WHY HE BLUSHED.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 34, 22 August 1891, Page 301

WHY HE BLUSHED.

The poet Whittier who even in his old age is as bashful as a girl, was once embraced and kissed by a man in a crowded parlour. The incident is told by the Rev. Carlos Mortyn, in his Life of Wendell Phillips. Dom Pedro of Brazil, on his visit to Boston in 1876, expressed a wish to meet Mr Whittier, with whom he had corresponded for many years concerning poetry and slavery. A notable Bostonian gave a reception to the Emperor, at which the poet promised to be present. The Emperor was conversing with Wendell Phillips when the venerable poet entered, but he immediately rose, threw his arms about the blushing Quaker, and ki~-ed him on both cheeks. Then seating him on a sofa he p r.ced himself at the poet’s side, and chatted witn him for half an hour. W hen the conversation became general, the Emperor told of his driving over to Charlestown to see Bunker Hill Monument. It was six o’clock in the morning, and the keeper was in bed. When aroused, he refused to let the Emperor in,, until he paid the entrance fee, half a dollar. Dom Pedro, having left his purse at home, was obliged to borrow the coin from the hackman. The company laughed, and Mr Phillips said : ‘The story does not end with the payment of the entrance fee. I will tell your Majesty the rest of it. Two hours later, a well-known leader of Boston society entered the visitors’ room at the base of the monument. Glancing over the book in which every visitor registers he saw your Majesty’s signature. < <« Why,” said he to the keeper, “ you have had the Emperor of Brazil here, this morning. How did he look ?” ‘ The keeper, putting on his glass, examined the handwriting, and scornfully muttered : ‘ “Emperor?” that's a dodge; that fellow was a scapegrace, without a cent, in his pocket!” ’