From Portland to Cambridge
HWL. "Wine in Cellar," a page from an agenda book kept by Longfellow, 1870.
Longfellow Papers MS Am 1340 (216) page 19. Houghton Library. |
Longfellow's inventory of Italian wines reflects his abiding love for Italy. His passion for fine wine appalled Emerson, who believed that poets should be "tipsy with water" only: "Longfellow, we cannot go & talk with; there is a palace, & servants, & a row of bottles of different colored wines, & wine glasses, & fine coats" (Emerson, "The Poet" [1844] and journal, August 1853). |