motionless upon my study floor, as if it were a figure in the
carpet; and through the open window comes the fragrance of the
wild-brier and the mock-orange. The birds are carolling in the
trees, and their shadows flit across the window as they dart to and
fro in the sunshine; while the murmur of the bee, the cooing of
doves from the eaves, and the whirring of a little humming-bird
that has its nest in the honeysuckle, send up a sound of joy to
meet the rising sun."

Here was passed a very busy and happy period of Mr. Longfellow's life.
He was young, gifted, fortunately situated, and beloved, and as yet no
shadow had darkened his life. He employed his leisure in writing a
series of sketches of travel which were afterwards published as
"Outre-Mer," and he began to write poetry again after an interval of
nearly eight years. He also began a scrap-book devoted to notices of
his writings, which he christened "Puffs and Counter Blasts," and kept
for the greater part of his life.

He passed five and a half years in Brunswick, perhaps the happiest years
of his life, for he had youth and health and high hope at this time; and
then he began to long for a somewhat wider sphere. Very opportunely came
the offer of a professorship in Harvard University, which was at once
accepted, in April, 1835. He sailed for Europe to make himself familiar
with the Scandinavian tongues and to pass some further time in Germany.
He was accompanied by his wife and two of her young lady friends. They
remained in London for a few weeks, and made acquaintance with many
distinguished people,--among others the Carlyles, to whom they had
brought an introduction from Mr. Emerson. They paid a visit to the seer
at Chelsea, of which Mrs. Longfellow wrote:--

"Mr. Carlyle of Craigenputtock was soon after announced, and passed
a half-hour with us much to our delight. He has very unpolished
manners, and a broad Scottish accent, but such fine language and
beautiful thoughts that it is truly delightful to listen to him. He
invited us to take tea with them at Chelsea, where they now reside.
We were as much charmed with Mrs. C. as with her husband. She is a
lovely woman with very simple and pleasing manners. She is also
very talented and accomplished; and how delightful it is to see
such modesty combined with such power to please!"

They left London for Copenhagen and Stockholm in Ju