10 NORTH SHORE BREEZE and Reminder 
he-passed on in. Cambridge, March 24, 1882, the nation 
mourned the loss of its best beloved poet. Although of New 
England, old England gave to him the honor of a niche 
in Westminster Abbey, where his bust was placed in 1884. 
Contemporaneously with the name of Longfellow, is 
that of the good Quaker poet, John Greenleaf Whittier. 
One of the sweetest of all singers was he “in the hearts 
and homes of the people,” and the world of letters has 
always recognized as masterly his productions of Ameri- 
can poetry. He was born in Haverhill, December 17, 
1807, and he died at Hampton Falls, N. H., September 7, 
1892. His parents were members of the Society of Friends 
and he was ever faithful to this sect, even conforming to 
its speech and garb. His ballad of ‘Floyd Ireson’’ is 
among the very best in literature and is thought not sur- 
passed, if equalled, even by Scott. While yet a lad of 
fourteen years, Whittier’s ambition to become a poet was 
awakened by reading a copy of Robert Burns’ poems, 
which fell into his hands. Whittier delved deep into the 
history of Massachusetts Bay and “Skipper Ireson’s Ride” 
and “Agnes” are both traditions of old days at Marble- 
head, the more interesting because authentic. This village 
was the scene of the ride of unhappy Ireson, “torr’d and 
futher’d and corr’d in a cort by the women of Marble- 
head.” “Agnes” is a longer work and is a real romance 
of Colonial days on the North Shore. Agnes Surrage, 
poor and beautiful, after many adventures, becomes the 
bride of Sir Charles Henry Frankland. 
“The vow is spoke,—the prayer is said,— 
And with a gentle pride 
The Lady Agnes lifts her head, 
Sir Harry Frankland’s bride.” 
The exquisite beauty and purity of diction and the 
July 21, 1916. 
simplicity of style of Mr. Whittier’s poems greatly en- 
deared him to his readers. In fancy we see the good 
poet, in his Quaker garb, among his favorite haunts at 
Amesbury. We hear the “thee” and “thou” of the 
Quakers softly spoken. We see him writing his anti- 
slavery articles with fiery pen. We say, “His was the 
complex nature of sweetness and of strength. Mr. Whit- 
tier loved nature and he wrote as he lived, simply, filled 
with love of the quiet things of the world. His poems 
are household words, and the North Shore does well 
to feel honored that it has been sung in so many sweet 
songs by one so gifted. Perhaps, the best known of the 
poems he wrote about the North Shore is “The Swan 
Song of Parson Avery,” the scene of which is laid at 
Newburyport and at Gloucester, where Thatcher’s lights 
now stand. “The Tent on the Beach” is another favorite 
referring to Newburyport and is especially interesting be- 
cause it is an incident in his life, shared by other poets 
who knew the Shore. 
Other poets have lived and sung here on the Shore, 
but space will not permit of a further description of 
them and their works. Still others will come and go, 
but the beautiful Shore, with its limpid waters and shining 
sands will remain forever, a poem yet unwritten. 
“I have been treated very badly by my native city,” 
said a man who had just been fined for drunkenness, “but 
I love her still.” 
“True,” remarked the magistrate; ‘I should say her 
still is about all you do love.”—E «change. 
“I have nothing to live for,” said Slowpay at table. . 
“Well, you'll soon find out that vou can’t live here 
for nothing,” snapped his landlady—Philadelphia Ledger. 
Activity of Red Cross 
Workers in Manchester 
CORES of natty little “comfort” bags have been turned 
out by the Manchester women, who gather each Wed- 
nesday in the G. A. R. hall to assemble supplies for the 
National Guardsmen on the Mexican border, in response 
to the appeal made by the American Red Cross. A peep 
at the contents of one of the compact “individual” outfit 
pouches reveals an assortment of articles selected with 
the view of meeting the most pressing needs of the man 
at the front. A toothbrush, pocket comb, paper of safety 
pins, folding mirror, shaving soap, “bachelor” buttons, 
pocket knife, stiptic pencil, a pencil and five postcards 
are among the contents of each neat khaki bag. 
But sewing khaki comfort bags is only a small part 
of the work which is going on in this particular receiving 
depot. Magazines are assembled, quantities of tobacco, 
cigarettes and other smoking materials are packed in the 
border-bound boxes. One thoughtful gentleman con- 
tributed dozens of pipe cleaners for the boxes sent this 
week. Articles of under-clothing, socks, etc., are among 
the things shipped and still needed. Not all of the articles 
have been contributed, but may have been purchased with 
the funds kindly donated by those interested in the work. 
Among those who have donated money or material since 
th» start of the work two weeks ago are Mrs. F. 1, 
Higginson, Mrs. S. V. R. Crosby, Mrs. H. S. Grew, Mrs. 
Boylston Beal, Mrs. Andrew Carnegie, 2d, Mrs. George 
Howe, Mrs. J. Warren Merrill, Miss Mary F. Bartlett, 
Mrs. Russell Codman, Miss Louie Stanwood, E. P. Stan- 
ley, Misses Nan and Lucy Carnegie and Miss Rosamond 
Merrill. 
Among the additions to the workers the past week 
were Mrs. Oliver Mink, Mrs. Nathan Hayward and 
Miss Elizabeth Beal. ‘Two boxes of supplies were packeé 
under the direction of Mrs. L. W. Carter Wednesday 
afternoon. 
SOCIAL CALENDAR— 
July 21 (today)—Mrs. L. M. Sargent’s ‘home at 
Pride’s Crossing, Frances Nevin recital on Interpreta- 
tions of Grand Opera, benefiting French orphans.  < 
July 24—At North Shore Swimming Pool, Magnolia, a 
Charity bridge party, benefit Surgical Dressings branch 
at Magnolia. 
July 28—Musicale, in charge of Mrs. Hall McAllister at 
the home of Mrs. Bayard Warren, Pride’s Crossing. 
July 29—Afternoon and evening, sale and lawn party at 
“The Fairview,” in Rowley. Proceeds used for a 
charitable purpose. 
July 31—Italian musicale, in. charge of Miss’ Virginia 
Wainwright, at Mrs. George Lee’s, Beverly Farms. 
Aug. 4—Frances Nevin recital, Madame Butterfly, at 
Mrs. George Lee’s, Beverly Farms, benefiting French 
orphans, 3.30 p. m. 
Aug. 9—Wednesday afternoon, 3-7, Gladioli show, 
Cedar Acres, benefit of American Ambulance Hospital 
at Neuilly, France. 
Aug. 11—Musicale, in charge of Mrs. Hall McAllister, at 
the home of Mrs. Lucius M. Sargent, Pride’s Crossing. 
Sept. 1—Bridge tournament at Mrs. Robert S. Bradley’s, 
Pride’s Crossing, benefit of the Children’s Island 
sanitarium, Salem Harbor. 
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