For instance, mankind is generally ignorant of the fact that Mr. SUMNER
bathes twice a day in a compound, two thirds of which is water and one
third milk, and that he dictates most of his speeches to a stenographer
while reclining in the bath-tub. WENDELL PHILLIPS is said to have written
the greater portion of his famous lecture on "The Lost Arts" on the backs
of old envelopes while waiting for a train in the Boston depot. Mr. GEORGE
W. CURTIS prepares his mind for writing by sleeping with his head encased
in a nightcap lined with leaves of lavender and rose. GRANT, it is said,
accomplishes most of his writing while under the influence of either opium
or chloroform, which will account for the soothing character of his state
papers. WALT WHITMAN writes most of his poetry in the dissecting-room of
the Medical College, where he has a desk fitted up in close proximity to
the operating table. Mr. DANA is said to write most of his editorials in
one of the parlors of the Manhattan Club, arrayed in black broadcloth from
the sole of his head to the crown of his foot, his hands encased in corn-
colored kids, a piece of chewing-gum in his mouth, and a bottle of Cherry
Pectoral by his side. The report that he eats fish every morning for his
breakfast is untrue: he rejects FISH. COLFAX writes all his speeches and
lectures with his feet in hot water, and his head wrapped in a moist towel.
His greatest vice, next to being Vice-President, is to insist upon having
his writing desk in front of a mirror. BUTLER accomplishes most of his
literary labor over a dish of soup, which he absorbs through the medium of
two of his favorite weapons, thus keeping both his hands employed, and
dictating to an amanuensis every time his mouth enjoys a vacation. BEECHER
has several methods by which he prepares his mind to write a sermon: By
riding up and down Broadway on the top of a stage; visiting the Academy of
Anatomy, or spending a few hours at the Bloomingdale Retreat. Neither
HOLMES nor WHITTIER are able to write a line of poetry until they are
brought in contact with the blood of freshly-slain animals; while, on the
other hand, LONGFELLOW'S only dissipation previous to poetic effort, is a