In 1890, when Haverhill, his native town, was to celebrate its two
hundred and fiftieth anniversary, Whittier was called upon for a poem.
He wrote to his friend, Col. F----:
“I find I cannot write a hymn or anything to be sung, but I shall have
a poem of perhaps one hundred lines. I am afraid it will not amount to
much, but it will show my good will at least. If needed, I can have it
ready by the middle of the month.”
Later, he wrote: “I send the verses for the celebration. I wish the
committee in charge would print it and send me two copies of the proof,
as I may have to make some slight changes before it is ready for final
printing. As I cannot read it myself, I must request that Professor
Churchill of Andover may do it if he is not engaged otherwise.... He is
a good reader and good readers are very rare. I want it read so well
that its faults and failings shall be forgotten in the fine elocution
of the Professor. I have written it under difficult circumstances, but
I hope it may not be found amiss for the occasion. Have you had any
correspondence with Haverhill in England? I think it would be pleasant
to have a greeting from there.”
When it was found that Professor Churchill had already been engaged
to read another poem for the same occasion, Whittier answered the
suggestion of taking another reader:
“I am quite willing that Mr. B---- should read my rhymes. Mrs.
Livermore, I think, would prefer to speak for herself to reading other
folks’ verses. The committee can do as they think best. I shall be
satisfied anyway. There are only one hundred and sixteen lines and they
can be read in five minutes.
“I hear that there will be a large gathering at Haverhill from all the
neighboring towns and cities. If the weather is fine it will be a great
day for Haverhill. I send my picture of last year. On the whole, I
think it is better to give the author of the ‘Haverhill’ poem as he is.”
A few days later he wrote: “I send forty or fifty copies of my poem.
You may need some for the city’s guests and for reporters. If Mr. B----
is to read the poem, he should have a copy of it to look over. I was
pleased to meet Mr. Gurteen of old Haverhill. I had some correspondence
with him some years ago. He brings a beautiful token of good will from
our English namesake with him.”
Mr. B---- went to Whittier’s home and read the poem to him before
reciting it. For when anything of the poet’s was to be read in public,
Whittier was desirous to have it given as he intended it, and, when
he could, he liked to meet the reader and listen to his rendering of
it. He would point out changes here and there, saying of a certain
passage, “I meant it so,” and of another, “I meant that so.” And the
reader must have been dense indeed if he did not catch the meaning,
and unappreciative if he ever forgot those wonderful intonations and
renderings of the poet’s verse by the poet himself.