SOURCE: “The Period of Hiawatha,” in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: His Life, His Works, His Friendships, Lee and Shepard, 1883, pp. 314-32.

In the following essay, Austin sets Longfellow's poem in its historical context, discussing how the poet came to write his most popular work, as well as positive and negative reactions to The Song of Hiawatha.

In 1849 appeared the least popular of all of Mr. Longfellow's productions. It was entitled Kavanagh,¹ and aimed to be a story of New-England life and customs. The tale was written during the previous summer, at the Melville House, not far from the home of Dr. Holmes, in Pittsfield, Mass. Much of the scenery and a little of the story were derived from the author's wooing and marriage.

As already stated, the book never attracted a wide circle of readers; and, at the present time, it is doubtful whether it is ever read by...