilled is so well reflected in his face and bearing, tinged always by the actual
1 My Reminiscences, by Lord Ronald Gower, American edition, II. 227, 228.
2 lb., American edition, II. 228.
Boston and New York, Hougton, Mifflin and company, 1902.
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